I AM | Jen WIlson, The Healing Rebel

I Am | Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel Podcast
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Alternative Health
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I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel. Honest conversations about nervous system regulation, burnout, perimenopause, and the wellness industry I've spent 24+ years in. For firstborn daughters, born leaders, and capable women over 40 who are sick of being the one who holds it all together. We explore lymphatic drainage, fascia release, somatic work, and the lifestyle medicine pillars, while pushing back against the magic pills and quick fixes that don't deliver. Healing isn't linear. Neither is this podcast.

  1. 2d ago

    #247 Should You Purge After a Lymphatic Drainage Treatment?

    Should you purge after a lymphatic drainage treatment? Short answer: no. I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is me getting into why the "go hard or go home" mentality has crept into lymphatic drainage, why some practitioners are pushing aggressive treatments designed to make you purge afterwards, and why that's the opposite of what your body actually needs to heal. This episode came out of a conversation with a fellow massage therapist friend whose client kept going to someone else for lymphatic drainage because she always had a big purge afterwards. My reaction was: no. That's not what's meant to happen. What I cover: What purging actually is and when it's appropriate (sickness, diarrhoea, your body clearing something genuinely harmful) Why a treatment that makes you purge is too aggressive for your nervous system The concept of a "healing crisis" and why it's a red flag, not a badge of honour How the parasympathetic nervous system safety is where healing actually happens The Vodder technique I was trained in, and how a proper, gentle lymphatic drainage treatment works Why the dramatic before-and-after photos of lymphatic drainage are mostly fluid loss that comes straight back Why getting lymphatic drainage before your holiday won't keep you looking sculpted on the beach What aggressive treatments actually cost you (vitamins, minerals, microbiome) Why being soothed during a treatment matters more than the manual technique itself How to support your lymphatic system at home in as little as one minute a day A few questions I answer: Should you purge after lymphatic drainage? What is a healing crisis, and is it real? Why does my body purge after some treatments? Is aggressive lymphatic drainage better than gentle? Can I do lymphatic drainage on myself? Does lymphatic drainage help you look thinner? Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Self-Care Routine. A gentle, guided way to support your lymphatic system every day, in as little as a minute. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/ If you're in or around Glasgow and you'd like to come in for a proper, gentle Manual Lymphatic Drainage treatment, all the booking details are over at www.iamjenwilson.comGet my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    15 min

  2. May 24

    #246 Can Fascia Release Really Heal Your Trauma?

    Is trauma stored in the body? Can fascia release heal it? Is there one modality, one practitioner, one magic pill that's finally going to fix you? Short answer: no. I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and this episode is me wading into the conversation (and in some places, the argument) that's playing out across the wellness industry right now. There's a particular kind of marketing happening where practitioners are promising trauma release through fascia work, and there's a particular kind of seeking happening where people are looking for the one thing that'll resolve everything. I want to talk honestly about what's actually going on in your body when you experience trauma, what fascia is and isn't, what touch and movement and breath actually do, and why the "pill for every ill" mentality keeps us stuck. What I cover: Why The Body Keeps the Score has been overtaken by newer thinking (the brain keeps the score, the body is the scorecard) Why two people can go through the same experience and only one comes out traumatised How trauma creates patterns of movement, holding, and bracing in your body A real client example of how a car collision shaped how she held herself in the driver's seat My own example of holding patterns after my last Crohn's flare and the 2-year process of unwinding them Whether fascia actually "holds" trauma in any meaningful way Why emotional release during bodywork is real but isn't quite what people think it is The role of touch, movement, and diaphragmatic breath in your body's natural processing Why your lymphatic system needs breath and movement to do its job How tears, sweat, and exhaling breath are part of your body's detoxification process Why we've been culturally trained out of expressing emotion, and how to retrain ourselves The "pill for every ill" mentality and why it keeps us stuck You are not broken. You don't need to be fixed. A few questions I answer: Is trauma actually stored in the body? Can fascia release heal trauma? Is fascia an organ? Why do I cry during massage or fascia work? the difference between trauma and holding patterns? Why is touch so important for healing? Why does diaphragmatic breath matter for the lymphatic system? This is for anyone who's been on the wellness path long enough to feel exhausted by the constant search for the next thing. There's no one path through. There's only what's right for you. Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Routine. A simple way to start touching your own body with awareness, getting to know your own physiology, and supporting your natural detoxification process. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/ If you're in or around Glasgow and want to come in for a treatment, https://iamjenwilson.com/relaxAccess my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    21 min

  3. May 10

    #245 What I've Unlearned After 24 Years in the Wellness Industry

    I've been a participant in the wellness and wellbeing industry since 2002 and working in it since 2009. That's 24 years of being in this world, watching it evolve, watching the science shift, and watching myself shift along with it. This episode is an honest review of the things I used to believe, used to teach, used to post about, and have since had to let go of.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and if you've been on your own wellness path for a while, you'll probably recognise yourself in some of these. The point isn't that I got it wrong and feel bad about it. The point is that being willing to update your beliefs as you learn more is part of being a serious practitioner and a serious human. What I unlearned: That science is the pinnacle of all knowledge (it's brilliant, but human biology doesn't always behave the way science needs it to) That I was indestructible and could just push through with more effort, more workouts, more discipline That "go hard or go home" gym culture was actually healthy That rest is lazy or unproductive That veganism was the healthiest way to eat (after 20-25 years vegetarian/vegan, my body told me otherwise) That elimination diets are a long-term solution That you can just push through tiredness, fatigue, and burnout That suppressing emotions is the same as being strong That being on the contraceptive pill for years had no effect on my emotional landscape That a chronic illness diagnosis (Crohn's, in my case) was the end of the road That fasting is universally healthy, particularly for women in the perimenopausal years A few questions I answer: Why isn't science always the final word in wellbeing? Is veganism actually healthy for everyone? Why is rest so often confused with laziness? Should women in perimenopause be doing intermittent fasting? Can chronic illness actually lead to a better life? What's the link between contraceptive pills and emotional flatlining? Drop your own "what I've unlearned" moments into the comments, I'd genuinely love to know. Free download: my Lymphatic Drainage Routine to get you started. https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/About Jen: Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 17 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library. Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    27 min

  4. May 6

    #244 Can You Really Self-Soothe? Or Do You Need Connection?

    "Safety isn't the absence of threat, it's the presence of true connection." That single sentence has been running through my mind for a week, and this episode is me thinking out loud about it.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and today I'm exploring the tension between self-soothing, self-regulation, and the idea that we actually need community and connection to regulate our nervous systems properly. The conversation started when I heard someone say that self-soothing doesn't really work, that you need to be in connection with other people to soothe and regulate. My honest response was, yes and. Because there's nuance here. There's a level of self-responsibility we need to take, and there's a time and place where you absolutely need other humans around you. The answer depends on where you are on your journey, what you've already learned, and what's available to you in the moment. In this episode: Why self-soothing alone isn't always enough. The difference between being alone and being lonely. What self-regulation actually looks like in practice (drumming, blankets, fascia work, smoothies, the lot). Why some classic self-compassion techniques like self-hugging make some of us feel agitated rather than soothed. The role of true community and safe people in nervous system regulation. Why talking ideas through with another human beats running them in your own head. Where AI tools fit (and where they fall short) when you need to actually be heard. The cultural nuance in how we communicate, and why it matters. A few questions I answer: What's the difference between self-regulation and co-regulation? Can you regulate your nervous system on your own? Why doesn't self-soothing work for everyone? How do you know when you need community versus when you need solitude? What are some practical ways to self-soothe that actually work? This episode is a thinking-out-loud in the moment one. I want to know what you think. Drop your thoughts into the comments wherever you're listening. How did that opening statement land for you? What came up? Let's make this a real conversation. About Jen: Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 17 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online classes and an on-demand subscription library. Access my FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/

    10 min

  5. Apr 21

    #243 Eldest Daughter Syndrome: Why Firstborn Daughters Burn Out

    Are you a firstborn daughter who's always switched on, always scanning for the next thing to fix, and secretly knackered underneath it all? This episode is for you.I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel, and today I'm talking about eldest daughter syndrome, nervous system dysregulation, and why so many of us firstborn daughters and born leaders end up in burnout more than once before we finally listen.I share my own experience of hitting a Crohn's disease flare in 2022 that became the wake-up call I couldn't ignore, plus research from the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts on eldest daughter syndrome, and why Gabor Maté's work in The Myth of Normal and When the Body Says No keeps showing up in conversations about autoimmune conditions, chronic illness, and the personality types most likely to develop them.In this episode:What eldest daughter syndrome actually is (and why it's not in the DSM-5)Why firstborn daughters are wired to fix, help, and people-please from childhoodThe link between being "the responsible one" and burnout, anxiety, depression, and autoimmune conditionsWhy being fit isn't the same as being healthyHow to spot the signs you're running on high alert without realising itWhy saying no to one thing lets you say yes to what your soul actually wantsWhat my clients who book their treatments a year ahead know that the rest of us are still learningA few questions I answer:What is eldest daughter syndrome?Why do firstborn daughters burn out so often?Is there a link between personality type and autoimmune disease?How do I know if I'm dysregulated?What can firstborn daughters do to start recovering from burnout?If this resonates, share it with a firstborn daughter or born leader you love who's heading back toward burnout. And drop me a comment wherever you're listening. I want this to be a two-way conversation.About Jen:Jen Wilson is The Healing Rebel, a holistic wellness practitioner with over 15 years in practice, supporting capable, responsible women over 40 who give to everyone and struggle to receive. Working from her private home studio in Springburn, North Glasgow, Jen offers The Reset, The Recalibration, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Therapeutic Fascia Massage, Menopause Massage, Reiki, Reiki Drumming, and Sound Healing, plus online Pilates and movement classes.Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    19 min

  6. Mar 27

    #242 Ashley Scotland - what it means to be a trauma-informed leader

    In this episode, Jen and Ashley talk about what it means to be a trauma-informed leader and how Ashley is developing a book and programme to inspire leaders to approach their work from heart lead, trauma-informed approach. Ashley Scotland is an Award Winning CEO & Founder, Thriving Survivors | Board Member, The Robertson Trust | Advocate for Restorative Justice, Survivor Empowerment and Lived Experience Leadership.She is a passionate social entrepreneur and visionary leader dedicated to transforming the lives of trauma survivors through innovative, trauma-informed services. As the Founder and CEO of Thriving Survivors, I’ve led the development of Scotland’s first restorative justice service for survivors of sexual harm, securing major funding and shaping national policy through initiatives like the Survivors Voices consultation.With over a decade of experience in the third sector, she brings strategic foresight, ethical governance, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. She serves on several influential boards, including:* The Kintail Trust (Corporate Trustee)* The Robertson Trust* Cross Party Group for Adult SurvivorsHer work has been featured in national and international publications, and she's a strong advocate for lived experience leadership and the integration of AI to drive sustainable social impact.Connect with Ashely on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyscotland/Connect with Jen: Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    40 min

  7. Feb 13

    #241 Find your voice through song with Louise McDonald Golden Key Voices

    in this podcast Jen & Louise chat about finding your voice through song, how women's voices change throughout their lifetime, how hormones shift voice, how the diaphragm, pelvic floor and vocal chords work together and a whole lot more... watch to the end to see Jen have her very first ever singing lesson! Louise McDonald: I began my singing career at Scottish Opera then specialised in concert and oratorio (sacred choral music), working extensively in Scotland and internationally. The experience of my own voice loss following thyroid surgery in 2006 has given me precious knowledge and skill to help you build your voice again with confidence, step by step, as I have done. For a long time I kept it quiet so that those in my profession wouldn’t know, in case I didn’t get work. Silence is too great a price to pay, so I now have the courage to live a more authentic expression of who I am, so that I can serve others in fully recovering, getting their voice and confidence back. If this is you, I’ve done all the hard work so that you don’t need to try out many approaches to singing again. I discovered a more mature, rich and satisfying sound and have been able to continue professional performing to this day. If I can do it, so can you! If you’re prepared to do the work over six months, the skills you will have gained won’t go away, as I’m teaching you to use your voice in a sustainable way. Social media links are:www.facebook.comlouisemacdonaldcontralto.comwww.linkedin.com/in/louisemacsongwebsite - https://www.louisemacdonaldcontralto.comhttps://www.thecheynegang.com/Glasgow Find Your Voice events https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/find-your-voice-singing-workshop-for-women-tickets-1982887384545Edinburgh Find Your Voice events https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breathe-well-sing-well-live-well-edinburgh-workshop-for-women-tickets-1982004414558Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    1 hr

  8. Jan 30

    #240 From wheelchair to marathon Mary McManus

    When Mary McManus received the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine Standards in December of 2006, she refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. She was told to prepare to spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair and expect an accelerated decline in functioning as she aged. She was at the height of her award-winning career as a social worker at the Boston VA Outpatient Clinic just 3 years shy of retirement. In February of 2007, she got still and asked for Divine Guidance as she often had when facing challenges throughout her life. The poem “Running the Race” flowed out of her followed by an anthology of poems that harnessed the power of the mind/body connection. The runner within Mary was born in her imagination. In May of 2007, Mary took a leap of faith leaving behind her career to heal her life. What a wondrous path unfolded before her. She is a 2009 Boston Marathon finisher and has had many adventures as a most unlikely runner. Mary is an inspirational author, motivational speaker, blogger, poet and the author of 7 books that chronicle how she survived and thrived in the wake of childhood paralytic polio and trauma. To learn more visit her website at https://marymcmanus.comWebsite: https://marymcmanus.com Blog: https://unlikelyrunnergirl53.blogspot.comAuthor Page on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B0047OFIQ6YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Marysunshine100LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-mcmanus-05486a177/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marymcmanusgothedistanceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary_mcmanusrunnergirl/Access me FREE Lymphatic Drainage Routine here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/lymph/Access my FREE Posture for Health mini workshop here https://iamjenwilson.thrivecart.com/posture-for-health/Get my book 9 Rules to Sort Your Shit here - https://amzn.to/4eYtVnqRebel and Divine Anarchist hoodies and t-shirts here https://iamjenwilson-2.teemill.com/collection/new/Gut Friendly, Easy Recipe book here https://amzn.to/4gJsGICFor all information on working with me:www.iamjenwilson.comFollow my social channelsSubscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/iamjenwilsonLike my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/IamJenWilsonFollow me on Instagram https://instagram.com/iam.jenwilson

    1h 7m
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About

I'm Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel. Honest conversations about nervous system regulation, burnout, perimenopause, and the wellness industry I've spent 24+ years in. For firstborn daughters, born leaders, and capable women over 40 who are sick of being the one who holds it all together. We explore lymphatic drainage, fascia release, somatic work, and the lifestyle medicine pillars, while pushing back against the magic pills and quick fixes that don't deliver. Healing isn't linear. Neither is this podcast.

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  • Creator
    I Am | Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel Podcast
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    247
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © I Am | Jen Wilson, The Healing Rebel Podcast
  • Show Website
    I AM | Jen WIlson, The Healing Rebel