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What are your “It has to be me” moments? Those key points in your life where you know “This is what I want to do” and you go for it! I’m Tess Masters and I’m getting the skinny from people who are smashing their fears and doubts to make the things they want happen. Let’s dive in, get fired up, and go after your next “It Has To Be Me!”
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Ladies: Do not miss this conversation with Meghan Rabbit—journalist and author of The New Rules Of Women’s Health —for breaking news that can save your life. We start the conversation with how historical neglect of women’s bodies in medical research has lasting impacts, ranging from screening equipment poorly suited to our anatomy to healthcare systems that don’t understand or support our needs. Meghan lays out the gaps, challenges, and overlooked truths in women’s healthcare, and explains why we find ourselves misdiagnosed, dismissed, or left without real answers. From chronic pain, osteoporosis, and autoimmune disease to depression and Alzheimer’s, women make up 70 to 80% of patients yet wait longer to be evaluated and taken seriously. We explore why heart disease is the number-one cause of death in women, how female hearts and signs of heart attack differ from those of men, and what to say at the emergency room so you get seen by a doctor now, not shoved into some corridor. We then dive into how hormone health impacts everything from brain function to immune responses to bone health, why pain should never be ignored, and how to assess your breast health beyond mammograms. Meghan targets menopause as our strategic window of opportunity for preventing disease over 50. She covers how to find good doctors and prepare for appointments, and the most effective ways to communicate with practitioners for the best healthcare experience. The key takeaway: Get to know your body so you can advocate for yourself and fast-track your way to solutions. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Women make up 80% of people with autoimmune disease and osteoporosis. Women mount stronger immune responses than men which can lead to autoimmune disease. Women make up 70% of chronic pain patients, and 2/3 of people with Alzheimer’s disease. To prevent chronic pain, don’t push through—listen to pain signals, and seek treatment. Only about 30% of participants in drug trials are women. Participating in studies increases data on women’s health and helps you access medical care. Only 4% of women take hormone therapy. But often, the benefits outweigh the risks. Many women don’t do mammograms because of radiation. You get more exposure on a plane. ABOUT MEGHAN RABBITT Author of The New Rules Of Women's Health , Meghan Rabbitt is an award-winning journalist who specializes in writing about women’s health and wellness. Her work has appeared in numerous media outlets, including Women’s Health, Prevention, Oprah Daily, Maria Shriver’s Sunday Paper, NPR, and others. She’s known for translating complex medical and scientific topics into clear, actionable information—and for telling stories that help women better understand their bodies, their health, and themselves. CONNECT WITH MEGHAN The New Rules Of Women's Health: https://newrulesofwomenshealth.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanrabbitt LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghan-rabbitt-04b80116/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Struggling through perimenopause? Dr. Emilie Wilson, naturopath and acupuncturist, talks about how she helps women over 40 reclaim their health and vitality with functional medicine. Healing is a creative process, and a good practitioner will partner with you to develop a personalized action plan that fits your lifestyle and needs. Dr Emilie emphasizes the importance of looking at the whole story to identify the root causes of hormone imbalances. We explore why so many women feel dismissed, confused, or stuck when it comes to their symptoms, especially when their labs are “normal” yet they don’t feel like themselves. Hormone health is never just about hormones. Starting with the most common symptoms women experience, such as weight gain, sleep issues, and brain fog, Dr. Emilie explains how gut health, blood sugar, and metabolism are all connected to our hormone health. And how symptoms indicate deeper imbalances that can be corrected with a holistic approach that addresses diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and hydration. From there, she walks us through key labs and tests every woman over 40 should consider to move beyond guesswork and into clarity. We discuss microbiome stool testing, advanced thyroid panels, micronutrient and organic acid tests, and DEXA scans. Tracking patterns, not just numbers, is the path to solutions and sustainable health. Key takeaway: Stop chasing quick fixes. No pill, patch, cream, medication, or supplement will solve all your health issues in midlife. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Metabolic dysfunction and chronic illnesses are common. But, common doesn’t mean normal. “Normal” lab results don’t always mean optimal health. Advanced testing may be required. In perimenopause and menopause, we can lose our resilience without a holistic treatment plan. Better gut health is foundational. Rebalance your gut to rebalance everything else. HRT, medications, or supplements alone are not golden tickets to optimal health. The Organic Acids Test looks at metabolic capacity and can identify nutrient deficiencies. The DUTCH PlusTM Test indicates how your body is processing available hormones. A comprehensive adrenal assessment reveals how stress is impacting hormone levels. ABOUT DR. EMILIE WILSON Founder of Sanos Wellness, naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Dr. Emilie Wilson helps women over 40 investigate the causes of hormone imbalances and optimize their metabolism and health during perimenopause and menopause. With over 15 years’ clinical experience in functional medicine, Dr Emilie draws from her personal journey with burnout, weight gain, postpartum depression, and hormone issues to support her patients with custom holistic treatment plans. The author of POST: The Essential Guide to Creating Your Postpartum Self-Care Plan in Pregnancy , Dr. Emilie also writes about women’s health for a diversity of online magazines and websites. CONNECT WITH DR. EMILIE Website: https://www.sanoswellness.com/ Lab Guide: https://www.sanoswellness.com/perimenopause-lab-cheat-sheet Power Hour: https://www.sanoswellness.com/perimenopause-power-hour Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanoswellness/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanosWellness/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-wilson-2320a22a1/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Over 50 and want to get your body back? Christi, Sara, and Christine—three members of the 60-Day Reset—talk with me about how they shed the pounds and took control of their lives by taking self-care to the next level. Christi came in struggling with digestive issues, IBS, kidney stones, and candida. She wasn’t showing up for life the way she wanted. By nourishing her body and eating more, not less, she empowered herself with food that sparked a renewed joy of cooking. Sharing the knowledge and enthusiasm, her husband and teenage children all improved their health with her. Sara used her 50th birthday as motivation to finally let go of dieting. After trying plans from vegan to paleo to Whole30, she was exhausted, in chronic pain, and frustrated that “doing everything right” still wasn’t working. Embracing a more flexible approach to food helped her address stress in every part of her life. She gained confidence, and started a new business. Likewise at 50, Christine realized her approach didn’t serve her in midlife. After numbing herself with food and alcohol, she got sober and achieved a freedom with eating she’d not experienced before. Through the lens of her relationship with food, she gained a better understanding of her other choices, and upgraded her communication and action in her work and relationships. We discuss the impact of familial and societal conditioning around food, and the peer pressure built into eating out with others. And how the “Good, Better, or Best, Not Perfect” philosophy of the Skinny60® community provides an alternative to rigid and restrictive thinking. Exploring how strategic eating moves beyond healthy eating, we celebrate what happens when we understand our bodies and listen to them, instead of fighting them at every turn. Using our approach to food as a vehicle for gaining clarity about our other choices sparks a reclamation that has a ripple effect. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Strategic eating goes beyond healthy eating and focuses on bio-individual needs Chronic dieting disrupts metabolism and can lead to weight gain despite “healthy” eating. For optimal metabolic function and weight-loss, the thyroid requires regular nourishment. Hormone health is directly influenced by gut health, blood sugar, and metabolism. Approaching self-care as a non-negotiable daily practice promotes consistency. Emotional eating often has links to trauma and to nervous-system dysregulation. Create a path to freedom with food by flexibility rather than rigidity. Community support helps you make changes with long-term success. MEET OUR GUESTS CHRISTI A functional fitness coach, Christi Bruzzi is on a mission to prove that exercising can be a source of joy, not a chore. Specializing in the evolving body, Christi blends the technical precision of Balanced Body Pilates with the infectious energy of line dancing and cardio drumming. Whether implementing strength and wellness programs or leading a high-intensity Spin class, Christi aims to make every fitness journey as enjoyable as it is effective. She empowers clients to feel strong and healthy at every stage of life. Find her at Clubchristi.com . SARA Founder of Integro Communications, Sara Kline partners with organizations to develop strategy and storytelling so they grow with clarity and purpose, uncover opportunities, and map a strategic path forward. She’s known for bringing structure, definition and momentum to teams ready to grow but unsure where to focus. Outside her client work, she helps women build careers that align with their lives, and mentors women in building a version of success that prioritizes professional growth and well-being. She is passionate about health and wellness. CHRISTINE With over 25 years’ experience in financial leadership, Christine Walsh is a certified coach, fractional CFO, speaker, and author of Be The Queen of Your Money . Coaching women to increase their income and profitability with mindset work and accessible tools, Christine teaches how to create an abundant future by transforming the financial narratives holding us back from life on our terms. She is revolutionizing the way women access financial independence through RebelRiseFinance.com and on her podcast Made For Money. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
What if emotional eating isn’t a problem to be fixed, but a doorway to understanding ourselves so we can be in control of our choices, not hostages to them? This solo episode starts with the premise that we’re all emotional eaters. Food is inextricably linked to key experiences, woven into the fabric of our lives. Looking at our food choices with curiosity—especially if we’re used to framing our habits and compulsions as flaws—we can use those choices as a self-awareness tool. The relationship with food mirrors how we approach other things, and recognizing this helps us address thought and behavior patterns that keep us stuck, opening paths to sustainable change. Food choices that may have defined you start to refine you. We unpack how emotional eating is weaponized, and why so many of us get stuck in cycles of fear, regret, guilt, shame, restriction, and overconsumption. Food cravings indicate unmet physical and emotional needs. Upgrading self-care closes that gap. Addressing familial and societal conditioning, and working with your personality instead of against it combats all-or-nothing thinking, score keeping, and punishment, to find a balanced approach with food that allows room for everything. You can have your cake and eat it, too. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Rather than a disorder to be fixed, emotional eating is a tool for self-awareness. Emotional eating is not a lack of self-control. It’s unmet needs crying out for attention. Restriction, guilt, or shame reinforce emotional eating patterns rather than solve them. Mindful eating is paying attention to your eating experience without judgment. For a balanced relationship with food start with flexibility, not restriction and rigidity. Being aware of diet culture and societal conditioning moderates their impacts. Willpower is a fake muscle. The antidote to emotional eating is investigating core needs. The quality of your food choices correlates to the quality you seek in other things. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
In the show’s 100th episode, Beau Weaver and Elizabeth Jurgensen, two long-time friends, lead the conversation and interview me. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and wisdom that people build together in relationships. We start with our strange meeting, almost 20 years ago, and significant moments in a friendship that has shaped our lives in ways still emerging. Reflecting on the importance of communicating with care, we unpack the value of listening and supporting without a compulsion to change or fix. By letting go of predetermined outcomes, we can explore without an attachment to resolution, and be satisfied if it never comes. Embracing the “yes and,” we improvise, duck and roll, pivot, and thrive in the unpredictable. A non-linear life trajectory can seem like a collection of random choices. But, when we pinpoint what drives us, seemingly unrelated events make sense, and feed the next chapter of the story. You don't have to know the way. The way knows the way. Beau closes with a thought from Maria Popova: Believe in the part of you that cannot be destroyed by the agonies of hope. And adds: Trust in what is flowing through you. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Embrace the “Yes and.” Stay open to possibilities. Acknowledge that identity is co-created, and choose your people wisely. You’ll always be too much for the wrong people; never too much for the right ones. Trust in your offers and share them. Sometimes the right teacher for a third grader is a fourth grader. Your vulnerabilities and mistakes are medicine for others. Act with boldness and humility by trusting yourself and doubting yourself. Enjoy being in the middle of the story. ABOUT BEAU WEAVER A voice actor for over 50 years, Beau got his first on-air radio job at 15. He quickly worked his way onto popular music radio stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Dallas and Houston in the ‘60s and ‘70s. Then, became the signature voice for dozens of major-market network affiliates. From there, he spent decades as one of America’s perennial "A list" announcers, voicing movie trailers, network TV promos and shows, documentaries, commercials, and was the live announcer for Hollywood awards shows. With lead roles in animated TV series, Beau portrayed Superman in the ‘80s, Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four in the ‘90s, and was one of the original Transformers. A technical innovator, Beau is widely credited with pioneering the practice of home recording for voice actors, sharing his studio tools and techniques with the entertainment community. The numerous awards he’s won include “Best Voiceover” from PromaxBDA and the “Body of Work” award from the Society of Voice Arts and Sciences. Beau retired recently, and he and Elizabeth relocated from California to Oregon to begin a new chapter. ABOUT ELIZABETH JURGENSEN With a thirst for learning and achieving, Elizabeth has had multiple careers applying herself to education, research, and disciplined practice. Her post-college years were focused on the performing arts, as an actress and dancer. Moving to the corporate world, she got a business degree and worked in finance. Her next pivot was to work as a fitness instructor and wellness coach. Discovering her love for academics, she went back to school, getting a Master’s degree in a new field and teaching college students. Debilitating injuries from a car accident and ten years’ rehabilitation, made her work impossible, and brought Elizabeth to the next major phase of her life. She embraced somatics, exploring trauma healing, relational dynamics, and embodied awareness. A certified somatic educator, Elizabeth integrates insights from ancient archetypes, women’s wisdom traditions, and the interplay of masculine and feminine energies. She shares what she knows in adaptive and informal ways to guide others. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Struggling to make a dent in your goals for the New Year again? Educator and coach Elizabeth Jurgensen explores with me how annual resolutions have turned rituals of renewal into rituals of failure, and outlines a more sustainable, grounded approach to change. Tracing the surprising history of resolutions, she starts at their origins, millennia ago, in rituals centered on agriculture, responsibility, and community. Those practices evolved into our contemporary intention of making a fresh start with the incoming year. When we don’t become better versions of ourselves immediately, we see it as failure. Elizabeth lays out how societal and familial conditioning steer us toward things we “should” want rather than those we genuinely desire, and how we get used to letting grief, shame, and regret drive our choices. Many of us think of resolutions as punishment, atonement, or restitution. Elizabeth proposes that we break out of that mindset, focus on integration, and reframe the pursuit of goals as exploration and experimentation. Using Elizabeth’s analogy of a garden, we discuss how transitions require patience, attention, and responsiveness to changing conditions. When we insist on rigid timelines, perfection, or outside expectations, we focus on the weeds. “Tending” things allows room for flexibility and compassion, and opens up more possibilities. Key takeaway: Reaching our goals doesn’t mean starting over. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Internalized capitalism has turned self-improvement into a job. All-or-nothing thinking leads to inconsistency, burnout, and self sabotage. Desire-based goals have intrinsic drive. Avoidance-based goals push energy to repression. To figure out what you most desire, dwell in curiosity and possibility. Progress framed as tending rather than fixing or achieving is more effective. Rest, reflection, and integration are necessary transition points, not signs of failure. Motivation increases when goals consider community impact, not just individual benefit. ABOUT ELIZABETH JURGENSEN With a thirst for learning and achieving, Elizabeth has had multiple careers applying herself to education, research, and disciplined practice. Her post-college years were focused on the performing arts, as an actress and dancer. Moving to the corporate world, she got a business degree and worked in finance. Her next pivot was to work as a fitness instructor and wellness coach. Discovering her love for academics, she went back to school, getting a Master’s degree in a new field and teaching college students. Debilitating injuries from a car accident and ten years’ rehabilitation, made her work impossible, and brought Elizabeth to the next major phase of her life. She embraced somatics, exploring trauma healing, relational dynamics, and embodied awareness. The values of slowing down and turning inward, and the gifts of deep presence and self-care became central to her philosophy. She pursues them as ends in themselves, not toward goal-oriented pursuits, nor in a commercial practice. A certified somatic educator, Elizabeth integrates insights from ancient archetypes, women’s wisdom traditions, and the interplay of masculine and feminine energies. She shares what she knows in adaptive and informal ways to guide others. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Dietitian Ayla Barmmer helps us understand just how much nutrition and gut health impact fertility, pregnancy, and reproductive health during perimenopause and menopause. While supporting women undergoing IVF, Ayla noticed a troubling pattern: Many were advised by doctors to restrict food, and meet their nutrition needs with prenatal supplements that didn’t prepare their bodies for healthy conception and pregnancy. Furthermore, the medical establishment was hardly addressing men’s pre-conception health at all. These gaps prompted Ayla to revolutionize reproductive supplements for women and men. She developed a prenatal multivitamin and launched FullWell, offering the first dietitian-formulated product in the category. Her commitment to radical transparency—publishing actual third-party test results rather than relying on certifications—redefined expectations in the supplement industry. Ayla walks us through how to care for our reproductive health at all phases of life. We go over key labs and pre-conception food and lifestyle strategies for both women and men. And get the non-negotiable nutrition requirements for healthy pregnancy. From there we discuss recovery after birth (often ignored), other postpartum needs, plus recommendations for breastfeeding, and preparation for subsequent pregnancies. Moving on to priorities in perimenopause and menopause, Ayla cuts through the confusion about protein, collagen, creatine, and enzymes. She red flags various supplements, then gives us a quick course in reading labels and speaking to companies, to ensure we’re giving ourselves the best support. Big takeaway: Reproductive health goes beyond conception and pregnancy. Paying attention to this part of our health at every age is preventative wellness. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Reproductive health is a powerful indicator of overall health at every age. Gut health is foundational for reproductive health in women and men. Women and men need to prepare their bodies 3 months before conception. Men’s pre-conception health profoundly impacts fertility and pregnancy. Semen quality impacts placenta development more than mother’s health. Digestive and liver health impact optimal estrogen metabolism. Adequate protein and fiber are essential for reproductive health. Exercise is essential for optimal hormones and reproductive health. ABOUT AYLA BARMMER Ayla Barmmer, MS, RD, LDN is a Registered Dietitian, functional medicine practitioner, and founder and CEO of FullWell, the only dietitian-led reproductive health supplement company. With Boston Functional Nutrition, she built a globally recognized private practice helping individuals and couples navigate fertility, pregnancy, and hormone health. Seeing a persistent gap in the quality, evidence base, and transparency of reproductive health supplements, Ayla formulated a prenatal vitamin and launched FullWell in 2019, committed to doing things differently. FullWell’s Women’s Prenatal Multivitamin consistently ranks among the top supplements in the category, with users in over 50 countries. As a leading clinical voice in reproductive nutrition, Ayla speaks on evidence-based food strategies, supplement integrity, and women’s health, and uses her Substack to educate consumers and healthcare providers. She has mentored hundreds of practitioners and led one of the largest RD communities in the United States. A mother of two, she lives in New England. CONNECT WITH AYLA Website: https://fullwellfertility.com/ Substack: https://substack.com/@aylabarmmer Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullwellfertility/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullwellfertility/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylabarmmer/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
We’re getting the truth about Irritable Bowel Syndrome from Meghan Donnelly—GI dietitian and certified FODMAP practitioner. We start with the basics: What IBS is, the common symptoms, how many people it affects, and what causes it. Then dive into diagnostic challenges, conditions IBS can overlap with, and why it is commonly misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. With those ambiguities in mind, we identify the red-flag symptoms we never want to ignore. Meghan walks us through the steps to an accurate diagnosis. She covers the importance of working with a gastroenterologist to rule out other digestive issues. Then lays out the benefits of working after diagnosis with a dietitian and a GI psychologist—both specializing in IBS. We turn to the most effective dietary-intervention strategies, from small food and lifestyle changes to the more restrictive Low-FODMAP Diet, which is a short-term tool and not appropriate for everyone. Meghan explains how misinformed food restrictions can not only be unnecessary, but make symptoms worse, leading to nutrient deficiencies and mental health issues. She wraps up with medications, supplements, stress management, gut-directed hypnotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and nervous system regulation. All of these help manage symptoms and transform outcomes for people living with IBS. The key takeaway: Don’t self-diagnose or self-treat. Work with medical practitioners who specialize in IBS to develop a multi-pronged treatment plan that’s specific to you. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects 10–15% of the population, and can be managed. IBS is more common in women, due to fluctuating hormones. 1 in 10 people develop post-infectious IBS after food poisoning or traveler’s diarrhea. IBS is a disorder of the gut-brain interaction. Food can be a trigger —but it isn’t the cause. IBS symptoms include gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements. Stress and nervous system regulation play a major role in triggering IBS symptoms. IBS is diagnosed through symptoms and by ruling out digestive diseases and colon cancer. To diagnose and treat IBS, consult with a gastroenterologist and GI dietitian who specialize. ABOUT MEGHAN DONNELLY, MS, RDN, CSDH Meghan is a registered dietitian specializing in gastrointestinal nutrition, and is Director Of Health Communications at the Celiac Disease Foundation. Her experience spans clinical practice, nutrition counseling, medical nonprofits, and the food industry. In her private practice at Nutmeg Nutrition, Meghan helps her clients establish a balanced and joyful relationship with food, particularly when managing digestive disorders (IBS and SIBO), food intolerances, gluten-related conditions (celiac disease), and disordered eating. She also provides nutrition counseling for heart health, kidney disease, weight management, and food intolerances. Monash University certified, she guides clients on Low-FODMAP diets. As lead dietitian for Skinny60®, Meghan provides nutrition education and support for participants in the 60-Day Reset. CONNECT WITH MEGHAN Consult with Meghan: https://www.nutmegnutrition.org/ Low FODMAP Diet Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/podcast/episodes/meghan-donnelly-the-low-fodmap-diet-a-dietitians-guide/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Where is your line in the sand? The moment when you say: “Enough—it has to be me,” and fight for change in your life and in the world? In this solo episode, I explore why our actions often fall short of our values, and the fears and dynamics that hold us back from advocating for ourselves and others. Weighing up the costs of staying silent, I go on to the importance of staying informed, using critical thinking, and having the courage to listen to our intuition even when it challenges what the people we love and trust are saying. We dive into the power of adding our voices to the collective, the responsibility that brings, and the consequences of our actions and endorsements. Upgrading our interest and investment in both expands our impact. I share the non-negotiables that dictate where my line is, and where I put energy and resources, with the aim of closing the gap between how things are and how they ought to be. Our commitment to the collective directly reflects our regard for ourselves. How bad does the pain have to get before we prioritize our health and quality of life, go into action, and go after what we want? We have influence without wielding power. If we just use our agency. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Suffering grows in the gap between our values and actions. We don’t control the world. We do play a part in creating it. Speaking up is the beginning of change. Be mindful about your participation. You magnify what you endorse. Personal responsibility expands agency. Blame relinquishes it. Upgrade the level of investment in your own life and the collective. Regulation comes before response so we manage our reactivity. Create more than you consume. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Peter O’Hanrahan gives a masterclass in the Enneagram of Personality—the system that helps us understand our core beliefs, motivations, and fears so we can break the patterns that keep us stuck. Peter starts with his decision, in the upheaval of the 70’s, to drop out of college and work as a counselor at a crisis center. That led to burnout. Moving to Berkeley, he studied holistic therapies and bodywork, and eventually opened a wellness center applying these modalities. Enneagram pioneer Helen Palmer invited him to attend the first Enneagram class, which became a turning point for Peter. The insight into behaviors that the Enneagram gave him provided a window into the processes of trauma. Peter embarked on a lifelong study of the Enneagram system, teaching it to thousands in diverse parts of the world, and training over 800 practitioners. Laying out the basic principles of the system, Peter walks us through the 9 personality types. From there, he turns to the adjacent types (wings), 3 centers of intelligence, and 3 instinctual sub-types. Collectively, these inform how we think and feel and relate. We cover the strengths of each type, as well as the shadow tendencies and obstacles. Peter emphasizes that while we are more than our patterns, knowing them is a starting point to understanding what drives us. Moving onto practical application, he provides everyday examples of how using the Enneagram tools deepens the relationship to self and others, improves group dynamics, enhances collaborations and partnerships, enables conscious parenting, and advances intentional leadership. The Enneagram helps us stop fighting our instincts and habits, and build awareness and emotional intelligence so we can manage them, responding mindfully with respect and empathy. This conversation with Peter offers powerful strategies for leaning into “It Has To Be Me.” TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: The Enneagram system maps human psychology via nine personality types. The Enneagram looks at core motivations, fears, desires, patterns, not just behavioral traits. The nine types are grouped by their dominant centers of intelligence: body, heart, and head. Influencing each type is its adjacent types (wings)—personality shifts in stress or security. The subtypes (self-preservation, one-to-one, or social) inform personality expression. Each type has a superpower and a shadow. Growth comes from integrating them. Understanding your type can shift automatic reactions to conscious responses. Psychology, culture, and family background shape the expression of your Enneagram type. ABOUT PETER O’HANRAHAN A leading Enneagram teacher and trainer in the United States, Peter O’Hanrahan began his Enneagram study in 1978, when Dr. Kathleen Speeth taught the first class in Berkeley. Peter has facilitated hundreds of workshops for businesses, nonprofits, universities, and churches all over the world, and is a certified teacher with the Enneagram Professional Training Program. He serves on the faculty of the Narrative Enneagram School, and as a member of the International Enneagram Association, has presented at many conferences. Using the Enneagram in his practice as a holistic counselor and body therapist, Peter has developed further approaches and applications. His programs and articles can be found at: TheEnneagramAtWork.com. He lives in Northern California with his wife—and fellow Enneagram practitioner—Pat. CONNECT WITH PETER Website: https://theenneagramatwork.com/ Enneagram Workshops: https://theenneagramatwork.com/teaching-schedule/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.ohanrahan.52 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theenneagramatwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-o-hanrahan-9078486/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
We explore the value of storytelling and amplifying other voices with photographer and filmmaker Deborah Anderson. She takes us back to her childhood, and her father’s ability to captivate her with stories. Inspired by his work as a musician, she sang on his albums and performed at the Royal Albert Hall before she was 10. This early imprint shaped how she sees creativity: an organic weaving of stories in various mediums. Deborah leads us through the labyrinth of her career, from breaking out with solo albums, to collaborations with DJ Shadow, to clothing design in London and Paris, and then into photography. When a craftsman who’d developed film for a legendary photographer recognized her work, something clicked, and she saw her path was in capturing images of people. Planning a portrait exhibition at the Leica gallery in Los Angeles led her to South Dakota. She spent months with Lakota women and made the documentary Women of the White Buffalo . What had begun as a photo show became a divine detour, with Deborah traveling and interviewing women from indigenous communities worldwide for her latest project, The Lost Language Of Her . Listening to elders who speak the language of spirit and nature we safeguard feminine wisdom and legacy. Through this shared storytelling, we connect in ways that transcend language and culture. Deborah’s story reminds us that it’s not a straight path or a solo journey. And sometimes, It Has To Be Me is really It Has To Be Them. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Provoking thought and moving us into action, art can be a messenger of change. Creativity in any medium has a common thread—the artist’s perspective. The expectation that art is selfless negates the inevitability of perspective. Admitting there will be perspective enables celebration of multiple perspectives. Ancient and indigenous stories connect us with spirit, nature, and the divine feminine. Self-doubt is intrinsically feminine, and pushes us to go beyond where we’ve been. Lean into your dynamism. Trust in the magic of your offer. Trust in your capability, and never stop refining your craft. ABOUT DEBORAH ANDERSON Filmmaker and photographer Deborah Anderson has spent the last decade amplifying the voices of women and indigenous communities, exploring identity, memory, and healing. Her documentary about Lakota women preserving their culture, Women Of The White Buffalo , received critical acclaim, including Best Feature Documentary film at the Red Nation Film Festival, Best Director of a documentary at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, and four accolades at the Idyllwild International Film Festival. She also champions women’s stories in the feature Aroused and the short films My Revolution with Eve Ensler and Rosario Dawson and Rise with Thandie Newton for the One Billion Rising organization. Deborah’s photographs have appeared on covers of albums by Pink and other artists, and been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and exhibited around the world, including at the Leica Galleries which hosted her Women Of The White Buffalo portrait series. The central aim of her work is to bear witness and build bridges, provoking audiences to imagine a more compassionate and connected future. CONNECT WITH DEBORAH Website: https://deborahanderson.com/ Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Anderson Women Of The White Buffalo: https://womenofthewhitebuffalo.com/ The ORA Pathway: https://theorapathway.com/ My Revolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL36jjF6-DI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahandersoncreative LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-anderson-6825b7354/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Are you in the driver’s seat of your story? Shiva Rose reflects on how she leveraged her everyday experiences to create a successful company and build a more diverse and fulfilling life. We trace Shiva’s career from actress to wellness writer to skincare entrepreneur. A public divorce and life-threatening autoimmune conditions forced her to seek major life change. The power of food, a renewed relationship with nature and spirit, and ancient rituals became vital allies in her healing journey. Learning to trust her body and intuition and stay open to transformation helped her recognize the unique medicine she possessed. She takes us inside how food and the alchemy of herbs awakened her senses. But, it was tea ceremonies that helped quieten her mind, and taught her patience and presence. Ritual, Shiva says, keeps us focused and grounded, especially when life takes a destabilizing turn. We celebrate the arts as a powerful tool for nurturing connection with self and others, and explore creativity as a living force that doesn’t disappear when circumstances change—we give it new forms. Shiva urges us to stay in the dream state, not to escape reality but to meet it. Her call: You are the writer, director, and producer of your story. Decide that it will be extraordinary. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Living creatively is about leaning into curiosity, possibility, and discovery. Chronic illness can be a doorway into listening, not just symptom management. Healing begins when you listen, engage, and activate your own medicine. Seek out the wisdom, power, and unique medicine of women. Connection with nature and spirit move grief and emotion when words fall short. Rejection is often just bad timing, not a judgment of readiness or worth. Suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy. Making each moment intentional creates extraordinary lives in everyday realms. ABOUT SHIVA ROSE Shiva Rose is the author of Whole Beauty and founder of the natural skincare company Shiva Rose Beauty. Life-threatening autoimmune diseases prompted her pursuit of healing through clean living. To document her journey, she started a lifestyle website, The Local Rose. Her skincare line evolved from that. Shiva is also passionate about Kundalini practice and the Chinese way of tea, Cha Dao. Through her two courses, The Power Of Lunar Energy and The Waterways Of The Feminine Mystique, she helps women connect with nature and spirit. She lives with her daughter and her partner in the mountains of New Mexico and the hills of Texas. CONNECT WITH SHIVA Shiva Rose: https://www.shivarose.com/ Shiva Rose Beauty: https://www.thelocalrose.com/ Whole Beauty: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Beauty-Rituals-Lifelong-Wellness/dp/1579657729/ Substack: https://thehouseofmagdalena.substack.com/ Courses: https://shivarose.podia.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localrose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarosebeauty/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/localrose LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiva-rose-79b62249/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Sheila Darcey’s Sketch By Sketch changed my life. So, we’re talking about the book, and how the daily sketch practice she’s developed for herself and thousands of others helps us process emotions when words fall short. And before you back away with “I can’t even draw a stick figure” (like I did), hold on. This isn’t about drawing or creating art, it’s about connecting with your unconscious wisdom to create marks of free expression that precede and transcend language. Sheila starts her story with the fear of flying that became her doorway to sketching, not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a somatic tool. This daily practice became an effective way to get out of her head and into her body, process trauma, and build a sense of safety that other methods hadn’t provided. Having grown up in an environment distorted by addiction and fear, Sheila recalls how creativity helped expand her emotional vocabulary, and reconnect with parts of herself she had abandoned. We talk about childhood survival, and how many of us disconnect from our bodies simply to cope. Leaning into curiosity and creativity help dissolve the judgment that gets in the way of compassion. We cover why sketching with a pen not a pencil helps us beat back perfectionism and performance, and leap into the unknown. Through sketching, we can transmute shame and other oppressive emotions into feelings that strengthen possibility. Sheila invites us to reframe boredom, rest, stillness, imagination, and innovation, and consider our generational and energetic imprints. Healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about relating to ourselves differently. Sheila’s key point: Creativity is not a luxury but a necessity. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Creativity expands our emotional lexicon. Creativity helps us connect to the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored or abandoned. Part of the creative process is leaping into the unknown and inviting co-creation. Sketching can be a therapeutic practice to identify and process thoughts and emotions. Sketching can be a daily embodiment practice like meditation or yoga. Sketching is fast and loose—you don’t have to get attached. “Letting go” is not an act of releasing, but accepting what has been there. Sketches are modern-day hieroglyphics—marks that transcend language. ABOUT SHEILA Founder of SketchPoetic®, and author o f Sketch By Sketch , artist Sheila Darcey teaches a transformational sketching practice that enables people to access emotional healing through intuitive expression. Sheila created the Living Canvas Foundation™ , a nonprofit supporting healing, connection, and social impact through creativity. She serves as its executive director. Through her art, workshops, community-based art initiatives, and innovative use of technology, Sheila creates spaces where people can access their creativity as a pathway to connect with emotions and gain personal insight. Her work bridges art, wellness, and consciousness, tapping into personal and collective storytelling, and is rooted in the belief that every life is a dynamic canvas. CONNECT WITH SHEILA Sketch Poetic®: https://www.sketchpoetic.com/ Living Canvas Foundation™: https://livingcanvasfoundation.org/ Sketch By Sketch Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Creative-Emotional-Transformation-SketchPoetic/dp/1250773873/ Substack: https://sheiladarcey.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchpoetic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingcanvasfoundation/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livingcanvasfoundation MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
In unstable times like these, it’s easy to harden, retreat, or get swept up in fear and shouting. Instead of being part of destructive narratives, find clarity and perspective in stories—in books, poetry, theater, film, TV, music, and your own life. I reflect on my childhood and the values my parents instilled—curiosity, compassion, asking questions, and imagining life through someone else’s eyes. My mom and dad encouraged storytelling as a way to explore challenging ideas without needing certainty or agreement. In adulthood, stories help me hold confusion and overwhelm, understand my experience and those of others, and connect with what matters most. Inviting us into lives we haven’t lived and perspectives we don’t yet understand, stories invite us to practice empathy toward understanding. Connecting with characters and situations soften our certainty, and remind us of our shared humanity. In this episode, I share recent experiences that have done that for me. From a Jacob Collier concert that turned thousands of strangers into willing collaborators, to shows like Schitt’s Creek and Heated Rivalry that remind us of our capacity to connect with people who are not like us. Be invested in the diversity of stories, including your own. Stay curious and risk talking with people who think differently, even if it provokes their hostility. Hear them out. Dare to be wrong. Allow yourself to be surprised, not by their views, but their willingness to have a civil conversation. Storytelling can soften your edges, and those of others. Someone has to make the first move. Decide—It Has To Be Me. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Stories invite empathy and understanding without force or persuasion. Stories help us hold complexity without shutting down. Curiosity keeps us connected. It changes our minds and perspectives. Listening is an act of resistance to outrage. Share your stories and take in the stories of those who think differently. Be kind as a quiet form of courage. You can learn from someone without agreeing with them. We build community through shared humanity, not shared opinions. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
It’s the Year of the Horse. Are you going to be a rocking horse, going back and forth and staying in the same place? Or a champion—sharp and focused, determined to win the race? Easier said than done. In this episode, I share how I had decided to shut the podcast down, because I felt like an imposter, that I’d been too ambitious, and bitten off more than I could chew! I recall tools shared by our guests to combat fear and overwhelm, and which ones worked for me. In the end, I realized we don’t always need to spend time and money correcting course. Often, it just takes the right person saying the right thing at the right time to shift your perspective. What got me back in the game was trusting myself to do my own triage, and choosing the strategies that felt right. Two mantras I embraced help me enjoy the work, not just obsess about the result. Just because you don’t know how it’s going to happen, doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Spoiler: Self-doubt and self-belief are both needed to create anything of value. If you’re waiting for the perfect time to go after your It Has To Be Me, you’ll be waiting forever. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS It’s a puzzle, not a problem. If you want to, you can figure it out. Don’t be overwhelmed or depleted by your “to do” list—be energized by it. When faced with an overwhelming task, imagine the feeling of having done it. Worrying is like a rocking horse. It has motion, but gets you nowhere. There are a finite amount of yes’s and an infinite amount of no’s. Choose them wisely. A compassionate no is a gift for you and the other person. Stay in the race. Most people give up right before they cross the finish line. Give your imperfect offering. The right people can handle it. The wrong people never will. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Fatty Liver Disease is an epidemic—1 in 3 people has it and many don’t know they do. Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh, leading hepatologist and co-author of Skinny Liver and Regenerative Health , tells us what we need to know so we can avoid fatty liver or reverse it. We track his career from early medical training in Syria and England to cutting-edge work at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Hanouneh shares how the liver’s extraordinary ability to regenerate brought him into the study of the liver, then breaks down the progression of liver disease in an accessible—and hopeful—way. We discuss the critical role of the liver, the metabolic health crisis affecting 90% of people, the root causes of fatty liver in both adults and children, and how the disease is linked to heart attacks and strokes. From there, we cover risk factors we can control, those we can’t, and why women over 40 and adults with obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea are at particularly high risk. Dr. Hanouneh explains the non-specific symptoms of “the silent disease,” the five criteria for metabolic syndrome, and how to get tested for fatty liver. He addresses the four metabolic types, why BMI is outdated, and how “skinny fat” is the real medical risk. Stressing the importance of prevention and early detection, Dr. Hanouneh shares the impact of diet, sleep, and stress, the best exercise to reduce fat in your liver, and proven food and lifestyle strategies. Next up: the common supplements, detox products, and over-the-counter medications that are causing liver damage, and why a daily cup of black coffee may be exactly what you need. For those diagnosed with liver disease: We get into the latest studies, what we need to know about the two FDA-approved medications, timelines for recovery, and exciting new developments with transplants. The key takeaway: When you catch it early and make strategic lifestyle changes, fatty liver is 100% reversible. Don’t miss this episode so you know exactly what to do. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Fatty liver has surpassed alcohol as the leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer. What causes fatty liver is a high intake of carbs and sugar—not necessarily fat. Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver are linked—having one increases risk for the other. Sleep apnea and chronic stress both accelerate fatty liver through inflammation. Children are developing fatty liver due to diet and sugary drinks, obesity, and diabetes. Fatty Liver was renamed from NAFLD to MASLD to reflect its metabolic origins. Knowing your metabolic type enables detection and tailored treatment for fatty liver. Rezdiffra and Wegovy are FDA-approved drugs for treating fatty liver disease. ABOUT DR. IBRAHIM HANOUNEH Dr. Hanouneh completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic, and served on staff there before attending patients at the Mayo Clinic and joining the Board Of Directors at MNGI Digestive Health. Co-author of the books Skinny Liver and Regenerative Health , Dr. Hanouneh has spent much of his career working with liver disease, with particular expertise in studies relating to fatty liver. He has presented at national and international conferences, and authored over 70 papers and numerous abstracts. CONNECT WITH DR. HANOUNEH Website: https://www.mngi.com/provider/ibrahim-hanouneh-md Skinny Liver book: https://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Liver-Program-Prevent-Epidemic-Fatty/dp/0738234648/ Regenerative Health book: https://www.amazon.com/Regenerative-Health-Discover-Metabolic-Renew/dp/0306830159/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Want to lose weight but don’t know whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you? Ashley Koff, dietitian and author of Your Best Shot , explains the links between gut health, blood sugar, hormones, and metabolism, and how we can achieve and maintain our goal weight, with or without the Shot. We start with Ashley’s own struggle with weight, from belly awareness as a kid and dieting in high school and college, to obsessive exercise, extreme fads, and even a goat’s-milk cleanse! Finally, a gastroenterologist provided a real solution: First, focus on digestion. The results were life-changing. Ashley became a dietitian, building on that approach. She recognized, before the GLP-1s came along, the impact of weight-health hormones—"the Switch"—on blood sugar and appetite, and the connection between these hormones and gut health. She fine-tuned her system, and treated patients with huge success. From there she walks us through the science—the difference between the Switch and GLP-1 medications that replace these hormones, ”The Shot.” We weigh the benefits and side effects of medications, and how to titrate off them and maintain your results. Covering what you need to know to establish and maintain a healthy weight, Ashley says it's not just about losing weight, it's about optimizing your weight health. What's “Your Best Shot”? Assess and decode your body’s signals, then create a personalized action plan to fit your specific situation and needs. We talk through that process and what a plan might look like, common pitfalls in formulating a strategy, the skinny on supplements, and why doctors are not always the best guides. The great news: You can control your weight health more than you think. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS Your body is an ecosystem, and needs optimized resources to run better. To optimize weight health start with improving digestion and gut health. The body produces hormones that act as “the Switch” to regulate appetite and blood sugar. GLP-1s can reduce food noise, regulate blood sugar, and support weight loss. GLP-1 medications are a hormone-replacement therapy—and suppress the Switch. The medications also can cause dehydration, digestive problems, and other health issues. Titrating off a GLP-1 medication without improving digestion can result in rebound weight gain. Willpower is a fake muscle that does not play a role in effective weight management. ABOUT ASHLEY Author of Your Best Shot , Ashley Koff, RD is the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), the Nutrition Course Director for UC Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute's Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship. Also a faculty member at the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, she teaches the IFNA course “An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Approach to Obesity and Weight Management.” A go-to nutrition expert on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and others, Ashley was among CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers, InStyle magazine’s Hollywood Nutritionist, and a Global Wellness Ambassador for Westin Hotels. As a practitioner and business owner, Ashley makes her mission providing personalized nutrition solutions and helping people identify their needs to make “better, not perfect” choices toward their health goals. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY Website: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/ Your Best Shot: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Shot-Personalized-Health_GLP-1/dp/0063444186/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleykoffapproved Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykoffapproved/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-koff-rd-11b6196/ GLP-1 Weight Health Hormone Assessment: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/glp1-weight-health-hormone-assessment/?utm_source=the-blender-girl&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ybs MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Ladies: Tap into the power of other women to get where you want to go. My friends and colleagues Mia Moran, Julie Hannon, and Kelly Lubeck—all members of Skinny60® and the FLOW365 community—join me to talk about what happens when women express themselves freely, and celebrate themselves and each other. Mia, Julie, and Kelly share their healing journeys, and the profound impact nutrition has had on their personal growth and transformation. They take us inside how they use that knowledge and experience in their private practices, and together, to guide and champion other women. Starting with support and accountability, we get into why private and group coaching can help us see ourselves with more confidence and resilience. And we discuss the importance of leaders maintaining self-care and awareness practices to create safe spaces and meet clients with clarity and integrity. We explore the challenges women face today, what keeps most of us stuck, and what we can do to leverage our femininity to make choices that align with what we want. By moving the conversation from our heads to our hearts, making a plan and executing it—with guidance—we reduce overwhelm, and can navigate the complexities of life with balance and ease. Don’t do it alone. When women come together with a vision, they change the world. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Coach and client engage in a dynamic of co-creation and drive thoughts into action. Great coaches create listening containers that help us approach ourselves in new ways. To walk the talk, ethical wellness practitioners maintain self-care practices. Women need each other. Seek out communities. Tap into the power of the feminine collective. Acting in a community activates the parasympathetic nervous system, for more connection. Titration—making key changes slowly—creates safety in doing things that are hard or scary. Befriending resistance is the path to getting past it. You wouldn’t have an idea if you didn't have the capacity to make it happen. MEET OUR GUESTS MIA MORAN Mia Moran is a mom, productivity coach, and planning expert. She is the host of the Plan Simple podcast, author of Plan Simple Meals, and creator of the FLOW365 program. Her belief in the power of wellness and a good plan got its start during a health crisis. Making changes to her diet, she experienced the impact better nutrition had on her work, relationships, and family life. While operating her design business, she began creating and sharing content around food, wellness, spirituality, motherhood, and feminine productivity. Her content resonated with other women. Mia has struck her perfect balance between wellness, work, and family; and she helps busy women and female entrepreneurs reduce overwhelm, find balance, and make strategic plans that enable them to achieve their goals. JULIE HANNON As a shamanic healer, energy medicine teacher, and yoga practitioner, Julie Hannon helps clients connect with their gifts and strengths, and make heart-centered decisions. With a master’s degree in psychology from Columbia University and bachelor’s in psychology from University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Julie worked for over 20 years as a human resources director. She then trained in the healing arts of the Andes with mentors including Alberto Villoldo, Jorge Luis Delgado, and Joan Parisi Wilcox. With a certification in Luminous Healing through the Four Winds Society, Julie is also an advanced student of Dr. Joe Dispenza, and served as senior faculty at the Light Body School. She works in Energy Healing, Soul Retrieval, Divination, and HeartMath Coaching, and leads her weekly Sacred Circle online. KELLY LUBECK Kelly Lubeck, MPH, RYT is passionate about helping changemakers stay embodied, heal holistically, and lead with clarity, compassion and confidence—without sacrificing themselves to their mission. She creates positive change in the world through private client work, group programs, workshops, and speaking engagements. With a master’s in public health from Columbia University, Kelly has over 25 years’ experience developing and leading public health initiatives in the United States, Africa, and Central America. Combining that work with her training as a yoga teacher, soul-centered coach, and shamanic healer, she uses the science of the nervous system and a variety of holistic health practices to help women leaders heal from trauma and balance the demands of life and leadership. CONNECT WITH MIA, JULIE, AND KELLY Join FLOW365: https://plansimple.lpages.co/flow365-waitlist/ Connect with Mia: https://plansimple.com/ Connect with Julie: https://www.innerpeaceandwellness.com/ Connect with Kelly: https://www.kellylubeck.com/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
What if the thing you’ve been searching for isn’t another diet, another rulebook, or another “fix” but a way back to yourself? In this intimate, heart‑centered roundtable, I sit down with three extraordinary members of our Skinny60 community, Rachel, Gina, and Deborah, to talk about what really happens when women stop chasing perfection and finally decide, it has to be me. These women have tried everything, from cabbage soup diets and celebrity programs to vegan meal plans and giving up altogether. But when they landed in the 60-day reset, something clicked. Not because it was “easier,” but because it was designed to work with them, not against them. Rachel takes us back to 2020, when she wrote in her phone the desires she hoped to call in: miraculous weight loss, energy, glow. She had tried every diet under the sun, Weight Watchers, Atkins, keto, cabbage soup days, lemon detoxes, and still felt stuck. When the SK60 newsletter landed in her inbox, something in her said, this might be it. Not because she believed it would definitely work…but because she knew she couldn’t stay where she was. Gina shares what it’s like to live with lupus from childhood, how food was always something she loved, but also something doctors told her might be harming her. She had tested my recipes for years, but still wasn’t ready to commit to a program until she saw a photo of herself that made her cry. That moment became her “I’m ready” turning point. And then there’s Deborah, long‑time vegan, trauma counselor, and someone who had been told she needed to lose weight before she could be approved for hiatal hernia surgery. Nothing she tried worked because nothing had been designed with her body, her ethics, and her digestion in mind. But when she came to the SK60 webinar on hormones and gut health, something clicked. She joined out of curiosity… and curiosity became transformation. If you’re listening and thinking, “That’s amazing for them, but I don’t know if it can happen for me…” Let this conversation be your reminder that change and healing is possible and you don’t have to believe the whole story, just the next step, because when you give yourself permission to try again extraordinary things happen. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: You’re not “too late.” You’re right on time for your own transformation. 60 days can be the catalyst for a lifetime of change. What starts as a food reset often becomes a self-worth revolution. “Good. Better. Best. Not Perfect.” is more than a mantra, it’s freedom. Food is fuel, but it’s also joy, connection, and memory-making. You’re not lazy, broken, or undisciplined, your approach just didn’t fit you… until now. Trusting your body begins with learning how to listen to it. The stories you tell yourself matter. Rewrite the ones that don’t serve you. Investing in yourself doesn’t make you selfish, it makes you stronger. Real change starts when you decide: it has to be me. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
Why is it that some audiobooks have you on the edge of your seat, believing you’re living inside the story, while others leave you out in the cold? Paula Parker—Grammy-winning director—breaks down the art of narration. We start with her own story. From singing and collecting quarters and performing in bus-and-truck shows as a child, to acting in professional theater in Chicago and New York and doing voiceovers for commercials, animated series, books, and films. When their work in audio took off, Paula and her husband, Paul Alan Ruben, founded their company, producing hundreds of titles with the major US publishers. Her keen ear for casting the right actor for the job took Paula to directing the full story with high-profile narrators and celebrities. She walks us through techniques for connecting performers with the emotional truth of the story, and the thrill of working with actors who relish collaborative discovery, along with the challenges of dealing with actors who don’t. She also covers directing authors—non-actors—when they narrate audio editions of their works. For actors: We dive into the intimate nature of audiobook performance, and the importance of developing a relationship with the listener. From there, we get into the importance of imagination, vulnerability, and breath, the impact of speed, and the value of honoring punctuation. For listeners: Paula compares audiobooks to dating. You know if you want a second one with the narrator. When you do, don’t be in a hurry to get it over with—listen at natural speed. Paula says great actors are like champion stallions and take the listener on the ride. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Audiobook narration is an intimate form of storytelling more aligned with film than stage. Great narration is not about vocal tricks and “oral interp,” it’s about great acting. For a book to come to life, the narrator must develop a relationship with the listener. The best experience is when the narrator and listener breathe together. Narrators: Your booth is a sanctuary. Bring your vulnerability in to tell the story. The truth of the story is not just in the words spoken, but the emotions underneath. Listen to an audiobook at 1.5x or 2x the speed, and you miss the full experience. Coat-check your ego, and be a willing participant in the collaborative process. ABOUT PAULA PARKER Paula Parker has produced and directed hundreds of audiobooks for major US publishers over 25-plus years and delivered numerous award-winning titles. Highlights include the recording of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods —10th-Anniversary Edition, Audiobook of the Year for Brimstone with Rene Auberjonois, and a Grammy for Always Looking Up with Michael J. Fox. Before directing audiobooks, Paula worked as an actor, first in Chicago then in New York at the Public Theater and off Broadway, and in diverse regional productions. As a voice actor, she dubbed films, worked in commercials, and played characters in animated series. With a passion for teaching, Paula trained actors at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Neighborhood Playhouse, and moved on to coaching actors from film, Broadway and other New York theater, in narration. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband and fellow audiobook director, Paul Alan Ruben. CONNECT WITH PAULA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-parker-5b687411/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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