Chakras & Chardonnay

In Episode 35 of Chakras and Chardonnay, host Maria Mayes sits down with Becky Bailey, founder of Wild West Wellness and Thermography, dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their health through proactive measures. Becky shares her journey into founding her unique business, inspired by personal experiences and a desire to find holistic health solutions after her 1st husband's battle with cancer. Thermography, a non-invasive and radiation-free imaging technique, becomes the focal point of their discussion, offering insights into its functionality and benefits.

Becky explains how thermography works by detecting temperature variations in the body, which can indicate inflammation and potential health issues. She emphasizes the importance of early detection and proactive lifestyle changes, showcasing how thermography is a valuable preventive healthcare tool. Becky offers various scan options, with the breast and full-body scans being among the most popular, providing individuals with baseline data and facilitating ongoing health monitoring.

The conversation delves into real-life examples where thermography has detected issues beyond cancer, such as infections and inflammation, highlighting its versatility and holistic approach. Additionally, Becky shares her journey with detoxing and juicing, inspired by her 2nd husband's battle with cancer, and the transformative effects it has had on her overall well-being.

Becky's story is a testament to the healing power of holistic approaches to health and wellness.  Maria seals the episode with a guided relaxation designed to help us activate the Heart Chakra. 

To connect with Becky and book your scan: 

https://www.wildwestthermography.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wildwestthermography/

Featured on this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay:  

https://www.brickbarnwineestate.com/

https://www.infrareadthermography.com/about-thermography

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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Today, Maria is joined by Yogi Aaron, and they delve into the world of yoga, anatomy, and the misconception surrounding stretching. Yogi Aaron is the creator of the revolutionary approach to yoga, Applied Yoga Anatomy and Muscle Activation, Ayama as well as the Online Platform, the Yogi Club host of the Yoga Podcast, Stop Stretching, author of Autobiography of a Naked Yogi and the recently published, Stop Stretching, a New Yogic Approach to Master your Body and live Pain Free. Yogi Aaron shares his personal journey with chronic back pain and how he transitioned from a focus on stretching to muscle activation for pain relief. They discuss the importance of understanding the language of the body and avoiding ego-driven injuries in yoga practice.

Yogi Aaron emphasizes the significance of stillness and joy in yoga poses, encouraging practitioners to find steadiness and ease rather than pushing for extreme flexibility. He also sheds light on the concept of being addicted to pain and how it can shape one's narrative.

The conversation takes a turn towards wine, with Yogi Aaron sharing his love for exploring wineries and enjoying wines from regions like La Rioja in Spain. He describes the unique tastes and stories that wines can tell, highlighting the connection between history, land, and the experience of the wine.

To connect with Yoga Aaron: 

To purchase Yogi Aaron's latest book:  https://amzn.to/3xHJmMk
On social: @yogi_aaron

For those interested in Yogi Aaron's approach to yoga anatomy and pain relief, he recommends checking out his free Pain-Free Series on his website: yogiaaron.com.  

Featured in this Episode:

Vallobera Crianza Rioja 2020 at Trader Joe's 
https://vallobera.com/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 33 Maria is joined by Rachel Levin, author of "The Donut Diaries" and a personal trainer and health coach with over 20 years of experience. Rachel shares her background and the transformative journey she underwent while writing her book.

Rachel reflects on her initial approach to the fitness industry, where the focus was on achieving a smaller body size. However, as she grew older, she became tired of the constant pressure to conform to a particular body image. Turning 40, she realized that despite achieving a size zero, she was still unhappy. This realization led her to explore the concept of "health at every size" and the damaging effects of restrictive dieting.

The conversation delves into the importance of self-love and the challenges women face in embracing their bodies. Rachel emphasizes the need to shift the mindset and shares her personal journey of overcoming societal pressures and negative self-talk. Maria and Rachel discuss the significance of recognizing and challenging negative beliefs rooted in adolescence and the impact of seeking external validation.

Rachel introduces a simple yet powerful exercise for listeners to implement in their daily lives – using affirmations or proclamations. The conversation continues with insights into the ongoing journey of self-love and the importance of setting boundaries. Rachel encourages women to stop seeking external opinions about their bodies and shares mantras she developed to protect her mental health. The episode concludes with a discussion on the quote that has profoundly influenced Rachel's perspective on wholeness followed by a guided relaxation led by Maria intended to help you remember your wholeness. 

To connect with Rachel: 

https://www.facebook.com/rachel.lavin

https://instagram.com/rachellavinwellness?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-lavin-wellness-33707b17

https://rachellavinwellness.com/

Featured on this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

https://takearecess.com/shop/recess-mood/the-new-mood-sampler

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 32, Maria Mayes welcomes Zane Landin, a communication professional, NAMI Next Gen Advisor, mental health and disability advocate, queer rights activist, body positivity proponent, entrepreneur, and positive change maker. 

Zane earned their Bachelor of Science in Communication and Public Relations from Cal Poly Pomona and is the founder of PositiveVibes Magazine, a digital magazine dedicated to telling authentic stories about mental health, wellness, and inspiration. Zane is a passionate storyteller who regularly writes about wellness, psychology, and culture for the Power of Positivity, Entrepreneur, Brainz Magazine, and Lady Gaga's Channel Kindness. Zane is intrigued by how we can leverage powerful stories to create a more inclusive world for all to thrive.  Zane strives to reduce mental health stigma, normalize the experience, and uplift the voices of those with lived experience.

Zane shares insights into his background, passion for communication, and his role at the National Geographic Society. The conversation delves into the intersection of mental and physical health, discussing Zane's ongoing weight loss journey.

Zane emphasizes the importance of seeking help for mental health, breaking the stigma surrounding it, and highlights the availability of free resources. He encourages listeners to explore their feelings, understand the reasons behind them, and reach out for support when needed. Zane also shares his perspective on body positivity, stressing the significance of making conscious health choices while embracing self-love.  

The episode closes out with a guided relaxation to invite in present moment awareness, the breath, and a bit of self-compassion.  

To Connect with Zane: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zane-landin-b2417a187/

https://www.instagram.com/zanelandin

To learn more about Soluna:
The new free mental well-being resource available to youth ages 13-25 in California visit https://solunaapp.com/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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This week Maria is joined by Lauren Leduc, a visionary teacher, intuitive mentor, and founder of True Love Yoga, Kansas City.  Lauren's journey began at 17 when she was diagnosed with anorexia, leading to a decade of challenges like anxiety and depression. With support, she discovered tools for healing, eventually founding a popular outdoor program, Pop Up Yoga KC, which evolved into True Love Yoga, a pay-what-you-can studio offering trauma-informed yoga classes and teacher training.

In 2022, Lauren became a certified Dharma and spiritual life coach, merging her experience into a transformative one-on-one program. Her focus is empowering women and femmes to embrace their fullness through her book, "Embody Your Inner Goddess: A Guided Path to Radical Wholeness." In the podcast, she shares insights into intuitive readings, guiding clients through chakras and connecting them with their inner goddess.

Maria explores Lauren's journey from teaching to coaching, highlighting the intertwined yet distinct aspects of these roles. Lauren emphasizes the importance of self-trust and offers a wellbeing tip from her book: a self-massage practice to foster body positivity.

Their conversation delves into the importance of self-awareness, shedding light on how societal norms affect self-perception. Lauren shares insights on stepping away from self-numbing behaviors and embracing vulnerability as fertile soil for growth.

Transitioning to wine, Lauren expresses a preference for crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Champagne, Prosecco, Pinot Noir, and rosé. She shares her recent experience in Sicily, immersing in yoga and wine tastings, and enjoying locally grown grapes.

Lauren's reflections underscore the value of understanding the craft behind wine, akin to savoring its journey from vine to glass. Her discussion intertwines mindfulness, healing, and appreciation for life's nuances.  Lauren leads a guided meditation at the end designed to help one get out of their own way.  

To connect with Lauren:
https://www.laurenleduc.com/embody-your-inner-goddess-book
Instagram.com/iamlaurenleduc

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In the first episode of 2024, the script is flipped and Maria gets interviewed by Heather Carey, a clinical nutritionist, chef, and host of Real Food Stories.  In this episode, we go behind the scenes on Maria's unique approach which challenges conventional perspectives on alcohol consumption. Whether you are exploring a dry or damp January, are always dry, or just looking to explore mindfulness, this episode is for you. With over a decade's experience in both meditation and the wine industry, Maria merges the worlds of mindfulness and wine tasting, presenting a fascinating perspective for those who question their drinking habits.

Maria shares her journey with alcohol, stemming from her childhood observations of alcohol's role as a stress reliever. Throughout her career in a high-pressure corporate environment, she found alcohol often acted as a social lubricant and stress alleviator. However, it wasn't until a period of self-reflection, grief, and a full breakdown that she began to explore mindfulness practices, including meditation. This introspective conversation takes us into the why behind her approach to wine tasting mindfully, weaving together her love for wine with her newfound awareness and self-love.

The conversation delves into Maria's mindful drinking process, breaking it down into steps and their discussion touches on the significance of self-compassion in the journey toward mindfulness, highlighting the importance of understanding oneself and fostering a lifestyle that combines consciousness with indulgence. 

Maria's insights offer a compelling perspective for those questioning their relationship with alcohol and seeking a mindful approach to consumption. Her guidance emphasizes self-awareness, intentionality, and gratitude as pivotal steps toward a more mindful and fulfilling life.  To round out this episode Maria guides us through an exercise in arriving in full presence. 

Featured in this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

To get in touch with Heather Carey: 

https://www.heathercarey.com/

To learn more about the Soluna App now available for free to all adolescents in California: https://solunaapp.com/

To work with Maria directly: https://take5.health/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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Episode 29: Scheduling SELF as the Solution | Beyond the Chardonnay Buffer

In Episode 29 of Chakras & Chardonnay, host Maria welcomes Tracy Pleschourt, founder of Self Made You, a coaching company focused on teaching individuals how to coach themselves to become the solution to their problems. Tracy shares her journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and self-coaching. She introduces the SELF framework—which helps individuals tap into their potential and overcome challenges by understanding their thoughts and responses. Tracy emphasizes the significance of self-awareness and offers a 10-minute self-check-in process to identify and understand your emotions and underlying beliefs. She highlights the power of separating oneself from reactive thoughts and responding intentionally using mental fitness techniques.  Maria and Tracy discuss their journeys with Chardonnay, touching on a shared history of using it as a coping mechanism and leveraging self-awareness to step out of it.  The episode closes with a guided reflection visualization and relaxation to close out 2023. 

To connect with Tracy: 

https://www.self-madeu.com/

To join her upcoming "Stop Overeating Masterclass" December 29th: https://www.self-madeu.com/stopovereatingmasterclass

https://www.instagram.com/self_madeu/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracypleschourt/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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Ep. 28 The Power of Centering Prayer & Holiday Spiced Wine

In Episode 28 Maria is joined by Rich Lewis, an expert in Centering Prayer.  The two discuss its roots in Christianity's tradition of silence and its transformative impact.  Aptly timed just before Christmas Rich explains Centering Prayer in detail as a silent meditation fostering a deep connection with God. He shares the technique of sitting in silence and utilizing a sacred word or anchor to refocus when thoughts wander. He addresses misconceptions about meditation in religious contexts and encourages an open-minded approach. Rich shares the personal benefits of this practice, including increased confidence, openness to new experiences, improved listening skills, and enhanced patience. He advises starting gradually.  

The conversation transitions to wine where Rich shares how he enjoys both Zinfandel and Sangria and Maria shares some background on Sangria and Mulled Wine for the Holidays. 

Maria leads us through a special Holiday Relaxation at the end. 

Featured in this Episode of Chakras & Chardonnay: 

To connect with Rich Lewis:  https://silenceteaches.com/

Holiday Sangria and Mulled Wine Recipes:
https://www.taketwotapas.com/mulling-spices/
https://bakerbynature.com/mulled-wine-sangria/https://www.recipesfromeurope.com/german-mulled-wine/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 27, Maria is joined by Patrick Tromley, also known as The Level Up Dad. As a Mindset & Performance coach, Patrick assists individuals in overcoming detrimental habits and excuses, guiding them toward an undeniable transformation through the development of positive habits, discipline, fitness, and nutrition. Patrick recounts his journey, detailing how he shifted away from self-centeredness and the traits of a "manchild" by embracing discipline, starting with a focus on nutrition. This change rippled into every facet of his life, enabling him to fully commit to his family.  Patrick explains that stepping into his masculine energy enabled his wife to embrace her feminine energy more deeply. Despite experiencing upheavals due to the Mortgage Meltdown in 2008 and subsequent career setbacks, Patrick persevered, ultimately transitioning into real estate investing then as a result of his own self-improvement journey performance coaching and embracing his role as a husband and father to three boys.

Motivated by his own transformation, Patrick felt compelled to aid thousands of others in achieving similar life-altering changes. He candidly shares his journey away from alcohol and the immensely positive effects it had on his life as well as what it means to him to be a true servant leader. 

Maria reviews a Non-Alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc and leads a meditation session aimed at balancing masculine and feminine energies through breathwork.

Featured on this Episode: 

To learn more about Patrick Tromley

Reach out on Instagram - @thelevelupdad

Alcohol-Free Sauvignon Blanc: Giesen Wines

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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In Episode 26, Maria hosts Dr. Gary Simonds who shares a fresh perspective with his insights into preventing burnout among healthcare professionals. Gary was the founding Chief of Neurosurgery and Neurosurgery Residency Program Director at the Carilion Clinic and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, until retiring from clinical Neurosurgery in 2019. He remains a Professor at the Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM). 

Gary majored in Biochemistry at Dartmouth College then received his medical degree from UMDNJ-Rutgers Medical School. He trained in neurosurgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and completed a fellowship in Medical Research at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. He also holds a master’s degree in Health Care Delivery Science from the Dartmouth Institute and the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, and is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Gary has performed over 13,500 major neurosurgical procedures of all types and complexities and has treated tens of thousands of patients. He continues to teach undergraduates at Virginia Tech and medical students at VTCSOM, produces educational material for international medical education company Medmastery, and writes a blog for Psychology Today online. His professional passions have included clinical neuroscience, medical education, humanism, science, writing, ethics, medical socioeconomics, and personal wellness. He routinely presents and teaches at various national and international courses and meetings. For the past 14 years, Gary has studied and lectured widely on burnout and resilience. He has written three related books: Building Resilience in Neurosurgical Residents, The Thriving Physician, and Thriving in Healthcare. He has recently released his first novel, a medical/psychological thriller, entitled “Deaths Pale Flag” He is currently working on a coming of age soccer novel  “One Happy Accident.”

Residing in North Carolina with his wife of 42 years Cindy and trusty Border Collie Hamish, Gary delves into hobbies like banjo and guitar playing, and even braves the challenge of learning the bagpipes, much to his neighbors' amusement. 

The episode concludes with Maria leading a relaxing breathwork practice aimed at fostering resilience.

Featured on this Episode: 

To learn more about Dr. Gary Simonds and his work:

https://garyrsimonds.com 

https://www.facebook.com/garyrsimonds/

https://twitter.com/garyrsimonds

https://www.instagram.com/garyrsimonds/

https://www.tiktok.com/@garyrsimonds

https://www.pinterest.com/garyrsimonds/

Learn more about Maria and her work at Take5.Health and subscribe to receive tips and free Guided Meditations each Wednesday. Connect with Maria on social:
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