Embrace. Live. Thrive.

Today, Steph Darst, owner of FitCrew.Online, joins me on the podcast and shares her story of how God healed her disordered eating that started at the age of 9 and found freedom through her faith with her health and fitness. She went from restricting her calories to 1000 or less a day to no longer even owning a scale. Steph will inspire you that working out to just look better on the outside leaves a lot left on the table and there is so much more to fitness.

Steph compares training our physical body with that of training our spirit. It is when things get broken down and pushed harder than they have before that they are able to rebuild stronger and more focused. "We train inside these walls to prepare for what's outside these walls". "We train because love is heavy." These are just a couple of the incredible things that Steph shares with us on today's podcast.

Please listen and be encouraged to start your fitness journey wherever you are and know that any workout is better than no workout. It is about being intentional with your time. Take the time to share this episode with all your momma friends that may be struggling to figure out how to get activity back in their lives with babies and toddlers around. Check out FitCrew. Online for what resources Steph has to offer to help as well.

Ways to Find Steph:
Instagram: @fitcrew.online
Website: www.fitcrew.online
(Remember Code: EMBRACE to receive 50% any service. Expires May 1st)

Steph Bio:
For way too long, the way I viewed and used my body swung on a pendulum between obsession and neglect. Finally, in 2013, I began to invite the Lord into the conversation surrounding my health and wellness for the first time in my life. As I learned to honor Him with my body, I found freedom in the middle: No longer obsessing OR neglecting... but enjoying life in freedom! It didn't take long for me to realize this freedom was meant to be shared. I began my journey as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, & yoga teacher, and have never looked back.
After years of teaching classes in-person, I created FitCrew.Online as a virtual community committed to empowering women to honor God in the areas of fitness and wellness. All of my classes weave together biblical teaching with movement, for an encouraging experience that will quickly become a welcome addition to your fitness routine.
Faith + Fitness... can we do that? Oh yeah. Hop aboard this freedom train... There's plenty of room!
 
Credentials: 500-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, Revelation Wellness Instructor, ACE-GFI

Embrace. Live. Thrive.
website: www.embracelivethrive.com 
FB: @embracelivethrive 
Instagram: @embracelivethrive 

Today, Amanda Shaheen, joins me on the podcast and shares about her and her daughter's stay in the hospital after she was delivered 6+ weeks premature. After her water broke in the middle of the night, she rushed to the hospital, and it seemed like things were normal until they realized the umbilical cord was around her neck and it became urgent that she was delivered quickly. It went downhill from there. Amanda delivered only weeks after the stay-at-home orders were issues in April of 2020 and found herself isolated the majority of her stay in the NICU with her daughter.

It is difficult to hear how Amanda, in her post-partum phase, was locked down and only allowed in her room and her daughter's hospital room. She describes how her daughter continued to decline and ended up being on a ventilator for 8 days in total, which is almost unheard of with newborn infants.  It was a last shot attempt of treatment that ultimately helped her daughter to slowly wean off the ventilator, off oxygen, and get released home on day 19.  Amanda's daughter has continued to thrive since she has been home and is now a normal, busy almost two-year-old.

Amanda encourages us to make sure you know your tribe, feel all the feels, hold on to hope, and see beyond those NICU doors. This is an incredible story and I hope it leaves you with the encouraged to make the choice to be brave and move beyond whatever fear is holding you back. Please listen and share with anyone you think might need this encouragement during a difficult stage of their lives.  Life is hard, but when you have Hope all things become possible. 

Ways To Contact Amanda:
*DM or email me and I will connect you

Amanda Bio:
Amanda is a wife and mother to three beautiful children. She works as a 4th grade teacher at Christian School District. Amanda has had a broad field of experience and enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors. She is passionate about helping others and serving her community.

Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
blog: www.embracelivethrive.com
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive 

Today, Elizabeth Lowder, MSW, LCSW, Founder + Lead Therapist at Sage Tree Therapy LLC, joins me on the podcast and we discuss the deep topic of family of origin. Elizabeth does an incredible job of breaking down this topic and helping us understand that how we were raised is a huge source of information. As a therapist, understanding a clients childhood gives her insight about how they might react or respond as they are walking through their therapy sessions. Every been told you are just like your mother or done something with your child that reminds you of your childhood, good or bad?  How we were raised is ingrained into our subconscious and under moments of stress and anxiety behaviors will surface that we may not even realize are hidden. There is no shame or blame intended as we reflect over our childhood, but an emphasis on understanding of why we may do certain behaviors and gives us a path for growth and healing.

Elizabeth starts our conversation with sharing the beautiful meaning behind naming her company Sage Tree Therapy and we finish our conversation discussing the facade of perfectionism and the value of being your perfectly imperfect self. This episode is packed with information and gives us pause to reflect and recognized why we made do things a certain way. Please listen and share this episode and help spread awareness of importance of reflecting and understanding your own family of origin.

Ways To Find Elizabeth: 
Home | Sage Tree Therapy
Phone #: 314-485-SAGE
Email: [email protected]
FB: @sagetreetherapy
Instagram: @sagetreetherapy
YouTube: Sage Tree Therapy 

Elizabeth Bio:
Elizabeth Stallone-Lowder founded Sage Tree Therapy, a private therapy practice specializing in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders as well as birth & pregnancy trauma, in 2012 to serve pregnant women on bedrest with individual at-home therapy and has expanded over the years. She has worked in the field of women’s trauma since the late 1990's as the director of a shelter for intimate partner violence, a patient advocate for adults with HIV/AIDS, a trauma therapist for women and girls affected by chronic abuse/neglect and sexual violence, and is DONA Doula trained as well as a Our Whole Lives (O.W.L.) Sexuality Educator. Elizabeth has written original curriculum and facilitated therapy support groups on topics related to PTSD, trauma recovery, visual art exercises, sexuality and motherhood. She started a teen therapy in-school program for Safe Connections in St. Louis, clinically supervises LMSWs working towards licensure. She has served as the Victim Advocate for the Boone County Prosecutor’s office and Columbia Police Department with the DOVE Unit, as a Health Educator at the Saint Louis County Health Department and a Patient Educator at Planned Parenthood.

Elizabeth earned her BSW from the University of Missouri, Columbia and an MSW from Saint Louis University with a specialty in Sexual Health Education. She is trained in EMDR, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, dream interpretation, sex therapy, journal therapy and expressive visual art therapy. She serves as adjunct faculty at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University and on the Executive Board of the Hyperemesis Education and Research Foundation. Elizabeth has also co-founded a consulting firm, Heartland PMAD, whose mission is to train and educate healthcare providers on perinatal mental health and prevent moms from falling through the cracks and get the support they deserve.

Ways to Find Embrace. Live. Thrive.:
www.embracelivethrive.com
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive

Today, Sarah Hall, joins me on the podcast and shares about her journey from being diagnosed with breast cancer during the third trimester of pregnancy with her daughter, to treatment, to the anxiety that started after all the treatment was completed. She learned that even when you think you are living a healthy life if you are not making sure you manage what is causing your stress you will never truly be healthy.

Sarah encourages individuals who are struggling to surround yourself with someone who has already walked through what you are experiencing. It helps with validation, support, but also knowing that you can make it through. She tells us to say yes when someone is offering help and one of the things that was most helpful for her was a friend asking her who she needed her "to be."

Faith through Fire is an amazing organization doing so much to support women and the community. Please check out their website and see where they need support as well.  As always listen and share this episode with anyone you think could benefit from this encouraging message.

Faith Through Fire:
Home - Faith Through Fire
FB: @faiththroughfire
Instagram: @faiththroughfire
Podcast: Besties with Breasties

Sarah Bio:
When I was 31 weeks pregnant with my second daughter, a bombshell: breast cancer. A humbling experience when you are an example of health to others. I used the experience to dive deeper into what health meant to me and now I help other women do the same. My purpose is to help women discover what makes them thrive and provide insight and tools so they can live their best life.

Embrace. Live. Thrive.
website: www.embracelivethrive.com 
FB: @embracelivethrive 
Instagram: @embracelivethrive

Today, Ashley McVey, owner of Hazel and Blues boutique joins me on the podcast and share about her difficult journey through postpartum depression and anxiety. As a first-time mother it is difficult to know what to expect and easy to get overwhelmed with the task of caring for this small child that needs total care. Ashley wasn't even aware they what she was feeling wasn't normal and it was after getting pregnant with her second daughter that she fell into a deep depression.

Ashley made the choice to start asking for help and began actively adding support groups all around her. The road was to healing wasn't easy but looking back she can see how important it is to show yourself grace in those hard moments and remember that you are doing your best. She discusses the importance of finding your tribe and making sure you have support systems in place for when those difficult moments come, you already have your team put together.

Ashley opened her boutique in November of 2021 and has created a beautiful space that supports and encourages women lead businesses. Her boutique is the perfect mix of sophistication and personal connection. Please go check out her store at 890 Knaust Rd, Cottleville , Mo. Please listen and be inspired to follow your dreams.

Ways to find Ashley:
Store Front: 890 Knaust Rd, Cottleville,  63376
FB: @hazelandbluesboutique
Instagram: @hazelandbluesboutique
email: [email protected]
website: hazel-and-blues-boutique.myshopify.com

Ashley Bio:
As a mom of three young children, she is very busy, but has a passion to help create a culture of connection and beauty in her boutique. Hazel and Blues is a collective boutique offering clothing, gifts, art and coffee. We are committed to bringing the joy back to in-person shopping. Come in for personal styling assistance, enjoy a latte and shop from woman owned local businesses.

Embrace. Live. Thrive.: 
FB: @embracelivethrive 
Instagram: @embracelivethrive 
website: www.embracelivethrive.com 

Today, Rosie Makinney, founder of fight for love ministries comes on the podcast and shares about her inspiration to start talking about the destruction pornography addiction causes in marriage and how to help women find support and healing. She discovered early in her marriage that her husband was struggling with a pornography addiction and through much counseling, group work, and hard work their marriage is now porn free. Rosie and her husband, who is now a certified sexual addiction therapist, have created a team committed to bringing hope and truth to other women battling porn in their relationships. She explains the only cure for this addiction is rigorous honesty.

Pornography addiction is a process addiction where the individual becomes addicted to the dopamine release and no "normal" woman can hope to compete with that chemical release. Fight for Love Ministries offers education about pornography addiction through a podcast "Fight for Love," a book "Fight for Love: How To Take Your Marriage Back from Porn," and a central hub for many different other resources. They also have support groups to get connected and help women build their confidence and ability to set firm boundaries. Please listen, check out their ministry, and share this episode to spread awareness about the truth of pornography addiction.

Resources Mentioned:
Book: "Fight for Love: How To Take Your Marriage Back from Porn"
Support Groups: The Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists - Sexual Trauma Betrayal - APSATS

Ways to Find Rosie and Fight For Love Ministries:
Website: www.fightforloveministries.com
Instagram: @fightforloveministries
Podcast: Fight for Love

Rosie Bio:
Rosie Makinney is the founder of Fight For Love Ministries, which empowers women with the faith and the facts to fight against porn addiction and its effects on them, their spouses, and their families. She is the author of Fight For Love, an international speaker, and the host of the award-winning Fight For Love Podcast.

Embrace, Live, Thrive:
Website: www.embracelivethrive.com
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive

Today, I am joined by Candace Kluba, a Self-Love and Well Being Coach. Shares about her own journey to self-love, talking about how she learned to sit with herself and used that time to work through all the reasons she hated her body. It was in those times of being still that she was able to find healing and true love for how her body was created. Cadence explains that self-love starts with gratitude and mindfulness.

This is a truly a beautiful conversation that I know will encourage you in your own journey towards self-love and discovering your worth. Please take the time to like, share, and give a shout out if you listened and can relate to anything that Candace's talks about in this episode.

Ways to Find Candace:
website: Home | Candace Kluba Self Love & Well-Being Coach
Instagram: @candacekluba
FB: @candacekluba
Linkin: @candacekluba

Candace Bio:
With 17 years of experience teaching, Candace is an educator at heart. When she found the way to pull herself out of a state of disconnect, self-hate, and autopilot living she knew she had to share what she learned with others. She has 7 years of experience as a Women's Sexual Health Educator with Pure Romance and 3 years of experience coaching women using mindfulness and movement to upgrade their self-love and find optimal health.

Candace's Self-Love group coaching program that will start in March: https://www.candacekluba.com/plans-pricing

Embrace, Live, Thrive:
Website: www.embracelivethrive.com
Instagram: @embracelivethrive
FB: @embracelivethrive 

Today, Emma Eppard, comes on the podcast and shares about her and her son's journey as he was diagnosed with severe autism as a toddler. She quickly started arming herself with knowledge and prepared both herself and her son for sucess. Listen as she talks about changing their diet, shifting expectations, and finding her people. Emma will inspire and encourage you with all of her wisdom and determination.

Emma shares about the rapid prompting method and explains that with individuals with Autism their thinking brain is unaffected, but it is their ability to communicate that has become disconnected. She encourages us to "just act normal." Emma is a big proponent of reading, listening to worship music, and building routines around healthy habits.  Talking with Emma was so fun. Please listen, like, and share with all your friends. We fear what we don't know, so let's take the opportunity to equip ourselves with knowledge.

Resources Mentioned:
Book:  Amazon.com: Motor Matters: The Importance of Developing Motor Skills in Our Autistic Son eBook : Eppard, Emma: Kindle Store

Emma's Bio:
Emma Eppard grew up in a missionary family in Bolivia, South America. She now makes her home in the state of Illinois. Upon her graduation from college, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Spanish. She joined the autistic community when her oldest son was diagnosed with autism in 2010. Since that time, Emma has been intentionally seeking how to help her son succeed in life. This has included life style changes in diet, education, stress management, and outlook. In 2014, Emma was introduced to Soma’s Rapid Prompting Method (RPM). Inspired, she began implementing RPM into her family culture. Emma attended Soma’s week long RPM training in 2016, attended and hosted several RPM workshops, and in 2017 founded Autistic Able: RPM Lessons to Teach with Confidence. In 2020, she published the book "Motor Matters: The Importance of Developing Motor Skills in Our Autistic Son." Emma believes strongly that children of all diagnosis have the right to be included and taught age appropriately to thrive.  

Ways To Find Emma:
Website: www.autisticable.com
FB: @emmaeppard

Ways to Find Embrace, Live, Thrive:
Website: www.embracelivethrive.com
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive 

Today, Christy Neal, author and founder of "Choose Different" comes on the podcast to discuss the circumstances the lead to her affair and all the resulting consequences. She can look back and see the choices that lead her there and was inspired to start her ministry encouraging women to fight for their family, to fight for their children, and to fight for their marriage. Christy struggled after her affair to find anyone to mentor her that she was going to be ok, that she was going to heal, and that going to be able to feel forgiven. As she was crying out to God one night, she felt Him speak to her spirit that "You are Her." 

Christy is brutally honest about her choice and the devastation it caused, but through her faith was able to find hope. Christy will encourage and inspire you that nothing is too hard to work through in your marriage. This episode is one that every wife, mother, woman needs to hear. Marriage is hard on the good days and brutal on the worst. Christy's reminder about the importance of communication, telling your spouse what you need, and seeking counseling for a neutral 3rd party if needed are all necessary for a healthy marriage. Listen and share episode 55 and know that you are not alone.

Christy's book:  Don’t Ever Tell: A Message of Hope, Healing, and Redemption After Adultery - Kindle edition by Neal, Christy. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Ways to Find Christy:
Website: Home (choosedifferent.org)
Podcast: Everyone Has A Voice (libsyn.com)
FB: @choosedifferentlyministries
Instagram: @choosedifferent

Christy's Bio:
Christy Neal is an advocate for women who feel tainted and cast out after adultery. As the author of Don’t Ever Tell and the podcast host of Everyone Has A Voice, Christy is now the voice of victory and catalyst for healing she desperately needed but never found over a decade ago after her own affair. As she has said herself, “God has truly turned my ‘mess’ into a beautiful message of hope and healing.”

Embrace, Live, Thrive:
FB: @embracelivethrive
Instagram: @embracelivethrive
Website: Embrace, Live, Thrive! (embracelivethrive.com)

Today, Kelcey Gropp, joins me on the podcast to discuss her journey from believing that cooking was a waste of time to realizing that a healthy diet was necessary for all areas of her life. At the age of 35 she developed adrenal fatigue resulting in severe fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Kelcey realized the value and importance of cleaning up her diet for her health and the health of her family. She encourages us that although starting to change your diet can feel overwhelming by focusing on one thing at a time you can and surrounding yourself with friends are not shocked with you, but help you get determined you are capable of making any change.

Kelcey teaches us that "kitchen" is not a dirty word and by taking control over your diet you become that "aware" mom who knows what she is putting in her body and her children's body. We cannot wait for our bodies to break down before we start allowing it to rest. Listen to this episode and feel inspired and encouraged to take back control of your diet and continue on your journey towards healthy living. Please take the time to like, share, talk about and help spread the message of Embrace, Live, Thrive.

Ways to contact Kelcey:
FB: @kelceygropp
Email: contact Sarah for email

Kelcey Bio:
Kelcey Gropp has a passion for helping people, especially women, to find health in their daily living. Throughout her life, she consistently pursued health through exercise and trying to maintain her physical appearance. However, after having a health crisis 9 years ago, when she was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and Hashimoto's thyroid disease, she began to understand that internal health--the unseen--is vitally important to thriving in all aspects of life. Health is about so much more than just maintaining a certain weight and body type. And health is about so much more than just your body. She now understands how interconnected our bodies are with our minds and spirits.

Having a Master's in Communication, Kelcey has been passionate for years about using words--whether written or spoken--to help teach, lead, and inspire others. During her journey back to health, she found a new mission for this heart for inspiring others. She became passionate about inspiring others to regain and pursue health in their bodies, minds, and spirits. Kelcey hopes as she shares her story and what she has learned, others can become emboldened with the courage and practical steps to thrive in their lives in the area of healthy living.

Kelcey has an amazing music-loving husband, Joel, and a mom of two super-fun kids, Jianna and Landon. She currently lives in Northern Illinois and works at Heritage Church as the Director of Ministries. In her free time, she loves running, biking, travelling, hanging out with friends, and watching HGTV.

Embrace, Live, Thrive:
FB: @embracelivethrive 
Instagram: @embracelivethrive
Website: @embracelivethrive