Embrace. Live. Thrive.

Today, Leah Diffey, Emotion Code Practitioner, joins me on the podcast and we discuss emotional healing. Emotions can be tricky in that are influenced by how we were raised, our perceptions, and traumas we might have stored in our bodies that we don't even realize are there.  Leah walks us through what might be holding us back from identifying and productively using our emotions. She reminds us that it is ok to take a moment to sit, do the deep breaths, as we learn how to be still. Leah encourages that the best way to move forward with our emotional healing is to add something in our routine such as journaling, mediation, and or prayer. By simply adding an intentional 5 minutes a day to focus on what you are feeling and why, this will begin that process of health and healing.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 2023. May this be the year to start your process of change. I am 3 years into my health journey and there are days I still get discouraged, stressed, overwhelmed, but I promise you it gets easier and easier to pick yourself back up after those moments and get right back to doing the things you know help you the most. I look back and am in awe of where God has brought me over the last few years. 

Please listen, like, and share this podcast. Consider telling a friend specifically about this episode or one of my 102 other episodes to help this podcast grow. It is my passion to support mothers who are hurting and need support and encouragement.  Healing is possible, you just have to know where to start.

Ways to Find Leah:
FB: Leah Diffey | Facebook
FB: Diffey Farmacy | Facebook
Instagram: Leah Diffey (@diffeyfarmacy) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: The Farmacy – Emotion Code Release and Handcrafted Herbal Remedies (diffeyfarmacy.com)

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.
FB: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)

Leah Bio:
“The positive transformation I have experienced through Emotion Code therapy has been a beautiful experience. As a Certified Emotion Code Practitioner (CECP) it brings me joy to facilitate similar changes and healing in others. ” Leah Diffey, CECP

Releasing Trapped Emotions allows the body to flow in a more balanced and harmonious way. This holistic approach honors our divine design and removes the emotional baggage that can contribute to a variety of physical and mental discomforts.

The Emotion Code is a specialized type of emotional release therapy. This simple yet transformative healing method works by detecting negative emotions stored in the subconscious mind then releases the vibrational energy. The process is quick and effective and allows the body to flow with greater ease. My clients have reported feeling lighter, calmer, and less stressed. Physical discomforts such as tightness in the back and heaviness in the chest have also been relieved.

Today, Bre Kleeschulte, owner of Light Up Cottleville, joins me on the podcast and we have a beautiful conversation recapping her tree lighting event at the beginning of December.  Bre is so dynamic and passionate about spreading joy and encouraging those around her all year long. Two years ago, she was inspired with a dream and vision to create a family event to connect her community, and this year she was able to see all her hard work come the life. Light Up Cottleville connected businesses, families, but most importantly the city of Cottleville. Bre is a force in the community, and I am so blessed for the opportunity to talk with her on this episode of the podcast.

Bre also shares with us about understanding the importance of family and traditions during this season, but also holding firm boundaries and saying no when something doesn't fit the needs of your family. Listen to this back row, a "no" to an activity or an event this year isn't a no forever, it may just what you need this year to protect your health and the health of your family.

Please listen, like, and share this episode and help spread the word about this awesome event and get it on your calendar for next year, but also to encourage all the moms that may be struggling with balance this year. Embrace. Live. Thrive. has an event coming up in January 2023, and our next women's health conference coming in February of 2023. Please watch my website and socials for more details.

Ways to Find Bre:
Facebook: (4) Light Up Cottleville | Cottleville MO | Facebook
Instagram: Light Up Cottleville🎄 (@lightupcottleville) • Instagram photos and videos

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)

Today, Noelle Robinson, Sound Therapist/Health and Wellness Speaker, joins me on the podcast. Noelle shares with us about what has inspired her the most and her journey discovering sound therapy. She is amazing and her passion to support her community shines through in everything she does. I know as you listen to this conversation you won't be able to help being inspired by Noelle and her story.

If sound therapy is something new to you, I think you are really going to enjoy this conversation. I was extremely anxious (that's how I roll most days) about trying a sound session because sound can be triggering for me, but let me tell you, it was so relaxing and peaceful. It is a top priority for Noelle to help you feel comfortable, set your intentions for the session, and really reach space where you can just be.

Please go and check out Noelle all of her information is linked below. Make sure to hop on her website and book a session ASAP.  Also, keep a close eye on all things Embrace. Live. Thrive. as we have multiple opportunities coming up to connect, learn, and grow.

Ways to Find Noelle:
Facebook: (2) The Sound Spa | Saint Peters MO | Facebook
Instagram: Noelle Robinson (@thesoundspa_stl) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: HOME | STLNoelle.com

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO (facebook.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)

Noelle's Bio:
We are living in a time of IMMENSE stress and anxiety! We are busy, worried, and often just trying to get by each day.  

But do we really have to live with such stress?   Science continues to find the awful impact our current lifestyles are having on our bodies, on our relationships, and our futures. 

 With so many distractions, triggers, and drains on our energy today, it's more important than ever that we take time for self-care, so that we can be our BEST SELVES in all areas of our lives.

This is Self-Care that STICKS WITH YOU.  That means that not only will you feel more relaxed after a session, but you will continue to feel the benefits for days, even months to come.

By taking this time to relax and rejuvenate, you will not only increase your ability to be present for the ones you love, but you will also increase your mindfulness, your energy, and your capacity to do the things you enjoy most!

Today is a day I think I have only dreamed about, 100 episodes. So many amazing conversations, connections, and opportunities for learning. Podcasting is seriously one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of doing. This podcast has been a labor of love and I am so grateful for the ability to share all of the amazing things I am learning, and God has been revealing to me over the last 2 years. 

I hope you enjoy this conversation and helps give you a little more of a glimpse into the world of Embrace. Live. Thrive. Please continue to like and share my podcast episodes, information I share on my social, all the upcoming learning opportunities to help me continue to grow this platform and help women who so desperately need to hear its ok to not be ok but let's not stay there.

Sarah Bio:
Sarah Meyer has been married to her husband Mike for 16 years and they have 5 children all aged 8 and under. She graduated with her doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2011 and worked full time in outpatient therapy until starting her family in 2014. She and her husband made the decision for her to step away from her career and stay home while their children were little. Sarah struggled with severe depression and anxiety as she continued to have children. She ultimately spiraled down to the point of suicidal ideations and limited to basic care for her children. It was through a series of God moments that she was led back into a healthy lifestyle and now has a passion to help other women who are struggling with the same thing. 

 Sarah launched Embrace. Live. Thrive. at the end of 2020 and is on mission to destigmatize mental health issues in motherhood and educate women on foundations of self -care. She has been working to build her podcast also tilted “Embrace. Live. Thrive”, which can be found on all the major podcast apps. Sarah is active on Facebook and Instagram working to bring awareness and connection to a world that is hurting.  She will be releasing her coaching programs later this month working to support women who are struggling with identity, healthy living, and so much more.

Ways to Find Me: 
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Today, Teresa Reiniger, grief coach joins me to discuss the extremely difficult topic of grief. Teresa is so kind and compassionate as she supports woman and families in their hardest moment. It is time to start normalizing the conversations around grief, to just sit with our loved ones who are hurting even when we have no idea what to say, to embrace the discomfort of these hard emotions to simply support them with our presence.

Teresa encourages individuals struggling with grief to know you are not alone and its ok to use your voice to tell those around you what you need. There is hope and healing after a loss, but it doesn't have to be on anyone else's timeline, but yours. We are all unique individuals with unique stories. Please listen, learn, and share with your friends and family so we can all normalize supporting and encouraging our loved ones who are struggling during a difficult season of life.

Teresa Podcast: Labor Pains: Dealing with infertility and loss during pregnancy or infancy. on Apple Podcasts

My Episode with Teresa: Labor Pains: Dealing with infertility and loss during pregnancy or infancy.: 112: We rise by lifting up others in their loss with Dr. Sarah Meyer on Apple Podcasts

Ways to Find Teresa:
Website: Living After Grief
Facebook: (6) Living After Grief | Facebook
Instagram: @livingaftergrief • Instagram photos and videos

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO (facebook.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embracelivethrive) • Instagram photos and videos

Teresa Bio: I am the founder and head coach of Living After Grief, Certified Grief Coach with the Institute of Life Coaching Training (ILCT), has a companion certificate with the National Share organization, a certified practitioner of neurolinguistics programming and success mastery. As CEO and Founder of Women Connect and Support LLC and the founder and podcast host for Labor Pains Podcast. 

When two of my daughters started experiencing infertility struggles as well as multiple miscarriages, I began to grieve those grandchildren and realized I still had some unresolved grief from two miscarriages I experienced years ago. Beginning to support numerous close friends and family members that had experienced infertility, miscarriages, stillbirth & infant loss I started a weekly podcast to spread awareness about infertility and loss where women and men could find their voice in sharing their stories to help themselves and others. After a year of interview people for the podcast episodes and finding that there was a tremendous amount of them continuing to struggle with grief. I felt a huge tug on my heart, which I know was God guiding me to take some time and learn how to help people navigate through grief and to give them hope that they can reengage in living life again. 

 I help people navigate through the challenges that come with the difficult stages of grief. My goal is to work with you to be that beacon of light in the darkness directing you to the hope of finding laughter and joy in your life without blame and guilt.  And to bring awareness to others as to how to support you and others that are grieving loss.

Today, Shelly Snow Pordea, returns to the podcast and shares with us the importance of gratitude and creativity. She is so encouraging and inspiring as she talks about her daily practices with gratitude and how it has been life changing for her. Shelly also shares with us about the inspiration behind her creativity mindset journal and reminds us about Brené Brown teaching that creativity is where innovation begins.  This conversation is heartfelt and a great reminder to focus on what you can control and let go of what you cannot control. 

Please share this episode and help spread the importance of gratitude, mindfulness, and creativity as we head into this busy season of the year. Please watch Facebook and Instagram as we announce new events and a soon to release mom coaching program. I hope you consider joining us for our next women's health conference on Feburary 3rd - 4th, 2023.

Ways to Find Shelly:
Website: Author Shelly Snow Pordea | TheCreativU
Instagram: Shelly Snow Pordea (@shellysnowpordea) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Shelly Snow Pordea - The Creativ U | Facebook

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram Sarah Meyer (@embrace.live.thrive) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO (facebook.com)

Shelly Bio:
Shelly Snow Pordea is author of The Tracing Time Trilogy, a story which spans three generations of women who find their way in the world while seeking to save themselves and those they love. A timely message for a planet faced with irreversible damage, Tracing Time explores the potential of learning from the past in order to save our future. This time-travel love story is simply a message of hope and light for humanity and the planet we share.

​Her first children's book, The Hug Who Had No Arms, debuted on Amazon as a #1 bestseller in several categories. Inspired by a time when the world seemed to stop hugging, Shelly took to her love of drawing and storytelling to create a children's tale to help families express love through the strange practice of social distancing.

​Shelly is a cult survivor using her voice through the power of storytelling in order to promote change. A victim of childhood sexual abuse, she reached out to church leaders as a teenager, only to be “handled” in a culture of shame and misogyny. Today, she advocates for survivors of spiritual, sexual, and institutional abuse with #igotout, and is writing a memoir about her experiences.

 For nearly 15 years, Shelly lived abroad with her Eastern European husband and three children doing church and humanitarian work. Overseas, she was a volunteer, a classroom teacher, and an academic director for an international school. In 2013, she and her family of five moved to the US where she later began her writing career. She now works as a ghostwriter, blogger, author and screenwriting newbie, and is thrilled to become a grandmother in early 2022. 

Today, Sara Chinnock joins me on the podcast, and share tips and tricks for hosting this season. Her love for cooking, entertaining, and party planning all came together perfectly to inspire her to start her charcuterie business.  Sara shares with us about her favorites to include on her own savory/sweet boards, tips about hosting, and so much more. This conversation is inspiring and so encourageing during this time of the year. Sara urges if you enjoy hosting, but not cooking, then pick something up. Don't add any additional stress to this time of year that isn't necessary.

Sara offers classes and parties where she teaches you all about how to create your own amazing charcuterie. Check out her website below for details. Please listen, like, and share to help spread some holiday encouragement. Enjoy!

Ways to Find Sara:
Website: Sara's Boxes and Boards (sarasboxesandboards.com)
Facebook: Sara's Boxes and Boards | Facebook
Instagram: Sara’s Boxes and Boards (@sarasboxesandboards) • Instagram photos and videos

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embrace.live.thrive) • Instagram photos and videos
FB: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Sara's Bio:
Growing up in the South, my childhood was filled with family and entertaining. I grew up in a family that always ate well and never met a stranger. My grandmothers and mother always cooked for friends and family. Even if you were a friend, we considered you family.

DISCOVERING A PASSION
I cooked with my mom and grandmothers from an early age. When I was young, I would bake cookies or help with meals during our family vacations in Florida. I would put the items that my Mom and grandmothers had cooked on trays to be served during family meals or when my parents were entertaining. My family gathered for every holiday, and as my brothers and I got married, our holidays only got bigger. I would help Mom in the kitchen when I came home from college.

When I moved to St. Louis, I began cooking more because I missed the dishes that my grandmothers and mother would make. I fell in love with the art of entertaining and cooking for others. The joy I felt when I prepared a meal made me think fondly of the times I spent in the kitchen with my grandmothers.

A NEED FOR FLAVOR
After graduating from graduate school, I became a teacher then went into consumer sales for a hearing implant company. I used cooking and entertaining as my outlet on the weekends. During the pandemic, I was asked by a mortgage company to provide a treat for individuals that were closing on their mortgages because they were closing in their cars. I provided boxes with my Mom’s Russian tea and hot chocolate mix. I helped a friend with a New Year’s Eve box for kids and charcuterie boxes for the adults. Sara’s Boxes and Boards was born.

PECANS & PRETZELS
You will find our signature pecans and pretzels on every meat and cheese tray! The recipes are from a cookbook that Sara’s Mom, Suzy, wrote with several of her friends. Sara’s love for cooking came from her fond memories of cooking with her Mom and grandmother, so you will find a piece on each board.

CHEERS!

Today Erin Darling, Nutrition Professional, and owner of Mindset Nutrition, joins me on the podcast to teach us all about intermittent fasting. It is such a fascinating topic that feels like a new fade diet, but in reality, has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years. Erin helps us to understand the basics about what the purpose is behind intermittent fasting and why it can be so beneficial for your body. She does a great job teaching us how to successfully begin intermittent fasting, what red flags to watch out for, but also helps us understand that it isn't the right fit for everyone. 

Erin is passionate about helping individuals who are frustrated where they are with their eating, and they literally don't know what else there is to do. Please listen to this episode and share like crazy to anyone who has ever mentioned the words intermittent fasting to you. Also, please like and leave a review on wherever you listen to your podcast content.

Erin's Interview over Binge Eating: Episode #23

Ways to Find Erin:
Website: Mindset Nutrition (mindsetnutritionstl.com)
Instagram: Erin Darling MS MA (@mindsetnutritionstl) • Instagram photos and videos
FB: (3) Mindset Nutrition | Cottleville MO | Facebook

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embrace.live.thrive) • Instagram photos and videos
FB: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook

Erin's Bio:
When I was young, I was one of the heaviest kids in school.  I suffered from terrible self-esteem, asthma and allergies. The teasing was relentless and painful. I desperately wanted to look like everyone else but more than anything, I wanted to be healthy and strong.  By the time I was eight, I attempted my first diet.  

Fast forward to eighth grade...my brother began running nightly at a nearby track.  I started tagging along and before long we were running 5K's together.  After years of trying and failing at sports, running was finally a way I could feel strong!   My new found love of exercise motivated me to start eating differently.  As a young teen, these well intended comments did a wonder on me.  This brought upon years of restricting and yo yo dieting as I was always chasing that low number and more compliments.  I was stuck in an unhealthy habit loop of binging and restricting and since food was my major source of comfort, I couldn't escape it. 

Finally, in 2006 after my husband I got married, I just couldn't do it anymore.  I couldn't weigh, track or count any longer.  I knew I needed to learn how to be healthy in a new way.  This revelation  brought years of self discovery.  I read many amazing books, worked with a mindful eating therapist, learned to meditate, hired a life coach, and invested a lot of time working on my mindset. It was a lot of work but it was worth all the time and money I invested in myself. 

Today, I still keep my self care list very long.  I make sure every day I meditate, move my body, drink 100 ounces of water, eat mostly real food and let go of guilt when I don't :). This is what I offer to my clients. We work on creating a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable and free of self judgement.  We get to the root of the problem and find new ways to cope.  It is possible to create the life you want without being obsessive or overly restrictive, and I can show you how!

Today, my good friend Amery, joins me on the podcast and shares her health journey.  She is now able to look back and see how she struggled with post-partum depression for a while after the birth of her daughter and it was her focused intention and asking for help that is what made the difference for her health at that time. Amery also shares about her battle with her autoimmune disease and embracing the lifestyle modification she needed to walk back into the healthiest version of herself.

Amery has a passion to help serve new mothers that are struggling with nursing and aren't sure what to do next. Her company, BLISS, is a in home service that focuses not only one the nursing infant, but the mom as a whole and what offers help to make sure that all the needs of mom and baby are being met.

Please listen to today's episode and share with all your new mom friends or ones that might be having their first baby soon. Motherhood is an incredible role but is also overwhelming. Let's help normalize that asking for help when you are struggling post-partum isn't weakness, but the bravest thing that any mother can do for themselves and their child.

Ways to Find Amery:
Website: Lactation Specialist | BLISS (blissbabylc.com)
Facebook: (8) BLISS | Lake Saint Louis MO | Facebook

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
Facebook: Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embrace.live.thrive) • Instagram photos and videos

Amery Bio:
I'm Amery Friedrichs, RN, BSN, and Certified Lactation Counselor. I have always had a passion for working with breastfeeding moms. I have been assisting with lactation throughout my entire nursing career. Over the past 2 years, I have met so many moms just out of the hospital who are in complete distress over breastfeeding. Instead of being overwhelmed with happiness and beaming with joy over their precious new baby, I am often met with tears, self-doubt, and looks of sheer panic. I would do the best I could with the very limited time I had to help them feel some ounce of confidence and reassurance when it came to nursing their baby.

Seeing their faces light up and their bodies relax after a successful consult was PRICELESS. It was in those moments that I realized there was a great need for community breastfeeding support beyond the typical quick (and often overwhelming) hospital visit from the lactation consultant. Breastfeeding is natural, yes, but it has to be learned. It can be a beautiful and successful journey if a mom is given the proper support and encouragement. So, BLISS was born. The name is not only an acronym (Breastfeeding, Lactation, Infant feeding, Support, Services), but a word that depicts calmness and peace. I believe that every mom deserves the chance to achieve BLISS in breastfeeding their baby.

I offer Postpartum and Return-to-Work consultations. At each visit, clients will receive one-on-one care and attention that includes a thorough hands on mother-baby feeding assessment, education/helpful tips/resources to promote success, and a complete individualized plan of care relating to your specific breastfeeding goals.

Today, April Bryant, cofounder/partner with Fast Bryant Consulting, joins me on the podcast and shares powerfully about what has helped shaped her into the woman she is today, and she encourages us to be empowered and always be able to stand on our own two feet. April goes on to share with us about all the incredible things she and her business partner, Lauren Fast, are doing to support small and medium sized businesses grow.

April shares with us some of her top strategies for time management, ways to conquer the million things that get thrown our way as mothers and businesswomen. We also briefly discuss how inefficient multi-tasking actually is for your productivity. I know you are going to listen, be inspired, and start improving your time management skills ASAP. Notice I mentioned, skill, it is going to take time and a lot of practice to get good at time management if that is not something you have already been working to improve. Please listen, like, and share this episode with all your momma friends.

Ways to Find April:
FB: Fast Bryant Consulting | Facebook
Instagram: FB Consulting📱Digital Generals (@fastbryantconsulting) • Instagram photos and videos
Website: Fast Bryant Consulting, LLC - Strategic Communication, Branding & Social Media Consultants (business.site)
Tik Tok: @fastbryantconsulting
Linkin: @fastbryantconsulting 

April's Bio:
Professional Specialty:
Public Relations, Content
Marketing, Strategic
Communications, Crisis
Communications, & Storytelling

Key Credentials:
Accredited in Public
Relations
Accomplished Public
Speaker
Community Volunteer & Advocate

A national and state award-winning communications professional with two decades of experience in public relations, digital media, and communication strategy. A regional, state, and national presenter on topics including increasing audience engagement, content marketing, innovative digital media for businesses and organizations, and effective communication. Bryant is experienced in strengthening organizations’ social media presence and protecting brands through issues management and crisis communications. She is skilled in developing key messages for target audiences. April helps businesses enhance their online presence with consistent and creative content that stops the scroll and inspires action.

April is a Co-Founder and Partner at Fast Bryant Consulting, a full-service digital agency that works with local B2C brands in Missouri. She is also a professor in the Communications Department of Missouri Baptist University in addition to her favorite role as “mom” and “cheerleader” for her children.

Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)
FB: (4) Embrace, Live, Thrive | O'Fallon MO | Facebook
Instagram: Sarah Meyer (@embrace.live.thrive) • Instagram photos and videos