Are you wondering how to unlock your authentic self?

Amber Lilyestrom is a transformational branding strategist and business coach, author and speaker. She has been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur and Working Mother Magazine. She is the host of The Amber Lilyestrom Show podcast, which has over 100,000 monthly downloads. and the creator of the Ignite Your Soul Summit, an annual live event in Portsmouth, NH.

In this episode, we dive straight into what it means to find and embrace connection. For Amber, a connection starts with open-heartedness. When a connection feels the best, it’s where we put down our shields, our fears, and our worries about being judged. Then, we can allow ourselves to be vulnerable. Amber had to learn how to use her voice and find courage from deep within to become vulnerable.

Then, Amber explains how we can teach our children to be vulnerable in a safe environment. It’s all about being a role model for our children and showing them what vulnerability looks like. Later, we jump into the importance of loving the connection between our body and mind. Amber reveals the details behind her eating disorder and what it took to love her body and her mind again.

Tune in as we go in-depth about finding a more feminine experience with our bodies, why freedom is a choice that we all have, and how Covid is the perfect excuse to change our circumstances.

In This Episode:

• About Amber Lilyestrom [ 2:40 ]
• What connection means to Amber [ 5:00 ]
• How to learn about our vulnerabilities [ 7:25 ]
• Helping our children learn about vulnerability in a safe environment [ 11:40 ]
• How we can use our connection between body and mind [ 22:00 ]
• The ways we can move into a more feminine experience with our bodies [ 32:55 ]
• Why freedom is a choice that we all have [ 48:10 ]
• What it means to live life from the inside out [ 53:20 ]

Quotes:

• “You can’t be courageous if you’re not willing to be vulnerable.”
• “Show up in your vulnerability, in your truth, and own that.”
• “If I can’t feel my feelings in front of my child, what am I trying to protect her from?”
• “Our lives are unfolding for us.”
• “If you are not happy with your circumstances, then this is an opportunity to change them.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Amber’s Website: https://www.amberlilyestrom.com
• Follow Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberlilyestrom/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

What is your first step on the path to forgiveness?

Sara has experienced many traumas and shifts in her own life, most recently ending her marriage of 20 years to her best friend and husband after finding out that he was gay. Sara’s own personal healing journey was accomplished through her passion for hiking, climbing, paddling and running. Physically discharging the trauma and pain, she was able to attain clarity, emotional strength and resiliency in order to forgive her husband. Forgiveness became the foundation that enabled her to build a healthy interpersonal relationship with her ex-husband and keep her family intact.

In this episode, Sara dives deep into the inspiration for her new book, Walk Through This. On Sara’s path to forgiveness, she just put one foot in front of the other; that is how Sara has survived today. We all create our own trail in life; sometimes, we get diverted in ways that we don’t expect. However, it’s all about taking the steps forward and enjoying the journey because our destination is never-ending. That way, you can find true joy every single day. 

Later, Sara speaks about how she healed her deepest traumas. In order to feel rebirth, we have to feel all of the feelings. Also, Sara explains how she found the healing power of nature. Through the process of experiencing nature, Sara realized that all you have to do is listen. It’s time to be in a place of acceptance and surrender on your forgiveness journey. Nature will shift how our brain operates, so get out there and enjoy the beauty. Plus, Sara explains the best way to find your inner freedom and peace. 

Tune in as we talk about nature-deficit disorder, how to experience nature when you’re not “outdoorsy,” and the ways we can start to forgive ourselves.

In This Episode:

• About Sara Schulting-Kranz [ 2:25 ]
• Why we need to feel everything in order to heal [ 19:45 ]
• How Sara found the healing power of nature [ 24:40 ]
• The connection between listening, surrender, and forgiveness [ 29:50 ]
• About the steps you can take to forgive [ 34:20 ]
• What to know about nature-deficit disorder [ 45:00 ]
• Why nature is for everyone [ 52:00 ]
• The importance of enjoying the journey out in nature [ 55:00 ]
• The ways we can work on forgiving ourselves [ 68:30 ]

Quotes:

• “We have to walk through all the anger and the pain in order to get to the side of freedom and peace.”
• “Forgive yourself first.”
• “Release all your pain and breathe through it.”
• “We feel most alive in the wild.”
• “Trauma is stored in our cells.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Sara’s Website: https://www.saraschultingkranz.com
• Get Walk Through This: https://www.saraschultingkranz.com/walk-through-this/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

Have you thought about the products in your home that could be making you sick?

Kelly is proof that switching to a pure, natural lifestyle is powerful even for those who consider themselves healthy. She’s experienced how much our everyday choices impact our quality of life and is passionate about helping others see and feel the connection. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband and two daughters.

I was lucky enough to sit on my bedroom floor and have a conversation with Kelly. We talk about why Branch Basics started and why it matters to eliminate toxins in your home. Kelly and her friends worked crazy hard to create natural cleaning supplies that are both effective and safe.

When you have a symptom, you need to think about what you did differently that day. For instance, did you go to the nail salon? It might be the chemicals that you inhaled there. When you start thinking about things this way, you can uncover toxins that you are sensitive to in and around your home.

Living in a home that is free of toxins will completely change your life. You will notice the difference. Getting healthy is so much more than exercising and looking at nutrition labels. Instead, getting healthy includes removing things from your home that are secretly making you sick!

Plus, in this episode, we talk about life in general. Kelly is so grounded and passionate about creating a better world through Branch Basics. You are absolutely going to love this episode; trust me!

In This Episode:

• About Kelly Love [ 2:05 ]
• What it’s like to live in a home that is free of toxins [ 11:20 ]
• Any fragrance can have thousands of chemicals [ 18:50 ]
• Why people should no longer suffer [ 27:00 ]
• How Branch Basics has changed over the years [ 29:50 ]
• The type of products that Kelly recommends [ 43:15 ]
• What is lighting Kelly up right now [ 54:00 ]

Quotes:

• “Toss the toxins!”
• “What we eat can literally turn on and off our genes.”
• “It’s empowering to know that we have control over our homes.”
• “We can make our homes safe havens.”
• “You have to be your own advocate; you can’t rely on the fact that it’s on a store’s shelf.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Branch Basics: https://branchbasics.com
• Branch Basics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchbasics
• Branch Basics on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BranchBasics/
• Branch Basics on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCohnjXwA7RthgdfMMV6Y3Ag
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

Do you deeply understand your body and your physiology?

Dr. Rishma Walji is a licensed and registered Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist. She has an undergraduate degree from McGill University in physiology and a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Toronto. Rishma did two post-doctoral fellowships at McMaster University, one in health and aging and one in pregnancy and pediatrics. All that means is that she has a unique balance of scientific, evidence-based knowledge and natural, holistic healing experience. What Rishma has learned is that there are options. There are steps you can take, once you learn how things work.

In this episode, we dive straight into what it means to be a Naturopathic Doctor. This type of Doctor will look at lifestyle changes, herbal medicines, vitamins, and nutrients. Also, they will try to put together the root cause of why a patient may be seeing issues. For example, if someone has a headache every day, you need to understand why you are getting that headache. Eventually, a Naturopathic Doctor will get to the root cause of your issues.

Typically, Dr. Rishma will see women who are having issues with their period. Whenever a woman has these issues, it means their body is telling them something is not going well. It’s not normal for us to be having excessive symptoms. Western culture believes that our body is broken once a month; we start to think our period symptoms are just typical. Therefore, women don’t try and make their symptoms better. Dr. Rishma tells us that these symptoms are not normal, and we can do something about them!

Later, Dr. Rishma reveals what every woman needs to know about hormones. Plus, we speak about the importance of understanding our bodies and how traumatic experiences will imprint on our psyche.

In This Episode:

• About Dr. Rishma Walji and what Naturopathic Doctors do [ 2:25 ]
• What common symptoms Dr. Rishma will help women with [ 8:30 ]
• About the different pieces + seasons of our cycles [ 13:05 ]
• What we need to know about our hormones [ 19:00 ]
• How Dr. Rishma will measure a hormone imbalance [ 28:15 ]
• The inspiration behind Dr. Rishma’s career [ 34:00 ]
• The importance of understanding our bodies [ 38:25 ]
• How traumatic experiences will imprint on our psyches [ 47:50 ]

Quotes:

• “Understanding your body is the most powerful way to address any issue.”
• “Your body is talking to you.”
• “We don’t learn how to understand our body symptoms.”
• “The cycle is just as important as your blood pressure and just as important as your heart rate.”
• “We have such a negative connotation to the cycle; I don’t want my daughters growing up thinking they are less than because they are women.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Dr. Rishma’s Website: https://rishmawalji.com
• Follow Dr. Rishma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rishmawalji/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

How do you prioritize and simplify the health you need to live the extraordinary life of your dreams?

Melanie Stevens Sutherland is a graduate of McMaster University and brings 16 years of experience as a senior physiotherapist to Body Co. She has enjoyed a long tenure working with active populations at prestigious sport medicine clinics. Past clients include Provincial, National and Olympic level athletes as well as members of the National Football League, the Canadian Football League, the Ontario Hockey League, the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League and Major League Soccer.

In this episode, Melanie and I bond over our approach to understanding the body. Melanie has loads of wisdom that she shares in our conversation. First, Melanie explains the components of functional movement. You are not able to strengthen your body unless you know how you want to use it. Instead, it’s all about how we do the movements that we do. During the pandemic, everyone is sitting for extended periods of time. However, the sitting environment most likely is not supporting your productivity. How you sit will have a massive impact on how well you can function and your resistance to stress.

Plus, Melanie discusses how to find healthy movement that you just don’t hear other people talking about. For instance, humans were never designed to sit on a toilet. Instead, we need to put our feet up on a stool to have less strain on the digestive system. Also, Melanie says we should be checking the toilet every time that we use it. For example, if your poop doesn’t look right, something is going on in your body. Tune in as we chat about the importance of learning how to breathe, how we can improve our pelvic health, and Melanie reveals what could potentially be irritating our pelvic floor.

In This Episode:

• About Melanie Stevens Sutherland and what it’s like to be a physiotherapist [ 1:05 ]
• The components of functional movement [ 8:40 ]
• How our bathroom movements + breathing will impact our health [ 11:05 ]
• Ways to improve our pelvic health [ 16:15 ]
• Why it requires a team to address health for women [ 24:00 ]
• Other ways we can improve our pelvic health [ 26:00 ]
• What are pelvic floor irritants [ 36:10 ]
• How our pandemic patterns are affecting our overall health [ 43:40 ]
• Why Melanie doesn’t believe in balance [ 46:20 ]
• The importance of our intuitive feelings + connecting with the body [ 51:50 ]
• What is lighting Melanie up right now [ 57:40 ]

Quotes:

• “We create strong, confident bodies that allow people to have the health that they need.”
• “We treat mind, body, and environment.”
• “How we go to the bathroom is an indicator of the stress and strain that we put on our pelvic floor.”
• “Digestion is hugely important to the pelvic floor.”
• “We have moved away from the natural state of our body. So, we have shifted away from the optimal way our body should be operating.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Body co.: https://bodycotoronto.com
• Body co. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodycotoronto/
• Body co. on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bodycotoronto
• Body co. on Twitter: https://twitter.com/bodycotoronto
• Body co. Collective Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/BodyCoCollective
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

Megan Clapton on Suffering, Mindfulness, and Self-Love

Are you ready for the transformative effects of mindful self-compassion?

Dr. Megan Sones Clapton is a licensed professional counselor and Mindful Therapy founder in Ridgeland, Mississippi. A Jackson native, Dr. Clapton holds B.A.s in Philosophy and Art History from the College of Charleston, a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from The Citadel, and a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Mississippi College.

For over 13 years, she has worked in hospitals, non-profits, schools, and private practice, in addition to being involved in many professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Mississippi Counseling Association, the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues in Counseling, and the Association for Humanistic Counseling.

In this episode, Dr. Megan blew me away! We talk about how to transform our suffering rather than living in suffering; either way, we suffer. We are currently in a period of collective trauma, and it’s time to figure out what to do and how to do it. Dr. Megan gives loads of tips, ideas, and strategies to become vulnerable and have self-compassion. Let’s give ourselves grace and remind ourselves that we need love each other.

Eventually, we will be on the other side of the pandemic. Maybe it’s time that we stop saying things will get back to “normal.” Is there ever going to be normal again? What does normal even look like anymore? Tune in as we talk about the problems with using this language to speak about Covid. It’s a robust conversation that will help us come back to ourselves and be a little more present in our daily lives – enjoy!

In This Episode:

• About Dr. Megan Sones Clapton [ 1:10 ]
• Why we need mindfulness in our lives [ 4:20 ]
• Strategies to practice meditation [ 7:20 ]
• The importance of observing our thoughts [ 10:15 ]
• Megan talks about what it feels like to not be herself [ 15:35 ]
• Why we shouldn’t go back to “normal” after the pandemic [ 24:20 ]
• How we can collectively heal and transform [ 33:45 ]
• It’s time that we lean into stillness + discomfort [ 46:20 ]
• All about the importance of self-compassion [ 56:00 ]
• Remember: we are all doing a good job! [ 68:00 ]

Quotes:

• “The longest relationship we will have is with ourselves.”
• “Give yourself a hug!”
• “We can control our moment to moment reaction.”
• “Mindfulness is a practice; you have to practice it for a reason.”
• “I can make the suffering meaningful.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Mindful Therapy: https://www.mindfultherapyms.com
• Mindful Therapy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindfultherapy/
• Mindful Therapy on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfultherapyms/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

Are you ready to unleash your freedom and creativity?  

Janet Co. is a Dance Instructor, Performance Coach and Host and Producer of the WORK IT! TV Show. She has worked and trained in various styles with the industry’s best from Toronto, New York City, Hollywood, and London, England. Passionate about her craft and making a difference, Janet’s mission is to spread dance to as many people as possible through her WORK IT! Dance Workshops and Coaching Programs. She uses dance as a tool for inspiring others to unleash their potential and fearlessly go after their dreams.

As a TV personality, she is the host and co-producer of the WORK IT! TV Show which teaches audiences how to get the moves and style of today’s leading popstars. Additional television and film appearances include being the featured judge and mentor on Much Music’s Best Dance Crew, So You Think You Can Dance, Making it Big, Latin Grammys, The Drop, Jammx Kids TV Special (Queen Latifah, Randy Jackson), Take the Lead, Honey, Disband Reality and the Toronto Show.

In this episode, we dive deep into Janet's story. She opens up by talking about why she felt the need to grow up and stop playing. Thankfully for us, she learned that playing, moving, and dancing is a way to be in the present. Plus, playing will help us embody who we are; it is a way to be ourselves, no matter our age. Luckily, we can all find this same beauty in dance and the same empowerment through dance.

During Covid, Janet has been able to see the silver lining. Even in a pandemic, we can see what's possible and what opportunities are specifically just waiting for us. Janet is a dance teacher and a coach; she found loads of chances for connection beyond the physical during these challenging times. Plus, we talk about what can happen when we embrace our spiritual side. When we stay present, then we can empower ourselves to feel confident and feel connected. Tune in as we chat about how we can unleash our freedom and creativity through dance!

In This Episode:

• About Janet [ 1:50 ]
• What is lighting Janet up right now [ 5:10 ]
• Janet dives deep into her journey [ 9:00 ]
• The changes that occur when people start dancing [ 21:40 ]
• How dance allows freedom and creativity [ 34:10 ]
• Recommendations for unleashing our freedom [ 45:10 ]
• How dance can help us feel embodied [ 54:40 ]
• What Janet would say to people who “can’t dance” [ 64:50 ]

Quotes:

• “You have everything already in you.”
• “The way that you approach dance will be the way that you approach life.”
• “Once you live in the present moment, there are no walls.”
• “The creative process is messy; it's not perfect, and that's beautiful.”
• “Have your own dance party!”

Links Mentioned: 

• 15-Minute Dance Challenge hosted by WORK IT Janet (Feb 8-12): https://www.facebook.com/groups/15minutedancechallenge/
• Janet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workitjanet
• Janet’s Website: http://janetco.live/
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard

Did you know it's possible to look and feel great using local products made of simple and natural ingredients?

Maria Velve is a makeup artist and a college professor by trade – an unusual combination that has made for an interesting career. She taught English in Korea, done intricate costume makeup for films, and managed a busy downtown Toronto luxury spa. Maria Velve, a certified makeup artist and green beauty expert on a mission to connect you with clean and effective products made in Canada. Plus, Maria can teach you how to use them in a way that makes you feel fresh, confident, and – most importantly – like yourself.

In this episode, we dive into everything behind green beauty. Green beauty is skincare or makeup products that take into consideration how companies create the product. There has to be some sustainability in there. Overall, it's how the creator makes a product, what it's made with, and how it impacts you. Plus, we have to think about the packaging. If the packing is not recyclable, then we can't call it green beauty!

Later, we talk all about the importance of self-care. Self-care is enormous, especially during these challenging times. Women need to take a little bit of time for their self-care every day. We need to understand that self-care is necessary; no one else can do it for us. Luckily, green beauty products can play a massive role in our self-care routines. It can be a sensory treat; you can apply beautiful products with essential oils – so relaxing! Tune in as we talk about the minimalist approach to beauty, why we need to listen to our skin, and how to get started with green beauty.

In This Episode:

• About Maria Velve [ 1:10 ]
• What green beauty actually means [ 4:20 ]
• The difference between clean beauty and green beauty [ 7:50 ]
• The importance of local beauty [ 17:15 ]
• Why green beauty matters [ 19:25 ]
• The reasons we should buy green beauty products [ 25:30 ]
• About the minimalist approach to beauty products [ 37:10 ]
• Learn to assess which products we actually need [ 50:00 ]
• The best way to switch over to green beauty [ 58:45 ]

Quotes:

• “With most green beauty products, the ingredient lists are shorter.”
• “I think the importance of self-care is huge.”
• “The number one person who should be taking care of you is YOU.”
• “Make sure that you get an oil that is great for your skin type.”
• “It's shocking to see how much conventional beauty products cost.”

Links Mentioned: 

• Green Beauty Expert: https://www.greenbeautyexpert.ca/
• Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenbeautycurator/
• Maria on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenBeautyCurator
• Maria on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzh2auq7ul-N64s9LvM1Sew/featured
• Email Maria: maria@greenbeautyexpert.ca
• Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lea.pickard
• Follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lea.pickard