This is going to be hard for you to hear…

Setbacks are invaluable opportunities for growth and development as you step towards success. (Yelling this from the rooftops!!)

As a pre and postnatal exercise specialist who helps women heal their bodies from pain and dysfunction, I gained so much perspective during this conversation with Sean-Michael Doty.

Whether you’re an athlete pushing through challenges, recovering postpartum, or simply striving for a healthier lifestyle — this episode is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn practical tips for navigating setbacks, embracing resilience, and achieving success in your health and fitness journey.

Click play to hear all of this and…

[04:39] Sean's diverse experience in strength and conditioning and how he values setbacks in personal and professional growth.

[05:42] How embracing setbacks as opportunities can springboard success.

[09:55] How listening to your body can prevent further pain and injury, and what you can do instead during recovery periods.

[15:04] The dangers of overexercising and the importance of finding balance in your movement practice.

[18:21] The underestimated benefits of walking.

[22:58] How 10 minutes of movement a day can promote your results.

[25:42] Sean explains what an athlete mindset is and ways you can achieve it.

[29:59] The best ways to reach your long-term health goals.

[31:14] Do THIS to achieve your health goals.

[34:43] The one thing we all will experience on our journeys.

For full show notes, visit: https://www.ericaziel.com/blog/312

Wanna know the most important element in healing a diagnosis or symptom?

… Acceptance.

… And then it’s befriending it.

… And then it’s communicating with it.

Here’s the thing: I know (I know, I know) that acceptance FEELS very challenging… and that’s why people resist it. But it’s necessary.

And one of my favorite examples of this is Megan Evans, founder and creator of The MS Stage and The MS Stage Method.

When she was diagnosed with MS, she resisted accepting her diagnosis for 14 years. Then, she hit rock bottom. She decided to accept that MS was in her life so she could work with her diagnosis instead of fighting it.

Spoiler alert: Her symptoms became her superpower.

In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of acceptance in healing, strategies for becoming friends with your diagnosis or symptoms, and practical tips for communicating with your body to facilitate healing.

Click play to hear all of this and…

(03:43) What Megan prioritized with her diagnosis of MS.

(06:38) How acceptance of Megan's diagnosis became pivotal in her healing journey.

(08:33) How to reframe your relationship with medication and injections.

(10:29) The importance of working with your body instead of working against it.

(15:39) Understanding how your body is communicating with you.

(17:53) Megan's perspective on not letting your diagnosis define you.

(20:18) The science behind cellular function and visualization techniques.

(22:39) Megan's prompt to start using visualization in your daily life when what you want isn't your current reality or you don't believe what you want is possible for you.

(28:12) Megan's explanation of symptoms being your superpower.

(34:47) Morning exercise to connect with your body and emotions.

(39:05) How music can influence cellular function and relaxation.

For full show notes, visit: https://www.ericaziel.com/blog/311

Harsh reality: Crunches are doing more harm than good.

That's not what you're used to hearing, is it?

But the good news is that there's a better way to strengthen your core. (Just like anything else with movement, eh?)

And because I truly (TRULY!) care about you and your well-being, I’m sharing all of the reasons why you should stop doing crunches.

Grab your coffee, it's about to get real...

Because, in this episode, you’ll learn why traditional crunches can lead to pelvic floor dysfunction, back pain, neck pain, hip pain, and an imbalanced core and how to adopt a more effective approach to core training that promotes optimal function and overall health.

Click play to hear all this and...

[02:23] Why I don't like traditional crunches.

[05:17] Explaining all that is included in your core.

[06:14] The impact that a tucked pelvis can have on your core function.

[08:27] Addressing what is causing low back pain.

[09:13] Why the crunching movement leads to aches, pains, and dysfunction.

[10:14] How I teach functional flexion for your daily life.

[11:41] The problem with static planks.

[12:37] Breaking down the fundamentals of core training.

For full show notes, visit: https://www.ericaziel.com/blog/310