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I was a nervous child. Stomach aches, dread, worry—always on edge. Later in life, when I received my Autism Spectrum diagnosis, so much finally made sense. What had seemed like separate struggles were actually deeply connected. If you’re on the spectrum—or love someone who is—you might know what I mean. Even into my 30s, I carried unintegrated reflexes from infancy. My body was holding onto patterns it had never released. And for me, that translated into chronic pain. I now know that my pain is directly tied to stress. The more stress I carry, the more my body hurts. But I didn’t always see it this way. Just four years ago, I was still searching for answers. Pain meds didn’t touch it. Doctors couldn’t find a physical cause—no injury, no tumor, nothing pressing on nerves. That’s when I started to study pain itself: how our brains interpret it, why we feel it, and how our nervous systems play such a huge role. Discovering nervous system regulation and polyvagal theory was like someone finally handed me a map. It gave me language for what I had been living through. What I’ve learned is this: the more I actively regulate my nervous system, the more it becomes conditioned to find balance on its own. When I give my body repeated experiences of neutral, safe states, it begins to seek them automatically. Walking has always been one of my lifelines. Moving my body helps release anxious energy. Nature grounds me (maybe it’s the Virgo in me). And while I’m an introvert, I’ve learned that isolation makes everything worse—being around others, even quietly, is medicine. Add in routine and predictability, and my nervous system has the steady rhythm it craves. That’s why I created this walking group. It’s not just about exercise. It’s about embodiment, nervous system regulation, and community. It’s about weaving together the things that science tells us—and that I’ve personally lived—that actually help with anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. We’ll move, breathe, notice, and connect. This is a guided walk that will incorporate embodiment and somatic exercise. And as the seasons shift into the darker months, my hope is that this routine becomes an anchor for all of us.
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