Whew… what a delightful, powerful, raw, and beautiful interview with the incredible Marlene McCallum of Most Powerful Life. Marlene is a mom, wife, exquisite listener, speaker, warm and exceptional Life and Leadership Coach. She specializes in empowering men and women to create life-altering results in the areas of love, career, joy, life purpose, and personal well-being. And Marlene is on a mission to “unleash the Most Powerful Life within each of us.”
In this episode, Marlene shares about swimming as a moving meditation, being a mom and savoring special mom and daughter dinners (organized by her 12 year old), and the power of words. She talks about reconnecting with her 10-year old self during a conference, trying on a “new coat,” and discovering her purpose as a coach. We chat about the dance between fear and possibility, living in survival mode over the last 2.5 years, toxic positivity, and compassion. Time magically disappeared as we flowed in conversation together and I am so deeply grateful for this opportunity to have landed in presence with this inspiring and magnificent soul. If you are interested in contacting Marlene, you can email her at marlene@mostpowerfullife.com. Enjoy!
Episode 44: Megan “MB” Gallagher
Megan Gallagher, also known as “MB” to many, is a licensed massage therapist as well as a functional range conditioning mobility specialist who is deeply passionate about empowering others to connect to their bodies and lean into the innate wisdom, messages, strength, and healing within. She specializes in helping her clients move better, and without pain.
In this episode, MB talks about her leap from a career in Radio to becoming a massage therapist and launching her own business. She opens up about the dance between fear and courage, gratitude, meeting others exactly where they’re at, cultivating safety and trust, and guiding people to understand why their bodies move the way they do. MB also shares about suddenly losing her husband only a few months after starting her business a little over a year ago and the devastating pain, grief, intense roller-coaster she continues to ride, and alongside her 2 children. She is eager to start a podcast about grief to break through universal avoidance and help facilitate real talk about this kind of anguish. This incredible woman’s vulnerability, boldness, wildly beautiful heart, sense of humor, rawness, and knowledge are such powerful gifts. You don’t want to miss this episode! Get ready to laugh, maybe cry a little, and learn a whole lot through MB’s brilliant story and expertise. To discover more about and to schedule an appointment with MB, head on over to her website: https://www.mbgallagher.com.
Episode 43: Natalie Tilton
Natalie Tilton, owner and Doctor of Physical Therapy at Ability Allies, is super passionate about teaching and empowering people to move better, be stronger, and feel great living their lives WELL! She is also a mom, wife, former Olympic qualifier field hockey player, and a freakin’ inspiring force in the Seacoast athlete and running community. In this episode, we geek out talking all things anatomy, body mechanics, Forrest Gump, finding her spark, the meaning of her business name, field hockey, root causes, dry-needling, mindset, soul nourishment, and more. Natalie is living her purpose and fulfilling her heart, taking powerful steps each day to provide the highest quality support for every individual she connects with. I absolutely cherished having the opportunity to interview her. Tune into this magnificent woman’s story and energy, and enjoy! To learn more about Natalie and to schedule an appointment with her, head on over to her website: https://www.abilityallies.com
Episode 42: Steve Butzel
Steve Butzel is an entrepreneur, life coach, organizational consultant, community leader, connector, and soon-to-be stand-up comedian. He is absolutely brilliant, heart-warming, funny, courageous, and his energy, wonderfully contagious. In this episode, Steve shares about participating in a couch to mic workshop and realizing how much comedy inspires and lights him up. He describes a pivotal moment when he shouted out to himself and the world that he is “a master creator of his life” and talks about the incredible work he did with coaches to get to that place in his life. Steve also opens up about his coming out as a gay man a couple of years ago, the vulnerability, overwhelming support and warmth from friends and loved ones, and the inner freedom and acceptance he feels now. Other fun facts about Steve: He sang with Mixed Company acapella group at Yale University (tune in to hear the infamous song he performed solo for :); he loves all various types of music, however, Phish is his all-time favorite band; Steve practices meditation and views decluttering as a spiritual practice. This former Director of the Portsmouth Public Library recently took a huge leap more fully into his new coaching business, called “Uncomfortable Fun,” and he is super passionate about guiding others to greater vibrancy, vitality, and joy. It was such a privilege interviewing Steve; you don’t want to miss this episode. Pause and listen in, and if you are in the local Seacoast area, grab your ticket for his live comedy show at 3S Artspace on May 23rd! You can learn more about Steve and his business at www.uncomfortablefun.com.
Episode 41: Stacie McCoy
Stacie McCoy, founder of the “Divorce Distillery,” is an incredible Mom, Divorce Coach, Co-Parenting Strategist, INFJ, “life-long student of compassion,” and simply a beautiful, inspiring, loving soul.In this episode, Stacie opens up about her journey through divorce and experiencing her own “dark nights of the soul.” She shares about learning to soften from her inner critic and perfection, gifting herself self-care “snacks,” discovering deeper resilience, beginning each day with the Metta Bhavana Prayer, and living a heart-centered life. Stacie also talks about receiving a tremendous gift from her mom before her passing, leaping through social constructs and fear, and coming alive in her purpose. This brilliant woman’s past challenges through trauma, anxiety, and divorce combined with her passions for supporting children, families, and women have guided her to the wisdom she now chooses to share with others who are seeking support and change. Stacie empowers her clients to make choices based on their strengths and needs to create a new life that feels “drunk with possibilities.” Her loving-kindness and energy are wonderfully contagious! Tune into this episode, Stacie’s story and insight, and enjoy! If you are interested in reaching out to Stacie directly, head on over to her website: www.staciemccoy.com
Episode 40: Susan McNamara
Susan McNamara, founder of “Remembering What Matters Most,” is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, Shamanic Practitioner, Journeydance Guide, Partner, Mom, Educator, Writer, Collaborator. She is also trained in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology, and is trained and educated at the doctoral level in Clinical Psychology. In this episode, Susan talks about attitude and mindset, the breath, the starting point and presence, the power of nature, her love of food and cooking. She opens up about her doctoral chase, breaking free, and taking a leap back home to herself, her family, her core values, and her purpose. Susan’s heart, passion, courage, and vision are absolutely beautiful and inspiring; she is a champion for health, the environment, and living in truth, and is creating a new self-care paradigm. And her first book, Trusting Your Body is set to be published next month, May 2022! Take time to pause, tune into this episode and Susan’s wisdom, and enjoy! If you are interested in reaching out to Susan directly, head on over to her website: www.rememberingwhatmattersmost.com.
Episode 39: Tracey Miller
Tracey Miller is a holistic health coach, yoga teacher, mom, wife, brilliant community connector and wellness leader. She has been educating and empowering people for years around nutrition and wellness, and nowguides women on virtual and in-person retreats via her business, Adventures Within. Tracey is also creating powerful, inspiring ripples in this world through The Women’s Wellness Exchange, which she birthed in 2020 and represents a home base for holistic health fueled by a community of female entrepreneurs. Tracey’s vision and mission is to create the largest collective community of female entrepreneurs in the wellness field to make self-care more approachable, accessible, and attainable. She is leading a health revolution. In this episode, this incredible woman shares her personal story of loss, body disconnection, struggle to her discovery of health coaching, self-compassion and empowerment, yoga, meditation, surrender and trust. Tracey’s authenticity and heart are alive with passion, purpose, and courage. Take time to pause, tune into this episode,, and enjoy! And if you are interested in reaching out to Tracey directly, find her at www.womenswellnessxchange.com.
Episode 38: Angie Bloom
Angie Bloom is such a brilliant force in this world! A mom, fitness enthusiast, health and wellness coach, educator and director at Beauty Counter, and a Human Design reader… she truly lives her purpose and empowers so many with her knowledge, passion, and powerful story. We had so much fun diving into all things - meditation, nourishment, her gymnastics days and struggles with disordered eating and body image, not feeling like she was ever good enough to shifting her lens and her way of living, discovering self-love, empowerment, trust, flow. Angie talks about being a Manifesting Generator and all that human design has taught her; she shares about slowing down, her daily rituals and routines, mom-life, her love of a good sweat, and empowerment. This bold and beautiful soul inspires others from all over with her courageous heart and energy. Pause, tune in, and enjoy! And if you are interested in reaching out to Angie directly, find her at www.angiebloom.com.
Episode 37: Dr. Michelle Mahone
In this episode, Dr. Michelle Mahone, PhD, Mental Health and Clinical Psychologist, opens up about her profound transformation and awakening over the last year and a half. She shares about being brought to her knees in pain - physically, mentally, emotionally - as she and her husband battled infertility, health challenges, anger, and grief, and about getting on her bike and moving her body in order to survive, feel, and begin to heal. Michelle talks about her “ego-death,” surrendering, coming to a place of acceptance, opening up her mind, finding herself and God, asking for guidance, and discovering even greater strength in her marriage; she comes home to faith and family. We chat about hidden gifts that show up, gratitude, softening, the power of music, their recent move to a farm in Oklahoma, community, nourishment, and planting seeds (literally and metaphorically). This fierce and beautiful soul is discovering her divine purpose; she is brave and brilliant, sharing her vulnerability and wisdom with courage and boldness. Open up your mind and heart, and tune into this powerful episode; you will walk away feeling inspired. If you are interested in connecting with Michelle, feel free to email her directly at michelle.c.mahone@gmail.com.
Episode 36: Valerie Ashley
Valerie Ashley is a Grief Therapist and Trauma-informed Career Counselor, who applies knowledge to helping survivors create professional identity and discover their strengths. In this episode, Valerie shares about the interconnectedness between people’s personal history and emotional life, and talks about how she provides trauma-informed interventions that enable clients to overcome the emotional triggers brought on by the job search and on-the-job. We chat about the impact of Covid and what people are experiencing around job loss, grief, stress, and uncertainty. And we also discuss resiliency, hidden gifts that are showing up, pivoting, curiosity, empowerment, her love of nature, biking, her family, and gratitude. Valerie opens up about her childhood, her mother’s silence around being a French Holocaust survivor, and how she (Valerie) ultimately came to study trauma. This inspiring soul lives her passion and purpose; she is a hope and resilience alchemist, empowering so many to tap into their gifts. Pause and tune into this incredible episode; you will walk away with tools, hope, and inspiration. And to learn more about Valerie and her offerings, check out her website at www.valerieashleycounseling.com.
Episode 35: Eileen Robertson Hamra
Eileen Robertson Hamra - author, speaker, yogi, holistic health and life coach, and impact investor - is authentic, inspiring, resilient, full of strength and grace. In this episode, she shares about her powerful, uplifting, and devastating journey of losing her husband, and father of her three children in a tragic plane crash. Years later, with a deep inner-calling to guide others to tap into their own inner strength, Eileen wrote her memoir, Time to Fly. Her story is full of grief, tremendous sadness, rawness AND incredible resiliency, possibility, joy, miracles, abundance and love. Eileen talks about how joy and pain coexist, that by surrendering into her grief and anguish, her heart simultaneously cracked open again to hope, growth, and new love. We chat about her spiritual awakening through trauma and pain, the choice to turn her agony and tenderness into purpose, all the various messages and signs that showed up after Brian’s death that led her to Mike, feeling Brian’s energy and spirit all around (and in dreams), “leaning in,” making space for love and expansiveness, new purpose, and deeper family. While interviewing and listening to Eileen, I laughed, cried, got the chills, and felt deeply inspired. This woman is beautiful - inside and out, honest, compassionate, and brave. I encourage you to pause, grab a tissue or two, and to open your heart to Eileen’s story and sharing.
Episode 34: Leah Webb
Leah Webb, founder of and certified health coach at Deep Rooted Wellness, is one fierce, inspiring mama, avid micro-farmer, and wellness warrior. She strongly believes that food is medicine, and that with education, tools, and empowerment, positive transformation and deeper healing are possible. In this episode, Leah dives into her own compelling, raw and powerful story. She shares about disordered eating, discovering gardening and intuitive nourishment, her passion for continuous learning and education, and how her two children have become her greatest teachers, with various chronic health conditions and their incredible resiliency, strength, and playful spirits. We chat about vulnerability and strength, patience, grief, acceptance, choices, crying, nature, being in the mud, finding light in the darkness. Leah opens up about parenting, her passion and business, self-care, serious food allergies, cystic fibrosis, pouring endless hours into learning how to meal prep and cook efficiently, then writing and sharing her valuable journey, strategies, and recipes in her cookbook, The Grain-Free, Sugar-Free, Dairy-Free Family Cookbook. Truly inspiring, knowledgeable, heart-felt, and bold, Leah enlivens and empowers all those who she crosses paths with. This episode is chock full of so much compassion, deliciousness, beautiful and raw sharing, and so many practical tips around health, food, gardening, and life. Tune in, perhaps grab a pen to take some notes, and marinate in the richness.
Episode 33: Emily Spencer
I was SO excited to connect with Emily Spencer, physical therapist and certified yoga teacher who specializes in pelvic health. I had the pleasure of meeting Emily years ago at a yin yoga class in Portsmouth, NH, and immediately felt drawn to her incredible warmth, positive light, deeply kind heart, and passion for health, healing and empowerment. And I remember being so curious about her story and what led her to dive deeper into the pelvic health realm.
So, yes! We finally made it happen and it was truly such a privilege to listen to Emily share about all the different layers from her own journey of being a fierce, young athlete to suddenly hitting puberty and feeling so confused and uncomfortable in her own body and world. She touched on shame, wanting to simply hide, to finding yoga in college, discovering greater courage, self-love, connecting with a renewed sense of power in her body through her practice and education. We chatted about the gift of movement and dancing ourselves to freedom, self-expression, pure joy. We talked about the various reasons people seek out Emily’s expertise and guidance and the importance of deep listening. Other topics discussed in this episode include endometriosis, how absolutely essential relaxation is (especially for the pelvic floor), vulnerability, pleasure and intimacy, bladder bootcamp, the Pelvic Health and Yoga Collective Group that Emily created on Facebook to support women to learn and understand more about pelvic health, yoga, and self-compassion. Emily is truly a gift to this community and world; her passion and work are extremely invaluable. Pause, tune into her sharing, inspiration and knowledge, and also learn more about her @pelvicyogi on Instagram. Enjoy!
Episode 32: Erin Holt
Erin Holt of Erin Holt Health is one kickass, inspiring, bold functional medicine nutritionist and entrepreneur. And she pours her passion (understatement) into her purpose every single day. At heart, she is a researcher and scientist, consistently enrolled in some form of online program or training to further enhance her knowledge and skills; she also spends hours keeping up with the latest research around health, wellness, nutrition. It’s a strong self-expectation, core responsibility and non-negotiable in her mind if she is going to show up and support others effectively and powerfully in their own health journeys and transformations.
In this episode, we dive there… to Erin’s core, heart, curiosity, mission in life. Erin shares about what self-care and nourishment look like for her - now, during COVID-19 as well as pre-pandemic (although not a lot has shifted for her). She talks about what her body has taught her, learning to set hard boundaries, knowing her strengths, her love of nature and how it, along with meditation, softens her and automatically invites her to drop out of her head and down into her body. Erin opens up about her autoimmune condition, being her own advocate for her health, her recent scare, and the powerful gifts her sickness gave her.
I cherished the opportunity to connect with Erin and appreciated her patience with me as I learned the ways of remote podcasting and shook off some of my rustiness (stumbled over my words a few times). Although there were so many more questions about her direct business and vision I originally intended to ask, I loved being able to simply land in the present and flow in conversation together. Erin is truly a gift to this world with her knowledge, purpose, and offerings. Learn more about her at www.erinholthealth.com and get informed and empowered with her amazing podcast, The Funk’tional Nutrition Podcast, found on iTunes. Enjoy!
Episode 31: Margaux Maertens
Margaux Maertens, an incredible yoga teacher in the Seacoast Area, is such a bright light in and gift to this community and world. Brave, authentic, bold, full of radiance, rawness, and courage, she opens up in this episode about her struggles with body image, disordered-eating, anxiety, and about how her struggles have led her to discover much deeper strength and healing within. Margaux shares how she initially hated yoga yet kept going back, how hiking in the woods and mountains have become her place of strength, how much she has learned to appreciate slowing down and leaning into her “self-work,” and how she has discovered power, creativity, grace and softness in her practice. Other topics discussed in this episode include snowy days and slow mornings, cats, therapy, venturing out of the comfort zone, vulnerability, navigating social media and what others think, stories, human anatomy, community, what Margaux would say to her little girl-self now. This inspiring soul is truly magnificent! Tune into her sharing and story, and also learn more about her at margauxmaertens.yoga and/or @maine_yogi_ on Instagram.
Episode 30: Rachel Martin
Rachel Martin, known by many as the founder and CEO of Forward Motion Events, is also a self-proclaimed “personal development junkie,” a profound positive influencer, mom, wife, passionate entrepreneur, and philanthropist in Southern Maine and the Seacoast New Hampshire Region. I remember first witnessing and sipping in Rachel’s powerful, contagious energy as I stood at the edge of Spring Hill Pond and nervously awaited the start of the Pumpkinman Triathlon. I listened to her share her vision, gratitude, and joy for all of us triathletes, volunteers, her family, and the incredible community. And I remember thinking - “I like this woman - her awareness, kindness, empowerment, boldness!” In this episode, Rachel shares about losing her mom at the very young age of 6 and then her dad 6 years ago, how loss has shaped her, how she chooses to show up powerfully every single day with courage, openness to opportunity, passion for spreading positivity and compassion out to her kids, community, the world. Rachel is stepping boldly into her purpose in a deeper way through Rachel Martin Co, creating and cultivating positive community for women to support each other and is also in the process of writing a book about being and living “around the salt” (tune in to learn more :). There are so many nuggets of sharing, beautiful rawness, and wisdom splashed throughout this episode. I left our conversation feeling so lit up, alive, inspired, wanting to pump up the music of life and dance (another hint about Rachel :) )! Tune in, listen, and gift yourself the opportunity to soak up some of Rachel’s magic.
Episode 29: Kristen Carlson
Kristen Carlson shows up in life and in this episode with such courage, vulnerability, strength, and grace. She is a yoga teacher, plant-based chef, holistic nutrition coach in the Seacoast Area and beyond, and is boldly stepping into her light and purpose after losing connection with herself and joy for a few years. Kristen shares about her passion for dancing and cooking as a young girl and then the shift into not feeling good enough and battling disordered-eating, struggling with anxiety and depression, running herself to the ground, trying to control everything around yet feeling numb, alone, empty. Yoga woke her up again and she started to reconnect with self-love, nourishment, her strength, healing, softness. Kristen speaks to the beautiful gift of Yin, her love of hearty, roasted root veggies and local food, the power of journaling, the tremendous support she feels from her mom and a couple other inspiring women in her life. Tune in and listen to this incredible woman share her transformative journey, continuous growth, and purpose.
Episode 28: Stacey Sargent
Stacey Sargent, founder of Inner Presence Healing in Greenland, NH, is a mom, yoga teacher, energy worker, healer, and Self Love Warrior. In this episode, Stacey opens up with powerful vulnerability and courage about her journey from self-hatred to compassion and fierce self love, which, in turn, sparked her to birth her yoga space and healing practice. We discuss the power of words, learning how to tune-in and listen to our inner wisdom and truth, riding (and accepting) the waves of self-criticism, the comparison-mind as well as the swells of joy, magic, ease, and confidence. Stacey shines compassion and light out to the community and this world with her expansive heart and healing energy. Pause, take a deep nourishing breath, and listen to Stacey share her raw and beautiful story.
Episode 27: Krista Maltais
Krista Maltais, founder and owner of Relief - Parenting Respite and Resource Center in Hampton, NH, is an Advanced Postpartum Doula, Certified Postpartum Doula Trainer, Advanced Lactation Consultant, and simply a powerful, compassionate, inspiring leader in the Seacoast community. In this episode, Krista opens up with courage and vulnerability about her own experience of becoming a mom, coming up against some pressures and assumptions, feeling extremely alone at moments, and craving connection. Her journey supported her to lean into her community, ask for help, and practice receiving necessary and deep support, which ultimately led to the birth of Relief Parenting Center. Krista dives into her passion for supporting moms, parents, and families as they navigate all the different transitions and stages. Relief Parenting Center offers tremendous resources and support for families from educational classes, therapy, much needed rest (yes… the center has 2 respite rooms and on-site childcare), parenting consultations, play-groups, and so much more! Krista is a mom, wife, community connector, nourisher, passionate advocate for family support, and truly, a heart-felt, brilliant woman living her purpose and passion. Tune in to learn more about Krista and this incredible center, and enjoy!
Episode 26: Tammy Miller Traniello
Tammy Miller Traniello, founder and owner of Sweetfern Center for Wellbeing in Kennebunk, Maine, is an incredible healer, Reiki practitioner, intuitive guide, artist, and simply, such a compassionate, beautiful, inspiring soul. In this episode, Tammy shares about her discovery of meditation and energy healing years ago when she was suffering from trauma and major loss. Her experience sparked light and reawakened her spirituality and curiosity, which all led her to her true purpose of supporting others in their own healing process, personal growth and through life changes. We talk about how nature and the ocean nourish Tammy’s soul, her creative gifts of art and singing, her self-care rituals, how much she cherishes community, the power of Himalayan Salt (there is a Himalayan Salt room at Sweetfern!), the ebbs and flows of meditation practice, and continuously coming back to the exercise of surrendering and trusting. Check out sweetfernhealing.com to learn more about Tammy’s offerings and her upcoming R&R Day Retreats. And relax and restore while listening to Tammy’s amazing sharing and wisdom in this episode. Enjoy!