By: Mel Gording

“Stress isn’t always loud—it’s the silent, slow burnout that we ignore until it erupts,” says Jennifer Wren Tolo, an award-winning health educator, former critical care nurse, and transformational life coach known as “The Soul Connector.”

On the heels of April’s Stress Awareness Month and with Mental Health Awareness Month now underway, it’s time to take a deeper look at how stress manifests in the lives of modern women. Far from just a mental health concern, chronic stress has become an invisible epidemic that affects every layer of a woman’s well-being from physical health and relationships to work performance and emotional resilience.

Jennifer knows this all too well. With a background that spans critical care nursing, holistic education, and personal transformation, she has devoted her career to helping women move from survival mode into soul-aligned living. And in March 2025, she celebrated a major milestone: the 20th anniversary of Butterfly Family Wellness, the business she founded to help women address the root causes of stress-related mental and physical imbalances.

When Crisis Becomes a Catalyst

Tolo’s journey into wellness and resilience work began in the trenches—navigating life-threatening illnesses with two of her four sons. When science and logic had no clear answers, she turned inward. Her own health crisis, what she calls her “911 Moment,” became the turning point. She realized that unmanaged stress and a lack of self-care were eroding her well-being from the inside out.

It was in the quiet, intentional pauses—deep breaths, self-trust, and intuitive nudges—that she began to heal. And from that healing came her life’s work: helping women remember their power and reconnect with the voice within.

The 3 Hidden Stressors Sabotaging Women’s Health

Jennifer now sees a common thread in the lives of high-achieving, overwhelmed women: they’re often praised for keeping everything afloat, but they’re quietly unraveling inside. 

She helps women identify the root stressors that too often go unnoticed:

1. The Myth of “Having It All”

The pressure to do everything—be the perfect mom, leader, partner, and friend—leads to silent burnout. Women are taught that more achievement equals more worth, but the chase often leaves them depleted.

2. Disconnection from Self and Soul

Many women silence their inner voice in favor of external validation. But over time, ignoring that inner guidance leads to emotional and physical symptoms that no prescription can fix.

3. Boundary Breakdown

Without clear boundaries, stress creeps in through every open door. Learning to say “no,” prioritize energy, and stop people-pleasing is one of the most radical forms of self-care.

From Awareness to Empowerment

At the heart of Jennifer’s approach is a simple but powerful method she calls the “ABCs of Stress Management,” a foundational framework that encourages women to first become aware of their stress triggers, then reset through breath and healthy boundaries, and finally, reconnect with themselves on a soul level. These steps: Awareness, Breathe & Boundaries, and Connection help shift women out of survival mode and into a state of calm, clarity, and control.

Building on this, Jennifer’s newly launched coaching program, Reclaim Your Power, expands the ABCs into a deeper, more holistic process through her 6-S System™.
This method guides women to intentionally cultivate Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Setting Boundaries, Self-Care, Self-Trust, and Self-Reflection on how they want to show up in their lives. Rather than a checklist, it’s a cyclical practice—one that creates the internal space needed for women to reclaim their time, energy, and sense of purpose.

Each “S” is a building block that helps women reset their nervous systems, reconnect with their purpose, and design a life aligned with who they really are, not just who they’ve been conditioned to be.

A Voice That’s Reaching Thousands

Jennifer’s work is reaching far beyond her one-on-one coaching clients. She teaches Holistic and Complementary Approaches to Health and Healing at Endicott College’s School of Nursing, hosts the Simple Awakenings Podcast, and has been featured in the media, including ABC News, FOX News and Woman’s Journal.

Her first book, Family Fuel: A Busy Mom’s Guide to Healthy Living, became a popular Amazon resource for moms looking to simplify wellness. She’s currently working on her second book, which chronicles her family’s healing journey and the deeper life lessons that emerged along the way.

Lasting Change Begins with Presence

When asked what truly changes the game for her clients, Jennifer doesn’t point to diets or rigid routines. She points to presence. Her top strategies for shifting from autopilot to intentional living include:

• Begin each day with conscious breathing.

• Set one boundary that protects your energy.

• Ask yourself: “Is this choice led by fear or soul?”

• Create space for stillness.

• Reframe stress not as the enemy, but as a messenger.

“We don’t have to push harder,” she says. “We need to pause, listen, and trust what we already know.”

Celebrating 20 Years and a New Chapter

As she marks 20 years of Butterfly Family Wellness in 2025, Jennifer reflects on how her work has evolved from health coaching to transformational leadership.

Her goal remains the same: to help women remember they already hold the keys to health, joy, and fulfillment.

To learn more about Jennifer, connect with her on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Published by Jeremy S.