In-Person Workshop

GUT FEELINGS

Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection in Anxious Bodies

When: Saturday, July 18th

Time: 2:00-3:30 PM

Where: In person event at Third Space

918 Esquimalt Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 3M6

Price: $40

Gut-Brain science explained + A Guided Experiential Practice

Woman in a burgundy dress and wide-brim hat smiling in a sunny greenhouse; plants in background.

Your Gut Has Been Trying to Tell You Something

Have you ever noticed your stomach tighten before or during a difficult conversation?

Sudden urgency before something stressful, even before your mind has caught up?


This is gut-brain physiology in action. 


Your gut and brain are in constant conversation, and when that relationship becomes disrupted it can show up as bloating, constipation, IBS, abdominal discomfort, and unpredictable digestive flare-ups.


Join Dr. Rachael Lovink, ND, and Dana Smith, RMT, for an afternoon that combines the science of the gut-brain connection with a guided experiential practice.


You'll leave with a clearer picture of what's actually happening in your body, and practical tools to support it.

THIS IS FOR YOU IF:

You've been told nothing is wrong but still don't feel well
You notice your gut symptoms get worse when you're stressed
You've been managing symptoms with food and protocols and it's exhausting
You suspect stress is part of the picture but no one has explained why
You're curious about the gut-brain connection and ready to understand it properly

THE EDUCATION

(30 minutes ish)

Gut-Brain Symptoms Explained with Dr. Rachael

Dr. Rachael Lovink will walk you through the science of the gut-brain connection in a way that's practical, accessible, and grounded in real physiology.

She'll help you understand what's actually been happening in your body.

You'll learn:

Why your gut has its own nervous system, and how it communicates constantly with your brain
Why digestive symptoms can persist even when tests come back normal, and what that actually means
Why conditions like IBS, functional constipation, and functional bloating are real, recognized conditions, not a dead end and not something you're imagining
The difference between stress-sensitive and stress-caused, and why that distinction changes everything
How the stress-gut cycle develops, and how to recognize it in your own body
Practical, everyday tools for nervous system regulation that directly support gut function

The EXPERIENCE (30 minutes ish)

(45 minutes ish)

Lead by Dana Smith, RMT

Understanding something is one thing.

Experiencing a shift in how you relate to it is another.


Following Dr. Lovink's presentation, Dana will guide participants through a gentle experiential practice designed to help integrate the learning into the body.

Through guided relaxation and visualization, you'll explore what it feels like to respond to your body's signals with awareness rather than automatic reactivity.

YOU'LL LEAVE WITH:

A clear, physiological explanation for symptoms you may have been told are "just stress" or "just IBS"
A real understanding of the stress-gut cycle, and how to recognize it in your own body
Practical self-regulation tools you can use right away
A different way of relating to your symptoms: with curiosity instead of alarm
A take-home handout to keep the learning going

YOUR FACILITATORS

Healthcare professional with stethoscope in front of brick wall, framed certificates behind, smiling.

Dr. Rachael Lovink, ND

Naturopathic doctor and educator focused on gut health, nervous system support, and helping people understand the "why" behind their symptoms. Dr. Rachael brings evidence-based, compassionate care to every room she's in.

Woman in a white shirt looking down with arms crossed, blond hair framing her face, soft neutral background.

Dana Smith, RMT

Dana has spent the past 14 years helping people understand the relationship between the body, the nervous system, and overall wellbeing. Known for making the less tangible aspects of healing and personal transformation feel relatable and approachable, she guides people toward greater self-understanding, resilience, and trust in their own body's signals.