The Kelsey Mercer Podcast

In this episode, Elizabeth shares how her mother’s radical decision to "get off the carousel" and choose a sober path laid the blueprint for her own intentional framework. We dive into her 17 years balancing the high-profile reality of being a professional wife to a PGA Tour-winning golfer , her sudden transition into homeschooling when her second grader declared school was destroying his soul , and her journey co-founding Matcha Magic—a health-forward beverage brand importing pristine ingredients directly from Japan.If you've been looking for actionable insight on how to withstand intense societal comparison games, handle complex childhood health scares, integrate strict boundaries around digital devices, and co-parent with a newly retired spouse, this beautiful, grounding conversation is for you.

Today we are exploring the extraordinary life of Heidi Krueger—a wellness entrepreneur, multi-generational logger, and deep-sea sailor whose journey reminds us that life’s greatest adventures are rarely a straight line.

In this episode, Heidi shares how an unconventional childhood in the northern Arizona woods laid the bedrock for her fearless philosophy on life. We dive into her audacious choice to refinance her home and pull her teenage sons out of traditional schooling to sail over 5,000 nautical miles through unpredictable Caribbean waters during a global pandemic. She opens up about the raw, unglamorous side of ocean living—including intense mental breakdowns and terrifying storms—the bittersweet sale of her beloved Flagstaff General Store, and her newest chapter entering rigorous clinical Pilates teacher training in her 50s.

If you've been looking for inspiration on how to dismantle societal expectations, protect your identity outside of motherhood, survive deep operational pivots, and completely avoid the slow death of comfort, this unfiltered conversation is for you.

Today we are exploring the extraordinary life of Peggy Murray—a veteran teacher, social worker, and childhood development expert whose journey reminds us that life’s greatest adventures are rarely a straight line.

In this episode, Peggy shares how growing up in a high-discipline household of seven children with a paraplegic father and a chronically ill brother forged her early perspective on family dynamics and childhood resilience. We dive into her 30-year career on the frontlines of both public and alternative school systems, her strategic shift into using yoga and mindfulness to counter modern sensory overload, and her practical wisdom for separating our children's true development from modern, tech-driven distractions.

If you've been looking for validation on how to step back from hyper-scheduling, establish functional emotional boundaries, and move from an authoritarian parenting style into a deep posture of mutual respect and intentional connection, this conversation is for you.

Preston Mercer is a dedicated family man, outdoorsman, and public servant with over 31 years of experience as a firefighter with the Forest Service. For more than 25 years, he has also served as a professional hunting guide, leading a life defined by adventure and high-stakes environments. Alongside his wife, Kelsey, Preston has raised six children and is now a grandfather of two, focusing his life’s work on the "greatest task": building a lasting family legacy through commitment, accountability, and faith.

https://kelseymercer.com/podcast/preston-mercer-building-a-legacy-of-intentionality/

https://kelseymercer.com/podcast/mark-mertel-from-thought-to-winning-execution/

In this episode, Mark shares how his background as a college football "workhorse" and a blue-collar work ethic altered the entire design of his life. We dive into his prolific career launching more than 20 companies, his historic $1.7 billion "grand slam" exit with Partners RX, and his practical wisdom for establishing absolute organizational excellence.

If you've been looking for inspiration on how to balance high-level professional scaling, protect your core family relationships, and move from a state of constant ego into a posture of team-first leadership, this conversation is for you.

Elaine Grace Copeland is a dedicated life and business mentor, executive coach, leadership trainer, and the founder of Intentional Living Consulting and the Reset Method. With over 35 years of experience, Elaine helps leaders and creatives align with their authentic purpose by blending strategic planning with intuitive guidance. Her core mission is to help individuals "clear the chaos and create space for what matters".

In this episode, Kelsey Mercer and Elaine Grace Copeland discuss...

• The Myth of the "Badge of Busyness": Elaine explores the cultural glorification of being busy and how it often masks a lack of control or presence. She encourages a paradigm shift where "busy" is seen as a barrier to freedom rather than a mark of importance.

• The Home as a Sanctuary: A unique aspect of Elaine’s coaching involves entering clients' homes to help them "minimalize". She argues that managing excessive physical inventory leads to decision fatigue and that scaling down is a liberating act of self-care.

• Authentic Feminine Leadership: Having coached executives at Johnson & Johnson, Elaine discusses the transition from armored, masculine-dominated leadership styles to authentic feminine leadership . She focuses on emotional self-awareness and leading with transparency.

• The "Reveal to Heal" Process: Elaine emphasizes personal responsibility, noting that external annoyances or triggers in the workplace are often mirrors of internal stories that need healing.

• Energy Management over Time Management: Rather than just filling a calendar, Elaine coaches women to manage their energy by establishing daily grounding practices—whether through prayer, meditation, or nature walks—tailored to their specific life stage .

• The Perspective of Grief: Elaine shares how losing four significant people in her life within a single year profoundly shifted her coaching perspective, leading her to prioritize the "gift of every single day" and deeper vulnerability .

Claudia Bement is an executive coach, mentor, and friend with over 30 years of experience coaching women leaders. She specializes in helping women develop their vision and lead from a place of deep inner and outer alignment. Trained in somatics, Claudia focuses on helping leaders move past burnout by getting out of their heads and into their bodies to navigate today's tumultuous world.

Your genetic blueprint... doesn't have to be your reality. Sarica and Kelsey discuss how to move away from a "standardized" view of health and toward a personalized path that respects individual ancestry, blood type, and the body's internal signals.This episode serves as a reminder that healing begins with awareness and intuition rather than just following the latest health trends.

Levi Mercer is an entrepreneur and outdoorsman who, at just 18 years old, co-operates a multi-seven-figure business alongside his brothers. Raised as the third of six children in a faith-driven home, Levi’s "old soul" perspective was forged through a unique unschooled education that traded traditional classrooms for real-world experience in the woods and on hunting ranches. He specializes in providing a "child's perspective" on raising young men, emphasizing the importance of self-control, masculine role models, and the value of overcoming challenges.

In this episode, Kelsey Mercer and Levi Mercer discuss:

Masculine Advice for Moms

Levi suggests that mothers of young men should lean into masculine perspectives rather than "coddling," as the world is not a soft place.

The Power of Large Families

Growing up with five siblings taught Levi selflessness and the importance of working as a team toward a collective goal.

The "Hot Pan" Philosophy

A discussion on why parents should allow their children to fail in safe environments to build resilience and problem-solving skills.

Money vs. Manhood

Levi reflects on his journey of buying supercars at age 16 and realizing that wealth is merely "icing on the cake" and not the core of a man’s identity.

Dr. Christina Hibbert is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, and speaker. She is a survivor of breast cancer and chronic illness and a mother of six. Her work focuses on mental and emotional health, grief, and overcoming adversity.https://kelseymercer.com/podcast/dr-c...In this episode, Kelsey Mercer and Dr. Christina Hibbert discuss...The Power of GrowthDr. Hibbert shares her book, "This is How We Grow," a memoir that chronicles her journey from having three children to six overnight after her sister and brother-in-law passed away. She explains that the book was written to make readers feel like they're "literally walking through my life with me day by day," to foster connection and the feeling of "I'm not alone."From Growth to Chronic IllnessA significant portion of the conversation is dedicated to Dr. Hibbert's more recent struggles with triple-negative breast cancer, which led to 15 surgeries and a chronic illness diagnosis. She discusses how her cancer journey has forced her to shift her coping mechanisms, moving from being a "go-getter" to learning to pace herself, give herself grace, and listen to her body. This is a tough but transformative lesson for women who are driven and used to pushing through adversity.A New Approach to GriefDr. Hibbert challenges the common belief that grief is an individual process, emphasizing that "families that feel together can heal together." Drawing from her personal experience of losing her sister and her professional expertise, she highlights the importance of open dialogue and collective healing, rather than isolation.Motherhood, Purpose, and HopeThe episode also touches on Dr. Hibbert's evolving identity as a mother, from being a "perfect mom" to learning to be a great mother through vulnerability and asking for help. The conversation concludes with a powerful discussion on finding purpose and hope, even in the midst of hopelessness and adversity.The Concept of a "Reluctant Warrior"Dr. Hibbert introduces her upcoming book, "Reluctant Warrior," a breast cancer emotional survival guide. She explains that the title reflects the real, authentic experience of being tired and in survival mode, yet still showing up and taking "one step forward, knee-deep in the mud." The conversation highlights the idea that true strength is not always about pushing through but sometimes about listening to your body and giving yourself permission to stop.