Your Body May Be Telling You Something
Is this still a safe space? I hope so, since I created it. Let me be transparent with you.
Tuesday afternoon, I had to check myself into the ER because I was experiencing chest pains. And even though I had reasons to believe stress and anxiety could be contributing to what I was feeling, I wasn't willing to assume that. I needed to get checked especially as a black man with past health issues.
Thankfully, I was able to get evaluated. But the experience reminded me of something we don't talk about enough: Stress doesn't just live in your mind. Your body feels it too.
I've been carrying A LOT! I'm sure you have been too. For me it's been...
Fatherhood
Marriage
Business
Speaking
Ministry
Leadership
Trying to show up for the people who depend on me.
And sometimes, I become so accustomed to carrying pressure that I don't recognize how much it's costing me. Can you relate?
It's often not until our bodies start talking, that we slow down to recognize how fast we've been going.
WHAT I'M LEARNING
Stress is a normal part of life, and it's not going anywhere. We actually need it for our personal development and our ability to increase our capacity.
But chronic, unmanaged stress is different.
When we're constantly under pressure, our bodies can remain in a heightened state of alert. That can affect our sleep, concentration, mood, energy, relationships, and physical well-being.
That's why emotional resilience isn't about becoming someone who never gets stressed. It's learning how to recognize stress before it begins running your life.
For me, that means becoming more intentional about checking in with myself.
How am I actually feeling?
What am I carrying?
What have I been avoiding?
Am I resting?
Am I taking care of my body?
Am I making space for God?
And perhaps most importantly: Do I need help?
"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
— Proverbs 14:30
There is something powerful about that picture. Our internal world matters. And taking care of your mental and emotional health isn't selfish. It's stewardship.
Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is slow down. Sometimes it's setting a boundary. Sometimes it's talking to somebody. Sometimes it's getting the medical attention your body needs.
And sometimes it's admitting: "I can't keep doing this the way I've been doing it."
That's not weakness. That's awareness.
Don't wait until you're completely depleted to start taking care of yourself.
Pay attention while you still have something left to give.
REFLECT + RESPOND
1. What has been creating the most stress in my life lately—and have I actually addressed it?
2. What signals has my mind or body been giving me that I may have been ignoring?
3. What is one thing I can do this week to create more margin, rest, or emotional support in my life?
THIS WEEK'S PRACTICE
(The Stress Check-In)
Once a day this week, pause for two minutes and ask yourself:
Mind: What am I thinking?
Body: What am I feeling physically?
Emotions: What am I feeling emotionally?
Spirit: What do I need to surrender to God?
You don't have to fix everything in that moment.
Just notice.
Awareness is often the first step toward change.
And if you're experiencing concerning or persistent physical symptoms, especially chest pain—please don't assume it's "just stress." Get evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. Better safe than sorry.
QUOTE TO CARRY
"Your body isn't always working against you.
Sometimes it's trying to get your attention."
"NATE, HOW DID YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE AS A SPEAKER?"
I've heard this one a lot lately. And usually, what people are really asking is: "Can you help me get there too?"
The answer is: maybe.
I'm opening a limited number of 15-minute discovery sessions for people who are looking for coaching around personal development, emotional resilience, developing and deploying their voice through storytelling, and becoming more confident in their voice and calling to speak.
We'll talk about where you are, where you're trying to go, and whether I'm actually the right coach to help you get there.
No pressure. No hard sell.
Just a conversation.
FOR THE MEN WHO KNOW THEY NEED A SPACE TO GROW
I'm opening enrollment for my Emotional Resilience Coaching Cohort for Men.
This is a bi-weekly coaching experience for men who are ready to stop simply managing life and start developing the emotional tools to navigate it differently.
We'll work through emotional awareness, resilience, communication, accountability, relationships, and the internal work required to lead well.
Because you don't need another space where you're expected to have all the answers.
You need a space where you can do the work.
YOU'VE FOUND YOUR NEXT SPEAKER
This is the work I care deeply about helping people become more emotionally aware, resilient, and intentional in how they lead themselves and others.
Whether I'm speaking to an organization, facilitating a workshop, or coaching someone through their personal development, my goal is the same:
Help people move from simply functioning to becoming healthier from the inside out.
If your organization, school, ministry, or leadership team is looking for a speaker or facilitator around emotional wellness, resilience, emotional fluency, or healthy leadership, I'd love to have a conversation.
Always remember...
You were made to thrive.
Not by pretending the pressure isn't there, but by becoming aware enough to recognize what it's doing to you—and courageous enough to do something about it.
Take care of your mind.
Take care of your body.
Take care of your soul.
You are worth taking care of.
With you on the journey,
– Nate
"You are WORTHY by design"
- Nate
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