Rotary Club Explores the Power of Somatic Awareness

      At the April 22, 2025 Rotary Club meeting, Rotarian Chuck Hutson proudly introduced his daughter, Jessica Hutson, as the featur

Chuck Hutson, Jessica Hutson, Justin Rubin

ed speaker. Jessica has worked in learning and development for over 11 years and now owns her own consulting business, helping both business leaders and individuals grow into roles of greater responsibility and fulfillment.

      Jessica spoke on the topic of somatic awareness—a practice that encourages individuals to become more in tune with the messages their bodies are sending. With a focus on mindset, she explained how our own thinking can sometimes become the biggest roadblock to personal and professional growth.

      While the conscious mind sets humans apart from other mammals, Jessica pointed out that it can also become cluttered when we feel frazzled or overwhelmed. In those moments, she said, it’s important to “drop into the body” and listen. She demonstrated simple breathing techniques that help create space between stimulus and response—giving us greater control over how we react in stressful situations.

      Jessica outlined the many benefits of developing somatic awareness: earlier recognition of burnout, clearer communication, better decision-making, and deeper trust in both personal and professional relationships.

      By the end of her talk, the room of Rotarians felt noticeably more grounded—and maybe just a little more peaceful.