Walking the Walk - Why This Podcast Is Personal

In this honest Season 3 opener, host Sarah Gorev shares what she's been hesitant to reveal: her personal mental health journey and why this isn't just another wellness podcast.
 
Discover why Sarah isn't randomly collecting interesting stories – she's personally experienced techniques from many of the practitioners featured on this show. From EFT training and certification to reiki sessions, meditation practices, and hypnobirthing, Sarah has walked the walk.
 
 In this episode, you'll hear:
 • Sarah's mental health struggles and the discovery that changed everything
 • Why she trained and became certified in EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)
 • Insights from the Complementary Medical Association Global Summit 2025
 • The fascinating concept of lifespan vs healthspan
 • A powerful personal story about hypnobirthing that challenges mainstream assumptions
 • The reality of having wellness tools but sometimes choosing not to use them
 • A preview of Season 3 
 
 If you've ever wondered whether complementary wellness practices actually work, or if they're just for people with endless time and resources, this episode is for you. Sarah proves that evidence-based alternative approaches can transform your daily life – even with the busiest schedule.
 
 Perfect for: Anyone curious about alternative wellness, natural healing, holistic health, mindfulness, EFT tapping, complementary therapies, or simply wanting to hear real experiences before trying something new.
 
 This isn't about perfection. It's about progress. Not fixing, but flourishing.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
 00:00 - Why I started this podcast
 03:45 - My personal wellness practices
 08:30 - EFT: From client to certified practitioner
 12:15 - Complementary Medical Association Summit insights
 15:20 - Lifespan vs Healthspan: What really matters?
 17:45 - My hypnobirthing story (and why it worked!)
 21:30 - The reality: Having tools but not always using them
 25:00 - Season 3 preview: What's coming

 🎧 New episodes every week
 💬 Join the conversation using #ExploringWaysToWellness
 
 Next week: Ancient Hawaiian healing practice of Huna with Dr Jane Lewis

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Complementary Medical Association Global Summit Speakers:

- Jayney Goddard - Founder and President of the CMA
Find out more:  @JayneyGoddardCMA

- Dr Frank Sabatino: The Power of Complementary Medicine and Personal Choice
Find out more:  @nationalhealthassociation

- Shola Arewa - Living on Purpose: Reluctant Leader to Conscious Leader Find out more:  @Energy-doctor

- Gary Evans and Olga Terebenina: Forest Bathing - Major Advances in Research
Find out more:  @theforestbathinginstitute5891

- Dr Rob Verkerk: Healthcare 4.0 - How we get there
Find out more from @ANHIntl

- Johann Callaghan: Sleep for Success - Optimise Your sleep, Maximise Your Performance.
Find out more from  @johann.callaghan  

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Thanks for listening.

Transcript

Walking the Walk - Why This Podcast Is Personal

 [00:00:00] 

Hello and welcome to Exploring Ways To Wellness. I'm Sarah, and today's episode is going to be a little bit different. Instead of spotlighting one of my incredible guests, I want to share something with you that I've been hesitant to talk about my own wellness journey. You see, I started this podcast because I've had my own mental health struggles.

The kind where you feel yourself caught between two impossible positions, either waiting for medical science to fix you when things become unbearable, or trying to take responsibility for your own wellbeing and having absolutely no energy and no clue of where to start. And through my own healing journey, I discovered something that changed everything we have far more power over how we feel than we are even led [00:01:00] to believe. Not in a toxic positivity, just think yourself better way, but a practical evidence-based way that actually works. That discovery didn't just change my life. It's become the foundation of everything you hear on this podcast.

So I want you to know I'm not just someone that's randomly collecting interesting stories, although you're welcome to listen to it in that way. The truth is, I've personally experienced techniques from many of the practitioners I've featured in this podcast. I've been in their treatment rooms, I've joined their Zoom workshops, I've attended their retreats.

I trust them and their experiences because I've done the work with them. I've spent years exploring meditation practices with Gil, my husband. Not just one session, but finding what's right for me as a genuine, sustainable practice. I've had some fabulous [00:02:00] reiki sessions with Karen that shifted energy in ways I didn't expect.

I've attended Jo's art classes for years, discovering how creativity unlocks something more therapeutic than talking sometimes can reach. As discussed with Onika, I've used journalling and I've dabbled in the elements of The Artist's Way, which has helped me process, experiences I've been carrying for decades.

I mean, Becca and Anna talked about their experiences with mindfulness and gratitude practices that actually stick. And I've tried those first before talking to them, but they went deeper. They're not superficial things, but deep embodied practices that shift your nervous system. And then there's EFT, of course, emotional freedom technique or tapping as some people refer to it.

But it's so much more than just the action of tapping on points around your face and body. After experiencing that with [00:03:00] Emma, a few years ago, I was genuinely taken aback by the impact. I didn't just end up recommending it to others. I went on a journey of training, certification so I could offer sessions myself.

That's how powerful I found it for myself and for clients. It's what really changed things for me by opening my eyes to what can really be achieved through complementary health practices. And I want to just touch on. Briefly here as well, the fact that I've realised how many uncertified practitioners are out there.

So I would implore you to do your research before working with anyone just so that you know that they are trauma trained and if anything bubbles to the surface, they are gonna be able to help you. Since the podcast began, my exploration has continued. I've learned more about myself through human design.

Thanks to [00:04:00] Jacqueline, I've attended a Qigong workshop after my conversation with Lindsay, opened my eyes to that form of energy work and gone on to consider other classes. Julie's episode inspired me to attend her aromatherapy workshops revealing the versatility of these oils. There's so much to learn there.

I am looking forward to an upcoming retreat with Kaz to deepen my understanding of Ayurveda and seasonal wellness and much, much more. I've even considered cold water swimming multiple times inspired by Millie's infectious enthusiasm, and I will be in touch with Ren about functional breathing techniques because the science behind breath work is genuinely fascinating.

I hope through all this you can get a sense that this. Is a genuine exploration for me, and you are actually joining me on that. But I'm not suggesting, obviously, that you try everything. Certainly not all at [00:05:00] once. That will be exhausting and could become expensive, but instead, I hope the podcast has become a bit of a collection that you can dip into when you need to, helping you identify which tools belong in your own personal wellness toolkit.

Exactly as I'm doing. In fact, I'm looking into ways to make it even easier to navigate through this. Now I want to share something that crystallized my thinking recently and really energised me about the direction of this season. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Complementary Medical Association Global Summit, and with every speaker it became more and more evident that we're at a pivotal moment.

We have the power to look at health completely differently, not just as something we use to fix us when chronic illness strikes, but as something we can actively cultivate every single day to reduce the chance of [00:06:00] needing fixing in the first place. One concept came up repeatedly that I found absolutely fascinating.

Lifespan versus health span. And it makes sense, doesn't it? I mean, think about it. Are we just trying to live longer or do we want those extra years to be actively enjoyable. Living.

Not lasting longer. What's the point of medical advances that add decades to our lives if those decades are spent managing illness, lacking energy, or not being able to do the things we love. This is where complementary wellness techniques become so relevant.

They're not necessarily about treating disease. We have brilliant healthcare systems for that. They're about optimizing how we feel on a day-to-day basis, building resilience, making lifestyle choices that support genuine vitality throughout our lives.[00:07:00] 

And here's what really excited me. The research studies and evidence for complementary techniques are growing despite the lack of funding compared to pharmaceutical research. If you seek it, you will find it. The science is there. It's just not making headlines in the same way, it's not so long ago that we discovered DNA and understood more about genetics,

Emerging research in epigenetics is basically helping us understand how our lifestyle factors can modify or turn on and off certain genes. We are not just at the mercy of the genes we are dealt with.

Our daily choices around stress, movement, sleep connection, and yes, complementary practices can literally influence our genetic expression. It's life changing stuff and honestly, far too big to cover in a half an hour podcast. But [00:08:00] it's an important driver of my interest in highlighting the opportunities we have to take power and responsibility for our own wellbeing.

For those interested in this area, I'll pop the names of the summit speakers in the show notes and I invite you to follow up with them and find out more. Let me give you a concrete example from my own life where challenging mainstream assumptions completely changed my experience, and I have referred to it briefly once or twice, but it's hypnobirthing.

Cultural assumptions that I'd experienced around childbirth were to expect extreme pain as inevitable. And the only way to get through it is with medical intervention and it's reinforced everywhere. So it's not surprising. We believe it. Films, TV shows and the like. And here's the thing, that expectation becomes reality [00:09:00] by telling yourself how painful it will be.

You create fear. The fear creates stress and tension, and it literally stops your body from going through a natural process that it's evolved to do. I'm not saying modern healthcare doesn't have a vital place. Of course it does, and I'm incredibly grateful that it's there when intervention is needed, but I'm saying that possibly we've tipped towards medical intervention being the norm.

Rather than something that's there when there's an actual problem. Hypnobirthing is a perfect example of where complementary techniques and modern healthcare can work hand in hand. It helps expectant mothers not to fear, but instead to use techniques that allow their bodies to relax and get on with what they're designed to do.

Whilst remaining confident that our healthcare system will step in when genuinely needed rather than [00:10:00] automatically intervening, and I know it works because I had both my children with no pain relief needed me someone who would rather happily reach for medication in response to a bad headache.

It isn't about being a hero though, or suffering needlessly. It's about understanding and trusting that we have more control over our physical and emotional experience than we realise and are sometimes led to believe. I don't want to sound like I'm preaching here. I'm just sharing my perspective.

Everyone's different, and in this case, every birth is different, but I do hope the podcast helps people see there are multiple choices available to manage our own lifestyle and experiences. Conscious choices we can make. It's possible to empower ourselves rather than relinquishing responsibility solely to others.

Now I want to reflect on something else I've experienced during the break [00:11:00] between the seasons. Something that nobody talks about enough, I think, but I find it's important to acknowledge even when we know what techniques work for us, sometimes you'll pull back from them. Even when you have the, those tools that can genuinely lift you up, sometimes you prefer and you choose to sit in the low.

I've experienced this recently when medication I was taking stopped working effectively, and despite having EFT training, despite learning from all these incredible practitioners, despite having a toolkit full of techniques, I found myself wallowing. Not a pleasant word, but I'm going to use it for now.

And you know what? It's human. Sometimes we need to feel the lows to appreciate the highs. Did you know we release cortisol stress hormone in our tears? We are beings that are designed to feel. So it's [00:12:00] okay to let yourself do that. In fact, it can be unhealthy not to. The key though is self-awareness.

Knowing when enough is enough, knowing when it's time to say, this isn't actually how I want to live long term and reach for those tools again to process and move forward. I've also realised that learning a technique isn't the same as using it. It's a bit like filling a shelf with books, but never reading them.

Owning the book doesn't mean you have the knowledge or the experience it could give you. You can collect techniques. But you need to know when to delve into that toolbox and actually put things into action.

So what could you try? It's unlikely that you'll feel worse. And what if you feel better? This brings up a bigger discussion about understanding how being unwell sometimes serves us in some way, provides some secondary benefit that we're not conscious of, but that's a bit [00:13:00] much to dive into here, so maybe we'll explore that in season three with the guest, because my exploration definitely continues.

Here's what I've discovered through all of this though. These aren't WOOWOO practices that ask you to believe without evidence. I hope the conversations we have in the episodes shows that anyway, but many have scientific backing. We simply don't hear about in mainstream wellness conversations.

And more importantly, they all share something fundamental. They start with you taking responsibility for your own wellbeing, not in a blame yourself way. I can't stress that enough, but in an empowered way, they give you tools that travel with you, techniques you can use in the moment, wherever you are.

Practices that build resilience over time rather than requiring you to constantly be trying to find time in [00:14:00] your diary to book appointments. Or rely on someone else fixing you when things become too much to bear. This is why I am so passionate about breaking down barriers to these approaches because they're not about reaching perfection.

There is no perfect Life will always have ups and downs, challenges and celebrations, grief and joy. It's the duality of life. But we can learn to navigate those waves with more skill, more awareness, and more resilience, more hope. That's what the podcast is really about, giving you access to approaches you might not have heard about otherwise.

Demystifying practices that sound intimidating or inaccessible, sharing real experiences, mine and others, so you can make informed choices about what might work for you. There's also a difference between belief and trust. So belief [00:15:00] often asks you to accept something without evidence. Trust is built through experience and seeing results, and I hope the nature of the conversations on this podcast help you to challenge some beliefs you might hold about wellness and hear genuine experiences that can help you build trust in what's possible.

So with that, what have I got lined up for this season? I've got conversations that honestly have me buzzing with excitement. Some are with practitioners I've been desperate to feature because their work fascinates me personally. Others explore modalities that are completely new to me and I'm learning alongside you.

I'll be exploring opportunities for self-awareness and healing. That might surprise you. We look at movement in forms you may not have considered how technology can help identify and address [00:16:00] issues in complementary ways. I'll be discovering where to find guidance when feeling frazzled from places you might not expect.

We'll explore the value of community. How our four legged friends can play a valuable role in our wellbeing and much more. That honestly has me buzzing. It might sound like a wildly broad mix, but it is. It's intentional. The world is full of wellness gifts and they take many, many forms. I've guests from all around the world and in recording each conversation with just such generous and inspiring people, I've found new ways to approach my wellness practices, incorporated elements into my day and added areas I wish to explore further.

Some approaches might challenge your rational brain. Some have certainly challenged mine, but I've learned that [00:17:00] sometimes the most transformative practices are the ones that initially seem impossible or too simple to work. I encourage you to approach each of these conversations the way I do.

With curiosity and openness to challenge scepticism, allow for that, "What if" try things out. Notice what resonates. Build your own personal toolkit and don't be afraid to actually use it. And remember, you're not alone in this. Whether you're in a high point or struggling through a low point, there are techniques that can support you.

Practitioners who understand. And a growing community of people on similar journeys. This season is about walking the walk together. It's about honest conversations, practical tools, and real transformation, not perfection, but progress. Not fixing, but [00:18:00] flourishing. Thank you for joining me on this more personal start to season three.

Next week I'm speaking to Dr. Jane Lewis about Huna an ancient Hawaiian practice for self-healing through spiritual and energetic techniques. Our conversation completely shifted how I think about connections to self and everything around us. Ancient wisdom being applied to the modern era.

I can't wait to share the beautiful conversation with Jane with you. Until next time, be gentle with yourself. Trust your own experience. And remember, there's many paths to wellness and yours doesn't need to look like everyone else's. [00:19:00] 

Thank you for listening