Healing doesn’t happen alone, it happens in connection.
Love this beautiful conversation with the incredible Bethany Lewis ~ occupational therapist, mama of six, and founder of The Concussion Coach.
Hey y’all, welcome to More Lovin, the podcast that brings more laughter, light, and love into everyday life. I’m your host LeAnn Austin, and together we’ll rediscover the beauty of connection to your body, your mind, your spirit, and the people you love.
Today’s episode #224: Healing Happens in Connection with Bethany Lewis
I love observing and connecting with people who bring More Lovin into their lives and relationships. It’s so inspiring to see how each person does it in their own way.
We have the incredible Bethany sharing some beautiful love and relationship insights with us today. All right Bethany, tell us a little bit about you.
Hi LeAnn. Thanks for letting me be here. I’m so excited. I am Bethany Lewis. I am a wife and a mom of six. My oldest is 16 and my youngest is five. So they’re all home and they keep us very busy. I grew up in Delaware and I live in Utah now. I am an occupational therapist and certified life coach.
I worked at a concussion clinic for a number of years, and that just really opened my eyes to the world of brain injury specifically. What they call mild traumatic brain injury, which is concussions and how impactful those could be. Like it can just absolutely turn somebody’s world upside down and I had no idea.
You’d hear like, oh, it’s just a concussion. And then, it’s not just a concussion. And so anyway, when I learned about that and how much people were struggling, I just became very passionate about it and seeing the results people were getting, and that they can actually like find healing after even years of suffering with these symptoms. It was very exciting to me.
I just felt very passionate about working in this space and trying to make a difference for people. So I started, I combined my passion for helping people with concussions and my passion for life coaching, and started a business called The Concussion Coach, where I do one-on-one coaching to help people who are struggling with long-term, like long lasting concussion symptoms.
I have a podcast where I love sharing information on, like quality information, because there’s not a whole lot of that out there for people with concussions. So I want to get good information to people and I want to share stories so that people don’t feel alone and know that they’re not crazy or lazy, they’re just dealing with a brain injury. So anyway, that is me in a not super short nutshell, but that’s what I do and why that is.
That is so amazing. And six kids between five and 16 you said, oh my goodness. And concussion, I love that you’ve honed in on that because I think so many people have experienced that and they don’t know how to deal with that. So yes, thank you.
I feel very strongly about it, as you can tell. But it’s funny because I kind of went into it kicking and screaming. Like I knew that I loved helping people in that realm, but when I started my business, I was initially doing family relationship coaching, because relationships I feel very strongly about. I really love and want people to feel that, and so that was like a big deal to me.
And then I felt kind of called and guided into switching over my focus, like niching down into helping people with concussions. I did a little bit of kicking and screaming, and then once I finally was like, okay fine. Then I was like, oh, this is the best thing ever and I love it.
So yes, it’s because not very many people have that expertise in that area. So for you to take that and dive in and really give people, you know, basic, real information is gold. Thank you. I do really, really love it. I’m so grateful. Grateful to have been guided this way and feel very strongly about it, so thank you. I appreciate it. That is awesome.
Well, tell us, how do you bring more love in into your life and business, and how has that impacted your relationships? That is a great question. Like I said, I would say my number one resource is prayer. Like every single day I’m begging God to give me the gift of charity and to help me see.
Like, I get emotional about, I see other people and myself the way he does. It really does just make all the difference. It helps me to be more compassionate, more forgiving of myself and others, and open to seeing other people’s perspectives. And I think it helps too, like before every coaching call, help me to have unconditional love and hold space for them. And it’s very, very cool to feel that gift coming through, when it does and it’s a blessing to get to feel that kind of love for people. I just love it. So that’s that.
I love that so much too. That’s beautiful. Because I think when we put God in the details of whatever we’re doing, or for people, you know, the universe, whatever the higher power that you believe in, into our lives and really look towards that, it makes such a difference.
And I love that you’re really mindful of prayer in everything that you’re doing. That’s beautiful. I need it. Me too. Exactly, I hear you. Yeah, that’s awesome. Well, what is something that you love about you and why? It’s funny, when I first heard this question I was like, I love that I love people, which is just kind of going along with the theme here.
But I think that that is a, obviously I work hard at begging God for it, but I do think it comes more naturally to me as well, and I’m very grateful for that. Because it just makes life a lot nicer to get to love and enjoy people. So that’s something that I love about myself and that’s a beautiful thing.
I love that you recognize that because you’re so good at that. I’ve only had the opportunity to meet you in person once, but just feeling your vibe and connection. You can feel that love and I think that is a beautiful thing. Oh my goodness. When we intentionally try to have more love in our lives, how that also radiates to other people. And so I love that you love that about you. That’s cool. That’s very meaningful. Thank you. All right, so when you think about connection with others or with yourself, what comes to mind?
Okay, so this is a great question as well. I think when I think of connection, there’s a phrase that comes to my mind that our mutual friend Leah Davidson taught us, which is: healing happens in connection.
And I see that in my own life and I really see that that’s so important with my clients. But just like in my own life, even this morning, I had a bit of a rough morning and it was, I had to do some thought downloads and journaling. I was like struggling a little bit and then I went and worked with a, I do home health as well. I was working with my client and talking to her and her caregiver and just felt so much better afterwards.
I’m like, this always happens. If I’m like struggling, if I can get, and maybe it’s distraction, I don’t know, but if I can connect with other people, it does tend to heal my heart a little bit. And you know, I still need to revisit and continue to resolve the issues that I was dealing with, but it definitely helps give perspective and lightens things.
And then with my clients, I see that healing happening in connection as well. That people suffering with post-concussion syndrome, connection can be particularly hard because everything is so overstimulating and it’s hard to focus on a conversation and to remember what people are even talking about.
And it can be very overwhelming and overstimulating even just talking to someone. And so, like we all need it. Healing does happen in connection. So I’ve had people tell me that even if, you know, somebody wasn’t saying anything, if they were just with them, and like didn’t even have a conversation, they were just together, that was very, very meaningful and very helpful for them and healing for them.
I think something else, like on the realm of PCs, post-concussion syndrome, if, you know, people can, the loved ones are interested in them. Like believe them when they tell them what they’re experiencing and show that they care by researching and seeking to understand what they’re going through. Like all of those things, I think just build that connection. And I have had so many people tell me that those specific things were very, very helpful in their healing journey. So I am very supportive of them. So anyway, when I think of connection, I think of that: healing happens in connection.
I think it’s so true. I love that so much. And yeah, thank goodness for Leah too, for teaching us all these amazing things about our nervous system as well. And I love that you’ve worked with that with your clients and their family or friends or whatever. To really emphasize building that connection, because it’s one of the five basics. I mean that’s why we as humans, we’re born to connect. And so when we withdraw and don’t connect from anything, it definitely has a huge impact on our lives and makes everything worse. It really does. A hundred percent. Yeah.
But it can feel so protective to do that too. So I understand it’s not uncomplicated, but it is really important. So yes. Well, and I love that you work with people on that to emphasize the connection, because often, and I’m sure I don’t know much about concussions and all of that kind of thing, but I would think that it would be easy to retreat and pull back and not connect with people. Yes, absolutely. You’re absolutely right. Yes, it can be. Again, because it feels so overstimulating because people don’t understand, a lot of times it just, it feels like easier or again, more protective just to like pull back in a way and that makes it harder. So it’s just, yeah it’s hard.
But I do believe that that connection really does make a difference. Oh, I’m so glad you’re teaching that and showing people how to do that. That’s awesome. So grateful to be understanding it through Leah’s nervous system stuff. It’s so, so good. Yes. All right, so anything else that you want to share and where can our listeners connect with you and learn more about you?
Sure. Well, there’s another story that I wanna share, but I’m gonna wait till the next question to do that one. Okay. Sounds good. I guess as far as finding out more, again, I do feel very strongly about the podcast that I get to do. It’s like, feels like a passion project. I just really love to interview people who’ve had post-concussion syndrome or like long lasting concussion symptoms and hear their stories.
And then I also interview professionals who work with that within this population and in this space. And so there’s a lot of, like it’s so fun for me to get to connect with people and learn about them and hear their stories. I, again, I love people. I love hearing, I love all of that. But I know that it’s been helpful for other people. I’ve had a lot of positive feedback that people don’t feel as alone when they hear that other people, you know, their story and what they’ve experienced, or they get good tips and information of what can help with what they’re dealing with. So anyway, I really love that.
And it’s just the Concussion Coach Podcast. It’s on any podcasting platform and on YouTube. So definitely if anybody knows somebody who’s struggling with concussion symptoms and everybody knows somebody, it’s crazy, then please pass that on to them. A lot of good free information.
I also have Instagram and Facebook, just the concussion coach on both of those. And then my website is: theconcussioncoach.com, and there’s a free guide for helping loved ones know how to best support their loved one dealing with a concussion. And then I do free consultations, so you can sign up for that on the website too.
That is awesome, and I’ll put all this in the show notes as well. But I love, I mean, I highly encourage everyone to check out, listen to your podcast, all the things because man, you are tender and know so much, and I love that you’re sharing it with the world. That’s awesome.
Thanks. I do love doing it. It really is so funny because as I’ve, you know, there have been multiple times since starting this business and I’m like, why am I doing this again? Like it’s costing money and a lot of time, that I don’t feel like I have a lot of time to do this. But it’s just like when I think about it, I’m like, I can’t not do this. Like, in my core, I know that this is something that needs to be happening, at least right now. So yeah, I really do love doing it, and feel like it is something that’s needs to be happening right now. So anyway, thank you for giving me a chance to put it out there, ’cause I do like that more people can hear it. I hope that more people can be blessed and benefited by it. Absolutely. That’s awesome.
Alright, so what’s your favorite quote about love and how has it shaped your life and relationships? Okay, so funny story, actually, I didn’t tell you this before, but I have two and I’m sorry, I’m gonna throw another one out there. Share both of them? Yes, please, yes. So, the first one is by Thomas S. Monson. I love his quote where he says: “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” That just really resonated with me the first time I heard it, and it’s just so true.
Like we, it’s so easy for us to get confused about what matters and like what’s important and especially I think, I don’t know, I used that quote on a picture that I had of one of my younger brothers, it’s such a cute picture. He was pulling his daughter who’s like one or two on a sled and the lighting was just perfect. It was just like, I don’t know, for some reason that that picture just said that to me. I never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Especially with littles, I think it can be so easy to be like, no, we have to get this thing done and you’re the problem. Right, and so it was just, it’s a good reminder for me. That it, the people are the ones that matter. So I love that quote.
And then the other one is by Mary Lou Kownacki. I actually don’t know how to say her last name. And apparently this is a quote that Mr. Rogers kept in his pocket. Ah, that’s cool. It says: “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t love once you’ve heard their story.” And I have found that to be true in my life.
I had a story to share that does not paint me in the best light, but it was an experience that proved to me that this was true. I was in my, probably early twenties and I was going somewhere, I don’t know, I was traveling by myself, and I was in the airport and as I was like going to, you know, sit in the area, the waiting area. I saw this guy and my first thought was like, oh, I hope I don’t sit next to him.
I don’t remember why, I dunno what it was about him, but I was like, judgment, immediate judgment. And it was like, oh, I hope I don’t sit next to him. And then almost as immediate, the sure knowledge came into my head that I am gonna sit next to him and that I’m going to get to know him and then I’m gonna love him.
I was so annoyed, but I was like, that’s gonna have to be what happens, because I had that thought. So sure enough, I’m sitting in the plane, I’m in the middle, and like he, I see him coming down the aisle and he sits right next to me. I was like, uh, I knew it. I called it. And then sure enough, I got to talking to him, learn more about him, and of course I just loved him. Like it was just so funny.
So I think it was later after that experience that I saw that quote and I was like, that’s so true. Like I know from personal experience, when we get to know people, and I think that’s the whole thing of requesting that charity. If we can see people as God sees them, then it’s impossible not to love them. So yeah.
I love that so, so, so much. Both of those quotes. And one of my favorites is you either love someone or you don’t understand them. And I really think that story ties right into it because if you look to understand and if you listen to their story, and if you’re looking to that. Like, how can I understand, how can I see it just a little bit differently? Then you feel more of that love.
So I love, that’s so funny on the airport guy, you’re like, yeah, and I’m gonna love you. And you just knew it. So yeah, it was really funny. I think God was like, let me teach you a lesson. It was a good lesson, I guess.
Yes it was. Well I mean, it’s helped you and I’m sure it’s helped tons of your clients and family and all of it, so that’s awesome. Well, so many good quotes. Like, never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved. I love that one too.
Like problems don’t have to be, I mean, yes, there are big problems and yes, they’re frustrating, but when we can turn back to love, that makes such a difference and listening to their story. Hmmm, something to think about. I love that. Me too. Grateful for smart people who say these things. Exactly. I know, it’s so good.
Alright, well thank you Bethany, for sharing your love insights with us. So, so, so grateful for you and the love that you put out in the world, so appreciate that. Thank you LeAnn. I appreciate what you’re doing as well. It’s wonderful to talk about love and like actually focus on it for a minute. So thank you for what you’re doing. Awesome.
Alright, well here’s to healing happens in connection and more lovin. Have a good one y’all.
Thanks for tuning in. If you are ready to take what we talk about here and make it personal, let’s work together one-on-one. I’ll help you calm your nervous system, strengthen your relationships, and create more loving, laughter, and calm in your life. You can find all the details at leannaustin.com
Until next time. Keep choosing fun, connection, and a whole lot more loving. Have a good one y’all.