In this episode of Operation Be, I welcome the magnetic and mission-driven Jessica McTaggart, owner of The Curl Sanctuary in St. Louis. What begins as a conversation, becomes a full-bodied journey through Jessica’s evolution from a makeup counter employee to a leader reshaping the curly hair industry from the inside out.

We wander through the origin story of The Curl Sanctuary, the philosophy that fuels it, and the intention-packed choices that turned it into a safe haven for natural curls and the people who wear them. 

We dig into what it takes to build a purpose-driven business: the quiet bravery of saying no, the courage to create a culture that feels like home, and the discipline required to grow without losing yourself in the process.

Jessica also opens up about training new stylists, honoring boundaries, and protecting the harmony between work, artistry, and real life. Expect heartfelt stories, grounded wisdom, and a look behind the curtain at what authenticity in leadership truly looks like.

If you’re building something that matters, or simply craving a reminder that intention is a superpower, this episode delivers. 

🎧Tune in. Fill up. And be inspired to build your world with purpose. 💫

00:21 Meet Jessica McTaggart: Visionary Behind The Curl Sanctuary

02:25 The Journey to The Curl Sanctuary

07:42 Transformations and Client Stories

12:38 Building a Business with Integrity and Intention

28:47 The Importance of Mentorship and Community

37:05 The Importance of Community and Support

38:04 Intentional Living and Personal Growth

40:23 Building a Business with Faith

55:50 Navigating Personal and Professional Boundaries

01:01:57 Reflecting on Success and Future Goals

01:04:57 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Connect with Jessica:

https://curlsanctuary.com/

https://www.facebook.com/curlsanctuary

https://www.instagram.com/thecurlsanctuary/

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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In this episode of Operation Be, we’re going all-in on one of the most underrated tools for growth: perspective shifts. We’re unpacking how seeing things differently—intentionally, clearly, and without burning yourself out—can radically reshape your life.

We’ll get into:

This episode is your reminder that you don’t need a massive life overhaul—sometimes you just need a new lens.

🎧Hit play, take a breath, and let’s shift your perspective together.

Reflection Prompt: Try ONE perspective shift this week.

Identify something that doesn't feel great, or doesn't flow well in your life. Approach that thing with an open mind, and consider what YOU really think or feel about it, and how it is impacting your life. Do you really still need it?

00:21 Shifting Your Mindset

00:58 The Power of Perspective

08:04 Real-Life Examples of Perspective Shifts

11:58 Staying Present and Making Decisions

17:04 Action Steps and Conclusion

Mentioned in this episode:

Says F*cking Who Gear:

https://homesweetdefiance.com/products/says-who-womens-short-sleeve-t-shirt?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=d3a92bbd8&pr_rec_pid=7203248046142&pr_ref_pid=7203257778238&pr_seq=uniform

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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www.facebook.com/jamiethurber.biz

www.jamiethurber.com 

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

www.operationbe.com

In this short solo episode, I wanted to build on my recent conversation with former NHL enforcer Kelly Chase—reflecting on the powerful lessons hidden inside resilience, mindset, and purpose. From facing life-changing challenges to showing up with grit and grace every single day, this episode was all about what it really takes to live with intention.

I want to share how mindset shifts can help you find clarity, create freedom, and stay in alignment without burning out. There is so much to explore…the value of storytelling, the power of learning through experience, and the daily practice of showing up—especially when it’s hard.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder that strength isn’t just about pushing harder—but about staying grounded in who you are—this one’s for you.

🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build a mindset that won’t quit.

00:30 Recap of Last Episode with Kelly Chase

01:35 The Power of Personal Stories

03:19 Mindset and Determination

Mentioned in this episode:

The Fight After the Fight: A Story of Grit & Growth | Ep 103 with Kelly Chase

https://youtu.be/DpwCK8m8wuQ

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

www.operationbe.com

In this powerful episode of Operation Be, I sit down with the legendary Kelly Chase — former NHL enforcer, proud St. Louis Blues alum, and a man whose story goes far beyond the rink.

Kelly opens up about his incredible journey through life after hockey — from battling cancer to building businesses — and how grit, gratitude, and community have shaped every step of his path. We talk about what it really means to live with intention, to lead with heart, and to keep showing up even when life knocks you down.

He shares stories from his farm upbringing, the deep importance of relationships, and how his work with cancer fundraising and the Carbon Club is helping others find strength and purpose through connection.

This conversation is a reminder that resilience isn’t about toughness — it’s about heart. 💙

🎧 Tune in for an episode full of truth, perspective, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from a life fully lived.

00:21 Meet Kelly Chase: Beyond the Ice

02:15 Kelly's Battle with Leukemia

03:34 The Business Side of Kelly Chase

06:29 Maintaining Lifelong Friendships

09:55 Lessons from the Farm

13:01 The Importance of Team and Leadership

22:46 Transitioning from Hockey to Business

25:50 The Success of Puck Cancer and Other Ventures

30:43 Inside the Exclusive Carbon Club

34:47 Maintaining Mental and Physical Health

39:23 Family Support and Resilience

44:27 Challenges and Determination

48:54 Rapid Fire Questions and Reflections

Connect with Kelly:

https://www.instagram.com/chasenpucks39/

Ice Guardians Pod: 

https://www.youtube.com/@IceGuardiansPod

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

Want to connect with me on social media?

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

https://operationbe.com

In this episode of Operation Be, I’m diving into something that might ruffle a few feathers — unlearning the rules. This conversation was sparked by a moment that stopped me in my tracks and made me ask, “Wait…who decided this was how it’s supposed to be?”

From money to relationships to the invisible “shoulds” we’ve all been handed, I’m sharing my personal journey of realizing that most of the rules we live by weren’t even written by us. Somewhere along the way, we absorbed them — from family, society, or fear — and called it normal. But here’s the truth: you get to write your own rulebook.

In this episode, I’ll challenge you to look at what beliefs you’ve been carrying that don’t actually serve the life you want. We’ll talk about how to recognize them, release them, and replace them with new standards that feel like you.

💭 Reflection prompt: Identify one inherited belief or “rule” in your life that no longer feels right—and decide what it would look like if you rewrote it on your own terms?

It’s time to stop living by someone else’s blueprint. Let’s unlearn, realign, and build a life that fits.

🎧 Tune in now — your freedom might start right here.

00:46 Unlearning the Rules

03:25 Diversity and Perspective Shifts

06:52 Money Mindset Transformation

10:54 Questioning Assumptions and Self-Growth

17:06 Personal Life and Relationships

22:58 Conclusion and Prompt

Mentioned in this episode:

You're Allowed to Want More - and Here's Why | Ep 101

https://youtu.be/JcbHdC2O3gY

Says F*cking Who Gear:

https://homesweetdefiance.com/products/says-who-womens-short-sleeve-t-shirt?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=d3a92bbd8&pr_rec_pid=7203248046142&pr_ref_pid=7203257778238&pr_seq=uniform

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

www.operationbe.com

#operationbe #bethechange #intentionalliving #invisibleillness #polyvagaltheory #partswork #operationdo #getshitdone #healingjourney #unbusy #slowdown #awareness #youfirst #selfawareness #chronicillness #hyperproductive #breaktherules

Welcome back to Operation Be! Today, we’re talking about something that’s been a massive theme in my own journey — believing in more. ✨

In this episode, I open up about the pivotal moments that taught me how powerful it is to see beyond your current reality and choose a possibility mindset. We’ll talk about breaking free from limits, valuing purpose over money, and how to design a life that actually feels like yours — not just one that looks good on paper.

Here’s the thing: real change doesn’t start with action — it starts with clarity. When you know what you crave and why you crave it, your choices become aligned, intentional, and magnetic.

As you listen, I want you to reflect on these two questions:

That’s where your next chapter begins. 💭

🎧 Tune in now — this episode will inspire you to believe bigger, think deeper, and move closer to the life you’re meant to live.

00:27 A Rejuvenating Realization

02:21 The Possibility Mindset

04:57 Journey Through Career Transitions

17:13 The Importance of Clarity

19:13 Action Steps for a Fulfilling Life

22:07 Conclusion and Next Steps

Mentioned in this episode:

“Wild One”  by Faith Hill 🎵

https://music.apple.com/us/album/wild-one/264602889?i=264604056

Dan Young

https://www.instagram.com/dansmillionairecode/

Email me!

[email protected]

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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www.instagram.com/jamie.thurber

www.facebook.com/jamiethurber.biz

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

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100 episodes. Wow. I can hardly believe it. In this very special milestone episode of Operation Be, I sit down with my best friend, Kathryn, to reflect on the evolution — both personally and professionally — that’s brought us here.

We dive into what it really means to live with intention and authenticity, the lessons that come from falling and getting back up again, and how growth often looks nothing like we imagined (but ends up being exactly what we needed).

Kathryn also shares the inspiration behind her new women’s group, Connection to Soul: A Return to Self — a space dedicated to helping women reconnect with who they truly are beneath the noise.

This one’s raw, honest, and full of heart. It’s a celebration of how far we’ve come and a reminder that we’re always evolving. 💫

Tune in and grow with us — it’s only up from here. 🎧

00:25 Celebrating 100 Episodes

02:14 Navigating Multiple Roles and Businesses

04:42 The Struggle with Niching Down

08:23 Embracing Authenticity in Business

12:05 Challenging Conventional Wisdom

14:12 The Importance of Support and Adaptability

16:45 The Evolution of Content and Authenticity

21:18 Overcoming Self-Abandonment and Finding Freedom

28:25 Integrity and Personal Growth

33:18 The Birth of 'Connection to Soul'

40:36 Rediscovering Self and Simplifying Life

43:06 The Transition from Operation Do to Operation BE

48:56 Reflections and Future Conversations

Connect with Kathryn:

https://go.connectiontosoul.com/optin

https://www.influencedigitalmedia.com/

https://www.facebook.com/kat.tague

https://www.instagram.com/kat_tague/

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

Want to connect with me on social media?

www.instagram.com/jamie.thurber

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www.jamiethurber.com 

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

https://operationbe.com

#operationbe #bethechange #intentionalliving #invisibleillness #polyvagaltheory #partswork #operationdo #getshitdone #healingjourney #unbusy #slowdown #awareness #youfirst #selfawareness #chronicillness #healfromwithin #wellnessjourney

In this episode of Operation Be, I’m pulling back the curtain on what security and stability in relationships really mean. This conversation started with a personal story that hit me hard and made me reflect on how often we, especially as women, are conditioned to value the wrong things when it comes to love and partnership.

I’ll share my perspective on the importance of being whole before entering a relationship, how codependency can sneak in and steal our power, and why emotional stability, communication, and reliability matter so much more than the surface-level stuff society tells us to chase.

True security isn’t just about finances—it’s about feeling safe, supported, and aligned. Let’s talk about what that looks like and why you should never settle for anything less.

🎧 Tune in now. This one is a game changer.

00:56 A Story of Long-Time Acquaintance

03:01 The Importance of Security in Relationships

08:09 Understanding Codependency

16:20 Financial Security and Personal Growth

23:16 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

www.operationbe.com

#operationbe #bethechange #intentionalliving #invisibleillness #polyvagaltheory #partswork #operationdo #getshitdone #healingjourney #unbusy #slowdown #awareness #youfirst #selfawareness #chronicillness #hyperproductive #security

What does it really look like to run a business, care for your family, and still show up for yourself while living with chronic illness? In this episode of Operation Be, I sit down with the amazing Angie Hess, Vice President & General Manager of Spas and More in St. Louis, who opens up about her journey of navigating fibromyalgia and other conditions while building a thriving life and career.

She shares what it was like navigating the path to a diagnosis, the daily reality of managing conditions like fibromyalgia, and the mindset shifts that help her keep moving forward with grace and positivity.

We also dive into the role of wellness—everything from setting boundaries to prioritizing mental health—and even how tools like swim spas and hot tubs can support both physical and emotional healing.

This conversation is packed with honesty, resilience, and encouragement. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance real life with real challenges, Angie’s story is a reminder that it is possible—and that you’re not alone.

Tune in today! 🎧

00:33 Meet Angie Hess: A Multifaceted Life

01:26 The Journey with Chronic Illness

03:12 Finding Balance and Self-Care

06:15 The Role of Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes

15:33 Setting Boundaries and Mental Health

20:10 Understanding Enmeshment and Personal Growth

23:16 About Spas and More

23:58 Health Benefits of Spa Products

28:45 Michael Phelps and Master Spa Collaboration

35:07 Twilight Series for Lupus Patients

38:00 Choosing the Right Spa

40:23 Daily Mindset and Wellness Tips

Connect with Angi:

http://www.spasandmorestl.com

https://www.facebook.com/angichess

https://www.instagram.com/angichess/

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

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If you’re interested in getting the exclusive content I put out on the newsletter, sign up here:

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

https://operationbe.com

#operationbe #bethechange #intentionalliving #invisibleillness #polyvagaltheory #partswork #operationdo #getshitdone #healingjourney #unbusy #slowdown #awareness #youfirst #selfawareness #chronicillness #healfromwithin #wellnessjourney

I decided it’s time to open my heart to you a bit. Life has a way of moving in seasons—some filled with joy and clarity, others heavy with loss and transition. I’ve walked through grief, through moments that cracked me open, and through the slow process of rediscovering who I am on the other side.

I’ll share pieces of my own story—the hard parts, the healing, and the reminders that showed me it’s okay to honor every emotion along the way. Because none of us are meant to carry it all alone.

If you’re navigating your own season of change, my hope is that this conversation meets you with comfort, connection, and the reminder that you’re not walking it by yourself.

🎧 Take a listen. Find some comfort in knowing you are not alone.

00:39 – Introduction and Return to Home Studio

01:27 – Seasons of Life and Personal Reflection

04:34 – Processing Recent Losses and Their Impact

12:48 – Dealing with Loss and Friendship

17:51 – Closing Thoughts on Storytelling and Connection

Please like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode and tag us with @jamie.thurber on Instagram or Jamie Thurber on Facebook. #OperationBe

Want to connect with me on social media?

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Join my community and let’s take this conversation even deeper! Operation Be: The Podcast is where I teach personalized lessons on intentional living & creating a lifestyle by design.

www.operationbe.com

#operationbe #bethechange #intentionalliving #invisibleillness #polyvagaltheory #partswork #operationdo #getshitdone #healingjourney #unbusy #slowdown #awareness #youfirst #selfawareness #chronicillness #hyperproductive