Inspire Saratoga

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

Stephen Zabala is a coach, culinary expert and owner of Greenfork, a meal prep service that provides quality nutritious meals for individuals in their health and fitness journey.

In this episode, Stephen shares his journey from working in the culinary industry to becoming a nutrition coach and fitness trainer. He discusses his experiences in culinary school, the importance of nutrition, and how he built his meal prep business, Green Fork. Stephen emphasizes the significance of simplicity in nutrition and the common struggles people face when trying to eat healthily. He also touches on the transition from a chaotic restaurant environment to a more positive fitness and wellness lifestyle, highlighting the importance of community and support in achieving health goals.

Check out more from Stephen at:

https://www.eatgreenfork.com/

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

In this conversation, Stephanie Marotta shares her journey from Long Island to Saratoga, her passion for fitness, and the creation of the Saratoga Walking Group. She discusses the importance of community in fitness, the healing power of walking, and the connections formed through shared activities. The conversation highlights the benefits of outdoor exercise and the positive impact of the walking group on its members' lives. Stephanie also shares her personal fitness journey, including her experiences with running and coaching, and her aspirations for the future of the walking group.

Check out the Saratoga walking group at:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1KCP4HXZxm/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:09 The Power of Community in Fitness

06:07 Saratoga Walking Group: Origins and Growth

08:53 The Benefits of Walking and Connection

11:50 Personal Fitness Journey and Inspirations

15:03 Future Plans for the Walking Group

17:59 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

A great friend and inspiration, Cody Wasial, entrepreneur, life coach and founder of Wee Plant Joy is my guest on Inspire Saratoga.

In this conversation, Cody shares her journey from entrepreneurship to life coaching and ultimately to founding the nonprofit Wee Plant Joy. She discusses the importance of community, personal growth, and the power of intuition in making life-changing decisions. Cody emphasizes the connection between humans and nature, and how her experiences have shaped her vision for conservation and community engagement through eco tours. The conversation highlights the challenges faced along the way and the joy found in embracing change and following one's passion.

Check out more from Cody at:

https://codywasial.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Community Connection

02:48 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

05:39 The Shift to Life Coaching

08:58 The Decision to Sell and Its Impact

11:48 Finding Purpose and New Directions

14:39 The Birth of We Plant Joy

17:36 Navigating Challenges and Growth

20:36 Embracing Change and Intuition

23:15 The Journey of Healing and Family Support

26:37 Connecting with Nature and Animals

29:23 Balancing Energies for Success

31:49 Embracing Faith and Opportunity

34:21 The Journey of Self-Discovery

38:12 Building Resilience Through Challenges

39:38 Finding Joy Amidst Grief

41:26 The Birth of We Plant Joy

45:41 Connecting Communities Through Conservation

50:20 Local Actions for Global Impact

52:02 Rapid Fire Reflections

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

In this episode, Megan Mumford, owner of Megan Mumford Photography, discusses the importance of building trust and comfort with subjects in emotional photography. She emphasizes that while technical skills can be learned, the relationship with the subject is crucial for capturing their true beauty. 

Megan shares her approach to photography, highlighting the multi-layered process of creating impactful images that resonate with both the photographer and the subject.

Check out more from Megan at:

https://www.meganmumford.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganmumfordphotographer/?hl=en

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

In the first episode of Season 4, I’m joined by Natalie Moore, Editor in Chief of Saratoga Living magazine.

In this conversation, Natalie shares her journey from a local intern to a prominent figure in the publication. She discusses her experiences living in Saratoga, the origins of the magazine, and the importance of community connections. Natalie reflects on her transition to the editor role, her writing process, and the trends she observes in the local community. The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal her personal insights and inspirations.

Check out more from Natalie and Saratoga Living at:

https://saratogaliving.com/

Saratoga Living After Hours on Substack:

https://substack.com/@saratogalivingafterhours

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Natalie Moore and Saratoga Living

02:47 Natalie's Journey to Saratoga Living

05:56 The Origins of Saratoga Living Magazine

08:57 Building Community Connections

11:54 Transitioning to Editor Role

14:40 Storytelling and Writing Process

17:53 Community Engagement and Trends

20:45 The Future of Saratoga Living

24:01 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

In this Legacy Lesson episode of the podcast, I reflect on the beauty of September and the themes of change and transformation. The importance of understanding the difference between making a change and undergoing a transformation, drawing insights from my conversation with Alec Lewis, who successfully transformed his health and lifestyle. 

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Change: The Beauty of September

01:55 Understanding Change vs. Transformation

05:14 The Power of Environment in Transformation

09:16 Navigating the Middle Stages of Transformation

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

Erin Sikopoulos is the founder of Turn a New Leaf Intuitive Energy and Bodywork on Maple Ave. in Saratoga Springs.

In this conversation, Erin shares her journey from a career in broadcasting to becoming a massage therapist and energy worker in the area. Erin emphasizes the importance of community, personal growth, and the impact of sound and energy on healing. She also reflects on her experiences during the pandemic and her vision for the future of her wellness collective, Turn A New Leaf.

Check out more from Erin at:

https://turnanewleafllc.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Erin Sikopoulos and Her Journey

03:35 The Allure of Saratoga Springs

06:36 Transitioning from Broadcasting to Healing

09:22 Early Days in Massage Therapy

12:26 Understanding Energy Work and Its Benefits

15:13 The Shift to Integrative Practices

18:13 Navigating the Pandemic and Virtual Sessions

27:47 The Power of Real-Time Intuition

30:03 Building a Supportive Wellness Community

32:16 Navigating Leadership and Personal Identity

33:14 Grounding Practices for Entrepreneurs

34:37 Exploring Sound Therapy and Its Benefits

39:57 The Science of Sound and Vibration Therapy

45:29 Future Aspirations for Turn A New Leaf

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

In this Legacy Lesson episode, I reflected on the journey of starting the podcast and the lessons learned over the past year, the importance of practicality and consistency in personal growth and creativity, sharing insights from his experiences and interviews, particularly with musician Cassandra Kubinski. 

Focus on what is practical rather than seeking the optimal way to do things, advocating for a mindset of just starting and staying committed to the process.

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

Alec Lewis has had a powerful life, both personally and professionally, and I was pumped to learn more about it on the podcast.

In this conversation, Alec Lewis shares his journey from a childhood in Los Angeles to growing up in Vermont, discussing the cultural differences between the East and West Coasts. He delves into his political experiences, the challenges of the political landscape, and how it has shaped his views. Alec also opens up about his personal transformation through health and fitness, detailing his weight loss journey and the evolution of his fitness philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of community, storytelling, and the power of connection through his podcast, 'Built Different.' The conversation concludes with rapid-fire questions that reveal Alec's insights and inspirations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:35 Cultural Differences: East Coast vs. West Coast

06:19 Political Journey: Early Interests and Experiences

09:15 The Reality of Politics: Challenges and Disenchantment

12:28 Personal Transformation: Health and Fitness Journey

24:19 Mindset and Continuous Growth in Fitness

28:06 The Journey to Self-Compassion

30:48 Falling in Love with the Process

32:38 Evolution of Fitness and Wellness

37:33 The Importance of Consistency

39:42 Building Community through Conversation

44:17 The Power of Storytelling in Fitness

48:43 Finding Balance in Passion and Talent

Welcome to Inspire Saratoga!

Jennifer Branco is the founder of The Noble Edit, a clothing boutique with a mission for ethical and eco-friendly business in the world of fashion.

In this conversation, Jennifer Branco shares her journey from being a fast fashion consumer to founding Noble Edit, a boutique focused on ethical and sustainable fashion. She discusses the impact of fast fashion on the environment and personal style, the challenges of starting her business, and the importance of consumer awareness. Jennifer emphasizes the need for thoughtful shopping habits and the joy of connecting with customers through styling. She also offers insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and reflects on her personal motivations and inspirations.

Check out more from Jen at:

https://shopthenobleedit.com/about

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Branco and Noble Edit

04:33 The Mission Behind Noble Edit

10:18 Understanding Fast Fashion

14:18 Personal Transformation and Fashion Ethics

19:59 Building the Noble Edit Business

24:08 Challenges and Staying True to the Mission

25:50 Evolving Definitions of Success

28:07 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

29:50 Connecting Through Style

31:09 Influences and Encouragement

33:23 Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs

36:35 Rapid Fire Fun Questions