Hey, I’m Ashley,
Resilience and Play Specialist
I believe everyone deserves to feel fully alive, light, and joyful in their body and life. The way to make that your reality? Create space to play and reconnect to the real you underneath the stress, the busy-ness, and the need to keep pushing. That's where the magic and the joy and the peace can come to life.
Here’s the thing - there are millions of awesome humans on the planet trapped in the default mode of adulting.
Carrying the weight of responsibilities, climbing the corporate ladder, holding down the fort at home…and, as a result, become a rigid, stressed out, and serious version of ourselves. A version that’s often not who we want to be.
Sound familiar?
You feel fried.
You feel on edge.
You feel stuck.
Underneath the surface, you miss the you you used to be. The one who used to laugh a whole lot. The one who used to seek out fun. The one who used to kick back and break the rules a little bit. The one who used to make space for what brings you joy.
You yearn for it because you’re built for that.
What you’re not built for? Feeling stressed 24/7.
You need space to play. Otherwise, that rigidity will just get more rigid, the stress will just accumulate, and you will function at a fraction of who you’re meant to be.
Now, you might be thinking, “What does play look like as an adult?” I’m so happy you asked.
Play isn’t about what you do but how you do it—with curiosity, creativity, and freedom from judgment. It’s a mindset, not a checklist. The best part? You choose your own adventure.
Play is simply doing something you love.
Cooking.
Walking.
Dancing.
Writing.
Painting.
Singing.
Gardening.
Crafting.
Swimming.
Hiking.
Organizing.
Googling.
Stargazing.
Cracking Jokes.
It’s not necessarily something big like an amazing adventure to Bali, but more so the little moments we give ourselves in between the adulting.
My mission is to show you how to reconnect with playfulness so that it can become your default over stress. It’s what will empower you to step out of survival mode and into a life that feels joyful, alive, and truly yours.
Through my unique approach that blends self-mastery, somatic practices, and the power of play, I guide you to reconnect with your body and essence in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.
This isn’t about perfection or chasing some ideal version of yourself. It’s about showing up for you, making play a daily practice, and learning to relax into life a little.
All in an effort to support your longevity, your vitality, and your joy.
Together, we’ll create a space where you can shed the layers of busyness and disconnection, expand your consciousness through your body, and rediscover the lightness and joy that have always been within you.
Life isn’t meant to be all serious—it’s meant to be lived with ease, laughter, and a sense of play. Let’s get you there.
Power Play Manifesto
A Power Play is a choice—a moment to shift from stress to joy, from overwhelm to presence. It could be as simple as a deep breath, a spontaneous dance to your favorite song, or finding humor in a challenge. Whatever form it takes, a Power Play is about reclaiming your energy and agency.
Why It Matters
I’m here to show you that even the smallest acts of play can transform your life—helping you feel better, live better, and show up fully for yourself and the world.
Prioritizing play isn’t just about fun; it’s about well-being, connection, and stepping into the fullest expression of you.
Step into your truth. Reconnect with your light. Live fully alive.
What’s your Power Play?
MY JOURNEY TO FINDING THE HEALING MAGIC OF PLAY
One of my superpowers has always been letting the kid within win—a childlike curiosity and the ability to laugh in the face of adversity. This playful spirit has guided me through life’s most challenging moments, helping me navigate the darkest times with lightness and resilience.
When I was 19, I was hit by a drunk driver. The impact left me with a broken back, multiple injuries, and a near-death experience that shifted how I saw the world, even if I didn’t realize it at the time. The physical recovery was difficult, but more than that, I put on a metaphorical suit of armor and became fiercely determined to push through life’s challenges. While my resilience helped me survive, it also created a barrier between me and the emotional healing I so desperately needed.
Fourteen years later, I was involved in another car accident. This time, the physical injuries were less severe, but the emotional impact was profound. A family friend, a psychologist, introduced me to the concept of PTSD and how trauma can remain trapped in the body. Through physical therapy and EMDR, I began the journey of somatic healing, learning to listen to my body’s wisdom.
With a background in kinesiology, integrative physiology, and behavioral health, I learned to feel my way through the healing process, tapping into my subtle senses and deepening my connection with my body’s wisdom.
In this process, I found that my playful curiosity wasn’t just a source of joy—it was a healing tool. By reawakening my playful energy, I was able to shift from a place of stress and exhaustion to a place of calm, clarity, and resilience.
I trained my body and mind to respond differently—no longer living to exhaust myself through work or physical activity and just slow down enough to relax.
Instead, I embraced the idea that healing can be light, playful, and intuitive. This playful spirit became the foundation for a nervous system that is both calm and resilient, capable of meeting life’s challenges without losing my sense of joy.
I’ve had the privilege of gaining a perspective on life that helps me see through the chaos—knowing that we all have the ability to find joy and peace, even in tough times.
If we can lighten up, even just a little, we can experience so much more joy alongside the inevitable pain and suffering.
I believe levity is the key to thriving, no matter what stormy seasons life may bring. And when we forget to play, that's when dis-ease creeps in.
Today, I help high-performing women move from a stressed, "always on", exhausted state to a more alive, vibrant, and balanced one that aligns with their next level of fulfillment and success.
I believe that when the kid in you wins, it’s a powerful sign that you’re deepening the trust and love you have for yourself. This is when growth becomes effortless, and guiding yourself to your next level feels light and intuitive.
Because I know from experience that when you let the playful, curious energy within you lead the way, the process of healing and growth becomes more joyful, and success becomes a natural byproduct of your own vitality.
When people connect with me, they often find themselves naturally relaxing and feeling grounded, creating space for deeper peace and clarity. It turns out, it's much simpler than we realize: stepping away from the noise, immersing ourselves in nature, and playing are some of the most healing, life-enhancing practices for long-term vitality.
Professional Bio
Ashley DePaulis is a Resilience & Play Specialist and Speaker who helps ambitious women break free from stress and reclaim their vitality through the power of play.
With expertise in kinesiology, integrative physiology, and behavioral health, she blends science with the body’s innate wisdom to awaken adults to the transformative power of play.
Her mission? To help women shift from chronic stress and burnout to joy, creativity, and resilience—reminding them that their worth isn’t in constant “doing” but in the freedom of simply being.
Ashley is also an advisor to the Board of Directors for Let’s Play America. Her work has been featured in outlets including the American Institute of Stress, Society of Public Health Education, and the Journal of Applied Physiology and she’s spoken at events like the U.S. Play Coalition Conference and the National Conference on the Value of Play.
What People Are Saying