Settle into a cozy location, put your headphones on, breathe, and relax with Sara on this nature inspired visualization meditation  "The Deer - Gentle Ease"  and is inspired by a magical interaction Wendy and I had at the Grand Canyon in October.   It's for letting go of force, pushing, and shift into gentle ease for the holiday season or any season of life.Music by Joe Levi music, find him on Instagram @joelevimusicConnect with Rising StrongHER community:Virtual Course - Overcome Emotional Eating & Negative Body Image coming in January 2022https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/nourish-to-flourishJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Instagram @rising_strongherOur website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]

Sara and Wendy interview our guest, Debra Young,  a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 23 years of experience.  Our discussion is centered around our curiosity of Clinical Hypnotherapy as another holistic tool to help aid in tapping into your authentic self.  AND we end up sharing all sorts of fabulous inspirational wisdom nuggets for our community.Who am I?  this is a common question many of ask in midlife.  We see this as an exciting opportunity, like a blank canvas and you can paint your own new beginning.  Learn how Debra's services can help with this process.Debra explains what Clinical Hypnotherapy is and what's the difference with working with her than a certified hypnotherapist.We are NOT done, learn to re-write your authentic story and bring out your best self for the rest of your life.Connect with Debra through her website https://www.imbt-nc.com/or call (704) 771-6251 for a free consultation.  She sees patients in person and virtual.Connect with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte Restorative Yoga @ Thrive Center for Wellness Nov 13 @ 1:30 pm-3 pmhttps://thrivecarolinas.com/events/Virtual Course - Overcome Emotional Eating & Negative Body Image coming in January 2022https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/nourish-to-flourishJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Instagram @rising_strongherOur website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected] out to our Podcast editor and music composer Joe Levi, find him on Instagram @joelevimusic

Get comfortable and enjoy a seasonal guided meditation with Sara.   As the season shifts from Summer to Fall, we start to shed away what doesn't serve us.Music composed by Joe Levi Music You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicConnect with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte Restorative Yoga @ Thrive Center for Wellness Nov 13 @ 1:30 pm-3 pmhttps://thrivecarolinas.com/events/Fall Mini Retreat @ the Yoga Cottage in Charlotte Nov 6https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/fall-restoration-self-care-mini-retreatVirtual Course - Overcome Emotional Eating & Negative Body Image coming in January 2022https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/nourish-to-flourishJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Instagram @rising_strongherOur website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]

Yes, you read the title right!  Wendy and Sara talk with Wendy's cousin, Dr. Carol Cox, MD from Tampa, FL with 24+ years experience as an OB/GYN.   We ask her the hard questions with warmth and lightness, the questions many of us are afraid or ashamed to talk about because of our limiting beliefs, how we were raised, and/or what we're brainwashed to think.Here's what you can expect to hear in this important episode:* Most of our peri-menopause symptoms are normal!! Thank goodness.* Vagina health for midlife and beyond.  Yes, this is important!! Who knew?* Desire and intimacy are available at midlife and beyond!* It's never too late to get comfortable with talking about and standing up for your sexual health and wellness.* Be a role model for the generations coming up and end making this topic "taboo"This content is not meant to be a diagnosis, it's for information purposes only.  Connect with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte Restorative Yoga @ Thrive Center for Wellness August 28 and Sept 11 @ 1:30 pm-3 pmhttps://thrivecarolinas.com/events/Join our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!

Ever feel like you never have enough time with your doctor?Feel like you're only given a "band aid" for health issues and/or your issues are dismissed?Ready to take a deeper dive into your health and wellness? If so, you've got to hear this episode.  Sara & Wendy talk with special guest Dr. Nancy Palermo, MD turned OB-GYN to Board Certified Functional Medicine Doctor and founder of Thrive Center for Personalized Healthcare & Wellness in Charlotte, NC. She spent over 25 years as an OB-GYN then found she was was no longer providing care she wanted to.  She was checking boxes and working on an assembly line.  Her patients were getting sicker and she was not allowed to spend as much time with them when they needed her most.  This fired her up enough to do something about it (when she was over 40 by the way).  She went back to school and obtained board certification in Functional Medicine. Her healthcare center, Thrive, is a practice open to all patients, men and women, yet in addition to medical care focuses on educating, motivating and empowering patients to take their healthcare into their own hands through focus on foundational pillars of diet, exercise and movement, lifestyle contributors and mind-body health. THRIVE’s vision is to lead the way for those challenging the 21st-century medical industry status quo with our innovative and personalized practice model.Connect with her:www.thrivecarolinas.comFaceBook ThriveTwitter @thrivecarolinasInstagram @thrivecarolinasConnect with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte for an Introduction to Yoga Series series @ Thrive Center for Wellness Thursdays starting Sept 9 @ 6:15 pmhttps://thrivecarolinas.com/events/Virtual Meditation 2 part series Aug 23 and 30 at 6:30 pmhttps://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/introduction-to-meditation-virtualIn person in Charlotte Restorative Yoga @ Thrive Center for Wellness August 28 @ 1:30 pm-3 pmhttps://thrivecarolinas.com/events/Join our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!

Wendy interviews Sara as she puts on both her Health Coaching hat and opens up personally for this episode. We take a dive into the concept of Intuitive Eating, where how we eat is just important as what we eat and making peace with food and body image.Sara talks about her personal journey with emotional eating and how starting as a teenager she was conditioned to measure weight loss, body size, and what she was eating. Also learning what's nourishing for me may not be nourishing for you, no one-size fits all.  Listen to the wisdom within.  Introduction to intuitive eating and anti-diet.Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch, the originators of the ground-breaking book Intuitive Eating. They introduced us to 10 principles:Reject the Diet MentalityHonor Your HungerMake Peace with FoodChallenge the Food PoliceDiscover the Satisfaction FactorFeel Your FullnessCope with Your Emotions with KindnessRespect Your BodyMovement—Feel the DifferenceHonor Your Health—Gentle NutritionSara's personal tips to start right now:1. Make one small change vs trying to attempt to get to your goal right away.  For example, if you want to add more green veggies to your plate, start with one meal a day with broccoli for 2 weeks.2.  Recognize what's the driving force between what you do, how you think, and regulate. Create helpful language about your body and mind.  Be Kind!And I said to my body, softly, “I want to be your friend.” It took a long breath and replied, “I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.” – Nayyirah Waheed We recognize Eating Disorders are real and if you might need professional help in this area here's FREE support from the National Eating Disorder Association (800) 931-2237.Connect with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte for an Introduction to Meditation series @ Thrive Center for Wellness Mondays July 19 & 26https://thrivecarolinas.com/events/In person in Charlotte Self Care Summer Reboot, Saturday July 24https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/self-care-summer-reboot-mini-retreatJoin our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!

Sara & Wendy sit down and have an honest & fun conversation about the midlife journey of letting our hair grow out to it's natural color full of white, gray, silver!  No woman should feel obligated to conform to anyone’s beauty standards but her own, let's remove the stigmas. For women, our hair is a big deal.  Many of us spend years, lots of money, and time covering up what's authentically us to look younger, to live up to society's "beauty standards",  feel better, or whatever the reason may be.  Where ever you are in your hair journey, you'll enjoy the stories knowing you're not alone.  If you're feeling the "call" to come out of "hiding" to step into your wisdom and power, revealing your true hair color and texture, may be a part of the process to finding freedom to be authentically YOU! "There is a freedom, this is who I am, take it or leave it."  WendyDrop us a note us know your thoughts, [email protected] with Rising StrongHER community:In person in Charlotte for an Introduction to Meditation series @ Thrive Center for Wellness Mondays July 19 & 26https://thrivecarolinas.com/events/In person in Charlotte Self Care Summer Reboot, Saturday July 24https://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/self-care-summer-reboot-mini-retreatJoin our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!

Sara & Wendy have a talk about Menopause and Hormones!  We chat with special guest, Merritt Tracy, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and a Trained Hormone Coach.  She has been helping women naturally balance their hormones and achieve their wellness goals for nearly 10 years.Merritt defines for us the stages of our midlife cycle: peri-menopause,  menopause, and post-menopauseUnderstand what's really going on in our bodies as hormones shiftLearn natural ways to balance your hormonesMerritt's top 3 tips for women's health & hormone balancingBalance is key. Reduce stress. Yoga, mindfulness, self care. Track your cycle and your mood. Talk to someone about your symptoms. Hormones should not be taboo. Me, your doctor, your girlfriends. We are going through a lot during this time. We have to take care of ourselves and each other. Connect with Merritt:[email protected] on Instagram and FacebookConnect with Rising StrongHER community:Join our Summer Solstice Yoga " in person" event in Charlotte June 19 at 9:30 amhttps://risingstrongher.mykajabi.com/offers/TRGnPgDkJoin our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!

Sara and Wendy welcome our dynamic guest Astrid Chirinos, who is a bi-lingual visionary and multicultural trailblazer, over four decades in North Carolina.  Her country of origin is Caracas, Venezuela.  Our topic is around re-inventing yourself.  This will inspire you to take action."If you give me an opportunity I'll take it."  Astrid ChirinosIn a culture in the USA, where we believe in "doing" the tasks at hand, Astrid shares with us how important it is to connected with "being" to understand our cycles of change and know when it's time to re-invent ourselves.It's important to be in touch with who you are in order to re-invent yourself.You can re-invent at any age or stage of life.  Connecting with community around you for support is important.  She refers to it as Common Unity,  we work together.  We need to be a community of learners with a teachable spirit, and we will go far.  Get a Mentor , or in Astrid's word "Femtor" . We must be life long learners.   Spend time anchoring yourself every morning.Astrid shares her breathwork technique: breathe in Faith and breathe out Fear.Upcoming Events:Join our Magical Sedona, AZ retreat in October 2021https://www.risingstrongher.com/magical-sedona-retreatJoin our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520Our website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!Episode is LivePublished: Apr. 11, 2021 @ 1PM EditUnpublishAdd a TranscriptGet episode better indexed by search engines.Add Chapter MarkersListeners can tap through & see what’s coming up.Create a Visual SoundbiteBest way to share to social media for engagement.Share Episode OnFacebookTwitterLinkedInMore OptionsEmail Link to Episode CopyDirect Link to MP3 Copy Download MP3Embed this ONE Episode&lt

Sara & Wendy discuss trust, the voices in your head, and self care.  What does our intuition really sound and feel like vs. other voices?  Think for a moment what your life would be like if you were able to trust your inner voice, intuition...trust your yes and trust your no. How much time would we all gain if we got off the hamster wheel of second guessing ourselves again again and again….what would it be like if we knew our unique inner voice of wise intuition? … With our upcoming course “ The Essential Yoga Self Care Blueprint” coming up we’d like to share one of the module topics….. Learning to say heck yes to things that align and a big no to things that don’t align with our self care, purpose, truth, etc.  This involves understanding what our intuition sounds and feels like.You may wonder, how do I know what I’m hearing or acting on is my intuition or not?  What if I get it wrong? Is it just my imagination?  That’s what we’re about to share, some insight on knowing what it sounds like.We help you to identify those voices the Ego, Fear, and Intuitive Voices sound and feel like.Tips to Connect with Intuitive VoiceDo something creative or playful to by-pass our over thinking, judging mind Find simple ways to be present in your bodySpend time in nature and if you are short on time spend a few minutes looking at the sun, the clouds, or the moon. Pause for a few minutes before you get out of bed in the morning, before you engage with your normal routineUpcoming Events:Join our private Rising StrongHER free Facebook community here for more inspiration:https://www.facebook.com/groups/284428745896520The Essential Yoga Self Care Blueprint Course - 30 day virtual reset starts April 19, 2021http://www.risingstrongher.com/enrollOur website:  http://www.risingstrongher.comContact with questions or other inquiries: [email protected]*Special thank you shout out to Joe Levi for composing our podcast music and editing.  You can find him on Instagram @joelevimusicRise with US!