#183 - Breathwork, Trauma, and the Nervous System: What's Really Holding You Back with Leanne Keane

This week I'm joined by Leanne Keane, personal trainer, online coach and breathwork facilitator, for a conversation that goes way deeper than the usual health chat. Leanne lost 40kg by starting with the basics, but her real turning point came when she saw that lasting change for the women she coached rarely came down to food or training. It came down to their mental and emotional health. We cover polyvagal theory and how a dysregulated nervous system can quietly block your goals, emotional eating, alcohol as numbing (hello, Irish drinking culture), shadow work, and living by your values instead of comparison. Leanne also explains up- vs down-regulating breathwork, what trauma release can look like in a session, and why safety has to come first. If you're doing "all the right things" and still feel stuck, this one's for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Welcome and Guest Intro 00:21 – Why This Conversation Matters 02:35 – Leanne's Weight Loss Journey 05:24 – From PT to Online Coach 06:41 – Discovering Breathwork 08:11 – Polyvagal Theory Explained 12:07 – Why Diets Don't Stick 14:30 – Trauma Bottle Analogy 17:48 – Childhood Emotions and Repression 20:54 – Numbing With Food and Alcohol 23:32 – Ireland's Drinking Culture 27:38 – Spark, Flow, and Connection 28:50 – Shadow Work and Authenticity 31:45 – Breathwork Training Deep Dive 34:46 – Finding Your Spark 35:59 – Drop the Shoulds 36:28 – Values Over Comparison 37:59 – Real Success Within 39:45 – Breathwork Basics 40:49 – Down Regulating Tools 42:06 – Activating Deep Release 44:04 – Trauma Responses Explained 48:24 – Safety And Baby Steps 55:17 – Breathwork For Digestion 58:19 – Hormones And Fat Loss 01:02:05 – Defining True Health 01:04:27 – Wrap Up And Resources Links & Resources: Instagram - Leanne Keane Coaching here Apply for LeadHer business mentorship here Apply for NourisHer health & fitness coaching here Subscribe to my weekly coaching newsletter here Access my FREE calorie calculator here Connect with my Kate Hamilton Business Instagram here Connect with Kate Hamilton Business Facebook here Connect with my Kate Hamilton Health Instagram here Connect with Kate Hamilton Health Facebook here Connect with me on TikTok here Connect with me on YouTube here If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with friends who might benefit. Music b LiQWYD Free download: hypeddit.com/link/xxtopb [http://hypeddit.com/link/xxtopb] Promoted by FreeMusicPromo [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbycji-eySnM3WD8mbxPUSQ] / @freemusicpromo