In this episode of Full But Not Finished, Stefanie breaks down somatic work in a practical, accessible way for anyone who has ever felt confused, skeptical, or resistant to it. She shares her own path toward becoming a Somatic Experiencing practitioner and how body-based work shifted patterns that mindset alone doesn't fully address -- including anxiety, depression, and long-standing food and body struggles.

Stefanie explains the core ideas behind somatic therapy and nervous system regulation, then walks through the five most common barriers people face when trying to engage in somatic practices: resistance, lack of time, the belief that it's "too slow," assumptions that it's "woo woo," and not knowing where to begin. Each barrier is approached with clear language and real-world context.

The episode also includes simple, effective somatic exercises to help you reconnect with interoception, regulation, and a steadier internal baseline — especially useful if you're navigating binge-restrict cycles, body image distress, or chronic stress responses.

If you've been wanting a grounded entry point into somatic work, nervous system science, and the body-based side of healing your relationship with food, this conversation gives you the outbreath and direction you might need to start.

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00:01 What is Somatic Work
00:11 Personal Journey and Initial Skepticism
01:48 Understanding Somatic Therapy
03:06 Top Five Barriers to Somatic Work
06:09 Barrier 1: It Doesn't Work
12:39 Barrier 2: I Don't Have Time
18:14 Barrier 3: I Can't Slow Down!
26:29 Barrier 4: It's Too Woo Woo
30:49 Barrier 5: I Don't Know How
33:04 Practical Somatic Exercises