The Comeback Season

If motivation feels hard to come by during the holidays, you’re not alone—and nothing is wrong with you. In this episode of The Comeback Season: Holiday Edition , Christi and Nichole explain why motivation often dips during times of stress and overstimulation. They break down how under-fueling, emotional pressure, and nervous system overload can make even simple habits feel heavy. You’ll learn why...

The holidays can bring joy, connection, and meaning—but they can also stretch women emotionally, mentally, and physically. In this solo episode, Christi shares why setting boundaries during the holiday season can feel so uncomfortable, especially for women who are wired to care for others and keep the peace. You’ll learn why boundary-setting often triggers guilt or anxiety, how people-pleasing is...

In this episode of The Comeback Holiday Edition, Nichole and Christi unpack the “guilt hangover” that lingers after holiday eating, skipped workouts, or emotionally charged family moments. They break down the difference between guilt and shame, explain how your nervous system can shift into freeze mode (hello, avoidance and procrastination), and show you how negative self-talk keeps the cycle goin...

In this episode of The Comeback Holiday Edition , Nichole and Coach Christi unpack what nervous system burnout really looks like during the holidays—that wired-but-exhausted feeling that shows up when you're juggling events, emotions, food, family, and a never-ending to-do list. They talk about the “holiday identities” many women slip into (the fixer, the peacekeeper, the hostess, the one who...

In this first episode of our six-part holiday series, Christi and Nichole unpack why the binge–restrict cycle shows up so strongly this time of year—and why it’s not a willpower problem. Using Christi’s pendulum analogy, they explain how swinging between overindulgence and strict restriction keeps your brain stuck in survival mode, always chasing safety through food. Nichole breaks down what’s hap...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of The Comeback Season , host Nichole McLeod sits down with Michelle Vaughn to explore how the nervous system shapes every aspect of our lives—from how we process trauma and grief to how we experience joy, health, and connection. Michelle shares her remarkable journey from building a multi-state business to walking through unimaginable loss and discover...

After surviving three strokes in a matter of hours—one that took her speech and another that nearly took her life—Certified Life Purpose & Confidence Coach Shelley Meche’tte felt her whole life pivot. In this conversation, she shares how that moment reframed time, success, and control—and why ambitious, faith-driven women don’t have to live in hustle culture to be productive. Shelley walks us...

In this powerful conversation, Nichole McLeod sits down with life coach Mary Crayston to unpack one of the most universal struggles we all face—the inner critic. That relentless voice that says you’re not enough, not ready, or not doing enough isn’t who you are—it’s your nervous system trying to keep you safe. Together, Nichole and Mary explore the science behind self-sabotage, the role of the amy...

Nichole and energy coach Beth Chazome (Kamiya Coaching) unpack how the body stores stress and trauma—and how simple tools like EFT tapping, breathwork, grounding, and humming can calm the nervous system, lower cortisol, and restore peace. They bridge science and spirituality, showing energy work as part of God’s design for resilience and renewed purpose. Find Beth at www.kamiyahcoaching.com and on...

Have you ever been told you’re “too much” —too emotional, too opinionated, too intense? In this episode of The Comeback Season, I sit down with Darla Ridilla, a certified somatic trauma-informed relationship coach, to talk about what it really takes to stop shrinking yourself and start showing up fully in your relationships. Darla shares her personal journey of breaking free from toxic, narcissist...

Ever felt that whisper in midlife that says, “there has to be more than this” ? In this episode of The Comeback Season , Nichole sits down with Kellie Grutko, founder of Purposeful Pivot , to talk about turning that tug into transformation. Together they explore why midlife is less a crisis and more a calling—an invitation to rise, rediscover yourself, and step into deeper joy and alignment. If yo...

Educator and medical intuitive Hanna Kok joins Christi to explore how unspoken emotional baggage can surface as bloating, burnout, skin issues—and why forgiveness is a surprisingly practical healing tool. Hanna explains how judgment and grudges constrict energy pathways (meridians), elevate stress chemistry, and drain the “maintenance energy” the body needs to repair itself. She unpacks the “ inne...

It’s not the plan on paper—it’s how you execute it. In this episode, Nichole and Christi break down intentional training (form, tempo, mobility), recovery that actually builds strength (sleep, active recovery, stretching), and the lifestyle choices that supercharge results (protein timing, carbs for training, hydration, mindset, and community). You’ll learn why quality reps beat “junk reps,” how t...

Nichole sits down with sleep coach Morgan Adams to unpack why sleep is the bedrock of health—impacting hormones, mood, metabolism, decision-making, and recovery. They dig into why midlife women struggle (hormone shifts, anxiety/depression, caregiving + career load), how to build morning/evening routines that actually work, and why consistency matters even more than the mythical “8 hours.” Practica...

Motherhood changes us in ways we don’t always expect. Parenting coach Amy Haydak joins The Comeback Season to talk about the identity shifts we face—from pregnancy to empty nest—and how to meet each stage with compassion, reflection, and growth. This conversation explores trauma cycles, “supermom” myths, mom guilt, and the power of pausing, repairing, and rediscovering yourself along the way. Get...

In this episode of The Comeback Season , Nichole and Christi break down the differences between self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-love, and how they work together to shape your self-perception and your life. Through personal stories, examples, and relatable analogies (including a powerful “house” metaphor), they’ll help you see where you’re strong, where you can grow, and how to s...

In this empowering episode of The Comeback Season , Nichole and Christi are joined by menopause expert Shazia Warsi to explore how mindset, nutrition, and movement can help women thrive during menopause. They uncover what’s really happening in the body beyond the hot flashes, why strength training and protein are non-negotiable, and how reframing menopause as a breakthrough—not a breakdown—can cha...

Do you ever wonder if there’s more out there for you—but feel stuck, unsure where to start? In this powerful and personal episode, Nichole and Christi dig into what it really means to find your purpose. And no, it’s not about chasing a title or crafting a five-year plan. It’s about alignment. Joy. Identity. And sometimes, even pain. Together, they explore: Why purpose is built , not found How joy...

If you’ve been feeling puffy, stiff, tired, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it used to—this episode is for you. Inflammation is often dismissed as a vague buzzword, but in midlife, especially during menopause, it can be the silent force driving fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, and mood swings. In this episode of The Comeback Season , Christi and Nichole sit down with integrative h...

In this episode of The Comeback Season , Nichole McLeod and Christi Counts Macros get real about a truth too often ignored: changing how you eat isn’t just about food—it’s about how you think . If you’ve ever felt like you “fail” even with the perfect meal plan, you’re not alone. Nichole and Christi unpack why plans often crumble when life gets messy, showing that discipline is only half the story...

Ever feel like you’ve lost touch with your intuition? That you’re just “getting by” on autopilot, listening to everyone else’s advice instead of your own inner wisdom? This episode of The Comeback Season is for you. Nichole and Christi sit down with breathwork facilitator Rikki to explore how the simple act of breathing with intention can reconnect you to yourself, regulate your nervous system, an...

In this episode of The Comeback Season , we sit down with guest Jo-Dee Hecko to explore “The Becoming Zone”—that vulnerable, often-overlooked space between who you were and who you're becoming. Together, they unpack why this messy middle matters, sharing personal stories of growth, self-doubt, and learning to sit with discomfort instead of rushing through it. Jo-Dee describes how naming this p...

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but nothing is working, this episode is for you. This week, Christi and Nichole go deep into why transformation has to start on the inside . From self-sabotage and burnout to emotional eating and inconsistent motivation—it’s not a willpower problem. It’s a nervous system issue. They break down: The difference between fight-or-flight vs. rest-a...

Summer doesn’t have to be the season that derails your goals. In this episode, Nichole and Christi are breaking down the real secret to staying consistent—even when routines go out the window: anchor habits . These small, steady actions act like pegs in a tent—keeping you grounded, focused, and feeling like yourself through the chaos of summer travel, late nights, and shifting schedules. From prot...

In this refreshingly honest episode of The Comeback Season , Nichole and Christi unpack the sneaky ways summer throws us off track—and why that happens more often than we’d like to admit. From disrupted routines and emotional eating to the all-or-nothing mindset that whispers, “I’ll start again in September,” this conversation explores the real reasons women struggle with consistency when life get...