In this episode of Help Me Understand, Oli and I sit down with entrepreneur, author, and ENCODED founder Chris Walker to explore a question that sits underneath almost everything we do:

Why is it so hard to create the life we say we want?

I first started following Chris years ago through his work in B2B marketing, where he became known for challenging conventional wisdom and explaining why many of the strategies companies relied on were quietly becoming less effective. After building and eventually selling Refine Labs, Chris turned his attention toward a different problem entirely: understanding how our beliefs, identity, and subconscious patterns shape the results we create in our lives.

That exploration eventually led him to create ENCODED, a platform designed to help people identify and train the beliefs operating beneath the surface of their day-to-day experience.

In this conversation, we unpack the ideas behind that work and share our own experiences using the process. We discuss why traditional self-help often reaches a ceiling, the difference between insight and lasting change, and how small daily practices can gradually reshape the way we think, feel, and show up in the world.

We also dive into the impact artificial intelligence is having on work, creativity, and purpose. Chris offers a perspective that feels both challenging and hopeful: that as information becomes increasingly abundant, the qualities that make us uniquely human—judgment, self-trust, creativity, and clarity—become more valuable, not less.

Whether you're trying to make a big life change, feeling stuck in old patterns, or wondering how to navigate an increasingly uncertain future, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for understanding what might be getting in the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Lasting change often requires more than insight; it requires repetition and training.

• Many of our decisions are driven by subconscious beliefs we rarely stop to examine.

• Identity shapes behavior more powerfully than motivation alone.

• Purpose may not be something we discover—it may be something that emerges when we remove the noise.

• Journaling can become more effective when paired with structure, reflection, and clear direction.

• Anxiety, self-doubt, and burnout may be symptoms of deeper patterns rather than fixed personality traits.

• As AI changes the workforce, creativity, judgment, and self-trust become increasingly valuable human skills.

• The future may require us to rely less on predefined maps and more on developing an internal compass.

• Small shifts repeated consistently can create dramatic changes over time.

• The way we think about ourselves influences what we believe is possible.

If you've ever felt like you're doing all the right things but still not getting where you want to go, I think you'll find this conversation fascinating.

RESOURCES:

Learn more about ENCODED: https://www.encoded.ai

Follow Chris Walker:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswalker171

Get Chris Walker's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Frequency-Era-Chris-Walker/dp/B0GYJJGDSK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GOPSR4NI20N7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CgCnrxUMakGIvMi0aWhspLegWikJ0rdNWnz-09uJtyfAZcECop0sTPSi4kW_rd5ucqIjK1PjEYjUOaU6EkX81lQEhrA_ga5xBchBiKnYk0yRWpUd86J63aTKvz3Zul8v70KAQS1s1vn95xq8lRtCgiD1CCCyXNraI4j9y85nrn2jYPAcR96zjhiCq-vLyIERTe5umuQfGOYvF1LYRbUChCvvMiKLS4bwz9J8k6BPqek.sBssN6tdg1AMm1CTCsWbLObhXyoitsx60ZbNclDaufY&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+frequency+era&qid=1781622536&sprefix=%2Caps%2C415&sr=8-1

In this episode of Help Me Understand, I sit down with my brother-in-law, Eric Rubin, to dive deep into the rollercoaster journey of injury recovery. Eric shares his personal experience with two significant injuries—a ruptured Achilles and later, thoracic outlet syndrome—and the physical, mental, and emotional impact these had on his life.

Our conversation explores the unexpected ways these injuries challenged Eric’s identity, the mental resilience it took to keep pushing forward, and the role that family played in keeping his spirits up and his outlook positive. We talk about the mental struggles that often come with recovery, the unique pressures of adapting to a “new normal,” and the small but mighty wins that keep you going when the road ahead seems never-ending.

Eric also shares the lessons he’s learned from his practice of parkour, including how to creatively approach recovery and how staying curious and open can help even on the toughest days. For anyone dealing with an injury or health setback, Eric’s story is a reminder of the power of patience, the importance of support systems, and the profound personal growth that can arise when you face big challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• Reconnecting with family can open the door to personal growth.
• Injury recovery isn’t just physical; it requires patience, hard work, and mental resilience.
• The psychological toll of recovery is real, but it’s often overlooked.
• Finding the right support—family, friends, or community—can make all the difference.
• Each recovery journey is unique; celebrate the small wins and incremental progress.
• Embracing creativity and adaptability in rehab can make it more sustainable and even enjoyable.
• Letting go of “who we used to be” can be part of the healing process.
• Focusing on what you can do fosters a positive mindset.
• Community support and shared stories provide strength and hope for the journey ahead.

If you’re on your own path to recovery, I hope this conversation offers you the encouragement to keep going, even on the tough days.

RESOURCES:

• Eric's recovery Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/erics_achilles_chapter/

In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my longtime friend and mentor, Sujantra McKeever, to talk all things meditation, spirituality, and personal growth. Sujantra has been a guiding light for me when it comes to understanding the deeper aspects of meditation, and we go deep into how these practices fit into our modern lives.

Sujantra shared his own journey into meditation, including the challenges he faced as a beginner and how community and support play a vital role in spiritual growth. We also explored some fascinating topics, like reincarnation, the nature of consciousness, and how our desires and longings connect our past and future lives. Throughout the conversation, Sujantra emphasized the importance of making meditation techniques personal—there's no one-size-fits-all approach—and staying patient as you practice.

Some key takeaways from our conversation:

• Meditation is a powerful tool to calm and quiet the mind.
• Spirituality is about connecting with your deeper self.
• Community support is essential for spiritual growth.
• Our personal experiences deeply shape our understanding of spirituality.
• Visualization and living in the moment can enhance your meditation practice.

Sujantra also talked about how understanding consciousness can be the key to deeper spiritual exploration. We get into some pretty thought-provoking stuff here, and I can’t wait for you to listen.

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out Sujantra’s 5 books on meditation and spirituality on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sujantra-McKeever/author/B00QQVZS9K?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1728871428&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
• Join Sujantra for his free weekly meditation classes at Pilgrimage Yoga: https://pilgrimageyoga.com/
• And if you haven’t already, sign up for my weekly letter where I share more insights and resources on meditation, movement, and mindfulness: https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

Thanks for tuning in—I’m so excited for you to dive into this episode!

In this episode of the Help Me Understand podcast, I sit down with Dr. Derya, a physical therapist certified by the Postural Restoration Institute, to chat about posture and why it’s not as simple as “stand up straight!” We dive into how our modern habits—like being glued to our screens—affect not just how we look, but how we feel. Dr. Derya talks about understanding posture as something fluid and adaptable, not rigid. She explains the PRI approach, which is all about restoring natural movement patterns and getting to the root of discomfort instead of just managing symptoms. We also talk through practical ways to improve your posture and why a holistic view of the body is so crucial for healing.

Takeaways:

• True healing comes from addressing root causes, not just treating symptoms.
• Posture isn’t a fixed position—it’s dynamic and adaptable.
• Modern lifestyles contribute to poor posture and discomfort (yes, I'm looking at you, phone screens!).
• Understanding your habitual movement patterns is key to improving how you feel.
• The visual system (how we use our eyes) plays a big role in how we hold ourselves.
• The diaphragm is more than a breathing muscle; it has a major influence on posture.
• PRI focuses on restoring natural movement, not just spot-treating pain.
• A holistic approach is essential for effective rehabilitation.
• Spot treating often misses the bigger patterns underneath.
• Awareness of how we move can make a huge difference in our overall health.

Resources:

• Dr. Derya's IG: @drderyaanderson
• Dr. Derya's website: myessentialpt.com
• Postural Restoration Institute website: posturalrestoration.com
• Sign up for my weekly letter: yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

In this episode, Brentan explores the complexities of emotions, particularly focusing on unpleasant feelings and how to manage them through a tool called AVP (Acknowledge, Validate, Permit).

She shares personal experiences and insights on the importance of recognizing and validating our emotions, as well as transitioning towards more pleasant feelings. The conversation emphasizes the significance of self-acceptance and the power of daydreaming to cultivate positive emotions.

Takeaways

• The journey of understanding emotions is lifelong.
• Unpleasant emotions can often outweigh pleasant ones.
• The AVP tool helps in managing emotions effectively.
• Acknowledgment of feelings is the first step to healing.
• Validation of feelings is crucial for emotional health.
• Permitting oneself to feel is a revolutionary act.
• Daydreaming can help in cultivating positive emotions.
• Self-doubt and self-loathing stem from unaddressed feelings.
• Optimism about the future is essential for emotional well-being.
• Practicing ABP can transform emotional responses.

Stay connected and get more insights by signing up for my weekly letters at Yoga In Your Living Room https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners who could benefit from these discussions. Got questions or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes? Drop me a message on social media or through our website.

In this episode I meet up with a fellow member of my business mastermind group, Macklen Mayse. Macklen is a strength coach with a rich background in yoga. Macklen’s unique perspective on strength training, especially for those who might feel hesitant to step into a gym, made her the perfect guest for this conversation.

Strength has been a major topic in my life recently. As someone who’s mostly stuck to bodyweight movements, I’ve had a growing suspicion that it’s time to add some external load to my routine. Macklen and I dive into the practicalities of starting strength training from scratch, addressing common concerns and challenges. I'll be honest—this was a tough conversation for me, and you'll hear me wrestle with some of the concepts. But the insights Macklen shares are too valuable to miss.

After the episode, I share how our discussion led me to make some real changes in my own life, so stick around for that!

Resources from the Show:

Follow Macklen on Instagram: @macklenmayse

Sign up for Macklen’s newsletter to get all the details on when doors to Strong Club open: https://www.macklenmayse.com/ 

Stay connected and get more insights by signing up for my weekly letters at Yoga In Your Living Room https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners who could benefit from these conversations. If you have any questions or topics you’d like to hear more about, feel free to reach out on social media or through our website.

In this episode of the Help Me Understand Podcast, I’m excited to welcome Mary Reddinger, the smartest person I know when it comes to pre and post-natal yoga. Mary and I are part of the same business mastermind group, and when my email list requested more information on the pelvic floor, I knew Mary was the perfect person to bring on the show.

The pelvic floor is a crucial aspect of overall health, particularly for new moms, and in this conversation, Mary breaks it all down. You’ll learn what the pelvic floor is, its functions, what pelvic floor dysfunction looks like, and practical strategies to improve its health through breathing exercises and training key muscle groups like the glutes and abs.

Personally, this conversation reinforced how the practices we focus on at Yoga In Your Living Room already support the long-term health of our pelvic floor, which gives me even more confidence in the work we’re doing.

Resources from the Show:

Follow Mary on Instagram: @maryreddingeryoga

Learn more about Mary’s prenatal yoga, postnatal yoga and private yoga in Chapel Hill, NC area and online: https://www.maryreddingeryoga.com/ 

Stay connected and get more insights by signing up for my weekly letters at Yoga In Your Living Room https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners who could benefit from these discussions. Got questions or topics you’d like us to explore in future episodes? Drop me a message on social media or through our website.

In this episode I’m thrilled to chat with Teagan Schweitzer, a yoga teacher whose creativity and cueing have deeply influenced my own practice. I discovered Teagan through the LYT yoga platform and quickly became a fan of her unique approach to movement.

Teagan’s journey with movement began as a lifelong dancer, but it hasn’t always been easy. She’s faced injuries and moments of doubt, yet her passion for movement never waned. Instead, she adapted, experimented, and found new ways to keep movement fresh and engaging. In our conversation, we explore how she has maintained a joyful connection to movement, even when the going got tough.

You’ll learn why staying curious and playful with your movement practice is key to making it a sustainable part of your life. Teagan shares her personal strategies for keeping movement fun and talks about the power of starting small, especially when motivation is low. Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or just starting out, this episode is packed with insights that will inspire you to find more joy in your practice.

Resources from the Show:

Follow Teagan Schweitzer on Instagram: @yogawithteagan 

Explore Teagan’s website where all of her classes live: ⁠https://yogawithteagan.com/⁠ 

Stay connected and get more insights by signing up for my weekly letters at Yoga In Your Living Room ⁠https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter⁠

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your support helps us reach more listeners who could benefit from these conversations. If you have any questions or topics you’d like to hear more about, feel free to reach out on social media or through our website.

This week on the podcast, I'm thrilled to sit down with Kristin Williams, a doctor of physical therapy with a focus on orthopedics and one of the most inspiring yoga teachers I know.

We dive into the essentials of staying healthy as we age, exploring why Kristin's unique style of yoga is a game-changer for both prevention and recovery. We also cover when it's time to seek professional help, and how to choose the right kind of support. What truly stands out in this episode is Kristin’s unwavering optimism about the human body's ability to heal and thrive, no matter where you start from.

In this episode, you'll learn:

👉How to make aging a time of strength and vitality

👉The key elements that make Kristin’s approach to yoga so effective

👉Practical advice on when to reach out for help and who to turn to

Resources mentioned:

Connect with Kristin: Follow her on Instagram @kbwilliams99.

Try Lyt Yoga: Get a 7-day free trial to access Kristin's weekly classes on the Lyt Yoga platform here https://lytyoga.com/

Listen to the "Redefining Movement" Podcast: Catch weekly Q&As every Wednesday on the podcast she co-hosts with Lyt Yoga founder Lara Heimann here https://lytyoga.com/podcast

Stay connected and get more insights by signing up for my weekly letters at Yoga In Your Living Room https://www.yogainyourlivingroom.com/weekly-letter

In this first episode of Help Me Understand, I dive deep into a story that has shaped much of who I am today: the story of my mom and her illness. I open up about the complexities of our relationship, the impact her struggles had on our family, and the weight of dreams left unfulfilled. I wrestle with the question of "why"—why we do what we do and why it can be so hard to articulate our own stories.

I also touch on the limitations of the medical system when it comes to addressing autoimmune diseases and why I believe in the importance of holistic approaches to healing. My hope with this podcast is to create a space where we can explore these big, messy topics together, and in doing so, find some clarity, community, and a little bit of optimism along the way.