Send us a text

In this episode of Fit for Real Life, I welcome back Spain travel expert Abby Gray of Experience España for a deeper conversation about travel that truly stays with you.

With decades of lived experience in Spain, Abby shares why meaningful travel can’t be planned by an algorithm — and why no computer search can replace human insight, cultural understanding, and real connection. She reflects on the feedback she hears from adult travelers and high school students who experience Spain through her slower, more intentional approach — one rooted in relationships, rhythm, and respect for local culture.

From meals that turn into memories to moments that quietly reshape perspective, this conversation explores why how you travel matters just as much as where you go — and how traveling with guidance, context, and care can influence the way you live long after you come home.

This episode is for anyone who wants more than a checklist trip — and who understands that the most meaningful experiences come from connection, not search results.

To learn more about Abby’s work and her human-centered approach to travel, and TONS of resources, visit her website Experience España - Spain Travel Consultant, Spain Travel, Travel to Spain

Or find her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/experience.espana.abby

You can watch our chat here, on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e5RXpiA_H8o

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

Want to experience Spain like a local — not a tourist? In this episode of Fit for Real Life, I sit down with Abby from Experience España, a Spain specialist with over 30 years of lived experience in the country. Abby helps travelers craft trips that are authentic, respectful, and deeply connected to Spanish culture.

We dive into:

• Abby’s personal journey and how she fell in love with Spain
• Insider tips for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends
• How to slow down and embrace the Spanish lifestyle, from local markets to daily rhythms
• Experiential travel that connects you to people, food, neighborhoods, and traditions
• Lessons from Spain that can shift your perspective and inspire a more mindful approach to life

Whether you’re dreaming of your first trip or your tenth, Abby’s insights will help you move beyond sightseeing to truly live like a local, making your Spanish adventure unforgettable.

I love that Abby says it best herself: “I believe that travel should be about creating unforgettable experiences and memories. That’s why I offer a range of travel consulting services that cater to different interests and travel preferences. Whether you’re looking for a luxury vacation, travel on a budget, Spanish language immersion, or an adventure expedition, I’ve got you covered.”

So if you’ve ever wanted a trip that’s more than just sightseeing — one that truly immerses you in Spanish culture and creates memories that last a lifetime — Abby’s your go-to.

Listen in and discover Spain the way it’s meant to be experienced!

Want to watch our chat on YouTube? Watch it here: https://youtu.be/R4waVOpMO5o

Want to connect with Abby and plan your own authentic Spanish adventure? Visit Experience España - Spain Travel Consultant, Spain Travel, Travel to Spain

 or follow her on Instagram @experience.espana.abby

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

The holidays don’t have to derail your progress. In this episode, we look ahead to 2026, and the micro changes we can make now, to set us up for success. 

We dive into:

• How metabolism naturally shifts during the holidays—and why small, proactive adjustments matter
• The real impact of alcohol on fat burning, sleep, and hormones
• A self-audit to assess nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress before the new year
• Science-backed strategies from the Faster Way to Fat Loss for sustainable habits, energy, and results
• Planning ahead to start 2026 confident, energized, and ahead of the game

Whether you’re enjoying holiday indulgences or juggling travel chaos, this episode shows you how to make small, measurable changes now—so you don’t have to “start fresh” in January.

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

I know what it’s like when life feels completely unpredictable — work deadlines, kids, travel, and all the chaos in between. In this episode, I’m sharing practical strategies, real client stories, and small, adaptable routines that help you stay consistent, feel empowered, and build habits that last — even when your schedule is anything but perfect.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the myth of the “perfect routine” is holding you back
• How to use flexible discipline to make progress, even in chaos
• Real client stories that show small habits create big results
• The A/B/C Routine Method — ideal, real-life, and chaos-mode routines
• Simple tools like the “Two Anchor Rule” and a 3-minute evening reset
• How to build patience and habits that last throughout the year
• Why fads, gadgets, and quick fixes often fail, and what actually works

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

Holiday Travel & Eating Out Made Simple

Holiday travel, busy schedules, and eating out can completely throw your routines off. In this episode, I cut through the guilt and perfectionism to focus on what really matters: staying in motion, maintaining momentum, and creating intentional moments—even when life gets messy.

I share:

• Why perfect days aren’t the goal—and what to aim for instead.
• The three key pivot points that keep me grounded while traveling.
• My real-life blueprint for eating out without stress, from appetizers to dessert.
• A festive, guilt-free mocktail you can enjoy anywhere.
• Simple “anchors” I use to stay consistent and keep results going through the holidays.
• A mindset shift for women who travel often: momentum over starting over.

Whether you’re flying, driving, or navigating holiday dinners, this episode is your practical guide to traveling and eating out without losing your balance—or your sanity.

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

This episode dives into the chaos of holiday eating—office cookies, potlucks, endless snacks—and why “I’ll start Monday” doesn’t have to be your December soundtrack.

We reset your mindset first: food isn’t a verdict, one meal doesn’t define you, and presence beats perfection every time.

Then I walk you through my simple PPP Plate Framework — your anchor at any party so you feel satisfied and enjoy what makes the season fun.

We tackle real-life moments like potlucks, dessert tables, grazing situations, cocktail hours, and late family dinners, with practical tools you can actually use (yes, including the 45-minute pause and a protein shake in the car).

You’ll also get a quick festive mocktail idea and a no-guilt Day-After Plan: no restriction, lots of hydration, a protein bump, normal meals, a 10-minute walk, and kinder self-talk.

The holidays aren’t a test — they’re life. And you can enjoy them without starting over every Monday or waiting for January to take care of yourself.

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

In this episode of Fit for Real Life with Virginia, I’m chatting with Natalie Johnson of Home Begins With Love — a creator whose content feels like a warm hug for busy women everywhere.

Natalie is a homeschooling mom of five, and she built her platform not from a perfect plan, but from the real, everyday rhythms of family life. We dive into how she got started sharing homemaking online, what modern homemaking really looks like, and the mindset that keeps her grounded while juggling a full home and a growing family.

We talk about:

•  How she prioritizes family time without the stress
•  Practical routines and kitchen tips that actually work
•  Prep anyone can do to make meals more efficient, and versatile. 
•  Her approach to cooking simple, nourishing meals
•  How she structures her days while homeschooling five kids
•  Wellness habits that help her feel her best
• Her family's favorite dinner, her personal go to dinner, and her favorite snack after her kids go to bed

Plus, we do a fun lightning round where she shares her favorite gadgets, go-to meals, three ingredients she'd bring to a desert island, and her favorite family vacation.

This episode was so fun, and Natalie’s honest, realistic approach is a reminder that home doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful — it just needs to feel like love.

You can view our chat here on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/eXfcF593u4w

Follow Natalie here on IG: https://www.instagram.com/homebeginswithlove?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

In this episode, Virginia shares the day trip her family took to Sausalito — the same place she brought her daughter and friends this summer for a birthday alternative that turned out to be perfect. She breaks down why these mini-escapes matter, what they actually did, and how YOU can create your own easy, restorative getaway no matter where you live.

What We Cover:

• Why small, nearby escapes are powerful for your wellbeing
• The exact Sausalito itinerary: Bar Bocce → strolling → coffee → optional ferry
• How this trip created meaningful connection for her daughter and family
• The mindset shift of choosing simplicity over chaos
• Tips for planning your own 2–4 hour mini-reset
• Why “getting away” doesn’t need to mean “going far”

• Bar Bocce (Sausalito) Bar Bocce - pizza, bar and Sausalito waterfront hang out
• Sausalito–SF Ferry San Francisco to Sausalito or Tiburon Ferry Ticket 2025 - BOOK NOW
• Downtown Sausalito / Waterfront Walk Visit Sausalito | Official Tourism Site For Sausalito, CA

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

Hey friend — welcome back to Fit for Real Life with Virginia! 🎄

This episode is all about breaking free from the all-or-nothing mindset — something that controlled my life for years, especially during the holidays. I’m sharing my personal journey, including a season when my mom spent over 45 days in the ICU, and how I learned that perfection isn’t possible — but doing the next supportive thing is.

You’ll discover:

• Why our brains love all-or-nothing thinking and how it keeps us stuck.
• How this mindset shows up during the holiday chaos — and what to do instead.
• My 1% Better Holiday Method for real-life consistency without losing the magic.
• The Right-Now Reset: a simple, actionable tool to stay steady no matter what life throws at you.

This episode is like chatting with a friend who’s been there, wants to lift the pressure, and help you feel capable, consistent, and joyful this holiday season. No perfection. Just real-life progress.

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

 https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

Send us a text

Let me start with this: you do not need to be perfect to lose weight.

 In fact… perfection is probably the number one thing keeping you stuck.

I’ve worked with so many women who think they’ve ‘failed’ because they didn’t have the perfect day — the perfect meal — the perfect workout — the perfect start to the week.

 If that sounds familiar, today’s episode is for you.

Today, we’re diving into why chasing perfection might actually be keeping you stuck.

I’ll be honest — I spent years trying to do everything “perfectly.” Meal plans, workouts, tracking every bite, waking up at 5 a.m… you name it. And what happened? I burned out. I quit. Then I felt guilty. Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

 https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA

I'd love and appreciate a 5 star review, and sharing my content with a friend who might love to listen!

Find me on Instagram for daily life, tips and fun content: @wellness.with.virginia

Helpful Links:

Join my 21 Day Reset:

https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

Want to try a FREE workout and try my FAVORITE seasonal crock pot dishes?

• Free FASTer Way 30-Minute Workout: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/workout-free?aid=wellnesswithvirginia
• Free Crockpot Meal Guide: https://www.fasterwaytofatloss.com/guide/crockpot-meals?aid=wellnesswithvirginia

My favorite high quality protein use this for a discount!

https://www.equipfoods.com/WELLNESSWITHVIRGINIA