The Cost of People-Pleasing, Perfectionism, and the Need to Be Loved

Helen’s personal healing journey began the way it does for so many people—through the challenge of chronic illness. She experienced severe symptoms, including neurological issues and even periods where she was unable to walk, which eventually led doctors to suspect a possible MS diagnosis. She was told that getting better would likely cost a great deal of money, yet at the same time, there was little they could actually offer in terms of real solutions.In our conversation, we explore the immense pressure many women feel to prove their worth through constant productivity—overworking, caring for everyone else, and rarely prioritizing their own needs. Helen reflects on how she ignored the signals her body was sending and kept “pushing through,” as so many women are conditioned to do, until her body ultimately crashed.She also opens up about the emotional toll of chronic illness. In the religious environment she grew up in, illness was often viewed as a form of punishment, which added layers of shame and confusion to an already difficult experience. Helen shares how these beliefs affected her self-esteem and mental health, and how her journey eventually led her to a deeper understanding of healing, the body, and the nervous system. Helen Parde is a nervous system health coach, licensed massage therapist, and functional nutrigenomics practitioner, and the founder of Whole Body & Sole Wellness Center in Utah. She specializes in helping people restore health by addressing the root causes of stress, inflammation, hormone imbalance, and chronic symptoms through nervous system regulation, bodywork, biofeedback, and functional genomics. Helen blends ancient healing modalities with modern neuroscience and genetic insights to help clients move from survival mode into sustainable, whole-body healing.Helen is currently offering $100 off any of her health coaching packages, through March, for listeners of The Aligned Life-Stylist podcast. Use code: Woowoohttps://wholebodyandsole.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thealignedlifestylist.substack.com/subscribe