The sadness began to dominate, the phobias started to prevail, and a sense of helplessness in my environment set in. Usually people with anxiety disorders hide it well, although in their minds they think everyone can tell. The fear of everyone looking at them when near other people is overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population). Anxiety disorders dev

Who knew I’d end up in the emergency room, wondering if I’d had a stroke—or worse? For the past eight months, starting last May, I relied on a nasal spray to survive those frustrating moments when my nasal passages decided to take a break from their usual functioning. The panic that washes over me when I can’t breathe through my nose is overwhelming, making it hard to focus on anything else. The nasal spray quickly became my trusted companion, offering immediate relief and th

Self-Help is probably one of the most solicited topics across all mediums. Amongst all the recommendations I've received - here are 10 books that stuck with me and I actually would recommend to someone else feeling lost or unable to move forward from their current chapter. Just remember - self-help books are not a "how-to", they are suggestions to help you find your own path. The 20-Something Guide to Getting it Together by Mary Traina Wellth - How I Built A Life, Not a Resu

This episode was easier to do than I anticipated—filled with stories about my vagina (AI rant not included). At first, I thought it would be fun to use AI to generate a title for this episode. According to AI, my vagina is a “sensitive subject” and it offered no suggestions. When I tried again for the blog, it flagged my vagina as “offensive content.” With everything out there, how is the word vagina  offensive? Love your body Love Your Body This episode dives deep into women

I knew I could do it, well, I know now! Season 2 Episode 4: Holy crap I did a photo shoot! Is That Really Me? So, there I was — 55, standing in front of a camera, wearing lingerie I hadn’t touched in years. Was it crazy? Absolutely not. Was it terrifying? Oh, yes. But also… exhilarating, empowering, and honestly, life-affirming. Sharing my photos with a few people, I realized: this experience wasn’t just about pictures. It was about reclaiming my body, my confidence, and my j

Toss the Negative Thoughts Away Take all the negative thoughts about yourself and throw them out. Seriously — you don’t need that crap anymore. I often wonder how young people navigate the constant noise of social media, advertising, and society while trying to maintain a positive self-image. Back in the 80s, it was hard enough. I struggled with comparing myself to models and celebrities — wondering if anyone would ever see me as enough . When Self-Image Is Tested In my late

Thirty. Flirty. And Thriving.... I wish. We all know the mantra from 13 going on 30. But what they don't mention is that as your 30th...

What We Don’t Owe Anyone Being shamed, guilt-tripped, or emotionally manipulated does not create debt . Holding someone emotionally hostage to force them to act—or act the way you think they should—is not a thing . You and I owe nothing  when it comes to emotional currency. Not our time, not our energy, and certainly not our peace. This episode reflects on life lessons that sneaked into a current situation, reminding me (and you) that: “You do you, and I will do me.” …isn’t j

The answer to self-sabotage is… not to self-sabotage yourself. Sounds simple, right? Years of research, hundreds of dollars in self-help books, and a personal library of motivational audiobooks led me to that mind-blowing revelation. I could’ve saved myself a fortune if I’d just slipped on those damn red heels sooner. (Okay, in the podcast I said they were six inches, but come on—three inches feels  like six when it’s me in them. Only talking about shoes though, let’s be clea

Her wheelchair didn’t fit easily between the table and the kitchen island. I finished helping her get ready for the day — the same routine we’d shared for months — brushing her hair, fixing her breakfast, and making sure the morning ran as smoothly as possible. That day, though, I was bursting with excitement. I had something to show her. The Mango. My new car.Bright. Bold. Orange. I couldn’t believe that I  — the woman who hated attention and proudly claimed the title of “in

Kindness. It’s one of those words that gets tossed around like confetti — beautiful, well-meaning, but often forgotten when it comes to the person in the mirror. You determine kindness’s meaning. It’s how you  choose to show it. Kindness can be empathy, acceptance, kind gestures, or thoughtfulness. The possibilities are endless — and entirely yours. We usually think of kindness as something we give  to others. A smile. A helping hand. A “you’ve got this” text to a friend. But

I think I have always had a stock of lotions tucked away in a cabinet somewhere, but lately… it’s borderline obscene. Every time I open a drawer or peek into a shelf, I see rows upon rows of bottles — body lotions, face creams, specialty potions for every conceivable part of me. The thing is, it takes forever  to use up a single container. And yes, there’s a very real possibility that if I passed this collection on, one person couldn’t possibly make a dent before it expired.

Boost Your Magnesium the Easy Way Magnesium is essential for our health, but sometimes oral supplements can upset the stomach or just feel inconvenient. The best way to increase your magnesium levels? Through the skin. Our body’s largest organ—the skin—is the perfect route for transdermal magnesium therapy . Products like magnesium oil, gel, lotion, and bath flakes are designed to bypass the gastrointestinal tract, delivering magnesium directly into your cells for rapid absor

Creating a healthier lifestyle is not about quick fixes or temporary changes—it’s about building habits and practices that last a lifetime. A personalized plan for health, fitness, and wellness should be tailored to your unique needs, goals, and capabilities. Here are 10 essential steps to help you make meaningful changes, track progress, and embrace a healthier life: 1. Know Your Numbers Start by understanding your baseline: weight goals, fitness levels, workout frequency, a

We’ve all heard the jokes—men worrying about baldness, women stressing over the size of their butt in a new pair of jeans. But when it comes to advice about self-confidence, awareness, and body image, most articles are directed at women. So, what about men? Would the same guidance benefit them in the same way? Do men need their own pep talks, different from the advice often aimed at women? Facing Fears and Body Image Challenges One common suggestion for improving self-image i

Sitting still for 20 minutes has never been easy for me—but podcasts and audiobooks make it a lot more enjoyable. And now, adding Legs Up the Wall  to my routine has become a favorite way to relax and rejuvenate. This simple inversion pose—also known as Viparita Karani —is easy to do at home and provides multiple benefits. Lying on your back with your legs resting vertically against a wall may feel like “exercise” for the body in a totally different way: restorative and heali

Everyone—yes, everyone—loses their libido  at some point. For some, it’s just a fleeting moment; for others, it may linger longer. The interesting thing is, the libido often knows its own rhythm —it knows where it is and what it wants. What is Libido? Definition: Plural:  libidos Meaning:  1) instinctual psychic energy from primitive biological urges, expressed in conscious activity; 2) sexual drive Much like appetite, the libido responds to signals, hormones, and stimuli , s

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could step out of the shower and come out a few pounds lighter? Just imagine washing all that pizza away! The truth is, excess weight isn’t always fat . Have you noticed that when starting a diet, the first five pounds seem to melt away faster than the rest? That’s often water weight . When your body feels puffy or squishy, it may be holding onto fluids. Why Water Matters Water is an essential nutrient —we need it to sustain life. Depending on age

Let’s be honest — “self-possession” sounds like something out of a ghost show. I know, I thought spirits possessed me too. 👻 But no, this kind of possession is about something far more empowering — it’s the ability to control your behavior, emotions, and responses  no matter what’s happening around you. It’s self-command , willpower , and that grounded sense of “I got this” that nobody can take away. And in a world where every post, email, and commercial tells you to love yo

Depression is one of those topics that’s difficult to put into words. It’s easier to stay at a distance, to nod along to the conversation without fully engaging. Awareness is the first step, but how do we make it personal? How do we talk about our own depression ? Recording my latest podcast episode was surprisingly easy. Speaking into a microphone about my experiences felt natural. But publishing it? That’s when the real anxiety hit. Sharing your inner world invites opinions