When Starting Feels Hard, Create a Gentle On-Ramp Back to Yourself

If starting feels harder than you expected, nothing has gone wrong. In this episode of This Life of Ours, Coach Emily B explores why motivation always fades, and why trying to jump back into a goal at full speed is often what causes us to quit. Instead of pushing harder, she offers a gentler approach: creating an on-ramp that your nervous system can actually say yes to. Emily introduces the idea of “penny wins,” small, doable actions that rebuild trust with yourself and create momentum without pressure, discipline, or shame. This conversation is an invitation to start smaller, return to yourself with compassion, and allow consistency to grow naturally over time. You don’t need a new plan. You just need an easier way back in. Find Us Here https://www.birchandstonecoaching.com/ Join Our Mastermind https://www.birchandstonecoaching.com/offers/zLGF7C2u/checkout Have a question for Coach Emily B? Email her at [email protected] Meet Our Coaches Emily Brower Professionally Certified Life Coach, Private & Group Coaching Specializing in Weight Health, Time Management and Perfectionist [email protected]/coach_emily_bhttps://www.facebook.com/emilybrowerlifecoach Rebecca Reynolds  A movement specialist with a passion for helping people reconnect with their strength—physically, mentally, and [email protected]://www.instagram.com/rebecca_ashley_reynolds/ Tobey Mintz  As a Master trained Instinctive Meditation coach, Tobey has a radically refreshing approach to meditation that works with your thoughts, emotions and energy. Whether you’re feeling burned out, overwhelmed, or just curious about a new way in, Tobey’s classes offer a gentle invitation back to yourself. Emily Magenheim  A dual-certified Health & Wellness and Life Coach, Emily brings both professional expertise and deep personal passion to this work. Her mission? To help you feel better in your body—not through restriction, deprivation, or punishing workouts—but through personalized support rooted in compassion, science, and real-life sustainability.https://transformwithemilym.comhttps://www.facebook.com/emily.gitkinmagenheimhttps://www.instagram.com/emilym_liveswell/ Meghan Hogan (E-RYT 500) is the owner of Maitri Yoga Studio in Troy, NY, and founder of the Move with Maitri Mentorship program. She weaves yoga philosophy, breathwork, meditation, and mindful movement to help students reclaim energy, find steadiness, and remember their inner wholeness. Beth Kruger is a Women’s Health and Midlife Coach with over 20 years of experience supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Certified in Integrative Health Coaching and Menopause Yoga, she offers a holistic, compassionate approach to help women navigate midlife with confidence, clarity, and vitality. For 1:1 coaching at Birch & Stone with Beth, email: [email protected]://www.instagram.com/itsbethkruger/ Dani Chambers Health & Wellness Life Coach, I come to this work with a deep belief that people can rise through even their hardest seasons. As a two-time cancer survivor and a mother who’s endured profound loss, I’ve learned what resilience truly looks like. With 35 years in leadership coaching and 6 years as a National Virtual Health & Wellness Coach, I now help others rebuild, reset, and rise. If you’re ready to feel supported, seen, and strengthened in your wellness journey, I’m here to walk with you. https://www.birchandstonecoaching.com/offers/Py6uTvLv Courtney ClarkCourtney Clark is a lifelong runner who believes progress is built one steady step at a time. With experience spanning seven marathons, a 50K trail race, and multiple 24-hour Ragnar relays, she brings both grit and grounded support to her work. Courtney meets you where you are, helping you build resilience, trust your body, and move forward with confidence—on the run and in life.