Real, Brave & Unstoppable

Send us Fan Mail

I recorded this during my birthday week in June. I turned 53! So I want to talk about something that doesn't get said enough: the real fear of getting older isn't about wrinkles or gray hair. It's the fear that life gets smaller. That you stop doing the hard things, the brave things, the things that make you feel like you.

In this episode, I'm challenging that story, not with a pep talk, but with evidence. My own evidence. And I'm inviting you to look at yours.

In this episode:

• The cultural story most women have absorbed about life after 50 — and why it's working against you
• Why pre-limiting yourself is the real danger (not aging itself)
• What Half Dome, backpacking Colorado, and solo travel to Portugal and Spain taught me about what's still possible
• What actually gets better in body, mind, and spirit as you get older
• Three reflection questions to help you rewrite the story you're telling yourself about this season

Resources & links:

• Episodes mentioned: 
  • Episode 115: Lessons Learned in the Colorado Wilderness
  • Episode 117: Do it Scared - Lessons Learned from Climbing Half Dome
• Work with me — Private Coaching: www.kortneyrivard.com
• Instagram: @kortney.a.rivard

If this episode resonated, share it with a woman who needs this reminder. And leave a review — it helps this show reach more women who are ready to stop playing small.

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever looked at your life, you know, the one that looks pretty good from the outside, and felt like something just doesn't quite fit? Not a crisis. Just that persistent sense that something's off and you can't explain why.

In this episode I get personal about my own experience with misalignment: imposter syndrome, people-pleasing, and the attachment patterns quietly running the show,  and why this feeling is far more common than we talk about.

I break down two kinds of misalignment most of us never distinguish, what your body, mind, and spirit are trying to tell you when something feels off, and practical starting points for closing the gap without overhauling your entire life.

If you've ever thought "I should be happier than this",  this one's for you!

Resources mentioned: 

➡️ Life Wheel Exercise

➡️ Values Exercise 

➡️ Wellness Wake Up intro program — $99 

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

That moment when your partner asks what you want for dinner and it feels like an unreasonable question. The 17 browser tabs open for two weeks. The thing you reached for at 9pm that you told yourself you wouldn't.

This isn't laziness or weakness. It's decision fatigue — and it's hitting women in their 40s and 50s especially hard.

In this episode I break down what's actually happening in your brain, why this season of life makes it so much worse, and why the solution has nothing to do with willpower.

You'll learn why decision fatigue is a real physiological phenomenon and not a character flaw, what's making it harder for women in their 40s specifically (the mental load, the sandwich generation squeeze, perimenopause, sleep deprivation), how it shows up in ways you might not recognize, why you keep making the "wrong" choice at the end of the day, and five practical strategies to protect your mental energy.

But the bigger question this episode asks is this: decision fatigue isn't the problem. It's the signal. The real question isn't "why can't I make better choices at night?" It's "why am I so depleted by evening that I have nothing left for myself?"

Connect with Kortney: Instagram: @k.a.rivard | kortneyrivard.com

Work with Kortney: Wellness Wake Up intro program 

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode I'm getting a little personal — sharing what it felt like when my marriage ended unexpectedly in 2014 and how the messy, nonlinear years of rebuilding that followed shaped everything, including why I became a coach and why this podcast exists.

This isn't a tidy glow-up story. It's an honest look at what rebuilding actually looks like, and five of the most important lessons it taught me:

1. Emotions are survivable — they build, they peak, and they always pass
2. The difference between regret and guilt, and a simple 3-question framework for moving through the hard stuff
3. You don't need to see the whole staircase — just the next step
4. Rebuilding has no finish line, and why that's actually okay
5. Authenticity is where real connection lives — with others and with yourself

Whether you're navigating a divorce, an empty nest, a career shift, or any season where life has asked you to rebuild something, this one will meet you where you are.

Mentioned in this episode: Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) — a skills-based approach to emotional regulation worth looking into 

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown — on vulnerability and connection 

Wellness Wake Up intro program — $99 [LEARN MORE HERE]

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 1 we talked about why so many women feel disconnected — going through the motions, life feeling flat even when nothing is technically wrong.

In Part 2, I get into what you can actually do about it.

But first, a reframe: feeling alive isn't about being happy all the time or overhauling your life. It's about feeling present and engaged — like you're actually in your life instead of just moving through it. And that's something you can start building right where you are.

In this episode, I walk through five practical, doable shifts for reconnecting across body, mind, and spirit:

1. Create space — even 10-15 minutes of not multitasking can open the door
2. Start with micro moments — small things like music, movement, or noticing your surroundings start to rewire the connection
3. Follow what feels expansive — pay attention to what gives you energy, not just what you "should" do
4. Use your body as an entry point — movement and body awareness are one of the fastest ways out of your head
5. Interrupt autopilot thinking — not perfectly, just more often

This episode is a shorter, practical one — exactly what you need to start moving.

Resources mentioned: 

Wellness Wake Up intro program — $99 — LEARN MORE & SIGN UP HERE

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Do you ever catch yourself thinking "Is this it?" or "I thought I'd feel happier by now" — even when nothing is technically wrong? 

You're not broken. You're disconnected. And there's a difference.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, I open up about my own post-divorce experience of doing all the "right" things while still feeling like something was missing, and why that feeling is far more common than we talk about. This isn't a motivation problem or a discipline problem. It's a disconnection problem.

Using my body, mind & spirit framework, I break down why so many women pour energy into two of those pillars while the third — spirit —  fades into the background. The result is a life that looks good on paper but feels flat, busy but not fulfilling, productive but not alive.

In this episode: why "going through the motions" sneaks up on us, how management mode takes over without us noticing, and why you genuinely cannot think your way into feeling alive.

Part 2 will cover what to actually do about it.

=== Mentioned in this episode: ===

Wellness Wake Up intro program — $99 — LEARN MORE HERE

Untamed by Glennon Doyle*

*Full disclosure: I participate in the Amazon Associates program. When you buy through my Amazon links, I earn a small commission that helps support my podcast

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll start tomorrow”… and then didn’t, this episode is for you.

Today, we’re breaking down motivation, willpower, procrastination, and avoidance and why it’s not actually about laziness or lack of discipline.

You’ll learn why waiting to feel motivated keeps you stuck, how your beliefs about willpower shape your behavior, and what’s really driving procrastination (hint: it’s not what you think).

Plus, I’m sharing simple, practical strategies to help you take action—even when you don’t feel like it—so you can build momentum and start following through.

In This Episode, We Cover:

•  Why you don’t have a willpower problem—you have a perception problem 
•  The truth about motivation (and why it’s unreliable) 
•  Why procrastination is really about avoidance - not laziness 
•  The hidden role of discomfort (and how it keeps you stuck) 
•  Simple strategies to take action and build momentum 
•  A practical framework: Notice → Name → Neutralize → Act

💡 Key Takeaway:

You don’t need more motivation—you need a different approach.

❤️ Get Support
If this episode resonated, this is exactly the kind of work I do with my clients. Visit my web site to learn more about how I can help you overcome procrastination and lack of motivation so that you can start moving toward living the life you want.

🔗 Learn more here: www.kortneyrivard.com

🎧 Loved This Episode?

Share it with a friend who’s been saying “I’ll start tomorrow” 💛

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

If you feel like you’re doing everything right but still feel exhausted, flat, or just off, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Kortney breaks down what burnout actually looks like (beyond just being “too busy”), especially for women in their 40s and 50s navigating changing energy, hormones, and life demands.

You’ll learn why burnout isn’t just about doing too much, the hidden patterns that keep you stuck, and how to start supporting yourself differently (without adding more to your plate).

✨ In this episode:

•  Why burnout is about constant pressure, not just a full schedule 
•  The patterns driving burnout (perfectionism, over-functioning, invisible load) 
•  How burnout shows up in your body, mind, and energy
•  Why this season of life can make everything feel harder 
•  Simple shifts to start breaking the cycle 

❤️ Ready for more support?

If this resonated, this is exactly the work I do with my clients - helping you reconnect with your energy, your body, and your life in a way that actually feels good.

👉 Learn more: www.kortneyrivard.com

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Confidence isn’t something you need before you take action. It’s something you build along the way.

In this episode, I share a powerful story from climbing the Half Dome cables in Yosemite and explains why confidence almost never comes first. Instead, confidence grows through courage, action, and small moments of bravery.

If you’ve ever found yourself waiting to feel “ready” before pursuing a goal, starting a new habit, speaking up, or making a life change, this episode will help you shift your perspective and take the first step.

You’ll learn why fear is often a signal that you’re on the edge of growth and how small acts of courage can gradually reshape how you see yourself.

Remember: confidence isn’t the starting point...it’s the result of taking action.

• Why confidence usually comes after action, not before
• The real sequence: Fear → Courage → Action → Confidence
• How fear often signals you’re on the edge of growth
• Why confidence is built through small acts of courage
• How courageous actions slowly reshape your identity and self-belief
• A simple 3-step practice to start building confidence today

** Work with Me: The Wellness Wakeup **
For just $99, you get a 60-minute lifestyle audit session where we find the "trouble spots" that are keeping you from living the you want. We'll come up with a short-term action plan reaching your goals and getting consistent with habits is a no-brainer.  Click HERE for more info.'

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever had a “Magic Monday” where you’re fully committed to getting your life together… only to feel like you’ve blown it by Tuesday afternoon?

If so, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not lazy.

In this episode, we’re unpacking all-or-nothing thinking and how perfectionism can quietly fuel burnout, especially for women navigating the demands of midlife. I share why our brains default to extremes, how self-judgment keeps us stuck, and practical ways to shift toward a more sustainable “middle way.”

Instead of swinging between all and nothing, you’ll learn how small, consistent actions can help you rebuild self-trust and momentum.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What all-or-nothing thinking is and how to recognize it
• Why this pattern often intensifies in our 40s and 50s
• The connection between perfectionism, shame, and burnout
• Why showing up at 60% consistently beats 100% occasionally
• How to use a “low power mode” approach to stay consistent even on hard days
• Why small habits are the key to lasting change

Share Your Win

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you!
 Come share your “level two win” with me:

Instagram: @k.a.rivard
Facebook: @KortneyRivardWellnessCoaching
Website: kortneyrivard.com

Resources

Episode 117: Do it Scared: Lessons Learned from Climbing Half Dome

** Work with Me: The Wellness Wakeup **
For just $99, you get a 60-minute lifestyle audit session where we find the "trouble spots" that are keeping you from living the you want. We'll come up with a short-term action plan reaching your goals and getting consistent with habits is a no-brainer.  Click HERE for more info.

Support the show

Want more?
For more information about the podcast, visit www.realbraveunstoppable.com. To learn more about your host, Kortney Rivard, visit www.kortneyrivard.com

Follow Kortney on Social media:
Instagram
Facebook