Podcast Summary: UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE – Episode 13: Change Your Mind, Change Your Life ft. Koya Webb
Introduction
In Episode 13 of Unruly with Shelah Marie, host Shelah Marie welcomes holistic health coach, yoga teacher, and author Koya Webb. The episode delves deep into personal growth, mindfulness, overcoming fears, and creating inclusive spaces for Black women. This episode, recorded just before the turn of the year, revisits profound conversations aimed at inspiring listeners to embrace self-love, acceptance, and holistic wellness.
Guest Introduction
Shelah Marie introduces Koya Webb, highlighting her work and impact:
“Koya is a holistic health coach, a yoga teacher, and the author of Let Your Fears Make You Fierce. Her work empowers me and many others to use mindfulness and meditation to transform our fears and live fully.” ([02:32])
Koya reciprocates the warm welcome, reminiscing about their initial meeting in Atlanta and congratulating Shelah on her upcoming wedding.
Personal Struggles and Healing Journey
The conversation shifts to Koya’s personal journey with fear and self-doubt, particularly her experiences with depression and trauma. She shares a poignant moment:
“The last time I really had a profound moment was where I faced my fears... sharing about my persistent depression on stage in front of a sold-out audience.” ([03:59])
Koya discusses the impact of a difficult breakup and subsequent personal betrayals, leading her to confront long-standing trauma. She emphasizes the importance of deeper healing work:
“When trauma comes up at any stage in life, it's just a sign that you have to do some deeper healing work... and you heal for your lifetime.” ([06:00])
Mindfulness and Its Meaning
Exploring mindfulness, Koya defines it as being present:
“Mindfulness is presence. It's just about like, being present to your breath, how your body feels, how your mind feels.” ([11:27])
This definition underscores the essence of mindfulness as staying grounded in the current moment, enhancing self-awareness and connection.
Reframing Fear as a Catalyst for Growth
A significant portion of the discussion centers on transforming fear into a tool for personal development. Koya describes fear as a friend that signals areas needing attention:
“Fear shows up. It's like, hey, sis, I'm unhealed here... So I like to look at fear as my best friend.” ([12:44])
By engaging with fear rather than avoiding it, individuals can address underlying issues and foster growth. Koya shares her strategy of communicating directly with her fears to overcome procrastination and self-doubt.
Creating Safe Spaces for Black Women
Shelah and Koya address the necessity of creating inclusive and affirming environments for Black women. Koya recounts her transformative experience at Black Girls Run, a running club that fosters sisterhood:
“Black Girls Run was the first time where I was speaking at the event... and I was embraced.” ([21:53])
She highlights the importance of vulnerability and transparency in building trust and support among Black women, countering historical isolation and microaggressions.
Joy and Play in Wellness
The conversation transitions to the critical role of joy and play in the wellness journey, especially for Black women whose worth is often tied to their productivity:
“To reclaim our joy is resistance. It's resistance to the patriarchy... and being in our natural state, like, out in nature.” ([29:53])
Koya encourages integrating joy into daily life, viewing it as a form of self-care and resistance against societal pressures. She shares her practice of incorporating play into her routine to maintain balance and fulfillment.
Practical Mindfulness Toolkit
To provide listeners with actionable steps, Koya leads a simple mindfulness exercise combining breathwork and affirmation:
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Positioning: Close your eyes, place your right hand over your heart and your left hand over your right.
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Breathing: Take a deep inhale through your nose, audibly exhale through your mouth ([44:11]).
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Affirmation: Repeat the affirmation together:
“I deserve the best life has to offer in every area of life.” ([44:11])
This toolkit emphasizes the accessibility of mindfulness practices, adaptable to any busy schedule.
Conclusion and Takeaways
As the episode wraps up, Shelah expresses gratitude for Koya’s insights, highlighting the power of finding stillness amidst chaos and integrating mindfulness into daily life. Koya shares final thoughts on abundance:
“Abundance is in every area of life. And when you look at it like that, you experience abundance at a core level. And that, to me, is real joy.” ([40:54])
Key Quotes:
- Koya Webb on Facing Fear: “Fear shows up. It's like, hey, sis, I'm unhealed here... So I like to look at fear as my best friend.” ([12:44])
- Mindfulness Defined: “Mindfulness is presence. It's just about like, being present to your breath, how your body feels, how your mind feels.” ([11:27])
- Joy as Resistance: “To reclaim our joy is resistance. It's resistance to the patriarchy... and being in our natural state, like, out in nature.” ([29:53])
- Abundance: “Abundance is in every area of life. And when you look at it like that, you experience abundance at a core level. And that, to me, is real joy.” ([40:54])
Final Thoughts
This episode of Unruly offers a rich exploration of personal transformation through mindfulness, the redefinition of fear, and the creation of supportive communities for Black women. Koya Webb’s candid sharing encourages listeners to embrace vulnerability, prioritize joy, and implement practical mindfulness practices to enhance their well-being.
Listeners are encouraged to leave questions or comments via SpeakPipe for potential feature in future episodes, fostering a community of shared growth and support.
Connect with Koya Webb:
- Website: chloeweb.com
- Instagram: @chloeweb
- Book: Let Your Fears Make You Fierce: How to Turn Common Obstacles into Seeds for Growth.
Stay Unruly:
Shelah Marie invites listeners to subscribe, share, and engage with the podcast to continue spreading the message of self-love and holistic wellness.