Life Well Lived

#15: In this episode, I spoke with Sam Led, a transformational coach, author and podcaster living in sunny Santa Barbara, California.

Sam works with clients to get out of their head and learn how to tap into their own ability — their own inner wisdom — to heal, move forward and thrive.

We cover Sam’s professional journey from consulting for the federal government, to becoming an entrepreneur; why he believes modalities like yoga and meditation are great, but they’re not the answer to becoming in tune with your soul; and more about quieting the mental chatter and accepting thoughts for what they are — thoughts. Simply put, Sam believes we are not our mental health stigmas that we have been labeled with all our lives. There’s an inner peace inside each of us, and he is here to help you realize exactly who you are.

Connect with Sam on Instagram and his website, and be sure to listen to his podcast.

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#14: In this episode, I spoke with Marita Hansen, a corporate sales leader turned money and mindset coach living in the Windy City.

Marita works with young professionals all over the world to help shift their money mindsets and reveal how old money stories might be holding them back from financial success. After interviewing Marita myself, I can confidently say she definitely has a more holistic approach to finding financial freedom — it’s not strict, frugal or unrealistic — it’s pretty simple actually!

We cover how to transform your relationship with money, managing your money with ease even while managing debt, and goal setting and planning for the future.

Connect with Marita on Instagram and her website.

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#13: In this episode, I caught up with my good friend and Chicago-native Jacq Gould — a certified mentality coach, self-connection specialist and founder of YOUR INNER BABE.

We cover her own journey with overcoming an eating disorder in college, her careers in the modeling and entertainment industry, why she pivoted to entrepreneurship after taking her grandma’s guidance, how she gained that killer confidence that makes her shine and how you can do it too.

Connect with Jacq and YOUR INNER BABE on Instagram and on the YIB website.

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#12: In this episode, I caught up Lauren Eidson, a certified holistic health coach specializing in women’s hormonal health.

Lauren is a Michigan native like me, but she traded in her snow boots for sunny Florida and she is a staunch advocate for spending time in nature, getting your daily dose of vitamin D and living in flow with the female cycle.

We cover the four stages of women’s monthly cycle, how to eat and live to support each phase of the cycle, what signs to look out for if you suspect you might have a hormone imbalance and so much more.

Connect with Lauren on Instagram and her website.

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#11: In this episode, I spoke with Liz Cuttica, founder of Milly Grey Movement. She’s a Chicago-based fitness instructor with over a decade of experience at the top fitness boutiques in the Windy Cindy.

After getting pregnant and giving birth to her daughter Miley, Liz was inspired to get certified as a corrective exercise specialist to help women in their pre-and-postnatal journeys.

We cover SO much solid and sound information for mothers of all ages, like healing your body in the weeks, months and MANY years after giving birth, how she felt after getting and unplanned C-section, how her approach to fitness has changed and so much more.

Connect with Liz on Instagram and her website.

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#10: In this episode, I spoke with my sister-in-law, Maria Brandon — she’s a run coach, personal trainer and wellness guru.

Maria explains her 8-year stint in New York City, where she fell in love with running. I think you’ll notice her passion was always quietly calling her name, even if she pushed it aside for a bit.

We cover her transition from Corporate America to a more wellness-focused career, pre-and post-run tips, how to get started running when you don’t know where to start and what run coaches do for their clients.

Connect with Maria on Instagram and her website.

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#9: In this episode, I spoke with Blair Sharp, sobriety activist, alcohol-free writer and influencer.

Blair is very open about her journey to sobriety on social media, which is a huge reason I reached out to her for an interview. Her perspective on living alcohol-free is equal parts funny and inspiring.

We cover her relationship to alcohol both past and present, why she gave up booze for good, resources for those who are sober-curious and what her life looks like today.

Connect with Blair on Instagram and her website.

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#8: In this episode, I spoke with Emily Addy, former Division 1 college athlete turned yoga instructor turned business school graduate.

Emily and I met when we were both consulting in Washington, D.C. and trying to find something that lit us up outside of work — enter yoga. Though Emily’s journey with yoga actually began in college as a Division 1 athlete, using this ancient practice to help improve her flexibility. As she explains, yoga ended up being far more beneficial for her mental well-being than she could have ever imagined.

We cover the void you sometimes feel starting out your career in Corporate America, how to find your passion outside of work, how yoga made her a better public speaker and finding time to graduate from business school, start an online yoga platform and get married during a pandemic.

Connect with Emily on Instagram and her website.

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#7: In this episode, I caught up with my friend, Pegah Esmaili, former fitness instructor, personal trainer, nutrition guru and influencer. Pegah is a California native and her active lifestyle reflects that. Getting into the fitness industry around 17, Pegah struggled with over-exercising and under-eating, which also led to her losing her period.

She is very open about her struggles with orthorexia and Hypothalamic Amenorrhea — better known as HA.

In this episode, we cover signs of orthorexia, overcoming body image issues, gaining weight, healing HA — essentially getting your period back — and more about how her faith played a role in shifting her perspective.

Connect with Pegah on Instagram and her website.

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#6: In this episode, I spoke with my friend, Morgan Raphael, better known as @bun_undune on Instagram. I met Morgan through the wellness community in Chicago, and we actually first met in real life at a Soul Cycle class (because #onbrand).

Hailing from New Jersey, Morgan moved to the Windy City a few years back and originally pursued a career at an advertising agency, but quickly realized her passion was found outside her 9 to 5 grind.

In this episode, we cover her journey to entrepreneurship, self-care practices that are attainable, breakups and using her singleness to discover who she really is, details on the Self-Care Society, more on her workouts in 2021 and staying grounded in a city.

Connect with Morgan on Instagram and her website. For 15% off the Self-Care Society Journal, use the code WELLLIVED15 at checkout. 

Follow me on Instagram for the latest podcast deets every week!