The Harmony Life OT Podcast: Episode 1 - When Life Breaks You Open: My Saturn Return, Burnout & Return to Alignment

To celebrate the release of her new and revised book, Uncovering My True Self: How I broke my back and woke up to a new life, Esther shares a special reading of Chapter 3: Nourish Your Body. Discover how nourishment goes beyond food and includes rest, movement, sunshine, laughter, and a deeper connection with yourself.Link to purchase the book from Amazon: https://a.co/d/05zbLbsTInstagram: @harmonylifeotSubstack: @harmonylifeotP.S. To create a more enjoyable listening experience, references have been omitted from this reading. All references and source material can be found in the book. If you would like a specific reference or source, please feel free to send a DM. Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Harmony Life OT Podcast, we explore seven signs your nervous system doesn’t feel safe and what your body might be trying to tell you. If you’ve been feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected from yourself, or stuck in survival mode, this episode will help you understand the connection between trauma, burnout, stress, and nervous system regulation.Drawing on both occupational therapy and holistic healing perspectives, you’ll learn why these patterns aren’t signs that you’re broken, but adaptive responses that can be gently rewired through awareness and self-compassion.If you’re on a journey of healing, self-discovery, trauma recovery, burnout recovery, mindfulness, and reconnecting with your authentic self, this episode is for you.If you want more like this, please follow me onSubstack: @harmonylifeotInstagram: @harmonylifeot Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

What if your greatest challenge wasn’t meant to break you, but to awaken you?In this episode, I share how a life-changing back injury became the catalyst for my personal growth, healing journey, and purpose. We explore the powerful shift from seeing trauma as something that happened to us, to viewing it as an initiation into who we’re meant to become.Inspired by Dr. Joe Dispenza’s teachings and insights from Elizabeth April’s book "You Are Not Dying, You’re Just Waking Up", this episode offers a new perspective on trauma, adversity, resilience, spiritual awakening, and post-traumatic growth.In this episode I discuss:• How my back injury changed the direction of my life• Moving from victim consciousness to creator consciousness• Why life’s challenges may be preparing you for something greater• Reframing trauma as an initiation into your next chapterRead more on Substack: @harmonylifeotFollow me on Instagram: @harmonylifeotEA book: https://elizabethapril.com/you-are-not-dying-book/#TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #SpiritualAwakening #PostTraumaticGrowth #MindsetShift #HealingJourney #Resilience #SelfDevelopment #JoeDispenza #SpiritualGrowth #TraumaRecovery Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

For the first time in six years… I can honestly say I feel okay with where I am in life.In this deeply personal Episode 5, I reflect on the past six birthdays and the spiritual lessons hidden within some of the hardest seasons of my journey - from losing my first OT job during COVID, surviving a car accident, burnout, injury, and dark nights of the soul… to finally finding my way back to myself.This is a conversation about nervous system healing, spiritual awakening, resilience, and learning to trust that even life’s most painful chapters can become portals for transformation.If you are currently navigating burnout, uncertainty, grief, or change, I trust this episode reminds you that healing is possible - even when it feels far away.Trigger warning: This episode briefly discusses burnout, mental health struggles, and dark thoughts.Connect with me:Instagram: @harmonylifeotSubstack: @harmonylifeotIf this episode resonated with you, please leave a review, follow the podcast, and share it with someone who may need this message today.Blessings, love and light,Essy xx Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

ADDENDUM: Nervous system regulation tools that helped me: Breathwork. Singing. Humming. Tapping. Butterfly hugs. Gentle movement. Slow dancing. Yoga, such as legs up on the wall for 5-10 minutes before bedtime. Slow swimming. Walking barefoot on the grass and on the sand at the beach - aka grounding. Listening to the Safe and Sound Protocol which is therapeutic music created by Dr Stephen Porges. Neurofeedback. Biofeedback, which included diaphragmatic breathing and heart rate variability monitoring.A special birthday episode before I turn another year older tomorrow… 🤍If you’re struggling to be human right now… this episode is for you.In Episode 4 of The Harmony Life OT Podcast, I share my journey from burnout, emotional collapse, and nervous system overwhelm… to slowly rebuilding my life, health, and sense of self again.This is one of my most raw and honest conversations yet.Looking back on this past year, I honestly never imagined I would be where I am today. And despite everything, I feel deeply grateful for the growth that came from it.If you’ve been feeling exhausted, disconnected, lost, or stuck in survival mode, I trust this episode reminds you that healing and transformation are possible.Listen now and subscribe for the next episode.Instagram: @harmonylifeotSubstack: @harmonylifeot Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

Feeling exhausted but unable to switch off? In this episode, I share three simple, practical strategies to help regulate your nervous system when you’re feeling “wired but tired.”We explore how to gently audit your life, listen to your body’s signals, use diaphragmatic breathing to calm your mind, and incorporate a simple night-time practice to support deep rest.If you’re navigating stress, early burnout, or feeling out of alignment, this episode will guide you back to a place of awareness, balance, and gentle action - one small step at a time.PACED breathing app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paced-breathing/id6447217781, set for inhale and exhale 5 seconds, and 6 breaths per minuteInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonylifeot/Substack: https://substack.com/@harmonylifeot References:1.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00874/full2.https://neurolaunch.com/legs-up-the-wall-anxiety/ Disclaimer: All the information, techniques, skills and concepts contained within this publication are of the nature of general comment only and are not in any way recommended as individual advice or a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a medical practitioner. The intent is to offer a variety of information to provide a wider range of choices now and in the future, recognising that we all have widely diverse circumstances and viewpoints. Should any choose to make use of the information herein, this is their decision, and the author does not assume any responsibilities whatsoever under any conditions or circumstances. The author does not take responsibility for the business, financial, personal or other success, results or fulfilment upon the ones’ decision to use this information. It is recommended that one obtain their own independent advice. The author is not liable for any loss, claim, or damage resulting from the use or misuse of the suggestions in this podcast, the failure to seek medical advice, or any content on third-party websites. Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

In this first episode, I share the story of how a sudden back injury in 2023 became the beginning of a much deeper awakening.What I once saw as a physical setback became a turning point - a Saturn Return that stripped life back to its core and forced me into alignment.From recovery, to burnout, to rebuilding my life in 2026, this episode explores identity loss, spiritual awakening, and the journey of remembering who I truly am. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonylifeot/Substack: https://substack.com/@harmonylifeot Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe

Episode 2: Surrender & Saturn Return Lessons - When Life Guides You Back Into AlignmentIn this episode, I share how burnout led me to surrender - not by giving up, but by letting go of control and learning to truly listen.This is about trusting your intuition, honouring your energy, and allowing life to realign you with your true path.If you’re in a season of change or uncertainty, this is your reminder: you’re not lost - you’re being guided back to yourself. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harmonylifeot/Substack: https://substack.com/@harmonylifeot Get full access to Essy's Substack at esthergrateful1111.substack.com/subscribe