Nurturing Resilience

About Nurturing Resilience

Welcome to Nurturing Resilience, where your host, Lesha Nelson weaves together the worlds of somatics, science + energy to nurture a deeper connection to yourself. From guests storytelling rights of passage that catalyzed their resiliency, to nervous system + mind-body health education, to deep contemplation on topics such as cultivating connection to ourselves and others in a complex world. Lesha is an occupational therapist, somatic bodyworker, attachment specialist, and baby whisperer with over 20 years of experience with mind-body connection and supporting matrescence.

Publisher

Lesha Nelson

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Jan 2022

Latest episode

29 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

49 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Aug 2026

   Birth is a Sequence

   Birth is often talked about as an event as in something that begins with labor and ends when the baby is born. But our bodies and nervous systems experience birth differently. Birth is a sequence: preparation, beginning, action, completion, integration, and rest. And when parts of that sequence happen too quickly, are interrupted, or don't have the opportunity to fully complete, those experiences can sometimes continue to show up in the body long after the birth itself is over. In this solo episode, I explore birth through the lens of pre- and perinatal somatics and the nervous system. I break down implicit memory, interoception, birth imprints, and why our earliest experiences can influence how we respond to the world without becoming conscious memories or stories. We also look at birth from the baby's perspective, what it means when a physiological or relational sequence is disrupted, and how presence, co-regulation, attachment, and repair can give both parents and babies new experiences in the present. In this episode, I talk about: What pre- and perinatal somatic therapy is Interoception and learning to notice what is happening inside the body The difference between implicit and explicit memory Why our earliest experiences can influence present-day patterns What we mean by birth imprints and the body's underlying blueprint for health Why birth is a physiological, nervous system, and relational sequence What can happen when part of the birth sequence is interrupted or happens differently than expected Looking at birth and postpartum experiences from the baby's perspective How babies communicate through their bodies and behavior The role of presence and co-regulation for both parents and babies Rupture, repair, and why secure attachment does not require perfection How we can offer choice, slowness, connection, and support in the present rather than trying to change the past Why healing itself is a sequence This episode isn't about analyzing every part of your birth or assuming every struggle traces back to something that happened during pregnancy or delivery. It's an invitation to become more curious about the body's experience. The birth may be over, but sometimes our nervous systems still need time, support, connection, or repair to fully arrive in the after. We can't change the birth that already happened, but we can bring something different to what happens next. Birth is a sequence. Attachment is a sequence. Healing is a sequence. And none of them require perfection. Connect with Lesha: Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ (https://www.leshanelson.com/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ (https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/) Previous Episodes Mentioned in this Episode: Kate White episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/04Tx79jOoZj7pHPtZtBuM2?si=0a2f1893fc864c37 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/04Tx79jOoZj7pHPtZtBuM2?si=0a2f1893fc864c37) Interoception episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mUTpNQ0DH2HnqUPtjvHof?si=51a37f0bf5074b09 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mUTpNQ0DH2HnqUPtjvHof?si=51a37f0bf5074b09)

2. 

   27 Jul 2026

   Elite Sports, Postpartum + Mothering Your Way w/ Megan Harrod

   What happens when motherhood collides with elite performance, constant travel, and a career that doesn't have to pause for postpartum? In this conversation, I sat down with storyteller, publicist, and brand strategist Megan Harrod to explore what it looks like to become a mother while working inside the fast-paced world of elite ski racing. Megan shares the reality of taking both of her babies around the world just weeks after birth, navigating postpartum while traveling full-time, pumping in airports and media centers, and balancing the demands of caring for world-class athletes while learning to care for herself. But underneath the logistics is a much deeper conversation about identity, nervous system resilience, and the unrealistic expectations we place on mothers. We talk honestly about miscarriage, body image, breastfeeding, the invisible mental load of motherhood, and why sharing the messy parts of postpartum matters just as much as celebrating the joyful ones. In this episode, we talk about: Becoming a mother while working in elite sports Traveling internationally with newborns and young children Breastfeeding, pumping, and the realities of postpartum on the road The identity shifts that come with motherhood Miscarriage, grief, and why we need to talk about it more openly Why postpartum isn't something you can fully understand until you're living it The pressure to "bounce back" and making peace with a changing body Learning to receive support while balancing work and family Building resilience through flexibility instead of perfection Why honest conversations about motherhood help all of us feel less alone One of my favorite reminders from this conversation: "You really realize how much you're capable of... and how much time you have. Your threshold for discomfort and chaos expands in ways you never expected." This conversation is an honest look at the realities of modern motherhood including the beauty, the exhaustion, the humor, and the constant recalibration that happens as we learn to care for ourselves while caring for everyone else. Whether you're preparing for postpartum, currently in the thick of it, or supporting someone who is, I hope this conversation reminds you that there is no one "right" way to mother, only the way that is true to you. Connect with Megan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganharrod/ (https://www.instagram.com/meganharrod/) Connect with Lesha: Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ (https://www.leshanelson.com/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ (https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/)

3. 

   25 Jun 2026

   Preparation Isn’t About Birth Plans, It’s About Learning to Receive w/ Jean Madson

   What if the most important preparation for birth isn't actually about the birth itself? In this conversation, I sat down with entrepreneur, coach, and mother Jean Madson to explore what it really means to prepare for birth and postpartum. While we expected to spend much of our time talking about postpartum, the conversation naturally unfolded into something much bigger: trust, support, and the often-overlooked challenge of learning to receive care. Jean shares her first birth experience, including an unexpected transfer from a birth center to the hospital, how intentional preparation allowed her to navigate those changes with confidence, and why she believes the support she accepted during postpartum made all the difference. We also explore the realities of preparing for twins, the privilege and barriers that exist within maternity care, and why building a trusted support team may be one of the most important parts of preparing for parenthood. In this episode, we talk about: Why preparation is about more than creating a birth plan How trust in your care team can shape your birth experience The role of doulas, midwives, and building a support system Navigating unexpected changes, including hospital transfers Why allowing support can be one of the hardest parts of postpartum The tension between independence and receiving care Setting boundaries while still letting people help The realities of breastfeeding, sleep deprivation, and early postpartum How privilege, access, and community shape the transition into parenthood One of my favorite reminders from this conversation: "The reason the challenging moments didn't lead me into depression or anxiety... was because of the support I allowed." Whether you're preparing for birth, navigating postpartum, or simply reflecting on what it means to let yourself be supported, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little less alone. Connect with Jean: Website: https://whole-human-co.myflodesk.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio (https://whole-human-co.myflodesk.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeanmadison_/ (https://www.instagram.com/jeanmadison_/) Connect with Lesha: Website: https://www.leshanelson.com/ (https://www.leshanelson.com/) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/ (https://www.instagram.com/lesha__nelson/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.