Raised in a dysfunctional home where appearances took precedence over genuine connection, Chelsey grew up feeling unseen and unsafe. She internalized the unhealed pain of her parents and ancestors, experiencing the effects of generational trauma. Her nervous system became addicted to shame, leading to chronic anxiety and depression.

At 23, Chelsey chose sobriety and immersed herself in self-help and spiritual books, absorbing wisdom from thought leaders like Tony Robbins, Deepak Chopra, Brené Brown, and Eckhart Tolle. She began to believe she could make her dreams a reality. Yet, whenever she came close to taking action—whether starting a new business, taking a trip, or pursuing a dream— she felt stuck.

She would beat herself up or distract herself with soul-draining activities and deep procrastination, feeling unworthy and incapable of living the life she admired in others.

Despite years of mindset work and daily affirmations, Chelsey struggled with codependency, disordered eating, over-exercising, spending money, people-pleasing, and poor mental health. 

The transformative moment came when she discovered somatic therapy and breathwork. 

This new approach, along with inner child healing, reparenting, and grief work, helped her release trapped energy and heal deeply. She realized that her previous focus on "toxic positivity" had caused her to bypass her human experience, leaving emotions stuck in her body and driving her decisions to seek safety outside herself.