The Sabbatical: Rest, Reflection & Riding Whistler - Episode 29

Hi, love—it’s Steph.Jeanetta and I have different ways of unwinding. She heads to the mountains with her bike; I find my rhythm on the river with a raft. But what we both know, deep in our bones, is the power of unplugging—of letting nature hold us while we remember who we are.Listening to this episode, I could feel the exhale in her voice—the kind that only comes when we finally give ourselves permission to rest. It brought me right back to those long days on the river, when the only thing I have to track is whether I’m hungry or where the sun is in the sky. I love how nature rearranges us—how our faces soften, our bodies lighten, and joy becomes something you can actually see and feel.And there’s nothing quite like nature’s version of television: watching the wild unfold in real time. The way a bear steps quietly into a clearing, how sunlight flickers across moving water, or how an eagle circles overhead—unscripted, unrepeatable, and somehow always exactly what you needed.This episode isn’t really about mountain biking or van life. It’s about what happens when we stop pushing and start listening. If you’ve ever longed for a slower pace, or needed permission to press pause, this one’s for you.Much love,StephEpisode SummaryIn this deeply personal episode, Jeanetta invites you into the raw in-between—the space after closing her yoga studio and before launching what’s next. From the floor of her bedroom in pajamas, she reflects on a 28-day sabbatical spent living in a van, biking the mountains of Whistler, and slowing down in ways she never has before.More than a travel story, this is a gentle offering: a real-time glimpse into what it looks like to practice what you teach. Jeanetta shares the rhythms of van life, the joy of mountain biking with her family, the unexpected stillness, and the sacred discomfort of not being ready to “do” again just yet.This isn’t an episode filled with business strategy or educational frameworks. It’s a soft landing pad. A reminder that growth includes rest. That leadership includes not knowing. And that sometimes, showing up simply means telling the truth about where you are.What You’ll Hear In This Episode:* The surprising grief and tenderness after closing Iron Crane Yoga* Behind the scenes of 24 days living in a van across Canada* Why Whistler Bike Park feels like Disneyland for mountain bikers* Family rituals, daily rhythms, and the power of simplified living* Rest as resistance—and what it really looked like for Jeanetta* Reflections on van life, motherhood, and being present without a plan* A simple game (Best, Worst, Weirdest) you can borrow for reflection* The honest truth about returning home and still not being readyTake This With You:This episode is an invitation to listen without comparison. To hear one woman’s version of slowing down without thinking you have to do it the same way. If your nervous system is tired, if your life feels loud, or if you’re in a transition—this is your permission slip to pause, even if it looks different than you imagined.Resources & Ways to Connect:* Website: somamoonwellness.com* Substack: Subscribe for updates and reflections* Instagram: @jea.bodie* Questions or requests? Email Jeanetta at [email protected] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit somamoonwellness.substack.com/subscribe