🎙️ IT’S HERE! 🎙️ I am so incredibly honoured to bring this conversation to your ears.Many of us do not realise how pregnancy and birth can bring up hidden layers of neurodivergence and mental health struggles we have carried for years. In this episode of The Intuitive Living Podcast, I sit down with Katie Simons. Katie is an occupational therapist, a neurodivergent mum, and a self-employed paediatric OT who supports children with SEMH and SEND needs.We delve into the reality of birth trauma and navigating medical systems that often miss what neurodivergent families actually need. Katie shares her story of managing ADHD, hypermobility, and a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder (FND) while trying to navigate the "perfect" parent standards. We talk about the expert trap: that massive pressure to have all the answers because you are a professional, and how that perfectionism can make birth complications so much harder to process.I also want to say a huge thank you to Katie for all the energy and insight she brings to our membership spaces. She is such a valued part of both The Intuitive OT and the Pivoting Practitioner Collective, and it was a joy to bring our shared work into this conversation.In this episode, we talk about:

- How neurodivergence changes the way we experience pregnancy and plan for birth.

- The reality of expert parent pressure and how it fuels unrealistic standards.

- Practical ways to advocate for yourself when you have complex health or sensory needs.

- The link between trauma and neurological symptoms like FND.

- The power of somatic work and creative outlets for healing.

- Why finding safety for your nervous system and a community that gets it is the real key to recovery.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Katie Simons: neurodivergent advocate, paediatric OT, and mummy.

03:07 Starting a pregnancy journey with ADHD, hypermobility, and FND.

07:17 Communication breakdowns and advocacy in medical settings.

12:28 Navigating post-birth sensory overwhelm and neonatal checks.

18:42 The physical and emotional effects of birth trauma.

28:02 Feeding challenges, tongue tie, and allergy management.

44:39 Understanding FND symptoms, dissociation, and seizure-like episodes.

55:45 Protecting your stability through self-care and routines.

69:40 Recovery through somatic therapy, community, and creative expression.

79:33 Reimagining a motherhood landscape that works for everyone.

A note on safety:

When we talk about somatic or mindfulness work in the context of trauma or OCD, it is so important to move at a pace that feels right for your nervous system. Sometimes focusing internally can feel overwhelming or even trigger compulsions, so please make sure you are working with someone who can help you stay in your window of tolerance. This episode is for information and shared experience rather than medical advice.

Connect with Jen:

OT Intuition Website: otintuition.co.uk/home

Linktree: otintuition.co.uk/linktree---business-7702

Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1735313

Our OT Memberships:

The Intuitive OT And Pivoting Practitioner Collective https://www.facebook.com/groups/1200933678291465/

Resources mentioned:

Ehlers Danlos Society, FND Hope, and the Birth Trauma Association.

Most people try to hide parts of themselves to fit in, but what if embracing your past and inner contradictions is the secret to true authenticity? Dylan Holloway shares his incredible journey from a small town in Cornwall, where transgender visibility was almost non existent, to becoming an award winning musician, author, and international speaker. As the first trans artist to win a BBC music award, Dylan explores how embracing every version of himself sparked a profound spiritual and creative rebirth.

In this eye opening conversation, Dylan reveals how childhood whispers of identity shaped his music career and personal growth. He discusses the moments that moved him from internalised shame to self acceptance, including his transition and his work with global stars like Jason Derulo and Lewis Capaldi. He explains how art can dismantle prejudice, showing the world that trans stories are about love and resilience through his cinematic indie folk and his feature length documentary, Tomorrow’s Too Late.

You will discover how music became Dylan’s safe space to express what he could not say out loud, including his distinctive duets with his past self, where he layers archival vocals from before his transition with his present day voice. We break down the power of reconnecting with who you were to honour who you are now, and the secret role of vulnerability in healing. This episode also touches on his work as a children’s author, using his book about a werewolf on a sofa to teach kindness and inclusion.

This episode is perfect for anyone questioning their identity, navigating transitions, or simply seeking inspiration to live more authentically. Dylan’s story offers a roadmap for embracing every part of your journey, encouraging you to honour your past, present, and future selves without fear or shame. It is a profound reminder that the magic is in our authenticity, our messy, beautiful, and ever evolving selves.

Join us for a conversation that is as uplifting as it is empowering because your most authentic self is already waiting to be celebrated.

Most people expect the journey into parenthood to be filled with joy, but for many, mental health challenges strike unexpectedly, leaving them feeling betrayed by their own minds.

Olivia Gascoigne’s story of postpartum psychosis and her mission to change that narrative will inspire you to rethink how we support new parents. Her innovative project, Letter Beams, is a powerful movement transforming lived experience into a beacon of hope for birthing people during their darkest times. In this heartfelt episode, Olivia shares her own harrowing postpartum psychosis experience and how it fuelled her passionate drive to provide emotional support through handwritten and digital letters from those who’ve been there. You’ll discover how Letter Beams bridges the gap in perinatal mental health education, helping individuals recognise early warning signs and break the stigma around seeking help.

Olivia reveals the surprising ways writing and receiving letters foster healing, not just for the recipients but also for the letter writers themselves, turning trauma into strength.We break down the vital importance of trauma-informed, peer-to-peer support in perinatal mental health care. Olivia shares the protocols they follow to keep both writers and recipients safe, including the crucial role of clinical oversight by mental health professionals. You’ll learn how these personalised letters are now reaching birthing people on parent-baby units, in hospice care, and during other life milestones, creating a ripple effect of kindness and resilience.

This episode underscores the urgent need to educate, empower, and nurture individuals before, during, and after pregnancy. Olivia’s vision of expanding Letter Beams into a lifetime of support, covering grief, illness, and vulnerable groups, is a blueprint for a more compassionate, aware society. Perfect for healthcare providers, new parents, mental health advocates, and anyone passionate about fostering hope in the face of adversity, this conversation will leave you inspired to turn your own experiences into acts of kindness.

Olivia Gascoigne is the founder of Letter Beams, a peer support organisation dedicated to sending handwritten and digital letters of hope from those with lived experience to individuals facing mental health challenges. Her work has already touched countless lives and continues to grow, demonstrating the transformative power of community, empathy, and storytelling.If you believe in the healing potential of connection, or want to learn how simple acts like writing and sharing can impact mental health, this episode is essential listening. Join us as we explore how kindness and awareness can revolutionise support for those navigating the hardest moments of parenthood and beyond.

For immediate support, please reach out to the following helplines: Samaritans (116 123), Crisis Line (text SHOUT to 85258), NHS 111 for urgent medical advice, and PANDAS (0808 1961 776) for perinatal mental health support.