the tara bixby podcast 161. Kelsey Patel: A raw conversation about mental health struggles, rebirths, and transformations.
May 13, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Kelsey Patel, a Hollywood wellness expert and author of Burning Bright, opens up about her journey through motherhood at an older age and her profound post-baby transformation. She discusses the struggles surrounding her purpose after having children and shares her experiences with toxic mold poisoning, detailing her path to healing. Kelsey emphasizes the importance of mental health, sacred movement, and self-love, creating a raw and meaningful dialogue about resilience and authenticity in the face of life's challenges.
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Kelsey's Mental Health Crisis
- Kelsey Patel experienced severe panic attacks and felt like she was losing her mind due to undiagnosed mold poisoning.
- She feared inheriting her mother's bipolar disorder and being institutionalized, which was terrifying for her.
Motherhood as a Rebirth
- Having her daughter at 40 was a rebirth that challenged her identity beyond work and productivity.
- She struggled to find purpose without her usual anchor of being busy and helping others.
Postpartum Shame and Identity Struggle
- Both Kelsey and Tara felt panic and shame postpartum because they struggled to reclaim their identity.
- Tara mentioned reading work emails at night to connect with her former self, a coping mechanism she later questioned.