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Today on the podcast, local urban farmer Greg Miller and I talk about his passion project, Picked@Perfection, an urban farm in East Hill, Pensacola. Greg walks us through the day in the life of an IT Professional/Urban Farmer.  I was so inspired after my visit with Greg that I am encouraging all my friends and family to start a small pocket garden in their back (and/or front) yards. Picked@Perfection urban farm is a passion project of Greg Miller with the mission of reconnecting people to their food.  Some say Greg has a green thumb, but really it was just a matter of watching a lot of youtube videos and anyone can learn to grow fresh veggies using deep compost mulch system. The primary motivation and driver for Picked@Perfection is to eliminate the needless suffering from chronic disease born out of the current American food system. One of Greg's recurring talking points is "I hate to see people suffer, I love to see people thrive, and there is a path. Urban farms can be part of the path!"

Today's podcast is all about the healing benefits of sound therapy.  Join me and my delightful guest, Molly Hollingsworth, as she shares her wellness journey. From experimental rock shows to the TEDxTalk stage, violinist Molly Hollingsworth has given musical performances at many renowned and diverse venues across the US, Europe, and Asia which include the Concert Hall, Recital Hall and Opera House of the Kennedy Center for the Arts, the 9:30 Club, The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Strathmore Music Center, the National Museum for Women in The Arts, and many more. After a 15 year career in the performing arts, Molly scaled back her performance schedule to seek wellness, leading to the deepening of her own meditation practice. Since that time, she has made it her mission to use her musical gifts together with her skills in guiding meditation to help others explore their own relationship to sound as a catalyst for inner growth and transformation through her somatic sound meditation project, Slow Radical. In addition to her therapeutic soundbath meditation offerings, Molly serves as Orchestra Librarian for the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra.  She lives in Pensacola with her husband, two young daughters, and many household plants. Instagram: @slowradical

Juicy and possible controversial topic on today's podcast!  A recent event in pop culture had me thinking all last week about how how we need to support and honor the masculine.  Successful and fulfilling relationships are dependent on men and women showing up in their true nature to support and love one another.  We need both feminine and masculine presence in relationships, as well as in our society as a whole, in order to find true balance and harmony and teach future generations how to break free from the bonds that try to extinguish our authentic fire. Some references from today's talk: No More Mr. Nice Guy by Dr. Robert A. Glover The Awakened Podcast by Chris Bale

In today's episode, my good friend Jill Johnson and I talk about what led to her burnout, and how she is coming back to herself and the person she wants to be. We also chat about our recent experience at a wellness retreat that is tailored to adults who are tired of feeling like they are on a hamster wheel, and want to learn ways to slow down and enjoy their lives.  Jill is also excited to be starting her own business inside the wellness community.  On April 4, 2022 she is opening Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Mobile, Alabama.  She also has plans to expand into the Pensacola, Florida area in 2023.  You can visit the below website to learn more about the services she will offer, and also to book an appointment. http://handandstonemobile.com

Today on the podcast I admit something about myself that I have been denying for far too long. I am a professional procrastinator!  However, there is hope.  Today I share with you how to identify the what and the why behind your procrastination, as well as ways to help you stop the vicious cycle of procrastination.

Why is it important to identify and take care of our own needs?  And, what are some ways we can do that?  Today we dig in to these questions in my conversation with Ellie McDonald.  Ellie is a 27 year old breast cancer survivor, and a champion for other women facing similar diagnoses.  We talk about her diagnosis and why she is able to have gratitude for how it has changed her life. Ellie is the founder of a community-driven nonprofit Tend to You inc in addition to being a member of the Sisters That Stray collective. Ellie grew up in Massachusetts and moved to Denver, Colorado in 2016. She moved back to her hometown in March 2019 to begin treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. This treatment lasted for 19 months. Ellie is passionate about heath care and the connections between mental, physical, and spiritual health. She loves learning about holistic approaches to healthcare and applying them to not only her own life but to Tend to You as well. To learn more about Tend, you can visit www.tendtoyou.org. Ellie is also on Instagram @tendtoyouinc and @elliegrace_

Laissez les bons temps rouler! In today’s episode I talk about the holistic approach I took to heal my stress related digestive issues.  I also talk a little bit about how we should be able to enjoy the indulgences and treats we love by bringing a sense of balance to the way we eat and take care of ourselves.  Wellness really is about healing and taking care of our mind, body, and spirit.  If you can find the balance that works for you, I promise that you will have a greater sense of well being and purpose in your life.  

In today’s short episode, I share with you an exercise in self discovery that has the potential to change the way you see yourself and the world around you.  So grab your pen and paper and write down two questions I want you to reflect on this week.  I hope you this podcast will lead you to do the work of better understanding and accepting yourself so that you can in turn do that for the others around you.

Amber Jernigan joins me on the podcast today to talk about our shared curiosity of Ayurveda and plant based diets.  A former yoga instructor turned realtor, Amber is also a self proclaimed wellness fanatic and soul sister.  I am so glad our paths crossed on this journey, and that we are able to share ideas and support each other as we figure out how to become the best versions of ourselves.  Listen to this fun and enlightening conversation between two seekers! You can find Amber on Instagram: @amberjerniganofficial @ambersellsthecoast @plantbasedbeachblonde

In today’s episode I talk about embodiment and what I have learned from exploring this in my own life.  I talk about the different energies our bodies hold, and how we can tap into them all to fully understand and express ourselves.  I hope this isn’t too woo woo for some of you, because I think we can unlock who we truly are made to be by accepting all the parts of who we are.  

This week on the podcast I talk with Crystalynn Godek about the challenges of motherhood, and how important it is for us to love and take care of ourselves so that we don’t lose ourselves.  This is a good conversation for the men to listen to as well if they want to better understand and support the mothers in their lives. Crystalynn Godek is a wife, mom of two, and Performance and Mindset Coach with Heart Over Head Coaching. As a certified coach, she helps busy moms put themselves on and at the top of their to-do lists and renew self-confidence.    Crystalynn’s services include individual and individual group coaching experiences. For more information on services or to download free resources, visit: www.heartoverheadcoaching.com   Instagram: www.heartoverheadcoaching.com/hohcoaching Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartoverheadcoaching Email: crystalynn@hohcoaching.com Crystalynn Godek, CPC Performance & Mindset Coach Heart Over Head Coaching Schedule Your Free Powerful Coaching Session here.

Today on the podcast I talk about the power our living spaces have on our subconscious minds.  The way we want to feel and be in the world starts with how we live, work, and play within our own homes.  Today is a short and sweet episode that I hope inspires you to take a look at your surroundings and curate more loving and joyous spaces to move around in.  

Today on the podcast, the lovely and genuine Sara Dean gets honest with us about her struggles and how she has transformed her life. We talk about conscious actions that can move you closer to the person YOU want to be and the life you want to live.  We also talk about the fact that embarking on a wellness journey doesn’t have to be expensive.  Listen in to hear Sara’s story on how she is doing “at least something” everyday to move her closer to the highest version of herself. Anxiety, depression, disordered eating, substance abuse, co-dependency, low self-worth, and a myriad of other seemingly inescapable labels defined my identity, and to say that life was nearly intolerable is an understatement. Counseling and medication served as band-aids, treating symptoms to make it through each day, but I knew there had to be more to life than pushing through and that it would require healing the root of these symptoms to truly see change in my life. It was not until I stepped into my first Power Yoga class that I believe the life I had been seeking truly began; this was the place I first tuned into my body and breath and was able to quiet the constant chatter in my mind to use it in more productive ways. From there, I dove inward for two years, learning and applying new concepts in my life, essentially using myself as a science experiment to see if I could rewire my brain to move past survival and into something better. It has not been an easy road to travel, as it has been filled with many highs and lows as I examine and question the thoughts, beliefs, and patterns that I clung so tightly to, but I’d travel it many times to arrive here, right now, overjoyed to be alive to meet each new day. It is my deepest passion to use what I have learned to help others build a solid foundation within themselves to heal, grow, and experience all the joy that is available to us when we shed the heavy burdens and labels to step into alignment with who we truly are. I believe that many, if not all, of our perceived problems and personality “defects” can be mended through self-study and conscious living to bring the mind, body, and spirit into homeostasis. Despite our greatest efforts to not change because it’s scary, this journey will surely bring a lot of change, but I am here as a living example of how possible it is and to support you along the way. Originally from Mobile, AL., I now consider myself a Pensacola local, living here since December 2013. After fighting a lifelong uphill battle against my mental and physical health, I stumbled into Power Yoga and have not looked back. After only a short time, I saw tremendous improvements in my overall health and had created a solid foundation to continue building on to grow and heal. I have spent the past two years in deep self-study, but have also taken a variety of classes at Pensacola State College and work with local practitioners in the health and wellness field to expand my knowledge in mental, physical, and spiritual health. Now armed with a 200-hour RYT certification, my hope is to share what I have learned and continue to learn along this journey to help others experience this deep peace that I have finally found within myself, whether on a yoga mat or off of it. You can find Sara on Instagram @saradean.yogabean, and Facebook @Sara Dean

In today’s podcast I share how I am approaching the new year by keeping track of myself, instead of keeping score against others.  I do a little recap of some things I learned in 2021, and why I think this method of keeping track instead of keeping score can work for most any situation.  You can create the life you want. You really can! It won’t be easy, but it is so worth it! Spoiler Alert: I share some of my thoughts about the new Netflix movie “Don’t Look Up.”  So, if you haven’t seen the movie and plan to watch it, you might want to skip listening to this episode until you watch it. Happy New Year everyone!

For more than two decades, Whitney has been studying and practicing the arts of yoga and meditation. Diagnosed with scoliosis as a child, she discovered in her 20’s that yoga could help alleviate her back pain and poor posture. Whitney is certified through Yoga Alliance as a RYT500, specialized in Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra and Meditation. She fell in love with the mindfulness of yoga and teaches from a deeply inspired heart and mind. In 2011, Whitney formally received the 5 Mindfulness Trainings from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, receiving the Lineage Name Clear Water of the Heart. A lifelong student, in 2021 Whitney received transmission of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings and was ordained into the Order of Interbeing at Plum Village Monastery with the Dharma Name, True Spring Fruits. Whitney brings to her classes a sense of compassion and understanding for each student’s individuality, as she believes yoga is for everyone and should be made accessible to all. Her classes focus on unifying the mind and body, while strengthening both. Whitney’s mission is to maintain a safe and sacred environment for you to learn and grow in your physical and spiritual practice, whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner. More information on Whitney’s classes can be found at wldavidson.com Website: https://wldavidson.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/wldavidsonyoga Email: wldavidsonyoga@gmail.com   Favorite App – Plum Village Monastery App (it has a great “start here” section to help get you started on learning about mindfulness): https://plumvillage.app/

Today’s episode is all about being more intentional with how, when, and why you drink alcohol.  The phrase “Sober Curious” was coined by Ruby Warrington in her 2018 book.  Being sober curious is now a cultural movement of people who give up drinking for wellness reasons.  I am not only going to talk about what sober curious is, but also why you should consider it, and how you can go about getting started.  I would love to hear from you if this is something you would like to hear more about. This podcast is not intended for those that have a serious addiction to alcohol.  If you find yourself in that place, please seek professional guidance to safely withdraw from the use of alcohol. Books mentioned in today’s podcast: Sober Curious by Ruby Warrington Eat Smarter by Shawn Stevenson An Idiots Guide to Ayurveda by Sahara Rose Please give me a rating on Apple Podcasts for this and any other episode that you have found helpful to you on your wellness journey.

Today’s podcast is all about moving your body!  Nathan and Carly share with us how they got started in flow arts in the form of hoola hooping and ecstatic dancing.  I had the privilege of meeting both of these beautiful people! They taught me how to get out of my head and into my body through hoola hooping.  In this episode we talk about how flow movements can bring you into a flow state, where you are fully immersed in the energy of the moment.  This increased enjoyment and energy  can bring more focus, concentration, and enjoyment to other areas of your life. Carly is 29 and just moved to Pensacola Beach with her 5 year old son. You can catch her serving tables at Crabs on the Beach, long boarding down the street or hula hooping just about anywhere. She started hooping 6ish years ago when she was pregnant with her son as an outlet for her mind and body. What started as simple waist hooping in her backyard expanded into something she is extremely passionate about. She enjoys teaching lessons, hosting workshops and flow meet ups, spinning fire and performing. She hosts a free class at Shoreline Park at 2pm on available Sundays.  She also offers lessons and workshops. Carly’s contact info: Experiences on Airbnd IG @Callmecarlyy FB @Carly Circles She will post flow meet ups on my social media as well as the Next Door App. Nathan is an ecstatic dancer with over a decade of experience attending dances on the East Coast, Midwest, South, and West Coast.  He loves to dance and host dances.  He encourages everyone to move their body!  Get out of your mind and into your body! Nathan’s contact info: IG @siriusecstaticdancer For information and timings on local ecstatic dances: IG @ecstaticdancepensacola

It’s that time of year when we are trying so hard to create magical memories for our families, and for ourselves.  Now more than ever, we need to focus on what brings balance to our lives so that we can create those pockets of calm in the midst of all the hustle and bustle.  Stress is inevitable, and to some degree we all will have added stress during the holidays.  Instead of obsessing about the fact that we are busy and stressed, let’s create steps to move toward a more peaceful existence.  Today I am going to talk about a few things we can do to bring balance into our lives and provide us comfort. Peace and love to you all!

I am really excited to share with you all the conversation I had with Kim Sulger on what Ayurveda is, and how Kim has built an Ayurvedic practice that has transformed the way in which she moves through her days.  Ayurveda is a traditional medical system that aims to both prevent and heal illness by connecting you to the rhythms of nature.  Ayurveda teaches us that relief for someone with insomnia can look like choosing certain foods to eat (or not to eat) in the evenings, avoiding certain television programs, or grounding yourself with a short yoga practice.  Through self study, you can determine what is best for you in any given moment so that you can show up as the truest expression of yourself, while living in a state of optimal health. Kim has been involved in healthcare in one way or another for most of her career.  She is a former critical care registered nurse, but shifted her focus from bedside care to the corporate world where she currently holds the position of Vice President for a healthcare learning company.  She loves animals, sailing, being out in nature, and teaching others how to begin their Ayurvedic journey.  Once a month, you can find her teaching a free Ayurveda class at Ever’man Coop on Garden Street in Pensacola, FL.  Check out everman.org for the class schedule.  You can also find Kim on Facebook @FlowAyurveda.  You can message her there to learn more about individual coaching or group classes. For dosha quizzes: Chopra.com Banyanbotanicals.com – also have fantastic Ayurvedic products

I am so glad to be back for another season of The Wellness Fanatic!  In today’s episode I share with you my personal survival tips to help you through everyday life, especially stressful seasons like the holiday season we are now in.  Grab a cup of coffee or tea and relax while I chat with you about some of the ways I take care of myself so that I can have the presence and energy to encourage and love those around me.  The most exciting part about today’s episode is that I announce a giveaway!  Follow me @thewellnessfanatic on Instagram to enter and win what I am calling the Holiday Survival Giveaway!