the own it podcast

Today’s episode is a special one—because I’m joined by my husband, Donta Nelson, for a rich, real conversation about creativity, healing, and what it means to live fully alive in what you were put on this earth to do. 

As we prepare for Donta to co-teach inside Thrive this summer, we wanted to give you a glimpse into the heart behind what he carries—and why creativity isn’t just a gift for artists, but something every single one of us is wired for.

In this episode, we talk about:
- How creativity is connected to identity and wholeness
- The myth of “I’m not creative” and how it keeps us stuck
- How we move from creative inspiration to action on our dreams
- How creating and expressing from wholeness moves you from doing to BEING

…and soooo much more!

This conversation is more than just a peek behind the scenes. It’s an invitation to begin reclaiming the parts of you that have gone quiet or the dreams you’ve been too afraid to act on and to being to imagine again and create from wholeness and fullness!

✨ And guess what? Doors to Thrive are officially OPEN today.
If this conversation stirred something in you, if you’re tired of just surviving and ready to start showing up in your life with intention and wholeness—now’s the time.

Join us this summer as we go deeper into the connection between healing, creativity, and becoming who you were created to be.

Head to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive and use the code THRIVETODAY to get your first month free.

We can’t wait to walk with you.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

If you’re interested in joining Thrive, the doors are OPEN so you can join by heading to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive. Use the code THRIVETODAY and get your first month completely free!

In this episode, we dive into a powerful topic that many of us can relate to: feeling stuck in cycles that we can't seem to break, no matter how hard we try. I know the struggle—doing all the right things, like praying, changing habits, and seeking help, yet still feeling trapped. But what if it's deeper than just habits? What if there are invisible altars—false comforts or agreements—that are holding us back?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• What Are Demonic Altars?: A demonic altar is any place in your life—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—where you’ve made an agreement with something other than God. It becomes a place of sacrifice, worship, or covenant, even unintentionally.
  
  
• Altars Aren’t Gone, They’ve Changed: In the Old Testament, altars were physical. Today, they take on the form of habits, mindsets, addictions, or idols that we place in our hearts.
  
  
• Why Altars Keep You Stuck:
  
  
  • Spiritual Legal Rights: Demonic altars give the enemy access to parts of your life until they are renounced and torn down.
    
    
  • Cyclic Patterns: We revisit the same struggles (addiction, fear, poverty) until the altar is destroyed.
    
    
  • False Comfort Zones: Altars offer temporary comfort but long-term bondage, like food, alcohol, or self-sufficiency.
    
    
  • Unconscious Agreements: Altars can be inherited from family, culture, or trauma, keeping you stuck in generational cycles.
    
    
• How to Tear Down the Altars:
  
  
  • Awareness and Identification: Recognize where you're repeating cycles and running back to old altars.
    
    
  • Repentance and Renouncement: Confess any agreements with lies or false comfort, and break them in the name of Jesus.
    
    
  • Tear Down and Replace: Dismantle the altars spiritually and symbolically, and rebuild with truth through worship, prayer, and obedience.
    

It's not just about tearing down altars; it's about staying aligned with God's truth. Daily invite the Holy Spirit into areas where false comfort once lived and rebuild your relationship with God through worship and truth.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of boundaries—how to set them without guilt, what to do when someone doesn’t respect them, and why they’re essential for protecting our emotional, mental, and relational well-being. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out; they’re about creating the safety needed for deeper, healthier connections.

Boundaries protect what you value. They help define what’s okay and what’s not okay in different relationships. Some examples:

• Not discussing certain personal topics with your boss.
• Choosing who you process emotional pain with.
• Not allowing toxic family members into your inner circle.

In this episode, i unpack common misconceptions about boundaries, questions that come up about boundaries, and how to set them in a healthy way. 

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a person who lacks self-control.” Boundaries are like city walls—they protect what is valuable inside. Without them, everything that comes our way has full access, and we’re left exhausted, overextended, and maybe even resentful.

The older I’ve gotten (and the fuller my life has become), the more I’ve realized: I need boundaries. Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away. They’re about protecting what you value the most and what God has asked you to steward in this season!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

There’s a real tension we feel as women—How do I walk out God’s call when my season doesn’t match my dreams? When I first got married, God told me, “Do what’s in front of you, and I’ll take care of the rest.” So, I did. I faced insecurity and codependency, went to therapy, let go of my performance-based identity, and redefined success. I learned that thriving starts with stewarding what’s right in front of me, even when it feels small.

Many of us are grateful that God brought us out of Egypt, but we hesitate to step into the Promised Land. The biggest battle is often in our beliefs—rewiring the survival mindset and daring to trust God for more. Stewardship is faithfulness in the present, even when we don’t see the full picture.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

- Your YES to God holds every season – You can’t step outside His will unless you say no.

- The S.E.A.S.O.N. Framework helps us navigate seasons:

• S – Say YES to where God has you.
• E – Embrace the Assignment.
• A – Align Priorities.
• S – Steward Resources well.
• O – Own the Grace for now.
• N – Nurture what’s in front of you.

- Scriptures to Anchor You

• Philippians 1:6 – God will finish what He started.
• John 10:10 – Jesus gives life—abundant, overflowing life.
• Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word lights the path.

Your calling isn’t tied to a perfect set of circumstances—it’s tied to your obedience. Steward this season well, and trust that God is leading you exactly where you need to go.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

I know how challenging it can be to show up when life feels really hard. In this episode, I’m sharing what helps me stay present and intentional, even in the hard seasons. Even when life feels overwhelming, I lean on small daily rhythms, grounding truths, and celebrating small wins to keep moving forward. And above all, I hold onto the reminder that He is a light to my feet and a lamp to my path—I don’t have to see the whole road ahead, just the next step. If you’re in a hard season right now, I want to encourage you: just take the next step. Keep showing up. It matters. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• How to recognize what season you’re in and adjust your expectations
• The power of small daily rhythms and practices
• Redefining success and celebrating small wins in hard seasons
• Holding onto truth when life feels overwhelming

I hope this episode encourages you. You’re doing better than you think and the season you’re in will not last forever!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

This episode was sparked by a question I received on Instagram: Can you talk about the need for belonging, how our experiences growing up affect it, and how we can repair it in adulthood?

Belonging is foundational to who we are, yet so many of us struggle with it without fully understanding why. In this episode, I explore:

• Childhood & the Foundations of Belonging

How our early relationships shape our sense of belonging, the difference between authenticity and attachment, and what happens when that foundation is fractured.

• How These Patterns Show Up in Adulthood

Struggles with fitting in vs. authentic belonging, fear of rejection, self-sabotage, and the coping mechanisms we develop—like people-pleasing or isolation.

• Repairing & Rebuilding Belonging

Recognizing old narratives, healing from past wounds, and cultivating true belonging by embracing authenticity, building safe relationships, and re-parenting ourselves.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t truly belong, this episode will help you understand why—and how to start healing.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

 

Processing isn’t about “getting over it” or finding instant solutions—it’s about fully experiencing, understanding, and integrating emotions so they don’t control us. In this episode, I break down what it really means to process, why it matters, and how to do it effectively.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Why Processing Matters – Unprocessed emotions don’t disappear—they get stored in our bodies and show up as stress, tension, or unhealthy coping mechanisms. Processing brings clarity, helping us separate past wounds from present reality so we can respond instead of react.
• The Role of the Nervous System – Our emotions get stored in our bodies, and if we don’t process them, they stay stuck, leading to anxiety, stress, or shutdown. Processing helps regulate our nervous system by allowing emotions to complete their cycle.

4 Steps to Processing Emotions

1. Awareness – Recognize what you’re feeling without judgment. Ask: What am I feeling? Where do I feel it in my body?
2. Allow – Be present with your emotions instead of suppressing them. Use movement, deep breathing, journaling, or creative outlets to release them.
3. Attune – Tune into yourself and ask: What do I need right now? Respond to yourself like you would to a child having big emotions.
4. Act – Once you’re regulated, decide your next step. Ask: What can I learn from this? What do I need to feel safe?

The goal isn’t to fix emotions but to let them move through you so they don’t control you. Give yourself grace—some emotions take longer to work through than others, but with practice, processing becomes a natural part of living freely.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

Today, we’re diving into a topic so many of us wrestle with—how to thrive in motherhood without losing ourselves. Motherhood is all-consuming, and I totally get why people say they’ve “lost themselves” in it. But what if it’s not about losing or winning, but about integrating? In this episode, I’m sharing my journey—from an ambitious dreamer and doer to a mom navigating multiple callings—while staying true to who God created me to be. Let’s talk about self-connection, releasing mom guilt, and creating space for the dreams God placed inside of you.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

• Motherhood is all-consuming, but you don’t have to lose yourself. It’s not about choosing between roles—it’s about integrating them.
• God’s plan is always greater. I never dreamed of being a mom, but saying yes to His calling has brought more fulfillment than I ever imagined. (Matthew 10:39)
• Stay connected to yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.
• Small steps matter. You don’t have to go all-in on your passions overnight. Start where you are and give yourself permission to grow.
• Let go of mom guilt & unrealistic expectations. The pressure to “do it all” is endless, but true peace comes from saying yes to what God is calling you to.
• Your identity isn’t disappearing—it’s evolving. Motherhood doesn’t replace who you are; it adds to it. Embrace every season and trust God’s provision.

Motherhood doesn’t have to mean losing yourself—it’s an opportunity to expand, evolve, and become even more of who you’re meant to be. God is big enough to sustain you in every calling He’s given you. So if you’re feeling torn, exhausted, or like you’re disappearing in motherhood—take a breath. You are not failing. You are growing. Keep showing up, trusting His provision, and giving yourself grace in the process. Thanks for tuning in! If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend and tag me—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Until next time, own your journey and live fully alive!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

In today’s episode, I’m sharing a powerful shift I experienced in my journey as a stay-at-home mom and solo parent. For years, I carried a lot of resentment and anger when my husband traveled for work. I’d punish him when he was gone, punish myself by not accepting help, and even punish him when he returned with emotional disconnection. It was a toxic cycle filled with guilt, shame, and frustration.

But everything changed when I took ownership of my life and my season as a mom. Last year, I realized the key to breaking the cycle wasn’t about fixing my husband’s travel schedule or blaming external circumstances—it was about owning where I was in my life. I had to face the fact that shame and pride were blocking me from fully embracing my role. When I stopped hiding behind those emotions, I was able to create a more peaceful, intentional way of handling solo parenting.

In this episode, I walk you through how taking full responsibility for my season made all the difference. I stopped letting shame dictate my behavior and pride stop me from asking for help. I share the practical steps I took—like planning ahead, getting support, and allowing myself to enjoy the moments, instead of letting bitterness rule.

If you’re struggling with guilt, shame, or resentment in your parenting journey, this episode is for you. It’s time to own your space, release the emotional weight, and create a life that feels empowering, not limiting.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

In today’s episode, I want to dive into a topic that’s become a big part of the self-help and mental health world—trauma. There’s a lot of information out there, but let me start by saying that this is just a small lens into the trauma space. It’s not the full picture, but I hope it offers you clarity and encouragement. As a certified trauma practitioner, I’ve encountered so many women who’ve come to me carrying “trauma.” Trauma changes us—our brains, bodies, emotions, and even choices. But it’s important to understand what trauma is—and isn’t.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Defining trauma: What it is and what it’s not.
• The cultural misuse of trauma language and its impact.
• How trauma affects the brain, body, and emotions.
• The difference between sensory and narrative memories and their role in trauma.
• Understanding symptoms of trauma: hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and self-protective behaviors.
• Why trauma is more about the brain’s encoding of an event than the event itself.
• How connection and processing in real-time can mitigate trauma.
• The role of integration and desensitization in healing trauma memories.

If you’ve experienced trauma, I see you and there is hope and healing for you. You are not alone and I pray that God will supply all of your needs according to His glorious riches – every body, soul, and spirit need that you have!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

If you’re interested in joining Thrive, the doors CLOSE TODAY (Friday, February 7) so you can join by heading to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive. Use the code THRIVETODAY and get your first month completely free!