“Feel it to heal it.” Ali Levine is back with us today sharing her HBAC story! Ali was first with us on Episode 166 where she shared the details of her transformational VBAC. Ali and Meagan reflect on the growth they both have experienced since they last chatted. Ali is now a certified breathwork practitioner and intuitive stylist. She talks about how through regulating the breath, we can better surrender and allow our true selves to shine through. Ali experienced this firsthand as focused breath helped her stay calm through her baby’s shoulder dystocia and allowed her to surrender to the guidance of her midwife. She was able to achieve the home birth she knew she could have! Ali shares how important breathwork is in allowing us to release fear, anxiety, trauma, stress, or any other negativity that our bodies hold. And it’s a process! By giving our bodies lots of opportunities to breathe, relax, and release, we allow beautiful healing to take place. Additional LinksThe VBAC Link Podcast Episode 166Ali’s Website Awakening with Ali PodcastAli’s Breathwork AppThe Lactation NetworkHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, hello everybody. You guys, it’s December. How are we at the end of 2023? I cannot believe it, but I am so excited to be kicking the month off with our friend, Ali. She has been with us before, so welcome, Ali. Ali: Thank you. Meagan: Yes, I’m so excited to have you on the show again. She shared her C-section and VBAC journey a while ago because she is Episode 166 and we are now at 264 so almost 100 episodes ago. Ali: Wow. Meagan: So crazy. She’s back today to share her HBAC story, but not just that amazing part, she’s also going to talk to us about breathwork and her journey to become certified as a breathwork practitioner. She is a breathwork practitioner, intuitive stylist, and transformation expert. What exactly is a breathwork practitioner and transformation expert? Can you tell us a little bit more about that? Ali: Yeah. Well, I’m just so excited to be back here with you. Can I just say when you said about 100 episodes, I had such a reflective moment as we were sitting here? I’m like, “Wow. 100 episodes.” Thinking about how much both of us have evolved and grown and shifted, I feel like that’s so important to start with because as mothers, I feel like we don’t necessarily get that time to reflect and look at our growth and look at our evolution. So much of doing that allows us to continue to move forward. I’ve learned so much in my journey. It’s not only the healing work around it but the true reflection and celebration of, “Wow. Look how far I’ve come.” Yeah. I first came to you guys. I was listening to the VBAC podcast. I was pregnant with Amelia almost five and a half years, almost six years ago. She’s five and a half. It’s crazy. I was listening to your podcast and I had my C-section with her. I started listening to The VBAC Podcast to start to understand what was possible and what I could do, then 2020 came and I had Arlee, my second daughter. I had my VBAC in the hospital and then as you said, moving forward into 2022 and having my son and my first HBAC which is a home birth. It’s so cool. You said about 100 episodes and it’s so cool. It’s like, “Wow.” Think about that and the time and evolution even with your podcast and what you guys were doing what you are doing now and when I met you guys and when we first connected, getting to share my story then and then coming here. So I just think it’s really cool to start with that first, right? The journey before we talk about what are these “titles” that we all have. I feel like it’s so much more important and so much juicer. You just feel it so much more when you hear, “Hey, yeah. Okay. This is what people call me, but really at the end of the day, what’s the journey? What’s the story?” That’s how we are going to support each other, help each other, and be of service. So hi, everyone. I’m Ali Levin