In this heartfelt episode of Unmasking Motherhood, host Beth welcomes Ilona, a somatic coach and breathwork practitioner who dives deep into the messy beauty of motherhood, the power of emotions, and the critical role of nervous system healing for moms. Ilona opens up about the culture shock of moving to the U.S., the trauma of a challenging birth, and the "dark night of the soul" she faced postpartum. She explores how motherhood triggered her inner wounds, sparked mom rage, and ultimately led her to embrace anger as a gateway to personal power. She offers practical tools—like breathwork and somatic awareness—to help moms process emotions, ditch the victim mindset, and show up fully for their kids.

We dive into:

- Growing up in Ukraine without a mom, raised by a grandmother amidst a stark class divide.

- An unexpected pregnancy that defied her body’s odds—and a traumatic birth that tested her resilience.

- Why the lack of a "village" sent her into survival mode—and how she wishes moms knew this is normal.

- Practical tools: Slow down, breathe, and locate anger in your body to shift it in 90 seconds.

- The power of repairing mistakes with kids and watching them light up.

About the Guest

Ilona Luff is an Author, Personal Transformation Coach, Trauma Informed Somatic Breathwork Practictioner who specializes in Nervous System Healing. She supports people in turning their pain and trauma into power and purpose. You can find her on instagram here

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