What happens when you grow up in circumstances that seem to define your future, but you decide to create a different path?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Leah Garcia, a “Dynasty Builder,” to explore her journey from childhood poverty and family adversity to building wealth, resilience, and a new future for her family.

Growing up on the east side of San Jose, Leah experienced poverty, family addiction, abuse, and circumstances that could have shaped the trajectory of her life. Through courage, determination, education, and the influence of important mentors, she began making different choices and breaking patterns that had been passed down through her family.

Leah openly shares the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned through adversity, and how she moved from simply surviving to creating greater financial security and opportunity. Her story highlights the power of recognizing inherited patterns, redefining what is possible, and becoming intentional about the future we create for ourselves and those who come after us.

Key Moments: 

00:00 Childhood questions about wealth disparity

03:21 Feeling out of place growing up

08:16 Childhood experiences with shame

12:13 Supportive teachers during tough times

14:57 Leaving for College at 18

19:20 Taking in sister's children

20:29 Persevering through challenges

25:21 The power of relatable mentorship

27:34 Mental health journey advice

Leah's story is ultimately about more than wealth. It's about choice, resilience, courage, and the decision to become the person who changes the trajectory of a family.

Whether you're overcoming difficult circumstances, working to break generational patterns, or trying to create a better future for your family, this conversation offers a powerful reminder:

Where you start does not have to determine where you end.

Tune in to Coached Soul for an inspiring conversation about moving from survival to wealth, breaking family cycles, and creating a new legacy.

About the guest: 

Leah Garcia is a Wealth and Legacy Strategist with The Miliare Group and the creator of The Dynasty Builder approach to financial planning. With more than two decades of experience in financial services, she works with individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and business owners to bring greater clarity and intention to wealth building, protection, retirement planning, and generational legacy. Her approach emphasizes coordinating financial strategy with the appropriate legal, tax, insurance, and estate-planning professionals so that wealth is not simply accumulated, but thoughtfully protected and transferred to future generations.

How to connect Leah : 

Website : https://leahgarcia.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahgarciaceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leahgarciaceo

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What if getting older isn't about slowing down, but about becoming more intentional about how you live?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes Dr. Kyle Hulsebus, a third-generation chiropractor, author, speaker, and health and human potential specialist, for a practical conversation about healthy aging, personal growth, mindset, and productivity after 40.

Dr. Kyle shares why lasting change isn't built on short bursts of motivation, but through consistency, intention, and meaningful habits. Together, Dr. Steve and Dr. Kyle explore how our beliefs about aging, success, and health can influence the way we live, and why small actions can create meaningful changes over time.

The conversation also highlights the importance of breathing, with simple practices such as taking three intentional deep breaths as a way to pause, reset, and become more present.

Whether you're over 40 or simply looking to build a healthier and more fulfilling life, this episode offers practical insights for creating sustainable habits, challenging limiting beliefs, and continuing to grow at every stage of life.

Key Learnings: 

Key Moments: 

03:10 Corporate anatomy and functions

08:46 Creating 40 health and productivity tips

10:31 Finding true intention and purpose

14:40 Health and longevity tips

16:10 Taking a calming breath

19:40 Spiritual experiences and deep breathing

24:38 Questioning life's direction

You don't have to change everything at once. Sometimes meaningful transformation begins with one small action, repeated consistently.

Tune in to Coached Soul and discover practical ways to approach health, growth, and life with greater intention after 40.

About the guest : 

Dr. Kyle Hulsebus is a health and human potential specialist, author, speaker, educator, and third-generation chiropractor based in Northern Illinois. His work takes a holistic approach to well-being, helping individuals and organizations create greater balance across the physical, mental, spiritual, and professional aspects of life. Through his speaking, consulting, and chiropractic practice, Dr. Kyle helps people move beyond simply reacting to their environment and develop greater self-awareness, health, productivity, and personal mastery. 

How to connect Dr. Kyle: 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://drkylehulsebus.com/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What happens in your mind doesn't always stay in your mind. Our emotions, stress, past experiences, and deeply rooted patterns can influence how we feel, respond, and function physically.

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes Dr. Kyle Hulsebus, a third-generation chiropractor and advocate for holistic health, for a powerful conversation about the connection between emotional health and physical well-being.

Dr. Kyle shares insights from his years in chiropractic care and explores how the mind and body work together rather than existing as separate systems. Together, Dr. Steve and Dr. Kyle discuss how unresolved stress, emotional pain, and patterns formed earlier in life can continue to influence our health, relationships, and everyday reactions.

The conversation goes beyond traditional ideas of physical health, examining how greater self-awareness can help us recognize the patterns we carry and make more intentional choices about how we live, work, and connect with others. They also explore the connection between personal well-being and leadership, and why taking care of our whole selves becomes increasingly important as we age.

Key Learning: 

Key Moments: 

04:10 Emotional release through adjustments

07:42 How the brain manages multitasking

12:40 Chiropractic care for families

15:19 Handling traffic stress and reactions

16:57 Impact of chronic pain on life

20:23 Leadership and company vision

25:56 Power of changing perspectives

Whether you're interested in holistic health, emotional wellness, personal growth, leadership, or simply understanding yourself better, this episode offers a thought-provoking look at how our inner world can influence the way we experience our physical lives.

Your mind and body aren't separate parts of your life. They're part of the same story.

Tune in to Coached Soul and explore what it means to become healthier from the inside out.

About the guest : 

Dr. Kyle Hulsebus is a health and human potential specialist, author, speaker, educator, and third-generation chiropractor based in Northern Illinois. His work takes a holistic approach to well-being, helping individuals and organizations create greater balance across the physical, mental, spiritual, and professional aspects of life. Through his speaking, consulting, and chiropractic practice, Dr. Kyle helps people move beyond simply reacting to their environment and develop greater self-awareness, health, productivity, and personal mastery. 

How to connect Dr. Kyle: 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: https://drkylehulsebus.com/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

Why do some of life's challenges seem to keep happening over and over again?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore the idea of life as a classroom and the possibility that recurring struggles can reveal lessons we haven't fully recognized, accepted, or applied.

From relationships and emotional patterns to pain, disappointment, and personal challenges, they examine why we sometimes find ourselves facing familiar situations again and again. Rather than viewing these experiences simply as failures or setbacks, they invite us to look at them with greater awareness, ownership, curiosity, and self-compassion.

Together, Dr. Steve and Kenya discuss how recognizing recurring patterns can become the first step toward meaningful change. They explore the importance of accepting what we cannot control, taking responsibility for what we can change, and turning difficult experiences into opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Key Moments: 

03:54 Embracing and Letting Go of Emotions

07:24 Empowering Women to Find Their Voice

11:39 Taking responsibility for personal growth

15:41 Fear and faith in God's promises

18:05 Faith through family challenges

21:35 Lessons and Personal Growth

If you feel like you're stuck in the same cycle, facing familiar challenges, or wondering why certain lessons keep showing up in your life, this conversation offers a different way to look at those experiences.

Maybe life isn't punishing you with the same lesson. Maybe it's inviting you to see it differently.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What if some of life's hardest experiences are actually part of the curriculum?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore the idea of the "University of Hard Knocks", the lifelong classroom where our experiences, relationships, disappointments, and challenges become opportunities for growth.

Through candid reflections on family dynamics, faith, personal identity, and difficult experiences within communities, Steve and Kenya examine how the people and situations that challenge us can also teach us valuable lessons about boundaries, courage, authenticity, and self-awareness.

They discuss what it means to speak up when something doesn't feel right, recognize unhealthy patterns, and remain true to yourself even when doing so creates disappointment or discomfort. The conversation also explores how difficult experiences within family or faith communities can affect our sense of identity without having to define our relationship with faith or our larger purpose.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Whether you're navigating family challenges, questioning old beliefs, recovering from disappointment, or simply trying to make sense of life's difficult lessons, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder that hardship doesn't have to define your story.

Sometimes the lessons we never asked for become the ones that change us the most.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with educator, student leadership advisor, and coauthor Yvette Leal to explore family relationships, blended families, heartbreak, healing, and the courage to break generational patterns.

Drawing from her own experiences as a single mother, her journey through higher education, and the challenges of building a blended family, Yvette shares how difficult seasons can become opportunities for growth, self-reflection, and deeper connection.

Together, Dr. Steve and Yvette explore how childhood experiences and family patterns can influence the way we approach relationships as adults, why empathy is essential when bringing families together, and how intentional communication can help create greater unity in diverse households.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Key Moments:

07:47 Misunderstanding conversation about Hill Country

11:39 Shifting Focus to Friendship

14:00 Discussing relationship challenges

19:13 Being inspired by a live stream

21:02 Learning through visualization

24:08 Discussing the new book "The Family Mask"

29:23 Animal bonding and education impact

Whether you're part of a blended family, navigating a major life transition, or working to break patterns from your own childhood, this conversation offers honest stories, practical insight, and hope for creating healthier relationships.

Your past may shape your story, but it doesn't have to determine what comes next.

About the guest : 

Yvette Leal, MS

Coauthor, Educator, and Student Leadership Advisor

Yvette Leal is an educator, student leadership advisor, and coauthor of The Journey Companion Workbook. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Sociology, bringing a unique perspective on human development, family dynamics, and resilience. Drawing on her experience working with parents, children, and students, Yvette is passionate about helping people build confidence, navigate life's challenges, and develop meaningful connections. Through her work in education and leadership, she empowers young people to discover their voice, serve others, and create positive change in their communities.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

How much of your adult life is shaped by the family you grew up in?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes Yvette Leal, an experienced high school educator from Texas, for an honest conversation about growing up in a blended, or "mosaic," family and the lasting impact of childhood divorce, attachment, and generational trauma.

Drawing from her own life experiences, Yvette reflects on navigating family separation, changing parental roles, and the emotional challenges that came with growing up between different households and cultural backgrounds. Together, she and Dr. Steve explore how childhood experiences often shape our relationships, identity, and emotional wellbeing well into adulthood.

Key Learnings: 

Key Moments: 

04:47 Challenges of teaching high school kids

09:35 Parents disciplining with spanks

11:38 Dealing with family and relationships

13:55 Admiring an older sister

17:18 Family history and heritage tensions

21:34 Mom's unusual weight gain

26:37 Discussing transgenerational trauma effects

Whether you grew up in a blended family, experienced divorce as a child, or are working to break unhealthy family patterns, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical encouragement for your healing journey.

Tune in and discover how understanding your past can help you build healthier relationships and a stronger future.

About the guest : 

Yvette Leal, MS

Coauthor, Educator, and Student Leadership Advisor

Yvette Leal is an educator, student leadership advisor, and coauthor of The Journey Companion Workbook. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's degree in Sociology, bringing a unique perspective on human development, family dynamics, and resilience. Drawing on her experience working with parents, children, and students, Yvette is passionate about helping people build confidence, navigate life's challenges, and develop meaningful connections. Through her work in education and leadership, she empowers young people to discover their voice, serve others, and create positive change in their communities.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What if finding peace didn't require having all the answers just asking the right questions?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins welcomes award-winning coach, author, and TEDx speaker Anne Barry Jolles, creator of the Grace Trail, a simple yet powerful framework designed to help people move from overwhelm to clarity through five transformative questions.

Rather than trying to fix every problem, Anne explains how slowing down, becoming curious, and listening to your inner wisdom can create lasting emotional resilience and personal growth. Together, they explore how gratitude, releasing what no longer serves you, accepting the present moment, challenging old beliefs, and embracing new possibilities can help anyone navigate life's uncertainty with greater peace and purpose.

Anne also shares the inspiring story behind the Grace Trail, real-life examples of its impact, and how the framework is helping veterans, communities, and individuals facing stress, anxiety, and major life transitions.

Key Moments: 

Key Learning: 

05:49 Exploring Grace Trail questions

09:57 Focusing on what you can control

11:09 Discussing acceptance and acknowledgment

16:48 Prioritizing your next steps

18:49 Imagining possibilities with a magic wand

21:20 Meeting animals in nature

24:36 Owning and reacting to our story

29:18 Installing Grace Trail at Brockton VA

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, navigating change, or searching for greater clarity and purpose, this conversation offers practical tools you can begin using immediately to cultivate more peace, resilience, and joy.

Tune in and discover how five simple questions can help you move from chaos to calm one step at a time.

About the guest : 

Anne Barry Jolles found herself overwhelmed by the noise and busyness of daily life, just like so many others. Amidst the chaos, she was fortunate to hear five powerful words - five simple questions - that she wrote down and began to use. This moment sparked the creation of Grace Trail, a process that guides people to quiet their minds and discover their own answers. Anne’s story is one of transforming personal moments into a gift for others, helping people navigate fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. Through her Grace Trail, Anne empowers individuals to step back, listen to themselves, and confidently choose their next steps in a noisy world.

How to connect Anne Barry Jolles : 

Website : www.GraceTrail.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracetrailofficial/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Grace_Trail_Official

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracetrailofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annejolles/

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What if the greatest freedom isn't found by changing your circumstances - but by changing the way you see yourself?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore how comparison, past experiences, and limiting beliefs can quietly keep us disconnected from who we were created to be. Together, they share practical tools for grounding yourself in the present, embracing self-compassion, and finding the courage to live authentically.

From breathwork and embodiment practices to shifting your inner dialogue, this conversation offers simple yet powerful strategies to help you break free from old patterns and reconnect with your true self. Dr. Steve and Kenya remind us that healing doesn't begin by becoming someone else - it begins by fully accepting who we are today.

Key Moments: 

08:47 Understanding suffering and faith

10:36 Embracing diverse perspectives

14:52 Finding personal power through movement

17:58 College spring break cave adventure

22:37 Embracing Playfulness and Possibility

26:47 Words of encouragement and love

Whether you're navigating self-doubt, healing from past experiences, or simply looking for practical ways to become more present, this episode offers encouragement and actionable insights to help you move forward with confidence and peace.

Tune in and discover that true freedom begins the moment you stop comparing yourself and start embracing who you were meant to be.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/

What does it truly mean to be free?

In this inspiring episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins and Kenya Evelyn explore a different kind of independence the freedom that comes from healing emotional wounds, letting go of limiting beliefs, and reclaiming your authentic self.

As we reflect on the meaning of freedom, they invite listeners to look beyond external celebrations and consider the internal battles that often keep us feeling stuck. From childhood experiences and family patterns to self-criticism and fear, they discuss how our past can quietly shape our present and how intentional healing can help us move forward with greater peace and purpose.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Key Moments: 

03:54 Importance of Celebrating Holidays

06:26 Reflections on Freedom and Intentional Living

12:09 Finding inner freedom through truth

13:09 Self-reflection and personal responsibility

18:15 Inner child and parental patterns

21:13 Discussing childhood bullying and past trauma

23:32 Borrowing Courage and Self-Reflection

Whether you're working through past hurts, seeking deeper self-awareness, or simply longing to experience more peace and freedom, this conversation offers practical encouragement and timeless wisdom for your healing journey.

Tune in and discover that true freedom isn't just something we celebrate - it's something we choose every day.

About Coached Soul™: 

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/