We've spent years being told to fear fat — buying the low-fat everything, avoiding avocados, treating oil like the enemy. But the truth is far more nuanced, and honestly, more empowering. In this episode, we're diving into the real physical and mental health benefits of fat, how it plays a surprising role in weight loss, and breaking down the differences between omega-3, omega-6, omega-9, saturated, and trans fats so you know exactly which ones deserve a place in your kitchen. As always, it comes back to balance, moderation, and listening to what your body is telling you — plus a reminder to stay on top of those yearly blood panels.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

In this episode, we're tackling a family dynamics truth that goes against everything we're taught: your partner relationship, not your kids, is the trunk your family grows from. We'll dig into the research on why couples who stay connected raise healthier, more secure kids — and why daughters especially learn how to treat themselves by watching how their moms treat themselves. Then we'll get honest about what happens when the couple relationship gets pushed to the back burner, walk through practical habits to keep your bond strong, and close with a simple weekly homework assignment you can start using with your partner tonight.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

References:

https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_legacy_files//138926/rb.pdf

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and-psychopathology/article/marital-quality-over-the-life-course-and-child-wellbeing-from-childhood-to-early-adolescence/20DE781350484F49D5EFA202F4C16D4B

https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2960&context=faculty_pubs

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17960781/

Ever beat yourself up after a bad food day, only to find that self-criticism makes it even harder to get back on track? In this episode of the Body and Mind Strong podcast, I break down a research study exploring the connection between mindset — specifically self-criticism versus self-reassurance — and success in long-term weight management. The findings echo something I have long believed: how you talk to yourself may matter just as much as what you eat or how you move.

I also unpack the weight stigma many people carry into the gym and how it can quietly reinforce the very cycles they're trying to break. I close with a simple, doable assignment to help you start shifting your self-talk — because being kind to yourself isn't just nice, it's part of the work.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

References:

doi: 10.1159/000454834 : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644966/

So many of the women I work with carry the same quiet fear: that believing in themselves might make them arrogant. In this Body and Mind Strong episode, we're pulling apart two things that get mistaken for each other constantly — ego and genuine self-confidence. We'll talk about where that fear actually comes from, what the research says really separates a fragile ego from steady self-worth, and why being hard on yourself was never proof of humility.

Then we get practical. You'll walk away with real tools for building confidence that isn't dependent on outside approval — including how to track evidence of your own competence, take up space on purpose, and redefine success on terms that are actually yours instead of ones you inherited. If you've ever shrunk yourself to seem humble, this one's for you.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

References:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-a-new-home/202207/the-difference-between-narcissism-and-high-self-esteem

https://psychuniverse.com/narcissism-vs-self-confidence/

https://narcissisttest.org/blog/narcissism-or-self-esteem-key-differences

https://psychuniverse.com/narcissism-vs-self-confidence/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6070240/

Somewhere along the way, most of us built a story about who we are when it comes to our health — the strong one, the athlete, the one who never gets sick. But bodies change, and that old story doesn't always keep up. In this episode, Renee breaks down what a health identity actually is, why it quietly drives your daily choices and your resilience, and how it can either carry you through change or leave you clinging to a version of yourself that doesn't exist anymore. Whether you're feeling the shift already or just want to get ahead of it, this episode walks you through how to check if your health identity still fits — and how to update it without losing yourself in the process.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

References:

Pelters P. I am what I am?-An integrative review of understandings of 'health identity' and 'illness identity' in scientific literature. Sociol Health Illn. 2024 Jul;46(6):1169-1191. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.13771. Epub 2024 Mar 22. PMID: 38517474.

Embracing a Healthy Identity: A Pathway to Healthier Choices. Stress Management & Mental Health Clinics. https://stressmanagementclinic.com/embracing-a-healthy-identity-a-pathway-to-healthier-choices/

Ever start a diet feeling unstoppable, only to fall off two weeks in? The problem probably isn't the plan — it's your relationship with food. In this episode, I break down why most diets ignore the mental side of eating: trigger foods, stress eating, and the habits driving them. Then share my own honest (and slightly embarrassing) food confessions, walks through a simple self-awareness practice you can start today, and give you real strategies for handling cravings without white-knuckling your way through them. Because food isn't bad — the goal is just to know yourself better.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

We've all been there — stuck in a moment we can't change and fighting it with everything we've got. In this episode, I break down radical acceptance, a concept from Dialectical Behavior Therapy that's become one of the most powerful tools she uses with clients. Learn what radical acceptance actually means (hint: it's not giving up), why resisting reality takes a real toll on both your mental and physical health, and how to start practicing this skill in your everyday life — one small moment at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

Cravings aren't a sign of weak willpower — they're a signal. In this episode, we bust the myth that ignoring cravings makes them go away, and walk through six practical ways to work with your cravings instead of against them — from satisfying swaps to smart pairings to simply riding it out. Plus: why your sweet tooth isn't permanent, and how your taste buds actually recalibrate as your eating habits shift.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

Perfectionism doesn't feel like a flaw, it feels like ambition. But chasing "flawless" often keeps us stuck in place while progress passes us by. In this episode of the Body and Mind Strong Podcast, I break down where our need to be perfect really comes from, including some surprising research on gender and double standards, and I share practical, real-world ways to loosen perfectionism's grip so you can move forward, one "good enough" step at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

Today’s episode is another interview from Athena’s Listening Crew where we sit down with Lisa Swanson, founder of Body & Soul Coaching. A single mom turned successful entrepreneur, Lisa brings over 40 years of experience helping women navigate fitness and weight loss.

After noticing a major gap in support for women over 50—especially post-menopause—Lisa shifted her focus to empowering this often-overlooked group. Through her three-pillar approach of aligned nutrition, progressive overload, and empowered thoughts, she helps women embrace where they are now and build vibrant, healthy lives.You can find Lisa at www.bodyandsoulcoaching, IG/FB @lisaswansonfit 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

If you've been waking up exhausted even after a full night's sleep, snapping at the people you love, or going through the motions without feeling like yourself, this episode is for you. Renee breaks down what burnout actually is, why it tends to sneak up on the women doing the most rather than the least, and four practical strategies you can start using today to protect your energy before you hit empty. Plus, a teaser for next week's episode all about boundaries, one of the most powerful (and hardest) tools for preventing burnout.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

Resources

NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11496429/

NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180705/

NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180705/

Journal of Neuropsychiatry: https://www.jneuropsychiatry.org/peer-review/gender-differences-in-different-dimensions-of-common-burnout-symptoms-in-a-group-of-clinical-burnout-patients-12860.html

With summer officially here, especially in the desert, I cover a topic that goes hand in hand with this season. On today’s episode on Body and Mind Strong podcast, I dive into answering the question: how much water is needed for your mental and physical health. I discuss how to decide what the proper amount is, and why we need to stay hydrated for both our bodies and our minds.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

Research Articles:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/what-percentage-of-the-human-body-is-water

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effects-of-hydration-status-on-cognitive-performance-and-mood/1210B6BE585E03C71A299C52B51B22F7

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6848126/

In this episode on Body and Mind Strong podcast, I sit down with Amy Jones where we discuss the impact of nutrition on our health, both mentally and physically.

Amy Jones is a Certified Functional Nutrition Practitioner and Certified ADHD Life Coach. She works with neurodivergent and overwhelmed adults who are trying to make food, energy, and self-care feel more manageable in real life. Her work looks at how nutrition, executive function, nervous system regulation, stress, hormones, burnout, and daily routines all affect a person’s ability to follow through on the things they already know would support their health.

You can find Amy at www.amyjonesnutrition, and on IG/FB @amyjonesnutrition.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com

In this episode on the Body and Mind Strong podccast, we're breaking down one of the most popular — and most misunderstood — topics in health and wellness: fasting. We cover what fasting actually is, the different forms it takes, and why shifting your mindset from "fasting as a diet" to "fasting as a tool" can completely change your results and your relationship with food.

We also get honest about the pros and cons — from metabolic benefits and blood sugar regulation to hormonal considerations and the behavioral trap that keeps so many people stuck. If you've ever used fasting to avoid dealing with how you eat, this episode will challenge you in the best way.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com

Resources:

Pennington Biomedical https://www.pbrc.edu/news/media/2024/fasting-terminology-consensus.aspx

PubMed Central: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12309044/

Frontiers: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1664811/full

MDPI: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/11/2343

Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240624125628.htm

PubMed: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12740946/

Feeling drained, stuck in cycles, or struggling to stay consistent—even when you know what to do? This episode dives into decision fatigue, a hidden form of mental overload that quietly impacts your energy, focus, and ability to follow through. You’ll learn what decision fatigue is, how it shows up in everyday life, and why it can leave you feeling disconnected from your body and routines.

We also walk through simple, realistic strategies to reduce the constant mental load—from building supportive routines and simplifying daily choices to improving sleep and creating space for recovery. If you’ve been feeling off but can’t quite explain why, this episode will help you make sense of it and give you practical ways to reset.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com or at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

Resources:

https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/behavioral-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-decision-fatigue

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/decision-fatigue

This episode breaks down why resistance training is one of the most powerful tools you can add to your weekly routine—not just for physical strength, but for confidence, mental health, and long-term wellness. You’ll learn the key benefits, how to choose the right gym or at-home setup, the fundamentals of building muscle safely and effectively, and a simple, realistic approach to nutrition. Whether you’re brand new or trying to get back on track, this episode gives you a clear, approachable starting point.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com or at www.bodyandmindstrong.com. 

In todays Body and Mind Strong Podcast episode, I discuss what does “healthy eating” really mean — and who gets to define it? I break down a more realistic, sustainable approach to nutrition by letting go of the overwhelming “shoulds” and focusing on what actually works for you. We’ll talk about how to redefine healthy eating in a way that supports your lifestyle, your energy, and your long-term goals — without restriction or perfection.

I also share simple, practical tips to help you build healthier eating habits that stick, from starting small and planning ahead to creating an environment that sets you up for success.

Because healthy eating isn’t about rules — it’s about consistency, awareness, and finding what works in your real life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com

What if one of the simplest tools for improving your mindset, habits, and overall wellness has been available to you all along?

In this Body and Mind Strong episode, I break down the power of putting your thoughts on paper and why this practice can create more clarity, reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and support personal growth. We’ll talk about different ways to get started, how to make it work for your personality and lifestyle, and why it doesn’t need to be perfect to be effective.

Sometimes the path to a healthier, happier, stronger version of yourself starts with giving your thoughts a place to land.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com or at www.bodyandmindstrong.com. 

Feeling stuck in your fat loss journey? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down what’s really behind a plateau — and why it’s not always what you think. From understanding the difference between weight loss and fat loss to uncovering the biggest reasons progress stalls, we’ll get clear on what’s actually happening.

More importantly, I’ll walk you through simple, practical ways to reset, refocus, and start moving forward again — without overcomplicating the process.

Because sometimes, it’s not about doing more… it’s about doing things differently.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com

Resources:

Dr. Bill Campbell/Body by Science: https://www.billcampbellphd.com/

Dr. Campbell’s Instagram: @billcampbellphd

Issue 11: May 2023. Article 1: Effect of dietary adherence on the body weight plateau: a mathematical model incorporating intermittent compliance with energy intake prescription

PMID:25080458, PMCID:PMC4135489, DOI:10.3945/ajcn.113.079822

Article 2: Efficacy of progressive versus severe energy restriction on body composition and strength in concurrent trained women

PMID:36802029, PMCID:PMC10191959, DOI:10.1007/s00421-023-05158-8

In this episode, we’re diving into the barriers so many people face that keeping them back from improving their health and wellness, the ones that go beyond just motivation or discipline. From time constraints and stress to overwhelm and unrealistic expectations, I break down some of the most common obstacles that can keep you stuck and spinning your wheels.

Then, we’ll talk about practical, realistic ways to work through those barriers so you can start building consistency and momentum in a way that actually fits your life.

I’ll also share a more personal side in a Q&A segment, where I talk about my experience with tiny living and how it has created its own unique challenges — and opportunities — when it comes to maintaining my own health and wellness.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. You may also find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at Body and Mind Strong.

Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. Reach out at renee@bodyandmindstrong.com or check out my website at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.