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Promoting fitness and wellness for the mind, body, and soul.

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About

hi! i’m tera vaughn

Physical Therapist & Wellness Educator

I help women in chronic pain, stress, and burnout reconnect with their bodies through science-backed movement, nervous system regulation, and holistic self-care—so they can heal deeply and reclaim a life they love.

My Journey: From Physical Therapist to Holistic Healing Advocate

I became a physical therapist because I wanted to help people. But my own journey through severe chronic pain and burnout showed me that healing isn’t just about fixing the body. It’s about addressing the whole system: body, mind, and nervous system.

At one point, my pain was so intense that even walking felt impossible. I had to relearn what it meant to move and heal. Physical therapy helped, but it wasn’t enough. I kept hitting invisible walls—flare-ups from simple movements, pain that came and went, and a body that just wouldn’t fully cooperate. It became clear that traditional approaches weren’t enough.

That’s when I dove deep into nervous system regulation, nutrition, and holistic self-care. I realized my pain was tied to years of burnout, stress, and neglecting my own needs. By combining science-backed movement with nervous system care and lifestyle shifts, I found a path not just to survive, but to truly thrive.

Now, I’m passionate about helping women break free from chronic pain and burnout by teaching them how to reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and build sustainable strength so they can reclaim a life they love.

Start Your Strength Journey!
physical therapist, physical therapy, functional movement

I’ve been where you are—feeling stuck in pain, frustrated by quick fixes that don’t last, and unsure how to reclaim your body and confidence. That’s why I created targeted programs focused on building real strength and mobility, because true pain relief comes from empowering your body to move freely and without limits. Whether it’s your back, shoulders, or knees holding you back, my step-by-step plans are designed to guide you toward lasting wellness and freedom.

Ready to begin your journey to pain-free wellness?

I can’t wait to work with you!

Explore My Programs
palms springs, outdoors, nature, self care

why I’m different

and what fuels me…

  • I’m obsessed with holistic wellness because I’ve lived through the frustration of chronic pain. I know the power of strength and mobility to change your life.
  • I prioritize self-care fiercely. 8-9 hours of sleep is non-negotiable for me to show up fully and help you do the same.
  • I believe in balance: hustle with heart, routine with rest, and yes—coffee + dessert are part of my daily ritual.
  • My approach is rooted in real results, not quick fixes or gimmicks. I design programs that build lasting freedom from pain.
  • I’m not just your coach. I’m your accountability partner, cheerleader, and guide on this journey to reclaim your body.
  • When I’m not working with clients, you’ll find me recharging in Palm Desert, CA—because even entrepreneurs need a reset.

Follow Along

@teravaughn22

teravaughn22

I help high-achieving women stuck in pain & burnout
→ build strength, regulate, & heal deeper
💌 Join 100+ women reclaiming their strength 🔗

When you have chronic pain and you’re trying to ge When you have chronic pain and you’re trying to get back to exercise, there is something no one really prepares you for.

Your threshold is a lot narrower than you think.

I still caught myself crossing my own threshold last week without realizing it until the next morning.

Not because you are weak or broken. But because your body has been managing a lot for a long time. And the window between “this is working” and “this is too much” is smaller than it looks from the outside.

Here is what makes it hard to see: you usually feel fine in the moment. Fine during the workout. Fine the next day. And then somewhere around day two your body lets you know it was actually a lot.

By the time you feel it, you have already crossed the line.

This is why slowing down is not the same as giving up. Slowing down is how you gather information. It is how you find out where your threshold actually is, what movements your body responds well to, and what tips you over the edge.

When I finally slowed down completely and went back to the foundation, I found out just how narrow my window actually was. The difference between my threshold and going over it was a single exercise. One progression. That is it.

One small change. One extra set. One progression too soon. That is sometimes all it takes. Not because something went wrong. Because the window is just that narrow right now.

But here is what knowing your threshold actually gives you: a way out of the cycle. When you know where your edge is, you stop guessing. You stop the pattern of a few good weeks followed by a flare that sets you back. You start making progress that actually holds because you are building from where you actually are, not where you think you should be.

That window gets wider over time. But only if you respect where it is now.

#returntomovement #painscience #paineducation #strengthtrainingwithpain #chronicpainrelief
If you sit most of the day and still work out, the If you sit most of the day and still work out, then we need to talk about something...

You are doing all the “right” things. But let me guess... by 4pm, your hips feel tight and your neck aches.

Here is the part no one talks about:

A single workout does not offset prolonged stillness. Your body adapts to what it experiences most. If 8 to 10 hours of your day are spent in the same position, that becomes the dominant input. Your body reflects it.

This does not mean you are damaged or injured. It means your body needs more variety throughout the day, not more exercise at the end of it.

The full breakdown is on the blog this week. Link in bio or comment “SITTING” and I’ll send you the direct link.

#deskwork #movementismedicine #movementvariability #chronicpain #painscience
6 months married to my best friend! And cheers to 6 months married to my best friend!

And cheers to finally booking our honeymoon!! 🌴☀️🌊🏖️
For most of my twenties, my approach to nutrition For most of my twenties, my approach to nutrition came from my bodybuilding background.

The focus was always the same:

✔️ very high protein
✔️ very low fat
✔️ very low carbs
✔️ low calories overall

Training was heavy strength workouts and a lot of cardio to stay as lean as possible. Over time, that mindset stuck with me. I thought “healthy” eating meant a plate with protein and maybe a small serving of greens and not much else.

What I didn’t realize was that this way of eating was slowly creating more stress on my body than support.

Over the years I started dealing with more and more symptoms. The biggest one eventually became severe, painful bloating that would come and go unpredictably. Eventually, it just wouldn’t go away. It was present 24/7 regardless if I ate or not.

Last year, I finally decided to approach nutrition differently. I discovered @beingbrigid and went through her 10 week program, “My Food is Health.”

It completely shifted the way I think about building meals. I do not count calories anymore. My focus is much simpler: high protein, fiber-rich, and very colorful plates. While I learned so much more in that program, these are the main things I have found that help me the most.

These are meals that support digestion, stabilize my blood sugar, lower inflammation, and support recovery.

When I build my plate now, I am thinking about things like:

- protein for tissue repair and satiety
- fiber for digestion, satiety, and blood sugar balance
- healthy fats to keep energy stable and support my hormones
- bitters to support digestion
- and a colorful plate for micronutrients and to support gut health

These small shifts made such a big difference for me. My digestion improved, my energy became more stable throughout the day, my brain fog disappeared, cravings decreased. I actually feel full after meals now. And I even sleep more deeply now.

Just like movement can support healing, food can too.

I am not chasing “perfect” nutrition anymore. I focus on building meals that actually support my body. The meals in this carousel are some of the simple ways I do that most days.

#nutritionforhealth #guthealth #wholefoodnutrition #nutritionandwellness
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