Why I Love What I Do . . . And Do What I Love
Jill Disser
Certified Meditation Facilitator and Coach
and Your Guide To Living Well
A Note To My Visitors
I have struggled with anxious thoughts throughout my life. From a young age, I was in therapy, but I still didn’t find lasting relief from my worries and fears. Then, in May 2019, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—a life-altering moment. Anxiety and fear became an overwhelming force in my life.
Let me explain how I discovered a way out of being controlled by anxiety. At the encouragement of a nurse navigator, I joined a meditation support group. This experience opened the door to mindfulness, which became a powerful tool in my healing and in managing the intense stress of my treatments.
Learning to train my mind to stay in the present moment and not be trapped in endless catastrophic thoughts helped calm my anxiety, improve my sleep, manage my pain, and bring a sense of balance and hope back into my life.
Inspired by my own transformation, I wanted to share the practices I learned that helped me heal emotionally, mentally, and physically.
This work is from my heart. I know the pain of anxiety, but I also know the way through - to be happier, more relaxed, and more optimistic about the future. Helping others find peace, just like I did, is what I’m meant to do.
If something in my story speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you.
You’re not alone—and when you’re ready, I’m here to listen, support, and guide you.
My Vision
My Vision is to create a world where no one feels alone and no one is ruled by the constant cycle of anxious thoughts, fears, or worries - where they can navigate life’s changes - where healing, peace, and clarity are within reach, even in life’s hardest moments.
My Mission
My Mission is to support others through anxiety, fear, and life’s uncertainties with compassionate, innovative, practical, and effective solutions. By quieting racing thoughts, reconnecting to the present moment, and rediscovering inner calm, they will no longer have to walk their path alone.
TESTIMONIALS
Kind Words From The Hearts Of Others
"This group sets the tone for the whole day"
"I'm so glad I attended. This group is utterly amazing--they just swirl in light and love. I can see why the person who recommended me said it sets the tone for the whole day. Jill’s meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, loosening up nighttime stiffness, and feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me."
- Tam
"I look forward to our time together every day."
"I appreciate being in your meditation group. I enjoy your meditations and the group of women we have. I had never tried meditation before, so I was a little leery. I didn’t know what to expect, but it has surpassed my expectations. It has helped me with my mental well-being. I look forward to our time together every day. Thank you so much."
- Martha
"I left with a sense of calm and a path ahead."
"Jill has the voice of Mother Earth and guided me straight into myself and led me to open up to my feelings. I have attended her meditations with so much on my mind and left with a sense of calm and a path ahead. Thank you Jill:)))"
- Heather, Certified Trainer & Licensed Life Coach
"My range of motion has improved, along with my mood."
“Jill's meditation has been a wonderful experience. With her gentle facilitation, I have grown to depend on a positive start to my day, to loosening up nighttime stiffness, and to feeling welcome in a loving community. My range of motion has improved, along with my mood. It’s comforting to wake up each morning knowing that a kind and welcoming group is waiting with genuine smiles to greet me.”
- Jack
Your Beating Heart
Centering on the heart is one of the simplest and most profound spiritual practices you can do. It’s a direct way to reconnect with yourself, your intuition, and the peace that’s always waiting beneath the noise.
Living a heart-centered life means shifting from the head to the heart - from constant thinking to intentional feeling. When we tune into our hearts, we access that still, small voice within us - the one that quietly guides us toward clarity and compassion.
In ancient Hindu and Buddhist teachings, the heart chakra is the center of love, compassion, balance, and connection. When this energy center is open and balanced, we feel more in harmony with ourselves and others. We naturally give and receive love more freely.
But this connection isn’t just energetic - it’s also biological. Communication between the heart and brain is a two-way street. Each continuously influences the other. When our heart rhythms are steady and coherent, our thoughts become clearer and calmer. When our heart rhythms are erratic, our thinking tends to become more scattered and reactive.
And here’s something fascinating: our hearts don’t just communicate with our brains - they also communicate with the world around us. You’ve probably noticed how being around someone with a “good vibe” can lift your mood, or how you instinctively sense when someone’s energy feels off. That’s not imagination. Our heart’s electromagnetic field actually interacts with others’ fields. Our heartbeats can subtly sync with those nearby.
During meditation, this synchronization becomes even more harmonious. The heart’s rhythm slows, steadies, and becomes beautifully coherent. Meditation literally helps regulate your heart rate and restore balance.
So, whenever you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or simply off-center, try this gentle heart-centered meditation:
Focus on your heart. Place one or both hands over your chest.
Breathe slowly. Inhale for a count of five or six, then exhale for the same count.
Visualize your breath flowing in and out of your heart. Let it feel soft and steady.
Recall a positive feeling. Perhaps a moment of gratitude, love, or appreciation.
Re-experience that feeling. Let it expand in your chest. Focus on the emotion, not the details of the memory.
Stay here as long as you like, breathing from your heart.
Each time you practice, you strengthen the communication between your heart and brain, training them to work in harmony. Over time, you’ll notice a greater sense of clarity, calm, and emotional balance.
Research from the HeartMath Institute supports this connection - showing that when we focus on the heart, parasympathetic nervous system activity increases. This activates the body’s “rest and restore” response, helping us feel peaceful, centered, and grounded.
Your heart is more than just an organ. It’s a rhythm of wisdom and love that can guide you home to yourself.
Joining one of my support groups or getting one-on-one coaching can help with your anxiety. Also, listening to my Micro Meditations For Anxiety*, Your Beating Heart Micro Meditation Podcast. Three minute meditation will help you to overcome stress, anxiety, and numerous obstacles we face in our lives. You can watch the YouTube video*. And, you can join my live meditation group on meetup.
Focus on your heart as you slow your breath down. Feel your body release. Feel everything soften. Get a sense that the world is slowing down. Focus on what is important. Feel the amazing benefits as you breathe.
You've Got Questions. I've Got Answers.
How can mindfulness help reduce anxiety when I feel it coming on?
When anxiety starts to grow, mindfulness gives you a way to pause and get yourself back on track before it takes over. Even just a few mindful breaths can disrupt the cycle of racing thoughts and calm your nervous system. With practice, you’ll learn to recognize the early signs of anxiety and respond with tools that bring you back to the present moment - so you feel more in control and less overwhelmed. The good news is, your breath is always with you. Taking even one slow, conscious breath may interrupt the spiral. Sometimes this is enough; other times, it isn't. Please reach out to me so I can help you learn proven effective mindfulness techniques that reduce anxiety, worry, and help manage the problems you are having1 .
(1) Contact Us
I’ve tried meditation before, but my mind still races. How is your approach different?
First of all, it's completely normal for your mind to wander, especially when you’re anxious. That's how your minds work. My technique is gentle, guided meditation practice, specifically designed for people who struggle with racing thoughts. My approach is simple: practice, practice, practice. My coaching method is not for temporary relief or generic advice. I don’t offer a bandaid; instead, I try to empower you to become active participants in your own healing. I meet you exactly where you are - even if your mind is racing or chaotic. Instead of trying to stop the wandering mind, I teach you the skills to notice it and gently guide it back using awareness. I help you understand your habit loops (trigger → behavior → reward) so you can break free from habitual thought patterns. My meditations are personalized, flexible, and empowering so you feel supported and in control. I don’t coach you to try to silence the racing mind. That would be futile. I help you build a new relationship with your thoughts so you can respond with clarity instead of being pulled by fear or habit.
Do I need any previous experience with meditation to join your programs?
Not at all. Whether you're new to meditation or returning, everything is taught in a simple, step-by-step manner. You’ll be supported. Even if you have meditated a lot, you know that the mind still wanders, anxiety still shows up, and sometimes, you still feel stuck. You'll find that my sessions go deeper. Every meditation is a unique journey, originally written by me - no generic recordings. No two sessions are alike, because you’re never in the same place twice. All that’s required is an open mind and a willingness to show up for yourself.
How long does it usually take to feel the benefits of mindfulness practice?
Many people notice small shifts, like feeling more grounded or sleeping a bit better, within just a few sessions. You may notice some benefits right away, but with regular, consistent practice, those benefits deepen - and become more lasting and meaningful over time. We have the ability to rewire the path of our brain by learning to accept the present moment instead of getting lost in thought. Mindfulness isn’t about getting rid of stress or thoughts - it’s about changing our relationship with them. The good news is: you don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present—and keep coming back. Mindfulness is an ongoing, lifelong journey.
Can meditation really help with sleep and pain management?
Yes, it's fantastic! Meditation helps relax the body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Mindful meditation-based pain relief also supports pain management by reducing the stress response and helping you respond to discomfort with greater calm and awareness—something I experienced personally during my healing journey. This has been proven in experimental and clinical settings as per NIH.
How do I get started, and what can I expect in a session?
Getting started is easy—just reach out through my website or contact form. In each session, I’ll guide you through simple mindfulness and meditation practices tailored to your needs. We’ll focus on calming anxious thoughts, building emotional resilience, and supporting you through whatever life change you’re facing. You’ll leave each session feeling more centered, supported, and empowered.
Is there a difference between mindfulness and meditation?
Mindfulness is a state of awareness carried throughout daily life and is valuable, not just when meditating, but also in every moment of everyday life.
Meditation is a daily practice to train the mind and develop mindfulness. Mindfulness is a state of awareness that can be used during meditation.
Meditation is the exercise to develop mindfulness or awareness. Mindfulness requires an increased sense of awareness and staying present in the moment. Practicing meditation to develop mindfulness is good for your body, mind, and heart and brings a sense of calm, inner peace, and gratitude.
What is happening in our mind when getting caught up in anxiety?
Our mind tries to reduce uncertainty by going on autopilot and uses habitual patterns of thought to reduce it. In the past, these habitual patterns developed because they give us the sense of being able to control the uncertainty. The uncertainty can't be reduced but these habitual behaviors feel better than the uncertainty. Once we stop the thinking, the uncertainty comes back and we repeat the behavior. This creates loops of thoughts that constantly repeat. By using mindfulness to become aware of being on autopilot and caught in these loops, we can learn to change this behavior and stop the uncomfortable feelings caused by the uncertainty from growing.
Has mindfulness been proven to reduce anxiety?
Yes! Many recent studies have shown that physical changes occur in the brain of people who regularly practice meditation. One such study "shows that mindfulness can significantly improve mental health, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression."1 Studies have shown that areas of the brain related to habitual behaviors caused by anxiety are greatly reduced in people who are advanced meditators, and suggest that "emotions like fear and stress tend to shrink in people who meditate regularly. "2 These changes can be seen even in people who are just starting to meditate. The more people practice meditation, the greater these changes are. Using meditation to train the mind has been proven by these studies to effectively reduce anxiety.
(1) Science Behind Mindfulness: Neurological and Psychological Mechanisms
(2) Unlocking the Power of Meditation: How It Transforms Your Brain
Living Your Life Without Anxiety
Disclaimer
I understand that by using this website, I will be receiving coaching services from Meditation To Live Well LLC, which are not intended to substitute for professional mental health care or medical care, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any mental health or medical conditions. I also understand that Meditation To Live Well LLC is not acting as a mental health counselor or a medical professional.