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Right now I’m in the middle of a “cleanse”, though that’s not quite the right word for it. It’s a version of the Ultra Simple Diet by Dr. Mark Hyman, where you simplify your diet to reduce inflammation and negative reactions you may have to foods. You’ve probably heard that inflammation is the source of a lot of health issues, but do you know why? 

What Is Inflammation, Anyway? 

Years ago when I would introduce myself at a business conference, I would say that I helped women reduce chronic inflammation. Back then, hardly anyone would know what I was talking about. Not so much now, though I feel like it gets oversimplified. The truth is that it can have a massive impact on how you feel every single day. 

Inflammation can be the root of joint pain, digestive problems, stubborn weight gain, fatigue, and heart disease. It even plays a role in balancing your hormones. But people don’t always explain what inflammation really means; it’s actually your body’s natural way of protecting you.

As I write this, I’m in my happy place in the mountains. It’s taken me away from my normal routine, which of course has its positives and negatives. One surprising positive is that in this small town, many of my choices are limited. But why is having less options for grabbing a coffee, buying groceries, or eating out a good thing? 

Decision Fatigue is Real

Every day, your brain makes thousands of choices. What to eat. When to work out. Whether to check your phone or email, or stay focused… And on it goes. And the more decisions you have to make (even tiny ones), the harder it gets to follow through on anything. That’s why by 4pm, so many people feel like their willpower is nonexistent. It’s called decision fatigue - and your brain is just plain old tired. 

Beat Decision Fatigue

The best way to avoid decision fatigue is to set yourself up to make fewer decisions. How? Here are some ways to start:

✅ Pick your “default meals” for the week.
Think about it: by eating the same two or thr...

I won’t lie, we’ve had our share of stress in our household and we all know there’s plenty of stress coming from what’s happening in the United States. I’m sure everything will be fine in our home, and I’m trying to do what I can to help the greater good. But sometimes, I just need to feel better now. As much as I know that eating well, exercising, and getting restful sleep are part of the solution, a quick release from all that tension is what’s needed. 

Nervous System Regulation

Have you heard the phrase “nervous system regulation”? It’s trendy right now (for good reason!), but it is also a little confusing. Your nervous system manages your fight-or-flight systems, and transitions you from calm, to stressed, to calm again. It’s a natural bodily function (though very complex), but it is one we can influence to reduce our stress levels.  

You might think that to do this, you need to:

• Do a 90-minute yoga flow.
• Learn to meditate.
• Start an early morning routine that includes light...

I have goals, and I know you do too – whether it’s feeling more energized, less stressed, more balanced, or just feeling like yourself again. Working on achieving those goals means doing the work to get there… but there’s an important part a lot of people miss.

It’s not only about what you’re doing – it’s also about who you’re showing up as while you’re doing it.

That’s because your habits will always follow your identity. If you see yourself as someone who “can never stick with it” or is “always starting over,” your actions will keep reinforcing that belief. You’ll hit a bump in the road and fall back into the same old story.

But when you start seeing yourself as someone who prioritizes their well-being, follows through, or knows they’re worth the effort, everything begins to shift.

Your identity is the foundation. It informs your choices, your energy, and your resilience. When you change how you see yourself, the habits begin to align more naturally. That’s when your goals start ...

We’re officially more than halfway through the year, and if you haven’t followed through on your goals the way you wanted… you’re not the only one. It’s super common to start the year with big plans and ideas for the months ahead, and then by summer things have stalled or stopped altogether. 

This is where people usually do one of two things: 

1. They double down trying to make up for lost time, and get burnt out in the process, or 
2. They throw in the towel and promise to start fresh in January (yet again).

You don’t need to do either! There’s a much better option: pause, recalibrate, and recommit. 

A Simple Way to Refocus on Your Goals

Take 5 to 10 minutes this week and answer these three questions (in a notebook, in your phone, or even just in your head while you walk):

1. What’s actually been helping you feel better this year? (ex. Walking more, better sleep, more protein, boundaries, or eating less sugar.)
2. What’s draining you or just doesn’t fit your life anymore? (ex. Tryin...

Have you ever felt stress as a fluttery, uneasy feeling in your belly? That’s not your imagination—it’s your body’s internal messaging system at work. And believe it or not, your gut might have more to do with your mood and overall wellness than you think.

There’s a reason scientists call the gut your “second brain”. It’s powered by something called the enteric nervous system, a complex network of over 100 million nerve cells lining your digestive tract, from your esophagus to your rectum. And it’s constantly talking to the brain in your head through a pathway known as the gut-brain axis.

Why This Matters for Your Health (and Your Happiness)

Here’s where it gets fascinating: 90% of the communication along the gut-brain axis flows from your gut to your brain, not the other way around!

This means what’s happening in your digestive system—what you eat, how stressed you are, how well your gut bacteria are functioning—can have a huge influence on how you feel both physically and emotion...

Last night I was out at a relatively small music venue listening to my favorite Scottish band, Old Blind Dogs. I’ve been trying to prioritize socialising more, so we invited some friends and had a great time. During the evening, my friend and I started chatting about sleep. Namely, how horrible she had been sleeping lately. 

The quality of my sleep has drastically improved this past year after I started hormone therapy. My friend, on the other hand, doesn’t have that option because she had breast cancer in the past. it got me thinking: sleep struggles can come from so many different places. Hormones, yes—but also:

• A dysregulated nervous system
• Poor gut health
• Chronic stress
• Or simply being stuck in “go-go-go” mode for way too long

Here’s the part most people miss: Sleep isn’t just about what happens at night; it's a mirror of your day. If your day is packed with skipping meals, constant stimulation, zero downtime, and never-ending to-do lists… your brain doesn’t magically kno...

Have you ever noticed how one “off day” quickly turns into two, and then before you know it, a week (or two!) has passed and your routine is nowhere to be found? It happens to the best of us, especially during the summer months.

Maybe it’s a spontaneous trip, a change in your schedule, or simply a few too many “I’ll get back to it tomorrow” days. Life becomes a little unpredictable, and that’s okay!

But here’s the thing: we all want to stay consistent, even when our routines are a bit all over the place. The trick is—how do we stay on track when everything feels out of rhythm?

Here’s what I always remind my clients (and myself): You don’t need to do EVERYTHING to stay on track. In fact, just one small habit can make all the difference.

Find Your Anchor Habit

So, what’s an anchor habit? An anchor habit is that one small action that helps bring you back to baseline—even when everything else feels chaotic. It’s your foundation, the thing that keeps you grounded and helps you get back...

 Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re just shy of the longest day of the year—and I have to admit, this is my favorite time. The long days bring a sense of possibility, and I find myself energized and ready to do all the things.

But just like money, I’ve learned to treat my energy as a finite resource. You can spend it, save it, invest it, or waste it. And most of us don’t even realize where it’s going.

Sneaky Ways You’re Draining Your Own Energy

Every Friday, I meet with a small group to reflect on our week—the wins and the lessons (we don’t call them failures!). In our last meeting, an expert in the differences between how women and men operate reminded us that women are not designed to be “on” all the time. We need intentional breaks throughout the day to replenish ourselves. The problem is, many of the things we call “breaks” aren’t actually helping us. For example:

• Scrolling social media often *drains* more energy than it gives.
• Skipping meals or eating junk food is an en...

On my to-do list right now is to enjoy having my daughter home, work on my book, and keep biking. I have another bike event this weekend, so I’ve been preparing for that. I was nervous that being away for my daughter’s graduation and not riding would affect my abilities, but I was pleasantly surprised when I rode last week. I felt stronger, and recognized that the hills I struggled to get up not that long ago weren’t as hard as I remembered. Sometimes a little break can be beneficial.

That’s because you can’t always see your progress while you’re in the thick of things. 

I’m trying to help my son with his mindset when he’s not getting better as fast as he’d like to. I don’t blame him for being frustrated - it is frustrating when you aren’t getting the results as fast as you like, but I’ve learned that health is a lifelong journey. 

Don't Give Up Yet

Unfortunately, sometimes that journey looks a lot like climbing a mountain, the kind that makes your legs and lungs burn… and makes yo...