Living Inspired - A Functional Approach to Women’s Health, Energy, and Resilience

You’re the one everyone depends on; the woman who holds it all together.
But inside, you’re tired, emotional, and wondering how much longer you can keep this up.

It’s not that you’re failing.
It’s that perimenopause makes doing it all impossible and pushing harder only fuels the chaos happening inside your body.

In today’s episode, Rachel Carta, RN, Functional Nutrition Counselor, and Life Coach, breaks down:
✨ Why “doing it all” no longer works in midlife
✨ What’s really happening in your body during perimenopause
✨ How emotional ups and downs are actually signals from your body
✨ Three simple shifts, Simplify, Stabilize, and Support, that help you feel steady again
✨ How to start listening to your body instead of pushing through

Rachel shares her own story of hitting the wall (and the moment her son said, “Mom, I know you’re not fine”) and how that realization became a turning point toward healing, calm, and clarity.

You’ll walk away knowing that you’re simply being invited to care for yourself differently.

• Free Guide: Why You Still Feel Off—What Your Symptoms Are Really Telling You (and How to Start Feeling Like You Again)
  → Get a 5-minute checklist and three gentle shifts to start feeling better today.

  
  

• Learn More: rachelcartarn.com

• Connect on Instagram or FB: @rachelcartarn

Have you ever walked out of the doctor’s office feeling dismissed?

Maybe your labs came back “normal,” yet you’re still exhausted, moody, bloated, or foggy and the only advice you got was “eat less, move more” or “here’s a prescription.”

If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you.

Conventional medicine is lifesaving in emergencies, but when it comes to chronic symptoms and midlife changes, it often misses the bigger picture. That’s why so many women feel unheard and stuck, because the system wasn’t designed for prevention, or for the complex hormonal and metabolic shifts that happen in midlife.

In this episode, I share:

• The frustrating advice most midlife women hear (and why it falls short)

• The truth about “normal” labs and what you actually need to ask for

• Why symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, and bloating are signals, not failures

• Simple strategies to start supporting your body right now without strict protocols or chasing diets

  
  

You’ll walk away empowered to ask better questions, understand what your body is trying to tell you, and take practical steps that support long-term vitality.

Because “normal” doesn’t mean fine and you deserve more than crisis care.

👉 Get the free resource mentioned in this episode: rachelcartaRN.com/lastinghealth

If this episode spoke to you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a friend. That’s how we spread this message to more women who need hope and clarity in their health journey.

Life in perimenopause, midlife, or even just womanhood can feel too full, too heavy, and too overwhelming. The last thing you need is another complicated plan.

In this episode of Living Inspired, I’m sharing three gentle, simple practices you can lean on this week to bring calm to your body and mind—without adding hours of work to your day. These are practices I use personally and with my clients to shift out of fight-or-flight and back into balance.

If you’ve been feeling anxious, exhausted, or on edge—you’re not broken. Your body is sending signals that it needs support. These practices will help you listen, reset, and find more resilience in the middle of life’s demands.

• Why symptoms in perimenopause are signals—not failures

• How a simple breathing reset can calm your nervous system in minutes

• The power of stepping outside for natural light and gentle movement to reset your mood and sleep

• A quick evening body scan ritual to quiet your mind and prepare for restorative rest

• Why calm doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from listening to your body

  
  

These are tiny, gentle shifts—but they’re powerful anchors, especially in a season of life where your body can feel unpredictable.

• Grab my free guide: ⁠The Real Reason You Still Feel Off⁠

• ⁠Listen to Episode 55⁠

• Follow me on Instagram: ⁠@rachelcartarn⁠

  
  

If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who needs a reminder that calm is possible—even in perimenopause. And if you love the show, leaving a review helps more women find the support they need.

Do you ever feel like your life is so full that the idea of “fixing your health” feels impossible?

If you’ve been running on empty—juggling work, family, errands, and the never-ending to-do list—it’s easy to believe you need a massive overhaul to start feeling better. But here’s the truth: healing doesn’t begin with doing more. It begins with the right small shifts, repeated consistently.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• The myth that’s keeping so many women stuck in exhaustion and frustration

• Why quick fixes and information overload can make healing harder, not easier

• A client story that shows how one intentional shift can change everything

• 3 powerful actions you can try in under 15 minutes to support your nervous system, reclaim your energy, and create momentum in your healing journey

  
  

You don’t need a perfect season of life or a brand-new plan to start feeling like yourself again. You just need to begin with one small step.

✨ Free Resource: Exhausted and Bloated? This Might Be Why
Grab your copy at RachelCartaRN.com/lastinghealth

Have you ever felt like your body is betraying you? Maybe it’s migraines, fatigue, anxiety, mood swings, or digestive issues that just won’t go away—no matter what diet, supplement, or protocol you try.

I know that feeling all too well. In 2020, as a brand-new nurse on a high-acuity COVID floor, my body completely broke down. I was unraveling under the stress, getting up to 25 migraines a month, barely sleeping, and starting to believe I had ruined my life by becoming a nurse.

But that rock-bottom moment led me to a truth that changed everything: your symptoms are not failures—they’re signals.

In this episode, I share my personal story of collapse, discovery, and healing. You’ll learn:

• Why symptoms like migraines, fatigue, and anxiety aren’t random—they’re messages from your body.

• The missing piece in our conventional medical model when it comes to chronic conditions.

• How functional nutrition helped me get to the root causes instead of masking symptoms.

• Why healing isn’t about quick fixes or “trying harder,” but about tuning in to your body’s wisdom.

  
  

If you’ve been feeling exhausted, bloated, on edge, or just not like yourself lately—this episode is for you.

✨ Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grab my free guide: Exhausted, Bloated, On Edge? This Might Be Why

• Book a free Clarity and Relief Session: rachelcartarn.com/schedule

Connect with me:

• Website: rachelcartarn.com

• Instagram: @rachelcartarn

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who needs to hear that they are not broken.

Welcome back to Part 2 of this incredibly moving and insightful conversation with trauma healing guide Mandy Harvey.

If you’ve ever wondered why you “self-sabotage,” why motivation isn’t enough, or why change feels so hard to sustain—this episode is going to offer so much clarity, compassion, and hope.

In Part 2, we dive deeper into the emotional patterns that keep us stuck and how to begin healing them from the inside out.

Mandy shares a beautiful somatic practice called “Body Talk” and explains how to listen to your body in a way that helps you finally move forward—without burnout or pressure.

This is for anyone who's tired of fighting their body and ready to build a gentler, more sustainable path to healing.

✨ In this episode:

• What self-sabotage really is (and what it’s not)

• Why beliefs like “I’m not enough” live in the body

• How to pause and create space between your reaction and your next step

• The Body Talk practice: how to listen to stored emotions without fear

• A breathwork practice to help rewire limiting beliefs

Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping—no matter how much you want to feel better?

In this powerful two-part conversation, I’m joined by trauma healing guide Mandy Harvey to explore what’s really happening beneath the surface when we can’t seem to stay consistent with our health habits.

In Part 1, Mandy shares her courageous personal story and helps us begin to understand the deep connection between trauma, resistance, and our nervous system.

Whether you've been hard on yourself for not having enough motivation or you’ve been wondering why change is so hard to sustain—this conversation will help you see things through a new, more compassionate lens.

You are not broken. Your body is responding exactly the way it was wired to survive. And healing is possible.

In this episode:

• Mandy’s story of trauma, survival, and healing

• The hidden cost of perfectionism and emotional stress

• Why we keep falling back into old patterns (even when we feel better)

• How trauma is stored in the body

• A beginner-friendly explanation of the nervous system and stress response

• A simple digestion tip that can help reduce bloating and improve energy

• Mandy Harvey’s website:⁠ www.mandylharvey.com⁠

• Free gift:⁠ StopYourBrainBully.com⁠

• Connect with Mandy on Instagram:⁠ @mandylharvey⁠

Connect with Rachel on Instagram: ⁠@rachelcartarn⁠

⁠RachelCartaRN.com

In today’s episode of the Living Inspired Podcast, I’m sharing a truly special conversation with a remarkable woman who has lived through a century of experiences. Fern, who at 100 years old, shares timeless lessons on living a life filled with faith, positivity, resilience, and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Fern’s secrets to living a long, healthy life, including her powerful approach to staying positive and listening to your body.

• The importance of faith and how it has guided her through the darkest times of history.

• How focusing on helping others and maintaining a positive mindset can transform your life.

• Simple yet profound advice on taking care of yourself, your loved ones, and the things that matter most.

• Fern’s reflection on the world’s changes and how we can stay grounded amidst turmoil.

  
  

Fern’s story isn’t just about longevity—it’s about living a meaningful life, grounded in love, faith, and intentional choices. Her wisdom and perspective are sure to inspire you to live with more peace, purpose, and gratitude.

Join us in this heartwarming conversation and let these lessons from a centenarian guide your journey.

Please subscribe to the show and share the episodes with those you love.

In today’s powerful episode, Rachel Carta down with Kate Zuraw, a licensed social worker turned mentor and the creator of Liminal Resilience.

Together, they explore a transformative practice that helps you declare your independence from the limiting beliefs and identities that are holding you back.

This Independence Day, it's time to declare your personal freedom from the things that no longer serve you. Whether it’s negative thinking, old narratives, or unhelpful relationships, Kate shares a brilliant process to help you reclaim your power and step into the next version of yourself.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to affirm your inherent worth even when you don’t feel it deep down yet.

• A unique and actionable process for identifying the beliefs and behaviors that have been weighing you down.

• The importance of releasing what no longer fits the person you’re becoming.

• How to begin declaring your own personal power with actionable steps that align with your values and desires.

• Practical advice on how to commit to these declarations, including journaling, setting boundaries, and surrounding yourself with supportive people.

  
  

Kate encourages us to honor our own growth and evolution, and to approach this process with compassion. It's all about progress, not perfection.

Episode Highlights:

• “We hold these truths to be self-evident” – Using this declaration as a way to affirm your inherent worth and strength.

• The significance of creating a personal Declaration of Independence and the power it holds in helping us let go of limiting beliefs and reclaim our autonomy.

• Simple, actionable ways to start the journey of empowerment today, no matter where you are in your process.

• The idea that this is not a one-time event, but a continuous practice of self-discovery and personal growth.

  
  

This episode is filled with compassion, clarity, and actionable insights that will inspire you to move beyond limiting beliefs and embrace your potential for growth and personal freedom.

Resources Mentioned:

• Read Kate’s guest blog on Rachel's website at RachelCartaRN.com/declare.

• Liminal Resilience – Kate’s transformative approach for coaches, therapists, and healers.

  
  

Be sure to listen, reflect, and take one small step today toward your personal declaration of independence!

Join the Conversation:
Follow Rachel on Instagram @RachelCartaRN and Kate @liminalresilience and share your insights from today’s episode.

What will you declare independence from in your life?

In this episode of the Living Inspired Podcast, Rachel Carta dives into a powerful concept that can make a massive difference in your health and well-being: the Pareto Principle, or the 80/20 Rule.

Rachel explains how small, consistent habits—those simple actions we often overlook—can lead to profound results over time.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the changes you “should” be making, this episode will help you see how small shifts in your daily routine can create lasting transformation. Learn how focusing on the 20% of habits that move the needle can make a world of difference in how you feel.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The Pareto Principle and how it applies to health

• Small, consistent habits that create big results

• How to identify your “20%”—the actions that make the most impact

• Tips for staying consistent with the habits that help you feel your best

  
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Clarity and Relief Session

• RachelCartaRN.com

• Email: [email protected]

Join the Conversation:

What are the small habits that make the biggest difference in your health? Send Rachel a message on Instagram at @rachelcartaRN, or email her at [email protected]. Rachel would love to hear from you and help you identify your “20%”!