Control Freak

You understand making time for self-care is important. But that doesn't change the fact that it's not easy to do. It's frustrating when people throw advice out at you like, “Just make time for yourself,” or “You need to sleep when your baby sleeps!”So I'll be specific for you. Lets chat about the SIX KEY AREAS of focus in this department. Ready? 

Is Time Management even a thing as a mom? Can we actually manage our time? Can we take back our schedules, still find ways to prioritize ourselves, and get enough sleep? Can we find ways to stop skipping meals, do things that bring us joy, get us out of a house... maybe even take an hour or two BREAK? Ladies, I need you to understand something. Yes. You can. It's possible. It takes practice, it takes flexibility, and it takes putting any sort of Type A behavior on the back burner. It's not only possible. But it's NECESSARY. Not to toot my own horn, but this is my PASSION. I am obsessed with all things organization and ways to make your life easier. I am the queen of trial and error, things not going my way meltdowns, but standing back up and figuring it out again. I love planners, calendars, and morning routines. I truly believe that the only way to be the best mom I can be is to ENSURE that there is time for me within every single day. So this week, I am going to teach you. I am going to share with you what I have learned and hey, maybe they will be helpful. Maybe they won't. But I am telling you, this will change your life if you allow it to. Follow me and tag me on Instagram: @allthingskelseyAlso- don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Somewhere between the excitement of your pregnancy announcement and your child's first steps, there can come a breakdown in communication. Makes total sense: You've both had a massive life change, and your priorities changed overnight.This doesn't mean everything is falling apart. It just means that gone is spontaneity and doing whatever you want together. Replaced by it is burp clothes, midnight wakings, and all things children. Communication is KEY. And today, I want to give you some ways to re-spark the talk and clear the air with your spouse.Follow me and tag me on Instagram: @allthingskelseyAlso- don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

It's human nature to want to make sure you're in the "norm," especially when you're entering a new, unknown season of life that comes with a steep learning curve.But in our current culture, the "norm" has become a very specific mould that many of us don't fit into, making a lot of parents feel subpar and discouraged.Today's subject...  you got it. COMPARISON.Follow me and tag me on Instagram: @allthingskelseyAlso- don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

You NEED to change your mindset that you're a BAD MOM for putting yourself first. I don't know about you, but I don't want my daughter to grow up witnessing a mom who is constantly exhausted, worn out, and stressed 24/7. I am setting the tone for her life RIGHT NOW. You're doing the same for your babies too. When they see you take care of yourself, it shows them that they need to prioritize their self care too. So here are some things YOU MUST prioritize, especially now that you're a momma. THINK SNOWBALL: 1. S is for SLEEP. Make sure you're getting enough rest. When you're tired you aren't thinking clearly and your mood may suffer. 2. N is for Nutrition. Eating food that's good for you will help you recover, give you energy, and is especially important if you're breastfeeding. 3. O is for Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Fish oils have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression in new moms. 4. W is for Workout. Exercise will improve your mood and help your body recover from giving birth. Plus it's an energy booster.5. B is for Baby Breaks. Take some time away from your baby. It can help you feel more like yourself again! 6. A is for Adult Time. Spending time with other adults—your partner or your friends will help you maintain important relationships.7. L is for Liquids. Try to drink at least two quarters of water daily. EVERY. DAY. 8. L is for Laughter. Remember to laugh and give yourself a break.  Life with a new baby requires a sense of humor. Follow me and tag me on Instagram: @allthingskelseyAlso- don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

I didn't lose myself when I became a mom. I didn't lose myself through infertility and I didn't lose myself through miscarriage. Instead, some of the hardest and most beautiful moments of my life have been the start of the most incredible transformation of my life. I am unrecognizable in the most beautiful ways. And here is the thing. So are you. Mama, welcome to Fight Back Motherhood. This podcast isn't meant to change you. It's meant to help you discover yourself. The new you buried underneath spit up, tired eyes, and a love thats so heavy you can't even describe it. The new you who is facing the biggest battle of her life through infertility and miscarriage. I'm Kelsey Smith and my job is to help you understand the importance of taking care of ourselves physically and mentally first so we can be the best mommas for these beautiful babies. We are in this together. It's time to fight back.Follow me on Instagram: @allthingskelsey.

Have you ever thought the words: "What exactly is my purpose?" It's a question Sonia Adams has dedicated her life to. Sonia is an inspirational speaker, author, and founder of Blossoming Vines Ministries, Inc. a non-profit 501c3 whose mission is “Helping women ‘Blossom’ in their lives and extend their reach to others." She inspires others by sharing principles that provoke purpose and helps people walk in theirs. She gives unique insight and a relevant perspective to her speaking and writing. Her wisdom crushes the barriers that keep women from receiving physical, mental, and spiritual healing. She has a passion to help women pursue and fully walk in their purpose. It’s through her journey, trials, process, and tears she has come to a resolve to be authentically herself. On today's episode, we chat PURPOSE and stepping into it. Author, I Am Pretty soniaadams.comFounder and CEO, Blossoming Vines MinistriesWebsite: www.blossomingvines.com

I had SUCH a great conversation with one of my friends & business partners Dani Stoller this week. **WARNING: F Bombs are dropped.We are talking about the Body Positivity Movement + how there is a lack of clarity on it. I was telling Dani how I am OBSESSED with how people are truly embracing their bodies and loving the skin they are in- but I am finding that it's also causing a lot of confusion. Should I NOT want to lose weight? Should I NOT care what I am eating? Should I NOT post or share about how far I've come physically? I personally was feeling shame and the need to explain myself for every transformation photo I posted, saying things like: “I loved my body before, I was proud before… etc” When really, I was just feeling guilty for wanting change in a world where everyone is telling me to be happy with where I am. It's confusing- so I asked Dani to help me explain this concept to all of you. I'm excited to hear your feedback.

There was a time in my life where I had to get approval to get my hair done.It sounds so insane but it was my truth. As a news reporter, looks mattered. You can’t just go from blonde to brown overnight or cut all of your hair off on a Tuesday. Your boss had a say, even the viewers had a say (they let you know if they liked what you looked like or not). It didn’t matter if you needed a change or wanted to try something new. “It’s the profession you chose”, they would tell me.The truth being, the profession I chose was nothing like I imagined it would be and it was stripping every ounce of who I thought I was the longer I stayed in it.The moment I decided to leave and pursue a career that pushed me toward being my authentic self, I was faced with an entirely new challenge. Who was I now? What did I like?Once I got married and moved to Charlotte, I started to navigate that question. I pierced my nose first and that felt REALLY good. I always wanted to do that. Then I had pink hair for a while, added some purple and blues, did a little bit of red, bleach blonde- I went crazy in all of the right ways. I did what felt right and cool to me at each appointment. Not asking anyone’s permission, often surprising my husband with my new do every time I walk through the door.

You know how you can give someone some REALLY good advice and meanwhile, it's actually what YOU need to hear? That happened to me recently. It was a conversation I had with a friend on my team thats also newly postpartum. I found myself finding words to comfort her and inspire her and before I knew it, it CLICKED for me. The entire last seven months of being a new mom, all of the emotions I was feeling, the anxiety and depression that snuck in, well it just MADE SENSE all of the sudden when I was giving HER advice. The truth is, every single one of us are going through life transitions constantly and with those transitions comes CHANGE. Not just in the world around us, but inside of us. In this episode, I'll share what I am slowly starting to learn about us women as life changes and how we handle it. Then, I'm going to give you permission to BREATHE and get through it. Sound good? Lets go!

Hey ya'll! After a MUCH needed break from podcasting so that I could figure out this new life of mine, I am back- rebranded- and excited. This episode tells you where I've been, where my mindset is going forward, and what you can expect. Welcome back!

Through her own personal challenges, Dr. Lindsey Elmore discovered Chinese medicine, herbal medicines, supplement, vitamins and mineral, chiropractic care, and yoga and meditation and this started her on a natural wellness journey. Her whole world turned upside down when she discovered essential oils. She has spent years applying the knowledge of a pharmacist to the practice of essential oil usage.In this interview, Dr. Elmore and I chat about HOLISTIC health and how TRUE health is not just physical- but mental too. We talk about how essential oils can help with some of the things we struggle with most. Join Dr. Elmore on her journey: @lindseyelmore on Facebook and Instagram, @drlindseyelmore on Pinterest, and online at www.lindseyelmore.com

There is a stigma around this topic. It's one of those things that we all seem to know a lot about but at the same time, something that isn't talked about nearly enough. So I am using my platform to do MY part and it starts with sharing MY story. I've dealt with depression dating all of the way back to the 5th grade. Anxiety began sneaking in after college and I have been fighting both constantly ever since. In this podcast, I share my story from my past, the challenges I've gone through- and I even share the struggles I've been facing in the last 3-4 months due to this pandemic. I hope this podcast inspires you to work through whatever storm you're currently facing and how getting THROUGH depression and anxiety is a constant journey- and a decision. *If you are someone struggling with depression and are considering harming yourself, PLEASE please get help.

The other night on our anniversary, my husband and I decided to watch our wedding video. Something that came out of his mouth got me thinking. He said: "That's the one day where nothing else matters." Its true. Your wedding day, you're not thinking about anything else except the wedding, your significant other, and the people you're surrounded with. You're not watching the news, consuming, scrolling social media. You're TRULY present. Nothing else matters. That thought sparked this episode which leads me to reflecting on our wedding day, our infertility journey one year ago, and looking for more ways to have MORE days where nothing else matters.

Confessions of a former chronic quitter: Not giving up is a mindset. It wasn’t one that came naturally to me (obviously). But lucky for me- it was a mindset that I worked super hard on to adopt. I had to change my language from things like: “This is harder than it should be.”“Why is this taking so long?”“I’m getting no where.”“I can’t do this.”to…. “I will either find a way or make one.”“Every problem has a solution.”“I will find a way through this.”In today’s episode, I’m sharing the REAL problem with constantly having to start over. I’ll help you understand that your reason for quitting will NEVER be stronger than the reason to start, and I’ll give you some tactical tips to keep you moving forward when it’s super easy not to.

As an enneagram three, I pride myself on how hard of a worker I am. Heck, going into my due date- I had two months of newsletters scheduled and two months of podcasts recorded and ready. Then all of the sudden, she was born. The scheduled stuff eventually came to an end and I realized that "holy shit, I'm a new mom" and all of the sudden- it kicked in. I wasn't just a full time CEO and wife anymore. I have a tiny little human counting on me and ya'll- her schedule is SO unpredictable. So in the last 12 weeks of her being in this world, I've been trying to navigate how to balance it all while feeling like I am failing at every single second. I could pretend its not happening and throw a super inspirational message at you today- OR I could be a human being and be honest with you guys. I'm doing my best and I know this is just a season and I will get through it and figure it out eventually. Right now in this one, I need to be realistic. I am going to focus on the things that I CAN control. In this episode, learn what I am doing to adjust to this new season.

Mia Hewett has co-owned and operated a seven-figure business, is an international speaker, and a world-class business coach. Mia is the founder of Aligned IntelligenceTM, a methodology that removes all blind spots, fear, anxiety, and self-doubt leaving you feeling "free to be Me.” This allows her clients to stop secretly struggling and live in alignment with their dreams so that they can scale to 6 and 7-figures the fast way.When Mia was in her thirties she had a multi-million dollar company, happy kids, and a gorgeous house, but still didn’t feel like she wasn’t good enough. So she read every personal development book she could get her hands on. She took every course, paid to be in the VIP sections, and hired some of the best coaches in the world, but no one could help her figure out what she was missing. She realized that the answer wasn’t outside of herself at all, but in her. What she discovered is that she had been trying to solve it all through her mind and what she uncovered is that she needed to heal the emotional side of herself. When we don’t heal the emotional side of ourselves we limit our intellect because we can’t think greater than how we feel.Mia has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs who've always known they were meant for more and she is sharing all her secrets in her new book, “Meant For More.” The book explains how to stop secretly struggling, awaken your full potential, and discover the Truth about who you really are. RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW: Find Mia: www.miahewett.comInstagram: mia.hewettFree Book: http://miameantformorebook.com/Password: Freebook

On today’s episode, we are talking all about Emotional Eating. I got to chat with Jessica Procini, an Emotional Eating Healer and the founder of Escape From Emotional Eating, who is on a mission to help others use food as fuel rather than a way to cope or escape their crazy lives. She consciously created and specifically designed Escape From Emotional Eating from over a decade of research and her own emotional eating journey. Now being 100% free from her compulsions with food, she helps others do the same.On this episode we chat about what emotional eating is, the roots of emotional eating, and what you can do TODAY to start the healing process and restore your relationship with food. Find Jessica: escapefromemotionaleating.com Instagram: @jessprocini Facebook: /jprocini

There is nothing like having a kid and being alive during a worldwide pandemic that makes you realize you need to get your shit together in the financial department.AM I RIGHT?I’ve been asking God for more than a year to help us in this department, asking for Him to give me peace, and help me create a plan to get our family on track financially. To me, that meant creating a plan to get us out of debt- which we have been working religiously on for years. But because all of our focus was there, we didn’t have much of a savings at all. And when this pandemic started, I began to realize how uncomfortable that made me.The day we brought our daughter home from the hospital was the day North Carolina’s stay at home orders went into effect. All of the sudden, four vacations that were going to cost us significant money were cancelled right off the bat. Hotels and tickets were refunded. Student loans went into forbearance, interest rates went away on certain loans, restaurants, bars, and anything we would do for fun closed down. It was like God was looking at me and saying, “here is your blank slate. What are you going to do with it?”In the last five weeks (While I worked VERY limited hours with a newborn, mind you) I printed off a budget. Wrote out ALL of our bills, set my intentions, made a plan, and made a decision to take a month off of debt and get our family AHEAD in April. That consisted of not ordering out and only spending money on what was needed (groceries + bills).With that decision, we have made MAJOR moves.

The truth is, nothing about the last 7 weeks (hell, last 11 months) has been easy. My mindset has been through a royal beating, my body has experienced something so magical- but yet so hard. Every second of it has been worth it.⁣⁣I have a ways to go, but I’m not in any rush. I’m taking this one day at a time and doing my best to enjoy the process- even when it’s hard.⁣⁣Having a daughter puts this journey into such a new perspective. She is watching my every move and while she doesn’t understand what I’m saying or doing, one day she will. I NEED her to hear her mom saying nice things about her body, I NEED to show her the importance of health and doing something for yourself. I NEED her to understand that she is forever my reason, never my excuse. I NEED her to realize she is perfect exactly as she is. ⁣That starts with me. That’s why I show up. ⁣In this episode, I share the truth behind weight loss and why SO many people fall into comparison traps. I discuss the importance of chasing HEALTH instead of pounds lost, and last but not least- why comparing yourself to an old version of yourself is the last thing you want to do.

Is it 2021 yet? I mean COME ON! This year has been pretty interesting, hasn't yet? Here we are now months into a worldwide pandemic and we have no idea when things are going to go back to "normal". To be honest, I've been staying away from any topic coronavirus related because I'm tired of hearing about it too. We get it. It's here and we have no clue when its going away. That we can all agree on. But the truth is guys, one thing we are all avoiding is the fact that we aren't going back to normal. A couple of weeks ago, I heard a sermon by my pastor that really struck a cord with me and got me thinking. That "thought" turned into this podcast episode and I hope it can bring some peace to your hearts in this crazy time.

Sierra Vecellio is a mom of three that has been through A LOT. A little over a year ago, she experienced the biggest heartbreak of her life. She told me she remembers thinking "how could this happen to me, how am I 1 in 4?"But with that terrible heartbreak came strength, growth and faith. She overcame something she never thought she could. She said she grew into a better person and her relationship with her husband grew into something so much more beautiful. She reconnected to her faith. In today's episode, we talk about all of the things. Her story, how to talk to someone who has gone through it, her beautiful rainbow

Tomorrow marks six years as a health and fitness coach and a full time entrepreneur and people ask me ALL THE TIME how I got to where I am today. How did I find the courage to pursue a non-conventional career path, walk out of my full time job, put my life out there on social media for all to see (and judge)? I've been thinking about those questions for a while now and the first thing I could come up with is that I decided to stop playing by the rules. When it comes to a crowded social media world- I realized people don’t need another copycat. They need YOU. The real you, the raw you, the rule breaking, cursing, you. The you that knows exactly who she is and what she wants. The creative you, the you that doesn’t need this permission slip to put herself out there and chase all of her dreams. I didn't WAIT for someone to tell me it was okay to pursue the life of my dreams. I went out and created it for myself. In this episode, I will give you five tips on HOW.

Chris Downing lives by three words. Empower. Love. Inspire. These words have not only impacted his entire life, but thousands that he works with and has the pleasure of mentoring every single day. He believes that every person on this earth was created with a GIFT and a purpose to do amazing things. He believes there is an entire world waiting on us to become the people we were put on this planet to BE. But he also believes the biggest obstacle most of us face on our way to getting there is OURSELVES. In this episode of the Control Freak Podcast, Chris shares his story. He shares the good and the bad which made him who he is today. He shares the importance of embracing our past and forgiving ourselves and others who wronged us so that we can move forward.Get ready to be slapped across the face, ya'll. This a message we all need to hear. Find Chris: www.thechrisdowning.com Instagram: @thechrisdowning

On March 24, 2020- my entire world was flipped upside down in all of the right ways. Our story has been anything but easy. After 17 months of infertility and two IUI's, God blessed us with the greatest gift of all time, a positive pregnancy test. Ever since I saw that positive, our story began to reveal itself in the most unpredictable ways. Nothing has gone according to plan and for a Control Freak, that's super hard to deal with. But in the last nine months, God has taught me what it means to truly release control and just relish in the experience. On March 24, our baby girl was born into this crazy world and in this episode, you'll hear our experience, the emotions that go with it, as well as a small dive into the postpartum life.

If you’re here, that probably means that you have taken the time to plan out your 2020 (more details in Episode 018). CLICK HERE to subscribe to my FREE 5 Day Email Series: 2020 Vision: http://bit.ly/2020VisionGoalCourse. You'll get access to five days of goal setting content that coincides with the steps I give you in this episode and will allow you to create a SOLID game plan for the new year. If you've done that already, THIS is your next step to ensuring that you are staying on track with your yearly goals. Like I mentioned in the episode, if you don’t have any sort of vision or clarity on what you’re trying to achieve in the new year, guess what’s going to happen? Well, to say it bluntly: Absolutely nothing. The last thing I want for you is for you to open your eyes on the morning of December 31, 2020 and realize that absolutely nothing has changed. That you’re in the EXACT same spot as you were in 2019, heck maybe even 2018 for that matter. I don’t know about you, but it scares me to DEATH to think that I could just be coasting through life, not making any sort of impact in the world or those around me, and that 60-70 years from now I have absolutely nothing to be proud of and instead, a life full of regret. Yuck, right? We ALL have the potential to be something GREAT. We all have something buried deep inside of us that is LONGING to be exposed. We have creative ideas, unlimited potential, and this power buried so deep within that if we could just reach a TINY part of it, well, it could change our entire lives. CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR QUARTERLY GOAL SETTING PDF TO KEEP THIS TRAIN ROLLING: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R4F0wC5d4yAHVRaP7hArlKZCjiXITuBz/view?usp=sharing

"Business isn't personal, but it's emotional."That's basically the foundation of what Jessica McKinley is building her business and brand around. Women that she works with are all smart, ambitious female entrepreneurs with no strategy for how to scale their business using positive emotions and no tools for taking action through the negative ones.College admissions boards are now measuring EQ, and not just IQ. Positive Psychology & Happiness Science experts are now being hired by Fortune 500 execs. But "feelings" is still a dirty word in business (especially if you're a woman).And while Brene Brown is pioneering the importance of addressing shame in the workplace, Jessican's mission is to make "Business isn't Personal, it's emotional" a headline in 2020 by giving companies, employees and business owners a model for using their emotions to their advantage...... without ever having to involve HR.Jessica McKinley is a Happiness Scientist and Life Coach for Entrepreneurs who need help getting out of their own way. She is a single mom who cares equal parts about raising her son bilingual as she does raising him knowing it's ok to be silly and get messy. She's a singer, a speaker, a children's book author, a dirty cross-stitcher, a world-traveler, and host of the What's Happyning Podcast-- and most importantly, a Steelers fan.

It's St. Patrick's Day! And guess what? I'm here to tell you ONE thing and ONE thing only. Luck doesn't exist. People aren't handed ANYTHING. When I look back at my life and everything I've encountered, achieved, or even failed at- sister, my resume doesn't scream LUCK. Everything I've been given or NOT given is a result of me working my tush off or lack there of. Your success in your life has NOTHING to do with your race, gender, background, or whatever you want to blame it on. It's a result of your mindset and doing what you need to do to create the life you've always dreamed of.

Your career is a huge part of your life, and when it doesn’t leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied, it can have a pretty big negative impact on your overall outlook and attitude. If your position truly has you clenching your fists and wanting to bash your head against a wall every single day, it’s probably smart to start looking for something else. Lets be real. BUT- let’s face it—we don’t all have the luxury to pack up our desks and wave goodbye to our supervisors whenever the going gets a little tough.That means you need to stick it out in this miserable position for at least a little while longer, and you’re desperate for any advice that helps make that process a bit easier. In this podcast, I share my story about a job I HATED and give you five tips to get through it.

Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. It includes a VARIETY of things:What you believe about your own appearanceHow you feel about your body, including your height, shape, and weight.How you sense and control your body as you move. How you physically experience or feel in your body. In a nutshell, it can completely boost your ego or destroy you. On today's podcast, I chat with Stephanie Lamson about the struggles she faced as a kid all the way into pregnancy. Learn about the obstacles she had to face and how she got through them to become the woman she is today.

Want to hear something absolutely NUTS? I'm a weirdo about my finances and absolutely LOVE budgeting. Since launching this podcast, we have heard from Chris Hogan from Ramsey Solutions and Judi Walker who paid off $55K of Student Loan Debt in 10 months. Both episodes were INCREDIBLE so please take the time to go listen to those if you're someone who is wanting to really dive into finances. But I wanted to tell you MY breakdown on how I budget monthly and why I'm so passionate about finding a system that WORKS. I discovered Dave Ramsey the year Zach and I were getting married and we ended up saving $20K in 10 months for our wedding. Ever since then, I've been implementing these systems to get us out of the giant hole we dug ourselves into. Hopefully these tips can help!

The reality is this. Change is going to happen whether you like it or not, so you BETTER be ready to lean in to it sister. Every single thing that's worth having will PROBABLY require you to step outside of your comfort zone. There will never be a perfect time to take control of your finances, health, relationships, whatever. The right time is NOW.

Hey Control Freaks! I am SO excited for you guys to meet Chelsie Lambert, our guest on today's podcast. Chelsie is the host of the podcast “She Speaks with Love” and her mission is to help the wife and mama communicate effectively with their household while working through her limiting beliefs. She works with women to offer tactical tips and tricks and even offers coaching sessions for women that want to dive deeper.On today's podcast, we dive into three topics: 1. Codependency2. Effective Communication with your Spouse 3. The Importance of women finding something for themselves OUTSIDE of the house

This episode is a flashback from 2019 and I wanted to resurface it because I think it's SO relevant today. People ask me ALL the time how I stay so positive. The truth is, I thought the answer was simple. + I do my gratitude daily + I CHOOSE to be happy + I read personal development books You see where I'm going with this. The truth is, I think I've been answering that question ALL wrong and today, I want to do it correctly. So how do you stay positive in the midst of a shit storm and when the world seems to be conspiring against you? Well, let me tell you.

In today's episode of the Control Freak Podcast, we reflect on the life of the legendary Kobe Bryant and the lessons he continues to leave behind. The truth is, the passing of this NBA superstar has absolutely rocked the world. You didn't have to know him or be his best friend to feel the impact of his tragic and sudden death. This man has impacted millions, not just on the basketball court, but beyond. Today, I share a letter I write to this man and THANK HIM for the biggest lesson he is teaching: Tomorrow isn't guaranteed.

It's safe to say the student loan debt crisis in the United States is a pretty big deal. Kids are leaving school OWNING more than what their starting salary will be & at the same time, they have ZERO idea what to do once those payments kick in six months after graduation. So many of you asked for additional financial specific podcasts and after meeting Judi Walker, founder of Pursuing Financial Confidence, I KNEW you guys needed to hear her story. I myself am currently battling this issue and her persistence, belief, and tactical tips give me HOPE that I can take control of my finances and live the life I'm supposed to. I hope it does the same for you.

Hey Control Freaks! This week, we are getting ready for Superbowl LIV! With the big game just a few weeks away, I am dedicating an entire podcast to talk to you about the following: 1. How to host a HEALTHY Superbowl Party (don't worry, it doesn't make it less fun and you still get to enjoy all of your favorites). 2. How to decorate on a budget for the big day if you're hosting 3. Things NOT to say or do after a Superbowl loss + things YOU CAN DO to make it easier on your grieving friend or spouse. If you like everything you hear today, you can download my FREE Superbowl Ebook here. It includes everything we talk about in this episode + a TON of recipes you can use for Championship Weekend and the big day. TO DOWNLOAD: https://kzsmithllc.activehosted.com/f/27

Moira Kucaba says it best in her Rise Up Planner. The first hour of your day determines the next 23. As I sat down and thought about WHO to ask to speak on this subject for us, I truly couldn't have brought on a better person. Moira is a BADASS and busy entrepreneur who owes her sanity to establishing a morning routine and STICKING TO IT. If you can't take an hour to yourself a day, you really don't have a life sister. In today's podcast, I interview this incredible woman about her story, her routine, and the importance of getting yours in check as we start this new year. FIND MOIRA on Instagram: @moirakucabaGet her Rise Up Planner: www.moirakucaba.com or on Amazon

Needless to say, this year didn't exactly go my way. When 2018 ended, which was ultimately one of the BEST years of my life, I figured it could only go UP from here. The truth was, LIFE happened and my growth stalled for 9 months, causing me to not only face fertility issues and a severe depression- but massive failure after failure. Since it's New Years Eve, I need to come on the podcast today and share with you how I am using that failure to my advantage in 2020, the goals I set for myself, and what made me get back on track toward my dream life in the last 3 months of the year. CLICK HERE to subscribe to my FREE 5 Day Email Series: 2020 Vision: http://bit.ly/2020VisionGoalCourseYou'll get access to five days of goal setting content that coincides with the steps I give you in this episode and will allow you to create a SOLID game plan for the new year.

Today on the Control Freak Podcast- we are talking DISNEY WORLD ERRRTHANG. I know there are parents all over the world who would LOVE to surprise their kids with the Disney Vacation of their dreams. Heck, maybe not even your kids. Maybe you're wanting to get the heck out of dodge and go yourself!There are just a few problems...No time to planNot sure what you need to planGuilt about spending on something so "frivolous"A spouse who isn't on boardYou don't want to spend money on a travel agentYou're in for a REAL treat this week. I am chatting with LJ Johnson, the founder of Smart Moms Plan Disney. Ya'll- this woman has figured it OUT. She has been able to go to Disney World ONCE a month for the last 5 years because of the money-saving strategies she has learned and perfected. And no, she doesn't live in Florida. And she has five kids.On today's podcast, she is going to share about how and WHY she built her company, Smart Moms Plan Disney and give you some tactical tips that will help you get started in the planning process TODAY.

Not to toot my own horn, but I am the new year goal setting QUEEN ya'll! I am about to dump my step by step plan on how I get myself ready and planned for a new year. The God honest truth is that New Years Resolutions DO NOT WORK, k? They are something you essentially say out loud because everyone else is doing it. There is no meaning behind it, they are what you THINK you SHOULD do, there is no motivation or commitment behind them, and the timing is ALL wrong. While the intention for positive change is a GOOD one, something I've learned is that until you sit down and INTENTIONALLY create a plan that fires you the hell up, that aligns with the vision you have for your life, and that you WANT to show up for? Well, honestly- nothing will really change. So THIS episode is going to make life easy for you. I break down exactly how I get ready for the new year every single year AND I even have a FREE resource for you to grab to do this on your own. That's right sista! CLICK HERE to subscribe to my FREE 5 Day Email Series: 2020 Vision: http://bit.ly/2020VisionGoalCourseYou'll get access to five days of goal setting content that coincides with the steps I give you in this episode and will allow you to create a SOLID game plan for the new year.

Do you truly know how important your STORY is and how telling it to the world can not only change your business, but your LIFE?As a former news reporter, I developed a love for telling stories a LONG time ago. I loved the connection it brought between me and my audience, the relationships it would build, the excitement that could come from it. When I heard Kindra Hall speak at my company conference in October of 2018, however, I saw a new side of it that I've never seen before. I didn't realize the POWER story can have on our lives, futures, and relationships.On today's podcast, Kindra answers the MANY questions you have about story telling + helps you get started on telling yours TODAY.Kindra is President and Chief Storytelling Officer at Steller Collective, a consulting firm focused on the strategic application of storytelling to today’s communication challenges. Kindra is one of the most sought-after keynote speakers trusted by global brands to deliver presentations and trainings that inspire teams and individuals to better communicate the value of their company, their products and their individuality through strategic storytelling.What began as a storytelling assignment in 5th grade, grew into a passion for not only telling stories, but a mastery for teaching others the methods and science of storytelling so they can better tell their own.

In the spirit of the holiday, I thought it was only natural to take you through some of the best Thanksgivings I've had and naturally- I have to share the WORST Thanksgiving I've ever had. At the end, I leave you with a message that I hope will keep your spirits high and your stress low as you prepare for the 2019 holidays.

If you would have asked me to speak on this subject six years ago, I would have had ZERO words for you. I was the type of person who went to the gym and wandered around, doing the occasional machine or jumping on the treadmill. There was no method to the madness ya'll. I was moving, which was great. But then I would go home and warm up a frozen corn dog and call that dinner. I didn't really have an influence growing up that taught me the importance of health and nutrition. But in today's world, there are PLENTY. In this episode, I dive into the FIVE lessons I've learned from getting healthy and taking control of my health and fitness. To put it bluntly- you get ONE life and ONE body. Are you taking care of it?

I am coming off an INCREDIBLE weekend in Charleston, SC where I attended a Business Conference hosted by Rachel and Dave Hollis. World class speakers and leaders were on this stage fueling my brain with information on how to be a better leader, challenging what I am currently doing, and teaching us how to make more money and MORE IMPACT in the lives of our clients and teams.But you want the truth? This was a weekend that I honestly was petrified of. I didn't feel like I belonged here. Who was I to be in a crowd of multi-millionaires and successful people? Well, it turns out- I was exactly where I needed to be. Buckle up, 2020. This podcast is proof we are in for a wild ride.

The other day, I woke up to being tagged by 13 people essentially telling me to get my workout done and my mind immediately said: THIS is exactly the answer to why it’s so easy for me to stay motivated. People ask me all the time how I peel myself out of bed and get a workout done even when I don’t want to and I simply realized after seeing the 13 tags is that I am surrounded by people who DON'T let me fail. Whereas a lot of other people are WAITING for the answer. They are waiting for this golden ticket, this magical line from a book or podcast, a sudden burst of energy, whatever. They are waiting for someone to save them and GIVE them the answer. But really, they fail to realize that until THEY take the first steps- nothing will change. Motivation doesn’t magically appear. It’s something you have to CREATE for yourself.

Since going through infertility first hand, I’ve learned a lot. One of the biggest lessons thus far is that infertility doesn’t have an agenda. It doesn’t just pick bad people, it doesn’t just pick good ones. It strikes for a second child after it was so easy to get pregnant with the first. It affects the healthy ones, the sick ones. It doesn’t discriminate on gender or race. There is nothing we can do to prevent it and we didn’t do anything to deserve it. It just happens and it sucks.⁣⁣After our first failed IUI, I’ve never felt so deep a pain in my entire life and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. But I knew Zach and I were meant to be parents and I knew this mess would one day be our message. That alone was worth fighting for, staying positive for, and it gave us the courage to try again even though I couldn’t bear the thought of the chance it could fail again and again. ⁣1 in 8 will experience infertility in some capacity so don't turn your head and think this episode doesn't pertain to you. SOMEONE you know is experiencing this and understanding it can truly help. This week I am introducing you to Karly and Sean Kelly. A couple who has been BRAVE enough to share their journey through IVF, the hard times, male infertility, and all of the obstacles that went through it. If you want to truly understand the process and how to get through it TOGETHER, this is a great opportunity for you to listen in.

What is a dream destroyer? Simple. A deep HURT that made you UNKNOWINGLY or KNOWINGLY give up on your dream. You have a GOAL. You have this big vision for your life, yet things (or people) happen and all of the sudden everything you ever wanted is thrown to the side. Dream destroyers wear the disguises of our parents, teachers, spouses, best friends, strangers. This can come down to a couple different things. Fears and doubts, discouragement from others, and circumstances.In this episode, we will dive into all three of these things and help you recognize what's truly holding you back from going after your dreams.

Today is all about moneyyyyyyyy. Cue song: Moneyyyy. Money Money Money. I have the most incredible guest speaker today that is going to teach you how to take CONTROL of your FINANCES. That’s right homeslice, this is for YOU. The person in thousands of dollars of debt, the person with ambitions to be rich one day, the person who doesn’t want to worry about where their next meal is coming from. This podcast was recorded with you in mind. And the truth is, I AM you. Money has been a sensitive subject for me my ENTIRE life.This interview with Chris Hogan completely changed everything for me and gave me such a new and exciting perspective on how we can completely take control of our financial situation. Chris Hogan is a two-time #1 national best-selling author & dynamic speaker and financial expert. For more than a decade, Hogan has served at Ramsey Solutions, spreading a message of hope to audiences across the country as a financial coach. He challenges and equips people to take control of their money and reach their financial goals, using The Chris Hogan Show, his national TV appearances, and live events across the nation.His second book, Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth—And How You Can Too released in January 2019-- and you should 1000% read it-- and is based on the largest study of net-worth millionaires ever conducted. If you’re ready to hear this man change your mindset around money- then lets dive in to our interview.

Want to hear my biggest trigger and the excuse that makes me want to bash my head into a wall? The TIME excuse. Now before you bite my head off, allow me to explain.I get it. You have a lot on your calendar this week, month, year? Just don’t have the time? When anyone asks more of you, you quickly respond with your various reports of busyness, too much to do, and not enough time. Well it’s an excuse. And I know what you’re thinking: "Kelsey, you don’t know my life. You have absolutely NO idea what my day consists of. I have this to do, the things need me, I work 2 jobs, I barely sleep, it takes everything in my power to get food on the table, im in school, I am MOVING this month, I am renovating the house… YOU HAVE NO IDEA."You’re absolutely right about one thing here. I don’t know you personally, and I don’t know what you have on your plate. But I’m still correct in saying that “busyness” has become your excuse- and people are tired of hearing it. You want to know why? WE ARE ALL BUSY. We live in a world of BUSY. Every single one of us do. But there is NO SUCH THING as too busy.Busy is a time filler. It is the quick response to portraying yourself as too productive to participate in something. It’s the response we give when we really don’t want to do or commit to something, instead of just saying NO. Busy is the answer we provide when we want to avoid something or someone, instead of just making time another day or telling the truth.Busy is a decision. It’s a choice. We do the things we want to do. Period. End of story. Too busy is short for not important enough. It means you would rather be doing something else that you consider more important. Simply put, you don’t find the time to do something. You make the time to do things.In today's podcast- we dive into how to figure out what you prioritize to TAKE back your time.

CHANGE is a control freak’s nightmare. Believe me, I get it. There is no worse feeling than watching everything around you start to change and you feel like you’re spiraling out of control. You so badly want to press pause on life, figure it the hell out, put things in order or back where they used to be. But the truth is, it’s impossible. You can rarely prevent change from happening, and the one thing we fail to remember (because we are so busy panicking) is that life is happening FOR us, not to us. It can feel paralyzing. I have friends facing change and they find themselves so worked up and in tears over something they can’t control. In fact, I am going through the most INTENSE time of my life in the change department right now. Ready for the damn truth bomb? Tune into this episode to learn the three stages of transition and how to come out of a major change on top.