Soul Stories With Jill

In today’s episode, I chat with my friend and former co-worker, Averie Dunay Thayer. We started together at Tennova Health and Fitness, where we spent countless hours talking, sharing stories, and truly enjoying our time working together. Averie left in 2015 after finishing school at UT, and she takes us through her journey since then—eventually going back to school for her doctorate in occupational therapy and her vision for the future.

After working in the healthcare field, Averie realized that the system often approaches health in a way that doesn’t prioritize prevention. This insight led her to branch out on her own, focusing on one-on-one work to help people improve their health before they even need to see a doctor. She’s especially passionate about supporting women in peri-menopause and post-menopause, offering them guidance and care tailored to their unique needs.

I’m so excited to share this conversation with you, and I know Averie’s work will have a meaningful impact on many lives. I hope you enjoy this episode and take away some valuable insights!

Contact Averie @

Facebook or Instagram- Living Revived Therapy

Website- livingrevivedtherapy.com

Today’s podcast episode is titled, The Power Of Taking A Pause because, although it wasn’t planned, I ended up taking a two-week break—and sometimes, that’s just what we need. In this episode, I share some of what’s happened during that time and reflect on the importance of giving ourselves permission to rest. If you need a break, take it. Be kind to yourself, give yourself grace, and truly embrace the time you take. That’s what today’s episode is all about.

What happens when you ignore all the signs to slow down—until life gives you no choice?

In this episode ofSoul Stories with Jill, we meet a woman who was the definition of a workaholic. She never said no, always put work first, and pushed through every nudge telling her to take a break. But one ordinary day, as she crossed the street for lunch, everything changed—she was hit by a car. Suddenly, she was forced to stop, to rest, and to reset her priorities.

Now, she’s choosing balance over burnout, embracing the life she once put on hold. She’s taking the trips, going to the concerts, and finally learning tolive—not just work.

Tune in to hear her powerful story of resilience, perspective, and the beauty of finally putting yourself first.

LISTEN & BE INSPIRED!

Some connections are written in the stars, waiting for the perfect time to unfold.

In this episode ofSoul Stories with Jill, we share a love story decades in the making. They first met in their early adult years—he was her uncle’s best friend, always around but never more than an acquaintance. Life took them in different directions, and the years passed. Then, a few years ago at Thanksgiving, fate stepped in. A simple reunion turned into something neither of them expected, and they soon realized they had finally found the love they had always been searching for.

Now, deeply connected and truly in love, their story is a testament to patience, destiny, and the magic of rediscovering someone who was always meant to be in your life.

Tune in to hear their beautiful journey! 

The mind is incredibly powerful. It’s astonishing to think that we use only a small fraction of our brain’s capacity—some say less than 10%. The thoughts we entertain shape our reality, meaning that by shifting our mindset, we can transform our lives. I’m no expert, but I’ve learned that what we consume—through television, music, social media, and the conversations we engage in—deeply influences us. Simply changing what we take in can alter the course of our lives.

With an estimated 60,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day—most of them repeating from the day before—our subconscious mind runs on autopilot. But if we reprogram those thoughts, we can redirect our entire trajectory. Change your thoughts, and you change your life. That’s the true power of the mind.

https://drjoedispenza.com/

This episode, Wellness Journeys with Jill, marks the beginning of an exciting new adventure as I explore some of the best wellness destinations and experiences. I’m not entirely sure where this journey will lead, but I’m thrilled to share it with you.

The first stop on this wellness journey was with my friend Michelle Hurst in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In this episode, we’ll share all the details about the experiences we had and the many ways wellness can show up in your life—whether it’s a massage, a pedicure, a hike in nature, basking in the sun, or reading a good book by the fireside. Anything that nourishes your soul can be considered wellness.

Throughout this journey, I’ll be exploring a variety of practices and places, and I can’t wait to share them with you. I hope you enjoy this episode and join me as we discover many more ways to feed the soul and embrace wellness.

LINKS:

Knoxville Hotels

https://www.thetennesseanhotel.com/

Self Care Experiences

https://centermedspa.com/

Hair Blowout

https://blowoutco.com/visit/

Hotel Chalet

https://thehotelchalet.com/

Southside

https://frothymonkey.com/locations/southside-chattanooga-tn/

STIR

https://stirchattanooga.com/

Hair and Makeup

https://www.theeffortlessbeautyco.com/

Today’s episode is titled Find Your Anthem. Your anthem is that one thing—whether it’s a song, a mantra, or a practice—that inspires you to get up and take action. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with distractions, it’s easy to lose momentum or fall into a slump. That’s where your anthem comes in. It’s what energizes you, refocuses you, and gets you moving again.

I recently discovered my own anthem, and it’s already become a go-to tool for reigniting my motivation and helping me stay on track—whether that’s tackling the day’s challenges or simply getting outside for a walk. Along with finding your anthem, I talk about the importance of finding your people, your favorites, and your focus. It all starts with discovering your anthem. Once you do, you’ll have the spark to begin your journey.

Today’s podcast is part two featuring my dear friend Kasse Hayes, who lives in New Mexico, and we’re diving into all things massage. Kasse and I met while working as massage therapists at Blackberry Farm, and we instantly hit it off. After our last podcast, we knew we had to do one on massage together, sharing stories from our combined 31 years of experience—16 years for me and 15 for Kasse.

This conversation is filled with laughter, memories, and a deep love for the work we do. We both feel so honored to still be practicing massage after all these years. As we reminisced, one story led to another, and before we knew it, we’d been chatting for nearly two hours!

Because of that, this episode will be split into two parts. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it!

Prior Episodes:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000669139184

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/MwXyzXZX9Pb

Today’s podcast features my dear friend Kasse Hayes, who lives in New Mexico, and we’re diving into all things massage. Kasse and I met while working as massage therapists at Blackberry Farm, and we instantly hit it off. After our last podcast, we knew we had to do one on massage together, sharing stories from our combined 31 years of experience—16 years for me and 15 for Kasse.

This conversation is filled with laughter, memories, and a deep love for the work we do. We both feel so honored to still be practicing massage after all these years. As we reminisced, one story led to another, and before we knew it, we’d been chatting for nearly two hours!

Because of that, this episode will be split into two parts. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording it!

Prior Podcast Featuring Kasse:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000669139184

Wintering into the New Year is about embracing the slower pace and reflective energy of the winter season as you transition into a fresh chapter. It’s a time to pause, rest, and nurture yourself after the busyness of the holidays. This practice involves reflecting on the past year’s lessons, releasing what no longer serves you, and setting meaningful intentions for the year ahead.

Wintering encourages you to align with nature’s rhythm—letting go, conserving energy, and preparing for renewal. Whether through quiet self-care, journaling, or spending time in cozy solitude, it’s a gentle, mindful way to enter the New Year with clarity and purpose.

Prior Ep:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000679504530