Hoops & Glossers!

Buckle up—today we're going where few podcasts dare to go: the messy, confusing, sometimes downright bizarre world of perimenopause.

Hot flashes? Weight gain? Brain fog? Gas that could clear a room? (Yeah, we said it.) If you've ever felt like your body came with a secret manual that no one bothered to give you, this episode is your missing chapter.

My guest, Dyna Vink, a certified Integrative Health Practitioner and founder of Holistic Nutrition Lifestyle, is here to spill the tea on all things midlife. She's walked the perimenopause path herself, turned her frustration into research, and now helps women uncover the real root causes behind their symptoms.

And here's the jaw-dropper: 👉 One hidden culprit might just be… PARASITES! Yep. Not sexy. Not talked about. But way more common than you think. From bloating and brain fog to sleep struggles and skin issues, parasites could be part of the puzzle—and Dyna explains how to spot them, test for them, and (most importantly) kick them to the curb.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why perimenopause is still wildly misunderstood (and ignored in med school 🤯)

• The surprising first signs of perimenopause (spoiler: it's not just hot flashes)

• How the gut, hormones, and parasites are all linked

• Why traditional medicine often misses the root cause—and what functional medicine can offer instead

• And yes, the truth about colonics, biofilms, and parasite cleanses 👀

If you're in perimenopause (or think you might be), this convo will give you clarity, relief, and maybe a whole new perspective on what's really going on inside your body.

Because midlife isn't a crisis—it's a plot twist. And with the right tools, you don't just survive it… you thrive.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

https://motivatewithmelis.com

✨ Resources & Links:

• Connect with Dyna Vink: [Insert her discovery call link or website]

Website: https://holisticnutritionlifestyle.com/;

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dynavink/ ;

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dyna.vink/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerimenopauseRelief

Para Support Parasite herbal rebalancing protocol: https://equi.life/products/parasite-cleanse-protocol?irad=909171&irmp=5705922

Hey Hoops & Glossers — today's guest is proof that you can be strong, healthy, and still grow your own garlic braid worthy of a Pinterest board.

Meet Kim Eagle — fitness coach, nutrition expert, Ironman times two (yes, TWO), and the green thumb behind Grow a Healthy Garden. She's the founder of Earn That Body, where she's been helping clients ditch the diet drama since 2009 with a "real food, no gimmicks" approach. And now, she's teaching people everywhere to plant, grow, and eat organic goodness right from their own backyards (or balconies).

In this episode, we dig into:

• 🚴‍♀️ How training for an Ironman changed her everything (and why she'd do it again in a heartbeat)

• 🍠 Why perimenopause had her swapping marathons for muscle and sweet potato harvests

• 🏋️‍♀️ The myth-busting truth about weight training, carbs, and why eating more can actually help you lose weight

• 🥗 Why Ozempic isn't the magic fix most people think it is — and the ripple effects we're not talking about enough

• 🌿 How growing your own food can boost your health, your mood, and maybe your social life (neighbors love free tomatoes)

Kim's energy is contagious, her advice is practical, and her passion for helping people feel their best is next level. You'll leave this episode ready to rework your workouts… and maybe plant a basil plant while you're at it.

Links from the episode:

• Kim's fitness + nutrition programs: www.EarnThatBody.com

• Start your own organic garden: www.GrowAHealthyGarden.com

Because whether you're building muscle or growing garlic, midlife is all about planting seeds you actually want to see grow. 🌸

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

https://motivatewithmelis.com

Hoops & Glossers - What if your next breakthrough wasn't in another to-do list… but in the pause? This week on Now What?!, Melis sits down with the radiant and real Karen Bartholomew — life coach, speaker, and creator of The Pause Method. Her work helps women (and leaders who feel like they're juggling flaming swords) slow down long enough to actually hear themselves again.

We dive into how overachievement, past conditioning, and people-pleasing can leave us burned out and disconnected from who we really are — and how the power of intentional pause can unlock clarity, peace, and your next big move.

👠 What We Talk About:

• Karen's own "Now What?!" moment as a single mom of three

• Breakdown of the PAUSE Method — and why you'll want it in your back pocket

• The stories we tell ourselves (and how to stop believing the lies)

• How burnout, hustle culture, and childhood beliefs keep us in a loop

• The truth about being "selfish" (spoiler: it's a superpower)

• Practical ideas for reclaiming your joy, your purpose, and your peace

🌀 Karen's PAUSE Method (teaser version!):

• P – Perceive: Identify patterns and subconscious stories

• A – Acknowledge & Accept: Without judgment, see what's really there

• U – Unwind: Untangle the mental spaghetti of outdated beliefs

• S – Shift: Reframe the narrative and reclaim your voice

• E – Expand: Practice new behaviors, embody the change

💥 Hot Quote Moments:

"The brain is designed to keep you safe. Not fulfilled." "What story are you telling yourself right now — and is it even true?" "The hustle isn't a badge of honor. It's a red flag."

🌱 Want to Dive Deeper?

• Karen's free 30-day PAUSE journal: karenbartholomew.com

• DM "Sanctum" to Karen on Instagram for info about her new community circle

• Follow her on IG: @karenbartholomew

🎧 Listen Now On: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

🔁 Share this with your favorite overwhelmed overachiever She might be one pause away from her power.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — ever find yourself eating a cold nugget off your kid's plate and wondering, "Now what?" You're not alone. In this no-shame, no-diet-culture deep dive, Melis is keeping it real (and hilarious) as she tackles one of the most asked questions: "What the heck do I eat?"

From ex-fad dieter to macro-based mindset queen, Melis shares her simple, doable approach to nutrition — without the guilt, without the gimmicks, and definitely without the 100-year-old shelf-stable snack bars. 🧃🍗🥦

You'll learn:

• Why nutrition feels so confusing (hint: $$$)

• The basics of macros (and why you don't need a PhD to figure them out)

• What to eat more of (protein is queen 👑)

• The reason you must eat to lose weight (yes, you read that right)

• Real-life meal prep tips for the busiest midlife mama

• And the free gift you didn't know you needed 👀

📩 BONUS: Get your Free Nutrition Guide — just DM Melis the word "guide" on Instagram @motivatewithmelis

Because life is complicated enough — your food shouldn't be.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're THE BEST!) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — Buckle up for a road trip recap that turns into a full-blown midsummer meltdown (with a dash of Gaga fever and Bieber breakdown concerns thrown in for good measure).

In this unfiltered solo episode, Melis recaps her California college tour with daughter Devyn (yep, the baby's driving now 😱), shares her manifestation station dreams of living that Montecito life, and spirals just a tiny bit into pop culture chaos. We're talking Justin, Britney, Gaga, and why Meghan Markle deserves a break. Oh—and yes, she's still trying to snag last-minute tickets to Gaga's Mayhem Ball. Because obviously.

✨ In this episode:

• Devyn's volleyball camp + Melis' UCSB nostalgia trip

• Mama's dream life: a future house in Montecito (watch out, Oprah)

• Lady Gaga obsession hits peak level

• Midsummer burnout and back-to-school countdown feels

• A reminder: You're not alone if this summer feels a little… unhinged

If you're feeling off, overstimulated, or just done with summer chaos, this one's for you. We're in it together.

🌀 Come hang. Laugh. Vent. Manifest something wild.

xoxo

melis

—---------------------------- ✨ Love this kind of chaotic honesty? Subscribe, leave a review, and text your fellow midlife mamas who are ready to scream "Now What?!" into the August abyss 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis on IG and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — Happy 4th of July! Fire up the grill, grab a hot dog (mustard only, according to Papi), and buckle up because this week's episode is officially off. the. rails.

🎙️ Featuring: Shannon "Sexy Papi" Murphy — aka my husband, baby daddy, and completely unfiltered co-host for this holiday chaos special.

We're talking…

💥 Club sports: the travel, the cost, the trauma, and why we're still here 💥 The volleyball tournament that gave me a black eye (true story) 💥 A deep dive into Speedos, co-ed swim, and… high school grooming habits? 💥 A very American 4th of July trivia game (Papi shockingly nails it) 💥 Fireworks safety PSA that turns into a full-blown hot take 💥 Nutrition tip: Watching the news might be making you fat

🚨 Caution: This episode includes overshares, unfiltered memories, and a strong opinion about Piccolo Petes.

So whether you're road-tripping, BBQing, or just trying to survive family time without starting a political debate — press play, laugh with us (or at us), and celebrate this beautiful, messy, overcaffeinated American life.

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July, friends. May your burgers be juicy, your flags un-ironed, and your Speedos retired.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers —

She's back! In Part 2 of this powerhouse conversation, Brittany Carbone returns to share what happened when she stopped waiting for the perfect time — and just did the thing. From leaving L.A. to start a new chapter in Tulum to trusting her gut through grief, fear, and big transformation, Brittany gets real about what it takes to live in alignment (even when it's scary).

This episode is full of powerful mindset shifts, emotional breakthroughs, and practical tools you can start using today to stop second-guessing and start listening to your inner knowing.

💬 In this episode:

• Why Brittany left LA to follow a bold new path

• The real reason we struggle to trust our intuition — and how to fix it

• What happens when you stop numbing and start feeling

• The "Sally Jo" strategy for shutting down your inner critic

• How grief shaped Brittany's most powerful win yet

• A mic-drop reminder: You're allowed to take up space. You belong here.

🎧 If you've ever felt stuck in fear or unsure what your next move should be — let this be your nudge. Do it scared.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

👉Follow @brittneycarbone on IG

Hey Hoops & Glossers —

Ever feel like the underqualified one in the room? SAME. In Part 1 of this powerhouse convo, Melis sits down with fitness champ and mindset coach Brittany Carbone to unpack the sneaky grip of imposter syndrome — and how to shake it loose.

From body image battles and binge cycles to the bodybuilding stage and building a business, Brittany shares how she found confidence, clarity, and community.

💬 In this episode:

• The hilarious way Melis found Brittany (spoiler: Instagram stalking)

• How Brittany rewrote her story around food, fitness, and fear

• What finally helped her kick the shame spiral

• The truth bomb we all need: "You are who you surround yourself with — so own it."

🎧 If you've ever felt like a fraud in your own life, hit play. This one's for you.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Hey Hoops & Glossers — can you believe it? 33 episodes together! This week, Melis is flying solo to reintroduce herself, reflect on what's brought us here, and celebrate YOU — the community showing up every week with messy buns, full hearts, and maybe a little midlife rage. (Same.)

👋 Get to know your host: Melis is a 53-year-old mom of three, wife, former stay-at-home burnout survivor, and current queen of "WTF is happening to my hormones?" She started "Now What?!" because one day she looked around and thought… well ,NOW WHAT?!

🌀 In this episode:

• Why this podcast was born from a midlife identity shake-up

• What it means to hit the "messy middle" of parenting, purpose, and perimenopause

• A big thank you to past guests and the magical moments they've shared

• The power of community when everything feels like too much

• Why we're done pretending and fully embracing the ragey, raw, real stuff

🚨 Plus, a lil announcement: Melis is launching her brand-new 1:1 Reset Coaching Session — a private, no-judgment zone to get unstuck and feel like you again. Spots are limited, but Hoops & Glossers get first dibs. Because you deserve it.

📣 If you've been loving the pod:

• Share it with a friend who's midlife flailing with you

• Leave a 5-star review (1-star people may exit to the left, respectfully)

• Slide into Melis' DMs with topic ideas. Nothing's off the table. NOTHING.

🎧 Press play if you need a reminder that you're not alone in this wild, sweaty, hilarious midlife ride.

Until next week… 💋 Stay messy, stay marvelous, and keep asking: Now What?!

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend

Grief isn't a dirty word. It's part of life — and it deserves to be talked about.

In this deeply moving episode, Melis sits down with her close friend Ashley — a wife, mom, and interior designer — who shares her story of losing her son, Alex, to cancer seven years ago. With honesty, heart, and strength, Ashley opens up about what grief really looks like, and why she's on a mission to bring these conversations into the light.

Whether you've experienced loss or want to better support someone who has, this episode is a powerful reminder that you're not alone — and you don't need to have the perfect words to be present.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Ashley's mission to normalize grief and open up real conversations about loss

• The truth about what grief looks and feels like — years later

• How to support a grieving parent (and what not to say)

• Keeping Alex's memory alive in everyday, meaningful ways

• Why talking about grief helps us all feel more human and less alone

Please listen with an open heart — and share with someone who needs to hear it.

xoxo

melis

👉 Don't forget to leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify (because you're my friend, right? RIGHT??) 👉 Tag me @motivatewithmelis and share with a friend