You know the drill: Pop two ibuprofen at 6 AM. Save your prescription meds for the "really bad" days. Hope the over-the-counter stuff is enough to get you through.

But what if the medication you're using to save yourself is actually keeping you stuck?

On this episode of The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way podcast, I'm sharing the uncomfortable truth about over-the-counter pain medication-why daily use is masking (not ending) your migraines, and how my clients broke free from the OTC trap.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why rationing prescription meds leads to OTC overuse and dependence
• The short-term and long-term dangers nobody talks about (rebound headaches, kidney damage, gut destruction)
• How all medication is toxic and lowers your migraine threshold by raising inflammation
• Real client stories: From daily medication to using it sparingly (and successfully)
• The difference between surviving with medication vs. thriving without needing it daily

Resources:

FREE DOWNLOAD: Toxic Migraine Triggers Guide Get the complete guide showing you the hidden inflammatory triggers keeping your migraines alive-including toxins in your medication, environment, and everyday life.

The Freedom From Migraines Method® Learn more about addressing the root cause of your migraines so you can stop surviving with medication and start thriving.

Book a free Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment: https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/breakthroughcall

Connect with Debbie:

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

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedomom

Website: https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching, LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

If you're already feeling behind on your New Year's resolution, there's a good chance it's because no one ever taught you how to build a foundation strong enough to hold real change.

Especially when migraines are involved.

Every January, the cycle repeats. You decide this is the year things will be different. You promise yourself you'll finally get your migraines under control. And for a short while, you're motivated. You're doing the things. Trying again.

Then life happens. You get tired. You miss a day. The migraines hit. And suddenly it feels like you're right back where you started - exhausted, discouraged, and wondering why nothing ever sticks.

In this episode, I'm breaking down why resolutions fail (hint: part of it is because you've been trying to move forward without a destination, a reason, or a map).

This conversation is for the woman who is tired of white-knuckling her way through migraines. The woman who has tried all the things - supplements, diets, late-night research spirals - and still feels stuck. The woman who doesn't need more willpower, but real clarity about what she's actually working toward and how to get there.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why New Year's resolutions fail by February - and why it has nothing to do with discipline
• The difference between "wanting to be pain-free" and wanting your life back
• Why taking action without a clear destination leads to burnout and giving up
• The 4 questions that create a foundation strong enough to hold real change
• How migraines quietly steal moments, relationships, and freedom - not just your health
• Why trying harder, adding more supplements, or guessing at triggers keeps you stuck
• What you actually need to heal: a map, guidance, and the right order of support
• Why you don't need to climb the whole mountain - just take the first step

If migraine freedom is something you're seriously wanting this year, I want to invite you to take a first step with me.

Right now, I'm in the middle of my 8 Days of Giving, where I'm sharing a collection of powerful resources to help you better understand your body, your triggers, and what's actually driving your migraines.

And this Thursday, January 22nd at 6:30 PM Eastern, I'm hosting a FREE Open House where I'll show you how these tools fit together, what to start with based on your situation, and what your next step could look like without overwhelm.

Send me a DM to join me and let's talk about what's actually possible for your body.

Resources & Links

🔗 Free Guide: Toxic Migraine Triggers: https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/free-guide

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

If you live with migraines, overwhelm often becomes part of the pain.

Not just the headaches, but the constant pressure to do more. Change your diet. Fix your hormones. Heal your gut. Balance your nervous system. And somehow do it all while you're already exhausted.

In this episode, I'm answering one of the most common and most honest questions women ask:

"If I can only do ONE thing right now to help my migraines, what should it be?"

This conversation is for the woman who doesn't have the energy for a perfect plan. The woman who isn't lazy or failing - just depleted. And who needs relief that feels supportive without adding overwhelm to her already-full plate.

I'm breaking down why there is no single "magic first step" for migraines, how chronic inflammation shows up differently for every woman, and what actually helps you move forward when your body feels like it's working against you.

This episode is a reminder that healing starts with doing one right thing for your body.

In This Episode, You'll Hear:

• Why there is no universal "first step" for migraine relief
• How chronic inflammation drives migraines - and why it looks different for every woman
• The six migraine inducers and why your unique combination matters
• Why Google searches, supplements, and generic advice often fail long-term
• Simple, nervous-system-soothing steps that help calm inflammation when you're exhausted
• How small relief can create the momentum your body needs
• Why guessing keeps you stuck - and how data-based guidance changes everything

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/calendar-1

🔗 Sign up for my free webinar → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/live-training

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

If you live with migraines, you know that the pain is only part of the story.

There's the constant anticipation of the next one. The quiet fear that creeps in when you make plans. The mental math of Will I be okay that day? What if I have to cancel again?

In this episode, you'll hear Lori's story, whose life revolved around that daily uncertainty for years.

She was always waiting for the next migraine to arrive. And like so many women, she also carried guilt around prioritizing her own health. Even when she found the Freedom From Migraine Method®, fear and doubt held her back.

That fear alone became part of the problem.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of how heavy the migraine journey can feel - and how real breakthroughs often come only after we're brave enough to take the next step, even when we're unsure.

In This Episode, you'll hear:

• What it's like to live in constant anticipation of migraines, and how that chronic stress kept her nervous system stuck
• The guilt and hesitation many women feel about investing time and money into their own healing
• How fear, doubt, and skepticism actually fueled more migraines instead of protecting her
• The two dates that changed the direction of her life
• The moment everything finally clicked, including her first seven-hour night of sleep in years, and the joy that followed

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/calendar-1

🔗Join my free webinar → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/live-training

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

Every year teaches me something different, but the week between Christmas and New Year's always reveals the deepest truth: women living with migraines aren't craving a fresh planner or a tidy home… they're craving a nervous system that finally feels safe.

This episode is about releasing the fear, frustration, and beliefs that have kept you stuck - and stepping into 2026 with a completely different foundation.

These are the three things every woman with migraines should leave behind in 2025 so you don't carry them into a new year.

I'm breaking down the patterns I see every single holiday season, and sharing simple and honest shifts that will change your life.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why the belief that "nothing can help me" is one of the most harmful thoughts women carry into the new year: and why your history - hormones, trauma, injury, autoimmunity, pituitary issues - does not make you unfixable. Different outcomes never mean no outcome.
• What actually changes when you move beyond conventional medicine alone: why symptom management (Botox, triptans, preventatives, nerve blocks, HRT) can help short-term but often increases rebound, liver stress, inflammation, and chronicity, and why functional root-cause work is where real transformation happens.
• Why you were never meant to figure migraines out alone: how gut health, sleep rhythms, electrolytes, toxicity, nutrition, emotional load, and your migraine buffer all interact, and why expecting yourself to untangle it through Google searches is not a fair ask.
• A powerful reframe for 2026: that you don't need perfection, the "right time," or a quiet season to begin healing, you only need one step that supports your nervous system and shifts your inflammation network.
• A vision for where you could be next December: fewer migraines, more predictability, more energy, more joy, more confidence, and more of your actual life back - the kind of year where you say, "I cannot believe the difference."

Wishing you a grounded, steady, pain-free transition into the new year - and a 2026 where your nervous system finally feels like it's working with you instead of against you.

Resources & Links

📖 Download your free guide to finding migraine freedom here → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/free-guide

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/calendar-1

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

Every year teaches me something different, but this holiday season felt especially profound.

It reminded me how deeply migraines impact women during moments that are supposed to feel magical - warm meals, twinkling lights, family gathering, children waking up early with excitement.

For so many women, this week isn't joyful… it's something they have to survive.

This is a message of grounded hope for anyone whose pain feels front and center right now. If you're listening during one of the busiest weeks of the year, it tells me one thing: you're ready for real change.

In this episode, I'm featuring the stories of nine women who once lived in chronic migraine cycles and are now experiencing the freedom they never thought possible.

Their stories are the message you need this Christmas.

Tune in to hear:

• What the holidays really feel like when you live with migraines: the pressure to show up, the guilt of missing moments, and the exhaustion of pushing through pain when you're supposed to be celebrating.
• Why so many women feel hopeless this time of year: how chronic pain steals presence, joy, and energy - and how that emotional weight is often overlooked.
• Real holiday messages from nine women who transformed their migraine patterns: women who once had 15–20 migraines a month, lived on triptans, preventatives, Botox, and daily medications… and now wake up pain-free, steady, and no longer reliant on rescue meds.
• The power of treating migraines at the root: why these results aren't flukes, but what happens when the inflammation network calms and the body finally gets what it needs.
• A vision for what next Christmas could look like for you: fully present with your family, not bracing for pain, not medicating your way through the morning, and not missing the moments that matter.
• An invitation for 2026: how Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment Calls can help you understand what your body is telling you, identify what's keeping you stuck, and finally get clarity on the path forward.

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/calendar-1

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

Every year teaches me something different, but 2025 felt especially powerful. It reminded me of the emotional side of migraines that often gets overlooked, and helped me reconnect with what women are truly carrying beneath the surface.

These are the lessons that shaped me this year. I hope they help you feel seen, understood, and supported.

In this episode, I break down the deeper patterns I saw again and again in the women I serve - the fears they hold, the burdens they carry, the gaps in their education, and the transformations that happen when they finally receive the guidance and support they deserve.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why fear is one of the heaviest parts of the migraine experience: fear of failing again, of being disappointed, of trusting the wrong person, of believing this is "as good as life gets."
• How daily migraine pain affects women far more than people realize: making basic tasks like cooking, working, and being present for their families feel overwhelming.
• Why so many women still think medication is the complete answer: how messaging, marketing, and quick medical visits have left them without real education about their bodies.
• The results that continue to move me every single year: women reducing migraine days dramatically, reclaiming their lives, and gaining back their confidence, identity, and long-term health.
• The bigger truth 2025 revealed: migraine work is not just symptom work. It's a whole-body, whole-life transformation.

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough Assessment → https://debbiewaidl.com/booking-page/schedule-your-call

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

Most women don't realize how powerful one honest story can be until someone shares theirs at exactly the right moment.

That's how Sue's journey began.

She had been searching for answers, bouncing between doctors, and trying to make sense of symptoms that left her anxious, isolated, and afraid. Nothing was clear. Nothing was consistent. And the question that haunted her was simple:

"Why can't anyone tell me what's actually happening to me?"

Her world was getting smaller until one woman's courage opened a new door.

In this episode, you'll hear how Cheryl, a Freedom From Migraine Method® graduate, recognized herself in Sue's struggle and offered something life-changing: truth, hope, and a path forward. Their connection became the catalyst for Sue's transformation, and a reminder that healing often begins with one honest conversation.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Sue couldn't get answers despite years of symptoms, research, and conflicting medical opinions
• How fear and uncertainty were affecting her mental and physical health
• The moment Cheryl shared her story, and why it instantly changed everything for Sue
• Why community support accelerates healing more effectively than trying to figure it out alone
• The major shifts that happened once Sue addressed her 6 Key Inducers
• How one woman's freedom can create a ripple effect for someone else - including you!

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment → https://debbiewaidl.com/booking-page/schedule-your-call

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

For so many women, there's a silent, confusing moment you don't talk about: the moment you're not sure if what you're feeling is depression… or another migraine creeping in.

And the truth almost no one tells you? For most women, it's both. Not because you're broken. Not because you're too emotional. Not because you "can't handle life." But because inflammation is running the show, it affects both your brain chemistry and your pain.

In this episode, I break down the science behind why migraines and depression so often overlap, why medication alone rarely fixes the root cause, and how calming your inflammatory network can completely change the way you experience your mood, your energy, and your symptoms.

I also share a deeply personal holiday story - one that still fuels my mission to help women find emotional and physical freedom without shame. And you'll hear real examples of women inside the Freedom From Migraine Method® who went from dreading the season… to truly enjoying it again.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why migraines and depression often happen together, and why it's not your fault
• How inflammation disrupts serotonin, dopamine, and GABA
• Why medication can ease pain short-term but leave you foggy, flat, or "not yourself."
• How the pain–depression feedback loop intensifies during the holidays
• The personal moment that showed me how deeply inflammation affects emotional well-being
• The transformations that happen when women address the root cause instead of blaming themselves

If you're struggling with depression or feeling unsafe, please reach out immediately.

Dial 988 — The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) Help is available 24/7. You are not meant to navigate this alone.

Resources & Links

🔗 Schedule your Migraine Breakthrough Assessment → https://debbiewaidl.com/booking-page/schedule-your-call

🔗 Sign up for the free webinar here → https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/live-training

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.

The holidays are meant to feel joyful, but for so many women living with migraines, they're often the opposite.

The noise, the expectations, the schedule changes, the pressure to make everything "perfect"… it all adds up. And before the day even begins, your nervous system is already on high alert, and inflammation starts rising under the surface.

In this episode, I walk you through why the holidays hit so hard - and how you can use small, strategic shifts to calm your inflammatory network even if you don't change a single thing you eat.

You'll learn how your inflammatory system really works (and why food is never the whole story), why mindset modulation is one of the most powerful tools for migraine freedom, and how to bring calm into everyday moments you're already doing - brushing your teeth, wrapping gifts, setting the table.

I also share practical examples from inside the Freedom From Migraine Method® that show just how transformative these tiny moments of mindfulness can be.

These stories are proof that healing happens when your body feels safe - not when you're trying to be perfect.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why holiday stress and overcommitment ignite your inflammatory network
• The 3 components of inflammation (inducers, drivers, and genetics - and why mindset is often the missing link)
• How to use a two-minute routine, like brushing your teeth to lower inflammation
• A simple holiday mindfulness practice you can use while wrapping presents, decorating, or cooking
• Why your perception of stress matters more than the stress itself
• How choosing calm over perfection creates fewer symptoms and more peace

Connect with Debbie:

Instagram: https://urlgeni.us/instagram/migrainefree

Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://urlgeni.us/facebook/Womensmigrainefreedom

LinkedIn: https://urlgeni.us/linkedin/debbiewaidl

Website: https://debbiewaidl.com/

Disclaimer:

The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests in this podcast is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.