About Progress

When you think of your goals, how do you feel? Is it stressful, overwhelming, fearful? Do you rush to the "how?" Would you rather feel joy and peace and gratitude? You're not alone, tune in to today's episode to learn how to create emotions to support your goals. Just know that we’re not going to skip the hard emotions, we're going to acknowledge them but not indulge them, as we rewire how our brain fires.   Rhonda Farr is a former counselor for at-risk youth, who now focuses on emotional skills while coaching others towards their goals. She emphasizes the acknowledgement that many of the tough emotions we face are a result of conditioning, and not our fault. Through practicing connecting to positive and grounding emotions, which she walks listeners through, you can rewire the connections that your brain makes to be positive and supportive.   About a few other things...   It’s time to belong to yourself again, so you can belong to your life. Get my free and easy Belonging Guide, where I walk you through

If you're still clinging to the idea that you are not creative, here's another fantastic interview to help you change the way you see yourself, and the reasons why that might be so important for you. Within your creative ability (it's in there, promise!) is the power, purpose, and fulfillment to shape your life and the lives of those around you that matter most. Writer Meg Conley shares her story and inspires you to reclaim your agency and create a life of meaning and fulfillment.   Meg tackles gender roles, home culture, and how to take creative action in this episode. She shares a few steps that she personally takes to begin creative endeavors, and it includes a lot of blank notebooks. You don't have to overhaul your whole world, you don't have to identify as traditionally creative, you just have to want more for yourself and take the first step forward in harnessing your creative power.   About a few other things...   Reclaim your creative power and rediscover who you actually are! If you’re ready to

Michelle Franzoni Thorley is the artist behind Flora Familiar, where she uses various art forms to address family history, antiracism education, and her culture. When you see her beautiful work you'll want to assume a lot about her talents. But, what she wants you to know is that artistic creativity is something she has worked to uncover within herself. Through her simple tips to uncover your creative side, and the guidance of this conversation, you'll begin to see where your creativity lies, because it's not always artistic.   Michelle's upbringing as a Mexican American and daughter of a single mother is what she attributes to being creative in many regards, because although her artwork did start young it did not flourish until she pursued it in her 30's. Now, since pushing aside perfectionism and leaning into the messiness of creativity, Michelle beautifully explores culture, family history, and educates others on antiracism through her art. Her perspective will inspire you to be brave, as she says "brave

As a community, we are anchoring into our deeper identity, one that exists OUTSIDE of our bodies and how they appear. This special episode is devoted to hearing from women of the About Progress community who share how they are fighting the constant push from the world to believe (and live!) otherwise. No! Here, we instead believe in the words of the Kite sisters from Beauty Redefined: we are more than our bodies.   Full episode notes HERE.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I believe we really are all born to create, and this is something we've talked about often on the podcast. If that idea feels foreign to you, then I have a few suggestions of how you can dig in and find that spark again. Likely you're hung up on the definition of creativity, which I challenge you to reconsider. It's time to move away from that all or nothing thinking and remember that you don't have to earn the right to be a creative, you just have to create. Tune in for my 3 tips on how to begin to cultivate creativity in your life again, and how those things have helped me personally.   About a few other things...   If you’re ready to come back home to yourself, to be able to say that you know who you are and what matters to you, take my foundation course, “Finding Me.” It’s OK that you’ve lost parts of yourself along the way; but as you learn to anchor back into who you are and align your life to what matters to you, you’ll find that you have more strength, more fulfilment, and more creativity to bring

Today's episode is from an exclusive masterclass that was presented to the Strive Hive by registered dietitian Taylor Chan. This won't happen often, or maybe ever again, but her message on navigating diet culture is too important. When you tune in you'll hear her teachings on the 3 important new ways to look at nutrition and some reframing around specific food examples. There is also a question and answer session that took place in real time, and you will likely identify with the voices you hear. Taylor doesn't shy away from answering the big questions, too, like how to deal with family and emotional eating. This holistic approach to looking at food and nutrition is another important factor as we continue to learn how to honor our body this month.   About a few other things...   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each o

In my coaching experience and working with the women in this community I have often heard, "What about my health problems?" Not being able to show up for your life the way you want to, because your health struggles affect your identity, is happening in big and small ways for many of you. If you feel "outside" of some of the topics we've been discussing here I want you to take the space you need within certain teachings to honor your body best. In this episode I want to remind you how to refocus on your identity, remove shame, honor your choices, and insert meaning and purpose into your struggles.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're dreading even the thought of it, the free "You Can Get Organized Challenge" is for you. Join our group challenge and hear daily live lessons from me on why you're struggling and how to work through it. Get support + have fun + share your "Small Organization Wins!"   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and

How much of your time, your precious energy, are you spending worrying about your body, your food, and what others think about you? In a society that celebrates women in smaller bodies and oppresses women in larger bodies, you are not alone. Former macro coach, Ashton Barrett, describes her "diet rock bottom" and how she has learned to thrive on the other side. She teaches when it's time to ditch diets for good, and how to heal yourself by honoring your body through this shift.   In this conversation between Monica and Ashton you'll hear from two women who suffered from disordered eating, diagnosed and not, but work continuously towards healing. Through simple tips (unfollow diet culture accounts!) and more introspective guidance, such as honoring your fears, this is a gentle way to break the dieting cycle that you're stuck in.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're dreading even the thought of it, the free "You Can Get Organized Challen

What if you could go from a place of negativity, or numbness, towards your body, to a place of neutrality? What if you could go from there to liking it, even loving it. Your body is a part of you, but it is not all of you. If this feels foreign to you, it's time to heal your relationship with your body by stating there - with the relationship.   As we dive deeper into this month's theme of "Honor Your Body" we are lucky to learn from Anna Packard, a clinical psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, who shares her own story with disordered eating and how she was fueled by that into helping others. Her simple approach will resonate immediately and be something you can apply today. This is a lesson unlike what the louder voices of the world want us to hear. This is all about us changing our orientation and feeling toward our bodies. It is no longer about our bodies needing to change.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're

How much time are you spending thinking about your body and appearance, instead of your dreams and goals and other pursuits? For me, personally, it has been too much time. I recount a few very specific memories from my youth that shaped my own ideas of a perfect body, which, if you're familiar with my story, led to very difficult years of disordered eating. My guess is that you can relate and may have also struggled to really honor your body.   One thing I want you to remember, though, is that you are not your body. We must support and honor our physical bodies, but they do not define us and are not our identity. In this episode I'm sharing 4 things that have worked for me as I learn to honor my body. These are not strict rules, rather ways to help you find a new perspective as you develop a loving relationship with your body.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Rational Faiths "Art, Nudity, and Modesty", Stephanie Nielson's "My New Life," About Progress Episode 97 "Stepping Into Your Power by Building a Resilient Bod

When you think of your goals, are they the really big, New Year's Resolutions type? While a desire to totally revamp your morning routine, for example, is noble, it can be too large to be doable. To achieve change through sustainable growth you have to understand the keys to creating big routines by starting with small habits.   Not sure where to start? Sandra Chuma, Habits Coach and Podcaster, has some great ideas for how to break it down. She opens up about her own story from being born and raised in Zimbabwe, to building a company with her husband, and then attending university in her 40's, and more. Through mindset (fear of habits, anyone??), compounding actions, and a "failure plan," she teaches how you can have tangible and long-lasting success.   About a few other things...   If you're pumped about learning more about habits, but don't know where to start, get my free handout, "Sticky Habits for Progressors" HERE.   If you feel stuck, or lost, it's time to uncover who you are and belong to your

When you think about procrastination does it bring up some feelings of shame, maybe self-judgment? These complex feelings are common, so find out what your procrastination really means and how can you stop weaponizing it against yourself. By sorting out where your procrastination is coming from then you can see what your needs truly are and begin to develop healthy and supportive habits.   Shirin shares her own story of perfectionism as an Iranian immigrant who relied on constantly outperforming others and even herself, but teaches now that that behavior is not sustainable. Instead, learn to live at the "intersection of getting it done and allowing yourself to have free time," which she calls good enough work. Tune in to be, as Shirin says, encouraged to return to your values, your beliefs and what lights you up with purpose.   About a few other things...   If you're pumped about learning more about habits, but don't know where to start, get my free handout, "Sticky Habits for Progressors" HERE.   Qua

The truth is that you DON'T have to "do it all" to be a happy, whole, well-rounded person. In fact, consider how being selectively lazy will actually maximize your growth where it counts the most. Kendra Adachi--podcaster and writer--wants you to be a GENIUS about the things that matter, and LAZY about the things that don't. This is the path to deep and lasting progress. As living, complicated, breathing humans, we have to honor and lean into our limitations in order to amplify our biggest priorities--including what helps us feel alive! Kendra will teach you how to be "selectively lazy," to learn how to recognize what matters to you, how to let people in and fully belong to both others and yourself, and how this can all lead to exponential growth--not less of it.   About a few more things: If you're pumped about learning more about habits, but don't know where to start, get my free handout, "Sticky Habits for Progressors" HERE. Quality matters with supplements. From protein powder, to energy-giving or calming

When you think of "maximizing" habits, do you picture extreme, over-the-top action? 110% commitment? Superhuman willpower at work? Well, here's good news for us mortals: none of that works long-term.   While we are going to discuss how to maximize your habits all month long, today's introductory episode is all about the basics. In order to maximize habits, you need to have some to begin with. And to get those, you need to focus on "The Process" to help you build habits that won't drift away before you had the chance to make them even better.     In this episode, Monica will teach you "The Process," how to simplify the habit formation process, and the way YOU can start small, and start now, in building your own. >>Get your FREE "When-Then Pairings for Progressors" handout, HERE, so you can get started on the real process of habit formation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can you answer these two questions: "Who am I?" "What matters to me?" If not, you're likely experiencing what Monica calls "a misplacement of identity." This is what happens when we place our worth, our value, and our "sense of self" on the things we do, the way we look, our achievements, our roles, instead of who we deeply, truly are.   A strong identity is the foundation to all the work we do at About Progress. It's the filter through which we know how to direct our choices, ways we can work on our growth, and how to be strong enough to face both the circumstances and the choices we face on a daily basis.   Listen to this special episode where Monica shares her own story of "a misplacement of identity," how it started with good intentions but over the years led to her feeling lost and stuck in her own life, and what she did to uncover her identity again.  And how this changed everything.   This episode is the introductory lesson to Monica's new, foundational course, "Finding Me." Enroll HERE as a

As we "celebrate" the year anniversary of the beginning of a tumultuous year, we are looking back more on how we as a community have grown, changed, and become more of who we want to be. Listen in to hear notes from your fellow Progressors, women just like you who are working towards big changes in sustainable ways. IMPORTANT NEWS! Become a Founding Student of Monica's new, foundational course, "Finding Me." In this 6-week course, you will learn to belong to yourself again by uncovering who you are and what matters to you, so that you find increased authenticity, confidence, and alignment. Use the code "FOUNDER" to get 30% off, if you sign up by Midnight PT, April 8th! This will be the ONLY time the course is discounted to the public.  Enroll HERE.   Show Notes:  Join Podcast University and learn how to start or grow your podcast! Join the monthly membership group, the Strive Hive Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR

Did you know that research shows we each make 35,000 decisions each day? It's exhausting just thinking about it! If you find yourself feeling stuck and indecisive, or overwhelmed by all the choosing, then I have a short and sweet message for you on how to counteract decision fatigue. By creating habits and routines at the bookends of your day that eliminate the need for tiring decision-making you will have clarity, and gain the ability to confidently work through bigger decisions.   About a few other things...   I'm teaching a FREE CLASS this month on a very highly requested topic: decision-making! Join me live, online, to uncover the 2 secrets to beating confusion and making clear decisions that are right for you. If you can't attend live a replay will be sent out after, so don't miss out and sign up now!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Sols handmade shoes - 'PROGRESS10' for 10% off Take my FREE CLASS on Decision-Making

Today's guest Jessica Hottle explains, "We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body." In this interview she dives into the ways to become more in tune with your whole self, to find connection between body and soul as you work towards your purpose. Jessica's own history as a self-proclaimed "emotional rollercoaster" explains how she began doing this work for herself and what she has since learned. Since we all operate best as a whole person, it's so important to address what might be going on with the "soul story" we are telling ourselves. Use her 5 steps to better process emotions and heal your soul's story right away.   About a few other things...   I'm teaching a FREE CLASS this month on a very highly requested topic: decision-making! Join me live, online, to uncover the 2 secrets to beating confusion and making clear decisions that are right for you. If you can't attend live a replay will be sent out after, so don't miss out and sign up now!   Quality over quantity really matters to me dur

We sometimes confuse our passions and our purpose, so what is the difference and why does it matter? Podcaster, coach, and passions enthusiast Nikki Innocent breaks it down for all of us in this interview. If you're struggling with this, feeling like you lack the time to pursue passions, let alone purpose, then this is especially for you. By digging deep and finding what lights you up, then growing those seeds, you can live in full alignment with your values - this is how to nourish your passions into your purpose.   Nikki shares six steps you can take to break free of some common traps, such as people pleasing and hustle culture, or other obstacles keeping you from finding your passion. Tune in to this episode for the permission to get to know yourself and the tools to take back your power. As Nikki says, "This isn't about perfectionism. This is literally about allowing yourself to live and breathe and be yourself and hopefully live a life that is uniquely you, that you can really feel excited about when y

While working with a therapist treating my eating disorder he taught me that thoughts affect your feelings, and your actions. With that in mind, I have sort of an unpopular opinion, a belief that has been true for me, that life's circumstances are not completely neutral. So while our thoughts are vital, a year like 2020 taught us that circumstances matter, especially when things become so out of our control.   I do believe we still have a choice to make about how we show up in the midst of our circumstances and encourage you to take control of your own story. Tune in for a few examples of how this has played out for me and the way I use my thoughts and agency to stay true to myself despite my circumstances.   About a few other things...   I'm teaching a FREE CLASS this month on a very highly requested topic: decision-making! Join me live, online, to uncover the 2 secrets to beating confusion and making clear decisions that are right for you. If you can't attend live a replay will be sent out after, so