As of a few weeks ago, it’s officially spring! Who else is invigorated by the longer days and warmer temps? 🙋🏼‍♀️

I’m particularly energized because I’ve just completed both my boss lady work retreat (what I call my CEO Think Week) and my semi-annual personal health reset, where I take a break from inflammatory (and addictive!) foods like sugar, booze, and other processed foods. I like to call it my internal spring cleaning 😂.

Let me introduce you to a client-turned-friend…drumroll please…Ms. Mandi, Champagne Fabulous, Blackford! 👏👏👏

BRING ON SPRING! Whoo hoo! Anyone else ready to plant a garden, hit the trails or even head to the beach? 

I know I am! I’ve  already been digging in my garden and running on the trails.

Happy New Year!

I hope that your holidays were a delightful mix of fun, joy, and cherished moments. 🌟

And just like that, here we are again, beginning a new year.

Maybe you’ve made a resolution to do this or not do that. Good for you!

Maybe you’ve printed off a 21-day checklist, to keep you on track with a new or re-committed habit. Awesome!

Or, maybe like a few of my clients, you’ve chosen a word or a theme for the year. That’s cool. One client in particular inspired me with her word for 2024:

Simplicity

Living a healthy life does not have to be complicated. In fact, some of the most impactful needle movers to your health are free and readily at your fingertips.

I must confess, I engaged in Black Friday shopping this year, and most of what I bought was for myself! Was anyone else a little self-indulgent?

Well…what if the best gift you can give, is the one you give to yourself?

Ready or not, the holiday season is upon us.

You may already have your Thanksgiving menu planned, your holiday cards addressed and your list made for Santa, or, if you’re like me, maybe not 😂.

Before we get too caught up in the craziness, let’s stop, drop and take a moment to be grateful.

Meet Rob: my life partner, my adventure companion and the leader of our pack.

Rob is the toughest guy I know. The dude is a machine. He’s an ex-Army counterintelligence officer, a 100-miler, and climbs mountains as if they were an ant hill.

However, life can be relentless and knock down even the baddest badass at times.

“Your classes have been an important part of my wellness for the last three years. I am so fortunate to be a part of this community.” Cheryl D., KCMO.

The Sunday Scaries: According to a LinkedIn survey, 80 percent of all professionals say they experience the Sunday Scaries, or anxiety about heading back to work on Monday morning.

My antidote to the Sunday Scaries does not involve checking my email, looking at my calendar or prepping for a presentation.

Eye see you 😎!

I know you work hard.

How’s your summer going? Have you had some relaxation time? A nice vacation? Or even a few lazy afternoons swaying in your hammock or lounging by the pool?

If your answer is “yes,” great!

If it’s “no,” did you know that your lack of downtime may actually be costing you focus, productivity and better health?

You can take the girl out of Iowa, but you can’t take the sweet corn out of the Iowa girl. :)

Do you ever catch yourself with one foot on the gas and one foot on the accelerator? I did recently.

But first, a quick backstory…

"“How much do I have to work out?”

As a healthy aging coach, I often get asked this question.

Happy summer solstice! How do you feel about the longest day of the year? It used to be my least favorite day, but it is now my fav.

Summertime, and the livin”  is easy...🎶 🎶 🎶

I hope that you are enjoying your summer and finding space to unwind. 

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.”

If you’re in the business world, you may have heard this quote, which speaks to the importance of surrounding yourself with people who are more intelligent than you, so you are inspired to learn, grow and venture outside of your comfort zone.

I invite you to put a different spin on this concept:

“If you’re the youngest person in the room, you are in the wrong room.”

I’m not sure who needs to hear this today, but it’s okay to rest. In fact, rest is required to age healthily.

I have a confession to make: I didn’t go to the gym.

Nope. No treadmill, spin class, dumbbells or kettlebells for me today.

How old do you feel, most of the time?

Your answer might be telling. In fact, according to research, how old you feel tends to reflect the state of both your mental and physical health.