The Beauty in the Mess

What happens when your body suddenly forces you to slow down… and your entire life changes overnight? In this episode, I sit down with Rita Honeycutt, author, ultramarathon runner, Air Force veteran, and advocate for adaptive fitness, to talk about resilience, healing, and refusing to give up on yourself. After heart complications, a pacemaker, and a severe back injury left Rita barely able to walk at just 35 years old, she found herself battling chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and the fear that life would never feel normal again. But what started with simply trying to walk for 15 minutes slowly transformed into something much bigger. Today, Rita runs ultramarathons, competes in endurance events, and helps advocate for accessible fitness spaces for people with mobility challenges and disabilities. This conversation is honest, motivating, and deeply relatable for anyone who has ever felt stuck physically, mentally, or emotionally. We talk about:·        rebuilding confidence after injury ·        overcoming mental roadblocks ·        body image and self-worth ·        why movement became medicine ·        nutrition and inflammation ·        creating sustainable habits ·        and learning to stop focusing only on the scale  Most importantly, Rita reminds us that transformation doesn’t happen all at once. It starts with one small step… and the willingness to keep going. 00:02:40 – Rita’s backstory and health struggles begin 00:03:40 – Heart issues, pacemaker complications, and back injury 00:05:00 – Depression, anxiety, and losing mobility at 35 00:06:20 – The first steps toward recovery 00:07:10 – Walking her first 5K and rebuilding confidence 00:08:30 – Learning to create healthy habits 00:10:40 – “I’m not going to compete, I’m going to complete” 00:12:40 – Weight loss, strength training, and changing goals 00:14:30 – Living and competing with a pacemaker 00:16:00 – The ultramarathon experience 00:17:40 – Preparing for a triathlon 00:19:20 – Why Rita refuses to give up 00:21:00 – Building community through fitness 00:23:00 – Adaptive fitness and accessibility in gyms 00:25:00 – Why CrossFit isn’t what people think 00:28:20 – Realizing she was inspiring others 00:30:20 – The emotional side of body transformation 00:32:00 – Measuring progress beyond the scale 00:33:30 – Mental strength vs. physical strength 00:35:00 – Rita’s book and helping others through their journey 00:37:20 – Nutrition, inflammation, and healing the body 00:41:30 – Functional medicine and autoimmune healing 00:43:00 – Sweet potatoes, nutrition shifts, and healthier living 00:45:10 – Where to connect with Rita ✨Connect with Rita Honeycutt:Website: https://flufftotuff.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mudmaidens2/·        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rita.Marie.Honeycutt✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the life you built looks right on the outside… but doesn’t feel right on the inside? In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Dovey, artist and creator of The Naked Man Project, to talk about what it really means to reclaim yourself… especially in midlife. Michelle shares her deeply personal journey through divorce, identity shifts, and learning to give herself permission to explore the parts of herself she had been taught to hide. What started as an artistic project became something much bigger… a path back to her voice, her desires, and her sense of aliveness. This conversation goes beyond surface-level change. It’s about questioning the roles we’ve accepted, the rules we’ve followed, and the quiet ways we disconnect from ourselves over time. We talk about how to start listening to what you actually want, how to rebuild self-trust, and why the things that feel “taboo” or uncomfortable might actually be the doorway to freedom. If you’ve ever felt like something is missing, even when everything looks fine… this episode will hit home. 00:02:30 – Introduction to Michelle and her story 00:03:30 – Early experiences with art and hidden conditioning 00:05:00 – The moment that sparked The Naked Man Project 00:05:30 – Facing discomfort, resistance, and stepping into power 00:07:00 – Learning to ask for what you actually want 00:08:30 – Exploring taboo, freedom, and personal liberation 00:09:30 – Body shame in men vs. women 00:12:30 – Power dynamics, boundaries, and being seen 00:16:30 – Losing your voice in relationships 00:19:30 – Handling judgment and outside opinions 00:22:00 – Art as a form of healing and expression 00:24:00 – The “good girl” conditioning and internal voice 00:27:30 – Exploring the forbidden and creative expansion 00:30:00 – Trusting your desires as guidance 00:31:30 – Setting boundaries in everyday life 00:34:00 – Recognizing when you’ve crossed your own boundaries 00:36:30 – Quieting the inner critic 00:39:30 – Where to connect with Michelle ✨Connect with Michelle Dovey:Website: https://www.michelledovey.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelledoveyartis·        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelle.dovey.10✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What would you do if your life changed in a single moment? In this deeply emotional and eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Lisa Thompson, a best-selling author, healer, and speaker, who shares her raw and powerful story of loss after discovering her husband had taken his own life, completely out of the blue.  We talk about the layers of grief that come with sudden loss, the unanswered questions, and what it really looks like to rebuild when everything you thought your life would be is gone. This conversation goes beyond traditional grief. Dr. Lisa shares how she processed trauma, set boundaries with others during her healing, and began to find meaning again. We also touch on her spiritual experiences, including signs, intuition, and beliefs that may feel outside the norm—but at the heart of it all is a very human journey of love, loss, and learning how to keep going. This episode may feel different than others, but if you’ve ever faced grief, identity shifts, or starting over… there is something here for you. Grief doesn’t come with a roadmap. There’s no perfect way to navigate it… only your way. If this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who may need it. And as always, thank you for being here and finding the beauty… even in the mess. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and may be difficult for some listeners.  2:37 – Introduction to Dr. Lisa & her story  3:10 – Discovering her husband’s sudden passing  5:00 – The unique challenges of grieving suicide  7:30 – Searching for answers and processing shock  10:37 – Signs, symbols, and feeling connection after loss  14:30 – Navigating grief while still showing up for life  18:37 – Setting boundaries with others during grief  23:30 – Trauma of discovery and emotional healing  28:30 – Letting go of guilt and unanswered questions  33:30 – Rebuilding life and allowing yourself to move forward  37:30 – Identity shifts after loss  41:30 – Finding meaning and purpose through pain  45:00 – Raising your energy and creating a new path  49:30 – Her healing method and helping others through grief  53:00 – Final thoughts: You can get through anything  ✨Connect with Dr. Lisa Thompson:Website: https://drlisajthompson.comInstagram / Facebook: Dr. Lisa Thompson·        Free Grief Resource: https://thelovethatremains.com ✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we keep ending up in the same situations… even when we want something different? In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Genea Barnes, mentor, coach, and speaker, to talk about the deeper patterns that quietly shape our lives. Patterns in relationships, work, and even how we see ourselves. Genea’s story is not an easy one. She experienced trauma, neglect, and instability at a young age, and like many, she carried those experiences into adulthood without fully realizing how much they were influencing her decisions.  For years, she found herself repeating the same cycles. Things would get better for a while, then fall apart again. It wasn’t until she began to understand what she calls the “invisible cage” that things started to shift. We talk about how our early experiences shape our “frame of reality,” why the nervous system resists change, and how familiar patterns can feel safer than the unknown, even when they’re not serving us. Genea also shares what it actually takes to begin breaking those patterns and creating lasting change, not just temporary improvement. This is a deep, honest conversation about trauma, awareness, and what it really means to step outside of what’s familiar and build a life that feels like peace, joy, and freedom.  02:35 – Meet Genea Barnes and her journey into personal transformation 03:40 – Early trauma and the experiences that shaped her 05:35 – What the “invisible cage” is and how it forms 07:35 – Why we repeat patterns in relationships and life 09:35 – The role of the subconscious mind and familiarity 12:35 – How early experiences shape your “frame of reality” 15:35 – Why we tell ourselves we’re not enough 18:35 – What it feels like to step outside the cage 21:35 – Identity, self-sacrifice, and people pleasing 24:35 – Why major change often comes through crisis 27:35 – The collective “cage” and societal expectations 30:35 – Expanding what we believe is possible 33:35 – Healing modalities and what actually worked 36:35 – Helping others and deepening the work 39:35 – Why many people feel stuck or defeated 42:35 – Raising your frequency and what that really means 45:35 – Simple ways to access peace, joy, and freedom 48:35 – Recognizing different types of anxiety 51:35 – How to connect with Genea and her work ✨Connect with Genea Barnes:Website: https://bethewolfnow.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/genea.barnesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/genea.barnes✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the hardest decisions we make are the ones we already know the answer to… but we’re not ready to face yet. In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Aimi Green, a self-love and empowerment coach who helps women raise their standards in love and fully embrace who they truly are. But her work didn’t start with confidence. It started with a six-year relationship that slowly chipped away at her self-worth. Aimi shares her story of staying longer than she should have, hoping things would change, and the moment everything finally shifted. From catching her partner cheating to realizing she could not fix or save someone who wasn’t ready to change, she walks us through what it really takes to let go and choose yourself. We talk about why women stay in unhealthy relationships, the fear of starting over, and how our brains try to keep us stuck in what feels familiar. Aimi also breaks down the difference between chemistry and true compatibility, why self-worth is the foundation of healthy love, and how taking time to reconnect with yourself can completely change the relationships you choose moving forward. This is an honest, relatable conversation about breaking patterns, rebuilding confidence, and trusting yourself enough to walk away from what no longer serves you. 02:30 – Meet Aimi Green and her relationship background 04:30 – The six-year toxic relationship and staying too long 07:30 – The breaking point and catching him cheating 10:30 – Why women stay in unhealthy relationships 13:30 – Fear of the unknown vs comfort in what’s familiar 16:30 – Letting go of the life you thought you would have 19:30 – The role of self-worth in relationships 22:30 – Breaking patterns and choosing differently 25:30 – Taking time to reconnect with yourself 28:30 – Chemistry vs compatibility in relationships 31:30 – Important conversations before commitment 34:30 – Communication, expectations, and honesty 37:30 – Building a healthy, lasting relationship 44:30 – Advice for women who feel stuck✨Connect with Aimi Green:Website: https://www.aimigreen.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimi.green✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'The Beauty In The Mess', host Michele sits down with Celeste Mergens, a renowned author and thought leader, who shares her inspiring journey from overcoming childhood poverty to becoming a global expert in menstrual and reproductive health. Celeste discusses the profound impact of period poverty on girls and communities worldwide and introduces her organization, Days for Girls, which provides sustainable menstrual health solutions. She also delves into personal narratives about dealing with trauma, the importance of mental and emotional well-being, and how little actions can lead to monumental societal changes. Tune in to explore how you too can be part of this impactful movement and learn the power of breaking stigma through awareness and cooperative effort.She has been featured in Oprah’s O Magazine and Forbes and been named Conscious Company Global Impact Entrepreneur Top Ten Women, and Women's Economic Forum's Woman of the Decade, to name a few. Her #1 bestselling new book, The Power of Days–A Story of Resilience, Dignity, and The Fight for Women's Equity, shares proof that we can all make a difference. 02:25 Introduction and Welcome02:40 Celeste's Journey and Early Life03:55 Global Work and Menstrual Equity05:48 Challenges and Sustainable Solutions07:24 Dealing with Overwhelming Need09:24 Starting Days for Girls13:59 Trauma and Epigenetics21:50 Mind the Gap Technique27:57 Questioning the Negative Voice28:59 The Power of Positivity and Its Pitfalls29:31 Transforming Nightmares into Empowerment32:06 The Impact of Unresolved Trauma34:20 Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places35:56 The Journey of Days for Girls46:45 Breaking the Stigma of Menstruation51:12 Conclusion and Call to ActionConnect with Celeste Mergenshttps://www.CelesteMergens.comhttps://www.facebook.com/celeste.mergenshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-mergenshttps://www.instagram.com/celestemergensLet's Connect!The Beauty In The Messhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906https://thebeautyinthemess.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Mitchell joins me today. Sam was diagnosed at the age of 4 with high-functioning Autism. Sam wants people to know that he is not broken, and he doesn’t need to be fixed. He also wants people to know that there is no normal in this world. He embraces who he is and wants the same for everyone else. Period. Sam is a successful podcaster, an advocate for Autism, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and blogger. He has even published a Ted Talk. He has made it to the top 10 in the People's Choice Podcast Awards, placed second in the state of Indiana for the JAG Entrepreneurship project, was selected as the best business at the CEO trade show in Indiana, and he is in the top 200 podcasts in all of Canada. Connect with Sam Mitchell:WebsitePodcast: Autism Rocks and Rolls Let's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast InstagramWebsite Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Art of Parenting Adult Children with Lori Badry Many of us have children who are now adults or will be before we know it. There is a difference in how you parent your children when they are minors versus how you parent them as adults. The role you play in their lives, whether we like it or not, changes. It must change.I’m joined by Lori Badry, who is a Christian woman with a wonderful husband, 3 adult children, and 3 beautiful grandchildren. Education was her career of choice as she was a teacher for 34 years. Now she is happily retired, with a side gig that brings her a lot of joy.Lori had to learn the transition to parenting adult children the hard way. She made a mistake, and it forced the need changes in her life. She wanted God to put instructions on a neon sign, but instead He told her to be still and look inward. Through a journey of personal development, growing closer with the Holy Spirt, and growing closer with her husband she has found peace and balance in her life. Now she wants to share with other parents how to navigate parenting adult children so that they don’t find themselves in a perfect storm the way she did. She is so open and vulnerable and so willing to help. You will enjoy listening to her journey.Tune in to this 8th episode of The Beauty in the Mess to hear about how Lori’s experiences and wisdom are now helping other parents navigate this new way of approaching parenting of adult children.Some Questions Asked:What do you think she meant at the time (speaking to the fact that her therapist had just told her that she ‘was not that important’)? (08:59)Do you think some of that micromanaging your children was just the need to be needed? (10:46)So, for people that want to avoid that perfect storm but still have the same results you’ve had, what do you think the number one thing to do is? (14:54)So, is he (husband) kind of on the same path? Was he doing the prayer and the personal development as well or was that mostly your journey? (18:30)How do you do that without feeling guilty that you are not offering that solution (to your kids)? (23:69)What does strengthening your relationship with your husband look like now (26:69)?In This Episode, You Will Learn:You are not as important as you think you are (08:58)Find personal development material that will help you grown and find your purpose (15:24)Find a therapist to help you work through things if needed (16:19)Prayer before anything (17:30)Talk About It Saturdays (17:69)Reconnect with your spouse (18:68)Ask Adult children if they are wanting a sounding board or advice (19:74)Kids change from your kids to your friends (30:58)Don’t let your emotions be the decisive factor in your decisions (31:61) Connect with Stephanie:Lori Badry's Facebook [email protected] Let's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast Instagram: the.beauty.in.the.messThe Beauty in The Mess Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this insightful episode, Michele welcomes Star Hansen, a certified professional organizer and author, to discuss the emotional and psychological dimensions of clutter. Starr shares her expertise on how clutter impacts our lives, the types of clutter, and practical tips for overcoming it. The conversation dives deep into personal stories, ancestral clutter, and actionable strategies for managing both practical and activated clutter.Star Hansen is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO©) and Clutter Whisperer on a mission to help you banish your personal Clutter Monster, take control of your stuff, and create a life you’re truly proud of. Star looks at the deeper meaning of your stuff to help you figure out WHY you feel overwhelmed by your clutter in the first place. Star’s best-selling book, “Why the F*#@ Am I Still Not Organized?”, has inspired countless individuals to tackle their clutter head-on and find lasting solutions. She has appeared on over 30 TV shows, given a TEDx talk, and shared her fitted sheet folding secrets with Oprah & her fans. Her unique methodology has helped thousands of people get (and stay!) organized when nothing else worked. 02:20 Introduction to Star Hansen05:04 Two Types of Clutter: Activated vs Practical05:43 Emotional Aspect of Clutter10:01 No Need to Rush to Get Rid of Clutter10:55 Handing the Death of a Loved One11:38 Organizing is Boundary Work14:06 Guilt of Letting Things Go26:31 Ancestral or Generational Clutter46:47 Making Time for Yourself47:03 Small Steps to Organizing47:01 Consistency Over Time47:28 Varying Levels of Engagement50:31 Clutter In Every Room In Your Home Has a Different MeaningConnect with Star Hansen:·       https://www.starhansen.com/podcast·       https://www.starhansen.com/freeresources·       https://www.tiktok.com/@starhansen·       https://www.facebook.com/starhansen·       https://www.instagram.com/star.hansen·       https://www.starhansen.com/book·       https://www.youtube.com/starhansenLet's Connect!The Beauty In The Messhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906https://thebeautyinthemess.com/·        https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes the Biggest Loser is the Biggest Winner with Megan Hoffman Today’s special guest is Megan Hoffman from the USA’s Biggest Loser. She was the At-Home Winner of the show’s reboot season in 2020. She is a model, Keynote Motivational Speaker, and Author who primarily focuses on Personal Development, Health & Wellness, and Body Positivity. She has been a leader in the Fitness Industry for over a decade and after overcoming her own weight loss battle has made it her life’s passion to help other break free from self-imposed limitations. She has been featured on People, E-news, USA, The Reality TV, Women’s Health, PC Pop culture, Floor 8, Blog talk Radio, the Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Deadline, Prevention, and Simi Valley Acorn.She is not only gorgeous on the on the outside, but she is just as beautiful on the inside. Her motto is, “you don’t have to be the fastest, you don’t have to be the strongest, you just have to keep going,” and that she has. She has not only worked tirelessly on her body, but she has worked tremendously hard on her mindset as well, and she is happy to share all that she has learned.Tune in to this 11th episode of The Beauty in the Mess to hear about Megan’s experiences and learn from her wisdom.Some Questions Asked:How do you sit with that emotion and not go to food? (07:57)She found confidence and the self-love before the weight loss. (11:20)What do you think that Biggest Loser taught you that you hadn't already learned on your own? (32:44)Do you feel like they prepped you well mentally? Or do you feel like you had done most [00:38:00] of that? What they taught you already? (37:53)What do you think the key, as far as the losing weight part has been for you, is it the macros or just the consistency or meal prep or what do you think? All the above? (41:40)Prior to the surgery, what was your total weight loss? Or even now? (01:00:11)In This Episode, You Will Learn:The trap of romanticizing weight loss. (02:06) (13:56)Cleaning up your social media. (03:52) (19:58)The importance of keeping promises to yourself. (05:35) (12:54)Learning not to numb out on food. (07:57)Never start over again. (16:22)Consistency is key. (18:43) (41:52)Setting yourself up for success; asking for help; finding support and accountability. (19:41) (35:31) (43:55) (52:57)What got you to the point of weight loss is what will keep you there. (49:34)Just get started. (56:06)God has a way for you to succeed. (01:03:19)Connect with Megan:Megan Hoffman on Instagram: @iamhoffyMegan Hoffman's Facebook Profile·        http://iamhoffy.com/Kelly Hudson’s Book available on Amazon:Losing, Learning, and Loving: Through Christ's Example, Learn How Contestants on a Reality Weight-Loss Show Achieve Wellness by Healing Body, Mind, and Soul Let's Connect!Facebook: The Beauty in the Mess podcast Instagram: the.beauty.in.the.messThe Beauty in The Mess Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Parenthood rarely looks the way we imagine it will. For Jennifer Celeste Briggs, that realization came when her daughter Sarah began missing developmental milestones and was later diagnosed with autism. What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, grief, resilience, and ultimately deep transformation. In this honest and hopeful conversation, Jennifer shares how she discovered the Son-Rise approach (now called Do Autism Differently) and built a unique home-based program centered on connection, play, and following her daughter's lead. Through years of dedication, volunteering, creativity, and plenty of messy moments along the way, Jennifer found not only ways to support Sarah’s growth but also powerful lessons about letting go of expectations, trusting intuition, and learning to love without conditions. Jennifer is the author of Watching Sarah Rise, a deeply personal memoir that chronicles her family's experience raising a child with autism while discovering unexpected strength and joy along the way. This episode is for any parent who has faced uncertainty, felt overwhelmed, or wondered if they are doing enough. Jennifer’s story is a reminder that progress often happens slowly, love shows up in imperfect ways, and hope can grow even in the hardest seasons. 2:30 – Meet Jennifer Celeste Briggs and her journey into autism advocacy 3:40 – Early signs something was different with Sarah 5:00 – Discovering the Son-Rise program and choosing a new path 6:30 – What the program actually looks like in daily life 8:00 – The role volunteers played in Sarah’s development 9:30 – Sarah today: school, piano, swimming, and growing independence 11:20 – Processing the emotional shock of an autism diagnosis 13:30 – Letting go of expectations and learning to accept reality 16:00 – Parenting through frustration, guilt, and emotional burnout 18:30 – Support systems and the importance of community 20:10 – Navigating worries about the future 22:30 – Sleep struggles and sensory tools that sometimes help 24:50 – The parenting beliefs Jennifer had to unlearn 26:45 – What this journey ultimately taught her about resilience 29:10 – Why caring for yourself matters as a parent 31:00 – Writing the memoir Watching Sarah Rise 34:20 – Feedback from readers and the autism community 37:30 – Advice for parents feeling isolated or overwhelmed 48:30 – Where to find Jennifer and her book✨Connect with Jenny Briggs:Website: https://watchingsarahrise.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifercelestebriggsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercelestebriggsauthorBook: Watching Sarah Rise✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when homeschooling doesn’t just change your child’s education… but exposes your own wounds? In this powerful conversation, Julieta Duvall shares how what began as a chaotic homeschooling decision during the pandemic turned into a deep personal reckoning. She opens up about anger, control, guilt, perfectionism, and the painful realization that she wasn’t showing up as the safe space she wanted to be for her children. This episode goes far beyond curriculum and learning styles. It’s about deconditioning the beliefs we inherited about education, success, and parenting. It’s about healing ourselves so we don’t pass down what hurt us. If you’ve ever felt triggered in motherhood… this one is for you. [2:30] Julieta’s early life, perfectionism, and how her upbringing shaped her parenting[5:10] The pandemic shift and how homeschooling exposed her anger[7:15] “I wasn’t a safe space.” Facing emotional regulation and control[10:30] Guilt, healing, and the evolving relationship with her oldest son[16:30] Was homeschooling part of her own healing journey?[19:00] Deconditioning: questioning the belief that learning only happens at school[21:30] Redefining education, success, and what achievement really means[26:30] Homeschooling stigma before and after the pandemic[30:30] Socialization myths and what thriving really looks like[38:30] The chaos of leaving traditional school and “deschooling”[44:00] The fear of meeting state requirements and testing expectations[48:00] Teaching adaptability in a world where jobs don’t even exist yet[50:30] Listening to your body, intuition, and raising aware children[53:00] Julieta’s work helping parents transition into homeschooling✨Connect with Julieta Duvall:The Unschooling Lifestyle PodcastWebsite: https://unschoolinglifestyle.com✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Progress doesn’t always look like momentum. Sometimes it looks like losing everything you thought defined you. Starting over. Rebuilding quietly while questioning your own direction, identity, and worth. In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Sofia Pedroso, founder of Shiffully. Sofia works with entrepreneurs to address the emotional and nervous-system patterns that often sit beneath inconsistent growth, burnout, and self-doubt. But her work didn’t begin with theory. It began with her own lived experience of losing everything and having to rebuild from the inside out. We talk about what it means to hit rock bottom, how emotional patterns quietly shape our outcomes, and why traditional strategies often fail when deeper nervous-system patterns are driving our behavior. Sofia shares how she rebuilt her identity, developed self-trust, and began helping others do the same. This conversation is a powerful reminder that feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re broken. It often means there’s something deeper asking to be understood. 04:32 — Sofia’s rock bottom and losing everything 08:15 — Moving back in with her parents and rebuilding identity 12:40 — Why progress felt slow and invisible 17:05 — Emotional patterns and nervous-system responses 21:30 — Why strategy alone doesn’t create real change 26:10 — Recognizing the patterns that keep us stuck 30:55 — Learning to rebuild self-trust 35:20 — How her experience led to creating Shiffully 40:05 — Helping others break cycles and grow sustainably✨Connect with Sofia Pedroso:Website: https://shiffully.comUnlock Growth Community: https://www.skool.com/unlock-growth-4645 ✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some of the people who help us most are the ones who have walked through the darkest things themselves. In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, I sit down with Stacy Schaffer, MA, LPC, a children’s therapist with over 20 years of experience working with grief, trauma, and anxiety. Stacy is also a survivor of childhood trauma, and she brings that lived wisdom into every conversation she has with families, educators, and young people. We talk openly about how trauma shows up in kids, why silence in families can be dangerous, and how play, safety, and relationship are often the real medicine. Stacy shares what she wished she’d had as a child, what she now creates for others, and why healing is not a destination but a practice. This is a tender, honest, and deeply practical conversation for parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone who cares about breaking generational cycles with compassion instead of shame.  05:10 — Stacy’s childhood story and what shaped her calling 09:25 — How trauma quietly shows up in kids 13:50 — Why family silence keeps wounds alive 18:15 — The healing power of play therapy 22:40 — Grief beyond death and why it matters 27:05 — Warning signs parents should not ignore 31:30 — Repair, safety, and relationship as medicine 36:10 — What Stacy wishes every parent knew 40:55 — How to break generational cycles with love✨Connect with Stacy Schaffer:Book: With Love From a Children’s Therapist: #lessonsihavelearnedalongthewayWebsite: https://authorstacyschaffer.com ✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Courage doesn’t always look like heroics. Most of the time it looks like ordinary people choosing to do the right thing when it’s risky, uncomfortable, or unpopular. In this episode, I sit down with John Graham, Executive Director of the Giraffe Heroes Project and known to many online as Badass Granddad. John has lived a life shaped by extremes: war zones, revolutions, a catastrophic shipwreck, and near-death experiences. But the heart of his work isn’t adrenaline, it’s meaning. We talk about what real moral courage looks like, why stories move people more than speeches, how polarization erodes trust, and why “sticking your neck out” is more necessary than ever. John shares how his own life cracked open, how the Giraffe Heroes Project was born, and why honoring everyday courage can actually change culture. This is a conversation about responsibility, hope, and the quiet power of people who refuse to stay silent when it matters. 04:10 — John’s early life and experiences that shaped his worldview 07:45 — The shipwreck and what it taught him about risk 11:20 — From adrenaline to meaning 15:05 — How the Giraffe Heroes Project began 19:00 — What makes someone a “Giraffe Hero” 23:10 — Why stories change people more than arguments 27:25 — Courage in a polarized world 31:50 — How ordinary people can practice moral courage 36:15 — What John hopes the next generation learns 40:40 — Why sticking your neck out still matters✨Connect with John Graham:Giraffe Heroes Project: https://giraffe.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnagraham1/Search “Badass Granddad” on TikTok/Instagram to follow his socials✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you help your Ex if they needed support? It’s a question that creates an immediate reaction in people,  discomfort, curiosity, or a quiet “I don’t know… maybe.” And yet almost no one talks about it publicly. Today’s guest, Elizabeth Verwey, spent years researching this question and discovered that caring for an ex is more common than most people realize. Through surveys in 21 countries, interviews with 53 people, and 30 deeply personal stories, she uncovered a new and quiet post-divorce stage that sits somewhere between closure and compassion. In this conversation, we explore the emotional, relational, cultural, and logistical sides of caring for an ex — why people choose to step up, why they stay silent about it, what it means for current relationships, and how these acts can become deeply healing without ever leading to reconciliation. This episode offers a fresh way of understanding endings, relationships, and the forms of love we rarely have language for. 05:10 — The question that sparked the research: Would you help your ex? 08:45 — Caring for an ex as a new post-divorce stage 12:20 — Why people keep this kind of caregiving private 17:05 — Cultural and gender differences in caregiving 21:30 — Boundaries, current partners, and navigating complexity 26:40 — Does caring for an ex reopen wounds or create healing? 31:15 — The difference between reconciliation and compassion 36:00 — What people gained from saying yes to helping 40:50 — How this research changed Elizabeth’s view of endings 45:30 — What she hopes listeners will reconsider about love✨Connect with Elizabeth Verwey:Website: https://www.elizabethverwey.comBook: Brave New EndingsPrograms & Workshops: Listed on her site✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most of us learned as kids what was “real” and what wasn’t. We were taught how to behave, how to fit in, and where the limits of possibility lived. But what if those limits were never real to begin with? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Deborah Ann Baker, a researcher, artist, and author whose work explores the intersection of neuroscience, creativity, consciousness, and childhood development. Through her books There Is No Such Thing as Purple Trees and Quantum Rebellion, Deborah makes a compelling case that we lose something essential when we disconnect from imagination, curiosity, and wonder; the very capacities that fuel healing, innovation, and deeper human intelligence. We talk about: • the moment a teacher shut down her creativity with one sentence • why children are wired for multidimensional thinking • how neuroplasticity allows adults to reclaim what they lost • the bridge between science and spirituality • why healing requires permission to be messy • and what it means to remember what we forgot as we “grew up” This episode is for anyone who senses there’s more to being human than productivity and perfection — and who is ready to reclaim the parts of themselves they once shut down to fit in. 03:40 — The purple tree story and the wound of conformity 07:15 — Childhood imagination as cognitive intelligence 11:50 — Neuroplasticity and why adults shut down curiosity 16:20 — Science and spirituality begin to converge 21:10 — Cancer, creativity, and the “black paint moment” 27:45 — Why messiness is required for innovation 31:30 — Quantum thinking and multidimensional reality 36:05 — How children teach us what we unlearn 41:20 — What Deborah hopes adults remember✨Connect with Deborah Ann Baker:Books: There Is No Such Thing as Purple Trees & Quantum RebellionLink Hub: https://linktr.ee/thepurpletrees✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people imagine PTSD as something tied to combat or emergency work. What often gets overlooked are the quieter stories. The ones with the survivors who walk back into ordinary life with extraordinary wounds no one can see. In this episode, Christiane Scarpino, author of Missing Pieces, shares her experience surviving a terrorist bombing at 21, the aftermath of FBI and NYPD interrogation, and the 49 years of PTSD that followed. We talk about what PTSD actually feels like inside the body, how triggers show up in everyday life, the years she spent blaming herself for symptoms she didn’t understand, and what healing looks like for someone who never expected to live through the initial event, let alone the decades afterward. But this is not just a trauma story. It’s a resilience story. Christiane has built a life filled with advocacy, service, marriage, humor, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. She is proof that healing is not about going back. It’s about learning to live forward. Whether you’re navigating trauma personally, loving someone who is, or working in a field where these experiences show up quietly, this episode expands the conversation around PTSD in an honest, compassionate, and human way. 05:10 – Surviving the terrorist bombing and the moment everything changed 09:40 – Three years of FBI and NYPD interrogation 14:15 – PTSD: symptoms, fear, and “feeling crazy” before diagnosis 18:25 – How triggers hide in plain sight 22:50 – Why PTSD doesn’t follow a timeline or expiration date 27:40 – The stigma of “you should be over this by now” 32:05 – Marriage, dogs, and rebuilding joy in a nervous system that never forgets 36:30 – Advocacy and why awareness still matters 40:50 – Writing Missing Pieces and telling the truth without sensationalizing 45:15 – What she wants PTSD survivors to hear right now✨Connect with Christiane Scarpino:Book: Missing Pieces (memoir available via her site)Upcoming Work: PTSD self-help guide (in development)Website: https://www.christianescarpino.net✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grief doesn’t follow rules or timelines. It shows up quietly, loudly, and sometimes all at once. In this deeply human conversation, author and educator Jeaninne Escallier Kato shares how losing two close friends during the pandemic sent her into what’s known as critical grief, a season marked by anxiety, fear of being alone, and the feeling of losing herself. What ultimately helped her find her way back wasn’t forcing positivity or rushing healing. It was creativity, storytelling, connection, and allowing grief to be honored instead of avoided. Jeaninne opens up about how writing, creating her television show Staging the Third Act, and embracing the later chapters of life helped her transform loss into meaning. This episode is a gentle companion for anyone navigating grief, anticipatory loss, or a season of transition. It’s a reminder that grief is not a problem to solve, but love that still deserves space. 04:45 – Jeaninne’s story and the losses that changed everything 08:30 – What “critical grief” looked like in real life 12:55 – Anxiety, fear of loss, and the struggle with being alone 17:20 – Asking for help and beginning counseling 22:10 – How creativity became a lifeline 27:00 – Creating Staging the Third Act as an act of healing 31:40 – Where love goes after someone dies 36:15 – Navigating anticipatory grief with her mother 41:10 – Aging, gratitude, and embracing life’s later chapters 46:05 – Turning pain into purpose 50:20 – What Jeaninne wants grieving listeners to know✨Connect with Jeaninne Escallier Kato:Book: B.J.’s Promise: How My Dying Dog Found My True LoveTV Show: Staging the Third Act (Auburn Community Television & YouTube)Website: https://www.spokenlives.com/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is not about motivation. It’s about ownership.Rob McCarthy got tired of hating the person he saw in the mirror and decided to stop living a life that wasn’t his. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Rob breaks down how we inherit scripts from family, society, debt, and social media, and how those scripts quietly run our lives until we’re willing to confront them.We talk about small wins, fear, comparison, money, self-help lies, faith, discipline, and why real change doesn’t come from quotes or manifesting, but from brutal honesty and consistent action. If you’re done pretending and ready to take responsibility for your life, this episode will hit hard in the best way. 04:00 – Rob’s breaking point: hating the person in the mirror 06:45 – Living a life designed by everyone else 09:20 – Why most people care too much about opinions that don’t matter 12:10 – Criticism, fear, and releasing the book quietly 15:00 – Auditing your circle and cutting dead weight 18:30 – The biggest lies sold by the self-help industry 22:00 – Why motivation quotes don’t change lives 25:10 – Fear, excuses, and calling yourself out 29:30 – Debt, consumption, and financing self-worth 33:00 – Redefining success on your own terms 36:40 – Social media, comparison, and the modern “Colosseum” 40:30 – Faith, work, and personal responsibility 44:45 – Small wins and why they matter more than big goals 48:30 – “You don’t need a miracle. You need a mirror.” 51:30 – What to do when you don’t know where to start 55:00 – Where to find Rob’s book, podcast, and resources✨Connect with Rob McCarthy:Book: F the Script: How to Own Your Sh*t and Rewrite Your Story Available on AmazonPodcast: F the StandardStand Store: https://stan.store/fts25✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review      Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This conversation with Tonya Peck is one of those episodes that hits you in the chest in the best way possible. Tonya grew up in chaos, carried shame that never belonged to her, and spent years trying to outrun the emotional imprint of feeling unwanted. Her turning point came when she discovered the power of the Primal Question; the single emotional need that shapes how we love, lead, react, and relate. Now she’s a Primal Question Coach, a longtime healthcare professional, and a fitness instructor who teaches women how to break belief barriers and finally step into their God-given gifts. This episode dives into healing, identity, faith, emotional awareness, and why small shifts can change the entire direction of a life. It's honest, hopeful, and incredibly human. 04:40 — Tonya’s journey from a chaotic childhood to becoming a coach 08:10 — Teen pregnancy, loss, and the years she carried silent shame 13:05 — The moment she realized her story could help someone else 17:20 — What the seven Primal Questions are and why they matter 22:45 — Identifying your dominant emotional need 27:10 — Breaking belief barriers and stepping out of comfort zones 32:00 — How physical health ties directly to emotional healing 36:50 — Faith, forgiveness, and rebuilding self-worth 41:30 — Leadership, community, and accountability 45:40 — What Tonya wishes every woman knew about her own strength 50:00 — How to start healing your story today✨Connect with Tonya Peck:Website: https://motionandmindset.com/Instagram: @motionandmindset✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele sits down with Rachel Sachs, co-director of The Marriage School. Rachel and her husband Daniel went from newlywed chaos and emotional disconnect to rebuilding their marriage with tools that actually work, not theories, not quick fixes, real skills. Rachel shares how they hit a breaking point after having kids, how their six-month program gave them a new foundation, and why so many couples think they’re failing when really, they’re just under-equipped. She talks about humility, communication, faith, the importance of community, and why genuine change only happens when both partners stop pointing fingers and start doing the work. If you’ve ever wished relationships came with a manual, this episode is your sign that help exists, and there’s nothing wrong with needing support.  00:02:10 – Rachel’s background: opera singer turned marriage educator 00:06:10 – The moment Rachel and Daniel realized they needed help 00:10:10 – “We realized we loved each other, but we didn’t know how to do marriage.” 00:14:10 – What The Marriage School is and why it works 00:18:10 – The pressure on couples after having kids 00:22:10 – Why emotional skills aren’t taught, and what happens when they are 00:26:10 – “No one ever changes when you point the finger at them.” 00:30:10 – Communication, humility, community, and real transformation 00:35:10 – How couples can start making shifts today✨Connect with Rachel Sachs:Website: https://www.themarriageschool.orgPrograms & Workshops info: Available through their site✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Alan Lazaros, speaker, coach, and co-host of the global top 100 podcast Next Level University. At 26, Alan survived a head-on collision that became the wake-up call he didn’t know he needed. It forced him to face the trauma, insecurity, and people-pleasing patterns that shaped his life and pushed him into a deeper, more meaningful kind of personal growth. Alan breaks down his “four buckets of life,” how external success can hide deep internal emptiness, and why fulfillment requires honesty, consistency, and a willingness to look inward. He talks openly about trauma responses, the pressure to be “enough,” and the challenge of aligning your purpose with what the world actually pays for. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you’ve outgrown the life you’re living, this conversation gives you clarity, courage, and practical insight on what real transformation looks like.  00:02:20 – Alan’s early life, loss, and the roots of his trauma responses 00:07:20 – The car accident that changed everything 00:12:20 – From externally successful to internally empty 00:16:20 – Discovering personal development and questioning everything 00:20:20 – The four “buckets” of life and where people get stuck 00:25:20 – Trauma, insecurity, and why people stay in the wrong identity 00:30:20 – Aligning purpose with your real strengths 00:35:20 – Building fulfillment: habits, metrics, and self-awareness 00:40:20 – What real growth feels like over time✨Connect with Alan Lazarus:Website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc/Podcast: Next Level University✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, Michele talks with Melissa Kramer, founder of Live UTI Free, a global patient-led initiative reshaping how urinary tract infections and pelvic health are understood and treated. After years of chronic UTIs, misdiagnosis, and dismissal, Melissa transformed her pain into purpose. She built one of the world’s most respected patient advocacy and research platforms, connecting medical professionals, researchers, and patients around the world. Melissa shares how she went from being unheard to leading a movement for better science, better care, and more compassionate healthcare. This conversation shines a light on the gender gap in medicine, the power of lived experience, and how advocacy can grow from the most personal places. If you’ve ever been dismissed by the medical system or felt like no one was listening, Melissa’s story will help you find your voice again.  [00:02:15] Melissa’s story: from chronic UTI sufferer to advocate [00:07:15] Why women’s symptoms are often minimized or misunderstood [00:12:15] The founding of Live UTI Free and the power of community research [00:17:15] How to advocate for yourself in the doctor’s office [00:22:15] The emotional and physical toll of chronic illness [00:27:15] What real progress looks like in women’s health [00:32:15] Building bridges between patients, science, and policy [00:37:15] Finding hope through purpose and shared experience [00:42:15] Closing thoughts: breaking stigma and driving change✨Connect with Melissa Kramer:Website: https://liveutifree.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveutifree/#LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-kramer-93714224/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, Michele talks with Doris Efford, a writer, speaker, and coach who helps women reclaim identity, self-worth, and emotional wholeness. Doris opens up about growing up disconnected from her true self, performing for approval, and the moment she realized she had to stop living for everyone else and start living honestly. She shares what identity healing actually looks like, why self-worth is at the core of change, and how faith, grace, and emotional resilience brought her back to herself. This episode is for anyone who has ever felt invisible, unworthy, or stuck in survival mode. 00:02:10 Doris’s early story and losing herself to expectations00:06:10 Identity, survival mode, and faith during hardship00:10:10 “Motivation isn’t enough” – why habits need a deeper why00:13:10 Self-worth and why people don’t choose themselves00:16:10 What healing actually looked like for Doris00:20:10 People-pleasing, shame, and being honest with yourself00:25:10 The role of God, grace, and emotional maturity00:30:10 How to stop performing and start being present in your life00:35:10 Final thoughts — identity, love, and choosing truth✨Connect with Doris Efford:·        Email: [email protected]✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Dana Sherwin, a healthcare executive turned patient advocate, who brings over 35 years of experience in healthcare administration, and a deeply personal story of survival. After facing a life-threatening illness and undergoing a stem cell transplant, Dana gained a rare perspective: what it’s like to move from managing care systems to navigating them as a patient. She shares what it truly means to take ownership of your health, from asking the right questions and building stronger communication with your providers, to organizing your own care and advocating for yourself when it matters most. Dana’s message is clear: you are the CEO of your own health. This episode is both practical and deeply human. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt lost in the medical system, overwhelmed by a diagnosis, or ready to take a more active role in their wellbeing.  [00:02:25] Dana’s journey from healthcare executive to patient [00:06:25] The day everything changed [00:10:25] Facing fear and finding strength through uncertainty [00:14:25] How to communicate effectively with your doctor [00:18:25] Becoming your own advocate in a complex system [00:22:25] Coordinating your care and building a support team [00:27:25] What it means to be prepared before a crisis hits [00:33:25] Lessons from both sides of the healthcare system [00:38:25] Finding gratitude and growth through survival [00:43:25] Final reflections on courage, hope, and advocacy✨Connect with Dana Sherwin:·        Email: [email protected]·        Resource: The Journal of Patient Experience (Open Access)·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desherwin/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Nisha Srivastava, the Director of Pilates Manchester & Northwest Pilates & Yoga Centre, who brings over 30 years of experience in movement, mindfulness, and holistic health. Nisha shares her story of how physical and emotional healing are deeply connected, and how true wellness begins when we stop ignoring the signals our bodies send us. From her own challenges with stress and imbalance to decades of helping others, she explains why we can’t separate the body from the mind, and how awareness, breath, and self-compassion can transform both. This conversation dives into what stress really does to the body, how to move through it with intention, and why slowing down is often the most powerful medicine of all. Nisha also leaves listeners with simple, practical tools to restore balance, whole foods, clean water, breathwork, and rest. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, exhausted, or out of rhythm, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be honest.  [00:02:20] Nisha’s journey from dancer to holistic healer [00:06:20] How Pilates and yoga helped her rebuild from burnout [00:10:20] The connection between emotions and physical health [00:14:20] When the body whispers—and when it starts to scream [00:18:20] The cost of pushing through stress [00:23:20] How awareness creates space for healing [00:28:20] The power of breath as the body’s first medicine [00:33:20] Releasing perfection and returning to balance [00:38:20] Simple, everyday habits that build real wellness [00:43:20] Final thoughts on self-love, presence, and rest✨Connect with Nisha Srivastava:·        Website: https://www.pilatesmanchester.co.uk·        Studio: Northwest Pilates & Yoga Centre·        Instagram: @northwestpilates✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast#TheBeautyInTheMess #NishaSrivastava #HolisticHealing #MindBodyConnection #WellnessJourney #Pilates #HealingFromWithin #SelfAwareness #AuthenticLiving💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Chris Abdey, a procrastination coach who helps people stop beating themselves up and start getting things done with compassion and clarity. Chris shares how procrastination isn’t about laziness or lack of discipline, it’s often your brain’s way of protecting you from discomfort or fear. Drawing from his own burnout story and years of coaching experience, Chris breaks down what’s really behind chronic delay, why motivation doesn’t work the way we think it does, and how to start creating momentum by working with your brain instead of against it. This conversation digs into the emotional roots of procrastination, the difference between avoidance and rest, and why self-compassion might be the most productive mindset shift of all. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by your own inaction, this episode will help you see procrastination not as a flaw, but as a message that something deeper needs your attention. [00:02:30] Chris’s journey from burnout to breakthrough [00:06:30] What procrastination really is (and isn’t) [00:10:30] The emotional root of avoidance [00:14:30] Why fear and perfectionism keep us stuck [00:19:30] Learning to work with your brain, not against it [00:24:30] When procrastination is actually protection [00:29:30] How self-compassion creates momentum [00:34:30] Chris’s simple reset steps for when you freeze up [00:39:30] How to stop judging yourself and start moving again [00:44:30] Final thoughts: finding progress in imperfection✨Connect with Chris Abdey:·        Website: https://www.procrastinationstation.ca/·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabdey/·        Community: Procrastinator’s Pitstop✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #ChrisAbdey #ProcrastinationCoach #StopProcrastinating #SelfCompassion #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #BurnoutRecovery #ProductivityTips #Motivation #EmotionalHealth #Wellbeing #AuthenticLiving #Mindfulness #RealTalk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with David Lederman, a speaker, author, and executive coach, who helps high-achievers find real fulfillment without burning out. After years leading in the tech world, David hit a breaking point trying to live up to all the advice about how to “do it all.” Be ambitious but stay calm. Lead selflessly but take care of yourself. It sounds doable—until you actually try to live it. That struggle nearly cost him everything, but it also pushed him to find a better way. David spent eight years diving into neuroscience, psychology, and ancient wisdom to figure out how peace and purpose fit into modern life. Now, through his coaching and his upcoming book Trust Life?, he teaches people how to align what they do with who they really are—what he calls the Zone of Fulfillment. This conversation gets real about burnout, paradox, and how to finally feel grounded even when life’s moving fast. [00:02:20] When success stops feeling successful [00:06:20] The contradictions that drain high-achievers [00:10:20] The moment David hit burnout and what changed [00:14:20] How neuroscience and ancient wisdom overlap [00:18:20] What fulfillment really looks like today [00:23:20] The 4 Life Paradoxes explained [00:27:20] The “Zone of Fulfillment” and how to find it [00:33:20] Learning to trust life again [00:38:20] Behind his upcoming book and TEDx Talk [00:42:20] Final thoughts on slowing down to move forward✨Connect with David Lederman:·        Website: https://magicandawe.com/·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelederman/·        TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/59230?utm_source=chatgpt.com·        Book: Trust Life?✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #DavidLederman #Leadership #Fulfillment #Burnout #TrustLife #RealTalk #AuthenticLeadership #Growth Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arma Benoit has spent more than 25 years shaping stories in film, television, and now comedy. She started out producing iconic Atlanta rap videos for Outkast, Ludacris, and Goodie Mob, moved into eight seasons on The Vampire Diaries, and worked on projects like Genius: Aretha and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. Today, she’s also the owner of Atlanta Breakaway, the only female-owned rubber glass and breakaway bottle company on the East Coast, and a rising stand-up comic using humor to reclaim her own voice. In this conversation, Arma shares her early spark for filmmaking at age eight, the reality of breaking into a male-dominated industry, and the resilience it takes to keep chasing goals even after decades of success. We cover her philosophy of creating opportunities, why comedy has become a powerful outlet, and what it really looks like to balance creativity, business, and life. [00:02:15] Arma’s childhood dream of filmmaking and first steps into the industry [00:04:15] Breaking into sports broadcasting and music videos in Atlanta [00:07:15] Producing iconic rap videos and the whirlwind of the 90s scene [00:11:15] The long run on The Vampire Diaries and raising kids alongside a TV career [00:15:15] From Genius: Aretha to Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis [00:18:15] Facing fear, anxiety, and learning to focus on the process [00:22:15] Directing her own short film Amaia and lessons from the festival circuit [00:26:15] Turning to stand-up comedy as a way to tell her own stories [00:31:15] Building Atlanta Breakaway and creating movie magic props [00:37:15] Teaching at Georgia Film Academy and mentoring new talent [00:41:15] The truth about meritocracy and why “nobody’s coming” [00:46:15] Self-love, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms✨Connect with Arma Benoit:·        Website: https://www.armabenoit.com·        Website: https://www.atlantabreakaway.com·        Production Company: group129.com·        Instagram: @armabenoit | @group129·        YouTube: Group129✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast#TheBeautyInTheMess #ArmaBenoit #WomenInFilm #FemaleFilmmakers #ComedyLife #CreativeJourney #Outkast #TheVampireDiaries #Storytelling #WomenInComedy #WomenInEntertainment #StorytellingMatters #Resilience #FilmIndustry #Group129 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode discusses addiction, mental health struggles, and suicide.International model, personal trainer, and wellness advocate Jonathan Niziol joins The Beauty In The Mess to share how he turned unimaginable loss into a mission to help others. After losing his mom the day before his 21st birthday, Jonathan spiraled into alcohol and drug addiction, depression, and anxiety, until a near-death experience at 25 forced a complete reset.Now 16 years alcohol-free and 6½ years free from all substances, Jonathan opens up about the inner work that saved him, the male mental-health stigma he’s determined to break, and how he rebuilt a thriving life and career. This conversation is raw, practical, and full of hope for anyone facing hidden battles.·        [02:25] Early life in Canada and the tragedy that changed everything·        [11:25] Spiraling into alcohol, drugs, and depression·        [20:25] A near-death hospital stay and the decision to live·        [30:25] From addiction to international modeling and fitness·        [40:25] Confronting body dysmorphia and eating disorders·        [50:25] Breaking the stigma around men’s mental health·        [59:25] Daily practices for staying sober and grounded·        [68:25] Words of encouragement for anyone who feels stuckConnect with Jonathan Niziol·        Website: https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanniziol·        Agency Profile: https://www.sutherlandmodels.com/men/110-jonathan-niziol/bio/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!If you or someone you know is struggling, you are never alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 anytime for confidential support.#MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #TheBeautyInTheMess #HealingJourney #MenAndMentalHealth #JonathanNiziol #BreakTheStigma #MensMentalHealth #HealingJourney #SobrietySuccess #Resilience Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles.In this deeply moving conversation, Rachel Zehden shares how profound loss became a calling to help others heal. A certified somatic attachment practitioner and life coach, Rachel opens up about losing her father suddenly and her mother to suicide while she was pregnant—then transforming that pain into purpose.We dive into somatic healing, how the body holds trauma, and what “high-functioning depression” really looks like. Rachel explains how generational trauma is passed down, why awareness is the first step to change, and how to rewrite the stories we inherit. If you’ve ever felt trapped in old fears or family patterns, this episode offers tools to release, rebuild, and move forward.·        [02:35] Rachel’s early path: from marketing to music to children’s books·        [09:35] The loss of her father and how writing helped her heal·        [18:35] Mother’s suicide during pregnancy: shock, grief, and seeking purpose·        [28:35] Discovering somatic healing and training on a suicide prevention hotline·        [38:35] High-functioning depression and why signs are often missed·        [47:35] Generational trauma, epigenetics, and reprogramming the nervous system·        [56:35] Somatic tools to calm anxiety and rewrite your story·        [65:35] Rachel’s programs: one-on-one coaching, group work, and workshops·        [73:35] Final message of hope and resources for anyone struggling 🌿 Connect with Rachel Zehden:·        Website & programs: https://rewindwithrachel.com·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewindwithrachel·        Email: [email protected]✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!If you or someone you know is struggling, you are never alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 anytime for confidential support.#TheBeautyInTheMess #RachelZehden #HealingJourney #SomaticHealing #HighFunctioningDepression #RewriteYourStory #GenerationalTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaRecovery #BreakTheCycle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three unexpected phone calls. A verse in James that would not let go. A cargo van full of winter boots. That’s how April Jurgensen knew she had been called to act. As founder and executive director of The Boaz Project, April has spent more than 25 years serving orphans by strengthening caregivers and supporting whole homes instead of individual sponsorships. In this conversation, she shares the origin story, the power of trauma-informed care, the challenges of carrying heartbreaking stories, and why this work ministers to both children and the heart of God.·        [00:03:05] Welcome and April’s origin story begins·        [00:04:05] The 2020/60 Minutes calls and James 1:27·        [00:08:05] First supply trip to Russia and the “cargo van” moment·        [00:12:05] Building a trustworthy model and launching Boaz·        [00:14:05] What makes Boaz different: caregivers and whole-home support·        [00:17:05] Why no individual child sponsorships and the attachment cycle·        [00:21:05] Guarding against unhealthy attachment while still loving kids·        [00:23:05] Handling hard days, logic vs emotion, and therapy tools·        [00:25:05] The hospital wing story and “feeling God’s heart”·        [00:34:05] Suffering, justice, and ministering to God by loving orphans·        [00:37:05] Nervous-system care: vagus, tapping, somatic work·        [00:40:05] Common misconceptions and why Boaz works outside the US·        [00:42:05] Culture-first partnerships and trauma training·        [00:45:05] Legal realities and why most orphans are not adoptable·        [00:48:05] How to help: prayer list, Orphan Advocate Training, trips, giving·        [00:49:05] Boaz meaning and mission·        [00:51:05] The future: growth across nations·        [00:52:05] Finding your own calling·        [00:53:05] Final word: God’s adopting love🌿 Connect with April Jurgensen:Learn More: https://boazproject.org/Free Orphan Advocate Training (self-paced online)Books: The Orphan’s Abba and When God is Your Father✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #BoazProject #OrphanCare #TraumaInformedCare #FaithInAction #AprilJurgensen  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Mary Alice Mina, Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, says skincare is whole-body care. What you eat, how you sleep, and how you manage stress show up on your skin as much as any cream. Hydration is important for overall health, but water alone won’t moisturize skin. “Clean beauty” is mostly marketing, and preservatives are necessary to prevent mold and bacteria. Stick with tested brands, be consistent, and avoid hopping from product to product.Perimenopause brings dryness and collagen loss; sleep and lifestyle matter, and HRT or topical estrogen may help. Red light therapy and exosomes show promise but require consistency and caution. Beware of “instant firming” creams; true laxity often needs surgical solutions. Most importantly, match the tool to the job and choose providers with skill and integrity. 03:05 Food, drink, and whole-body care for skin04:05 Hydration myths vs. moisturizers05:05 “Clean beauty” marketing, what matters instead08:05 Why preservatives exist and how to vet brands09:05 Trusted everyday brands and what she uses10:05 Biggest mistakes: inconsistency and product hopping12:05 Product Loyalty; irritation = stop13:05 Real timelines: acne, retinoids, collagen changes14:05 Makeup questions and where derms fit15:05 New preservatives, sensitivity, and reactions17:05 Physical exfoliators and brushes: when to pass18:05 Eczema 101: barrier repair and when to see a derm20:05 Perimenopause skin changes; options to discuss with your doctor23:05 Sleep, stress, habits, and skin repair25:05 Red light therapy: what it can and can’t do at home27:05 Stem cells vs. exosomes, hype vs. early promise31:05 “Instant firming” claims and what’s real32:05 Procedures: results depend on the operator35:05 Strategy: improve complexion first; what peels do36:05 Laxity and when surgery is the answer37:05 How facelifts evolved; natural results39:05 Why Dr. Mina started The Skin Real45:05 Her path from dance to dermatology; acne empathy48:05 Final message: cancel the noise, care from the inside out49:05 Free habits guide and how to follow Dr. Mina 🌿 Connect with Dr. Mina:Podcast: https://theskinreal.com/·        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLggCqJEOBz0NUIcMeJDIaw·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drminaskin·        Free Habits Guide: https://hi.theskinreal.com/habits✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#Skincare #Dermatology #SkinHealth #Eczema #Perimenopause #RedLightTherapy #Exosomes #ChemicalPeel #Facelift #EvidenceBased #Dr.MaryAliceMina #TheBeautyInTheMess Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James and Claire Davis, The Midlife Mentors, reframe midlife as reinvention, not decline. They share how values shift in this season, why relationships become a catalyst for growth, and how coaching helps uncover the “script” that drives self-talk and habits. They break down behavior change into beliefs, identity, and environment, then layer in practical hormones, nutrition, movement, and mindset strategies. The message is simple and hopeful. Start with one high-leverage area, build accountability, and let small daily choices compound into energy, clarity, and purpose.2:25 Intro & backstory – journalism to caregiver magazine.4:25 “Caregiver trauma” – PTSD, missed signs, why acknowledgment matters.6:25 Burnout, depression, decision fatigue.8:25 Hidden epidemic – 40M caregivers, isolation, speaking up.9:25 Senior care costs, fewer caregivers, corporatization.11:25 Lack of quality activities in facilities.13:25 Planning ahead & lobbying roadblocks.15:25 Financial strain & overmedication.16:25 Unpaid caregivers & aid limits.18:25 Resources – state agencies, respite care.20:25 Gap that inspired Reverse Magazine.22:25 Elder law, Medicare, Medicaid help.24:25 Caregivers’ 63% higher mortality risk.25:25 Dementia care & communication.27:25 Guilt over taking breaks.29:25 Self-care as survival.30:25 Opposite-sex caregiving & dignity.31:25 Family planning talks.33:25 Downsizing & emotional impact.35:25 Taking away the keys as freedom.38:25 Finding beauty in the mess.40:25 Connect with Anna – Reverse Magazine, FB, LinkedIn. 🌿 Connect with James and Claire Davis:Website: https://themidlifementors.com/TikTok: @themidlifementorsInstagram: @midlifementors✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#MidlifeMentors #MidlifeReinvention #MidlifeHealth #MenopauseSupport #AndropauseAwareness #MindsetMatters #StrongerTogether #SelfWorthHealing #ReinventYourLife #BeautyInTheMessPodcast #James&ClaireDavis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Caregiving is one of the toughest, most overlooked roles, often done in silence. In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Anna Edmonds shares her journey from journalist to founder of a caregiver-focused magazine and podcast. She opens up about “caregiver trauma,” the toll of caring for a loved one, and the broken systems that make the role even harder. We cover burnout, financial strain, isolation, and the need for families to plan ahead. Anna also shares practical advice on resources, self-care, and tough conversations—reminding us there is beauty in caregiving, even in the mess.Content Advisory: This episode discusses caregiver burnout, dementia-related changes, emotional strain, and end-of-life care. While not graphic, it includes emotionally heavy content. 2:25 Intro & backstory – journalism to caregiver magazine. 4:25 “Caregiver trauma” – PTSD, missed signs, why acknowledgment matters. 6:25 Burnout, depression, decision fatigue. 8:25 Hidden epidemic – 40M caregivers, isolation, speaking up. 9:25 Senior care costs, fewer caregivers, corporatization. 11:25 Lack of quality activities in facilities. 13:25 Planning ahead & lobbying roadblocks. 15:25 Financial strain & overmedication. 16:25 Unpaid caregivers & aid limits. 18:25 Resources – state agencies, respite care. 20:25 Gap that inspired Reverse Magazine. 22:25 Elder law, Medicare, Medicaid help. 24:25 Caregivers’ 63% higher mortality risk. 25:25 Dementia care & communication. 27:25 Guilt over taking breaks. 29:25 Self-care as survival. 30:25 Opposite-sex caregiving & dignity. 31:25 Family planning talks. 33:25 Downsizing & emotional impact. 35:25 Taking away the keys as freedom. 38:25 Finding beauty in the mess. 40:25 Connect with Anna – Reverse Magazine, FB, LinkedIn. 🌿 Connect with Anna Edmonds:Reverse Magazine: https://reversemagazine.usFacebook: https://facebook.com/reversemagazine·        LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/reverse-magazine✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement. You are not alone There is support and resources out there.💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#HealingJourney #TheBeautyInTheMess #WellnessPodcast #SarinaHelen #SelfLove #HolisticWellness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, intuitive healer and certified coach Roya Mattis shares how five pivotal turning points shaped her 25-year journey mentoring entrepreneurs. Roya explains how subconscious rewiring, energetic alignment, and body-mind-soul integration can unlock deep healing, success, and personal power.She dives into overcoming burnout, reframing failure, reclaiming feminine energy, and collapsing time through intuitive and practical breakthroughs. Whether you’re craving peace, purpose, or transformation, this episode is a powerful reminder that your next breakthrough starts within.🔑 [02:10] The “never fail” formula: Get up one more time than you fall[04:10] Why “the power is in the pause” and how eye affirmations rewire you[07:10] 90/10 subconscious rule: Most of your life is on autopilot[10:10] Incantations like “I will persist until I succeed” and why they work[13:10] When affirmations fall flat — excavating root nervous system causes[16:10] Subconscious programming before age 7 and survival response wiring[19:10] Vagus nerve tracing and body-stored trauma[22:10] Life cycle of transformation: death, challenge, maturity[27:10] From burnout to physical collapse: Roya’s body transformation story[30:10] “Change requires energy” — why raising vitality is step one[33:10] Burn the bridge: eliminating Plan B to collapse time[36:10] The August breakdown: betrayal, loss, and rebuilding from ashes[39:10] Why we miss life’s hints — conditioning, loyalty, and fear[42:10] We are all energy: soul contracts and polarity[46:10] Quilt metaphor: Fill your square with love[49:10] One session healed 33 years of social anxiety[52:10] “Don’t waste time” — find a coach who works mind, body, and soul. 🌿 Connect with Roya Mattis:Book A Discovery Call: www.callwithroya.comLearn About The SHE-ness Program: www.she-ness.com✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement.💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #RoyaMattis #BurnoutRecovery #SubconsciousHealing #WomenWhoLead #PurposeDriven Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this soul-nourishing episode, Michele Simms welcomes holistic wellness coach and entrepreneur Sarina Helen, the powerhouse behind The Juice Parlor in Los Angeles. Sarina opens up about her decade-long struggle with burnout and how it ultimately led her to a deeper journey of self-connection, self-worth, and inner alignment. Her story is proof that we can’t pour into others until we start filling ourselves first.From green juices to mindset shifts, Sarina shares the essential tools that helped her heal—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and now she helps other women do the same through her holistic coaching. Whether you're navigating stress, trying to break toxic patterns, or simply looking for a path to more energy and peace, this conversation is a permission slip to start again.[0:02] Sarina’s early wellness journey and founding The Juice Parlor[0:04] Burnout, perfectionism, and the turning point[0:07] Why your external world reflects your internal state[0:09] Breaking cycles of hustle, people-pleasing, and disconnection[0:12] Learning to redefine health, purpose, and peace[0:14] Building self-awareness and reclaiming your worth[0:17] Emotional and physical detox—how they go hand in hand[0:20] The role of breathwork, stillness, and daily rituals[0:23] Creating space to hear your intuition[0:26] Why women often feel “not enough”—and how to come back home to self[0:29] Making small aligned choices that lead to lasting change[0:32] What real vitality looks and feels like[0:35] Free resources and support for your journey[0:37] Sarina’s final words of encouragement🎁 Free Gift for Listeners:Download Sarina’s Vitality Detox Guide and start your journey to a more vibrant, aligned you:👉 https://www.bewellbysarina.com/The-Vitality-Detox-GuideConnect with Sarina Helen:Website: www.bewellbysarina.comInstagram: @bewellbysarinaConnect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community💬 If this episode spoke to your heart, share it with a friend who could use some gentle encouragement. You are not alone, and you’re never too far gone to come back home to yourself.#HealingJourney #TheBeautyInTheMess #WellnessPodcast #SarinaHelen #SelfLove #HolisticWellness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, Michele Simms sits down with Amy, a holistic healing advocate who turned her decades-long battle with chronic illness into a mission to help others align with their inner peace, self-worth, and true potential. Amy opens up about the journey from surviving to thriving and how healing the internal world impacts everything on the outside.She shares how self-awareness, holistic practices, and small daily shifts can lead to deep transformation. Whether you're dealing with illness, emotional burnout, or just trying to find your way back to yourself, Amy’s honest wisdom will resonate.[00:02:20] Amy's background and journey with chronic illness [00:04:35] What led her to holistic healing [00:06:45] The connection between internal and external environments [00:09:05] Breaking free from limiting beliefs and cycles [00:11:15] Defining health, success, and peace on your own terms [00:13:25] Why awareness is the gateway to change [00:15:40] Building self-belief and self-worth [00:17:50] How healing is never linear [00:20:10] The myth of being “broken” [00:22:20] Learning to tune into your body’s signals [00:24:30] What true self-care looks like beyond trends [00:26:45] Amy’s message to anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed [00:29:00] Final thoughts on purpose and alignment🔗 Connect with Amy Lenius🔗 Instagram: @amylynnwellness📱 Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community🎧 If this episode helped you feel seen or sparked something new, share it with someone who needs it. You’re not alone — and you’re never too far gone to begin again.#HealingJourney #HolisticLiving #TheBeautyInTheMess #AmyLenius #SelfDiscovery 💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of The Beauty in the Mess, host Michele Simms talks with Blanca E. Rodriguez, Owner/CEO of Wounded Healer, LLC. Blanca shares how early trauma—including the murder of her father, sexual assault, and generational silence—led to years of darkness, but ultimately inspired a life of healing, service, and transformation.Blanca is a holistic life coach, licensed massage therapist, Amazon bestselling co-author, and passionate speaker. She mentors through Toastmasters and volunteers with organizations like The Inner Truth Project and The Pet Cottage. Her story is a compelling reminder that no matter your past, change is possible—and healing can begin today.[00:02:15] Blanca’s early life and Puerto Rican roots[00:04:20] Losing her father and the trauma that followed[00:06:30] Silence, shame, and victimhood[00:08:45] Breaking the cycle for her children[00:10:50] Trauma, mental illness, and generational pain[00:13:00] Taking ownership and reclaiming her story[00:15:10] How motherhood inspired deep change[00:17:20] Repeating patterns and toxic relationships[00:19:25] Urgency as a turning point[00:21:30] Discovering massage therapy and holistic healing[00:24:00] Understanding the mind-body-soul connection[00:26:05] Breathwork, stress, and healing tools[00:28:15] Caring for her mother with advanced dementia[00:30:30] Trauma’s long-term physical effects[00:32:45] Procrastination, self-worth, and fear of change[00:35:00] Starting small and building lasting habits[00:37:10] Why you shouldn’t do it alone[00:39:20] The life-changing power of having a coach[00:41:30] Forgiving her mother and herself[00:46:00] From surviving to thriving[00:48:15] Blanca’s free coaching session offer[00:49:50] Where to connect with Blanca online🌟 Connect with Blanca E. Rodriguez:Website: www.woundedhealerblancae.comEmail: [email protected]: @woundedhealer.blancaeFacebook (Personal): Blanca E. RodriguezFacebook (Business): WoundedHealer.BlancaETikTok / Threads: @woundedhealer.blancaeLinkedIn: Blanca E. Rodriguez💌 To book your free coaching session with Blanca, send her a direct message on any platform above.📱 Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community🎧 If this conversation moved you or reminded you you're not alone, please share it. You never know who might need to hear it today.. #TheBeautyInTheMess #WoundedHealer #HealingIsPossible #Forgiveness #LifeAfterTrauma #BlancaE.Rodriguez #HolisticHealing #RealConversations #ResilientWomen #UrgencyToHeal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this gripping and courageous episode, Michele talks with Mia Hanks, a survivor of 29 years of covert narcissistic abuse. Now an author and advocate, Mia opens up about the subtle manipulation, control, and emotional gaslighting that kept her trapped in an invisible prison for nearly three decades.Through her memoir Bride Made and her growing public platform, Mia is shining a light on what so many silently endure, and showing that freedom and healing are possible. Whether you’ve been through something similar or want to better understand and support someone who has, this conversation will stay with you.[02:20] – Mia shares her story: 29 years married to a covert narcissist [04:40] – What narcissistic abuse really looks like (and why it’s misunderstood) [07:10] – How narcissism develops and why lack of empathy is the red flag [09:30] – Total control: from finances to sleep and time [12:00] – Why covert narcissists are the hardest to spot — and most dangerous [14:30] – Can narcissists change? And why most don’t [17:00] – The silent weapon of gaslighting and how it erodes self-trust [19:45] – How abuse affects children and family dynamics [22:10] – When physical symptoms show up from emotional stress [24:40] – Is it narcissism, sociopathy, or something worse? [27:00] – Why victims normalize abuse — and how to begin seeing clearly [29:30] – Preparing to leave: finances, fear, and finding support [32:00] – Mia’s exit strategy: what worked and what she wishes she knew [34:40] – What helped most in healing: therapy, writing, and sharing [37:10] – Learning to trust again, set boundaries, and rebuild self-worth [39:50] – How covert narcissists protect their image through smear campaigns [42:20] – Writing her memoir Bride Made — and why it’s not just for survivors [44:40] – Final message: you’re not stuck — there’s life and healing after abuse🔗 Connect with Mia Hanks:Website: miajhanks.comMemoir: Bride Made (available everywhere books are sold)Instagram: @mia.j.hanksBlog coming soonBride Made: A Memoir is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and more.📱 Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community🎧 If this episode helped you feel seen or sparked something new, share it with someone who needs it. You’re not alone — and you’re never too far gone to begin again. #TheBeautyInTheMess #MiaHanks #NarcissisticAbuseRecovery #BrideMade #CovertNarcissism #Gaslighting #EmotionalHealing #WomensVoices 💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele sits down with Dr. Mark A. Hicks, counselor, speaker, and author of Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last. With decades of experience in psychology, divinity, and human relationships, Dr. Hicks offers real, accessible guidance on how to truly love, starting with yourself.He shares his personal story of loss and renewal, along with a five-part framework for building stronger, healthier, more fulfilling connections — whether with your partner, kids, friends, or even coworkers. This conversation is heartfelt, deeply relatable, and filled with tools for anyone who’s ever wondered: “Can I really learn to love well… even after the mess?”[02:20] – Meet Dr. Mark Hicks and what led him to write Learning Love [05:40] – Why love is a skill, not just a feeling [09:10] – His five components of learning love (G.E.A.P.P.) [12:30] – Why grief is the starting point for healthy connection [15:45] – Understanding emotional literacy and why it matters [19:10] – How practical love helps relationships last [22:25] – The role of acceptance in healing relationships [25:30] – Passion isn’t about fireworks — it’s about presence [28:40] – “You can’t love someone more than you love yourself” [32:15] – How your self-talk shapes your relationships [35:30] – What healthy love looks like in parenting [38:50] – Loving again after loss, betrayal, or divorce [42:00] – Why love isn’t reserved for the lucky — it’s for the willing [45:10] – Final thoughts: You are worthy of learning love🔗 Connect with Dr. Mark A. Hicks:📘 Book: Learning Love: Building a Life That Matters and Healthy Relationships That Last💻 Website: drmarkahicks.com📸 Instagram: @drmarkahicks💬 Facebook: Mark Hicks – Learning Love📱 Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community🎧 If this episode resonated, don’t forget to follow, review, and share. Love is a journey — and you don’t have to walk it alone.#TheBeautyInTheMess #LearningLove #MarkAHicks #SelfWorth #HealthyRelationships #EmotionalHealth #HealingAfterHeartbreak #RelationshipTools💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty In The Mess, Michele talks with Erica Wiederlight, confidence coach, embodiment expert, and founder of We The Light, LLC. Erica helps women go from disconnected and burned out to fully present, joyful, and confident — not through pressure or perfection, but through presence and pleasure. Erica shares how self-love can start in the middle of chaos, how pleasure is about so much more than sex, and why micro-moments of embodiment might be the most healing practice we have. Her message is loud and clear: You don’t have to be fixed to be fabulous — you just have to start where you are. [02:30] – Meet Erica Wiederlight and how her “mess” led to her mission [06:00] – From performer to coach: what burnout revealed [09:15] – What embodiment really means — and why it matters[12:30] – Why pleasure isn’t selfish and how it heals[15:45] – Micro-moments of self-connection (yes, even with kids screaming in the back)[18:15] – You don’t need a retreat to feel worthy — you just need a breath[21:30] – Erica’s favorite tools to calm the nervous system and get present[25:00] – The truth about confidence (it’s not about being loud or perfect)[28:30] – Embodiment and healing when you’re burned out and tired[31:45] – How to stop waiting for permission and take up space[35:00] – Final thoughts on starting small, practicing daily, and trusting yourself 📚 Connect with Erica:Website: wethelight.orgInstagram: @wethelight_llcPodcast: Welcome to the Wiederlife📱 Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Community💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Michele sits down with Utkarsh Narang, an executive coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of Ignited Neurons, for a deep, honest conversation about identity, fear, and fulfillment. With a background encompassing physiotherapy, content creation, and startup leadership, Utkarsh has lived many lives, and each reinvention taught him how to strip away false identities and show up with intentionality. Now, he helps others do the same. This episode explores what it means to live aligned with your values, how to embrace fear as a guidepost, and why presence — not perfection — is the most powerful discipline of all. [02:05] – Intro to Utkarsh: From physiotherapist to executive coach[06:10] – Letting go of your job title and rediscovering who you really are[10:25] – When discomfort becomes the doorway to growth[14:45] – Fear as fuel: how Utkarsh reframed anxiety into action[18:00] – The “last lunch” metaphor: living each moment like it matters[21:35] – The five values that anchor Utkarsh’s life and work[25:00] – Real discipline vs. performative motivation[29:15] – The trap of chasing goals without checking alignment[32:40] – How presence outperforms pressure every time[36:10] – Journaling, parenting, and practicing what you teach[39:45] – Why most people avoid stillness — and how to embrace it[43:20] – Redefining success: from impact to intention 🔗 Connect with Utkarsh Narang:🌐 Website: ignitedneurons.com📸 Instagram: @ignitedneurons💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/utkarsh-narang🎥 YouTube: Ignited Neurons Channel 🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty In The MessWebsite: https://thebeautyinthemess.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.beauty.in.the.mess/       💬 Rate & Review       Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, host Michele is joined by Saril Vasquez, a triple-certified functional medicine practitioner and the founder of Belle Organix and the Bellechanics Method.After a decade of struggling with hair loss and being told there was no cure, Saril discovered something deeper: her body was trying to speak — and hair loss was the message. The solution wasn’t in prescriptions or topicals, but in identifying the root dysfunctions and restoring her system naturally.Now, Saril helps women around the world reverse hair loss through detoxification, gut healing, hormone balance, and personalized nutrition. This conversation will challenge everything you thought you knew about hair loss, and offer real hope for those who’ve been told “this is just how it is.”[02:30] – Meet Saril: Her personal journey with hair loss and functional medicine[05:30] – Why toxins, hormone imbalances, and scar tissue are major root causes[08:45] – Hair loss as a detox mechanism: what your body is trying to say[11:15] – Estrogen dominance, liver health, and the surprising role of bowel movements[14:30] – Breakups, birth control, and the emotional spark that led to healing[17:45] – Scar tissue: how it strangles follicles and how to reverse it[21:00] – Functional medicine vs. conventional approaches to alopecia[24:15] – Why your hair follicles likely aren’t “dead” — just buried under dysfunction[27:30] – How stress and sugar instantly impact hair health[30:45] – The five non-negotiables for reversing hair loss naturally[34:00] – How Saril supports balance without perfection[37:30] – Why no two women get the same plan[41:00] – The power of group coaching and real-life results[44:15] – Why castor oil on the liver beats castor oil on the scalp[47:30] – Busting the “it’s just genetics” myth[50:00] – What every woman should know about her body and healing🔗 Connect with Saril Vasquez: Website: bellechanics.com Free Book: Becoming a Bellechanic Take the Quiz: bellechanics.com/quiz Facebook Group: Reversing Hair Loss Naturally Instagram: @bellechanics Testimonials & Before/After: bellechanics.com/testimonials🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty in the Mess: Website: thebeautyinthemess.com Facebook Group: Join the Community LinkedIn: Michele Simms Instagram: @the.beauty.in.the.mess Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the version of success you’ve been chasing… was never really yours?In this powerful episode of The Beauty In The Mess, host Michele sits down with Nina Zapala — award-winning hospitality professional, speaker, author, and the creator of Spiritual Personality Typing — a modern, mystical reimagining of traditional personality systems.After decades in high-powered branding and luxury travel, Nina had what she calls a “life tsunami.” Everything fell apart — and yet, everything began. Her breakdown became a breakthrough, one that led her to help women rediscover the WHO of who they really are: not society’s version, but their real, unfiltered self.Together, we explore:How burnout may be your soul’s signal to realignWhy fulfillment leads to purpose — not the other way aroundThe surprising way your personality type holds spiritual wisdomWhat it means to follow your “North Star” trait and finally feel at home in yourselfWith humor, heart, and so much truth, Nina invites us to slow down, tune in, and stop outsourcing our answers. If you’ve ever wondered who you really are beneath the hustle — this conversation is for you. [02:40] – Meet Nina Zapala [06:00] – The onstage moment that sparked a total life unraveling [10:15] – Why “success” didn’t feel like success — and what came next [14:30] – What is Spiritual Personality Typing, and how is it different? [18:50] – The "North Star trait" and why it matters more than dominance [24:00] – Hearing your soul’s whispers vs. your ego’s demands [29:10] – How your personality shows up in travel, relationships, and resistance [34:30] – The myths of authenticity and the truth about fulfillment [38:45] – Learning to trust yourself — even when no one else gets it [43:00] – Women, aging, and being unapologetically audacious [47:20] – Nina’s book Unpack Your Personality and how travel can reveal the real you[52:00] – Everyday steps to reconnect with your inner voice[56:30] – Final thoughts: You’re not broken — you’re buried under conditioning 🔗 Connect with Nina ZapalaWebsite: https://www.ninazapala.comBook: Unpack Your Personality: Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide Nina’s rescued poodle: Oliver (yes, he gets a shoutout!) Learn more about Spiritual Personality Typing on Nina’s blog🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty In The MessWebsite: https://thebeautyinthemess.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.beauty.in.the.mess/·        💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if stepping into a boxing ring wasn’t about fighting — but about healing?In this powerful conversation, host Michele sits down with coach, speaker, personal trainer, and podcaster Tiffanee Cook to unpack how boxing — an intense, physical sport — became the unlikely catalyst for emotional healing and deep self-awareness. Tiffanee opens up about childhood trauma, identity, the power of boundaries, and how vulnerability became her true strength — inside and outside the ring. [02:35] – Introduction to Tiffanee and her unexpected journey into boxing[06:30] – The first boxing match: adrenaline, ego, and awakening[10:00] – How boxing unearthed long-buried childhood trauma[13:45] – The emotional safety of the ring: boundaries, honesty, and self-reliance[18:00] – Dissociation, emotional armor, and reconnecting with feeling[24:00] – Therapy, vulnerability, and the internal shift that changed everything[31:00] – Podcasting as a second “ring” for healing and self-expression[38:20] – Identity, reinvention, and choosing who you want to become[44:10] – People-pleasing, self-awareness, and how trauma shapes behavior[51:00] – Growth, community, and the courage to change your narrative[57:30] – What self-love really means and why naivety can be a gift[1:01:00] – Closing thoughts: choosing your story, healing through passion🔗 Connect with Tiffanee CookWebsite: https://www.tiffcook.comPodcast: Roll With the Punches🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty In The MessWebsite: https://thebeautyinthemess.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.beauty.in.the.mess/      💬 Rate & Review        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode, Michele sits down with Ryan Skinner—financial professional, coach, and former heroin addict—who opens up about his journey through addiction, recovery, spiritual transformation, and fatherhood. From rock bottom to building a thriving business and becoming a devoted single dad to a daughter with autism, Ryan’s story is brutally honest, deeply human, and wildly inspiring. He shares how systems, service, and spirituality became the cornerstones of his success—and why mindset matters more than money.When Ryan’s not podcasting, he's diligently working as a retirement specialist. Ryan helps clients to preserve their nest egg and create reliable retirement income. Since he began his career helping others develop strategies to address their financial concerns, he has understood that every person is unique.   [02:23] – Meet Ryan[03:23] – The Spiral Into Addiction[04:23] – The Power of People[06:23] – Staying Sober[08:23] – That Voice in Your Head[11:23] – His Morning System[13:23] – Single Dad Life[16:23] – Rock Bottom & Redemption[19:23] – Rebuilding with Intention[22:23] – Social Media Detox[25:23] – Coaching Others[29:23] – Addiction Advice[33:23] – Cracking the Code[36:23] – Real Success[39:23] – Final Reflections🔗 Connect with Ryan SkinnerPodcast: Cracking The CodeWebsite: https://crackingthecodewithryanskinner.com/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@crackingthecodewithryanInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crackingthecodewithryanskinnerYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaep2AwIS8U36-X1OyCKuIgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryansskinner/🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty In The MessWebsite: https://thebeautyinthemess.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.beauty.in.the.mess/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[02:10] – Welcome & IntroductionAmy’s background: From engineering to fitness coach.Her early passion for health and fitness.[05:10] – Taking the Leap into FitnessHow a Jack Canfield book sparked her new path.[09:10] – The Shift Women Over 50 Must MakeWhy traditional workouts stop working.The hidden dangers of over-exercising.[12:40] – Strength Training vs. CardioThe role of estrogen in muscle loss.Why long cardio may sabotage progress.[15:10] – Amy’s Weekly Fitness Formula2 full-body strength days (Mon/Fri)Optional core or light strength day (Wed)Cardio and fun movement (Tue/Thu/Sat)Sunday = recovery + mobility[19:10] – Adapting to Menopause & Hormone ShiftsAmy’s experience with HRT and breast cancer.How lack of estrogen impacts joints, energy, and recovery.Motion is lotion, but recovery is key.[23:10] – Common Midlife Joint IssuesThe difference between joint pain and injury.Strengthening knees and shoulders safely.When to rest and when to move through discomfort.[28:10] – Balance, Flexibility & PostureSimple ways to train agility and coordination.[33:10] – Nutrition: 80% of the EquationWhy Amy never tells anyone to exercise to lose weight.The surprising impact of sugar on inflammation.[38:10] – Building Motivation & Creating HabitsHow to get unstuck: Amy’s “5 Minutes for 5 Days” trick.Creating a strong “why” and personal motivation statement.[43:10] – Advice for BeginnersStart with walking.Bodyweight movement and chair exercises as entry points.How to layer in resistance safely over time.[48:10] – Can You Exercise Your Face?Amy’s honest take on face yoga and red-light masks. [50:10] – Be Healthy Enough: Amy’s MissionWhat you’ll find in her membership and on social.Free YouTube workouts, challenges, and more.[52:10] – Final ThoughtsTrust your body and your intuition.Be your own health advocate.Aging well is about independence, not aesthetics.🔗 Connect with Amy Van LiewWebsite: https://behealthyenough.comYouTube: Be Healthy EnoughInstagram: @behealthyenoughTikTok: @behealthyenough🔗 Connect with Michele Simms at The Beauty In The MessWebsite: https://thebeautyinthemess.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/Instagram: https:/www.instagram.com/the.beauty.in.the.mess Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Weatherford, an addiction expert, mindset coach, and TEDx speaker, shares her personal history with addiction, starting from a childhood overshadowed by familial alcoholism to her own struggle that began at age 12. Jo discusses her journey to becoming an addiction and trauma specialist, highlighting various therapeutic methods, including somatic therapy, psychotherapeutic treatment like EMDR, and the transformative effects of plant medicines like psilocybin and ayahuasca. She underscores the importance of self-awareness, the distinction between guilt and shame, and strategies for fostering self-love and emotional sobriety. The conversation provides insight into alternative addiction treatments and practical tips for self-care and healing.From Playboy to Professor, Jo was a drug and alcohol addicted model in her 20s, partying with celebrities in Hollywood. After an arrest and a failed suicide attempt, she knew it was time to get clean. She earned her master's degree in Human Development and spent 12 years teaching addiction courses at the University of Nevada. She is now a renowned TedX speaker, addressing the root cause of addiction through non-traditional approaches to recovery. She is 12 years sober and is proof that radical change is always possible. Her specialty is helping others break free from the stuff holding them back.02:40 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:50 Personal Journey and Early Struggles03:49 Family Dynamics and Addiction06:19 Understanding Addiction and Self-Worth11:55 Therapeutic Approaches and Healing12:57 Plant Medicine and Addiction23:22 Guilt vs. Shame24:54 Learning to Ask for Help26:12 Society's Impact on Self-Worth26:50 The Illusion of Social Media28:03 Redefining Happiness and Self-Love29:39 The Dangers of Quick Fixes31:36 Practical Steps to Self-Love38:31 The Importance of Self-Awareness40:18 EFT Tapping: A Powerful Tool42:20 About My Coaching Services44:14 Final Thoughts on Self-LoveConnect with Jo Weatherford:·        https://youtu.be/OJY4GkpRc7U·        https://www.facebook.com/jo.harvey.547·        https://www.instagram.com/jo.weatherford/·        https://www.joweatherford.com/·         https://recoveryremix.com/Let's Connect!·        The Beauty In The Mess·        https://www.facebook.com/groups/676609323457906·        https://thebeautyinthemess.com/·        https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-simms-mba-a061b96a/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.