You’re not broken.
You’re responding to a world that taught you to push down your needs, silence your voice, and keep going — even when your body was crying out for rest, connection, and care.
What if your stress, burnout, or emotional struggles aren’t personal flaws... but natural signals from your nervous system?
Welcome to your healing season.
Welcome to Smarter NOT Harder!
I’m Ashley Burns.
I’m a trauma-informed somatic coach, childcare educator, and a mum who’s been on (and is still on!) a deep journey of rebuilding self-esteem, confidence, and connection — one small step at a time.
For years, I have lived with the effects of PTSD, anxiety, and depression, alongside the chronic pain of endometriosis.
I felt disconnected from myself, my body, and often the world around me.
I always knew I wanted to help others feel more at home in their bodies — but for a long time, I didn’t know how to do that for myself.
That changed when I discovered somatic coaching.
Learning to understand and work with my nervous system helped me heal in ways I never thought were possible.
It wasn’t about big breakthroughs or fixing myself overnight — it was about small, consistent shifts: daily practices, gentle awareness, and learning how to feel safe in my own skin again.
Now, I combine what I’ve learned — through formal training, lived experience, and everyday embodiment — to help others reconnect with themselves, regulate their nervous systems, and feel grounded, empowered, and whole.
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Smarter Not Harder was born from this journey.
A Grounded Approach
to Personal Growth and Healing
The Root to Rise Pathway is a self-paced, somatic-based personal growth framework built on the science of nervous system regulation and trauma-informed support.
It’s designed to help you understand your body’s responses, restore your inner calm, and reconnect with your energy, passion, and purpose — step by step.
Whether you're feeling
stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally drained or simply
disconnected from yourself,
this path is designed to gently guide you through four powerful, natural phases of healing and self-growth:
Phase 1
Reconnect + Ground
Coming Home to Safety & Self
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“I feel overwhelmed and disconnected — like I’m stuck in survival mode.”
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“I don’t even know how to relax anymore; my nervous system feels on edge all the time.”
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“I want to feel safe in my body, but I don’t know where to start.”
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“I crave structure, gentleness, and tools to help me regulate, not just cope.”
🌀 This phase guides you to create inner safety, understand your nervous system, and reconnect with your body through simple, powerful somatic tools.
Phase 2
Regulate + Reflect
Reconnecting with the Body’s Wisdom
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“I’ve spent years ignoring or punishing my body — I’m ready to listen now.”
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“I want to explore who I really am underneath the pain and patterns.”
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“I feel emotions surfacing and I need support to navigate them gently.”
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“I’m curious about embodiment, sensuality, and moving with intention.”
🌀 This phase is about remembering your wholeness, reclaiming self-trust, and learning to attune to your body’s messages with compassion and curiosity.
Phase 3
Focus + Integrate
Empowerment, Expression & Boundaries
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“I’m tired of people-pleasing and shrinking myself to stay safe.”
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“I want to express who I really am without guilt, fear, or shame.”
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“I feel ready to explore my power, but I need guidance to stay grounded.”
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“I want to say no with confidence and show up fully in my relationships.”
🌀 This phase supports you to reclaim your voice, honor your boundaries, and explore emotional expression, authentic desires, and self-leadership.
Phase 4
Embody + Express
Integration, Vision & Expansion
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“I’ve come so far — now I want to live and lead from this healed place.”
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“I’m ready to create a life aligned with my values and inner peace.”
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“I still have wobbles, but I trust myself more than ever.”
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“I want to support others or embody this work in my career or lifestyle.”
🌀 This phase guides you to integrate your growth, expand into aligned purpose, and root your healing into everyday rituals, relationships, and leadership.
What's in the free guide?
Download your free
nervous system
reset guide
now
"This intro guide helped me to understand how long I've been living in a dysregulated state"
-- Mary, 38
— Name, Title
"The free pdf taught me so much about myself, I can't wait for the full course"
-- Indie, 23