Beautifully Restored

January is almost over!  How have you done with staying focused and committed to your new year goals?  Did you even make goals?  This is what I had to admit about my own goal making this new year!

I'm back and better than ever!  Here's what has been going on over the last ummm...year...since I last recorded!

This podcast is all about my bestie - Rachael.  If you don't have a friend like this in your life, I'm sad for you!  Everyone needs a Rachael in their life.  I hope you enjoy hearing how awesome she is.   This one's for you Rachael!

They say that a man's best friend is his or her dog...and I tend to agree.  This episode is dedicated to remembering our sweet Shitzu who passed away January 31 of this year named Nobi. I tell the story of how we crossed his path years ago and how he became ours.  Our friends and family like to say that we changed his life for the better, but truth be told, he changed ours. There are a few life lessons that we can learn from this little guy and I share them here in Episode 48.  Enjoy! If you need prayer, support, or encouragement please feel free to reach out via email: melcoach80@gmail.com or follow me on Instagram @melcoach80

Talk about a hiatus!!  I haven't published an episode in like a hundred years!  It's good to be back in the saddle and I hope you all are glad to have me back!  This is just a short episode to get my feet wet and to ease back into the podcasting world that I have been neglecting! If you need any support, encouragement, or prayer feel free to reach out to me at melcoach80@gmail.com 

Breast cancer literally can tear and destroy a woman's body, soul, and spirit. Every inch of you is untouched by this terrible diagnosis, and when it is all said and done, you are left with the remnants of a devastated body and a defeated mind. But Kelly Benton fought back. This is her story of being diagnosed with breast cancer in both breasts requiring a double mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. This is a great story of pushing through pain, loneliness, and fear to becoming a woman who now actually loves and appreciates herself. You will be encouraged by her brave journey and how she was able to put one foot in front of the other without allowing the destructive demon of cancer to destroy her. If you need prayer or encouragement, please feel free to message me: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

Stop hating Mondays and start looking forward to them!  (Or at least look forward to these short, 5-8 min clips that I will be releasing every Monday!) Just consider these punchy little clips a way to get your week started off right!

The Reverse Compound Effect Stop hating Mondays and start looking forward to them!  (Or at least look forward to these short, 5-6 min clips that I will be releasing every Monday!) Just consider these punchy little clips a way to get your week started off right!

Drug addiction, alcoholism, self-destruction, facing jail time and running from everything, I'm sure Darrick Jones' family sometimes wondered if he would ever come back. They had prayed for him to return to God, to get clean, and to find peace for years. Yet, he kept going further and further down the path of what seemed like no return. Did they give up? Did they walk away? What was Darrick's rock bottom and did he ever hit it? Find out in this episode of Beautifully Restored. This is an emotional conversation that shows the pain and the shame of a life spent living for one's self. But, as you will see, it doesn't have to stay that way. You are never too far gone! If you need prayer or encouragement and want to reach out to Coach Mel: Melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: @melcoach80

Don't let fear keep you from fulfilling your purpose! Stop hating Mondays and start looking forward to them!  (Or at least look forward to these short, 5-6 min clips that I will be releasing every Monday!) Just consider these punchy little clips a way to get your week started off right!

Speak Power and Positivity into the Lives of Those Around You Stop hating Mondays and start looking forward to them!  (Or at least look forward to these short, 5-6 min clips that I will be releasing every Monday!) Just consider these punchy little clips a way to get your week started off right!

Stop hating Mondays and start looking forward to them!  (Or at least look forward to these short, 5-6 min clips that I will be releasing every Monday!) Just consider these punchy little clips a way to get your week started off right!

A pastor, entrepreneur, author, coach, father, and husband....this guy does it all!  The more I have gotten to know Jeremy, the more I think we are the same person!   What I loved about this conversation was the transparency and truth that he is willing to speak, even as a pastor, of how difficult it can be to walk this journey called life.  Jeremy says out loud, what many of us are thinking but afraid to come out and say.   Growing up in a church that made you feel like "it's not okay to be not be okay", Jeremy talks about the power in being able to admit "I'm not perfect, I'm struggling, and I need support."  Author of the award winning book, "Life 45: 4 Simple Steps to Keep Promises to Yourself and Take Your Life Back", Jeremy and his wife, Francene have found a way to help others find victory in their journey to better health and overall success.  This is a great resource for those who have struggled to stay committed and experience long lasting change.  This book can be found on Amazon and Jeremy can be found on Instagram @jeremycandelaria1 If you need support, prayer, or encouragement, please reach out to me at: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: @melcoach80 www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com

Stop hating Mondays and learn to love them!  So this is my first ever "Monday Mornings with Coach Mel"!  I'm excited to drop a short, punchy 5-6 min episode each Monday morning for you guys.  This is a great listen for the commute to work, while you're getting ready for work, making breakfast, or corralling the kids together for the school day.   In this first episode, I share a productivity hack that I have learned and found very helpful for feeling accomplished and satisfied at the end of each day.  Enjoy!

Imagine going through life with no vision at all in one eye, and only a small pin hole size of vision in the other. Now imagine that and playing in a Division 1 NCAA football game surrounded with 250 pound grown men rushing at you. That's exactly what Aaron Golub did. Aaron was the 1st legally blind athlete to play in a division 1 NCAA football game. He started playing football in 7th grade and had the dream of playing division 1 football in college someday. It was an impossible dream to many. Yet, with grit and determination, he went on to play at Tulane College in New Orleans as a long snapper. Now Aaron has a mission to impact multitudes of people and help them overcome their limiting beliefs. As a motivational speaker, a podcast host and a guest on many shows, he shares his unique story of hard work and focus to prove that anything is possible! Check out his website: aarongolub.com and his podcast "Blind Ambition". If you need support, prayer, or encouragement please feel free to reach out to me at: melcoach80@gmail.com www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: melcoach80

I had no idea how riveting this conversation would be.  I knew very little about Archie when I booked the podcast.  All I knew was that he referred to himself as a “recovering Southern Baptist minister”, he is known as “The Feelings Guy” and he has a husband and a son.  Due to my own background in the Baptist church, I knew I would find this conversation interesting. But it was way more than that.  To hear from him,  his perspective of what it was like to grow up in a conservative, southern small town and church and to know he was gay and would not be accepted was difficult to hear.  It’s a perspective though, that needs to be heard. The torment and anguish he felt as a young boy and then going into adulthood, was so severe that it drove him to drug use and ultimately to becoming an addict.  He overdosed many times and nearly died.  It was then that he decided to take control of his life. You don’t want to miss this very honest and open conversation that we had and it is surely one that I will never forget. Check out Archie’s website:  www.archiecares.com to learn more about him and the message he brings to audiences nationwide. If you need support, prayer, or encouragement please feel free to reach out at: Melcoach80@gmail.com www.Melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: melcoach80  

"Don't kill a dream!" Casanova Brooks started out in an impossible situation with a single mom and a caring grandmother, living in the southside of Chicago surrounded by gangs, violence and drugs, a cancer diagnosis at the age of 15, and later losing his mother, his home, and job within a three week span. Although many would fold and quit in defeat and discouragement, Casanova used these setbacks as fuel to persevere on to a successful career in real estate, as an author and speaker, and as an ambitious entrepreneur whose mission is to inspire others to never give up and to follow their dreams no matter how crazy they seem. You can read and learn more about Casanova at: dreamnation.com casanovabrooks.com Check out his podcast: DreamNation If you need support, encouragement or prayer, please feel free to reach out to me at: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: melcoach80 Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com

From the time he was a young boy, Brian Covey was being coached to "visualize" his success as a soccer player before the game. This was a technique taught to him first by his father, and then reiterated by coaches as he eventually went on to play soccer professionally. This same visualization strategy went on to serve him well in his career in sales in the mortgage industry. This is a great conversation that sheds light on how to stay on top of not just your career, but your personal life from health and fitness to your closest relationships. Brian is a great example of being a leader in the workplace, a committed and caring husband, a present and involved father, and a faithful follower in his faith. Be looking for his book that is soon to be published! (February 2021) "Conversations with Covey" will be on Amazon and can be found through his link on Instagram: @thebriancovey If you need encouragement, prayer or support please feel free to reach out to me via: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

What a blast of an interview with this crazy guy! Mike Fabber is a coach, an author, an entrepreneur, a speaker, a podcast host, and the founder of Unleashu Now. He has a wild personal story of traumatic losses, drug addiction, disappointment, and then a journey to discover who he really wanted to become. And that journey led him to where he is today. He is full of passion and has a burning desire to help people embrace who they are and to see the power and impact they have in their personal story. And if you follow me, you know I'm all about that! You will love this candid and inspiring conversation in Episode 39 of Beautifully Restored! Check out Mike on Instagram @thecoachmikefabber and @unleashunow His website: www.coachmikefabber.com www.unleashunow.com Check me out at: IG: @melcoach80 www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com Email: melcoach80@gmail.com

What a privilege to interview Brian Bogert, a human behavior and performance coach, motivational speaker, business strategist and philanthropic leader who believes in helping growth-minded individuals achieve the best version of themselves. I met Brian last month at a business bootcamp in Nashville and I knew immediately that this was a guy I wanted spend more time getting to know. His incredible story of having his arm severed from his body when he was a child, going through grueling physical therapy, and learning to navigate the pain and challenges that have come with it is nothing short of inspiring. He speaks of the importance of "embracing pain to avoid suffering."  Check Brian out at www.brianbogert.com If you need support, encouragement, or prayer feel free to email me at: melcoach80@gmail.com Follow me on Instagram: @melcoach80 Subscribe to my YouTube channel and see this episode in video at Coach Melissa Stewart

This episode was inspired by a sweet, old man I cleaned for for an entire decade! He and I are both in new seasons in our lives and we have both had to adjust along the way. You'll love hearing about him and the experiences I had while working for him. Sometimes, we need to recognize the season of life we are in, and understand that we need to adjust and allow for changes.   If you need support, encouragement, or prayer please feel free to reach out to me by any of the following methods:   Email- melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram- @melcoach80 www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com   I am launching new coaching groups in January for those wanting to be healthier AND also for those wanting to level up in life and achieve big goals and dreams so be watching for details on that!

I hear people all the time say that they are "so over" 2020 and ready for the new year. And I can't help but think to myself, do they think that the flipping of the calendar will magically bring them a better year? The truth is, it won't. It will take intention and the right mindset and actions to make that happen. This new episode of my podcast, Beautifully Restored, is all about how to make that happen!

Recently I heard Anthony Trucks ask the question, "If the person who has what you want or is doing what you dream of doing, looked into your life, would they say that you aren't doing enough?" This question hit me like a ton of bricks. Because even though I feel like I am doing ALOT....compared to the people that I admire and want to pattern my coaching business after....the truth is-- I'm not doing enough. OR even more so, I'm not doing THE RIGHT THINGS. We get SO DANG busy everyday doing STUFF. But is that "stuff" going to get us to where we desire to go in life, business, or whatever? How much time do we waste doing the wrong things? Check out this Episode 35 of Beautifully Restored where I talk about these hard truths that we need to consider. Email me if you need any support or encouragement or if you are ready for a coach to help you do what you have been struggling to do. Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: melcoach80

What a privilege to interview my friend and business coach, Ken Joslin. He has a great story of growing up with a scarcity mindset, without a mentor or someone truly investing in him, to now being someone who lives his life to invest in others and to inspire others to rise to new levels. I personally have learned so much about business growth and development from him and being a part of his coaching community, Grow Stack Drive, has been a game changer for me! Check out Ken on Instagram @kenjoslin If you need help, support, prayer or encouragement please feel free to reach out at: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: melcoach80

This episode was inspired by former NFL player, Anthony Trucks who my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting.  He gives a great message about being yourself and not caring what others think or say about you. When you have fear of being yourself, you rob the world of the gift of YOU! This episode is all about embracing who you are, and not apologizing for it. Check me out on: Instagram: melcoach80 Email me @: melcoach80@gmail.com If you need support, accountability, or prayer, feel free to reach out to me!  

We have all dealt with it.  And the majority of us are still battling it.  Self-esteem issues.  Loving ourselves.  Feeling accepted.  Feeling worthy.  And Rosie Mercado has faced it head on and found a way to overcome it.   Rosie grew up being bullied, not accepted, and feeling very alone.  Weight was always a challenge for her and she got up to almost 400 pounds at one point in her life.  Feeling rejected and unwanted, she spiraled into a life of negative relationships, failed marriages, being a single mom with little hope, and feeling shame. Yet she overcame all of this!  She lost 240 pounds, found an amazing partner, wrote a book, and has been recognized by People en Espanol magazine as one the "top 25 most powerful Latinas" and was a co-host on the talk show "Face the Truth" - produced by Dr. Phil McGraw!   Listen as she shares what she has done to overcome these issues and to find the confidence in herself that she lacked for so long.  This is a very inspiring story of how to learn self-love and acceptance and how to go on to live your best life! If you need any support or prayer, please feel free to reach out to me: Email- melcoach80@gmail.com Follow me on: IG- @melcoach80  

Do you feel discouraged about where you are in life?  Do you wish you had accomplished more, or were in a different place or feel that you have failed so much that it is now hopeless?  Well the truth is, your story isn't over.  And YOU have the power to write the sequel to your life's story!  This episode is all about that and how allowing shame and guilt will do nothing but hold you back from doing so!

Your future is dependent upon your personal growth.  And your personal growth is dependent upon what and IF you are feeding yourself.  You can't grow if you are starving.  You also can't grow if you are only feeding others.  You have to intentionally implement resources and routines into your daily life that will help you to grow as a person.  Whether it be through books, podcasts, accountability groups, friends, coaches, or even just doing things that you love and enjoy...you have to make this a priority.   If you need a coach, I know a GREAT one!  I have an opening and would love to fill it with YOU!  Reach out to me and let me know if you are interested.  I can help you with your personal growth and help you to reach the goals you may be struggling to reach. Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: melcoach80

I'm digging into the archives for this one!  This was my first ever interview!  So have some forgiveness when you listen to it because my interviewing skills were lacking.  LOL  This episode features my good friend, Byron Hansbro and he tells his story of growing up in humble beginnings and in an abusive home.  He was even kicked out of his house while he was still in highschool!!  Even after this, he went on to go to law school and seminary school to become a lawyer AND pastor.  He has a terrific attitude and is grateful for the difficult journey he went through to get to where he is today.  You will love this one if you haven't heard it yet! If you need any support, encouragement or prayer feel free to reach out to me at: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

Have you ever been "blinded by love"?  So much so, that you ignore all of the red flags and warning signs telling you to turn back?  I know I have!  I have done this in relationships with people AND with ideas or things.  Recently I was infatuated with something that I was ignoring all of the warning signs about because I wanted it so bad.  Check out this episode where I talk about how it took me detaching my heart from this idea before I could step back and see it through a proper lens.   If you need any support, encouragement or prayer, feel free to reach out to me through any of these avenues: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: @melcoach80 Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com  

As a health and life coach, I hear people all of the time talk about the goals they have set for themselves and they are almost always "results-based" goals.  Which isn't a terrible thing.  I think a terrible thing would be to have no goals at all!  But, you can't always control the results that you get.  The better method is to set "system-based" goals.  If you set goals such as, "I will work out 5 days a week", then that is completely within your control rather than "I want to lose 15 pounds this month". In this episode, I share some great truths that I have learned from the great author James Clear who wrote the book Atomic Habits.  A must read for everyone!  He has this whole habit/routine/behavior thing down to a science!  I hope you enjoy this episode and find it helpful as you set goals for your personal and/or professional life. If you think having your own health/life coach would help you with your goal setting and achieving, then please reach out to me at: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80 I would love to work with you as your coach and help you become the BEST version of YOU!

If you've ever had a loved one or someone close to you be diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, then you know all too well the difficulties that come with it.  Caring for someone with this terrible disease is challenging and emotionally draining to say the least.   That is why this podcast interview with Scott Burnsmeir is so needed.  He cared for him mother with the disease for a decade and in this episode, he shares how he walked through this journey with grace and strength.  His father in law, at the same time, also was fighting this disease.   If you are in a similar position, or know someone who is, you will find this episode very helpful and encouraging as Scott gives words of inspiration and practical ideas on how to handle this situation.  Please share this with those you may know who need this encouragement! If you need any support, prayers, or encouragement please feel free to reach out to me: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

I met Jesse Reising for the first time when I did this interview and I have to admit, I was blown away.  He is an incredible human being and there is something very special about him.  His outlook on life, his drive to always over-achieve and overcome is unmatched by anyone I know personally.  He tells his own story of huge successes through school and big, bold dreams and plans to be in the Marine Core when one fateful day.....it was all stripped from him.  Listen as he describes how he took this as an opportunity to find "a new how to his why".  He didn't give up.  He didn't get bitter.  He just pivoted his plans, and found a way to reach his goal and desire despite what happened.   Here is the non-profit that Jesse and a couple of his college classmates founded and talks about in his conversation with me: https://www.warrior-scholar.org/ This is an incredible program whose mission is to ensure educational opportunities for American heroes.  Be sure to check it out and support in whatever way you feel led. Also, feel free to reach out to me if you need any support or encouragement.  I am taking new coaching clients if you are interested in getting healthier, happier, more successful, or just to be the best version of YOU! Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website:  melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

Worry.  In essence, worry is allowing yourself to be mentally tormented by something that hasn't even taken place, possibly won't, and is something that usually you can do NOTHING about.  So why do we worry?  Does it help in any way?  Nope.  Yet many of us worry about EVERYTHING. In this episode, I talk about your circle of influence and how there are things that you CAN change and then there are things you cannot change.  Our focus should be on those things that we actually have control over.  The biggest of these being our perspective and our reaction to people, circumstances, and events that take place. If you enjoy this podcast, please give me a 5 star review and a written review if you are feeling extra generous!   If you need a great coach....I know one!  I would love to have a free consult with you about how you can reach your goals, get better clarity in life, shift your mindset, or just get healthier in everyway.  Reach out to me by: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80 If you need prayer, support, or encouragement please do not hesitate to reach out to me about anything.  I'd love to chat. :) 

In a world filled with distractions and self-absorption, it's hard to find a good listener.  Mary Lou Casey says, "What people really need is a good listening to."  I find this to be true in my life and in my circle.  Going through a year long training to be a certified coach was one of the best things I ever did and my greatest takeaway was learning to be a better listener.  In this episode, I share some of the secrets to great listening and being an exceptional conversationalist.  These techniques are perfect to use with your kids, spouse, co-workers, employees, or friends.  A good listener is hard to come by and is a hot commodity!  Do you find yourself to be a good listener?  Check out this episode to find out!   If you need a good listener in the form of a coach, contact me by email: melcoach80@gmail.com Instagram: @melcoach80 Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com    

Everyone always says a rebound after a relationship isn't a good thing.  Well, for me it was!  It was exactly what I needed to turn from the toxic relationship I was in with an alcoholic to what God really had for me.  I tell the story of what it was like to be close to someone who has a major drinking problem and what it took to finally leave them.  Sometimes...the grass really IS greener on the other side.   If you are struggling with making the right decision, reaching your goals, having the right mental attitude or mindset, or just need some encouragement and accountability in your life, reach out to me at: Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

Belief in yourself has to come from within because that's where it started in the first place.  We are all born believing that we CAN!!  It's outside influences overtime that put doubt in our minds.  This episode is all about self doubt and why we have it and how to cast it out and replace with it self-confidence.  It's short but sweet and a much needed topic to discuss because EVERYONE struggles with this.  And as Ed Mylett says, "Self doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will."  So it's not something you want to go through life letting have power over you.     If you need support with this, I would love to help!  It's what I do and it is what I am so passionate about.  Email me: melcoach80@gmail.com  Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: @melcoach80

This interview is with a very interesting man and good friend of ours named Tom Nolan.  He is from our town we live in and has lived quite the life!  It hasn't all been a "walk in the park" but he has a way of finding a good side to every struggle.  He is a very successful real estate managing broker here in Decatur, Illinois but was also once a hairstylist!  He tells the story of being a young boy seeing his dad's debilitating mental illness and how his mother had to care for him and all of his siblings on her own.  Tom has a very positive outlook on life and you will see how caring and kind of a person he is after this.  Be inspired and encouraged by his success in his own business and how he found peace in his personal life!   If you're interested in life or health coaching with me, please reach out by email melcoach80@gmail.com or through my website melissastewarthealthcoach.com Check me out on Instagram @melcoach80 And if you know someone with an interesting story for me to interview, please reach out in one of the ways above!  I'd love to talk with them!   If you need prayer or encouragement please also reach out to me and I would love to support you in any way that I can.  

When is the last time you stepped out to do something, and everything went EXACTLY as planned?  Ummmmm….for me...almost never!  Then why do we stay frozen in inaction because we just aren't sure of every step needed to get from point A to point B??  So many times, we think if we don't have it all figured out, we can't start.  My challenge to you today is to just take the first step.  As I learned from the book, "Three Feet From Gold", you have a destination, move towards it and seek opportunities along the way.  In this episode I share some of the many truths I've learned from this book and how I'm applying it to my life.  I tell a couple of stories of how all of the planning I did for certain journeys or projects, didn't matter at all since unexpected obstacles popped up.   But the most important thing to remember is:  DON'T GIVE UP along the way.  The most common cause of failure is QUITTING!   If you know someone with an inspiring story or who you think would be awesome to have on the podcast, reach out to me and let me know so I can get them on here!     Email: melcoach80@gmail.com Website: melissastewarthealthcoach.com Instagram: melcoach80   Or if you just need prayer, encouragement, support, or are interested in coaching with me....hit me up and let's get together!  

He's back!!  I was so excited to be able to bring our good friend, Byron Hansbro back on the podcast.  This guy is SOOOOO filled with wisdom and truth!  You will love this episode as it is filled with practical ways to deal with difficult situations.  In my first interview with him, Byron talked a lot about making peace with your past.  And in this conversation, he takes it a step further and teaches on OWNING your past--what that means exactly, why it's important, and how to do it.  He also talks about the difficult topic of forgiving someone who has wronged you in a big way and how that can even be possible.  You will learn so much from this hour long convo and be sure to share it with someone you may know that could benefit from listening!   If you need prayer or support, please feel free to reach out to me through email at melcoach80@gmail.com  Also remember that I am giving FREE 30 min life and health coaching sessions through Zoom and this is open to EVERYONE so please message me.  I would love to talk with you and help in anyway.   Check out my Instagram @melcoach80 and my website at melissastewarthealthcoach.com

What limits you from reaching your wildest dreams?  Your past? Your family?  Lack of resources?  God?  Your education?  What if you quit looking through the lens of limiting beliefs and imagined that ANYTHING was possible?  You may need to change your perspective of why things don't always work out the way you wanted.  That's exactly what I had to do and I tell the vulnerable and emotional story of this happening in my life earlier this year.  Gather 'round boys and girls...it's story time.   If you are interested in a free coaching session via Zoom with me, please email me at melcoach80@gmail.com  I would love to help you get rid of your limiting beliefs and realize what is truly possible in your life.  AND help you get there!     If you know someone who would be great for me to interview on this podcast, also email me at the address above.  I'm looking for anyone with inspiring stories of overcoming difficulties, life's obstacles, or just plain crappy situations.   Check me out on Instagram @melcoach80 and also take a gander at my website melissastewarthealthcoach.com  

For much of my life, I was focusing on everything else except the 2 most important things.  Loving God and loving others.  How I dressed, where I went, where I didn't go, what music I listened to, how I talked, how often I went to church, how many ministries I volunteered in....all of this became my focal point and I was neglecting what was MOST important.  In this episode, I share some funny stories from my days as a conservative Baptist and how silly now it all seems.  Unfortunately, if I would have been doing what really mattered, I probably would have saved myself and family a lot of heartache.  You won't want to miss this podcast which explains what the heck "culottes" actually are! LOL   If you are interested in a FREE 30 minute coaching session, email me at melcoach80@gmail.com and I would love to work with you on any variety of topic related to life, health, mindset, habits, career decisions....anything!   Check out my Instagram @melcoach80   You can read my blog articles at melissastewarthealthcoach.com

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  The definition of sexual assault is any type of sexual activity or contact that occurred without consent.  So in honor of this month of awareness, I am sharing my own story of sexual contact that I didn't ask for and I didn't encourage.  Though my story is a mild case of assault when compared to other incidents women have experienced, it still impacted me in a huge way and I learned ALOT from this!  Check out this story and what I have "purposed in my heart" to do the next time something like this would ever happen again.     If you are interested in a free 30 minute coaching session with me via Zoom, email me at melcoach80@gmail.com or schedule your session using this link: https://calendly.com/melcoach80  I'm offering life and health coaching on ANY topic to ANYONE that is in need for support, encouragement, direction, or just someone who will listen. Check me out on Instagram @melcoach80 Or take a browse of my website at melissastewarthealthcoach.com  

How does a kid from the small town of Camargo, Illinois (population 500!) grow up to get a dual degree of law and medicine?  This interview with Dr. Chuck Ellington tells the story of exactly that.  You will hear some hilarious stories of him as a child hanging out in a tavern in the "family room" after Sunday church and also what it is like to now be a doctor to the Amish.  (and the English!)  Not to mention his run for Congress!  I was thoroughly entertained by his stories and was at the same time so impressed and inspired by his ambition.  He is a man who serves God and has followed what he considers his "calling" to be a family doctor in a small, rural town.  You'll love this one!   Look for me on Instagram @melcoach80 Check out my website at www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com and feel free to reach out to me if you need encouragement, prayer or support in anyway.  

Loving and accepting yourself hasn't always been a practice of mine.  And for years, the lack of doing so brought me problem after problem.  I truly believe that self-love and acceptance is the core of happiness and attaining the quality of life you desire to live.  If you can get this single piece in order, everything else will be slightly off.  Learning to love yourself is possible and achievable.  I'm living proof of that and in this episode I tell you some of the strategies I have used to get there. If you need support or encouragement in this area, feel free to reach out by emailing me at contact@melissastewarthealthcoach.com  or visit my website at melissastewarthealthcoach.com  

Many of us have asked the question, "Why?" during this time of global pandemic.  In many ways, it doesn't make sense.  What would the purpose of this be?  We may never know exactly IF or WHAT the real reason was for this happening but we can all ask ourselves what is the purpose in our own lives.  This episode challenges you to discover what your unique purpose is for going through this uncertain time and to be sure that when it is all said and done, you look back and know why it was necessary. I use the very cool story of Esther in the Bible in this episode.  I think you'll enjoy my Bible story telling skills!  I do it in my own unique way!  Enjoy! Check me out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/melcoach80/ And my website at https://www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com/  

Your beliefs are the basis of what you think, feel, do, and ultimately what you accomplish in your life.  If you have limiting beliefs, you will have limited results.  Our beliefs are what we tell ourselves to be true, whether or not it actually is true.  There can be all kinds of evidence pointing the other direction yet if we believe it to be a certain way, then that's what we are going with!  I discuss in detail why we do this and how we can break this cycle!  If you want to accomplish big things in this life, you have to first BELIEVE that you can! Also check out my blog articles on my website www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com  

This is the story of my good friend, Mindy Whisnant and how doctors discovered a large tumor (meningioma) in her skull behind her eye.  She shares her journey through the fears of not knowing what this meant, the surgery to remove it, being in a coma for weeks, and her battle to relearn how to do many things all over again.  Best of all, she shares what she learned from this experience and what we all can learn from having to find a "new normal" and how to grow from there.  

In this episode, we meet Logan Glosser who shares his emotional story of losing two of his best friends and how later, a prescription for pain killers would turn into a disastrous addiction and dangerous debt.  Listen to the details of a riveting story of an accident that left him making his final phone call to his kids and taking his last breath.  Through all of this, Logan never blames anyone for his pain, but instead takes responsibility and has worked hard to become a better person, father, son, brother, and friend.  Find encouragement and hope from his story that is living proof that there is life after loss and there can be strength in the struggle.

If you have ever wished there was one big secret to success in life, then join the club!  Well, there is a secret.  But it's quite simple and not very glamorous.  It's the act of doing the small, daily habits each and every day that will bring us closer to our desired goals.  The most powerful tool we all have is TIME.  Making small changes in our lives, consistently and long term, over time are magnified into massive results.  This is definitely the story of my life's journey and I share it here in this episode.  You don't need a fancy college degree, lots of money, or political status to get there.  You just need consistency over time, doing the right things to achieve your goals.  The journey may seem long and daunting, but just focus on the first step.

Everyone has a story.  And these stories are what make us unique, they are part of what shape us and mold us into who we are and why we do what we do.  It is easy to judge someone by the way they act, or by what they do, before you know their story.  I have a story also, and it is a story that I have wanted to bury and hide with the shame and guilt of mistakes made and hurt that I created.  But I've learned that there is power in TELLING OUR STORY.  It is only through telling others of our journey that we can help others and give hope to those who are facing similar challenges.   What's your story?   If you or someone you know has a story that needs to be told and could be used to encourage others and give hope and healing, please reach out to me at contact@melissastewarthealthcoach.com and I would love to set up an interview. Also, check out my blog at https://www.melissastewarthealthcoach.com/blog where I share more of my thoughts and truths that I have learned along the way!