About Progress

In my early years as a young teacher, spread really thin, I found myself engaging in certain numbing behaviors after my students left for the day. I would tell myself it was time to decompress, then start reading online blogs for sometimes multiple hours. This then led to late nights and early mornings preparing for my classes. It was a vicious cycle, and it caused a lot of shame and overwhelm. As you start to reflect on your own day-to-day life, what are some numbing behaviors you notice? In this episode I share what some of my coaching clients have dealt with - from phone scrolling to over-organizing. I will teach you my 3 N's of numbing behaviors, as well as what this has looked like in my life and the life of a client, to show you that it's possible to carry less fear and shame around these behaviors. But what if you want to continue a "numbing behavior?" When I teach you how to intentionally choose your choices, then I support that, too. These tools are meant to give you more ways to support yourself, in

This podcast is one of the things I have been the most consistent with throughout my life, and over seven years that has led me to this 500th episode. I sat down to answer your questions about the history of the podcast, the specifics of my favorite guests and episodes, what the future holds, and what I've learned from all of this along the way. I think you'll find these answers to be unexpected, enlightening, and with a few surprises about what's to come! Most importantly, thank you for being a listener and valuable member of the About Progress community, I wouldn't be here without you. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have an inner critic telling you that your story is too dumb to matter? Maybe you even have outer critics that make your story feel unimportant. Those things are just not true. Dan Davis joins me in this episode to help you see that you don't have to hit a certain level of drama or prestige to have a story worth telling. Dan Davis is a film producer and director, and founder of the documentary film company Stiry. I was personally so impressed by his work on the documentary about my beautiful friend Kim White who passed away after a years-long fight with cancer. Dan believes that everyone has a story worth uncovering, and worth sharing. Through his own personal experience of a difficult health story he found community, support, and purpose in sharing his struggles. Learn what he thinks the first step towards discovering your story is, and why it can propel you forward in your growth. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method This episode is b

This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey. Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you feel like you're in a never ending chase after your purpose, or stuck on the sidelines waiting for your purpose to find you, either extreme can leave you feeling left out of actually living your life. I have found myself on both ends of an extreme spectrum and after years of working on it I'm sharing three steps you can take to live with purpose in your present. You don't need to waste time looking for one, define-able, lifelong purpose. Instead, you get to decide to stop seeking for the what and live the how. In this episode I share a simple exercise that you can do while you're listening, to help you connect with yourself and believe that you already matter. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. In this week's episode I interview my podcast manager, Taylor! She shares her path from being new to a gym and a quiet participant, to becoming a group fitness instructor. The story of how she initially became certified in her first of several different formats is one of practicality and taking a leap of faith. Now, after moving across the country, she opens up about the struggles and successes of the job, plus the biggest benefits (spoiler: it's not really about anything physical!) If you have considered getting into the instructor side of group fitness, learn some simple steps to get you started and feel inspired that you can make that dream happen for you, too. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Stick

Does your day-to-day life have you feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or irritable? Maybe you are squeezing in some self-care here and there, like a rare sweet treat, an occasional long shower, or other surface level practices. It's possible that you are practicing self-care, and still not feeling cared for. Why does that happen? Because the things that we have been taught to look at for self-care, are really just barely scratching the surface. Taylor Morrison, author of Inner Workout, sees self-care as a skill to be strengthened just like a physical muscle. She identifies, and debunks, the most common myths, to help us get to the root of effective self-care. You'll also hear her explain the five dimensions of self-care, which gives us a holistic approach to the greatest act of care that we can give ourselves: understanding, and acting upon, what makes you feel like you. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Episode Sponsors: Use code PROGRESS fo

Do you remember the children's book, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?" I think we've all had days that at least match the description in the title. I had one just before I sat down to record today's episode, and it made me think about how we can handle those inevitable bad days. We often have the best intentions for our day, even setting ourselves up with all the right support, and then still things can change. I'll tell you what went wrong for me, why bad days are normal, and the three things I do to not get stuck in the feeling of despair that accompanies them. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For most of my childhood and into my young adulthood I had a habit identity that was closely tied with my perfectionistic tendencies. I had decided that if I followed a very precise prescription, I could be successful. For example, when it came to my faith or my dancing, my habits were tied to rules I created, the kind of thing that I refer to as 'shoulds' now. This led to an impossible cycle and I ended up on the other end of the spectrum, staying safe and not trying anything new. In this episode I guide you through how to determine your own habit type, how to choose your 'shoulds' and identify the habits you might need that could transform your life. Spoiler alert: mine was sleep! When I uncovered this about myself it had a beneficial ripple effect, and I think the same is possible for you, too. Take the free habit quiz! Episode 391 about Dangling Habits Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Episode Sponsors: Use code PROGRESS for 20% off a 9

I’ve recently been sharing growth spurts where I share principles that guide my work with clients and my own life, too. We’ve covered: the discomfort zone, courage, compassion, and curiosity. Today, I want to discuss the internal shift that I've clung to during even the most disparaging moments of my life, and that is my ability to choose. And to be clear, we don't always get to choose our choices, but given the choices in front of us, we often have to choose something. In this episode I'm sharing some personal choices I have had to make, and they might not be what you're expecting. If you've found yourself feeling out of control with your life and your choices, I hope my words help you feel empowered to own your agency, and take back power in your life. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wished that you could love motherhood as much as you love your kids? That's a little line I borrowed from my dear friend, Rachel Nielson of the 3 In 30 Takeaways for Moms podcast, who is an expert on that exact subject. Motherhood is full of wonderful surprises, but also hard surprises, and it does not come instinctually to everyone, as you'll hear was the case with me and Rachel. If you struggle with what you think motherhood SHOULD look like, and would rather uncover what you want your motherhood to look like, Rachel has several actionable steps you can take. She uses the analogy of cleaning out a closet to explain the steps to declutter your motherhood, and it really makes sense. While this may be a long process, it is possible to feel some change right away, as you find joy and alignment in your role as the mother you want to be. Get 10% off Rachel's course "Declutter Your Motherhood" with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes

This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey. Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a pet peeve of mine when people say they "don't have regrets." While I understand what they mean by that, I think it's too dismissive of the lessons we learn from a life fully lived. In fact, I can name several regrets I have, without hesitation. From the way I handled friends and extracurriculars in and after high school, to my own missteps as an emotionally dysregulated young mother, plus a few more examples, you'll see that I am far from perfect. When regret leads to resentment and shame, it can be more harmful than helpful. What's helpful is learning lessons from our past mistakes, what's harmful is dwelling on our imperfections and making them mean something untrue about our identity. In this episode I walk through some of my regrets using my four step method designed to help you do the same on your own. My hope is that this helps you disentangle your identity from your mistakes, and allows you to move forward in your growth. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show

Is there something that has made you think other people can do that, but not me? This is part of a monthly series to convince you otherwise. These episodes feature real women who are answering the question “How do you…?” about their various passions and pursuits. Tina Anderson is a multi-faceted woman who pivoted from a law career to start her own business. She shares her story of feeling inspired to pursue her "life's work" and trying to figure out exactly what that could be for her and her husband. They are passionate about health, specifically research-backed gut health, with a goal for total body wellness. You'll hear Tina's passion in our conversation, as she is well versed in the science behind her company's products, but also her excitement for everyone to find their life's work. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Use code PROGRESS for 20% off a 90-day supply of Just Thrive Probiotic and Just Calm at https://justthrivehealth.com/disco

In 2020 I put something on my Do Something List that I almost talked myself out of: have fun with fashion. I ended up loving the results so much that I've kept a version of it every year since. This year I came up with "explore my personal style." And while I haven't necessarily turned into a style expert, or even fashion blogger, I have enjoyed the way that exploring my personal style has helped me insert more of ME into my daily life. To be clear, your personal style should be a complete reflection of you, and should serve you in the season you are in. It does not need to be about fitting in, or reflect only the most popular trends. In today's episode I'm sharing my conversation with Jenny Eversole of Style Space about why your personal style does matter and 5 steps to rediscovering it. Plus, you'll hear about my own experience with their Stylist, Whitney Herrod Khader, and what I surprisingly learned from going through my closet with an expert. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits clas

Recently I've felt really unproductive, which is not how I am used to feeling. To be really honest, adding a fifth child to our family, a newborn after five years since my last, has been a big transition. I forgot about how much my day-to-day life would change with this tiny baby to care for, and while I love him and would not trade it for anything, I have to admit that it has been hard. After sharing a little bit of an update when I was one month postpartum, I received a really insightful Instagram comment, "being present is being productive." That simple phrase changed everything for me. I learned how to lean in to these changes, accept my limits and capacity, and know what really matters at the end of the day. In this episode I have a few other tips that will also help you in your season of change, to help you shift from what you think is productive, to what really matters most. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad

It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of our day-to-day lives, whether it's a productive kind of busy, or not. But, what if there was a way to continue being productive, without the overwhelming feeling of being so busy? Tanya Dalton of inkWELL Press is a productivity expert who is all about boosting your productivity in ways that are lasting (and DOABLE!).  In this episode you'll learn about priorities, where to start when you feel overwhelmed, the benefits of a brain dump, how to take breaks when you need them, and how to make intentional choices with your time. If your to-do list is getting in the way of you living a real life, if it's draining you instead of fulfilling you, then it's time to do something different. Try the simple swap that Tanya explains in this episode and take back control of your time in a way that works for you, not against you. Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megap

I had the honor of interviewing Emily three years ago where we discussed personal growth, traveling the world as a family of five, and getting out of our comfort zones. Two weeks after that conversation in 2019 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She then graciously came back to record a second part to the interview, and in this tribute episode you will hear both parts. Emily recently passed away, and I hope she can inspire us all one more time with her message of "live by faith, not fear." Full Show Notes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unfortunately, perfectly curated Pinterest boards don't always translate to perfectly organized homes. And while you can appreciate the beauty of a rainbow bookshelf, or a pantry full of labeled clear jars, those things may not actually serve you. And if in this pursuit of picture-perfect organization you've labeled yourself a bad housekeeper, or too lazy, you likely feel so off track that you don't even know where to begin again. Professional organizer and author Tracy McCubbin has spent thousands of hours helping her clients and now she is sharing the most insightful things she has learned along the way. And while she does have practical tips, including five questions to ask yourself about your organization right now, she also addresses the emotional component of clutter. Tune in to this episode to learn how to declutter by starting small, and in ways that are meaningful to you and your space.  Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more

This monthly series features an episode sharing my recent highs and lows, how my habits are going, a Do Something List update, plus what I'm loving lately and my commitments for the upcoming month. I hope this glimpse into my life, my family, my work, and my own self development encourages you in your own journey. Around here the goal is never perfection, just to keep trying, even if in very simple ways. I think you'll see that with all of the big changes going on for me, taking the smallest of steps has helped to keep me afloat and feeling like myself. As always, I encourage you to get messy, too! Finding Me Academy My FREE DSL Training My FREE habits class Full Show Notes Sticky Habit Method Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices