Grown Up Girl Talk

In this raw and illuminating episode, I sit down with Ann Marie McQueen (and her cat - you may hear some meows!)—investigative journalist and founder of HotFlash Inc.—for a no-holds-barred conversation about the emotional, physical, and cultural reckoning that comes with menopause.  From navigating anxiety and health crashes in her early 40s to launching one of the most refreshing menopause platforms in the world, Ann Marie brings an honest, globally informed perspective to the conversation around midlife women’s health. Together, we explore the difference between being fixed and being revealed, the myths around hormone therapy, the commercialization of menopause care, and the essential power of reconnecting with your body. This episode is a permission slip to pause, reassess, and reclaim your truth. If you What We Talk About: ✨ Ann Marie’s personal story: from health struggles to advocacy ✨ The pivotal moment she realized she was in perimenopause ✨ How grief, stress, and identity crisis can shape midlife ✨ The bias, confusion, and fear-based messaging around hormone therapy ✨ The global perspective on menopause and how other cultures handle it ✨ The importance of emotion processing, slowing down, and reconnecting with your inner knowing If you love this conversation, you’ll love WOMAN UP - the full day, in-person event I’m hosting in October. Get on the waitlist to find out more at www.womanupuxbridge.com Connect with Ann Marie McQueen: Instagram: @hotflashinc Newsletter & Substack: hotflash.substack.com Website: hotflashinc.com Follow & Subscribe to Grown Up Girl Talk: Don’t miss future episodes that pull back the curtain on health, hormones, identity, and reinvention. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.  

What if the way you ate in midlife wasn’t about fear of weight gain, but about fueling yourself for energy, strength, and joy? In this powerful conversation with Jenn, Registered Dietitian, Naturopathic Doctor, intuitive eating coach, and host of The Midlife Feast podcast, we bust through fear-based nutrition narratives and explore how women can reclaim their relationship with food during perimenopause and menopause.   Jenn shares her own journey from disordered eating and orthorexia to embracing gentle nutrition and intuitive eating — and how these approaches can transform not just your plate, but your life. We talk about protein (and how much you actually need), why “normal eating” beats perfection, and the very real body composition changes that happen in midlife.   You’ll learn:   ✨ Why intuitive eating isn’t about “throwing nutrition out the window” — it’s about eating with curiosity, compassion, and consistency.   ✨ How perimenopause changes muscle, fat distribution, and appetite — and what that means for how you fuel yourself. ✨ The capsule wardrobe approach to meal planning that takes the mental load out of “what’s for dinner?” ✨ How to make protein easy (without turning it into a full-time job). ✨ Why satisfaction is the missing piece in so many women’s eating patterns — and how to bring joy back to your meals. ✨ How to think beyond the scale and start eating for your future self (the 70-year-old you who still feels vibrant).   Plus, Jenn gives us a dare to reflect on: How would you eat if you knew there was so much to look forward to instead of fearing what’s to come?   Whether you’re navigating hot flashes, mood swings, midlife weight changes, or just want to feel more in tune with your body, this episode will leave you feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to Woman Up.   Resources & Links: Connect with Jenn on Instagram: @menopause.nutritionist Pre-order Jenn’s new book, Eat to Thrive During Menopause (out Oct 21) Learn more about the Woman Up event (Oct 26) and join us in person Jenn is joining us at Woman UP! Get your ticket here and experience her magic, in person! www.womanupuxbridge.com

What would happen if you stopped waiting for the “perfect” moment and just… did the damn thing? In this energizing conversation, I sit down with Rachel Molenda — mindset coach, motivational speaker, DJ, and founder of Reunion, the alcohol-free women’s dance party designed to help you remember who you are.  Rachel shares her winding journey from holistic nutritionist to intuitive eating coach to mindset mentor and now DJ — and how every pivot was fueled by one thing: listening to her intuition and acting on it, even when it was terrifying. We talk about the courage it takes to walk away from “perfectly fine” jobs and relationships, how to rebuild self-trust, and why following your aliveness always leads somewhere better. Rachel opens up about her own cycle health journey, how she plans her events around her menstrual phases, and why she believes menstrual health is mental health. You’ll learn: - Why perfection is the enemy of progress (and how to reframe worst-case scenarios). - The truth about pivots: why you don’t need to be “special” to start over. - How to rebuild your connection with intuition when you’ve been ignoring it. - The most powerful, life-changing moments she’s witnessed on the dance floor. Rachel is DJ'ing at WOMAN UP! Grab your spot at www.womanupuxbridge.com and join us. Resources & Links: - Follow Rachel on Instagram: @rachelmelenda - Follow Reunion Dance Party on Instagram: @reuniondanceparty - Learn more: thereuniondanceparty.com - Join us at Woman Up (Oct 26, Uxbridge, ON) www.womanupuxbridge.com 

Welcome to Season Two of Grown Up Girl Talk! I’m so glad you’re here. After a little pause to redefine what this space means, we’re diving straight into the conversations we don’t have nearly enough—how to actually feel alive, resilient, and lit up in the messy middle of life. In this kickoff episode, I’m unpacking: 1. Why so many of us feel less resilient in our late 30s, 40s, and 50s 2. The real connection between hormones, stress, and that “I can’t handle it like I used to” feeling 3. The three key components of resilience (and how to start building them today) 4. Simple daily shifts that rewire your brain to handle stress and help you bounce back 5. The difference between bouncing back and normalizing—and why it matters for your health and happiness I share patient stories, research on psychological resilience in perimenopause, and practical ways to move beyond the cycle of “I know what I should do, I just need to do it.” This isn’t about hustling harder—it’s about creating a life that feels aligned, coherent, and nourishing. 💡 Your Next Step: Join Me LIVE at WOMAN UP If this episode speaks to you, you’ll love what we’re creating together on Sunday, October 26, 2025 in Uxbridge, Ontario. Woman Up is a full-day, in-person women’s health event designed to help you feel invigorated, connected, and fully yourself again. Add your name to the waitlist or grab your ticket now through the link in the show notes. Let’s gather, grow, and woman up—together.

Hey there, beautiful friend – I’m back behind the mic, and I am SO excited to have you here for a conversation that’s been living in my heart for a while. In this solo episode, I’m sharing why Grown Up Girl Talk exists — because we need to start having the real conversations that we’ve been avoiding or quietly having inside our own heads. The ones about midlife identity shifts, feeling stuck even when life looks “perfect” on paper, breaking free from old programming, and finally stepping into radical responsibility for the life we actually want.   We’re talking about: ✨ What happens when you check all the boxes, but still feel unfulfilled ✨ The deeply ingrained “good girl” beliefs that keep us stuck ✨ Why waiting for someone to save you is keeping you small ✨ The 3 C’s I want every woman to have to up-level her health & happiness ✨ How to stop "should-ing" yourself and move into true alignment   This isn’t about having it all figured out or doing it perfectly. It’s about creating enough awareness and honesty to take your next step — even when it feels messy. I also share a bit of my own story — the moments of "radical audacity" I’ve had to move through (hello, selling my clinic when it no longer felt aligned) — and how I’ve learned that quitting can actually be one of the most powerful forms of success. ✨ Your Truth or Dare for this episode: Truth: Acknowledge your “not this.” What’s the part of your life that doesn’t feel aligned? Dare: Let yourself imagine your most beautiful life — even if you don’t know how you’ll get there yet. I hope this episode lands where it needs to land for you today. If it does, please share it with a friend who needs to hear it too 💛 Come back next week for some powerful guest conversations that are going to help you move through midlife, hormones, and health with more clarity and confidence. — Follow, subscribe, and let’s keep having these conversations of truth for women who dare. 🔥

As I wrap up Season One of Grown Up Girl Talk, I’m pulling back the curtain on what actually went down behind the mic—and why this podcast (and let’s be honest, life) isn’t as “together” as it might look from the outside. This episode is an honest, heart-first reminder that the way forward isn’t about pushing harder or following someone else’s blueprint. It’s about tuning in, slowing down, and giving yourself permission to do things your way. In this episode, you'll explore: ✨ What to do instead of just “seeing how it goes” (especially when it comes to your health) ✨ Why it’s so important to stop doing what “should” work—and start honoring what actually does ✨ How to create space in your day (and your mind) so the clarity can finally come through ✨ What it really looks like to commit to a goal—even when it's messy and imperfect ✨ How to rewire your brain for confidence and resilience (yep, this is backed by science) You’ll also hear the 3 patterns I see in women who make real progress—plus a personal invitation to reflect on what’s true for you right now… and disrupt what’s no longer working. This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing it differently. If this solo episode resonated with you—if you’re craving a new way of showing up for yourself that feels aligned, sustainable, and true—then you’re going to love WOMAN UP, the full-day, in-person event I’m hosting this October. This experience is for the woman who’s ready to stop running on autopilot, ditch the "shoulds," and start creating real momentum in her health, mindset, and life—on her own terms. ✨ Get on the waitlist at www.womanupuxbridge.com to be the first to know when tickets drop. Let’s do this—your way.   Follow & Subscribe to Grown Up Girl Talk: Don’t miss future episodes that pull back the curtain on health, hormones, identity, and reinvention. Hit subscribe, leave a review, and share with a woman who needs to hear this conversation.

This conversation lit me up in the best way. I sat down with Dr. Vikram Talaulikar—reproductive endocrinologist, menopause specialist, researcher and co-founder of The Menopause Clinic London (UK), and one of the most evidence-based, grounded voices in this space. This conversation goes deep into what’s really going on in perimenopause and menopause. We talk about: ✨ The actual hormone changes during perimenopause (hint: it’s not just estrogen!) ✨ Why so many women (and doctors!) are still confused about HRT in 2025 ✨ Bioidentical vs. compounded hormones—what’s safe, effective, and evidence-based ✨ What the research really says about breast cancer risk ✨ And how YOU can walk into your doctor’s office with the language, tools, and confidence to advocate for your own hormone health. ✨ How to find the best combination of hormone therapy for you Whether you're already on hormone therapy, curious about starting, or navigating symptoms and wondering WTF is going on—you’re going to get so much clarity, validation, and actionable advice here. This one is a must-listen. I wish every woman (and doctor) could hear it. 💛 If this episode gets you curious and excited to take charge of your hormone health, let’s connect! Find out how we can work together at www.leighasaundersnd.com And remember, WOMAN UP is happening in October 2025. This one day, in-person event is going to bring together women in a powerful way. Add your name to the waitlist here: www.womanupuxbridge.com

👉 Shirley’s joining us live at WOMAN UP this October! Add your name to the waitlist and be the first to get your ticket: http://www.womanupuxbridge.com This episode is one I could not wait to share with you — I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Shirley Weir, founder of Menopause Chicks, who is changing the narrative around midlife and menopause in the most empowering way. Shirley shares her journey of hitting a breaking point in her early 40s and realizing the information and support women were receiving just wasn’t enough — or accurate. She took matters into her own hands and has since built one of the most respected, community-centered menopause platforms out there. In our conversation, we talk about: ✨ Why midlife is the perfect time to rewrite your own rules ✨ The massive gap between what we should know about menopause and what we’re actually told ✨ The real story on hormone therapy — and what the research (not fear) actually says ✨ How to confidently speak to your healthcare provider about symptoms and treatment ✨ The difference between perimenopause and menopause — and why knowing the difference matters so much Whether you’re navigating hot flashes, mood shifts, sleep struggles, or just wondering “Is this normal?” — this episode will leave you feeling informed, validated, and supported. Shirley has a gift for making complex information feel human and empowering, and I love how she encourages women to get curious, advocate for themselves, and choose what’s right for them — not just what they’ve been told to tolerate. 🎧 Tune in and let me know what resonates most with you!   🧠 Helpful Resources:  ✅ Hormone Therapy Position Statement (2022) https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/professional/nams-2022-hormone-therapy-position-statement.pdf ✅ Join the Menopause Chicks Private FB Community https://menopausecommunity.com ✅ Visit MenopauseChicks.com https://menopausechicks.com ✅ Follow Shirley on Instagram https://instagram.com/menopausechicks

Hey, I'm so excited to be here. It has been almost two years since I recorded a podcast episode, and we’re calling this one “The Final Word on the Sleep” — because it's wrapping up a chapter and stepping into something brand new. This is not goodbye — it's a transformation. The podcast is evolving into a whole new set of conversations I can't wait to bring to you. Here’s the thing: as a naturopathic doctor, I get to sit across from women in the most intimate, honest conversations and what I know for sure is, so many of us feel alone. Whether it’s about health, relationships, finances, or just life… you are not alone. I’m sharing my own story here — the real behind-the-scenes of my hiatus, including recording with a baby on the bed, my son being home sick again, the burnout that knocked me sideways, and even a massive unexpected stress that I kept secret. It’s a story of overachievement, resistance to rest, and finally... surrender. But mostly, it’s a story of returning. To myself. To this mic. To deeper, truer conversations. This is the final episode of Word on the Sleep, and the beginning of something bold and new: find out what when you listen. If you're feeling the pull to reconnect with your body, your voice, your purpose — you're in the right place. Want to get finally feel like yourself again too? Start here to learn cruise through resources I’ve curated for you and to learn how we can work together.

In this short solo episode, I share what my plan is for the next 2 months and how you can fix your sleep in the meantime!   If you're someone who falls asleep fine but wakes up in the night and struggles to get back to sleep, take the Break Up With The Wake Up Quiz here (https://leighasaundersnd.com/quiz).    Ready to fix your broken sleep now? I share all my secrets at www.thesleepfix.com

Wondering where I’ve been over the past 6 weeks?  In this short episode, I share a little life update (it’s actually a big one), the 3 things I’ve learned and encourage you to take away as well.  Are you someone who falls asleep fine but wakes up in the night? Take the Break Up With The Wake Up Quiz here: www.leighasaundersnd.com/quiz

Do you find it difficult to quiet your mind at night, or turn off your busy brain? Maybe you have restless, ruminating thoughts that repeat over and over when your head hits the pillow or when you wake up in the middle of the night. While our tendency can be to ignore this inner voice, my guest, Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur ND, encourages women to listen in. In this episode, we talk about how women too often ignore their inner voice and intuition, which becomes a huge source of stress that ultimately keeps you up at night. Instead, Dr. Sarah has a powerful message to encourage women to reconnect with their bodies, tune into their inner voice and intuition and speak their truths to ultimately reclaim their health. This was such an incredibly open and empowering conversation - I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved recording it and it inspires you to use your own voice, too! You can reach Dr. Sarah on social, @drsarahvadeboncoeur, https://www.instagram.com/sarahvadeboncoeur/ or on Facebook Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur ND; https://www.facebook.com/DrSarahVadeboncoeurND

If you are someone who struggles with anxiety - or the “busy brain” - or what I like to call “Monkey Mind” at night, this episode is for you. I’m joined by my friend and colleague, Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken. Katie has a clinical focus in treating anxiety and is the creator of The Tranquil Minds Program and author of Create Calm - and has graciously shared a free copy of her audiobook with you! In this episode, Katie and I have a beautiful conversation about anxiety and sleep. We went deep and talked about:  The 3 archetypes of anxiety and how where they come from Why we’re really feeling anxious What we actually need to do during the day to get better sleep at night How to quiet our busy brains to create calm and invite sleep Katie also shares her story of sleep struggles through postpartum depression and grief after experiencing a stillbirth, and what tools and techniques she found helpful to heal through that journey. Connect with Dr. Katie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilmindnaturopath And download her free audiobook, Create Calm here:   https://katiethomsonaitken.com/createcalm-audiobook/ Dr. Katie Thomson Aitken is Naturopathic Doctor & a Mental Wellness Advocate. She is the author of Create Calm: The Professionals Guide to Overcoming Anxiety from the Inside out, and the founder of the Tranquil Minds Anxiety Programs. Katie creates calm in her own life by singing in her church choir and spending time with her husband and daughter. 

What if you reframed your trouble sleeping as something positive? Say whaaaaat?! My guest on this episode is Adele Tevlin, my very own mindset coach, and biz mentor. Adele is known for her ability to bust limiting beliefs that keep people stuck and experiencing limited success in their health, relationships, careers, and finances. She is a master at reframing our experiences into opportunities. Adele can see people’s blind spots and all that gets in the way of their ability to accomplish their goals. She's a pattern interrupter and behavioral expert and can help shift any undesired behaviors over time to create sustainable change. How does she do this? Well… If you are someone who has: Been “on and off” of any plan or protocol  Been spinning your wheels, feeling like you’re trying “everything” to get where you’re wanting to go in any aspect of your life Paused or given up on a goal because “something” gets in your way, then listen to this episode to learn more. Adele and I had a beautiful conversation and I shared my experience in working with Adele over the past year as well. If I could make this episode mandatory to listen to, I would. So, enjoy! Follow Adele on Instagram @adele_tevlin Find out more about the next C.E.O Blueprint Masterclass, happening on October 20 here. Adele Tevlin is the CEO and Founder of C.E.O Blueprint, a Transformational Leadership Development Company. Over the past 20 years, Adele has specialized in helping business leaders in North America create and produce massive elevations in their leadership and performance. Not only does her work apply to the business environment, but it also allows her clients to incorporate her methodology into their personal lives and relationships. "How you do one thing is how you do everything." She is a behavioral expert and pattern interrupter that uses a combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), neuroscience, and psychology to ensure clients achieve the transformation and breakthroughs they are committed to making in their lives. Superpower: Adele can see people’s blind-spots and all that gets in the way of their ability to accomplish their goals. She's a pattern interrupter and behavioral expert and can help shift any undesired behaviors over time to create sustainable change. Adele is also a lifelong learner and is now enrolled in her dream program at Harvard University in the Masters of Psychology program. That is after already attaining a B.Sc in Neuropsychology, a certificate in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and a Diploma in Applied Holistic Nutrition.

If you are a woman or a person with ovaries, this episode is a must-listen. Peri-menopause and menopause often leave women feeling that they’re in unchartered territory. But my guest today, Dr. Kara Dionisio, Naturopathic Doctor, is here to guide you on your way. At least 40-60% of women will report sleep disturbances across their lifetime, with a particular increase in incidence around menopause. We’re here to tell you, you don’t have to just live with it. Dr. Kara walks us through what’s really happening in peri-menopause and menopause, how your hormones impact almost every aspect of your health, and why sleep - both getting it and making sure you’re not losing it - is crucial to thriving, not just surviving, through this life stage. Dr. Kara drops the following: What’s really happening with your hormones in peri-menopause and menopause How hormone changes in this life stage impact your sleep How to advocate for a full and complete workup in menopause Why we need to stop settling for dismissal of concerns, particularly sleep, in menopause Dr. Kara is an absolutely incredible naturopathic doctor with a busy clinical practice focused on women’s health and has additional training and certification in treating menopause. Whether you’re post-partum or already through menopause, this is a conversation you will find so informing and empowering. With that, I bring you, Dr. Kara...   Episode Resources: Book Series - Sarah Mass - A Court of Thorns and Roses Connect with Dr.Kara on Facebook and Instagram @drkarand Website: www.drkarand.com Dr. Kara Dionisio, B.Sc, M.Sc, ND, NCMP is a sparkly-geeky-lady-doctor-in-heels with a clinical focus in women’s health and hormones. Equipped with expert hormone detective skills, she helps women understand (and even fall in love with) their hormones. She has particular street cred in hormones, period problems, vaginal issues, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy. After owning a large and successful integrative health clinic in Owen Sound, Health Squad, she gave it up to focus solely on her clinical practice and to forge new directions in women’s health. She sees patients in person and virtually all over Ontario. Dr. Kara is one of only a few Naturopathic Doctors in North America accredited as a North American Menopause Society (NAMS) Certified Practitioner (NCMP). She is a mom to two adorable feisty kids and wife to her sexy red-bearded Irish dude.

Stress is likely not a stranger to you; it can have a HUGE impact on your sleep and for many people is the cause of their insomnia. You’re stressed and you can’t sleep. You can’t sleep and you get stressed. Sound familiar?  In this episode of The Word On The Sleep, I break down: The top signs and symptoms that your cortisol is out of whack and causing your sleep issues Why cortisol levels become dysfunctional and out of balance My Top 3 Tips for controlling cortisol to get better sleep   If this episode describes you, how stress is impacting your sleep and how cortisol might be the cause of your insomnia, let’s fix that!  Learn how to Control Your Cortisol in my signature program, The Sleep Fix. Learn how to lower your cortisol to fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night here: www.thesleepfix.com  In the meantime, connect with me, Dr. Leigha, over on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/drleighasaundersnd.com

Isn’t it ironic that we can work ourselves into exhaustion that causes us to struggle to sleep? But that’s exactly what can happen in burnout - and something we need to talk more about! In this episode, I’m joined by one of my closest friends and incredible colleague, Dr. Michelle Peris. Dr. Michelle is on a mission to disrupt the healthcare model by creating connections and using community medicine. She is the creator of The Wild Collective, a transformational women’s health care program that as a facilitator, has also changed my life. If you’re someone who finds the idea of taking a break or slowing down daunting or downright scary, you’ll want to listen up. If you’re someone who is on the edge of burnout or who is already there - or who doesn’t want to go back - we get real in this conversation. Michelle dishes all the details on her own experience with burnout shares her past sleep struggles and gives us a full breakdown of her amazing (but quirky!) sleep routine. This conversation is one you will want to listen to right until the very end and I sincerely hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired and empowered in your healthcare journey. With that, I bring you, Dr. Michelle Peris… Do you feel empowered in your healthcare journey after listening to this conversation? Start your journey to health advocacy with your free guide to 7 Essential Blood Tests for Thriving Health found here,  https://learn.the-wild-collective.com/essential-tests-1.  Connect with Dr. Michelle Peris on her IG @drmichelleperis https://www.instagram.com/drmichelleperis/ or through her website www.michelleperis.com; http://www.michelleperis.com

The most common sleep complaint I hear my patients describe is that middle of the night wake up in which their mind starts racing.  If this happens to you too, how many of those nights do you spend thinking about your work stress? Pssst if it’s most of them, you’re not alone! So then the question is - what can you do about it? Maybe you can’t change your job, but maybe you can change the way you feel and function within it.  So I called in my friend and colleague, Dr. Emily Bennett, ND, who is incredibly passionate about helping both employees and their workplaces treat and ideally, prevent the upstream reasons most people find themselves overwhelmed and burning out at work.  After listening to this episode, you will learn:  The 3 key signs you’re burnt out (you will find them surprising!) How you can build your own resiliency to manage stress at work The one next step to take to prevent burnout from happening again in the future Connect with Dr. Emily online at www.dremilybennett.com or on Instagram here: www.instagram.com/dremilybennett  Resources: Want to know if your organization is burnout-prone? Take the quiz: https://dremilybennett.com/quiz Well Being At Work by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter Bio Dr. Emily Bennett, ND is a coach, consultant and creator of the Kindling Framework, a strategic approach to wellbeing & burnout prevention designed specifically for nonprofit and social service organizations. After years of serving folks working in the nonprofit and social service sector in her one-on-one naturopathic medical practice, Emily was concerned about the number of her patients for whom leaving their job seemed the only solution to resolving the symptoms of their stress and mental health concerns. She became dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations create workplace wellness programs that work for them and keep their dedicated, mission-driven staff healthy & burnout free. 

Honest question - do you try and tackle your overwhelm by doing MORE? Maybe you haven’t thought about it that way… but if you are someone who is:  A people pleaser A yes person A perfectionist  Go-go-go (at the cost of your sleep, perhaps?!) Yet, you often find yourself feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and maybe even burnt out, you might have something called high-functioning anxiety (even if you don’t think you’re the anxious type!). The good news is that there is a way we can interrupt the cycle.  In this episode, I’m joined by my colleague Dr. Ellen Wong, ND, who has had personal experience with high functioning anxiety and now works with women who want to feel calm and collected.  We cover:  What high functioning anxiety actually is and how it differs/shows up differently than regular anxiety The different types of high functioning anxiety - find out what kind you might have How you can effectively manage high functioning anxiety and all the body systems it effects Because we both believe when women are equipped with healthy bodies and happy minds, they have the inner peace, confidence, and courage to create more joy in their lives and in the lives of those around them. Connect with Dr. Ellen online here https://drellenwong.com and on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thejoyavenue Want to know how much is High Functioning Anxiety affecting your life? Take the quiz! www.drellenwong.com/quiz Bio After years of living with high-functioning anxiety, Ellen eventually reached a tipping point after two hospitalizations related to burnout. Although she appeared like she "had it all together", she struggled internally with never-ending negative self-talk, difficulty saying no to others, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome. Determined to find a solution to high-functioning anxiety, Ellen combined her clinical expertise, and love for women's psychology and even traveled to the happiest countries on earth to learn about happiness.  As a Naturopathic Doctor and Happiness Ambassador, Ellen works with professional and entrepreneurial women who feel like they’ve lost their “zest” in life and helps transform their overwhelm, stress and anxiousness into calm, mental peace, and happiness. Ellen firmly believes that women are powerful forces of positive impact. When we equip women with healthy bodies and happy minds, they will have the confidence and courage to create joy in every aspect of their life. And when one woman creates more joy in her life, she causes a ripple effect that creates more joy in the world. Resources:  Think Like a Monk - Jay Shetty

They might seem totally unrelated, but your digestion and ability to get deep sleep are connected!   In this episode, I’m joined by my colleague, Dr. Vanessa, who focuses on digestive health. We also share a passion for helping patients understand how their sleep is a fundamental pillar of health and chatted about how sleep, stress and yes, stools (!) are all connected.    This conversation is for you if…  You’re frustrated with your digestive symptoms  No one’s helped you understand how your gut + nervous system is connected You have digestive + sleep issues Connect with Dr. Vanessa online here: www.drvanessarugeles.com and on Instagram: @dr.vanessarugeles Dr. Vanessa is a naturopathic doctor & licensed acupuncturist based in New Jersey. Dr. Vanessa helps women with digestive challenges and hormone imbalances experience relief and freedom so they can get their joy back. She uses a combination of western and eastern practices to support her patients and uses functional foods and lifestyle modifications to help her patients make sustainable, long-lasting changes to their health.