After a 2015 health crisis forced her to pause, trauma-informed breathwork coach Trish Brewer discovered the profound practice of conscious breathing at a 2018 Vermont retreat that fundamentally changed how she approaches healing and self-connection. This personal account shares how one pivotal breathwork session opened creative channels, released years of stored trauma, and eventually led her to guide others through their own breath-led journeys in the DMV area.

As women, we often carry the weight of multiple roles and responsibilities, sometimes without a space to exhale or process life’s overwhelming moments. It’s why I sought out retreats as a way to support my healing journey. I’m honored to join my friend and colleague, Dr. Sara Poldmae, on her Midlife Rise + Thrive podcast to discuss our experiences. In this episode, we sit down with Rebecca, a past retreat participant, to dive into the importance of community for women’s healing and empowerment.