The Neuroscience of Safety and Connection w/ Mel Howard

The Elevated Coach Podcast

Connect with Mel here:

https://www.instagram.com/breathcoachmelhoward/

Connect with Joel here:

https://www.instagram.com/coach.joel.burgess/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjoelburgess/

Key takeaways:

• Embodiment and breathwork can lead to profound personal growth and transformation.
• Softness and gentleness can be just as powerful as going through intense experiences.
• The feminine offers the gift of receptivity, allowing us to fully experience and connect with the richness of life.
• Connecting with the body and breath can help create a sense of safety and grounding.
• Being present in the moment and embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper intimacy and connection. Intentional breathing and grounding in the body can shift us from fight or flight to a state of calm and connection.
• The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in creating a sense of safety and connection.
• Emotional neglect can lead to difficulties in self-compassion, relying on others, and identifying emotions.
• Feeling and accepting all emotions, including anger, grief, and shame, is essential for self-compassion and inner freedom.
• Simplicity, patience, and compassion are key qualities to cultivate. The power of stillness and slowing down in coaching
• The importance of creating a container for coaching sessions
• Doing your own inner work as a coach to better serve your clients
• The value of vulnerability and not knowing as a coach
• The impact of presence and attunement in coaching
• Melanie's favorite coaching question: 'What are you noticing in your body right now?'
• Advice for new coaches: Trust yourself and focus on what you already know
• Melanie's contact information: Instagram - @BreathCoachMelHoward

Time stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Tradition of Asking Questions

01:20 Joel's Journey to Working with Melanie

08:10 Leaning into Resistance and Softness

12:30 The Power of the Feminine and Trust

16:23 The Gift of the Feminine and Connecting with the Body

25:12 Breath and Grounding in the Body

29:30 The Neuroscience of Safety and Connection

35:30 Emotional Neglect and Feeling

48:12 Simplicity, Patience, and Compassion

54:50 The Power of Stillness and Slowing Down in Coaching

56:34 Creating a Container for Coaching Sessions

01:00:00 The Importance of Presence and Attunement in Coaching

01:04:53 Doing Your Own Inner Work as a Coach

01:09:20 The Value of Vulnerability and Not Knowing

01:14:11 Melanie's Favorite Coaching Question

01:16:02 Advice for New Coaches

01:19:06 Melanie's Contact Information