Happy And Free

How can you actually live a life beyond your wildest dreams? In this episode, I share three lessons in living a life beyond your wildest dreams. Why now? Well, I haven't done a solo episode yet, and it just so happens that my birthday is April 15. It's the perfect opportunity to share some wisdom from my own experiences - the reminder of taking another trip around the sun. If you know me, you know that I love everything related to science, health, and wellness. However, today's episode will not be about nerdy science stuff. Instead, it's lessons that I have learned on my journey. First, you need to know that the life that you are living right now has so many things for you to be grateful for. Plus, you need a vision for exactly where you want to go. That doesn't mean that the path will unfold as you think it will, but you need to have a direction. Make sure you spend time with immense gratitude. However, always have a vision for what you want to do next. I give this advice and more on how to live a life beyon

How can you heal yourself with your mind? Molly Hamill is a certified life coach, yoga and meditation instructor (200-hour Kundalini and 200-hour Hatha), and a Reiki Master Teacher. Additionally, she is certified in tapping (EFT), EQi 2.0 (emotional intelligence), and Situational Leadership II®. Molly is a Predictive Index Analyst® and holds an M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. She also has completed the Spirit Junkie Masterclass® Level 1 & 2 (totally life-changing experiences, by the way!). You are your own medicine woman. Molly talks about her struggle with Hashimoto's and how she managed to turn her adversity into something positive. Eventually, Molly realized that she could heal herself. Experiencing Hashimoto's and thyroid disease actually taught Molly how to live a happier life. In fact, Molly considers herself healed. However, many people say that you cannot heal from Hashimoto's. Molly says that treating symptoms and healing your life are two different things. Later, we chat about the

Do you sometimes wish you could just grow your own food? One of my dearest friends and a beautiful ray of sunshine Jane Oliver Dickson joins the show. In this inspirational episode, we talk about following your dreams. It's not uncommon to move through different jobs and experiences in search of who you are. Jane says that it's essential to keep trying because eventually, you will figure it out. For Jane, she began to practice yoga. Finally, Jane started to love her body and her breath. It opened Jane up at her core. Later, she found herself sitting in yoga teacher trainer – it was the best gift that she could give herself. Jane completely woke up, and she understood what it was like to surround herself with supportive people.  We also chat about what it's like to live on a farm. There is nothing quite like growing your own food. Living in nature can completely change your life, and Jane is here to explain how it changed hers. Sometimes, nature can be the best medicine. However, making a massive change can le

Do you journal as a self-discovery tool? Shakira Hemphill is a fourth-generation Washingtonian raised in Ward 8 and the proud mother to her King Elijah, a thirteen-year-old exceptional learner. Shakira Hemphill is an educator and community member. Shakira has more than 14 years of progressive expertise in education, curriculum and instruction, policy, and process development with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College and a Master's of Science in Project Management from George Washington University. She is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Shakira's career continues in education, where she currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Talent for one of the top-performing charter schools in Washington, DC. We jump right into the importance of finding our joy. Sometimes, we work so hard to be something else versus who we are. When this happens, that imposter syndrome will hit hard! Then, we miss out on the opportunity to really show up and be our true and genuine selves. For Shaki

Are you looking to regain your health + fitness through all the challenges that motherhood presents? Jenine Dilts Bayman is the Founder of the Mums With Bubs Fitness classes, the New Mama Lifestyle online membership program, and this website, formally known as Mums With Bubs Fitness. She is a mother of two, a personal trainer, and a fitness enthusiast. Hey, all the moms out there – this episode is for you! When you have a kiddo, you suddenly are a shell of your former self, and you no longer recognize who you used to be. My guest, Jenine Dilts Bayman, helps mamas maintain and regain their health and fitness. There are all sorts of challenges that motherhood presents; however, Janine is ready to inspire and motivate. We talk all about functional fitness. Did you know that functional fitness actually helps us live our lives to the fullest? Plus, it gives us more energy to have joy in what we do as human beings on this earth. It's time that we start looking more holistically at our health and wellness. When we b

How can you make your relationship flourish through joy? Allison Villa is a Registered Psychotherapist who specializes in keeping couples’ thriving throughout parenthood. As a wife and mother, she understands how raising a family affects the romantic relationship and the challenges that modern parents face. With Allison’s virtual therapy practice, online courses, retreats, and monthly membership program, this keepin-it-real-mama teaches busy couples to live with intention & to use simple time-efficient strategies to connect with each other. When she’s not living ocean-side in Mexico, you can find Allison cycling around Toronto, enjoying day-dates with her husband, or busting out in family dance parties. In this episode, we jump right into connected relationships. A connected relationship looks like two people who have a strong sense of self. They support each other in being individuals first, then they're able to come together in their relationship to be their best selves. That means being there for each

How can you feel empowered as you approach the most meaningful event of your life? Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins is a board-certified, practicing OB/GYN, wife, mom, podcast host, and course creator, here to help you have your most beautiful pregnancy and birth experience. Born into a family of educators, Dr. Nicole felt the pull to medical school the day she looked in the mirror and saw a vision of herself in a white coat. And get this… it happened while she was studying to be an engineer. But that vision has led her to deliver more than 1,000 babies and demystify childbirth for thousands of more women. I am blessed to have Dr. Nicole with me. If you haven’t guessed, she is incredibly passionate about childbirth. Dr. Nicole believes that women should be at the center of their birthing experience. You are going to love this podcast episode and the wisdom that she brings to it. We end up talking a lot about the idea of women wanting a natural birth. However, most women don't know that they desire an empowered bir

Did you know it's possible to look and feel great using local products made of simple and natural ingredients? Maria Velve is a makeup artist and a college professor by trade – an unusual combination that has made for an interesting career. She taught English in Korea, done intricate costume makeup for films, and managed a busy downtown Toronto luxury spa. Maria Velve, a certified makeup artist and green beauty expert on a mission to connect you with clean and effective products made in Canada. Plus, Maria can teach you how to use them in a way that makes you feel fresh, confident, and – most importantly – like yourself. In this episode, we dive into everything behind green beauty. Green beauty is skincare or makeup products that take into consideration how companies create the product. There has to be some sustainability in there. Overall, it's how the creator makes a product, what it's made with, and how it impacts you. Plus, we have to think about the packaging. If the packing is not recyclable, then we ca

Are you ready to unleash your freedom and creativity?   Janet Co. is a Dance Instructor, Performance Coach and Host and Producer of the WORK IT! TV Show. She has worked and trained in various styles with the industry’s best from Toronto, New York City, Hollywood, and London, England. Passionate about her craft and making a difference, Janet’s mission is to spread dance to as many people as possible through her WORK IT! Dance Workshops and Coaching Programs. She uses dance as a tool for inspiring others to unleash their potential and fearlessly go after their dreams. As a TV personality, she is the host and co-producer of the WORK IT! TV Show which teaches audiences how to get the moves and style of today’s leading popstars. Additional television and film appearances include being the featured judge and mentor on Much Music’s Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, Making it Big, Latin Grammys, The Drop, Jammx Kids TV Special (Queen Latifah, Randy Jackson), Take the Lead, Honey, Disband Reality and the T

Megan Clapton on Suffering, Mindfulness, and Self-Love Are you ready for the transformative effects of mindful self-compassion? Dr. Megan Sones Clapton is a licensed professional counselor and Mindful Therapy founder in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A Jackson native, Dr. Clapton holds B.A.s in Philosophy and Art History from the College of Charleston, a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Citadel, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Mississippi College. For over 13 years, she has worked in hospitals, non-profits, schools, and private practice, in addition to being involved in many professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Mississippi Counseling Association, the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling, and the Association for Humanistic Counseling. In this episode, Dr. Megan blew me away! We talk about how to transform our suffering rather than living in suffering; either way, we suffer. We are currently in a period of col

How do you prioritize and simplify the health you need to live the extraordinary life of your dreams? Melanie Stevens Sutherland is a graduate of McMaster University and brings 16 years of experience as a senior physiotherapist to Body Co. She has enjoyed a long tenure working with active populations at prestigious sport medicine clinics. Past clients include Provincial, National and Olympic level athletes as well as members of the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, the Ontario Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League and Major League Soccer. In this episode, Melanie and I bond over our approach to understanding the body. Melanie has loads of wisdom that she shares in our conversation. First, Melanie explains the components of functional movement. You are not able to strengthen your body unless you know how you want to use it. Instead, it’s all about how we do the movements that we do. During the pandemic, everyone is sitting for extended periods of time. Ho

What is your first step on the path to forgiveness? Sara has experienced many traumas and shifts in her own life, most recently ending her marriage of 20 years to her best friend and husband after finding out that he was gay. Sara’s own personal healing journey was accomplished through her passion for hiking, climbing, paddling and running. Physically discharging the trauma and pain, she was able to attain clarity, emotional strength and resiliency in order to forgive her husband. Forgiveness became the foundation that enabled her to build a healthy interpersonal relationship with her ex-husband and keep her family intact. In this episode, Sara dives deep into the inspiration for her new book, Walk Through This. On Sara’s path to forgiveness, she just put one foot in front of the other; that is how Sara has survived today. We all create our own trail in life; sometimes, we get diverted in ways that we don’t expect. However, it’s all about taking the steps forward and enjoying the journey because our destinati

Have you thought about the products in your home that could be making you sick? Kelly is proof that switching to a pure, natural lifestyle is powerful even for those who consider themselves healthy. She’s experienced how much our everyday choices impact our quality of life and is passionate about helping others see and feel the connection. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband and two daughters. I was lucky enough to sit on my bedroom floor and have a conversation with Kelly. We talk about why Branch Basics started and why it matters to eliminate toxins in your home. Kelly and her friends worked crazy hard to create natural cleaning supplies that are both effective and safe. When you have a symptom, you need to think about what you did differently that day. For instance, did you go to the nail salon? It might be the chemicals that you inhaled there. When you start thinking about things this way, you can uncover toxins that you are sensitive to in and around your home. Living in a home that is fre

Do you deeply understand your body and your physiology? Dr. Rishma Walji is a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist. She has an undergraduate degree from McGill University in physiology and a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Toronto. Rishma did two post-doctoral fellowships at McMaster University, one in health and aging and one in pregnancy and pediatrics. All that means is that she has a unique balance of scientific, evidence-based knowledge and natural, holistic healing experience. What Rishma has learned is that there are options. There are steps you can take, once you learn how things work. In this episode, we dive straight into what it means to be a Naturopathic Doctor. This type of Doctor will look at lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, vitamins, and nutrients. Also, they will try to put together the root cause of why a patient may be seeing issues. For example, if someone has a headache every day, you need to understand why you are getting that headache. E

Are you wondering how to unlock your authentic self? Amber Lilyestrom is a transformational branding strategist and business coach, author and speaker. She has been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur and Working Mother Magazine. She is the host of The Amber Lilyestrom Show podcast, which has over 100,000 monthly downloads. and the creator of the Ignite Your Soul Summit, an annual live event in Portsmouth, NH. In this episode, we dive straight into what it means to find and embrace connection. For Amber, a connection starts with open-heartedness. When a connection feels the best, it’s where we put down our shields, our fears, and our worries about being judged. Then, we can allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Amber had to learn how to use her voice and find courage from deep within to become vulnerable. Then, Amber explains how we can teach our children to be vulnerable in a safe environment. It’s all about being a role model for our children and showing them what vulnerability looks like. Later, we jump into the