Today we’d like to introduce you to Zesarae Bodie.
Hi Zesarae, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
“My journey has been rooted in helping people reconnect with themselves and each other. As an occupational therapist, I saw firsthand how often intimacy, wellness, and connection were overlooked — especially for women navigating major life transitions. That inspired me to found Intimate Health Solutions (IHS), a consulting and community-building platform that uses OT principles to support sexual wellness, intimacy, and functional living in small group settings.
I also co-host the podcast Caribbean Spice and Southern Charm with two close friends, where we blend our different upbringings and life experiences to have honest conversations about culture, wellness, relationships, and navigating womanhood. Both IHS and the podcast were born from the same inspiration: creating spaces where real, joyful, and healing conversations are not just welcomed — they are the norm.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. It has definitely been a journey filled with both growth and hard lessons. In my business, one of the biggest hurdles has been building brand awareness in a space that still carries a lot of stigma and discomfort, especially around conversations about sexual wellness. It’s not just about visibility. It’s about trust, education, and slowly shifting cultural narratives. That takes time and emotional energy. This is also a side hustle for me, so time management while having a full-time job that also requires quite a bit of mental energy can lead to burnout if I am not careful and intentional in my practices of self-care.
From the podcast side, it’s a similar concern, while we do this for fun, we would love to ultimately make a name for ourselves and so getting our name out there is important. Another challenge has been navigating the dynamics of working with friends. There’s a learning curve in shifting from friendship into collaborative business roles, it brings up issues around boundaries, expectations, and communication styles that you don’t encounter when you’re just “hanging out.” And while I’m still working on it, it has taught me a lot about clarity, accountability, and honoring both the personal and professional parts of those relationships.
But every bump in the road has helped me refine the vision and purpose of my ventures. The struggles have made the mission even more meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear a few hats that all tie into one central mission, supporting people in reclaiming their sense of self, and sexual wellness. I’m a professor, a podcast host, and an occupational therapist with a specialization in sexual health. Each role gives me a unique lens: teaching allows me to shape the next generation of OTs with a more inclusive and trauma-informed understanding of care; podcasting gives me space to have real, unfiltered conversations that normalize topics many people shy away from; and my clinical work grounds it all in function, empathy, and healing.
What sets me apart is how I integrate these disciplines. I don’t see sexual wellness as separate from daily life or healing: it’s a core part of our identity, relationships (including friendships), and overall well-being. My approach blends evidence-based occupational therapy practices with the nuance of lived experiences, storytelling, and community-building. It’s not just about addressing dysfunction it’s about restoring connection, pleasure, and self-trust in a way that feels accessible and empowering.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
If I had to choose just one, I’d say consistency, but it’s closely followed by empathy and a genuine commitment to lifelong learning. Consistency has been the thread that’s held everything together, especially on the hard days. Whether it’s showing up for my students, clients, or my own growth, I’ve learned that progress comes from the small, steady actions, not just the big wins.
Empathy plays a huge role in how I communicate and connect with others. In the work I do, especially around intimacy and sexual wellness, people need to feel safe, seen, and not judged. That requires deep listening and meeting people where they are, not where we assume they should be.
And I’d be remiss not to mention flexibility. As someone who has lived in 21 cities and counting, life rarely goes as planned, especially when you’re building something meaningful. Being able to adapt, pivot, and still stay rooted in your purpose is just as important as anything else.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.intimatehealthsolutions.com
- Instagram: @intimatehealthsolutions
- Facebook: @caribbeanspiceandsoutherncharm
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@caribbeanspiceandsoutherncharm?si=5Nrb7fw7Cd87etrZ
