Operation Flourish

Health serves as the foundation of everything and is a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT we all deserve without discrimination. Join me and pledge to #ChooseHealth by making a sincere effort to keep physically active, consume a nutritious and balanced diet, strive to attain restorative sleep, prioritize mental health, and avoid risky behaviors. In this episode Kayla provides several examples of small changes you...

Are you looking to improve your confidence in your private interview or onstage question at your next pageant/scholarship competition? If so, this episode is for YOU! I am a strong believer that practice makes PERMANENT. So, let's practice your interview skills so they can be more automatic and habitual at your next pageant/competition. I also believe practice makes PROGRESS. I am confident th...

When people discuss human trafficking, they often find themselves in the common trap of believing that human trafficking is an overseas issue. This is a MYTH. Human Trafficking happens in nearly EVERY country and occurs in EVERY state in the United States. Chances are human trafficking is happening in YOUR neighborhood. Tune in as Grace Schoegler, a Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Advoc...

Do you constantly feel discouraged after setting New Year’s Resolutions and shortcoming them year after year? Today I’m going to teach you the top tricks and strategies to set valuable and impactful New Year’s Resolutions you can actually achieve. This episode will help you win your 2024, whether you are seeking to change or grow in work, pageants, sports, relationships, hobbies, or general life....

Most of us know that you’re safer with a seatbelt; however, about 10% of people in the United States choose not to wear their seatbelt, dramatically increasing their risk of injury or death. Special guest Katy Mckim, Miss Ohio Valley’s Teen 2024, shares the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. Tune into this episode for life changing stories, alarming statistics, and strategies to make buckling up t...

Are you ready to learn how to Party Smarty? Join our host Kayla Myers and special guest Sam Robbins as they discuss the importance of uniting to change society's unhealthy standards for socializing. Whether you use substances frequently, are sober, or are sober-curious, we can all party with intention for a safer, healthier, and better world. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion about...

Winter is officially starting soon and the days have already begun to feel short and dominated by darkness. This undoubtedly takes a toll on millions of Americans struggling with seasonal depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each year. In this episode, Kayla shares symptoms of SAD, who SAD impacts, and strategies to prevent and manage SAD. Kayla also debunks myths regarding SAD and answ...

What if I told you hard work can beat talent? Although natural talent is often glorified in westernized societies, Kayla and special guest Rhiannon Graham share the power of hard work. Rhiannon Graham is a first generation graduate of Illinois State University, an advocate for Single Families through her service initiative titled Single But Not Alone, and Miss Capital City Illinois. Listen to find...

Did you know 80% of women with autism are not diagnosed by or before the age of 18? There are many missing diagnoses and women who feel overlooked. In today’s episode you will meet Abby Gibson, an autism advocate through her community service initiative titled Miss Diagnosis: Advocacy for Women on the Spectrum. We discuss reasons for late/overlooked diagnosis in women, autism stereotypes, harmful...

Food and family based holidays can be full of excitement, but they can also be a source of stress or a trigger for others. This episode provides strategies, tips, and food for thought within each of the 5 pillars of the #ChooseHealth movement: nutrition, physical activity, restorative sleep, avoiding risky behaviors, and mental health. Tune into this episode so you can navigate the upcoming holida...

Meet Arianna Shanks-Hill, a survivor of domestic violence and an advocate to stop domestic violence through her community service initiative titled the Gabby Project. Ari shares her story, defines different types of abuse, highlights the cycle of abuse, and shares red flags to help you be more alert in your relationships. Whether you are seeking to support yourself through domestic violence or som...

Welcome to the Resistance Training 101 Crash Course! Did you know an average of 30% of people experience performance-based anxiety at the gym, 42% admit they experience appearance-based anxiety when working out, and 1 out of 2 females report avoiding the gym due to insecurities, perceived lack of competence, or fear of judgment as some of the primary reasons? In this episode, Kayla acknowledges, v...

It is Body Acceptance Week which is an initiative through the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to promote body acceptance for all. Two special guests share their experiences with eating disorders, challenge Western beauty standards, and provide strategies and resources to help guide your body acceptance journey. Meet Catherine Sellmer, a graduate student at the University of Louisville...

This week Kayla sits down with Avery Gray, an advocate for first generation students. Not only does Avery share her story as a first generation student, she also sheds light on the challenges faced by first generation students while highlighting solutions and resources to overcome barriers. Tune into this episode to broaden your knowledge and resources regarding first generation college students–i...

In this episode we will be discussing Inclusivity For All Abilities with a special guest. You will meet Elyssa DiRaddo, who is a fellow podcaster, a talented classical singer, a dog mom, a board certified music therapist, and the reigning Miss Collegiate Indy 2023. We discuss all things music therapy, how to see people as people, disability language, and resources for people with disabilities. Ely...

This episode will teach you Kayla’s minor but most effective strategies for improving your nutritional health. Major changes are not necessary, but rather small changes that are consistently acted on. We will discuss all things related to mindful eating, vegetables, food substitutions, food preparation, eating out, and hydration. Are you ready to learn Kayla’s top nutrition tips as a Certified Pre...

Do you want to know Kayla’s number one tip for achieving growth and success? It’s the law of marginal gains. In this episode, Kayla shares the story of the British cycling team and their key to becoming one of the most successful cycling teams after 76 years of struggling to win more than a single medal at the Olympics. Kayla helps you identify the key components of the law of marginal gains, teac...

Are you looking to improve your confidence in your private interview at your next pageant/scholarship competition? If so, this episode is for YOU! I believe practice makes PERMANENT. So, let's practice your interview skills so they can be more habitual at your next pageant. I also believe practice makes PROGRESS. I am confident the tips and interview debrief starting at 18:46 will help you mak...

Have you found yourself struggling with unkind thoughts towards yourself or your body? Maybe you have caught yourself repeating "I'm not good enough", "I hate my body", or "I'm so dumb". These thoughts are often ingrained in our mind and reinforced over time with repetition. It is time we flip the script and counter the negative thoughts with intentional posit...

Suicide is a taboo word in society that often results in people feeling silenced and isolated in their struggles. Today, Kayla reminds you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE, whether you are facing mental health challenges and thoughts of suicide or if you are helping a loved one. This episode explains types of suicidal thoughts, highlights how you can be there for someone who is struggling with suicidal thou...

Meet Dr. Victoria Garcia Wilburn, a House representative for the Indiana District 32. In this episode, we discuss Victoria’s priorities of public health, public education, and public safety. Not only does Victoria share how she helps Hoosier’s flourish, she also shares how she developed a passion for politics, which allowed her to flourish and enact positive change in her community. You will also...

Did you know a common thread of many of the most successful people in the world is that they have a morning routine that energizes them and fills their cup each day? Today, Kayla will teach you how to develop a morning routine no matter how busy your life currently may be. The small time dedicated to yourself each morning will compound and has the power to transform your life. Get ready for 3 stra...

Are you struggling with sleep deprivation, experiencing burnout, or feeling generally fatigued? This episode may be exactly what you need to stop this negative cycle of sleep deprivation and burnout. We live in a society where we have endless to do lists and responsibilities, and consequently we forget to take care of ourselves. You can’t pour from an empty cup and if you’re not sleeping, your cup...

Meet Mweni Ekpo, the interview master and founder of Mock with Me, a virtual instructor for Zumba Fitness and Silver Sneakers, an attorney, and a boss woman who helps others achieve their professional dreams through her previous work as a law school admissions dean and her current work a graduate recruitment manager at a University in Texas. In this episode, Mweni and Kayla discuss tips for winnin...

In this week’s episode, Kayla shares the 3-step strategy to reframe your unhelpful or irrational thoughts that may be getting in the way of job interviews, performances, dating, sports, test taking, or any other area of life. It’s time to challenge and change the thoughts that are no longer serving you so that you can MASTER YOUR MINDSET! Check out the 3-step process below to guide your reframing...