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I’ve been thinking a lot about balance these days and what it even means. Balance your meals. Balance your schedule. Balance your life. It seems like an impossible task, but also one we all really crave. Wouldn’t it be amazing if “finding balance” was less like keeping a dozen balls in the air and more like a calm day on the lake? The truth is, real balance isn’t about juggling everything perfectly; it’s about getting in a groove that works for you. 

Look At Finding Balance Differently

When you’re working hard to eat right, exercise, take care of your family, and follow your dreams, it can feel like a lot. So, rather than try and devote equal time to everything, I want you to stop thinking about “finding balance” and instead think about living more intentionally. There is less pressure to be perfect and more alignment with what matters to you. 

Start by asking yourself “What’s one area of my life that feels a little off right now?” Maybe…

• Your meals feel rushed.
• Your workouts fe...

Hooray for the end of February! I’m already looking forward to daylight savings time, more light at the end of the day, and temperatures warming up. Come on, Spring!

As I write this, I’m on the plane heading to visit my daughter for her senior year open studio. I’m excited to have some one-on-one time with her, and by the time you read this I’ll be back home. At home, I’m in full swing with the kids’ mountain bike team I help with, and that’s something I’m really enjoying, too. 

In other words, my personal life is pretty okay.

At the same time, I’m also experiencing a lot of stress, fear, and even anger at what’s going on in the United States. I can’t really pretend that it’s all okay, when good people are losing their jobs and I worry that my own parents could lose their social security. I could go on and on, but it’s too depressing. 

I feel like I’m experiencing a low level of stress at best, and much more than that at times.  

As I’m researching for my book and drawing on what ...

I know I’ve been talking about motivation and how to keep moving forward quite a bit lately, but there really is a reason for that. I’m trying to keep myself on track, too! I’m trying to write a book, I have fitness goals, and I’m keeping the home fires burning. It’s a lot to stay motivated about, and I know I’m not alone. 

Have you ever noticed how motivated you are when you start working on a goal or project, and then it just seems to disappear? Suddenly getting off the couch to work out or open your computer feels impossible.

Well, it’s not because you’re lazy or undisciplined (although I sometimes worry about myself, too), it’s just how our brains are wired.

Motivation is meant to give us that initial burst of energy—it’s not designed to carry us forever. But here’s the good news: you don’t need motivation to keep moving forward. You just need a plan to future-proof it!

How to Keep Going When the Initial Motivation Disappears

1. Make it part of your identity. Think of the new ...

I don’t know about you, but when I lose motivation in one area, I often lose it in others, too. Last week, one of those things was cooking! If the idea of cooking dinner again has you considering ordering take out or eating a bowl of cereal, I invite you to try my laziest, tastiest, one-pan dinner. 

The Blahs

Last week the rain showed up here in California, which made it harder for me to get outside and exercise. The first day of rain over the weekend was great because I got to catch up on the housework that I’d failed to do on the previous sunny days while I was out on my bike.  The second day, I didn’t feel like doing more housework and the forecast kept saying that it was going to clear up… but it didn’t until I’d totally lost motivation just before sunset.

Before I totally lost my momentum to the rainy-day blahs, however, I used my two day rule and got out for a long walk on Monday. I’m doing better again this week. I’m getting out when it’s not raining and creating a plan for m...

When life inevitably throws you curveballs, it can be hard to stay consistent or be motivated to maintain your healthy habits. You can’t always control what life has in store for you but you can control how you respond to it. I’ve invented a simple rule for myself that allows me grace when I need it and also keeps me on track with the things I know are important to me. I bet it will work for you, too. 

It’s Been a Week Over Here

I’m sharing this trick with you because I had to use it myself last week. I caught a cold so I stayed in and rested for a few days. Then, while picking up a prescription, I decided to get my tetanus booster. I was overdue for it and already at the pharmacy, so it seemed like a good idea. I was wrong.

I don’t remember ever having much of a reaction to booster shots before, but this time it laid me out. I was achy, feverish, and lethargic for days afterward. Needless to say, I had a week of feeling awful and I didn’t feel like working out at all. Even though I...

Each year at this time I normally host my Design Your Decade Workshop. This year, however, I’m far too focused on writing my book about gut health. I couldn’t leave you hanging, of course, so I thought I’d share a simple but impactful part of the workshop below. It only takes ten minutes, and will help you “keep your eye on the prize” when it comes to your own goals. If you like it and want to go deeper, you can always continue on with the DIY version of the workshop. 

80% of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by February, so if you’re losing steam, you’re not alone. But if you want to breathe some life back into the intentions you set at the beginning of the year, this quick ten minute exercise will help you do it. In fact, you can do this exercise any time, and I would recommend putting some version of it into your routine.

It’s simple: sit down and write (or type) out what your life looks like a few months from now, when you’ve stayed committed to your goal. This will ...

We’re already a few weeks into January —how are those New Year’s resolutions holding up? If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed or are slipping back into old habits, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves losing momentum after the initial excitement fades. But here’s the good news: achieving your goals might be easier if you focus on doing less, not more.

The Problem with Overloading Yourself

Research shows that piling on too many goals or tasks can lead to decision fatigue—a mental drain that makes it harder to stick to new habits. When your brain is overloaded with decisions, your willpower weakens, and motivation starts to fade. So, how can you avoid this common trap?

The Power of Simplifying

The solution is simple: do less! Focusing on fewer, more impactful actions can make a world of difference. Ask yourself: What unnecessary steps can I eliminate? Simplifying isn’t about doing less for the sake of it; it’s about being strategic and intentional.

Here are a few ways to ...

It’s already 2 weeks into the new year, and I’m excited to get back into routine and work on my goals. Unfortunately, it’s been hard to find motivation again after the holidays. Whether you’re in the same boat as me right now or are reading this later in the year, the truth is that creating your own motivation can be tough. Luckily, I know a few tricks that are sure to get you moving in the right direction sooner rather than later. 

The Power of Habits

Before I let you in on the secret to creating your own motivation in five minutes or less, I can’t miss out on the opportunity to talk about the power of habits! Once you create a habit (good or bad) and perform the habit, your body gets a hit of dopamine. That’s right - your brain actually rewards you for doing the same things over and over. That’s the reason why you may find yourself reaching for the ice cream tub each night at the same time, but it’s also why once you get in the groove with, say, exercise, it gets easier to lace up ...

Happy New Year! (Or whatever time of year you’re reading this.) My daughter has gone home after the holidays, and my husband, son, and I are resting after several days in the snowy mountains. We are also starting to think about our goals for the coming year. If you’re like most people, you are, too.

Before you jump into setting those New Year’s resolutions, take a step back and think about how your New Year’s resolutions usually go. As most of us have experienced, setting a goal just because it’s January first isn’t enough to make it stick. That’s not because resolutions are bad, but if you want to reach health, career, or even relationship goals, it’s best to make your resolutions more meaningful and specific. 

So how do you make sure that happens? Start by asking yourself these three questions: 

1. What habits would make the biggest positive impact on my daily life? We tend to overestimate how much we need to do to reach our goal. Instead, think about which habits will give you the...

When you’re trying to follow through on good habits or make changes in your life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “I have to”. I have to prep my meals. Or, I have to get a workout in. The trouble with the phrase “I have to” positions the task as a chore, which your brain obviously doesn’t lean into very hard. Here’s a different way of thinking that will flip a switch in your brain to make keeping your good habits easier.

A Simple Mindset Shift

Our brains love routine and comfort. That’s why once a habit is established, it’s so much easier to keep going. You actually get a dopamine hit for following through on your routine. But it also means that when you try to introduce a new habit or push outside of your comfort zone, your brain sees it as a disruption and tries to resist. 

This is where the “I have to” thoughts sneak in; your brain is trying to sabotage you! Luckily, you are in control of your thoughts, and with one simple change you can flip the script. Instead of saying “I h...