We all know we're supposed to "take care of ourselves." But what does that actually look like when you're a working mom juggling a career, a family, and approximately zero spare time?
In this episode, Jess and Teresa get specific. Not about the ideal morning routine you're never going to do, but about the real, messy, personal journeys that led each of them to finally figure out how to fuel themselves — and what that made possible.
Teresa shares how growing up on a standard American diet of processed food and diet culture fads left her feeling awful in ways she didn't even recognize — until she found a different way. Jess opens up about living with a debilitating digestive disorder for her entire adult life that dictated what she ate, when she ate, who she could go on dates with, and what she packed in her suitcase on work trips to Monaco. And then, unexpectedly, it disappeared. Her explanation for why will make you rethink what your own body might be trying to tell you.
This episode covers the core building blocks of energy, with a focus on food and movement — the next episode dives deeper into sleep and mindset. But the through line is something bigger: learning to listen to yourself instead of pushing through, and noticing what you've tacitly accepted as just "the way things are."
In this episode:
Why Teresa went from Fruity Pebbles and Slim-Fast bars to a whole food, plant-forward diet — and what it actually changed beyond her weight
The digestive disorder Jess managed (and then lost) — and the surprising reason she thinks it resolved
Why "picky eater" and "big boned" are more than just labels — and how the stories we tell ourselves keep us stuck
The four pillars Teresa credits with sustaining her energy: food, movement, sleep, and mindset
Why Jess's coaching clients are only allowed to work out once a week to start (and why it works)
How to structure your calendar around your energy instead of against it
The difference between an e-bike up a hill and no gears up a hill — and which one you're choosing right now
Key Questions to Ask Yourself:
How do I feel coming out of each work activity?
What makes me feel energized, drained?
When in the day do I feel most energized?
When do I have the best ability to focus?
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Connect with Jess Wass: jesswass.com
Connect with Teresa Sweeney: teresasweeney.com
Resources Mentioned
The China Study by Colin Campbell - https://www.amazon.com/China-Study-Comprehensive-Nutrition-Implications/dp/1941631568
Atomic Habits by James Clear - https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Belief/dp/0735211299
Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg - https://www.amazon.com/Power-Habits-What-Life-Business/dp/081298160X
My Body Tutor by Adam Gilbert - https://mybodytutor.com
Peloton (for movement classes) - https://www.onepeloton.com
Pvolve (on-demand workouts) - https://www.pvolve.com/
Chapters
00:00 The Energy Conversation Begins
03:28 Personal Journeys with Food and Health
06:16 The Impact of Diet on Mental and Physical Health
09:13 Listening to Your Body: Recognizing Signals
11:52 The Role of Labels and Identity in Health
14:37 Overcoming Dietary Restrictions and Challenges
17:15 The Connection Between Stress and Physical Health
19:47 Empowerment Through Self-Discovery
22:24 Movement vs. Exercise: A Shift in Mindset
25:08 Generating Energy Through Positive Actions
26:53 Celebrating Small Wins in Fitness
29:07 Finding the Right Exercise for You
32:19 The Importance of Community in Fitness
35:41 Timing Your Workouts for Maximum Energy
48:41 Listening to Your Body and Energy Levels
