Episode 88 - Why Mental Fitness Matters for Children with founder of Mindfully Natalie Von Teichman
What if we treated mental health the same way we treat physical fitness?
In this episode, we explore the concept of mental fitness and why proactively building emotional strength, regulation, and resilience is one of the most important gifts we can give our children. My guest, Natalie von Teichman, children’s mental fitness coach and founder of Mindfully, shares how mental fitness helps children develop the skills they need before stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm show up.
Together, we discuss why simply telling kids to “calm down” doesn’t work, how breathing and co-regulation support nervous system regulation, and why allowing children to experience manageable discomfort actually builds resilience.
Natalie and I chat about:
- What mental fitness is and how it differs from mental health
- Why kids need to practice emotional regulation before big feelings arise
- How breathing supports the nervous system and emotional regulation
- The power of role modelling (and why perfection isn’t required)
- Why naming emotions is only the first step and what comes next
- How imagination, play, and storytelling strengthen emotional resilience
- Ways to support children’s mental fitness in a digital world
Natalie von Teichman is a children’s mental fitness coach, mindfulness educator, mom of four, and the founder of Miindfully, the brand behind the world’s first meditation stuffie for kids (a multisensory, screen-free tool designed to support emotional regulation, sleep, and resilience through play). With a background in health science, mindfulness education, and pediatric mental wellness, Natalie’s work focuses on helping children build mental agility, emotional regulation, and self-compassion using evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate strategies. Her approach integrates breath regulation, cognitive processes, role-play, and neuroscience-based mindfulness practices.
Episode Links:
- Say hi to Natalie on Instagram
- Learn more about Miindfully or get your own meditate at Miindfully. Use code WILD+WELL15 for 15% off
Come say hi to me on Instagram
Books to Thrive in Motherhood: Dive into The Motherhood Reset, Nourished Mama, and Mama Let It Go to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.
Picky Eating Guide: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods.
Resources I Am Loving
Squat Seat – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount.
Green Goo – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE
Ananda Elixirs – Delicious functional mushroom wellness elixirs. Get 20% off
Miindfully Tate – The cutest mindful stuffie. Use code WILD+WELL15 for 15% off
I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend.
Wild and Well is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.
