Join dietitian Meg Hadley and me as we open up about the challenging topic of body image, especially as we age. We discuss the personal and societal pressures women face to conform to certain body standards, Meg provides profound insights on the body image spectrum, and we explore the unrealistic expectations set by diet culture and the importance of shifting our focus from trying to shrink our bodies to expanding our lives.

Together, we share practical tips on how to live more fully in the bodies we have now, and how to reclaim mental and emotional space from the obsession with body size. This conversation is a reminder that boldness looks different for everyone, and it’s about taking the steps that feel right for you to push back against societal norms and truly appreciate the body you have today.

Let's redefine what it means to live boldly and embrace a more positive relationship with our bodies at any age.

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This episode is brought to you by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers.

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This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.

Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

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What is 'cleanish?' For me, it's a flexible, realistic approach to maintaining a tidy home. In this episode I'll walk you through creating your own cleaning manifesto, which helps you prioritize what truly matters and ditch the overwhelming 'shoulds' of cleaning.

I'll share personal tips and tricks on how to simplify, break down, and systemize your cleaning tasks so they're easier to manage, even in the busiest seasons of life. Whether it's dealing with clutter, tackling deep cleaning, or just staying on top of daily chores, you'll find practical advice to make your home feel more comfortable and welcoming.

Get my 'cleanish' guide!

Relevant past episodes:

https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/greg-mckeown, https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/the-roots-behind-your-clutter-problem-how-to-fix-them-with-tracy-mccubbin, https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/simple-solutions-to-rock-spring-cleaning, https://www.aboutprogress.com/blog/a-gentle-approach-to-cleaning-and-maintaining-your-home

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers; and by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

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In this episode from our Wise Women Series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Andee Martineau, a mom of six, a parenting expert, and the creator of Connect Method Parenting. We delve deep into how parenting challenges can serve as catalysts for personal growth. Andee shares her own experiences and regrets as a parent, and provides invaluable insights on how we can transform our toughest parenting moments into opportunities for development.

Whether you're a new parent or have been navigating this journey for years, Andee's wisdom will leave you feeling empowered and ready to take practical steps toward being the best parent you can be. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that blends expert advice with real-life experiences.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're diving into an essential, yet often overlooked, aspect of women's health: the pelvic floor. Joined by Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer, we discuss everything from the basics of pelvic floor health to practical tips on how to manage and improve its function throughout various stages of life.

We cover important issues like urinary leakage, painful intercourse, and pelvic organ prolapse, and share proactive ways to care for the pelvic floor, including using proper techniques. With insights on pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause, Dr. Reardon offers valuable advice and resources that could significantly improve your quality of life. Whether you're new to this topic or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode is a must-listen for any woman wanting to empower herself with knowledge about her body.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I recently began to realize there are some parallels between podcast editing and life, in that they both require embracing messiness. Whether it's editing episodes for clarity, or juggling unexpected house guests and toddler tantrums, I challenge you (and myself) to consider how our own imperfections make us better, more human, and ultimately, more capable of love and connection.

This isn't about achieving flawlessness; it's about understanding how our imperfections are essential to our growth, our relationships, and the lives we're creating. Join me for a thought-provoking conversation about self-acceptance and the unexpected beauty of imperfection.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are habits a ball and chain for you? They used to be for me, until I discovered ways to make them work in my favor, not against me. In this episode, I share five transformative habits that are helping me show up in my life right now.

These aren’t your typical productivity tips; some are unconventional and rooted in creativity and fun! I'll walk you through my current life with five kids, part-time work, and writing a book, and how these habits fit in perfectly. Get ready for practical, relatable, and inspiring insights to help you rethink your relationship with habits—proving they can be the net that catches you, not the prison that confines you.

Sticky Habit Intensive enrollment now open!

Referenced episode: working out from home, episode with Katherine May

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers; and by Lolavie, Get 15% off LolaVie with the code PROGRESS at https://www.lolavie.com/PROGRESS #lolaviepod

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Do you ever feel utterly overwhelmed by the invisible labor that keeps your family running smoothly? In this Growth Spurt episode, I'm diving deep into a crucial aspect of sharing household responsibilities—acceptance. I'll recount a personal story of how my husband, Brad, surprised me with a much-needed break, and why accepting help is often harder than offering it. Tune in to learn how to embrace support from others to better balance your mental and physical loads.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever felt like you're running out of time to make an impact? This week you get to hear from our favorite government teacher, Sharon McMahon, while we explore how it's truly never too late to start making a difference. We dive deep into America's obsession with youth and meteoric success, shedding light on a more sustainable, incremental approach to achieving meaningful change.

We discuss how small, everyday actions can add up over time and how the fear of failure often holds us back from even trying. Sharon's candid anecdotes and valuable insights will leave you feeling empowered to take that next small step, no matter your age or stage of life. Tune in and discover how you, too, can cultivate the audacity to make impactful changes, embrace failure as a part of growth, and understand that real progress often blooms from the most unlikely of places.

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

This episode is brought to you by LMNT, get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at DrinkLMNT.com/Progress; and by AirDoctor, use code MONICA at http://airdoctorpro.com/ for up to $300 off air purifiers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey.

Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too!

Sign up as a Supporter to get access to our private, premium, ad-free podcast, More Personal. Episodes air each Friday!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices