The Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller

Guest: Nicole Natal Host: Robin Schiller (Guest Host) Release Date: January 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features Nicole Natal, a writer, reiki master, yoga instructor, and soon-to-be daughter-in-law of the Schiller family. Nicole shares her profound journey of self-acceptance, healing, and transformation—moving from a high-stress career in New York City to a holistic and purpose-driven life in Hawaii and, more recently, a family ranch in Paso Robles. The conversation delves deeply into intuitive abilities, women’s health, embracing the feminine, personal challenges, and the courage to change life paths. This episode offers heartfelt reflections, practical wellness insights, and inspiration for anyone seeking growth, healing, or a shift toward authenticity.

1. Introduction and Background

• Robin Schiller welcomes Nicole Natal, highlighting her engagement to Tyler Schiller and alignment with the values of the Journey On Ranch.
• Nicole gives insight into her Italian heritage and the pronunciation of her surname.
  “It actually means Christmas. They would say Bueno. Natale. I say the Delco east coast way, which is Natal.” (01:56, Nicole)

2. How Nicole and Tyler Met

• Met in Hawaii via Instagram—bonded over the same egg chair, moved quickly into audio messaging and real-life connection.
• Tyler quickly integrated into Nicole’s friend circle:
  “The first weekend that we actually hung out, he came camping with my friends, and I was 30 minutes late...Tyler is already out there with a beer...talking to these people he's never met before. And I was like, okay, he can hang with everyone.” (03:09, Nicole)

3. Nicole’s Current Work and Path

• Describes herself as a writer, reiki master, and yoga instructor.
• Shares her upbringing in a family attuned to intuitive sensitivities—stories of a clairvoyant sister and a mother with prophetic dreams.
• Grew up suppressing these gifts due to social and familial discomfort, leading to anxiety and secret spiritual practices as a college athlete:
  “I would pack my all-white clothes...sneak into a meditation temple...put my clothes back on for my ‘normal college life,’ go back to college and be a normal student again.” (07:11, Nicole)

4. Career Evolution

• Studied psychology, interned at Spirituality and Health magazine after a “cold email,” discovering a passion for wellness writing.
• Worked at major health publications including Prevention, Women’s Health, and People Magazine.
• Rose quickly in New York's magazine world, but developed serious health issues (ovarian cysts) from burnout and lifestyle misalignment.

Key Turning Point (15:49)

After health crises and soul-searching:

• Left NYC and her “dream job” after a powerful conversation with her therapist/Reiki master.
• Moved to Hawaii following a series of synchronous events—job and housing offer appeared within an hour of her resigning from Prevention magazine.
  • “The universe is saying, like, just do this. But I first had to take the step to cut off all of the old and say, like, okay, I really am ready to leave this identity behind.” (18:24, Nicole)

Profound Healing

• The move to Hawaii coincided with the end of her ovarian cysts after years of pain—“I had never had an ovarian cyst ever again.” (19:19, Nicole)

5. A New Chapter: Wellness, Yoga, and Retreats

• Became a certified yoga instructor and reiki master in Hawaii.
• Started teaching and then established a more authentic, balanced writing career.
• Launched Body Worship retreat business with friends, focused on empowering women through yoga, reiki, and workshops centered on cyclical health and self-acceptance.
  • “Men tend to follow this 24 hour hormonal rhythm...but for women, we follow...a 28-32 day cycle...We are completely different women [each week] and...need a completely different set of nutrients, of lifestyle rituals.” (23:27, Nicole)
• Retreats held in places rich in natural energy—Bali, Mexico, Costa Rica, Joshua Tree, and at the ranch in Paso Robles.
• Emphasis on integrating local traditions and natural connection at each location:
  • “We always have...somebody locally oriented come in and offer their magic...and we first ask for permission to be there...to learn from the energies of the land.” (26:20, Nicole)

6. East Coast Upbringing & The Feminine Journey

• Nicole grew up near Philadelphia in a culture focused on hard work.
• Her spiritual gifts were kept secret due to societal fears.
• Notes the societal and medical neglect of women's health and the importance of cyclical awareness.
  • “Only 4% of NIH funding is dedicated to learning about women’s health. From the very start, we are not taught about ourself...” (28:35, Nicole)
• Self-acceptance journey accelerated by relationship with Tyler, a supportive partner:
  • “When I got to Hawaii with Tyler, that’s when I began to accept myself completely. This is when I felt like I finally became liberated.” (31:33, Nicole)

7. Discussion on Sensitivities & Intuitive Gifts

• Nicole’s family history with intuition brought both gifts and fears.
• Candid conversation about how Western society suppresses these abilities and how reconnecting to them can expand one’s experience of reality.
  • “We’re so much more complex...We have a fourth dimension there...the quantum...the fifth dimension...All these realities are kind of happening simultaneously.” (34:13-36:34, Nicole)
• Encourages listeners to explore and honor their unique gifts.

8. Soccer and the Discipline of Sport

• Division 1 college soccer at Fordham University taught discipline, teamwork, and community; considered a pro career abroad but chose media instead.
  • “My community...just in a different way. There was like a built-in group of best friends from the very start...” (38:23, Nicole)
• Also played semi-pro and trained internationally.

9. Travel, Backpacking, and Shared Adventures

• Nicole and Tyler share a passion for adventure travel—visited four continents together in their first year.
• Backpacking and nature immersion are core to both their personalities and their relationship growth.

10. Transformative/Challenging Experiences

• Nicole recounts a harrowing health crisis in Greece brought on by a scopolamine (motion sickness) patch, sharing it as a cautionary tale (see 43:57-54:25 for this story).
• Experience connected, in an uncanny way, to her earlier ayahuasca journey in Colombia, leading to deep reflection and further healing.

11. Energy Sensitivity and Professional Life

• Nicole and Robin bond over their shared energetic sensitivity—both physically (to meds) and intuitively (to people/situations).
  • “Our nervous system is a receptor. When you're sensitive, you feel more...your reception is even greater.” (56:48, Nicole)

12. Celebrity Interviews

• Nicole has interviewed A-list celebrities: Carrie Underwood, Khloe Kardashian, Laura Dern, Neil Patrick Harris, Venus Williams, Julianne Huff, Juliana Rancic, and Hilary Duff.
  • “One of my favorites was Julianne Huff...She is exactly how she appears on TV. So bubbly, so vibrant...We talked about yoga and meditation.” (58:51, Nicole)
  • “Honestly, Hilary Duff was amazing, too...she was my childhood dream.” (59:29, Nicole)

13. Adapting to Ranch and Family Life

• Transitioned from urban life and island living to rural ranching in Paso Robles.
• Finds deep peace and healing in being close to nature, family, and animals.
• Now living with Tyler and extended Schiller family, expanding their own “animal family” to goats, chickens, dogs, and cats.
• Finds joy in simple rituals and the family compound atmosphere.
  • “It almost allows you to drop down and slow down and to, you know, unplug from the craziness of everyday life and to be fully present.” (60:39, Nicole)

14. Supporting Tyler’s Rock Star Journey

• Robin asks about being the partner of “a future rock star.”
• Nicole embraces the role—finding balance between Tyler’s extroverted life on tour and her own need for grounding and solitude.
  • “He is really charged up in those social situations...that’s his dream...For me, I am recharged in isolation...The best part is...we go out...and then we come back to the ranch and ground down.” (63:51, Nicole)

15. Rapid-Fire: Nicole’s Reflections

• Most Recommended Books:
  • Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza
    • “He makes it really accessible. I love that he has a neuroscience background.” (65:51, Nicole)
  • Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
    • “Do you have the courage to unearth the hidden treasures within you?” (66:49, Nicole)
• Message to the World:
  • Encourages daily practices (yoga, meditation, journaling) to slow down and connect to one’s authentic self, despite societal conditioning. (68:12)
• Biggest Change in 5 Years:
  • Prioritizing her relationship with herself over external accomplishments or validation. (69:55)
• Proudest Accomplishment:
  • Building a “business the feminine way,” integrating softness, flow, and trust—both in yoga, wellness, and her own Muse Essence product line. (70:45)
• Personal Purpose:
  • “To be a sacred voice for the feminine...remind people of their inner power...show them every single person has this inner light.” (73:34, Nicole)

16. Nicole’s Current Projects & Offerings

• Muse Essence:

  • Holistic wellness brand for cyclical living, with products like essential oils, face mists, ritual body oils, herbal blends, and more to nurture self-love.
    • “Each one of these products is meant to help women just deepen their connections with themselves.” (72:14, Nicole)

• Retreats:

  • Upcoming women’s retreats in Paso Robles, Costa Rica, and Joshua Tree.
  • Special collaboration with Dr. Heidi Hook and Robin Schiller: Path to Sacred Ground retreat at the ranch focusing on the root chakra and transition in women’s lives (for "empty nesters," etc.). (79:00+)

• How to Learn More:

  • Website: nicolenatal.com
  • Instagram: @nicolenatal and @shop.museessence
  • Retreats: bodysoleworship.com

17. Memorable Quotes & Philosophies

• “We are never fully healed. Even though my ovarian cysts have disappeared...it's all a process. It's a journey.” (31:47, Nicole)
• Robin: “I just thought I was going crazy...I was having panic attacks...until someone said, have you had your hormones checked?”
• Nicole, on women’s health: “Only 4% of NIH funding is dedicated to learning about women's health. From the very start, we are not taught about ourselves and our bodies...” (28:35, Nicole)
• “Do you have the courage to unearth the hidden treasures within you?” (66:49, Elizabeth Gilbert via Nicole)
• “You can always decide to begin the process of deepening your connection with yourself...It’s a return to the root.” (80:36, Nicole)

18. Closing and Personal Notes

• The wedding is scheduled for May 22, 2027, in Paso Robles.
• Nicole reflects on growth, shifting family plans, and advocating for her own needs in relationships.
  • Robin: “I take my hat off to you. That was really brave.” (78:28, Robin)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:40 — How Nicole & Tyler met
• 05:13 — Nicole’s background in intuition/sensitivity
• 10:35 — Work at Prevention, health crisis story begins
• 15:49 — Breaking point in NYC and the leap to Hawaii
• 19:19 — The end of Nicole’s health crisis in Hawaii
• 22:40 — Retreats, Body Worship, and purpose
• 28:35 — Women’s health, cycle awareness, and the feminine
• 38:23 — Life lessons from sports
• 43:57 — Ayahuasca/Colombia and Greece medical crisis
• 58:06 — Celebrity interview highlights
• 60:31 — Transition to ranch life
• 65:51 — Book recommendations
• 72:14 — Muse Essence offerings
• 80:36 — New retreat and root chakra discussion

This episode is a heartfelt, honest, and inspiring blueprint for anyone seeking to move closer to their authentic self, heal old patterns, and cultivate a life in tune with both nature and their inner wisdom.