It Has to Be Me

Toni, Polly, and Deanna—three members of the Skinny60® community—share how improving their gut health was the key to living their best life over 40.  

After years of failed diets and lingering post-pregnancy weight, Toni was exhausted and dragging her way through life. Within five days of starting the program, she was waking up energized and excited to tackle the day. Within two months, she’d lost 30 pounds, and had a new lease on life!   

During the pandemic, the stress of Polly’s work as a nurse led to snacking on junk food, and other habits that resulted in persistent acid reflux and joint pain. The science-based approach of Skinny60® appealed to her as a medical professional. By nourishing her body strategically and improving her digestion, she lifted her mood, lost weight, and took back control of her health.   

Deanna was also desperate to hit reset. After years of burnout, chronic constipation and inflammation, she was adamant about finding something sustainable that she could do on her own. Initially skeptical, she experienced life-changing results with the SK60® System. She lost 20 pounds, her pain and hot flashes disappeared, and she poops every day! 

Key for all three women was how Skinny60® gave them the nutrition knowledge, additional cooking skills, and confidence to make smart food choices for life—without the stress of restrictive diets or passing fads.   

Staying flexible and embracing the “Good, Better, Best, Not Perfect” philosophy of the program was a game-changer. Letting go of having to get everything right, they all came to see that lasting success isn’t about perfection—it’s about simply making the next better choice.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Taking in nutrition specific for your needs now is the most effective eating strategy.  
• Better gut health is foundational for balancing hormones, and critical during menopause. 
• Nutrition education is key for making better food choices sustainable.  
• A dietitian should be an integral member of your medical team.  
• Achieving better health is about what you add more than what you take away.  
• Meeting your protein needs is a game-changer for better metabolic function.  
• Your health approach needs to adapt to your changing needs. 
• Rather than aiming for perfection, take action on the next better choice.  

ABOUT OUR GUESTS 

TONI RAYNES 

The youngest of four kids, Toni grew up in Southeast Asia before returning to Australia to live. Having spent much of her life exploring other cultures, she counts the empathy and adaptability she developed as her superpowers. Mom to two fabulous teenagers, Toni enjoys her work as an assistant director in film and TV. Committed as she is to work and home, she’s also committed to staying healthy so she can keep traveling all her life.  

POLLY DRAGO 

A nurse going on 25 years now, Polly has found fulfillment providing compassionate care to her community. She and her husband enjoy time in the kitchen cooking and eating delicious meals, many of which are SK60® recipes. Staying active, she maintains ballet barre and Pilates routines, hikes, and particularly enjoys being in nature. An avid reader and knitter, Polly also enjoys traveling and dressing up for a fancy-dress ball!  

DEANNA VANSICKEL 

With a PhD in human science, Deanna spent ten years as a psychotherapist serving marginalized populations, then transitioned to business psychology and executive coaching. For the past twenty years, she has worked guiding executives and organizations in the governmental, academic, and corporate sectors as they navigate the complex challenges of professional leadership and service. She lives in Omaha, Nebraska.  

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

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What if I said that you don’t have to have a period every month? The way we think about birth control and menopause is completely outdated. So says Dr. Sophia Yen, who is revolutionizing access to contraception and menopause care.   

Dr. Sophia recounts her pivotal “It Has To Me” moment, volunteering for Planned Parenthood as a teenager. She watched a fellow 15-year-old grapple with the effects of an unwanted pregnancy. Determined to be part of the solution, she became a doctor and fierce advocate for reproductive rights, committed to educating girls about birth control to safeguard their options as young women. 

Founding two NGOs for women, and teaching other doctors at Stanford, Dr. Sophia took her mission to the next level with the telehealth platform Pandia Health. She and her team of physicians provide women across the United States with easy and affordable access to birth control and menopause care.  

Upending traditional views about menstruation, Dr. Sophia talks us through the best birth control options, and the science behind reducing the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer by making periods optional. She also debunks false claims about the dangers of hormone replacement therapy, and shares how women are taking the contraceptive pill during perimenopause to reduce their symptoms safely and transition with ease.  

Dr. Sophia’s empowering perspective and practical advice will help you take charge of your health.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Education and awareness can reduce the risk of reproductive health issues. 
• Pandia Health is democratizing access to birth control and menopause care.  
• Birth Control: Which methods are the safest and most effective.   
• The science behind how birth control reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.  
• Rethinking menstruation: Periods can be optional, and not bleeding regularly is healthier.  
• If your period lasts more than five to seven days, see a doctor. 
• The contraceptive pill during perimenopause can reduce symptoms for a smoother transition. 
• The lies and realities of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).  

ABOUT DR. SOPHIA YEN 

Sophia Yen, MD, MPH is a reproductive health specialist and the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Pandia Health. This national online platform is dedicated to making women’s lives easier with prescription fulfillment and medicine delivery for recurring birth control and hormone replacement.  

Board-certified in adolescent medicine, Dr. Yen is a Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford Medical School.  

After graduating with a BS from MIT, MD from UCSF Medical School, and MPH from UC Berkeley in Maternal Child Health, Dr. Yen co-founded two not-for-profit organizations to improve the lives of women: The Silver Ribbon Campaign to Trust Women and SheHeroes.org.  

Dedicated to informing the public and the medical profession about reproductive health, Dr. Yen has been a featured speaker at MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, Boston Children’s Hospital, SXSW, and TEDxBerkeley. 

CONNECT WITH DR. SOPHIA YEN 

Website: https://www.pandiahealth.com/ 

TEDx Talk: http://pandiahealth.com/periodsoptional 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pandiahealth/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pandiahealth/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/pandiahealth 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pandia-health/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

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Struggling to find credible information and a doctor who will support you through menopause?  

Melissa Oliveira and Stacey Ulacia—co-founders of HotPause Health share how they are supporting midlife women with cutting-edge resources and access to healthcare practitioners trained in menopause. 

When perimenopause hit in their mid 40’s, Melissa and Stacey were disappointed by the lack of reliable medical information and support for midlife women, and the prolific gaslighting by uninformed doctors.  

Determined to close the healthcare gap for women over 40, they gave up the security of their corporate jobs in health communications, and went all in with their mission to empower women with a higher level of menopause care.  

Drawing from their professional experience, Melissa and Stacey assembled an expert medical advisory board of doctors to carefully curate evidence-based articles and a directory of trusted practitioners.  

The result is a free online haven where women can access reliable research about menopause symptoms, learn about proven treatments, and connect with qualified providers.  

Stacey and Melissa stress the importance of education, medical advocacy, and community in breaking down stigmas and ensuring women have the most relevant resources as they age.   

Tune in and get valuable information about menopause to take control of your health.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• You're the CEO of your menopause healthcare journey.  
• Women live in chronic poor health a decade longer than men.  
• Over 40, it is critical to find practitioners who have menopause training.  
• Less than 40% of OBGYNs have training in menopause health.  
• To close the healthcare gap, HotPause Health connects women with menopause practitioners.  
• When researching menopause, get science-based information vetted by doctors.  
• There are surprising yet common menopause symptoms that go beyond hot flashes. 
• You are not crazy. Menopause symptoms are real. Find your supportive community. 

ABOUT HOTPAUSE HEALTH: 

HotPause Health is a free online community dedicated to empowering women in perimenopause and menopause with science-backed resources vetted by medical practitioners. By educating women about their symptoms and treatment options, HotPause Health aims to shift the midlife experience from one of solitary silent suffering to a journey filled with guidance, support, and joy.  

HotPause Health co-founder and co-president Melissa Oliveira, is a brand marketing and operations executive who has worked on both the client and agency-side in the tech, CPG and health & wellness sectors, for Nestle Health Science, Abbott Nutrition, MARS and Google. She thrives at fostering communities and building brands that help people live better, healthier lives. Melissa is a seventh generation Hawaiian and is a graduate of Duke University’s Sanford Institute of Public Policy.  

HotPause Health co-founder and co-president Stacey Ulacia is a communications, social media and public relations executive who has built and elevated consumer brands and healthcare organizations including Seattle Children’s Hospital, Amazon and Susan G. Komen. She thrives at the intersection of digital health and proactive prevention by providing equitable access to information and resources. A long-time Pacific Northwesterner, Stacey lives on Mercer Island, and is a graduate of the University of Washington. 

CONNECT WITH HOTPAUSE HEALTH: 

Website: https://hotpausehealth.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotpausehealth/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotpausehealth 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hot-pause-health/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

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Feeling like your best years are behind you? 

Jen Marples—entrepreneur and podcaster—shares how she is helping women in midlife step out of the shadows and go after what they want!  

Jen’s big wake-up call came when 25 years in the high-pressure world of corporate marketing and PR left her burnt out, exhausted, and struggling with health problems. Her work and clients were getting the best, her husband and kids were getting the crumbs, and there was nothing left for her.  

The tipping point came when things were on the verge of blowing up her marriage. Jen let go of managing the crises of her clients, and took a sabbatical to prioritize health, family, and quality of life in her 50’s. 

Friends and colleagues were also having their own mid-life epiphanies, and doing more in their second act than they had in their first! This new generation of women post 50 were defying stereotypes about aging, thinking bigger, and redefining success.   

Jen saw the possibilities of collective activation. Harnessing the energy, she launched two new ventures: a communications agency magnifying the impact of female leaders and women-owned businesses, and a podcast with the mission statement: You’re not too f**king old!  

Jen’s rallying cry will have you deciding It Has To Be Me!   

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:  

• Choose your circle wisely. What you expect to find will be your experience.   
• Collaboration among women is more powerful than competition. 
• You just need one accountability partner to combat fear and start. 
• Start before you’re ready—courage comes before confidence.  
• Midlife is an opportunity to do the things you’ve always wanted to do.  
• Your definition of success and happiness is the only one that matters.  
• No is your friend. So you can say yes to the right things.  
• The Mission: You're not too old to go after what you want.   

ABOUT JEN MARPLES  

A seasoned entrepreneur with years of experience in marketing, communications, and public relations, Jen Marples is a speaker, podcaster, event host, and founder of the Jen Marples Agency.  

After spending 25 years crafting messages for global brands and fortune 500 companies, Jen’s communications firm now magnifies the impact of women-owned businesses, and female leaders and solopreneurs.  

Jen interviews female thought leaders on her podcast, The Jen Marples Show to help women over 40 rock the second half of their lives with the mantra: You’re not too f***ing old!  

Dedicated to championing women of all ages, Jen hosts live networking and collaboration events.  

CONNECT WITH JEN MARPLES 

Website: https://jenmarples.com/ 

The Jen Marples Show: https://jenmarples.com/podcast/ 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jennifermarples/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenmarples/ 

Instagram:  

https://www.instagram.com/thejenmarplesshow/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenmarples 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmarples/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Want to understand more about your family and where you came from? I’m getting the scoop on the best way to do it with genealogist Dana Jones.   

Dana reflects on how working with her grandfather to follow the breadcrumbs of their family history fueled a life-long interest in genealogy. After 25 years working in communications, Dana pivoted to pursue her passion as a career and help others investigate their family legacies. Entering the field as a professional when she did enabled her to leverage both the traditional family-tree perspective and emerging science in DNA and heredity.   

With a keen interest in true crime and a love of puzzles, Dana plunges into the labyrinths of her clients’ lives, searching for clues about the origins of their families. From mistaken identities, murders, and dramatic secrets, Dana’s work as a genealogist could be mistaken for a juicy chapter in a novel, uncovering facts that are stranger than fiction. 

She also highlights the less salacious but profound emotional and historical ramifications of genealogy—revealing how understanding generational trauma, preserving family legacies, and documenting oral and written histories shape identity and belonging.  

Dana takes us inside the process and methods of genealogical research. She gives practical tips for leveraging DNA-testing, and how to maximize the resources available through Ancestry.com, 23andMe, and other services to get accurate information.  

Whether you're interested in learning about your ancestors, verifying family stories, building  records for future generations, or are just curious about genealogy, this episode will get you fired up to explore your family history.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Preserving written and oral history enriches our understanding of ourselves. 
• Genealogy can reveal surprising family stories and secrets. 
• Legacy and identity are deeply intertwined in genealogy. 
• Genealogy is specialized and supported by a network of professionals. 
• Detailed preparation is key for effective genealogical research. 
• The process of genealogy requires patience and attention to detail. 
• Online platforms offer a wealth of resources as starting points for family research. 
• When sharing DNA information, it’s essential to under your privacy options and rights.  

ABOUT DANA JONES:  

As the only child of only children and mother to an only child, genealogist Dana Jones is passionate about helping others explore their family history and relationships.  

After graduating from Vanderbilt University, she had a 25-year career in marketing, consumer insights, and brand management at Disney, where her attention to detail prepared her for further work in research.  

An avid puzzle solver and reader of true crime, Dana spent considerable time, over 18 years,  working with her grandfather in hunting down their family history. Leaving her job, she turned that passion into a career, studied genealogical research at Boston University, and joined the Association of Professional Genealogists.  

As a member of lineage organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Dana is committed to preserving written and oral history.  

CONNECT WITH DANA: 

Website: www.generationjonesgenealogy.com 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/generationjonesgenealogy 

IG: https://instagram.com/generationjonesgenealogy/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-goolsby-jones/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Integrative Health Practitioner Melissa Deally explains how Hypnotherapy, Time Line Therapy, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can accelerate physical and emotional healing.    

We discuss the difference between traditional psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, and how maximizing the power of the unconscious mind (90% of the brain) can significantly shift your emotional state to overcome obstacles that prevent you from achieving your goals.  

Struggling with debilitating migraines, and searching for answers to her kids’ multiple health issues, Melissa was frustrated with conventional medicine’s hyper focus on symptoms. With the help of a naturopath, she was able to heal herself and her daughters with a systemic approach and personalized nutrition.   

The transformative experiences in her own family prompted Melissa to abandon a 24-year corporate career and become a holistic practitioner. While formulating wellness plans for clients, she was struck by the way some people were able to make necessary behavioral changes and others were not.   

Seeing the effectiveness of hypnotherapy to break through barriers that got in the way of people’s success, Melissa incorporated this alternate healing modality and others in her practice, with dramatic results.  

She’s fine-tuned techniques that empower people to release emotional trauma, move past limiting beliefs, manage triggers, and cultivate positive habits to achieve foundational change and quality of life.  

Melissa teaches us several of these techniques on the show so you can use them yourself to go after your next It Has To Be Me!  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Mind-Body Practitioners address your health—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Combining the power of the conscious and unconscious mind accelerates healing.  
• The conscious mind makes up 10% of our brain and the unconscious mind is 90% of it. Our unconscious mind stores all memories unfiltered, enabling fuller access for growth. 
• Triggers from past experiences not setbacks, but opportunities for greater awareness.  
• Time Line Therapy helps to release stored emotions and limiting beliefs from childhood. Hypnotherapy accesses the unconscious mind to break down barriers to change. Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques facilitate new behaviors and habits. 

ABOUT MELISSA DEALLY  

An Integrative Health Practitioner, Melissa Deally uses Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Time Line Therapy, and Hypnotherapy to help individuals heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  

Founders of the Amplify Impact Academy, Melissa and her colleagues train other practitioners in mind-body healing modalities. An author and speaker, Melissa also hosts the "Don’t Wait For Your Wake-Up Call” podcast, where she provides practical health tips.  

Melissa’s nonprofit, Girls Matter, works to keep girls in school in Uganda and Kenya. Businesses From The Heart recognized Melissa with the Quality Care Award in 2021 and 2022, and she’s received numerous other rewards and citations.  

Melissa enjoys paddleboarding, skiing, hiking and camping with her daughters, and planning the next adventure for her Girl Guides unit.  

CONNECT WITH MELISSA 

Website: https://yourguidedhealthjourney.com/ 

Impact Academy: https://amplifyimpactacademy.com 

Podcast: https://yourguidedhealthjourney.com/podcast 

Girls Matter Charity: https://girlsmatter.ca/ 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/melissadeally 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidedhealthjourney/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelissaDeally 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissadeally/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/   

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Steve Valentine—magician and actor—shares how magic reignites our child-like sense of wonder and play, helping us believe that anything is possible.   

He recalls how, as a boy in the UK, he discovered his fascination with magic. In the school yard, a fellow student made a knot disappear. Steve enjoyed the trick, but was captivated by the effect the magic had on him and the other kids.  

Making up his mind to be a magician and an actor, he started grabbing books and teaching himself. A mentor in a local magic group helped him kick his skills up to the next level. In his 20s, he was headlining at the Magic Castle in Los Angeles and performing in venues around the world.  

Pigeonholed—especially in Hollywood circles—as a magician, he wasn’t getting traction as an actor. So Steve turned his back on magic, and put all his chips on acting. The gamble paid off. He landed his breakout role as Nigel Townsend on Crossing Jordan. This six-season gig led to roles on other series, and a career voicing characters in video games and animated movies.   

A chance encounter with a magician from his original magic group, in a completely unlikely place, shocked him into the realization that he couldn’t give up magic. He had to pursue both his passions. Creating shows around his unique set of skills and talents turned out to be the winning combination.   

Steve’s story of bold risks and an unflagging belief in himself will get you fired up to go after your next “It Has To Be Me.”  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Magic is not about fooling people; it's inviting them to believe in possibility.  
• Honesty and authenticity is your greatest strength in performance and in life.   
• Mentorship and community are vital for growth and resilience.  
• Teaching others enhances your creativity and sparks new ideas. 
• Step out of your comfort zone and transcend what you think you’re capable of.  
• Adopt the “Why not me?” mindset and ask for what you want.  
• Be open to anything. Things never turn out the way you think. Often, it’s better.  
• Lean into what makes you different. Your uniqueness is your superpower.  

ABOUT STEVE VALENTINE  

Steve Valentine is a Scottish-American actor and award-winning close-up magician with a penchant for playing wild and quirky characters and entertaining live audiences with his humorous card tricks and quick wit.  

On screen, he is best known for playing criminologist Nigel Townsend on Crossing Jordan, ‘80s rock legend Derek Jupiter in I'm In The Band, and Dracula in the Monster High movies.  

He’s voiced characters in animated series, including Riley Rocket, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, and Tinkerbell. Gamers know him as the voices of Harry Flynn in Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Alistair in the Dragon Age franchise.  

On stage, Steve has headlined in Las Vegas and at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, and venues worldwide, performing his brand of high-energy magic and comedy. Highlights include national tours with The Illusionists and his one-man shows Life and Other Deceptions and Mr Valentine Blows Your Mind.  

To preserve the history and craft of magic and to teach novice magicians, Steve created Magic On The Go, an online video encyclopedia. In his podcast, Magicians Only, he shares his love of magic and storytelling. 

CONNECT WITH STEVE 

Website: https://stevevalentine.squarespace.com/ 

Podcast: https://stevevalentine.squarespace.com/podcast 

Magic On The Go: https://magiconthego.vhx.tv/browse 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevevalentine 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSteveValentine 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevevalentine/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

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What if you had 6 minutes in the Oval Office to photograph the president—while the communications team is shutting you down and the Secretary Of State and Joint Chiefs are waiting by the door to contain an international incident? Ben Baker, who’s photographed five US presidents, recounts the stories behind his iconic images of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Donald Trump.  

Ben’s story begins in the Australian outback where as a boy he often accompanied his father, a mediator working with Indigenous communities, on trips that honed his skills for observing, listening, and connecting.  

Those formative experiences laid the groundwork for a career defined by resilience, adaptability, a flair for storytelling, and a talent for getting people to reveal themselves. 

Ben recalls key lessons about discipline and preparation, gained in working with legendary photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Harry Benson, and Mark Seliger. And how, early in his career, Rupert Murdoch taught him the importance of owning the room and taking charge when dealing with people in power.  

Approaching photographs as historical documents, Ben talks us through the strategies he’s developed to find the connection point with each subject to capture the person and the moment. We discuss the art of slowing the environment down in high-pressure situations in order to get the job done. “Take the steps,” Ben says. “The ladder needs to have the steps on it for a reason, not to slow you down, but to give you a chance to absorb it all.” 

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• The skill of getting presidents, business leaders, and celebrities to engage.   
• Creativity thrives with discipline, preparation, observation, and resilience. 
• Some tension and pushback opens your mind to other options and angles.  
• A lesson from Annie Leibovitz: Prepare and be at your best to be able to take the shot.  
• Dress to be ready for anything. It's your job to get to the next room. 
• Seize every opportunity: Own the room, step up, and ask for what you want.  
• To keep people in the room and in the moment, find the in with them. 
• In high-pressure situations: Slow down the environment. 

ABOUT BEN BAKER 

As a photographer and director, Ben Baker has captured iconic images of the last five US presidents, leaders of over 50 other countries, and countless business luminaries and celebrities.   

A childhood in South Australia and the Northern Territory ignited Ben’s interest in exploring and documenting the richness of our shared humanity through photography.  

After getting his start in Australia, Ben moved to New York, where he assisted Annie Leibovitz. He went on to work with some of contemporary photography’s most respected figures, including Mary Ellen Mark, Harry Benson, and Mark Seliger.  

Striking out on his own, he’s spent the last 25 years pursuing meaningful human engagement by telling stories with his camera.   

Ben’s images have appeared on the covers of over 100 magazines, numerous books, and in editorials and campaigns for Time, Newsweek, Forbes, Fortune, Politico, Oprah, and Esquire.   

His portraits are displayed in the permanent collection at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia and in the African American Museum of History and Culture in Washington, DC. Exhibitions include the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC. 

CONNECT WITH BEN 

Website: https://www.benbakerstudio.com/ 

The People’s Portrait Studio: https://thepeoplesportrait.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbakerphoto/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benbakerphoto/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Looking for creative ways to eat more vegetables? Joe Yonan, food and dining editor at the Washington Post shares ideas from his new book, Mastering The Art of Plant-Based Cooking. 

Joe’s take is that veganism is not an identity, but rather, a cuisine that we can enjoy regardless of our dietary stripes. Let go of labels and restrictions, he says, and embrace the diversity and flavors of the foods. 

We track Joe’s journey from news journalist to travel writer to celebrated food editor and cookbook author. Remembering the fateful meeting with Judith Jones that inspired his 'Cooking for One' column and first book, Joe invites us to find the fun in cooking for ourselves. He then takes us inside the transition to vegetarianism that led to his second book, Eat Your Vegetables. 

Sharing his love affair with legumes, Joe recalls the mission for his third book, Cool Beans—make beans sexy! And, he delivers with surprising ideas for creating mind-blowing flavors and textures that make beans anything but boring.  

We then get the gold from Joe’s latest cookbook on how to create plant-based dishes with the “wow” factor. He gives us the lowdown on what can make dairy-free ice creams deliver vibrant flavors, how we can get great results in a lot of vegan baking without egg substitutes, and the scoop on amazing homemade Pumfu. Joe also shares his take on crafting the perfect veggie burger and the secret to the world’s greatest vegan cacio e pepe.  

Joe leaves us with the sage advice that we’re always in the process of mastering anything, and to relish the learning and exploring.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Rather than an identity, veganism is a cuisine. Anyone can enjoy great vegan food. 
• Plant-based cuisine is versatile, flexible, and adaptable. 
• Vegan cooking is an opportunity to explore more variety and creative ideas. 
• Vegan baking offers more freedom and flexibility than traditional baking.  
• You don’t always need an egg substitute to make great vegan baked goods.  
• Quality vegan ice creams have more vibrant flavors than dairy ice creams. 
• Breaking the culinary rules leads to new cooking ideas and recipes. 
• When going for more plant-based eating, start with foods you love.  

ABOUT JOE 

Joe Yonan is the former food and dining editor of The Washington Post, and previously worked as a food and travel writer at The Boston Globe. 

His “Weeknight Vegetarian” and “Cooking for One” columns at the Post won honors from the Association of Food Journalists. 

Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking, Joe’s latest cookbook with Ten Speed Press, is a first-of-its-kind compendium of plant-based recipes and wisdom from chefs and cooks around the world. It won the James Beard award in 2025. 

His previous three books, also published by Ten Speed, are Serve Yourself, followed by Eat Your Vegetables. His third, Cool Beans, was named one of the best books of 2020 by Food Network, NPR, Forbes, and other media outlets. 

In addition to writing his cookbooks, Joe edited America The Great Cookbook—a diverse collection of photo-portraits and recipes from chefs and food heroes in the United States, published to benefit the charity No Kid Hungry. 

Joe lives in Washington, D.C., with his husband and son.

CONNECT WITH JOE 

Website: https://www.joeyonan.com/ 

Mastering The Art Of Plant-Based Cooking: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Art-Plant-Based-Cooking-Techniques/dp/198486064X/ 

Cool Beans: https://www.amazon.com/Cool-Beans-Ultimate-Versatile-Plant-Based/dp/0399581480/ 

Eat Your Vegetables: https://www.amazon.com/Eat-Your-Vegetables-Recipes-Single/dp/1607744422/ 

Serve Yourself:  

https://www.amazon.com/Serve-Yourself-Nightly-Adventures-Cooking/dp/158008513X/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joeyonan 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joeyonan 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@joeyonan 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-yonan-23310a41/ 

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ 

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

If life is about showing up, life after 50 is an opportunity to show up in different ways. Janis, Jen, and Julie used the 60-Day Reset to lose weight and get rid of their menopause symptoms, and were shocked by how it helped them show up for themselves, and feel healthier, happier, and 10 years more alive! 

Overwhelmed supporting staff during the pandemic, Janis had let her own wellbeing slip through the cracks. Anxiety, depression, weight gain, and relentless menopause symptoms left her feeling drained.  

For Jen, life as a healthcare provider and mom of teenagers was hectic. Grappling with long covid, hormone changes, hot flashes, sleeplessness, gas and bloating, and multiple concussions, she was burnt out and skeptical that anything could make a difference.  

Julie, a busy single mom, was struggling with fatigue, mood swings, digestive issues, and belly fat—frequently unbuttoning her pants on the drive home! Despite her best efforts, her body no longer responded to what she thought was a healthy diet.   

We celebrate their discovery of the power of better gut health, and how quickly they felt better working with Meghan Donnelly—lead dietitian for Skinny60®—to determine and understand their unique nutrition needs.   

They moved beyond the need to have a perfect relationship with food, and found balance and flexibility. Letting go of dieting, prioritizing self-care, and leaning into the joy of cooking and eating fresh food, Janis, Jen, and Julie learned to relish nourishing their bodies to thrive during menopause.  

Their stories reinforce how deciding “It Has to Be Me,” opens up a life full of possibilities at any age.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Suffering through menopause is not inevitable—it’s avoidable with nutrition specific to your needs. 
• Working with a dietitian helps you identify your trigger foods. 
• Improving gut health is critical for optimizing blood sugar and hormones.  
• Strategic food combining is a powerful tool for weight loss and digestive health.  
• Meeting your individual requirements for protein is a game-changer during menopause.  
• Eating balanced meals regularly is the key to feeling good and maintaining energy levels. 
• A supportive community makes navigating the challenges of menopause easier.  
• Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s an act of love and service to yourself and others.  

ABOUT OUR GUESTS 

Julie Shields-Rutyna 

In her career in higher education financing, Julie has helped students and their families make college and career dreams a reality. Her two children, both grown up, continue to teach and inspire her. Joining the Skinny60® community empowered Julie with the knowledge and tools to make better food and lifestyle choices to thrive in her 50’s. With a passion for being in nature, she is confident she will remain active and continue hiking, skiing, resistance training, and doing all the things she loves for years to come.     

Jen Moffitt 

A nurse-midwife and mindfulness teacher, Jen is committed to ensuring that all people have access to health, and the opportunity to thrive. Jen struggled with menopause symptoms and digestive issues, Jen credits Skinny60® for making her journey with food easier, and for making her feel 10 years more alive. Jen enjoys poetry, walking the dog, and spending time with family, friends, and partner, Kerry, who uncomplainingly cleans up after her cooking and is a constant source of laughter, and her two teenage kids, who bring joy to her life. 

Janis McDonald 

Outside their work renovating houses, Janis and her husband enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits, from river kayaking to walking their neighborhood to exploring wooded trails on their motorcycles. She’s an impassioned advocate for safer streets, and works to ensure that kids can walk, bike, and scoot to school without unnecessary danger. Janis is grateful to Skinny60® for helping her eat healthier and feel vibrant in her 50s. Celebrating her lessons and experiences, she views life with optimism and looks forward to aging gracefully.  

Meet Tess Masters:  

Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.     

Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.   

Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.  

Connect With Tess: 

Website:  https://tessmasters.com/  

Podcast:  https://ithastobeme.com/   

Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/

Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/  

Thanks for listening!  

If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.  

Subscribe to the podcast.   

Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.   

Leave a review on Apple podcasts.  

Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.