The Fiercely Awakening Podcast

Birth today in the US is a pretty corrupted experience. How often does it go the way mom wants? The way baby wants?

This conversation is a sacred one. Birth is where it all starts.

Every single one of us has a birth story.

In other words, the way we came into the world IS significant.

In today’s episode, I sit down with FEM Nicole Safford, RN, BCP2, BCP3, and we go deep into birth trauma.

Our conversation can help you have incredible awareness into your health story by pointing to your birth experience, your birth trauma or the birth trauma your child experienced.

Trauma is not the event itself but the felt sense of an experience. The memory is held in the body, not the brain.

Uncover how birth trauma imprints on the nervous system, impacting gene expression and emotional, physical and cellular well-being throughout life and across generations.

Listen in as we explore:

• How the mother-baby connection shapes resilience.
• The lasting influence of prenatal and perinatal experiences.
• The body’s cellular memory of trauma.
• The science behind trauma physiology, neurodevelopment and most importantly, the pathways to healing.
• How “the way you birth changes the earth.”
  

Grab your journal — this is definitely an episode where you’ll want to jot down the awareness and connections that come through for your continued healing journey and your child's. 

 

How you can connect with Nicole:

You learn more about Nicole and book a session with her by following this link. And you can find her on her Facebook page, Harmony Within, and on Instagram @connected.in.motherhood.

 

About Nicole

Nicole is a second-year Fiercely Empowered Mama and mom of two young boys. Her drive to heal her son led her to Mamahood, my natural mama pop-up Facebook group, where her medical mindset shifted, prompting her to leave her role as a registered nurse and pursue natural healing.

Through FEM, Nicole embraced her role as the "Head of the Healthcare Table" and immersed herself in the study of birth trauma healing, retained primitive reflex integration, movement, bodywork and energy healing.

With the support of the work we do inside FEM, along with her drive to learn, she remained focused on addressing the root causes of her son’s challenges.

Nicole’s journey not only transformed her son’s health but also set her on a path of self-discovery and alignment.

Now, she’s passionate about empowering other moms to trust their intuition and seek out the root causes of healing for their own children.

 

Fiercely Empowered Mama

Raise your child naturally, feeling confident, empowered and free.

What if you trusted your mama intuition and instincts — fully, above anyone else — and you knew how to tune into your child at any given moment to see what support they needed most?

Fiercely Empowered Mama is proven to help you shift from fear to FREEDOM by giving you the knowledge, confidence and empowerment to become the HEALER of your home.

Follow this link to learn more and get on the waitlist for FEM 2026. When you're on the waitlist, you'll be the FIRST to know when the doors open and you'll get access to the very BEST pricing.

 

FEMfusion

Mineralization & Ultimate Hydration

Right now, one out of every three people in the U.S. is deficient in at least 10 minerals. And minerals are the sparks of life!

FEMfusion is my tried-and-true go-to herbal infusion blend that's made with herbs that shine as incredible sources of minerals, vitamins and more — and it's loaded with antioxidants!

Because it's so hydrating, you'll feel an instant boost when you drink it!

Follow this link to get started on deeper mineralization and hydration today.

As you know, I’m an avid reader, rabbit hole deep-diver and researcher. 

I want to know the truth. Always. 

And one of my gifts is my built-in bullshit detector. My body quickly responds to and has resonance with truth and alignment, knowing when false narratives, pretty lies or fear mongering are at play.

So when I started hearing and seeing highly respected and adored natural health influencers (women who I shared many similar health values with) using it and sharing publicly to their faithful followers that it’s MORE than safe, you better believe my BS detector went off.

How can the most lethal substance on the planet be used in the same sentence as the word “safe”?

Let me be clear: It is not in alignment with me to receive any Botox, filler or plastic surgery. But that does not mean I don’t want to understand it more.

As an advocate for informed consent with a passion for serving women, it’s my job to know the risks and side effects.

Around a year ago, I added myself to numerous Botox and filler injury groups. I half-jokingly say that I did this so I never become delusional enough to think these are safe options. Promised quick fixes seldom are.

But in reality, in addition to my deep dives, I wanted to have reference for anecdotal stories of injury and recovery. I wanted to understand how injured women were being treated by the medical profession and their injectors, and what tips and reference points they had to advocate for themselves.

Bottom line, I wanted to understand the dark side of this everyday cosmetic procedure that continues to skyrocket in demand.

In one of these groups, I came across Megan McCue’s Botox injury story. I didn’t know that she was still in the thick of her recovery journey, but I did have the gut knowing that one day, Megan would be a guest on the Fiercely Awakening podcast.

And this week, the timing aligned.

Join us in this episode as Megan not only walks us through her Botox injury, but also shares great detail on the context of this wonder beauty drug.

She shares:

• The unfortunate details of what transpired the day of her injection.
• The many symptoms that she experienced that completely compromised her quality of life.
• The complexities of navigating healing and recovery from Botox injuries.
• The true history of this drug, including both medical and cosmetic uses, and why this is critical information to have for anyone contemplating trying Botox, no matter the reason.
• A reality check on just how frequent injuries — beyond cosmetic — are happening, and great details on the adverse and toxic effects.
• And natural options to consider for addressing the signs of aging and slowing down the aging process. 

Megan has three books available:

Her first book, “Me Tox Pretty: A Story of Iatrogenic Botulism and The Ugly Side of Cosmetic Injections,” includes the details of her injury experience. 

Her second book, “Notox: The Shocking Truth About Cosmetic Injections,” includes the history of Botox. 

And her third and newly released book, “Iatrogenic Botulism 101: A Guide for Doctors, Nurses, & Other Healthcare Providers,” is a deep dive on all the side effects, symptoms and healing process from Botox. 

You can find her by following these links to her website, www.meganmccue.com, and Instagram @botoxtruths.

About Megan

Megan McCue is a medical speech-language pathologist and writer. She developed iatrogenic botulism after receiving a small amount of Botox once, and has since become a passionate advocate for medical informed consent and pharmaceutical transparency. When she is not thinking or writing about botulism, she can be found hanging out with her children, husband, or piano. 

 

Hooking You Up!

Instantly Save $50 on the Cleansing Circle!

YOU get to decide what's possible when it comes to your health story.

Our bodies are slowly being poisoned by the toxic load in our environment. But in the Cleansing Circle, you’ll learn just how simple it can be to embrace TRUE cleansing as part of your life.

No matter what your story is, you'll find a highly effective and SAFE cleansing options for where you are right now.

Join this circle of women for an experience that will have an immediate impact on your health. 

Instantly save $50 on your Cleansing Circle membership with code: SPRING

This amazing gift is available to you NOW through Friday, April 11, at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Follow this link to sign up and learn more.

 

Fiercely Empowered Mama

Raise your child naturally, feeling confident, empowered and free.

What if you trusted your mama intuition and instincts — fully, above anyone else — and you knew how to tune into your child at any given moment to see what support they needed most?

Fiercely Empowered Mama is proven to help you shift from fear to FREEDOM by giving you the knowledge, confidence and empowerment to become the HEALER of your home.

Follow this link to learn more and get on the waitlist for FEM 2026. When you're on the waitlist, you'll be the FIRST to know when the doors open and you'll get access to the very BEST pricing.

 

FEMfusion

Mineralization & Ultimate Hydration

Right now, one out of every three people in the U.S. is deficient in at least 10 minerals. And minerals are the sparks of life!

FEMfusion is my tried-and-true go-to herbal infusion blend that's made with herbs that shine as incredible sources of minerals, vitamins and more — and it's loaded with antioxidants!

Because it's so hydrating, you'll feel an instant boost when you drink it!

Follow this link to get started on deeper mineralization and hydration today.

Is your body craving a cleanse, but your mind keeps derailing you? 

Do you look in the mirror and wish for a natural glow-up? 

If you want a massive upgrade and transformation in your health and your life, this episode is a must-listen.

Join me as I sit down and talk with Carla Westerby, who's now completed two Master Cleanses.

She is PROOF that even ONE cleanse can literally change your life.

What I love so much about this interview is that Carla shares alll the details of her cleanse experience.

At one point she asked me, “Is this okay to say this here?”

And my answer, of course, was “don’t hold back!”

Listen in and prep your mind for your own cleansing glow-up as we talk about:

• Why Carla was “deathly afraid” of doing a Master Cleanse.
• How her brain reacted (hello, mini ego tantrum) the moment she realized her body was speaking loudly to step into one. 
• The number one motivator that made her follow through with her first cleanse. (This will motivate you, too!!)
• The emotional, physical and spiritual upgrades that came with cleansing.
• Why she believes her body felt safe enough to release weight and keep it off. 
• Why weight loss should never be your number one priority when it comes to saying YES to true cleansing.
• The health risks of losing weight fast without proper support.
• The shocking things that happened while she was on the cleanse. 
• Her top tips to set yourself for cleansing.
• How her first cleanse JUMP-STARTED massive shifts.
• How she kept momentum going the ENTIRE year with “unshakeable healing and wellness habits” and completely disrupted her past patterns of inconsistency.
• And so much more… 

 

About Carla

Carla Westerby is a seasoned Professional School Counselor with over 18 years of experience walking alongside students and families through life’s challenges. Her work in education and mental health sparked a deep passion for holistic healing—guiding both mind and body toward lasting wellness.

She firmly believes that in order to break free from generational trauma, healing must begin within ourselves. Carla is devoted to helping women rewrite the narratives they've inherited, establish healthy boundaries, and create lives rooted in intention, emotional freedom, and self-trust. She is especially passionate about teaching natural, accessible tools to regulate the nervous system—and empowering parents to pass those tools on to their children.

As a Certified Light Leader Coach® and Light Leader Kundalini™ Teacher, Carla blends somatic movement, breathwork, meditation, and energy healing into her signature approach. Through her coaching practice, Transformational Life Coaching, LLC, she supports women in overcoming internal blocks, reclaiming their power, and embodying the confidence they were always meant to have.

Outside of her work, Carla is committed to her own healing journey and loves exploring all things holistic. She’s a devoted mom to three daughters, a wife, a fitness enthusiast, and a Disney travel planner—creating magical adventures is one of her favorite side passions.

Carla’s personal transformation fuels her purpose. She shares her story not just to inspire, but to help others find their own path to healing and growth. You can learn more about Carla and her services at carlawesterby.com.

 

Instantly Save $50 on the Cleansing Circle!

YOU get to decide what's possible when it comes to your health story.

Our bodies are slowly being poisoned by the toxic load in our environment. But in the Cleansing Circle, you’ll learn just how simple it can be to embrace TRUE cleansing as part of your life.

No matter what your story is, you'll find a highly effective and SAFE cleansing options for where you are right now.

Join this circle of women for an experience that will have an immediate impact on your health. 

Instantly save $50 on your Cleansing Circle membership with code: CARLA

This amazing gift is available to you NOW through Friday, April 11, at 11:59 p.m. ET. 

Follow this link to sign up and learn more.

 

• The common neurological challenges kids face today.
• What "The Perfect Storm" is and how it impacts your child.
• How working with a PX doc can accelerate healing for your child.
• And so much more!

Join me as I sit down with Nick Pineault, the #1 bestselling author of "The Non-Tinfoil Guide to EMFs" and an advocate for safe technologies. 

Known as "The EMF Guy" with an unconventional approach that blends humor, science and common sense, Nick has become a leading voice on the topic of electromagnetic pollution and how it affects our health.

For the last few years, he's been interviewing some of the best minds on health and technology and facilitating the creation of courses and educational materials to raise awareness on this important issue.

Listen in as Nick and I talk about:

• what EMFs are and their common sources,
• how they affect the human body,
• common symptoms of EMF exposure,
• the increased vulnerability of children and pregnant women,
• a few mistakes people are making and what to do instead.

 

Follow these links to find Nick:

• TheEMFGuy.com
• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook

 

Hooking You Up!

The EMF Summit

Learn science-backed strategies from the absolute best minds in EMF science to protect the health of your loved ones from the impact of everyday devices.

At this free event, 18 world-class experts will share new solutions for 2025, including how to:

• Protect Your Children or Grandchildren's Health
• Become Your Family's EMF Safety Guardian
• Understand the Latest Science (in Plain English)
• Sleep Better and Feel Better - Starting Tonight

Follow this link to learn more, secure your EMF protection guides, watch the summit trailer and save your spot — 100% free.

 

Body Talk

What if you knew exactly what your body was trying to tell you?

Isn't it time you understand the meaning behind the messages that have been in front of you this whole time?

Join me in Body Talk, where you'll learn the love language of YOUR body. Follow this link to learn more.

 

The Cleansing Circle

YOU get to decide what's possible when it comes to your health story.

Our bodies are slowly being poisoned by the toxic load in our environment. But in the Cleansing Circle, you’ll learn just how simple it can be to embrace TRUE cleansing as part of your life.

No matter what your story is, we have highly effective and SAFE cleansing options designed for everyone.

Join a circle of women for a group coaching experience that will have an immediate impact on your health. Follow this link to learn more.

 

Fiercely Empowered Mama

Raise your child naturally, feeling confident, empowered and free.

What if you trusted your mama intuition and instincts — fully, above anyone else — and you knew how to tune into your child at any given moment to see what support they needed most?

Fiercely Empowered Mama is proven to help you shift from fear to FREEDOM by giving you the knowledge, confidence and empowerment to become the HEALER of your home.

Follow this link to learn more and get on the waitlist for FEM 2026. When you're on the waitlist, you'll be the FIRST to know when the doors open and you'll get access to the very BEST pricing.

 

FEMfusion

Mineralization & Ultimate Hydration

Right now, one out of every three people in the U.S. is deficient in at least 10 minerals. And minerals are the sparks of life!

FEMfusion is my tried-and-true go-to herbal infusion blend that's made with herbs that shine as incredible sources of minerals, vitamins and more — and it's loaded with antioxidants!

Because it's so hydrating, you'll feel an instant boost when you drink it!

Follow this link to get started on deeper mineralization and hydration today.

 

Are you dealing with mysterious or persistent symptoms?

Have they led you to unsettling health news?

If so, I invite you to tune into this episode where we’ll quickly plug you back into *knowing* the BODY’s wisdom and the truth about root-cause healing.

This story will blow your mind from start to finish.

Join me and Amanda Wilkes, a 5th-year Fiercely Empowered Mama and the newest member of my team, as we dive into:

• Her hubby’s mysterious and lingering GI issues.
  
  
• The escalation that led them to go to an urgent care the day before the Super Blue Moon.
  
  
• Living through the unknown of ongoing medical testing.
  
  
• Experiencing the shock, fear and alarm that comes with unexpected news.
  
  
• What it looks like to hold space for someone you love — even when they make decisions that you wouldn’t necessarily make for yourself.
  
  
• How in hindsight allows us to see the perfection in Divine timing.
  
  
• The REAL cause of her husband’s symptoms, his natural health journey to FULL healing and the MANY miracle moments along the way.

We also talk about the driving force behind Amanda’s YES to join Fiercely Empowered Mama at the end of 2020, and few of the HUGE health wins and upgrades that she’s experienced in FEM and the Cleansing Circle. 

And yes, we chat about why we’re both obsessed with enemas!

About Amanda
Amanda Wilkes is a 5th-year Fiercely Empowered Mama and the newest member of TeamTonya. You’ll find her helping you navigate cleansing in the Cleansing Circle and leading Muscle Testing classes in Fiercely Empowered Mama. 

 

Hooking You Up!

Body Talk

What if you knew exactly what your body was trying to tell you?

Isn't it time you understand the meaning behind the messages that have been in front of you this whole time?

Join me in Body Talk, where you'll learn the love language of YOUR body. Follow this link to learn more.

 

The Cleansing Circle

YOU get to decide what's possible when it comes to your health story.

Our bodies are slowly being poisoned by the toxic load in our environment. But in the Cleansing Circle, you’ll learn just how simple it can be to embrace TRUE cleansing as part of your life.

No matter what your story is, we have highly effective and SAFE cleansing options designed for everyone.

Join a circle of women for a group coaching experience that will have an immediate impact on your health. Follow this link to learn more.

 

Fiercely Empowered Mama

Raise your child naturally, feeling confident, empowered and free.

What if you trusted your mama intuition and instincts — fully, above anyone else — and you knew how to tune into your child at any given moment to see what support they needed most?

Fiercely Empowered Mama is proven to help you shift from fear to FREEDOM by giving you the knowledge, confidence and empowerment to become the HEALER of your home.

Follow this link to learn more and get on the waitlist for FEM 2026. When you're on the waitlist, you'll be the FIRST to know when the doors open and you'll get access to the very BEST pricing.

 

FEMfusion

Mineralization & Ultimate Hydration

Right now, one out of every three people in the U.S. is deficient in at least 10 minerals. And minerals are the sparks of life!

FEMfusion is my tried-and-true go-to herbal infusion blend that's made with herbs that shine as incredible sources of minerals, vitamins and more — and it's loaded with antioxidants!

Because it's so hydrating, you'll feel an instant boost when you drink it!

Follow this link to get started on deeper mineralization and hydration today.

 

I first met Laurel six years ago when she found me through a Facebook post and scheduled our call.

Laurel had received a depressing prognosis and was in a debilitated state due to injuries she suffered in a car accident. 

But she refused to accept that healing was impossible for her.

Her decision to get on a call with me and join Fiercely Empowered Mama changed everything. 

And that first step she took made the impossible, possible.

The many wins Laurel has had in her health over the past six years are nothing short of profound.

She’s now a mom of two boys and has grown immense confidence in raising her little ones using only natural remedies. 

She’s committed to nourishment.

She muscle tests mini-programs for herself and family members to support them through various symptoms/communications.

Join us in this episode as we talk about Laurel's story, the results of her first hair tissue mineral analysis (HTMA), and what she wishes for any woman who’s struggling and wants more choice when it comes to taking control of the outcomes for herself and her family.

 

You're Invited to Mamahood: The Ultimate Natural Mama Crash Course

I am so excited to invite you to my free pop-up Facebook group, Mamahood: The Ultimate Natural Mama Crash Course.

Your timing to join us now is perfect!

This experience is guaranteed to provide you with instant empowerment to help you and your child thrive - no matter what phase of life you’re in.

This group is open to all mamas, and future mamas, who want to expand her knowledge, confidence, empowerment and natural tool kit.

You won't want to miss the live classes and instant replays that are available to you right now in the Facebook group. And they won't be available for very long, so don't wait!

Follow this link to join this life-changing experience.

 

I received the most questions EVER after I shared my six-month fitness journey update in last week’s episode.

I love that you’re interested in my progress, learning alongside me and asking beautiful follow-up questions.

Today’s episode is a celebration of your curiosity — a deep dive into the answers to all of your questions about my fitness journey so far, including:

• Who’s my trainer?
• Why did I sign up to work with her?
• What do I use for body composition scans?
• What’s my body fat goal?
• What’s contributed the MOST to my hair being so thick and healthy? 
• How long are my AFTER dinner walks to support my blood sugar? Is there anything else you can do to experience the same effect that I do?
• What vagus nerve stimulator did I get?
• Can I share more about the massive gut health calibration I’ve been experiencing?
• What’s my overnight oats recipe?
• Why is it important to support the vaginal terrain? 
• What are my current macros?
• What’s my stretching practice?
• AND so much more!

 

As promised, here’s a list of all the links I mention in the show:

• My Personal Trainer
• Body Composition Scale
• Zen Basil Seeds
• Vagus Nerve Stimulator Device
• Vaginal Health Probiotic
• Tara’s Interview With Seed Founder on the Vaginal Probiotic
• Macros Tracker
• Andrew Kaufman MD, "Why You Should Exercise While Fasting"
• Stretching Tool & Course
• Hair Care:
  • Prose
  • Cult+King
  • The Innate Life
  • SRI Dry Q
• Fiercely Empowered Mama Waitlist
• My Instagram for the Back-to-School Series

 

In the six months since I started my fitness journey, the big wins and lessons I’ve experienced have been incredibly valuable.

I’m so excited to share them with you in today’s episode!

Join me as I talk about:

• A decision I made to support myself for the rest of the year.
• The physical changes I’ve seen and felt.
• My current metrics that speak to progress.
• A deep dive into my microbiome and how this was impacting my results.
• A tiny strategy for walking that’s making a HUGE difference.
• My unexpected healing crisis in June.
• A big download I received for how I’ll serve in 2025.
• And what’s next for me on this journey!

 

Learn the ways we can work together and grab some amazing free resources on my website, TonyaHolcomb.com.

Join me in today’s episode as I talk about:

• The number one thing to do to help your kids tap into an abundance mindset (in other words, turn weaknesses into opportunities and transform negative experiences into positive ones).
• The real problem with saying “I’m fine” when you’re not.
• How playing “make believe” helps develop the ability to visualize, and why this matters later in life.
• The art of expanding good feelings even on “ordinary” days.
• Knowing when to hold space for your child’s disappointment and when to coach them through it.
• Why the meaning of the word “maybe” matters to how your kiddo perceives life outcomes.
• And so much more!

 

Learn the ways we can work together and grab some amazing free resources on my website, TonyaHolcomb.com.