Wake Up Ready

We’re joined once again by the thoughtful and inspiring Laurentia Ugoji, a medical student, health and lifestyle writer, and passionate advocate for holistic wellness. In this heart-centered episode, we explore the often-overlooked practice of self-compassion and the deeper journey of recognizing your sacred worth. From navigating the pressures of achievement to embracing your inherent value beyon...

So many of us have learned to see food through the lens of rules, control, and guilt instead of nourishment, connection, and trust. In this episode, we talk with Health and Life Coach Jackie Lamb about what it really means to build a peaceful relationship with food. Jackie shares the emotional patterns that often drive overeating, restriction, and “starting over on Monday,” and how to develop trus...

In this episode, we welcome back health and life coach Kari Zamberletti to explore the transformative practice of mental rehearsal, a simple, science-backed visualization method used to help improve your life in many ways including strengthen habits, muscle memorization and emotional regulation. Kari shares why rehearsing a desired behavior in your mind can make it easier to show up as your best s...

Menopause isn’t the end of your fitness journey—it’s the start of a smarter one. In this eye-opening episode, we’re welcoming Sue Karpinski back to the show. Sue is an Integrative Health Practitioner, a Board Certified Holistic Health Coach, Nutrition Coach, and Strength and Conditioning Specialist who will be delivering straight talk on how hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause affe...

Six years ago, my guest made a decision that changed the course of her life—she chose sobriety. One day became a week, then a year, and what she discovered in that year reshaped her body, mind, and sense of purpose. In this episode, personal trainer and nutrition coach, Vicki Swift, shares how committing to 365 days of sobriety not only transformed her health but also helped her find strength, cla...

We’ve been taught to expect decline as we age—stiffness, pain, weakness, slower metabolism. But what if those changes aren’t caused by age at all, but by how we live? In this episode, we talk with physical therapist, applied functional science practitioner, and nutrition educator, Eileen Kopsaftis, about the powerful truth that aging is not a disease. Eileen explains how the body responds to movem...

Midlife doesn’t have to mean slowing down or putting up with daily aches and pains. In this episode, we talk with physical therapist and functional performance specialist Emily Pringle about how to build strength, improve mobility, and move with confidence as we age. Emily’s approach blends personalized functional movement training with mobility, stability, and anti-inflammatory nutrition to help...

Most people approach weight loss with rules, restriction, and willpower — only to end up back where they started. In this episode, personal trainer and functional nutrition coach Iman Whyte shares why lasting weight loss requires a mindset shift , not just a meal plan. We explore the psychology behind eating patterns, identity, self-trust, and the internal stories that keep us stuck. If you’ve eve...

Most people don’t need another diet—they need a plan that fits their real life.  In this episode, we talk with Berny Bassett, nutrition coach and change psychology specialist, about what it truly takes to build healthy habits that last. Berny’s approach focuses on the whole picture: what we eat, why we eat, how we eat, and the in-between moments that influence choices more than we realize. Instead...

In this episode, we sit down with Liz Kampschroeder, a Certified Personal Trainer and Integrative and Clinical Nutrition Coach to discuss the evolving world of nutrition and weight management, particularly as the use of GLP medications continues to rise. We explore what these medications do, why they are becoming so common, and how nutritional support plays a critical role in patient outcomes. Liz...

In this episode, we talk with Tom Hummel, a Licensed Practical Nurse, nutritionist, and Certified CrossFit Coach, about orthorexia, a lesser-known but increasingly common disordered eating pattern where the pursuit of “perfect” or “pure” eating becomes unhealthy. Tom helps us unpack how diet culture and fitness trends can sometimes shift from supportive to harmful, the warning, and how to build a...

As daylight savings time ushers in shorter days and longer nights, many of us feel our energy shift; sometimes subtly, sometimes significantly. In this episode, we talk with personal trainer, group fitness instructor, and yoga teacher Hether Crawford about honoring our bodies and minds during seasonal transitions. Hether shares gentle, practical strategies to help us move with the season rather th...

Chronic and lifestyle-related conditions — from fatigue and inflammation to metabolic disorders — are on the rise. Yet, lasting healing rarely comes from symptom management alone. In this episode, Dr. Saima Shaikh, a holistic doctor with a degree in Tibb medicine , shares how true wellness begins when we look deeper at the root causes of imbalance in the body, mind, and lifestyle. Dr. Saima specia...

In this episode, personal trainer and hormone specialist, Jamie Wright, opens up about the complicated relationship between performance-enhancing substances like steroids and peptides and their lasting effects on fertility . Jamie explains what happens hormonally when these substances are used, how they can disrupt reproductive health, and what recovery might look like. We explore the medical, phy...

In today’s episode, personal trainer and nutrition coach Mike Balogh joins us to talk about what he calls his “non-negotiables” for staying strong, healthy, and energized as we age. In a world of fad diets and quick-fix fitness trends, Mike cuts through the noise with three simple but powerful pillars: movement, protein, and sleep. We’ll unpack why these fundamentals matter more with every passing...

In this enlightening episode, health coach Kari Zamberletti joins us to explore the powerful connection between gratitude, the nervous system, and how our bodies absorb nutrients. Kari explains how practicing gratitude before meals activates the parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” state—allowing us to truly benefit from the food we eat. You’ll learn why stress can block nutrient a...

I want to welcome back fitness trainer, Ali Kreider, to the show. Ali joins us to unpack the true pros, cons, and science-backed benefits of group fitness classes. We dig into why community energy can boost motivation and adherence, how skilled coaching improves form and safety, and the hidden perks, like accountability, variety, and plateau-busting programming. Ali also gets real about the downsi...

In this episode, returning guest and personal trainer Heather Watts tackles one of the most common traps in fitness and wellness: chasing the wrong goals with the wrong fuel. We’ll unpack why so many of us confuse our priorities, under-eat for our objectives, and turn to supplements when “nothing seems to work.” Heather shares her expert take on how to align nutrition with your goals, avoid common...

GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy are making headlines for their role in weight loss and metabolic health, but what do we really need to know about how they work, who they’re for, and what risks they carry? In this episode, we sit down with Kamilla Worley—a licensed pharmacist and certified nutrition coach—to explore the science behind GLP-1 medications from a pharmaceutical point of view. Ka...

In this episode, we’re diving deep—literally and figuratively—into a topic that deserves way more attention: pelvic health during menopause. Our guest is Elizabeth Brubaker, a Girls Gone Strong Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist and Precision Nutrition Coach, who is passionate about helping women navigate this transformative life phase with strength, knowledge, and confidence. We’ll explore h...

Struggling with PCOS symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, or irregular cycles? In this episode, we sit down with holistic health and PCOS coach, Sara Schader, to uncover how she helps women take control of their symptoms through strategic diet and exercise. Sara shares her expert insights on the best foods to support hormone balance, how movement can transform metabolic health, and what lifestyle s...

In this episode, we sit down with registered clinical and sports nutritionist and personal trainer, Choong Kwan, to explore the intersection of clinical and sports nutrition. We’ll discuss how to optimize energy levels, recovery, and overall health while managing the demands of family life. Whether you're training for a race, lifting heavier at the gym, or simply looking to feel your best, th...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with fitness and nutrition expert Toni Gist as she shares her deeply personal journey of finding her way back to health after breast cancer and medically induced menopause. From overcoming the physical and emotional toll of treatment to rebuilding strength, confidence, and a new approach to wellness, Toni offers insight, inspiration, and actionable tips for an...

In this eye-opening episode, we welcome back hormone health and nutrition coach Bethany Lewis for a candid conversation about hormone therapy. Whether you're considering it, currently on it, or just curious about how it fits into hormone health, Bethany breaks down the facts, clears up common misconceptions, and offers real-world guidance rooted in science and her coaching experience. Tune in...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of gut health with microbiologist and fitness trainer, Dacie Bridge. Your gut does more than just digest food—it influences your energy, immunity, and even mental well-being. But how do you know if your gut is in trouble? What are the biggest culprits behind poor digestion and chronic gut issues? And most importantly, what can you do to restore balance...