Kate has always sensed that the answers to our deepest suffering lie within ourselves. Despite this inner knowing, her profound insights were often drowned out by the cacophony of her mind, leading her to endure significant personal suffering. Driven by a lifelong commitment to learning, Kate embarked on a comprehensive journey to understand human anatomy, physiology, consciousness, and behavior—an exploration that continues to this day.
Her path has not always been marked by awe at her body’s capabilities; in fact, Kate struggled for a long time with body image issues and physical challenges. The journey of reshaping and reforming her body was often fraught with pain and symptoms, even as she sought to understand and improve it. Her body would sometimes scream in protest or reward her for her efforts, adding layers of complexity to her journey.
The turning point came when Kate’s relationship with her body shifted from one of struggle to one of love. It was only when she began to embrace her body with kindness that she could genuinely address and work through her pain and suffering. By slowing down, healing, and attentively applying her knowledge, Kate transformed her experience. Through this process of deep understanding and compassionate engagement, she repaired the ruptures and found a more harmonious relationship with her intelligent body.
Today, Kate's work reflects her journey of transformation. She shares her insights with others, helping them to navigate their own paths to healing and self-discovery. Her approach is rooted in the belief that by understanding and loving our bodies, we can overcome suffering and achieve a more meaningful, connected existence.
Kate Lister, Somatic Therapist
Introduce yourself! Please tell us about you and your life, so we can get to know you better.
Hey, I’m Kate Lister a Somatic Therapist and founder of Mind Body Integration. I have been connecting with minds and bodies for two decades, and in this time, I’ve been fortunate to witness an expansive reclamation of mind and body coherence across diverse settings—from the comfort of people’s homes to specialist clinics, sports medicine hubs, and holistic health spaces. My extensive journey has allowed me to work with a vast array of clients, including weekend warriors, Ironman triathletes, gymnasts, and individuals battling complex chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and traumatic stress. Despite the wide-ranging backgrounds of my clients, one common thread tied many of their experiences together: a loss of trust and sense of disconnection from their bodies. Whether they were pushing their limits to silence internal turmoil or dissociating from pain due to unresolved trauma, my exploratory work and experience has been pivotal in helping them rebuild trust in their physical and emotional selves.
From an early age, I’ve been drawn to movement—competitive swimming, surf lifesaving, and triathlons have shaped my life. I’ve raced everything from 5Ks to a marathon in an Ironman, though I’ve yet to tackle a solo marathon. Running is my sanctuary, where creativity flows, and mental clarity emerges. CrossFit is another passion, though I’m still mastering the technical skills. Once fiercely competitive, I now focus on maintaining strength and staying active for lifelong endurance and longevity.
I also have a deep love for travel, with my latest adventure being to Sri Lanka, a place close to my heart. It’s where my partner grew up, and his warm, welcoming family resides. The island’s rich culture, cuisine, and diverse landscapes—from serene shores to lush jungles— created an unforgettable experience.
Proudly owning the title of "cat lady," I adopted my ginger boy, Franki, in 2020 during the height of COVID-19. He’s been a profound teacher, showing me how to regulate my nervous system, release stress, and embrace stillness. Much of the primal work I share with clients today is inspired by him—a city cat with the spirit of a wild feline.
At the core of it all, family is my foundation. Healing generational wounds has redefined family for me, placing trust and safety at the centre of my relationships. By keeping loved ones close in both my heart and my life, I honour the deep value of meaningful connections.
What inspired you to start Mind Body Integration?
One of the driving forces behind starting Mind Body Integration was my frustration with the way people were often treated in the healthcare system—just as a collection of symptoms rather than as whole individuals. Working for those who exploited hardworking, client-focused, and kind people only added to my resolve. I grew tired of hearing countless stories from clients who were treated with quick fixes, which I likened to putting a band-aid over a bullet hole. Time and time again, people had resigned themselves to “living with” their conditions, passively accepting that “this is all there is for me.” I couldn’t stand to see so many people settling for a life half-lived.
Mind Body Integration was a name that came to me spontaneously, but it perfectly captures the essence of my teachings. Each client brings their own unique lived experiences, stories, traumas, beliefs, and perspectives on who they are—often with a sense of disconnection from purpose, self-understanding and self-acceptance. The core values of Mind Body Integration are honouring sensitivities, developing body-based wisdom, and practicing deep listening. These values have not only been instrumental in my own journey but have also shaped the meaningful connections I’ve cultivated with the curious individuals I have had the privilege to work with.
My passion for empowering others through body-based healing began early. A deep interest in physical education led me to study anatomy and physiology, which laid the groundwork for my career as a Myotherapist, clinical Pilates teacher, meditation instructor, and trauma-informed somatic therapist. This education not only enriched my understanding of the human body but also helped me personally as I competed in elite sports. Through my own journey, I gained valuable insights into stress, recovery, and the intricate mind-body connection in both performance and life.
What core services does Mind Body Integration offer, and what makes them unique compared to other wellness practices?
Mind Body Integration offers 1:1 Somatic Therapy, designed to educate and regulate the autonomic nervous system. This personalized service blends four formal modalities to create a holistic, integrated approach. I believe that the more informed a client is, the more empowered they become. By thoroughly educating clients and applying nuance to their unique nervous system experiences, I support them to gaining a deeper understanding of how their bodies and brains adapted during pivotal moments in their lives.
One key aspect of the process is mapping the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which often brings powerful insights and clarity. From there, the client and I collaborate to create a personalized “menu” of self-care practices, strategies, and routines to build throughout their days, weeks, and months. This ANS map is never static, as life is constantly evolving, and stress is inevitable. The goal is to build awareness, tolerance, capacity, and resilience.
I also offer group workshops, both in person and online, where I share the principles of my 1:1 work in a group setting. These workshops offer curious individuals a chance to deepen their self-mastery practice while connecting with others—creating a space for engagement, curiosity, and self-expression.
Can you describe a success story or a memorable experience you've had with a client?
Trusting your body after trauma, chronic pain, fatigue, or stress can feel impossible, especially when you've unconsciously repressed emotions and now face constant or cyclical symptoms. Fear often arises from how your brain and body react to protect you in moments of vulnerability, making it hard to reconnect.
For most, rebuilding trust is a non-linear process that begins with conscious awareness of physical sensations, staying grounded, and building tolerance to allow these feelings to evolve.
One client’s journey stands out—a man recovering from an asthma attack, and a diagnosis of long COVID. He developed a fear of breathing. Naturally, breathing is automatic, but every time he tried to take a conscious deep breath, pain shot through his abdomen, triggering his body to curl into a fetal position. His shallow breathing, anxiety, and body tension kept his survival mode constantly activated, making it hard to trust his body.
By exploring his autonomic nervous system (ANS) and learning how his body functions under stress, he began to understand why he felt stuck in survival patterns rooted in childhood experiences with asthma.
With this knowledge, he consciously reclaimed control. He learned to explore his breath safely, and when stress resurfaced, he could anchor himself without being overwhelmed. Allowing his body to fully express these sensations showed his nervous system that he was no longer in danger, giving him the ability to stay in control when faced with stress.
Tell us about your greatest career achievement so far.
One of my greatest career achievements was taking a leap of faith and closing part of my business to fully commit to what I truly wanted to teach and go back to university. I had been teaching Pilates for 19 years while trying to build my somatic therapy practice on the side for the last 3. But the more I invested in somatic healing, the clearer it became that I couldn’t continue teaching at the same level. After so long being a reliable resource for my clients, even when I felt the pull to leave, I kept pushing through, only to feel more unfulfilled.
The turning point came during a “letting go” meditation. At that moment, I realized it was time to drop the need for certainty and embrace my truth. It was messy, overwhelming, and terrifying, but I walked side by side with my fear, eventually turning it into an ally. Today, I couldn’t be prouder of where I am and how deeply I trust myself.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why?
If this work were part of the school curriculum, I believe we'd see far fewer people suffering from chronic stress. Most of the clients I work with have long histories of trauma and chronic pain—and I’m no stranger to that experience myself. Understanding how our bodies function, not just when things go wrong, has the power to transform lives.
In my opinion, having a basic understanding of what it truly means to feel emotions, pain, and stress from a physiological perspective is invaluable. Learning how to navigate, complete, and re-negotiate these experiences could build a foundation for true holistic stress resilience. This kind of knowledge empowers us to heal and live more fully.
Tell us about a pivotal moment in your life that brought you to where you are today.
At 31, after spending the majority of my life being an ‘athlete’ I did my final Ironman triathlon, endured a tough business breakup, and battled recurring chronic pain, I finally said "no more." I had been running—literally and figuratively—pushing my body to its limits to avoid feeling. My body was screaming at me every day through a relentless cluster of symptoms, deeply ingrained beliefs about my worth, and strained relationships. I either ignored them, slapped on quick fixes, or simply pushed through.
The breaking point came when I was working for someone who couldn’t pay me my hard-earned wage. After everything I'd been through, this was the final straw. I had nothing left in the tank. It was either turn inward or stay stuck in that dark hole. I sought help from a psychotherapist and integrated my own formal training, and through that process, I slowly rebuilt my self-worth, learned to trust myself again, and let go of needing external validation. After years of inner conflict, I reclaimed myself.
What challenges have you faced in growing Mind-Body Integration, and how have you overcome them?
In the beginning, it was hard to feel seen as a somatic therapist. I had built a version of myself that people trusted and wanted to work with, but I no longer aligned with that identity. I struggled to articulate what I did as a somatic therapist, how it could truly benefit people, and the types of clients I could help. It took a lot of soul-searching and guidance from those who believed in me and my vision to pull it all together.
Three key steps helped me break through: physically stepping away, starting fresh in a new space, and rebranding my practice. These shifts gave me the clarity and confidence to align with who I truly am. Defining my vision, mission, and purpose—and understanding who would benefit most from my work—was a lengthy but transformative process. And I’m so grateful to have gone through it.
What are your future goals for the business, and how do you plan to continue evolving and expanding your services?
My current goals centre around my rebranding, to become more discoverable, making my website an incredible resource for both current and potential clients. It’s an evolving project, but my focus remains on consistently showing up for my clients and respecting my own limits when I reach capacity.
I’m also pursuing a master’s degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, which has made balance a core value in my life. Once I complete my degree, I plan to transition into practicing as a somatic psychotherapist and expand my practice from there,
Beyond that, I have an exciting idea for a book and a vision to create a community group. This group would offer an opportunity for people who can’t access my 1:1 services to still engage with my work. I see it as a space, both online and in person, where we can share knowledge, connect, and collectively heal in an environment that is safe, regulated, consensual, and compassionate.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in holistic wellness or mind-body integration?
Providing holistic health services to others is a profound privilege—one that I hold with great responsibility. It's essential to cultivate deep compassion and self-awareness, as without these, even the best intentions can lead to projecting unresolved issues onto clients.
Practicing self-care, maintaining strong boundaries, and approaching every client with unconditional positive regard is key to building genuine therapeutic rapport. Growth in this field never stops—always challenge your own knowledge, stay curious, seek mentorship, and remain open to new perspectives. This is how we serve others with integrity and purpose.
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