Honest Talk About Authentic Motherhood
In this episode of Breathe, Laugh, Parent — The Shine Om Podcast, I sit down with Natalie Olson—mama of three and coach for mothers—to talk about what authentic motherhood looks like when life is loud, layered, and imperfect. Natalie shares her turning point (“I’m not okay”), and how parts work, somatic tools, and compassionate self-leadership helped her move from overwhelm to grounded presence.
Table of Contents
Who Is Natalie Olson?
The theme of this episode encourages us to remember that you don’t have to be the “calm mum.” You can grow capacity—and that’s what changes everything.
Natalie is a mama of three (12, 2, and one in between) and a coach for overwhelmed, disconnected mums. Through an 18-week private coaching journey, she blends parts work, somatic awareness, mindset shifts, and inner-child healing to help mothers feel self-led and deeply connected.
She’s also the heart behind the Authentic Motherhood Circle, a private online space on Telegram, where she has previously shared a 5-day Nervous System Reset to help mums come home to their bodies, breath, and truth.
Nervous System 101: Why Capacity Matters More Than Calm
We often chase calm as if it were a personality trait. Natalie reframes this: calm is a by-product of capacity. Capacity is your ability to sit with what’s happening—rage, shame, frustration—and keep your connection and values online.
Try this body-based check-in (from the episode):
- Notice sensations: jaw, hands, breath, chest.
- Name what’s happening: “My breath is shallow; my jaw is tight.”
- Offer four permissions: It’s safe to feel. It’s okay to feel. I’m allowed to feel. I have permission to feel.
These micro-moments expand your nervous system capacity and make space for more present, authentic motherhood.
Rupture & Repair: A Generational Shift
If you’ve ever snapped, shouted, or shut down—welcome to being human. Natalie normalises rupture (the misattunement) and highlights repair as the quiet revolution of modern parenting. Many of us never received explicit repair as children; modelling it now builds trust and resilience.
Quick repair script (from the show):
“Hey, love, I’m sorry I yelled. That wasn’t okay. I’m working on staying regulated. Your feelings matter. When you’re ready, I’d like to try again together.”
Natalie also teaches self-repair first: reconnect to yourself with compassion before circling back to your child—especially after big triggers.
The Stories Underneath: “I’m a Bad Mum” and “I’m Not Enough”
We are meaning-making beings. When a toddler melts down in public, many mums carry the quiet story: “If I were enough, my child wouldn’t act like this.” Natalie invites curiosity: notice the thought, the body sensations, and the urge to fix or flee. From there, offer compassion to the part that feels not enough.
A powerful reframe from our chat: Your child’s full expression often signals safety, not failure. Sometimes defiance at the park means your child trusts you enough to be real.
Practical Tools You Can Use Today
- Name your state: “My body feels hot; my hands are clenched.”
- Breathe on purpose: Inhale 4, hold 2, exhale 6—three rounds.
- Pause the performance: You don’t have to be the “calm mum.” Aim for authentic motherhood—present, imperfect, willing to repair.
- Delay repair when needed: If you’re still activated, reconnect later when you’re both regulated. Authentic beats rushed every time.
- Invite support: Ask a trusted person to listen without fixing. Presence is medicine.
Connect with Natalie
- Instagram / Facebook: search “Natalie Olson” (Olson with an O) or click here.
- Authentic Motherhood Circle (Facebook Group): Free community with the 5-day Nervous System Reset (DM Natalie @olsom.natalie on Instagram for the link)
Listen to the Episode & Explore Shine Om
- Listen to Breathe, Laugh, Parent — The Shine Om Podcast: shineom.com.au/podcast
- Mindful parenting & yoga for families: shineom.com.au
- Natural skincare & essential oils: shineomnatural.com.au
- Instagram: @shineomau | @shineomnatural
If You Need Support (Australia)
Lifeline – 13 11 14 | PANDA – 1300 726 306 | Gidget Foundation – 1300 851 758 |
Perinatal Wellbeing Centre – (02) 6288 1936 | Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | Parentline – parentline.com.au
Listen here
If this resonated with you, then please have a listen to my latest podcast episode available on Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Music, and Apple Podcasts.
