The Art of Healing Through Movement with Cheryl Ilove #129

The Art of Healing Through Movement with Cheryl Ilove #129

Author: Sarah Dawkins - Root Cause Healing and Natural Holistic Health Coach July 10, 2025 Duration: 32:23

Imagine being told you'll live with chronic pain for the rest of your life... and then proving them wrong. In this powerful episode of Heal Yourself with Sarah Dawkins, we’re joined by Cheryl Ilov, author, speaker, martial artist, dancer and former chronic pain patient, who shares how she went from debilitating back pain and a grim medical prognosis to dancing, pole fitness and martial arts in her 60's.With over 20 years of experience as a physical therapist, Cheryl integrates science with the art of movement to help others reclaim their health. Her story is a masterclass in self-awareness, courage and the innate power of the body to heal itself, naturally.💫 Topics We Cover:Cheryl’s battle with chronic pain and misdiagnosisWhy she fired her entire medical teamHow movement, acupuncture, and intuition led to healingThe emotional roots of physical painWhat true mind-body healing looks like🌿 If you’ve ever been told "you’ll just have to live with it" this episode will restore your hope, ignite your self-belief and inspire your healing journey.00:00 Introduction 01:33 The start of the pain04:30 Mental epiphany08:16 It is the mind itself that shapes the body10:40 Emotions stuck in our body14:50 Don't be so selfish19:52 Ballet and Martial Arts27:39 The power of love29:20 Cheryl's tip for healing chronic painCheryl's Bio Cheryl Ilov is an author, speaker, physical therapist, martial artist, dancer, and former chronic pain patient. With over 20 years’ experience as a physical therapist in private practice, she has helped thousands of clients recover from pain and injuries by integrating the science of physical therapy with the art of movement. Cheryl firmly believes that our body has an incredible capacity to heal itself, and that everyone can enjoy vibrant health and vitality, at every stage of life.She is also a second-degree black belt in an ancient Japanese martial art called Ninpo Tai Jutsu. From her own experience of beginning training at the tender young age of 47 and becoming her teacher’s first female black belt ten years later, she discovered that there is an incredible amount of strength and power in each and every one of us, just waiting to be unleashed.Cheryl is the author of two books, one titled "Forever Fit and Flexible: Feeling Fabulous at Fifty and Beyond," and "The Reluctant Ninja: How A Middle-Aged Princess Became A Warrior Queen." She is also the host of The FemiNinja Project podcast, which is about overcoming obstacles, personal empowerment, restoring human dignity, and alternative health and healing.Connect with Cheryl http://cherylilov.comhttps://thefemininjaproject.com/https://www.facebook.com/ilovinsights/https://twitter.com/CherylIlovhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU0oIAa1eygYtcRPuNnLv1ghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylilovvitalityconsultant/Cheryl's bookshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0997681330/ Ninja bookhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/0997681306/ Fitness bookhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TS18VBG/ ebook🔔 Subscribe for more healing stories and holistic wellness tips every week!👍 Like, Comment, and Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.#chronicpain #selfhealing #mindbodyconnection #naturalhealing #holistichealth #healingjourney #backpainrecovery #movementheals #emotionalhealing


Hosted by integrative health practitioner Sarah Dawkins, Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers is for anyone who senses there's more to their wellbeing than standard diagnoses and treatments. This podcast digs into the often-overlooked connections between our emotional histories, nervous system states, and physical health. Rather than offering another set of tips for managing symptoms, conversations here explore how unresolved trauma can manifest as chronic pain, what true nervous system regulation feels like, and practical ways to engage the body's own wisdom for healing. You'll find a focus on somatic practices and the underlying principles of natural recovery, all aimed at moving past simply coping and towards reclaiming a genuine sense of vitality. It’s a space for those ready to look deeper, questioning the root causes of imbalance and discovering a more integrated path to lasting wellness. Each episode builds on the idea that you are not just a patient to be managed, but an active participant in your own healing journey. Tune in for thoughtful, grounded discussions that bridge the gap between mind and body, offering a compassionate and insightful companion for your personal health exploration.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers
Podcast Episodes
Healing Through Nutrition and Movement with Esté Bell #90 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:05
Esté is a South African 50 year old holistic health coach and she’s lived an active life. From her teens to her late thirties she battled disordered eating and other health challenges. Her pivotal moment was the realizat…
Beyond Willpower: Understanding Our Goals for Lasting Change #89 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:58
How many times have you tried to stick to a new habit, only to slip back into old routines? It’s a common experience that often leaves us feeling frustrated, defeated, or even ashamed. We tend to blame ourselves, believi…
7 Ways of Giving to Activate Abundance #87 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:12
Let’s explore how to create abundance in all aspects of your life—not just in health. The act of giving can activate abundance in ways you might not expect.Abundance goes beyond material wealth; it encompasses living a l…
I Cleaned Up My Life and Healed MS with Nina Robert #86 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:49
Nina realised she had MS before she was diagnosed. She immediately started asking herself why she would need to develop this dis-ease and through emotional and physical work, she found her answer.Come and join us to see…
From Self-Judgment to Self-Forgiveness: A Journey to Inner Peace #85 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:44
Our minds contain a version of us that we have developed through our lives’ experiences. If we take the time to get to know who it thinks we are, by becoming conscious of our thoughts, we will learn more about ourselves.…
You Hold the Key to Your Healing with Rukmani Kaur #84 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
As a child and young adult, Rukmani suffered from depression, anxiety, self-destructive patters as well as bulimia, anorexia and self-distorted image. When these energies became too much for her, she entered a deep depre…
Authenticity: Your Superpower for Personal Growth #83 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:10
Being truly authentic involves being true to yourself, your values and your beliefs. It means being genuine and honest with yourself and others and not pretending to be someone you're not.Join me as I share some tips to…
Many Symptoms - One Cause with Chana Studley #82 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:55
Chana Studley recovered from severe PTSD after 3 violent attacks in the UK and spent the next 25 years combining an Academy Award-winning career in Hollywood with coaching and counseling people with trauma, addictions, a…