Part of why I love somatic coaching is that it's the meeting place of the body and the mind—bottom-up and top-down. This integration is powerful because as we begin to acknowledge the body and square up to the reality of things, we don't have to try so hard. Old symptoms and habits simply fall away. For example, when it comes to eating well or working out consistently, we don’t have to force ourselves into rigid plans or punish ourselves for “falling off.” Instead, we can start to listen to what the body needs. When we eat foods that feel nourishing and energizing rather than following a plan out of guilt, the habit naturally sticks. Similarly, working out can stop being a chore and become something we look forward to because it feels good in our body. We don’t have to work at being our best selves—we simply are that. Life becomes easier. We're not stuck in cycles of shame or guilt, trying to "fix" ourselves. Instead, we’re doing what feels good, naturally. We become the person we want to be, but without the exhausting effort. Our goals and habits start to align effortlessly, and we're no longer working against ourselves. Spending less time on our phones, for instance, can stop feeling like a “should” and become a choice because we notice how much more present and alive we feel when we’re not scrolling. Sometimes, we can let go of the deeply ingrained habit or pattern of "trying hard" because that’s what we’ve relied on for so long. We may have learned to find value in effort—believing things only matter if they’re difficult. We can shift this by cultivating a sense of comfort and safety in the body. When the body begins to feel safe, the mind can naturally follow. This creates space for the realization that life can, in fact, be simple and easy at times. Eating well, working out, or setting down the phone can come from a place of feeling good in your body, rather than forcing yourself to meet a standard. It’s about trusting that ease doesn’t mean we’re doing less; it means we’re finally aligned.

For many of us, we have a best friend growing up—a neighbor we play with on the swing set, we laugh with, and share slumber parties with, and play games with long past when our caretakers want us to come inside... Imagine your friend one day, sadly, moves away...to a distant country. We try to keep in touch, but as time passes, our conversations grow more distant. The different cultures, the different languages, the pace of life...all of it is different. We don't make sense to each other as time goes us... Maybe we start to feel frustration, anger, and pain...because we no longer understand or even like each other, and the connection fades. For many, this is exactly what happens with our bodies. We lose touch with the natural, wholesome relationship we’re meant to have. I find that many of the people we work with, whether in our training programs or one-on-one, often have a war-like psychology with their bodies. They push away discomfort, resist their bodily experience, and in doing so, reject reality as it is. In this community, (and always) I want to foster a relationship of love with my body—a practice of accepting and pulling in what I might normally push away. Let’s bring our bodies close, hold them tight, make peace, and explore those places within that have felt too shameful, painful, or tense to be with. Over time, we can spend more time getting to know our bodies. Of course, we do this slowly and over time. (Just like our best friend who moved back after years of being apart...) We'd need to slowly come back into getting to know one another. At Body-Based Breakthrough, we use the idea of going on a "Date with our bodies"—a subtle way to dip our toe back into relationship with ourselves. So this week, I wanna invite you to meditate on the idea of befriending your body wholly and completely. Take a moment and reflect. Ask yourself: if your body were a friend, would it want to spend time with you? Would it enjoy sharing meals with you? Would it go to concerts, watch sunsets, or simply be with you?

To kick things off, please comment below introducing yourself. Let us know… #1 - Who are you, where are you from and who do you work with? #2 - What do you want to get out of being in this community? #3 - For fun what do you like to do? #4 - Drop a photo of your office space or where you like to do work from. I'll go first... #1. Hi friends. My name is Matthew Cooke, from Boulder, Colorado. We certify coaches, and mental health professionals to add a somatic or nervous system tool to their business, called Body-Based Breakthrough. Simultaneously helping them get "unstuck" professionally, as well as personally if they experience anxiety, imposter syndrome or burnout. We use a combination of breathwork, moving meditation, journaling and coaching. We teach it, and certify our trauma-informed practitioners over a 3-month period. #2. I want to connect with new friends, I want to serve our existing clients and I want to help people expand their impact, their belief in themselves and about what is possible in terms of generating cash flow and I want to have a ton of fun! #3. I like to hang by our creek here in Boulder, hike mountains, nerd out about the nervous system, read books about it, and go to coffee shops. I also love me some yoga. #4 - I love my space...but probably my favorite is working on the ground right behind this station...I love moving throughout the day...

(Take 1 min to read this entire post so you can UNLOCK all our resources) First of all... We're thrilled that you found your way here... to the #1 FREE Skool Community for Growth-Seeking Individuals, Helpers, and Coaches, who are ready to deepen their practice, reconnect with their bodies, and build a thriving, purpose-driven life and business. In case we haven't met yet, here’s what you should know about us: 🧘 We've shared this method with 1000's of leaders, and teams at companies like Google, Snapchat, Pixar/Disney, and Apple, while supporting 100+ coaches and healers in transforming their practices through somatic approaches and mind-body integration. 🧘 We've worked alongside some of the most respected experts in the fields of somatic healing and coaching, learning these methods. Hint: We've been behind the scenes with some of the most impactful teachers you've likely heard of 😉 🧘 And today, we’re here to help you build a life that feels aligned, fulfilling, and deeply connected—without the overwhelm. Our goal is to make this Free Community more valuable than the last paid program you joined. We’re committed to creating a space where people truly engage, support each other, and grow together. So welcome to the community, and thank you for being a vital part of it. Your growth and transformation won’t just come from consuming content—it will come from engaging, asking questions, and getting into INSPIRED ACTION! To unlock the Courses & Resources, take these 3 Initial Action Steps: ✅ Step #1: COMMENT "READY!" ON THIS POST ✅ Step #2: INTRODUCE YOURSELF HERE ✅ Step #3: ATTEND YOUR FIRST SESSION Welcome to the Somatic Coaching Community! Take these first 3 Action Steps, and start your journey toward deeper connection and growth. We’re excited to support you. Welcome aboard, @Matthew Cooke & The Somatic Coaching Team