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What if your breath could heal your deepest wounds and reconnect you with your truest self? In this transformative conversation, host Melissa welcomes Anthony Abagnano, founder of Alchemy of Breath and author of the newly released book "Outer Chaos, Inner Calm," for a profound exploration of how breathwork can reshape our relationship with trauma, presence, and authentic living.

Anthony shares his journey from being an eight-year-old outsider in an English boarding school to discovering the transformative power of breath through an unexpected childhood experience. This early awakening revealed a "still point" of peace amid his isolation—a foundation that would later inform his life's work helping others find their way home to themselves.

The conversation delves deep into our collective misunderstanding of trauma. Rather than merely developing coping mechanisms, Anthony advocates for true resolution through conscious connected breathing—a technique that creates communication between our conscious mind, subconscious patterns, and what many call a higher power. "Most breath workers do make up all kinds of different breath patterns," Anthony explains, "but remembering to breathe is half the job." This simple yet profound insight underscores how reconnection with our breath can transform our entire experience of life.

Perhaps most compelling is Anthony's gentle challenge to those who believe they haven't experienced trauma. With compassion and wisdom, he suggests that claiming to be trauma-free often indicates dissociation rather than absence. From birth experiences to witnessing others' suffering, trauma shapes us in ways we rarely recognize. By becoming "detectives of our own experience" and exploring our lives in seven-year increments, we can uncover how past events influence our present behaviors.

The episode concludes with a beautiful conversation on belonging. Anthony points out that "belonging" contains "be longing"—suggesting that our state of longing, though uncomfortable, is worthy of exploration. When we can witness our longing rather than frantically trying to satisfy it, we gain agency and avoid attaching ourselves to destructive habits out of desperation to fit in.

Ready to transform your relationship with breath and discover what lies beyond the chaos? Join us for this life-changing conversation, and consider attending one of Anthony's free Sunday breathwork sessions through Alchemy of Breath's "Breathe the World" initiative. Your journey back to yourself may begin with just one conscious breath.

More about Anthony and his work:

https://alchemyofbreath.com

Outer Chaos, Inner Calm

Free Sunday Breathwork Sessions

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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In this episode of The Fully Mindful, I’m joined by Andrea Epting, a trauma and addiction recovery expert, to dive deep into the intersection of neurodivergence, addiction, and how these challenges uniquely manifest in women. Andrea, who works with individuals navigating trauma and neurodivergence, sheds light on how ADHD is often misdiagnosed in women, with many only receiving a diagnosis later in life due to hormonal shifts.

We explore how ADHD shows up differently for women—particularly in how mental hyperactivity manifests and how it is often mistaken for anxiety or depression. Andrea also discusses the power of self-awareness and community in the healing process, emphasizing the importance of recognizing your neurodivergent brain as a strength, especially when navigating addiction and recovery.

We talk about the impact of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic practices, and how we can use these tools to heal from trauma and integrate self-compassion. Additionally, Andrea shares her work at her nonprofit Heads Up Guidance Services (HUGS) in Savannah, Georgia, which provides accessible behavioral health counseling through volunteer professionals, and the release of her Plan to Recover Mini Journal—a resource designed to help individuals automate healthy habits and track their recovery journey.

Whether you are dealing with addiction, neurodivergence, or trauma—or all three—this episode provides hope, tools, and encouragement to continue your healing journey.

Links Mentioned:

• Plan to Recover Mini Journal on Amazon: Plan to Recover Journal
• Direct Impact Podcast: Direct Impact Podcast
• Heads Up Guidance Services (HUGS): Heads Up Savannah
• Resolve Strategies Inc.: Resolve Strategies Inc.

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.

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This week on The Fully Mindful, Melissa sits down with the incomparable Brenda Sarai Zuniga—a mindfulness coach, comedian, motivational speaker, and the vibrant force behind Getting Mental, the podcast and one-woman show that proves healing doesn’t have to be heavy.

From immigrating to the U.S. as a baby and growing up in 15 different homes, to getting diagnosed with ADHD at 25 and turning it into her superpower, Brenda shares how her journey shaped her work—and how she now helps others feel seen, understood, and empowered.

We go deep into:

• ✨ How mindfulness and self-compassion saved her life
• 🎤 Her one-woman comedy musical about mental health (yes, it’s brilliant)
• 🧠 Why ADHD is her secret weapon—and how she teaches others to harness it
• 😂 How humor breaks down stigma and makes mental health accessible
• 💡 Her upcoming course to help people reconnect with their inner child
• 💛 What it means to truly belong, even when you’ve felt like an outsider

We also laugh a lot, geek out over White Lotus, and talk about the power of performing, purpose, and creative breakthroughs.

Don’t miss this one—it’s honest, uplifting, and packed with insight, especially if you’ve ever felt “different,” struggled with self-worth, or wondered how to turn your pain into purpose.

📲 Connect with Brenda:

• Instagram: @officialbrendaz
• Website: www.brendasaraizuniga.com

Join the Fully Mindful Community: ✨ Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps others find the show!
✨ Stay Connected: Follow @the_fully_mindful on Instagram for mindfulness tips, breathwork insights, and more!
✨ Free Breathwork Sessions: Email me at info@thefully.mindful.com to get signed up for your first session for free of my monthly Unwind Your Mind session.