Podcasts about dream body

Most women who struggle with binge eating never talk about it. I'm changing that today. In this episode, I get personal about my own journey with binge eating, tracing it back to my early twenties and walking through the slow, nonlinear process of working through it over the past decade. This is not a quick fix episode. There is no finish line moment, no single breakthrough that made it all click. What there is, is an honest look at what actually moved the needle over time. I break down the three things that made the biggest difference in my healing: releasing the good food and bad food rules that were quietly running the show, going through a functional reverse diet to address what was happening on a physiological level, and reframing the stories I was telling myself after a binge episode. I also dig into something that does not get talked about enough, which is how your body's overall toxic load and sensitivity to certain foods can actually reinforce disordered eating patterns without you even realizing it. If you have ever felt completely out of control around food, finished a vacation feeling more guilt than joy, or wondered if you will ever stop the restrict and binge cycle, this episode is for you. You are not broken, and you are not alone.   Time Stamps:   (2:52) Visiting Mama Pozos At Hilton Head  (7:27) Defining Binge Eating  (12:22) Biggest Difference Makers With Controlling Binging  (14:14) Letting Go Of Food Rules  (16:50) Functional Reverse Dieting --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if burning more calories had less to do with punishing workouts and more to do with how you live your everyday life?  In this episode, we're breaking down 10 low-effort ways to support your metabolism without adding hours of cardio or exhausting yourself in the gym. Because the truth is, your metabolism is running 24/7 and small habits repeated consistently can have a much bigger impact than most people realize. We start with five hobbies that naturally increase calorie burn and improve metabolic health, including hiking, swimming, cycling, dancing, and even hobbies like knitting that help regulate stress and reduce mindless snacking. You'll learn why activities that support cortisol regulation, muscle activation, and nervous system balance can quietly improve fat loss and energy levels behind the scenes. Then we shift into five simple lifestyle strategies that can significantly change the way your body uses energy throughout the day. From walking after meals and increasing NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis) to prioritizing sleep, hydration, and even small micro-movements, this episode explains how metabolism is influenced by far more than workouts alone. We also break down the science in a way that actually makes sense covering blood sugar regulation, insulin, cortisol, thermogenesis, and why sleep may be one of the most underrated fat-loss tools available. Most importantly, this conversation reframes the idea that improving your metabolism has to mean doing more. Sometimes it's about working with your body instead of constantly fighting it. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by all-or-nothing fitness advice, this episode will help you see that sustainable progress often comes from the simplest shifts. Your metabolism doesn't just respond to exercise. It responds to your environment, your habits, your stress levels, and the way you move through everyday life.   Time Stamps:   (3:17) #1: Hiking (5:09) #2: Knitting (6:53) #3: Swimming (9:06) #4: Cycling (10:46) #5: Dancing (13:20) #6: Walking After Meals (13:52) #7: Standing More (14:47) #8: Drinking Cold Water (15:32) #9: Fidgeting (17:07) #10: Prioritizing Quality Sleep (19:02) Functional Fat Loss Solutions Masterclass --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

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In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing the full arc of my health journey, from my days as a Division I equestrian athlete at UGA to the years of frustration, confusion, and rock bottom moments that ultimately led me to functional health.  I open up about how the pressure to maintain a certain body composition as a college athlete first pushed me toward disordered eating habits, setting the stage for years of weight loss resistance. After graduating and moving to Atlanta, I threw myself into CrossFit, convinced that more intensity was the answer, only to find myself getting puffier, more inflamed, and increasingly exhausted.  Despite working out harder than ever, I wasn't seeing results, and my body was sending signals I didn't yet know how to read. Chronic digestive issues, debilitating fatigue, brain fog, and social anxiety began compounding on top of each other, leaving me feeling like I might be making it all up.  A series of dismissive doctor's appointments left me feeling invalidated and completely stuck, including one where I was simply told to eat less and exercise more. Coming off birth control without proper hormonal support triggered a new wave of symptoms, including severe acne and irregular cycles, adding yet another layer to an already overwhelming season.  I describe the emotional toll of watching life move forward, friends getting married and starting families, while I felt too depleted and self-conscious to fully show up. It wasn't until I discovered functional health and began running comprehensive labs that I finally got the validation I had been desperate for.  Something was genuinely wrong, and it wasn't in my head.  I then invested deeply, financially and personally, in learning everything I could about the connection between hormones, gut health, metabolism, and the immune system. That journey ultimately led to a 40-pound transformation, not through restriction and overtraining, but by working out less, eating more, and addressing the true root causes.  Those hard-won lessons became the foundation for the one-stop functional health program I built for my clients. Now pregnant with my daughter, I reflect on how healing my own body is something I'll be able to pass on in ways I never imagined.  If any part of my story sounds familiar, I want you to know: you are not alone, and there is a path to the other side.   Time Stamps:   (5:32) Going Through Weight Loss Resistance (5:54) Georgia Bulldog (9:02) Taking Health More Seriously (14:22) The Crossfit Girl (22:04) Having The IUD Taken Out (28:52) Being Sick All The Time (29:34) Investing In Health Coaching (31:32) The Functional Health Space (35:50) Our Team Now (40:16) Reach Out To Us --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

The best athletes in the world aren't consistent because their lives are calm. They're consistent because they've learned how to get back on track, fast.  In this episode, we're breaking down the one trait that actually separates the ultra consistent from everyone else, and it has nothing to do with willpower or discipline. We're diving into the real reason you keep falling off your health routines, and why it might not be a character flaw at all.  If you've ever missed a workout, overeaten on the weekend, or abandoned a protocol early and then spiraled into shame, this episode is for you. We unpack the surprising research behind the famous marshmallow test and what it actually reveals about trust, environment, and follow-through.  You'll learn why your metabolism, hormones, and stress response may be working against your best intentions and what to do about it. We talk about what a real "way back" looks like when life gets busy, chaotic, or emotionally draining. Forget waiting until Monday; we're giving you practical resets you can use at your very next meal, workout, or hard moment.  We also tackle the fine line between releasing shame and staying accountable, because both matter. You'll walk away with a handful of powerful questions to ask yourself when things fall apart, so you can turn setbacks into information instead of evidence against yourself.  This episode will challenge the way you define consistency and replace perfection with something far more sustainable. If you're ready to stop starting over and start returning, this one's for you.   Time Stamps:   (3:29) Hustling Mom's and Busy Seasons    (4:47) Recent FLUSH Protocol    (5:47) Justin's Perspective on Consistency    (19:42) When You're Struggling With Execution --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if the constant thoughts about food you deal with every day aren't a lack of discipline… but your body trying to tell you something important?  In this episode, we'll break down what “food noise” actually is and why it's become such a common struggle for women who feel like they're always thinking about their next meal. While the current conversation often points to quick fixes or appetite-suppressing solutions, we'll take a different approach. One rooted in understanding the body, not silencing it. Food noise isn't random, and it's not just mental. It's deeply connected to your metabolism, hormones, and nervous system. We'll walk through the three core drivers behind food noise: restriction, highly processed foods, and deeper biological dysregulation. From there, we'll zoom in on what's happening inside your body when those signals get louder covering blood sugar instability, chronic stress and cortisol, hormone imbalances, gut dysfunction, and inflammation. You'll start to see how things like cravings, urgency around food, and feeling out of control aren't personality flaws—they're physiological responses. We'll also explain why intuitive eating can feel impossible when your internal signals are dysregulated, and why simply “trying harder” often makes things worse. Most importantly, we give you practical, actionable ways to start calming the noise by supporting your body without extremes or all-or-nothing thinking. If you've ever felt like you're constantly negotiating with yourself around food, this conversation will connect the dots in a way that finally makes sense. Because the goal isn't to fight your body. It's to understand it. And when you do, the noise doesn't need to be forced quiet… it naturally starts to fade.   Time Stamps:   (1:15) Maturity Photos   (5:27) Food Noise   (9:12) Three Types of Food Noise   (13:02) The Body When Food Noise Is High   (17:40) Cortisol Dysregulation   (20:50) Hormone Imbalances   (22:07) Gut Dysfunction   (25:50) Inflammation   (29:20) Action Steps --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if all the “random” symptoms you've been dealing with… aren't random at all? In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked drivers of stubborn weight gain, hormone issues, and chronic inflammation: immune dysfunction. If you've ever felt like your body is working against you despite eating well, exercising, and doing everything “right”, this conversation will start connecting the dots. Because the truth is, your metabolism doesn't operate in isolation. It's deeply influenced by your gut, hormones, thyroid, nervous system, and especially your immune system. We walk through why so many women are given multiple diagnoses like Hashimoto's, IBS, or SIBO and told to treat them as separate issues, when in reality they may all stem from the same underlying pattern. When your immune system is constantly activated, your body shifts into survival mode, making fat loss, digestion, and hormone balance significantly harder. You'll also learn how chronic stress, whether from under-eating, overtraining, poor sleep, or emotional pressure, can keep your immune system stuck in overdrive. This isn't about “just reducing stress,” it's about understanding what's actually happening inside your body when it perceives threat. We also break down why quick fixes like medications or supplements often fall short when the root cause isn't addressed. While tools like Ozempic or antibiotics can have their place, they're not a substitute for true healing. Finally, we share the framework we use at Vital Spark Coaching to help women move from dysfunction to real results starting with foundations, then restoring the body, and only then focusing on fat loss and performance. The most important takeaway? Your body isn't broken. It's adapting. And when you understand what it's responding to, everything starts to change.   Time Stamps:   (1:47) Coming Back From Mexico   (6:17) An Overactive Immune System   (14:22) Resetting The System   (22:57) When Our Clients Start Flourishing   (24:32) Applying For Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Most women don't realize they're stuck until they've already tried everything that was "supposed" to fix them. In this episode, we unpack one of the most frustrating experiences women face: going beyond conventional medicine, investing in functional medicine, and still feeling stuck. I introduce the two common paths women take: traditional healthcare and functional medicine and explain why both can fail in different ways. You'll hear exactly why being told “everything is normal” leaves so many women without answers, and why even advanced testing and supplement protocols don't always lead to real results. I break down the critical difference between the idea of functional medicine and how it's often delivered in practice. I explain how poor sequencing, incomplete strategies, and lack of real-time support can actually make symptoms worse even when you're following the plan perfectly. If you've ever felt like your body just isn't responding despite your effort, this conversation will hit home. You'll also learn why supplements alone are rarely the solution, and how missing foundational pieces like nutrition, lifestyle, and stress regulation can stall progress completely. I have a powerful “flower and soil” analogy to explain why your body needs the right environment before it can actually heal. Most importantly, this episode reframes the narrative so many women internalize that they are the problem. If you've tried both conventional and functional approaches and still don't feel like yourself, this isn't a failure of your body. It's a gap in the process. By the end, you'll understand exactly what's been missing—and what a truly effective, personalized approach to healing actually requires.   Time Stamps:   (1:17) Two Types of Women Come To Us (3:27) Recent Client Call (8:57) The Premise and Execution of Functional Health (9:34) Doctor Bob Example (10:50) Recent Vital Spark Google Review (12:09) Functional Health Dr. Joe (14:42) The Sequencing Issue (27:47) Working with Vital Spark --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if the most frustrating message in your health journey isn't wrong… it's just incomplete? In this episode, we unpack the moment so many women know all too well. Finally getting the courage to ask for help, only to be told “everything looks normal.” I share why this experience is far more common than it should be, and why it often leaves women feeling more confused, dismissed, and alone than before. We break down what standard lab testing is actually designed to detect and why it frequently misses the deeper dysfunction driving symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, bloating, and brain fog. You'll learn the critical difference between disease and dysfunction, and why you can feel terrible even when nothing shows up as “wrong” on paper. We also dive into the truth about reference ranges, and why “normal” often just means average, not optimal. I'll walk through real examples, including how thyroid and hormone imbalances can exist within normal ranges yet still disrupt how you feel every day. We explore what standard testing doesn't look at at all, from gut health to full hormone patterns, and why those gaps matter more than most people realize. This episode also highlights how cortisol, stress, and the nervous system play a role in keeping the body stuck, even when basic labs appear fine. Most importantly, we talk about the emotional impact of being told you're “fine” when you know you're not, and how that message can slowly shift the way you see yourself. There's a powerful validation that comes from finally understanding what your body has been trying to tell you all along. If you've ever felt like your body isn't responding despite doing everything right, this conversation will give you clarity, language, and a completely new perspective. You are not the problem and this episode will help you understand why.   Time Stamps:   (1:32) Sharing A Recent Message (3:52) Why This Is Happening (16:22) Reference Ranges (21:17) Detoxication Pathways (24:42) Gut Testing (29:20) Key Things To Remember --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

I want to tell you about a woman who was doing everything right.  Eating clean, working out consistently, tracking everything, taking all the supplements. She'd been doing this for two years. And in those two years her weight had gone up, her energy had gotten worse, and she'd started waking up every morning with this low-grade dread about her body that she just couldn't shake.  She went to her doctor. Labs came back normal.  She went to a functional medicine doctor. Got a supplement list. Came back six months later feeling exactly the same. And at some point she started to quietly believe that maybe she was just the problem. She wasn't. And if any part of that sounds familiar, stay with us because that's exactly what today's episode is about. We are going to break down exactly why smart, disciplined women are doing everything right and getting worse results, why the medical system keeps missing it, and what's actually going on in the gut, hormones, and metabolism that standard testing never finds.   Time Stamps:   (1:22) A Story About A Women Doing “Everything” Right (7:12) Does This Sound Like You? (16:07) Everything Looks “Normal” (19:47) Your Gut and Immune System --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if the reason your hormones feel “off”… has nothing to do with supplements, diets, or doing more and everything to do with what you're not doing daily? In this episode, we break down the five simple but powerful habits that can dramatically improve your hormone health in as little as 90 days. These aren't trendy hacks or complicated protocols. They're foundational lifestyle shifts that most women overlook while chasing faster, flashier solutions. We dive into how your morning routine, movement, and evening habits directly influence cortisol, energy, metabolism, and overall balance. You'll learn why something as simple as morning light exposure can reset your internal clock and why daily movement doesn't have to mean intense workouts to be effective. We also unpack one of the most overlooked disruptors of hormone health: your nighttime routine. From screen exposure to late-night eating, these small habits may be quietly working against your body more than you realize. This episode challenges the idea that you need to do more and instead shows you how to do what actually matters. Because when your lifestyle supports your body, everything starts to work with you instead of against you. If you've been feeling stuck, exhausted, or like your body just isn't responding the way it should, this conversation will give you a clear, practical path forward. Start with one habit, stay consistent, and watch what changes. Because your body isn't broken. It's just waiting for the right inputs.   Time Stamps:   (3:37) Changes In Hormone Health (4:47) #1: Morning Light Exposure (9:17) #2: 20 Minutes of Daily Exercise (14:49) #3: Screens Off 60 Minutes Before Bed (16:58) #4: A Calming Wind Down Routine (20:02) #5: Eating Your Last Meal 4 Hours Before Bed --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Is Pilates just a trend?  Or is it the most underrated tool for building real strength, a stronger mind, and a body that actually lasts? We're getting into ALL of it this episode. Jennifer Barrak — founder, trainer, and the powerhouse behind the Masterpiece Community — sits down with us to break down everything you thought you knew about Pilates and body weight training. Can you actually build muscle without lifting heavy? What does it take to turn a passion for movement into a thriving business? And how do you create a community so loyal they call themselves a movement? Jennifer doesn't just teach fitness — she's built an entire world around it.  And in this episode, she's pulling back the curtain on how she did it, the mindset behind it, and why your body is capable of so much more than you think.  

What if the reason your body isn't responding… isn't because you're doing something wrong? In this episode, I sit down with Vital Spark coach Lindsey Newman to unpack the story behind her journey from “doing everything right” to realizing her body was breaking down beneath the surface. Coach Lindsey shares what it looked like to chase the “fit mom” identity of training harder, eating less, and trying to prove something both to herself and to the world around her. Despite eating as little as 1200 calories, lifting six days a week, and adding in cardio, her body was gaining weight, her energy was crashing, and her hormones were spiraling. What followed was a season of deep exhaustion, chronic pain, anxiety, and the terrifying feeling that her body was no longer her own. She opens up about the emotional toll of that time, the frustration of being told she was “fine,” and the moment she finally felt seen after receiving a PCOS diagnosis. But even then, she knew there had to be more to the story. That search led her to functional health, where everything began to click. Lindsey shares how uncovering deeper root causes like POTS, gut dysfunction, and thyroid issues completely changed the way she understood her body and ultimately how she healed it. We talk about why “calories in, calories out” isn't the full picture, how systems in the body are deeply interconnected, and what most women are missing when they try to fix their health. This conversation is for the woman who feels exhausted, frustrated, and stuck despite doing everything she's been told should work. Because your body isn't broken and there is a way forward when you finally start looking at the full picture.   Time Stamps:   (1:22) Coach Lindsey (3:27) Having Babies Early and Staying “Fit” (9:54) The Calories In Calories Out Conversation (13:02) Finding Functional Health (17:20) Finding The True Answers (23:09) POTS Syndrome (30:14) Coaching Women Through Experience (34:58) Where To Find Coach Lindsey --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if the very habits you believe are making you healthier are actually breaking your body down? In this episode, I sit down with functional health coach Lacey Iskra in our new home and podcast studio (hehe) to unpack the powerful and complicated journey that led her from bodybuilding and extreme dieting to true root-cause healing. Lacey shares how years of intense training, restrictive nutrition, and pushing through stress eventually left her with hormonal dysfunction, autoimmune symptoms, and a body that felt completely out of balance. Like many women in the fitness space, she was doing everything “right” on paper but still watching her health decline. Her story reveals how early gut health issues, birth control, chronic dieting, and years without a menstrual cycle quietly compounded into bigger problems later in life. After stepping away from bodybuilding, Lacey began searching for answers and eventually discovered the world of functional health and root-cause healing. Through gut testing, lifestyle changes, and deeper emotional and mindset work, she was able to completely reverse her psoriasis and rebuild her health from the inside out. Throughout the conversation, Lacey and I break down the biggest mistakes women make when trying to fix their health and why fat loss alone is rarely the real solution. We also talk about the missing link most health protocols overlook: addressing the physical, mental, and emotional pieces together. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but your body still isn't responding, this episode will help you understand why. And more importantly, it will show you that healing is possible when you finally start addressing the real root of the problem.   Time Stamps:   (2:19) Who Is Lacey Iskra? (5:39) Before Functional Health (8:00) Birth Control (10:04) Bodybuilding Prep (14:52) Becoming an Online Coach (18:04) Finding Functional Health (34:35) There's A Reason For Everything You're Feeling (35:16) Where To Find Lacey --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Most women will research every stroller, bottle, and sleep schedule for their baby but spend almost no time thinking about how to support their own body during pregnancy.  In this episode, I'm sharing a “half baked” pregnancy update and pulling back the curtain on what I've actually been doing to support my body while growing this baby.  The reality is that most prenatal care is focused on monitoring the baby, not optimizing the mother's health. And while that makes sense medically, it also leaves a huge gap in how women care for themselves during one of the most physically demanding seasons of life.  Pregnancy is often treated like a time to pause your health goals, but I see it more like a sport that requires intentional preparation and support. In this episode, I walk through the team I've built around me including a functional practitioner, doula, midwife, pelvic floor physical therapist, chiropractor, and massage therapist and why I chose to outsource as many decisions as possible during this season.  I share what the first trimester actually looked like for me, from fatigue and nausea to the unexpected mental challenge of body image changes.  We also talk about the simple systems I'm using moving into the second and third trimesters, including strength training, daily movement, blood sugar stability, and pelvic floor work.  I explain how I'm thinking about nutrition not just for myself, but for my baby's long-term health and taste development. We'll also talk honestly about the physical discomforts of pregnancy and the moments that can make you question whether something is wrong. Finally, I share how researching birth options shifted my mindset from nervousness to genuine excitement, and why I ultimately decided on a home birth with a midwife and doula while still working with my OB for imaging.  If you're pregnant, planning to be, or just curious about a different approach to supporting your body through pregnancy, this episode offers a real, honest look behind the scenes.   Time Stamps:   (2:54) The Anatomy Scan (11:02) What I'm Doing/Will Do During Pregnancy (14:02) Midwife vs Traditional OBGYN Care (19:43) Letting Experts Help Me (28:24) Choosing A Home Birth --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

You are not failing because you lack discipline. You're struggling because you're trying to live like a machine.  In this episode, I'm breaking down why most systems fall apart the moment life gets hard and how to rebuild yours so it actually works for a human nervous system.  We're taught to design routines assuming endless energy, focus, and motivation, but real life doesn't operate that way. You have limited time, attention, and willpower, and your systems need to reflect that reality.  I explain why the most effective systems are the ones that require the least amount of thinking and decision-making. When stress hits, you don't rise to the occasion. You default to your systems. If your routine only works on your best days, it's not a system, it's a wish. I walk you through how to design structures that hold you steady when you're tired, overwhelmed, or distracted. We'll talk about simplifying your priorities so consistency becomes automatic instead of exhausting.  I introduce the Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C framework to help you escape the all-or-nothing cycle. Plan A is for high-energy days, Plan B supports you when things feel harder, and Plan C keeps you moving forward on your worst days.  Success doesn't need to look the same every day, especially in different seasons of life. This episode will help you build systems that meet you where you are, so you can stay consistent without burning yourself out.   Time Stamps:   (2:32) Moving Updates   (6:22) The Fresh Start Effect   (8:54) Different Levels To Our Goals   (14:29) Beware Of The Comparison Trap   (16:28) Vanessa's Plan A --------------------- Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching --------------------- Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation.  --------------------- Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program --------------------- Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life! --------------------- Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share! --------------------- Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here! --------------------- Check out our Youtube Channel! --------------------- Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If you've ever felt like your body is fighting you no matter how “perfect” your nutrition or workouts are, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Today, I'm sitting down with Soraya Rufener, one of our coaches at Vital Spark, to share the story behind the safety, trust, and results her clients feel from day one. Soraya isn't just highly credentialed as a registered nurse and functional health coach. She's lived through chronic dieting, body distrust, and the exhausting pressure to always “do more.” She started dieting at 13, spent years stuck in restriction cycles, and did everything diet culture promised would work. And yet, nothing was actually healing.In this conversation, we unpack why willpower wasn't the problem, how postpartum healing changed everything, and what rebuilding a body really requires physically, mentally, and emotionally. Soraya shares the moment she stopped punishing her body and learned how to support it instead. We talk about why healing is layered, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how nervous system safety changes outcomes. She also opens up about how her lived experience reshaped the way she coaches postpartum moms and high-achieving women today. Most importantly, we explore what she refuses to repeat from diet culture—and why coaching women differently matters. If you're exhausted, frustrated, or quietly wondering why nothing seems to work anymore, this episode will remind you that you're not broken.You're unsupported. Time Stamps: (1:17) Our Incredible Coach Soraya (6:02) Early Teen Soraya (9:17) Finding Bodybuilding (15:02) The Food Noise (17:09) Shifting To The Healing Phase (19:55) The Mental Side of Healing (22:47) 3 Kids In 4 Years and The Postpartum Journey (31:23) Our Bodies Aren't The Enemy (34:15) Where To Find Soraya---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

We wanted to bring back one of our favorite interview episodes this week! Justin Su'a is a mental performance coach for the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and host of our daily favorite podcast, Increase Your Impact. He has worked with top NFL, PGA, MLB, and NCAA athletes, as well as top corporate leaders to improve their mental performance game.  In this episode, we cover the importance of mental performance, the power of self-reflection, doing things by design instead of by default, how to figure out your WHY, and so much more! Topics Covered: - What Is Mental Performance and Why It Matters- How to Train Your Mindset- The Power of Self-Reflection- How to Identify Your “Why”- Doing Things by Design, Not by Default- Using Your Mindset to Regulate Negative Thoughts and Achieve Goals- Your Mind Has Limited Capacity: Why Negativity Crowds Out Growth- The Hidden Habit of Elite Athletes and Top Organizations- Getting Consistent With Nutrition and Trusting the Process- Embracing the Boredom of Consistency- The Law of the Bamboo Tree and Your Fitness Journey- Stop Beating Yourself Up for Starting Late — Start Now---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If fat loss feels harder than it should and healing seems slow no matter what you try, the problem may not be your discipline. It may be your nervous system. In this conversation, I explain why a chronically dysregulated nervous system can block healing, fat loss, and hormone balance no matter how perfect your protocols look on paper.  Your body is always choosing survival first, and when it perceives constant stress, it will not prioritize digestion, repair, or metabolic efficiency. I walk you through how your brain interprets everyday stress the same way it would a life-or-death threat, keeping you stuck in fight or flight.  This is why cortisol stays elevated, inflammation lingers, and progress feels frustratingly slow. I break down why this isn't a mindset issue or a lack of discipline, but a physiological response rooted in your nervous system.  We dive into the role of the vagus nerve and how it connects your brain, gut, hormones, and stress response. I explain what vagal tone is and why improving it creates the conditions your body needs to feel safe enough to heal.  You'll learn simple, practical vagus nerve–supporting practices you can use daily without adding more overwhelm. We also talk about why these tools are supportive, not magical fixes, and how they enhance everything you're already doing. If you're dealing with stubborn fat loss, gut issues, thyroid challenges, or chronic stress, this episode lays the foundation you may be missing.  Nervous system regulation isn't optional or fluffy. It's essential. When your body feels safe, healing becomes possible. Time Stamps: (1:19) Lots of Things Going On(4:54) Getting Out Of Survival Mode(7:52) The Vagus Nerve(13:55) Strategies For Improving Your Nervous System---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Struggling with motivation lately? You're not broken and you're definitely not lazy.  In this episode, I share a real-time reflection on why motivation feels shaky during seasons of massive identity transition, especially when life, work, and motherhood are all evolving at once. When our identity is clear, action feels easy but when we're questioning who we are becoming, everything can feel heavy and confusing. I break down why motivation is an unreliable driver and why waiting to “feel ready” keeps you stuck. We dive into the three things that actually create follow-through: commitment, identity, and systems. I'll challenge how you think about commitment (with a comparison that might sting a little), and explain why saying you're committed isn't the same as acting like it.  We'll talk about how anchoring your actions to who you want to be, not just what you want to achieve, changes everything. I'll also walk through practical ways to reduce friction by building systems that support you on low-energy days. If you're in a season of transition, questioning your next chapter, or frustrated with your lack of consistency, this episode will help you reframe motivation and rebuild alignment. Stop waiting to feel motivated and start building something that works even when motivation is gone.  Time Stamps: (2:02) Moving, Second Trimester, and The Swings of Motivation(4:17) Forcing Myself To Show Up This Month(8:17) Feel Motivated After The Action(10:41) Commitment, Identity, and Systems(10:52) What is Commitment?(17:36) Identity and Who You're Becoming(23:52) Systems(26:22) Tangible Steps You Can Take This Week(29:57) Giving You What You Need---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

In today's episode, I'm sitting down with Krista Moreland, one of our incredible functional health coaches here at Vital Spark, to share her story, her breaking point, and the moment that changed everything. Krista joined our team in early 2025 with over a decade of coaching experience, but her journey goes far deeper than credentials. Before motherhood, she was a two-sport college athlete whose identity was built on discipline, performance, and mental toughness. Then she became a mom, and everything she thought she knew about herself began to shift.Krista opens up about navigating early motherhood while caring for a medically complex baby, including her son's heart surgery at just four months old. She shares the shame, fear, and invisible stress she carried, and how food became her unexpected escape during that season. As a former athlete who had never used food emotionally, this struggle left her feeling confused and lost inside her own body. We talk about the identity shock no one prepares women for, especially high-achieving moms who are used to holding it all together.Krista takes us into the quiet breaking point that happened in her bathtub, where she realized no one was coming to rescue her. That moment wasn't about weight loss, but about choosing herself again. We explore how healing her relationship with food and her body changed the way she showed up as a mom, partner, and woman. This conversation is for any woman who feels like she used to know who she was and is ready to find her way back. Time Stamps: (3:08) Before Motherhood and College Days (6:54) Identity Shift to Motherhood (18:32) Leadership In The Home (23:22) Managing The Mind and Emotions (33:02) Where Coach Krista Is In Her Journey Right Now (37:10) You Are Not Broken (40:02) Where To Find Coach Krista---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

TRUTHFULLY, I don't know about manifestation. Sometimes I think it's legit, other times I think it's all about actions and that manifestation is woo woo BS.But one thing I know for sure? You can manifest your dream body.And this episode will teach you how.

If you're getting everything done on the outside but feel exhausted, foggy, and feel like giving up on the inside, this episode is for you.High functioning burnout is the state where your nervous system stays on constant alert while your life keeps demanding more.It shows up most often in high achievers like entrepreneurs, corporate women, and medical professionals who are praised for pushing through.In this episode, I break down 18 subtle but powerful signs that your body is stuck between high cortisol and total collapse.We'll talk about why rest feels unsafe, stillness makes you anxious, and productivity comes in extreme waves instead of balance.You'll recognize the patterns of irritability, avoidance, overstimulation, and mental exhaustion that don't look like classic burnout.I explain what's actually happening inside your nervous system when you feel wired but tired, motivated but flat, social yet depleted.This isn't a motivation problem or a discipline issue, it's a regulation issue. You'll learn why pushing harder only deepens the loop and what happens if these signals are ignored long term.We'll connect the dots between chronic stress, dopamine crashes, cortisol dysregulation, and hormonal fallout.Most importantly, this episode will help you name what you're experiencing so you can stop blaming yourself.Burnout doesn't always look like quitting or falling apart, sometimes it looks like functioning too well for too long. If you want your life to feel as good as it looks, this conversation is a wake up call. Time Stamps: (1:20) Both Looking Good Today(2:22) Natalie Ellis Quote(3:35) Between High and Low Cortisol(5:18) 18 Signs You Are High Functioning Burnout(25:52) What To Look For If This Resonates With You---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Such a good one, I am dropping all the details on the most powerful things you can do to move towards your dream body and answering these questions: 1- How to say in the dream body vibes when the mirror is telling you otherwise? 2- Feeling like I can't get behind believing that my dream body can be easy, so I'm on a roller coaster of hope and disappointment. (This one got me fired up and made me cry lol) 3- How do you let go of the all or nothing mindset for diet and exercise? 4- What's your favourite approach to shifting beliefs about body and weight loss? 5- What if you want to lose weight by a specific date like 15lbs in 4 months? GET MANIFESTING DREAM BODY AND A 90 MIN 1-1 SESSION WITH ME HERE!

If fat loss has ever felt harder than it should, this episode will completely change how you think about dieting.After years of coaching women through fat loss, I've learned that success isn't about magic foods or extreme plans. It's about creating the right physiological and psychological environment with food.In this episode, I break down a simple, repeatable food framework that makes fat loss easier to stick to and faster to achieve.You'll learn why hunger management is the real key to consistency and how the right food choices naturally keep calories lower without feeling restrictive.I explain how micronutrient-dense foods support your thyroid, hormones, training performance, and energy so your body actually responds to a calorie deficit.We'll walk through the best carbohydrate sources for fat loss, including why potatoes, berries, oats, and non-starchy vegetables work so well. I'll cover the most effective lean protein options to stay full, preserve muscle, and keep your metabolism strong.You'll also learn how to use fats strategically without blowing your calorie target.I share a full sample day of eating so you can see exactly how this framework looks in real life.We'll talk through easy swaps and shortcuts for busy schedules so this plan is realistic, not perfect.This approach makes your diet simpler, more measurable, and far less stressful.It keeps your body healthy, responsive, and primed for fat loss instead of fighting it.If you want a meal plan that actually works with your body and your life, this episode is for you. Time Stamps: (2:06) How Should We Eat For Fat Loss? (4:36) Keeping Hunger Manageable (9:22) Remember SHREDS For Biofeedback (12:13) Macro Sources (14:42) Metabolic Flexibility (17:52) Berries and Antioxidants (23:42) Protein Sources (29:10) Sample Meal Plan (32:32) Making Fat Loss Easier---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Congress returned from its holiday break facing a familiar question: whether to extend the expanded subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans that expired at the end of 2025.  Meanwhile, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. broke a promise to Bill Cassidy (R-La.), the chairman of Senate health committee, by overhauling the federal government's childhood vaccine schedule to reduce the number of diseases for which vaccines will be recommended.  Lauren Weber of The Washington Post, Alice Miranda Ollstein of Politico, and Sarah Karlin-Smith of Pink Sheet join KFF Health News' Julie Rovner to discuss those stories and more. Plus, for “extra credit” the panelists suggest health policy stories they read (or wrote) this week that they think you should read, too: Julie Rovner: KFF Health News' “Advertisements Promising Patients a ‘Dream Body' With Minimal Risk Get Little Scrutiny,” by Fred Schulte.  Alice Miranda Ollstein: SFGate's “A Calif. Teen Trusted ChatGPT for Drug Advice. He Died From an Overdose,” by Lester Black and Stephen Council.  Sarah Karlin-Smith: ProPublica's “The End of Aid: Trump Destroyed USAID. What Happens Now?” by Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Brett Murphy.  Lauren Weber: The Washington Post's “How RFK Jr. Upended the Public Health System,” by Rachel Roubein, Lena H. Sun, and Lauren Weber.  

You want change more than anything, yet somehow you keep finding yourself back in the same frustrating patterns... and this episode explains why.  If you have ever wondered why motivation fades, follow-through slips, and 2026 feels like it has to be different, this conversation is for you. We break down the hidden loop so many women live in: setting goals with hope, only to fall back into old habits and self-doubt.  You will learn why this is not a discipline problem or a personal failure, but a very human pattern rooted in both nervous system protection and brain wiring. We explore the ancient concept of akrasia, the science of time inconsistency, and why resistance often shows up strongest when you want change the most.  You will see how past experiences, especially control or criticism, can quietly fuel self-sabotage today. This episode walks you through clear signs you may be stuck in this cycle and why nothing is “wrong” with you. More importantly, we outline a new way forward that does not rely on willpower, pressure, or punishment.  You will learn how to shift from control-based change to self-leadership rooted in care and alignment. We cover practical tools like reducing friction, designing your environment, and using implementation intentions so action becomes easier. This is about moving from self-sabotage into enkrateia — calm, grounded power over yourself.  If you are ready for 2026 to be the year things finally stick, this episode is your turning point. Time Stamps: (2:00) Jumping Into 2026 With This Topic (4:17) Omar and Doomscrolling (7:37) Competing Motivations and Resistance (10:33) How To Break The Cycle (11:32) Notice The Awareness (13:04) Acknowledge The Consequences (17:02) Shifting From Control To Love (20:16) Setting Our Environment Up For Success (22:03) Reducing Friction (24:22) Implementation Intentions (28:02) Power Over Yourself Through Leadership---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

In Episode 205, I had some health hacks I was excited about and now it's time to review them... This year brought us so much in terms of family, a new home, new coaches, and a baby girl (surprise!) on the way! I wanted to take this episode to review some of the hacks I had talked about at the beginning of the year, see what stuck, what I actually enjoyed and didn't, and what's going to make the cut in 2026. Since this is my first pregnancy, some things like cold plunging will have to go on the back burner but I'm excited to share what I'm excited about and what I will be taking with me into 2026.  Some topics like private healthcare and peptides are topics I want to cover more extensively in later episodes but wanted to mention them in today's episode because I think they are two big topics.  DM me and let me know if there's any health hacks that you are ditching or including in your 2026 and Happy New Year from all of us at Vital Spark! Time Stamps: (1:11) Surrounded By Boxes (2:34) Gender Reveal (4:57) What I'm Bringing Into 2026 (5:52) What I Covered Last Year (19:02) Leaving Yoga Classes in 2025 (21:46) Caffeine Limits (24:27) Cold Plunges (26:42) Sober Periods (29:42) Health Optimization (31:37) Let Them Mentality (34:56) Private Healthcare (37:16) Peptides---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Social anxiety is not a personality flaw, it is your nervous system doing its job a little too loudly.  In this episode, we reframe awkwardness and self-consciousness as signals of alert, not evidence that something is wrong with you. If holiday parties, crowded rooms, or feeling “on” leave you tense and overthinking, this conversation will help you understand what is actually happening in your body.  I walk you through seven gentle, practical tools designed to give your nervous system cues of safety so you can stay grounded and present. These are not mindset tricks or confidence hacks, they are body-based resets you can use in real time. You will learn how to quickly orient to the present moment, regulate your breath, and take micro breaks without disappearing.  We talk about why food or drinks often become a coping tool in social settings and how to expand your options without judgment or restriction. You will also learn how to prepare simple connection cues so conversations feel less draining.  This episode emphasizes choice, permission, and self-trust rather than forcing yourself to push through discomfort. Even using one of these tools can shift how safe your body feels. Confidence is not about being calm all the time, it is about knowing how to support yourself when you are activated.  If you want to feel more at ease socially without changing who you are, this episode is for you. Time Stamps: (3:07) Social Anxiety and Awkwardness (8:03) #1: The Name and Notice Reset (9:03) #2: The Anger Breath (9:55) #3: The Micro-Step Away (10:48) #4: The Connection Cue (13:30) #5: The Pocket Script (15:51) #6: The Sensory Grounder (19:58) #7: The Permission Slip---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

In today's episode, I'm talking honestly about body image and not from a place of perfection, but from my real everyday experience.  We'll  unpack how constant exposure to food content, fitness trends, and curated lifestyles subtly shapes the way we think about our bodies. I share what intrusive thoughts around appearance can sound like and why they tend to show up when life slows down or feels uncertain.  We talk about the arrival fallacy and the belief that once our body looks a certain way, we'll finally feel at peace and why that promise almost never delivers. I reflect on how comparison creeps in quietly and how it disconnects us from actually enjoying the lives we're building.  This episode isn't about fixing your body; it's about understanding the mental patterns that keep you feeling dissatisfied even when things are objectively good. I also share perspective shifts that have helped me soften my relationship with my body without forcing positivity.  We explore what it looks like to hold ambition and self-acceptance at the same time. If you've ever thought, “I should feel happier than this,” you're not alone.  This conversation is an invitation to notice, not judge, the stories you're telling yourself. Body image isn't just about how you look. It's about how present you're able to be in your own life. And sometimes, the work isn't changing anything externally, but learning to arrive where you already are. Time Stamps: (1:32) Instagram Food Algorithms(7:26) The Intrusive Thoughts(9:02) Binging Landman(15:52) The Arrival Fallacy(20:49) Arthur Brooks Quote (23:12) Our New Home (31:32) Let Us Know If You Enjoyed Today's Episode---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If you've ever been told your gut is “fine” but you still feel bloated, inflamed, exhausted, or stuck, this episode will change the way you look at your health. In today's episode, I break down what a GI Map actually is and why I use it as the starting point for almost every woman I work with. I explain the critical difference between what a traditional GI doctor looks for and what a GI Map is designed to uncover.  While medical doctors are trained to find disease, this type of testing looks for dysfunction, the subtle imbalances that quietly sabotage your energy, hormones, digestion, and metabolism. I walk you through what the test measures, including bacteria, yeast, parasites, inflammation, leaky gut markers, and detox capacity.  You'll learn why so many women get “normal” test results at the doctor's office but still feel anything but normal in their bodies. I share why skipping the gut and jumping straight into hormone work often leads to stalled progress and frustration. I also break down how we use GI Map results to create custom gut-healing protocols that go far beyond random supplements.  We talk through the real-life signs that your gut might be your missing piece even if you don't have obvious digestive issues. I explain why this test alone isn't enough and how coaching and real-time adjustments are what make the process actually work.  If you've been doing “all the right things” and still feel off, this episode will connect the dots for you. By the end, you'll understand whether a GI Map might be the next step in your healing journey and why guessing is no longer necessary. If you're ready for clarity instead of trial and error, this episode is for you.  Time Stamps: (1:21) Home Ownership(4:40) GI Map's(6:32) Disease vs Dysfunction(9:50) What Is A GI Map?(12:27) Where We Start Our Vital Spark Clients(15:40) Your House Is On Fire(20:07) Episode 206 and 207(21:58) Would You Benefit From A GI Map?(29:47) What Happens After The GI Map---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If you woke up extra puffy, bloated, or sluggish after Thanksgiving, you're not alone. Today I'm walking you through the exact protocol I'd use to feel normal again fast. In this episode, I break down a simple A.M., P.M. routine designed to calm inflammation, support lymphatic flow, reset your circadian rhythm, and get your digestion back on track.  We start with a morning lineup that helps your body de-bloat naturally: dandelion and peppermint tea, sunrise exposure, gentle lymphatic drainage, and a cold plunge or face dunk to clear the fog. I'll share why “easy-to-digest” meals like eggs, fruit, ground turkey, and white rice speed up recovery after a heavier holiday meal.  You'll also learn how hydration, electrolytes, sauna sessions, and strategic walking across the day work together to flush excess water retention. I walk you through small daytime habits that make a huge difference including stress management tools that actually matter when you're feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable in your body.  Then we close with a powerful P.M. routine designed to optimize digestion, calm cortisol, improve sleep quality, and support your lymphatic system while you rest. From early dinners to legs-up-the-wall breathing, these are the tools that help you feel lighter, clearer, and more grounded within 24–48 hours. If you want a gentle, supportive, and science-backed plan to ditch bloat and puffiness quickly, without punishing yourself, this episode is your reset guide. Let's get you feeling like you again. Time Stamps: (2:20) Gender Prediction (5:22) Waking Up Feeling Thick (8:37) The Big 6 For Lymphatic Drainage (13:02) Meals Across The Day (17:30) Sauna Usage (22:12) Early Dinner (25:06) Something Is Better Than Nothing---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If your energy, mood, weight, or cycle feels off, your hormones are already trying to tell you why. In today's episode, I'm breaking down something that feels confusing for so many women: hormones.  Most of us only hear about hormones when something starts going wrong — our energy crashes, our cycles change, our thyroid acts up, or our weight stops responding the way it used to. And because it feels overwhelming, we try to fix the surface symptoms without ever understanding the deeper systems underneath.  So today, I want to simplify things and give you a clear, foundational understanding of how your hormones actually work. I'm walking you through the four major hormone categories that control your metabolism, your mood, your energy, your cycle, and so much of how your body feels day-to-day.  You'll learn what each category does, how they interact, and why an imbalance in one usually creates a domino effect in the others. I'm also going to show you what it looks like when each system is out of sync, so you can start recognizing your body's signals instead of feeling confused by them.  Most importantly, I'll give you practical places to start if you want to support your hormones in a realistic, sustainable way. No complicated protocols — just simple patterns that immediately reduce stress on your system.  By the end of this episode, you'll understand your hormones on a deeper level and feel more equipped to advocate for your own health.  This is your crash course in hormone health. Time Stamps: (2:12) Gratitude(4:42) Strong Foundation For Hormone Knowledge(9:42) Disease vs Dysfunction with Labwork(12:52) The 4 Categories of Hormones(17:32) Sex Hormones(22:52) Energy Hormones(27:58) Stress Hormones(31:32) How Hormone Systems Affect One Another(39:02) Morning Sunlight---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If slowing down feels wrong but your body is begging for rest, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm talking to the woman who has always been the go-hard achiever — the early workouts, the hustle, the I-don't-need-rest mindset.  But now your body feels like it's pushing back, and slowing down feels uncomfortable or even scary. I've been there, and I want to help you make sense of what your body is trying to say. Instead of guessing or feeling guilty,  I'm giving you a simple, practical five-question check-in to help you know whether your body needs rest or whether gentle movement will actually make you feel better. Because in a healing season, both rest and movement are powerful — it's just about choosing the right one for the day you're in.  You'll learn why the signals you're feeling are a sign of recovery, not failure. I'll walk you through what this looks like in different phases of healing — from burnout, to rebuilding, to thriving again. We'll also talk about the mental side of this: letting go of the belief that discipline only counts when you push harder.  Resting doesn't make you weak. It makes you wiser. And the more you listen to your body, the faster your energy, hormones, and confidence return.  By the end of this episode, you'll have a tool you can use anytime you're unsure of what your body needs. This is how you build trust with yourself again — one decision at a time. So take a breath, tune in, and let's help your body feel safe and strong again.  Time Stamps: (1:17) Mood Lighting(2:02) Pulling Back From Exercise(5:47) Movement and Discipline(8:14) Your Hormones Are Recalibrating(9:59) #1: How Did I Sleep Last Night?(11:57) If You're Averaging 5-6 Hours of Sleep A Night(13:12) #2: My Stress Level From 1-10(14:32) #3: How Does My Body Feel Physically?(16:00) #4: What's My Emotional State?(17:41) #5: How Do I Think I'll Feel After?(21:56) Save This One For The Future---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

We all want the dream body, but almost none of us want to slow down long enough to build the base it actually requires. In today's episode, I'm sharing one of the most important lessons I've learned as both a coach and a client: you can't build a strong, sustainable body without a strong foundation.  I use the analogy of building a dream home because just like a house needs a solid foundation before the walls go up, your body needs metabolic stability and healthy habits before you layer on intense training or dieting.  Most of us try to skip this part because we're in a hurry to see results.  I get it. I used to be the impatient one who wanted the plan, the strategy, and the visible progress right away. But rushing your transformation is the fastest way to end up starting over again and again.  In this episode, I break down what the “foundation phase” actually looks like, including how we assess metabolism using SHREDS and why stabilizing sleep, hunger cues, digestion, energy, stress, and recovery is non-negotiable.  I share why this phase can feel slow and why that slow work is what makes everything that comes after actually stick. I also walk through the three phases of a healthy nutrition journey and how to know which phase you're truly ready for.  This is about building a body that can handle real life. Vacations, busy seasons, holidays, stress, and everything in between. When your foundation is strong, you don't fall apart when your routine changes. You adapt and you bounce back.  If you've been feeling frustrated with slow progress, this episode may be the reframe you needed. Take a breath — you might just be pouring the concrete.  Time Stamps: (2:57) Next Stage of Homeownership (4:34) Building The Foundation (7:27) When I First Started My Fitness Journey (12:42) The Metabolic Assessment (19:42) Building The Walls Next (20:27) Vital Spark's 3 Phases (28:02) Please Share and Review---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

We are pregnant!  In today's special episode, we want to dive into our fertility story, how we planned for this season, and what shifted in our hearts and lives leading up to trying.  I open up about her early fears around motherhood, how family jokes once shaped her identity, and the moment she knew Omar would be an incredible father. We talk about praying for guidance, timing, and acceptance — and how those prayers brought a deep sense of peace. We also want to share the unexpected way this journey began: a planned fast interrupted by getting sick, a wedding we stayed home from, and Vanessa's Oura Ring signaling that something was different. You'll hear the story of the very earlypregnancy test, how she surprised Omar at the airport, and his reaction when we took another test at home just to be sure. From the beginning, we made the intentional choice to tell our community and loved ones right away, so we could walk through this experience with the people we care about, not in secrecy or fear.  I want to talk through the supplements I'm taking, the changes in my energy, and what nutrition and movement look like right now — including six smaller meals, simple foods, ginger and peppermint tea, and keeping 10k steps and workouts while paying close attention to my body's signals.  And yes… the Mexican flavor cravings are very real. We're honored to share this part of our story with you. If pregnancy, family planning, or listening to others' journeys has ever brought up emotions for you — we see you, and this episode is shared with so much love and compassion. Time Stamps: (1:19) We Are Expecting!(3:47) Some Beginning Context(6:32) Health Issues In May(7:44) My Faith and Motherhood(15:36) Vanessa's Health Tracking(16:42) The Fertility Journey(26:14) The First Pregnancy Test(32:32) Prenatal Supplements(36:22) Current Nutrition Protocol(41:20) Craving Mexican Flavors---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Ever feel like you “blew” your diet after a weekend of pizza, dessert, or a few too many drinks?  You're not alone and you're definitely not broken.  In this episode, we're unpacking the truth about “messing up” your diet and why those moments don't actually undo your progress. You'll learn why perfection isn't the goal, how your body responds after overeating, and what it really takes to bounce back without guilt or restriction. We will shares a personal story about one of her own “off” weekends and the mindset shift that changed everything. You'll discover five powerful lessons about progress, sustainability, and why joy is a crucial part of health.  From reframing “failure” as feedback to practicing the simple Two-Minute Rule for food guilt, this episode gives you practical tools to stop spiraling and start recovering with grace. If you've ever thought, “I'll just start over Monday,” this is your permission slip to stop that cycle for good. Because real consistency isn't about never slipping up — it's about what you do next. So tune in, take a deep breath, and let's rewrite what getting “back on track” really means. ✨ If this episode hits home, screenshot it, share your takeaways, and tag me on Instagram. And if you know someone who needs this reminder, send it her way — we could all use a little more grace on this journey. Time Stamps: (1:15) What Omar Is Looking Forward To(3:02) Does This Sound Like You During The Weekend?(5:22) Getting Back To Feeling Good Without The Guilt(9:17) Wedding and Drinking Example(12:42) The Biggest Differences(13:12) 1) Your Body Is Not Broken(15:32) 2) Progress Isn't Erased Overnight(18:22) 3) Food Is Apart of Joy(21:52) 4) Sustainability Over Deadlines(24:02) 5) The Comeback Matters More Than Mess Up(28:22) Acknowledge and Address Your Feelings(32:10) Please Share This Episode---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Do you wonder if you're eating too little or too much to reach your fitness goals? There's actually a simple formula that you can calculate (without the use of complicated online calculators!) to see what calorie target your should aim for AND how to divide it into your macro percentages.Not good at math? No worries, in the pdf guide, I walk you through examples, all you have to do is plug in your own weight.Take a listen to today's episode as I un-mystify the cycle of 'deficit-maintenance-build' so you can reach your body goals once and for all!Download the DIY Macros Guide HERE!Take the free Training! "The 3 Simple Fundamentals to Losing Fat & Getting Lean and Strong as a Mother (The Simple Puzzle Piece you've Been Missing!)"Join the Mom Athlete Community today! Make the healthy habits of living your fit lifestyle a natural part of your every day life while gaining support and making connections!Grab the Metabolism Made Simple mini course HERE!FREE! Download my "15 Random Tips to NOT Overeat + Guilt Free Eating Out Guide!"

What if your “food sensitivities” weren't really the problem—but just the message your body's been trying to send you? In this episode, we unpack what most food sensitivity tests get wrong and why the MRT (Mediator Release Test) is one of the few tools that can actually reveal what's really inflaming your body. In today's episode, we'll share my personal journey of years of bloating, fatigue, and restriction—before finally discovering how MRT testing offered real answers instead of endless guesswork. You'll learn how popular IgG tests often mislead people into cutting out 20+ foods unnecessarily, and how MRT goes deeper by measuring your actual inflammatory response—not just antibody exposure. We'll break down what the results actually mean, why some “healthy” foods might be triggering your system, and how to use that information to heal, not just restrict. This episode also explores the root causes behind sensitivities—like low stomach acid, leaky gut, chronic stress, and dysbiosis—and how to rebuild tolerance instead of living in fear of food. Through my own experience of reintroducing foods and repairing gut function, I show how MRT can shift you from feeling reactive and confused to calm and confident in your body again. If you've tried every elimination diet, still feel inflamed, and are tired of playing food detective, this conversation will help you see sensitivities for what they really are: signals, not sentences. By the end, you'll understand why healing the terrain, not just removing the foods, is the key to lasting relief—and how using data the right way can bring back freedom, flexibility, and trust in your body. Time Stamps: (1:42) Country T-Swift Fan (2:47) Being An Optimizer (4:57) Food Sensitive/MRT (9:27) Overactive Immune System (11:57) Note on MRT Test (16:52) What Foods To Eat When (20:22) Lowering Inflammation---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if the reason you're bloated isn't because you're eating too much, but because you're not eating enough? In this episode, we dive into the surprising truth about how eating more food, especially the right kinds in the right amounts, can actually reduce bloating, improve digestion, and help your body finally feel calm and regular again. For many women, undereating or intermittent fasting seems to help at first. You feel “lighter” and less puffy. But over time, that same strategy can backfire, slowing digestion, stressing the gut, and throwing hormones completely out of rhythm. This conversation breaks down why that happens and what to do instead. You'll learn how adequate food intake reactivates your digestive fire, boosts stomach acid and enzyme production, and supports smoother motility. We also explore how eating enough improves bowel regularity, fuels gut repair, and even reduces bloating by calming inflammation and supporting the nervous system. We unpack why skipping meals or surviving on “clean” salads can actually make things worse, and how building balanced meals with protein, carbs, and healthy fats can reset your digestion and hormones. Plus, we'll talk about the hidden link between undereating and the binge-restrict cycle and why eating more consistently throughout the day helps you break free from it. If you've been stuck in the loop of doing everything “right” but still feeling bloated, tired, or puffy, this episode will reframe everything you thought you knew about food and gut health. By the end, you'll understand how more food can mean less bloat, better energy, and a calmer, more predictable digestive system and why sometimes, healing starts with giving your body permission to eat. Time Stamps: (1:44) Dealing with COVID(3:17) Reduce Bloating By Eating More?(5:27) How Is This Possible?(10:26) Eating More and Being Regular(15:27) Saw This Recent Reel(21:12) Omar's Math and Weekly Calorie Intake---------------------Follow Annie on Instagram: @ohannieruth Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

What if you were doing everything right? Tracking your macros, lifting weights, eating clean and your body still felt inflamed, puffy, and broken?  That was Annie Kundis's reality. A former bodybuilder and competitive powerlifter turned mom and influencer, Annie spent over a decade following every fitness rule in the book only to watch her energy crash, her digestion spiral, and her confidence disappear. In this episode, Annie shares how DUTCH and GI-MAP testing completely changed her life after years of feeling dismissed by traditional doctors who told her to “just eat less and exercise more.” For the first time, real data revealed what was actually happening: low hormones, flipped cortisol, gut infections, and nutrient malabsorption. With that clarity, Annie finally had a roadmap for healing, not more restriction. She opens up about pressing pause on hard training, cutting caffeine, and learning to rest without guilt, plus the simple protocols that led to her first regular digestion in over a decade. We also dive into the emotional side: body dysmorphia, burnout, and rebuilding self-trust after years of fighting her body. Annie's story is raw, hopeful, and deeply relatable, showing that healing isn't about perfection, it's about understanding your body and giving it what it truly needs. If you've ever felt inflamed, exhausted, or unseen by the medical system, this episode will hit home. Tune in to hear how Annie went from survival mode to thriving and why she says today, “I don't feel sick anymore. I finally feel free.” Time Stamps: (3:22) Annie's Health Journey Before Vital Spark(9:37) Navigating Depression(12:52) GI Map and DUTCH Test Results(16:22) Learning To Slow Down(21:12) Trusting The Process(32:59) Where To Find Annie---------------------Follow Annie on Instagram: @ohannieruth Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Have you ever felt like stress was just baked into your life?  That no matter what you did, your job, your family, or your schedule would always keep you stuck in survival mode?  I've been there. For years, I told myself, “I'll always be stressed,” and it left me trapped in a cycle of burnout, resentment, and health struggles.  What I've learned is that real healing, whether it's from weight loss resistance, hormone imbalances, gut issues, or autoimmune conditions, can't happen until the nervous system feels safe. In this episode, I'm sharing the three shifts that helped me move from constant overwhelm to a place of regulation and resilience: state, story, and strategy. First, I'll break down how simple physical practices like eating outside in the sun, sipping chamomile tea, or walking between calls helped reset my nervous system.  Then, I'll explain how changing my story moved me out of victim mode and into empowerment, showing how the words we repeat to ourselves literally shape our stress hormones. Finally, I'll share how strategy through boundaries, systems, and structure became the safety net that made everything else sustainable. You'll also hear a practical example of how a full-time working mom could apply these same shifts to create more peace, energy, and balance in her day-to-day life, without adding another overwhelming “to-do.”  Time Stamps: (0:25) The Fall Season (2:10) Work Schedule and The Negative Self-Narrative (7:00) State/Story/Strategy Framework (9:50) Supporting My Physiology (14:10) Combating The All or Nothing Mentality (16:25) The Story You're Telling Yourself (21:05) The Final Piece: Strategy (25:45) Motion.AI (37:10) Tag Us for Accountability---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If you've ever felt stuck in the cycle of bloating, gut issues, and restriction, this episode is going to speak directly to you.  In this interview, I sit down with Vital Spark functional health practitioner coach Elizabeth McMillin, whose story is as relatable as it is inspiring.  Growing up in an Italian household where gluten and dairy were staples, Elizabeth struggled with constant bloating, GI distress, and the stigma of being labeled “big-boned.” As a teen athlete, she fell into the all-too-common restrict–inflame cycle, chasing results through unsustainable habits that left her more inflamed than ever. Her turning point came when she discovered her true triggers and realized healing wasn't about restriction, but nourishment. From the relatable Lenny & Larry's cookie moment to creating her own product, HIIT Dough, Elizabeth turned her pain into purpose, proving it's possible to enjoy food without gut backlash.  In this episode, she shares how calming inflammation allowed her metabolism to finally rev back up, the underestimated role of stress and sleep in gut health, and why she's currently planning deeper functional testing postpartum. Elizabeth also opens up about life as a Special Forces wife, the resilience it demanded, and how that unique perspective now shapes the way she supports her clients. With advanced training under Dr. Carrie Jones's curriculum and deep dives into autoimmunity and hormones, she brings both credibility and compassion to her work. Most importantly, Elizabeth's story mirrors the struggles of so many women and she believes true healing comes when empathy and protocols work hand-in-hand. Whether you've battled gut issues, restrictive diets, or hormonal chaos, you'll walk away from this episode with hope, clarity, and the belief that you don't have to live in survival mode anymore. Tune in to hear how Elizabeth broke free from the restrict–inflame cycle, why she's so passionate about helping women fuel their bodies, and what's truly possible when you address the root cause. Time Stamps: (3:10) Early Gut Issues and Growing Up Italian(7:20) Navigating Inflammation(12:52) Deployment and Stress(16:20) The Creation of HIIT Dough(22:16) Pregnancy During COVID(28:57) Recent Client Case Study(35:42) What Drew Coach Elizabeth To Vital Spark(40:55) We See You(43:24) Where To Find Coach Elizabeth---------------------Follow Abbe on IG: @Blowoutsbyabbeandmore---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

If live feels extremely heavy right now, you're not alone. I once had a conversation with a mentor around this topic about what to do when life is just heavy.  Sometimes we're weighed down because we aren't managing our thoughts well. Sometimes it's because we're in environments that don't serve us.  But other times, life is just heavy and no amount of mindset work or environment shifts seem to fix it right away. In those moments, the best thing we can do is support ourselves until the heaviness passes. In this episode, I share practical and compassionate ways to care for yourself when you feel overwhelmed. We'll talk about why stepping away from social media protects your mental space, and how serving others whether with a simple text or through volunteering can actually ease your own burdens.  You'll hear about the power of healthy community and why it's vital to resist the urge to isolate. I'll also share ideas for lighthearted activities that bring a sense of play, and small but powerful actions you can take for your body, like cooking a nourishing meal or going on a walk. We'll close by exploring gratitude practices, future-focused dreaming, and the importance of remembering that emotional states are temporary. Life isn't meant to feel easy all the time, but with the right tools, you can support yourself through the heavy seasons. Time Stamps: (2:02) Heavy Emotions This Week(6:02) The Extreme Recent Examples(9:11) Filling A Void Through Doom Scrolling(10:32) Doing Something For Someone Else(11:02) Get Around Community(16:07) Finding Playful Activities(23:42) Daydreaming About The Future---------------------Follow Abbe on IG: @Blowoutsbyabbeandmore---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!

Today we have on a special guest, Abbe Kierstein! Now if you've ever thought, ‘I'm active, I eat well, and I'm still not seeing it, especially as I'm getting older' then this episode is going to be for you.  Abbe is a client of ours at Vital Spark, a perimenopausal entrepreneur hairstylist who spends about 10 hours a day on her feet, came in already lifting weights, eating clean, eating 1400-1500 calories per day, taking thyroid meds and HRT, and yet she felt STUCK in her body.  That was about 10 months ago, and today she is a different person. So I'm very excited to pick Abbe's brain on what does it take to see sustainable changes in your 50's all while navigating a demanding schedule. In this episode, we discuss the challenges Abbe faced before joining Vital Spark, how she adapted to habit changes we implemented, how she navigated eating out, and so much more! We even answer some of your questions you submitted on Instagram! Time Stamps: (1:52) Abbe's Story (3:00) Struggles Before Vital Spark (6:42) Navigating The Habit Changes (10:02) Increasing Calories (13:53) Shifting From Coffee to Tea (15:14) Changes In Abbe's Body (19:22) Navigating Eating Out (23:54) Noticing The First Shift (27:04) Hardest Part of The Process (30:12) What Should You Expect From A Coach? (33:59) Advice To Other Women Struggling (38:02) Where To Find Abbe---------------------Follow Abbe on IG: @Blowoutsbyabbeandmore---------------------Find Out More Information on Vital Spark Coaching---------------------Follow @vanessagfitness on Instagram for daily fitness tips & motivation. ---------------------Download Our FREE Metabolism-Boosting Workout Program---------------------Join the Women's Metabolism Secrets Facebook Community for 25+ videos teaching you how to start losing fat without hating your life!---------------------Click here to send me a message on Facebook and we'll see how I can help or what best free resources I can share!---------------------Interested in 1-on-1 Coaching with my team of Metabolism & Hormone Experts? Apply Here!---------------------Check out our Youtube Channel!---------------------Enjoyed the podcast? Let us know what you think and leave a 5⭐️ rating and review on iTunes!