Waking Up to Presence: Somatic Healing Beyond Autopilot with Leslie Draffin

What if being present isn’t about learning something new, but noticing what’s already happening inside you? On I Awaken, host Swati and former TV news anchor Leslie Draffin explore what it really means to wake up from autopilot.Leslie shares how a successful career hid years of anxiety and burnout, why awakening is a spiral rather than a straight climb, and how body-based practices, glimmers and the senses can bring you gently back to now.About the Guest:Leslie Draffin spent about 15 years as a television news anchor in the US. Based in Texas, she is now a trauma-informed somatic practitioner who helps high-achieving women reconnect with their bodies and feel more present.Key Takeaways:Awakening isn’t a straight climb; the ups and downs are part of it.Spotting a pattern is step one; changing it takes repetition.Doom scrolling and a flat “blah” feeling can be signs of autopilot.Play and creativity can restore you more than zoning out.Collect glimmers: small moments of wonder that prove progress.Presence isn’t constant calm; it’s openness to every feeling. Connect With Leslie Draffin:Website: https://www.lesliedraffin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin/ TikTok: @lesliedraffin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRakA_HiNPoVYEB_MYDEs3Q Podcast, The Light Within: https://www.lesliedraffin.com/podcast-the-light-withinEpisode Chapters (approx.):[00:00] Welcome to I Awaken: the quiet moment before the phone [01:30] Meet Leslie Draffin: a news anchor’s outer success and inner disconnection [05:00] Awakening Is a Spiral: why the down days are part of the path [08:00] Seeing Patterns vs Changing Them: repetition, intention and attention [11:00] Signs of Autopilot: doom scrolling, comfort shows and the flat blah [15:00] You Can’t Do Presence Wrong: dropping shame and finding your kind of rest [18:00] Glimmers and the Five Senses: evidence that it is working🎙️ Want to Be a Guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?Send me a direct message on PodMatch.👉 DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik🌱 About Healthy Mind By Avik™️Healthy Mind By Avik™️ Global Mental Wellness Podcast Network - focused, credible, no more identity clutter.👉 Subscribe and be part of this healing journey.Refer a GuestKnow someone who would be a great fit for one of our podcast shows? Email us at services@podhealth.club with the subject line “Refer a Guest.” Requests without this subject line cannot be catered to.Support Our Podcast: Support this Podcast📬 Contact & LinksBrand: Healthy Mind By Avik™️Contact UsBased in: India & USA🎧 All Podcast Shows🤝 Be a Guest📩 Newsletter Substack👉 Join the LinkedIn Community📌 Disclaimer - This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements.If you have concerns about any content, please contact us hereBy listening, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer in full. Read detailed disclaimer here.#podmatch #healthymindbyavik #podhub.club #iawaken #presence #somatichealing #nervoussystemhealing #mindfulness #glimmers #burnoutrecovery #autopilot #embodiment #selfawareness #spiritualawakening #healingjourney