Small Changes Big Shifts

"Happy and healthy people do great things." - Nicole Wilt

Did you know 80% of cardiovascular events may be preventable? In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Heath Wilt and Nicole Wilt to share what they are doing to help families better understand the different ways they can prevent heart trouble. Through their family-owned business called ABC's of Health, this husband-and-wife duo shares why their kids inspired this movement for them, and why they are advocating for other families to discover their rhythm around wellness. Dr. Heath, who is a cardiologist at AdventHealth in Kansas City, also shares some ways that practitioners are viewing the heart differently now – specifically the emotional component becoming a more prominent connection to heart health. As a certified yoga instructor, Nicole also explains how they encourage their kids to embrace big feelings and the other emotional weight that comes with life – teaching them that there are many elements that impact their heart such as what's on their plate, getting them in the kitchen, and teaching them what certain nutrients do for their mind and body. At the end of the show, Dr. Heath and Nicole share what advice they would give parents and to anyone looking for that first step to get in better tune with your heart and emotional well-being.

About Today's Guests:

Heath Wilt and Nicole Wilt are the co-founders of ABC's of Health. Between Heath's knowledge of wellness as a cardiologist and Nicole's expertise as a certified yoga instructor, they are on a mission to share information about cardiovascular health, heart-healthy recipe ideas, and inspiration for living a more active life for the spirit, mind, and body. They encourage people to follow along as they share their adventures along with their three boys, who helped inspire and name their movement.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• ABC's of Health
• Cardiac score description
• ABC's of Health on Facebook
• ABC's of Health on Instagram
• ABC's of Health on TikTok
• AdventHealth
• Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship
• Small Changes Big Shifts

"A new level of presence came to me, and I don't want to lose what I learned from her." - Brett Blair

Our lives take us through turbulent seasons. Most of us wait for a page to turn – a new chapter to begin – and sometimes, it feels like we've finally reached happiness and the life we were born to live. But what happens when that newfound happiness is shattered with a shocking diagnosis – especially if it's the love of your life? In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Brett Blair to share his story about love, loss, and what it means to flourish in the hardest season of all. Shortly after meeting his soulmate Kim, Brett shares how their time together was cut short when his healthy, vibrant wife was unexpectedly diagnosed with ALS and passed away just 12 months after the news was delivered. Brett will share the most impactful lessons he learned from Kim as she battled the disease, such as how to love other people in a way that he didn't know was possible. Through his journey, he's compiling his next book about these lessons and explains how he's learned to tune into his heart to heal and flourish again – taking with him this time everything Kim taught him.

About Today's Guest:

Brett Blair is the founder and president of Best Life Global, LLC. Headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, Best Life Global is an executive coaching and consulting company, providing personalized business growth, executive and life coaching, training, and organizational consulting services. He's published two books, From Autopilot to Authentic and Living at the Summit, and is currently working on his next book called Born-Love-Die. He is a keynote speaker on a variety of subjects relative to peak performance, and the founder of the Best Life Movement, a nonprofit organization that aims to help people live their unique best lives. Brett lives in Durham, North Carolina, and is active with his church and nonprofit organizations. He also enjoys long-distance running, snow skiing, and travel.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• From Autopilot to Authentic by Brett Blair
• Living at the Summit by Brett Blair
• Flourish by Martin Seligman
• Brett Blair's LinkedIn

"My passion was to find a career that I felt like I was helping people." - Whitney Bartelli

Money can enable us to do the things we love – take vacations, buy things we want, and even help us celebrate the big milestones. However, money can also block us in ways, too. When we are financially unwell (in debt or unable to save), anxiety builds up in our body – causing us to miss some of life's greatest moments because we're worried about the future – even tomorrow. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Whitney Bartelli to share more about those barriers that money can create in our life – and how it can even derail us from discovering our purpose in life. She will share a few stories about how she fell into her purpose, but also why having a financial plan was crucial to her getting to this point in her life. By the end of the episode, she will provide some small steps someone can take to get on a financially healthy road – and ultimately, get that much closer to living their best life and fulfilling their purpose.

About Today's Guest:

Whitney Bartelli serves as the Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at CommunityAmerica Credit Union, overseeing the areas of brand strategy and brand growth, content strategy, social and digital engagement and management, product development, member/corporate communications and community engagement. Whitney leads high-level strategic, data-driven initiatives that directly impact sales growth and each line of business at CommunityAmerica. With a people-helping-people focus, Whitney's teams are focused on elevating CommunityAmerica's brand and connecting Kansas Citians to its mission of helping members to achieve financial peace of mind.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Financial Planning at CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Community Access Centers
• Big Shifts Foundation

1. CommunityAmerica Credit Union is insured by NCUA.
2. Profit Payout. Dividend is discretionary and approved annually by CommunityAmerica's Board of Directors. Amounts advertised are representative of actual dividends paid in 2023. Dividend is not guaranteed and may vary based on criteria established by CommunityAmerica Credit Union and the total amount allocated by the Board of Directors each year. Not everyone receives a dividend and member must be in good standing and meet other criteria on processing date to qualify. Dividends are reported to IRS and a 1099 form will be issued at year-end. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of recipient.
3. All loans subject to approval.
4. High Interest Savings. Top of market according to S&P Global Deposit Ranking Report – Kansas City Metro Area as of January 19, 2022. First Tier: 3.92% – 4.00% APY from $1.00 – $1,500, if First Tier qualifications are met. Second Tier: 0.025% APY on $1,500.01 or more, and on balance if First Tier qualifications are not met. The account requires a $1 minimum opening deposit. The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) shown is effective as of 03/01/2021, unless otherwise noted. Rates are variable and may change without notice after the account is opened. Fees could reduce earnings on this account. Balances up to $1,500 will earn first tier APY when 'Qualifications for cash back'. Each statement period that Qualifications are met after the account opened, the first tier APY will be applied to the next statement period. Due to compounding, interest earned may push balances into next rate tier, causing an APY change. Please see rate page for range. If Qualifications not met, the first tier APY will discontinue and will revert to the credit union's base rate for Savings accounts until 'Qualifications for cash back' are reestablished. Balances of $1,500.01 or more will earn the credit union's current applicable base rate for Savings accounts. Limit one High Interest Savings account per member. Business, IRA, and Minor accounts not eligible for this product. Qualifications for cash back: The membership account number tied to the High Interest Savings account must complete the following: Enrolled in eStatements; Monthly direct deposit of at least $250 posted to one deposit-suffix; 15 posted point-of-sale debit card transactions per month to a single checking-suffix; OR Enrolled in eStatements; 25 posted point-of-sale debit card transactions per month to a single checking-suffix. Transactions exclude refunds, credits, fees, pre-authorizations and ATM transactions.
5. Deposit products insured by NCUA include: Checking accounts, savings accounts, money market accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs)
6. Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica: Securities and advisory services offered through Copper Financial Network, LLC ("CuFi"), Member FINRA/SIPC. CuFi is a SEC registered investment adviser. CuFi is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica is a marketing name used by CuFi. For important disclosures from CuFi, including our Form CRS, please visit here. Investment and insurance products, including annuities: Are Not Deposits |Are Not NCUA or otherwise Federally Insured |Are Not Bank Guaranteed |May Lose Value

"Pausing and intention are key to self-fulfillment." - Kim Newton

Did you know 36% of women aren't following their dreams? Kim Newton was one of them several years ago, and it took some monumental people (and moments) to help her realize there was so much more to life. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Kim to unfold what was going on inside her heart when she began to sense a change was needed. Her story is both inspiring and action-oriented, meaning it wasn't the inspiration that took her forward but the people around her that made her take steps toward a life full of happiness, abundance, and fulfillment. The decision to "disrupt her life" and take time to pause was exactly what she needed to quiet her head talk, and tune into her heart. Kim will help you think about what your truest "joy" is inside your own heart. She will ask some emotionally-charged questions for you to reflect on, but also share how her passion was something that had actually been part of her for a majority of life already – but it took some rekindling to find it. This episode is sure to linger in your heart long after it's over.

About Today's Guest:

Kim Newton is passionate about leadership and innovation. She's an exceptional developer of people and has advised hundreds of leaders personally and professionally. She has a unique right-brain/left-brain approach to helping people and companies meet their fullest potential. Kim is a seasoned global marketing executive, board director, advisor, artist, and entrepreneur. During her two decades at Hallmark, she directly influenced global corporate strategy and led transformation across a $4B diversified portfolio of top brands. She has been recognized multiple times as a top African America in corporate America. Kim has always left a space for creation of her own heart, a modern approach to quilting. Kim's quilts have been called "unique and inspiring contemporary fiber art that tells a story and ignites the spirit." In 2019, after leaving corporate America, Kim sold her first piece that now hangs on the wall of Oprah Winfrey. Since that time, she has embraced and loves nurturing her artist self. As the founder of Alexis Enterprises, LLC, Kim brings to life all of her passions, including an art studio focused on her one-of-a-kind quilts. She also created and designed the Intentional Pause Project, which helps others embrace the journey she went on herself. The workbook helps people discover the powerful reason pausing can help them move forward to achieve their dreams.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Kim Alexis Newton's quilt website
• Kim's Intentional Pause workbook by Kim
• Kim's Intentional Pause Project

"We all have gifts. I think it is my responsibility to use mine to build into as many lives as possible in my life, beyond my reach, and beyond my life. I don't know how to build bridges, I don't have a whiz bang invention, but I do know how to influence others and change their thinking. Their changed thinking changes their lives. That is my job – by speaking, writing, or coaching." - Dr. Roger Hall

Author of Staying Happy, Being Productive: The Big 10 Things Successful, Dr. Roger Hall helps people learn to monitor and manage their thinking. For over 25 years, he has consulted with leaders from all types of companies, judges in federal courts, university faculty, social workers, teachers, nurses, construction workers, landscapers, and box-makers. He helps his clients become better versions of themselves so they can improve their own lives and the lives of those they serve.

About Dr. Roger Hall

Roger does his best as a speaker to keep people like him engaged in what he's talking about. He has had the good fortune to work with entrepreneurs, tech companies, big Fortune 20 companies, and professionals like lawyers, financial planners, and other high relationship sales people. Roger wants to influence our culture, so he likes working with companies that distribute information, create technology, and create entertainment.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• How he helps people monitor and manage their thinking.
• Unpacking his book, Staying Happy, Being Productive: The Big 10 Things Successful.
• Some of his favorite takeaways from his book which include getting more sleep.
• What are some of the tools and assignments he gives people to help manage their thoughts.
• The benefits of checking in with your thoughts every hour to help you monitor them and notice common themes.
• How you can break the cycle in negative thought loops and emotions.
• What steps you can do to replace false, negative thoughts with accurate, true counter thoughts.
• The importance of loving relationships for wellbeing.
• How the lack of human interaction and connection has impacted our mental health in 2020 and now in 2021.
• What advice he would give to leader

"You can't run from your passion or your purpose, it will try to find you." - Dr. Michelle Robin

Dr. Michelle Robin gives listeners a special treat today – a solo episode that celebrates the beginning of her 10th season of the podcast. She will share the story behind how the podcast was born, but more importantly, what has propelled her to continue making episodes all these years later. She will also highlight the most memorable conversations and moments she's had with guests over the years. If you are seeking guidance on to remain true to yourself, and grounded this year, you don't want to miss this episode. She will reveal her one-word this year as well, and how it always helps her feel more anchored to her well-being. By the end of the episode, she will share the wisdom she learned in 2022, which are now the lessons she is taking forward into 2023.

About Dr. Michelle Robin:

Dr. Michelle Robin is the founder of Your Wellness Connection, Small Changes Big Shifts®, Big Shifts Foundation®, and the Kansas City Wellness Consortium®, but more importantly, she is a visionary for the well-being of many generations. After opening her chiropractic practice in Kansas City over 30 years ago, she's become a national influence and memorable leader in the wellness industry. Her simple framework – called the Quadrants of Well-Being – is the key to what many people have been looking for when it comes to discovering their best life. She has spent the majority of her career helping people make small changes that ultimately create the biggest shifts in their well-being. As a chiropractor, author, teacher, holistic healer, podcast host, unshakable optimist, international speaker, and passionate advocate for generational change, Michelle has left an impression on thousands of lives by helping them find their unique path to wellness and enrich their purpose in life.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Your Wellness Connection
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• Big Shifts Foundation Scholarship
• 30-Year Celebration Video & Lessons
• Wellness Consortium website
• Troy Nash episode
• How Kindness Raises Your Vibration with Sonia Choquette
• Your One Word This Year with Jimmy Page and Dan Britton
• Why Surrendering is the Passage to Freedom with Kute Blackson
• From Comfort to Chaos – and the Journey Home to Peace with Tareq Hadhad
• Super Gut with Dr. William Davis
• How Every Child Can Thrive by Five with Molly Wright (TedTalk)
• Caterpillar post by Dr. Michelle Robin
• Finding Purpose in Unexpected Places with Isaac Lee Collins
• 31 Days of Kindness

"We can find purpose in everything that we do." - Isaac Lee Collins

From the outside, it may look like Isaac Lee Collins encountered a smooth journey toward success. At 23, fresh out of college, he opened his own chocolate-making store that quickly earned him a half-a-million dollars. However, what people don't always see is the "life story" that got him to where he is today – which is the owner of seven other businesses (plus one non-profit), ranging from handmade chocolates, construction, real-estate investing, health supplements, yoga teaching, frozen yogurt, and now business coaching. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Isaac to share his story – the ups, downs, and even some of the trauma he endured in life that he managed to turn into good for the sake of humanity. He will uncover some secrets that will help others discover their purpose, and also help listeners see the extraordinary things that can come out of ordinary places.

About Today's Guest:

In 2011, Isaac's college football season had just ended and he was about to graduate. He just landed the perfect job with one of the city's largest employers making great money and full benefits. However, he was miserable at the thought of working in corporate America. He knew that if he took this prestigious job, he would get comfortable and never pursue his dream of running his own business one day. Today, him and his wife, Rachel, still own five out of eight businesses. Due to the pandemic, his passion project became the Streamlined Profit Academy, which is his business training and coaching company. His mission is to help entrepreneurs get past the "I'm stuck" phase and to build their streamlined, profitable business so they can maximize their income, impact, time, and freedom.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Yogurtini locations
• Isaac Lee Collins' website
• Isaac Lee Collins' LinkedIn
• Tareq Hadhad's podcast
• Big Shifts Foundation
• Kansas City Wellness Consortium

"While I was packing, the only thing I was thinking about was how grateful I felt and how I could thank that cab driver who changed my life forever with a small act of kindness." - Tareq Hadhad

Tareq Hadhad's life was changed forever during a cab ride home one day. His driver, who was singing and smiling as he drove, noticed that Tareq looked heavy-hearted. After explaining what was on his mind, the driver shared an idea with him that would positively impact Tareq's entire future – and his family's safety. It was the answer he had been searching for. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Tareq to share his awe-inspiring story about his family's refugee journey from Syria to their new home in Canada. He provides a glimpse into what was going through in his mind during this incredibly challenging time of war in their country, but also what he noticed about his father who was losing everything he had built for his family – including his chocolate factory. Enjoy this special holiday episode, which reminds us that there will be moments in life that are truly hard, sometimes devastating – and it may even feel like we are losing everything in the blink of an eye – but what matters is how true we stay to our values and how we can learn some of life's greatest lessons through crisis.

About Today's Guests:

Tareq Hadhad was a Syrian refugee and is now living his new life with his entrepreneurial family in Canada's east coast. He is the founder and CEO of Peace by Chocolate, the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2021 for Atlantic, named one of the Top 25 Immigrants in the Maritimes, selected by Google as the National Hero Case, was awarded RBC's top Immigrant Award and Entrepreneur of the Year in 2020 – in addition to Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Medal. All of this happened since Tareq's arrival on Canada's East Coast in December 2015 as a Syrian-Canadian newcomer. In 2012, the Hadhad's home and factory that housed the family chocolate-making business were destroyed, which forced them to seek safety in other countries. Passionate about peace and entrepreneurship, his family relaunched the family business to recreate the chocolates they once exported across the Middle East and their story has turned into an international inspiring phenomenon.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Peace by Chocolate movie
• Tareq Hadhad's website
• Peace by Chocolate company website
• Tareq Hadhad's LinkedIn

The colder months can make it difficult to stay active, which is why today's episode is all about how to keep our bodies moving, even indoors. During today's show, Dr. Michelle Robin welcomes Danelle Husk from the YMCA to share how organizations like theirs are offering new ways for people to stay active during the wintertime. Danelle shares some of her favorite indoor activities, but also speaks to the YMCA 360 portal that allows their members to explore classes that promote a spirit, mind, and body connection to stay well this winter. She provides some examples of why this new platform has been so successful for their members, especially since it gives people an opportunity to try a new workout inside the comfort of their own home rather than a public gym. Later in the show, Dr. Robin welcomes Ant the Trainer, who shares his inspiring story of how he lost 65lbs in 8 months by becoming a mailman – and what motivated him to begin learning the science behind how our bodies work and what they need. He covers some important topics such as why people struggle with a healthy lifestyle, and also gives listeners a few tips that will inspire you to keep focusing on the impact small changes can have in your life.

About Today's Guests:

Danelle Huske is a Program Director II for the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, supporting membership and healthy living at the Olathe and Prairie Village locations. She has a Master's degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Emporia State University. She first worked at the Y in 2001, and returned in 2004 and has worked at the Y since then. Her favorite part of working at the Y is helping people improve their overall health and making it a welcoming place for all. She's from Silver Lake, Kansas. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to sporting events, watching sports, and staying active.

Ant the Trainer used to be a truck driver that delivered farm equipment from coast to coast. His eating habits were poor from always being on the road. He struggled with his breathing and was borderline hypertension. In 2018, he moved to Kansas City and became a mailman, which meant he went from sitting all day to now walking 10-15 miles nearly every day to deliver mail. He quickly lost 65lbs in 8 months, and this was just the beginning of his brand-new story. After he realized how good he felt, he enrolled in a Bachelor's program for Exercise Science to learn everything he could about how our bodies functioned and what they need to stay well. Today, he is a professional personal trainer who helps others to build confidence and change their life like he did.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• YMCA 360
• YMCA of Greater Kansas City
• YMCA – Find a location in the U.S.
• Big Shifts Foundation
• Ant the Trainer's website
• Ant the Trainer Instagram
• Small Changes Big Shifts
• Kansas City Wellness Consortium
• MajorMove.fit

"We now understand in the rapidly growing field of traumatology, those kinds of traumas can be more damaging to our nervous system regulation and the state of our brain than adverse childhood experiences." - Dr. Lissa Rankin

Dr. Lissa Rankin didn't expect to go down a particular path when she left her promising career as an OBGYN in 2007. The plan was to focus on her own health and well-being during a two-year sabbatical, but she soon came face-to-face with people who were doing all the right things – eating well, yoga, and other popular wellness practices – yet they were some of the sickest people she had ever met. When she started asking them deep-rooted questions about their lives, her passion and purpose suddenly revealed itself. She realized what was holding people back from feeling better – developmental trauma. In today's episode, Dr. Michelle Robin invites Dr. Rankin to unpack the story behind what made her go around the globe to collect tools from the world's medicine bag (from experts, traditions, faith healers, spiritual healers, energy healers). She was on a quest to find out how these things could transform lives – especially for those who weren't aware they experienced developmental trauma growing up. She'll also share about her latest book release called Sacred Medicine, and why developmental trauma is such a danger to our nervous system and our brain health.

About Today's Guests:

Lissa Rankin, MD, is a mind-body medicine physician, author of seven books, founder of the Whole Health Medicine Institute, and mystic who researches radical remission, trauma-informed medicine, and spiritual healing. Her TEDx talks have been viewed over 5 million times, and she starred in two National Public Television specials – Heal Yourself: Mind Over Medicine and The Fear Cure. Lissa's interest in the link between loneliness and disease led her to spearhead her latest project. Heal At Last, a non-profit organization which aims to bring effective trauma healing and spiritual healing methods to anyone ready for the deep dive of healing.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Mind Over Medicine: Scientific Proof That You Can Heal Yourself book by Lissa Rankin
• Sacred Medicine: A Doctor's Quest to Unravel the Mysteries of Healing by Lissa Rankin
• The Shocking Truth About Your Health TedTalk by Lissa Rankin
• Kitchen Table Wisdom book
• Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World book
• Lissa Rankin on Facebook
• Lissa Rankin on Twitter
• Lissa Rankin on Instagram
• Lissa Rankin's blog
• HealAtLast.org
• Healing with The Muse