Episode 58: Dr. Tracy Shevell

Recipe
Written By Ailey Jolie

03/26/2026

What if the reason you struggle to speak up in medical spaces is not weakness, but your body recognizing it is not safe?

In this episode, Ailey Jolie is joined by Dr. Tracy Shevell, a maternal fetal medicine specialist and women’s health advocate, to explore what happens when women enter rushed healthcare systems and leave unheard. Drawing from her experience as both a physician and a patient, Tracy shares how easily voices get lost, even when the stakes are high.

We talk about self advocacy, why women often freeze or fawn with authority figures, and simple ways to prepare for appointments so you can be heard. We also explore physician burnout and how broken systems impact care on both sides of the room.

From there, we expand into a more holistic view of health, one that includes emotional support, community, and nervous system awareness. Tracy connects the dots between trauma, chronic illness, and autoimmune conditions, and shares what trauma informed care can look like when dignity and choice are centered.

If you have ever left an appointment feeling dismissed or unsure how to advocate for yourself, this conversation offers both language and practical support.

About In This Body: Conversations with leading experts about the importance of embodiment in living an authentic life. In This Body asks the important questions: How does connecting to your body change your life? How will connecting to your body allow you to love better and live more authentically? And how does connecting to your body change the trajectory of our shared world?

In this episode:

  • 2:27 Meet Dr. Tracy Shevell

  • 4:40 Feeling At Home In Your Body

  • 10:34 Self-Worth As Core Healthcare

  • 14:26 How To Get More From Visits

  • 19:20 Moral Injury Inside Modern Medicine

  • 25:54 Spirituality, Ritual, And Miracles

  • 36:12 How Birth Shaped Tracy’s Faith

  • 42:19 Birth Fear, Extremes, And Isolation

  • 47:58 Why Long-Term OBGYN Care Matters

  • 51:51 Trauma-Informed Gynaecology That Respects You

  • 1:02:22 Integration, Resources, And Closing

Find the Full Transcript Here

Learn more about Ailey Jolie:

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Ailey Jolie

https://www.aileyjolie.com
Next

Episode 57: Dr. Genevieve von Lob