Interview: Mana Wellness on RADICAL SELF HONESTY, INTUITION & GUT HEALTH
Hi everyone!
Welcome back to another part of the INTERVIEW series on the blog! :)
Today we have the UBER insightful, loving, and divinely powerful Alexis from Mana Wellness. She is currently based in Byron Bay, Australia and has an incredibly BRILLIANT website and Instagram handle where she shares her daily wisdoms and insights on an extremely wide range of topics in relation to wellbeing such as: gut health, hormone health, no-diet culture, moving beyond restriction and contraction, self-esteem, connecting back to the divine feminine, self-care, empowering yourself, loving yourself, healing the self and finding JOY and aliveness within the self and within life. A lot of her focus is around intuitive healing, ruthless self-trust & honesty, and restoring balance.
AND HERE WE GO … let’s dive right in!
1. What does health mean to you?
Freedom. Power. Balance. Radiance. Purpose. Leadership. Truth. Alignment. Love.
2. What does balance mean to you?
Balance is “the way”- it is the place of peace between extremes. Our society promotes extremes, even in spirituality. My belief is that anything done with the wrong intention can become poisonous but nothing is innately “bad.” For example, for so many women food is the enemy, but thats because of the dysfunctional intention or history we have with food. The same thing can happen with money. Yes, there are a lot of people who become greedy and ego-centric when they have money BUT that does not mean money is inherently bad. It’s the intention. Exercise is another perfect example - we all associate exercise with health but over-exercising and hypergymasia is a real thing because women become obsessive about exercise and then guess what, exercise becomes problematic. You see where I’m going with this.
3. What does healing mean to you?
Revealing the pain, holding the pain, accepting the pain and then loving the pain.
We’re all searching for the quick fix and the “cure all,” but there isn’t one, not really. Curing is simply taking a symptom from one place and waiting for it to pop up in another. Curing is passive while healing is active. Healing is empowerment, ownership and responsibility - this is why it’s so hard for people to heal because even though community and love of others is so important to healing, it still requires us to take radical responsibility for where we have been living out of alignment.
4. What does intimacy with yourself mean?
Listening even when the answer is terrifying, ugly or frustrating. Intimacy with myself is about fearless honesty and responsibility. Intimacy is about inquiry - what do you I need, desire, or fear most right now? We can never know intimacy with others until we have experienced this level of trust with ourselves. The beautiful thing about cultivating real intimacy is that you learn to stop betraying yourself because you fully trust what your body, mind, heart or soul is telling you. Intimacy is essentially radical honesty.
5. What are some of your top self-care rituals/techniques/practices?
It often fluctuates and changes depending on my needs. Sometimes its solitude and sometimes its community. Sometimes its herbal tea and sometimes its a glass of organic red wine. Sometimes its calm meditation and sometimes its ecstatic dance. Sometimes its kind words and sometimes its explosive anger. Sometimes its a steak and sometimes its veggie soup. Sometimes its cooking all day and sometimes its eating fish & chips. The greatest way I care for myself is by not judging myself based on my ever-changing needs, but rather honouring them fully without any shame. I’ve finally gotten to a place in my life where I don’t give a shit whether others like my choices, if I know in my heart they are aligned with MY health. Self-care in society is painted to be this fluffy, pink day at the spa but for me self-care is radical self evaluation & response. Again, I tune into questions such as:
“what do you need right now?”
“what feels most aligned for you right now?”
“what choice will lead to you feeling stuck & do your really want to feel that way?”
Giving myself the option to choose what I really need is so nourishing - self care is just a more appealing way of saying self-preservation.
6. What practices or routines have changed your life?
Well I started doing yoga around age 21 and that was the beginning of the end for me. Yoga was the light that pulled me from my numb sleep. It took me a number of years to really integrate the teachings of yoga, and then around age 25 I started studying meditation & that sealed the deal. Both yoga & meditation have taught me compassion, courage, commitment, & so much more. It’s funny though, at the moment I’m not doing yoga as much as I used to but I don’t shame myself for it because I’m living yoga every day and at the moment my body is craving a more expressive movement like dance. Living in alignment with your life seasons is a an empowering routine or practice in itself.
7. What are some of the biggest life lessons you have learnt (in a nutshell)?
Definitely surrender & compassion. Being the Pitta I am its hard to let go of control and let things happen. I’ve always fought hard for my success and experiences so when I got very ill and couldn’t “fight” I really had to let go and trust my body, my team, my family & God. That was hands down the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life and the most painful. When you are so used to taking care of yourself and “pulling the wagon” so to speak, it’s hard to even fathom the concept of surrender. Surrendering also required me to see myself as I truly was; sick, weak, and depressed. My previous chronic illness was a lesson in surrender; profound, unrelenting, and intense surrender. Compassion on the other hand was something I used to believe was only given to “worthy” people or in “worthy circumstances.” So when I felt as though someone or something was not worthy, I would withhold compassion. I did the same thing to myself for many, many years. Sometimes I was worthy of my own compassion, and other times I was not. What I discovered is that everyone (including yourself) is worthy of compassion and the more you offer compassion the better others (and yourself) show up. Meditation taught me compassion, illness taught me surrender.
8. What sets your heart on fire and keeps you doing what you are doing?
When a client tells me “I’ve never felt this way” or “I’ve found what was lost” or “I’m starting to really love myself” or “I feel like I can do anything.” What keeps me going is also my own story, because I can so clearly remember thinking, “as soon as I’m well enough I am going to pull other women from the darkness of their chronic illness because NO ONE deserves to be alone and sick.” There was a big period of my illness when I didn’t have much support. No one seemed to believe me and I was at odds with many friends and family. Not being validated is one of the most negatively impacting factors for illness, so thats what I do now with my clients. I validate their feelings, their experience, their pain, their loneliness, their isolation and I give them a place to be held and seen in pure, unconditional love. I know practitioners aren’t supposed to say things like that because the health system is so clinical, but the reason my clients do so well is not because of supplements, it’s because someone has finally given them a loving space to transform safely.
10. What are 3 things you wish you knew earlier on in life?
Sobriety is actually cool.
Emotions are not bad.
Women’s bodies are magical.
11. What are the 3-5 things that you do when you you feel down?
Usually I dance because I know there are stagnated emotions that just need to be felt and released. I never feel more like myself than when I’m dancing, it’s an ultimate therapy for me. I also get back into nature and connect with the trees, animals and ocean who always remind me what is actually important. Showers are very helpful because breaking water releases negative ions which function as a natural anti-depressant. And then I meditate through whatever mental crap is filling my head. I allow myself to feel all the pain because after almost 3 decades I now understand that emotional suppression is the root cause of all illness. I don’t typically run from my feelings - I hit them straight on so I can move forward with my life without being held back.
12. What are your two biggest vices? And how do you go about dealing with your reliance on them?
Funny enough, I was just discussing this with my partner today! I would definitely say that I still carry a limiting belief that I have to work really hard in order to be successful. This is a vice because I have a tendency to lean toward burn out if I’m not very, very careful. I didn’t always recognize this in myself because it was a defense mechanism. Often times when we feel unworthy we overcompensate by trying to be more capable. Nowadays I take breaks or a whole day off when I need to - perks of working for yourself. I am very aware that my health is a guiding light for others and if I don’t take care of myself then what the hell am I doing preaching to others?
I don’t know if this is a vice but it definitely poses its issues. I get bored quite quickly and need a lot of variety in my life. Sometimes this leads me to the whole “grass is greener” mentality. It’s hard to admit, but it’s true. I love adventure, novelty and possibility - they are huge motivators for me.
13. Three things that you prioritize in your life?
Clean food, emotional processing, & spiritual connection.
14. What are the first things you do when you feel out of balance?
Pause, pause, pause. Inquire, inquire, inquire.
15. What do you do when you really don’t feel like meeting yourself with compassion but you know it is what you need to do in that moment to recalibrate and re-center?
Treat myself like a child and focus on my baby self who despite her faults deserves kindness and understanding. I even keep a picture of myself around age 5 that reminds me to give myself a break.
16. What do you do to help you tune into your intuition?
Honesty & silence. People are so busy they just don’t take even a second to listen or hear their thoughts or body. They drive with the radio on and then get home and flick the tele on so they don’t have to deal with the overwhelming silence. I pause, close my eyes and just let my body-mind direct me. Those of us who don’t want to see or feel the truth will always be intuitively blocked because thats ALL intuition is, pure truth. If you can get quiet and get real, you will activate your intuition and start living in alignment.
17. What is gut health and why is it important?
Most people think gut health is about your stomach but actually it includes many major organs such as the pancreas, liver, colon, stomach & small intestine. Most of your immunity lives in your gut as well as the production of feel good hormones. If your gut is in a bad state your entire body will reflect that by way of depression, anxiety, insomnia, period problems, weight loss resistance, etc etc. Gut health is important because it is the centerfold of your entire body AND it is intimately connected with the control center aka your brain. This is known as the Gut-Brain Axis and basically means that these 2 power centers are in constantly communication in order to create balance and harmony in your body.
18. What are your top tips as to how best to support your gut health (especially if you have digestive/gut issues)?
1. STRESS LESS - seriously this is the #1 thing that blocks gut healing. Chronically high stress hormones destroy the gut lining among many other things. Try yoga, meditation, therapy, removing toxic relationships & reducing caffeine.
2. Explore your worthiness and self acceptance because gut health is a direct reflection of self worth
3. Coffee Enemas - one of the most ancient healing therapies known to positively impact many illnesses including hormonal imbalances, gut disorder, depression, cancer, diabetes and much more. Find a practitioner who will help you explore this safely and you won't regret it, trust me!
19. What are some of the main causes of gut issues?
Stress! Unworthiness. Unresolved father issues. Environmental toxins. Diet. Alcohol. Caffeine. Parasites. People are always looking for the “one thing” but to be completely honest its always a combination and cumulation of many factors. However, these are good places to explore.
20. What are your top gut-friendly foods?
It depends on the person because no body is the same and there are people who can tolerate smoothies and people who cannot. That being said I love papaya, grass fed butter, & bone broth.
21. Does gut health impact hormonal health?
100% there is something known as the “estrobolome” which is a collection of bacteria in the gut that metabolize estrogen. When the gut is compromised or damaged that means estrogen does not get processed properly and will go back into the blood stream and create estrogen dominance which we know is linked to breast cancer, fibroids, PCOS, endometrosis, period problems, pms, etc.
22. How can you tell when your gut is functioning optimally?
Your mind is clear & focused, your bowel movements are regular & healthy & your skin is glowing! You don’t experience regular bloating and your body feels light and energized. People don’t realize how much energy is required for optimal digestion so when digestion ISN’T working properly it pulls even more energy away from other body functions which leaves us feeling fatigued, lethargic and heavy.
23. What are some signs and symptoms of irregular gut health (besides the obvious bloating, cramps etc.)? Brain fog, fatigue, skin issues, depression/anxiety, mood swings, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, and period problems.
24. What are some of the others practices or techniques that you would recommend to support a healthy gut and microbiome?
Gardening is great because you’re coming into contact with healthy probiotics via your hands and feet. I also recommend earthing which is the practice of walking barefoot and taking in the earths natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules. Cutting caffeine and alcohol for 6 months or more.
25. Would you recommend someone try an elimination diet if they are trying to re-establish their gut health but they are simultaneously trying to rediscover food freedom and move away from restriction?
Yes but definitely with the support of a practitioner. If you have a history of eating disorder it’s important explore the elimination with someone who can explain how to do it successfully. While the diet is “restrictive” it’s also pretty short term and will empower you to know which foods are your triggers. I find that even clients with a history of ED become more empowered from an elimination diet because they actually start to see how food is medicine and their friend. When you’re eating lots of triggers its easy to fear and demonize food but when you discover your super foods it motivates you to eat medicinally and lovingly. If I know a client has a history of ED and restriction I make sure to check in on them often and encourage them to log their experience and explore what beliefs come up.
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS:
• Sweet or savory food? savory :)
• Beach or mountains? mountains on the beach
• Summer or Winter? summer
• Smoothie bowl or oatmeal bowl? poke bowl!
• 3 favorite songs of all time? wow. uh, “gypsy” - fleetwood mac, “sweet disposition” temper trap, “all the pretty girls” kaleo
• One kind thing you have done for another person?? giveaway a free women’s health consult
• One kind act that someone did for you? my partner bought a free matcha for the next person who ordered one…1 hour later that person was me, totally unplanned :)
• What is your idea of an ideal weekend getaway? Exploring nature and taking yoga & dance class while someone else cooks healthy, delicious meals
• Gardening or arts and crafts? arts in the garden?
• Top 5 book recommendations?
Radical Acceptance - Tara Brach
Illusions - Richard Bach
Woman code - Alissa Vitti
Women, Food & God - Geneen Roth
You can heal your life - louise hay
• What is your primary dosha? Pitta but over the last couple of years it definitely became more VATA because of imbalances
• Current favorite dessert? I’m a fruit lover usually but when Im being decadent I’ll go for some sort of brownie or baked good. I love cake.
• Current favorite savory dish? I’m really craving fish at the moment in all forms. In the winter I tend toward slow cooked beef & chicken but as the weather gets warmer my body keeps saying prawns, salmon & mussels!
• One meal that represents your childhood? homemade spaghetti and meatballs (my family is italian)
THE END.
THANK YOU SO MUCH ALEXIS for sharing your incredible wisdom, insight, love & knowledge with us all. You are doing the world a great service by sharing your energy and LIFE with us all in the ways that you do. IF YOU would like a consult with Alexis or have any questions you would like to ask her directly you can contact her via e-mail on: alexis@manawellnesshealing.com. Alexis does do private sessions from afar via Skype as well as in-person sessions covering a wide range of topics helping you to really navigate doing the INNER WORK.
Or if you would like to ask me any questions regarding the interview or have any suggestions of further questions or people that YOU would like to see interviewed in this space, please do let me know and e-mail me at mariapraeg@hotmail.com
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE & FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND GO DEEP WITH US HERE AT THE HEALING ROOT
Much love always
Yours in healing
Maria
