I remember moving into college at 18 being a bit of a challenge. Talk about a culture change. But imagine moving to Nashville at 19 to start a music career.

That's what Kylie Morgan did. She knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a singer and nothing was going to stop her. But she needed to find some balance in her life. That's when she started trying out yoga. The practice became so special to her that she even became a certified instructor.

We first started to discuss our shared interest in wellness a few months back when I met Kylie during her radio tour. I'm glad we got a chance to catch up again to talk more about what life has been like during the pandemic, her journey to Nashville and the wellness practices that keep her balanced.

Kylie on Instagram: instagram.com/kyliemorganmusic

Her video for 'Break Things': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnZGU19w1Ls

Be More Well on Twitter: twitter.com/bemorewell

Be More Well on Instagram: instagram.com/bemorewellpodcast

Me on Instagram: instagram.com/stpierreonair

About a year ago I started to take my health much more seriously. I started seeing an integrative health doctor who opened my eyes to so many things that my primary care physician had never mentioned. One of the biggest things that I learned was the impact of food.

I knew the basics about food, but had no idea how much I didn't know. Why wasn't this stuff taught to us in school? Where was all this info in our health classes? Ok, yes eating too many calories will make you gain weight. But what about the connection between dairy and asthma? Or how what you eat can have a direct relationship to your mental health? All of this was new information to me and I'm still learning about it.

That's why I wanted to bring Alexa Bedingfield MS and CNS candidate on the show. She is a wealth of nutrition knowledge and she specializes in how our diet relates to mental health.

If you want to learn more about Alexa:

Website: http://www.terrabaltimore.com/about/alexa-bedingfield/

Instagram: instagram.com/alexabedingfield

If you want to learn more about Be More Well:

Instagram: instagram.com/bemorewellpodcast

Twitter: twitter.com/bemorewell

I don't have much motivation to exercise when I'm at home. Within a few feet from me at all times is a couch, a fridge and a TV. It's hard to ignore all of those things when they're so easily available. But I'm trying to push through since gyms are closed and I need to get some exercise.

I caught up with personal trainer Reed Sothoron. He works for FX Studios at the Under Armour Performance Center in Baltimore. Like many other trainers, he's taken his work online since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He's been posting free workouts via instagram and also offering training sessions with his clients.

We discussed how the transition has been going and what he sees changing in his business as a result. He also gives me some tips on the really important muscle groups to work on while we're at home.

I call this a 'bonus episode' because I hope to have Reed on again sometime in the near future for a more in-depth interview. But here's a taste of what he has to offer.

To find out more about Reed, check out his instagram at @reedsothoron

Connect with the show:

Instagram: @bemorewellpodcast

Twitter: @bemorewell

It's been about two months of stay-at-home orders for just about everyone. There are so many challenges that come along with being at home. For some it's about figuring out the best way to work and stay productive. For others it's about navigating a full time job as well as helping kids with school. And let's not forget about the stress and anxiety that comes along with a global pandemic.

While we are dealing with all of these things, it's hard to shut off our minds. There are moments where it seems like there's nothing else to do but think. And that can be tough. No matter how hard you try, your mind might get stuck on those things that you'd really rather not focus on.

Enter Jami Crist. She teamed up with her friend Sarah Ashley Yoga to create the Revitalizing You Retreat. This event takes place on Saturday May 16th from 9a-noon EST. It's open to everyone around the world. In today's bonus episode of Be More Well you will hear more details about this incredible event.

If you'd like to join the event, you can find more info on EventBrite

Other folks mentioned on today's episode:

@jamicrist

@saraashleyyoga

@realrebelpodcast

Follow Be More Well:

Instagram: @bemorewellpodcast

Twitter: @bemorewell

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It seems that now more than ever we are hearing a conversation about mental health happening on a national level. With the COVID-19 pandemic we are being inundated with information that can really put pressure on a person. From the news, to social media, to conversations with friends, it's hard to escape the stress that comes along with it.

But there is still stigma out there surrounding mental health. Some people don't believe it's real, some think they don't have time to get help and some communities believe it shows a lack of strength to admit that a person is struggling.

NAMI, the National Association of Mental Illness, is around to help break that stigma and offer support to those who need it. I caught up with Kerry Graves, the executive director for NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. We had a great discussion about what kind of stress the current global situation is adding to people as well as the efforts that NAMI is going through to ensure that people can still get the help and support they need.

If you think you need help, please visit NAMI.org

Everyone has had to face some kind of change since COVID-19 became a worldwide pandemic. Many of us have had to work from home with our partners and families. There's no question that change can be very difficult. It's a major adjustment to go from seeing people for a few hours a day to being with them 24/7.

There is a lot of stress that can build when lives are thrown into a blender. But there are ways to move forward in a way that ensures that stress doesn't create more problems with loved ones.

I spoke with Dr. Geoffrey Greif of the University of Maryland School of Social Work. In this episode we discuss the struggles and strains that can come on relationships during the pandemic. We cover a variety of relationships from spouses and partners, parents and kids and also friendships with people you might not be stuck with right now.

Please be sure to rate the podcast and leave a comment. This helps others to see what we're doing.

And you can find us on social media:

Instagram: @bemorewellpodcast

Twitter: @bemorewell

You hear it all time time from just about every 'running expert.' They'll tell you that running helps to clear your head. Even though people say that all the time, I've never experienced that to be true. And I've found that most people haven't experienced that to be true. When I run my head is a big old mess of thoughts and feelings that I am unable to control. It can be an absolute nightmare.

After about 4 years of solid running, my head got so messed up that I had to give up the sport for a while. I would tear myself apart while running and it was having very negative affects on not only my running but also my day-to-day life.

On this episode I catch up with author Ali Nolan. She's written for Runner's World Magazine and is currently working on a book about running called 'Master the Marathon.' After talking with her via email, I realized she had gone through a lot of the same struggles that I've experienced and I knew she'd be a great guest for Be More Well.

Instagram: @bemorewellpodcast

Twitter: @bemorewell

I remember graduating college and working never less than 2 jobs as I tried to find my way to break into the radio business. I got so used to my insane schedule that I didn't realize how much it was destroying my well being.

This week's guest, Siena Walker, went through a similar struggle. She found herself fresh out of college with a fast-paced and high-stress job. Couple that with a bad relationship and life got away from her. Then she started training with our friend Corinne Chmel and things started to come back into focus.

Now Siena is in control of her life and, even though it's still a struggle at times, she is loving it.

If you want to find out more about Corinne's coaching plans visit corinnechmel.com

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Follow me, Jeff St. Pierre on Instagram and Twitter

Sometimes it takes a slap in the face to bring you back to reality. Liz Chong was in a dark place when she graduated college. It wasn't until she went to see a doctor that she understood how far down she had gone. But she took the medical advice and started making changes in her life that ultimately turned to a healthier lifestyle and a new career.

Jeff St. Pierre sits down with Liz Chong, personal trainer at the Under Armour Performance Center, to hear more about her journey and to pick up some tips for how to make these changes in your life.

Baltimore's Nanny McFit joins us to talk about how important play and fitness are in the development of younger children. We've heard so much about kids that have to be home right now as schools are closed, but not all kids are old enough to teleschool with their teachers. Kids in pre-school, kindergarten and elementary school are home too. This time in their lives is crucial in development and we don't want to see that slow while they are stuck at home. Nanny McFit has great activities that parents can do with their kids to make sure they continue to learn and grow both mentally and physically during this time.