About Progress

Even if you never had the exact word to describe it, I am sure you have found yourself overwhelmed, overstimulated, or overreactive, and ultimately you were dysregulated. Being in a regulated state allows us to respond to situations with calm and intention, while dysregulation can lead to reactive behavior. My guest, emotional development expert and author Alyssa Blask Campbell, explains that regulation involves the ability to cycle through different states in our nervous system with ease, how our nervous system reacts to different stimuli, and how we can use tools like deep breathing to regulate it.

Alyssa also introduces the concept of sensory systems and how being aware of what drains or recharges our nervous system can be a powerful tool for self-regulation. And she emphasizes that emotions are not inherently bad, and that it's crucial to acknowledge and validate all emotions. Tune in to this eye-opening interview to learn more about yourself, as well as a simple practice that can serve as a starting point for building self-awareness and regulation skills.

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This episode is brought to you by Vionic Shoes (use code PROGRESS)

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Are you aging? If so, what’s changed for you about your energy, your mobility, your strength, and even your soreness scale?

Many of us are starting the aging process or are smack dab in the middle of it, and have been for decades.  Talking about bodies and aging can be a can of worms. We have a lot of layers—socially and commercially—that influence the ways we see and value women’s bodies, and degrade this value as those bodies age. That’s a very important topic; but, it’s not the one we’re covering today.

Instead, we’re tackling a question I’ve faced as I’ve noticed more signs of aging in my body: can I focus more on nutrition and movement with the goal being to help increase my longevity without it becoming an unhealthy obsession?

In this episode, you'll hear about how I went on to answer that question via an experiment I conducted to meet one specific need I've faced with my nutrition: protein.

To help, I needed more education--and I get to share that education with you today.

I interviewed Angelo Keely about how protein greatly impacts the aging process in ways we may guess--from muscle tone to metabolism--but in ways we may be surprised by, too--from hormones to brain fog. Angelo shares how protein and amino acids work together to create a body that's functioning and a mind that's working clearly, AND how to add more protein to your diet, especially if you're not much of a meat eater (like me!).

We also chat about the complications of the wellness industry, how Angelo functions within it with progress being the focus, and how the important relationships with his mom and wife have impacted his life and work.

Angelo Keely is the co-founder and CEO of Kion, an active lifestyle, supplement and functional food company dedicated to helping people fully experience a fun and active life by providing pure, energy-enhancing solutions. Kion is the sponsor for this special bonus episode.

I hope my conversation with Angelo can help answer some questions you may be facing about your own aging body, and assist you as you move forward with your own experiments of balancing caring for that body outside of perfectionism. 

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This episode is brought to you by Kion. To save 20% on monthly deliveries and 10% on one-time purchases, go to www.getkion.com/progress

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Have you ever been filled with dread as five o'clock approaches, the house is chaotic, everyone is hungry, including you, and you're unsure of what to make for dinner or if you even have all of the ingredients? Brittney Hanks, creator of One Stop Meals, sat down with me to explore how busy moms can simplify dinner planning. Brittney shares her personal journey with cooking, from childhood experiences to finding joy in the kitchen as an adult. Plus, we dive deep into the mental load of meal planning, offering valuable insights and practical tips for overcoming common obstacles.

Come away with simple fixes for your most common weeknight dinner concerns, including flexible planning, recipe sourcing, and how to shop for success. Brittney also gives us some insight into how her recent cookbook came to be, plus we both share our favorite Costco finds.

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This episode is brought to you by Vionic Shoes (use code PROGRESS) and Factor Meals (use code PROGRESS50).

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Recently my young kids were asking something we've probably all joked about, and it was along the lines of "What would you wish for if a genie could grant you one wish?" The conversation had me thinking that, joking aside, I would wish for things to feel easier.

Sometimes the overwhelm of everything going on in my life just feels too hard. But then, that thought had me thinking even more: what if "the hard" is the purpose? This short episode is more of my reasoning behind that realization, to give perspective, and to acknowledge that this is part of the process towards growth, love, and living a life that is meaningful and good. Plus, I answer what I would wish for if that genie did magically appear to me.

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Have you ever felt like, “I’m in a rut . . .” only to realize that rut is more because you’re actually feeling overstimulated and dysregulated? In today's episode you'll hear a coaching call with Tash, where she describes the challenges of managing household responsibilities, keeping the kids engaged, and finding time for herself.

During our conversation, it became very clear that Tash need some time to intentionally recharge each day. Together we came up with activities like reading a book or playing the cello, with an emphasis on knowing that it's okay to prioritize her own well-being. Ultimately, Tash felt empowered to find a pace that helps her not just get through the day, but truly live it. After listening, see how this applies to your situation, and realize the importance of self-care when you start feeling stuck.

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This episode is brought to you by Vionic Shoes, use code PROGRESS for 15% off.

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Shel Silverstein's poems have long been some of my very favorite, and today I want to expound on my thoughts surrounding the popular one titled, "The Giving Tree." The story perpetuates the idea that women should give, and give, and give, expecting nothing in return. And so we see that cycle repeat from one generation to another, deeply affecting meaningful relationships.

I don't want to be a stump of a woman at the end of my life, and I don't want that for you, either. I hope this bite-sized episode encourages you to grow deep roots, and nurture strong branches, while learning some small ways you can start working towards that right away.

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Nicole Walters, author, podcaster, daughter of immigrants, and self-made millionaire, opens up about her life, which includes adopting three girls, starting her own business, navigating a challenging marriage, and experiencing various personal struggles. She discusses how she fell into the pattern of being a "human giver," always putting others first, and how it eventually led to burnout.

The conversation takes a deep dive into the concept of self-worth and the societal pressure on women to constantly seek external validation. Nicole shares her personal journey of realizing that true fulfillment comes from within and how her book, "Nothing is Missing," encapsulates this empowering message. She encourages women to embrace the power of saying "yes" to help, acknowledging the immense weight they carry, and emphasizing the importance of self-care.

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This episode is brought to you by Vionic Shoes, use code PROGRESS for 15% off.

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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!

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This week I have a co-interview between me and Heather Frazier, host of the Pivot Parenting podcast. First, I share how I've seen perfectionism affect my experience raising children and also as a middle school teacher. Then, Heather teaches how we can better handle when our teens differentiate themselves from us, and as a result show us our flaws and failures.

The conversation delves into practical strategies for maintaining a strong connection with teenagers, even amidst imperfections. Heather emphasizes the power of grace, reminding parents that it's okay to make mistakes. She encourages parents to express unconditional love and support, creating a safe space for their teens to grow and navigate their own challenges.

Whether you have teenagers and want a stronger connection with them, or don't have teenagers quite yet, this conversation will give you hope. With a little bit of effort and a lot of understanding, you can pivot your parenting towards connection, in a way that is aligned with your values, too.

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This episode is brought to you by Vionic Shoes, use code PROGRESS for 15% off.

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Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This episode is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits.

Do books bring up memories for you? There are certain books that transport me right back to childhood, and some I've even enjoyed with my own kids. And even though reading was a big part of my life, somewhere along the way I stopped doing it. Reading then became a focus of my first Do Something List, and the results of prioritizing it again really surprised me.

In this episode Annette (a community member just like you!) tackles almost every obstacle that might be keeping you from being the reader you once were, or just want to become. I hope this episode gives you the boost to get started!

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