Sukie Baxter

I talk a lot about being calm.

Most people stumbling their way into nervous system work are pretty activated. They'd describe their state as stressed and anxious -- although it bears mentioning that that thing we call "anxiety" is actually a unique experience to each individual.

(For a nerdy deep dive on that, check out How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett. Great book. Not difficult, but not exactly a beach read either.)

When you're always "anxious," the desire then is to become "calm." And this is what many -- the majority, really -- of my clients experience, especially in the initial stages of working with me.

Some access a calm they haven't felt in years, or even decades. Many report improvements to sleep, a sense of being centered, at peace with themselves.

And this is great...
..but being calm isn't necessarily regulation.

A regulated nervous system is not always calm.

Happening tomorrow! We would love for you to join us for this masterclass on pain science and optimal performance.

More info and sign up here: https://wholebodyrevolution.lpages.co/healingthehorseandrider

Currently reading. This book has been everything I had hoped. It gave me the satisfaction of confirming all the pieces of the psycho-social-emotional puzzle that I have slowly and painstakingly pulled together over the years, while at the same time pushing my work forward by illuminating areas where it can be cleaned up, clarified and streamlined. A must read for practitioners of all kinds.

Currently reading. A great one for parents and educators, especially those working with neurodivergent kiddos.

Foot grounding practices are better with friends ❤️

Currently reading. Highly recommend.

This is what you risk: everything.

When you choose connection and presence, you risk it all.

The pain and grief of loss.

The heartbreak of someone not being there with or for you.

The possibility that they will some day let you down…

Or disappear completely.

That they won’t fulfill your needs, or be who you want them to be — who you wish they were.

You risk loss.

The destabilizing sense of a rug being pulled out from under you.

This is what you risk when you choose the sensitivity of aliveness over the self protection of being shut down or closed off.

When you allow someone into the treasured chamber of your heart.

When you really, truly, wholly trust them.

You risk it all.

Is it worth it?

I think so.

P.S. Sneak peak photo of my shoot with photography. I wholeheartedly recommend her as the most insightful equine photographer I have ever met.

Pssst… desire is the key.

If a practical, results-oriented nervous system healing process that honors your unique biological rhythm and flow appeals to you, I’d love to talk with you about whether the Nerve Apprenticeship would be supportive of your goals.

Apply at the link in bio ❤️

Fear is a great motivator, the saying goes. And it’s true that fear *can* propel you into action, but it can also cause you to freeze in utter paralysis. If fear does in fact do the job of spurring you forward, you will likely stay only just in front of the threat, millimeters out of harms reach. Fear whispers in your ear that good enough is good enough, don’t stretch beyond your limits, don’t ask or hope for too much — you might just lose it all. You can motivate — yourself and others — with fear. But it will never take you as far as cultivating trust (self trust included) and confidence. Fear will only work until something scarier comes along. Fear is a fragile motivator. But trust and confidence? Will partner with you to overcome the unexpected. This is why I’ve included connecting to desire, agency and expression as an essential part of the healing journey for overcoming trauma stored in the nervous system and cultivating self trust. It matters because it allows you to disentangle from people pleasing tendencies and unhook your self esteem from external achievements that look great on paper but ultimately leave you empty inside and searching for… something. That elusive feeling of being actually alive perhaps? Of actually living your life rather than watching it pass you right on by? If that speaks to you, I’d love to connect. Check out my free class 5 Keys to Unlock Trauma In The Body and if you’re ready and it calls to you, apply to the Nerve Apprenticeship — both links in bio, always ❤️

The important question, really, isn’t what are we moving away from, but what are we moving toward?

Healing trauma at the nervous system level does NOT have to be complicated. While it does take skill, the principles behind embodied change are actually very simple. If you’re constantly falling into the trap of “I don’t know enough” followed by the inevitable information overload and mental paralysis, head on over to watch my free training 5 Keys To Unlock Trauma Stored In The Body where I deep dive into each of the principles I use with clients to spark real, lasting neuroplastic change so that you can feel more present, grounded and centered in your body and your life.

If you joined me on my class yesterday and noticed that I wasn’t quiiiite myself, this would be why! I was understandably a little rattled by receiving this photo of a tree that fell on my horses’ shelter just prior to the class! Fortunately smart ponies sensed danger and were far, far away so no one was injured, but phfeww! That’s scary! And this is a real life example of how nervous systems work. We respond to threat using our stress system — that’s normal and healthy. And then we recover. Trauma happens not because we are stressed, but because we don’t recover. In this instance, I was pretty much myself by the end of the class, but I won’t pretend I didn’t have a few “what if” worries yesterday evening! Oh, and if you missed the class, don’t worry. It has been super popular and fills up fast so I will likely hold it again soon! Keep your 👀 on this space for details, and be sure to jump on it when registration opens because like I said, it’s always filled to capacity.

Your body is your brain. If you want to learn how to leverage body-based healing for optimal mental and emotional health, apply to the Nerve Apprenticeship and begin your healing journey. Link in bio, always ❤️

On resilience.

This is FUBAR. Language matters, people. Don’t let anyone tell you words aren’t important. Words will tell you how a person or culture sees, thinks about and interpret the world. And by identifying those patterns, we can then work to shift the harmful ones by using better words.

If you are traveling for the holiday, may you arrive safely to enjoy warmth and good food with those you love.

You in? Link in bio to apply. Because your healing starts when you DECIDE it does.

Being visible is scary and being visible with all your quirks and foibles is extra vulnerable. It’s not about avoiding criticism though. It’s about cultivating the nervous system resilience to be able to handle other people’s opinions. Need help with that? Apply to work with me at the link in my bio ❤️

A healthy nervous system is always calm? Nope. P.S. If you’d like to embark on your nervous system healing journey, apply to work with me at the link in my bio. I can’t wait to meet and make magic with you ❤️

If you’re seeking tools to release trauma stored in the body so you can become your own best healer, apply to work with me at the link in my bio.

A few more photos from the Journey On Summit. One week later, I am still basking in the energy of this event. While it’s hard to put words to it, the two ways that I heard it described that resonated were that it felt like family and that it was a shamanic experience. Beyond that, you’d have to see it yourself to understand — which fortunately you can do. The recording of the event is still available at the link in my bio or at https://summit.warwickschiller.com?aff=SukieBaxter

TLDR: It’s not a lack of knowledge. It’s not another training, tool or coach. It’s mother-loving SELF TRUST — the ongoing practice of knowing yourself, what works, and most importantly, what does absolutely NOT work for you. Feeling called for support in this area? Let’s talk about where you’re at, where you’re going and what’s stopping you. Link in bio to work with me.

I don’t often talk about my intuitive connection with my horses. I have long struggled to embrace that side of myself. But this weekend at the Journey On Summit something broke open in me, and I received a message from Shelby that I felt called to share. I envisioned sitting on his back, and felt fear. “I am afraid of your power,” I told him, and heard back plain as day, “That is because you fear your own.”

Just, wow. The Journey On Summit did not disappoint. I am a different person than I was three days ago. The experience has been indescribable. I think you can still get access to the recordings at the link in my bio. I dare you to be the same after you watch ❤️