Have you ever wondered if the way you prepare for birth could completely change the experience? In this episode of The Wellness Effect, Kira shares her raw, unfiltered home birth story—from water breaking in a daycare bathroom to delivering baby Jake in just four hours. This isn't just a birth story; it's a testament to what happens when you spend years listening to your body, doing the inner work, and trusting your intuition over fear. Whether you're planning a home birth, hospital birth, or just curious about what's possible when you prioritize your health, this conversation will show you why preparation matters—and why birth doesn't have to be something you just "survive."

In this episode, you'll hear:

[00:04:46] - The four-year healing journey that prepared Kira's body and mind for this birth

[00:09:34] - Why baby positioning became an obsession in the final month (and what actually mattered)

[00:14:25] - What prodromal labor is and how Kira's body rehearsed for weeks before the real thing

[00:18:30] - The moment everything started: water breaking in a daycare bathroom during the first snowstorm

[00:31:45] - How contractions went from "mild period cramps" to "holy shit" in just hours

[00:37:38] - The toilet as the "dilation station" and why sitting down changed everything instantly

[00:42:30] - Using breath, sound, and the mantra "down, down, down" to work with contractions instead of against them

[00:44:58] - The fetal ejection reflex: when Kira's body took over and started pushing on its own

[00:47:44] - Brett catching baby Jake at home with just the doula present [00:50:47] - Why they chose to go to the hospital after the home birth for stitches and placenta delivery

[00:56:06] - The shocking differences between this birth and her first: sleep, feeding, mental health, and recovery

[00:58:27] - How mineral balance (especially potassium) made pregnancy insomnia disappear in the final weeks

Key Takeaways:

• Your baby's lungs release an enzyme when they're ready to be born—that's what actually triggers labor. Your body and baby are designed to work together.
• Delayed cord clamping (waiting 1-2 hours) allows beneficial blood and nutrients to transfer from placenta to baby—even hospitals are starting to adopt this practice
• The toilet is called the "dilation station" for a reason—squatting positions can accelerate labor dramatically

Want more from us?

Visit our website: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/

Follow us on Instagram:

@wellnesseffectpod

Lacey Iskra - @laceeiskk

Jensen - @wellnesswjensen

Kira Iskra - @kiraiskk

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @wellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

Do you feel like you're carrying a six-month-old baby in your stomach after eating? Or bloat so much from just drinking water that you're convinced something's seriously wrong? You're definitely not alone—but here's the thing: it's not normal, and it doesn't have to be your reality.

In this episode, Jensen and Lacey break down why bloating happens and—more importantly—what actually fixes it. Spoiler: it's usually not about the food. From nervous system regulation to mineral imbalances to the simple act of chewing, this conversation reveals why your body is bloating and gives you immediate, actionable tools to stop it.

Whether you're dealing with afternoon puffiness, constant digestive discomfort, or that tight-pants-by-dinner feeling, you'll learn exactly where to start.

In this episode, you'll hear:

[00:00:42] - Why bloating is common but NOT normal

[00:28:09] - How rushing and distraction during meals shut down your digestion

[00:29:31] - The fiber trap: too much or too little causes bloating

[00:30:28] - Dehydration and mineral deficiencies (sodium, potassium, magnesium) trigger gas and constipation

[00:31:27] - The circadian rhythm connection: eating late at night creates bloat

[00:34:49] - Nervous system dysregulation: fight-or-flight literally shuts down digestion

[00:37:39] - Signs you need deeper testing

[00:38:53] - Chewing trick that gives immediate results

[00:41:21] - Real food vs. ultra-processed: shop the perimeter

[00:42:01] - Nervous system regulation: deep breathing, walks, sunlight, slow mornings

[00:42:26] - Why eating before dark matters

[00:44:47] - The water-chugging mistake: don't dilute stomach acid during meals

[00:46:23] - Gluten's real impact: inflammation, not necessarily bloating

Key Takeaways:

• Bloating is a symptom of imbalance—it's your body signaling that something needs attention. The cause is usually lifestyle, nervous system state, minerals, or gut health, but it's fixable.
• Your nervous system directly controls digestion. Eating in fight-or-flight mode literally shuts down stomach acid, redirects blood flow away from your digestive organs, and kills off the good bacteria that breaks down food. Slow down and eat in rest-and-digest mode.
• A 10-minute walk after meals is one of the easiest, most effective tools—it supports motility, gets you sunlight and steps, and signals to your body that digestion matters.

Want more from us?

Visit our website: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/

Follow us on Instagram:

@wellnesseffectpod

Lacey Iskra - @laceeiskk

Jensen - @wellnesswjensen

Kira Iskra - @kiraiskk

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @wellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.

Do you finally start feeling good—better digestion, more energy, solid routines—and then suddenly stop doing the things that were working? You're not lazy—that's self-sabotaging.

Today in The Wellness Effect, we're unpacking why your body interprets peace as danger, how your nervous system craves chaos when things calm down, and the exact steps to break the cycle so you can actually hold onto your progress.

Whether you're all-or-nothing, an overthinker, or convinced you just don't have time for yourself, this episode will help you spot the pattern and stop getting in your own way.

In this episode, you'll hear:

[00:08] - What self-sabotage actually is (hint: it's a form of protection, not weakness)

[13:32] - Why your nervous system craves chaos when things finally calm down

[22:36] - The subconscious beliefs keeping you stuck: fear of losing relationships, falling behind, or something bad happening when things feel good

[26:29] - How childhood experiences create self-sabotage patterns

[30:22] - The five types of self-saboteurs: all-or-nothing, overthinker, caretaker, overachiever, and escaper

[35:20] - How to break the cycle: the five-step process from awareness to integration

[42:05] - Why you need a "path back to the path" note in your phone

[48:38] - The quantum leap concept: why the universe tests you right when you start improving

[51:43] - Why healing isn't linear and you'll keep facing the same challenges in different forms

[53:05] - How to talk to yourself when you mess up (because the shame keeps you stuck)

Key Takeaways:

• Self-sabotage is your nervous system's way of keeping you safe—if you've lived most of your life in chaos, stress, or burnout, that becomes your baseline and peace feels dangerous
• You can't out-hustle your nervous system—regulate first (through breathwork, tapping, grounding, journaling), then address the behavior
• The "path back to the path" is different for everyone—know your specific steps to get back on track and keep them in a note on your phone

Want more from us?

Visit our website: https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/

Follow us on Instagram:

@wellnesseffectpod

Lacey Iskra - @laceeiskk

Jensen - @wellnesswjensen

Kira Iskra - @kiraiskk

Lifestyle U have helped over 1,000+ women transform their mind and body and become the best version of themselves. Want to be next? Click Here to Apply! - https://www.lifestyleucoaching.ca/apply

If you loved this episode and want to hear more, subscribe and leave a review! Share this episode with a friend who's ready to start their own wellness journey. Follow us on Instagram at @wellnesseffectpod to stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and tips.