Show Notes
If you've ever been told your symptoms are "all in your head," this episode is for you. Today I'm joined by health psychologist, cognitive behavioral therapist, EMDR therapist, and author Dr. Sula Windgassen to discuss her incredible new book, It's All in Your Body. Sula has become one of my favorite educators in the mind-body space because of her unique ability to explain the science behind chronic symptoms in a way that is both accessible and deeply validating.
Together, we explore why symptoms that often feel random, confusing, or "unknowable" are actually incredibly understandable when you begin to view the body as one integrated system.
Whether you're living with chronic pelvic pain, bladder symptoms, recurrent infections, or another chronic condition, this conversation will help you better understand what's happening in your body and why healing is possible.
In this episode, we discuss: Why "It's All in Your Body" is a complete reframe from "It's all in your head" The science behind the mind-body connection Why your symptoms make sense, even when medical testing is normal How the brain, nervous system, immune system, and body constantly communicate Why mindfulness and nervous system regulation feel so difficult when you're highly symptomatic The difference between acceptance and resignation Why suppressing emotions and thoughts often backfires Why trying to "think positively" isn't the goal The biology behind bladder urgency, pelvic pain, and pelvic floor tension How chronic stress can influence the immune system and recurrent infections Why the length of time you've had symptoms does not determine how long healing will take How small, consistent shifts can create meaningful change over time
Resources Mentioned It's All in Your Body by Dr. Sula Windgassen
Follow Dr. Sula Windgassen: Website: https://healthpsychologist.co.uk Instagram: @the_health_psychologist_ Podcast: How We Really Feel
Ready for the next step? The doors to Beyond Chronic Pelvic Pain reopen in July. Inside BCPP, I'll teach you exactly how to apply these mind-body principles to your own healing through structured lessons, live coaching, and practical tools that help you change your relationship with symptoms, create safety within your nervous system, and get back to living your life.
👉 Join the waitlist here!
More from Heal Your Chronic Pelvic Pain
What can you do when a pain flare is loud, uncomfortable, and not something you can make stop in the moment? A building fire alarm kept going off for two weeks, sometimes during coaching calls and sometimes in the middle of the night. The experience reminded me of what it was like to live with chronic pelvic pain: knowing what was happening didn’t make the sensations disappear, and I couldn’t always change the situation right away. In this episode, I share how I supported myself through those moments, from putting in earbuds so I could keep coaching to noticing the comfort of my bed while I waited for the alarm to turn off. We talk about acknowledging discomfort without pretending it isn’t there, choosing what might support you, and considering whether you want to take a values-aligned action or rest. There’s no right or wrong choice. For me, showing up for the things I cared about, even when my symptoms were intense, supported my sense of agency. Your choice may look different. The invitation is to ask what you need and how you want to spend the time while you wait for the flare to pass. In this episode: Why knowing a symptom is a false alarm doesn’t always make the discomfort go away
If you've ever frozen on the exam table, or spent the drive home replaying everything you wish you'd said, this episode is for you. For so many of us with chronic pelvic pain, gynecologist visits are part of the recovery journey. And they can be really hard, both physically and emotionally. Many providers aren't trained in trauma-informed care or familiar with conditions like vaginismus and vulvodynia, which means it often falls on us to speak up for what we need. In this episode, I'm sharing the things I didn't know I could ask for when I was healing, so you can walk into your next appointment feeling more prepared and a little more in control. In this episode: Why telling your provider about pain with penetration out loud matters (even if it's already on your intake form)
When I was living with chronic pelvic pain, I believed that if I had symptoms, I was suffering. It felt impossible to enjoy my life or loosen my urgency to heal while pain was still there. Because I felt like I was always suffering.
Do you have to quit your job, leave your relationship, move, or completely restructure your life in order to heal?
Even though no one can do the healing work for you, that doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.