In this episode, Cathy Sykora sits down with Karese Laguerre, a Registered Dental Hygienist and Myofunctional Therapist, to explore how the way we breathe—and where our tongue rests—can deeply influence our sleep, anxiety, digestion, and overall health. Karese shares how myofunctional therapy strengthens the muscles between the eyes and shoulders to promote better breathing and restorative sleep. They discuss the surprising signs of poor breathing, such as chronic anxiety and fatigue, and dive into simple, actionable tips like nasal hygiene routines and using nasal strips. Karese also breaks down the role of the vagus nerve, why nasal breathing is superior to mouth breathing, and how sleep quality is far more important than sleep quantity.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What myofunctional therapy is and how it transforms breathing and sleep
• How to identify if you're breathing incorrectly and why it matters
• Why nasal hygiene should be part of your daily routine
• The science behind nasal vs. mouth breathing—and why it affects sleep and immunity
• How your tongue's resting position impacts vagus nerve stimulation and breathing
• The truth about sleep duration vs. sleep quality
• How myofunctional therapy can help with TMJ, tongue ties, and more

Memorable Quotes:

• "Breathing is the most critical thing to our life...who of us can go more than a few minutes without air?"
• "What feels like sleep is really just rest—not necessarily restoration of all your bodily functions and cognition."
• "Most people don't even know where their tongue is supposed to rest—and that's the start of the problem."

Bio: Karese Laguerre is a Registered Dental Hygienist and Myofunctional Therapist. She founded The Myo Spot, a practice dedicated to amplifying oral wellness into whole-body wellness through virtual therapy. Karese helps clients of all ages with issues like tongue ties, TMJ disorders, sleep apnea, anxiety, and breathing dysfunction. She's also the author of Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout and Execute Goals, and a passionate educator helping people improve their lives through better breathing.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Accomplished: How to Sleep Better, Eliminate Burnout, and Execute Goals
• The Myo Spot

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

What if clutter isn't just about messy spaces, but a reflection of your inner world? In this episode, Cathy Sykora chats with Julie Corraccio, award-winning professional organizer and life coach, about a holistic approach to decluttering that goes far beyond simply tidying up. Julie redefines clutter as anything that prevents you from living a life you love, whether it's physical, emotional, digital, or relational. From the mental health effects of a messy environment to the hidden reasons we hold on to things, this conversation will inspire you to let go—thoughtfully and with compassion.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Julie's holistic definition of clutter and why it matters
• The connection between physical mess and mental stress
• How clutter can affect your health, sleep, and productivity
• Why decluttering isn't one-size-fits-all and how to find your own method
• Tips for letting go of inherited items without guilt
• How digital clutter can be just as draining as physical clutter
• The emotional side of downsizing and how to approach it with care

Memorable Quotes:

• "Clutter is anything that prevents you from creating a space you love and a life you choose, deserve, and desire."
• "Our memories aren't in the object—they're in our heart and head."
• "You are good enough, you are worthy, and you are loved no matter what."

Bio: Julie Corraccio is an award-winning professional declutterer & organizer, certified life coach, and author of 15 books. She is passionate about supporting people in clearing clutter in all areas of their lives; getting organized; and becoming more mindful and aware. For a decade, she hosted the popular podcast Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out. Happily married to Tony, she is also at the beck and call of rescued black cats Antonio, NiNi, and Gus. Based in Wheeling, WV, Julie works with people all over the world. She enjoys hiking, reading, learning about environmental and animal issues, and baking. The bathtub is her woman cave.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Clearing Clutter: Change Your Life book
• Julie Corraccio's Website

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Cathy Sykora is joined by Rob Grover and Gary Logan, founders of The Journeymen Collective, to explore the transformative power of guided psilocybin retreats. Based in British Columbia, Rob and Gary offer luxurious, purpose-driven experiences that integrate plant medicine, personal development, and deep inner healing. They discuss how their unique approach helps individuals—including executives, entrepreneurs, and creatives—decompose emotional baggage, rediscover their true selves, and live more consciously. The duo shares moving success stories and breaks down how their ceremonial structure provides a safe and powerful alternative to recreational or unsupervised use.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Rob and Gary created a high-end psilocybin retreat experience rooted in spiritual and professional development
• What makes their retreats different from recreational use or traditional therapy
• Why integration after a psychedelic journey is just as vital as the ceremony itself
• The luxurious features of their retreat space and the personalized nature of each experience
• What clients typically experience during a guided journey—including visual, emotional, and intuitive transformations
• How psilocybin supports breakthroughs in grief, depression, addiction, and unconscious habits
• The connection between plant medicine and conscious leadership for high-achievers

Memorable Quotes:

• "If you can sit in silence and stillness in deep frustrations or deep anger... then you become your own true alchemist."
• "The mushroom knows—it will kick your butt if you don't give it that respect and integrity."
• "We're like little bumper guards in a pinball machine… guiding you to the best person that you're going to be."

Bio: Rob Grover and Gary Logan are the founders of The Journeymen Collective, the alternative wellness company creating luxury guided magic mushroom retreats at their center in British Columbia, Canada. Since 2018, they've hosted CEOs, entrepreneurs, athletes, actors, couples, and small groups invested in the highest level of self-discovery and personal development through sacred plant medicine. Guiding guests through contemporary ceremonies using psilocybin, the pair have a combined 60+ years of education in spiritual and metaphysical training, executive level mindset coaching, energetic healing modalities, and the Alexander Technique. Their transformational retreats often result in accelerated personal breakthroughs and conscious impact.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Journeymen Collective: https://www.thejourneymencollective.com/

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com (https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com)
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

Disclaimer: This podcast discusses psilocybin and altered states of consciousness. Content may include sensitive topics related to mental health, trauma, and substance use. This is educational information, not a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or legal guidance. Psychedelics may be unsafe for some people, including those with certain mental health conditions or those taking specific medications. Psilocybin may be illegal in some locations; we do not promote illegal activity. Please consult qualified professionals, prioritize safety, and comply with laws in your jurisdiction.

Dr. Tessa Damm, an ICU physician turned metabolic health advocate, shares her insights on why women often miss early signs of metabolic dysfunction and how to take back control of their health. Drawing from years in critical care and personal experience with chronic illness, Dr. Damm explains how lifestyle interventions can prevent life-threatening diseases and improve quality of life at any age. She also describes her 12-week Metabolic Transformations™ program, which blends science, coaching, and community to help women achieve lasting health transformations. This episode is a compelling reminder that chronic disease is not inevitable—and that vibrant health is within reach.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why 88% of American adults have some degree of metabolic dysfunction
• How signs like fatigue, brain fog, and stubborn belly fat are often dismissed as "normal aging"
• The major flaws in our healthcare system's approach to chronic disease
• Why accountability and community support are essential for successful health changes
• The surprising results women experience—including increased energy, reduced pain, and regained self-confidence
• How Dr. Damm's approach differs from traditional medicine with personalized biometrics and weekly habit tweaks
• What to consider when investing in preventive health instead of waiting for a crisis

Memorable Quotes:

• "No one is coming to save you. Our healthcare system is designed to react to disease, not prevent it."
• "Chronic disease is not inevitable—and your everyday habits are your most powerful tool."
• "The real magic is mental—women stop obsessing over their bodies and reclaim their confidence."

Bio: Dr. Tessa Damm is an ICU physician who has spent years caring for critically ill adults—often seeing undiagnosed metabolic dysfunction driving life-threatening disease. She now leads Metabolic Transformations™, a high-touch program helping women take back control of their health, reshape their metabolism, and create a future they're excited about.

Her work focuses on restoring metabolic flexibility, preserving strength, and mastering lifestyle habits—because the most powerful changes happen outside the doctor's office. Through experimenting with delivery models, she discovered that coaching is the most effective approach. By prioritizing frequent touch-points, individualized lifestyle education, and small-group support with women on the same journey, she consistently helps clients achieve meaningful, lasting change.

Her mission is simple: show that chronic disease is not inevitable—and give women the tools to rewrite their health trajectory.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• MetabolicTransformations.com

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, Cathy sits down with Janet Madrid, a holistic dental hygienist and oral health coach with 46 years in clinical dentistry. Janet shares her expertise on the powerful oral-systemic health connection and how oral health impacts everything from gut health to cognitive function and cardiovascular health. They dive into the importance of the oral microbiome, how improper dental care can lead to systemic inflammation, and why mouth breathing may be at the root of several chronic issues. Janet also introduces simple yet powerful tools like salivary testing and non-toxic dental products to help clients achieve better whole-body health.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why oral health is a crucial part of overall wellness and often overlooked
• The connection between root canals and systemic infections
• How the oral microbiome influences gut health, inflammation, and disease risk
• The dangers of overusing mouthwash and how it disrupts microbial balance
• The role of airway health and nasal breathing in systemic wellness
• Easy, natural approaches to oral care that support microbiome balance
• How health practitioners can collaborate with dental hygienists for better outcomes

Memorable Quotes:

• "The mouth is the gateway to the entire body."
• "You wouldn't leave a dead organ in the body—why leave a dead tooth?"
• "We shouldn't be working without physicians, and physicians shouldn't be working without us."

Bio: Janet Madrid, BS, RDH, is a holistic dental hygienist, bestselling author, and oral health coach with 46 years in clinical dentistry. She is the owner of Hope for Health, a mobile wellness-focused dental hygiene practice in Castle Rock, Colorado. Janet specializes in the oral-systemic connection, helping clients optimize wellness through foundational lifestyle shifts. She is a national speaker, passionate educator, and author of Hope for Health: Illuminating the Foundations of Health & Wellness, a bestseller in three categories.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Hope for Health: Illuminating the Foundations of Health and Wellness

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

What happens when coaching meets improv? In this episode, Cathy Sykora speaks with Betsy Salkind and Amy Warshawsky, co-authors of Coaching with a Twist: Improv for Coaches. With backgrounds in health coaching, leadership, somatics, and comedy, Betsy and Amy have created a dynamic and experiential approach to coach training that blends improv exercises with foundational coaching skills. They explain how play and presence deepen learning, increase client connection, and make coaching more effective—and more fun. Whether you're a seasoned coach or just starting out, their fresh take on training and development is both practical and transformative.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Betsy and Amy transitioned from mentor coaches to co-creators of an improv-based coaching model
• The similarities between improv and motivational interviewing
• Why experiential learning is more "sticky" than traditional training methods
• How play and improvisation enhance presence, creativity, and emotional regulation
• Why they created a safe, supportive environment for learning through coaching with a twist
• A powerful improv exercise called "three-word coaching" you can try today
• The benefits of supervision and their monthly BNA Coaching Salon

Memorable Quotes:

• "Ultimately, if we are coaching well, we're improvising."
• "No rules, only happy accidents."
• "When you're playing and having fun, you are not in fear."

Bios:

Betsy Salkind, PCC, NBC-HWC, is a health and mentor coach with expertise in team, group, and leadership coaching. A professional standup comic and TV writer, she trained at the Mayo Clinic and holds an MS in Organization Studies from MIT Sloan.

Amy J. Warshawsky, MCC, NBC-HWC, is a leadership and mentor coach known for integrating somatic practices into coaching. She has held roles in nonprofit and higher education, and holds degrees from Northwestern University and Cornell. Together, they co-founded BNA Mentor Coaching and co-authored Coaching with a Twist: Improv for Coaches.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• BNA Mentor Coaching
• Coaching with a Twist: Improv for Coaches

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com (https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com)
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, Cathy sits down with Martyn Stephen Williams — explorer, former Hindu monk, and founder of Antarctic expedition companies — to explore what it means to stretch the boundaries of human potential while cultivating inner peace. From leading expeditions to the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest, to time spent meditating as a monk in India, Martyn shares how extreme physical challenges and contemplative practice shaped his approach to resilience, emotional intelligence, and purposeful living. The conversation dives into how mindset, perspective shifts, and simple daily rituals can enable profound personal transformation — not just for adventurers, but for anyone seeking balance, clarity, and strength. If you've ever wondered how adventure, spirituality, and coaching can merge into a powerful formula for well‑being and performance, this episode delivers.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How surviving and thriving in extreme environments teaches emotional resilience, inner calm, and presence — skills that translate directly into day‑to‑day life and work.
• Why shifting perception — even around mundane or stressful events (like traffic or a broken car) — can change how we respond, turning frustration into opportunity for growth.
• The powerful role of consistent practice — meditation, conscious breathing, movement, playful rituals — in developing mental clarity, intuition, and emotional balance.
• Insight on integrating adventure, spirituality, and modern coaching: meeting people where they are and helping them access their full potential through mindset and perspective shifts.
• Simple, actionable daily practices to boost resilience and calm: start your day with a smile or laughter; mix movement with playful rituals; cultivate gratitude, especially for challenges; reflect before sleep to allow deeper processing and insight.
• How better self‑awareness and communication (with oneself and others) can reduce burnout, improve relationships, and support long‑term health — physically, mentally, emotionally.

Memorable Quotes:

• "It's our internal space that decides what we're going through."
• "Life is an adventure — what's the next step?"
• "If we go to be grateful for the difficult things … because it's the difficult things we learn."

Bio: Martyn Stephen Williams was born in Liverpool, England on May 2, 1947. As a mountain and wilderness guide, he is the first person in the world to lead expeditions to the three extremes: South Pole (1989), North Pole (1992), and Everest (1991). He was the first to cross the continent of Antarctica under human power (1990). He founded Adventure Network International and later Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions — an Antarctic services company that has supported many of the record‑breaking expeditions in Antarctica over the past 40 years. He also founded the first airline on the continent, Antarctic Airlines. In 2000 he organized and led the Pole to Pole 2000 expedition — the first (and so far only) human‑powered journey from one pole to the other. As a public speaker and teacher, he has spoken about human potential on all seven continents and shares tools and techniques for enlightened living.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Enlightening Adventures

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com (https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Health Coach Conversations, Cathy Sykora dives into the transformative power of AI for health coaches. She shares how using AI—specifically a customized AI clone—can help you create content faster, build efficient systems, and finally launch your signature program. Cathy discusses practical ways to train AI to sound like you, use it ethically and safely, and integrate it into your marketing, client support, and administrative workflows. With years of experience leveraging AI, Cathy offers a hands-on demonstration and introduces her new course, Signature AI, designed to guide you through creating your AI clone and business systems in just 30 days.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How AI can dramatically reduce your workload and give you more time to coach
• The key benefits of creating your own AI clone that mirrors your voice and brand
• A step-by-step example of turning one idea into an email, blog, handout, and teaching guide in under 5 minutes
• Crucial safety and ethical tips for using AI in a health coaching business
• How to build a year's worth of marketing in one morning with AI
• The five core ways AI supports health coaches: content, client support, admin, marketing, and program building
• An inside look at Cathy's Signature AI course and how it helps coaches finish programs and automate systems

Memorable Quotes:

• "AI is not a threat to human connection—it's a tool that supports it."
• "You stop starting from scratch and AI becomes your creative partner."
• "Your AI clone is like a personalized assistant trained on your voice, your style, your frameworks, and your boundaries."

Bio: Cathy Sykora is a public health educator, communicator, and founder of the Health Coach Group. She helps health coaches build scalable, profitable wellness practices by providing programs, systems, and strategic support. With extensive experience in integrating AI into health coaching businesses, Cathy is leading the way in teaching coaches how to work smarter and grow faster.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Signature AI Course

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com (https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, Cathy Sykora delves into how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way wellness and health coaches run their businesses, create programs, and engage clients. She shares her personal experiences—both what's worked and what needs caution—and outlines actionable strategies to leverage AI for operations, content creation, marketing, and coaching workflows. Cathy emphasizes that while AI can dramatically accelerate productivity, it still requires human oversight to maintain integrity, authenticity, and scope of practice. She also explains how to build your own branded "voice" in AI tools and avoid common pitfalls, like over‑reliance or blind trust in generated content. If you're a coach ready to up‑level your business efficiency and client impact, this episode gives you a roadmap to make AI a practical asset.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How to use AI for business operations: contracts, SOPs, onboarding forms, project management and meeting recaps.
• Ways to build coaching programs and client content in days instead of years using AI‑powered templates, guided meditations, quizzes and tracking systems.
• Effective marketing and visibility uses: sales sequences, email marketing, lead magnets, website copy, SEO keywords — and how Cathy uses a custom GPT with her voice.
• Client experience and engagement innovations: supervision models, progress‑tracking systems, reflection questions, resource lists and automation.
• Coaching growth and education: how AI supports lesson summaries, case studies, practice coaching sessions, client avatars, pricing calculators, workflow outlines and staying on top of wellness research.
• Key caution points: verifying accuracy, staying within scope, reviewing output, using multiple AI sources, and not treating AI as a "person".

Memorable Quotes:

• "There are times when I ask the GPT: 'Are you sure?' and it'll say, 'You have a good point…' because it finds the flaw when you challenge it."
• "I can create an entire sales sequence in three minutes where it used to take me three days."
• "AI doesn't replace experts. It amplifies them. The leaders who win the next decade will be those who combine human insight with machine precision."

Bio: Cathy Sykora is the founder of the Health Coach Group and has over 40 years of business experience, including extensive work in public health, education, and communication. Her mission is to empower health coaches and practitioners to create thriving practices that transform lives. Through ready‑to‑brand programs, websites, and business tools, Cathy has supported thousands of coaches in building successful businesses.

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com (https://www.thehealthcoachgroup.com)
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, Cathy Sykora sits down with Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC, to explore the science and healing potential behind biofeedback and whole-person wellness. Dana shares how her experience as an educator and mother led her to pursue trauma-informed counseling and EEG neurofeedback, ultimately founding Biofeedback and Counseling, Inc. and the transformative Restore of Ada program. The conversation highlights the importance of nervous system regulation, gut health, lifestyle habits, and human connection in overcoming trauma and chronic stress. With practical insights and deeply personal stories, Dana offers a compassionate roadmap for anyone seeking lasting emotional and physical wellness.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why Dana transitioned from education to trauma-informed counseling and neurofeedback
• How biofeedback works to retrain the brain and regulate the nervous system
• The most common conditions treated with biofeedback, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Why gut health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices are crucial for mental health recovery
• The structure and purpose of the Restore of Ada intensive healing program
• How Restore+ extends healing through digital community and affordable ongoing support
• Dana's perspective on rethinking medication and prioritizing root-cause healing

Memorable Quotes:

• "When we lower that idle point, there's just room for life."
• "There's really nothing that doesn't start in the brain."
• "Depression is not a depleted Zoloft conception."

Bio: Dana Hargus, M.Ed., LPC is the owner of Biofeedback and Counseling, Inc., a large private practice in Ada, Oklahoma. With more than 25 years of counseling experience, she specializes in trauma-informed care and integrates EEG neurofeedback to help clients regulate the nervous system and heal from anxiety, PTSD, depression, and stress-related challenges. Dana is also the founder of Restore of Ada and its digital community, Restore+, which extend her mission of whole-person healing by offering education, support, and practical tools for mind-body-spirit wellness. A former teacher, mother of four, and grandmother of eleven, Dana combines professional expertise with personal insight to bring hope and practical solutions to individuals, families, and foster/adoptive communities.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Restore of Ada: https://restoreofada.com/

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
• Leave a Review: If you enjoyed the podcast, please consider leaving a five-star rating or review on Apple Podcasts.