Phases of Embodiment

In this conversation, Laura sits down with her friend and former soccer teammate, Megan Williams, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), to explore the unique mental health challenges female athletes face—navigating high-performance environments, identity shifts, and overriding the body.Megan shares her journey from collegiate athletics into the mental health field, offering insight into self-compassion, the importance of support systems, and what it really means to redefine success beyond achievement.The conversation also touches on Megan’s deeply personal experience as a NICU mom, and how navigating uncertainty, medical trauma, and the emotional complexity of early motherhood reshaped her relationship to rest, support, and deep listening.**CW: NICU and Traumatic Birth 57:55-1:09:30**Together, Laura and Megan explore the gaps in research and resources for female athletes, the power of mental health advocacy, and what it means to care for ourselves through life’s most demanding seasons.ABOUT: Megan Williams is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s complexities through a compassionate, eclectic therapeutic approach.Originally from just outside of Philadelphia, Megan now calls Warren County, New Jersey home—where she balances her professional life with the joyful chaos of raising two spirited boys and occasionally chasing a soccer ball on the weekends.Over the years, Megan has developed a wide-ranging clinical background, working with populations including older adults, individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She believes deeply in the mind-body connection and works with her clients to understand how both past and present experiences shape their well-being.Her therapeutic style is rooted in meeting clients exactly where they are, drawing from a mix of modalities to create individualized care. Whether it’s processing trauma, building coping skills, or simply helping someone feel heard for the first time, Megan brings warmth, professionalism, and a touch of humor to each session.New Discoveries Behavioral HealthMentioned on the Show:The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down and Rise to the Occasion by Simon Marshall, Ph.D. and Lesley PatersonThe Hidden OpponentDr. Stacy SimsMichele KangMidlife health crisis of former competitive athletesYOUR HOST:Laura Potter, Certified Menstrual Cycle Coach and Restorative Yoga TeacherMy WebsiteInstagramWork with Me:Book a Discovery Call

In this grounding and inspiring episode, Laura sits down with yoga teacher and studio owner, Kelsie Rockefeller for a conversation (and a few laughs) on cyclical living, community care, and the deeper layers of yoga beyond the mat.Kelsie and Laura explore seasonal living, reflecting on the wisdom of winter and menstruation as invitations to slow down and turn inward. Kelsie also shares her journey of leaving her hometown to find herself, and the full-circle return that inspired her to create spaces of connection, care, and belonging.The conversation also highlights the therapeutic applications of yoga, including Kelsie’s work with osteoporosis through her Bones & Balance class. She speaks to how consistent, mindful movement can support bone health and enhance quality of life, especially as we age.***CONTENT WARNING: Pregnancy Complications & Miscarriage TIMESTAMP: 47:23-49:56*** ABOUT:Kelsie Rockefeller’s work is rooted in cultivating spaces where people from seemingly separate worlds linger on common ground. Based in Oneonta, NY, she owns and operates, Yoga People Oneonta, a yoga studio known for embracing consistency over intensity, authenticity over perfection, and a playful joy in rediscovering the self.With a background spanning yoga therapy, functional fitness, Pilates, and massage therapy, she offers a layered, real-world approach to finding alignment on your own terms. Curious by nature and always learning, she continues to evolve her offerings to meet a growing appetite for wellness literacy, meaningful connection, and spaces that feel as good as they functionOutside of the studio, Kelsie is president and CEO of a household of two wild kids, a semi-non-competitive athlete, and often the only one laughing, fully committed, at her own jokes. Yoga People Oneonta@yogapeopleoneontaCity of Oneonta Woman Trailblazer AwardMentioned on the show:Dr. Loren Fishman, MD (Osteoporosis) Anodea JudithThe Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by T. K. V. DesikacharYOUR HOST:Laura Potter, Certified Menstrual Cycle Coach and Restorative Yoga TeacherMy WebsiteInstagramWork with Me:Book a Discovery Call

In this solo episode, Laura introduces one of the core practices that has transformed her life: menstrual cycle awareness.If you’ve ever felt frustrated by fluctuating energy, mood, or focus (or wondered why your body doesn’t feel the same every day) this episode offers a new lens. Rather than something to manage or push through, your cycle becomes a rhythm to listen to, learn from, and work with.Laura shares her personal journey from disconnection to deep relationship with her cycle, and breaks down how you can begin building that relationship for yourself.What You’ll LearnWhy your menstrual cycle is about so much more than your periodHow hormones like estrogen and progesterone impact your mood, energy, and long-term healthWhy the menstrual cycle is considered the fifth vital signThe four phases of the menstrual cycle and what’s happening in eachThe difference between the circadian rhythm (24-hour clock) and the infradian rhythm (your cycle)How modern life often ignores cyclical living and what that costs usWhat menstrual cycle awareness actually is (and why it’s a powerful mindfulness practice)The “Big Red Rule” and how to reclaim authority over your bodyHow to start charting your cycle in a simple, approachable wayMentioned on the Show:Red SchoolWild Power: Discover the Magic of Your Menstrual Cycle and Awaken the Feminine Path to Power by Sjanie Hugo Wurlitzer and Alexandra PopeIn the FLO: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life by Alisa VittiNational Institute of Child Health and Human Development. (n.d.). Menstrual cycles. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. Retrieved April 15, 2026, from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/org/od/directors_corner/prev_updates/menstrual-cyclesABOUT LAURA POTTER Through cyclical living and embodiment practices, Laura helps women move from burnout to a more intuitive, sustainable, and self-trusting way of living. She empowers clients to honor their menstrual cycles, release perfectionism, and embrace each season of life.If you’re ready to deepen this work, Laura offers:Intro Sessions to learn the foundations of menstrual cycle awareness3- and 6-Month Coaching Containers2 sessions per monthOngoing support tracking your cycle, patterns, and transformationsLearn More Here: https://www.phasesofembodiment.com/cyclecoaching📞 Book a free discovery call here to see if Menstrual Cycle Coaching is right for you: https://calendly.com/laurapotteryoga/cycle-coaching-discovery-call🌐 Website: phasesofembodiment.com📲 Instagram: @phasesofembodiment

In this inspiring interview, Elisa Marian Soto Méndez shares her journey from international development to pioneering work in menstrual health and education reform in Mexico.Discover how her advocacy is transforming policies, empowering communities, and breaking taboos around menstruation and women's health.Elisa also discusses her journey into motherhood and emphasizes the immense need for better support and care during pregnancy, early motherhood and beyond. Laura and Elisa also speak on the importance of bringing boys, men, and all genders into the conversation and the need for puberty support for all. *** CW mentions of pregnancy & birth complications- if you would like to skip this section, here’s the timestamp: 45:50-58:30) ***Organización Para Chicas: FACILITATING THE PATH TOWARDS GENDER EQUALITYElisa Marian Soto Mendez is a policy and regulatory specialist with experience in international financial governance, regulatory analysis, and stakeholder engagement. She has worked with institutions including the World Bank Group and the Central Bank of Ireland, with a focus on financial regulation and consumer protection. Elisa has also led internationally recognised social responsibility initiatives in Mexico, contributing to gender-inclusive education reform and advancing policy impact at both national and multilateral levels through her NGO Organización Para Chicas A.C.Organización Para Chicas A.C.WebsiteInstagramMentioned in the Episode: Social Responsibility Award, University of ManchesterUNESCO Prize for Girls' and Women's EducationWorld Bank Group GATE Program, Sociomedical Sciences (SMS) Department at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health Menstruación Digna MéxicoPeriod Power: A Manifesto for the Menstrual Movement by Nadya OkamotoKeywords:menstruation, women's health, education reform, Mexico, policy change, menstrual products, gender equality, water sanitation, environmental impact, advocacy, endometriosis, pregnancy, postpartum, menstrual cycle awareness

In this enlightening episode, Laura sits down with Dr. Emily Schmitt, a pelvic floor physical therapist, for a conversation about pelvic health that most of us were never taught. They explore why the pelvic floor matters for everyone, the powerful connection between breath and pelvic function, and a better way to think about Kegels.Dr. Schmitt shares how pelvic floor dysfunction can show up in everyday life—from pain to incontinence—and why so many symptoms are often overlooked or normalized.This conversation also highlights the importance of preventative care, including hydration, bowel habits, and building awareness around your body’s patterns. Together, they discuss strength training as a key part of long-term health for women.At its core, this episode is about education, empowerment, and helping you build a more informed, connected relationship with your body.About Dr. Emily Schmitt, PT, DPT, PCES is a pelvic floor physical therapist who works in Oneonta, NY. Her passion is working with patients who have an array of pelvic floor dysfunctions (including hip and spine diagnoses). Her approach to treatment is thinking holistically and integrated techniques to meet the patient where they are. She enjoys helping patients navigate pregnancy and postpartum phases, patients with chronic pelvic pain, and patients following surgery due to cancers of the pelvis (including prostate).Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Schmitt stays busy with raising her 7 year old twins as well lifting, running, and yoga. She enjoys the outdoors including hiking, camping, and gardening. Mentioned on the Show:Toilet Meditation A.I.R.B.A.G.360 Degree Breathing Connect Physical Therapy, Oneonta, NYCome As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D.Your Postpartum Body: The Complete Guide to Healing After Pregnancy by  Ruth E. Macy, PT, DPT and Courtney NaliboffBurnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski, Ph.D. and Amelia Nagoski, DMAYOUR HOST:Laura Potter, Certified Menstrual Cycle Coach and Restorative Yoga TeacherMy WebsiteInstagramWork with Me:Menstrual Cycle CoachingBook a Discovery CallThanks for listening to Phases of Embodiment!KeywordsPelvic floor, pelvic health, physical therapy, breathwork, Kegels, strength training, diastasis recti, prolapse, women’s health, bladder health, bowel health, preventative care

In the first guest episode of the Phases of Embodiment podcast, host Laura welcomes her first yoga teacher, Samantha Jo, for a heartfelt conversation about their journeys in yoga and personal growth.They discuss Samantha Jo’s current work With Pleasure built on her Pleasure Somatics™ method, which focuses on helping women reclaim their power and navigate their emotions through the 'Pleasure Codes’. The discussion delves into the importance of processing emotions rather than merely coping with them, emphasizing that true transformation requires a deep connection to the body and a commitment to personal growth. The episode is rich with insights on how to cultivate a life of joy, authenticity, and empowerment.Samantha Jo has spent the last 10 years helping women heal and awaken to their power and potential through embodiment and faith as a yoga teacher, retreat facilitator and transformational somatic coach. She’s currently the residing priestess of the Temple- an online sanctuary she created for the creative visionary artists, healers and entrepreneurs who want to build worlds and make bank with their magic. She is also the host of the With Pleasure podcast and is the mama of two. @the.samanthajothesamanthajo.comWith Pleasure PodcastMentioned on the show: Mama GenaShoshanna RavenExistential Kink by Carolyn Elliott, PhDThe Big Leap by Gay Hendricks10x Is Easier Than 2x by Benjamin Hardy and Dan SullivanA Course in MiraclesMarianne WilliamsonThe Third Door by Alex Banayan YOUR HOST:Laura Potter, Certified Menstrual Cycle Coach and Restorative Yoga TeacherMy WebsiteInstagramWork with Me:Menstrual Cycle CoachingBook a Discovery CallThanks for listening to Phases of Embodiment!

In this first solo episode, Laura Potter shares her personal journey with menstrual cycle awareness, sports injuries, grief, and self-discovery. She talks about how her life experiences and healing journey shaped her approach to Menstrual Cycle Coaching and the creation of the Phases of Embodiment Podcast.***CW: Mention of Suicide Loss*** TIMESTAMP: 8:37 - 10:37If you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health/ with loss, please refer to the following resources:Call 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline/ Loss Survivor Hotline www.988lifeline.orgAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention: www.afsp.org International Hotlines: www.findahelpline.comMentioned in the show: Woman Code by Alisa VittiThe Well HQRelative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)Cycle Coach SchoolJudith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D. & Lizzie LasaterGabby Bernstein - The Universe Has Your BackConnect with Laura:InstagramWebsite

Welcome to Phases of Embodiment! I’m Laura Potter and in this show we explore how menstrual cycle awareness and body literacy can empower your life, support your wellness, and spark social change. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts to join the journey!Find me online for coaching, resources, and ways to further connect at www.phasesofembodiment.com.