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  • Writer's pictureMadhurima Sappatti

Insights from 12 Experts for Managing Stress - From Exercising to Improving Gut Health

In the digital era, where information is accessible, searching for “How to Manage Stress” will get you a bucketload of information that might potentially overwhelm you further and make the entire experience a stressor in and of itself.


A woman doing yoga during sunrise

This is why we are bringing together 25 global experts who will share their best tips and strategies for managing stress around multiple topics. Together, they will create a fantastic package that touches upon most aspects of your life!


But don’t take my word for it! Here’s a sneak peek of some of the experts and what they will be sharing at Freedom Fiesta in their own words!



Kim Rendon - Bringing Balance to the Belly: Improving Gut Health to Manage Stress


Kim Rendon - Bringing Balance to the Belly: Improving Gut Health to Manage Stress

The connection between gut health and stress is a crucial aspect of overall well-being that is often overlooked.


As research continues to uncover the intricate relationship between the gut and the brain, it becomes increasingly clear that maintaining a healthy gut is essential for effective stress management.


This topic is of utmost importance, as chronic stress and poor gut health can lead to a wide range of physical and mental


health issues, ultimately impacting an individual's quality of life.


The gut-brain axis is a bidirectional communication pathway linking the digestive and central nervous systems. This means that not only can stress affect gut health, but the state of the gut can also influence stress levels and emotional well-being.


When an individual experiences chronic stress, it can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut microbiome, leading to inflammation, increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and a host of digestive issues such as bloating, abdominal pain, and irregular bowel movements.


On the other hand, an unhealthy gut can send signals to the brain that trigger or exacerbate stress, anxiety, and even depression.


Understanding the gut-stress connection is a critical component of effective stress management. Individuals can break the vicious cycle of stress and digestive issues by addressing gut health through proper nutrition, probiotics, and stress-reduction techniques. 


At Freedom Fiesta, I aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to take control of their gut health.


Subsequently, their stress levels can help them break free from the cycle of stress and gut dysfunction, ultimately leading to improved physical and mental health, enhanced resilience, and a better quality of life.


Karen Molan - How to Manage the 4 Personality Responses to Stress


Karen Molan - How to manage the 4 Personality responses to stress

Many facets go into making up a person’s personality, including their birth order position, the level of encouragement they receive (or not), their parents' parenting style, and how they interpret that. However, people tend to lean toward one of four priorities regarding stress. When stressed, people can lean into,


1. Moral Superiority

2. Control

3. People pleasing

4. Avoidance.


The psychologist Nira Kefir (1971) developed this Lifestyle Priority Theory, which states that we each have these personality traits within us, but when stressed, one will become more prevalent than the other and motivate our actions. Understanding which Priority you lean into is vital in helping you deal with stress. 


As with any situation, it is essential to remember that the aim is not to categorize people. Instead, I look at the behaviors to help identify the priority and thus help the client deal with their stress more productively and encouragingly.


Understanding your priority is the key to dealing with stress. We can’t avoid stress...we can learn how to use our priorities to handle stress better and not put ourselves into the position we are so earnestly trying to avoid.


Cindy Vallone - How to Use Essential Oils to Decrease Stress & Optimize Your Wellness


Cindy Vallone - How to use Essential Oils to Decrease Stress & Optimize Your Wellness

Did you know that according to the U.S. Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey, nearly one-third of adults (32.3%) reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023?


And, worldwide, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the world. Roughly 301 million people, an estimated 4% of the global population, have an anxiety disorder. 


I think we can all agree that these numbers are staggering, and I’m happy to share


some simple tips for decreasing stress and anxiety using essential oils.  


Essential oils are the essences of a plant that are distilled and prepared for you to support your physical, emotional, and mental wellness needs. Inside many plants—hidden in roots, seeds, flowers, bark—are concentrated, highly potent chemical compounds that give a plant its scent and protect it from hazardous environmental conditions. These same essential oils can help support us, as well. 


If you are looking for safe and natural solutions for stress, anxiety, mood management, and sleep, please join me at the Freedom Fiesta to learn how to incorporate essential oils into your wellness routine easily. 


Heather Jones - Pressing Pause on the Inner Critic


Heather Jones - Pressing Pause on the Inner Critic

The inner critic is one of the most common challenges I encounter with clients. This persistent voice relentlessly judges our actions, thoughts, and even emotions. It thrives on negativity, highlighting our flaws and magnifying our mistakes. What strikes me most is that we all experience this internal criticism—it's a universal human experience.


The frustrating truth is that the inner critic can significantly negatively impact our well-being. Its constant flow of negativity can be


a significant source of stress, chipping away at our confidence and self-esteem.


It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, paralyzing us with fear of failure and preventing us from taking risks or pursuing our goals. This self-doubt can also make us fearful of judgment from others.


The good news, however, is that the inner critic's power can be diminished. By becoming aware of its existence and developing coping tools, we can learn to quiet its voice and cultivate a more compassionate inner voice.


Dawn Heywood - Chair Zen for Caregivers - Bust Isolation and Guilt


Dawn Heywood - Chair Zen for Caregivers - Bust Isolation and Guilt

Have you ever noticed what happens to your body when you are stressed? Take a deep breath. Now, take a moment to observe what just happened in your body.


The body remembers each moment of life. As we age, we become more sensitive to the environment and stress. Chair yoga is an excellent tool for taming and channeling stress. The combination of gentle movement and breath can help manage pain and keep you active.



Chair yoga is excellent for everyone, especially for anybody with chronic fibromyalgia or back pain. Regular practice makes you feel more relaxed and rested, and you may find you can move with less pain. Chair yoga is also an excellent complement to your other pain management tools.


Dana-Sofie Šlancarová - Unlock Your Cyclic Superpowers: Tips to Manage Stress and Boost Energy Throughout Your Menstrual Cycle


Dana-Sofie Šlancarová - Unlock Your Cyclic Superpowers: Tips to Manage Stress and Boost Energy Throughout Your Menstrual Cycle

In her presentation titled "Unlock Your Cyclic Superpowers: Tips to Manage Stress and Boost Energy Throughout Your Menstrual Cycle," Dana-Sofie Šlancarová, the Cycle Success Catalyst, offers insights into navigating the ups and downs of the monthly cycle. 


She shares practical strategies for maintaining well-being and vitality throughout the month, focusing on overcoming challenges like PMS symptoms, fatigue, and low motivation during


menstruation.


Join Dana-Sofie on this empowering journey as she guides you through how to become more organized, flexible, creative, efficient, and productive while still feeling genuinely happy and relaxed.


Her tips allow you to witness your business account overflow with money and make the impact on the world you've dreamed of while also creating more free time for personal and familial pursuits.


Andrea Hunt - Emotional Health and Empowerment Using the EFT Tapping Technique


Andrea Hunt - Emotional Health and Empowerment Using the EFT Tapping Technique

Have you ever noticed how sometimes it’s hard to calm your brain and emotions down, no matter how often you try to meditate, walk, or do yoga?


This struggle of not feeling like you can calm down your brain often boils down to how our nervous system handles stress. It’s like our body’s alarm system sometimes gets stuck in the “on” position. Calming down can feel tricky, frustrating, and nearly impossible when this happens. I get it! I’ve been there!


That’s where EFT tapping steps in as a potential game-changer. It’s a tool I found almost 12 years ago. EFT stands for the Emotional Freedom Technique and is like a magic self-soothing button for your body. By tapping on specific accu-points on your body, you can message your brain that it’s time to relax and turn off the fight, flight, or freeze response.


This simple yet effective method can help guide your nervous system back to a calm state, making it easier to unwind, ground yourself, and feel at ease.


Whether you’re doing EFT tapping solo using an app or videos or hiring a skilled professional to guide you, it's a powerful modality anyone can use.


It’s not about dodging life’s hurdles but meeting them with a resilience that surprises even you.


And for those moments when fears feel larger than life, EFT tapping can help shrink them down to size, making them more manageable. Just with your fingertips and an open mind, you can pave the way to a healthier, more emotionally resilient you.


Cara Jean Wilson - The Science of You


Cara Jean Wilson - The Science of You

Are you ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation? Join us for an exhilarating exploration into the depths of human science. We'll explore the fascinating realms of energy, epigenetics, and the essence of what makes us truly extraordinary.


Bare-Ass Minimum (BAMs) for Energy


Finding the energy to thrive in a world filled with constant demands and distractions can feel like an uphill battle.


But fear not! We'll unveil the secrets to maximizing your vitality with BAMs – simple yet powerful practices that fuel your body, mind, and soul.


Say goodbye to exhaustion and hello to boundless energy as we uncover the bare essentials for living your best life.


Suit, Soup, Stardust, and Mush Management


Have you ever wondered what makes you, well, you? Prepare to be amazed as we unravel the intricate layers of your being, from the physical suit that houses your spirit to the cosmic stardust that dances within your DNA.


We'll explore the delicate balance of managing the soup of neurotransmitters in your brain and the mush of emotions in your heart, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience.


Join us on this exhilarating journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Together, we'll unlock the secrets of the universe within and unleash the boundless potential of the human spirit.


Robynn Powers - Work Out, Don't Stress Out: Relieving Stress Through Movement


Robynn Powers - Work Out, Don't Stress Out: Relieving Stress Through Movement

Are you tired of feeling like your mind and body are at war with each other? It's time to embrace the profound synergy between your physical and mental well-being.


Too often, we compartmentalize these aspects of ourselves, but the truth is they are intrinsically intertwined. When you nurture one, the other naturally flourishes in response.


By consciously prioritizing movement and physical health, you'll experience a


profound uplift in your mental state. As your mental well-being soars, you'll instinctively gravitate towards an active lifestyle.


We live in a world that seems to cultivate stress at every turn. The constant demands of work, family, and daily life can leave us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. While some stress is unavoidable, that doesn't mean we must resign ourselves to its debilitating effects.


Our bodies are hardwired to respond to mental stress with a physical reaction - releasing cortisol, the "fight or flight" hormone. But how often do we need to fight or flee in our modern lives? Rarely, if ever. This primes our bodies for physical exertion that seldom comes.


The solution lies in leveraging this biological response to our advantage. Physical movement is nature's antidote to stress, allowing us to channel and dissipate that pent-up cortisol healthily. Don't let stress continue to wage war on your well-being.


Ruth Stern - The Revolutionary Tapping Technique To Conquer Anxiety & Stress


Ruth Stern - The Revolutionary Tapping Technique To Conquer Anxiety & Stress

EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), also known as Tapping, is an energy psychology technique based on the principles of Chinese acupuncture. Dr. Gary Craig, an engineer and performance coach, founded it.


EFT helps to clear the blocks to heal from painful experiences, stress, physical pain, etc., with remarkable speed and long-lasting effects. It is an emotional version of acupuncture without needles.



In my talk, you will learn how to awaken your healer within, heal anxiety and stress, and calm your nervous system in minutes with Tapping- a proven research method.


As we tap on the meridian points and tune into the stress we experience, we send a calming signal to the amygdala, which is the fight-or-flight center of the brain. As we calm the nervous system with this technique, the thoughts and emotions connected to the stressful situation start to shift. We are rewiring the brain by turning off the fight-or-flight response, feeling more calm, safe, and grounded.


We become less reactive, more resourceful, and make better decisions. We perceive our situation with a new perspective.


It can also heal the root of the present pain or stress we experience as we connect with our subconscious mind, where our core beliefs live. The transformational shifts we make with Tapping help us not only release stress and anxiety but also allow us to move to our highest potential as we make these transformation shifts.


Ani Papazyan - Calm Chaos: Your Stress Solution


Ani Papazyan - Calm Chaos: Your Stress Solution

In my presentation, I'm excited to address a common misconception about stress – that it's always the villain in our lives.


It's important to understand that a small amount of stress can be beneficial. Stress, in moderation, serves as a driving force, propelling us to reach our full potential and meet life's challenges head-on.


I'll share practical self-help techniques to help us manage stress and leverage it as a source of motivation and personal growth.


These strategies will empower each of us to strike a balance, allowing stress to work for us, not against us.


By the end of the presentation, you'll have a fresh perspective on stress and a toolkit to transform it into a catalyst for resilience, motivation, and overall well-being in your daily life.


Amanda Dobra Hope - Unify Your Team Without Burning Yourself Out


Amanda Dobra Hope - Unify Your Team Without Burning Yourself Out

When you're leading a team, you're undoubtedly mixing personalities, ideas, learning and working styles, emotions, and more.


So, how do you unify your team and maintain a cohesive unit without burning yourself out?


The key lies in your ability to become a master spaceholder.


What is a master spaceholder, and how can


learning the tips and tools of the trade help you become an exceptional leader with plenty of energy left for yourself and your dreams, pursuits, and endeavors?


Well, that’s a conversation for my slot at Freedom Fiesta! Are you coming?


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So, are you ready to learn from these and many other experts at Freedom Fiesta? Grab your free tickets below so we can further support your stress management journey!



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Contribute however you can to help us build a stress-free world and address other pressing issues. You can write for us, share our articles, advise, volunteer, donate, etc.


We use this help to provide awareness, training, and education to youth from underserved communities (though our material is available for all) to help them become better leaders of tomorrow.


Please share your thoughts on this issue in the comments section below. For collaborations, contact us at info@iyops.com.


Thank you and take care!


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Madhurima Sappatti is a Global Stress Management Facilitator who loves to support multi-passionate and ambitious dreamers in managing their stress and preventing burnout so that they can follow their dreams without their own selves holding them back.


She is on a mission to make Stress Management Fun so that people can regularly practice stress management techniques that are made for them!


Edits by Aswin Raghav.

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