Anxiety is something many of us experience, yet we rarely stop to question how we talk about it. More often than not, we treat it as a flaw, something to be ashamed of or managed quietly. But what if we've been looking at anxiety the wrong way?

Anxiety isn’t a personal failure. It’s not a sign that you’re weak, broken, or incapable. In reality, anxiety is a signal—a message from your body that something needs your attention. The real issue isn’t the anxiety itself, but how we respond to it.

For years, we’ve been taught that the best we can do is cope—deep breathing, mindfulness, or grounding exercises. While these can help in the moment, they often only address the symptoms, not the root cause. True healing requires us to go deeper, to understand what anxiety is trying to tell us, and—most importantly—to stop identifying with it.

Did you know that if you invested $100 per month in a market rate account, starting at age 25, the result would be $1,176,000 by the time you reach 65. This is assuming you reinvested the monthly earnings, and you did not withdraw anything from the account during the forty-year period.

This is a no brainer, right?

Why aren’t you or your young adult children or grandchildren saving now for the future?

People create excuses as to why they have not saved money for the future. Typically, the culprits are a lack of discipline and prioritizing wants over needs. Let’s also not deny the fact that in the USA, financial education starting as early as 7 years old is not a priority, and that lack of education continues all the way up to high school level and well into middle age for many people.

Are you constantly searching for love and approval from outside of yourself? Maybe it’s from your parents, your partner, or your children. Maybe you grew up getting praised by coaches and teachers. This external love helps to temporarily fill a void within us, especially when it’s near constant since we’re getting it from all areas of our lives.

It’s what happens when we live in a society that teaches us to chase success, accomplishment, and beauty – we fall into the trap of external validation.

But what if the love we truly need has been right in front of us all along?

This is where self-love comes into play, and it’s one of the most powerful ways to heal yourself.

This past weekend, my husband and I decided to visit the local breakfast cafe where they placed us next to an adorable little family, a mommy, a daddy and a sweet baby girl. As I was eating, I looked to my left thinking she is so calm just minding her P’s and Q’s as her parents enjoyed their pancakes. Their table was very close to ours so I loved looking over to her, smiling back and forth and could see that she was a very content little girl when suddenly, her face lit up, and left arm reached out as her daddy pulled dollar bills from his wallet. She wanted to see what was in her Daddy’s wallet. We all started to laugh and I said “That is hysterical, she lit up when you pulled money out of your wallet.” He replied, “She loves shoes too.” Her Mom said, “I don’t know where she gets it, I think he is in trouble, he has no idea what’s to come.”

When it comes to healing and personal growth, the traditional approach often starts from the top and works its way down. This "top-down" model begins with the mind, focusing on thoughts, which then influence emotions and, finally, the sensations of the body. While effective for many, this model can overlook the immense wisdom of the body—the soma—as a living, interconnected system.

But what if we flipped the script? Enter somatic literacy: a "bottom-up" approach that begins with the sensations in the body, allowing them to inform our emotions and, ultimately, our thoughts and stories. By starting with the soma—the living wholeness of the body, distinct from the mind—we create a powerful path to healing, connection, and transformation.

For 20 years, I was stuck in a cycle of talk therapy coupled with medicating myself for anxiety, depression, and addictions. Therapy seemed like it should help, but my struggles only grew worse over time. I felt like I was chasing my tail, endlessly dissecting my thoughts while trying to quiet the storm of emotions and sensations underneath. It wasn’t until I got out of my mind and into my body that everything changed for me.

This shift wasn’t just a breakthrough—it was a lifeline. Learning to tune into the language of my body helped me uncover and address the roots of my struggles in a way that years of therapy never could. Somatic literacy became my bridge to freedom, and it can be yours too.

It feels like we’re always rushing… We’re juggling work, family, and a never-ending to-do list. We’re all driving in the fast lane of life.

But have you ever wondered what the consequences of this is?

When I ask someone what they want to feel more of in their life, the answer is always the same: peace and calm.

What if slowing down is the key to getting exactly what you want?

Let’s chat a little about why slowing down matters, how rushing negatively impacts us, and simple ways to create peaceful moments throughout your days.

Just like the seasons of the year, our routines and nutrition change with the seasons. In the summer, we typically find ourselves with higher energy while in winter our energy is lower. Spring brings more fresh fruits and vegetables while fall offers more root vegetables and grains. It’s okay to change our fitness and nutrition based on the season the earth is in (and the season we are in). Here is a quick guide for what to focus on for each season for nutrition and fitness!

As the leaves change color, let your fitness routine adapt to the grounding energy of fall. Allow your workouts to help you release what no longer serves you and guide you in transitions and transformation. Here are workouts that harmonize with the season's tranquility and beauty:

The days grow longer, and the weather gets warmer. With that comes a season of boundless energy! Make the most of the sunshine with workouts that not only keep you fit but also allow you to enjoy the weather of the season.