Pause. Breathe. Begin Again: A Mindfulness Journey with Marcy Westcott

On the No Expiration Date Podcast, we had the privilege of sitting down with Marcy Westcott for Episode 9. Marcy is an international meditation and mindfulness coach, corporate wellness trainer, and author of Searching for Sanity: How I Overcame Crisis with Mindfulness and How You Can Too. Marcy's journey into mindfulness wasn't a straight path, but a deeply personal evolution born from corporate burnout, life crises, and a powerful inner awakening.

The Road to Mindfulness

Marcy's foray into meditation wasn't planned. She described how a spontaneous yoga class in a small Texas town led her to her first profound experience of meditation. "It felt like someone had lifted a thousand pounds of weight off me," she recalled. In just eight weeks, her daily practice transformed her health: her high blood pressure lowered, digestion improved, and sleepless nights became restful.

From Corporate Chaos to Inner Calm

After years of stress-induced panic attacks and a major medical crisis, Marcy was forced to confront her need for change. Her corporate identity had enmeshed with her sense of self, leaving her adrift when she finally left that world behind. Meditation helped her rediscover her true inner nature—peace, love, joy, compassion, and gratitude—qualities she believes are innate in all of us.

Marcy emphasizes that meditation isn't about clearing your mind—a common misconception. Instead, it's about learning what to do with your thoughts, making space for stillness, and allowing yourself to process emotions without judgment.

The Power of the Still State

Marcy developed The Still State, her signature meditation approach, which guides individuals to a place within themselves where they can access clarity, better health, and harmonious relationships. "Disruptive emotions are like weather patterns. They move in, hang out, and then they move out. Meditation is how we process those storms," she shared.

Meditation Types & Practical Tips

Marcy offers several types of meditation:

• Mantra Meditation: Repeating words or phrases like "acceptance, trust, gratitude, compassion" to center the mind.

• Breath Awareness: Focusing solely on the breath to anchor awareness.

• Body Awareness: Paying attention to bodily sensations.

• Self-Inquiry: Using guided questions to explore deeper thoughts and emotions.

Her advice to busy women juggling it all? Start with yourself. Carve out 15-20 minutes each morning to prioritize your well-being. She emphasizes that making yourself last isn't a badge of honor; it's a recipe for burnout.

Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Marcy encourages practicing mindfulness in the mundane. Whether it's washing dishes or applying makeup, being fully present in the task without judgment is a form of mindfulness. She also stresses the importance of self-compassion, flipping negative self-talk into kindness.

Journaling & Grief

Journaling, Marcy explains, is a powerful tool for processing emotions. She suggests even writing just a sentence or two when dealing with grief, and revisiting it when ready. This mindful writing practice can unlock healing and clarity.

Meditation as a Daily Vitamin

Meditation, Marcy says, shouldn't be a crisis tool. "It's not a pill you take to cure something. It's a vitamin you take to stay healthy." The benefits of meditation go beyond stress relief, improving immune function, enhancing creativity, boosting attention span, and fostering clarity.

The Invitation to Begin

For those feeling disconnected, Marcy's invitation is simple: Pause. Breathe. Begin Again. Whether through private coaching, virtual sessions, or her book, Marcy provides the guidance and support to start a mindfulness journey tailored to you.

You can connect with Marcy Westcott at The Still State Meditation, on Instagram @thestillstate, or purchase her book Searching for Sanity on Amazon.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe to the No Expiration Date Podcast, leave us a review, and share it with a friend who could use a little peace today. Remember: there's no expiration date on your calm, your clarity, or your comeback.

Stay bold. Stay beautiful.