Accepting her diagnosis of diabetes took RN Patricia Daiker some time, and it included acknowledging grief -- she would never again be the person who didn't have to monitor her glucose numbers. But with self-compassion and allowing herself to process that grief, she began to thrive again. In this episode, she shares how that transition happened. Now Patricia helps other diabetic folks understand how to manage their diagnosis, process difficult emotions around it, and find the energy they need to thrive as well. You can find out more about her 5-step program to managing diabetes at Better Diabetes Life: https://betterdiabeteslife.com/. She also provides guided meditations via Insight Timer: https://betterdiabeteslife.com/meditations/

To learn more about Aleisha's wellness coaching services for caregivers, healthcare professionals, and writers, check out: https://www.connectiontowellness.com

It started with fatigue, then her legs felt a little funny. A few weeks later, Lora Swoape was hospitalized with a Guillain-Barre syndrome diagnosis. This rare but debilitating neurological condition would leave her paralyzed for some time. Fortunately, the syndrome is regressing, and she's working on walking independently again. It's been a long, difficult road, but she keeps looking forward, using her vision of wiggling her toes in the sand on the beach as a vision to drive her to get her mobility back again. Her positivity and resilience are so inspiring. She also does public speaking around patient safety and coaches other clients who are going through major health challenges. You can find out more about Lora on her website: https://www.clickyourhealscoaching.com/about-me.

Miriam Mbugua suffered horrible stomach pain and other digestive issues throughout her adolescence. As she got older, she began to learn ways to improve her gut health and thus her overall wellbeing. Now Miriam is a gut health coach helping other folks improve their gut health (she helped me improve my acid reflux). Her coaching emphasizes self-compassion and taking small steps, and it's customized for the individual's unique needs. And she is proof that it works! Hear 3 fun facts you might not know about the digestive system and learn some practical ways to start improving your own gut health in this interview with Miriam.

To connect with Miriam Mbugua and learn more about her gut health coaching services: https://www.facebook.com/kuimbugua

Erin Etheridge suddenly became a single mom of four in 2015 when her husband, Kenneth, died in a motorcycle accident. Ian Cox has a similar story of loss. His wife, Steffany, died in 2020, after a battle with breast cancer. Ian was suddenly a grieving single dad with three young boys. But their stories don't end there. A few years ago, their mutual circles brought them into each other's spheres. They met, fell in love, and married. And again, the story doesn't end there. In this episode of Wellness Wins, Ian and Erin share how they are finding hope, love, and joy, while helping their family continue to process grief and cherish the memories of Kenneth and Steffany.

To learn more about the ⁠Refuge Widowers⁠ retreat: https://www.refugewidowers.com/.

For health and wellness tips, inspiration and support: https://www.connectiontowellness.com/

Follow The Wellness Connection on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connected_to_wellness/

Follow The Wellness Connection on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wellnessconnectioncoaching

Bridget Berns had the external trappings that might indicate a happy life: A great job, a husband, a home close to her family. But mental health struggles plagued her, and after some time, she found herself alone and deeply depressed. In this candid interview, she shares her journey through mental health challenges to a state of happiness, joy and well-being. Bridget now helps other women take charge of their mental and physical health. Learn more about her coaching services here. You can follow Bridget on Instagram as well.

Content advisory: This episode describes a mental health crisis and a scene of domestic violence.

Contact Bridget Berns:

https://bridget-berns.com/

https://www.instagram.com/b.e.berns/

https://www.facebook.com/people/Q-the-Magic/100090727489534/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-bernsrn/

Twin Cities RN Natalie Lu has been working on her wellness game for some time, and six months into the Covid-19 pandemic, she recognized she needed to lean into those practices to sustain her. Hear how creative journaling, meditative movement, and the Japanese art of Kintsugi (putting broken pottery pieces back together with gold) have helped her care for herself, and how she's fostering community among caregivers to heal and sustain amid the nation's healthcare burnout crisis.

Follow Natalie's Reflective Collective, a community for caregivers:

Watch for her workshop on creative journaling this November at the Minnesota Cares event for healthcare workers. https://wellnessmn.org/minnesota-cares/

Read U.S. Surgeon General Murthy's advisory on healthcare worker burnout: https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/health-worker-burnout/index.html

Health and wellness coach Beth Jennings is a pro at maintaining healthy habits while traveling. Whether it be a job that took her cross country or living in Antarctica where she worked as a physical therapist, Beth has learned how to stay well wherever life takes her. Hear her tips and tricks in this episode of Wellness Wins. To learn more about her health coaching services for travelers, go to bethjennings.com. 

Do you struggle like I do to make healthy choices while on the road? I recruited health and wellness coach Beth Jennings to help me out. She's learned by doing, traveling cross-country countless times, as well as living in less-than-hospitable Antarctica. Join us as she shares simple and doable tips to keep yourself well on the road. Find out more about Beth Jennings and her coaching service for travelers: https://bethjennings.com/

Janelle and CJ are nurses and educators. They love what they do. But sometimes even people who love their jobs need a little inspiration. Hear about how these women spearheaded a delightful movement called "Fun Fridays," which has sparked joy and fun and connection in their workplace. Send this podcast to your work bestie. Maybe you will want to start your own "Fun Fridays" movement together in your workplace!

Journalist-turned-animal welfare worker Kate Kompas is the interviewee in this discussion on self care, self compassion and preventing workplace burnout. Kate works for the Tri-County Humane Society in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She has a unique perspective working in the animal welfare space, which -- while rewarding -- can also be taxing for those tasked with caring for these vulnerable creatures. Her commitment and passion have guided her in learning to make transformative mindset shifts about nutrition, movement and workplace wellbeing.

Find out more about the Tri-County Humane Society: https://tricountyhumanesociety.org/