Podcasts about Epsom

Joint effort today from Nick and Charlotte and the big news to kick us off is that the dominant stayer over the last couple of year's Kyprios has been retired by Coolmore having aggravated and old injury and Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post sums up his career. Nick gets James Doyle's thoughts on his Derby ride Damysus after he put him through his paces at Epsom this morning and Lee looks at the race as a whole. Billy Nash looks at the Irish Classics from the weekend from a Timeform perspective before Charlotte and Lee also look at the changes to the Windsor Castle Stakes that are set to come in in 2026 as well as news of a surprising Royal Ascot contender from Australia. Barry Irwin shares a surprising Royal Ascot target for Facteur Cheval and an even more surprising jockey booking. Nick also catches up with Irish trainer Mick Flannery ahead of the popular Tomas O Maille running tonight and the story behind him plus we have the latest point to point segment with Ben Atkins and Oli Bell has news of his final day at the British Poker Championships.

Joint effort today from Nick and Charlotte and the big news to kick us off is that the dominant stayer over the last couple of year's Kyprios has been retired by Coolmore having aggravated and old injury and Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post sums up his career. Nick gets James Doyle's thoughts on his Derby ride Damysus after he put him through his paces at Epsom this morning and Lee looks at the race as a whole. Billy Nash looks at the Irish Classics from the weekend from a Timeform perspective before Charlotte and Lee also look at the changes to the Windsor Castle Stakes that are set to come in in 2026 as well as news of a surprising Royal Ascot contender from Australia. Barry Irwin shares a surprising Royal Ascot target for Facteur Cheval and an even more surprising jockey booking. Nick also catches up with Irish trainer Mick Flannery ahead of the popular Tomas O Maille running tonight and the story behind him plus we have the latest point to point segment with Ben Atkins and Oli Bell has news of his final day at the British Poker Championships.

Auckland Transport is working with fire investigators to find out what caused a bus to catch fire in Epsom on Sunday night. Reporter Jessica Hopkins spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Derby and Oaks picture at Epsom is taking shape — and The Final Furlong Podcast is here to break it down. Emmet Kennedy is joined by Laura Joy, Adam Mills, Jamie Wrenn and Archie Brooks to review all the key contenders now that the classic trials are in the books. In the Derby, there's a growing case for a 33/1 outsider, while Laura and Archie agree on a colt who should be favourite — but currently isn't. From trial winners to hidden gems, we give you the full profile on this year's crop. Then it's the fillies' turn, and the team doesn't agree — with real debate over the Oaks market leader's ability to stay the trip, and which of Aidan O'Brien's runners holds the aces. There's also a bold look at the 1000/1 double that might not be as crazy as it sounds. Full classic analysis, longshot plays, sharp angles and plenty of strong opinions.

Charlotte Greenway kicks off by bringing you a wrap up of the action from the final day of the Dante meeting at York today with Adrian Keatley's post race reaction after taking the Listed Marygate Stakes before Charlie Appleby reflects on the success of Rebel's Romance in the feature, the Yorkshire Cup. Charlie also discusses the recent Derby trials and whether he believes Ruling Court will truly stay the trip at Epsom and also looks ahead to Notable Speech in tomorrow's Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. Ahead of that Group 1 assignment, we also hear from Roger Teal on why he's opted for Ryan Moore and Rossa Ryan who will partner filly Tamfana for the first time. Finally, over in Baltimore Aron Wellman shares his hopes for Kentucky Derby second Journalism in tomorrow's Preakness and weighs up the opposition.

*Functional testing ⁠⁠special offer⁠⁠ (get $100 off DUTCH or GI Map test)My endo must-havesLifestyle:-Acupuncture-Warm Womb + Heat Therapy (Socks, Heating Pads, ginger tea, Infrared sauna, Warm Foot Soaks)Castor oil packs-Teas: chamomile, ginger, red raspberry leaf-Pelvic floor therapy-Cycle syncing-Creams: Kalaya, Magnesium spray/cream, Tigerbalm, Somedays Cramp cream)-Epsom salt baths-TENS machine-Comfy clothes/pantsFood:-Minimize: caffeine, sugar, alcohol, red meat and dairy (inflammatory foods)-Enjoy ginger shots-Eat omega-3-rich fish 2-3 times per week-Eat berries -Eat citrus-Go gluten-free -1 Tbsp flaxseeds-Turmeric (curcumin)- Avoid: raw food and ice-cold food/drinksSupplements:-Omega-3-Curcumin-NAC-Vitex-Dong quai-Rehmannia-Crampbark-Ginger-Magnesium-CoQ10, L-cartinine, ALA-Zinc-FolateBooks:- Heal Endo Katie edmonds- Endo unfiltered Erin Barnett- How to Endo Bridget Hustwaite- Know Your endo Jessica MurnaneDISCOUNTS:-40% off ⁠⁠Cozy Earth⁠⁠ with code: HWHPODCAST-15% off at ⁠⁠MUDWTR⁠⁠ using code: ALEXADELE-10% off at ⁠Pascoe⁠ using code: ALEXKING10- Discount on Canadian Supplements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ca.fullscript.com/welcome/aking⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Discount on US Supplements: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/aking1654616901⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For podcast inquiries email: holisticwomenshealthpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode of The Sandy Show, Sandy and Tricia kick things off with some fun banter about the end of the school year. They dive into a quirky story about Meghan Markle and a fan suing her over a bath recipe gone wrong. The hosts are skeptical and think it's a money grab. They then chat about their Mother's Day plans, opting for Mexican food over a home-cooked meal. Tricia shares her love for Shirley Temples, and they laugh about past drink mishaps. The episode wraps up with Sandy's amusing attempt to impress Tricia by cleaning out his email inbox. (00:00:00)  Sandy introduces the morning radio show and teases a Meghan Markle story.School Year End Approaches(00:00:21)  Discussion about the approaching end of the school year and personal reflections.Meghan Markle's New Name(00:00:57)  Tricia mentions Meghan's preference to be called Meghan Sussex and public resistance.Lawsuit Over Bath Recipe(00:01:06)  A fan claims skin ulcers from a bath recipe shared by Markle, leading to a lawsuit.Skepticism About the Lawsuit(00:02:21)  Sandy and Tricia express doubts about the legitimacy of the lawsuit against Markle.Mother's Day Dinner Plans(00:03:25)  Sandy shares his initial plan for Mother's Day dinner, which changes to dining out.Tricia's Favorite Drink(00:04:41)  Tricia reveals her enjoyment of Shirley Temples and a humorous anecdote about ordering one.Exploring the Ocean(00:06:47)  Tricia shares a surprising fact about ocean exploration and its vast unexplored areas.Discussion on Squirrel Pets(00:07:09)  Tricia humorously discusses her desire to have a pet squirrel, contrasting Sandy's views.Kelly Clarkson Show Replacement Rumors(00:08:34)  Tricia speculates on potential replacements for Kelly Clarkson on her show.Ocean Exploration Facts(00:09:27)  Tricia shares statistics about deep-sea dives and unexplored ocean areas.Household Chores and Attraction(00:10:41)  Sandy discusses how household chores can make him more attractive to Tricia.

On this packed episode of The Final Furlong Podcast, Emmet Kennedy is joined by Liam Firkin, Jamie Wrenn and George Gorman to unpack a week of drama, dominance and divisive opinions in the build-up to Epsom. We begin in France with heartbreak for Basher Watts, Kieran Shoemark and Charlie Fellowes as She's Perfect is controversially disqualified from the French 1000 Guineas, handing the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches to Zarigana, who emulates her famous granddam in style. But did the stewards get it right — and should the team appeal? From there, it's all roads to Epsom, as Ballydoyle's iron grip on the Classic trials continues at Chester, Lingfield and Leopardstown. The panel debates which of Aidan O'Brien's stars are true Derby or Oaks contenders, and which are better Royal Ascot material. The podcast is split — with two of the team pushing hard for a 10/1 Oaks filly, while the others are outright dismissive. Could O'Brien's best Derby hope actually emerge from York in the shape of The Lion In Winter? And is one Classic trial runner being criminally underestimated at 33/1 for Epsom? Plus: Two juveniles to follow for Royal Ascot, and a look at whether East India Dock can follow up his Chester Cup heroics at the summer showpiece. Form Tools: Proform is the essential tool for punters looking to make money from betting on Horse Racing. Our form book covers Jumps and Flat racing in the UK and Ireland. ⁠https://www.proformracing.com/⁠ Twitter: @FinalFurlongPod Email: radioemmet@gmail.com In association with Adelicious Podcast Network. Hosted on Megaphone.  Follow us for free on Spotify Podcasts https://open.spotify.com/show/3e6NnBkr7MBstVx5U7lpld Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tomorrow's Scorpio Full Moon gives us a big push forward. Peak fullness happens at 9:56 AM PT / 12:56 PM ET on Monday, but the moon's energy is at its strongest on Sunday night. This “Flower Moon” will appear slightly smaller than usual—it's a micromoon, meaning the Moon is at one of its farthest points from Earth in its orbit. Full Moons naturally bring things to light, and in intense Scorpio, that spotlight focuses on transformation. Use this potent energy to clear out what's holding you back. Try writing down old patterns, relationships, or scarcity thinking you're ready to shed—and burn the paper to send that energy back to the ethers. Or lean into Scorpio's water element with a Salt Bath: soak in Epsom, sea, or Himalayan salt and imagine it pulling out stuck energy, then watch it swirl away as you drain the tub. Adding to the mix is Uranus in Taurus, the planet of sudden change and upheaval, sitting opposite this Full Moon. Expect unexpected twists—big wins or impulsive decisions, emotional flare-ups or breakthroughs. The lesson? Let go of the illusion of control, trust the unfolding mystery, and practice rolling with whatever comes your way. On top of that, we have a rare Boomerang Yod—Jupiter in Gemini and Chiron in Aries both quincunx to the Moon, with the Sun/Uranus opposition acting as a release valve. This “Finger of God” points us toward a karmic crossroads where fated opportunities and radical clarity emerge. Plus, the Sun-Uranus conjunction in Taurus (the last one for 80 years!) amplifies our urge to break routines and try something new. This week, embrace the changes: experiment, explore, and be the new you. Learn more and purchase the Summer Pass at https://www.abundology.com/summer-pass

Story at-a-glance Your fingernails and toenails serve essential functions like protection, tactile feedback, and proprioception. When a toenail becomes ingrown, it disrupts balance and causes discomfort, infection, negatively affecting your quality of life Ingrown toenails occur due to poor nail trimming, tight footwear, trauma, or physical growth imbalances. Early symptoms include swelling, redness, and eventually pain and infection if left untreated At-home treatments include soaking in warm water with Epsom salt, trimming nails properly, inserting cotton, using ointments, and keeping the foot clean and uncovered for faster healing Nonsurgical treatments like the cotton wick, dental floss, taping, and brace techniques aim to lift the nail from the skin, offering relief and preventing further complications without invasive methods The BS Brace is a long-term, noninvasive solution ideal for diabetics. It reshapes the nail with minimal discomfort, allowing normal activities while preventing recurrence with multiple applications if needed

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They take a deep dive into the case of Dylan Phelan vs Ladbrokes, have the answers to question posed to ARC last week surrounding Amphitheatre Racing, and review the action from Epsom yesterday. Plus, Nick catches up with Race for the Crown show runner Ian Sambor, who brought the Netflix show to screens yesterday, while Newsells Park's Julian Dollar is our Weatherbys Bloodstock guest, and JA McGrath is alongside Nick in Hong Kong.

Nick is joined by Lydia Hislop to discuss the latest news from around the racing world. They take a deep dive into the case of Dylan Phelan vs Ladbrokes, have the answers to question posed to ARC last week surrounding Amphitheatre Racing, and review the action from Epsom yesterday. Plus, Nick catches up with Race for the Crown show runner Ian Sambor, who brought the Netflix show to screens yesterday, while Newsells Park's Julian Dollar is our Weatherbys Bloodstock guest, and JA McGrath is alongside Nick in Hong Kong.

 Our friend became so ill that she should undergo a gallbladder surgery to remove her gallbladder. We decided against that!!! Because the operation harms more than it helps.Instead, we made with her a Liver Cleanse… Problem solved!The liver and gallbladder are so crucial for our well being:1.) Fatigue, lack of appetite, loss of energy, weight loss.2.) Jaundice.3.) After Chinese Medicine, the Liver is emotionally anger and compassion. How to do a Liver Cleanse?  Olive Oil: half cup (120 ml)(light olive oil is easier to get down),FRESH pink or yellow GRAPEFRUIT: 1 large or 2 small, enough to squeeze 1/2 (120 ml) cup juice. Wash the fruit in hot water two times first and dry well each time.Epson Salt 60g mix it with 720ml water.Take no medicines, vitamins, or pills that you can do without; they could prevent the treatment's success. Eat a no-fat breakfast and lunch such as cooked cereal, fruit, fruit juice, green Smoothy, vegetable with rice. (no butter or milk).2:00 PM. Do not eat or drink after 2 o'clock. If you break this rule, you could feel quite ill later. Get your Epsom salts ready. Mix 4 tbs. (60 gr) in 3 cups (720 ml) water and pour this into a jar. This makes four servings, ¾ (180 ml) cup each. 6:00 PM. Drink one serving (¾ cup - 180 ml ) of the  Epsom salts with water. Afterward, drink a little bit water to get that Epsom salt out of your mouth. 8:00 PM. Repeat by drinking another ¾ cup (180 ml)of Epsom salts.9:45 PM. Pour ½ cup (120 ml) (measured) olive oil into the pint jar.  Wash grapefruit twice in hot water and dry; squeeze by hand into the measuring cup. Remove pulp with a fork. You should have at least ½ cup (120 ml), or more (up to ¾ cup- (180 ml) is best. Add this to the olive oil. Close the jar tightly with the lid and shake hard or do it in an electric blender. It must be perfectly blended!!!Now visit the bathroom one or more times, even if it makes you late for your ten o'clock drink. Don't be more than 15 minutes late. You will get fewer stones.10:00 PM. Stand up, drink the olive oil with the grapefruit juice you have mixed. Get it down as fast as possible regardless of what…  (within 5 minutes for patience 15minutes) You might fail to get stones out if you don't get it down. The sooner you lie down, the more stones you will get out. Be ready for bed ahead of time. As soon as you have finished the drink, walk to your bed and lie down flat on your back with your head up high on the pillow. Try to think about what is happening in the liver. Try to keep perfectly still for at least 20 minutes. You may feel a train of stones traveling along the bile ducts like marbles. There is no pain because the bile duct valves are open (thank you Epsom salts!). Go to sleep, you may fail to get stones out if you don't.Next morning. Upon awakening take your third dose (180 ml)of Epsom salts. If you have indigestion or nausea wait until it is gone before drinking the Epsom salts. You may go back to bed. Don't take this potion before 6:00 am.2 Hours Later. Take your fourth (the last) dose of Epsom salts. You may go back to bed again.My Video: How to do a Liver Cleanse? https://youtu.be/JhQr_tFIY4QMy Audio: https://divinesuccess.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/Podcast.B/How-to-do-a-Liver-Cleanse.mp3

This interview with Ron Soucy covers his longtime involvement in the fishkeeping hobby, especially with African Cichlids. He shares memories of being among the first to breed certain Tanganyikan fish and the excitement around new species arriving. Eric and Ron discuss how the hobby has changed, with fewer new fish and the decline of local fish stores. Ron recounts interesting breeding experiences, like Synodontis catfish acting as foster parents. He also shares his experiences as a fish wholesaler and offers tips for keeping certain fish, such as lowering the water temperature for Triglachromis and using Epsom salt. Although Ron isn't currently keeping fish, he fondly remembers his past and encourages others in the hobby to persevere and enjoy it. Key Takeaways: Start simple and learn as you go, just like Ron began with bettas. Embrace the excitement of discovery and new experiences in your passions. Value and cultivate the connections and friendships you make through shared interests. Don't be afraid to experiment and observe closely to find solutions to challenges. Persevere through setbacks and losses, as they are a natural part of any rewarding pursuit. Resources: Contractor Sales Secrets: ContractorSalesSecrets.com Fitz Fish Ponds: Koi Trips Book A Call With Triplett: Call with Triplett The Pond Digger: https://theponddigger.com/ LA Pet Fair: https://www.lapetfair.com/ Atlantic-Oase: https://www.atlantic-oase.com/ Helix Pond Filtration: http://helixpondfiltration.com/ TWT Contractor Circle (Facebook Group): TWT Contractor Circle TWT Contractor Power Circle (Facebook Group): TWT Contractor Power Circle The Pond Digger Instagram: Instagram The Pond Digger Facebook: Facebook Train With Triplett TikTok: TikTok

Ever wondered what it truly takes to become a football legend? In this special episode of Sutton United Talk Time, we dive deep with Craig Dundas, an iconic figure at Sutton United with an extraordinary football career. From his record-setting debut as the oldest EFL player since World War II to his heartfelt reflections on cherishing every moment on the pitch, Craig shares invaluable insights into dedication, resilience, and legacy."It's about giving your all day in, day out, and just enjoying the moments you have, because once it goes past, it's gone in a flash," Craig Dundas reminds us, highlighting the importance of living fully in the present.Join us as Craig discusses his inspiring transition from full-time player at Sutton United to mentor and coach, nurturing the next generation through Ballers Academy and Epsom & Ewell.Don't forget to subscribe, like, comment, and share this episode! Follow Sutton United Talk Time on your favourite platforms for more engaging conversations with football's most intriguing personalities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the first British Classics of the flat season, Charlotte Greenway & Jane Mangan are at Ballydoyle and joined by Aidan O'Brien after second lot as they look ahead to his likely runners in the Betfred 1000 & 2000 Guineas, with a positive update on both his leading fancies. Then they look ahead to those with Epsom on their agenda before discussing plans for some of the stable stars including Kyprios, Los Angeles & Storm Boy. Finally, Aidan gives us a two year old for Royal Ascot, who's name could be changed this week to reflect his ability!

Ahead of the first British Classics of the flat season, Charlotte Greenway & Jane Mangan are at Ballydoyle and joined by Aidan O'Brien after second lot as they look ahead to his likely runners in the Betfred 1000 & 2000 Guineas, with a positive update on both his leading fancies. Then they look ahead to those with Epsom on their agenda before discussing plans for some of the stable stars including Kyprios, Los Angeles & Storm Boy. Finally, Aidan gives us a two year old for Royal Ascot, who's name could be changed this week to reflect his ability!

It's short-shorts day for the Radio 1 Breakfast team - a Vicar in Epsom get the team hot under their own collars as he dons short shorts in celebration. The church bells are ringing as Yesterday's Quiz team helps listener, Rachel get ready to walk down the aisle. Danny Howard passes through with a bespoke 'farts and cats' dance mix, and the flatulence continues as 'Friday Grievances' features a potential Fart-Burp war. Whether it starts or stops, is all up to you... The power lies only in the hands of the Podcast People!

In this episode of the Uncapped Podcast, we visited Bier Bath in Sykesville, Maryland, interviewing co-founders Greg and Hector. The idea for Bier Bath came from Hector's visit to a beer spa in Iceland. He and Greg, who initially considered a brewery, partnered to bring the concept to the US.The "beer bath" uses beer ingredients (hops and barley), minerals, and Epsom salt in water, not actual beer, yeast, or alcohol. Benefits include vitamin B and antioxidants good for the skin. The experience involves a soak, infrared sauna, and shower.Bier Bath features a separate spa and a large taproom with a rotating selection of nearly 100 beers, mainly from microbreweries. They have a flight club and are introducing their own house lager. Future plans include potential expansion and a take-home version of the beer bath experience; they will also be adding cocktails to their offerings.Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelFollow Chris on Instagram Like us on Facebook! Supported by the Brewers Association of Maryland

We are back and have a whole new lineup of promotions for the month of April. Tune in and have some fun with us. Learn why these specials are wonderful and how we enjoy using them for our emotional wellness. Enjoy the Scoop of the Day!  P.S. Not to mention they all smell AMAZING!  #doterraoils #smellsgood #nontoxic #malama #citrusbloom   doTERRA Malama Video https://youtu.be/9dl1J8a21yg?si=j6fqy_GGyjKspEio   Don't forget to join our STEPS Challenge https://theessentialoilscoop.com/stepchallenge   Get this Book! Link for Essential Emotions book https://amzn.to/3Qd1PJv   Are you ready to release emotions that have been weighing you down? Book a session today! Book with Vicki: https://vickilebrilla.com/coaching Book with Sarah: https://sarahsepos.com/coaching     Vicki's Link- http://referral.doterra.me/1214454 Sarah's Link- https://referral.doterra.me/107766   Would you like a doTERRA Coupon Code that gives you even more FREE product on your first purchase? email us at TheEssentialOilScoop@gmail.com and we will send you the code for your purchase!   Get your FREE Sample of VMG (US listeners Only) https://theessentialoilscoop.com/vmgsamples   Scoop of the Day Bath Salt Recipe Ingredients: 1 cup Epsom salt (soothes muscles and detoxifies) ½ cup sea salt or Himalayan pink salt (adds minerals) ½ cup baking soda (softens skin and neutralizes acids) 10–15 drops of your favorite essential oils Instructions: In a bowl, mix the Epsom salt, sea salt, and baking soda. Add essential oils and stir well to distribute evenly. If using dried herbs, mix them in. Store in an airtight glass jar. Use about ½ to 1 cup per bath.   DIY Essential Oil Bath Bombs Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda (softens skin, fizzes) ½ cup citric acid (creates the fizz) ½ cup Epsom salt (relaxes muscles) ½ cup cornstarch (helps harden the bath bomb) 2½ tbsp coconut oil (or another carrier oil, adds moisture) ¾ tbsp water 10–15 drops essential oils (choose based on your needs) Instructions: In a large bowl, whisk together baking soda, citric acid, Epsom salt, and cornstarch. In a separate small bowl, mix melted coconut oil, water, essential oils, and food coloring. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture, whisking continuously to prevent fizzing. The mixture should feel like damp sand and hold its shape when squeezed. Pack the mixture firmly into bath bomb molds, pressing both halves together tightly. Let the bath bombs dry in the mold for at least 24 hours before removing. Store in an airtight container and use within a few months. DIY Nourishing Bath Oil Ingredients: ½ cup carrier oil (We use Fractionated Coconut Oil) 10–20 drops essential oils  Instructions: In a small glass bottle, pour your carrier oil(s). Add essential oils and shake gently to mix. If using, add vitamin E oil for extra skin benefits. Store in a dark glass bottle to preserve the potency of the essential oils. Use 1–2 tablespoons per bath and swirl the water to disperse the oils.   Take advantage of rewards orders. Place you rewards order today to receive your free 5mL of Lavender.   Welcome into our little essential oil world where we talk about the physical and emotional support of our essential oils.   Hi friends, don't forget to leave us a review, your feedback is always welcome, and helps this podcast reach more ears.  Join us in our New Facebook Community! Connect on Instagram  We upload a brand new episode every Tuesday and Thursday!   Join our step challenge: https://theessentialoilscoop.com/stepchallenge   Want to learn more about us? theessentialoilscoop.com   Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast so you will be notified every time we upload a brand new episode.  Leave us a review as well, your feedback is always welcome.  Also opt-in to our newsletter at theessentialoilscoop.com/news If you have any questions or have subject ideas you would like us to cover please email us at theessentialoilscoop@gmail.com   Tag us on socials using #theessentialoilscoop   Disclaimer:  Welcome to The Essential Oil Scoop Podcast. We want to remind our listeners that the information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The use of essential oils is a personal choice and should be done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe any medical condition. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oils or making changes to your healthcare routine. Any information or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any particular organization. Thank you for listening.      

Bone-setting was the strength-based art of resetting broken bones, dislocations, and bad backs. In the 1730s, one of the most prolific and effective bonesetters was Sarah Mapp, also known as Crazy Sally.

In this episode, I take you through my personal journey with The Amazing Liver & Gallbladder Flush by Andreas Moritz—a powerful detox protocol designed to support liver and gallbladder health. This cleanse is all about gentle detoxification, and unlike restrictive fasts, you still eat three meals a day! But let me tell you—it's a journey. From food preparation to the final flush, I'm sharing everything: ✔️ How the cleanse works ✔️ What I ate each day ✔️ The highs, the lows & the unexpected effects ✔️ The detox symptoms I experienced (hello, bloating & body aches

The Act Party's putting the pressure on Auckland University to say goodbye to its compulsory ‘Waipapa Taumata Rau' course. The near $6 thousand paper covers the Treaty of Waitangi and traditional Māori tikanga for first year students. Leader David Seymour told Mike Hosking students within his Epsom electorate are upset. He says constituents have told him they aren't interested in the course and view it as a perversion of academic freedom. The university says the course offers core knowledge and skills to help transition students into tertiary reduction, and set them up for success. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this informative episode, Dr. Tony Ebel shares his expertise on children's sleep health from both his perspective as a parent of four and as a pediatric neurodevelopmental specialist. He explains why quality sleep is crucial for children's physical, emotional, and cognitive development, and provides practical strategies to help children fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up rested. Dr. Ebel emphasizes that many sleep issues stem from nervous system dysregulation and explains how chiropractic care can address the root causes of sleep problems when other remedies haven't worked.[00:01:00] The Importance of SleepDiscussion of sleep as the "magic elixir" for wellbeingChallenges parents face in getting adequate sleepDr. Ebel's personal experience with his four children's diverse sleep patterns[00:08:00] How Sleep Affects Overall HealthSleep, movement, and nutrition as fundamental health pillarsConsequences of poor sleep on behavior, emotional regulation, immune functionCognitive effects on learning, focus, and concentration[00:17:00] Common Sleep DisruptorsInconsistent bedtime schedules and circadian rhythm disruptionSleep apnea, mouth breathing, and respiratory issuesSympathetic dominance and nervous system dysregulationOverstimulation before bedtime (screens, sugar, activity)[00:24:00] Seven Natural Sleep RemediesEstablish consistent bedtime routinesOptimize sleep environment (cool, dark, decluttered rooms)Use white noise and essential oilsWarm bath with Epsom salts before bedLimit screen time and use blue light blocking glassesSleep-friendly foods and drinks (chamomile tea, tart cherry juice)Ensure adequate physical activity during the day[00:31:00] When Natural Remedies Aren't EnoughSigns of nervous system dysregulation and subluxationWhy supplements alone may not solve persistent sleep problems[00:34:00] The Role of Chiropractic Care in Sleep ImprovementHow adjustments improve sensory motor function and calm the "busy body syndrome"Connection between gut health, respiration, and sleep qualitySuccess stories of children experiencing dramatic sleep improvements after adjustments-- Follow us on Socials: Instagram: @pxdocs Facebook: Dr. Tony Ebel & The PX Docs Network Youtube: The PX Docs For more information, visit PXDocs.com to read informative articles about the power of Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care. Find a PX Doc Office near me: PX DOCS DirectoryTo watch Dr. Tony's 30 min Perfect Storm Webinar: Click HereSubscribe, share, and stay tuned for more incredible episodes unpacking the power of Nervous System focused care for children!

Join us as we chat with LEIIYA (aka Leah) about her journey in house music and her mission to build a thriving electronic music community in New Brunswick, Canada. We dive into the importance of networking, overcoming fears, and balancing a music career with personal well-being. Plus, get the inside scoop on her new track, New Brunswick, with General Moses, dropping on Data Transmission![0:00-1:30] Introduction and ShoutoutsWelcome to Dream Chasers, sponsored by House of Hustle.Shoutout to CamelPhat for the house music sample.Introduction of LEIIYA (Leah) and her accomplishments, including her Toolroom Trax release with René Amesz[1:30-2:30] Who is LEIIYA?Leah explains her stage name, LEIIYA, and embracing her full artistic identity.[2:30-3:30] Spiritual Awakening and ChangeLEIIYA shares how a spiritual awakening led her to make significant changes, including her hair transformation.[3:30-6:00] New Music AnnouncementNew Brunswick drops March 5th on Data Transmission.[6:00-8:00] LEIIYA's BackstoryStarted DJing at 21, toured, then took a break to get sober.Experience in Malta, mentorship from Jewel Kid, and rekindling her passion for music.[8:00-12:00] Overcoming Fears and Seeking HelpReferencing Mel Robbins' approach to focusing on strengths and outsourcing weaknesses.The collaborative nature of music production, inspired by The Beatles and Mark Knight's “make it happen” philosophy.[12:00-15:00] Networking and RechargingWhy networking is essential in the music industry.LEIIYA's self-care routine: takeout, Epsom salt baths, and solo relaxation.[15:00-18:00] The Making of New BrunswickGeneral Moses expresses excitement about collaborating with an artist who has a Toolroom release.LEIIYA discusses the track's origins and how it fits into her genre-bending style.[18:00-23:00] The Story Behind the Song TitleNew Brunswick is a tribute to the house music community in New Brunswick, Canada.Leia's mission to build a consistent house music scene through Electronic Boutique.[23:00-24:00] Vocal Sample[24:00-25:00] Future PlansLEIIYA's 2025 goals: discipline, releasing more tracks, and focusing on her music career.[25:00-28:00] Balancing Passions and PrioritiesGeneral Moses looks forward to playing on the New Brunswick stage.Balancing personal passions with family responsibilities.[28:00-30:00] How to Connect with LEIIYASocials: LEIIYA.music (all platforms, primarily Instagram).Shoutout to Data Transmission and Carly Wilford for supporting the track.[30:00-30:30] OutroFollow General Moses on Instagram Listen to General Moses's MusicVisit House Of Hustle's WebsiteFollow House Of Hustle on InstagramFind the Latest Releases and more from House Of Hustle

Today, I'm going to show you how to stop a dry cough, but these home remedies will also work for a mucus cough. Most dry cough remedies involve medication that suppresses the cough. However, suppressing the cough is not always best because coughing is one of the body's vital defense mechanisms.A cough can result from a post-nasal drip caused by an allergy, cold, virus, or fungal infection. It can also be a side effect of certain medications or be related to GERD or asthma.Many children have asthma because their mothers did not get enough vitamin D during pregnancy. Vitamin D is essential for lung formation. If a cough is caused by croup, vitamin D is also an excellent home remedy. Some coughs are caused by low humidity. In this case, try a humidifier. Laryngospasms can also cause a dry cough. These spasms are often caused by low calcium in the blood. A deficiency in vitamin D3 can cause low blood calcium. Take 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily if you're dealing with a cough related to laryngospasms. Always take magnesium and vitamin K2 with vitamin D3.Chronic dry cough can also be caused by perfumes, smoke, new furniture, or tic disorders.NAC (n-acetyl-cysteine) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that breaks up mucus in the lungs. To use NAC for a cough, dissolve ¼ teaspoon of NAC powder into 4 ounces of water. Once dissolved, add ⅛ teaspoon of magnesium in the form of Epsom salt. Add this liquid to a nebulizer and breathe in for 5 minutes, 1 to 2 times daily. • Be sure to use food-grade Epsom salt.• Make sure the NAC and Epsom salt are fully dissolved before nebulizing.• Use sterile or distilled water to prevent contamination.• Consult a healthcare professional before nebulizing any homemade solution.Black seed oil and white horehound are also good home remedies for a cough if taken with vitamin D3, K2, magnesium, and zinc.

Key Takeaways - Vanessa recently returned to acting after a 2-3 year break to focus on motherhood - Both emphasize the importance of intentional parenting and maintaining a sense of self - Vanessa finds strength and identity in motherhood, contrary to the common narrative of "losing oneself" - Both are balancing motherhood with pursuing acting careers, facing industry challengesTopicsCurrent Events and Personal Reflections - Discussed emotional impacts of recent world events - Vanessa shared her family's immigrant background and current societal parallels - Both expressed gratitude for their families' well-being amid global challengesParenting Philosophies and Experiences - Emphasized importance of play and reading in child development - Vanessa's approach: intentional parenting, fostering grit and strong sense of self in daughter - Discussed challenges of balancing personal identity with motherhood - Shared experiences of children's growth and milestones (e.g., Scarlett turning 3 soon)Acting Careers and Motherhood - Vanessa's return to acting: signed with new agency (ARPA) 2 months ago - Current opportunities: on avail for ABC's "Dr." show and two national commercials (Lowe's and Home Depot) - Discussed challenges of re-entering industry as a mother - Both aim for roles in "horrible" but popular TV shows for stabilityPersonal Care and Coping Strategies - Vanessa's lifesaver: Epsom salt baths (eucalyptus and lavender scent) - Other strategies: heating pads, good sleep, alkaline water

302: Self-love, second chances and dick pics with Lou FeatherstoneEver dreamed of leaving your husband, buying a leopard print bus, and touring America's Bible belt while throwing vibrators out of the window? That's what Lou Featherstone did, and she tells us all about it in this episode. We hear how a dick pic inspired her to leave her marriage after 20 years. We find out what it's like to give a Ted talk and to find new love with an old flame, and Lou shares her top tip for self-love. We also hear about her plans to take her beloved bus on the road here in the UK. To finish up we enjoy some amazing Scummy Mummy Confessions involving a Portuguese taxi driver and a threesome via a Harvester. For more from Lou, including dates for her new tour, follow her on Instagram @luinluland. We are bringing our BRAND NEW SHOW, Hot Mess, to theatres all over the country in 2025! Nunhead, Horsham and Farnham are SOLD OUT already... So get your tickets NOW for Stockport, Harlow, Birmingham, Wrexham, Salisbury, Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud and Epsom... Then we're off to Dunstable, Chelmsford, Worthing, Cardiff, Worcester, and many more... Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY! We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February is well know in the states as the month of LOVE. The month where majority of the stores have pink and red treats, and items to purchase for your loved ones. Well what if love came in other colors? Like Blue and Orange. Maybe came in little brown bottles we call essential oils?  Today's episode is all about love in a way. Loving yourself enough to support your wellness journey and goals with Adaptiv and Meta PWR oil. So get comfy, sit back (unless your driving, then pay attention to the road and then us) and learn how you can use Adaptive essential oil and MetaPWR to truly help your body thrive.  P.S. We have some fun Scoops at the end of this episode, so make sure you stay till the end.  Hugs and love!       Vicki's Link- http://referral.doterra.me/1214454 Sarah's Link- https://referral.doterra.me/107766   Get your FREE Sample of VMG https://theessentialoilscoop.com/vmgsamples   Scoop of the Day Diffuser Blend 4 Adaptiv 2 Wild Orange 1 Peppermint   MetaPWR satiating gum and recharge the gum with a MetaPWR beadlet   MetaPWR in your water or use a couple of drops while dry brushing   Adaptiv with Epsom salt in your bath     Welcome into our little essential oil world where we talk about the physical and emotional support of our essential oils.   Hi friends, don't forget to leave us a review, your feedback is always welcome, and helps this podcast reach more ears.  Join us in our New Facebook Community! Connect on Instagram  We upload a brand new episode every Tuesday and Thursday!   Join our step challenge: https://theessentialoilscoop.com/stepchallenge   Want to learn more about us? theessentialoilscoop.com   Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our podcast so you will be notified every time we upload a brand new episode.  Leave us a review as well, your feedback is always welcome.  Also opt-in to our newsletter at theessentialoilscoop.com/news If you have any questions or have subject ideas you would like us to cover please email us at theessentialoilscoop@gmail.com   Tag us on socials using #theessentialoilscoop   Disclaimer:  Welcome to The Essential Oil Scoop Podcast. We want to remind our listeners that the information provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The use of essential oils is a personal choice and should be done at your own risk. We are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, treat, or prescribe any medical condition. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any essential oils or making changes to your healthcare routine. Any information or opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of any particular organization. Thank you for listening.

There's some full-on honest chat in this episode as we talk about all things downstairs with Kelly Newton and Coni Jefferson-Longden, the founders of NIXI Body. Kelly tells us how pissing herself inspired her to become a pioneering inventor and engineer. We also hear about her experience of fostering 28 children over a period of 19 years. Coni shares some fascinating facts about cervical mucus, and we learn why the gussets on our pants sometimes go a bit orangey. She discusses her challenging journey to becoming a mum, and tells us what not to say to anyone dealing with fertility issues. There's a bit of chat about post-partum exercise versus taking it easy. Plus, find out why Ellie smacked Helen on the bum, and whether she liked it. Many thanks to NIXI Body for sponsoring this episode. We are massive fans of their excellent knickers - they're so comfy, stylish, and amazingly leak-proof. We can run and wiggle about in them as much as we like, with no worries about periods or bladder business. Plus, no VPL! Head over to NIXIbody.com to have a look at the full range. We are bringing our BRAND NEW SHOW, Hot Mess, to theatres all over the country in 2025! The preview shows are in South East London this February. Then it all kicks off in Horsham, Stockport, Harlow, Birmingham, Wrexham, Salisbury and Farnham in March. In April we're coming to Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud and Epsom. Then we're off to Dunstable, Chelmsford, Worthing, Cardiff, Worcester, and many more... Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY! We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"The Secret Power of Salt: Unlock Its Healing Benefits! #shortsfeed #healing #salt #spirituality #wellness --------------- Subscribe now https://www.youtube.com/@MotivationAstrologyQBDivine?sub_confirmation=1 ---------------------------- ✨ Learn how salt: - Relieves stress and soothes muscles

Wendy in Annan takes on Greg in Epsom, in another special new year quiz.

What mistake do all would-be novelists make? What's it like to be nominated for the Booker prize? And what's the best drink to pair with a Greggs Steak Bake? Helping us answer all these questions is the brilliant novelist Charlotte Mendelson! We discuss Charlotte's latest book, Wife, plus her work as a creative writing teacher. She tells us what all her students have in common, reveals her top tips for finishing your novel, and shares the best piece of writing advice she was ever given. We also discuss the economics of being a writer, and accidentally have a serious debate about AI. Then it's time for relationship chat as we look at how people end up in bad partnerships, and why they stay. Charlotte talks about the pressure of being a poster family when you're a gay parent, and what it's like to have adult kids. Plus: book recommendations if you're going through a divorce, why Calpol syringes are better than turkey basters, and that time Charlotte saw Keir Starmer in a Gail's. Wife is out now, and it's a great read for anyone interested in breakups, jokes, lesbians and/or Australians. We are bringing our BRAND NEW SHOW, Hot Mess, to theatres all over the country in 2025! The preview shows are in South East London this February. Then it all kicks off in Horsham, Stockport, Harlow, Birmingham, Wrexham, Salisbury and Farnham in March. In April we're coming to Leeds, Sheffield, Stroud and Epsom. Then we're off to Dunstable, Chelmsford, Worthing, Cardiff, Worcester, and many more... Visit scummymummies.com for dates and tickets. *WE HAVE A SHOP!* Visit scummymummiesshop.com for our ace t-shirts, mugs, washbags, sweatshirts and beach towels. FREE UK DELIVERY! We're on X (@scummymummies), Instagram, and Facebook. If you like the podcast, please rate, review and subscribe. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#MorleyRobbins #Magnesium #Health #Wellness #Education Today's show is a different kind of topic, one that's not normally covered on this show. However I am deeply grateful for our guest coming on to teach us something that will not only improve our health, but it will help us become independent of the modern medical money syphoning death trap. Today's show is all about Magnesium. Magnesium is important for your body's day-to-day functions and overall quality of health. Your body relies on magnesium for over 300 biochemical processes in the body. It is also one the most abundant minerals on earth. You may be familiar with the stress-reducing and pain-relieving characteristics of magnesium sulfate (aka Epsom salt). But did you know, Magnesium is also recommended as a medication to combat migraines? Research shows that about half of the U.S. population doesn't get enough of this body-boosting nutrient and this is having a devastating result. Until I spoke with this guest, I was completely ignorant of just how important Magnesium is and how dangerous it is to go without. Morley Robbins is the creator and founder of The Root Cause Protocol and the Magnesium Advocacy Group. Morley received his BA in Biology from Denison University in Ohio and holds an MBA from George Washington University in healthcare administration. Morley has trained in wellness coaching, nutritional counselling, and functional diagnostic nutrition. His work has gained him the nickname Magnesium Man due to his extensive research into and understanding of magnesium's role in the body. Morley's research saw him deciphering the intricate relationship between magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium as a way to free ourselves from illness and disease. If you found this valuable, let us know by helping the show! - Let us know what you thought by commenting down below. - Hit the "like" button. - Then share this with anyone in your life who will listen.  And don't forget to visit ALL the links below! --------------------- GUEST LINKS: The Root Cause Protocol:  https://therootcauseprotocol.com About Morley Robbins: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/about/morley-robbins/ About the "Root Cause Protocol": https://therootcauseprotocol.com/about/ Magnesium Fact Sheet: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/mag-fact-sheet/ --------------------------- RISE TO LIBERTY LINKS: - RTL Master Link: https://risetoliberty.com/link - RTL Merch Store: https://risetoliberty.store - RTL On Twitter (X): https://risetoliberty.com/twitter - RTL On Odysee: https://risetoliberty.com/odysee - RTL On Rumble: https://risetoliberty.com/rumble - RTL On Telegram: https://risetoliberty.com/freespeech - RTL On Instagram: https://risetoliberty.com/instagram - RTL On TikTok: https://risetoliberty.com/tiktok - Substack - Beware The Mockingbird!: https://risetoliberty.substack.com FRIENDS OF RISE TO LIBERTY! - Nadeau Shave Company: https://nadeaushaveco.com **Use code: RISE15 for 15% off!** - Gratuitas! Buy Coffee w/ Monero: https://risetoliberty.com/gratuitas-xmr

  In one of my favorite episodes of the year, I share the top 10 Flipping 50 Podcasts for 2024. We had a virtual tie so we kick this off with a tie for the #10th most popular Flipping 50 podcast of 2024. #10 2 Big Obstacles to Gaining Lean Muscle and Fat Loss After 40 [00:04:44] Fat loss after 40 and building lean muscle can feel frustratingly out of reach. In this episode, Debra dives into the two biggest obstacles— anabolic and catabolic hormones—and how they impact your progress. https://www.flippingfifty.com/fat-loss-after-40/ September 27 #10 My Post Menopause Workout Week Experiment | What I'm Doing [00:05:40] Debra shares her personal workout experiment, balancing intensity, recovery, and volume to build lean muscle and maintain strength. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how she integrates total body workouts, split routines, and active recovery to achieve optimal results. https://www.flippingfifty.com/my-post-menopause-workout/November 8 #9 5 Non-Exercise Ways to Boost Fat Burn [00:06:42] Boost fat burn during menopause with five simple strategies. Debra shares tips on hydration, protein, sleep, and smarter movement to enhance metabolism and results—no extra gym time required. https://www.flippingfifty.com/non-exercise-ways-to-boost-fat-burn/ August 30 #8 Muscle Protein Synthesis in Menopause: How to Plan Pre and Post Workout [00:08:12] Menopause challenges muscle maintenance, but understanding muscle protein synthesis transforms results. Debra explains hormonal impacts, the role of protein, and meal timing for fat loss, strength, and optimal muscle tone. https://www.flippingfifty.com/muscle-protein-synthesis-in-menopause/March 22 #7 Lean Muscle in Menopause: 7 Supplements I Use [00:09:41] Building lean muscle in menopause takes more than exercise. Debra shares seven daily supplements that boost muscle strength, recovery, and vitality, offering targeted strategies for better health and results. https://www.flippingfifty.com/lean-muscle-in-menopause/April 12 #6 20 Menopause Fitness Changes You'll Be Glad You Made [00:11:36] Discover 20 fitness changes that support your body through menopause and beyond. Debra outlines practical, science-backed strategies to optimize strength, energy, and resilience. https://www.flippingfifty.com/menopause-fitness-changes/May 17 Now, for the top 5 of the Top 10 Flipping 50 Podcasts of 2024  #5 Mastering Midlife Metabolism: The Key to Fat Loss After 45 [00:15:05] Struggling with weight gain during menopause? In this episode, learn how hormonal changes during menopause affect metabolism and discover exercise routines to boost fat loss. https://www.flippingfifty.com/key-to-fat-loss-after-45/May 24 #4 Less Belly Fat: Muscle Loss is Fat Gain in Menopause [00:16:12] This episode highlights how weight training can reduce belly fat during menopause by increasing muscle mass. Know the details on effective strength training routines to improve total body fat and lean muscle resulting in re-composition. https://www.flippingfifty.com/less-belly-fat/March 29 #3 Unlocking the Secrets to Skin Longevity | A Solution for Crepey Skin [00:17:35] With the guest episode Dr. Alessandra from OneSkin, we explore how scientific breakthroughs can enhance skin longevity and discover practical tips to maintain youthful, healthy skin post-menopause. https://www.flippingfifty.com/solution-for-crepey-skin/January 26 #2 Lose Weight in Menopause Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible [00:19:29] This episode features Stu Schaefer sharing effective weight loss strategies for women in menopause. Learn how to overcome metabolic challenges and discover the best supplements and tips to lose weight more easily during this stage of life. https://www.flippingfifty.com/lose-weight-in-menopause-faster/July 16 And the #1 of the Top 10 Flipping 50 Podcasts of 2024 is…. #1 I Gained Muscle After 50: How I Lost Fat [00:23:30] In this episode, I share how I lost fat and gained muscle after 50, significantly improving my body composition. How I've added 4 lbs of lean muscle, lost 4% body fat from 50 to 60. Through prioritizing nutrition and protein intake, I focused on eating enough rather than less. Weight training, walking, and consciously cycling my workouts became key components of my routine. Recovery strategies, such as proper hydration, sleep, and gut health, were crucial in maintaining my progress. I share the exercise & lifestyle changes that happened in this last decade. Also know what I use to enhance recovery and boost performance like Epsom salt baths, a Sunlighten Sauna, and a Power Plate. https://www.flippingfifty.com/gained-muscle-after-50/April 5 And that's a wrap for the year 2024. Thank you for listening and maybe re-listen to the Top 10 Flipping 50 podcasts of 2024. See you in 2025! Resources: Flipping 50 Membership: https://www.flippingfifty.com/cafe Flipping 50 STRONGER 12-week program: https://www.flippingfifty.com/getstronger Discovery Call with Debra: https://www.flippingfifty.com/wellness-coaching-for-life/ Other Episodes You Might Like: Flipping 50 Top 10 Podcasts of 2023: https://www.flippingfifty.com/top-10-podcasts-of-2023/ Top 10 Podcasts 2022 | Flipping 50 Podcast: https://www.flippingfifty.com/top-10-podcasts-2022/ Top 10 Podcasts for Menopause Health & Fitness in 2021: https://www.flippingfifty.com/menopause-podcasts/

It came as a surprise recently to learn that I hadn't interviewed Scott Seamer since 2003 when he flew from Ballina to be a guest on Sky's Inside Racing programme. At the time of the interview the former northern rivers jockey had posted an amazing 15 Gr wins in two years following on from a Queensland Oaks victory on Ethereal in 2001. A few months later Scott landed the coveted Caulfield and Melbourne double on the same wonderful staying mare. Since quitting the saddle in 2011 the former ace jockey has joined the ranks of Australia's commercial breeders. I was delighted he was able to find the time to join us on our regular racing podcast and equally delighted  to find him in reminiscent mood.  Scott was thrilled to see Ethereal's trainer Sheila Laxon win her second Melbourne Cup with Knight's Choice in November. He talks about the transformation of his Fernleigh property from a macadamia farm to commercial breeding enterprise. Scott says his first duty as a breeder was to find the right foundation mare. He's now breeding from four of her daughters. He talks of his breeding share in a high profile Queensland stallion. The multiple Gr 1 winning jockey previews his four horse draft being prepared for the Inglis Classic Sale in February. Scott remembers his unhappy departure from race riding at Doomben in late 2011. He takes us back to his first time on a racecourse in the late 1970's. He tagged along with his mother and stepfather to a Bowraville meeting, and was instantly hooked. Scott looks back on a stablehand's job with Coffs Harbour trainer John Hennessy, and the offer of an apprenticeship from Grafton trainer Ron Gosling. Very clear in his memory is the occasion of his first race ride at Lismore. He tipped the scales at 32 kgs. Scott talks of his thrilling first win at Casino and the transition to a metropolitan win at Eagle Farm in 1987. He pays tribute to Protester,  the genuine bush galloper who gave him an amazing twenty wins. The former ace jockey looks back on his relocation from the northern rivers to Glen Innes. He enjoyed a very successful five years from his tablelands base, and forged an association with a champion country trainer. Scott talks of his decision to give Brisbane racing a serious shot. He was encouraged to make the move by outstanding jockey manager Trevor Lansky who brought him unexpected opportunities.  Seamer talks of Ethereal's outstanding win in the Queensland Oaks. She came with the barnstorming finish destined to become her trademark. He admits to chasing the ride on the bonny mare when she resumed in NZ in the spring of 2001. He offered to pay his own way across the ditch. Scott recalls his tense battle with Sky Heights in the Caulfield Cup, and the wet weather leading up to the Melbourne Cup. He takes us through Ethereal's brilliant Cup win. He talks about a McKinnon Stakes win on Derby day. Thanks to his new NZ connections Scott was able to land some plum rides over the 2001 Auckland summer carnival. He looks back on a memorable Derby/Oaks double at Ellerslie.  The former jockey started the new year with a bang winning the Magic Millions on Lovely Jubly. He recalls the race. Scott remembers a successful autumn carnival in Melbourne highlighted by wins in the C.F Orr and Australian Guineas. The former talented horseman still shakes his head when he thinks about a four win haul on Golden Slipper day 2002- two Gr 2's and two Gr 1's. He remembers the wins by Ethereal and Calaway Gal. Seamer's dazzling autumn win sequence earned him a short term contract in Hong Kong. He later wished that invitation hadn't arrived. He fractured two vertebrae in a nasty fall and was out of action for several months. Up to this point in time, Scott had been treated very kindly by the racing media. That changed when he was beaten on Bel Esprit in the Manikato Stakes. He handled it philosophically. He says he felt the need to make a statement when the 2003 autumn carnival got under way in Sydney. He made the best kind of statement by winning the Australian Derby on Clangalang with a 10/10 ride. The former jockey talks of another Derby win a short time later. He was thrilled to win the Queensland Derby for Bede Murray on Half Hennessy. Scott talks of another Gr 1 win at the same carnival on Picaday in the T. J Smith Classic.  He says he was delighted to win the 2004 Epsom for Tulloch Lodge on Desert War. Scott looks back on his final Gr 1 victory. He made the trip back to NZ to win another Derby on Coniston Bluebird for the late Bede Murray. The jockey turned commercial breeder pays a heartfelt tribute to Louise, his wife of twenty nine years and to twenty one year old daughter Caitlin who's currently chasing a Uni degree in Business and Law. This is a laid back chat with a former jockey whose story is an inspirational one. The tiny northern rivers apprentice who dared to dream. He worked hard and didn't squander a single opportunity. His emergence to ride 22 Gr 1 winners is one of Australian racing's most endearing tales. You'll enjoy our trip down memory lane with Scott Seamer.

Holy Broomsticks! Practitioners, Academia, and the Magickal Journey with Rebecca Anuwen and Antonia PandazedesIn today's episode of A Pinch of Magick, Rebecca Anuwen sits down with fellow MA student Antonia Pandazedes to pull back the curtain on what it's really like to balance the worlds of magick and academia. Spoiler: it involves tarot cards, cauldrons, and the occasional cry in the car park.Together, they share a raw and insightful conversation about the challenges and triumphs of returning to academia after decades of practice as witches and Druids, all while navigating an academic system that's still catching up with the legitimacy of magick as a field of study.What You'll Hear in This Episode:Academic Brain Twists: Why jumping back into formal study after years of intuitive magickal practice feels like re-wiring your mind.Magick vs. Academia: How practitioners navigate the analytical frameworks of university while staying true to their magickal roots.The First-of-Its-Kind MA: Behind the scenes of their journey on the MA in Magic and Occult Sciences at Exeter University – and why it's attracting hundreds of applicants.Practitioner Prejudice: The double standards between magickal practitioners and theologians in academia.Tools of the Trade: What Antonia packed in her “magic suitcase” for her transatlantic move to the UK – and why her cauldron made the cut.Astrology, Tarot, and Practical Magick: How Rebecca and Antonia use their favourite tools to navigate assignments, life decisions, and even Mercury Retrograde.The Shifts in Society: Why the word “magic” in the programme title is causing ripples, and how a cultural resurgence of goddess energy and paganism is reshaping modern spirituality.Resilience in Magick: How embracing your magickal toolkit – from Epsom salt baths to candle spells – can keep you grounded in the toughest of times.Key Takeaways:It's okay to feel overwhelmed when starting something new – even seasoned witches and Druids have moments of doubt.The path of magick, like life, is deeply individual. Experiment, explore, and trust your instincts.Whether it's for personal growth or formal study, magick deserves a seat at the academic table.Mentioned in This Episode:Exeter's MA in Magic and Occult ScienceFollow Antonia and her magickal cohort on Instagram at @ExeterMagicRebecca's insights into using tarot for decision-making and managing the chaos of university lifeAntonia's favourite tools for protection and how to blend herbs, crystals, and intent for powerful resultsMagickal Thought of the Day:“Don't be afraid to talk to your deities, your spirit guides, or yourself. Magick is about connecting to your inner power and the energies around you – no fancy ritual needed.”About Antonia PandazedesAntonia has been a practicing Witch and Druid for over 25 years. In her practice she uses arot, astrology, numerology, crystals, scrying, past life work, dreamwalking, spells, candles, potions, herbal magic, magical protection. Antonia is currently in MA program at Exeter for Magic and Occult Sciences. Connect with AntoniaInstagram: @HallowedHaven & @ExeterMagicSubscribe & Share:If you loved this episode, share it with a friend who's juggling their magickal and academic journey or anyone curious about the evolving role of magick in modern society. Don't forget to rate and review to help us spread a little more magick in the world.-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --All of the Magick:The A Pinch of Magick App:IPhone - download on the App StoreAndroid - download pn the Google PlayOur (free) magickal Community: Facebook GroupMagickal JournalsExplore on Amazon Rebecca's Author PageWebsiteRebeccaAnuwen.comInstagramFor Magick: Click hereFor a Sacred Pause in Nature: Click hereFor CharmCasting: Click hereFor Merlin my Dog: Click here

In this episode, the amazing Jess Sepel of JSHealth passionately challenges the widespread belief that life should be a smooth ride. Instead, she gets real about navigating life's highs + lows, how she manages to run a successful business, and why her wellness practices are non-negotiable.  Ahead, explore Jess' commitment to top-notch quality vitamins, especially when it comes to sustainability and superior ingredients like fish oil + magnesium glycinate. Jess + Krista also discuss being female founders and how they embrace the label of "being difficult" as a good thing! The ladies cover everything from hair health mishaps to life-changing wellness rituals and even entrepreneurial tips. Plus, get the inside scoop on Jess' morning + evening routines, from beetroot juice to Epsom salt baths! From wellness to business, this is one for the ladies who love to do it all! We also talk about: The powerful role of magnesium + why so many people are deficient The impact of social media on mental health + setting boundaries Practicing positive body image in a world full of filters + fad diets Balancing work-from-home life + maintaining romantic relationships The magic of small fish oil sources + marine collagen for health How setting boundaries and saying "no" can be empowering The importance of intuition + authenticity when following influencers Resources: www.jshealthvitamins.com Instagram: @jshealth  Instagram: @jshealthvitamins  Pre-order our book, Almost 30: A Definitive Guide To A Life You Love For The Next Decade and Beyond, here: http://bit.ly/Almost30Book.  Sponsors: OneSkin | Get 15% off OneSkin with the code ALMOST30 at https://www.oneskin.co/almost30.  AG1 | AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You'll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box. So make sure to check out DrinkAG1.com/almost30 to get this offer! BEAM | Beam's Dream is clinically shown to improve sleep. Click https://shopbeam.com/ALMOST30 and use code ALMOST30 to shop Beam's Cyber Monday sale and get up to 50% off. Lumen | Head to go.lumen.me/ALMOST30 for 15% off at checkout. To advertise on our podcast, please reach out to sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://www.advertisecast.com/Almost30.  Learn More: almost30.com/learn almost30.com/morningmicrodose almost30.com/courses  Join our community: facebook.com/Almost30podcast/groups Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer.  Find more to love at almost30.com! Almost 30 is edited by Garett Symes and Isabella Vaccaro.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnny Caffaro, a trailblazer in the medical sales industry, joins us to share his compelling story of career triumphs and personal transformation. Known for his dynamic personal brand on LinkedIn, Johnny's rapid ascent at Stryker was as impressive as it was challenging, as his burgeoning fame occasionally clashed with corporate expectations. His experience shines a light on the complexities of personal branding in a professional setting and offers invaluable lessons for aspiring medical sales professionals looking to navigate their own paths to success. Life threw Johnny a series of curveballs following his departure from Stryker, prompting an unexpected but ultimately rewarding pivot into consulting. With newly forged partnerships with companies like Corganix and OrthoGrid, Johnny found professional stability. However, this external success belied internal struggles as he grappled with significant personal challenges, including health issues, a divorce, and a profound spiritual shift away from the Mormon Church. His journey underscores the precarious balance between thriving professionally and maintaining personal well-being amid life's unpredictable changes. In a quest for healing and self-discovery, Johnny embarked on a transformative journey, exploring the spiritual and emotional depths offered by mushrooms and ayahuasca. This path led to profound personal insights and a renewed sense of identity, driving him to prioritize authenticity and familial bonds. With aspirations to open a healing retreat in Costa Rica and an upcoming book, Johnny aims to empower others to embrace their own journeys of growth and healing. Join us for a conversation that is as enlightening as it is inspiring, offering a message of hope and resilience. Meet the guest: Johnny Caffaro is a resilient and dynamic professional, dedicated to transforming lives through health, positivity, and well-being. From an early age, Johnny battled against a hip disease that made every step painful. Determined to live fully, he pushed through and pursued football, basketball, and baseball, defying the limits his body set. Despite undergoing three hip replacements, he refused to let pain define him, transforming his obstacles into his life's purpose. Graduating from Brigham Young University, Johnny entered the medical field with a mission—to help others who faced similar challenges. His passion for aiding patients and doctors, combined with his unmatched energy and positivity, quickly established him as a valued presence in the operating room, where he thrives even under high-stress conditions. Johnny's personal healing journey has been one of exploration and resilience. Through hot yoga, he found physical relief and a sanctuary for his mind, discovering that his body was capable of grace and movement once thought impossible. Breathwork became his lifeline, a way to reclaim control over his body and calm his mind amid pain. Meditation and Epsom salt baths became his daily rituals, dismantling limiting beliefs and building a foundation of self-compassion and inner peace. Johnny's approach to life—what he calls "The Caffaro Way"—focuses on service, especially for those facing physical or emotional setbacks. Whether in his personal time or on the job, Johnny's innate positivity, ability to connect deeply with others, and joy in sharing his story allow him to inspire and uplift everyone he meets. A passionate traveler, Johnny is constantly on the go, seeking new experiences both professionally and personally. His journey stands as a testament to the power of resilience, the strength in self-compassion, and the possibility of turning pain into a pathway forward. For Johnny, true healing is not just about overcoming physical challenges but about cultivating a mindset of growth, hope, and gratitude, no matter the odds. Connect with him: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-caffaro/ Best Restaurant - Shanahan's Steakhouse (https://www.shanahanssteakhouse.com/)

Re-Run: Join Coach Chris for post-race recovery triathlon success. We explore immediate post-race actions, the art of active recovery, and the power of listening to your body's nutritional needs. Our episode sheds light on preventing common issues such as upper respiratory infections and managing temporary gastrointestinal troubles, while offering insights into soothing recovery methods like Epsom salt baths, massages, and compression gear to promote healing and reduce inflammation.For those of you dreaming big for 2025, we have some fantastic plans in store to help you achieve your goals. We invite you to join us for our virtual open houses this week and next, where we'll focus on making your triathlon dreams a reality.We're launching some amazing programs in 2025, including group training for Ironman and 70.3 events, a scholarship program, and our winter strength and speed training. If you're ready for a personalized training plan designed just for you—one that's based on proven science and supported by a real coach—then this is your chance! Save your spot at our open houses, where you can ask our coaches anything, discover how we can help you accomplish incredible things, and become part of a supportive community. Visit theenduranceedge.com/2025 to secure your spot today! Support the showDownload our free resources: 6 Steps to Triathlon Success: Free Guide Hydration Guide for Athletes Runner's Fueling & Hydration Cheat Sheet Guide to High Performance Healthy Eating Find us here: TheEnduranceEdge.comRace with us: Humans of Steel Olympic & Sprint Triathlon at Harris Lake, NCPurchase Safe Supplements here.Follow us on Instagram or Facebook

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#MorleyRobbins #Magnesium #Health #Wellness #Education Today's show is a different kind of topic, one that's not normally covered on this show. However I am deeply grateful for our guest coming on to teach us something that will not only improve our health, but it will help us become independent of the modern medical money syphoning death trap. Today's show is all about Magnesium.   Magnesium is important for your body's day-to-day functions and overall quality of health. Your body relies on magnesium for over 300 biochemical processes in the body. It is also one the most abundant minerals on earth. You may be familiar with the stress-reducing and pain-relieving characteristics of magnesium sulfate (aka Epsom salt). But did you know, Magnesium is also recommended as a medication to combat migraines? Research shows that about half of the U.S. population doesn't get enough of this body-boosting nutrient and this is having a devastating result. Until I spoke with this guest, I was completely ignorant of just how important Magnesium is and how dangerous it is to go without. Morley Robbins is the creator and founder of The Root Cause Protocol and the Magnesium Advocacy Group. Morley received his BA in Biology from Denison University in Ohio and holds an MBA from George Washington University in healthcare administration. Morley has trained in wellness coaching, nutritional counselling, and functional diagnostic nutrition. His work has gained him the nickname Magnesium Man due to his extensive research into and understanding of magnesium's role in the body. Morley's research saw him deciphering the intricate relationship between magnesium, iron, copper, and calcium as a way to free ourselves from illness and disease. If you found this valuable, let us know by helping the show! - Let us know what you thought by commenting down below. - Hit the "like" button. - Then share this with anyone in your life who will listen.  And don't forget to visit ALL the links below! --------------------- GUEST LINKS: The Root Cause Protocol:  https://therootcauseprotocol.com About Morley Robbins:  https://therootcauseprotocol.com/about/morley-robbins/ About the "Root Cause Protocol":  https://therootcauseprotocol.com/about/ Magnesium Fact Sheet: https://therootcauseprotocol.com/mag-fact-sheet/ ----------------------------------- OTHER SHOW LINKS: Magnesium Article: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/ Magnesium Suppliment - Trace Minerals: https://www.traceminerals.com/collections/all/products/mega-mag ----------------------------------- RISE TO LIBERTY LINKS: - RTL Master Link: https://risetoliberty.com/link - RTL Merch Store: https://risetoliberty.store - RTL On Twitter (X): https://risetoliberty.com/twitter - RTL On Odysee: https://risetoliberty.com/odysee - RTL On Rumble: https://risetoliberty.com/rumble - RTL On Telegram: https://risetoliberty.com/freespeech - RTL On Instagram: https://risetoliberty.com/instagram - RTL On TikTok: https://risetoliberty.com/tiktok - Substack - Beware The Mockingbird!: https://risetoliberty.substack.com FRIENDS OF RISE TO LIBERTY! - Gratuitas! Buy Coffee w/ Monero: https://risetoliberty.com/gratuitas-xmr - Nadeau Shave Company: https://nadeaushaveco.com **Use code: RISE15 for 15% off!**

“Inhale peace, exhale tension.”Did you know that the cascade of interventions can not only contribute to a Cesarean but may cause one? Melanie believes that was the case with her first birth. Her difficult recovery included going to EMDR therapy to help with her PTSD. Her OB/GYN did mention that she would be a great VBAC candidate. Not knowing VBAC was a thing, Melanie's research began. Cue The VBAC Link!Melanie vigorously dove into VBAC prep before she was pregnant again. Her journey is one that shows just how powerful intuition and manifestation can be. Melanie went from having PROM with her first to arriving at the birth center at 7 centimeters and even being able to reach down to feel her bulging bag of waters as her baby began to emerge en caul!Other talking points in this episode include:Achieving a VBAC without a doulaHusband support Birth affirmationsRecommended podcasts and booksSpecific ways to avoid PROMHypnobirthing by Siobhan MillerThe VBAC Link Blog: 9 VBAC Books We RecommendThe Birth HourDown to BirthNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, everybody. Happy VBAC Link Podcast day, whatever day it is that you are listening. We are so happy that you are here. We have our friend, Melanie, from Texas. Texas, is that where you are? That's where my mind is thinking. Melanie: Yep. Yep. Wiley, Texas just outside Dallas. Meagan: Perfect and did you have your VBAC in Texas?Melanie: Yes. In Dallas. Meagan: In Dallas, okay. We have her sharing her stories with us today you guys. At the end, we're going to be talking about PROM. Right before we got recording, I was talking about how important I think talking about PROM is which if you haven't heard lately what PROM means, there are all of these acronyms all over the place when it comes to VBAC birth, but it's premature rupture of membranes. We are both PROM moms here and so we are very passionate about the topic. If you have had your water break before labor really started and got going in the past, definitely hang on in the end because we are going to be talking more about that and maybe some ways that could or maybe not, we are hoping these are the ways that helped us avoid premature rupture of membranes. We are going to be talking about that and of course, her beautiful VBAC story. I do have a Review of the Week and this is by milka. It says, “VBAC Podcast Review.” It says, “Hi. I love listening to your podcast. I had an unplanned C-section with my first birth and am preparing for my second birth now. I didn't know what to do to make sure I didn't end up with the same situation. Hearing so many women's stories and experiences validated mine but most importantly, I learned so many tips and ideas to help my VBAC. I had a successful VBAC and now recommend this podcast to all expecting moms. Just such a great no-pressure and enjoyable way to learn.” I love that she talked about no pressure because that is what this podcast is about. This is a place where people share their stories, where they share information both on VBAC and CBAC, and all topics when it comes to birth. We want you to just be here, be in this space, and have it connect with you how it connects with you and take these women's stories and these providers who are coming on and the information given and apply it however, it looks for your journey. Melanie and I were just talking a little bit before the episode about how it just feels so full circle. So many of these Women of Strength who have come on before Melanie here and have shared their experiences and people listening, it really is so impactful. Right, Melanie? You were saying that I was in your ear. We were in your ear and these people's stories were in your ear doing what? Empowering you. Melanie: Mhmm. Oh yeah, it's incredible. It feels very full circle to be here. Meagan: Yes. We are very excited that you are and you guys, we are going to jump right into her story in just a second. Okay. The table is yours. Melanie: Okay, so happy to be here. Meagan, like you said, you guys have been in my ear for over a year so it just feels incredible to be here. As I was listening to these stories, I was always hoping to find that birth story that was like mine just to find out what went wrong with mine and also on the flip side, what did people do? What were people seeing in things that went right and how they were able to get a successful VBAC? I was very motivated and inspired by the podcast. I listened to every episode so hopefully, my two stories out there can hit home with anyone. But yeah. I'll start with, of course, the C-section just briefly. I got pregnant in March 2021 so everybody remembers it was COVID times still. Meagan: Wild times. Melanie: Wild times. Actually, at the beginning of my pregnancy, my husband wasn't able to come to the appointments. But thankfully, it being 2021, by halfway he was able to come. That pregnancy, I was really healthy. I ran. I'm a big runner so I ran every day. I had no morning sickness. I was very active. I never even until the very end– I ran the day my water broke and I never had that feeling like I didn't want to be pregnant.Not the case the second time as we'll hear, but the first time—Meagan: And you do that competitively, right? Did you compete during pregnancy at all? Melanie: I've ran my whole life so I ran cross country and track division one in college. Now, I do more marathons. Yeah. I ran both pregnancies. Not anything too crazy. During the second pregnancy, I did run a half marathon. I was 16 weeks but then it went downhill after that. But yeah. I run pretty competitively. I take it really seriously and it's a passion of mine. Yeah, the only thing I got the first time and the second, but I did. I've heard it before on the podcast is SPD, symphysis pubic dysfunction. The first pregnancy, so the one I'm talking about, a prenatal chiropractor literally cured it. I had to go back a couple of times because it would get out of alignment again, but for anyone who is suffering from SPD like I was both times, it's amazing. I would just call them witches because they would literally cure it and it would get me back to running. It was amazing. So my birth education the first time around, I thought I was educated like so many women here. I read the typical What to Expect When You're Expecting. I did a podcast but it was more so of what size is your baby? What's going on in utero? I didn't listen to many birth stories and I became so obsessed with that the second time. And truly, I feel like you get the best birth education through birth stories because you just get the whole shebang. We did take a hospital birth class and now I know that a hospital birth class is really just the hospital policies. I remember there was a section that they had mentioned very quickly in passing, “If you're going to have a C-section, you should take this class. Okay, the next thing.” I thought like so many women, That's not going to be me. I'm not going to have a C-section. I'm healthy. I feel great. Most C-sections are not planned so I feel like it really did a disservice to not even mention anything about a C-section in that class, but anyway, I just assumed that you have a baby in the hospital. You get an epidural. You take a nap and then you wake up and you push out a baby. I was not against hospitals or anything. I was not against the epidural or anything like that. I mentioned that I ran the day my water broke. This was past 40 weeks. 40 weeks came and went. A couple of cervical checks I got I was not dilated at all. They had scheduled a 41-week induction date. When I was checking out at the front desk at the time, I just remember it feeling really, really wrong scheduling that date. Meagan: Your intuition was speaking right there. Melanie: 100%, yeah. Of course, I didn't realize it at the time. It was my first baby and everything but when I look back, that just felt so wrong. 41 weeks came and I was supposed to go in at 9:00 PM that night but the interesting thing is that my water broke actually 4 hours before I was supposed to go in. It was 5:00 PM and I was supposed to go in at 9:00. Like you mentioned Meagan, it was PROM so it was a trickle. I was like, Wait. Am I peeing? What is happening here? No contractions at all. And with the little education I did, I knew that just because your water breaks, it doesn't mean that you have to go in and you should labor at home as long as possible. However, because I was set to go in and I guess because I was 41 weeks, I called them and I just remember they were like, “No. You're in labor. Come in.”I was like, “Okay.” Meagan: This is labor? Melanie: Yeah, I was like, “Oh, okay.” So I got to the hospital literally not dilated at all. I was maybe half a centimeter and they inserted the Cervadil at 9:00 PM which hurt really bad because it turns out if you are not dilated, it really hurts to get Cervadil inserted. Meagan: And if your cervix is posterior, it's hard for them to get it into your cervix so that can also cause a lot of discomfort. Melanie: That's exactly what it was too because I think they had a hard time. I didn't even think about that. It was probably posterior. Man. Yeah, see? My body just wasn't ready for that. But contractions did come eventually. I don't know if Cervadil can cause it or if it was just time. I was going into labor but that was around 1:00 AM. The contractions started to get uncomfortable. I had not practiced coping with contractions at all because I was planning to get an epidural. I never had any inkling of going unmedicated or anything so this is where I think everything went south.This is where I just think it was the cascade of interventions. First I had fentanyl which I don't know why because I think I was trying to delay the epidural for whatever reason. I don't know why. I had fentanyl first. It was awful. It felt like I was so drunk. The room spun and it was terrible. Then an epidural, which has fentanyl in the epidural. That was fine. After the epidural, of course, you feel amazing, but you are stuck on your back forever. I just think this cascade of interventions, being stuck on my back, not moving, I never ever take medicine as it is. I think my body and my baby just hated all of this. So then eventually, terbutaline was given around 6:00 AM. Meagan: To stop the contractions. Melanie: Yep. I think that's when some decels started happening then they did pull the Cervadil to stop the contractions. There were some decels then yeah, eventually it's all a little bit fuzzy but at 6:45 AM the decision was made for a C-section. At 8:01, he was born. They called it an emergency C-section and now I look back and I'm like, yes. I do believe that it was needed. However, I'll never really know but I really think it was caused and also, if it's an emergency, I understand that they don't wait hours like they did for me and they usually put you under. I think it was more unplanned and I look back and I really think it was caused. Meagan: That is the hard thing to know. A lot of these Cesareans, I would agree with you that they are caused by the cascade of interventions and things like that and then a lot of providers will say “emergent” so there are emergent Cesareans where we need to get this baby out quick and then there is a crash where they do put people under with crash Cesareans. But if they are waiting for hours, it's almost like they gave the emergency title to make themselves feel better or make it look valid to justify that Cesarean. Melanie: Yeah, I definitely agree with that. That experience was really awful for me. I think for some women, I think it's awful for a lot of women and then I think for some, it's not that awful. For me, no skin-to-skin. I know that's not very common at all. It felt like it was forever for them to bring him to me. No one was talking to you in this moment and I just don't think these doctors realize in the moment that you're being robbed of something that you envisioned and a really important experience. It just felt like forever for them to give him to me. It was 30 minutes or so. He was fine. He came out completely fine with great APGARS. I was fine. It just ended up in the way I didn't want it to. I did have PTSD from that experience because I was having a lot of flashbacks to it. I went through some EMDR therapy. I had a great therapist and of course, I talked to her about it. She was there for my VBAC as well. But yes. That postpartum was just– the healing sucked. I just felt really awful and I think mentally, it took a really big toll on me. Breastfeeding was really hard. A lot of that I attributed to my C-section. It was not desired. It was just not great. So that was the first birth. I never knew VBAC was a thing or a big deal at all. I don't even think I knew the term VBAC. I went to the 6-week post-doctor's visit and I remember she was like, “Yeah, you'd be a great candidate for a VBAC. However, you have to go into spontaneous labor by 39 weeks.” I'm sitting here like, okay. He was just a 41-week baby. My mom has a history of going late. I don't think that's very likely that I'll go into spontaneous labor by 39 weeks so I already made up my mind that I wasn't going to go with her. I learned later that that is a very common thing that hospitals and OB/GYNs will say to you. Yeah, that was the first one. So then cue The VBAC Link. I started listening to The VBAC Link Podcast before I was pregnant. Maybe my son was a year old and I binged every episode. You and Julie were in my ear a ton. The thing that I heard from The VBAC Link was that the likelihood of a successful VBAC for many of these women did happen out of the hospital and like you yourself, Meagan. That's not to say that of course, you can be in the hospital. You can have an epidural and get induced and have a successful VBAC, but when I just heard the overwhelming thing was how much of a better chance you have. I should also mention that my husband works in medicine too. He's a physician assistant. I will talk about that. He had a little bit of a hard time just with the safety aspect of it. But once I let my mind go toward the possibility of an out-of-hospital birth– because I wanted a VBAC so badly. I was so motivated. Then I realized that it was something that I actually really desired, a physiologic birth and unmedicated. When I look back, I think that's why I had such a hard time mentally with my first birth because I think I didn't know that I cared how my babies come into the world and I wanted to experience that. I don't know and in some weird way too, it felt like doing an unmedicated out-of-hospital birth made me almost feel connected to my ancestors. It seems really weird, but I was like, this is what they did. I just think it's something really cool that our bodies do. I wanted to experience that. But I do. I recognize that it was a trauma response for me for sure to become obsessed with research. I binged all of the episodes. I would look for anything related to VBAC. I read so many books and I actually toured. I had a neighbor and a friend who was pregnant at the time and she was going with the birth center that I ended up going with. We would go on walks and she would talk about her experience and how amazing and wonderful it was. I was just like, man. I want that, especially knowing that we were planning to most likely have just one more child. I hated to have that thinking of, this is my last chance, but I did. Meagan: I understand that so much because my husband told me that too and I was like, “I really want this VBAC. I really want this VBAC.” Melanie: Yeah and that's okay. We're okay. It's okay if we have these desires and these wishes. You only get one life. It's okay to want what we want. I'll never forget. I toured the same birth center that my friend was at and again, I was not pregnant yet. It was an education class. I was like, let me just see what these midwives are all about and what birth centers are like. It just immediately– again, it's that intuition. It immediately felt so right. I remember I walked in and just before even finishing the class, before we even really heard them out, I just knew that this was where I wanted to give birth in my next pregnancy. It felt so right. And also, I'll never forget. I had asked questions about VBAC because unfortunately, not all birth centers support VBACs which I don't understand, but I had asked a lot of my questions related to VBACs and I remember the midwife saying, “Well, unfortunately and fortunately, we do a lot of VBACs.” I'm thinking, why would I not want to be with a provider who does the most VBACs? Hospitals don't do a lot of VBACs comparatively. A lot of people are like me. They go to a birth center because they really want a VBAC. That just was really calming to me. I felt like I was with experienced hands. I was safe and there also was not really anything different about a VBAC. I'm with people who understand and trust birth. I brought this up to my husband and I mentioned that he had his reservations because he's a physician assistant and he works in orthopedic trauma but he was in PA school, he had to do OB/GYN rotations. He unfortunately saw some bad birth outcomes so to him, the hospital was a safety net but I was so, so grateful that he was supportive of my desire to go out-of-hospital even though it seemed kind of crazy to him. He came to– we had one meeting with the midwife so he could ask questions and everything. She was so great and answered all of his questions and I actually was unknowingly pregnant at the time. I didn't know it.Meagan: No way. Melanie: It's really weird. I toured the birth center first by myself and it's almost like my body needed that to be like, boom. You found the place where you are going to give birth and then I got pregnant. It was really weird. We were trying but also, it takes my body after coming off birth control some time so it still was a shock. I was like, oh wow. So anyway, the second pregnancy was much harder as I mentioned. I was not able to be nearly as active. I ran that half marathon like I mentioned and then– it was the Dallas half– then my body just went downhill. It was much, much harder. My sleep was horrible. I have an Aura ring and it tracks your sleep and everything then at the end of the year, it will give you a summary of every month's sleep. I will never forget because I got pregnant in September and it's like, January, February, March, April everything is fine and you look at the bar graph time series and it plummets in September. It stayed that way. It was my deep sleep. My deep sleep really, really decreased a ton. Maybe that's normal and I just didn't know that the first time, but I did not tell many people I was going with a birth center. I lied about my due date which I learned from this podcast which is very smart to do. I highly recommend it just because I didn't want to let in any of that negative energy or anything. The couple people I did tell, I did get a couple of people who would be like, “Oh, they're going to let you do that,” like the “let you” language. Meagan: We both did the same thing at the same time with the air quotes. The “let you”. Melanie: Yeah, exactly. I don't blame them. I just think that a lot of people don't have that birth education. And in hospitals, it's very normal to do a repeat C-section even though we all know it's not evidence-based. So very briefly, I want to talk about the prep that I did in this pregnancy that made such a huge difference for me. Number one, all of the podcasts like I mentioned. This one, of course. The VBAC Link, I binged it. I found the Down to Birth podcast at the end and that's a really, really good one. I know everybody does The Birth Hour as well which is good but that one has everything. I loved the more VBAC-specific ones. Then also, they haven't produced any episodes in a while but the Home Birth After Cesarean Podcast was really good too because they were all unmedicated. I was hoping to do that and they were all VBACs. Then books– I read a lot but these were my favorites. Of course, Ina May's Guide to Childbirth. Emily Oscar's Expecting Better is really good. Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way is a little outdated but that one I really loved. It really taught me what productive contractions looked like because I didn't really experience labor the first time. I never made it past a 3 the first time. I didn't know what that meant. I didn't have coping mechanisms. They really focused on breathing. The best book I read and I hadn't heard this one on it. Maybe you know of it but I had never heard about it but it was Hypnobirthing by Siobhan Miller. There are a lot of books on Hypnobirthing but Hypnobirthing by Siobhan Miller. I was just thinking of Hypnobirthing as a possible way to cope. That book was the best book because I really like the science, the physiology, and what is actually happening in your body when you're getting contractions and how do you work with your body. It just had such a great way of explaining all of that.That was the last book I found. I was 3 weeks away from my guess date. That one was great. She also creates the Freya app if you've heard of that. The Freya app times contractions and it helps you with breathing. They give you a lot of mantras. Yeah. That book was amazing. I did get the Freya app too. I did not know I was going to rely on it so much in labor. Also, in that book, it was really big on affirmation cards. I would make affirmation cards then I would read them in the bath and sometimes practice my breathing through the app. I did some pelvic PT and then, of course, the prenatal chiropractor like I mentioned, I continued to do that. Like I mentioned, the care with the midwives was great. Very positive language. I noticed what was really important to me was not, “I hope I can do this,” because of course, I hope that. But my midwives were amazing because every time, they would just speak it. They would say, “You are going to have a beautiful, redemptive VBAC.” They would just say that. Of course, I know I am 50% of the birth story. The baby is the other 50%. Of course, I know that but it was so important for me to have that positive language. I really worked on my mindset this time around. I only followed accounts that served me. I unfollowed news accounts. I had to be very careful about what I watched and things like that. I don't think women realize how important our mental state is. I get very sensitive. Meagan: Yes. So talking about that, protecting your space, our bubble, or whatever it may be. Protecting our space is so important because mentally, like you were saying, I don't know if people really understand how precious our mental space is but mentally, if we are thrown off, it is sometimes really difficult to get back onto that rail. I had a situation on Facebook in a VBAC-supportive group. I've talked about it in the past. I was so excited to announce that I was going to birth outside of the hospital. I also wasn't telling people that I was birthing out of the hospital. I didn't really tell people my plan I thought I could in that group and I wasn't supported. I had to leave that. Sometimes it means leaving groups. Sometimes it means staying off social media. Sometimes it means muting people who may be sharing their opinions or telling people flat-out, “I appreciate you so much but unfortunately, I can't have you in my space,” because mentally, they are not serving you well. Melanie: 100%, yeah. I hate that that happened to you and I know that happens to so many women. It's just so unfortunate and I hate that there is such a stigma with VBAC because if you do the research which people who have really “easy” births don't have a reason to really do the research but if you are like us where we are all very motivated to have a VBAC because we already have this stigma going against us, it's all unwarranted. It's not evidence-based to not be supportive of a VBAC and if you really research and do the stats, you realize that it's not a big deal. The craziest thing that I heard on the Down to Birth Podcast was, “You have a chance of uterine rupture even as a first-time mom.” Meagan: Yes, you do. Melanie: It's not that much higher as a VBAC and first-time moms go their entire pregnancy never once hearing about uterine rupture but yet if you are a VBAC mom, that's all you hear about. So it's so crazy to me. Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. So mentally, you were unfollowing. You protected your space there. Is there anything else that you would give tip-wise to protect your mental space?Melanie: I think just believing in your body and believing that we are made to give birth. I think that's a really big one. Of course, like you said, unfollowing and maybe not talking about it with people, unfollowing accounts that do not serve you. I think the most important thing, I know we've heard it a million times on this podcast, but where you give birth and who you give birth with is the single most important thing because you want to be with a provider who believes that you can do it, whoever that is. Yeah, believing in yourself. I think that's going to look different for everybody of what they need. For me, I am a data person so I needed the stats. I needed to read the books and also listen to lots of women who have done it before me. Meagan: Mhmm, love that. Melanie: So okay, here we are. I was 40+5 so again, not 39 weeks with spontaneous labor but 40+5. I woke up at 5:00 AM to what I thought was contractions. I had some Braxton Hicks at the very end which I never experienced before. I didn't know if maybe it was prodromal labor but it didn't feel like Braxton Hicks because it was waking me up. I just tried to move through them a little bit. They were coming very, very sporadically. I would get a short contraction one time an hour and this went on for most of the day and they were not long at all, like 30 seconds. In my mind, I'm thinking, I'm a hopeful first-time vaginal birther. So I'm like, okay. This could be 24 hours. It could be 48 hours. Who knows? But I did not want to waste any energy timing the contractions so I was just guessing the whole day. It was a Sunday. I stayed home with my toddler. Yeah, I should mention that he is 2.5 so I waited about 2.5 years between the two births. So yeah. I just labored at home with my toddler and my husband. We are big track fans so it worked out perfectly. There was a Diamond League track meet on so I did the Miles Circuit while I was watching that. I texted my midwives and kept everybody updated but I think again, we all thought I still had a ton of time. Then I would say around 4:00 PM that day, I started to notice them a little bit more. They were still pretty inconsistent. I would say maybe 8-10 minutes apart and still only 30-45 seconds long. That was something I learned from again, that Bradley Method book I read is that productive contractions for most women– I will say not for me. We will get into that. But for most women, they are a minute plus. Those are the most productive contractions. I texted my midwife then that I felt like it would likely be that night. I felt pretty confident that they were coming but I was like, it could be the middle of the night. It could be tomorrow morning. Who knows. She texted back and she advised that I take some magnesium, take an Epsom salt bath and then go to bed and try to reserve my energy for when they are 4-1-1. We had a birth photographer this time so I texted the birth photographer. I texted our friends who I'm so grateful for. We had a neighbor and a friend who was going to come to our house and be with my toddler. So, so sweet. Yeah. I took the magnesium and then my husband, Brandon, drew me a bath and then disappeared with our toddler. I sat in the bath and I was reading my affirmation cards. This makes me so emotional but I discovered that my husband had snuck in his own affirmation cards into my pile and that's when I found them. Oh, it was so sweet. Meagan: That's adorable. Melanie: I know. It still makes me cry when I think about it because it just meant so much. It makes me so emotional. It was super sweet and one of the best things he's ever done for me. I found those and was reading through them in the bath and just trying to relax and really work with the contractions. I know from my research that you need to relax. To get them to be productive contractions, you have to relax. You have to get your body out of the way and it will go faster that way. They really started to ramp up when my husband was putting our toddler to bed around 7:30. I got in the bed and I put the pregnancy pillow in between my legs. I lay there and was trying to establish a pattern. Yeah. I know manifestation sounds pretty woo-woo but I want to say and this is where I'll start sprinkling these in because there were 10 things that I had manifested or really, really prayed would happen and I was very intentional that I really, really hoped that this happened. This was the first one. I don't know why I had envisioned laboring with my dog. You have a dog. You understand. My dog is my firstborn. She is my baby. I love her. You know, birth is so primal so I was just like, She's going to know. She's going to know when I'm in labor and she's going to know what to do. She did. She followed me. I didn't even realize it at the time. She followed me in my bed and I took a picture with her at 8:19. She was lying next to me on the bed as I was going through these contractions and it's a very, very special memory for me. I was already starting to get the labor shakes at this point. It's 7:30 and laying down in bed did really help to establish more of a pattern but they still were not a minute long. They were 40-50 seconds long. Then I moved to the toilet as many women do at this point, backward on the toilet. I lost more of my mucus plug because I had lost it sometime earlier in the day then at some point, I looked down and realized that I was having my bloody show. Again, none of this I had ever experienced before with my first. My husband was an absolute rockstar in this moment. He was so cute. He was running back and forth between the toilet and then packing up the car because I think he realized it was starting to get pretty serious. He brought me water and he put on the back of the toilet, cleaned it, gummy worms and things. That was not what I wanted at that moment but it was super cute. Oh, and I should mention that I did not have a doula so he was kind of like my doula. I was trying to prepare him as best as I could beforehand but he didn't need it. He did really well. I know the hip squeezes are great and I learned that from this show of course. As they were coming, I would scream at him, “Hip squeezes! Hip squeezes!” He would come over and do it and he did awesome. He was saying that I left my body in this moment and I was possessed because when I was having a contraction, again, I was trying to do the deep moans and really trying to relax but it's just funny. He was telling me about it after and he was like, “Yeah, it was like if you were looking at it from the outside, it's like you were possessed then you would scream at me and just moan.”Then by 9:24, they were coming. I mentioned they were not a minute long, but they were coming on top of each other. So every 2.5-3.5 minutes apart, but still not quite a minute long so my husband was calling the midwives and she still was like, “Well, they're not quite a minute. Just have her keep laboring at home until they are a minute.” Eventually, he called her back and I think he put it on speaker so she could hear me and that's what did it. Meagan: Uh-huh. She's like, “Load her up.” Melanie: Yes. Because we live outside of Dallas. The birth center was in downtown Dallas so it's pretty far. It's usually a 45-minute drive for us so I think my husband was just like, “I don't want to have a car baby.” Meagan: Sure. Melanie: Yeah. It was ramping up. So yeah. She called back. I mentioned the Freya app. I really relied heavily on the Freya app because when you are timing the contractions, it helps you with the breathing, in for 4, out for 8, and then one of the mantras I learned from that Hypnobirthing book that I did not know I was going to rely on so much– and I think you never really know when you're going into it and when you're in labor. You never know what's going to stick. My mantra that I must have repeated to myself 500 times was, Inhale peace, exhale tension. Every single contraction, I just repeated that over and over and over. I was trying to make it until 10:30 PM when we called them again, but that's when we got in the car and started heading there. He made it to the birth center in 33 minutes. The car ride was not fun like many women talk about. I think I hardly opened my eyes and I was just timing them, repeating my mantra, Inhale peace, exhale tension. I arrived at the birth center at 11:00 PM. I had a contraction on the step right there as I was trying to get out of the car and trying to make it. I eventually made it inside and I had my first cervical check of the whole pregnancy. I again, something I had manifested was that my two favorite midwives would be there and they were. One of them, she wasn't even on call but she came anyway. So many sweet things happened. I got on my back. She asked if she could check me and I was like, “Yes. I really want to know.” One thing again, I manifested that I really wanted to be at least a 6 when I showed up. The first thing she said was, “You are much farther along than you ever were with Rhett.” You are a 7 and you are very stretchy. I can feel your bulgy back of waters and the baby's head is right behind it. That's the other thing. We mentioned PROM. Here I am and my water still had not burst and it was amazing. Being on my back felt awful by the way. That's why I just don't understand. Being unmedicated in a hospital must be so, so hard because I know a lot of the times they want you to be on your back and I just can't imagine because that was the worst position ever. She started filling up the tub right away. Like many women, I was like, “I have to poop.” I get on the toilet and I was like, “I swear I do.” But no, I don't. Nothing was happening but it feels like I do. I got in the tub right away. I did a couple of contractions. They were still coming on top of each other. I was sitting down and eventually, I moved to hands and knees. Very shortly after, that was very fast. That was only about 5 minutes after getting checked. Very shortly after, my body was starting to push and I was like, “This can't.” I mentioned something. I don't really remember this but I mentioned something to my midwife about how it seemed to soon to push. I was like, “You just checked me and I was a 7-8. Why is my body pushing right now?” I was really wary of a cervical lip or a swollen lip which I learned from this podcast. I can't remember exactly but she said something to the nature of, “If your body is ready to push, let it push. This is your body getting ready to birth your baby,” which is again, something else I had really, really envisioned. I would have loved my body to do the pushing and it did which was amazing. My water had not broken still at this point and the really cool moment was that the baby was en caul for a while. I remember her saying something on the phone about baby being en caul. I was birthing the sac before I birthed the baby. It felt like a water balloon. She kept telling me, “Feel down. Feel the sac.” It felt like a water balloon coming out of you. It was so weird. Yeah, my midwife stayed behind me so quietly the whole time. I never knew she was there. My husband set up my birth playlist and music and he just was such a rockstar in this moment. He was getting a cold rag and putting it over my shoulders which felt amazing, getting water and electrolytes and continuing to help me with that. Yeah. My body pushed for about 30 minutes and I don't want to scare anybody, but truly, that was the worst part. I remember– I guess maybe it's the ring of fire, but I just remember feeling like my body was ripping in half. But then it goes away. Meagan: Yeah. It's intense. It's intense. Melanie: It's so intense. I don't think anything can really prepare you for that. I follow that account, Pain-Free Birth. I don't understand and I would watch videos of women who were smiling and they look great. I'm like, oh my gosh. That part was so, so painful. Handling and dealing with the contractions is one thing and I felt like I was really strong. I felt like I did a good job with that, but that pushing part is something else. His head was out. It was a boy. His head was out for a little while but nobody panicked and my husband was ready to catch him. His hand was right there. At some point, I remember my midwife was like, because again, my body was doing all of the pushing. I didn't do any of it. I guess after the head was out of a little bit, she was like, “You can try to push.” My husband told me because his hand was right there that my pushes were nothing. They were baby, tiny little pushes compared to the ones my body was doing. Then at some point, my midwife asked if she could help or something and I was like, “Yes, please.” I don't know what she did. My baby was kind of big which I'll say in a second, but I think maybe his shoulder was stuck or something. She did something that was pretty painful but then within a second–Meagan: A sweep. Melanie: Yeah, like a maneuver because I definitely felt more stretching then a second later, he shot out. He did have the cord wrapped around his neck one time but nobody freaked out and they just literally took it off then he pinked up right away, cried, and he ended up being 9 pounds, 5 ounces. My first was 6 pounds and 14 ounces. I'm like, “No wonder running felt awful. He was pretty big.” I look back and I just feel very proud. I was never once scared for myself. I never once thought about uterine rupture and I never was scared for my baby. I do have some memories of– they did the intermittent checking and I have this memory of the decels. That is why I ended up having the C-section so I was always very curious to see how he was doing during the check. He was always fine and I was never scared. Yeah. We got out of the tub quickly. They waited for me to deliver the placenta on the bed. It was about 30 minutes and yeah. My baby latched right away which was such a relief because I mentioned we had some struggles the first time. The crazy thing was– we sat there. We ate. We chatted for a little bit then once they did all of the newborn tests right there, we were home by 3:45 AM. My toddler went to bed as an only child and then he woke up to a little brother. And that's his story. The postpartum has been so different and it's been so much better. I can't help but think that a lot of that is because of such a smoother birth and the recovery has been so much better than a C-section. Different, but still so much better. Meagan: Yeah. Melanie: Yeah. I just thank this community so much. I also was on the Facebook page and I just got so much strength from all of the women before me. Meagan: Yes. Oh my gosh. Such an incredible story. I love– okay, a couple of things. One, we talk about it on the podcast. I love when people go and look for providers before they are pregnant. I absolutely love it. I think it's very powerful. But two, you were actually pregnant and you didn't know it. Melanie: I know. Meagan: That's so cool that you were doing that and it felt so right and not only was your intuition before pregnancy kicking in but you were actually pregnant and it felt right. You were like, this is the place. This is the place. Then you showed. You went past that 39-week date. You never had gone past 3 centimeters before. So much strength and power happened through all of this and then you pushed out a 9-pound baby. All of these things that a lot of the world doubts. Did you look at your op report? Melanie: I did and everything was normal. Then the main thing was the decels and that's why they said was the reason. Meagan: Decels. I just wondered if they said anything like CPD or failure to progress. Melanie: Yeah, no they didn't. I was looking for that specifically. I just barely made it. I was 2-3 centimeters before the decels started happening and then they called it. Meagan: Yeah. A lot of the time we are told and the world doubts us in so many ways so if you told a lot of people who are uneducated about VBAC the things that happened with the first and then the stats of your second, I bet people are like, “You did that?” But you guys, this is normal. This is beautiful. This is what you deserve. You deserve these experiences and these joyous moments. I'm just so proud of you. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of your husband. He sounds absolutely adorable. Shoutout to him. Melanie: He's so sweet. Meagan: Your midwives and everybody. You did it. Melanie: Aw, thank you. Meagan: I'm so happy for you. Melanie: Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm glad I didn't know how big he was before but also with my midwives, there was no pressure at all to even see how big he was. Meagan: Mhmm, yeah. Melanie: The second baby, I always say that he healed me because he really did. My first birth was really traumatic for me but then my friends all laugh because they say, “You're the only person who would say a 9-pound baby would heal you.”Meagan: Seriously, though. But how amazing. It's so amazing. Our bodies are incredible. Okay, we talked about PROM. This time, total opposite. Encaul for a little bit. I did some things. You did some things. Let's talk about if you've had PROM, premature rupture of membranes, there are things you could do to try to encourage no PROM next time. I am PROM, PROM, then with my third, I was contracting. My water did break way earlier than pushing but it still waited a little longer. I still feel like my efforts in a lot of ways helped. So anyway, tell us what you did. Melanie: Yes. So mainly two things. Again, being with providers who are more holistic, they are more likely to mention nutrition. We talked about nutrition a ton during the whole pregnancy. I think two main things. The first thing was collagen. They got me on collagen from the get-go. I know research shows that upping your collagen helps a strong sac. Then the second thing was Vitamin C. I didn't take any Vitamin C supplements or anything, but again, your body is amazing. I was craving oranges in my pregnancy so I think that's part of it. My body was craving oranges. I ate a lot of oranges so I think the combination of collagen and oranges really made my sac strong. And it was. It literally did not break until he came out. It was so different. Meagan: So incredible. I would echo that. Vitamin C and you can supplement with Vitamin C 100mg a day starting anywhere between 18-20 weeks. Some providers even say to do it from the very beginning as the placenta is forming and things like that. Collagen absolutely and protein. Protein and collagen. I know you guys have heard about Needed but I absolutely love their protein collagen. As pregnant women, we don't get enough collagen and we don't get enough protein in our daily eating habits so supplementing with that and getting more collagen really, really can create a healthier, thicker sac. Something that was interesting that I found out after my second– so back story. I had kidney stones. I don't know if you had any infections or anything like that with your first that made you be on antibiotics but antibiotics is what an OB told me can also weaken membrane sacs. I got UTIs and kidney stones and was put on antibiotics. The OB described to me that my OB was fighting in other areas so the nutrients that my body was getting was going to fighting and healing versus creating a stronger sac which is interesting. I've never seen any research about it but he was pretty adamant about avoiding antibiotics during pregnancy with my next one and I did. I didn't have what I had before. Melanie: That's interesting. I never heard that. Meagan: I know. I know. This is a doctor who doesn't even practice anymore. This was years ago but I was like, it kind of makes sense. It kind of makes sense. I haven't researched it. Melanie: Yeah. I can see that. Meagan: Antibiotics wipe our gut flora and things like that anyway so I can understand that but protein, collagen, Vitamin C, and possibly avoiding antibiotics. Nutrition is so huge with our bag of water. Then big babies. You guys, big babies come out of vaginas. I just have to say that. It happens. 9 pounds is a healthy, beautiful baby. Melanie: Yeah. When he came out, everybody was very shocked even before weighing him. He's thinned out now but he was swollen. Everybody was taking bets on how big he actually was. Meagan: I love it. I love it. I've seen so many babies when they come out and their cheeks are so squishy and you're like, that's a big baby. You can tell just by their face. Melanie: Yes. That's exactly it. Meagan: Oh my gosh. Well, thank you again so much for completing the circle, for helping other Women of Strength out there. I too believe that women listen to these podcasts and they want to find stories that are similar with theirs in so many ways. You didn't dilate past 3. An induction that didn't turn out to be a vaginal birth so an “unsuccessful” induction that turned VBAC. A lot of people, I think, do doubt their body in that way. They are like, “Well, I was induced. Not even medicine could get me there,” but there is a lot that goes into that. Sometimes our body is just not ready or our babies aren't ready or something is going on. It doesn't mean that's your fate for all future births. Melanie: 100%. Yeah. So well said. Meagan: Awesome. Well, thank you again so much and huge congrats. Melanie: Thank you so much, Meagan, and thank you to everybody. Everybody who has told their story, the community, and everything was so helpful for me. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Looking 4 Healing Radio with Dr. Jana Schmidt – Epsom salt draws out splinters and relaxes muscles. Epsom salt is derived from mineral-rich spring water and is a powerhouse for soothing tired muscles in a warm bath. But did you know it can also help draw out splinters? Let Dr Jana walk you through the easy and oh-so-natural first aid bag she uses for numerous surprise injuries and much more...

Looking 4 Healing Radio with Dr. Jana Schmidt – Epsom salt draws out splinters and relaxes muscles. Epsom salt is derived from mineral-rich spring water and is a powerhouse for soothing tired muscles in a warm bath. But did you know it can also help draw out splinters? Let Dr Jana walk you through the easy and oh-so-natural first aid bag she uses for numerous surprise injuries and much more...

Tom in for Nick and joined by Lee Mottershead, senior writer at the Racing Post. Lee and Tom initially dive into the Lexus Melbourne Cup nominations and Leigh Jordon of the VRC joins to run down the main headlines. Lee and Tom discuss the latest news from around the racing world including Tom Sammes stepping down from his role as Epsom general manager. We discuss City Of Troy heading to Southwell for his Breeders' Cup Classic prep and Racing TV's Angus McNae joins us to give his view on that and on his Classic aspirations. Dan Barber is along with the Timeform perspective on first season sires and we go around the bloodstock world with Weatherbys to Ajay Anne of New Approach Bloodstock. Plus Rossa Ryan joins us to look ahead to Haydock's Betfair Sprint Cup with both Annaf and Kinross entered.

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff talk transfers and Blackpool with Curtis Davies. They look at the late moves of the window with Burnley and Luton doing a lot of business. How will Sunderland cope without Jack Clarke? And Lyndon Dykes drops down to Birmingham. Blackpool commentator Ian Chisnall joins the pod after Neil Critchley was sacked. All that and a mascot race at Epsom and 72PLUS 72MINUS.02:40 Mascot race at Epsom 04:45 Transfer window coming to a close 07:55 Burnley leaving it late 11:50 Luton squad lacking depth? 14:20 Jack Clarke leaves Sunderland 17:00 Lyndon Dykes swaps QPR for Birmingham 18:30 Blackpool sack Neil Critchley after two games 27:00 Bad start for Steve Evans and Rotherham 27:50 A week to remember for Barrow 29:20 Fantasy EFL update as Curtis tops the league 30:30 72PLUS 72MINUS

Olympians are biohacking more than ever before to gain an edge at Paris 2024: Hypnosis: Switzerland's Martin Dougoud uses hypnosis to visualize his path to the Canoe Slalom podium, a technique also used by Brazil's Arthur Zanetti for his 2012 gymnastics gold. Ice Baths: The British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that federations requested over 16,000 tons of ice for the Games. Simone Biles incorporates ice massages, Epsom-salt baths, and compression boots in her recovery routine. Compression Boots: Artistic swimmer Jaime Czarkowski emphasizes recovery with tools like Normatec compression boots, saunas, and massages to reduce lactic acid and enhance performance. Mind Games: Caroline Wozniacki employs psychological tactics on the court, including mocking opponents' grunts to gain a mental edge. Join us as Dr. Stephen Simpson, a renowned Creative Mind and Performance Coach, discusses these strategies used by Olympians to optimize their mind and body for peak performance. Follow Dr. Stephen Simpson on Instagram. Join 30k+ weekly biohackers who receive the latest tech + techniques + reviews + insider biohacking news by signing up for the weekly newsletter here.   THIS SHOW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: Magnesium Breakthrough by BIOptimizers - The only magnesium supplement on the market that has the full spectrum of all 7 forms of magnesium that your body needs. If there's ONE MINERAL you should be worried about not getting enough of... it's MAGNESIUM. Magnesium is the body's “master mineral” powerful over 600 critical reactions, including hormone balance… stress management… sleep quality… EVEN digestion is influenced by the presence of magnesium. That's why I'm so excited to tell you that I was able to arrange a killer deal for you. You won't find that deal on Amazon or even the company's own website. This deal is exclusively for my audience and it's for a limited time while supplies last. Right now you can get a bottle of Magnesium Breakthrough for FREE. Just go to http://magbreakthrough.com/zestologyfree and get your free bottle.

“The 9 lb 2 oz baby that they said I could never push out and could never have had her vaginally– I ended up going on to have a 10 lb 10 oz baby girl.”Brittany first gave birth to twins via Cesarean at 34 weeks and 1 day. She didn't get to meet her babies until 36 hours after delivery and they had to stay in the NICU for 10 days. While Brittany was so thankful it was not a longer NICU stay and the babies got to come home at the same time, she grieved the introduction into motherhood that she thought she would have. Brittany's next birth ended in a difficult CBAC under general anesthesia. Once again, she was not able to hold her baby right after birth like she so badly wanted. Her physical and mental recoveries were intense and tough. Not long after her third baby was born, Brittany felt called to understand more about her births. She wanted to learn why things happened to her the way they did and if there was a way to help prevent other women from going through the same things. She became a doula with Joyful Beginnings Doula Care and absolutely loves it!With her fourth baby, home birth was on Brittany's heart. With the education from doula work and her own births, Brittany set herself up for success by surrounding herself with a beautifully supportive birth team. Her HBA2C was quick, uncomplicated, redemptive, and empowering!Brittany's WebsiteThe VBAC Link Blog: Preterm CesareansTVL Blog: Everything You Need For Your HBACTVL Blog: Provider Red FlagsTVL Blog: VBAC/HBAC PreparationTVL Blog: VBAC MidwifeTVL Blog: Big BabiesHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Hello, Women of Strength. We have our friend, Brittany, today with us sharing her HBAC. If you have not been with us very long or are still unsure about all of the crazy terms in the VBAC world, HBAC is home birth after Cesarean but she is a home birth after two Cesareans so HBA2C so similar to what I am. I am a VBAC but I was in a birth center, not a home. I'm so excited to share– well, I'm not going to be sharing it, but she is sharing it today so welcome, Brittany. Thank you so much for being here with us. Brittany: Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to get to share my story. Meagan: Absolutely. Me too. We will get right into that. I'm just going to do a quick review then we will do our intro and we will dive right in. This review was left by Brianna Moody and this was left in 2023 and it says, “So binge-worthy.” Okay seriously, I could not agree already with her because I feel like this is the type of podcast that when you are looking for your options for birth after Cesarean, you just want to hear every story and I get into those binges especially with podcasts so I could not agree more. I believe that this podcast is bingeworthy. It says, “I found The VBAC Link Podcast in my second trimester after my midwife suggested that I start listening to positive stories to get in a good headspace as I prepared for my VBAC.” Okay, I also love that her midwife is suggesting that. I 100% agree there as well. It says, “What I didn't expect was to hear so many different types of birth stories in one place. I was floored by the amount of information in each episode and by how much these stories impacted me. I found that I love listening to all of the different stories, even the CBAC stories. Honestly, I think those helped me process some of my fear about potentially having a CBAC.” Okay CBAC, Cesarean birth after a Cesarean, just want to make sure we know what that means. It says, “--as could be something that could still be beautiful and empowering. I tell everyone I know about the podcast, even first-time moms because there is truly something that could benefit every birthing mama on here. I am so happy to say that I had my VBAC baby in January.” Ah, so amazing. Congratulations, Brianna Moody. It says, “--in January and it was the most beautiful experience. I still cannot believe I really did it. I took so many things from the podcast that helped make it possible. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and passion for VBAC with the world.”Okay, I'm obsessed with this review. So many amazing things right here. Yes, binge the podcast. You're going to learn so many incredible things, like so many. Every story, just like she said, has its similarities but also it's very different. That's something that I love about birth then I love that she pointed out that CBAC could even be viewed as beautiful and empowering. I love that because I want you to know, Women of Strength, VBAC doesn't have to be the right answer. If it's not feeling right for you, that's okay. You can go and have a Cesarean birth and it can be absolutely beautiful. Know that it's an option to do both and you can still have a beautiful, empowering experience. Okay, all right. I'm going to let you guys go. We're going to get to the intro and then we're going to dive into Brittany's HBAC after two Cesareans. Meagan: All right, Brittany. A long intro. It's time for you to share with us your beautiful stories. Brittany: Yes, thank you. Okay. So I'm going to start at the beginning and give a little brief overview of my history and kind of what led me to pursuing an HBAC after two C-sections. In 2019, I had my first pregnancy and I was actually pregnant with twins so that was a big, exciting thing for us. It was very unexpected and overall, I had a pretty normal pregnancy. I didn't really have a whole lot of issues until the end. My blood pressure started to creep up here and there and then at 33 weeks, I went in for an appointment and I was diagnosed with preeclampsia. That was very overwhelming. I did not have a lot of knowledge about birth really in general. I was one of those who went in and just trusted everything my OB said. I just rolled with it and they looked at us and they said, “We need to admit you. Your blood pressure is too high. You have protein in your urine.” So my husband and I went over to the hospital immediately following and realized that we were going to be staying there for a little bit. They were able to manage my blood pressure for about a week and then I needed to deliver the twins at about 34 and 1. So it was actually July 5th, so it was right after the 4th of July and it was hard. It was definitely a hard, all of a sudden transition that we weren't expecting. We were thrown into the hospital. My husband had to come out of work and things just continued to get worse. At 34+1, we did another ultrasound and both were breech like they had been the entire pregnancy so we really were not given any options besides a scheduled C-section. I didn't really think twice about that. I just thought, “Okay. This is what you do. We have breech babies. We need to do it.” So at 34+1 on July 5th, I went in for my scheduled C-section. I had the twins and obviously, being born early, they were taken to the NICU so it was a very abnormal experience in the sense that I had these babies. My body knew I had just had babies, but the babies were taken from me. They were instantly taken from me and I had to go back on magnesium for my blood pressure post-C-section so I actually did not even get to see my babies, hold my babies, or touch my babies until about 36 hours later. So it was just a very abnormal experience, especially for a first-time mom. I got wheeled to recovery and they were like, “Here's a breast pump. You need to start pumping.” It was all of these things that I just wasn't prepared for and I hadn't done before. It was such a new experience. Thankfully, they were only in the NICU for 10 days, but as you can imagine, recovering from a C-section, going back and forth to the hospital, trying to figure out pumping and how often to pump. It was just a lot. It was a lot and it was very unnatural. It is just not a natural experience to be separated from your baby or babies after they are born, but we made it and we got through that trial. We were very, very, very lucky that they got to come home together 10 days after being born. Meagan: Wow, 10 days? Brittany: Yes. A miracle within itself. Meagan: That is very fast. Yeah, that's great. Brittany: It was very fast. They were doing great. They were just considered those eaters and growers. They really didn't have any major issues. My son was on CPAP for maybe 48 hours but after that, they were just learning how to eat and grow and they got to come home together which is also very rare for twins. Meagan: That's awesome. Brittany: Yes. We were very thankful for that. Following that pregnancy, we got pregnant again unexpectedly when the twins were only 9 months old. As you can imagine, that is a lot. That was in 2020 and it was right in the thick of COVID. Things were different. Things were crazy. They weren't even really, at least at the practice I was at, allowing women to come in for appointments until the second trimester. Just all of these different things. It was a lot. It was a lot to process that I was pregnant again. I was wondering if I was pregnant with twins again. There were so many questions that I had and I just was not getting any answers or any support during that beginning period.So at about 13ish weeks, they finally allowed me to come in person and be seen in person. We were pregnant with just one which we were thankful for. It would have been a lot to have twins back to back. But I didn't have a significant amount more knowledge at this time. I knew a little bit more about birth. I knew I didn't want to have another C-section. I knew that there was something called a VBAC. I was hoping to be able to do that. I didn't want to have to go the same route, but I really didn't have much education. So we kind of just went with the flow. We were at a smaller hospital closer to us this time around and looking back, I would 100% say that my provider was VBAC tolerant, not VBAC supportive. I don't think that I could identify that at the time not having the knowledge and the resources, but definitely now, I can tell that they were very just VBAC tolerant. Meagan: Sorry to interrupt you, now looking back–Brittany: No, go ahead. meagan: I was going to say that at the time you weren't able to identify which is very, very, very common but now looking back, what were some of those very first signs? Is that what you were going into? brittany: Yes. We kept having conversations about can I have a VBAC. Do I have to have another C-section? It was like, We'll see. When we get closer, we'll see. We don't want to risk anything. It was a lot of the nonchalant I'm going to beat around the bush, but really, I'm probably going to pull the rug out from underneath you at the end. There were a couple of appointments where I left really discouraged and in tears like, I feel like this isn't going to happen. I don't understand. But again, I just didn't have the knowledge to really be able to question what they were saying. I just assumed that if this isn't going to work out, it's not going to work out because it's not safe or x, y, and z reasons. My pregnancy went on and of course, in the back of my mind, there was the concern of preeclampsia again because I had it with the twins, but I had no blood pressure issues. I had no issues with that pregnancy. Obviously, carrying a singleton compared to twins is very different and so we got towards the end and at about 38 weeks, they started talking about wanting to induce me. I was like, “Why are we doing this?” But again, I just didn't have the knowledge to really question their reasoning behind it. So they had actually scheduled me for an induction at 39 weeks. My husband and I left that appointment and we knew enough to know that we didn't feel good about it. We were like, “This just doesn't feel right. Something feels off about this. Why are we brushing this?” So when the time came, we actually canceled that induction and didn't show up. We went to just another regular appointment that following week and I was getting ready to go into my 40th week. They were okay with the fact that I had not done the induction, but they were really, really pressing an induction for 40 weeks which was a couple of days after. meagan: Which is also another red flag. brittany: Yes. Yes, very much so. Again, something I couldn't identify at the time besides the fact that I felt insecure about it. So we decided to do the 40-week induction and when we got there, we were going to start with a Foley bulb but it ended up that I was already 3 centimeters dilated. My body had made some good progress. I was already effaced, so they jumped right to the Pitocin induction. Because this was in the thick of COVID, there were no doulas allowed. I did have a discussion with my husband about potentially hiring a doula. I knew of doulas. I was like, I think this would probably be going for trying for a VBAC, but that was not an option. You had one support person allowed. That was it. My mom couldn't be there. Nobody could be there. No doulas could be there. It was just a really, really hard time in the hospital system. We did the best we could to prepare for what was to come but just did not have the education and the support that we needed going into the situation that we were going into. To make a very long story short, it was intervention after intervention after intervention after intervention. It was basically the definition of the cascade of interventions from Pitocin to epidurals to just everything in between.Thankfully, by morning, the induction started at about 6:00 PM, and by 9:00 PM, they were like, “Oh, we're going to have a baby. This is going to be before lunch.” I was almost 10 centimeters dilated so we were really excited about that We got to the pushing phase and things just didn't move. I mean, I was making very little progress and knowing and having the knowledge that I have now, I look back and realize there was very much a disconnect happening with my mind and body which I've seen happen in some other women sometimes when having epidurals. We pushed. I pushed for a total of about 5 hours. meagan: Wow. brittany: We did have some breaks in between. Yes. There was actually not an OB on the floor so it was with a nurse. She left to go home and the one that I was going to have was in the office, so they basically just let me keep at it and the nurse did try. I will give her credit in that she tried to get me into some different positions, but we just could not make any progress with her and we did know when my water broke that there was some meconium in my fluid so we knew that that was there and that we needed to be aware of it.But after about 5 hours, we were exhausted. It was like, “What is going on? Do we need to make some decisions? Why can't we get an OB over here?” So finally, the OB I guess had finished her shift across the way in the office and made her way over. At that point, it was about 6:00 PM. It had been a very, very long afternoon and she came in and she did an assessment and she said, “There is a lot of meconium, so we need to make a decision. We either need to get this baby out with a vacuum or we take you back for a C-section.”I was like, “Well, what's a vacuum?” We had no knowledge of what that was or what the pros and the cons were. They literally brought in a pamphlet and were like, “Here's a pamphlet to read about it.” meagan: They didn't just tell you all of the pros and cons right there? brittany: No. meagan: They gave you a pamphlet after 5 hours of pushing and feeling exhausted? brittany: Yes. They gave one to us. meagan: I'm sorry, but that's silly. brittany: It's terrible. Yeah, it's terrible because I was in no head space. I was just beyond exhausted. She said, “I'm going to give you about 30 minutes and we are going to prep the OR. When I come back, let me know what you want to do and we can try the vacuum or we can go back for a C-section.” I was like, “Okay.” My husband and I are talking through this and really have no idea what to do. Reading a pamphlet in that time and place is just not okay and not adequate. So she came back in and she gave me another assessment and she said, “Okay, I'm really sorry but we need to go back for a C-section right now. Meconium is very thick and this is becoming very problematic.” She took the vacuum option off the table and said, “We need to go and we need to go now.” So we went back for what I consider more of just an urgent C-section, not an emergent C-section and it was an experience. About halfway through, I started to feel what I felt like was way too much. They actually did end up putting me to sleep fully after she was born. meagan: After she was born?  brittany: She came out, and she actually– after she was born. So when she was born, she didn't cry. I panicked about that and my husband was like, “It's okay. It's okay,” and we found out that she did have a lot of meconium and she did need to be resuscitated. She actually had an APGAR score of 2 which was much, much less than my twins who were born at 34 weeks so thankfully, they got that addressed very quickly and by that 5-minute mark, the APGAR score was back up to an 8, but at that point, I told them, “I am feeling way too much of what you are doing to sew me back up.” I started to really panic. My pain level was very high so I saw her briefly and then they took her to the NICU and then they actually ended up just putting me to sleep because I woke up back in recovery following. She was a 9-pound, 2-ounce baby. They very much threw the label of big baby, this is why you couldn't push her out. She was stuck, and things of that nature. She was sent to the NICU again. She was my third NICU baby. This is my third baby that I haven't held or touched post-delivery. Just a weird, weird experience. So this C-section was much, much more challenging for me than my first. Obviously, I had labored down for many hours. I had pushed for many hours and then went into a C-section which makes a huge difference but I also had an infection post-birth which one of the OBs said was probably from the numerous amount of cervical checks that they gave me after my water broke. So I just had a really, really hard time. I went into postpartum already struggling. I was struggling before I even had left the hospital. Thankfully, our little girl only had to stay in the NICU one night. She was able to be with me the second night and then was able to come home with us, but still, it was just a very abnormal situation where you wake up from the surgery. You just had a baby. Your hormones are all over the place but your baby is not there. You are in pain. It was just a very unnatural situation. I really went into postpartum already a few steps behind. I just was really struggling physically. I dealt with a lot more pain this go around and mentally, I struggled a lot emotionally. I didn't know it until later on, but I really believe that it's healthy to grieve a birth that doesn't go the way that you had maybe envisioned or planned and that's such a healthy thing to do. It felt so silly to me at the time. You're like, Okay. My baby's healthy. My baby's here. Why can't I get this together? But really, it's so much more than that. I know so many people will say, “But we have a healthy baby,” which is what you want and is so great. It is not the only thing that matters though and I think so many people, so many women don't realize that. People mean so well. Family and friends come in and say, “Oh, but thank God the baby's okay.” Yes, of course, thank God the baby is okay, but it's not the only thing that matters. You essentially have a grieving mom in the thick of postpartum who also just had a major surgery, so it was a lot. It was a lot. It was honestly a really miserable postpartum recovery for me and I also had twins who were 17 months old. It was just a lot. So at my 6-week visit, the OB who did my C-section said, “Okay. That's it. It will be C-sections from here on out. VBAC is off the table. You just need to know that.” I left that appointment and I actually remember texting my cousin just about it and I was like, “Okay, I guess that makes sense. I've had two C-sections.” Then weeks following, I just was more and more unsettled with that. I really was grieving the whole situation. I was grieving the fact that I had three babies and somehow hadn't gotten to hold one of them after delivery. It was all of these emotions that I was trying to process and through that, I became very obsessed with birth like, I need to understand. I need to know. I need to educate myself and I want to know as best I can what happened in Lyla's birth. How did we end up here? I really began to educate myself. I delved into all of the things. A few months later, I really felt the Lord calling me to pursue becoming a doula. I mean, we had three kids under two-years-old, so it was crazy to think about taking anything else on, but I remember it was that following July, I went to my husband and I was like, “Listen. I know this is crazy. I know we have so much on our plate, but I really, really feel like the Lord is calling me to pursue becoming a doula so that I can help educate and empower other women and hopefully help them avoid being in the same situation that I was.” He, being the man that he is, was like, “I think you would be great.” He was like, “I'm totally supportive. I'm totally on board.” So then that started my journey of becoming a doula and it was about a year where I went through my program. I worked with those first initial moms. I did all of those things and I really, really loved it. Then I found out I was pregnant again and that was January of 2022. I knew for sure I needed and wanted a different situation. I could not walk through the same scenario that I walked through, especially with my second daughter and I wanted things to be different. I really had home birth on my heart and where I live, I live near Charlotte, North Carolina, there was actually only one hospital that would allow you to pursue a VBAC after two C-sections. meagan: Really? brittany: All of the other hospitals will not, yes. So I started to pursue home birth but then also thought, Maybe I'll do co-care because then I will have something lined up if something does go wrong, blah blah blah. So I tried to get into that hospital with their OB/GYNs and at all three of their locations, they were not accepting new patients. Initially, I was very discouraged. I remember crying that day, texting my husband, What are we going to do? This is the only hospital that will even allow this and that will even potentially let me come in and try. He very simply said, “The Lord closed that door to co-care. Focus on home birth. That's where your heart has been.” At the time, that overwhelmed me, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions and I'm so thankful for it. I do believe there is a time and place for co-care for certain women, absolutely, who want to do home birth but want to have that co-care piece, but for me, looking back, I think co-care would have destroyed me mentally just with all of the appointments, all of the extra things being said even though I knew and had that VBAC knowledge. It's hard when you are constantly getting little bugs in your ear of, “You shouldn't do this. We need to induce,” or things like that so in the end I was very thankful for that. I simply pursued home birth. I interviewed a lot of midwives and I ended up with, I'm very biased but, who I think is just the best midwife ever. She's really, really awesome and received just such amazing care. My visits were an hour long. It was very proactive care trying to stay ahead of things that could come up just with nutrition and supplements and things like that. So I hired my team, my midwife. I hired a doula because I told my husband, I said, “I know I am a doula but I also know what happens when you are in labor.” I said, “Everything goes out the window and you go to labor land.” I said, “I want somebody there who I know can be my brain and can help me with all of the things when I can't think straight.” He was super supportive of that and I hired a really awesome doula. So once I had my team in place, I felt really, really good about it moving forward. My husband was so extremely supportive. He's one of those where anybody who is a doula, their husband is extra educated at birth. I feel like he has to listen to all of my stuff all of the time, but he was so supportive. At that point, I had a really standard pregnancy. The biggest things that I did were to continue, I used The VBAC Link a lot just whenever that doubt crept in my mind of Am I making the right choice? Is VBAC after two C-sections really safe?” I would go back to some of those resources that you guys put out. That knowledge that I had just to read through again to give myself that sense of peace that I made again. I listened to every VBAC after multiple C-section podcast that you have and really tried to focus on those positive birth stories. The biggest thing I did was that I really made the effort to protect my mental health meaning we kept the decision we made very, very private from family and friends which was hard because everybody, especially after my last experience was like, “Where are you giving birth? What is the plan?” But I knew that I didn't need the opinions of everybody. I didn't have the time or energy to educate everybody around me in the decision that I had made. My husband, myself, and our birth team were confident in the decision that I had made in moving forward so we just kept it very private. My best friend and my sister-in-law knew and they were my support throughout then once we got toward the end and I reached that full-term mark of 37 weeks, we did tell all of our parents because we wanted our parents to know. My mom was going to be there and his mom was going to come at some point. Thankfully, our family was very supportive. My mom used to be a labor and delivery nurse so she had a lot of questions, but my midwife sat down with her and let her ask all of them. So our family was on board, but I really just made the point to protect my mental health and only view and read things that were positive and only talk to people who I knew were going to be encouraging and positive about it. That was truly one of the best decisions I made throughout my pregnancy. Fast forward, we get to 39 weeks and 4 days. I thought for sure that I was going to go over 40. With that doula mindset, I always tell my clients, “Prepare to go over 40 weeks so that mentally you're not distraught when 40 weeks comes.” Oh man, I was like, “It's going to be over 40.” I was so secure in that that when it happened, I was not ready almost. I was a little overwhelmed like, “Oh my gosh. I'm not 40 weeks yet though.” I'm 39 and 4. We had actually went out with some friends that morning. We took our kids somewhere and my mom was there. I remember my mom putting us back in the car. She got all emotional and she was like, “I just feel like it's going to be so soon.” I was so frustrated I remember because I was like, “No, mom. I'm not 40 weeks. It's fine.” She's like, “Call me as soon as something happens.” I'm like, “Mom, we have time.” Little did I know I was going to have a baby that night. Later that afternoon, I decided, I need to go to Costco. I need to stock up. My best friend was like, “You are crazy to go to Costco on a Saturday. That is going to put you into labor.” Sure enough, that is exactly what it did. I went to Costco and got everything I needed. I ran into Target and my first contraction started. I had Braxton Hicks most of my third trimester so I was very aware that this was different the first time it happened. But again, that doula mind, I was like, This could be nothing. I'm just going to ignore it. We're going to continue on. They kept coming as I finished my shopping about every 10-15 minutes apart so when I left, I decided to text my husband and say, “Hey, this could be nothing but just so you know, I've had some contractions. They are about 10-15 minutes apart. We'll see what happens.” They had started at 6:00 PM when I was out. I finished up getting when I needed, came home. My girls were already asleep on the couch and my husband put them to bed. We ate dinner. My son hung out with us for a little bit and things continued to pick up. I was like, Okay, this is definitely happening I think. At about 7:00, I alerted my midwife just to let her know, “Hey, it's probably going to be a long night, but I'm definitely having contractions.” I let my doula know and our photographer. I got everybody in the loop. After I ate, I was like, “I'm going to get in the bath with some Epsom salt and try and relax. See if I can relax these contractions enough to maybe get some rest.” In my mind, I was like, This is going to be an all-night thing. Let's see if I can get some sleep. But that is not what happened. I got in the bath for maybe 10 minutes. I had a few contractions and was like, I cannot sit like this. This is not comfortable. I called my mom and I was like, “Hey, I'm having contractions. Don't worry about coming over yet though. We've still got plenty of time.” Thankfully, she ignored me because she was about 50 minutes away at the time. She ignored me and got in the car and came anyway which was a huge blessing because things continued to pick up really quickly. My husband continued to set our room up and the birth pool up but also tried to support me through contractions. Thankfully, all of our kiddos at this point were asleep upstairs which was something we had just prayed about because I wanted them close by, but I also knew that I just needed my space especially with them being so young. So that was such a blessing. They were all asleep. It was just me and my husband. So around 9:00 PM, my mom thankfully arrived which was a blessing because moments before, I was like, “Okay, you need to tell my mom to come,” because things were just moving really, really quickly. I particularly found a lot of relief in one position and that was the position I wanted to stay in. I was on all fours on the ground rocking back and forth on my yoga ball and everybody said, “Hey, try this. Try this.” I was like, “Nope. This is what's working for me. I just want to continue doing this,” so that's what I did for a long while. Shortly after my mom got there, we called my doula to tell her to go ahead and come because she was about 45-50 minutes away as well. With that phone call, she was able to tell because I had prior talked to her as well that things had definitely picked up. We were definitely probably in full-blown active labor. She had told my husband, “Go ahead and start filling the birth pool,” because anybody who has had a birth pool knows that it can take some time. He went ahead and started to fill the birth pool while my mom stayed by me, helped support me, and my doula left and was on her way. Shortly after that, my water broke. A lot of pressure, a lot of pressure, then my water broke. I remember being so panicked telling my mom, “Please check for meconium,” because I just kept thinking about Lyla and the situation that I had with my prior daughter. I said, “Check for meconium. Check for meconium.” She looked and everything looked fine. Following my water breaking, I moved right into transition. It was game on at that point. My husband called my midwife. He said, “Okay. We definitely need you to leave and come.” Thankfully, he had gotten the pool all ready so the pool was ready. Warm water was in. I was able to get in and that was about 10:45 PM. I was able to labor through transition in the water which was a huge blessing. I'm one of those who loves to be in the water. I love to be in the bath. I find it to be very relaxing. I remember at this point telling my mom, “I feel like I'm getting no breaks.” I still at the time did not know I was in transition. Looking back, I was very easily able to identify the phases, but when you are in it, even having that knowledge, you're like, “No. There's no way. This is going to go all night. How am I going to do this? I'm not getting any breaks.” But I had so much great support and my doula arrived not long after I got in the pool. She was doing some counterpressure and giving my husband some things to do to help. I have a lot of tension in my face so giving him some suggestions of things he could do. Not long after getting in the pool, that fetal ejection reflex definitely kicked in. I had heard obviously people talking about it. I had studied it in my work becoming a doula, but until you really experience it, you're like, Wow, this is no joke. People are like, “How am I going to know when to push?” Oh, you will know. Your body is going to do it whether or not you want it. That is exactly what happened. My body was doing these little pushes without me even doing anything. Soon after, I started to really lean into that and continue with that pushing. I remember feeling such relief when I got to the pushing phase because it was very challenging. It was giving me that purpose through contractions and something I could focus on. I actually got a little bit of relief when I was doing some of the pushing. I remember being really thankful for that. My photographer arrived. My mother-in-law arrived during that time and my midwife team got there at about 11:15. I already started pushing a little bit, but I remember although yes, it's challenging to not have an epidural, it was also so amazing because having had the experience of Lyla where I pushed for 5 hours and they were like, “Well, she's not moving. She's in a bad position. She's stuck.” I could feel nothing. I could feel everything. I could feel the progress of my baby being moved down frequently during pushes. I could feel her in the birth canal. I could almost feel the progress I was making at different times with her which was so motivating and so helpful for me. That was just such a night and day experience from my prior experience pushing with Lyla and then after about an hour and 15 minutes give or take a little bit, my daughter, Charlie, made her way into the world. It was about 12:25 AM and it was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful experience. She was born in the water. Literally, my overwhelm of emotions following was like nothing I could ever really articulate in words. The oxytocin was on full blast. I was on this birth high and having had prior C-sections, one of the downfalls of a C-section is that you are on so much medication and so many pain meds that I always felt like when I came out, I was in a haze like I didn't really know where I was and things like that so to be so present and to literally feel my hormones doing what they were designed to do was such an overwhelming experience. I remember talking to my husband about that days later and I was like, “It was just such a high after she was born.” This was obviously my first experience getting to hold the baby post-birth so that was very emotional for me getting to pull her up to me and have her right there and just be able to hold her. My husband was there and people who we loved most were just surrounding us. It was a very, very beautiful, overwhelmingly positive experience. One of the benefits of home birth is that you get to move from the pool or wherever you gave birth to get comfortable in your bed. So that was just awesome. I remember when they got me comfortable in my bed, I was looking at my birth affirmations wall. I had a bunch of stuff hanging up by the pool and I remember thinking, “Oh my gosh. Thank God that's done. that was the hardest thing I've ever done,” then a minute later, I was like, “I feel like I'm going to have to do this again.” I was so overwhelmed with the experience and the emotions. My husband and I got to lay in bed. We got to cuddle our girl and pray over her. Everybody was so great. They were cleaning everything up. My mother-in-law was making food for everybody. It was just such a beautiful experience. Then about an hour into it, we decided to do just her newborn checks and have the midwife look her over, weigh her, and stuff. We knew she was big. There was no denying it when she came out, but never once did I look at her and be like, “Gosh, she's a giant baby. She's so much bigger than Lyla,” or anything like that.We weighed her and everybody made their guesses. She ended up being 10 pounds, 10 ounces, and 22 inches long. The 9-pound, 2-ounce baby that they said I could never push out and could never have had her vaginally, I ended up going on to have a 10-pound, 10-ounce baby girl. She also had a nuchal hand. Her hand was up at her face when she was born which can make things a little bit more challenging, but I delivered her and I had no tearing. It was just such an amazing redemptive story after being told, “You never could have birthed this 9-pound baby. You're never going to have a vaginal birth. The door is closed for you,” and really have the exact opposite happen. I went on to have a much larger baby and she was great. She was healthy and had no issues. My children were just thrilled the next morning to wake up and come and meet her. To this day, they will still bring it up. “Do you remember when Gigi brought us downstairs and we had a new baby?” It was such a beautiful, redeeming story for all of us, my husband included. I think sometimes we forget how much of an emotional experience it can be for the dads and especially to see their wives go through so much so it was just so healing for both of us. It was just such a beautiful experience. I feel like I could go on and on about it. I had the best postpartum care. For those who aren't familiar, with a home birth, your midwife comes to see you multiple times. Mine came to see me six times. She came at 24 hours, 48 hours, 72 hours, one week, and two weeks, so she was constantly there checking on me, checking on my baby girl, and it was just care like no other. All I had known was I had major abdominal surgery then 6 months later, they brought me in and were like, “You're cleared for everything.” It was so overwhelming and this go around, I had somebody who was like, “How are you doing mentally? How are your emotions? How are things healing? How is your nutrition? Are you resting?” All of these things are so, so important for postpartum, and I think so many women don't even realize these things about what postpartum should really look like. I will forever be thankful for that care as well. That was just unlike anything I had prior experienced obviously as well. So yeah. I mean, overall, it was such a beautiful experience. I'm so thankful for how it played out. The Lord had answered so many of our prayers throughout and I'm so, so thankful to my midwife who believed in me and in my body's ability to birth my baby no matter the size and that team of people who I had, I will forever be grateful. Meagan: Are you willing to share your midwife with those in your area who might be feeling restricted because of the lack of support in your area?Brittany: Yes. I will say I had a certified professional midwife. I live in North Carolina. I live outside the Charlotte area in Monroe. We are very lucky. We have such a fantastic group of midwives in the Charlotte area of certified professional midwives. There are truly multiple great midwives. My midwife's name is Brooke. She is just the best of the best. She is a dear friend of mine and I have been really lucky as a doula to get to work with some of her clients and still see her at births and things following. If you are in the Charlotte area and you are considering home birth, things can be a little bit hairy because we do have some restrictions in regards to certified nurse midwives compared to certified professional midwives, but feel free. I think in the show notes, my information will be there. I would be so, so happy to help guide anybody in this area and give you a list of names of some really, really great providers who support VBAC or VBAC after multiple Cesareans because it can be a hard world to navigate whether you are in the hospital system or planning a home birth. It still can be really hard to navigate if you don't know where to look. Meagan: And can people find you somewhere if they have any questions they can write you to on your own doula page? Brittany: Yes. Yes. You can find me at Joyful Beginnings Doula Care. You can find me on Facebook and Instagram. I also have a website at joyfulbeginningsdoulacare.com. Please feel free. I love nothing more than helping guide moms in finding that right support and then also obviously, I love working with VBAC moms as a doula. But you can find me there. Feel free to reach out. I love doing whatever I can to just help other women have more positive experiences especially when it comes to VBAC because that's really, really hard sometimes. Meagan: Absolutely. It is. It's hard and it's frustrating that it's hard so it really takes a village to find the right support. Let me tell you. I've been taking little notes along the journey of your story and there are so many things.One, you had a preterm Cesarean so that's a thing and we don't even have time to go through all of these things so while she was sharing, I was like, “Ope, we have a link for that. Oh, we have a blog for that.” We have so many blogs. We have all of it. I already sent it off to our amazing transcriber, Paige, who will make sure that this is all in the show notes. But preterm Cesarean, then a close duration between Cesarean and her TOLAC that ended in a CBAC. Talking about red flags in finding the right provider, processing the birth, and co-care– I wanted to explain for anyone who didn't know what co-care means. I love that you pointed out to the fact that it's really, really great for some people and it's not great for others. I think that if you're interested in co-care or if you are interested in it, you need to tap into you as an individual and the type of place that you're in because co-care can be amazing and it can be tricky because of what Brittany said where you can go and you can be getting this information from a hospital and then this information from your home birth midwife or your birth center midwife and they are not the same. They can pull your mind out of a very positive space and start putting a lot of doubt and questions. So if you're going to do co-care, I think it's super important no matter what, but you really, really need to know your facts because it's going to be important and it will likely come into play where someone might say something and it's the opposite of what the other professional is saying so you need to know what the evidence is. Big baby– I'm going to include a blog about big baby if you are being told that you have a big baby or if like Brittany, you were told that you would never, ever get a baby out of your pelvis because your babies are too large and it was a whole pound plus bigger baby for her VBAC. Oh my gosh, what else? I love that you also talked about something that is so unique to home birth in my opinion and I just wanted to touch on it really fast. That is the care after. Here in the U.S. and I know that if you are not listening from the U.S., it's very different outside of the U.S. Here in the U.S., it is very standard to have the type of care like what Brittany described even with a Cesarean. It's an abdominal surgery. It's a pretty big deal to have surgery or to have a baby vaginally and to not be seen, called, or asked anything for six weeks. Six weeks– let me tell you how much can happen in six weeks. A lot can happen. I love the uniqueness that home birth does offer and I love that you even felt that and that you saw it yourself. You saw the difference of 24 hours, 72 hours. You're getting those mental checks. You're getting, “How are you sleeping? How are you eating? Where are you at? What are you doing?” We're getting those check-ins. It is so important. It is so important. So if you are birthing at a hospital and you are likely going to be in the traditional line of the six-week follow-up, I highly suggest with checking in with a postpartum doula or getting someone who is a professional that can check in on you– a therapist even if you have gone through therapy. Have a 72-hour checkup with your therapist after birth. If that means you just talk and you're like, “All things are peachy. Great.” There are things in the U.S. that we have to do where we, unfortunately, have to take it upon ourselves to take care of our mental health because it's just not the way the standard care is. I'm going to leave it at that. Brittany is shaking her head. She's like, “Mhmm, yeah.” Do you have anything to add to that? Brittany: The only thing I would add to piggyback off of that especially if you are a VBAC mom, take the time. Do the research. Reach out to a local doula who you know is VBAC supportive if you need extra help doing this but take the time to find a provider who is supportive and not tolerant because your providers and your birth team, the people you are allowing into your birth space, can truly make or break your birth experience. I have witnessed it. I have experienced it so do your due diligence on the front end. It is not always easy, especially navigating the hospital system, but there are people out there. A lot of local doulas do know, “Hey, I've had a lot of great experiences with this OB/GYN when it comes to VBAC”, or “Hey, stay away from this practice.” Do your due diligence. Find a team who really believes in your body's ability to birth your baby vaginally. They need to believe in it as much as you do and just take the time to educate yourself. I believe that education is the key to empowerment. That's such a big piece of the work that I do with my moms leading up to birth with both birth and postpartum but take that time. Educate yourself. Find a team who believes as much as you do in your VBAC. Meagan: I am just going to leave it right there because I think that is a nice way to zip it right up and complete this beautiful episode. Thank you so much for sharing. Congratulations. I love so much that your kids still talk about, “Remember how she brought us downstairs?” So awesome. I'm so happy for all of you and congrats again. Brittany: Thank you so much for having me. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Thank you for joining us for our 2nd Cabral HouseCall of the weekend! I'm looking forward to sharing with you some of our community's questions that have come in over the past few weeks…   Ales: Dr. Cabral, what do you think of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) as a natural help with severe histamine intolerance? If everything else fails, would you recommend this compound to help with mast cells a and supress their excessive production of histamine? Is it even natural suplement like compound or a drug? Please help me understand. Thank you   Sarah: I've had reoccurring UTIs and always have to take antibiotics to clear it despite knowing how destructive they can be. This has led to reoccurring yeast infections. I'm about to start the CBO protocol for the yeast, how do I tackle the UTIs? I've tried ALL the natural remedies (dmannose, uva ursi, oregano, probiotics etc) and still suffering and feel my only resort is antibiotics which I want to avoid, as I'm now dealing with yeast overgrowth too. Thank you!!   Sarah: My boyfriend has a staph infection that is showing up as rash/pimples all over his body. Dermatologists are telling him the only option is antibiotics. He also has done lab testing and is showing an overgrowth of candida krusei. Trying to avoid antibiotic use as much as possible especially when he has an overgrowth of candida. He is about to start the CBO protocol. Is there anything that can be done for staph naturally/preventing it, other than washing with ACV, tea trea, coconut oil as we've tried that.   Jim: Hello Dr. C! I can't thank you enough for all of the hard work you put into these podcasts. I binge listen to them when I travel. I've searched but can't find anything on Post Exertional Malaise. I've been dealing with a variety of health issues from Hashimoto's to, most recently, toxic mold poisoning. I'm currently doing your mold protocol and am having some really bad flare-ups that are very similar to ones I've been experiencing for a few years. To describe what happens, it's as if I am a battery powered robot and my battery go dead. I can literally feel my body shut off, like my battery has been drained. I've had "the virus" twice so I looked into Long Covid and ran across PEM. I checked all the boxes for the symptoms but how can I verify it is this and not the mold?   Amanda: Hello! Just wondering what to do for a 3 year old with very inconsistent bowel movements/pellets. Tried high dose vitamin C/magnesium citrate, oxypowder, higher fiber diet, castor oil packs at night, energy work, osteopath, Epsom salt baths, prunes, pears etc. Diet is on point, only choline and ghee butter trigger bowel movements, but if I stop these then it gets irregular. Any advice on supplements/tinctures or foods that can support bile flow? Any advice on how to correct these bowel issues for a toddler, or where to start? Thank you very much for all your help !!!   Thank you for tuning into this weekend's Cabral HouseCalls and be sure to check back tomorrow for our Mindset & Motivation Monday show to get your week started off right! - - - Show Notes and Resources: StephenCabral.com/3068 - - - Get a FREE Copy of Dr. Cabral's Book: The Rain Barrel Effect - - - Join the Community & Get Your Questions Answered: CabralSupportGroup.com - - - Dr. Cabral's Most Popular At-Home Lab Tests: > Complete Minerals & Metals Test (Test for mineral imbalances & heavy metal toxicity) - - - > Complete Candida, Metabolic & Vitamins Test (Test for 75 biomarkers including yeast & bacterial gut overgrowth, as well as vitamin levels) - - - > Complete Stress, Mood & Metabolism Test (Discover your complete thyroid, adrenal, hormone, vitamin D & insulin levels) - - - > Complete Food Sensitivity Test (Find out your hidden food sensitivities) - - - > Complete Omega-3 & Inflammation Test (Discover your levels of inflammation related to your omega-6 to omega-3 levels) - - - Get Your Question Answered On An Upcoming HouseCall: StephenCabral.com/askcabral - - - Would You Take 30 Seconds To Rate & Review The Cabral Concept? The best way to help me spread our mission of true natural health is to pass on the good word, and I read and appreciate every review!