What. A. Story. From go go dancing to going the distance, Shauna Aranton’s life reads like a movie, full of dramatic moments and life lessons.

In this episode, Shauna shares her journey of learning to stay and fight for what she wants rather than fleeing from what she doesn’t, whether it’s a relationship, a career, or anything else. She now has the career and marriage of her dreams, but they came through grit, determination, and hard work. And this girl on fire isn’t done: Shauna is still in hot pursuit of achieving her ultimate dream of becoming a nurse practitioner and earning a PhD so she may further help the kids of Nevada. She also speaks on working in a hospital in the midst of a pandemic, and the stress that incurs. Healthcare workers are true angels.

It’s a fun, easy, entertaining, INSPIRING listen.

You can find Shauna on Instagram at @shaunaleesinner

If you listen, like, and are so inclined, I would truly appreciate if you subscribe/rate/review!

Thank you!

Finally sat down with the man on the move, Charlie Roberts, to chat about life and how he’s lived it.

Charlie has worked with some major names in music and media, and I admire his drive, his commitment, his audacity, his generosity, and his humility. (I personally benefitted from his expertise when he helped me choose new podcasting equipment. He rules.)

We talk about the trip of growing up in a small town, leaving it to pursue work in the big city, and then returning to the small town. We talk about the creative mind and process, and tips for leveraging it. And my personal favorite, we talk about releasing your ego, while working and while interacting with others. Committing to and taking pride in your work, whether you’re sweeping the floor or running the show.

If you’re looking for an easy yet motivating listen, this is it.

You can find Charlie on:

Instagram: @aycharlie

Facebook: @Charlie Roberts

The topic for this episode was requested by a listener, and what a hard-hitting topic it is, that encompasses so much. The full request was for motivation and showing up for yourself, and this episode covers both, since they’re closely related. This is especially relevant for me as I get back into podcasting. Podcasting elates and fulfills me, but I tend to resist what I know is good for me, and what I know will make me happy, as a form of self sabotage. As if I’m only comfortable when there’s some discomfort. I’m okay with a certain amount of success and wellbeing, but too much and I run scared. It throws me.

I’m progressively mastering navigating this. Knowing when to exercise discipline and push through, and when to grant grace and respite. It’s a journey.

Everybody is different. We’re all in different places on the balance spectrum, and require different lifestyles to balance us. We’re also motivated differently: some intrinsically, some extrinsically. Some derive fuel from the haters and doubters, some withdraw.

Self awareness is key: We need to reflect and do our shadow work and level with ourselves, to know what drives and motivates us, and to know when to use discipline, and when to use grace. To know where to step it up + venture out (literally/figuratively) and where to pump the brakes and ease up. 

I share many of my self-motivating practices and life hacks, to light and maintain my fire. Some of these might surprise you.

Showing up for yourself varies not only interpersonally (among people), but also intrapersonally (with yourself). It’ll likely vary decade to decade, phase to phase, year to year, season to season, month to month, day to day, hour to hour, even minute to minute. Our values shift, our priorities change. Mine definitely have, (especially since COVID). 

We’re growing, evolving (at least hopefully!) beings who don’t live in a vacuum. We don’t control others, and we don’t control what happens to us. 

Being open to it all, accepting, and flowing with it is a main theme of my work. Attending to your ultimate good, and the highest good for all, won’t look the same now as it did before - for you or for anyone else. 

That’s why it’s important to stay connected, especially with yourself. Again, self awareness is CRUCIAL. Powerful. Transformative. Identifying what motivates you. What lights you up. Dialing into why you’re doing what you’re doing, why you’re feeling what you’re feeling, what you need vs. what you think you need. If any wounds/insecurities are calling the shots. When you need to push through and when you need to pull back. When you should contract, when you should expand. When you should pivot and redirect, and when you should stay the course. 

So tune into yourself. Get to know yourself Identify your thought patterns, particularly those based in fear. Understand why you do what you do and think what you think, to help you recognize when you’re being led by fear/trauma, and when you’re being led by intuition/wisdom. Practice separating from your thoughts, your mental narrative. Get comfortable dialing into your core, your true self, your inner wisdom. You know what you need. You always have, and you always will. It’s simply a matter of you holding space for yourself to acknowledge and honor your inner guidance. 

I love you.

In honor of PTSD Awareness Day, this episode features my friend Omar Raudez discussing his work with the veterans element of the TRIO Programs.

The TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs. TRIO also includes a training program for directors and staff of TRIO projects.

The recipients of the grants, depending on the specific program, are institutions of higher education, public and private agencies and organizations including community-based organizations with experience in serving disadvantaged youth and secondary schools. Combinations of such institutions, agencies, and organizations may also apply for grants. These entities plan, develop and carry out the services for students. While individual students are served by these entities, they may not apply for grants under these programs. Additionally, in order to be served by one of these programs, a student must be eligible to receive services and be accepted into a funded project that serves the institution or school that student is attending or the area in which the student lives.

If you’re interested in further information on the TRIO Programs, see the following:

Federal

https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html

Idaho State University

https://isu.edu/trio/

You can find Omar on social media:

Instagram: @raudezomar

Facebook: @Omar Antoñio Raudez

This episode features a recent amiga I made while in Nashville last year on a girls’ trip for my birthday.

One thing that struck me about Nashville was the beautiful, friendly energy the women there emitted. They were exceptionally generous with their smiles and compliments, and my guest Jessica Dinan (and her friend, Alexis) are perfect representatives of that southern charm.

My friend Julie (whom I interviewed on episode 16) and I met Jessica and Alexis at this rad “speakeasy” in Nashville. Get this: to access this place, you knock on the side door in a dark alley, and then wait for a guy to let you in (one person/group at a time). Upon entering, you’re greeted with dim lighting and a cool, artistic vibe. You wait in a lounge area until someone comes and chats with you, asking you questions and getting to know you, to create an artisan cocktail tailored to your tastes and personality (he nailed it, btw - fresh and spicy, just like I like it!).

We ended up sitting next to Jessica and Alexis and forming a fast, easy connection, bonding over girl power and good vibes, and celebrating each other’s accomplishments.

Of course we all became Instagram buds, through which we stay connected, and I was psyched when Jessica agreed to come on the pod.

In this episode, we chat about owning your shine. Clapping for others AND yourself. Realizing there’s plenty to go around. Jessica shares how ambition, action, resilience, and hard work yielded professional and personal success.

It’s a fun, refreshing, empowering conversation.

xx,

-w-

In this episode, I sit down with Darren Hansen for a dynamic, fun, and informational conversation. Darren is the owner and head coach of Hansen Athletics, where he and his coaches deliver customized strength and conditioning training to not just athletes, but anyone who wants to be their best self. As Darren highlights, the physical aspect is only part of it. True self optimization happens by showing up for yourself, getting your mind right, dialing in your rest and nutrition, knowing your power, and keeping it SIMPLE.

This episode offers something for everyone, regardless of your current fitness level. If you’re a human and are interested in leveling up and FEELING good - this is for you.

Darren is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, has a BS in Exercise Science, and is a certified USAW-National Coach.

Find Hansen Athletics:

Blog/apparel/podcast: www.hansenathletics.com

Instagram: @hansenathletics

Facebook: HansenAthletics

YouTube: HansenAthletics

HansenAthletics Podcast: Spotify | iTunes | website

Find Darren:

Instagram @coachdarrenh

Twitter @CoachDarrenH

Photos by me

When it comes to fitness, how do I know when to power through and when to rest? How do I know if I’m doing too much? Is it possible to actually like working out? What are tips for staying motivated? What are aspects of fitness I might be overlooking? How can I feel better as I get older?

If you’ve ever had these questions, you’re in the right place. In this episode, I sit down with the powerhouse Jen Simmons of Jriven Fitness to address these and so many more! Jen has many certifications, among which are: NASM CPT; LPTA; USA Level 1.

And we don’t just restrict it to the world of working out. We also discuss business, goals, and inspiration - like how Jen decided to go for it and open her own gym (which has been a smashing success).

It’s a fun, free-flowing, motivational, and knowledge-packed conversation that leaves you feeling PUMPED.

You can find Jen:

Instagram: 

@coachjensimmons

@jrivenfitness

Website:

www.jrivenfitness.com