#183 - Breathwork, Trauma, and the Nervous System: What's Really Holding You Back with Leanne Keane

This week I'm joined by Leanne Keane, personal trainer, online coach and breathwork facilitator, for a conversation that goes way deeper than the usual health chat.

Leanne lost 40kg by starting with the basics, but her real turning point came when she saw that lasting change for the women she coached rarely came down to food or training. It came down to their mental and emotional health.

We cover polyvagal theory and how a dysregulated nervous system can quietly block your goals, emotional eating, alcohol as numbing (hello, Irish drinking culture), shadow work, and living by your values instead of comparison. Leanne also explains up- vs down-regulating breathwork, what trauma release can look like in a session, and why safety has to come first.

If you're doing "all the right things" and still feel stuck, this one's for you.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome and Guest Intro

00:21 – Why This Conversation Matters

02:35 – Leanne's Weight Loss Journey

05:24 – From PT to Online Coach

06:41 – Discovering Breathwork

08:11 – Polyvagal Theory Explained

12:07 – Why Diets Don't Stick