True Stride

I've come to realize that not every decision needs to be backed by logic or explained away with reasons. When I was recently invited to take on a regular yoga teaching role, I immediately started listing all the practical benefits. But something felt off. The more I tried to rationalize a yes, the more I knew in my heart it was really a no. That experience reminded me how powerful it can be to pau...

I've always believed that good leadership starts with staying true to yourself. Back when I was managing high-stakes corporate projects, I learned that the only way to turn things around was to lead in a way that felt natural to me, not just copy someone else's approach. That lesson came back to me recently during a challenging moment in a volunteer role that I had held for years. Someone criticiz...

Have you ever started a big project and wondered how you would ever pull it off? I felt that way recently when it came time to prep my house for sale, and just thinking about all the steps involved made the whole thing feel heavy. But then something beautiful happened. A good friend stepped in, and with her help, what once felt impossible started to feel exciting and even fun. On today's Wise Walk...

Ever find yourself walking into a new conversation still carrying the emotional weight of the last one? That happened to me recently, and I could feel my tone and volume were just a little… off. It wasn't anyone else's fault, but I realized I was letting leftover crankiness affect how I showed up—and that simple awareness gave me the chance to pause, laugh, and reset in real time. On today's Wise...

Ever felt so overwhelmed that you knew you weren't fully present, but didn't know how to ask for help in the moment? That happened to me during an emotional week when my dog Trooper got seriously ill and in the middle of a conversation with the vet, I realized I just couldn't take it all in alone. On today's Wise Walk we're talking about knowing when to pause, when to call in support, and how to g...

Ever had a gut feeling that something wasn't right, but you didn't want to say anything because you didn't want to rock the boat? That happened to me recently on a night out with friends and it reminded me how often we suppress our instincts to keep others comfortable. On today's Wise Walk we're listening to those inner nudges we so often push aside. We'll talk about what it means to listen to you...

Have you ever gone for a walk with no distractions - no music, no podcasts, just you and your thoughts wandering through nature? That's what I did on my recent trip to Ireland where I spent hours hiking through limestone formations and steep terrain and just allowed myself to be present with whatever thoughts and feelings came up for me along the way. Today we're going to go on one of those Wise W...

Have you ever been with someone who made you feel completely seen, heard, and safe — like you could just be your full self without any judgment? That's the power of holding space, and that's what we're exploring today. Someone recently asked me what I meant when I used that phrase, and it got me thinking — how often do we really slow down, eliminate distractions, and give someone our full, undivid...

You know that feeling when a conversation just flows effortlessly, when both people feel seen, heard, and understood? That's no accident. It's something we can actually design in our relationships. I first learned about this concept during my coaching certification, where we practiced something called designing an alliance. It's a simple but powerful way to set clear expectations upfront so both p...

I recently went shopping for hiking boots at REI, and even though I've hiked plenty in my lifetime, I approached it as if I were a total beginner. I have super narrow feet, so finding the right fit is key, but what really surprised me was how much I learned just by getting curious.  The store associate introduced me to a new way to tie my boots called a surgeon's knot, and it completely changed ho...

I'm headed to the United Kingdom, specifically Wales, to watch a Wrexham football match. Wrexham is in the European Football League, which we Americans call soccer, and it's been incredibly exciting. I don't know if you've seen the Netflix documentary by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, but they bought this team, and it's been amazing to watch them evolve and earn promotions. They've been doing r...

I had an unexpected moment this week that made me stop and reflect. My trusty 2019 MacBook Pro - my sidekick through writing a book, producing this podcast and countless creative projects - finally reached the end of the road. As I stood at the Apple Store and heard the words "It's time to say goodbye" I felt an emotional pang I didn't expect. Why is letting go so hard even when we know we need to...

Last week was Valentine's Day and as I ran errands I saw so many emotions about this holiday. At one store I saw people sending beautifully packaged gifts to their loved ones and at another I heard someone complaining about how much they hate the day and find it stressful or depressing.  These conversations led to a fun realization that many things like Valentine's Day are just social constructs,...

When I first started yoga and became a teacher in 2009, one of the biggest lessons I learned was to leave your ego at the door. In the spiritual world, we talk about the dangers of the ego, how it can make us competitive, resistant to feedback, or push us into things that don't feel aligned. I loved that perspective at the time. It reminded me yoga isn't about keeping up with anyone else. It's jus...

One of the things I've talked about before is how I've learned to pay attention to the small stuff, the stuff that feels like more than coincidence. Over the years, I've noticed patterns, symbols and signs that show up, just when I need them. The more I've leaned into this awareness, the more I've realized these small moments can bring comfort, reassurance and even direction. A friend texted me ab...

If you're new to this podcast, I'm so glad you're here. One of the things I've shared in prior episodes is that I have been managing a bone marrow cancer diagnosis since 2002—that's 23 years and counting. It's been a journey filled with highs and lows, but right now, I'm in a good phase where my blood levels are stable. Even so, I still check in with my doctors regularly, staying in a watch-and-wa...

In our last episode, we explored faith in action, and how powerful faith-based practices help guide our lives. Afterward, a Strider reached out with reflections on communicating through prayer, sparking a deeper dive into the connections and distinctions between prayer, meditation, and manifestation. Another listener then asked if we could unpack manifestation even more. They had dreams for 2025 a...

In our last episode, we explored the profound connection found through prayer and how a simple daily habit between me and my mom turned into a practice of faith and intention. This week, thanks to feedback from a Strider, we're going deeper into faith-based practices.  Have you ever wondered about the differences—and the similarities—between prayer, meditation and manifestation? In this episode I'...

I've been thinking about prayer, what prayer means to some of us who practice it. Prayer in its simplest form is a conduit, a way to communicate, to reach out for guidance, support or forgiveness. Whether we're seeking comfort for ourselves or someone we love, prayer opens the door to connection and vulnerability. On this Wise Walk let's slow down and look at how prayer, whether rooted in faith, i...

Striders, today's Wise Walk is a bit more mellow as I'm still dealing with some lingering upper respiratory inflammation from the holiday chaos and unexpected challenges like the environmental effects of a new roof. As I've been slowing down, resting and prioritizing self-care, life has brought me face to face with another kind of weight: grief. From the loss felt by loved ones who have lost those...

It's been a crazy holiday season, and this year has been no exception for me. I just got back from New York and it was a whirlwind of catching up with people I hadn't seen in ages. I stayed up late, got up early and packed as much in as I could. It was so much fun but now I'm paying the price. So if you're wondering what's up with my voice I have a cold and my body is telling me to slow down. So o...

I was thrilled when a fellow Strider reached out and asked me what my word of the year is going to be.  If you're new to this podcast, let me explain: since 2010, I've chosen a word each year that helps ground me, something that represents what I want to embody, what I want to challenge myself to be mindful of, or the intention I'm setting for that year.  For example, in 2010, my word was "ask." I...

This weekend marks one year since my colon surgery, a major turning point in my life. What was supposed to be a straightforward procedure turned into a nine-hour surgery, where they had to remove 20 inches of my colon instead of the planned 12.  There were complications, and the recovery was far from easy, but the good news is, I'm here today, feeling amazing and so grateful for how far I've come....

"Less is more." It's a simple phrase, but when we lean into it, it can transform how we live. Simplifying life, whether it's clearing out distractions, reducing clutter, or focusing on what truly matters, can create deeper meaning, bigger impact, and a sense of harmony we all crave. I was inspired to talk about this topic after watching a TV show, and one of the characters reflected on how the new...

I want to share something that's been on my mind after visiting a few local gyms recently. What started as a simple search for a place to get in some strength training turned into a bigger reflection on how much community shapes and inspires us.  There was an older gentleman lifting more weight than I could, and a woman in sequins heading to Zumba, ready to hit the dance floor. Watching everyone s...