The Daring Well Podcast - Holistic Health & Wellness, Mindset, and Personal Growth

What if true success isn’t about pushing harder, achieving more, or constantly striving for the next milestone?In this powerful conversation, Rita Mercer sits down with performance consultant, coach, and founder of The Inner Life of Sport, Benjamin Smith, to explore what it means to achieve sustainable success without sacrificing your well-being, identity, and sense of purpose.Together, they unpack why so many high achievers, leaders, athletes, and executives appear successful on the outside while privately battling anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and feelings of inadequacy. Benjamin shares how our deepest fears and self-protective patterns often fuel achievement—and why lasting fulfillment requires a shift from performance-driven living to a deeper experience of wholeness.The conversation dives into mindfulness, flow state, self-awareness, leadership, compassion, and the importance of slowing down long enough to reconnect with what truly matters. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, athlete, caregiver, or someone striving to live with greater intention, this episode offers practical wisdom for cultivating success rooted in presence, purpose, and authenticity.In This Episode You’ll Learn:Why achievement alone doesn’t create fulfillmentThe hidden emotional drivers behind high performanceHow shame, perfectionism, and fear contribute to burnoutWhat “The Inner Life” really meansWhy mindfulness isn’t a productivity hackHow to access flow state in leadership, work, and lifeQuestions every leader should ask themselves regularlyPractical ways to reconnect with purpose and presenceHow self-compassion improves performance and well-beingRecommended books and resources for personal growthChapter Breakdown1. Success, Identity & The High Performer’s JourneyBenjamin shares his personal journey as an athlete and high achiever and explains how many successful people unknowingly tie their worth to performance. He introduces the concept of becoming fully alive, supported, and connected as the foundation for sustainable success.2. What Does It Mean to Live a Life Well-Lived?A reflective discussion on purpose, fulfillment, and how we discover meaning over time. Benjamin explains why living a life well-lived is less about having answers and more about courageously living the questions.3. Why High Achievers Burn OutThe conversation explores the hidden emotional struggles many successful people carry, including shame, perfectionism, and the relentless need to prove their worth. Benjamin shares how healing begins when we stop fighting these parts of ourselves and start understanding them.4. Mindfulness Beyond ProductivityBenjamin challenges the popular idea that mindfulness exists solely to improve productivity. Instead, he explains how mindfulness helps us cultivate awareness, compassion, and a deeper connection to reality.5. Flow State, Leadership & Sustainable ExcellenceLearn what flow state really is, what blocks it, and how leaders can create conditions for greater presence, performance, and fulfillment. Benjamin also shares practical advice, recommended books, and simple steps for beginning the journey toward High Performance 2.0.Memorable Quotes“Fully alive, well-supported, and connected human beings are unstoppable.”“What do I truly long for?”“We’re already enough, and we’re already whole.”“Mindfulness is not about calm. It’s about awareness.”“Sometimes success begins with letting go.”“Flow happens where challenge and skill meet.”“The courage to live an examined life is the path toward wholeness.”Resources MentionedBooks Recommended by Benjamin SmithReboot by Jerry ColonnaStrong Ground by Brené BrownPracticing Compassion by Frank RogersConnect with Benjamin SmithBenjamin works with athletes, leaders, executives, and high-performing professionals through coaching, workshops, and leadership development programs focused on sustainable performance, self-awareness, and wholeness.Website: www.innerlifeofsport.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What happens when grief changes not only your heart, but also your brain, body, and sense of safety in the world?In this deeply moving episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita welcomes Sylvia Wolfer, a neuroscience-informed grief educator, writer, speaker, and advocate who combines personal experience with cutting-edge grief research to help others navigate loss with greater understanding and compassion.After experiencing the sudden deaths of her father and two brothers, along with the later loss of her mother, Sylvia embarked on a journey to understand grief through the lens of neuroscience, mindfulness, and somatic healing. Her work now helps others make sense of the emotional, physical, and neurological effects of grief while learning practical ways to rebuild emotional steadiness and reconnect with life.Together, Rita and Sylvia explore the concept of unattended grief, why grief triggers occur, how loss affects the brain, and why grief and joy can coexist. This conversation offers hope, practical tools, and a compassionate reminder that healing doesn't mean forgetting—it means learning how to carry loss while continuing to live fully.In This Episode You'll Learn:Why grief impacts both the brain and the bodyWhat "unattended grief" looks like and how it affects daily lifeThe neuroscience behind grief triggers and emotional overwhelmHow sudden loss differs from anticipated lossPractical ways to process grief without becoming consumed by itWhy grief and joy can exist togetherHow caring for your body supports emotional healingSimple strategies for navigating grief waves and emotional triggersWhy understanding the science of grief can reduce self-judgment and shameHow loss can become a powerful teacher for growth, gratitude, and resilienceChapter BreakdownChapter 1: Sylvia's Story of Loss and PurposeSylvia shares her personal journey through the sudden deaths of her father and two brothers, as well as the later loss of her mother. She explains how decades of carrying unattended grief eventually led her to discover her purpose in helping others understand and heal from loss.Chapter 2: Understanding Unattended Grief What happens when grief isn't fully processed? Sylvia explains how unresolved grief can manifest through chronic fatigue, emotional triggers, disrupted sleep, digestive issues, and a diminished capacity to fully engage in life.Chapter 3: The Neuroscience of Grief Triggers Discover why certain songs, places, smells, and memories can instantly bring grief to the surface. Sylvia explains the fascinating neuroscience behind the brain's relationship maps and why grief triggers occur.Chapter 4: Practical Tools for Navigating Grief Waves Sylvia shares actionable strategies for managing grief without suppressing it, including scheduling intentional "grief appointments," creating space for emotional processing, and learning how to soften triggers over time.Chapter 5: Finding Hope, Joy, and Healing After Loss The conversation concludes with practical wisdom for living with long-term grief, caring for the body during difficult seasons, and embracing the possibility that grief and joy can coexist.Connect with Sylvia WolferSylvia Wolfer is a neuroscience-informed grief educator, speaker, writer, and retreat facilitator dedicated to helping people understand the hidden impacts of grief and loss.Through articles, podcasts, courses, retreats, and one-on-one support, Sylvia makes grief science accessible and practical for anyone navigating loss.Website - https://sylviawolfer.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_sylvia_wolfer_grief_support/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sylviawolfer/Blog, Euronewsweek: - https://euronewsweek.co.uk/author/sylvia-wolfer/Free Guided Meditations, Sylvia's Voice on Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/show/6SzujeBZxgxwPLrOAJTkvO?si=a867f1fe24d847ba---------------------------------If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may be walking through grief or supporting a loved one through loss. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations that inspire healing, hope, and wholehearted living.Keep loving. Keep living. Keep daring well. ❤️Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What happens when success comes at the expense of your health, energy, and peace of mind?In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with veteran strength and conditioning coach Jim Laird, founder of Vitality Brotherhood and Vitality Sisterhood, to discuss how high achievers can recover from burnout, rebuild their health, and create lasting vitality.Drawing from nearly 30 years of coaching experience—and his own journey through autoimmune disease, chronic infections, and personal adversity—Jim shares practical strategies to help listeners stop pushing harder and start working smarter.Together, Rita and Jim explore why so many successful people find themselves exhausted despite doing "all the right things," how chronic stress silently impacts the body, and why recovery, rest, and self-awareness are essential ingredients for long-term success.You'll learn how simple daily habits like walking outdoors, improving sleep, prioritizing protein, fostering social connection, and embracing silence can dramatically improve your physical and emotional well-being.Whether you're a busy professional, entrepreneur, caregiver, or anyone feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, this conversation offers actionable wisdom to help you regain balance and thrive from the inside out.--------------------------------------Chapter 1: Jim Laird's Personal Journey & Why He Helps OthersJim shares how overcoming ulcerative colitis, recurring infections, and personal struggles transformed his approach to health and coaching. He discusses the evolution of his "why" and how his mission shifted from seeking validation to genuinely helping others create sustainable wellness.Chapter 2: Why High Achievers Burn OutMany successful people believe working harder will solve every problem. Jim explains why that mindset often backfires and shares the powerful "stress bathtub" analogy that illustrates how chronic stress accumulates and eventually spills over into burnout, illness, and emotional exhaustion.Chapter 3: Warning Signs You're Running on EmptyJim discusses common indicators of chronic stress, including fatigue, anxiety, poor sleep, low motivation, emotional reactivity, binge eating, and feeling "tired but wired." Learn how to recognize these signs before they become major health concerns.Chapter 4: The Five Fundamental Habits for Better HealthDiscover Jim's simple but powerful wellness framework:Walk outdoors for 10 minutes, 3 times dailyPrioritize quality sleepEat adequate proteinStay hydratedBuild meaningful social connectionsThese foundational habits help regulate stress, improve energy, support metabolism, and create long-term health resilience.Chapter 5: The Power of Silence, Recovery & Self-CompassionJim shares his closing wisdom about starting where you are, embracing silence, healing emotional wounds, practicing forgiveness, and learning to "work in" so you can effectively "work out." This inspiring conclusion offers listeners a new perspective on sustainable success and self-care.Key TakeawaysHard work does not always equal better results.Recovery is just as important as productivity.Chronic stress often shows up physically before we recognize it emotionally.Walking outdoors is one of the most underrated wellness practices.Sleep is foundational to energy, hormone balance, and decision-making.Strong social connections are vital for long-term health.Silence creates space for healing, self-awareness, and personal growth.Sustainable habits outperform extreme wellness strategies every time.Connect with Jim LairdJim Laird is the founder of Vitality Brotherhood and Vitality Sisterhood, where he helps high-achieving men and women simplify their health, recover from burnout, and build sustainable wellness habits through coaching and community support.Learn more about Jim's coaching programs, free resources, and wellness communities through Vitality Brotherhood.Website: https://www.vitalitybrotherhood.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bigjim44Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Have you ever stayed in a relationship where you were pouring into someone who wasn't pouring back into you?In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with therapist, author, and storyteller Johnzelle Anderson to explore the hidden cost of unreciprocated relationships and the impact they have on our identity, peace, and emotional well-being.Johnzelle shares the inspiration behind his debut memoir Mixtape, a coming-of-age story that weaves together themes of mixed-race identity, healing from childhood adversity, belonging, self-discovery, and the pursuit of healthy relationships. Through personal stories and therapeutic insight, he reveals how self-abandonment often develops when we continually give more than we receive.Together, Rita and Johnzelle discuss the importance of reciprocity, healthy boundaries, self-worth, and why peace, joy, and freedom should never be negotiable.Whether you're navigating friendships, family relationships, romantic partnerships, or your own healing journey, this conversation offers wisdom, hope, and practical insights for creating healthier connections.Chapter BreakdownChapter 1: The Power of Storytelling & Writing Your Healing JourneyWhy Johnzelle wrote MixtapeUsing memoir as a tool for healingMixed-race identity and belongingHow storytelling helps us understand ourselves and othersChapter 2: Understanding Unreciprocated RelationshipsWhat reciprocity really meansWhy humans are wired for connectionThe emotional cost of one-sided relationshipsHow self-abandonment develops over timeChapter 3: Boundaries, Peace & Self-WorthWriting as therapy and personal transformation"My peace and my joy are non-negotiable"Recognizing unhealthy relationship patternsSetting boundaries that protect your well-beingChapter 4: Identity, Roots & Reclaiming Your StoryJohnzelle's journey to West AfricaReconnecting with heritage and ancestryBreaking generational patternsCreating a stronger sense of identity for future generationsChapter 5: Worthiness, Reciprocity & Final Words of WisdomThe difference between worthiness and entitlementFinding healthy sources of connectionWhy everyone deserves reciprocal relationshipsThe importance of self-compassion and kindnessKey TakeawaysHealthy relationships require reciprocity.Self-abandonment often occurs when we continually over-give.Peace, joy, and freedom should be protected through healthy boundaries.We are all worthy of love, connection, and understanding.Healing often begins when we reclaim our story and identity.Being kind to yourself is a daily practice, not a destination.About Today's GuestJohnzelle Anderson is a licensed therapist, author, and advocate for the healing power of storytelling. His work focuses on mental health, identity, race, relationships, and personal growth. His debut memoir, Mixtape, explores themes of belonging, mixed-race identity, resilience, and the impact of unreciprocated relationships.Connect with Johnzelle:Website: https://www.johnzelle.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnzelle_Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What if one powerful story could completely transform the way you lead, communicate, and connect with others?In this inspiring and high-energy episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with keynote speaker, story coach, and author Dr. Danny Brassell to explore the art and science of storytelling, leadership communication, and authentic connection.Dr. Brassell—co-founder of Well Crafted Story and author of 20+ books—shares his extraordinary journey from journalist to educator to global speaking coach, revealing how life’s pivots, setbacks, and lessons shaped his mission to help others communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.Together, Rita and Danny dive into what separates good speakers from transformational communicators, why vulnerability builds trust, and how leaders can use storytelling to inspire action and drive meaningful change.This conversation is packed with practical frameworks, powerful metaphors, and mindset shifts for anyone ready to elevate their voice and influence.Key TakeawaysHow storytelling transforms leadership and communicationWhy sharing failure builds deeper audience connectionThe “Five C’s Framework” for powerful presentationsHow to turn perceived weaknesses into strengthsThe RAP Method to instantly connect with any audienceWhy clarity and emotional closings drive conversionsConnect with Dr. Danny Brassell:Free Storytelling Blueprint:   http://freestoryguide.com/Website:  https://dannybrassell.com/homeYouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DannyBrassellLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannybrassell/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Stephen McConnell — CEO, speaker, NLP coach, and author of the upcoming book The 7 Laws of Personal Mastery. Together, they explore how to redefine success, overcome limiting beliefs, and create sustainable growth without burnout.Stephen shares his deeply personal journey through addiction recovery, emotional healing, and discovering purpose. He explains how neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and intentional habits can transform both personal and professional growth.Listeners will learn practical strategies for reframing anxiety, developing healthier thought patterns, building empowering communities, and aligning decisions with core values. This conversation is filled with wisdom for leaders, high achievers, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking clarity, healing, and authentic success.In This Episode, We Discuss:What neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) really meansWhy identity matters more than goals aloneBreaking free from limiting beliefs and burnoutStephen’s personal journey through alcoholism and healingThe importance of emotional intelligence and self-awarenessHow to reframe anxiety into excitementThe impact of community and mentorship on growthAligning your decisions with your purpose and valuesCreating sustainable success without sacrificing peaceMemorable Quotes from the Episode“Everything in life is going to hurt. You get to choose how you hurt.” — Stephen McConnellConnect with Stephen McConnellWebsite: https://www.myndsetgrowth.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmcconnell1/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this heartfelt episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer dives into the powerful practice of creating “white space” in your life. If you’ve been feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, overstimulated, or constantly pressured to keep going, this episode is your reminder that rest is productive too.Rita explores how creating intentional pauses in your daily life can improve emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, increase mindfulness, and help you reconnect with yourself. Through practical self-care ideas, mindset shifts, and emotional wellness strategies, listeners are encouraged to protect their peace, establish healthier boundaries, and stop tying their self-worth to constant productivity.This episode is packed with encouragement for anyone struggling with burnout, stress, emotional overload, or difficulty slowing down in today’s fast-paced world. You’ll walk away with practical coping skills, mindful awareness techniques, and simple ways to create more breathing room in your schedule and your mind.Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, grounding techniques, nature walks, meal prepping, hobbies, or simply learning to say no, Rita reminds listeners that creating white space is an act of self-love and emotional resilience.Top Episode Chapter Breakdowns1. The Hidden Cost of BusynessWhy modern life keeps us overwhelmed and overstimulatedRecognizing the emotional and physical signs of stress and burnoutHow constant productivity impacts emotional well-being2. What White Space Really MeansDefining white space as intentional rest and breathing roomThe importance of mindfulness, stillness, and self-awarenessWhy your worth is not tied to what you produce3. Identifying Your Energy ZappersRecognizing people, habits, thoughts, and environments that drain your energySetting boundaries to protect your peace and emotional wellnessHow negative self-talk and shame keep us stuck in exhaustion4. Self-Care as a Form of Emotional ResiliencePractical self-care ideas that refill your emotional cupWhy self-care is more than luxury—it’s emotional maintenanceHow hobbies, routines, nature, and rest help regulate stress5. Simple Strategies to Create More White SpaceMeal prepping, reducing distractions, and intentional planningLearning to slow down without guiltSmall daily habits that improve focus, clarity, sleep, and emotional balanceKey Takeaways From This EpisodeWhite space is essential for emotional wellness and stress managementRest is not laziness—it’s necessary for resilience and healingYour self-worth is rooted in who you are, not what you accomplishProtecting your energy requires boundaries and intentional choicesMindful self-care helps prevent burnout and emotional exhaustionSmall changes can create major improvements in your mental and emotional healthResources MentionedFree Resources (Download)- Self-Care Journal & Holistic Wellness Guide https://www.daringwell.com/freebiesSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this heartfelt and deeply affirming episode, Rita Mercer explores the life moments that often go unseen, unacknowledged, and uncelebrated. Titled “There’s No Card for That,” this conversation shines a light on the silent wins, invisible strength, and unspoken grief we all carry at different points in our journey.From making responsible adult decisions and choosing healing, to navigating personal loss and emotional transitions—this episode reminds listeners that just because something isn’t publicly recognized doesn’t mean it isn’t meaningful.If you’ve ever felt overlooked in your growth or alone in your pain, this episode is your reminder: your experiences matter, and you are seen.Reflection QuestionsWhat is one silent win you’re proud of?Where have you shown invisible strength recently?What loss or transition do you need to give yourself permission to grieve?Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Have you ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside… but quietly falling apart on the inside?In this powerful and honest conversation, Rita sits down with therapist and author Cherise Small to unpack what it really means to “perform strength.” Together, they explore how survival mode, people-pleasing, and silent suffering can disconnect us from our true selves—and how to begin the journey back to alignment.Cherise shares her personal turning point, practical tools for recognizing survival patterns, and how to set boundaries without guilt. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop over-functioning, release emotional burdens, and reclaim their voice.You’ll walk away with empowering mindset shifts, reflection questions, and actionable strategies to help you move from surviving to truly living.-----------------------------------------What You’ll LearnHow to recognize when you’re stuck in survival modeWhy “performing strength” can lead to emotional disconnectionThe truth about guilt, shame, and boundary-settingWhat healthy boundaries actually look like in real lifeSimple ways to pause, reset, and reconnect with yourselfHow to shift from obligation to alignment-----------------------------------------Connect with Cherise SmallWebsite: www.release2heal.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/therapywithcheriseBook Waitlist: www.release2heal.com/book-waitlistSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

✨ If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, or feeling “stuck,” this conversation may open a door you didn’t know existed.In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Gwen Bernardo, a myofascial release therapist, to explore the deep connection between the body, trauma, and healing.After a life-altering horseback riding accident that left her with both physical injuries and unresolved emotional trauma, Gwen spent years searching for relief through traditional therapies—without lasting results. It wasn’t until she discovered myofascial release that everything changed.Gwen shares how this gentle yet powerful modality helped her release stored emotional pain, dramatically reduce anxiety, and reconnect with her body in a way she never thought possible.Together, Rita and Gwen unpack:What fascia is and why it plays a crucial role in chronic painHow trauma and emotions can become stored in the bodyWhy traditional treatments may not always address the root causeThe importance of the mind-body connection in true healingPractical ways to begin releasing tension and reconnecting with your bodyThis episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and explore a new pathway to healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.Chapters BreakdownFrom Trauma to Transformation The Missing Piece in HealingWhat Is Fascia & Why It MattersReleasing Stored Emotions & Chronic PainPractical Healing Tools & Next Steps Connect with GwenGwen Bernardo, MFR Therapist, CMTWebsite:  https://performancemfr.com/Discount Code - Ask for "Jumpstart Program" for Daring Well Listeners (Save $500)Find a local Myofascial Therapist in your state or country: https://mfrtherapists.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

 Cam Cordin - I wasn’t waiting to die, I was racing to live!In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Rita Mercer sits down with Cam Corden, founder of Savage Chill and author of Savage Chill: Die to Live, to explore what it really takes to go from being stuck in survival mode to living fully.Cam shares his personal journey through chronic pain, failed marriages, emotional collapse, and a pivotal “911-day contract” he created during one of the darkest seasons of his life. What followed was not a quick fix—but a complete identity transformation built on systems, discipline, and intentional discomfort.This episode challenges the idea that motivation creates change—and instead reveals why structure, subtraction, and emotional regulation are the real keys to lasting transformation.---------------------------Episode HighlightsWhy most people stay stuck waiting for motivation instead of taking actionThe “911-day contract” that became a turning point in Cam’s lifeHow Savage Chill blends discipline with emotional regulationWhy systems always outperform willpowerThe role of cold exposure and intentional discomfort in rewiring the nervous systemHow subtraction (not addition) creates clarity and focusThe “No Panicking, No Whining” rule for emotional masteryMoving from victim mindset to becoming the “commander” of your life---------------------------Connect with Cam - https://savagechillstyle.com/Purchase the Book on Amazon -  Savage Chill: Die to Livehttps://www.amazon.com/Savage-Chill-Live-Cam-Cordin/dp/B0GNPZY7K2Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

When was the last time you truly paused and asked yourself, “How am I really doing?”In this heartfelt and grounding episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita offers a moment of stillness in the middle of life’s busyness. This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with your emotional well-being.Life can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and unpredictable—but instead of pushing through or ignoring what you feel, this episode encourages you to pause and check in with yourself. Through reflection, encouragement, and a simple yet powerful emotional awareness tool, you’ll learn how to better understand your feelings and prioritize your self-care.If you’ve been feeling stressed, disconnected, or stretched too thin, this episode will remind you that you are worthy of rest, balance, and care—just as you are.Take this moment for yourself. You deserve it.✨ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy it’s important to pause and check in with yourselfHow to normalize and validate your emotional experiencesThe power of stillness in finding clarity and peaceWhy you don’t need to earn rest, love, or self-careA simple 0–10 emotional check-in tool (SUD scale) to build awareness💛 Key TakeawayYou don’t have to keep pushing through without pause.Your feelings matter. Your well-being matters.And most importantly—you are worthy of care, rest, and balance.---------------------------------------Let's Connect & Continue the ConversationIf this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts and let me know:How are you feeling today—really?Connect with me @DaringWell on YouTube, TikTok, Substack, and LinkedIn.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this final episode of the Healing Attachment Wounds series, Rita Mercer, podcast host, holistic wellness & mindset coach, and licensed counselor, explores what it truly means to experience secure attachment—the foundation of healthy, balanced, and emotionally safe relationships.If trust has ever felt difficult…If vulnerability has felt unsafe…Or if you’ve found yourself stuck in patterns of overthinking, emotional distance, or fear of abandonment…This episode is for you.Secure attachment is not something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you can learn, practice, and embody. Through self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and intentional relationship choices, you can rewire old patterns and create deeper, more fulfilling connections.In this episode, I walks you through how secure attachment forms, how it feels in your mind and body, and how you can begin cultivating it in your everyday life.Because healing isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating safety within yourself.✨ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat secure attachment really looks like in healthy relationshipsHow past attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, fearful avoidant) impact your patternsThe core beliefs that support emotional safety and trustHow secure attachment feels in your body and nervous systemPractical steps to build self-trust and healthier relationship dynamics----------------------------------------------Let’s Stay ConnectedIf this episode supported you on your healing journey, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their relationships.For coaching, nervous system regulation tools, and self-care strategies, connect with Rita for 1:1 support.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this insightful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Jo Stewart, Yoga Teacher & the Founder of Garden of Yoga, Cohost of the Flow Artists Podcast, and author of Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga.  Together in this episode we explore how gentle movement and aerial yoga can provide relief and support healing from anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress.Jo shares her 20+ years of experience teaching yoga and introduces a compassionate, body-centered approach to movement that prioritizes safety, autonomy of choice, and nervous system regulation. Rita & Jo, unpack how the body holds onto tension, the role of fascia, and why traditional “stillness” doesn’t work for everyone—especially those navigating trauma or heightened stress.This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t have to be intense. It can be soft, supportive, and intuitive—meeting you exactly where you are.-------------------------------------------------------------Key TakeawaysHealing begins with creating safety in the bodyMovement can regulate the nervous system more effectively than forced stillnessFascia plays a key role in storing and releasing tensionGentle, supported movement can be more impactful than intense workoutsThere is no “right way” to move—your body’s needs are your guide-------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Jo StewartWebsite & Online Classes: Garden of Yoga https://gardenofyoga.com.au/Podcast: The Flow Artist Podcast https://podcast.flowartists.com/Book: Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga (available for pre-order) https://gardenofyoga.com.au/learn/eight-limbs-of-aerial-yoga/FREE Super Deluxe Shoulder Self-Massage Guide https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/free-shoulders-guide/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Have you ever found yourself reacting in ways you later regret or feeling overwhelmed despite “doing everything right,” or constantly seeking validation from others?  If you answered yes, you might be struggling with emotional safety and I hope that this episode will speak directly to you and give you the tools to Dare to Be Well.In this powerful and insightful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita sits down with therapist, relationship coach, and emotional safety expert Diane McDowell to explore what it truly means to feel safe—from the inside out.Diane introduces her transformative framework, the Brain-to-Heart Code, and breaks down how our nervous system responses—especially during moments of perceived rejection or stress—can hijack our behavior, relationships, and sense of self.Together, Rita and Diane unpack how to shift from external validation to internal regulation, helping you reconnect with your body, calm your nervous system, and build a deeper sense of self-trust.This episode is a must-listen for high achievers, helpers, and anyone ready to move from survival mode into emotional alignment and inner peace.✨ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat emotional safety really means—and why it starts withinHow a “brain hijack” impacts your reactions and relationshipsWhy high achievers often feel stressed despite outward successThe connection between your thoughts, body, and nervous systemHow to stop outsourcing your self-worth and reclaim your valuePractical tools to regulate your emotions and shift your mindsetWhy “words are neutral” and how to take back control of meaning-----------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Diane McDowellWebsite: www.emotionalsafetyco.com/Social: @EmotionalSafetyCoFree Resources: Hijack Quiz, Mini-Course, Relationship ToolsSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Anxious Attachment: Calming the Fear of Abandonment (Healing Attachment Wounds – Part 3)Relationships can bring us deep joy and connection—but they can also awaken some of our deepest fears.Have you ever found yourself worrying that someone might leave, questioning whether you’re “too much,” or feeling anxious when a message goes unanswered?In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, we continue our series on attachment styles by exploring anxious attachment—one of the most common relational patterns rooted in early childhood experiences.Anxious attachment often develops when love and emotional support felt inconsistent or unpredictable growing up. As adults, this can show up as a deep fear of abandonment, emotional hyperawareness in relationships, and the need for reassurance to feel secure.But here’s the encouraging truth: these patterns are not character flaws—they are survival strategies that were learned long ago. And what was learned can also be healed.In this episode, we explore the origins of anxious attachment, the core beliefs that fuel it, how it impacts the nervous system, and practical steps to begin healing attachment wounds and creating healthier relationship patterns.If you’ve ever felt emotionally overwhelmed in relationships or worried about losing connection with someone you care about, this conversation will offer insight, compassion, and hope.Episode HighlightsIn this episode, we explore:What anxious attachment is and how it developsThe fear of abandonment and the internal stories that fuel relationship anxietyHow anxious attachment affects the mind, body, and nervous systemCommon patterns that show up in adult relationshipsPractical steps to begin healing attachment wounds and building emotional securitySend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

This week on The Daring Well Podcast, we’re pausing our attachment styles series for something deeply needed — a reminder and permission slip to embrace softness.This message is not just for women. It’s for men too!In a world that glorifies hustle culture, grinding, and constant productivity, we often forget that we are human beings — not machines. You do not have to be strong and hardcore all the time. It is not only okay to have a soft day — it’s healthy.In this heartfelt episode, Rita invites you to reflect on how you’re spending your 24 hours. Are you rushing them away? Dreading them? Wasting them? Or are you allowing space for simplicity, quiet, humility, and love?Softness is found in:Appreciating the beauty in simple momentsGiving yourself a day without an agendaChoosing quiet over constant stimulationShowing up humbly and loving deeplyIf you’ve been grinding, grinning, and bearing it just to survive the day — this episode is your gentle wake-up call. That’s not living. That’s existing.It’s time to conserve your energy, release unnecessary pressure, and invite softness into your daily and weekly routine.You are worthy of softness.——————————Daring Well Pop Up Shop If you’re local to Cincinnati, OH — Rita will be selling candles, wax melts, and room sprays to benefit the Oak Hills High School Band. Mention that you heard this invitation on The Daring Well Podcast for a free gift 💛 Saturday, March 7, 2026 ~ 9 am - 3 pmOak Hills High School Band Spring Craft & Vendor Fair 3200 Ebenezer Road Green Township, OH 45248Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful and eye-opening episode, Rita sits down with Herman Petrick, an internationally renowned energy healer with over 15 years of experience helping individuals and families clear energetic attachments.Herman shares how his intuitive journey began unexpectedly—and how he now works remotely with clients around the world to address sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, fearful attachments, and relationship-based energetic connections.Together, Rita and Herman explore what energy really is, how attachments form, how soul ties affect relationships, and why fear and anxiety may sometimes have deeper energetic roots. If you've ever struggled with persistent negative thought loops, emotional heaviness, draining relationships, or disrupted sleep, this episode invites you to consider a new perspective on healing.This conversation blends spiritual insight with practical self-awareness tools, empowering you to reconnect with your authentic self and strengthen your internal energy field.Herman also reframes “letting go,” suggesting that sometimes it’s not you holding onto the emotion—but the emotion holding onto you.Key TakeawaysNot every thought or emotion may originate from your true self.Relationships can create lasting energetic ties that require intentional release.Strengthening your internal energy field reduces vulnerability to fear and anxiety.Rest, boundaries, and stillness are foundational to energetic health.Healing often begins with awareness.-----------------------------------Connect with Herman PetrickInterested in going deeper? Herman offers a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your specific concerns.🌐 Website: https://hermanpetrick.comIf this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to The Daring Well Podcast.Keep Living.Keep Loving.Keep Daring Well.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer welcomes Rachel Korb, a somatic leadership coach specializing in supporting high-achieving women, leaders, and startup professionals. Rachel shares her journey from repeated burnout in high-pressure roles to discovering sustainable ways to regulate the nervous system, reduce stress, and thrive in all areas of life. This conversation dives deep into female physiology, body awareness, interoception, and practical strategies for tuning into your body to enhance both personal and professional life.Learn how to cultivate sustainable energy, prevent burnout, and show up fully for yourself and others through a somatic approach to leadership and self-care.Connect with Rachel Korb:Website: https://rachelkorb.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkorb/Substack: https://coachingwithrachel.substack.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In Part 2 of our Healing Attachment Wounds series, we gently explore the dismissive–avoidant attachment style — the pattern of emotional independence that once served as protection but may now be limiting deeper connection.Have you ever said, “I’m fine” when you really weren’t?Told yourself, “I don’t need anyone” — even while feeling lonely inside?This episode is not about labeling you as cold or distant. It’s about understanding how your nervous system adapted to survive. Dismissive–avoidant attachment isn’t about lacking feelings — it’s about protecting them.Today, we explore how independence became your armor… and how healing invites you to expand your strength by allowing softness, vulnerability, and connection — at your pace.You are not broken.You are not too much.You adapted. And now, you get to heal.-------------------------💛 Listener InvitationIf this episode resonated, sit with it. Let it marinate. Healing does not require rushing — it requires courage and compassion.If you’d like support in your healing journey, you can connect at [email protected] for next steps.-------------------------Daring Well Pop Up Shop If you’re local to Cincinnati, OH — Rita will be selling candles, wax melts, and room sprays to benefit the Oak Hills High School Band. Mention that you heard this invitation on The Daring Well Podcast for a free gift 💛 Saturday, March 7, 2026 ~ 9 am - 3 pmOak Hills High School Band Spring Craft & Vendor Fair 3200 Ebenezer Road Green Township, OH 45248Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Healing Attachment Wounds – From Survival to Secure Connection (Part 1)In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, we begin a powerful four-part series on attachment styles and how early experiences shape the way we connect in relationships, leadership, and life.Part one focuses on the Fearful–Avoidant (Disorganized) Attachment Style—a pattern marked by a deep desire for intimacy paired with an equally strong fear of closeness. If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting connection and feeling overwhelmed or unsafe when it arrives, this episode is for you.With compassion, psychoeducation, and nervous-system–informed insight, this episode invites you to move away from self-blame and toward self-understanding. You’ll learn how attachment wounds form, how they live in the body, and how to begin restoring safety in your mind, body, and spirit.There is no shame in recognizing yourself here. Awareness is the first step toward healing—and you don’t have to rush the process.✨ What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat fearful–avoidant attachment is and how it developsWhy closeness can feel both desired and dangerousHow early emotional or physical neglect shapes attachment patternsThe core beliefs that drive push–pull relationship dynamicsHow the nervous system responds to perceived relational threatWhy oversharing, withdrawal, and shame cycles show up in adulthoodGentle, practical steps to begin creating emotional safetyA guided grounding practice to invite safety back into your body--------------------------------🤍 Work With MeAt Daring Well, I support individuals and organizations through nervous system regulation, mindset coaching, and holistic wellness education.Whether you’re looking for:1:1 holistic wellness coachingA guest speaker for your group or eventMindset and stress management support for your organizationI’ve got you.Website - www.daringwell.comEmail - [email protected] us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer is joined by Sophia Torrini, certified clinical EFT practitioner and nervous system regulation expert. Together, they explore how chronic stress, trauma, and burnout keep so many people stuck in survival mode—and how Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT tapping) can help restore safety, wholeness, and healing in the body.Sophia shares her own life-altering healing journey after surviving a near-fatal medical experience and living for years with chronic illness. Through neuroscience-based emotional work, EFT tapping, and body-centered awareness, she explains how emotions get stored in the body, how dysregulated nervous systems block healing, and how we can gently rewire our brain and body for restoration and growth.This episode blends science and soul, offering practical tools, embodied practices, and deep reassurance for anyone feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected from themselves.------------Episode Chapters 1. Survival Mode vs. Creation ModeRita and Sophia introduce the concept of living in survival versus living in creation. Sophia explains how chronic stress activates the sympathetic nervous system, narrowing perception and limiting our ability to see solutions, while regulation opens the door to possibility and choice.2. What EFT Tapping Is and How It HealsSophia breaks down clinical EFT as an evidence-based practice that combines cognitive therapy with somatic tapping. She explains how emotions are energy in motion, how unprocessed emotions become stored in the body, and why tapping helps calm the nervous system and release stuck emotional patterns.3. The Parallel Process: Healing Past, Present, and Future SelvesThis segment explores Sophia’s parallel process approach, which integrates healing the past self, regulating the present self, and connecting to the future self. Healing is reframed as wholeness—bringing fragmented parts back into alignment.4. Regulating the Nervous System Through Breath and TouchSophia shares practical tools to recognize dysregulation, including breath awareness and body cues. She walks listeners through abdominal breathing and self-havening touch as powerful ways to signal safety and calm the nervous system.5. Preventing Panic and Building Body AwarenessThe episode closes with insight into panic attacks, mindfulness, and early body awareness. Sophia explains how panic often begins long before symptoms appear and how staying connected to the body can prevent escalation and support emotional regulation.Key TakeawaysChronic stress keeps the nervous system locked in survival modeHealing begins with regulation, not forced positive thinkingEFT tapping helps release stored emotional energy from the bodyBreath and gentle touch are powerful tools for calming anxietyWholeness comes from integrating all parts of ourselves🔗 Connect with Sophia TorriniWebsite: https://www.tapintoyourbestself.com/Offers complimentary sessions and neuroscience-based masterclasses on healing and nervous system regulationSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In today’s fast-paced, always-connected world, burnout is becoming the norm rather than the exception. In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I sat down with Colin Corby, a technologist turned Digital Detox Coach, to explore how our relationship with technology impacts our mental health, stress management, connection in relationships, productivity on our jobs, and overall well-being.Colin shares his powerful personal journey—from experiencing stress-related health scares in the corporate tech world to becoming an Ironman athlete and Detox Coach. Together, we unpack what burnout really looks like, why willpower alone isn’t enough to create change, and how adopting the mindset of a business athlete can help us perform better at work and in our personal lives, while protecting our physical and emotional health.This conversation offers practical, compassionate strategies for high achievers, professionals, caregivers, and leaders who want to reclaim balance, energy, and presence—without abandoning technology altogether.------------------------Episode Chapter Breakdown1. Burnout, Stress & the Body’s Warning Signs2. The Athlete Mindset: A New Way to Approach Work & Life3. What Digital Detox Really Means (And What It Doesn’t)4. Why Willpower Fails & How to Build Better Habits5. Rest, Recovery & Reclaiming Human Connection-----------------------Key Takeaways from This EpisodeBurnout is a biological and psychological experience—not a personal failureSustainable success requires rest, recovery, and intentional boundariesDigital detox is about balance, not disconnectionChanging your environment is more effective than relying on willpowerReal connection and presence are essential to mental wellness🔗 Connect With Colin CorbyWebsite: https://thedigitaldetoxcoach.c...Platforms: LinkedIn, SubstackTEDx Talk: Are We Losing Our Identity to Technology?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEMf-y7KqTcSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What roles are you resigning from?In this heartfelt continuation of last week’s conversation, Rita invites you to pause, breathe, and reflect on the unassigned roles you may have stepped into—roles that are no longer serving who you are or what you need in this season of life.Many of us find ourselves exhausted, overwhelmed, and emotionally drained—not because we are doing too much, but because we are doing what was never ours to carry. From being the rescuer, fixer, peacekeeper, or strong one, these roles often come from a place of love, fear, or survival—but over time, they can cost us our peace, clarity, and sense of self.In this episode, Rita walks you through powerful boundary reframes for ten common unassigned relationship archetypes, offering compassion, truth, and practical practices to help you release what no longer fits. You’ll be reminded that you are more than a role, more than what you do for others, and worthy simply because you exist.This episode is an invitation to let go, create space, and choose healthier relationships—with others and with yourself.--------------------------------------------------💛 Key TakeawaysYou can care deeply without over-functioning or taking overHealthy relationships require reciprocity, not self-sacrificeSpeaking truth creates deeper peace than silenceAsking for help is a sign of humanity, not weaknessBoundaries create space for love without depletion--------------------------------------------------🎁 Bonus ResourceFor those who sign up for the Mindfully You Wellness Workshop, Rita is offering a bonus downloadable affirmation card deck designed to help reframe core beliefs connected to boundaries and self-worth.👉 Sign up at www.DaringWell.com/workshopSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful and reflective episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer invites you into a compassionate conversation about the roles many of us unconsciously take on—and why it may be time to lovingly resign from them.These roles often begin as survival strategies rooted in love, responsibility, or the desire for connection. But over time, they can lead to burnout, resentment, emotional exhaustion, and disconnection from our true selves and from the people we want to connect with. This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and begin choosing healthier ways of showing up in your relationships, work, faith spaces, and everyday life.You’ll be encouraged to release shame, practice grace, and remember that you are allowed to start again—right now. Awareness always comes before change, and this episode offers gentle insight to help you recognize patterns that may no longer be serving you.----------------------------Mindfully You Wellness WorkshopA virtual wellness experience focused on resetting habits, releasing negativity, reflecting intentionally, and goal setting.Learn more and register at: www.DaringWell.com/workshop----------------------------💛 Final Encouragement“At some point, these roles helped us survive. But survival roles don’t always belong in healthy, mutual relationships.”If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone you love—and remember, you are allowed to show up differently.----------------------------Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In today’s episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer invites you to slow down, pause, and reconnect with the healing power of sacred rest. In a world that glorifies hustle, productivity, and constant movement, this conversation is a gentle yet powerful reminder that rest is not a reward—it’s a necessity.If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, mentally exhausted, or stuck in a cycle of pushing through fatigue, this episode offers a compassionate permission slip to do less and be more. Rita explores how intentional rest supports the nervous system, boosts creativity, and helps prevent burnout. She also challenges cultural labels and productivity myths that make us feel like we need permission to pause.Through mindful reflections, relatable examples, and grounded encouragement, you’ll learn how sacred rest helps you reconnect with the present moment, cultivate gratitude, and restore balance in your mind, body, and spirit.This episode is for anyone longing for peace, clarity, and sustainable energy—without guilt.✨ You are worthy of rest. Right now.------------------------------------Episode Segment Chapters1. What Is Sacred Rest & Why It MattersRita reframes rest as the foundation of productivity, strength, and creativity—not something to earn after exhaustion.2. Hustle Culture, Labels, & Permission to BeA powerful conversation about hustle culture, the “soft girl era,” and why we don’t need labels to give ourselves permission to rest or be authentic.3. Mindfulness, Gratitude, & The Power of the PresentHow mindfulness and daily gratitude help us slow down, stay grounded, and reclaim the only moment we truly have—now.4. Burnout, the Nervous System, & Ignored Body SignalsRita explains how burnout happens when we ignore early signs of fatigue and why micro-breaks are essential for mental clarity and nervous system regulation.5. Letting Go of Guilt & Honoring Your WorthA closing encouragement to release guilt, challenge the hustle mindset, and embrace rest as a form of self-respect and self-care.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Sleep is essential to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being—yet for so many people, bedtime is filled with restlessness, anxiety, and frustration. In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer is joined by Dr. Benjamin Long, sleep medicine physician, seminary student, and creator of the Sleep Habits Journal, for a powerful conversation on why insomnia happens and how we can respond with compassion instead of self-blame.Dr. Long explains the science behind insomnia, including how stress, burnout, and unhelpful sleep habits keep the nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight mode. Together, Rita and Dr. Long explore why forcing sleep often backfires, how anxiety becomes conditioned to the bedroom, and what it means to “cease” before bed in a culture that glorifies productivity.This episode also weaves in faith-based practices, including prayer, reflection, and the Prayer of Examen, showing how spiritual rhythms can calm the nervous system and restore a sense of safety at night. Listeners will walk away with practical tools, deeper understanding, and renewed permission to rest well—without guilt or striving.----------------------------------------------1. Why We Can’t Sleep: Understanding Insomnia Without ShameDr. Long breaks down what insomnia really is, including predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors. This segment helps listeners reframe sleep struggles with compassion and clarity instead of frustration.2. Anxiety, Burnout, & the Nervous System at NightThis section explores how stress and overthinking activate the nervous system and interfere with sleep. Rita and Dr. Long discuss why high achievers and caregivers are especially vulnerable to restless nights.3. Sleepless Night Rules: What Helps (And What Hurts)Dr. Long shares practical sleep strategies inspired by CBT-I, explaining why forcing sleep, clock-watching, and long naps can worsen insomnia. Listeners learn how to gently retrain their brains for rest.4. Breaking the Cycle: Worry Time, Doomscrolling, & BoundariesThis segment addresses common sleep disruptors like racing thoughts and nighttime scrolling. Dr. Long offers simple tools such as worry time, journaling, and technology boundaries to support calmer nights.5. The Call to Rest Well: Faith, Trust, & Sacred SleepThe episode closes with a reflective conversation on faith, prayer, and rest as acts of trust. Dr. Long shares how spiritual practices can transform sleepless nights into moments of connection and peace.----------------------------------------------Connect Sleep Habits Journal & Sleep Resources by Dr. Benjamin Longhttps://thewholeheartedmd.com/sleep-habits-journal/----------------------------------------------Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What if peak performance wasn’t about doing more—but about living more intentionally?In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Alan Lazaros to explore peak performance through purpose, and why true success requires alignment across health, wealth, and love. Alan shares his deeply personal journey through early loss, relentless achievement, and a near-fatal car accident that forced him to redefine what success really means.This conversation invites listeners to rethink hustle culture, design meaningful goals, and build sustainable habits that support fulfillment—not burnout.--------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Alan LazarosCEO & Co-Host of Next Level University PodcastLearn more about Alan’s work, coaching programs, and free personal growth resources at:www.nextleveluniverse.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita sits down with AJ Schneider, founder of Beyond the Green Coaching, to explore the emotional roots of our money habits, the shame many people carry around finances, and the healing required to build a healthier relationship with money.This conversation goes far beyond budgeting and dollars — it’s about emotional wellness, nervous system patterns, self-trust, and rewriting long-held money stories.AJ breaks down why people continue living paycheck to paycheck, how money mirrors our unprocessed emotions, and why survival mode feels familiar even when it’s exhausting. She also offers practical mindset tools and emotional antidotes to shame, fear, and guilt around finances.Whether you're healing from money trauma, trying to break generational patterns, or learning how to manage your emotions around spending, this episode will help you build financial confidence with compassion and clarity.Episode Breakdown 1. Money Is Emotional — Not MathematicalAJ explains why most people don’t have money issues because of math — they have emotional patterns rooted in stress, loneliness, burnout, or coping. This reframes financial struggles through a therapeutic lens and invites listeners into self-compassion.2. The Paycheck-to-Paycheck Comfort ZoneAJ shares why survival mode feels familiar and why people unconsciously stay in financial chaos. This segment expands awareness around nervous system conditioning and scarcity mindsets.3. Meeting Your 80-Year-Old SelfA powerful visualization where AJ encourages listeners to imagine their future self sitting at the decision-making table. This moment helps listeners shift into long-term thinking, purpose, and intentional financial behavior.4. Shame, Fear & Guilt — The Three Barriers to Financial WellnessAJ breaks down emotional blocks and their antidotes:Shame → AcknowledgmentFear → Trust & SurrenderGuilt → Acceptance & Forgiveness5. A Simple Daily Step: Track Your Emotions When You SpendAJ offers a practical starter exercise to understand your spending habits by noticing the emotion behind each purchase. High-impact, simple, and transformational.Connect with AJ SchneiderExplore coaching, programs, and resources at:https://www.beyondthegreencoaching.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Guest: Kat Anselmo – Health Coach, Yoga Teacher, Wellness GuideIn this week's episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with wellness coach and yoga teacher Kat Anselmo to explore how small daily practices—like movement, mindfulness, intention setting, and self-reflection—can completely transform your mental and emotional wellbeing.Kat shares her deeply personal healing journey, the moment she realized that life can shift in an instant, and how she rebuilt herself through consistent movement, meditation, and radical self-honesty. You’ll learn mindset tools, wellness habits, and practical strategies you can start today to build confidence, reduce stress, and reconnect with your true self.Episode Breakdown Kat’s Story: Healing, Heartbreak & the Turning PointKat shares how her wellness journey began when her boyfriend became ill and yoga unexpectedly became a lifeline. Years later, during her own season of heartbreak, she turned back to those tools and rebuilt her life.The Power of 10 Minutes: Why Tiny Habits Create Big ChangeKat explains why movement is the foundation of wellness and how her simple “10 minutes a day” rule helped her shift from feeling lost to feeling empowered.Self-Love & Identity: The Root of Real SuccessA powerful conversation on how loving yourself influences relationships, decision-making, purpose, and emotional clarity. Kat explains why most people know others better than they know themselves.The Book of Life: Creating a Personal Guide to Inner SuccessKat describes how she built her “Book of Life,” which includes goals, values, affirmations, rituals, and her vision board — a living document she updates each year to stay aligned and focused.Mindset Strategies: Meditation, Affirmations, Nature & Everyday WellnessPractical, accessible tools for reducing stress, building confidence, and creating a sustainable wellness lifestyle. Kat shares tips for meditation, journaling, nature healing, self-care, and more.Episode SummaryThis episode is a heartfelt guide for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start on their wellness journey. Kat brings a grounded, compassionate perspective on how movement, mindfulness, and intention can slowly reshape your life from the inside out.You’ll walk away with tools you can start practicing immediately — 10-minute movements, affirmations, 3-minute meditations, wellness rituals, and journaling prompts — along with the encouragement that healing doesn’t require perfection, only small, consistent steps.✨ Connect with KatWebsite:  www.katsyoga.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/kat.anselmo/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Nikki Allen, award-winning author, filmmaker, R&B artist, and spiritual disruptor.  Nikki is candid and opens up about her healing journey from heartbreak and abuse to radical self-awareness, self love, and personal empowerment. Through storytelling and soul work, Nikki shows us that healing isn’t always about going back to who we were — sometimes, it’s about meeting the version of ourselves we've never met before.From emotional trauma to identity loss, self-worth, and boundary-setting, Nikki takes us behind the scenes of her book Loved You, Hated You and the inner work she calls “soul surgery.” We talk about why women stay, how trauma impacts identity, and how to rebuild life on your own terms.This episode is full of truth-telling, inspiration, and actionable insight for anyone who has ever felt stuck, silenced, or disconnected from themselves.Top Takeaways:Abuse isn’t always loud — sometimes it hides in kindness and charm.Healing requires going deeper than coping skills — we must uncover the root.Your frequency attracts your relationships — when you elevate, your circle shifts.Boundaries are not selfish — they are sacred acts of self-protection.Self-discovery isn’t going back — it’s choosing who you’ll become next.Chapter Breakdown / Episode Segments1. Why Women Stay – Understanding the Patterns 2. Breaking the Charm–Harm–Harm Cycle 3. Soul Surgery – Healing the Root vs. Band-Aid Fixes 4. Boundaries & People Pleasing 5. Identity After Healing – Meeting Your True Self 💬 Powerful Quotes“I had to sit down and do some soul surgery.”“If you can’t help yourself, you can’t help anybody else.”“I’m not reclaiming myself—I’m meeting myself for the first time.”🔗 Connect With Today’s Guest — Nikki AllenWebsite : https://officialnikkiallen.comOrder the Book, https://www.amazon.com/Loved-You-Hated-Nikki-Allen/dp/B0FF2BHB21(Books, music, filmmaking projects, philanthropy, and more)Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Patterson, founder of the Northwest Fighting Arts Academy and creator of The Yielding Warrior Method. With over 36 years in meditative and martial arts, Jeff shares how his journey began in an unexpected place — a boxing gym — and ultimately led to a lifelong mission to help others cultivate clarity, presence, and performance through the meditative arts.We explore the three pillars of yielding — physical, mental, and emotional — and how they help us navigate stress, conversations, relationships, burnout, and even high-performance environments. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, leader, or someone seeking deeper peace, this episode offers practical tools to reconnect with your body, regulate your energy, and build a sustainable inner practice.From the seven-link system to the five paths of meditation, Jeff breaks down big concepts into accessible wisdom that anyone can apply. We end with the unforgettable Stonecutter Story — a powerful lesson in consistency and transformation beneath the surface.🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How boxing unexpectedly led Jeff into meditation and Tai ChiThe real definition of yielding — and why it’s a strategy, not surrenderThe 3 pillars of yielding: physical, mental, & emotional awarenessWhy high performers burn out — and how meditation helps regulate energyThe five paths of a meditation journey (performance, therapeutic, medical, philosophical, spiritual)What it means to tap into flow state — and how to access itWhy morning rituals are more powerful than routinesThe Stonecutter Story — a metaphor for consistency and unseen transformationHow meditation helps you reconnect with who you truly areWays to begin your own meditation practice — with purpose & structure🧘‍♂️ The Three Pillars of Yielding - What It TeachesPhysical Yielding | Body awareness, breath, balance, responsivenessMental Yielding | Communication, negotiation, emotional intelligenceEmotional Yielding | Inner regulation, response > reaction, clarity📌 Quote Worth Remembering“It wasn’t that strike that broke the stone —it was the thousands of strikes before it.”— The Stonecutter Story (Jeff Patterson)🔗 Connect with Jeff PattersonVisit: https://theyieldingwarrior.com/📚 Free book :https://book.theyieldingwarrior.com/new-free-plus-shipping🎥 Online programs + two-week free trial📍 In-person academy located in Portland, Oregon💭 Reflective Question for ListenersWhat might change in your life if you started each day with presence instead of pressure?🧭 Episode TimestampsTime          Topic00:10:58 | Jeff’s boxing story & surprising advice00:13:30 | What is a Yielding Warrior?00:19:10 | Burnout & high performers00:22:15 | The five paths of meditation00:24:05 | Flow state explained00:27:00 | Morning ritual benefits00:34:47 | The Stonecutter Story00:39:01 | Final wisdom & encouragement🎧 Listen, Share & SubscribeIf this episode inspired you, please share it with a friend — and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the next powerful conversation. Keep living, keep loving, and keep daring well!Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this soul-nourishing episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer, licensed counselor and holistic wellness & mindset coach, invites you to embrace the sacred practice of “wintering” — a season of rest, renewal, and deep self-connection.Through the lens of nature’s wisdom, Rita explores how every season of life — joy, loss, abundance, and stillness — holds purpose and meaning. Just as trees shed their leaves to prepare for spring, we too must honor our seasons of slowing down to restore our minds, bodies, and spirits.Rita shares her own journey through perimenopause, learning to listen to her body, honor her energy, and set healthy boundaries with compassion and courage. You’ll discover how pausing isn’t weakness, but a powerful act of healing and preparation for new growth.✨ In this episode, you’ll learn:What it truly means to “winter” and why rest is essential for growthHow to recognize signs that your body and mind need to pauseWays to cultivate inner peace through reflection, boundaries, and self-careGentle reminders to redefine productivity and self-worthHow to trust life’s seasons and flow with grace🌸 Whether you’re navigating transition, burnout, or emotional fatigue — this episode is your invitation to slow down, tune in, and find the sacred beauty in stillness.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this week's episode, host Rita Mercer reminds listeners that hope is never lost, even when life feels heavy, uncertain, or overwhelming. Through grounded wisdom and gentle encouragement, she explores how our focus shapes our reality—what we focus on grows—and how to shift from anxiety and worry toward peace and inner strength.Rita also shares practical tools to reframe hopelessness, regulate your nervous system, and rediscover your anchor of faith, gratitude, and purpose. This is a compassionate reminder that you are not alone, you are not defined by your struggles, and there is still light ahead.Key TakeawaysWhat You Focus On Grows: Learn how to redirect your attention from fear and anxiety toward gratitude, faith, and possibility.Understanding Anxiety: Explore how our nervous system reacts to stress and how to bring it back into balance.Hope as a Healing Practice: Discover small yet powerful ways to cultivate hope—even when you can’t see the full path ahead.Practical Grounding Technique: Use the heart-centered breath practice shared in this episode to calm your mind and body.Faith & Connection: Remember that peace is not the absence of problems, but the belief in something bigger—hope, love, and spiritual connection.🌸 Affirmations from This EpisodeI choose to focus on what I can control and let go of what I cannot.I trust that better days are coming.Even when I don’t have all the answers, I can find moments of peace.My heart is steady. My spirit is strong.Resources988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): Call or text 988 for immediate support.For international crisis resources, visit: https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines/, or check your local listings.Connect with Rita: www.DaringWell.comFollow Rita on YouTube: @DaringWell🎧 Listen & ShareIf this episode spoke to your heart, please share it with a friend who might need a reminder to keep going. Leave a review to help others find hope and encouragement through The Daring Well Podcast.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this inspiring episode of The Daring Well Podcast, I sit down with Rob Rene — a faith and health warrior, founder of QE Strong and Exodus Strong, and host of The Biohackingville Podcast. Rob’s story is one of transformation, divine purpose, and rediscovering health through faith.A former elite athlete whose life changed after a devastating accident, Rob shares how God redirected his path from competitive sports to spiritual healing. Through his journey, he explores the connection between biblical wisdom, natural health, and frequency medicine, revealing how faith and science can work together for total wellness — mind, body, and spirit.Together, we dive into what it means to align your health with God’s design, how to discern truth in a noisy world, and the five simple, free things anyone can do today to start their healing journey.💬 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How Rob’s near-death experience became the catalyst for his spiritual awakening and purpose.The truth about frequency medicine — what it is, how it works, and why it’s rooted in God’s creation.The biblical blueprint for wellness: how ancient herbs, natural elements, and Scripture still guide modern healing.How Exodus Strong combines faith and science using biblical herbs and molecular hydrogen for whole-body health.The role of prayer, intention, and spoken words in activating the body’s natural healing potential.Five free wellness habits anyone can start today — water, grounding, sunlight, breathwork, and nutrition.Why true healing is about freedom: from fear, dependency, and imbalance — and returning to divine alignment.🕊️ About Rob ReneRob Rene is the founder of QE Strong, a company pioneering faith-based frequency medicine, and Exodus Strong, a biblical supplement line promoting natural, holistic health. He’s also the host of The Biohackingville Podcast, where he interviews experts in natural healing, biohacking, and biblical wellness.Rob’s mission is to empower one million people to grow closer to God through their health — combining prayer, Scripture, and science to help people reclaim the freedom and vitality God intended.🌿 Connect with Rob:To learn more about Rob and Exodus Strong, go to exodusstrong.com. He will soon be launching his biohacking website at biohackingville.comKey Quote from Rob Rene“God made frequencies, He made energy, He made it all. Let’s not let the enemy corrupt what was meant for healing.”Episode Highlights00:25:10 – From Athlete to Faith Warrior: Rob shares how his accident became the turning point toward purpose and faith.00:31:00 – Truth and Discernment: The importance of seeking unbiased truth and divine wisdom in modern media.00:38:06 – Frequency Medicine Explained: How God’s energy and the body’s natural vibrations work together for healing.00:44:32 – The Bible as a Healing Blueprint: Rediscovering ancient herbs and nutrients through Scripture.00:53:26 – Five Free Ways to Heal Naturally: Practical daily wellness habits anyone can start today.00:56:57 – Healing as Freedom: Living well as an act of faith and service to the Kingdom.Takeaway MessageHealing is not just physical — it’s spiritual alignment with the divine blueprint of your body. When we reconnect with God through mindful living, nourishment, and prayer, we step into true freedom. As Rob reminds us, “God created everything we need for wellness — our job is to use it in faith.”🎧 Listen & SubscribeTune in to The Daring Well Podcast on:Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music | YouTubeDon’t forget to like, share, and sSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What happens when burnout sparks innovation?In this inspiring Daring Well Podcast episode, Rita Mercer sits down with Dan Hartshorn, co-founder of Flow Greens and Scent Expresso, to explore his journey from burnout to wellness and how that transformation inspired the creation of a revolutionary wellness product.Dan shares his Daring Well Story—how he turned exhaustion and stress into innovation by combining scent and technology to design Scent Expresso, an aromatherapy diffuser that transforms your daily shower into a mindful, restorative ritual.Together, Rita and Dan dive deep into the “messy middle” of entrepreneurship, the healing power of aromatherapy, and how balance, presence, and purpose can guide both personal and professional growth.Whether you’re a wellness advocate, creative visionary, or entrepreneur navigating burnout, this episode offers practical wisdom and heartfelt inspiration to help you slow down, realign, and live well.🕊️ Key Talking PointsThe story behind Flow Greens and how Scent Expresso came to lifeMoving from burnout to wellness through purpose-driven innovationNavigating “the messy middle” of business and personal growthThe art and science of aromatherapy and its emotional benefitsUsing scent and mindfulness to reduce stress and increase focusThe power of community and support in wellness entrepreneurshipHow the Kickstarter journey helped bring wellness technology to lifeDan’s advice: “Do what’s purposeful—and do it with people you love.”Episode Highlights & Timestamps00:21:51 – Meet Dan Hartshorn: Rita introduces Dan and his mission to merge scent, technology, and wellness.00:24:14 – The Messy Middle: Why resilience and learning live in the in-between seasons of growth.00:26:08 – From Burnout to Breakthrough: How burnout led to creating a wellness solution for everyday life.00:33:10 – The Power of Aromatherapy: Exploring scent’s role in calming the mind and supporting emotional health.00:38:35 – Living What You Preach: How Dan maintains wellness while building a wellness company.00:52:45 – “Say What You Mean”: Dan’s parting wisdom on authenticity, courage, and purpose.00:55:03 – Connect with Scent Expresso: How to support and join the wellness movement.Guest BioDan Hartshorn is the co-founder of Flow Greens and Scent Expresso, a wellness company that merges scent, science, and technology to promote mindfulness and stress relief. His mission is to help people rediscover calm in their everyday routines through innovative, sustainable wellness design.🌐 Learn more at www.scentxpresso.com and https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/scentxpreso/scentxpresso-instant-immersive-natural-shower-aromatherapy📱 Follow @ScentExpresso on Instagram, TikTok, and FacebookPlease, don’t forget to like, rate, and share this episode to help others find balance and live daringly well.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

“You don’t burn out from doing too much — you burn out from doing too much of what you don’t love.”In this inspiring episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer sits down with Carly Pepin, an international business coach and human behavior specialist, to explore what it truly means to lead with alignment, authenticity, and balance.Carly shares her powerful story — from launching her first business at 18, to thriving in the fashion industry, to helping others design businesses and lives that reflect what they love. She explains how burnout doesn’t come from doing too much — it comes from doing too much of what you don’t love. Together, Rita and Carly unpack the deeper truths about leadership, pride, shame, confidence, and the power of personal growth.Listeners will walk away with practical mindset strategies to:✨ Reconnect with your purpose and values✨ Recognize and overcome burnout and misalignment✨ Balance pride and humility through gratitude and fulfillment✨ Build authentic confidence through self-certainty✨ Redefine leadership both in business and at homeWhether you lead a company, a classroom, or a household, this episode will remind you that aligned leadership starts with knowing who you are — and loving what you do.About the Guest – Carly PepinCarly Pepin is an international business coach, human behavior specialist, and speaker based in Southern California. She helps entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders create sustainable business systems, emotional resilience, and aligned success.🔗 Connect with Carly: https://www.westcoastgrowthadvisors.com/💼 Follow her on LinkedIn: Carly Pepin https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlypepin/________________________________________Connect with The Daring Well 🎧 Listen on all platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube🌿 For all things wellness - candles, wax melts, room sprays and more at www.DaringWellShop.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer invites listeners to reflect on a powerful question: What do you need to be whole?Building on last week’s discussion about betting on yourself, Rita explores how understanding your core needs—based on Dr. William Glasser’s Choice Theory—can help you live with greater balance, self-awareness, and fulfillment.Rita breaks down the five basic human needs—love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival—and reveals how our daily choices often reflect our attempts to meet them. She guides listeners in identifying where they might be confusing wants with needs and how this mix-up can lead to exhaustion or emptiness.This encouraging episode reminds us that wholeness isn’t about perfection—it’s about living in alignment with your true self. When your wants align with your needs, your choices start to serve you instead of stress you.🪞 Key Topics CoveredChoice Theory & Wholeness: Understanding the five core human needs that drive behavior.Wants vs. Needs: Why confusing them can leave you feeling unfulfilled.Emotional Awareness: How journaling and reflection build self-connection.Alignment Over Perfection: Making choices that nurture, not drain you.Wholeness as a Practice: Meeting your needs with love, grace, and authenticity.✨ Reflection QuestionsWhat have you been chasing lately—success, love, validation, or security?Which of the five needs (love, power, freedom, fun, survival) does it truly meet?Is this pursuit bringing you closer to or further from balance and wholeness?How can you honor your real needs with compassion this week?🌸 Quote from the Episode“When your needs are met — love, belonging, power, freedom, fun, survival — you don’t have to chase wholeness. You become it.”Wellness SpotlightFor 100% soy wax candles, wax melts, solid lotion bars, and aromatherapy nasal inhalers, visit:👉 DaringWellShop.com💖 Connect & SupportIf this episode inspired you, please:Share it with a friend who needs the reminder to bet on themselves.Leave a review to help spread positivity and holistic wellness worldwide.Follow Rita Mercer for more episodes that blend mindset, healing, and purpose.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What’s holding you back from living your fullest life? Is it fear, comparison, or the weight of old patterns from your family of origin? In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer dares you to believe in yourself, release self-doubt, and bet on YOU.In this episode, Rita unpacks the biggest battle we all face—the war in our minds. She explores how fear, negative self-talk, and comparison traps rob us of joy and peace. Through powerful reflection, she reminds us that while self-image may shift with circumstances, our self-worth is rooted in unchanging God-given value.This episode is filled with encouragement, practical steps, and reflection questions to help you recognize the roots of doubt, quiet the inner critic, and step into freedom. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, motivation, or tools to grow in confidence, this episode will remind you that you are worthy of living fully—right now.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why doubt and fear often hold us back from our dreamsHow family patterns shape our self-image and belief systemsThe difference between self-image and self-worthWhy comparison is a trap that steals joyPractical steps to begin betting on yourself todayReflection questions to take with you:When doubt creeps in, can I trace it back to its root—fear, comparison, or family influence?Am I sabotaging my happiness with negative self-image, or am I choosing to bet on myself with hope and belief in my worth?✨ Listen in and be reminded: you matter, your dreams matter, and today is the perfect day to bet on you.Visit me in person at the:27th Annual Fall Arts & Crafts ShowSaturday, October 18, 2025 9:00 AM-3:00 PMBOONE COUNTY EXTENSION ENRICHMENT CENTER1824 PATRICK DR., BURLINGTON, KYDownload Flyer: https://www.daringwell.com/44280/files/68dca4503dc93_1759290448_549733992-10161201343250146-6574036114877823989-n.jpg* All proceeds for this event will go to support those with cancer in Northern KY.  So it’s a win / win.  Shop for wellness products for your home and everyday life:100% Soy Wax Candles, Wax Melts, Solid Lotion Bars, and Aromatherapy Nasal Inhalers.https://www.daringwellshop.com/Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita sits down with Anadel Alberti, CEO and founder of Audaciously Authentic, international speaker, and professional certified coach. Together, they explore what it means to live and lead authentically—both in the workplace and in life.Anadel shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to rediscovering her authentic voice and creating a mission-driven business that helps organizations thrive. She highlights why burnout is a systemic issue, not just an individual problem, and explains how leaders can shift their focus from transactional checklists to transformational impact.Listeners will discover:Why psychological safety and authenticity are essential in leadershipThe staggering costs of burnout and how to prevent itPractical strategies organizations can use to support employee well-beingThe qualities of an audaciously authentic leaderHow passion, gratitude, and legacy create lasting impactWhether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or professional seeking more purpose, this conversation will inspire you to ask the powerful question: “How am I showing up?”Connect with Anadel Alberti:Website: www.au2movement.com/Instagram & LinkedIn: @AnadelAlbertiSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What does it really mean to live in alignment with your truth? In this episode, Rita Mercer talks with Amy Lenius about turning pain into purpose, building self-belief and self-worth, and redefining success on your own terms. Get ready for an inspiring conversation filled with practical wisdom and honest insights.In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer is joined by Amy Lenius, Director of Group Coaching at Next Level University, professional speaker, and personal development coach. Amy opens up about her powerful journey of overcoming chronic illness, rebuilding her identity, and helping others align with their truth.Together, we talk about the messy middle of growth, why hard days are actually a sign of progress, and how to cultivate both self-belief and self-worth. Amy shares why honoring your cyclical nature allows you to show up with more grace, and how to define success in ways that reflect your values—not external expectations.We also dive into the “circle of control” and explore how sustainable, adaptable habits lead to real transformation.Whether you’re navigating personal challenges or seeking more alignment in your life, this conversation will inspire you to pause, reflect, and start small.Connect with Amy Lenius: Instagram/Facebook @AmyLeniusJoin her community: Next Level Nation on FacebookSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer invites you to explore the power of language and how the words you choose shape your reality. So often we walk through life feeling weighed down by the words “I have to”—whether it’s work, relationships, or responsibilities. But what if you shifted your perspective and replaced those draining words with empowering ones?✨ Instead of “I have to,” you begin saying, “I get to.” ✨Through gentle reflection and a guided meditation, Rita will help you move from obligation to gratitude, from burden to privilege. This practice will encourage you to see opportunities instead of chores, freedom instead of limits, and love instead of guilt or shame.Inside this episode, you’ll discover:How shifting one simple phrase can change your mood, energy, and outlookReflection questions to help you explore wants vs. needs, obligations vs. opportunitiesA calming guided meditation to practice affirmations that reframe “I have to” into “I get to”Practical examples you can use daily—from work, family, and self-care—to help you embody gratitude and abundanceBy the end of this episode, you’ll feel lighter, more empowered, and equipped with affirmations to carry through your day.If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need a reminder of the power of words. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and keep daring well.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

Welcome back, wellness seeker!  In this week's episode, we're exploring the hidden power of your your belief system and how the words you choose—especially absolutes like “always,” “never,” and “should”—can either make you feel trapped or more freedom.This is not about guilt or shame—it’s about self-awareness and choosing to speak life and truth over yourself. You’ll learn how shifting just a few simple phrases can lighten your mental load and reshape your entire mindset. Whether you're navigating burnout, striving for growth, or just want to speak to yourself more kindly, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reframe. You'll also get a taste of next week's episode with a powerful affirmation segment designed to lift your spirit and ground you in truth.Key Takeaways:The danger of absolute language in your self-talk (e.g., never, always, should, have to)How words influence your mindset—either fixed or growth-basedThe connection between scarcity vs. abundance thinkingA simple language shift that creates freedom and possibilityA grounding affirmation segment to help you practice reframingReflective questions to help you build awareness around your internal dialogueLearn how to reframe phrases like:“I have to go to work” → “I get to go to work and share my gifts.”“I should’ve started earlier” → “I choose to begin from where I am, now.”Stay Connected:If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who might need the reminder that their words matter. Your voice helps spread wellness and healing around the world.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

What happens when the people we trust the most break that trust? Betrayal trauma cuts deeper than other wounds—it shakes our identity, self-worth, and ability to trust again. In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer sits down with Dr. Debi Silber, founder of the Post Betrayal Transformation Institute, to explore how unhealed betrayal impacts our health, relationships, and work—and how we can transform pain into personal power.Dr. Debi shares her groundbreaking research, including the discovery of Post Betrayal Syndrome and the five predictable stages of healing that guide people from shock and survival to healing and rebirth. With stories, statistics, and practical wisdom, this conversation offers both hope and a roadmap for anyone stuck in the aftermath of betrayal.✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:Why betrayal is a unique form of trauma that impacts identity and trustThe symptoms of Post Betrayal Syndrome and how it shows up physically, mentally, and emotionallyFour self-reflection questions to uncover if you’re stuck in numbing or avoidanceThe five stages of betrayal recovery—and why so many stay stuck in Stage 3Practical steps you can take today to begin your healing journeyWhy betrayal can actually serve as an invitation to transformation and self-discoveryWhether you’ve experienced betrayal in relationships, work, or family, this episode will help you understand your pain, recognize the patterns keeping you stuck, and embrace a path toward healing.Connect with & learn more about Dr. Debi Silber and her programs at The PBT Institutehttps://thepbtinstitute.com/.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this week's episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer welcomes Dr. Julius Torelli, a cardiologist and holistic wellness advocate, to explore the power of gratitude, mindset, and a holistic lifestyle in shaping our health.Dr. Torelli shares his journey from traditional medicine into developing the Gratefully Well Model, which blends the best of Western medicine with holistic practices. He explains how emotional overwhelm, stress, and limiting beliefs often show up as physical symptoms—and why addressing the whole person is essential for true healing.Listeners will discover:The pivotal patient story that inspired Dr. Torelli to rethink medicine.How thoughts and beliefs directly impact the body’s physiology.The science-backed benefits of gratitude for mental and physical health.The Traceback Method of Gratitude, a practical tool for shifting stress into calm and appreciation.Benefits of developing the Gratefully Well model as part of a healthy lifestyle includes:Improve recovery from illness and medical proceduresReduce symptoms of high blood pressure, pain, and illnessStrengthen immune functionEnhance sleep qualityIncrease resilience and stress coping skillsLower anxiety and depressionWhether you’re struggling with stress, managing chronic illness, or seeking more balance in life, this conversation will inspire you to live gratefully well every day.✨Connect with Dr. Torelli:Dr. Torelli’s Website: www.gratefullywell.comBook: Holistic Health Pathways (Amazon) Substack Newsletter: Gratefully WellFree 7-Day Gratitude Challenge🎧 Tune in and discover how gratitude can transform your health, your mindset, and your life.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

This is one of the top 5 most downloaded episodes from last year —because it’s just that powerful and just that good! In this heartfelt conversation, host Rita Mercer, your wellness coach, licensed counselor, and virtual friend, guides you through the healing and restorative benefits of nature therapy.If you’ve been feeling stressed, anxious, disconnected, or feeling stuck creatively, this episode is your gentle reminder to slow down, step outside, and reconnect with the natural world. Rita explores:What nature therapy is and the different forms it can take (forest bathing, grounding, eco-therapy, and more)The deficits we face when we don’t spend enough time in nature—like increased stress, emotional instability, and reduced creativityThe physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of engaging with nature mindfullySimple cues that signal you might need a nature resetPractical, beginner-friendly tips to make nature a regular part of your lifeRita also shares the fascinating research behind how much time in nature makes a measurable impact on your well-being—and spoiler: it’s easier to fit into your week than you think.Whether it’s a barefoot walk in your backyard, quiet reflection by a stream, or a gentle hike in the woods, you’ll learn how to make nature your reset button for mind, body, and spirit.Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, we dive into what it really means to complete the stress cycle and restore balance in your nervous system. If you’re feeling constantly on edge, overwhelmed, or exhausted—this conversation is for you.You’ll learn how the fight-flight response works, why we get stuck in it, and how it impacts your mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing. We also explore the power of the parasympathetic nervous system (your body’s rest-and-digest mode) and the simple tools you can use daily to reset, recharge, and feel safe again.Rita walks you through practical ways to regulate your nervous system using breathwork, gentle movement, journaling, and the power of sacred rest. Plus, she shares an exclusive invitation to her upcoming Sacred Rest Online Retreat—a gentle wellness experience designed to help you release stress and reconnect to peace.🔑 Key Takeaways:The science behind the fight-flight response and sympathetic nervous systemSigns of a stuck stress response across mind, body, and spiritHow to activate your parasympathetic nervous system for healingSimple and sustainable tools to complete the stress cycleHow to reclaim rest as a necessary rhythm for wellness🧘‍♀️ Join the Sacred Rest Online Retreat:Ready to restore your nervous system and return to calm?Visit: www.daringwell.com/retreatUse code FRIEND2025 to bring a friend for free!Send us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this transformative episode of The Daring Well Podcast, host Rita Mercer sits down with energy healer and acupuncturist Banya Lim, Acupuncturist, Energy Healer & Founder of the Chi Mastery System to explore how emotional energy impacts physical health—and how we can reclaim our well-being by listening to the wisdom of the body. Banya shares her inspiring personal healing journey from chronic illness and depression to vitality and joy using movement, meditation, and energy healing.She also explains how emotions like fear, anger, and sadness create energetic blockages within specific meridians and organs, and how acupuncture, breathwork, and Qi-focused practices can help release those blockages. Learn the basics of Qi (energy), how to recognize where emotions live in the body, and what simple daily practices anyone can use to begin healing from the inside out.Whether you're new to energy medicine or deep in your healing path, this episode offers profound tools and insights that can shift your mindset, improve your physical health, and awaken your emotional intelligence.🔑 In This Episode, You'll Learn:How Banya Lim healed her own chronic conditions through emotional and energy workWhat Chi (energy) is and how it functions in the bodyThe connection between mind, emotion, and physical painWhy meditation and movement are critical to emotional healingHow to begin building a relationship with your bodyThe importance of self-awareness in identifying internal blockagesWhy your thoughts can shape your health and realityConnect with Banya Lim, Chi Mastery SystemInterested in exploring energy healing or working with Banya? She’s offering a free clarity session for The Daring Well podcast listeners. Learn more or schedule at:Website: www.banyalim.comSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

In this inspiring episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer is joined by licensed mental health therapist, speaker, and mom coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman to explore how mindfulness and intentional self-care can transform your life. Vanessa shares her deeply personal story of burnout, the wake-up call that led her to start Amiga Moms, and the practical ways both men and women can reconnect with themselves through mindful living.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The real-life signs of burnout and how to catch them earlyHow your baseline shifts through life stages—and why it mattersWhy mindfulness doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicatedPractical tools to build self-awareness and compassionVanessa’s “3-step mindful day” recipe: Intention → Allowance → GratitudeThe power of asking, How do I want to show up today?Connect with Vanessa De Jesus GuzmanWebsite: https://www.freetobemindful.comInstagram & YouTube: @CounselorVDeJesusAmiga Moms: A community for Latina mothers blending mental health and motherhood supportFree to Be Mindful Podcast: Insights on parenting, wellness, and mindful living#MindfulLiving#SelfCareForMoms#MentalHealthAwareness#BurnoutRecovery#WomenWellness#AmigaMoms#IntentionalLiving#HolisticSelfCare#FreeToBeMindful#MindfulnessInMotherhoodSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

“It’s not about not feeling fear. It’s about choosing how you show up in spite of that fear.”In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer is joined by international speaker, mentor, and firewalk guide Harriet Bratt for a heart-opening conversation on what it truly means to embody a warrior's mindset.Together, they explore how to overcome fear, break through self-doubt, and develop the inner confidence needed to live courageously and create lasting impact — in life, love, leadership, and beyond.Harriet shares personal stories, neuroscience-backed mindset insights, and her practical B.A.F. tool — Breath, Awareness, Focus — to help you stay grounded and empowered every day. Whether you’re battling limiting beliefs, learning to speak up, or seeking to live more aligned, this episode is filled with wisdom, authenticity, and fierce encouragement to choose courage over comfort.Instagram & Facebook: @HarrietBrattFree Facebook Group: Femme Vox Fireside – Empowering women to speak and lead with confidence#warriormindset #overcomingfear #innerconfidence #courageousliving #mindsetpodcast #selfdoubttoconfidence #holisticempowerment #personalgrowthjourney #selftalkmatters #fearlesslivingSend us Fan MailSupport the showFollow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWellFor free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies