Graduation comes with a lot of pressure to have a plan, land the job, and feel confident about what’s next. But what happens when we’re faced with rejection and feeling alone?

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Robinson, a sports journalist covering Colorado sports, to have the career conversation we all need. We talk about job rejection, self-doubt, and learning how to keep going when your path doesn’t look the way you thought it would. Mark shares how his high school experiences shaped his resilience, how college became a fresh start for independence and personal growth, and what post-grad life really feels like. From tips on making friends to breaking into the sports media world, we discuss everything you need to know about succeeding post-grad. 

IG: @markrobinsonsports

IG: @guerilla.sports  

Marks Personal IG: @mark.robinsonn 

My Personal IG: @macileejones

Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

After four years of symptoms and being told nothing was wrong, I finally received an autoimmune diagnosis… and this episode tells the entire story.

I walk through the timeline of infections, gut issues, hormone imbalances, chronic pain, and poor recovery that shaped my college years, and how inflammation connected everything. I also share what it was like being dismissed, misdiagnosed, and told it was “just IBS,” despite knowing something deeper was wrong.

Most importantly, this episode is about self-advocacy. If you’ve ever felt unheard by doctors, confused by your body, or afraid to keep pushing for answers, I hope my story reminds you that you’re not crazy and that finding the root cause is worth it.

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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Alcohol is everywhere in our 20s—from celebrations to coping to socializing. But what happens when you step away from it?

In today’s episode, I'm not shaming anyone for drinking or trying to convince you to stop. I'm just breaking down what alcohol actually does to your brain, gut microbiome, metabolism, hormones, and mental health. I also go into my personal journey of choosing sobriety and what I’ve noticed after two years being alcohol-free.

Whether you’re doing Dry January, questioning your relationship with alcohol, or just want to drink more mindfully, this episode gives you the knowledge to make informed choices without shame or pressure!

What if the habits you’re most proud of are actually the ones holding you back? This year forced me to confront everything I thought made me “successful”: productivity, perfection, discipline, and control. In today’s episode, I’m reflecting on my 2025 growth and sharing the intentions I’m carrying into 2026 as I learn to slow down, heal, and live more fully. I've recently started to get my spark back and I plan on making it brighter this year and to help you do the same.

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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This week, we’re talking all things gut health! We dive into how your microbiome affects everything from your mood to your metabolism. I share my personal gut journey — from C. diff and microscopic colitis to H. pylori — and what I’ve learned through my dietetics studies about fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, and healing from within. We discuss the gut-brain axis, antibiotics, gut friendly foods, and alcohol. If you’ve ever struggled with bloating, fatigue, bowel irregularities, or anxiety, this episode will help you connect the dots and take back control of your health.

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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Today we dive into purpose, fear, and the pressure to have it all figured out in your 20s. We talk about how self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and how waiting for the “right time” holds us back from what’s actually meant for us. I share how taking risks: transferring schools, changing paths, or walking away from comfort, can lead to alignment, even if it doesn’t “feel” like the right time. I challenge you to ask yourself: what if it all works out? Take the risk and follow what you're passionate about instead of settling for average. 

🎧 Tune in for a mix of honesty, motivation, and that reminder you didn’t know you needed — you’re not behind, you’re becoming someone younger you would be proud of.

The 16 Core Human Values:

https://thevaluesbridge.com/values-lexicon/ 

Take the Values Quiz to Find Yours:

https://thevaluesbridge.com/?utm_source=sw&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=products_page 

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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Feeling sore, stagnant, or stuck in the same workouts without progress? In this episode of My Verbal Journal, I share what I’ve been learning about training smarter, not harder — from Andrew Huberman’s conversation with Bret Contreras to my own struggles with overtraining. We dive into why exercise variation matters, how to structure workouts using the “rule of thirds” for glute growth, and what MRV (max recoverable volume) really means. I also talk about the role of Pilates in recovery, why fewer high-quality sets may be better than endless sloppy ones, and how deload weeks can refresh your body and mind.

Alongside the science, I get real about the mental side of plateauing, overexercise, and how negative self-talk shows up in the gym. If you’ve ever wondered whether more is always better, this episode is for you.

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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In this episode, I sit down with my friend Maddie Rice, and we get real about what it’s like being college seniors. We talk about juggling classes, fitness, and personal growth while still trying to actually enjoy this season of life. We share our intentions for the rest of the year, figuring out balance, and why self-care has become so important for us. We also dive into body image struggles, leaning on community, and learning to embrace the uncertainty that comes with this stage of life. More than anything, we talk about the importance of finding what works for us as individuals, staying flexible with our goals, and how much meaningful friendships matter along the way.

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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Maddie's IG:

https://www.instagram.com/maddie.ricee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ejB0ejhtNHhsZTN5

Today I was fortunate to sit down with Shasta Van Sickle, a dedicated physician associate with over 15 years of experience in functional medicine. Shasta shares her unique journey from orthopedic surgery to a holistic approach, focusing on the root causes of health issues. This episode dives into the critical role of hormones, birth control, PCOS,  challenges women face in healthcare, and the misconceptions surrounding functional medicine. Shasta has personally helped me tremendously with my gut and hormonal health in a short amount of time. Listen now to discover how Shasta's insights can empower you on your health journey.

Book an Appointment with Shasta at Remedi Health:

https://www.remedi.care/provider/shasta-van-sickle-pa-c 

Call: 720-557-9363 

Books Mentioned in the Episode:

Hormone Havoc: https://www.amazon.com/Hormone-Havoc-Dispelling-Misconceptions-Hormones/dp/1961074125 

The Lady’s Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness:

https://www.audible.com/ep/mytitle?asin=0525496181&source_code=GO1PP30DTRIAL54703142491H0 

Personal IG: @macileejones

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Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat

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Today I open up about my journey with gut and hormonal health—from repeated antibiotics in college, to misdiagnoses, birth control struggles, hormone havoc, and discovering Hashimoto’s. I share how years of stomach issues, anxiety, and hormone imbalances were all connected, and why advocating for yourself in the healthcare system matters. Thankfully, functional medicine finally connected the dots and I am on a path to healing. If you’ve ever felt dismissed or stuck with “band-aid” solutions, this episode is for you. It’s not all in your head, you deserve to get to the root cause and heal properly and permanently.