The Travel and Transformation podcast is a destination for women seeking to explore the world and deepen their personal growth. Whether you're just beginning your journey, well-versed in travel or self-improvement, or somewhere in between, this podcast welcomes all. Through interviews with coaches, healers, and other experts, as well as insights from host Sophia, listeners will gain the tools they need to live the life they desire, free from societal expectations and societal pressures. Join us on our quest to find freedom, fulfillment and authenticity, especially for single women over 40.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Sophia is a seasoned traveler and personal development enthusiast. She believes that travel has the power to change one's perspective and that self-improvement is a continuous journey. With over 15 years of experience in the helping and healing field, Sophia is well-equipped to guide others on their own path to fulfillment.
She holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, is a certified Life Coach, and has a diverse set of tools in her toolbox that she uses to empower women to achieve more satisfying relationships, self-love, and self-empowerment. She is dedicated to helping women move from feeling unfulfilled to living a fulfilling life.
CONTACT METHOD
www.thereikihealingcoach.com
Instagram - @createlifeyourway and @ sophia_i_got_ig
Facebook - id-sophia.e.754 / I show up as Sophia E
LinkedIn - sophia-Elcock-b1941b5 - displays as Sophia Elcock
Tik Tok - SophiaE556
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Travel and Transformation podcast is a destination for women seeking to explore the world and deepen their personal growth. Whether you're just beginning your journey, well-versed in travel or self-improvement, or somewhere in between, this podcast welcomes all. Through interviews with coaches, healers, and other experts, as well as insights from host Sophia, listeners will gain the tools they need to live the life they desire, free from societal expectations and societal pressures. Join us on our quest to find freedom, fulfillment and authenticity, especially for single women over 40.
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Sophia is a seasoned traveler and personal development enthusiast. She believes that travel has the power to change one's perspective and that self-improvement is a continuous journey. With over 15 years of experience in the helping and healing field, Sophia is well-equipped to guide others on their own path to fulfillment.
She holds a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, is a certified Life Coach, and has a diverse set of tools in her toolbox that she uses to empower women to achieve more satisfying relationships, self-love, and self-empowerment. She is dedicated to helping women move from feeling unfulfilled to living a fulfilling life.
CONTACT METHOD
www.thereikihealingcoach.com
Instagram - @createlifeyourway and @ sophia_i_got_ig
Facebook - id-sophia.e.754 / I show up as Sophia E
LinkedIn - sophia-Elcock-b1941b5 - displays as Sophia Elcock
Tik Tok - SophiaE556
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did you know there are 40-120 symptoms of perimenopause and your doctor probably won't tell you about most of them? If you're experiencing brain fog, fatigue, joint pain, or weight gain and keep being told "it's just stress" or offered antidepressants, this episode is for you.
I sit down with Karen Cerezo, a health coach, fitness trainer, and menopause mentor with 11 years of experience who went through her own perimenopause wake-up call at 46. After feeling like "garbage literally overnight" while still eating right and training for a half marathon, Karen discovered what her doctor never mentioned: perimenopause affects everything from your hair and eyesight to your workouts and sleep patterns.
We discuss why women's health remains medicine's best-kept secret, how to track your symptoms so doctors can't dismiss you, and the difference between perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause (hint: it's not just one year). Karen shares practical advice on when to test your hormones, what hormone replacement therapy really involves, and why lifestyle changes matter just as much as any prescription.
If you've ever felt like you're failing yourself or losing your mind because your body suddenly stopped responding to everything that used to work, this conversation will validate your experience and give you actionable next steps.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"Common doesn't mean that it's not treatable. Just because it's common doesn't mean we don't use band aids."
"Track it. Track your stress, track your symptoms, track your sleep, track your cycle. When you go in with that book and all of this data, they can't dismiss you. They can't gaslight you."
"You are not alone. And the biggest thing that we can do for each other is to talk about it and have that sisterhood."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever thought you had to hit rock bottom before you could change your life? What if your "doable bottom" was enough to spark a complete transformation?
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Whaley, an anti-hustle business coach living in Italy. Shannon shares her journey from being a blackout-drunk hairstylist in the Cayman Islands at 34 to building a location-independent business and moving to Tuscany—all while navigating 12 years of sobriety, divorce, and midlife reinvention. We talk about the moment she decided to get sober without treatment, how spite became fuel for transformation, and why she refuses to let women live small, people-pleasing lives. Shannon breaks down her approach to business coaching that includes identity work, somatic practices, and unlearning good girl conditioning. We also discuss her Mild Women Adventures retreat in Italy, designed for women in their midlife revolution who want to travel but feel intimidated by the logistics.
Tune in to learn how to stop making excuses disguised as "signs," why clarity comes from doing (not thinking), and how to run after your dreams like your pants are on fire.
Mild Woman Adventures with Shannon https://trovatrip.com/trip/europe/italy/italy-with-shannon-whaley-apr-2026
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"You can't run and grow a business, a big business, if you're trying to please everyone, if you don't know who you are, if you're not confident to speak up about your beliefs and your desires and claim what is yours and then run after it like your pants are on fire."
"Everything's a sign if you want it to be a sign, period. We give meaning to things and we make it mean what we want to make it mean. So what if it's not 'Oh, maybe I'm not supposed to do this'—maybe it's, how bad do you want this thing?"
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feeling stuck despite all the health changes you've made? Your body might be holding onto more than you realize.
Coral Buchanan, a cogno movement practitioner and somatic activated healing coach with over 10 years of wellness experience, shares how she transformed from being neurotic, depressed, and agoraphobic to discovering a modality that changed everything. We explore how suppressed emotions become physical symptoms, why cognitive movement works when traditional approaches fall short, and how cross-body movements can release patterns that keep you playing small.
Coral opens up about how her own sciatica vanished without directly addressing it, and why focusing on feelings instead of symptoms creates lasting change.
Tune in to discover how releasing held tensions can transform not just your physical symptoms, but your entire way of being in the world.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"When the body can actually breathe, it will heal itself."
"These tight feelings in the body create the thoughts. So when you can change the body, the thoughts naturally change."
"You don't have to know what you're working on. You can have stuff release in your body without knowing."
"It takes some courage to really face ourselves and go in instead of externally being external."
"Don't be afraid to try something. But if you're in that mind frame and you're willing, sky's the limit."
"We get to give ourselves permission. And that's the most important permission you can give."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tired of letting self-doubt hold you back from the life you actually want?
Elaine Kramer, author of How to Change Mindset to Boost Confidence, joins the show to share how she joined the military at 34 (against everyone's advice), deployed three times, earned a doctorate, and rebuilt her confidence after divorce, all while raising four kids. With 22 years of military experience and a Doctor of Education degree, Elaine brings battle-tested strategies for overcoming fear and self-doubt.
We dig into what it really takes to silence the voices telling you "you can't," why waiting for permission keeps you stuck, and how to build unshakeable confidence through action, not affirmation alone. Elaine opens up about writing her book in secret, setting standards in relationships, and teaching women over 40 to turn their passions into income.
Tune in to learn how to stop proving yourself to others and start taking courageous action toward the life you deserve.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"I wanted to set an example for my kids that you can do whatever you want to do despite what others think that you can or can't do."
"Don't wait for permission. Give yourself permission to do it. Because if it's an idea or dream that you have, that means you've got the desire to do it."
"Confidence comes from experience, comes from practice. You're not going to be confident about something until you actually do it and see that, yes, you can do it."
"You can either be a victim of those circumstances or you can adapt and overcome and find another solution."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever wondered why you keep making the same money mistakes even though you know better?
Taryn McNamee Ferrer, known as Team Money, joins the show to share her journey from growing up in a financially abusive environment to becoming a financial wellness coach. She opens up about hitting rock bottom after leaving her nine-to-five, then turning things around by raising her credit score 240 points and saving $2000 in two months. We talk about financial abuse and how childhood experiences shape our money habits. Taryn breaks down practical strategies for paying off debt, building savings with purpose, and starting to invest even when you're risk-averse. She also shares her thoughts on credit repair companies, debt consolidation, and why our gifts and talents deserve to be paid for.
Tune in to learn how to shift your relationship with money from shame and scarcity to confidence and abundance.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"I wanted as many women to experience that as possible. I wanted to prevent as many women as possible from experiencing financial abuse. And I wanted women to really feel free and confident when it comes to money."
"Money is a currency, but it's also energy. And so when we are giving someone money for something, we are exchanging energy."
"Everything has its max point when it comes to saving...There's a deadline there. Like, there's an amount where, okay, we've hit it, and. And now we can move on to something else."
“save with a purpose."
"In order to build it, you have to invest in something."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever thought you were having a heart attack, only to realize it was an anxiety attack brought on by hormonal changes?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Deidra Manns, an integrative physical therapist, life coach, and certified menopause health coach who knows firsthand what it's like to navigate menopause after cancer treatment. We talk about the 40-60 symptoms that can show up during this transition—from brain fog and sleep disturbances to joint pain and vaginal dryness. Dr. Deidra shares her personal story of mourning her reproductive years and explains why perimenopause is the gateway to accelerated aging for women. We dig into why hormone replacement therapy is only about 10% of the solution and how lifestyle changes make up the other 90%.
If you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or just want to be prepared for what's coming, this episode is packed with information you need to hear.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"Your body is not going to be operating the same way as it did before you started the perimenopausal process. It's almost like there's a body before perimenopause and there's a body after perimenopause."
"Perimenopause is the gateway to accelerated aging for women."
"Suffering is optional during the perimenopause menopause process. It's optional."
"90% of what you do and how you treat your body is your lifestyle and what you put in your mouth, what you think, how you manage your stress."
"What you decide to do right now in these years of your life, during your midlife years is going to directly impact your quality of Life in your 70s, 80s, and 90s."
"Lifestyle changes are a little bit at a time. They're incremental. And so it's a marathon. It is not a race. It's not a sprint."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever wondered why you keep bringing things into your home but struggle to let them go? In this episode, we explore the connection between good girl conditioning and the clutter that takes over our spaces.
Dorota Kuldo shares her journey from working 15 hours a day and living in an overwhelming mess to decluttering 70% of her belongings in six months. We talk about how saying yes to everyone else means saying no to yourself, why retail therapy becomes a coping mechanism, and how your nervous system might be the real reason you can't stick to your decluttering goals. Dorota explains the relationship between people pleasing and clutter accumulation, the importance of building self trust through small actions, and why starting with trash is the safest way to begin. We also discuss how feeling like you don't have time often means you don't feel safe to try because past attempts haven't worked.
Listen to this episode to learn practical strategies for decluttering that work with your nervous system instead of against it, and discover how letting go of stuff can help you set better boundaries in all areas of your life.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"If you say yes to everything, it means that you say no to yourself, right? And if you drain yourself to the point of exhaustion, where you give yourself away to everything and everyone around you, then you come back home and the last thing that you want to do is now take care of your space because you exhausted, you have right to rest."
"Clutter is just a symptom, is a mirror of our behaviors, our how we cope with triggers."
"We expect so much from ourselves. Good girls expect way too much from our, from themselves. And bring the bar all the way to the bottom, all the way. And start trusting yourself. Build that trust. It's like exercise."
"Our nervous system cannot tell the difference between a perceived danger and actual danger."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you a professional single woman over 40 who knows there's more to life than what you're currently living? Maybe everything looks good on the outside, but you feel unfulfilled and sense you were meant for more.
In this solo episode, I break down my MAGIC framework for transformation. The “M” stands for mindset reset, where we tackle self-doubt, shame, and the fear of failing again. “A” is for aligning with desire – those dreams and wants you've pushed to the back burner. “G” means getting grounded in your worth, independent of achievements or roles. “I” represents integrating your new identity as you step into who you're becoming. “C” is courageous action, taking small brave steps instead of waiting for perfection. I share personal examples, from learning to ask for help to my own five-minute decluttering challenge, and explain how our belief systems create inner glass ceilings we can break through.
Tune in to discover how bringing magic into your everyday life can help you stop living small and start stepping into the woman you want to become.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"But here's the thing. I have also realized that when you ask for help, you have to be prepared for the fact that you may not get it. But the win is in the ask."
"Could you be stuck between your old identity of who people think you are, how people see you, how you even see yourself versus the new self, the person, the woman that you want to step into?"
"I am more than my accomplishments. I am more than my resume. And it's really about the character of who I am, the person that I am, the way I treat myself, the way I treat others."
"And when we celebrate our wins, wow, it just motivates you to keep doing more."
"Well, our belief systems are our inner glass ceilings. So as we start to break through those and change the stories and take courageous action, wow. The possibilities are endless."
"A small brave step for me would be to take five minutes... Because that five minutes is going to be a win."
"And when we add up our small wins, they turn into huge wins."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when traditional medicine falls short and you need to look beyond conventional treatments for healing? Sometimes the answer lies in ancient practices that have been helping people for thousands of years.
In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Shuler, a psychedelic yoga therapist currently based in Belgium. Liz shares her journey from clinical psychology to integrative healing, moving across three countries over the past decade while developing her unique approach. We dive deep into the differences between microdosing and macrodosing, the importance of proper preparation and integration, and how she combines yoga therapy, Reiki, and plant medicines like psilocybin and blue lotus. Liz explains the legal landscape in Europe, the challenges of building a practice while traveling, and why the therapeutic relationship matters more than any specific technique. We also clear up common misconceptions about different mushroom varieties and plant medicines, plus practical advice for anyone considering this path.
Whether you're curious about alternative healing modalities or looking for ways to integrate ancient wisdom with modern wellness practices, this conversation offers valuable insights into a growing field that's helping people heal from chronic conditions, trauma, and more.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"My belief and the research backs me up on this is that healing is relational and we need other people to help us co regulate and co create and mirror and attune and resonate."
"It opens up doors that you didn't even know were doors, if that makes sense. If you don't know what you don't know. Right. And so when you even just traveling, you don't have to live somewhere. Living somewhere I think gives you an even deeper understanding."
"I think that healing should be accessible and we all deserve to be able to heal."
"Just because everybody's different, everybody needs something different and what works well for one person isn't necessarily going to work the same. It may work well or it may not work well."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you experiencing brain fog, weight gain, or sleep issues but your doctor keeps telling you it's "just normal" or offers antidepressants as the solution?
In this episode, I sit down with Ketevan Mikautadze, a functional medicine health coach and registered nurse from New York, to discuss the realities of menopause and perimenopause. We explore why women are left in the dark about hormonal transitions, from the lack of medical education about women's health to the historical context of how women's symptoms have been dismissed. Ketevan shares her personal journey through perimenopause and explains how hormonal changes affect everything from brain function to metabolism. We discuss her Vitality program, which focuses on liver detoxification and cellular rejuvenation to help women manage symptoms naturally. The conversation also touches on the importance of women advocating for their health and the need for better education about these life transitions.
Tune in to learn why menopause was only recognized as a cardiovascular risk factor in 2020 and how you can take control of your health during this important life transition.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"women are all about hormones. So as soon as we have puberty and we get first period, we are already embarking on premenopause journey because we have period."
"Antidepressant does not fix the root cause. The root cause is much deeper than antidepressant. You know, it's not a solution. Education is the key here."
"World health organization in 2020 declared menopause as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. That means that health establishment acknowledges menopause, but it's only acknowledged it in 2020."
"it's almost like the whole system is geared toward medication. Not, not prevention, not cure, but medication to treat a symptom which gives you a side effect, which gives you another medication to treat the side effect."
“brain needs energy to function, there is low energy going to the brain and brain cannot do its job properly. So low energy on the cellular level affects every single organ in our body
"When liver is the major king, liver is the metabolic king. Liver functions properly. Everything else falls, you know, the way it should be follows"
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What are you truly committed to, and have your commitments changed as you've grown older?
In this solo episode I will explore the power of reflection during the birthday season. I will share my birthday month celebrations and the deep reflections that come with another trip around the sun. I will talk about the importance of committing to yourself, examining what truly brings you joy, and ensuring your dreams don't end up on life support. I will also cover the topic about changing perspectives through simple actions like walking your usual route in reverse, the value of consistency in all areas of life, and why community matters more than we often admit. I also discuss good girl syndrome, the art of taking yourself on dates, and how perfectionism can hold us back from delegating and growing.
Tune in for this heartfelt solo episode that will inspire you to examine your own commitments and start writing the next chapter of your story.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"You don't want to wait until your dreams are on life support."
"My question for you is, what are you committed to? Have your commitments changed? Have the things that actually make you happy and bring you joy, have those things changed? Have your priorities changed?"
"I realized that on that list of commitments, I need to make sure that I'm on it. I need to commit to me. I want to commit to me. I get to commit to me."
"Small changes can make a big difference. A small change in perspective can bring about a clarity that you were not expecting."
"You can't create a solution with the same brain that created the problem."
"If you're already coming in and you're full and you're happy and you're living in your overflow, that other person can't help but be amazed and be happy with you."
"Having good friends and a good support system is so good for your soul."
"You don't have to be perfect to be loved. You just have to be."
"Just because somebody doesn't do it my way doesn't mean it's not right and it doesn't mean it's not going to get done correctly."
"I just feel like the next chapter of my life is the best chapter of my life, and I get to write that story any way I want. I am the author, and I get to write that story.”
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ever wonder why you know exactly what you want to do but somehow can't make yourself do it? Your brain might be working against you in ways you never realized.
In this episode, Kam Knight, a mentor, international speaker, and author of over a dozen books who has traveled to more than 100 countries. We dive deep into the concept of internal resistance - that mysterious force that holds us back even when we're motivated and know what steps to take. Kam explains how our brains have separate systems for creating desires and allowing us to act on them, why wanting something too badly can actually make it harder to achieve, and the sneaky tricks our minds use to keep us procrastinating. We explore everything from authority issues rooted in childhood to the dangerous lie of "I'll do it later" and why resistance often shows up strongest when we're about to succeed.
Tune in to discover how to recognize when your own mind is sabotaging your progress and what you can do to work with your brain instead of against it.
Free Gift: "Five Ways to End Procrastination and Sabotage" - text the word "flow" to 26786
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"The part of the brain that creates desires works independent of the part that allows you to act on the desire."
"When our wants grow, so does our resistance. And our resistance growing makes our wants grow even more."
"As soon as you hear your brain saying later or next, know that you're likely and resistant and your brain is trying to push it off until you either forget or get too busy."
"Anything that is holding you back or keeping you from doing what it is that you want to do is a trick of resistance."
"It almost sounds like something else that I've heard that if you want something, but you let go of attachment to the Outcome... Chances are you may get that thing faster than if you were attached to the outcome."
"So if later doesn't have a date... then you don't have a date with later."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when your travel blog becomes so popular that Barnes & Noble comes knocking at your door?
In this episode, Crystal Statskey, a content marketing strategist and travel blogger who turned her personal travel diary into a successful publishing business. Crystal shares how her blog "Dates in the States" started as an online journal documenting road trips with her then-boyfriend, now husband, across America. We dive into her entrepreneurial journey of creating physical date books filled with romantic date ideas for specific cities, starting with simple prints at farmer's markets that sold out immediately. Crystal opens up about the challenges of self-publishing, navigating different Barnes & Noble locations, and working with sponsorship opportunities from local businesses. We also explore how she and her husband work together as a team, their alphabetical country tradition for anniversaries, and the learning curve of getting books into major retailers through platforms like Ingram Spark.
Listen in to discover how Crystal transformed her passion for travel and writing into a business that's expanding across all 50 states, one date book at a time.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"I would love something to be a little more passive and something that I'm super passionate about. And obviously that was travel for me."
"I love bookstores and I love libraries. And that's just, that's my geek side. I didn't want to own Geek for a long time, but it's like it's a part of who I am."
"It's just so nice to have a partner to like, not only to travel with, but to also bounce ideas off of and just have that like, I don't know. The only term that's coming to my mind right now is Cheerleader, but I know there's, like, a better term for it, but someone cheering you on and, like, showing their support."
"And let me tell you, if you don't know someone, a road trip will definitely help you learn more and make it to where you either, you know, split at the end or you stay together. And thankfully we stayed together."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when you decide to stop waiting for someone else to live your dreams?
In this episode, Dalia Kemble shares her journey from that first terrifying solo trip to Thailand ten years ago to now calling the same island home. We talk about the reality of solo dining anxiety, the power of proving to yourself what you can do, and how travel teaches you that everything always works out. Dalia discusses her transformative experience in India, why she chose Thailand as her base, and how solo travel helped her build a coaching business around helping women break free from other people's rules. We cover practical tips for first-time solo travelers, the importance of listening to your intuition, and why you don't need to travel to the other side of the world to start your journey.
Tune in to discover how solo travel can help you build courage, find your voice, and create a life that feels as good on the inside as it looks on the outside.
Here is a link for her free guide: https://citytohippie.kit.com/596406f9a2
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
If I treated every aspect of my life the way I treat travel, wow, how things might explode. Because there's just that, okay, I'm gonna go do it. Let's go on an adventure."
"Do you not get lonely? And I think my response to that always was like, no, because I'm never really alone. Like I'm alone if I choose to be alone and I have that option, which I love."
"It's not always meant to feel good, but that's not a sign that you're doing the wrong thing or that something's gone wrong. It's just a sign that you're growing and growth in itself is uncomfortable."
"It's interesting because I see myself now as like an introverted extrovert in a weird way because I'm like you. Like, I very much thrive off that solo time and having that time to connect and kind of like rewind."
CONTACT THE HOST
LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if the best parts of Japan are the places most tourists never visit?
In this episode, I sit down with Yen Shen Chan, a Malaysia-based travel advisor who specializes in Japan's lesser-known destinations. Yen's journey from accounting student to Japan travel expert started with anime and manga, led him to a life-changing semester in rural Oita, and eventually sparked a passion for helping others discover authentic Japanese experiences. We explore why focusing on one region beats the typical Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto rush, discuss mountain villages just 30 minutes from Kyoto, and uncover places like Wakayama Prefecture with its famous cat station master and themed trains. Yen shares practical tips for navigating Japan's complex transit system, explains how to balance must-see spots with hidden gems, and reveals budget-friendly strategies for exploring this beautiful but expensive country.
Tune in to discover a side of Japan that goes far beyond the crowded tourist hotspots and learn how to plan your own authentic Japanese adventure.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"The thing is, every scenery in Japan is beautiful, like even the normal neighborhoods, because the one merit Japan has is they maintain everything, including their public order in a very orderly and hygienic manner."
"Japan is such a beautiful country itself and I believe there are a lot more destinations that even I myself am looking forward to explore and discover in Japan."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when life forces you to stop rushing through nature and actually start experiencing it? Sometimes our biggest challenges become our greatest teachers.
Jessica Meinhofer was living the RV dream with her family, traveling to 21 states and checking hiking trails off her list like items on a to-do list. Then came 2020 and a cancer diagnosis that changed everything. During five grueling months of chemotherapy, Jessica found herself confined to her parents' five-acre property in Florida, unable to do the activities she once took for granted. But this forced stillness became an unexpected gift. Instead of hiking miles, she sat on the back porch watching turkeys pass by with their babies and fountains dancing in the pool. She learned to see grass growing as a miracle rather than background noise. Jessica discusses how her faith anchored her through treatment, the challenges of sudden menopause from chemo, and how anxiety threatened to steal her joy when she returned to outdoor activities. Five years cancer-free, she now runs Walk and Paddle, sharing accessible outdoor adventures and working with tourism boards to help others discover healing in nature.
Tune in to hear how slowing down can actually speed up your connection to what matters most. Jessica's story will change how you think about both nature and the unexpected gifts that come wrapped in our hardest seasons.
Jessica Meinhofer freebie on walkandpaddle.com/free
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"You know, remembering that I'm alive right now, seeing how all the life around me, seeing, like, you know, new grass growing, which sounds really like, who cares? But when you're in that moment or when you actually take the time to appreciate it and see it, you know, and. And Just see the life and remembering, like, okay, God made all this stuff, man."
"Trying to figure out what that actually meant. I mean, I'm gonna say I'm still working through that, you know, because sometimes I'm like, you know, there was a lot of guilt when I would just sort of, like, sit on the couch and watch TV all day. Like, oh, my gosh. I'm literally wasting my life away on this couch."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it take to pack up your life at 21 and move to a country your parents can't even pronounce correctly?
Rachael Bassey, a 30-year-old entrepreneur who has visited over 30 countries and built her own research company while living in Slovenia for nine years. Rachael shares her journey from working for AIESEC to starting her own business after a toxic employer tried to control her visa status. She discusses the challenges of being a solo female traveler, the realities of running a business as a foreigner, and what it's like being a Black woman in Slovenia. From hiking the Italian Alps to navigating European bureaucracy, Rachael's story covers the practical and emotional sides of choosing independence over comfort.
Tune in to hear how one woman turned uncertainty into opportunity and created the life she wanted on her own terms.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"I think when you're 21 and you don't have anything to lose, you just go for it. And I think it's really my advice to young people, do all the daring things that you can."
"When you're going to start something, find your why. Find your big why. Because when hits the fan that big, why is the thing that's gonna help you to continue to move forward."
"I became responsible for my own permits, my permanent residence, everything else. Like, I just told myself, if there's one thing I know is I would never wake up one day and say, I'm going to school, screw myself over, and really, it's the best thing ever."
"you don't want somebody else's energy interfering with that. When I fear energy, because when that fear energy starts to come in, regardless who it's coming from, especially if it's a mom that is, like, fierce."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are you trying to fix your perimenopause symptoms with supplements and quick fixes, only to find yourself still struggling? What if the real solution lies deeper than you think?
In this episode, I sit down with Holly Blazina, a former flamenco guitarist turned gut health coach who discovered something remarkable while helping her clients. Holly shares her journey from suffering repetitive strain injuries as a musician to developing the Gutsy Type Method that combines Ayurveda, nervous system work, and embodied vision coaching. We dive deep into why most women approach perimenopause all wrong, the three doshas and how they relate to your unique body type, and why your gut health is the foundation of hormonal balance. Holly reveals the hidden emotional patterns that keep us stuck, shares her personal story about unconscious resistance to healing, and explains why you must start with your nervous system before addressing diet. We also explore the connection between emotional digestion and physical digestion, practical steps for getting started, and why feeling into your body can be scary but necessary.
Ready to discover a completely different approach to perimenopause that goes beyond band-aid solutions? This conversation will shift how you think about your symptoms and give you hope for real healing.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"You cannot supplement or medicate your way to good health. You just can't do it."
"Every single one of those fears that we have, every single one of those parts of ourselves that we reject, there's gifts in there. And the reason why we're holding them in place and the reason why we bury them so deeply is because of their value."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if everything you've been taught about fitness and food has been keeping you stuck instead of helping you thrive?
In this episode, Courtney McCarthy, an anti-diet fitness instructor and confidence coach who discovered that the traditional approach to health and wellness was making her miserable despite achieving her "ideal" body. Courtney shares her transformation from someone who used exercise as punishment to finding joy in movement through Zumba. They explore the principles of intuitive eating, the harmful effects of food rules learned in childhood, and why the "finish your plate" mentality might be sabotaging your relationship with food. The conversation covers how stress and shame impact digestion, why all movement counts as exercise, and how to rediscover play in fitness. They also discuss the importance of listening to your body's signals and adapting your approach as you age and your hormones change.
Tune in to learn how to break free from diet culture and build a sustainable, joyful relationship with food and movement that actually works long-term.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"And an intuitive eating approach is all about letting go of food rules and focusing more on eating in line with how your body feels."
"You know, if food were a person. You know, then you just. If you choose to, you start to see the good in all of it. And then you get to choose what's right for you."
"Diet culture and the fitness industry teaches us that there are a lot of rules that we're supposed to follow, especially as adults, that there's only certain kinds of exercise that are acceptable."
"When you feel empowered to write your own rules, then it becomes so much easier to move consistently because it's something that you want to do and that you get to do rather than something that you have to do or something that you know you're dreading doing."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Have you ever had a moment where you realized you could choose a completely different response to a challenging situation? Today's guest discovered this life-changing truth while sobbing on a curb in the middle of a French traffic circle.
Lena Ehrenberg came on the show to talk about her dating expertise, but we went in a completely different direction. She shared the story of her transformative solo trip to France for her big birthday, where she got lost trying to find a hiking trail and ended up having a profound spiritual awakening. From that moment of choosing resilience over defeat, Lena's journey led her through broken boards, fire-eating workshops, and eventually to becoming a relationship coach who helps women figure out who to date. We talked about the magic of solo travel, how getting lost allows us to be found, the importance of vacation mindset in daily life, and why starting with yourself is the key to finding love.
If you're someone who loves solo travel stories or you're looking for a different perspective on dating and relationships, this episode will give you some beautiful insights about transformation and choice.
TOPICS DISCUSSED:
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
BEST MOMENTS:
"You can sit here and cry and decide that you're a failure and decide that you're an idiot and all these other things that you're telling yourself right now. And you can say that this is a huge disaster and debacle, and why did I ever think that I could do this? And on and on and on. And then if you find your way back to your hotel, you can get your bag, go back home and tell that story for the rest of your life, or you can figure it out."
"I literally had never considered that I could think a different thought and feel a different feeling, and out of that choice, create a different outcome for myself."
"When we're lost and we're open to it and aware, we allow ourselves to be found. And that's. That's what we're there for. The connections."
"The only relationship we're guaranteed to be in till death do we part is the one we have with ourselves."
CONTACT THE HOST
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.