The Embodiment Coaching Podcast

Dr. Helen Machen Pearce, a wellbeing and embodiment coach specializing in chronic health and holistic wellness, joins Mark Walsh to explore the essence of wellbeing coaching. They discuss the overwhelming demands of mental health, the multi-layered nature of burnout, and the perils of one-size-fits-all solutions. Highlighting the indispensable human connection in coaching, they contrast it with AI and medical approaches. The duo emphasizes practical steps, individuality, and the importance of community in nurturing sustainable wellbeing.

In this back-to-basics episode, I'm joined again by Dr Helen Machen-Pearce to explore what it really means to work with the body in coaching. We unpack common misunderstandings, and explore how embodiment offers real-time information, deeper presence, and a way out of endless storytelling. The conversation covers regulation, insight, action, and why so many coaching challenges come down to stress and capacity rather than mindset. We also reflect on the rise of nervous system coaching, the limits of learning through social media, and why embodied skills require practice over time. A grounded introduction for new listeners and a useful reset for experienced coaches. See more of Helen's work here: yogarogue.co.uk ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

Rod Francis joins me to explore what coaches need to learn as AI becomes more present in our work. We talk about embodiment as lived experience rather than technique, and why presence, unpredictability and felt sense are things machines struggle to replicate. We also get into transhumanism, Western culture's tendency to objectify the body, and the deeper question of what it actually means to be human. We cover learning through practice, beginner's mind, working responsibly with trauma, and the challenges of training coaches in a world where people arrive over-informed but under-practiced. A grounded, honest conversation about learning, coaching, and why real human connection still matters. Rod's coach training is: https://www.interactualizer.com/emergent-coach-training/ Rod's personal coaching: https://www.rodfranciscoaching.com/ ----------------------------------------------- Rod Francis is a US-based coach, educator, storyteller, researcher and writer who has led professional coach training programs across Europe and the USA for more than fifteen years. As founder and creator of the ICF-accredited Emergent Coach Training and a Certified Focusing Professional, he's pioneered a model of Focusing-Oriented Coaching that unites presence, embodiment, and awareness-based practice with professional coaching competencies. A former professional dancer, performer, and entrepreneur, Rod's work explores the confluence of ancient wisdom traditions, somatic intelligence, mindfulness, systems thinking, and contemporary science to foster human transformation, optimization and the easing of individual, social, and ecological suffering. ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

In this year-in-review episode, I'm joined by Dr Helen Machen-Pearce to reflect on what's changed over the past year in the embodiment world, the business, and my own life and work. We discuss the growth of the podcast and training programs, burnout and sustainability, the impact of AI on coaching and therapy, and why embodiment and human presence matter more than ever. The conversation also explores evolving thinking around meaning, community, tradition, and what might be missing in modern psychology and culture. Plus I'll fill you in on a new direction for embodiment unlimited in 2026. See more of Helen's work here: yogarogue.co.uk ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/facilitators-in-flow/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

I sat down with two highly experienced breathwork facilitators, Emily Ray Henderson and Simona Dvorackova, to explore what breathwork actually does beneath the hype. We talk about why breath has become so central right now, from nervous system regulation and everyday stress, through to trauma release and altered states of consciousness. We explore how breathwork helps complete unfinished stress responses, why the body holds tension and memory, and how conscious connected breathing can release things without needing to analyse or relive the past. We also get into safety, facilitation quality, and why trust and experience matter so much in deep work. Along the way, we touch on science, spirituality, non dual experiences, modern wellness culture, and where breathwork might be heading next. From simple tools anyone can use, to profound immersive experiences, this is a grounded look at breath as a foundation for healing, presence, and human maturity. Find out more about Emily and Simona's work here: https://www.emilyrayhenderson.com/ https://empoweredbreath.co.uk/ ----------------------------------------------- Emily Ray Henderson is a certified Wellness Counselor, Reiki Master, Massage Therapist, 500 HR-RYT Yoga Instructor and Facilitator with The Kula Collective, Ceremonial Space Holder & Alchemy of Breath Breathwork Practitioner & Master Teacher. Simona Dvorackova has been in the health and well-being industry since 2001, and an Alchemy of Breath facilitator for years. She has a variety of skill sets and experience in modalities such as body work, energy healing and hypnotherapy. ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

Dr Helen Machen-Pearce and I explore what real confidence actually is and why so much of what we call confidence collapses the moment it meets reality. We talk about the difference between confidence and competence, and why untested confidence often looks loud, brittle, or performative. We look at how confidence lives in the nervous system, not just the mind, and how embodiment practices like centering, grounding, strength, movement, and relaxation shape how we show up. We explore gender, class, culture, and age, and how confidence looks different across life stages. We also touch on masculinity, physical agency, ethics, self-compassion, community, and what happens to confidence when you are visible in the public sphere. See more of Helen's work here: yogarogue.co.uk ----------------------------------------------- As a special gift for you, our loyal listeners, we are offering $1200 off our flagship course, the Certificate of Embodiment Coaching when you use code: CEC25PODCAST More info here: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

I sit down with Flouer Evelyn - one of the most skilled dance teachers I know and a long-time member of our Embodiment Unlimited faculty. We dive into what actually makes a great teacher: classroom management, clarity, time-efficiency, group regulation, and how to hold a room without killing the vibe. Flouer shares how she weaves embodiment models into her partner-dance work — from centering and co-regulation to elements, U-curves, and even sneaky ETK poses. We also explore follower/leader dynamics, nervous-system awareness in dance, working across cultures, and the real art of improvising from a solid plan. If you teach anything - dance, coaching, yoga, workshops - this one's packed with practical wisdom from someone who's taught thousands of hours worldwide. See more of Flouer's work here: https://flouerdances.com ----------------------------------------------- In every session Flouer's genuine warmth and contagious excitement reflect her passion for helping people discover connection through their bodies. Originally from New York City and now based in Italy, Flouer is a partner dance instructor and embodiment coach with an MFA in dance and certifications from the University and Mentee programs at Embodiment Unlimited. She has been teaching and facilitating experiences worldwide since 2010, working throughout Europe, North & South Americas, Australia, and Asia. She is known for weaving together compassionate presence with practical tools for navigating relationships—with the widening circles of oneself, partners, community, and spirit. Her approach emphasizes both acceptance and integrity, helping you discover authentic expression and effective boundaries while deepening the connections that matter most. ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

In this episode I chat with Ranko Cerić in Zagreb to explore how economics, trauma and identity shape the Balkans and the rest of Europe today. We look at how Yugoslavia fell apart, why ordinary people can be pushed into fear and extremism, and how current migration and cost-of-living pressures are creating similar tensions in the West. We also get into land, belonging and the dysregulation that comes with cultural dislocation. A grounded, honest conversation about what really drives division - and what might help us move beyond it. Find out more about Ranko's work here: zdravo-odrastanje.eu/naslovna/o-nama/ ----------------------------------------------- Ranko Ceric is Aikido teacher, certified embodiment and trauma coach. He is using his martial arts experience and embodiment knowledge to help his clients overcome stress, trauma and realise their life purpose. ----------------------------------------------- Join our membership program for coaches, facilitators, therapists and educators who want sustainable growth: https://embodimentunlimited.com/flourish/ ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

I sat down again with Dr Helen Machen-Pearce for a dive into transformational learning. We look at what actually creates real change, and why transformation has less to do with collecting ideas and more to do with how we experience ourselves in the moment. Helen explains how the nervous system, emotional safety and embodied presence shape the way people learn and grow. We talk about the difference between insight and integration, why some people stay stuck even with the right knowledge, and what helps learning go from conceptual to genuinely transformational. See more of Helen's work here: yogarogue.co.uk ----------------------------------------------- As a special gift for you, our loyal listeners, we are offering our super-early bird rate for our flagship course, the Certificate of Embodiment Coaching when you use code: PODCAST More info here: https://embodimentunlimited.com/cec ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram

I'm joined once again by my colleague Dr Helen Machen-Pearce to talk about real learning, not the tidy version sold in courses. We dig into how learning shows up as humility, awkward practice, and repeated failure, and why unlearning is often part of the job. We talk about concrete ways to set up experiments, how the body and attention shape what we actually absorb, and why learning is less about info and more about becoming different. Expect practical examples, honest stories about getting it wrong, and simple approaches to turn curiosity into lasting change. See more of Helen's work here: yogarogue.co.uk ----------------------------------------------- Check out our YouTube channel for more coaching tips and our Podcast channel for full episode videos Uplevel your coaching with a free copy of Mark's latest eBook, The Top 12 Embodiment Coaching Techniques Join Mark for those juicy in-person workshops and events Fancy some free coaching demo sessions with Mark? Connect with Mark Walsh on Instagram