Self-love sounds beautiful in theory—but how do you actually practice it when life feels heavy and your body feels like a stranger?

In this heartfelt episode we are joined by transformational coach, yoga teacher, and global retreat leader Nadine McNeil—also known as Universal Empress. Together, they dive deep into what it really means to practice self-love.

Far beyond affirmations and bath rituals, self-love is about rebuilding trust with the body, accepting imperfections, and creating safety within yourself. Nomi and Nadine share stories from their own journeys, explore why we lose connection with our bodies in the first place, and offer practical ways to return home to yourself—no matter where you’re starting from.

From mirror work and breathwork to dancing in your room and hugging yourself like you would a child, this episode offers a powerful reminder: self-love isn’t something you wait to feel—it’s something you do.

In this episode:

• Why self-love is a practice—not just a mindset
• How to reconnect with your body after years of disconnection
• The importance of physical rituals like touch, breath, and movement
• Why discomfort, grief, and setbacks can actually be portals to healing
• How building a relationship with your body leads to deeper intuition and self-trust
• What it really looks like to meet yourself with compassion on hard days

About Nadine McNeil:

Nadine McNeil, known as the Universal Empress, is a transformational coach, yoga teacher, and retreat facilitator helping women around the world step into healing, power, and purpose. Through her workshops, global retreats, and moon circles, she guides others to come home to themselves with grace and truth. https://www.instagram.com/universalempress/?hl=en

What if a statue of your vulva could change how you see your body—and help rewrite a generation's relationship with pleasure, shame, and power?

In this boundary-breaking episode, we welcome the incredible artist and founder of Vulva Casting, Viktoria Krug. Known for her empowering vulva sculptures, Viktoria uses art to help women and vulva-havers around the world reclaim body confidence, dismantle shame, and celebrate the diversity of our bodies.

Viktoria shares how a single discovery in her twenties led to a global mission to normalize vulva diversity and empower people through casting sessions. Together, we discuss identity, self-expression, sexuality, and what it means to honor the parts of ourselves that have been hidden, judged, or misunderstood.

From boudoir photography to vulva art, this conversation explores how personal liberation can be a political act—and how simply saying yes to seeing yourself can be revolutionary.

In this episode:

• Why vulva castings are about more than art—they’re about healing and reclamation
• The emotional and cultural power behind casting the most intimate part of your body
• How shame around genitalia starts—and how we can dismantle it
• Why vulva diversity matters in conversations about sexuality, gender, and identity
• What to expect from a vulva casting session (yes, it’s safe, sacred, and deeply empowering!)
• How you can be part of the movement, even if you don’t book a session

01:45 Discovering the Diversity of Vulvas

02:37 The Emotional Journey of Vulva Casting

04:27 Global Impact and Educational Outreach

07:40 Boudoir Photography and Body Positivity

12:13 The Healing Power of Vulva Casting

12:44 The Casting Process Explained

17:09 Empowerment Through Art and Conversation

About Viktoria Krug & Vulva Casting:

Viktoria Krug is a biologist-turned-artist based in Austria, and the founder of Vulva Casting. Her mission is to challenge shame and celebrate individuality by casting real vulvas from real people around the world. Each statue is a piece of art—and a symbol of liberation, pride, and visibility.

Book Your Vulva Casting in NYC:

Viktoria will be offering limited sessions in New York City from July 21–28, 2025, hosted by Nomi at Boudoir by Nomi’s studio.

Connect with Viktoria:

• Follow on Instagram: @vulvacasting
• Learn more and book: vulvacasting.com

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com

Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact

What if the path to deeper self-awareness and healing wasn’t in doing more, but in slowing down?

Cassanie Mckenzie is a yoga teacher, wellness coach, sound healer and my dear friend based in Jamaica. In this episode, we explore Cassanie's journey from discovering yoga in her "party girl phase" to becoming a renowned teacher who integrates movement, sound, and spiritual practices into her offerings.

Cassanie shares how her personal evolution led her from intense cardio workouts to a deeper connection with her body, mind, and spirit through yoga and wellness - because movement is not about weight loss. They we chat into the importance of nourishing practices, the role of the womb as a creative and energetic center, and how retreats and cleanses can transform lives.

02:35 Cassanie's Journey into Yoga

06:40 First Yoga Class Experience

11:05 Transition to Professional Yoga

15:50 First Teaching Experience

23:09 The Spiritual Connection of Music and Life Experiences

24:13 The Deeper Purpose of Movement and Cleansing

25:58 Understanding the Womb Cleanse

26:44 The Role of Yoga and Physical Practices

32:37 Embracing Plant Medicine and Holistic Healing

34:21 Starting Your Journey with Movement and Yoga

37:31 Connecting with Cassanie and Upcoming Retreats

41:59 The Importance of Nourishment and Personal Growth

Connect with Cassanie:

Website: https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassanisun/

Retreats: https://www.cassaniemckenzie.com/curated-retreats-1

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com

Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact

How do we connect with our divine feminine and honor the balance between creation, nurturing, and healing in our lives?

Welcome to Season 2 of Because I Love My Body! In this episode, host Nomi sits down with Empress Thandi, founder of the Wise Wellness Center in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Empress Thandi shares her incredible journey of self-healing and how it led her to become a wellness practitioner and healer.

Together, they explore the powerful concepts of divine femininity, balance, and creation, offering practical ways to connect with your divine feminine energy—even in urban environments. The cover the ancient practice of Yoni steaming, the importance of honoring the womb as a center of creation (beyond childbirth), and how we can embrace the different phases of womanhood.

Connect with Empress Tandi:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empressthandi/

Website: https://wisewellnessja.com/about-us/the-team/

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: https://boudoirbynomi.com

Schedule a consult: https://boudoirbynomi.com/contact

You’ve heard about body positivity before, but it’s not realistic to always feel positive about your body.

In today’s episode, Nomi discusses the concepts of body positivity, body neutrality, and body liberation.

She explains the differences between each, how they intersect, and why they’re all essential tools for building a healthy relationship with our bodies.

Nomi also discusses how boudoir photography aligns with these philosophies by offering a space to celebrate and embrace bodies of all shapes and sizes.

Nomi then chats with a recent boudoir client, Wani, who shares how her photoshoot was a transformative experience in embracing her authentic self and how she could see both feminine and masculine energy come through in the shoot.

The episode finishes with the “Ask Nomi” segment, where Nomi breaks down the concepts of masculine and feminine energy and how these energies play a role in daily life.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Body positivity, neutrality, and liberation
• 14:03 – Client interview: Wani celebrates her 40th birthday with a boudoir photography session
• 27:21 – “Ask Nomi” segment: What is masculine and feminine energy?

Thank you so much for listening! Don’t forget to rate the show, subscribe and share it on Instagram! See you next week.

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: boudoirbynomi

Schedule a consult: here

In this special season finale of Because I Love My Body, Nomi shares a beautiful guided meditation designed to help you connect with your body, release tension, and embrace self-love.

It doesn’t matter if you’re new to meditation or have a regular practice; there is no right or wrong way to meditate. Just taking this time to be with yourself is enough!

This meditation is your opportunity to reconnect with yourself and step into the next chapter with calm and confidence.

Thank you for joining Nomi for this first season of Because I Love My Body. Every kind word, share, and rating is so appreciated!

See you in the new year for Season Two!

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: boudoirbynomi

Schedule a consult: here

Nomi opens up today about her experience of having a miscarriage and how she has navigated the emotional and physical challenges that came with it.

She shares how she is learning to trust and love her body, even when it doesn’t do ‘what it’s supposed to do,’ and the importance of honoring where she is emotionally and physically each day as part of her healing journey.

Later in the episode, Nomi speaks with her SoulCycle instructor and boudoir client, Chanel. Chanel shares her journey from professional dance to fitness, the transformative power of music and movement, and her experience during her boudoir session with Nomi.

Together, they reflect on the profound connection between movement, self-expression, and body empowerment.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Healing from miscarriage

15:30 – Client chat with Chanel about how to connect with your body

Connect with Chanel:

Instagram: chanelnicoleofficial

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: boudoirbynomi

Schedule a consult: here

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of ‘Because I Love My Body’. Make sure to rate it 5 stars and share it with a friend if you enjoyed!

Today Nomi is going to chat about the history and flaws of the Body Mass Index (BMI). She discusses how the BMI is an outdated, oversimplified, and biased metric that fails to account for the diversity of human bodies. From its origins 200 years ago by a Belgian mathematician to its problematic application in modern health metrics, Nomi challenges its relevance and gives you permission to throw it out the window!

In the Ask Nomi segment, she shares the most rewarding aspects of being a boudoir photographer.

And to finish up, Nomi has an inspiring chat with her client Nicole, a bodybuilder who shares how boudoir photography has helped her celebrate her body at different stages of her life. Nicole opens up about her journey to self-love, overcoming body image struggles, and finding joy in her 40s and 50s.

Timestamps:

00:00 The Truth About BMI

05:16 Ask Nomi: The Rewards of Boudoir Photography

06:50 Client Interview: Nicole's Boudoir Experience

NY Times article on BRI mentioned: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/06/health/body-roundness-index-bmi.html

Connect with Nomi:

Instagram: @boudoirbynomi

Website: boudoirbynomi

Schedule a consult: here