In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Nicole Sodoma sits down with long-time friend and wellness guide Johnna Smith to explore the emotional “space between” — that transitional phase between separation, heartbreak, or major life changes, and the renewed sense of self that follows.

Together, they explore how holistic practices like yoga, meditation, nutrition, life coaching, and even weightlifting can serve as transformative tools to help people reconnect to their inner clarity, manage anxiety and panic, and build emotional resilience during life’s most uncertain moments.

Key Themes & Takeaways

🧠 Emotional Wellness & Panic Recovery Both Nicole and Johnna share their personal experiences with panic attacks, anxiety, and the emotional fog of separation. Janna explains that healing requires first acknowledging difficult emotions—grief, shame, guilt, fear—rather than bypassing them. Forgiveness, she says, comes after grace and inner reckoning.

🧘 The Power of Daily Practices Johnna emphasizes “strong body, strong mind” as her go-to mantra. Physical movement, even simple actions like squats, jumping jacks, or short 3-minute routines, can activate the body’s natural feel-good chemistry (dopamine, serotonin, testosterone) and shift the nervous system out of survival mode. Nicole shares how writing became her own meditative practice during the hardest moments of her separation.

💬 Self-Agency & the Practice of Ahimsa Janna discusses ahimsa, the yogic principle of non-harming, starting with how we treat ourselves. Empowering people to recognize their agency and choices—even in dark times—is at the core of her work. Through visualization, presence, and body-based mindfulness, clients can start to imagine better outcomes and slowly begin to believe in their ability to create them.

🌀 The Brain-Body Connection Citing neuroscience, Janna explains that the brain can’t distinguish between real and imagined events. Visualizing taking steps toward change actually helps rewire the brain for action. The “physiological sigh” (a double inhale followed by a long exhale) is introduced as a 30-second reset tool to calm anxiety and regain clarity—described as a form of micro-meditation.

🧘‍♀️ Guided Visualization Toward the end of the episode, Johnna leads listeners through a gentle, calming visualization practice to build feelings of: Connection Support Confidence Trust in the unknown. Listeners are encouraged to revisit memories of being truly seen and loved—and expand those feelings in their bodies as a way to make grounded, clear choices even in times of upheaval.

🧭 Final Message “You have so much more choice and control than you think—even in the hardest moments.” Johnna reminds us that we can stay high-functioning during low points by caring for our minds and bodies with intention. Her practical and compassionate coaching style meets people exactly where they are, guiding them toward wellness, vitality, and personal power.

🔗 Connect with Johnna Instagram: ⁨@johnnayoga⁩

Website: thrivewisecoach.com,tejashaktiyogaschool.com

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