Somatic Healing for Women’s Wellness with Dr. Kelly Olson- Power Hour Recap

By: Julie Borgognoni, Mannington Commercial marketing coordinator

As a member of the Women in the Floor Covering Industry (WiFi), I have the incredible opportunity to engage with topics that not only enhance our professional growth but also touch on deeply personal aspects of our lives. During this power hour, we learned about somatic healing with Dr. Kelly Olson, neuroscientist and author. This was a session that resonated with me on multiple levels. Somatic healing, as Dr. Olson explained, is about understanding how our bodies hold onto emotions and past experiences, and how this can manifest physically in our day-to-day lives.

During the session, Dr. Olson shared her journey from law enforcement to neuroscience, revealing how stress and trauma have shaped not only her career but her personal life as well. Her stories reminded me of my own experiences with stress—how it sometimes feels like I'm constantly 'on,' always prepared for the next challenge. It's a feeling I know many of us can relate to, especially as women balancing careers, family, and everything in between.

One quote that stood out to me was when Dr. Olson said, 'The body is indeed a container of all our sensations and feelings.' This concept—that our bodies hold onto everything we've experienced—was both fascinating and a little terrifying. It made me think about the aches and pains I've sometimes brushed off as insignificant, and how they might actually be my body's way of telling me something deeper.

What really struck me was the idea that stress isn't just something we feel mentally—it's something that affects us physically. From sleep disruptions to digestive issues, Dr. Olson emphasized how unprocessed stress can manifest in ways we might not expect. As someone who's always on the go, it's easy to ignore these signs, but this session reminded me of the importance of paying attention to what my body is trying to tell me.

This session was a powerful reminder that healing isn't just about addressing what's on the surface—it's about going deeper. If you haven't already, I highly recommend exploring somatic healing practices, whether it's through simple breathing exercises, journaling, or seeking professional help. Your body is always speaking to you—it's time we start listening.

I'm so grateful for the WiFi community and the opportunity to learn from incredible women like Dr. Olson. This session on somatic healing has opened my eyes to new ways of caring for myself, and I hope it does the same for you. Let's continue supporting each other on our journeys—both personally and professionally.

Register for future Power Hours here!

Watch the recording here!