Self-Compassion in the Face of Chronic Pain
In this episode of the Unreal Results podcast, I’m joined by Amy Young, a coach who helps women navigate major life transitions. I first found Amy through her content and eventually started working with her but I’ve always loved her vibe and felt like we spoke the same language, so given the work she does, I felt she would be a great guest for the podcast. In this episdoe, Amy shares her insights from over ten years of guiding clients through mysterious body pain and personal growth. You’ll also hear us talk about reframing pain as a teacher, building a compassionate relationship with the body, and the emotional and psychological layers of healing. Whether you work with high-level athletes or everyday humans dealing with complex pain, this conversation will expand the way you think about the healing process and whole-body care.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
Connect with Amy on Instagram
My Favorite Episode of Amy's Podcast: Woman: You Are The Prize
Learn the LTAP™ In-Person in one of my upcoming courses
Considering the viscera as a source of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction is a great way to ensure a more true whole body approach to care, however it can be a bit overwhelming on where to start, which is exactly why I created the Visceral Referral Cheat Sheet. This FREE download will help you to learn the most common visceral referral patterns affecting the musculoskeletal system. Download it at www.unrealresultspod.com
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Anna Hartman: Hey there and welcome. I'm Anna Hartman and this is Unreal Results, a podcast where I help you get better outcomes and gain the confidence that you can help anyone, even the most complex cases. Join me as I teach about the influence of the visceral organs in the nervous system on movement, pain and injuries, all while shifting the paradigm of what whole body assessment and treatment really looks like.
I'm glad you're here. Let's dive in.
Hello. Hello. Welcome back to another episode of the Unreal Results Podcast. Have a little special episode for you. As most of you know, I don't do a ton of guest podcasts, but when I do, it's just because I like the person and I wanna chat with 'em, and we have good conversations. Uh, and so I wanna share it with all of you listeners.
And also my other like, big thing about having guests is that they fit what they're talking about fits into this like, whole organism approach. And, um, the guest today, Amy Young, she definitely fits that approach. I've, I've known Amy since maybe like 2019, I think. And, um, I started, I found her on the internet somehow, like devoured her content.
Um, at the time she was doing like relationship coaching, um, and just loved her vibe and started working with her and just. I mean, I mean, I'm still single, so I don't know.
Amy Young: So let that just be a word of warning to everyone.
Anna Hartman: A word of warning. No. Uh, but no, I got so much out of, um, the initial working with her and then as her, as she grew into new parts of her herself and new parts of her profession, I sort of like followed along and just like still loved it.
And you know, now, like we've always sort of spoke the same language, but now I feel like it resonates even more. Um, so yeah, that's what I wanted to bring around. So, without further ado, Amy, welcome to the Unreal Results Podcast. Hi. So I would love for you to give your little spiel to everyone of like who you are, what your background is, what you do now.
Totally.
Amy Young: Yeah. Uh, well, I mean, I'll just start by saying how. Fun. It is that I get to be here with you. I just love, I love when we have time together, so I'm just like, oh, yay. I get to talk to Anna for like an hour. Um, and yeah, and it, it's so cool to get to be on your podcast 'cause I just love, I'm all about the work that you do and the way that you speak about and teach on and lead your whole mission in the world and everything.
So this is such a treat for me. Um, yeah. Hi everyone. I am Amy Young. Um, I am a coach. I work with women. Typically, nowadays I work with women who are moving through really big transitions. Um, often women who are kind of in the midst of big awakenings in their lives realizing like, Ooh, the way that I've been doing things is not working anymore.
Something needs to change. Um, it often involves things happening in the body that can sometimes be mysterious. Um, my journey was very much that way, so I'm, you know, I'm sure maybe we'll get into that, but, um. I've been a coach for over 10 years. Um, like you said, I, I started out in the dating and relationship space space and had a, a big YouTube platform and things have kind of just evolved as I've grown and, and changed over the years too.
Um. And Yeah. And it's been really cool to have this experience of people, you know, that maybe were, I've some clients who followed me from, you know, like, yeah, like 2015 or something, like from really early YouTube days. And they're just like, yeah, I've just grown as you've grown and, and we continue to kind of just evolve together.
So I feel really blessed in that regard to have such so many amazing members of my online community.
Anna Hartman: Yes. I love this. Um, well, it's funny too, what you said about like, when you work with women that are going through like, big changes and I'm like, isn't that why most people go, like, I'm like, people reach out to coaches when, like, whether they realize they're ready to go through a big change or not.
Yeah. Like it's like something's happening mm-hmm. That they either finally feel like uncomfortable enough to make a change or like. Sick. Not, I don't wanna say sick enough, but like sick and tired of feeling or not, or not being, feeling like they're living life to the fullest. Mm-hmm. Or like sick of pain randomly that can't go away.
Yeah. And um, so it is interesting because it's like, you know, same reason someone often comes to a therapist or a coach for help too, right? Yeah. It's like everything doesn't feel right in their body and they need help. And so it's, I think it's just really interesting often how at the end of the day, being in relationship with each other, helping each other is like, that's like a fundamental piece of any type of coach.
No matter if you're a health coach, a life coach, a shrink coach, you know, like a therapist, a physical therapist, athletic trainer. Like it is like sort of. Well, important thing is like realizing that you're just sort of a guide to help somebody back to them. I always tell to help somebody back to themselves.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: And, which is interesting because we get labeled so often as the expert and most of what I do, and I know that you do the same and that why we resonate so well together is like, yes, I'm an expert in like understanding the anatomy and like pathophysiology and things like that. But at the end of the day, I'm always like giving people back their power
Amy Young: mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: And their autonomy and making them realize like, your body is giving you messages and like, let's figure out how to decode them. Totally. Um, so it's like, I'm like, oh yeah, same. And, and I also love that there's so many. And just take pain for an example, because I know a lot of people come to you for with physical pain too.
Mm-hmm. And so it's like, it's just interesting to me always that is like, you know, the person's in the center and then there's all these other ways to get to the center to help that person when we're all dealing with, you know, when it's all still pain. Right? Yeah. Like, because you know, most people listening to this podcast know pain is not like, um, a, an input pain is an output, right?
Mm-hmm. Pain's coming from our brain. So there's, that actually makes it so cool 'cause you can reach it in so many different ways. Mm-hmm. When the physical modalities do fall short or are not accessible. Mm-hmm. And I think that's a big thing too. It is like having people know that like, um, people in chronic pain, sometimes the manual therapy modalities and the exercise modalities.
That are traditionally applied to them, like they're just not accessible for them. There's so many other layers that you've gotta get through.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm. Yeah, and I mean, I, I a hundred percent agree with everything you're saying. And also, it's such a tricky thing because so much of how we're taught to relate to, you know, a, a practitioner or someone who's providing a service is like, oh yeah, they, like you said, like they're the expert and they have the answers.
Like I, I remember I once heard. Um, the spiritual teacher, Sadie Whipp, who I really love a lot, like she describes it, she works with people with a lot of like mystery illness and she's like, the current collective model is like, oh, doctor, smart, patient, stupid. Yeah. And, and, and having been in that patient seat before, you know, like I, I've had a history of chronic pain and having to resolve it in really like mysterious, untraditional ways because I was going to the smart doctors as the stupid patient and like couldn't get any answers.
But the thing that was so astounding to me for so long when I was like just unraveling that whole experience for myself was like, how much, even knowing everything that I know and. And understanding, like I am a powerful autonomous being and like, and yeah, this, this pain is, is not like my enemy and adversary, like there's something going on that's asking for my attention and I can, I can be responsive to that.
The instinct to still assume like, no, this other person's gonna have the answer. Yeah. This, this, this modality is gonna be the silver bullet solution to this problem. Like, oh, I'm gonna listen to this webinar and this per, you know, it's like the, the orientation towards, I'm helpless in this even when we know everything we know is like, so yes.
Sticky. And, um, and that's, you know, been something as well that informs the way that I, I work with people where, like you said. I'm always, I haven't woven into my practice and in my business in so many ways that I'm constantly like reminding everyone that I'm like, I'm, I don't have all the answers. And like, I am a thousand percent an imperfect person.
Still in progress, still in process, still learning things all the time. Mm-hmm. And like, you know, wanting to just as much as possible, like level that playing field so we're not playing into this thing of like, oh, expert authority. Smart. Oh, like student learner stupid. 'cause it's not, it's just, it's incorrect.
It's unhelpful. Yeah. It's bogus.
Anna Hartman: Definitely not helpful.
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: And I think sometimes too, like the appealing part of that old model is that oftentimes you're just so tired of being not feeling great. Mm-hmm. That you're just like a little bit of like, I give up, I'm overwhelmed. Even your nervous system, you like.
Tend towards dissociation and like shut down freeze mode. Yeah. And so you're just like, I want somebody else to like, carry this for me a little bit. Mm-hmm. And I want somebody else to like, fix me because I, you feel helpless in being able to fix yourself. Mm-hmm. Or like, you just don't know where to start.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: I, which also, like, sometimes this comes up in terms of, um, I always tell people, like, I have to remind myself of what the patient's expectation is when they come to see me versus my expectation. Because, you know, as a, as someone, you know, for me to be successful in the setting of career I'm in, I've had to be like very like masculine energy, you know, like take action.
Like do the things like, you know, like be the expert, like put on that. Like I know everything hat, and I always like also say like, everybody in their mid twenties. Like to early thirties, like you think you know everything. Like yeah. Like, but I easily wore that hat, right? Mm-hmm. And so when someone comes to me, I have this expectation that I'm going to try to fix them immediately.
Like one visit, I'm going to make you feel better. And which I, I get those results quite a bit. But also when I have to sometimes reframe it and realize, like most of the time when somebody's coming for help, especially when it's a complex patient or someone with chronic pain, they don't expect you to fix it in one visits.
Mm-hmm. Like, they know it's an like, I don't wanna say impossible, but they know it's going to take something. And what they're looking for is just someone to like. Be like, I hear you, I see you. There's not, you're not broken. And I'll help put on my private investigator hat on and I will help you figure this out.
And I will like, think of all the angles that can be leading to this. Like the physical, the emotional, the, you know, psychological, the, you know, the energetic, like all of it. And if I don't know the tools to help, I'll pull in some people that will. Mm-hmm. Like, people are almost like, whether they realize or not, they're seeking out a case manager.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm. You know? Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: And I think so many doctors kind of fall flat on that is like, they don't know how to, you know, because of the system, often they don't know how to hold space and just also admit that they don't know what to do, but they're willing to help. Right. Like, yeah. Like. It's one of those things that it's like, it's often so simple of what somebody needs from us as the care caregiver.
And we, because we get glassed over eyes with the, like, well, they're coming to me for answers. I better have an answer. Totally. Better have an answer. I'm less than,
Amy Young: yeah.
Anna Hartman: Um, instead of the person just wants to be like, are you listening to me? Like, yeah. Well, and like NLP like, validate what somebody's saying and then repeat it back to them and Yes.
Is like, that works.
Amy Young: Yes. Like it's, it's like the benef the, the benefits of just like presence. Yes. And just like being with someone. Mm-hmm. Because that's the other thing too, a couple things that are coming to me as you're sharing is like, we really tend to undervalue just how healing it is and rare it is for someone to be like, really listened to.
Yes. And, and listen to in a way where it's like, I'm not listening to like fix, and I'm not listening to Correct. I'm listening to like be with you in this and Yeah. To provide a level of presence so that, you know, like you're not alone in this. Yeah. And what's happening, and that alone is so relieving mm-hmm.
For someone's system to be like, oh, there's somebody else in this experience with me. Yeah. But the other thing that you, you're speaking to, which I think is so important for any, any caregiver, helper, healer, practitioner of anything is like, as soon as I make someone else's results or experience about me, and like, am I doing a good job?
Am I, am I good at what I do? Am I, I've lost the plot? Mm-hmm. Entirely. Like that's, you know, and, and that's something that I really respect and appreciate about. Your approach so much and what I, when I hear you talk about your process, I'm like, oh, you are so like in service to like the body and the being.
Mm-hmm. That, and not that, I mean, I'm sure we all have moments, right? Where we're like in our heads about something or feeling like insecure, being like, Ooh, I, maybe I shouldn't have said that. You know, like, you like Monday morning quarterback, the assessment or something. Yeah. And you're just like, Ooh, I don't know if that was the right move to make.
Like that's just gonna happen. But the more that we can approach it, like. No, this isn't about me doing a good job or me fixing this for you. This is about me, like being in process with you and doing, like you said, like doing everything I can. Mm-hmm. To assist you in alleviating whatever the struggle is.
'cause like in my world, right? I'm not doing, anytime I say these things, I'm like, I was about to say like, oh, you know, I'm not doing like hands-on body work with people. But then I'm like, well Amy, you never know where the path will lead. Like, I'm doing lots of shit these days that I never thought I would do before.
So I'm like, I'm not trying to tempt fate. And, but you know, like in, in my world, um, when I am, I'm having a session with a new client or someone's really coming to me and they're Yeah. And they're like deep in a dark place and they're recognizing like, something really needs to change or I really need to change.
Um, so much of the, the value that get that transpires on that call is someone just getting to feel like, oh, you get me and you see me and, and yeah. And I'm not alone in this. And, um. Like the language that I I use a lot is like, no, I'm gonna, I'm gonna partner with you, you know? Mm-hmm. Like, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna fix you because you don't need to be fixed.
Yeah. But like, we're, we're gonna be a team, like a united front mm-hmm. In this experience together. And, and there's power in that.
Anna Hartman: Yes. I love that. The partnering. I need to switch to say that. 'cause usually I, I'll be like, oh, you know, we're, we're not fixing your body. I'm not working on your body. I'm working with your body.
So that's sort of like that same energy, but I'm like, you know, sometimes I'm just tinkering, but I'm like, yeah, I'm just Yeah. In partnership. Yeah. I like that a lot. And, and I think, you know, it is, this is the tough, you know, because society does try to tell us, like the medical field, like, has all the answers and like, that's just like not true.
Like, we, like even, you know, in my 20 whatever, two, three year career, like. The, the things we've learned about the human body in the last 23 years are like, I'm like, we didn't know that. Like, that's not that long ago.
Amy Young: Yeah. It's wild. Yeah, right.
Anna Hartman: Like, and so I'm like, that's the other thing that people need to keep in mind that is like, some things we just don't have the answers for and we're doing our best out here.
Trying to like, figure it out and um, you know, I was just having that conversation with my athletes today is like the answer. Like he's very, like, really wants some answers and I'm like, I feel that and I want to find those answers with you too. But I also have to like, let you know that the answer may not be out there for us.
Mm-hmm. Like the answer. We'll get the answer eventually, meaning like, when we're on the other side of this, we'll know what we needed. Like we know what was the problem or we know, we'll know what the answer was in terms to get you to the end. 'cause I have no doubt that we'll get there.
But I'm like, you know, 'cause because he is like, well, has anybody else gone through this before? I'm like, you may actually be the first person. Like, this is the thing. I was like, and it like, even if you're not like literally in the billions of people in the world, maybe you're not the first person. That's kind of silly to think about that.
What's possible.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: I'm like, it's not like everything that happens to somebody gets written up and posted to the internet or in a clinical journal. Yeah, it's in a journal. Yeah. It's like literally impossible to know if anybody else has been through this. And so I'm like, but like, let's take a step back and like if we had, if like we had some definitive, like this is what's going on, would it really change our trajectory that much?
Mm-hmm.
Amy Young: Like,
Anna Hartman: we're doing all the things.
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: So it's just interesting, like, and, and I think, you know, our brain, you know, our brain from a nervous system standpoint is just always seeking predictability, right? Like. I get that feeling of wanting the answers because you want some predictability because that's what makes you feel safe.
Mm-hmm. And so like to me it's like recognizing like, okay, I know you're not feeling safe. And so like, what are the other things? Or how can I even have conversation with you to let you know that I'm listening? I hear you. I, I'm with you. But also we have to kind of live in this unknown space. But then can I do these other like, you know, little, I don't wanna like, I hate the word hacks, but like, how else can we bring some safety to your nervous system?
Yeah. So you stop that spiraling search for answers.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm. Totally. Well, and this is, so, I mean, one of my favorite topics is. Like our, yeah. Our relationship to these unknowns and like, and the body as much as it has been studied is continuously studied. The technology is always advancing. There are things we will never understand, never.
Like never. And there will be, there will be things that happen that cannot be explained. Mm-hmm. There will be things that are resolved that it's like, oh, that okay, like that, I guess that just resolved itself and like I really, I, I feel like there's so much power in kind of like surrendering to that and getting right with that, that it's like, oh, this vessel, this mechanism, this thing, like, is always going to be somewhat of a mystery.
Mm-hmm. And instead of that being something that it's like. Oh man. But it would be so great if we really could understand it all. The, the thing that, like I always go back to is when I started experiencing chronic pain and I was bouncing from doctor to doctor, I was very aware that they were like, there were different parts of me where there was this one part of me that was like desperate for diagnosis.
Mm-hmm. And then there was this other, other part of me that was like, actually I, I don't know that I do want a diagnosis because if this is just a weird, mysterious thing that's happening, then. It can mysteriously go away. Unh. Yeah. Like if, this is just a weird thing and, and like if I get a diagnosis and I see this with, you know, different clients of mine who are dealing with different health issues, sometimes diagnosis or knowing a lot can be a hindrance to the healing process because then, or devour all this information, we're obsessed with data, we're looking at the statistics, we're trying to make sense of it all.
And then we're, we're sort of not, we're, we're limiting the possibilities of what our bodies are capable of or what we can do or what's possible in terms of healing. Yeah. I mean, and this is true, this is like, I apply this to everything in my work. You know, like when I'm working with people on relationship stuff.
Mm-hmm. I'm like. We can look at all the stats and data of like, where are people meeting each other? And you know, like, what, how many people are staying together? Married, and like, let's try and nail all of this down to the ground and get, make sense of it. And I'm like, yeah. And you know what else is like, the truth of your truth is that when it comes to like soulmate level love connection, nobody fucking knows.
Like we actually can't chart it on a graph. And when you ask people like, how did you meet your person? It's mysterious and it's weird and it's like strange stories that you, that, that just sit outside the range of like what we can rationalize or logically understand. And that's a beautiful thing. Like, like being in awe of what we can't understand or don't know.
Mm-hmm. In my world it's like, it's a, it is an underdeveloped skill. Yeah. And, and I think especially, yeah, in relationship to the body, like I'm continuously humbled. By what my body reveals to me, or shows me, or how it responds to different inputs or what I'm doing or what I'm not doing. Like I am constantly like, whoa, like this is, this is an ever evolving relationship and understanding.
Yes, yes.
Anna Hartman: I always, I love that you brought that up. Be, and I, I say that all the time to people. I'm like, listen, like, we'll never know. It's so intricate. It's so seamlessly integrated. Like all the systems rely on each other. Like I am, like, the example I always give is like, listen, no one coached you. How?
Like nobody told you the path to go from a single cell to a, a little. Embryo to a fetus, to a baby and like, and then once it's a baby, like nobody taught that baby how to like suckle, how to breathe, how to reach, how to talk, how to roll over, how to move. I'm like, all of those things are deeply embedded and ingrained in the cellular intelligence of us.
I was like, so it's like you can't, like we will never, we'll never know. And I'm like, but also I, that's how I'm like, how could you not see that and be in awe of the capability of we have mm-hmm. Healing and changing and yeah, mysterious aches and pains and illnesses. Like as mysterious as they got there, just mysteriously going, like going away.
And I think it's just so. Interesting that people forget that. I'm like, you know, Bonnie Brain Bridge Cone? Like one of her quotes is like something like you, I forget it word for word, but she's basically like, you have a memory of everything that's ever happened to you in your body, like you did it. Like tap back into that knowledge of how like amazing of a human you are that you like just developed from a cell.
Totally. You know, the anatomy, I always tell people, I'm like, don't get so bent outta shape about not knowing the visceral anatomy of the nerve anatomy because it should be easy to learn because it is your lived history.
Amy Young: Hmm.
Anna Hartman: I was like that. You know, like it's not that far out of reach.
Amy Young: It's
Anna Hartman: literally in our memory.
And so I am like, and often with anything, right? Like you're overthinking it so much and you're living in a false reality. You're talking about how things should feel or how things should look or how things should be. Whenever you use that s word, we're like, not, our feet are not grounded on this reality.
Right. You know, the Byron Katie thought process of like, you're not believing the truth. You're not believing reality. And so it's like as soon as we Yes. Stop analyzing and thinking, because anytime we're doing shoulds, we're analyzing, we're like trying to like figure out how to do things differently or like, you know, making wishes of like, you know, a different past.
I'm like, that is like literally the ingredients to feel like a crazy person.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: Is to like, think about like, if I could go back and change things, I'm like, because you can't.
Amy Young: Well, yeah. And like how. Like how much of these efforts are just come back to, I think especially this shows up with our bodies, is like trying to control things that are not our business to control.
Mm-hmm. Like, this is so funny. I was actually thinking of a conversation I had with a friend of mine, this was years ago, but she, um, she had a history of disordered eating and had a lot of like body dysmorphia issues and she's been on this whole incredible healing journey. She, she got into, um, the, the 12 steps over Eaters anonymous and was working, you know, through all of her disordered eating stuff.
And there was this, I remember having a conversation with her where she, something that her sponsor and, and one of like, the ethos of OA was like, my body is not my business. Like what my body does, how my body fluctuates. Like, oh, my body's bloated, my body's not bloated, and I gained a few pounds. I lost a few pounds.
I right like that. Being able to actually release like, oh, I can't control this. Yeah. Like was such a liberating reframe truth for her because so much of her life had been devoted to, if I just dial in Yes. All these specific inputs and I'm counting my macros and I'm doing all, it's like, I'll be able to control this and get it to be what I want it to be.
And bodies don't respond well. I mean, think about how it feels when someone tries to control you. You know? Like, it's like we all rebel and we're, thank you. Yeah. We're all like, fuck off a little bit. Thank you. Go the copy. And I don't, I don't think our bodies are dissimilar, you know, like on a cellular level.
I really, I really believe like our bodies are listening, our bodies are tracking, our bodies are paying attention, our bodies are responding. And like I. You know, the, if we bring an, an energy to our bodies or Yeah. To like a session or something where it's like, I need to dominate this and control this and make this body do what I think it should be doing.
Yeah. It's, it produces the complete opposite results of anything. And I've totally done that. Like, I remember when I started doing some trauma resolution work, which was like my first. Experience with like somatic psychology and everything. I was like, we're gonna get in there. We're gonna, we're gonna like get all that trauma.
Anna Hartman: We're process this trauma. Yeah. I'm, we're gonna like outta my body. Yeah.
Amy Young: Like I was like, I'm gonna hardcore attack this trauma and trauma exorcism. Get it. Exactly. And it was, and I learned very quickly that I was like, that is not how this is gonna go. Yeah. No, you're not. Like that was not the approach. But that was, that was kind of the only way that I knew how to do things, was to approach it with this like, harder, better, faster, stronger.
Like, I can power through this. I can force this, I can make this happen. Mm-hmm. And so much of my journey with my body has been like, slow down, sit down, listen. Like you are not in charge here. Yeah. Your body will show you that you're not in charge. Yes. And that's not something we need to fight. Again, it's like it's a partnership that we can.
Cultivate.
Anna Hartman: Mm-hmm. It is like, so not the world we live in.
Amy Young: Right? Yeah, totally. Yeah. Yeah.
Anna Hartman: And especially with my athletes, like they, and this is the problem, right? He's like spiraling because he wants to control and he cannot control, and he feels very out of control and nobody likes ence and I get it.
Amy Young: Well, and
Anna Hartman: especially I'm, I'm in it with 'em, right?
Like I did. And it's like
Amy Young: your livelihood depends on it, you know, your identity. You have all of these people around you who are like, okay, like let's get this thing back on track. Like, yeah, there's all this stuff wrapped up and like, we need to fix this. Yeah. It's kind of like, it's like a weird. Like, it's like one of those Chinese finger trap things.
Do you remember those? Where it's like, it's like the more you pull, I'm not sure we can call them Chinese finger traps, is that Oh no, don't cancel me. We can, I dunno. I don't know, whatever those finger traps are that it's like, um, yeah, you, when you pull out, it's like, it just gets tighter and tighter. It's like, yeah.
You pull and pull and it just
Anna Hartman: blocks you down even more. Totally. Like, that's such a good analogy.
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: I, this is coming up when we're talking because it kind of in, is on the same thing, you know, oftentimes it'll help people like a reminder, like, your body's working for you, not against you. Like, and also like, and it's not like, it's not you versus your body ever.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Um, but yet we set it up as you versus your body a lot. And I, I think sometimes the pushback of people that have. Chronic illness, autoimmune, or just kind of like my athlete who has just been injured over and over. Mm-hmm. Like, you know, one injury o you know, can't get, can't, can seem to get out of the injury cycle.
When I say like, your body's working for you, not against you, it's like, it doesn't feel that way, that doesn't totally doesn't feel true. And so it feels a little like gaslighting sometimes. And sometimes even when I say it, I'm like, Ooh, I don't wanna say this. But I also know it's true. And, and, um, it's kind of like what you're saying too with you're, you're not the boss of your body, like you're, you know, but I'm like, how do you, and especially given your journey with the chronic pain, like how do you navigate that?
Because that is like, it doesn't feel like it's working for you. Yeah. It doesn't, you know, like any insight on that, like, yeah.
Amy Young: I mean, for me, uh, when I, when one, it's like. Getting into a, um, what's the word I want to use? Like, I, I think I realized pretty early on that I was like, if I don't find a way to relate to this.
That like isn't adversarial, where I'm not like, oh, my body's turning on me and my body hates me. And, and I was like, this is gonna be really bad. Like, just like something, you know, like I just had this awareness that I was like, okay, this isn't going away. I, there's no clear solution here. I have to find a way to relate to this.
That's like manageable, like almost like, I don't know, like I think about when I was in college freshman year and like you just get, uh, you're stuck with a roommate or whatever that like, you don't like, but it's like, okay, maybe I could like apply second semester for like a different roommate. But it's like, if I'm gonna have to live with this person, I have to find a way to do this.
That's, yeah. Not gonna make you feel like a crazy person. Yes. So, so for me, that kind of became like this sort of game of like, okay, so. How can I potentially relate to this in a way that's not gonna make me crazy and not, and not gonna make me feel like I'm fighting with myself and my body all day. And I think especially where pain is involved, and, and maybe this is, I dunno if this would be similar with like chronic injuries, but when I started really assuming that, that, that the pain was, um, like a, like an inner alarm system mm-hmm.
Like, I was like, if this, if this pain is trying to tell me something, show me something that consciously I'm not aware of, like, number one, is that even possible that that could be true? That it's like maybe this pain has an intelligence to it. Like it's not just like throwing a wrench in the mix of my life or like wanting to fuck up my day, but it's, it's trying to communicate something to me that I'm not aware of.
Mm-hmm. Um, what might that be? Right. And that started, that started this whole process for me of being in, it sounds so hokey, kind of, but being in conversation with the pain in a way where I was like, okay, if, if, if I was imagining that there was something that the pain wanted to tell me, or if I, if I kind of like dropped, you know, when I was doing Yeah.
Like a lot of somatic practices of like going into the center of the pain, like bringing my awareness even into the center of the pain and like mm-hmm. Listening, like, what, what do I hear, sense, receive? Like intuit, imagine like what comes to me? And it was really fucking wild, mild, what that practice kind of revealed.
You know, like one of the things being that by the time the pain started, like I had been very aware, like my body had been talking to me for a long time telling me that like I needed to slow down and I was taking on too much and. I needed to, to curb some things and change some things and shift some things.
And I had just been like, on this trajectory of like, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. I'm just like, I'm building my business. You know, I'm in the grind of it. I was total workaholic and like, I didn't wanna slow down, I didn't wanna change anything. I didn't wanna, you know, and, and so when I started relating to it in this way that I was like, what's the message underneath the pain?
Or what is the pain trying to show me? Like, there all this stuff was sort of revealed to me that I was like, that's really true. You know, like I have needed to slow down and like my body hasn't been happy for a long time and I've been neglecting a lot of my needs and I haven't had good boundaries and like, you know, all of these things that had, that had been happening and on this sort of like background level, I was aware of it.
But then when the pain started and, and some other symptoms and things got really bad, it was like, oh, now I have no choice but to pay attention mm-hmm. At a different level. Mm-hmm. Um, and to start attending and caring for myself at a different level. Yeah. Um, but I mean, but even within that, again, it's not like, it's like a light switch goes on and I'm like, this pain is my friend.
You know, like, it's like I viewed it more at the end of the day that I was like, maybe this pain is my teacher. Yeah. And it's gonna teach me some stuff. Yeah. And, um, and that's, that's something that's like a sort of spiritual framework that I offer to my clients. Like if there's something in your life that you can't control, you can't make, go away.
It might be your teacher. Mm-hmm. And what is it trying to teach you? And that's like, that's one of those like real icky, big pills to swallow sometimes, but it can be really illuminating, even just as a thought exercise.
Anna Hartman: Yeah.
Amy Young: To be like, if this pain was trying to teach me something, what might that be?
Anna Hartman: Yeah,
Amy Young: yeah.
Anna Hartman: Yeah. I, I'm like, oh, yeah, I get that. That's good. I, I, I like the ru analogy. I was kind of thinking that too. It's kind of like, yeah. At the end of the day, you always have a choice. Like you can keep, you can keep believing that your body is your worst enemy and it's out to get you. I'm like, or you can believe something different.
Mm-hmm. I'm like, and I always, you know, that's actually, you know, I always tell people like, what feels not to like go back to your body, but what feels better in your body?
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: Believing that it's. Trying to teach you something or that it's hate you. Totally right. Feel good. Yeah. And so it's, and it's also like, you know, like mercy, like I give up, like I, I'm like, you know, it, it is, it's exhausting to fight it all the time.
So it's like I don't wanna fight it anymore. So what is the opposite? Like, what is the choice I can make intentionally opposite to that. And yeah. I also think too, for people, and I mean, this is for everything, right? And, and it is just like recognizing that like this not like you make this choice. It's not like you're like, oh, I'm going to choose to see pain as my teacher and I, I'm gonna lean into that and like ask what it's teaching me.
It's not like you do that and then like fix revealed. Done. Yeah. It's a constant coming back to, yeah. Like almost as your like San Kpa, like your mantra of like, your anchor of like, okay, pain is my teacher. Like, so like, how can I lean into that today? Or like, how can I be reminded of that? Or like, oh, I see how I'm fighting with my body again.
Mm-hmm. I've like go of that anchor and so it's like a constant p practice of going back to it. And I, I, I tell that when I teach my practitioners in the my course, I'm always like, listen, like it actually is a daily practice for me to like, not let my ego drive the bus. I'm like, and, and people are surprised by that because the way I, you know, you know, the way I teach is very much like, oh, the body is the smartest person in the room.
Let it guide you and like do all these things. And, but I'm like, listen, I love being really smart and I love having a lot of answers and I love being the expert. But it's, and so it is a constant, like every time I put my hands on people, I say a little like mantra of like, give me a clear message.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: Or I be like, you know, like my a like, people won't know that I what I'm doing, but my hands are on somebody and then all of a sudden I like lift my hands up quickly, kind of like I'm on a episode of Chopped and Time's Up. And it's like what I'm doing in that motion is like, in that moment is like I've caught myself in my head.
Hmm. Either thinking about how things should feel or like thinking five steps down the road of what I wanna do next. And that is when I know like, oh, that's my ego driving the bus. So like, take my hands off them so I can reset and like go about this again. Like, okay, now how can I make this more about what their body's telling me and less about what I think about their body.
Amy Young: A hundred percent.
Anna Hartman: And it's, I mean, it is, I tell like it is a daily practice
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: And like one that I just have to like, set the intention for. And so I could imagine it's much like this for when your body's not feeling good, a daily practice of being like, what's it trying to teach
Amy Young: me? Yeah. Well, and like, I'm, I'm such a huge, well, first of all, I just wanna say how much I love you offering, like, your process in that way.
Because I think for all of us, we need those reminders of like, oh yeah. It's not like, it's not about me and what I think should be happening or where things should be going or, you know, like, what, where I wish my client or my patient was. It's like that all of that is just noise. Mm-hmm. Like, that's just gonna get in the way of, of being able to be present and mm-hmm.
And hear what's actually arising in the moment or what's emerging or what's wanting to be seen. Like, so, such a good reminder for all of us. Um, and like. I think it's really, really important when we know all of this stuff to also just leave room for, for the parts of us that will feel victimized. Yeah.
And that will feel totally sorry and sad for ourselves. Mm-hmm. And have moments where it's like, yeah, today I can't, I can't look at this from a place of power. Yeah. And today I actually don't feel like I have the capacity to listen in that way. Or today I am just really angry that I'm in pain or I'm really like, you know, with your, um, athlete right now.
Like, I'm actually just sick of being in this cycle. Yeah. Like that's as much a part of the experience as having these higher level understandings and reframes and ways of relating to it. Yeah. Because part of my problem. And I see this with a lot of women that I work with as well, who have experiences with chronic pain or mysterious pain.
Like I, I was a person who, um, pretty much like couldn't be toppled like I was, you know what I mean? Like, I was like, oh, this, this pain. I decided pretty quickly, I was like, this pain's not gonna take me out. Like, it's excruciating. I hate it. I didn't want it to go away, but it's not gonna take me out. Like I can, I can push through this, I can power through this.
And, and there was a point that I had to get to in my own healing journey, where I had to actually like accept how helpless I did feel and that that didn't make me weak. Yeah. That it's like, it doesn't mean anything about me, that I feel helpless or that I'm scared, or that I'm afraid that this is gonna last forever because.
Because sometimes too, I would have this experience with different people where I'd be talking about, you know, I'm in pain and, and people don't know how to be with other people's pain. Like they just don't, like, just can't do it. And people
Anna Hartman: pain or like loss people are like, I dunno for get it.
Amy Young: Yeah. So, so I would be scared or something and people would be like, it's gonna get better.
Like, you know, don't worry. And it would be like, no, I actually just need to be in this like scared spot. Like, I need it to be okay that I am, that. Like, I don't feel safe or good in my body. And making room for that. And green lighting that experience as well, I think is so important to any holistic approach.
Yeah. Because otherwise we will, I mean on the, you know, the most extreme end of the spectrum, we, we get really bypassing and then we're not, and then we're not able to listen, right. Because we're trying to just like. You know, put like a happy sticker on everything and be like, oh, it's actually okay. Um, but also I think that we miss out on, on, on developing like a deeper ability to be really compassionate with ourselves and really loving and really gentle.
And I know like my body responds really well to that kind of energy and input. Like, you know, when I'm able to be really, um, even just, I think about the different, like modalities that I explored when I was healing and stuff. Like, a lot of it was about learning how to touch myself in a way, or having practitioners put their hands on my body in a way that I was like, oh, this is, this is a different quality of touch.
Like, you're not doing something to my body. Mm-hmm. You're, you're listening or you're offering presence or you're, you know, wanting to, um, like, you know, massage or provide like comforting touch or whatever it is. Like I needed that. Like I needed to learn how to relate to myself. In that way. Mm-hmm. Um, and part of that was being like, you know, I'm gonna have days where I just fucking hate this.
Yeah. And there's no bright side and there's no, like, I can't think my way out of that. Yeah. Yeah.
Anna Hartman: I think that, I mean, yes, there, that is, I'm, I often am like sharing with my athlete, like, I'm like, you know, you don't have to be positive all the time about it. Mm-hmm. Like, that's just lying to yourself. Like, we don't have to be positive Pam here.
Like, you know, that doesn't feel right either. I'm like, you know, ruminating in the negatives. Not always. I was like, can we just be neutral about it? Mm. And again, taking out the shoulds, usually neutralizes things and then being like, yeah. It, it like validating like, yeah, this sucks and I am, you know, like, I'm with you.
Like, have a day that sucks. Like, be moody, be angry, like. Ha. Like, do whatever you need to do and know that there's nothing wrong with that. Mm-hmm. Like, I'm, I'm constantly like reminding him of that. Mm-hmm. Because I think you're right. Like, people feel like you have to be one way or the other all the time, and don't make space for those other feelings, which I'm like, yes.
You know, you kind of have to, I'm like, and also like, I think sometimes people feel like they have to constantly explain themselves to others around them. And I, and I am, I'm like always reminding them and myself to like permission to like not have to explain yourself. Mm-hmm. Because permission, permission to just like, be a dick kinda, you know, like not be your all jolly self, which, you know, people label as like, oh, you're being a dick today.
I am like, n no, I'm not like. Just give, let me have a day and being like, I don't have to explain why I'm being addicted today, because I really feel like I'm fighting with my body and I'm pretty sick of it. Like, you don't have to say that. You can just like live in your experience. Mm-hmm. Yeah. And it's okay.
Amy Young: Yeah. Right.
Anna Hartman: Totally. And I think that is like, you know, it goes back to like, we're often like so performative with each other because we recognize that it's hard for other people to hold space for people in pain or grieving or, you know, that kind of thing. It's just like, because we don't know how to feel somebody else is like trying to modulate how they are being to protect the other person.
And I'm like, don't worry about me. And I mean, and I can't tell you who to be around the rest of your life, but I'm also like, I, I can take it on the chin sometimes when I need to. Mm-hmm. So you can have the space and also like, I don't even, you think I'm taking it on the chin, but I'm just fine, like,
Amy Young: yeah.
Anna Hartman: I'm in charge of my own feelings. Yeah. You don't, you know, and so it's like, yeah, it is. It is, it is. I mean, and it is so funny, right, that a lot of this, like being in situations of re injuries, chronic injuries or chronic pain is like, also goes back to relationship with each other. Which it's also not surprising given how our nervous system regulates itself, right?
Like we are community beings. Um, we're made, our humans are made to be with each other and like feed off of each other. So it's like, it's not surprising at the end of the day. A lot of this too, has to be with not only relationship to your own body, but relationship to being yourself among other people.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm. Yeah. So, yeah, and like, and, and being able to. Like, receive help and mm-hmm. And reach for support and let people know like, I'm actually not okay. Mm-hmm. You know, like, I, I,
Anna Hartman: I'm not being, not okay is not me asking you to fix me. Yeah. Just like letting you know I'm not okay just where I'm
Amy Young: at. And that like, yeah.
And also that, yeah, being not okay doesn't mean that we have to shrink into isolation or that, like, we're not allowed to experience connection. Like, you can be not okay and be with people. And it might require some, like, training people in your life how to be with you when you're in that spot. But, um, you know, 'cause I, yeah, I remember there, it, it was everyone's default mode was to try and, you know, offer solutions or give me ideas or tell me, well, did you try this or did you try?
And I was like, you know, I'm actually not available for that right now. Like, thank you, but no thank you. Mm-hmm. Um, and. Letting people have their response and reaction to that and it's like mm-hmm. And if they felt slighted or they felt rejected or they felt like, oh, but I'm trying to be helpful, then I'm like, okay, cool.
I get it. And I'm telling you that it's not helpful. Yeah. So like, thank you, you know, for trying, but you're missing the mark right now. Mm-hmm. Um, it's a whole thing of really, I think in a lot of ways, like modeling what it has to look like when, when yeah. There's something going on that you can't control or you can't fix, or that you're in process with.
And like, you know, if there, yeah. If there's one thing that as a society we just like do not know how to handle, it's like unresolvable pain or unresolvable struggle, which is to me like very synonymous with like grief or other emotional experiences we have. Absolutely. Like no one can fix it, no one can take it away.
And then people are just sort of like, seize up because it's like, well then what do I do? What do I do? Yeah. You come in love with it. Yeah, totally. And it's like, we don't, it's not a learn to navigate it. It's not a doing, it's a being like, how do I, how do I be with this? And how do I be with this person who's going through this?
And, um, and for me, a lot of that really has come back to, and this is an assignment that I, I give out to a lot of my clients as well, who are going through all kinds of things where it's like, you know, you want to, you wanna know how to be with yourself and take care of yourself, both on the days where you're feeling really strong and really capable and that you're like, oh yeah, this is like, this is just an experience that I'm going through and I'm gonna learn through this and, you know, I'm gonna grow through this.
And like, things can get better. And you never know what's possible. And it's like feeling really like, Ooh, I'm in my like power zone. Mm-hmm. You wanna know how to relate. To everything when that's the space you're in. And you also want to have skills and abilities and practices and things that you turn to when you are feeling really helpless.
Mm-hmm. Or you're feeling really powerless because like you said, most of us will try to just be like, okay, how do I just totally align myself with feeling good all the time about this? Mm-hmm. Or like, okay, I'm just gonna like, collapse into helplessness and I don't feel like there's any way out. And, and it's gonna be a give and take and sort of setting yourself up where expecting that that's gonna be the reality.
That like there's gonna be moments and seasons of this where I feel very capable and, and up for the challenge. And then there's gonna be moments where I'm not up for this challenge whatsoever. Yeah. And like, and, and just understanding that like, that totally makes sense and is completely appropriate and that you'll need different things on different days.
Anna Hartman: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I love that. Yeah. Like it's like having some time to like think about that and like realize that you're gonna have those good and bad days and like, having a plan to informing a plan. It's like a, I mean, it's like a go bag, right? Yes, totally. Like, you don't, you don't figure out what to bring when you're, you know, there's a wildfire outside in that moment, and you do it in the times that there's no fire and like things are good.
Yes. You pack it and you know what you need. So it's like to have that, I, I really do love that, like, you know, and even writing it down, like, these are things, things I do on like days that I don't feel so great. Mm-hmm. Low hanging fruit, that'll like shift things just a little bit, but here's all the things I could do on the days that I've like.
You know, feeling amazing. Yes. So I love that. Yeah. And it is, I mean, it kind of reminds me so long ago, the way you taught about like self-care of like Totally. You know, like there, there's the self-care things that you love to do and make you feel really good. And then there's the ones that you don't love to do, but make you feel good.
Yes. And then there's like the box where it's like they don't feel great, but they're good for you. Yes. Yeah, yeah,
Amy Young: yeah. That four quadrant exercise, exercise, I'm like, seeing that out
Anna Hartman: is like really helpful because then it's like, okay, yeah. These are all the things that I know that could be, and when you're in it, it's hard to think of those things sometimes.
Amy Young: Yeah. It's, I think it's kind of impossible because especially like you're, you're speaking to the nervous system component is like, you know, if someone's in a flare up or someone's having like a really rough day in their bodies, like that is not the time to be like, oh, let me brainstorm, like what might help, you know, because it's like, at that point.
It's just like, where's the like, escape hatch? Like I just don't wanna be in this experience, you know? So having things ahead of time that, you know, you can turn towards or, and also, I mean, the people that you can turn towards. Mm-hmm. You know, because that's, I think that's also a thing with having good boundaries and self-awareness around like, okay, this person I isn't, doesn't necessarily like have the capacity or the bandwidth to be with me if I'm having Yeah.
A bad day or like, you know, being able to reach out to a practitioner or someone who's working with you on it and being able to let them in, you know, so, so that it's like we're creating this kind of really thorough, like these layers of support that you can lean into because, um, because when you're going through something in your body.
It is such a, it's such a bizarre experience because no one's in there with you. Mm-hmm. And as much as people can even say like, oh, you know, I've gone through something similar, or I've worked with people who've gone through similar things, it's like, this is something that only I am experiencing in this body and I can't get out of it.
Yes. And that is inherently isolating and kind of scary. Mm-hmm. So yeah, like, like letting yourself kind of get curious about what kind of support is going to alleviate that sense of aloneness or, or whatever's happening and, um, and being able to like trust and know that Yeah. Like even if, if you have a list or you have kind of like, I love the idea of a go bag.
Like if you have, like, you know, this is like the stuff that I turn to, um. It just, it, it gives, it can give us, for me, it's given me such a sense of like, okay, I'm prepared. Yeah. And even if the thing that I don't wanna have happen happens, like, I have tools or I have practices, or I have a particular supplement, or, you know, or, or whatever it isness.
Yeah. Yeah. I do love that.
Anna Hartman: I, um, I mean, it's still like, I'm like, at the end of the day, you're right, it's still not easy on the No,
Amy Young: but like, but it's also like, not to sound harsh, but there, there's, there's something I had to like, accept about my experience at a certain point where I was just like. You know, nobody said it was gonna be easy.
Like, like in terms of life, like when hard things happen or bad things happen, I'm like, who said any of this was gonna be Yes, easy. And like sometimes when I was feeling really sorry for myself, here's like the ultimate hack, I can't believe I'm gonna share about this, but like, when I would feel really, really bad for myself, sometimes I would watch these YouTube videos of, of people, you know, like there's all these stories that people are willing to share who've gone through these like extremely horrific things.
You know, where it's like, oh, like 90% of my body, like my skin was like burned off in a fire. Mm-hmm. Or I was born with this like horrible, like disfigurement and like people when they see me on the street, they like scream and cry and run away from me. Yeah. Because like, I'm so like marred, you know, or whatever.
And like I remember watching some of those videos and being like, if that person I. Can go through that and be like the, the heart-centered like beautiful human that they are and accept their reality then like, I can fucking handle this. Do you know what I mean? Like, it would put things in perspective and not from, I'm never the person, you know, that someone comes to me with their pain and I'm like, you know, people have it worse.
Yeah. Like, that's like not my speed at all, but in certain moments where I needed to kind of right size my experience, like I needed to, I needed to have a level of awareness of like, oh wow, humans go through crazy shit so much. Yeah. For the, for all of time. It's always been that way that like humans have gone through crazy.
Stuff, and we are the most adaptable species on the planet. And, and like, and I would think about like what my ancestors went through. You know what I mean? Like, just like in drawing upon all these experiences of like, oh, this is part of being a person, right. Is, is sometimes going through hard things or going through extreme things.
And, and that doesn't mean that, you know, I'm screwed or Yeah. It's gonna take me out or that I'm not gonna find a way through it. It's like this is a part of what it means to be a person. Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: This is true. I'm always telling my, and I'm like, Hey, if it was easy, everybody would do it.
Amy Young: Totally.
Anna Hartman: This is just not supposed to be easy.
No. To be the best.
Amy Young: Yes. Which is, which is what we are. Yeah. And if you're listening, you're the best too. So we can all just walk around knowing, knowing
Anna Hartman: we're
Amy Young: the best.
Anna Hartman: Yeah. Oh man. I love this. Is there any I'm like, I know we've talked about, I'm like, we've talked an hour about everything and nothing. Isn't that wonderful?
Yeah. This is conversation. I love this. Um, yeah. I I, I really appreciate the insight on the whole, like, your body is your, your body is your best friend. Doesn't feel like
Amy Young: sometimes your best friend mean though.
Anna Hartman: Yeah, exactly. Um, yeah, how your body's always working for you, not against you, and like how to reframe it when that doesn't feel so true.
Amy Young: Yeah.
Anna Hartman: I think that's really great. Mm-hmm. Because we've all been there. And I think too, like we, we said in the beginning, I think one of the tricks too is like yeah. To lean into the awe of our origin story. Totally. You know, like I saw this video on Instagram yesterday. I shared it with someone. I was like.
It was, I don't know, like day 29 or something, like in the embryo. And it was basically the, um,
um, spinal column and the nervous system forming wild. So amazing. So beautiful. And I'm like, first of all, the fact that you can see that is insane. I was like, but if that doesn't make you feel in awe of who we are and what we're capable of, and like, you know, I don't know what does, and like, the feeling of awe is like a, a good place to be.
Amy Young: Totally. And it, and there's something when, when I'm able to tap into that sense of awe or wonder or like, it's really also, it's like humility, you know? Mm-hmm. Around just like, wow, this is this. All of our bodies. But like, you know, even just being able to say about like, your own body, like my body is incredible.
Yeah. Like the things that my body is constantly doing on my behalf every single moment without me having to think or instruct it or make it happen. Yes. Yes. Like that blows my mind. Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: I think the other thing too is just with, with all of that and the kind of, the similar sense of awe is like, you know, like our body each day is completely different, right?
Like, the way our cells turn over, like our shape literally changes forever and always. Mm. I was like, like, again, that should give you, so like, it should give hope, right? Mm-hmm.
Amy Young: Like,
Anna Hartman: you know, our, our skeleton today is not the same skeleton we'll have in seven years. Mm-hmm. Our, our stomach lining today is not even the same.
It'll be in a week.
Amy Young: Mm-hmm.
Anna Hartman: It's like. There's so much to Yeah. Be hopeful about and like, there's so much to like, be open to the capacity to change. Mm-hmm. Just, you know, in an instant. Mm-hmm.
Amy Young: Well, and like seeing the, the truth of that mm-hmm. That it's like, oh, I am always changing, evolving, adapting. My body is always reaching for health harmony.
Even when there's something, even when there's some confusion or, you know, obstruction or event or something that's occurred. It's like, you know, the, the body isn't designed like in the same way, you know, I do. I go on these like epic forest walks mm-hmm. And stuff, and I learn so much through my time in the forest because I'll see these like sick trees.
Mm-hmm. You know, and it's like, oh, that, that tree isn't like sick because it's a bad tree. Right. It's like, oh, something happened there. Mm-hmm. You know, and then like, and then learning about like how the whole ecosystem of the forest responds. Like when a tree is sick or like when a tree gets cut down, right?
Yeah. Like the root system communicates to all the other trees. Like, hey, something ain't right. And, and all the trees will send resources and support to the sick tree. And it's like, this is that, this is like the natural way of things. Mm-hmm. Is that like, oh, when something goes sideways or you're unwell, resources support, like what is it going to take to restore wellness?
Like that's the natural order. Yeah. I love that. And you know, I mean, not to totally dog it, but like so much of the, the Western healthcare system is like. Just not built off of that. So, so we all have to, you know, that's one of the reasons why I spend so much time, the hugging trees and walking around in the forest is because it's like, it reminds me, oh, this is how things actually work.
Yeah. You know, that like I am, I am an ecosystem in the way that a forest is an ecosystem and my larger community is an ecosystem in that same way. Mm-hmm. And there's, there's natural laws that govern all ecosystems. Mm-hmm. And, um, and seeing the design and intelligence and the way that any ecosystem or larger organism operates, like it can't not humble you and give you a sense of awe.
Anna Hartman: Yeah. I agree.
Amy Young: Yeah,
Anna Hartman: I mean, I feel like we could just stop recording right there. That was a mic drop done and I'm like, it's such a good example. Yeah. And then it's just funny too is like, oh, the perfect example because we have like the same microbiome of that whole forest, like within us. Isn't that wild?
We are the bacteria of that forest. Mm-hmm. Oh yeah. It's all communicating. That's another podcast. Yeah. Yeah. I do need for that one. No, I love that. I really appreciate you joining me and like sharing your thoughtfulness with my, with my people. Um. How, what, what do you, what, what do you got for my people?
How do we find you? I mean, I know you're on Instagram. Yeah.
Amy Young: Pour your podcast. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I've got a lot of cool stuff. Cooking and, and coming out right now. So if you, if you listen to this episode, if you enjoyed it, definitely find me on Instagram. Send me a message and let me know. 'cause I just love.
Getting that like real time feedback and, and reflection. Um, so yeah, at Amy Unco is my Instagram handle. Um, I'm in the midst of a big, like, website overhaul rebrand situation. So if you go to amy un coaching.com before that happens, you're gonna see a really sad version of my website and I apologize for that.
Like, I'm so sorry you have to look at that. Um, but there will be information about ways to work with me and, and how to get in touch with me if, um, you know, if anything I really shared, spoke to you today and you wanna talk more, or you believe I could support you in some way, I'd love to explore that. Um, and then, yeah, when my, when my website's all shiny and finished, if you go to my website and it looks amazing, then congratulations, you picked the right time.
Um, um, yeah, and no, I, I would just love to connect with anybody that resonated with what we spoke about today.
Anna Hartman: Is your, uh, podcast staying the same name or are you changing it?
Amy Young: I am pretty sure it's staying the same. Okay. Yeah.
Anna Hartman: Which is
Amy Young: needed. Just what you needed. Yes. Yeah.
Anna Hartman: I love it. There was one episode that you did, and I probably li, I probably listened to it a hundred times.
It was like my, when I really needed to be reminded of how amazing I am, it's, I re-listened to it. It was, what was,
Amy Young: which one was it? Do you remember what it was called?
Anna Hartman: You're talking, you know, but you're talking about like, you're, like, you know, you talk, you're, you almost refer to the person, uh, the woman as like the amusement park.
Like the be like, you're the most exciting, like ride at the amusement park. Like, oh, I don't remember what's at all. Maybe be what you deserve. Or like, what, what?
Amy Young: Oh, is it woman? You are the prize. Yes. That's the one woman. You are the prize woman. You are the prize. That would be a good entry episode for some.
For some lady folks, it's a out there episode. Like if you wanted, if you want kind of a dose of what I'm all about. It's an older episode.
Anna Hartman: Yeah, but
Amy Young: I mean, but everything still stands,
Anna Hartman: still rings true.
Amy Young: Yeah. Yeah.
Anna Hartman: That is still like the overarching message. Yes. I love that episode. Like, oh, that makes me so happy, happy when I first started working with you and when, you know, and just whenever I was like having any like form of like self-doubt or anything, if I just, it was like there was two things I could do.
Listen to that episode or listen to the Beyonce Homecoming contest.
Amy Young: Wow. I am in good company. I'll totally take that
Anna Hartman: podcast. Like, it got me like hyped up. I'm like, yeah, I'm the prize.
Amy Young: Yeah, totally. Well, and that's, and, and I wanna be doing even more. 'cause you know, now that I'm doing more. Um, energy attunement and intuitive work with people.
Like, I'm really, the podcast is gonna be different because I'm gonna be infusing so much more Yeah. Of that into things. So I really want the episodes to not just be like information, like I want it to be more and more that it's like, oh no, you drop in and get a dose of something Yes. That you needed.
Hence the title, just what you needed. So yeah, something to look forward to there. I'm very excited for it to come back. So. Yay. Me too.
Anna Hartman: Big fan here. Big fan. Perfect. We're on countdown. All right, well thank you my dear. Um, and yeah, I'll have my guy Joe link everything in the show notes. So, um, if you definitely go check, check her out, check out the podcast, check out.
Um, we'll just link the woman you're on the prize episode. Yeah, we'll just do that. We'll just do that. Make it easy. Yeah, we'll link her Instagram and stuff and I won't link your website. I'll have them don't,
Amy Young: yeah, don't link my like, because it's an atrocity so bad.
Anna Hartman: But yeah, like she said, she does like one-on-one stuff as well as group programs.
Yeah. And she's got a lot of stuff, so, um,
yeah. Well, thank you.
Amy Young: Thank you so much. So happy to be here. Love you too. Yeah.