A few years ago I met Elizabeth at her cozy chic spa in Topanga called Honest Rituals. I was looking for a practitioner that could help me relieve jaw tension as I suffer from TMJ (anyone else?). I had heard that she offered a facial treatment that incorporates massage which sounded intriguing.
My experience was nothing short of calming and restorative. Not only were her hands gentle, but also her presence was soothing. As a doula who holds significant energy and emotional space for clients, I left the spa feeling lighter; Almost like my own energy had been purified. Since meeting Elizabeth, she has gone on to open a second location on the island of Kauai, where she gave birth to her daughter Penelope.
There are so many things I love about this beautiful conversation. She openly shares about her becoming pregnant and how she intuitively felt that she needed to be in a peaceful environment in order to birth her baby. She bravely discloses her experience of having a miscarriage and feeling a sense of shame. I was in awe of her willingness to speak about the loneliness that often accompanies loss. It makes you wonder how many women in the world have silently processed a loss in isolation…
So often early motherhood is depicted as a dark, turbulent season. And while it certainly can be, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised by her own experience. Through a process of self discovery, Elizabeth has found inexplicable joy in being a mother. There is a lightness to Elizabeth that is inspiring… She exudes positive energy that makes you feel a sense of peace.
I hope you enjoy this conversation :) Please share with anyone you think may need a dose of magical, adventurous, mama medicine.
You can connect with Elizabeth Carter here.
And if you want to treat yourself to an incredible facial either in Topanga or Kauai, you can book an appointment at Honest Rituals here.
4:28 Elizabeth’s formative experience as an au pair and witnessing others’ births
7:13 Feeling ready or not ready to have a baby
8:18 Balancing the pain and “shame” of a miscarriage with hope and readiness
11:46 Preparing for labor and birth and the role of intuition
16:40 Elizabeth’s birth story in the Hawaiian island of Kauai
26:26 The support of a midwife and the impact on a partner
33:43 Going into birth with intentions, not expectations
35:34 The importance of rest immediately after birth
36:39 Having a birth experience free from the mind
41:41 Postpartum and identity shifts
43:20 Changing perceptions of beauty
44:56 Words of wisdom to future mothers and the importance of choice in motherhood
Thank you for being here and for supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast.
Please like, review and share with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation.
** If you know someone that works with a brand or company that shares the ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who may be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, please email hello@keelysemler.com.
You can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website.
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