Boot Camp Challenge

Hi, my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! Guess who's back in the house? Our very own mental health guru and BCC legend, Kayla Burton! It's like a family reunion, and everyone's invited! Kayla's been part of our BCC fitfam for over two decades now. She's not just an alum; she's a full-blown LPC and with her own practice, Burton Counseling, LLC. Talk about an overachiever!

Hi, my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! I invited back one of our most favorite guests, Abby Langer, a Toronto-based registered dietitian and the author of the best-selling book, Good Food, Bad Diet.  If you haven't met Abby yet, here's a quick rundown; -    She is the author of the bestselling book, Good Food, Bad Diet.    -    She is a total gangsta when it comes to myth-busting. Like straight up in her blogs, on her social media, in the national news organization, and on our podcast. She has no problem calling out the charlatans and dares us to look at the truth. #truthteller -    She's funny and wicked smart. And she cusses, which makes me laugh. Here are some of the topics we covered in this episode; -    Gut health (yep, those supplements are a LIE). -    Diet Coke will kill you (again, another LIE). -    Can you get enough estrogen from food (nope!). We also talk about the new weight loss drugs (Wegovy and Mounjaro) and how they are changing the world, how changing your diet is so much more than just changing your food, and loads more.   If you have any time, I would LOVE for you to listen to Abby. I am so excited to share her knowledge, education, and her sense of humor with you. She is amazeballs! One more thing, please continue to send me your ideas, comments, and suggestions (Abby Langer was one of them!). YOU are why I do what I do. Love you, Lors xoxo PS: If you want to follow Abby on social, her Instagram is @langernutrition, Twitter - @langernutrition, Facebook – Abby Langer Nutrition.

Tony contracted the Covid virus on Christmas Day, 2020. And seven months later is still dealing with lingering side effects. Fatigue, check. Heavy legs, check. Head full of pressure, check. Itchy skin, check. Brain fog, check. Loss of taste and smell, check. The list goes on… Until yesterday. Seven months later as fast as he lost it, it came back. 206 days later. And it was so emotional. We laughed and we cried. And ran around smelling all the things. And tasting all the things. And then smelling all the things again. And, if you know my husband, I give you zero guesses on his first meal. Yep, it was pizza. It was a pretty amazing day. And as we were talking throughout the day, I asked him what was the one thing that got through all those long months. He said hope. So, I asked him if we would join me on a podcast to share his story with you and to hopefully, bring YOU hope. And, he said yes. Cuz he's awesome like that. So, grab your coffee, wine, or your running shoes and hit play. One more thing, if you are still struggling with Covid, keep the hope. We feel you and we are praying for you. Again, so appreciate you taking the time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas, and comments. And, if you have any topics, you would like us to discuss in future podcasts, please email me and let me know. The best ideas always come from you. Much love, Lors and Tony

You can’t cheat sleep. Over the years, we’ve learned to sacrifice sleep. I’ll just stay up later, I’ll wake up earlier… But, you’re actually sacrificing so much more than your sleep. By shortchanging your sleep, you are compromising: Your mood Your performance Your hormonal balance Even your immunity And, so much more… We sat down and talked with Dr. Joseph Ojile of the Clayton Sleep Institute in St. Louis and learned some things that will change the way you think about sleep. First, start thinking of sleep as a pitcher of water. When you go to sleep at night, your pitcher is empty. While you sleep, you are filling up that pitcher with water, or energy. As you go throughout your day, you are emptying out that pitcher. If you are sleep deprived, you are pouring from an empty cup. If you are constantly moving around your sleep/wake times, your hormones can’t keep up. They’re misaligned. It’s as if you got on a plane and flew to Paris. You’ve effectively given yourself jet lag and you didn’t even get to see the Eiffel Tower. Dr. Ojile gave us so much great intel, including: The positive results they’ve seen from low dose melatonin (Exactly how much to take and when to take it) How sleep and weight loss are related How much sleep you need (it’s written in your genetic code) What to do when stressors wake you up in the middle of the night AND, you know what's crazy? Most of us are doing the exact OPPOSITE of what we need to be doing and, in effect, we are training our brain to continue to keep waking us up in the middle of the night. While 2020 has been a challenging year, many people have used it to really dig down into better sleep habits, exploring what works best for them. Don’t expect bad sleep habits to be fixed overnight. Just like with exercise and diet, it takes consistency and stability. We’ve jam-packed all this intel and more into this podcast for you! The Clayton Sleep Institute is a leader in diagnosing and treating a full range of sleep disorders, providing both in-clinic and home sleep tests. Talk to your doctor about seeing them because – at the end of the day - sleep is the most basic form of self-care. Learn more about them at claytonsleep.com. Again, so appreciate you taking the time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas, and comments.  And, if you have any topics you would like us to discuss in future podcasts, please email me and let me know.  The best ideas always come from you. Much love, xoxo Smiles,  Lors 

I hope you are having a most amazing day!  Get your listening ears on cuz this episode is FULL of nutrition questions, answers, and shockers! And, to answer these questions, I invited back one of our favorite guests, Sarah Weitz, MS, RD. Since our last visit, she was super busy getting promoted to the Administrative Director at the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine AND becoming a Certified Culinary Medicine Specialist. Sarah, you’ve been busy, girl! And, she shared so much of her knowledge with us. These are the questions YOU have been asking so Sarah was here to answer. Here are just a few we talked about: Can mushrooms help decrease memory loss and dementia? What is inflammation and what foods do we need to eat to reduce it? What are the only two types of plants that contain complete proteins? (Vegetarians and Vegans, listen up!) Does soy cause cancer? Does a plant-based diet help with autoimmune diseases? And tons more! I always love conversing with Sarah on all things diet and nutrition.  And, I hope you do, too!  So grab a coffee or wine or lace up your running shoes and hit play. We packed a whole lotta info in this one! And, I know I say this often, but I am so thankful for YOU.  I so appreciate you taking time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas, and comments.  And, if you have any topics you would like us to discuss in future podcasts, please email me and let me know.  The best ideas always come from you. Much love, xoxo Smiles,  Me     

Hey friends, I know it’s been a minute since we last chatted! How are you holding up? Every time I think things can’t get crazier, they do. 2020, sit down. Today I wanted to share our latest podcast with you. I invited three amazing women to share their stories and WOW, share they did. First up was Tracy Bariani, a Boot Camp Challenge® camper, mom, wife and survivor of a very aggressive form of breast cancer. My biggest walk away after hearing her story…every day is a GIFT. Oh, and she is one of the strongest women I know. Next up, I chatted with Stacy Cody. Yep, she has been a guest on our show a few times sharing all the fashion inspo with us. On this day, she updated us on her journey of weight loss and disease. And, lastly, I talked with Elizabeth Pate. She is our newest Boot Camp Challenge® camper and she has lost 12 pounds during this pandemic. And, she did it virtually.  And, she did it with no friends and no family (they just relocated before the pandemic). And with two littles running around. Yep, wait to hear her journey. Ok, friends, grab a coffee, wine, water, and push play. I know these women will inspire you as they have me. Love you, Lors

Hi my friend, I hope you are surviving, managing and maybe even thriving during this unprecedented time in history.   In this episode, I am sharing with you a Facebook LIVE I did with Kayla Burton, BCC trainer and mental health expert on social injustice and racism. It is powerful, informative and enlightening. We dive right in and it was our goal to do so without judgment. Here are just a few nuggets we bring to the talk:   - How do I explain racism to my children? - Is racism systemic in law enforcement? - How do we make real change? - The number we thing we can ALL do to help wipe out racism.   As always, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our podcast. If you would like to reach out to Kayla for additional information, please email me at lori@bootcamp-challenge.com and I will connect you.     Love you hard,Lori xoxo

Hey my friends, Firstly, I hope you are healthy. Secondly, I hope your loved ones are healthy. Lastly, isn’t this just insane?! Because we are in an unprecedented time and the first pandemic for ALL of us, I wanted to invite on this episode one of our BCC campers who is also on the front lines of this battle. She is a doctor who agreed to spend some time with us answering our questions and bringing us some reassurance on how we can win this war. Here are a few of the questions she addressed: • What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus? • How do I know if I have the virus or if it is just allergies? • What are steps I can take to protect myself and my family? • Can my children play outside with the neighbors if we have all been quarantined? And loads more. Thank you, Doctor for spending time educating us on how we can stay healthy. Thank you for taking care of us when we are ill. And, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for showing up every day to fight this battle for us. And, for the rest of you, please practice social distancing, wash your hands and stay home! Love you, 
Lors

Hey chicas, O.M.G! Meal planning 101 just dropped and you are going to poop your pants! Okay, hopefully that won’t happen, but the intel dropped in this episode is amazeballs. On this weeks’ episode, I am introducing you to Jessica Stafford, Registered Dietitian, Nutritionist and owner of Simple Nutrition, LLC. We had the best convo, and I can’t wait to share it with you! A few of our topics: • The most despised question asked of moms, and how to answer it • Frozen vs fresh veggies: which is the best • The best way to shop the grocery story • How the grocery stores market to you, and how to stay aware • How to remove 50% of sodium from your diet with just water • The one nutrition strategy that will guarantee better health And, my most favorite line, “Nutrition should be simple, not hard.” I so agree. So, chica’s, grab a coffee or some wine or take a walk or take a bike ride and hit play on this podcast. I can’t wait to share with you. Xoxo As always, thank YOU so much for your suggestions, questions and ideas on podcasts, guests and topics. This podcast if for YOU, and I’m so thankful you stopped by to take a listen. Have a most amazing day. Love you,
 Lors

Hey chica’s, I hope you are having a fabulous day! On this weeks’ episode, I am introducing you to Brooke Kalisiak PT, DPT, WCS and owner of Legacy Physical Therapy, LLC. And, OMG, we had the BEST conversation! We talked about bladder leakage, pelvic organ prolaspe, orgasms and so much more.  But, I am ahead of myself. Let’s go back to Dr. Brooke. Dr. Brooke Kalisiak is a Board Certified Women’s Health Physical Therapist. She opened Legacy Physical Therapy in January 2008 in St. Louis, Missouri to offer specialized pelvic rehabilitation services to the public.  She has a passion for helping women and men enjoy healthy active lifestyles, restoring dignity and confidence in bladder, bowel, pelvic and sexual function without relying on pain medicines or surgery. Her mission is to educate the public about the importance of pelvic health.  And, she is an awesome educator! Here are a just a few of the questions she answered and topics she covered: - The best exercises to strengthen the pelvic region - How making one small change in your posture can help minimize bladder leakage - How to test your pelvic muscles for strength (yep, it’s an assessment). - How the pelvic muscles can affect your orgasm - How you can test the strength of your pelvic wall during sex - How men can test their pelvic strength - Why bladder leakage is common but not normal Thank YOU so much for your suggestions, questions and ideas on podcasts, guests and topics.  This podcast is for YOU and I’m so thankful you stopped by to take a listen. Have a most amazing day. Love you, Lors If you have additional questions for Dr. Brooke, you can find her here: brooke@legacytherapystl.com www.legacytherapystl.com FACEBOOK. https://www.facebook.com/LegacyPhysicalTherapySTL/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/LegacyPhysicalTherapy/

Hey chica’s, I hope you are having a fabulous day! On this weeks’ episode, I am introducing you to my sweet, amazing friend, Lindsey Rainwater. She is a wife, mother of two, consultant, entrepreneur and founder of an organization called Women in Fitness Association (WIFA). Lindsey and I met over ten years ago when we were both working and speaking at fitness conferences. Lindsey was in her twenties, single and hustling to build her career. And, unbeknownst to most of us, was struggling with alcohol. Over the last decade, Lindsey moved through sobriety, married the man of her dreams, had two beautiful babies and became the founder of a non-profit to support women in the fitness industry. Watching her navigate through such high highs and low lows with such grace and thankfulness inspired me to invite her on our podcast to share with you her tips and secrets for creating the life she loves. As we dive into the conversation, Lindsey shares with us how self awareness helped her move through the troubling times in her life, the steps she took to make her whole and the building blocks she uses today to create a place for women to grow. Lindsey also shares the following: - What she decided to do at 27 years old that changed her life. - Her motivator to start an organization for women in fitness. - How she finds “balance” between work and family and how she renamed and reframed it. - What every female entrepreneur needs to find success. - The importance of having a mentor especially if you are a leader. Thank you, Lindsey for sharing your amazing story with all of us. And, for the inspiration to get out there and create the life we want to lead. xoxo And to all of you listening, thank YOU for your time, your ideas and your suggestions. You’re the best! Love you so hard,
Lors PS  Sorry for all my “um’s”.  Seriously, um, don’t even know what that was all about!

Hey chica’s, I hope you are having a fabulous day! On this weeks’ episode, we dive head first into the topic of infertility. I want to start by sending so much love and thanks to my guest, Laura Michel, aka, Michel-Macher, who was so courageous and transparent as she shared her story. Thank you, Laura for being your amazing self and your sense of humor on this topic. I also want to send some love to Chris (husband) for being so open and cool with Laura sharing the part of the story that belongs to him.   And, I want say thank you to all you listeners who have requested this topic. Because of you, we are talking openly and honestly about the challenges of infertility, the heartbreak of miscarriages, the emotional roller coaster of conception and the devastation of loss. Over the last few years I have had the privilege of walking along side Laura through her journey as her and Chris tried to bring a baby into this world. I was so struck my Laura’s self confidence, her abundance of hope and her appreciate for her body. And, while her body and eggs are considered “old” because she is over the age of 35, she continued to strengthen it, move it and honor it as she went from many tries of IUI and IVF over the course of the two years. I thank you, Michel-Macher for sharing something so intimate and private. To our listeners, some of our conversation sounds like a sit-com (carrying sperm in her bra and the thought of getting pulled over) and some of our conversation is heartbreaking – (how she and Chris had to cover up a miscarriage). But all of it is real. And, I hope it helps any of you struggling with infertility. xoxo Here are some other topics we dive into: - The one person who struggled more than her during this process. - How she faked drinking to cover a miscarriage. - Her number one piece of advice to any couple going through infertility. - How her and Chris did Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) every month for seven months. - Her one shot with in vitro fertilization (IVF) - Her last and final shot at having a baby. Thank you always for your suggestions on topics and thank you more for listening! Love you tons,
 Lors

Hey chica’s, I hope you are having a fabulous day! On this weeks’ episode, I invited Dr. Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D., (no relation to the movie theater people) to chat with you about anxiety, stress and worry. And, OMG, she was amazing! Firstly, check out her resume: she is a coach and therapist, an author and an international trainer and speaker on topics related to psychotherapy for anxiety and depression, stress management and optimizing anxiety for achievement. Boom. Secondly, she goes into to depth and explains the science of anxiety: why we do it, how we do it, and the benefits/pitfalls to our minds and bodies.   Lastly, she shares SO MANY techniques and strategies to move through worry and anxiety. And, some of them, you can do all by yourself and cost ZERO dollars. She also dives into the following: How you can actually develop an anxiety disorder. One of the biggest contributors to activating anxiety. (This shocked me). The difference between worry and anxiety. The BEST strategy to shift your mind when it’s in a state of anxiety. She also said one of the best strategies to combat anxiety is MOVING! Regular, vigorous exercise is the absolute best way to build up brain chemistry that helps you stay positive, not worrying and not depressed.  Exercise builds a healthy brain. Yep, she said that. For those of you who struggle with worry, stress and/or anxiety, I so hope this intel helps you. Dr. Wehrenberg says at the end of the podcast that if you need additional help in your wellness journey to overcome anxiety, always reach out. Asking for help is the greatest gift to yourself. xoxo Love you tons, Lors

Hey chica’s, I hope you are having a fabulous day! Today I welcome back Stacy Cody, stylist and fashion connoisseur. But today we are not talking about fashion. We are talking about Stacy’s wellness journey. It begins over twenty years ago when she gained 22 pounds in four weeks. She continued to gain weight in 10 and 20 pound increments with no answers. She went to her doctors and was told she just needed to east less and move more. They also said she had no will power. And, they said she had no disease. All of these statements were wrong. Over the past five years I have watched Stacy move through this challenge. I’ve watched her frustration of not understanding what her body was doing. I’ve seen her anger at trying all the things to lose weight and nothing working. I’ve witnessed her fatigue in fighting for her wellness. And, within the last 36 months, Stacy has finally found some answers, had some breakthroughs and has seen a weight loss of 50 pounds. So, I asked her to share this most personal and intimate journey. And she said yes. Today, she is sharing her story with you. She goes into detail of the ups, downs and super downs over the last two decades and also dives into the following: • How she was misdiagnosed for twenty years. • What caused the weight gain and how she finally found the answers. • How working out caused weight GAIN. • How she finally lost 50lbs. And so much more. I hope you have time to take a listen. This journey is one of inspiration, dedication and motivation, fosho. Love you tons,
 Lors P.S. If you want to follow Stacy on social: Facebook – @StacyCodyStyle Instagram- @StacyCodyStyle Twitter - @StacyCodyStyle

Hey chica’s, one of the most requested topics for a podcast is coming to you today! Today’s episode - Menopause.  So many of you are going through this, have gone through this or are beginning to think about going this. And, I’m not gonna lie, it is trying time.   It is very common to struggle with sleep, to experience a weight gain, and to want to seriously punch people in the face. But I want you to know there is an end, and there is help. Tons of it.   Firstly, we are going to talk about it so you don’t feel crazy.   Secondly, you can talk to your medical team about it so you don’t feel crazy.    Thirdly, you can go to your doctor and get drugs to you don’t feel crazy.  See, lots of solutions for you.  And, I talk about many more. Here is list:  Can I lose weight during menopause?  What can I do about hot flashes?  Is it normal to think about death constantly?  What is dry vagina?  How do you keep your sex life on track during this time?  So, chica’s, grab a cocktail, you will probs need one for this podcast and settle in for some girl chat.  If you have any questions after, please message me. I got you!  Love you tons,  Lors 

Hey my friends, today I am introducing you to my friend, Virginia Kerr. Virginia is well known around the St. Louis area as a television news anchor and the host of a show called The Thread St. Louis. Virginia also just outed herself on Instagram as struggling with alcohol. I met Virginia a few years back while working on her show. We did a segment together and had a blast. We laughed, cut up and I think we actually got yelled at by the producer to get back to work! When I drove home that day I remember thinking she definitely had it all together. A successful career in television. A happy marriage. An amazing healthy, son. One evening as I was scrolling through Instagram, I came across one of her posts. It was November 8th, 2018. She just shared she drank two bottles a night of Chardonnay. And she didn’t want to do it anymore. Honestly, I was shocked. Not that she drank two bottles of wine, but that she was “outing” herself on Instagram. And, asked us to hold her accountable! As I continued to follow her journey, I fell more in love with her. I already knew she was fun and had a wicked sense of humor. Now I was discovering her inner strength. Her resolve to love herself. Her honesty and unapologetic candor about her inner demons. I found her insta-diary fascinating. Some of the strategies she uses to stay sober I had used in saving my marriage. Some of the trauma she had to work through regarding her childhood were similar to my own. And, her courage to be what she was created to be, infectious. And today, she is sharing her story with us. Put your listening ears on, chica’s, this episode is loaded with amazingness! We take a deep dive into the following areas: - How binge eating turned into binge drinking. - Therapy and how it changed her life. - The debilitating effect of shame. - Toxic relationships and how she made the change. - How we both relate to Eminem (yes, the artist!) Remember, wellness isn’t just about moving your body, it’s also about changing your mindset. Love you,
 Lors
 xoxo P.S. If you want to follow Virginia on social: Instagram- @thisisvirginiakerr Twitter - @VirginiaKerr Facebook – @VirginiaKerr

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! You who watch me on a regular basis know one of my number one initiatives is to get everyone moving. And, by everyone, I mean 77% of the US population. This is the number the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported of inactive adults – or people who did not exercise on a regular basis. This both saddened me and made me mad. So, I’ve decided I am going to move that needle, and the next time that report comes out, it will be 76%, then 75% and so on. And, while I am a crusader and outlier fo-sho, I LOVE when other peeps have the same vision, same determination and some big coglioni’s (that’s Italian like our guest this week J) to make a difference. And, one of these peeps is Bryan Daddio. Daddio is the creator of a platform called TurboTrack.Me. This platform allows trainers like me to provide YOU workouts anywhere, anytime and on your phone. I was so excited when Daddio shared what he was creating. I was stoked he was seeing around the curve. I was inspired he was taking action and removing obstacles for people to move. I had to be a part. As we have been working together to bring this vision to fruition, we have had multiple conversations. I am always curious of what inspires others, motivates them to move, and gives them the strength to keep moving forward.  And, this is his story. You’ll be able to say you knew him when…! I hope you enjoy our chat. Love you so hard, Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! A few weeks back I had a lunch date with a friend. You know him as a television personality on Fox 2 News in the morning. You may recognize him as the host of the television show, The Thread. He may be the pastor of your church. But to me, he is a friend whom I love dearly. Peeps, meet Tim Ezell. Tim and I met over ten years ago at the news station. I was a guest on his show sharing fitness and wellness with his audience. Before and after our segments every Monday, we would have a quick chat, share how things were going and ask about our families. A few months into meeting Tim, our chat turned spiritual.  This was surprising because I usually don’t share my spirituality with many people.  I mean, it‘s one of my most favorite topics but I usually keep it within my family and close friends.   Tim and I jumped right in, and it became part our chats. They would be quick, but they would be deep, full of wisdom and a comfort to each of us as we were going through things. As our friendship grew, so did the lengths of our conversations around spirituality.  We would talk God, faith, struggles and victories.  And, when we met for lunch this day, our conversation topic was the same. So, I asked him if I could share it with you. And, he said, “of course”! So, grab a coffee, wine (don’t forget, Jesus loved wine J) or water, and push play. Today our topic is Spirituality and why it is critical to our overall wellness. Here is what we talked about: Tim’s story, and how he almost died at a young age. How to respond when God doesn’t hear you. How one professor changed Tim’s heart and encouraged him to keep moving through the fire. Tim’s top five tips to keep you spiritually strong and healthy. For those of you who have watched Tim the last twenty years, you see a fun, outgoing, entertaining TV personality. But he is so much more. He is a man who has been called by God to share the message of love with the world. As always, I love your feedback. Please feel free to email, text, tweet or dm your comments, suggestions, or just say hi. Love you so hard, Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! In this episode I am going to share with you how to create a workout that is PERFECT for you! Here’s the deal – moving can actually save your life. Moving can prevent disease. Moving is the best preventive medicine, EVER. Moving creates endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. And happy people just don’t kill their husbands. (That is actually a quote from Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, and she spoke truth!) And while we know this, most of us (77%) do NOT move. Most of us do not move out of fear.  We don’t want to look ridiculous. We don’t know HOW to move. For some of us, it hurts. So today, I broke down how to create a workout that works best for you. I explain the following: - How to train your heart. There are four different methods, just pick one. - How many times a week you need to train your muscles. - How to gain strength or muscular endurance and the difference between the two. - How to stay motivated to move when don’t want to. - How to train a dragon. (I’m just kidding, I am just on a movie reference kick!) So grab your coffee or cocktail, unless you’re driving or running cuz that will be messy, and press play. One more thing, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, just reach out. Cuz you know, life is like a box of chocolates, you just never know what you’re gonna get (…had too!)   Love you lots, Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! So I did a thing last week, and I want to share it with you. I posted a pic of me on Facebook. And, I had a bit of anxiety posting this pic. Why? Cuz I felt naked! Posting a bikini pic of my 53 year old self takes a bit of courage. That's a lie. It takes A LOT of courage. But, I want to be truthful. And the truth is, I try and move every day. I try to eat a fruit and veggie every day. I drink wine. I love desserts. And, this is my body. And I love her, dimples, ripples and all. You see, it's about a lifestyle. It's about balance. It's about life choices. It's about making small changes that become big changes. This isn't about looking a certain way for an event or a season. It's about feeling good and loving YOU all the events and all the seasons. Then, I did a Facebook LIVE and we talked about all the things! And, I also answered your fitness and nutrition questions and your questions, btw, were amazeballs!  Here is what we chatted about: - How do you decrease your abdominal area? - Does eating fruit make you fat? - What foods can I eat to make me feel full? - Why eating 1300 calories are bad for you. (Ok, this started as a rant but I did give you good intel!) - Why taking protein supplements could damage your organs. For those of you who joined me LIVE, thank you for the great chat. For those of you who missed it, here you go. Let's keep doing this thing called life together. It's always more fun with a crew. Love you so hard! Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! Firstly, happy Mothers MONTH to all my mamas out there.  I decided we need a month, not just a day, so, we get the whole month! Secondly, this podcast is dedicated to YOU.  I asked Jenn, one of our BCC trainers and mother of two littles to join me this episode to share with you tips and strategies to put YOU first.  I know that sounds like an oxymoron, put you before kids, spouse, job, parents, but it is the truth. If you don’t fill you up, how are you going to fill others up?  You CAN’T! Thirdly, I’ve been mommin’ for almost 30 years and I am going to tell you this job is hard AF. Doesn’t matter if you have a spouse, doin’ it alone, steppin’, adoptin’, whatever.  Hardest thing we will ever do. So, grab your coffee, wine or champs, close your door, run a hot bath and push play on this podcast. You will hear the following: The number one emotion you must NEVER feel as mom. And, I am serious, cuz it’s stupid! One strategy to put you first, and it only takes seconds. What one thing you need to say to you every morning. How this one ACTION can change your entire mental state. To all you mothers, I think you are amazing. Please, please, please take time for you. Put you first. Love you so you can love others. And remember, you have the most amazing job on this planet. Love you so hard! Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! So last week, I sat down and had the best chat with Jillian Tedesco, founder and owner of Fit-Flavors, St. Louis, MO. This amazing store, actually there are now three, provides delicious prepared meals AND they provide the ingredients and macro nutrients so we know EXACTLY what we are eating. And I think you are gonna LOVE this “real talk” between two entrepreneur/founders who are also moms and wives. We started with Jillian’s origin story which is SO good! At one point in the story she shared she started this business in her home with nine (that is not a typo), NINE refrigerators in her living room and a piece of plywood on two horses. We then took a turn and talked about how she is balancing it all. She has two children and a husband and three stores.  She gives the most awesome tips and one of my faves about balancing and “leveling up”. We also talked about the following personal stuff: What she did to combat anxiety and depression, and why she still does it today. How she lost 17 pounds and kept it off. The number one thing Jillian eats to feel full throughout the day. The one wellness change that took me 8 months to make. … And loads more. I truly enjoyed my time with Jillian. Not only is she super smart, full of wise nuggets and funny, she is soulful, real and transparent. I hope you have an opportunity to take a listen to our coffee chat. And, I hope you enjoy Jillian as much as I did. Have an amazing day! Love you lots, Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! So many of you have asked me over the years the following questions: How do I get my husband to exercise without sounding like nag? How do I get my kids to eat healthy when all they want is mac and cheese? How to I steer my kids away from thinking they are fat? How do I serve healthy meals my family will like and still include junk food? So today we have some real talk about how to make your household healthy. But before we dive in, I need you to know it may take a long time. You will need to be patient if you are changing your households’ lifestyle. And, lastly, don’t give up. This is a marathon, NOT a sprint. I start off talking about your spouse. When asking your partner to join you on a wellness journey, whether it’s eating more veggies or starting an exercise program you have to remember it’s an individual journey. While you can be an encourager (which I talk about) and an educator, your person still has to make their own decision and find their own motivator. BUT there are ways you can help. I then jump into your kids. I think this is a bit easier cuz you’re the boss and you have more control over your littles. You will be the one to teach them about healthy foods. You are the one who will require an hour of movement a day. You will be the one to make the lunches and provide the desserts. I share stories on how I did this with my three and how they felt about it. I also share the following: - How Tony went from a 30 pound weight gain to an Iron Man. - How to incorporate Captain Crunch or donuts into your meal planning. - How to get your kids to eat healthy foods. - The number one thing to NOT talk about. - What to do if your child does not like/play sports. My friends, I hope I was able to provide you with some tips and tricks to get your family healthy. And, if you need more, always feel free to email me at lori@bootcamp-challenge.com. A BIG THANK YOU for asking such great questions, taking the time to educate yourself and allowing me to be part of YOUR wellness journey.   Love you lots, Lors xoxo

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! Seriously, I just had the most refreshing, raw and ronderful (yup, I made that up) conversation with Lori Mork, Coach, Speaker and author of the book, Kiss My Curvy Assets. And I can’t wait for you to listen to our conversation! There are so many reasons I love her and her new book. Firstly, she exposes some hard truths about the fitness and body building competition world (she was in it). Secondly, she talks the real about perimenopause and menopause and how we can move through it with grace and patience with our bodies. Thirdly, she shares how NOT dieting can actually change your body and so much more! And, we take a deep dive into the following: - The ONE question you need to ask yourself to find happiness with your body. - Why the scale does NOT determine your self-worth. - The number one thing you have to do to lose weight (and it has nothing to do with your food). - How to eat a donut and still feel healthy (ok, actually I talk about this one!) - How sleep and stress play a bigger role in our wellness than we realize. My friends, I hope after listening to this podcast you walk away with more patience with your body, more strategies to help you move to where you want to grow and more confidence in YOU. Because remember, the only person you have to impress is YOU. Love you,Lorsxoxo  PS If you want follow Lori on social:Instagram-@lori.mork Twitter - @MorkLoriFacebook - Lori Mork

I had the most FUN sitting down and chatting with one of the Spice Girls! No, I did not fly across the pond and interview Scary, Sporty, Baby, Ginger or Posh (although that would be SO fun!), her name is Carol, and she is the owner of the Olde Town Spice Shoppe in St. Charles, MO. I totally went into this podcast to learn and share with you the healing principles of spices, and how they can help us on our wellness journey but what I learned was so.much.more! Carol shares with us spices are so much more than an addition to our meals. They are so much more than healing properties. They are so much more than extra flavors in our drinks. They are an important part of our family! When we begin this podcast, you will hear my shock, our emotion (we both get a teary), then my paradigm shift as she explains the gift of spices. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but take a listen and you will understand. And then she answers my burning questions: - What spices can help with diabetes and high cholesterol? - Can spices really help in the healing process? - Do spices go bad? - What one spice can you use as a band aid? I so hope you have an opportunity to take a listen to my latest podcast. Carol has such an amazing heart and passion for all of us and really wants to make our meal planning less stressful, our journey with food more joyful, and help us overcome fear of food. Thank you, Carol, for caring so much for all of us. You are always invited to my dinner table!

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! I cannot WAIT for you to take a listen to my latest podcast! In it, I interview one of my campers (and brand new Air Force recruit!), Jillian Nurczyk, who shares her failures and successes in her journey to lose 30 pounds. What I loved most about our interview was her honesty, her transparency, and her vulnerability. And, when she tells her story, I realized it is all of OUR story. Everything she experienced is what we ALL experience when trying to make change.  No one gets through change without it just sucking really hard! And, I loved she shared all her tips that led her to success. Here is what we talk about: - What she did to push past her plateau to hit her goal weight. - How she avoided sabotaging herself after eating a bad meal or a skipping workout. - The biggest help to go from drinking soda all day to drinking water (and my hubby did it also). - How she cut fast food out of her diet. If you have any time, I would love, love, love you to take a listen to Jillian’s story.  And, I hope some of the tips she shared can help you on your wellness journey. And, lastly, Jillian, I’m so freakin excited for your next journey of serving our country. I am so proud of you! Hoo Aah!  

I have been struggling lately with what I see on social media regarding fitness and wellness. And while I truly believe social media and fitness go together like peanut butter and jelly, I also feel there is so much YUCK out there, so many lies, so much pseudoscience! And, it bothers me because even the most educated fall for it! And, you know why?  Cuz it’s sexy. Cuz we want it to be true. Cuz we want a quick fix. And, I totally get it.  This June I will have been doing this fitness gig for 35 years (yep, I literally just realized that during this podcast) and I still haven’t found a quick, easy fix for ANYTHING! So, today I dive into how to find the truth of fitness on social media. I have a few tips for you that will hopefully make your fitness and wellness journey successful. If you have time, take a listen to this weeks’ podcast as I share the following: - The first thing you need to do if you do not feel good about yourself. - Why Kim K and JLo really bummed me out. - What credentials to look for when looking for the truth about diets and workouts. As always, thank for your questions, feedback and ideas.   I so appreciate you.  

Hi my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! I just had the BEST chat with Abby Langer, a Toronto-based registered dietitian, and it was freakin awesome! Firstly, Abby is so FUNNY! Several times during the podcast I belly laughed.  And, she cusses, which that makes me laugh too! Secondly, she calls out the bulls**t.  Like straight up in her blogs, on her social media, in the national news organization and on our podcast. She has no problem calling out the charlatans and dares us to look at the truth. #truthteller Thirdly, she is a mythbuster. She talks all the lasted crazes (yep, we talk about the celery juice craze), fad diets and bogus claims and not only tells us why they are wrong but shares the science to confirm it. Here are a few of the myths we chat about: - You must take multivitamins (nope, waste of money) - Detoxing your liver is a must (again, nope, your liver detoxes itself) - Why thin is NOT healthy (it is actually a big, fat lie) We also talk about how doctors are not always the best resource for nutrition, how GMO’s do NOT cause cancer and why I should move to Canada (forreals). If you have any time, I would LOVE for you to listen to Abby. I am so excited to share her knowledge, education, and her sense of humor with you. She is amazeballs! One more thing, please continue to send me your ideas, comments and suggestion (Abby Langer was one of them!). YOU are why I do what I do.  Love you,Lorsxoxo PS If you want follow Abby on social:Instagram: @langernutritionTwitter @langernutritionFacebook – Abby Langer Nutrition

I want to introduce you to my friend, amazing momma, stylin designer and legit CEO BOSS WOMAN of JBloom Design, Jennifer Bonacorsi! Jenn and I met over a year ago when she brought Boot Camp Challenge® to JBloom. I went to help launch the program and was in a bit of shock and awe when I saw her show up in a boot! Yep, she had just had surgery on her foot but was so excited to do the program, she decided to do it in her boot and take the options. I immediately knew she was my kind of peoples. What I didn’t know at the time was how like-minded we were in other areas of our lives. For instance, we are both mamas; she to four beautiful girls and me, well, you know my fam. We both created companies and encountered so many obstacles we became warriors AND wonder women. We both work with AND like our husband (although we both demand “alone” time). And, we both rely on our faith during the trials of tribulations of not only the business life but also real life. And, we both enjoy running although we are NOT runners. As we sat down and began to share our stories, another thing struck me: Jenn’s courage. A few years in of starting the company that would become known as JBloom, she had to pivot. In order to keep her vision alive, she had to change her entire company. And she had to do it in a day. If any of you have had to make change in either your personal life or professional life, you know the challenge. And, she did it- with grace, gratitude and God. So, I would LOVE for you to grab your beverage of choice, take a comfy seat (or grab your water jug and take a walk) and listen as Jenn shares the story of JBloom, how she incorporates wellness in her crazy busy personal and professional life, and how she relies on her faith to change women’s lives across the country. Oh, and we also talk about the following: - How to balance family and a career - The number one strategy to keep you on track with your fitness routine - The challenges of incorporating your faith into your company. - How having your utilities turned off can be a “life” lesson (btw, it happened to both of us!) While Jen and I dive into some serious chat, we also enjoy a lot of laughs. And, for whatever reason, I said “a hundred percent” a HUNDRED times (sorry!). As always, I so appreciate you. And, I love your suggestions. Please continue to reach out with your ideas and comments.  It is why I do what I do.   Take care this week, make good choices and remember, women rock! Much love,LorsXoxo

Hi friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! I want to introduce you to my friend, Kayla Burton, BCC trainer and licensed therapist. Kayla and I met over ten years ago when she started in my Boot Camp Challenge® as a camper. During her first nine years, working out was not a problem for her. She loved it. She loved the workouts, the training, and even the running. But the nutrition was a different story. She struggled with understanding and accepting how her body responded to food, nutrition, and dieting.  So, this year, Kalya decided to make a change.  And, she realized, it was a mental change that had to happen. What Kayla teaches others about mental health, she started applying to herself. She learned how to set boundaries. She learned being SELFISH is really SELF CARE. And she learned what she loves to do most, to move her body, is actually a great prescription when struggling with depression.  We started our chat with the physical health (and how she lost 43lbs!) and quickly moved into the mental. We chat for a LONG time (a great time for a glass of wine or a long run ) and here are some of the topics we cover: How to move through depression. Why being SELFISH is a positive thing. Why healthy people say NO. What to gut check the moment you feel guilt. The number ONE thing you need to know to love yourself. I love how Kayla wrapped up our podcast.  She if said if you are struggling with any mental challenges, reach out for help.  Seek out a doctor, a licensed therapist, or a friend. You are NEVER alone. As always, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our podcast. If you would like to reach out to Kayla for additional information regarding mental health, please email me at lori@bootcamp-challenge.com and I will connect you.  Love you lots, Lori xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so excited to enjoy my family, my food and my festivities this week.  I LOVE this time of year. And, during this holiday season, I always spend a bit more time reflecting on what I am most thankful for and for what I feel the most gratitude. And, when I think of these, my family always comes first.   So, guess what I did? I invited them on this week’s podcast! Tony (my hubs), Elijah, Ben (my sons) and I sat down and had some great kitchen table talk and they shared what it was like growing up in a home where fitness and wellness are a value. And, moms, do I have a surprise for you. You know how you question EVERYTHING you do when raising your kids? Are we raising good human beings?  Will our children understand why we do what we do? Do they even care? If I workout and eat right, will they? Guess what?!  They gave us the answers! And, some of them made me laugh hard! I found out they are still mad at me for not buying pop tarts on the regular. They traded their carrots from their lunch for fruit snacks and why they still eat eggs before eating cinnamon rolls. :) And, you can also listen in as we talked about the following: - Which child is my favorite. - The number one reason they think children don’t move anymore. - How my son Ben lost 40lbs. - The one thing our children do that makes me and Tony envious. At the top of this email I said I am most thankful for my family. You know what else fills me with gratitude? YOU!  Thank you for trusting me with your fitness and wellness education. Thank YOU for spending time with me. And, THANK YOU for being you. I hope you have an amazing holiday. Love you lots!Smiles,Lorixoxo

Lately, you have been super psyched about NUTRITION, NUTRITION and NUTRITION.  Which of course, I love! And, you have been asking a TON of questions about Intermittent Fasting (IF) and the Keto Diet. These two diets have been quite popular of late and you have requested some intel.  As a matter of fact, I have received so many questions, I decided to make it our podcast topic, woot! So, as per protocol, grab your coffee or your wine (unless you are driving!) and get ready for some school! In the next thirty minutes, I dive into the history of these two diets, why they were created and how they work for you.  I also drop the following truth bombs: - What two diseases Intermittent Fasting COULD prevent or minimize (and it’s freakin exciting!) - What you CAN’T eat when you are doing Intermittent Fasting. - Which diet can help you lose a TON of fat. - The one missing food on the Keto diet that may make it UNHEALTHY for you. - Why pooping is so important.  Cuz you know you I like talking about poop! And, I know I say it in every podcast, but I am so thankful for YOU.  I so appreciate you taking time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas and comments.  And, if you have any topics you would like us to discuss in future podcasts, please email me and let me know.  The best ideas always come from you! Much love, Lors

I am going to tackle a topic you have inquired about TONS.  You send me questions on this topic daily.  You talk about it on your social media often. You commiserate about it frequently.   It is your DIET. And by diet, I am not referring to a quick program, a fad weight loss scheme or a starvation situation.  I am referring to your daily intake of food.  What you consume to keep yourself alive.  That is how I define diet. And here is an actual definition – DIET (n) – the kinds of food a person, animal or community habitually eats. And, what you fuss about on the daily is how to stay on track.  How to pick fruits and veggies instead of mac and cheese.  How to drink water instead of soda.  How to choose nutrition dense foods instead of junk foods.  Well, you don’t actually say “nutrition dense” those are my words.  You say “healthy for me” foods. :) So, this podcast is dedicated to you and your DIET.  I give you FOUR tips that will not only help you to stay on track with your eating, but will also help you feel GREAT about you.  When you feel successful about your food choices, you just have a good day. So, pour a coffee or cocktail, put your listening ears on and grab a notebook cuz you are gonna wanna take notes on this episode!  Here is some of what I chat about: - You have to set a goal and write it on your ceiling. - You need an accountability partner, or two, or three! - Make sure you know YOU.  To thine own self be true–  totes stole this from Shakespeare. - Buy yourself a gift, and make it a good one. As always, I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I know time is our greatest commodity, and I appreciate yours.  And, I love that you take time to connect with me.  Please continue to send me your podcast ideas, your comments and your questions.  This podcast is for you.  And I want it to be worthy of your time.   Have a fabulous rest of your day and I will “see” you soon! Smiles,Lorixoxo

Hi friend, I hope you are having a most awesome day. I know I am always preaching to move your body, eat your veggies and drink water. But, there is something else I don’t talk about much but it is just as important if not MORE – SAFETY when exercising. The news has been filled of late of tragedy striking young women as they run in their neighborhoods.  And, they were doing it “right”; jogging in the daylight, running in the “good” neighborhoods. I started thinking about my own safety.  Sometimes, I run outside by myself (not often, but I have done it). What would I do if someone approached me with the intent to harm? I don’t carry a weapon. I don’t carry pepper spray (which, after this podcast, I am ordering some!) and I do not know any karate moves. So, I decided to reach out to someone with over thirty years of experience with safety and protection. Friends, please allow me to introduce you to Police Chief Steve Lewis.  He is the police chief with the Ellisville Police Department in St. Louis, MO.  Not only does he have decades of experience, he actually interviews criminals after they are incarcerated and asks them questions so he can provide US with the intel we need to lessen our odds of becoming a victim. If you have any time today, I so encourage you to listen to this week’s episode.  Not only does the chief share the best strategies to protect ourselves, he also shares the following: - How a nose booger, (yep, I said nose booger) saved a woman’s life. - How the Electric Slide can provide you with a getaway. - How to use your car as a weapon. - The NUMBER one thing women need to know to put the odds ever in our favor :) As always, I want you to know how much I appreciate you.  I love all your suggestions, your ideas and your comments! Please keep connecting with me and I will continue to bring you the best content on the planet! Too dramatic?  Okay, the bestest fitness, nutrition, safety intel in the world.  Still too big? How ‘bout I’ll just keep podcasting as long as you keep listening?  Yea, that’s better. Have a fabulous rest of your day and stay SAFE! Smiles,Lorixoxo

Hi friend, I hope you are having a most awesome day. Today I want to share a special story with you. My guest on this podcast is AJ Miller. She is a Boot Camp Challenge® (BCC) trainer and BCC Master Trainer. She is also the daughter of a Vietnam veteran who passed last year. What AJ did not know was her father had left behind a journal, a memoir.  After trying several times to read the memoir, and failing, she decided to return to Vietnam and retrace her father’s footsteps. Her purpose is to unveil her fathers’ story and share his memoirs right where they happened.  She has only been able to make it through one entry so far but it was a big one. In it he talked about flying his chopper, thoughts of suicide, how he felt he never really came home and what his job was in the US Army during the war – he was a Scout. And, according to him, a killer. It was the last line that caused AJ to freeze.  Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. She’ll explain in the podcast what happened next, and let’s just say, shocked is an understatement. As AJ continues traveling across this country and visiting places her father stayed, she is trying to understand her father.  How did he live with such cruel and unimaginable memories? How did he appear to function in society after the war?  How did he manage his undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)? AJ also shares the following: - Her FIRST reaction when learning her father was a killer. - Meeting a Viet Cong soldier who fought against her father in a coffee shop. - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – what it really looks like. - How she compares Vietnam and fitness. AJ also shares some stories about war that may be difficult for you to hear. If this topic is a trigger or draws you to a place of darkness, best you skip this podcast and we will catch you in a few weeks when our next one drops. We get quite emotional and the language, quite real. In fact, it may be offensive to some.   Please take all of this into consideration before listening.  There are lots of components of the wellness wheel.  While we usually focus on the fitness and nutrition components, today, we focus on the emotional.   In AJ’S word’s, this was boot camp for the soul. Smiles,Lorixoxo

Hi friend, how is your week running down? Mine?  So good. We launched camps this week and I freakin LOVE launch week.  I love seeing all the vets coming back to camp. I love seeing the new peeps with a little bit of hesitation on their faces walk through the door.  It takes major courage, bravery and overcoming fear to actually sign up and show up for any fitness program, especially one called Boot Camp Challenge®! This past weekend, I took a bunch of campers paddling boarding.  We had such an amazing time.  And, when all the campers took to the water, I looked out and saw all these strong, beautiful women and became emotional. And, I thought - what did they have to tell themselves this morning to find enough courage to try something new, something a bit scary. Many of them told me they were going to bail due to anxiety but showed up cuz they told me they were coming.  Some shared they were going to cancel because they were so scared but because they had promised a friend, they showed up. This got me really diving into fear.  I thought, how do people find courage?  What strategies do they implement to walk through the unknown?  I don’t know how other s do it, but I can tell you how I do it and how my campers do it. If you have time, I would love for you to take a listen to this week’s message.  In it, I share the following: - How to find your crew. - Find you an encourager (if you can’t find one, call me). - How to use prayer and meditation to get through something scary. - How I overcame my fear of the ocean and prayed my guide would get eaten first.   As always, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our podcast.  I love all your ideas, suggestions, questions and comments.  Please keep sharing with me what you want to hear and I will keep sharing with you the truth of fitness and wellness. And, to all of you who overcome your fears on the daily, you inspire me. Smiles,Lorixoxo

Hey my friends, I hope you are having a most awesome day! I was sitting in the airport a few months back, and I overheard a conversation.  Two ladies were chatting and complaining that it was taking way TOO long to lose thirty pounds.  They said they had been working on it for a few weeks.  I so wanted to jump in and shake them and tell them all they had to do was be consistent, be realistic and be patient AF!  But, I did none of that.  I did not interrupt their conversation, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Then I began to wonder how many more people think it is easy to lose THIRTY pounds?  The answer – A TON. So today, I am sharing with you the TRUTH of what it takes to lose thirty pounds.  Everything you need to know.  Here are a few things I dive into: What to actually EAT to lose weight The best workouts to do  The number one cause of pain when working out (and how to fix it) What I write on my bathroom mirror to stay motivated The number one strategy you need to deploy to find success in your weight loss As always, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our podcast.  I love all your ideas, suggestions, questions and comments.  Please keep sharing with me what you want to hear and I will keep sharing with you the truth of fitness and wellness.  Hoo Aah! Smiles, Lori xoxo

Hey friends, I hope you are having a fabulous week! I just had the most amazing conversation with my friend and personal fashion stylist, Stacy Cody. She not only answered YOUR questions about fashion, clothes and how to dress YOUR body, she also dove deep into the psychology of how we dress ourselves and how and why it makes us feel the way we feel. During our conversation, Stacy shared how a size on a tag can change our whole attitude for a day (good or bad) and why this number is such a lie (doesn’t this sound like a scale?!). She also dives into how clothes make us feel. Put on a fabulous outfit and you will feel you can run the world. Isn’t it crazy how an amazing dress or pair of jeans can make us feel so confident?   We also chat about dressing our bodies. She said most of us pick clothes that are TOO BIG for our bodies when we should be picking smaller sizes (amen to that!). And, she goes on to answers a ton more questions to include: - What to wear to make your hips look smaller - How to make your boobs look bigger (I was asking for a friend) - What is your body type and how to dress and look fabulous - The SECRET on why we can wear up to FOUR different sizes - Why petite and plus sizes are so hard to find. If you have some time today, I would love for you to listen to our podcast. Spending time with Stacy was both so fun and super informative. We laughed and we nearly cried and everything in between.   And, if you do take a listen, I would love your feedback.  Let me know what you like, what you don’t like and any suggestions you have for future podcasts. Have a fabulous day and remember to show yourself some love this week. Much love,LorsXoxo

Hey friends, I hope you are rockin your week! I want to introduce you to my friend, amazing momma, stylin’ television personality and legit dietician, Jennifer McDaniel. Jen and I met at our local television station over eight years ago. I was brought on to share fitness tips with the St. Louis peeps, and Jen was brought on to share nutrition tips. We chatted before and after our segments, and a friendship was struck. Many (more like tons) of you have asked me how to lose weight while going through menopause or the beginning stages of menopause. So, I reached out to Jen and asked if she would join me on our podcast and share with you how to help lose and/or maintain weight during this time of our life. Here are a few topics we cover: - Menopause weight gain – why it happens. - The best foods to eat to help you lose weight during this time. - The anti-weight gain menopause diet (yep, she tells us what to eat!) - The one truth Jen shared that SHOCKED me (and it will change WHAT time you eat!) - The best carbs to eat to maintain a lean body. - What to avoid if you are struggling with your sleep. While Jen and I dive into some serious business, we also enjoy a lot of laughs. We talk about what caused me not to poop, and why I love day drinking. If you have some time today, I would love for you to listen to our podcast. I have been doing this for thirty-four years, and I LEARNED something new listening to Jen! As always, I so appreciate you. And, I love your suggestions. Please continue to reach out with your ideas and comments.  It is why I do what I do. Take care this week, make good choices and remember, invest in yourself :) Much love,LorsXoxo

Today I would like to introduce you to Bryan Daddio, my friend and the founder of Turbo Strapp, a heart rate monitor device. Daddio and I had a great chat a few weeks back and had a blast. We both love to geek out on the science of heart rate training, heart rate monitoring, and how it affects the whole body.     And, we are both total science nerds, especially on the topics of fitness, wellness, exercise and nutrition. AND, in this convo, you will hear all that. AND, we provide insight on how all of this relates to YOU. Here are a few of the topics we discuss: - Our thoughts on the Apple Watch, the Fitbit and the Garmin, and which is the best device. - How you can change your BODY by understanding your heart rate, and what it means. - Why RECOVERY may be more important than the work when trying to change your body. - How monitoring your heart rate can make you faster and stronger. - How exercising can make your babies smarter (this is forreals). So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and settle in to listen to me and Daddio chat about heart health, heart rate monitors, the new technology, and how YOU can use it to change your body, woot! As always, I so appreciate you taking time to listen. And, I love your feedback. Please feel free to reach out with your ideas, suggestions and comments. Take care this week, make good choices and remember, invest in yourself :) Much love,LorsXoxo

Today I would like to introduce you to Dr. Vidan (Dr.V), my friend and the official chiropractor for the 2011 World Series Champions, St. Louis Cardinal, whaaat?! Yep, true story. Dr. V and I met twenty years ago in a gym. He was working his way through Chiropractic school and I was about to launch Boot Camp Challenge®. We both left the facility we were working and continued on with our education and our businesses. A few years back, we ran into each other at Fox 2 News. It was great reconnecting and catching up. I started following him on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VidanFamilyChiropractic/) and saw he is not only a doctor who helps his patients with pain and impairment, he is also a true proponent of health, wellness, and prevention. And, I love his integrity. He speaks truths that most doctors do not want to address. He tells the truth about pain medications, how the use of our phones can greatly impede our health, and how driving in our cars can be a detriment to our bodies. And, he also gives solutions. He shares how we can make small changes to create a HUGE impact on our health.  And, these are things we can do right now, TODAY, to feel better, think better and move better.   So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and settle in to hear Dr. V share some amazingness with us. Here are some of the topics we cover: - The biggest mistake we make on a daily basis that INCREASES our risk of injury. - How you can use your car as an accountability partner. - The best sleeping position and why. - The best way to keep your joints in shape (this one shocked me!). One of Dr. V’s sayings is, “Think well, Eat well, Move well”. Dr. V, I couldn’t agree more. As always, I so appreciate you taking time to listen. And, I love your feedback. Please feel free to reach out with your ideas, suggestions and comments. Take care this week, make good choices and remember, invest in yourself :)  PS  Sorry I said “a hundred percent” a hundred times.  It must have been my saying of the day :)

Hey friends, I hope you are having a fabulous day.  Have I told you lately that I love you? I know, you are either thinking “isn’t that a song?” (Yes, you are correct and it is by Lionel Richie), or “why is Lori saying she loves me?”  I am saying I love you cuz I was thinking about you and just feel so blessed you spend time with me and Boot Camp Challenge® (BCC), and you have chosen us as your fitness/wellness expert. Time is our greatest commodity- we have so little- and yet you choose to spend some with me. Yep, I love you, and I am so blessed. Now, if I still have your time for a bit longer, I want to introduce you to Avery Ivan, our newest BCC trainer. She is also a sophomore attending college at Auburn University (go War Eagles!).  Avery shocked me from the moment I met her. She reached out to me about a position within my company when she was just 18 years old. That in itself is surprising to me. Most college bound kids are not thinking about their careers just yet let, let alone one that entails a hefty investment of time and money. She was also moving away to University, and after our interview stated she would reach back out to me the following Spring to see if I still had positions open and if she could still train with us.  I marked it on my calendar, seven months forward, and forgot. One week before my appointment notification popped up, I  received a text from Avery.  Did I remember her?  Could she sit for the second interview? Could she attend the next training?  And, could she still come work for me?  Again, Avery shocked me.  Not only did she follow up seven months later, she was still determined to become a BCC trainer. At this point I am thinking Avery is a rockstar. She has determination, drive, passion, and a great attitude. So, we did the second interview. During this process, I discovered there was even more to Avery.  She actually walked the walked.  Even in college, (she did NOT gain the freshman 15), she made moving a priority, healthy food choices a must, and dove into the principles of health and wellness. And she is only TWENTY! When you see Avery, you see a sweet, fresh, twenty year old college student.  What you get is someone who somehow adapted the principles of nutrition and movement and has a lot to teach even the older folk. In this podcast. Avery shares her journey with us and also gives us practical tips on how to make healthy choices, how to afford healthy food on a college budget, and how to incorporate movement into your day when you have NO time. And, while these strategies come from a 20 year old college student, it is the best advice for ALL of us! As always, I thank you so much for listening.  And, for your feedback.  Please keep it coming! And, your ideas.  I always want to know what is important to you and what you would like to listen to on our podcast. Take care this week, make good choices and remember, invest in yourself :)   Much love,Lors xoxo

Hey friends, I hope you are having a fabulous day.  I have so missed you! So much has happened since we last chatted. Our daughter, and Boot Camp Challenge® master trainer extraordinaire, Victoria, was married at the end of April. And, it was amazing.  We also ran a half marathon, attended a college graduation, and partied at another wedding.  Oh, and trip to Mexico where my husband battled a shark (or so he says). Such a busy time…but I LOVE it! And, now, I am back to you. And, I CAN’T wait so share with you what I learned from Dr. Alison Ball. Who is Dr. Ball, you ask?  Only the most brilliant D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) in the world! Okay, maybe that is a bit overdramatic, but she is brilliant. And, do you know what I like best about her?  She shares her info in a way we can understand.  And, she has a real love and passion for her patients.  And, she LOVES research and knowledge and always learning.  Told you she was brill (brilliant).  I met Dr. Ball a few months back. When I was doing our podcast with Koop on diabetes (The Silent Killer and How to Keep It at Bay with Food), we both had loads of questions about the disease, what caused it, could it be prevented, etc. So, Koop suggested I reach out to Dr. Ball, who works with diabetes on the daily.  I asked her to join me on a podcast and answer all our questions, and she said YES! Here are just a few of the questions I asked Dr. Ball: • What is the difference between a D.O and M.D.? (This was for my own curiosity). • What is diabetes?  • Can diabetes be prevented? • Can diabetes be cured?  • Will neuropathy (numbness in feet) for sure happen if you have diabetes? • What is the NUMBER one strategy to AVOID diabetes? As always, thank you, thank you, thank you for taking time to listen to my podcast. I can’t tell you how honored I am to have your time for just a moment.  And, I appreciate all your ideas.  Please continue to share with me what is important to you, want you want to learn about and what I can provide to you to help you on your wellness journey. Much love, Lors xoxo

I hope you got your learning ears on cuz I am bringing some nutrition truth bombs your way!  Today’s topic – FAD DIETS. And, I brought back our expert scientist and registered dietician, Sarah Weitz, MS, RD, Michigan State professor and BCC nutritionist, woot! Sarah takes us deep into the current fad diets to include the Whole 30 diet, the Keto diet and a titch of Atkins.  I asked her ALL your questions, and, again, Sarah does not disappoint.  She dives into the history of these diets, why they were created, how they made their way into the “fad diet” trend and why they work or don’t work.  She also drops the following bombs: The number one reason we should AVOID the Keto diet. The one missing ingredient of the Whole 30 diet plan that makes it a FAD. Peanuts are not at all what they are cracked up to be (and this shocked me!) The number one food group we need to eat to lower our cholesterol. I always love conversing with Sarah on all things diet and nutrition.  And, I hope you do, too!  So grab a coffee or wine (unless you are on the Whole 30 diet) and take a listen. We packed a whole lotta info in this one! And, I know I say it in every email, but I am so thankful for YOU.  I so appreciate you taking time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas, and comments.  And, if you have any topics you would like us to discuss in future podcasts, please email me and let me know.  The best ideas always come from you. Much love, xoxo Smiles,  Me     

Hey my friends, I hope your day is awesome! Today I am inviting you to my kitchen table for some kitchen table talk. Real talk. You may or may not be aware, but I am going to be the Mother of the Bride (MOB).  Yep, my daughter, Victoria is getting married in just three weeks.  Not even gonna lie, it has definitely been quite the journey.  Planning a wedding is no joke.  And, throughout this journey, I have had the blessing of watching my daughter navigate with such sensibility, a peaceful spirit and a love for God. So, I asked her to join us this week on our podcast and share the hi’s and low’s of planning a wedding AND staying on track with her fitness.  And, here is what she shared: • Her top secret diet plan to prepare for the wedding day (and I share mine also cuz, MOB). • The greatest emotional stressor for both Tors and myself, and how we dealt with it. • Tors number one strategy for staying on her fitness plan and the added benefits she didn’t expect. I know I say it every week, but I am so thankful for YOU.  I so appreciate you taking time to listen to our podcasts and share your thoughts, ideas and comments.  I am truly thankful for you.  I’m beyond blessed you are part of our BCC fitfam. Much love, xoxo

"You only get one life. Make the best of it." - Kristina Koob, Boot Camp Challenge® Camper Food IS medicine. It CAN heal. Kristina is living proof of it. In my latest podcast, Kristina sits down with me and shares how suddenly last year she just wasn't feeling well. Always going to the bathroom. Always thirsty. Just feeling "off," she says, and she thought to herself... well, maybe it's menopause. She went to the doctor and got the news she most dreaded: She had Type 2 diabetes, the same disease she watched take the life of her 70-year old aunt. We hear about diabetes all the time, but what exactly is it? Well, first of all, you could be one of the MILLIONS in line to get it right now and not even know it. Diabetes is a life-long disease that affects the way your body handles glucose, a kind of sugar, in your blood. Most people with the condition have type 2. There are about 27 million people in the U.S. with it. Another 86 million have prediabetes: their blood glucose is not normal, but not high enough to be diabetes yet. If you've ever struggled with picking out foods for weight loss or just to make healthier choices, imagine if your life depended on it. Kristina spent hours and hours in grocery store aisles, dissecting and investigating food labels and discovered first hand just how deceiving packaging can be-- what you think is healthy is not necessarily healthy at all. Then, imagine also having to give yourself an insulin shot. Every. Single. Day. For Kristina, that was no way to live.  "I still want to be golfing when I'm 80." So, she made a choice. And, this is what surprised me the most. She was going to go into full-on battle with this disease armed with... FOOD & EXERCISE. The information she shares about how simply jumping around her house or eating an apple can change her blood sugar levels is astonishing when you think about it. What if we all had a way to actually SEE the physiological effects of the food we are putting inside our bodies IMMEDIATELY? It would change our whole paradigm. If your body could just ring an alarm that would scream, "THIS is what you're doing to me when you do this or when you DON'T move your body!" This realization would kick in FAST: You have ONE BODY. Nourish it. Feed it well. Honor it. Kristina listened to her body. And, guess what!? Kristina is NO LONGER on insulin.  If you have time, please take a listen to Kristina's story. We asked that she share it in hopes that it would maybe help you or someone you love. If you have time to listen, I truly believe it will not just motivate you to go look inside your pantry right now, but EMPOWER you to make the right food choices.  As always, thank you much for spending some time with me today. Much love, xoxo

I am inviting you to grab a coffee, tea or wine and take a seat cuz I got a story for you! My guest on this week's podcast is a coach of a university cheerleading squad, winner of four national championships, top sales rep within her company, a wife, mother, and a fitness professional. And, she has a child with severe special needs. I would like you to meet my friend Carrie. Carrie and I met close to twenty years ago while teaching “aerobics”.  Between us, we have six kids, two husbands (the originals), fifty plus years in the fitness industry and forty plus years of running businesses. We try to meet monthly for lunch, wine and conversation.  And, when we meet, we talk about everything from college kids, to special needs kids.  Marriages and how hard they are to keep going.  Being a control freak and giving up control.  And, everything in between. When you listen to Carrie, you can’t help be in awe of her joyful heart, her truth bombs (we both cry a little on here) and her servant’s heart for others.  So, I invited her to share her thoughts, stories and nuggets of wisdom with us.  And, as always, she gets right to the guts of whatever the topic.  Here are just few:  The most important lesson she has learned raising a special needs son. The benefits of giving up control when you are a control freak. Her number one strategy to stay organized living a crazy filled life. Sticking with it when she wanted to quit because… legacy. How she is able to “do it all” but not really. The number one life lesson she hopes her college kids take away from her. Carrie, I love you so much.  I love your energy, your tenacity, your persistence and your passion.  Most of all, I love you for your transparency and sharing your story with all of us. You are an inspiration! Much love, xoxo 

I would like to introduce you to Mary Margaret! (Her real name is Margaret Bridgett but EVERYONE gets a nickname). I met Mary Margaret over two years ago when she signed up for her first Boot Camp Challenge®. She was the first to arrive on the first day of camp. 5:10am, I believe (we start at 5:30am). She is so tiny, maybe 5ft tall. She has a huge smile and tons of energy. She shared she had just started weight watchers and was ready to add exercise to her life. She said she had never exercised before, wasn’t sure if she could do it, but wanted to give it a go. She was so brave. During her first year, Mary Margaret took all the exercise options. And, she walked. She told me she couldn’t run, but it was her goal. As the months passed, Mary started running. She also lost 30 pounds. And then, she had a heart attack. Yep, I said heart attack. Mary Margaret was visiting with her daughter when the symptoms starting presenting themselves. And, she did what most of us would likely do: immediately went into denial. She thought it wasn't possible to be having a heart attack because she is young (56), working out for the first time in her life, and down in her weight! But she WAS having a heart attack. And, in our latest podcast, Mary Margaret shares her whole story. In it, she tells us: - The very first symptom she had, and why she thought it wasn't a heart attack. - The one sign very common in women that most don't know about. - What the doctor said saved her life (and she keeps doing to this day). - The first question her cardiologist asks at every check-up. Mary Margaret, thank you for being brave yet again and sharing your story. I know many of us are now armed with the knowledge to protect our hearts and the wisdom to know when to dial 911. xoxo And to all of you who are listening to our podcast - thank you. I feel honored you are listening. I appreciate your time. I totally understand how important it is, and I will always try my best to provide you with the greatest information and content on the planet. I am truly thankful for you. I'm beyond blessed you are a part our BCC fitfam. Much love, xoxo

Hi my friends! I want to first thank you for taking the time to listen to this weeks’ podcast. Not only will you find inspiration and courage, you will hear some hard truths and harsh realities. On this episode, I invited a very special guest. Her name is Jenn Messer, and she is one of the most inspirational and motivating trainers I have ever had the privilege with which to work. She launches BCC in the Christianburg, Virginia area as well as trains clients personally, and advocates for healthy hearts through the American Heart Association. She also lost her brother, Jimbo, who was also a BCC trainer and part of our fitfam, over a year ago at the age of 40. He was an amazing man, loving father and awesome husband, brother and trainer. Jimbo left us way too soon. When Jenn received the call that Jimbo had suffered heart failure on his run, in shock, she bolted to the hospital. What she learned from the doctors that could possibly be the cause for his death, well, it shocked her. And when she shared the story with me, I, too, was heartbroken. I asked Jenn if she would be open to share their story with you. She said yes. Jenn, your courage, strength and faithfulness to educate all of us on the perils of supplements leaves me in awe. Thank you for sharing your story, Jimbos story and for being an inspiration to all of us. And to you, our listeners, thank you SO much for taking the time to listen to my podcast. I do know how valuable your time is and feel blessed you are giving me a bit. Much love, xoxo

A few weeks back I had the most awesome afternoon with my friend Stacy Cody. She is our team/trainer manager for Boot Camp Challenge®. And, she is a professional fashionista. Like forreals. She has been dressing peeps for over three decades. Some famous and then some ordinary folks like myself. And when she styles people, she is able to make them look more thin, more tall, more short, more round, more whatever you want. And, she is genius. So I asked if she would share her secrets, tips and tricks around fashion and dressing for our body type, and she said yes! Because, fitness and fashion go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Or gin and tonic. Or milk and cookies. :) So, grab your Prosecco (my fav champs), have a cuddle on your couch and take a listen to our latest podcast. I think you are gonna LOVE this chat! :) Here are a few things Stacy shares: - Her top THREE fashion tips that make all women look FABULOUS! - How the size of your purse can make you look thin! - How to pick YOUR basic color that you must always keep in your closet. - What I have in common with a triangle and Marilyn Monroe. - The NUMBER ONE thing women do wrong when picking out their outfit. Thank you SO much for taking the time to listen to my podcast. I do know how valuable your time is and feel blessed you are giving me a bit. And, I love your opinions and comments. Please keep sharing with me you what like and what you don't. And, I will continue making you podcasts with the greatest content on the planet :) Much love, xoxo Smiles, Me

Friend! How is January treating you? Here in the Lou, it is giving us the cold shoulder. And, by cold, I mean FREEZING! But we are finally back at camp again and that makes me happy. I feel so much more myself when I am working with you. YOU never fail to inspire me (awwww, cue the sappy music :)) Over holiday break, I had the most amazing conversation with Angelo Bezzole. Angelo is married to our BCC trainer, Sammie Bezzole. And, I have known him for ten years. And, this is what I didn't know- he held the title of Mr. Universe for middle weight class - OMG! When I learned of his experiences, shows and competitions, I was intrigued to hear about his strategies for becoming a world class athlete, the obstacles he faced when pursuing his dreams, and how he managed the discipline to maintain his level of fitness. Then I asked him if he would share them with you. And, he said yes! So, grab your coffee or wine and pull up a seat (or jump on your treadmill and take a walk. He will definitely inspire you to move!) and push-play on our latest podcast. Here are a few things Angelo shares: - What he chose to do over playing college football. - Why being an athlete is the most selfish decision- and why you have to do it. - Why 8 out of 10 people will fail to reach their goals. - The ONE thing you need to find success - and it is NOT what you think! One more thing- thank you. Thank you for listening to my podcast. Every time I put one out, I feel super blessed you take a listen. And, I love your opinions and comments. Please keep sharing with me you what like and what you don't. And, I will continue making you podcasts that you want to hear! Much love, xoxo Smiles, Me