Jill Marnee, West Des Moines, Des Moines, IA (2026)

09/15/2025

The irony that I am posting something like this on social media is not lost on me, but it is definitely something that has been weighing on me recently.

I've never been one to jump on the bandwagon of "such and such a thing is ruining the next generation...". Afterall, when I was in 6th grade, those ridiculous watches with calculators on them were going to make us all bad at math! So when all of the uproar over social media started, I didn't pay much attention. I figured it was the calculator watch of the 2015's.

I am quickly reaching a breaking point with social media and not even just as a parent, but as a human user of social media. It is exhausting. It is toxic. I mostly hate it. Yet, I am trying to start/run a business and it seems to be "THE WAY" to accomplish that these days.

I am full of passion for the heart and message of my business. Helping people; especially women, learn to recognize the signals their bodies are sending them on a daily basis to slow down, pause, listen, make changes, heal. It is sacred work and work that I deeply believe in.

At the same time, when I finally have a few minutes during my day to sit and work on my business, it almost always involves social media and I just cannot do it. I can't. It doesn't feel in alignment with who I am or what I want to do to help people. How can I coach women to listen to what their bodies are telling them if I am fighting my own body every step of the way just to try to find clients? I can't. I won't.

I am building programs behind the scenes, but at the moment, I cannot show up online. And I am going to honor the feeling that my body is sending to me regarding that. Maybe tomorrow it will be different, I don't know. All I know is that for now, social media is draining and I will not build a business on that because I need to show up authentically so that I can be of service to those who need it the most.

If this resonates with you, email me at jillmarnee@jillmarnee.com and we can chat. Still technology, but also private and not related to manipulative algorithms.

I am certain of one thing: connection is key and I am here for that!!

09/04/2025

It’s week two of school, and we’re already back in the germ pool.
Three kids with double ear infections, one already missing four days of class.

As I watch them recover, I’ve been reflecting on the expectations we place on kids — and how often those expectations outpace what’s developmentally appropriate.

When I was a kid, I had a stomachache almost every single morning before school. I’d lay on the warm vent in the kitchen, right by my mom, feeling safe for just a moment. But no matter how much my body screamed that something was wrong, I had to “suck it up” and go.

The result? I learned to push it all down.
Some would call that resilience.
But what it really made me was reactive — a ball of nervous energy, always on the edge of exploding.

👉 That’s the cost when we push kids (and ourselves) to override what our bodies are telling us.

True resilience isn’t about ignoring our nervous systems. It’s about learning to stay connected to ourselves, even in hard moments. It’s about creating safety, so kids can grow through challenges instead of shutting down.

That’s why I’m teaching my workshop From Reactivity to Resilience — to help parents understand the nervous system, shift expectations, and support their kids (and themselves) in ways that build genuine resilience.

✨ Because the real strength isn’t “sucking it up.” It’s knowing it’s safe to pause, to feel, and to heal.

👉 https://plum-parrot.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10708292/register

08/28/2025

Why did I choose to join The Mental Wellbeing Company?

Because I believe deeply in their trauma informed mission. Moreover, we have reached a tipping point in our society--mental health is worsening while care/services are growing scarcer. We must do something, not only for ourselves, but to give future generations a chance.

After training in Caroline Strawson’s programs and becoming certified in her methodology, I knew this was more than education — it was a movement of healing, resilience, and freedom.

Joining as a franchisee gives me the chance to share these same evidence-based, somatic tools that changed my own life — and now, bring them to others who are ready to move from living in a state of reactivity to a place of peace and joy and resilience.

💗 This is more than a business choice. It’s a heart choice. And I’m so excited to invite you along with me.

08/27/2025

Day 3 of school and Malachi decided to run away!

Let me tell you what I have learned: This is not a discipline issue!! This is a 7 year old boy who is afraid or worried about something that is happening at school and the only way he knows how to respond is to escape.

How is some kind of harsh punishment going to make him feel better? It WON'T! Sure, I may be able to scare him into obedience, but is that really what I want? Do I really want him to be afraid of me? To stuff down whatever is bothering him? To feel sick and anxious every single day because nothing has been done to address the problem? Absolutely not.

So I rolled down my window and told him to get into the car because we were going to get donuts. I had to fight with my brain on this one: "All you're teaching him is that he gets rewarded for running away!" I did it anyway.

On the way to the donut shop, I learned that he was anxious because there are a few kids that always sit near him and distract him by talking, which means he can't focus and he is missing the instructions. And he doesn't want to have to ask for anything to be repeated.

I proposed speaking with the guidance counselor before going to class and he gladly accepted. He told her exactly why he didn't want to go to school, why he likes to sit near the teacher (so that it's easier for her to see him and call on him to speak!), and why he doesn't like it when other kids distract him. And the two of them put together a plan. I didn't have to say a word. He advocated for himself. Tomorrow he knows to look for Ms. P by the library so he can check in with her before he goes into his classroom.

I left the school feeling proud, not only of him, but also of myself. For not giving into the nagging feeling about "rewarding" him for bad behavior. For showing him that being afraid is okay and we can share our feelings and make a plan. And for not allowing the flood of emotions overwhelm me and derail the rest of my day. Yes, he will have some consequences for his initial response, but this morning was not the time.

Parenting is hard. Parenting is also pretty amazing!

08/26/2025

At the heart of The Mental Wellbeing Company is Caroline Strawson, a globally-recognized Mental Health and Nervous System Educator, Therapist, Coach, and Hay House author. Drawing from her own lived experience and professional expertise, Caroline has built one of the fastest-growing wellbeing franchises in the UK, grounded in nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, and positive psychology.

The Mental Wellbeing Company is dedicated to brining trauma-informed, nervous system-based mental wellbeing workshops into schools, workplaces, and communities worldwide.

I’m honored to stand alongside this global movement, bringing these tools right here into our community. Stay tuned for why this mission matters so much to me personally.

08/25/2025

Parenting can feel like a constant battle with yourself—you react before you think, snap over something small, and then feel guilty afterward. The cycle feels endless, and without understanding what’s happening in your body, it’s hard to change. For me, the never ending cycle of "mom-guilt" was one of the most surprising & frustrating aspects of parenthood.

But when you learn how your nervous system works, everything begins to shift. Knowledge truly is power. With awareness and simple tools, you can pause, regulate, and respond in a way that brings more calm and connection into your home.

In this workshop, you’ll discover how to map your nervous system, recognize your stress responses, and use practical regulation strategies backed by science and somatic practice. Parents who learn this realize they aren’t “bad parents”—they’re simply parents with a nervous system that can be trained toward resilience.

And the best part? When you learn to heal your own nervous system, you automatically teach your kids how to do the same. The result? A calmer, happier household.

✨ Join me for From Reactivity to Resilience:
A Parenting Workshop by The Mental Wellbeing Company.

📅 Sunday, September 22nd, 2005
🎟️ Save your spot → https://plum-parrot.webinarninja.com/live-webinars/10708292/register

When you understand your nervous system, you unlock the power to change your parenting—and your family’s future for generations to come! 💗

07/29/2025

TW: substance misuse

I wanted to share this here because I wish someone would have told me this earlier in my journey of dealing with crippling anxiety.

That nightly glass of wine to relax after a long, overwhelming day-it is making your anxiety worse! I know that it feels like it helps you unwind, not to mention everywhere we turn, we are sold the idea that a drink is the perfect solution to a hard day,

But here’s what’s happening behind the scenes—
Alcohol disrupts the brain’s natural balance (homeostasis), especially in areas that regulate mood and anxiety. It suppresses nervous system activity while you're drinking… but once it wears off, the brain often overcorrects.
That overcorrection can look like:
➡️ Racing thoughts
➡️ Restlessness
➡️ Waking up at 3am with a pounding heart
➡️ Heightened anxiety the next day

So even though alcohol may seem like a helpful stress-reliever in the moment, it can actually increase baseline anxiety over time.
Further complicating the matter is the shame and stigma around substance misuse. I know that I often went through my day wondering if I was the only one who struggled with breaking this anxiety/drinking to calm down/more anxiety cycle.

It wasn't until I truly understood the brain chemistry behind it that I began to understand exactly why it was so hard to break the cycle. It was a light bulb moment for me, which is why I wanted to share it here.

If you struggle with this and don't know where to turn, my inbox is always open. The relief that I experienced once I finally cut those ties for good was massive. Life changing.

07/29/2025

I am pretty sure that I came out of the womb as a sensitive and deeply feeling human being. And if not, it developed rather quickly because even my earliest memories include 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 a lot. It's hard to describe, but if you're a deep feeler, you know exactly what I am talking about.

I remember a lot of emotional outbursts and getting into trouble. If I had a nickel for every time I heard: "The world does not revolve around you..." I would have been a millionaire by age 10. You see, I was always really confused when my parents said that to me because I never expected the world to revolve around me. In fact, it was quite the opposite, but I didn't have the words to explain it. So I tried to tone it down and worked hard to feel nothing--which was a total disaster in the end. What I needed to learn instead was how to sit with those feelings.

What I have come to realize is that life is meant to be felt. As Jill Bolte Taylor says: "We are not thinking beings that feel; we are feeling beings that think."

Read that again. Let in sink in because most of us, in Western culture especially, have been taught that we think and then we feel, when in reality, we feel before we think.

The ramifications of this are immense in terms of how we view and live our lives. We aren't just moving through life doing things, which is how many choose to live their lives. We are human 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, and we get to move through life feeling the world around us. That is the beauty of being human. 𝘞𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰.

For some of you, the thought of feeling the world might be incredibly scary or overwhelming. Maybe you are trying to hide and numb those feelings because it hurts to feel. Trust me. I get it. But I promise that once you learn how to feel deeply, you will experience life the way it was intended to be lived.

If you are ready to start fully feeling and experiencing life, but don't know how to start, I would love to chat with you about how my programs can help you along your journey. Send me a DM or book a call using the link in the comments below.

Remember...healing is always better together.

07/26/2025

You’ve spent hours in talk therapy, dissecting your childhood, naming your patterns, and intellectually understanding your pain — but deep down, nothing really feels different.
You still get hijacked by your reactions.
Your body still tenses when conflict arises.
You’re still exhausted, anxious, and wondering,
"Why can’t I just move on?"

Here’s the thing that most people don't realize:
Understanding your trauma isn’t the same as healing it.
Lasting transformation happens below the neck — in your nervous system, your body, and the parts of you that learned survival as a way of life.

Somatic work rewires the felt sense of safety in your system.
When you include the body in the healing process, everything begins to shift:

You don’t just know you’re safe — you feel it.

Triggers lose their grip.

You stop repeating old cycles.
You move from feeling stuck in endless loops of insight and discover relief, regulation, peace and joy..

If talk therapy helped you understand the why — but not the how to change,
It’s time for a new approach.

My coaching weaves nervous system healing, somatic practices, and trauma-informed support to help you embody the freedom you’ve been working so hard to find.

If you’re done living in survival mode and ready to feel like yourself again, I offer free, gentle discovery calls where we explore what’s really going on beneath the surface — no pressure, just space to be heard.
https://portal.jillmarnee.com/sp/6516218bbed

07/25/2025

I am the Queen of over-complicating things. I am a perfectionist, which I have learned is a part of me that is considered a "protector part." It showed up because I was afraid to make mistakes or get into trouble; especially at school. If I was perfect, I would never have to feel the sense of shame that accompanied mistakes.

This is also why I am co-dependent. If I can make everyone around me happy, then I feel as though I have accomplished something--I am of value to the world. So I over-analyze the actions of others, which never leads to good outcomes because when we make assumptions, we are almost always wrong.

I am learning to let others be. I can't control their thoughts anyway so just "let them." I can only control my own actions. There is a great deal of freedom in that.

And the best times in my life are when I can simply let go and "just be." I'm not thinking about what I should have done better in the past or what I should be doing next, I am just in the moment.

It takes a lot of practice to be able to consistently stay in the moment, but it is worth the effort. It is in those moments where I appreciate being alive. Where my heart swells with the love that I have for my children. Where I appreciate the beauty of all that is around me. Everything else just fades to the background because when it comes down to it, life is about those moments, not about everything else we make it out to be.

If you spend a lot of time in your head, over-analyzing the past or planning ahead for what might come to be, you know, deep down, that you are missing the moments that truly count. Maybe you don't know how to even get to the point where you can possibly feel "in the moment" because life is totally overwhelming. Trust me, I get it.

I'd love to share with you the practices that have worked for me and to chat with you about how I might be able to help you in your journey to live in the freedom of "just being."

Send me a DM and I'd be happy to chat with you!

07/24/2025

I remember my therapist telling me that anxiety is one of the worst things to feel, but also one of the easiest to treat. That has always stuck with me because if it was so easy, why did I spend so many years in therapy with little relief from the pain? Why do I talk with women on a daily basis who suffer from anxiety? Why are so many women asking what to do in the moment when they are panicking?

I am excited to be offering Attachment Focused Bilateral Stimulation as part of my coaching. This is the method that I used to finally break free from crippling anxiety. It has changed my life.

This is a method that I can do on my own between sessions to self-regulate and when practiced regularly, can expand the capacity of my nervous system so that I can handle more challenging situations without becoming dysregulated. (It can even be used with children when they become highly activated!)

If you know that something isn't right and that life is meant to be more than just pushing through and you long to experience more grounded and joyful days, living in the present moment rather than stuck in your head worrying about what has happened in the past or all that you have to do in the future, I'd love to chat with you to see how this method can benefit you.

Send me a DM and we can chat! I currently have a few openings prior to the start of school. Make the back to school transition smoother by starting from a place of inner calm and strength.

07/23/2025

Sometimes I feel so incredibly overwhelmed, it hurts to breathe. Lately, I've been having these intense hot flashes whenever I think about our current financial situation. I can feel my brain slowing down and I just sit and stare...like I'm watching someone else live my life.

Going through the motions, desperately longing for quiet and some ice! I am trying to catch those racing thoughts before they get carried away and noticing how my body reacts is the best way to do that. Because my body understands before my brain can put words to it.

If this sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone. It is a hard and sometimes lonely road and there are days when we wonder if we will feel like this forever.

The answer is no. We won't. It will pass. The question is how do we respond to the cues our body is giving us?

If you feel stuck and overwhelmed, you can get unstuck! If you like to learn more about my Trauma Unlocking Program, send me a DM and we can work together to see how this might help you in your healing process.

Jill Marnee

09/15/2025

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