In this episode of Cultivate Contentment, I sit down with Jessica Fishburn, a pelvic health and pain physiotherapist, and a fellow rural woman.

Jessica is an experienced Pelvic Health & Pain Physiotherapist with a fierce passion in population education. Leading with compassion and humility, Jessica is committed to changing the experience of health and wellbeing for rural women. Together with her business partners, Jessica is a Director of Gen Health Hamilton and Pro Feet Footwear Hamilton, a combined allied health clinic and a specialist podiatry shoe store respectively.

Professionally, Jessica strives to achieve the best outcomes for each individual despite rural isolation, using the latest evidence, technology and networks. As an advocate for women's health literacy, Jessica thoroughly enjoys her presenting roles at events, forums, conferences and universities.

Personally, Jessica is committed to lifelong learning and development. She strives to challenge the status quo, to be challenged to be the best leader she can be. Jessica endeavour's to think global and act local. Outside of her working roles, Jess is a mum, a wife, a volunteer, a board chair, a hiker, a veggie gardener, an ocean swimmer and the occasional salsa dancer

Today we talk about a topic that’s often overlooked but incredibly important for our well-being: the nervous system and how it impacts our emotions and health. Jessica shares her expertise in a way that’s not only practical but incredibly relatable for us farm wives and mums navigating the busy, often chaotic, rhythms of rural life.

We dive deep into how our nervous system plays a key role in how we manage stress and emotional health, especially when life on the farm feels like it’s constantly pulling us in a million different directions. Jessica shares easy, actionable ways to help balance our nervous system and reduce stress through simple daily practices, which can make a huge difference in how we feel and respond to life’s challenges.

We also dive into pelvic health and talk about some staggering figures around the number of women who suffer from pelvic health issues each year. It’s a topic that can be uncomfortable to talk about and often hard to find the right help. Jessica offers some great tips around finding the right health professional and tips for communicating what you’re experiencing.

Key Points Covered in this Episode

• How the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems affect our stress levels
• Simple ways to balance your nervous system and shift out of "fight or flight"
• The impact of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins on mood and energy
• Finding flow and how it can boost resilience and happiness
• Easy practices like breathwork, structuring your day, and mindfulness to help reduce stress
• The importance of pelvic health and why it’s important to seek help when needed

Resources & Links:

Grounded Farm Wife Journal

CONNECT WITH Jessica:

Follow me on Instagram @groundedfarmwife

Check out my website www.groundedfarmwife.com.au

CONNECT WITH Jessica:

• Follow her at @jessica.fishberg or @genhealthhamilton
• Check out her website

Find the complete show notes here: