Building Resilience

Your nervous system shapes your daily life behind the scenes. It’s easy to overlook, but your nervous system is the hidden powerhouse behind your responses, emotions, and capacity to handle life’s challenges. When you understand and take care of it, it can unlock a whole new level of resilience and clarity. On this episode of Building Resilience, I sit down with two incredible guests, Lexie Hill a...

Ever feel overwhelmed by the big goals you set for yourself? Sometimes, the smallest actions can be the most powerful, helping us make meaningful progress without getting lost in the stress of it all. But how can we break down our aspirations into manageable, daily steps? On this episode of Building Resilience, we're exploring the transformative impact of micro habits. I'll share how incorporating...

Life doesn't give us the answers we want, at least not right away. Facing challenges without knowing how things will work out can feel overwhelming. But what if, instead of focusing on the how, we focused on the simple belief that it's possible? On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll break down the mantra, "I don't know how, but I know it's possible." I share personal stories, including my...

Ever felt like relationships can sometimes leave you emotionally drained or uplifted without understanding why? There's a subtle but powerful concept that might just hold the key to balancing these interactions---much like a real bank account, your emotional bank account determines the quality of your connections. On this episode of Building Resilience, I dive into the idea of the emotional bank a...

Whether working from home, commuting, or relaxing at the end of the day, sitting has become a constant companion. But what if I told you that sitting too much might be impacting your health—and in more ways than you realize? On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll explore the dangers of prolonged sitting and why it's been called "the new smoking." We'll also discuss how sitting for extended...

Expectations shape how we experience the world---but they can also be a trap, leading to stress and suffering when reality doesn't match our hopes. So, how do we manage them in a way that helps rather than hinders us? On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll talk about the double-edged nature of expectations. You'll hear why expectations are essential for setting goals and boundaries, and how...

Parenting is a journey filled with transitions. From being a superhero in your child's life to becoming the "villain" in their teenage years, to navigating the quieter years of being an empty nester, the changes can feel overwhelming. It's a constant evolution that brings both grief and joy. How do we manage the shift from being the central figure in our children's lives to stepping back and allow...

When we face adversity, we are often faced with the choice of how we want to respond to those challenges. Will they make us bitter, or will they help us become better? It's a choice we all face, and one that can significantly shape the direction of our lives. On this episode of Building Resilience, is the cliché of becoming "bitter or better" really true? I'll share how adversity can either weigh...

Many of us spend so much energy trying to push anxiety away, but what if we tried something different? What would happen if we embraced our feelings of anxiety and tension instead of pushing them away, allowing them to simply exist?  On this special episode of Building Resilience, I share a meditation designed to help you allow and accept anxiety rather than resist it. By learning how to befr...

"L" isn't just "for the way you look at me"---for me, it stands for some of my most important guiding principles: what I call "The L's": Live, Love, Learn, Leave a Legacy, Laugh, and Be a Source of Light. On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll go over how using each of these L's (plus a couple more I have added!) can play a pivotal role in living a life full of purpose and intention. Y...

We often face situations that make us feel like we have to choose between being compassionate and setting boundaries. But what if I told you that both are equally important?  On this episode of Building Resilience , we’ll get into the balance between compassion and boundaries. Understanding our nervous systems can help foster self-compassion and compassion for others, but we also need to do t...

In today's day and age, a lot of us tend to fill up our days and move fast, always trying to be productive. It can feel like a whirlwind, leaving little room for rest or just "being." There's incredible value in embracing moments of stillness—but how often do we actually give ourselves permission to do nothing? On this episode of Building Resilience, I’ll explain the intriguing concept of niksen ,...

When we feel stuck, sometimes the boundaries holding us in place that we might not even be aware of. These boundaries can shape our experiences, influence our relationships, and even determine our sense of self-worth. But what if we could break through them? On this episode of Building Resilience, I'm joined by Kristy Deys and Kim Rees, two extraordinary women who have not only broken through thei...

Life can often feel like a juggling act, where we try to balance our thoughts, emotions, and physical well-being all at once. But have you ever wondered how your nervous system plays into all of this, especially when things feel overwhelming? This is a question that many of us encounter, whether consciously or not, in our everyday lives. On this episode of Building Resilience, I'm joined by two am...

When it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, one of the most significant hurdles is understanding the relationship between our brain and our eating habits. The connection between how we handle stress and how we manage our weight is often overlooked, but it's critical for long-term success. On this episode of Building Resilience, I'm thrilled to welcome Kathy Hartman, a weight loss coach and g...

Music has a unique ability to touch our souls, transcending words and forging connections in ways we often can't explain. It's more than just a form of entertainment; it's a universal language that speaks directly to our emotions and memories. On this episode of Building Resilience, we get into the second part of our exploration of the power of music. Last week, we shared the story of Henry and ho...

Music, with its universal language, has a way of connecting us to others in unexpected ways. It's a language all of us can speak, and it's not just entertainment; it's a bridge to our emotions and memories. On this episode of Building Resilience, we'll discuss how music transcends words and can forge connections, even in the face of cognitive challenges. Most importantly, I recount the touching st...

Life is full of challenges and moments that test our limits. It's not just about getting through them, but growing from them and embracing the experiences they bring. But how do you find the balance between pushing yourself and being kind to yourself? On this episode of Building Resilience I’ll give you the keys to find the sweet spot between grit and grace. I'll share personal stories and explore...

Every city has a unique infrastructure, built to withstand different climates and conditions. Our genetics, environment, and experiences change us too—guiding us to adapt to our individual challenges. On this episode of Building Resilience, we’ll get into this analogy even more: constructing your personal healing infrastructure. We'll explore the key elements necessary to fortify your resilience:...

Your driving style might reveal more about you than just your skills behind the wheel. It’s just a theory— but I’m convinced that how you handle the road can be a peek into your state of mind. On this episode of Building Resilience, I’ll share my (not necessarily scientific) connection between driving styles and our nervous system states. Whether you're an aggressive driver or a cautious one, your...

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of life. Whether it's the uncertainty of a new job, a relationship, or even the weather, our brains are wired to crave stability and predictability. But why is that? What happens in our brains and our bodies when we face uncertainty, and how can we navigate through it effectively? On this episode of Building Resilience, we're talking about the universal topic of f...

Learning new things can sometimes be a struggle. We have all this new information, but how can we make sure we can retain and use it? Fortunately, there are strategies that can help you boost your learning power and enhance your memory retention. On this episode of Building Resilience, we're going to dig into the world of learning and memory. I'll share the impact of stress on memory, practical ti...

Our words can be more influential than we realize. Simple statements can turn our day around---for better or worse. It's fascinating how the language we use can shape our feelings, actions—and ultimately, our lives. In this episode of Building Resilience, we're talking about the power of words and their transformative abilities. With my simple trick, the concept of "It is safe to…", I’ll show you...

Life has a funny way of making us rush around, doesn't it? Many of us find ourselves constantly moving, always trying to get to the next thing. But what if we just slowed it down a bit? What if we took a moment to breathe and really savor the moment we're in? On this episode of Building Resilience, we’re talking about the power and importance of slowing down. I'll be sharing insights from my own e...

We all know that pain is real, even pain that can't be narrowed down to a specific cause. But that begs the question---do your thoughts and feelings about pain actually make your pain worse? In this episode, I'm going to share a useful tool that explores these thoughts, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. It's a tool designed to measure your tendency to catastrophize pain. By separating the elements o...