Small Changes Big Shifts With Dr. Michelle Robin

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.”- Ange Simson When it comes to being healthy, there isn’t just one factor and there might not only be one hurdle standing in your way but many. Today on Small Changes Big Shifts, we have Founder of The Gratitude Project, Integrative Nutrition Health Coach,Writer, and Happiness Expert, Ange Simson, share her own wellness journey with us, what health obstacles most women face, how to step into and honor your own person, and how gratitude plays a big part in our overall wellbeing.  Join us as Ange shares how tuning into her body made her realize that healing and diminishing her migraines would need more than just changing her diet. Deep down she knew that in order to truly live a better life of health, she would also have to focus on other factors such as her feelings and emotional wellness. Thus began her own gratitude project.  Listen and discover how loving herself for who she is and growing through the power of gratitude has not only helped Ange heal but has led her

“The process is the result.”- Rob Dionne So many times, we think of weight loss as a long term goal. Something that will happen down the road and will take months and months of work to achieve but Rob Dionne of Open Sky Fitnessis teaching us a new way of thinking.  Rob has his own personal story of weight loss and self discovery that he uses to help others find true happiness and self acceptance. He teaches people that short term goals are the way to make big changes in your life and on the scale. By focusing on actually transitioning your life, being in the present moment and not stressing over yesterday or worrying about tomorrow; you can lose all the weight in the world yet gain so much more at the same time.

“Kindness is contagious, catch it and pass it on!” -Rita Blitt Award-winning painter, sculptor, filmmaker, and creator the phrase, “Kindness is contagious, catch it,” Rita Blittshares how she created those words and became part of Beth Smith’s Kindness Programin Kansas City. The Kindness Program encourages acts of gentleness, thoughtfulness, compassion, and humanity. As you listen to this interview, you’ll learn how the Kindness Program expanded to include teaching students about kindness plus how they began to host a Kindness Dinner in which local students had to nominate someone for their outstanding acts. In return, Rita shares the immense impact that the Kindness Program has had on her own life as far as being kind and giving to others. Rita also dives into how creating works of art gives her great joy, what inspires her as an artist and what message she hopes to share with people across the world. Discover what small changes you can do today to make big shifts in our world tomorrow through kindness, love

Over the years, there have been many different approaches to improve our personal wellness from work-life balance, self-care, mindfulness, to work-life integration. One of these wellness practices that we can begin to incorporate into our lives is resiliency and focusing on how we show up in the world. Especially for healthcare workers, building resiliency can be vital for their mental, physical, and emotional health. Today on Small Changes Big Shifts, former ER nurse, speaker, author, and life coach, Diane Sieg, shares what resiliency means to her and how we can build our own resilience and sense of wellbeing through practicing grace, being mindful, and creating engagement skills. Discover why resiliency means so much more than being “tough” and able to handle difficult situations. Listen and learn what quick and simple small changes you can make today to make big shifts s in your everyday life to help you slow down, take time for yourself, and destress.

“We can only treat others with the same level of kindness that we give ourselves.” - Gail Straub, Author of The Rhythm of Compassion: Caring for Self, Connecting with Society No matter who you are, there are many wonderful benefits to writing. Whether you’re making a gratitude list, journaling thoughts, or trying to work through all the noise in your head, writing can help fill your cup, gain clarity, prevent burnout, and come home to yourself through greater self-awareness. Today, Creative Writing Wellness Coach, Speaker, and Author of several books includingWriting Alone Together, Inspiration For A Woman's Soul: Choosing Happiness, and Life Source Writing, Lynda Monk, joins us to share how creative writing for wellness became a part of her life, aided her career as a social worker, and how it has continued to be a critical part of her own self-care, self-love, and gratitude practices. As you listen, Lynda shares her top tricks and tips on how to get started with your own creative writing or journaling, ho

We all have these good intentions to eat healthy, exercise more, be mindful and more but how many of those goals have actually fallen through for you? Maybe you truly tried with all your effort but then felt left behind by the fitness industry? Today, we are helping you overcome any obstacles that are in your way to help you start living a healthier life you will love without it seeming like such a burden. Tune in as Author of Couch to Active and Founder of the brand, Couch to Active, Lyn Lindbergh, shares how finding a tribe, reaching out and making plans, plus taking wellness one day at a time will help you live a more active lifestyle that’s both easy and fun to do.

Always on the go with lots of energy, Jennifer Robinson worked hard at balancing her family’s life while also organizing and executing plans as a Director of Events. However, one day she noticed her energy beginning to shift and didn’t feel like she was herself anymore. She also began to gradually notice signs of fatigue, pain, thirst, dimming vision, muscle weakness, constant headache and loss of body mass. Not even Benadryl, M&Ms, or coffee could mask or help the symptoms and she knew it was time to seek help. Seeking an answer, she discovered that even though the tick never left a mark, she had chronic Lyme Disease and so began her wellness journey. Today, she is sharing how to live a life full of gratitude through her book, Joy Warrior, as well as teaching mindfulness and meditation at a local middle school as a paraeducator. On Small Changes Big Shifts, Jennifer is sharing her message about Chronic Lyme Disease including what people should know about it and why we should never underestimate it.  List

Our childhood experiences can often have an impact of what we want to do with our lives and how we will inspire the rest of the world. For author, educator, and owner of Authentic Life, Dr. Georgia Nab, it was the television series, Trapper John M.D., which moved her to have a career in the world of health care. However, after she began to study medicine, she realized it wasn’t the right path for her. So, she switched over to become a chiropractic and has never looked back since. Today on Small Changes Big Shifts, Dr. Nab is sharing how we can begin to heal by being present and making necessary changes when possible through functional medicine. Dr. Nab herself has gone on a wellness journey of exploring her health which began at a very young age. When she was 6 years old, she began to experience severe eczema which she realized was linked to the allergic reactions she was having with various soaps and cleaners at home.  As you’ll learn as you listen, sometimes our pain isn’t from a physical but an emotional s

Life can change at the blink of an eye and set out us out on a new path. That’s exactly what happened to author, cancer survivor, and Founder of the non-profit organization, Powered by Hope, Teri Griege. Throughout her entire life, she has been a wonderful athlete. From playing high school sports to competing in several marathons and triathlons including the The Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Then one moment changed her path and way of living. Before she crossed the line to finish at the Ironman World Championship in 2011, Teri had to overcome a personal battle. It began back in 2008 as she was training when she started to feel unwell, unusually tired, and also experienced several minor injuries. Listening to her body, she knew that something wasn't right. During a visit with her doctor, she discovered that she had Stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to her liver. With determination to compete, she continued to train for the Ironman World Championship while undergoing chemotherapy. Today,

1 in 5 women are affected by PCOS. That means that 20% of women worldwide are dealing with a syndrome that looks differently on and for everyone so how do they find the help they need? Amy Medling is here to help. Amy was diagnosed over 15 years ago with PCOS after years and years of unanswered questions, confusing conversations and painful symptoms. She has now taken her own experience and is using it to help women take back their power when it comes to their health and PCOS. A PCOS Diva is not only a woman who has hope and strength but is a woman who is taking charge of her health and life by listening and putting herself first. Amy has found a way to shine a light on a confusing and painful syndrome and bring women together at the same time.

Despite her website’s catchy name, Megan Gilmore does not believe in “detoxing” in the sense of a drastic, quick-fix diet. In fact, eating well hasn’t always come naturally for her. As a military brat, Megan’s family moved often while she was growing up and they relied heavily on fast food. Megan was fortunate to be an active child with a good metabolism, but her bad eating habits caught up with her in college when she became more sedentary. Megan gained nearly 30 pounds during her freshman year. Desperate to fit into her clothes again, Megan embarked on a series of diets to help her lose weight. She suffered in a cycle of yo-yo dieting and binge eating for years. It took Megan years to figure it out, but she didn’t achieve lasting weight loss until she developed a healthier relationship with food. Instead of restricting entire food groups, Megan now focus on streamlining my digestion and eating higher quality foods. Nothing is off limits!

Our lives are ours to shape. Evan Demarco thought he had life mapped out with being a professional athlete then entering wall street but quickly realized that the life he was living wasn’t the life he was meant to live.  He returned to school and learned everything he possibly could after discovering the gap existing between sports development and sports lifestyle and nutrition. Evan found his passion in bridging that gap through science and supplements and a healthy lifestyle. Now he is helping people understand that one size never fits all, especially; when it comes to health and wellness. Evan is shaping his own life by working with people and showing them the beauty in their own journey to a healthy and happy life.

Just do it. Three simple words and yet they carry so much weight. James Swanwick is a huge fan of the saying as he believes that at the end of the day we either do it or we don’t but that it is our choice. James has life experience stemming from time in the world of business, media, health and wellness and more. He is drawing from his own highs and lows to help people realize the power they have within themselves. One way James is helping people is through realizing the power alcohol holds over us and that it truly is a drug. Whether you are considering giving up alcohol for one day, one week or one year, James has a philosophy and program that is meant to help you take back the power in your own life.

Feeling stuck? You’re not alone. Raana Zia had accomplished everything she set out to do when it came to her professional life but couldn’t shake the feeling that something bigger was out there for her. Raana took this feeling, listened to herself and set out on a new adventure which led her to finding her inner light. She took time to create intention, find gratitude and let go of the uncontrollable and in the process became empowered. We all have the power to create the reality we imagine but we must stay disciplined, invest in ourselves and learn to quiet our thoughts. Raana is helping people discover their inner light by showing them the power of their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.

A wellness journey in search of the truth. That is what Josh Trent set out to do in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since. Josh went from being in a rough place in life both physically and mentally and channeled it into a passion and drive to help others. He is helping people understand the power of emotional and physical intelligence in order to be more present in life. Josh draws from his experience as a personal trainer and his own struggle with weight to connect with others and help them discover that we are all worthy of being healthy and well. Josh knows that the only way to change the state of health and wellness in the world is to first tackle our own. We all have the power and force within ourselves to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of others.

“I just wanted to help people.” Yasmine Simmons knew at a young age that she wanted to make a difference and be a force for good and has continued to live up to this every day since then. As a Nurse Practitioner, she has an understanding of the importance of whole person care and that we must continue to ask questions, push forward and not give up when it comes to our own and others health and wellness. This passion and perspective has led her to becoming the Executive Director of BigShifts Foundation. Yasmine has her own story of healing and lives by the fact that no days are promised so we must make the most out of every single day and celebrate not only where we are but where we are going.

Imagine living in six different countries in the matter of just nine years. Often times it is hard enough just moving a couple blocks down the road but add in different cultures, languages, time zones and more and your stability and peace are going to be put to the test. Grace Estripeaut took this unique experience growing up all over and has turned it into the framework her practice is built upon - peace and stability. From the corporate world to small businesses, Grace is reducing employee stress through meditation and boosting productivity at the same time. We are ultimately responsible for the energy of our emotions, positive or negative and Grace is showing us how we can gain control and create harmony.

Did you just send your kids off to school? Or maybe you are getting ready to send them off? Mandy Shoemaker has a unique perspective into children and schools coming from a past as a school principal and being a mother.   We are constantly hearing about troubles and tragedies happening at schools all across the country and it can leave us feeling hopeless and defeated. Mandy knows the importance of finding balance, giving validation, and building relationships when it comes to teaching and leading our kids. Mandy shares her insight into the world of education when it comes to being a kid and parent so we can all work together to better our future generations and create change.

Is there such a thing as good stress? Absolutely. Heidi Hanna says that stress is non-emotional and is just the stimulus that happens when demand is greater than capacity. And depending on how we react and process stress determines if it is a positive or negative experience. Sounds simple when you put it like that. Heidi understands that it may sound simple but as human beings we tend to make it more complicated so she is here to help people understand, digest and process their stress. Heidi helps people realize that the more stress, stimulation and change you have in life, the more important it is to have a self-care plan in place. At the end of the day, we are all enough and we are all doing enough which is Heidi’s message to us all.

Your vibe attracts your tribe. I have said it before on this show and it is often my number one piece of advice I share with clients; find your tribe. We are all trying to go at this thing called life alone when in reality, we were meant to go at it together. We are going through high’s and low’s as a community and it seems all we hear and see is bad news. Our future generations are being bombarded with information at the speed of light and we can see the impact it is having on them. If we all come together, show up, give back and engage with one another, the results could be life changing.