We had the good fortune of connecting with Holly Nicole Stoumbaugh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Holly Nicole, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I love stories. And I believe that geniuses are born in dark places. It is within the darkness and our shadow, that our stories and healing reside. This is what inspires me and is the primary informant for my work. I help people move pain, not around, but through. When I was younger, I was inspired by all the “normal” things, what brand of clothes I could buy, who I knew and how cool they were, and when to be at the right place at the right time, but something was always stirring underneath me, it grumbled at the soles of my feet and vibrated deep into the marrow of my bones. I could always sense that there was something within me that I needed to unlock, and it had everything to do with humanity and love. And so, almost two decades ago, I began a journey of my own healing. While I knew that my upbringing and family of origin was “tough”, I had no idea the amount of unraveling, releasing, and realizing that would come in the years that followed. I had no idea the story that was slowly piecing itself together. It was within that process along the way that I found everyone has a story within them, and by learning to tell it, feel it, and heal through it, is one of the most courageous acts we might experience in our lives. This is what inspires me daily. In my work as a massage therapist, yoga instructor, meditation guide, and Life’s Purpose Spirit Work mentor and coach, I am honored and inspired to hold space in a number of healing environments, and it is through these stories that we heal within community, and we craft a sense of meaning in our lives.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Spirit. The word spirit comes to mind when I try to think what sets me and my business apart from others. I bring spirit. I see that much of what we know in society is not designed for the human spirit. Many of us are conditioned into working our entire lives without questioning much about the way we live or if we are genuinely happy. My practice is centered around helping others move emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual blocks that are held in the body and mind. Essentially, my practice is holistic, trauma informed, well-rounded, and it’s taken nearly 17 years to take form and shape. It has taken dedication and patience on my part in order to be successful at thriving within competitive fields. As a single mom of two kids who are now grown (19 & 21 years), I have had to sacrifice a lot of time and money in order to make it work and I did this because in my heart I knew that I would never be satisfied in this life if I wasn’t helping myself, and others with their healing journey. This has always been my calling.

The clarity of my life’s work has everything to do with facing my own challenges that I had to overcome. I left home at 16 and never looked back. I had to. There have been so many valuable life lessons along the way that have encouraged me to keep going when I was worried that I wouldn’t make it. First, work on your daily habits, these are the keys to your level of success, whether that be financial, educational, spiritual, emotional etc. Second, cultivate self-love and compassion, tap into your darkness, and heal those wounded parts. By learning to grieve and move through our pain, you cultivate the capacity to have compassion and love for others. Lastly, go toward the places that make you feel afraid or uncomfortable, listen to other’s stories, put down your phones, talk through your problems, educate yourself, get your hands dirty, walk the earth barefoot, anything to nurture your mind, body, and soul. This will help you remember that you are alive and more than just a worker bee void of emotions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I was born and raised in Colorado, so finding something fun to do isn’t hard! I would definitely showcase the delicious vegan and vegetarian restaurants like City O City, Somebody People, Vital Root, and Watercourse. As a foodie, there’s no shortage of amazing cuisine in Denver. For fun hangs, it depends on your flavor for entertainment. Colorado has some of the best underground house and techno dancing, comedy, and outdoor activities. We now have Meow Wolf in Denver that offers hours of fun for everyone of all ages and music showcases. Whether its art or science, Denver’s museums are also pretty great. A perfect week visiting would include good food, Meow Wolf, art and science museums, dancing, and then hiking anywhere up the I-70 corridor. I would finish off the week by taking my friend(s) to Strawberry, Mt. Princeton, or Glenwood Hot Springs. The nature views and deep healing in Colorado’s mountains are nothing short of miraculous.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Along the way, I have been supported by some amazing people. I would love to give a big shoutout to Laura Wade Jaster with Spiral Counseling. Through Laura’s continued support, I have found my voice and my purpose. For more than a decade, Laura has been an anchor in many people’s lives. Her profound insight, dedication, and integrity offers a safe place for people to heal, grow, and evolve, while also being a place to drop the mask and show up as our most authentic selves. From the bottom of my heart, thanks Laura!

Website: www.hollynicolehealing.com

Instagram: @i_am_holly_nicole

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.stoumbaugh.7

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