It Has to Be Me

What’s the deal with gluten and why have all things gluten-free blown up? Meghan Donnelly, lead dietitian for the Skinny60® health programs and director of health communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation does a deep-dive into what gluten is and how it impacts our health.  

We get into why gluten is difficult to digest, and how a gluten-free diet has become a recommended strategy for many digestive and autoimmune conditions.  

Meghan lays out the surprising statistics that make clear how many people can improve their quality of life by avoiding gluten or reducing it in their diets. Celiac disease affects 1% of people; about 10% present with non-celiac gluten sensitivity; 10 to 15% suffer from IBS; over 12% develop thyroid disease. And, gluten is a known trigger food for menopause symptoms.  

She adds that many of the conditions in which gluten plays a known or suspected role have multiple and varied symptoms, so they can go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, sometimes for decades. In addition, gluten is not always the culprit. Many digestive issues are traced to FODMAPs—fermentable carbohydrates found in many foods. 

Meghan notes that gluten-free isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and emphasizes the bio-individual nature of health and nutrition. Understanding the cause of your discomfort and getting an accurate diagnosis is essential for formulating an effective treatment. 

Choosing to reduce gluten or to go gluten-free is a proactive strategy for wellbeing and vitality. As gluten is not an essential nutrient and there is no enzyme to digest it, a gluten-free diet can be a healthy way of eating if we take in balanced nutrition. 

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Gluten is a storage protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. 
• Many foods contain gluten beyond bread, pasta, and grains. 
• Gluten is a complex protein our bodies have no enzyme to digest.  
• There are over 200 symptoms of celiac disease, and many go beyond the gut. 
• Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity has no biomarker. Diagnosis is symptom-based. 
• Going gluten-free is an effective strategy for managing autoimmune and thyroid conditions. 
• Going gluten-free is a top intervention practitioners recommend for IBS. 
• Gluten is a common trigger food for menopause symptoms.  
• A gluten-free diet can be healthy with balanced nutrition.  

ABOUT MEGHAN DONNELLY MS, RDN, CDN    

Meghan Donnelly, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal nutrition, and is Director Of Health Communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation.   

Her experience spans clinical practice, nutrition counseling, medical nonprofits, and the food industry.  

In her private practice at Nutmeg Nutrition, Meghan helps her clients establish a balanced and joyful relationship with food, particularly when managing digestive disorders (IBS and SIBO), food intolerances, gluten-related conditions (celiac disease), and disordered eating.   

She also provides nutrition counseling for heart health, kidney disease, weight management, and food intolerances. Monash University certified, she guides clients on Low-FODMAP diets.   

As lead dietitian for Skinny60®, Meghan provides nutrition education and support for participants in the 60-Day Reset.  

CONNECT WITH MEGHAN MS, RDN, CDN  

Website: https://www.nutmegnutrition.org/  

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.  

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Do you find it difficult to trust your intuition in decision making? Intuitive wisdom coach Heather Maguire shares practical tools for how we can tune into the messages from our internal guidance system. 

Relating her personal story, Heather shares how listening to our intuition and connecting with our resilience helps us leverage our experiences and act in alignment with what we want.  

The sudden, early loss of her father prompted Heather to step away from her traditional career. Once she became a mother, and struggled to connect with other parents in her small town, she joined an intuitive development group. It was there that she discovered her calling as a coach, and began guiding others.   

Tapping into your intuition, she says, means simply connecting with your curiosity. It’s a mindful practice that you get better at the more you do it. She walks us through recognizing the difference between how fear and intuition feel in our bodies, to help us recognize the difference in our thoughts.  

Heather reminds us that change doesn’t require that we have all of the answers, and invites us to embrace collective creation and make room for the magic and miracles.   

Heather sees miracles not as rare events bestowed on us, but simply as “shifts from fear to love.” Embracing this definition empowers us to create miracles and spot them, changing how we feel and how people respond to us.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Intuition is a deep knowing that transcends logic. 
• Fear often masquerades as intuition, leading to confusion. 
• Listen to your body to identify how fear and intuition feel different.  
• Differentiating intuition from fear and trusting it takes practice.  
• Slow down and breathe to allow your intuition to communicate with your brain. 
• You don’t need all the answers—just take one step forward.  
• Make space for the magic that comes with collective creation.  
• Miracles are simply shifts from fear to love, and can be created every day.  

ABOUT HEATHER MAGUIRE 

As an intuitive wisdom coach, Heather Maguire guides women to connect with their intuition to step into their power.  

Heather’s work is grounded in the belief that change isn’t about “fixing what is broken,” but rather, letting go of the garbage that holds us back, and creating the clarity and confidence to move forward. 

Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, and her Miracles Club, Heather creates spaces where women can experience deeper connection to self and release limiting beliefs, to trust their inner knowing and align their energy with their desires. 

CONNECT WITH HEATHER 

Website: https://unconventionalintuitive.com/ 

Work with Heather: https://unconventionalintuitive.com/work-with-me/  

The Miracles Club: https://unconventionalintuitive.myflodesk.com/miraclesclub  

In a Pickle Checklist: https://unconventionalintuitive.myflodesk.com/pickle 

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-maguire-intuitive/ 

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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Sara Bird Nelson shares her unique blend of Reiki and Feng Shui, and how we can balance our energy and create physical spaces that align with what we want to bring into our lives.  

She recalls how an unexplained numbness in her face, hand, and foot were her wake-up call to listen to her body, manage stress better, and quit the job that was the source of her stress. Reiki contributed to her healing. That inspired Sara to become a master and teacher of the practice. 

In her recovery, she realized the intensity of the impact physical surroundings have on wellbeing. Developing that knowledge, she became a Feng Shui practitioner.  

Bringing together the principles of reiki and Feng Shui, Sara helps clients balance the energy in their bodies and align the energy of their physical surroundings with their goals.  

We discuss how to use basic Feng Shui principles to create living spaces that provide sanctuary. Sara gives practical tips for mindfully choosing decor, strategically placing beds and mirrors, and integrating plants into your environment.  

What’s great about Sara’s approach is that you don’t need to go and buy stuff. You can use the abundance you already have to curate environments that invite in how you want to feel.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Have the courage to follow the breadcrumbs of your intuition.  
• Embracing body intelligence opens doors to healing. 
• Reiki can provide physical relief and a deeper connection to self. 
• Feng Shui can be a powerful manifestation and energy tool. 
• Our physical spaces should reflect what we want in life.  
• Creating a sanctuary in our homes can enhance wellbeing. 
• Recognize the abundance that already exists to welcome more. 
• Putting plants in your surroundings promotes growth and nurturing. 

ABOUT SARA BIRD NELSON: 

Founded in years of experience in the healing arts, Sara's approach is rooted in the belief that when we align our internal realities with our physical surroundings we gain clarity and can experience personal transformation.  

As a reiki master and teacher, Sara engages in energy work that helps clients release blockages and cultivate a deeper connection to self. 

As a feng shui practitioner, Sara combines ancient Chinese philosophies and modern design concepts to help people create harmonious living spaces that align with their desires to support growth and wellbeing.  

Through group workshops and one-on-one consultations, Sara guides individuals to find balance within themselves and with their external environments to achieve happiness.  

CONNECTING WITH SARA 

Website: https://www.sarabirdnelson.com/ 

Feng Shui Consultations: https://www.sarabirdnelson.com/feng-shui.html 

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDKKfEweeAaAlPihu7E7wFw 

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

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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Need to reduce overwhelm? Shira Gill, professional organizer and author of LifeStyled takes us inside her proven toolkit to help you edit and elevate your home, career, relationships, finances, or health.  

Shira recalls her parents’ combative divorce, and how schlepping her stuff between two homes showed her that more stuff means more anxiety. As an 8-year-old, she taught herself to organize her spaces as a way to have some control of her chaotic world.  

As an adult, she realized that possessions and clutter are triggers for everybody, and minimalism is the key—to prioritizing what you want, and creating the space to make it happen.  

Forget the stark white walls and beige furniture. Shira redefines minimalism. It’s being intentional about where we place our time, energy, and resources. Rather than focusing on the lack of something, her approach is about having the right amount without the excess. And, since doing everything is impossible, it’s up to us to decide what matters most at any given time.  

Shira lays out the core principles of her system. Then, walks us through practical ways we can organize our homes, maximize our time, set boundaries in relationships—and say “no” in order to say “yes” to what we value most.  

Shira’s less-is-better approach and “15-Minute Wins” will launch you out of overwhelm and into action for your next “It has to be me!” 

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Minimalism can be defined as intentionally doing less to prioritize what’s important.  
• A cluttered mind and home trigger emotional responses and stress.  
• Organizing your home and mind helps you clarify what’s important and make room for it.  
• Empty your brain like an overstuffed closet, and let go of the beliefs that don’t serve you.  
• Creating habit loops with a cue, a routine, and a reward helps to implement behaviour changes.  
• 15-Minute Wins get you out of overwhelm and into action to chip away at your goals.  
• Implementing sustainable systems simplifies your routine and increases productivity.  
• Turn envy into inspiration and use it as a roadmap for what you want to bring into your life.   

ABOUT SHIRA GILL: 

Based in San Francisco, Shira Gill is a home-organizing expert, speaker, coach, and bestselling author of the books Minimalista, Organized Living, and LifeStyled. 

Her minimalist approach is guided by the intimate relationship between people’s homes and their lives, and how they inform and inspire each other.  

Shira has helped thousands reduce physical and mental clutter and prioritize what matters. Her signature 3-step toolkit and organization method are effective tools for anyone to use, regardless of budget, space, or lifestyle. 

Shira’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Dwell, Architectural Digest, InStyle, Real Simple, Harper’s Bazaar, Goop, and HGTV, and many others.  

A featured expert on Good Morning America and an ambassador for Williams Sonoma, Shira has spoken for audiences at Google, Well+Good, and TedX. 

CONNECT WITH SHIRA 

Website:

https://shiragill.com/ 

1:1 Consult with Shira 

https://shiragill.com/consults/ 

Minimalista  

https://www.amazon.com/Minimalista-Step-Step-Better-Wardrobe/dp/1984859277/ 

Organized Living 

https://www.amazon.com/Organized-Living-Solutions-Inspiration-Organization/dp/1984861182/ 

LifeStyled  

https://www.amazon.com/LifeStyled-Your-Guide-Organized-Intentional/dp/1984863509/ 

Get Organized Masterclass:  

https://shiragill.com/get-organized-master-class/ 

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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Jane, Lynne, and Karen share how they are maintaining vibrant health and full active lives in their 70’s. Laughing at the “old lady” stereotype, these bold ladies are embracing new things, and seizing every opportunity to learn, experience joy, and maximize their time.  

We dive into each of their stories, and the proactive steps they’ve taken during the 60-Day Reset to overcome health challenges, tap into their strength and resilience, and age on their own terms.    

A self-professed foodie with a keen interest in nutrition, Lynne used the Skinny60® recipes to thrive with Hashimoto’s and avoided developing another autoimmune condition. She found joy in healthy eating, lost over 22 pounds, and feels so youthful and energetic she’s now traveling Australia in her new camper van!   

Determined not to let mild cerebral palsy slow her down, Jane learned how to increase her protein and achieve the balanced nutrition required to fuel her hiking, biking, and Pilates. Passionate about science and education, Jane used the SK60® nutrition and cooking tutorials to put her “I’ll do it someday” interests into active practice.   

When Karen got diagnosed with breast cancer she refused to let fear take hold. Instead, she proactively supported her oncology treatments with the food and lifestyle strategies provided in the 60-Day Reset. She made a full recovery, and is now saying “Yes and” to every opportunity.   

Lynne, Jane, Karen and I celebrate the wisdom each of them has gained with age. They credit a proactive mindset, attention to self-care, and connection with others for their enduring zest for life.  

Their stories remind us to keep embracing new experiences so there’s no age limit on “It Has To Be Me!”  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• To enjoy vibrant health in your 70’s, prioritize self-care.  
• Cultivating a mindset of possibility and purpose helps you age gracefully.  
• Good nutrition is critical for staying strong and healthy over 70.  
• Embrace change and new opportunities to live boldly in your senior years.  
• Those changes and opportunities can actually work.  
• Staying active and connected to others promotes joy and longevity. 
• Connection with community keeps your mind open to learning and growth, at any age.  
• Rather than dreading getting older, celebrate your growing wisdom, and share it.  

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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Crystal Jenkins, therapist and director of teacher training at The Hoffman Institute, explores the ways that limiting beliefs and behaviors rooted in childhood hold us back as adults.  

We dive into the Hoffman Process—an 8-day transformational experience that enables participants to recognize and break negative patterns to make empowered choices and go after what they want.  

Crystal shares her personal experience with the Process, and how she was skeptical despite her partner’s encouragement to go through it. A seasoned counselor trained in psychology, she wondered how much this had to teach her. But, just two days in she was looking at everything she thought she knew about herself through a different lens.  

Identifying her childhood wounds, and those of her parents, she moved beyond reacting from historical memories to responding in relationships as a resilient adult. Freed by this new awareness, she broke through her own perceived ceiling of what was possible, went after what she wanted, and achieved her boldest goals.  

We discuss the importance of embracing imperfection, the power of personal responsibility, and the value of checking the stories that drive our choices. “Accept your mistakes,” Crystal says, “learn from them, make amends, and love yourself up!”  

Let her mantra—“I don’t want to miss a thing”—inspire you to claim your next “It Has To Be Me!”  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS 

• When you live in the past or project into the future, you miss life.  
• Limiting beliefs and behaviors ingrained during childhood can be overcome. 
• Recognizing your childhood wounds and those of your parents improves relationships. 
• Using your voice and expressing opinions is how you let people get to know you. 
• Understanding your emotional triggers enables you to respond rather than react.  
• Relationships are a 50-50 dance of responsibility. Take 100 percent of your 50 percent.  
• Take responsibility, make amends, forgive yourself, learn, and move on.   
• Seize opportunities to do things that are in line with what you want.  

MEET CRYSTAL JENKINS 

Building on experience as a teacher, school counselor, and therapist, Crystal Jenkins became a teacher at The Hoffman Institute. Since 2017, she’s been the Institute’s Director Of Teacher Training.   

Crystal specializes in guiding individuals through transformative personal development journeys.  

Known for her compassionate and intuitive approach, she helps participants gain more self awareness, and confront and heal patterns rooted in their pasts, in order to replace negative behavioral cycles with healthier and more empowering perspectives.  

Beyond her work at Hoffman, Crystal enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and friends. An avid sports fan, she rarely misses a day of checking the scores of her favorite teams.  

CONNECT WITH THE HOFFMAN INSTITUTE 

The Hoffman Institute: https://www.hoffmaninstitute.org/ 

The Hoffman Process book: https://www.amazon.com/Hoffman-Process-World-Famous-Technique-Transform/dp/0553382764/ 

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

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

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoffman-institute-foundation-ba90863b/ 

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.

For women over 40 with thyroid issues and hormone imbalances, functional medicine practitioner Amanda Hinman shares her 5-step plan for healing naturally from Hashimoto’s, Graves disease, PCOS, insulin resistance, and other conditions.   

Amanda takes us inside her introduction to functional medicine when she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis during her fourth pregnancy, although she believed she was in peak health. At the time, her first daughter had chronic seizures and her husband was suffering from panic attacks. These health crises shifted her perspective on wellness—that symptoms are not inconveniences to be ignored or “fixed,” but powerful signals that point to underlying imbalances needing attention.  

We discuss the interconnectedness of hormones, the six key hormones for women, the five core nutrients, restoring digestive fire, and why cleaning up your home environment and lifestyle choices are so critical for vitality and longevity.  

Emphasizing the importance of optimal thyroid function, Amanda explains why record numbers of women now experience thyroid dysfunction. She encourages us to go beyond standard yearly bloodwork, to DUTCH tests, stool samples, micronutrient labs, and advanced thyroid panels to get more comprehensive data. To find your clear path to better health, Amanda advocates “looking at the data not the drama.”  

What makes her approach so great is her focus on mindset and the identity shifts that make healthy living sustainable and fun. Her “Be, Release, Do, Have” method is all about who we need to be in order to achieve our goals.    

Get Amanda’s tips for letting go of limiting beliefs and reframing your internal narrative into one grounded in self-belief and healing.  

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Be an empowered health leader rather than a passive health reactor.  
• Pay attention to your food, exercise, stress, and toxins. 
• Mindset shifts are crucial for making sustainable health changes. 
• Be proactive with a quarterly hormone review and yearly bloodwork.  
• Optimize your thyroid function for better hormone and metabolic health.  
• Focus on gaining lean muscle rather than losing weight to support longevity.   
• PFFV (Protein, Fiber, Fat, Vegetables) is a simple meal-planning framework. 
• Restorative practices activate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote healing. 

ABOUT AMANDA HINMAN 

After careers in finance and fitness training, Amanda got an autoimmune disease diagnosis that prompted her to become a functional medicine practitioner.  

As founder of Hinman Holistic Health Institute and creator of the Thyroid & Hormone Solution program, she and her team specialize in helping women over 40 heal from hormone, mood, and gut imbalances.  

They have helped hundreds of women manage hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, and PCOS, and thrive, and overcome insulin resistance, anxiety, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, brain fog, and weight gain.  

Amanda’s book, The Thyroid & Hormone Solution, takes readers inside her 5-step plan to balance your hormones naturally.  

Amanda lives in Illinois with her husband and four daughters.  

CONNECT WITH AMANDA 

Website: https://www.hinmanholistic.com/ 

The Thyroid & Hormone Solution book: https://www.amazon.com/Thyroid-Hormone-Solution-Hormones-Naturally/dp/1960876716/ 

Free Hormone Assessment: https://www.hinmanholistic.com/hormone-health-kit 

Healthy Hormone Meal Planner: https://www.hinmanholistic.com/healthyhormoneplanner 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hinmanamanda/  

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

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.

My dear friend Andrew Wilder—founder and CEO of NerdPress—reminds us that success is rarely a straight line.

Following a path that has been anything but traditional, Andrew takes us through his surprising journey from lighting designer to food blogger to tech CEO. His story has been about staying curious, trying new things, building resilience, finding joy in the work itself, and most important, leaping even when the goal isn’t clear.

Andrew shares his dad’s advice, to walk different paths and see what you like. He says just showing up and talking with people can lead to unexpected opportunities. Doing this got him to what he is passionate about—empowering people to use complex tech solutions.

One key for Andrew was letting go of the need to define his identity through professional labels. This freed him to measure success by his own standards and metrics. His advice: Target excellence rather than perfection, collaborate with others, and make decisions that align with your values and mission.

Andrew’s story will get you fired up to be bold, take risks, and stay open to possibilities that may lead to your next “It has to be me.”

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:

• Make decisions from your values.
• Let go of labels and define success your way.
• Strive for excellence, not perfection.
• Try everything you feel like to find where your passion is.
• Just showing up and having conversations leads to opportunities.
• Go with your intrinsic motivation: What gets you up in the morning!
• Reach out for help and collaborate with others to achieve your goals.
• Success isn’t a straight line. Enjoy the messiness and learn from it.

ABOUT ANDREW WILDER

Andrew Wilder is the founder and CEO of NerdPress, a dynamic team renowned for providing exceptional WordPress support, optimization, and maintenance to hundreds of publishers and small businesses. Andrew's first career, in theater lighting design, instilled in him a deep appreciation for collaboration, a principle integrated into the ethos of NerdPress. Andrew’s technical expertise and knack for making complex topics understandable have made him a go-to speaker on web-tech, and a regular contributor on the “SEO for Bloggers” webinar series. Through his Eating Rules food blog, Andrew started the October Unprocessed challenge that inspired more than 30,000 people to adopt healthier eating habits by building community and avoiding processed foods. An Eagle Scout, Andrew serves on several boards and commissions in Los Angeles as part of his commitment to community service.

CONNECT WITH ANDREW  

Website: https://www.nerdpress.net/   

Website: https://eatingrules.com/   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nerdpress.net   

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

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

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

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.

Last week, Karen Kipp and I shared how we help people use clean eating and juicing as tools for better health. This week, three women in our community share how The Decadent Detox® changed their lives. Gretchen, Ellen, and Melynn tell us how the 14-Day Cleanse surprised them and the transformations they experienced. 

From loving vegetables they never ate before, to being shocked that family members got on board, to the flow-on effect in other areas of their lives, these ladies take us on three different and inspiring journeys.  

None of these women tells a typical “detox” story. Gretchen wanted to get healthy but had no idea where or how to start. The program’s structure, meal plans, and personal support got her on a path to losing 30 pounds, reducing inflammation, and feeling confident with healthy eating.   

The 14-Day Cleanse helped Melynn redefine what “healthy” looks like, and discover food intolerances that were the key to her chronic acid reflux. With just two weeks of strategic eating, she got rid of the condition, and got off medication she had been dependent on for 20 years.   

Ellen also got the nutrition education she wanted, and recipes she and her family enjoy to stay on track with better food choices. Learning to listen to her body helped her recognize the signs of illness and get early diagnosis of a rare, treatable condition. 

We celebrate the incredible impacts of practicing self-care through eating delicious fresh food, the value of joining a supportive community, and the importance of making healthy living fun. 

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: 

• Coaching and a supportive community make it easier to get healthy. 
• Learn to listen to what your body needs to make informed choices.  
• Take time to nurture yourself physically and emotionally.  
• Nutrition knowledge supports better food and lifestyle choices.  
• Make healthy living enjoyable and sustainable by eating great food.  
• Juice fasting is an effective tool to achieve better health.  
• Gently transitioning into a juice fast and out of it gives the best results.  
• Two weeks of strategic clean eating empowers you in other parts of your life. 

MEET OUR GUESTS 

MELYNN SIGHT 

After a successful career in business, Melynn is enjoying retirement and finding that life is fuller than ever! She loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling, enjoying a good meal, walking the dogs, and playing Pickleball. She is also passionate about facilitating an anti-bullying program for 9-year-old girls in an inner city charter school in Kansas City, and being a Rotarian. After going hard at work for decades, Melynn welcomed the opportunity to really take care of her health by joining The Decadent Detox® and Skinny60® communities. Through cooking the delicious recipes in these programs, her life has taken a big turn, and she feels better than ever!  

ELLEN LEWIS 

With a degree in International Business and French, Ellen realized her dream of working abroad before marrying and starting her family. After working in customer service and account management, Ellen became a stay-at-home to raise her kids. When her son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS, Ellen became passionate about the power of better food and nutrition. This journey led her to join The Decadent Detox® to continue her education and improve her own health. Ellen enjoys gardening, hiking, spending time with her family at their cabin, volunteering for her sorority, and reading. You’ll find her wrapped up in a book on food science or a classic Agatha Christie novel.  

GRETCHEN ROTH 

After working in education for many years, Gretchen shifted gears and has found great joy in facilitating weddings and other celebrations. She and her husband love spending time with their children, scattered across the country. Spending time together is precious, so her favorite vacation destination is wherever they can all be together. Gretchen is new to healthy eating, and is grateful to have found The Decadent Detox® and Skinny60® programs. She now has a clear path to achieving her health goals. Enjoying the simple life, Gretchen is excited about staying healthy and strong to enjoy her retirement years.  

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.

Karen Kipp, health coach, juicing expert, and co-creator of The Decadent Detox®, gives us the lowdown on the safest and most effective way to achieve better health through juicing and juice fasting.

She takes us inside how growing up in a meat-and-potatoes family and losing her mother to cancer at 17 made her completely committed to health. She recalls how her dad gave her a Champion juicer he’d picked up (for five dollars) at a garage sale, and got her started with juicing. In the Midwest of thirty years ago, she learned by herself through experimentation, and then taught others.

Life as a working single mom anchored her to a scrappy, “do what you can” approach to everything. This down-to-earth, flexible attitude, combined with her comprehensive knowledge, attracted a loyal following for her in-person wellness retreats.

We recount how we met in Kansas City and bonded over our mutual concern about the popularity of dangerous cleanses. To offer a safer alternative and show people how to juice fast responsibly, we created the 14-Day Cleanse using Karen’s local-community experience as a starting point.

Through our online programs, we’ve helped over 30,000 participants around the world and witnessed countless health transformations.

If you want to lose weight, sleep better, have more energy, and reduce inflammation with personal coaching and a supportive community, join us live for the next decadent detox.

TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:

• No one is going to take care of you like you do.
• Why juices and smoothies both belong in a healthy lifestyle.
• Strategies to lower the sugar in juices to prevent blood sugar spikes.
• Juice strategically to support circadian rhythms for better sleep and energy.
• The difference between extreme “cleanses” and strategic clean eating.
• How to avoid the dangers of irresponsible cleansing and fasting.
• Transition gently into and out of a juice fast to maximize the benefits.
• Picture the worst-case scenario. If you can survive it, you can do anything.

MEET KAREN KIPP

As a certified Holistic Health Coach (HHC), reflexologist, juicing expert, and co-creator of The Decadent Detox® programs, Karen Kipp has helped thousands of people achieve and maintain better health.

For more than 30 years, Karen has facilitated wellness retreats, health initiatives, and juice fasts in Kansas City, including live events to support the 14-Day Cleanse.

Maintaining a private practice and two holistic health companies while being a single mom on a budget taught Karen to prioritize self-care without spending a lot of money. She strives to make health and wellness accessible to everyone, sharing simple strategies that work with any lifestyle.

Karen also serves as a volunteer and board member for several nonprofits, and enjoys cooking, gardening, adventure travel, and time with her daughter and large extended family.

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.