We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andria Lea a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andria, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose in an unlikely place—pain. Growing up in a truly dysfunctional home, I was no stranger to adversity. To add to the challenge later in life I was diagnosed with a physically painful condition known as pelvic floor dysfunction. I sought physical relief first because it was the most obvious and disruptive, seeking help from doctor after doctor and physical therapists.
However, it was through this arduous journey that I was led to a healing modality called Somatic Therapy. Here, in this place of both vulnerability and strength, I embarked on a transformative healing process. I began to unravel and heal the pains that had accumulated over a young lifetime in all aspects of physical, emotional and mindful.
Somatic Therapy became a space where I not only found physical relief but also a deep understanding of the mind-body connection. It was here that my purpose started to crystalize—to use my own experiences and newfound knowledge to help others through their own healing. I realized that my journey through pain had given me empathy, resilience, and a profound desire to be some hope for others facing their own struggles. This purpose, from pain, has become my driving force, propelling me to make a positive impact in the lives of those who are navigating their own path.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Physical pain served as the catalyst that propelled me to seek help in an unconventional place. It was there I discovered profound healing, not just for my physical ailment but for the scars of my dysfunctional upbringing and the enduring trauma that was affecting my life.
This became a profound turning point in my life. It was a space where I confronted the ghosts of my past, unraveled the tangled threads of my traumatic experiences, and began to heal from the inside out. It was here that I felt a seismic shift within myself that changed my life.
Today, my purpose is firmly rooted in extending a hand to those who, like me, endure the dual burdens of pelvic pain and those with a tumultuous early life devoid of support and stability. My passion lies in working with adults who are ready to break free from the reverberations of their past, individuals eager to shed the weight of their history and embrace the opportunity to become who they genuinely aspire to be.
In guiding others on their healing journeys, I aim to empower them to leave behind the shackles of their past and rediscover their true selves. It’s a privilege and a calling to facilitate this transformation, to witness individuals relearn how to navigate life with newfound strength, resilience, and authenticity. Through my work, I aspire to be a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration for those embarking on their own path of healing and self-discovery.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
First and foremost my own experience informs me. Doing something you know thoroughly and care about was and is my guiding star. Most people that have grown up with some level of trauma have a super human skill of reading others, this is called hyper vigilance and when used functionally can really be an asset in navigating the world. I also worked early in life, and that led me to a position managing a small crew of people and growing and business that wasn’t mine. This experience has been very helpful when starting my own venture. It’s also been critical when working with people to cherish the relationship above all else.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
I love working with people that are interested about themselves, and open to getting creative and little messy along the way! My favorite words to hear are “ready”, “curious” and “weird”. A sense of humor really helps too, it can offset and titrate the heaviness of some feelings and experiences and shows that readiness to become something free from whatever it is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://somatictherapybrooklyn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/somatictherapyny/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvikKM7EZxk
Image Credits
Self
