Why Staying Can Change Everything | Nita Sweeney | 174

Feedback on the show? Send us a message!What if the path to healing, motivation, and self-trust wasn’t about fixing yourself… but about staying long enough for change to happen?In this deeply honest episode, host Amanda Russo is joined by Nita Sweeney, bestselling author, ultramarathoner, mindfulness coach, and mental health advocate. Nita shares her powerful journey from growing up in a family shaped by alcoholism, navigating depression and addiction, and surviving suicidal ideation, to finding healing through sobriety, meditation, and movement.Together, Amanda and Nita explore what it really takes to rebuild a life when motivation feels impossible, why small shifts (like “60 seconds of jogging” or 2% of your day) can change everything, and how community, boundaries, and self-honesty play a crucial role in long-term growth. Nita also reflects on writing her books Depression Hates a Moving Target and Make Every Move a Meditation, and why staying, on the planet, in the process, and with yourself.... matters most.This conversation is for anyone who’s struggled with depression, addiction, burnout, or self-doubt and needs a reminder that change doesn’t require perfection... just presence.🎙️ In this episode, listeners will discover:🧠 Why sobriety alone isn’t always enough without mental health support 🏃‍♀️ How “60 seconds of jogging” sparked a life-changing running journey 🌱 Why the ground has to be “fertile” before change can take root ⏳ How small percentages of time (like 2% of your day) create massive shifts 💬 The importance of finding motivation that pulls you forward 📖 Why one size fits all advice often fails, especially in healing ❤️ What it means to be kind while still holding strong boundaries 🌤️ Why Nita’s most powerful message is simply: stay⏰ Timeline Summary:[0:00] – Introducing Nita Sweeney and her path from depression to ultramarathons [6:15] – Childhood on a farm, loneliness, and growing up around functional alcoholism [12:10] – Alcohol blackouts, losing control, and the early attempts to quit drinking [20:40] – Sobriety, marriage, meditation and why everything seemed to fall apart [27:30] – Hospitalization, suicidal ideation, and what actually saves lives [39:40] – Couch to 5K, “60 seconds of jogging,” and starting in a hidden ravine [49:10] – Charity runs, community, and finding motivation outside yourself [1:05:30] – Rapid-fire reflections on identity, advice, legacy, and authenticity [1:14:40] – Nita’s closing wisdom: why staying gives life a chance to changeTo Connect with Amanda:Schedule a 1:1 Virtual Breathwork Session HERE📸 Instagram: @thebreathinggoddessFollow & Support the Podcast:📱Instagram: @MandersMindset👥 Join the Manders Mindset Facebook Community HERE!To Connect with Nita:Website: nitasweeney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitasweeney/?hl=enCheck out Nita's Books that she referenced in the show:Depression Hates a Moving TargetMake Every Move a Meditation