Emily: Melissa, why was the vagus nerve the breakthrough for you, and how did you design this course to reflect that?
Melissa: For years, I did everything "right" — I focused on food, movement, and traditional therapy — but I still felt like I was oscillating between "too much" and "not enough". My energy was inconsistent, and I felt out of control with my emotions. When I discovered the vagus nerve, it was like finding the missing piece of the puzzle because the results were often instantaneous.
I designed this seven-day course to be a journey through your own system. You’ll learn how to strengthen your nervous system so you can move out of those fight, flight, or freeze states that keep you stuck. We use gentle movements to release chronic tension in the head, neck, and shoulders, and I even show you how to do an at-home face-lift with your own hands. It’s all about teaching you how to shift your body and mind’s state on command.
Emily: Most of us don't think about "toning" our nerves like we do our muscles. What are the red flags that suggest someone might have a weak vagal tone?
Melissa: There are several indicators that your vagal tone might need some training. Chronic stress, past trauma, and even your environment can impact it. Common signs include trouble regulating your emotions or attention, as well as feelings of depression or anxiety.
On a physical level, a low vagal tone is often associated with digestive disruptions like IBS or Crohn’s disease, as well as low blood pressure or trouble swallowing. Essentially, if you feel like you are living reactionary — constantly snapping or shutting down instead of responding to life the way you actually want to — your vagal tone is likely low. The great news is that you can train it just like a muscle using the simple mind-body tools in this course.
Emily: Is this work accessible for everyone, and what is the biggest shift you hope we experience?
Melissa: Absolutely, these exercises are for everyone. We use very accessible movements involving your eyes, face, neck, and senses. Because these tools help you process stress and regulate your own emotions, you also become a "power co-regulator" for those around you — you can even teach these skills to your children.
My biggest hope is that you recognize the healing power that already resides within yourself. For anyone who has experienced trauma or feels like they’ve been living on autopilot, connecting with this internal source of healing is life-changing. It’s about moving from a place of feeling "lost" to a place of total empowerment.
Emily: You mentioned that fight, flight, or freeze isn't just an on-off switch. How does strengthening the vagus nerve change our relationship with these high-stress states?
Melissa: Exactly, it’s more like an equalizer board. The vagus nerve is constantly scanning your environment for safety. When it senses danger, it activates that brake system to mobilize your defenses. The problem is when we get stuck there and start treating an unread email like a life-threatening predator.
By building vagal resilience, you teach your system to only mobilize when it’s truly needed. You learn to adjust the dials yourself rather than being at the mercy of your environment.
Emily: Tell us how you designed this seven-day course. What can we expect to learn and practice?
Melissa: This course is designed to take you on a journey through the healing power of your mind and body, introducing you to parts of your system that regulate how you process stress, release tension, and act in your best interest. Just like the vagus nerve, the course moves through your mind and body.
You’ll learn skills to strengthen your nervous system to improve your ability to manage stress and move out of fight, flight, or freeze situations. You’ll learn gentle movement to release stress, tension, and chronic pain from your head, neck, shoulders, and back. There’s even an at-home face-lift done with your own hands! These practices and skills will teach you how to shift your body and mind’s state!
