The Universe, God and/or a Facebook Algorithm connected me with a kindred spirit, Shaele who lives completely across the US (Props to us for handling time zone conversions with ease.)

Initially, we connected because have both had success stories in our PCOS journeys, but we also realize throughout this episode that we have many more similarities as well. Sometimes, social media can be a good thing (and I think Martha Stewart would agree).

Shaele had success losing weight and keeping it off and most importantly dealing with her PCOS symptoms including brain fog by doing intermittent fasting. Shaele's intermittent fasting calendar is 23:1 meaning she ONLY eats for ONE HOUR out of the day!!!

You may be thinking : How is this possible? How is this healthy?

Well, she explains her journey. And, while neither of us are medical professionals, we are just two people who are sick and tired of the current state of healthcare in regards to our condition and we took matters into our own hands, I do suggest always consulting with your medical professional (be they a doctor, dietitian, naturopath, herbalist or acupuncturist) when beginning and throughout your journey.

Shaele's birthday is the week that this episode launches so show a fabulous Sagittarian some love by giving it a listen!

We've all heard of the concept of SPRING CLEANING but what about cleaning up and reorganizing that cave before a few months of hibernation ?!?! (Or, for my Louisiana folk, why not do something productive other than the usual holiday stuff between LSU Football and Mardi Gras?)

As an actor, I've had many "side hustles" but my main one is a PERSONAL ORGANIZER. I've seen a variety of types of situations - from hoarders to fashionistas and my goal is to individualize organization and help empower people to feel organized and know where all there things are as opposed to achieving perfection.

I'll share my TOP SEVEN ORGANIZATION TIPS for a good ole FALL CLEANING and tell some organizational tales of yore.

***MENTION THAT YOU LISTENED TO THIS PODCAST EPISODE FOR 20% OFF YOUR FIRST VIRTUAL ORGANIZATION COACHING OR IN PERSON ORGANIZATION SESSION. Email me at [email protected]***

Come trick or treat with me and play connect the dots (with all my face moles) in this week's episode, y'all!

Halloween inspired me to talk about one of my dirty little not so secrets - my chin mole (which sprouts hairs on command) that I'm not so proud of along with my other more strategically placed by God moles that I've come to accept.

I'm telling tales about moles through the ages and why it seems easier to accept some "flaws" while some will always be flaws (without the air quotes).

How do we (and by "we" I mean "I") come to accept something that's been (for so long) branded as belonging to a stereotypical evil woman? Can I use my magic powers to get some mole acceptance?

If you're like me and all the Basics, then you love FALL. Everything about FALL. Especially FALL FOODS. But, ain't it a shame that so many of the fall foods which naturally pack a lot of nutrients are full of inflammatory causing foods (white flour and sugar) that aren't good for insulin resistance ?!?! If you want to enjoy that apple cider donut or that PSL, go for it !!! NO SHAME HERE - EVER! However, add these principals to the long-haul because you can eat them every day without spiking your blood sugar which can lead to all weird kinds of feelings whether you have PCOS (like me), are a Basic B or not!

So, here are many of my hacks on how I'm savoring the fall flavor, getting those dense nutrients (hello fiber, antioxidants and protein!) and NOT adding sugar, white flour or bullshit.

I'm not saying you can't have a pumpkin spice latte...but switching to pumpkin rooibos is going to be a better bet to get us through the long-haul and help us beat those winter colds. I'm talking about the benefits of apple, pumpkin and all the wonderful fall spices. I'll share my "hacks" that are quick, friendly on the wallet, simple and cleaner than most of the fall foods surrounding us right now.

(or, Woes of a Private School Kid & Her School Cafeteria)

For years, my momma brought me my school lunch HOT AND FRESH every day - EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Until I changed schools to the school of hard knocks which also had a cafeteria whose food was DEFINITELY NOT Louisiana caliber. When Momma's invited to my school cafeteria to "see how bad the food really is", will I have to eat my own words? Listen to the tale and find out, y'all...

SIDE BAR : Griping about school cafeteria food is a completely privileged thing to do. I hope you understand I'm making fun of my own drama while not undermining how we as a society need to help make sure NO KID goes HUNGRY. Please donate or share if able by clicking HERE

I'm telling tales with one of my best pals who's also a yoga teacher, Amy Fulgham!!!

Amy and I met at 4:45 in the morning en route to a brothel over a decade ago (Well, the SET of a brothel) 'cause we were portraying HOOKERS in a beloved HBO show about the Prohibition Era (name to remain anonymous due to the SAG-AFTRA strike) and we've been friends ever since.

Amy has transitioned from actor to yoga instructor and I've been #blessed to work with her as a private student and on her Zoom classes. (More about that below!)

In this episode, we'll learn more about Amy's health journey, tell tales about the importance of rest and the different types of yoga from Vinyasa Yoga to Yin Yoga to Yoga Nidra and talk about making yoga practice your own, no judgments attached.

There's that expression, "They've found their calling." Well, every time I see Amy teach yoga or talk about yoga, I get chills. Because, I know this PHAT girl has found her calling to help others inhabit their bodies and relax their minds.

Amy has an upcoming YIN YOGA / YOGA NIDRA series on Sundays (8pm EST) starting 9/24 and going for Seven Weeks - SEVEN WEEKS FOR SEVEN CHAKRAS! (No class on Sunday October 8th)

LEARN MORE / CONTACT / FOLLOW AMY :

Email : [email protected] and/or [email protected]

INSTAGRAM

While we're in that back to school time of year, I thought I'd tell some tales about my uniform woes in school. While navigating wearing a uniform (and all the criteria that came with it) while being a FAT girl wasn't easy, I learned some uniform loopholes to make my uniform more fitting for a PHAT (pretty hot and tempting) girl. We all still wear uniforms in a sense even after we graduate from school. My uniform of choice nowadays, in the school of life, has one criteria : It can't show camel toe.

For me, working as a Standardized Patient became more than a good side hustle for an actor or a way to make a quick(ish) buck and definitely more than that episode of Seinfeld, it is how I learned to see doctors as human and how I got over (or at least learned how to handle) my fear of doctors.

If you prefer to READ the FULL TRANSCRIPT of this episode, I transcribe them all myself and they're available for download at: www.brookehoover.com/podcast

Salads : For so long, they've been seen as a diet food and almost a punishment. But, I say, they're a party. (Unless you're my dad back in the 90's who nearly needed stitches from a salad.) Let's transform the way we think about foods. I'm talking about some ways to jazz up your salad (I am from Louisiana after all) including easy and affordable tricks.

You can always watch or read an episode at www.brookehoover.com/podcast

I transcribe the episodes myself so that you can read how I actually talk without any typos (versus using AI to type it.)

Too skinny to be fat? Too fat to be skinny? Nah, just too PHAT to fit in is what I'll keep telling myself until I believe it. Not fitting in (literally and figuratively has been my theme). So is THAT my elevator pitch?