Meet Holly Joy Mccabe

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Holly Joy Mccabe a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Holly Joy, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I pursued my own solutions when all traditional avenues failed me. My purpose developed when I saw the need to incorporate so many aspects of mental and physical health in a simplified way that is doable each day.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I specialize in helping people reconnect with themselves—mind, body, brain and nervous system—so they can heal, thrive, and truly feel alive. My work is grounded in a combination of neuropsychology, somatic therapy, and energy medicine, with a strong focus on the brain and nervous system. I believe healing is more than just treating symptoms; it’s about addressing the root causes and learning to navigate life in a way that feels regulated, resilient, and empowered.

What excites me most about what I do is seeing people transform their lives in ways they never thought possible. Watching someone go from feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected to living with clarity, confidence, and joy is incredibly fulfilling. It reminds me why I started this journey in the first place—because I’ve been there, too. I know what it’s like to feel like your body and mind are working against you, and I also know the freedom that comes from reclaiming your health, happiness, and purpose.

Right now, I’m particularly focused on supporting women and entrepreneurs through my work. My brand, **Zen In A Bottle**, is all about empowering women to manage their brain health and navigate the stresses of modern life with resilience and strength. While beauty is part of the equation, the emphasis is on helping women feel grounded, energized, and supported from the inside out, so they can confidently take on the world.

In addition, I’ve developed a signature program, **The Regulated CEO**, which is designed specifically for entrepreneurs, CEOs, and founders who feel stuck in cycles of stress and burnout. It’s a comprehensive framework that helps high-achieving individuals regulate their nervous systems, break free from hustle culture, and create a life and business they love—without sacrificing their health or well-being. I’ve seen incredible transformations in this program, and it’s something I’m deeply proud of.

Everything I do—whether it’s through my products, programs, or one-on-one work—is about equipping people with the tools they need to thrive in every area of life. It’s an honor to be part of someone’s healing and growth journey, and I’m so excited about the opportunities to continue expanding and evolving this work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I think three key qualities have been the most impactful in my journey: resilience, curiosity, and the ability to adapt. Ironically, all things that evolved as I healed my nervous system.

1. Resilience:
Life has thrown me more than my fair share of challenges—trauma, chronic illness, a brain injury—but resilience was what kept me moving forward especially in the face of an “incurable” illness. It’s the ability to sit with discomfort, process pain, and still take one small step forward every day. There is also a big component of acceptance that goes with this because that is where you truly learn to navigate the issues at hand. For anyone starting their journey, my advice is to see every obstacle as an opportunity to grow and accept things quickly so you don’t waste time wishing things were different. Build resilience by learning how to regulate your nervous system, surround yourself with support, and stay deeply connected to your “why.”

2. Curiosity:
I’ve always been fascinated by how the brain and body work, why people act the way they do, and how we can heal and transform ourselves. That curiosity has led me to explore diverse fields like neuropsychology, somatic therapy, and energy medicine—and to combine them into something uniquely my own (The Satori Method). For those early in their journey, I’d encourage you to ask questions constantly and realize no one tool, resource or modality has all the answers for everyone. Read books, listen to podcasts, and explore areas that light a fire in your heart. Your curiosity will guide you toward the things that matter most to you.

3. Adaptability:
The ability to pivot has been a game-changer. In fact, it’s one of the most important skills I teach my clients. Whether it was evolving my business to meet the needs of my audience or shifting my work when my illness was at its worst, adaptability has allowed me to keep moving forward even when the path wasn’t clear. My advice for cultivating adaptability is to embrace change as part of growth and again, stay curious. The quicker you can accept that the only constant is change, the more you’ll thrive. Practice mindfulness, let go of rigid expectations, and stay open to where life wants to take you.

For anyone just starting out, I’d also say: don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is where the lessons are, and it’s part of the process for everyone. Be patient with yourself, lean into the discomfort, and trust that every step—no matter how small—is bringing you closer to the person you’re meant to be. Keep showing up. That’s the real secret.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The book that played a pivotal role in my development is *The Body Keeps the Score* by Bessel van der Kolk. It was a turning point for me, both personally and professionally. It opened my eyes to how deeply trauma embeds itself into the body, brain, and nervous system, and it was the catalyst that led me into the world of somatic healing.

Before reading it, I didn’t fully realize how much my lifetime of trauma was impacting every aspect of my life—my physical health, relationships, emotional well-being, and even my sense of self. The book gave me the language and understanding I needed to begin untangling those threads and reclaiming my life.

Some of the most impactful nuggets of wisdom from the book include:

1. Trauma isn’t just in your head; it’s stored in your body.
This realization changed everything for me. It made me see that healing couldn’t just be intellectual—it had to involve the body. That’s where somatic therapy became such a central part of my work. To truly heal, we have to address the nervous system, release the patterns that keep us stuck in survival mode, and rebuild a sense of safety in our own bodies.

2. The power of connection and co-regulation.
The book highlights how vital safe, supportive relationships are for healing. Trauma often isolates us, but it’s through connection—whether with a therapist, a loved one, or a community—that we begin to rebuild trust and learn to regulate again. This insight has shaped not only how I approach my own healing but also how I work with others, creating spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported.

3. The importance of integrating movement and mindfulness.
I was struck by how much van der Kolk emphasized practices like yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness as tools for recovery. These aren’t just “nice-to-haves”; they’re essential for rewiring the brain and helping the body release trauma. It inspired me to dive deeper into modalities that integrate the body and mind, and it’s a cornerstone of the work I do today.

This book was more than just informative; it was a lifeline. It gave me hope that I could not only heal from my past but also help others do the same. It set me on a path that has completely transformed my life and allowed me to turn my pain into purpose. If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns you don’t understand, I can’t recommend this book enough—it’s an invitation to finally understand yourself and begin the journey toward healing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brainbodyspeak.com www.zeninabottle.biz
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/brainbodyspeak www.instagram.com/zen_in_a_bottle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyjoymccabe
• Other: podcast

  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-body-speak-the-language-of-health-happiness-success/id1438664852