Habits and Hustle - Episode 141: Melissa Wood – Founder of Melissa Wood Health, Certified in Yoga and Pilates, Creator of The MHW Method

Episode Date: November 9, 2021

Melissa Wood is the Founder of Melissa Wood Health, Certified in Yoga and Pilates, Creator of The MHW Method. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, Melissa explains her years of working towards her “overnight success”. She started by working anywhere she could and moving into modeling. She openly discussed her struggles with an eating disorder, and how she eventually overcame them. She is known for her complete openness online, this interview is no different. Curious about what it took for her to burst on the scene only in the midst of a global pandemic? Looking for a new way of training and motivating yourself that meets you where you are? Melissa lays it all out here. Don’t miss it. Youtube Link to This Episode Melissa’s Website Melissa’s Instagram ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Did you learn something from tuning in today? Please pay it forward and write us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts. 📧If you have feedback for the show, please email [e-mail]  📙Get yourself a copy of Jennifer Cohen’s newest book from Habit Nest, Badass Body Goals Journal. ℹ️Habits & Hustle Website 📚Habit Nest Website 📱Follow Jennifer – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – Jennifer’s Website Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vitamin Water Zero Sugar just dropped in all new taste with zero holding back on flavor. You can be your all-feeling. I'll play and all self-care you. Grab the all-new taste today. Vitamin Water Zero Sugar. Nourish every you. Vitamin Water is a registered trademark of glass O. Hi guys, it's Tony Robbins.

You're listening to Habits in Hustle. Pressure. So today on the podcast, we have social media, Instagram, wellness sensation. Melissa Wood-Teperberg, who is not just a digital entrepreneur and founder of Melissa Wood-Teperburg, who is not just a digital entrepreneur and founder of Melissa Wood Health, and of course, the creator of the MWH method. She is someone who people really gravitate to for her. I guess it is not just her voice

because she has the most soothing voice as you will hear in a few seconds, but how she is all about self-acceptance and raw and authenticity. And, you know, she exploded during COVID into almost a million followers, but not just a million followers who are just following along who are, I'm talking people who are like truly engaged with everything that she does in a real, real way. And I really wanted to have Melissa on the podcast to talk about how to really create and grow a really engaged community, right?

It's one thing to have a bunch of people following you, but it's another thing to have them super engaged truly into every aspect of your life. And she does this exceptionally well. Her app has over 200 workouts and meditations. She is a big believer in a plant-based diet. I'm really looking forward to you guys listening to the conversation and hearing all sorts of different wellness tips. I should also say one thing about Melissa, which I really, really value and appreciate is the honesty.

Melissa didn't just become Melissa just overnight. She was very honest and raw with how she got her, her journey of really not having the, not having confidence in herself and having a lower self-esteem and having an eating disorder. And so I really love when I speak with people who have really a heartfelt story and not letting their trauma keep them down. And anyway, well,

you'll tell me what you think after you hear this podcast. Thank you for coming on the podcast. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you for having me. I was just listening to your podcast with Chelsea. Oh, you were? Yeah. Oh, great. So good. You're so lovable.

Oh, thank you. So are you. I have to tell you, I feel like you kind of like came out of the blue, like I don't know where. Like a like a like a train, like a massive train. I mean, I didn't know who you are. And then within like two weeks, everybody was asking me if I knew who you were,

if I follow you, have I seen you, like it was like, thanks. No, it's amazing. I, what you've built and what you've done, I think over a very short, I mean, I don't know, we're gonna obviously find out, but get it into it. Right, we'll get into it.

It was more than what everyone sees. Of course. That's right. Of course. I mean, we always say like it takes 10 years for an overnight success, right? So definitely. Right. So I mean, I know people all assume that you just kind of like became like this wild craze on Instagram in the last year, but I want to hear about like how you've done it because it's never like that. So right? No, never, never, never. For me, it was really just about consistently sharing my message, and I've consistently been that for over six years. Where I was, you know, like six years

where I honed in on what it was that I felt, was my niche, was my gift, was what lit me up, was what got me excited to share every day. And I mean, I've been doing it for much longer than the six years, but I would say once I really got clear with what it was that I was interested in, what cracked me open, and staying consistent with it. And still today, I mean, I'll probably use the word consistently often throughout this

episode with you because it's really what has me here. Wow. I mean, I'd like to talk about it because, you know, I think people just see you on Instagram and they think you have this beautiful charm life and you've always had that beautiful charm life. And from the little I do know, and the research I have done on you, it's that really wasn't always the case with you. You kind of came from a more of a rocky beginning

and you've created this life for yourself. You took ownership and did this. Definitely. I mean, it wasn't always like this. And I think it's so easy to see what we all see and to be able to have judgment towards it, right? And I, it honestly doesn't even bother me because I used to judge people too. And of course, like, I, you know, there's still a judgey bone in there and I work really hard at not allowing that to move through me on a daily basis, but it happens. But it's, it's been,

yeah, quite a journey and I, you know, I've really created the life that I live with choices that I've made. And it's, it hasn't been easy, but I've, I've always known that I wanted to be this person, and it sounds so crazy because I think when you're not that person, but it was like I literally could feel. I could see it, I could feel like the embodiment of how I wanted to show up every day. And I mean, I work really hard today, every day to really be who I am and to share myself in the way that I do because I have to work at it. I'm not just, you know, I think people think I'm just super friendly and overly happy and positive all the time. I'm really not that.

And I'm okay sharing that. I have a lot of reactive tendencies and I get super irritable, easy. So I work to really balance the fire. I have a lot of fire. I'm triple fire sign. Really? Okay, so let's talk about that. Like give me some, because there's so many things I wanted to ask you, but I guess we should start at the beginning, right? So what kind of was that pivotal moment like that? What kind of happens did you did you instill earlier in your life after your we'll tell us a little bit about your background and then how you kind of transitions

or evolved more into who you are today and what you're doing. Because to your point, I wanted to say, I hate to say this, but when I first started to look at you and watch you, I'm like, come on, as if anyone's life is like this perfect, right? You look beautiful, you're tall, you're beautiful, you have a beautiful, beautiful family.

Like there has to be like a cheek in the arm or somewhere, right? Um, and that's on this. Well, you know, it's funny because like when I was telling a lot of my friends or people like who's coming on today, blah, blah, blah, blah, I said it was you. Everyone's like, well, is she that like, it's her life really like that blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah's why I, I mean, first of all, I don't have a perfect life. I have a beautiful life because I, I want a beautiful life. And that is I work so consistently and maintaining the, you know, the, the level of life that I want because I know what it feels like not to wake up and be happy about your life

and to feel like there's nothing to be happy about, you know? Like that was my childhood. Like I, I had a troubled childhood and that unfortunately can really weave into every aspect of your being, no matter how much you've grown away from it. There's so much work to constantly be doing on yourself to really shift your way of thinking and your perception towards yourself, towards coping mechanisms that worked at a certain point in your life. And I have four sisters, I have a brother, I have a sh-tum siblings. My parents did the best that they could. And it's, it doesn't matter,

right? Like, we all need certain things. And if you don't receive what you need, you look for things elsewhere. And for me, it was growing up in a small town and knowing that I I thought I wanted to leave, but it's also like, where am I going? I don't have money. My parents aren't paying for it. So I've always had this hustler mentality. I mean, I have been a worker ever since anyone would hire me to work for them. I worked on a farm, I picked strawberries, I worked in a pizza shop, I did anything to make my own money and to gain my own independence and really to help my mom. You know, my mom worked a lot of jobs, and I wanted to get my sisters

things for school. And I've always had this motherly just nurturing. Character about me. Yeah, super nurturing. But also, I think when you grow up and your parents aren't as present, you become like I was like a mini mom. And that served me, that really served me because I knew how to go for things, right?

Like I wasn't afraid to be persistent with a job that I wasn't so sure that I was going to get and then I would get the job. And I've always been that way. be persistent with a job that I wasn't so sure that I was going to get and then I would get the job and I've always been that way. I mean when I moved from Syracuse, I was working three jobs. I had just graduated from a community college there and I thought in my mind that I wanted to go to college. Like I wanted to go to a, I was like, I'll go to Syracuse University, because that sounds nice. That looks good.

That's a nice thing to talk about at a dinner. That I was like all I cared about, right? Like being accepted and being enough for the conversations that you're a part of. And then I came to New York for a weekend. Just my girlfriend was moving here. I had never been to New York. I hadn't traveled much and to Toronto. Like I never traveled.

And I, it was like I saw the world in front of me walking around New York. And it was just this feeling of endless opportunity and this energy and this buzz that I had never felt within me that I just I felt this way the second I came here and I ended up leaving with a job. I literally got a job the weekend that I was here doing what I worked at the Chanel counter in Syracuse that was one of my three jobs and it Doing what? I worked at the Chanel counter in Syracuse. That was one of my three jobs. Okay. And it was bartender I worked at.

Autosupply. It was like I was like doing anything and everything to make money and store money. And you know, I left, I went home and I was like, I'm going, like I'm moving to New York. I had no idea how. I had no idea where I was going to stay. I had a boyfriend that I lived with.

And I just went home and I said, I'm moving to New York. And I ended up driving you haul here. I stayed with my friends friend. And then we ended up getting a tiny little apartment on the upper east side. I had no idea what I was doing. But there, I think it was, I have such a love for New York and I love sharing my dire love for New York because it literally pulled me here. It was like the energy and I still feel this way today. Like every day that I

walk out on the street, I'm like, it it just, it's brought this aliveness out in me that it's, I've really learned how to like see the fear and like do that shit anyway, because I'm like, you know what? And if what? Like, at least if it doesn't happen, I learn something, you know, I'll take something away from it. So yeah, I mean, I moved here completely just, I had no idea. I was working at the

counter. I had no friends. And then, you know, I had people telling me that I should model. I always wanted to model, since I was young, because I think when you hear that when you're when you're young, like, oh, you're so beautiful you should model you start to identify or strengthen with your with the external thing that people are complimenting you for. So I that I was like oh well that's my strength right so I feel as if yes I had led with that for a long period of my life and then you get to New York and you go to a casting and there's like you're like wow everyone's fucking gorgeous right right oh shit like what am I thinking being here and you start to spiral in that mind

set quite quickly right as you know it's like every attractive girl that was told they were pretty from their small town. They all come here. They all, exactly. It's a melting pot for L.A. or or or or New York. Anyone who is something in their hometown, it eventually migrates to those two, like, you know, to L.A. or to New York. Yes.

And then you look around and you're like not looking at any of the jobs and you're like, well no shit I'm a Wow In the room like they should take the job from me. Exactly. Wow. Definitely started that you know, I started to Really see think myself is not being enough like it was but it was It was a piece of it because I came with that already embedded. Well, yes, people, you know, would compliment on my looks, but there was this thing, and I think it's because of a lack of love, possibly, growing up where you feel like there's later something missing.

And for me, when I moved to New York, it was the first time that I, I, I realized that I had just shut the door on all the feelings that I felt. And then when I moved here, and I didn't have friends to just go hang out with her. You know, it was different. I didn't have so much of a circle. I was with myself a lot. Things really started to come up. I started to really, before I recognized I had anxiety,

it was like this just constant state of anxiety that was fueling me to do everything. And then it was really that feeling that led me to having an eating disorder. And I think that combined with wanting to model and not getting signed as a model because of my size. And I mean, it's great. Like, your size. How I mean, it's great. Your size, how tall are you by the way? Like, you seem like you're like six foot five. No, I'm five, nine, now.

I've grown an inch from my work, that's I'm not kidding. Are you serious? Where to you? I would like five, seven and a half, five eight on a good day during my modeling years. And trust me, I know because I won't name the very big model in Eugen Siegel was like, honey, you are five seven on your best day. Like we have five and I was like, okay, we'll be getting that.

Well, how is that? You look like you're like six foot like on Instagram. I mean, I know it's Instagram's not exactly the greatest, you know, brawn for that, but. I am tall, I'm tall, but I've also elongated with my style of workouts. I believe like my posture is much better. And Pilates has a way of really almost like you've just lengthily your body. You know? And so yes, I think just constantly being told from agents that, you know, I was a little too sure,

but I was, I needed, it was just unfortunate to hear, but you need to lose 10 to 15 pounds. And it just, it all just jumbled together. and then that became a coping mechanism for me. But where were you lose weight from? Like you were like so thin, I don't like from your toes. I mean would you disinfect them? Like I can listen, I I was probably 25 pounds heavier. I mean, I don't weight myself anymore, but I can tell just from clothes and, you know, when I, wow, as weighing myself. I was wider, it's interesting.

I don't, I mean, I'm telling you, I know it to be the form of movement that I do, but it's also, I believe, I have really shifted the way that my mind works through a meditation, through just leading a more mindful life, and that doesn't mean that I don't have fucked up thoughts or have really bad days or more like I had a rough morning where I was spiraling really quick, and then just being able to catch myself You're being a fucking bitch like Give us an example of what were you spiraling about?

Well my daughter has been Like waking up early at like 5 a.m. But she's been on this tear of just Going insane like she's I call her like a baby tarot acto. Like she wakes up and she runs through the house and she's like, I'm hungry. She's so bossy. I'm just like, I can't handle this. Like, you are not, you know,

and just like raising my voice and being like, no, you cannot believe this way. Like, I'm the boss. And just, you know, when you start your day, that tone, it really trickles through the rest of it. If you let it. So I think for me, just feeling that like irritable presence and just being annoyed and short tempered

and raising my voice. And I'm just like, okay, great. I am not very happy with the way that I have handled this morning. However, I forget myself because I'm tired. I'm about to get my period and like, okay, I'm going to, I don't want to keep going this way. So for me, it's being able to identify that that behavioral pattern, right? Because that was my behavioral pattern growing up.

That was what I grew up with. There was a way to communicate yelling, screaming, raising your voice. That was normal. And as much as I dislike it and I don't love it, it's still there. I still have it so deep within me. So I have to work at it. I have to work at not being so reactive because I can cut right through it really quick. And these are things people don't really know because I mean, I shared this this morning, right? Probably in a more gracious manner, but it's, you know, we all have our stuff.

And I work at mine, it's one thing, like I will never stop working on, because I know that's not who I want to be I don't want to show up as that person Oof, not how you would have done that you like working with people you can rely on like USA a who has helped guide the military Community for the past 100 years. USAAA, get a quote today. Hey, hey. Vitamin water just dropped a new zero sugar flavor called With Love.

Get the taste of raspberry and dark chocolate for the all warm, all fuzzy, all self-care, zero self-doubt you. Grab a With Love today. Vitamin water's zero sugar, nourishoubt you. Grab a with love today. Vitamin water zero sugar, nourish every you. Vitamin water is a registered trademark of glass O. Have you catch yourself in that moment in that time and then pivot or change that behavior pattern? It's the hardest thing to do, especially if that's what you know the best from

your childhood. That's like your go to, right? What do you do? How do you even tell people, all these people who are all your followers and with yourself even? Like what do you do? I know you do meditation. Is that meditation that kind of grounds you? Oh, definitely.

But I think when you're just like actively in it, for me, it's just like taking that pause and like a really deep breath where I'm just like, I'm like, I feel like you feel like you're gonna cry almost, but just being like, okay, I am being, whoo, like I'm scared of myself right now. And I think it is through that, like forgiveness towards yourself, because it's so easy to be like, oh, like, why are you being like this? Like, they're kids and it's literally just,

it's things I know, I'm like, I don't want to be like that towards them, even though it's annoyed or whatever. I get it. And I have two kids myself and they're small, nature. And the behavior is just like, you know, me too, like I just lose it and then I feel guilty and bad and I don't like the way I'm acting. And then I do it again. And you know what I mean? The one thing that like this this morning, right? So I did that where it was like the pause almost cried.

And then I go over to my kids and I'm like, I am so sorry for raising my voice because you know, mommy does not like to raise your voice. You guys, but I'm just, I am not feeling my best. I'm really tired and I just want you guys to know. And I've always communicated with, I mean, my son is sick, so always like that. And he really, he's like, mom, it's okay.

It's like, I know. And he's like, Eleanor's been so bad. And then like, yes, it does happen again, but I think just like the communication with them, I'm like, you guys remember, mommy said she needs a minute today. And they do grasp it. Like they're so self-aware.

And I mean, my son will say like, mom, just go meditate. Like he knows, I mean, my husband will say it too. So it's definitely a thing in our house that like they know, like I need to meditate. This is not just like a leisurely fun thing that I like to do and have time to myself for. Yeah, it's great,

but I actually really need it. And it helps me cope with everything. So I'm not okay. Or I'm okay being super verbal about that. When did you start meditation? Because for me, it's really difficult. I can't do it longer than, well, I can't do it at all. Let's be honest

I get very and You can't don't tell yourself that everyone says that I mean a lot of people come on here And they say that meditation is one of the key, you know, principles of their Whether key habits I should say and it's helped people there's all sorts of different forms Do you have a particular kind that you do, or is it just? I really, I'm like, I'm really interesting because a lot like my own method where I take things that I really like and then I love to blend and kind of make my own formula

for what feels good for me that day. I'm super intuitive, so it's very much off, you know, how I'm feeling and what I think I feel I need. And it's been for the foundation of it, it's transcendental meditation, a mantra based with blending in, you know, mindfulness practices that I, like when I guide, it's my, you know, I guide in like a mindful way, mindful meditation, and then I've been really getting into Kunelemi, which has been very challenging. So it's, you know, the form of breath work in mantra, and it's a movement, and there, there're so much. I'm really just scratching the surface. I mean, I've dabbled in Kundalini for years, but the more that I do it blended with my own form, and I'll be sharing more of this. This is definitely something that

I will be sharing more on the platform because it's really helping me, because I do think I, because I tend to run in that fighter flight mode, not I can wake up and just be on the hamster wheel all day if I let myself, so I have to bring myself back down to my parasympathetic nervous system where I feel arrested and I just, where I feel rested and digest, or I can rest and digest. So I find after doing Kundalini practices that I feel high almost where I'm like,

whoa, I feel different. And Kundalini is very intense. So I'm bringing my own little approach to it, and it will be shared. It's just a matter of me. I like to really get comfortable with things before. I mean, even when before I started sharing things, it's a matter of feeling good to what you're doing to put out there really confidently. But I'm at a tea-dever really confidently. But I meditate every single day,

and I can tell you right now, and this is a fact, that I would not be who I am, the woman that I've become, I wouldn't be doing the work that I'm doing if I did not have a commitment to a daily meditation practice. And I can tell you why. Because my mind, I've had to relearn ways of thinking,

simple things, like learning how to love myself, and learning how to look in the mirror and not pick myself apart for the things that were brought to my attention for so many years, and understanding that that's actually what makes me me and that's the beauty of me and to be comfortable moving forward with that and then to be able to look at people who I was so quick to judge and to be able to you know release that judgment what led me to my mat, to finding a way of movement that made me stop working out to burn calories, to punish myself, to

try to, you know, transform myself in a destructive way. It made me move with love and I share this with love because it's what transformed me. That's what transformed me. And it was through the foundation of my meditation practice that helped open up a whole new world for me. And helped me, I mean, I'm telling you, when I see this, I really mean it. I'm a completely different human being.

I'm not the same person. Wow. So then how did you get into that? So before we went on this whole tangent, you were saying that when you were... I don't bring me back. Yeah, no, I'm going to bring you back right now. When we were, you were saying something about, when you were in New York and you were going out for these auditions, you started to have,

you got an eating disorder because people were, were all the rejection, fling not good enough. When you came from a place of beauty was kind of the thing that you were kind of, your strength. Like that was the thing that people, you, that people kind of always said you were. So what happened with that? How did you go? I mean, because I feel like, I mean, you're the heck of you know more than me, I feel like disordered eating, eating disorder comes in so many different ways, right? And once you have it, don't you kind of feel like you always have it

and you have it in your brain? Like it's hard to get rid of it. How did you kind of move through it? And where are it? Happy to talk about that because I think that's what we're led to believe and by no means am I eating disorder specialist. I eat a lot. Of course. I'm not professional help. So that's right. I know. I know memes and I'm eating disorder specialists. I eat a lot. Of course.

I've gone for a professional help. So that's right. I know. I know I know. I know I know. I know to say that because people have said that to me before, like what you say that, but like I've always had this issue with food.

And I'm like, what I've learned through understanding why that became my coping mechanism, because it definitely, it was enhanced from not feeling enough, from wanting to model. But that was my tool to cope with my anxiety. That because I built myself up and I released, I was bulimic.

How long were you bulimic for? And yeah, I was for a good five years, and it was off, it was on, it was off. It was, you know, not here for a while and then it was here consistently and then it was gone. And for me, I never thought I had a needing disorder. I thought it was like, oh, this thing, it was normal. A lot of people did it. And then, right, when it was getting to the point where I was realizing, oh, no, this is something that even if you don't do it all the time, like the fact that even resort back to it,

ever is a problem. And for me, it was knowing it was a problem, asking for help, and actually actively getting help. So it was those steps that I took where things started to shift. And through therapy and working with incredible coaches, life coaches, health coaches, I really understood for the first time in my life that it was never about the food. The food was my, that was my blanket. That was my coping mechanism.

Some people reach for alcohol, some people reach for drugs, some people reach for sex, whatever it is, right? That's food. That feeling, and that was it for me. And I also think it stems from growing up when you're poor, and you can't afford the, you know, like it sounds crazy, but like, do you remember those,

like just like the Christmas trees, like, oh look at that. Do you ever eat those? Why don't you wish? So I never had Christmas tree cookies, but. Oh. Well, I am not a tourist, but I was gonna say. I was gonna say Christmas tree cakes and, you know,

it's like, I totally know what you mean. You're the things. Yes, whatever it is that you wanted and you couldn't get's like I totally know you know things. Yes. Whatever it is that you wanted and you couldn't get it. I thought I had listened. I was under the impression and belief. It's about control though, right? It's the one. It was control. Totally. It was trying to control an outcome of dealing with what was coming up and not knowing how to. So once I understood that and was able to say like, okay, well, that's clearly not working. And that's only going to work for a short period of time, or however long, you know, until you have that breaking point. And then learning new coping mechanisms. So

that was where meditation really started to weave its way into my life where, you know, I've people were always talking about it, but it was when I was really open to the change and wanted to change. And I took a weekend workshop here in New York for TM and it was like that was, I mean, I literally meditated ever since because I felt such a drastic shift in my mind. So it was for me, and what I believe is why I have no disordered way with food now, because I have strengthened my mind to the point where I'm able now to see what's in front of me

and to recognize what it really is. Instead of just, you know, resort to the thing that I used to resort to, that was just putting a band-aid on it to begin with. Mm-hmm. Totally. And then, so today, to, like, even now, how do you, does it still have, do you still have thoughts about that? Do you still have to manage it or is it so much about some of it? Never. I haven't for years. I have a beautiful relationship with food because I've cultivated and developed a beautiful relationship with myself. I love myself. I fully love and accept every ounce of myself in a way that it has zero attachment to ego. It's like, I love myself as if I'm like the three year old version of myself.

You know, I take care of myself in a way that I know I need and have always needed to be taken care of, but now I do it for myself. That sounds beautiful. I mean, and I think that's what people feel when they follow you. I think that there's such a raw authenticity to that that keeps people so like in love with you and engaged with you. And no, it's true. I mean, I can see it because it's like it feels, it feels real. And it doesn't seem arrogant because a lot of times I think when people have this like quote unquote perfect life on social media, I think a lot of times it can be very intimidating or off putting to some people who feel jealous they can have it, they don't have it, whatever else. your gift is that you really are aspirational, but it's done in such kindness around it

and rawness to you. And so kudos, because I think whatever you're doing, it's working great. Thank you. No, I mean, listen, I, it's not always so easy to share everything, right? Like you get knocked down for sharing it, for not sharing it, but I have really,

like I know who I am. I know what I've been through. I know what I'm here to do. And to be able to share my story and to be able to connect with a girl who sees and feels that there's no other way and to be able to like grab her and be like, there is. You can create the life that you want to live. You can choose to be happy every day. Even when

you have a bad morning and make that choice not to let that bleed into every aspect of your day. And it's it all boils down to that choice and your daily choices. What you choose to spend your time with. Where do you put your energy? Who do you do? And I think the more that I can share this message and be able to strengthen people, right? And to remind them that like the power is here and with God and the letting go of it, and knowing that there is this power and guidance is some bigger than all of us. And I think for me, it's without feeling like it's too woo woo like connecting to a source greater than myself

has really guided me in a way that I, it's given me confidence with sharing this message and it wasn't always this way, but I think about that a lot. Like I think about the girl, like the seven-year-olds version of myself who, you know know was witnessing my parents divorce and was just gutted and thought that life was just what you get what you get and you you know it's not totally. I was that person for most of my life. So knowing that you know you can transform it, you can transform it, but you've got to really want it and you've got to be really honest with yourself about your shit. Absolutely.

Very a lot of shit, and a lot of other people shit that isn't even hours, but to want to shift it is it takes work. Like there is no finish line. This is a never ending destination. Absolutely. Absolutely. You have to know that you're going for a ride. Absolutely.

Let's start with how then. How do people start? Besides meditation, which is something that you talk a lot about, what are some other ways people can get on this path, get on this journey? I wanna hear what you did, and so other people can kind of glean some insight,

because you create an entire business that we haven't even gone into yet, but how do people... How do people... I love talking with you. I feel like I could talk to you forever. Oh well, I feel the same. And I love the, I feel like you're very honest,

which is a breath of fresh air, you know? Like a lot of times how people are when they're, when there's like people, other people listening is very different than how they really are when there's not, you know? I'm like, I cannot lead in that way. Yeah, and it's obvious, and I think it's amazing. So yeah, so give me some, how's for people? Sure.

And by the way, the lighting in here is totally off. I look white, I don't know why. Oh, I don't, I think you don't, but I felt the same way. Maybe it's the lighting that you have around, but you don't appear to. No, I look like I like, I'm a ghost and I don't know why. What's putting bronze are on great when you started out. I know what I didn't do. I was like, why am I so white? Well, you don't look what? In fact, the whole time you're talking, I'm thinking to myself, God, her makeup looks amazing. Who did her makeup?

Did she do her makeup? Did she have someone who did her makeup? My Chanel years really served me. Right. Honestly, I'm like, staring, I'm trying to calm, I'm like, listen, like a bronzer looks great. I'm like, what did I do? I didn't put on any makeup, but this lights on my face.

I look like a ghost just hidden here. I swear, but I do. I was saying the same thing. That's why I'm laughing so hard. Oh my God, no. You look like you just came from, like, I don't know, from, you know, from San Trope or something. You look beautiful.

So. So. Go. OK, so, you know, I remember a period in my life where it was like, I externally, it was like there, I had all the things, but I was so fucking empty and unfulfilled, unhappy with myself. I had no desires, like I was like, I hated getting up in the morning, I didn't schedule anything before noon, I literally would like, before kids, I was like in bed until 11,

and getting up before then felt just nauseating. And I realized that, you know, then I was dating someone who like, chunked out of bed with this excitement and loved what he did. And I was like, what the fuck? Is that your husband now or someone else? Okay. Like people like their life, like, I'm not kidding you. Like I was like,

I thought we just had to do this thing and like you're just, you know, you go through it and you're not happy about it. Yeah. So it was a big chip seeing that level of, you know, it's like excitement and working and wanting to work and and then I had it gave me me the ability to stop and say, okay, well, why don't I feel that way? And then I realized that I was modeling at the time, but I was mostly fit modeling. So I would fit with clients from like nine to six, where I literally would stand,

and it was as if I was mannequin and clothes. Garments were fit on my body. Oh, it's not a kind of model you were? Were you like, I've done, I did print modeling for years, but a consistent paycheck. If you have, you know, my measurements were for fit, it was like amazing, you know, I made a great living off doing that, but it left me feeling a little empty because I was

never using my voice, but it's funny because during the sessions, one of the tech technicians had a stomach ache and I'd be like, well, what did you eat? And I had to go to bed last night. I started becoming this health health coach to like everyone around me and I was, you know, I was very into wellness but also still finding a healthier relationship with myself. So it was on this beautiful trip and I was like, okay, if I am not happy here, I won't be happy anywhere. Like something has got to shift in my life.

I went home and I made this packed with myself that I was going to take two full days away from it all and just to tune in to me. To what makes me happy. I really didn't know what made me happy, like what got me excited and made me feel good and aligned. So it was two days, no phone calls with friends, no social media, at time, social wasn't a mistake.

But, it's hard to do, by the way, but taking just two days to yourself. And I did all the things. And at the end of the day, I wrote everything down in a journal, and I wrote down how I felt. And they were just such simple things that made me happy, like waking up and I took a yoga class. And then I went and got a salad from my favorite salad place.

And then I went roller leading and I went on a walk and it was just, it was all connected to feeling good. Like I realized that I was really happy when I took good care of myself, but not in this obsessive way that was actually hurting me. So I knew it was like that was it. I literally signed up for the Institute for Integrative Nutrition the Monday. I was like, I didn't, I called my acting teacher who I loved. passed away. She was a huge, she was a, you know,

that mother, like a motherly figure in my life and I called her and I said, Alice, I'm not coming back and she was like, what? No way, like I really see this for you. I see you, something's gonna hit and I was like, I know I'm just not passionate about it. I felt like I was doing it for the wrong reasons, you know, because I was a model and people was like, I know I'm just not passionate about it. I felt like I was doing it for the wrong reasons, you know, because I was a model and people were like, well, you know,

active, it was just like the natural question. And I just didn't do it for me. And it's funny now, because I'm like, it's, it's like hobby, right? Like there are elements I really love about it, but it just wasn't my thing. Right. And as soon as I started at IIN, it just opened up just the realm of possibilities for me. And a lot of my friends were, you know, were former students. And I saw what they did. And it was like, wow, someone opened, you know,

fitness studio. And my friends opened a plant-based food delivery service. So I didn't know what I wanted to do. I had no idea, but I really stayed on, you know, the course of, okay, like when you graduate, you become a certified health coach. And I loved coaching people. Like, it was such a natural thing that I realized over the years I've always kind of done, but I didn't focus on it. So then I put my attention towards it, and I was still modeling, but I started seeing clients for free at, you know, some of the clients for my modeling jobs and then once I started getting really comfortable and I had an actual system of working with people, I started charging

people and then it was like people work, and you know, started asking me to coach them. And I realized it got to a point where I was like, I don't have to model anymore. Like I can do this, you know? And I was very fortunate to be with my husband, my boyfriend at the time, but who provide a lot for me, like a very stable, safe environment,

loving. And at this point, I was living with him. So I was fortunate to be able to say, like, okay, I can now move it where this is my profession. And then I started seeing clients on my own, I worked with a functional doctor. It was the first health coach he ever brought into his practice. Now it's a big part of his practice. And I learned a lot from him, shout out to Jeffrey Morrison from the Morrison Center. I learned how to get really comfortable saying, I don't know. Because Jeffrey would ask me questions all day and I would pretend to know the answer. Yeah.

Was that he probably knew I was pretending and then I would just say, I don't know, I don't know the answer. I had no idea actually and it, you know, I was like crushing my ego slow after we're doing that because I realized I hated when I didn't know the answer. Right. Really dive into the topic and understand more about the work and how to work with people and food. And it was a beautiful experience.

I'm so grateful that he took me in the way that he did. And it helped me strengthen my ability to work with people. And then I did leave and had my own little practice that I worked with clients. But there was just something missing because I enjoyed it. But I was like, I didn't feel as if I was utilizing my full potential. You know, I was like, this is great, but I can only do so much with working one-on-one. And I just, I felt this, like, there was this expansion of something about to happen, but I had no idea. And then I have a question for you, because so you were a health coach.

So you got your intergrate of nutrition degree. Yeah. Okay. And that's how long is that program? It's a year, and it's all digital. It's amazing, you guys. I like I loved it. Oh, it has been I mean it was such a huge part of my life and I'm really I don't know that I can share this. I think I can. But I'm gonna teach

a little course on it now. Like just like a little, and I'm like, this is such a, like a full circle. Full circle. That's like to be able to share a little bit about my journey and how I was able to get here and to share this in a way that I'm like, you can do anything. You can do anything that you put your mind to.

So yeah, it was that moment of knowing there was something more and then just having an aha moment literally after class, one day in New York where I... So hold on, I got the question. Hold on. So when you were a health coach, so what was the parameters you were technically allowed to be coaching on?

Just what they're eating, how they're eating, what time they're eating. What? As you slowly start to realize, they're like, I'm not a therapist. So I really think you should also see a therapist. Well, that's what happens, right? Because people think of you as like,

when the word coach is such an arbitrary word these days. It is. And I think that's also an element of what made me realize it wasn't entirely my thing. Right. It gets to the point where people became very in need of me. That's not what I was trying to do. It was like I wanted to give them the tools and the strength to guide them towards the tools and the strength to guide them towards, you know, strengthening themselves from right, I'd out, but that was definitely a moment where I was like, I feel as if it taught me to create boundaries, but by no means was I a therapist, but you know, like I said about food, right? Most people would come to me because they wanted to lose weight

and they wanted to look a certain way and they wanted me to give them a food guide. That was it, right? That's why people entered. And then we would get in and I would say, you know, how is your job? Like, how do you feel about, you know, what you do and your relationship and how do you wake up in the morning

and what's the first thing that you do? And I came from so many different angles, which is a lot of the work I still share now and Well, one day really share that in a way that hopefully can be a program But at the end of it was like wow you're right and wait, I'm seeing this so differently and then they're like, what can I do? Exactly. Just also something that right. It's more like the how am I do that food guide? Exactly. Which is also something that. Right, it's more like the how am I gonna lose these five pounds in a week? Yeah, and then it was, you know, in creating a mindfulness practice and really getting people to stay consistent with it and movement and it was, you know, is it literally bottling up what I share from like a broader sense now,

but in such an intimate setting with a person and then realizing like there was that thing missing and it was like I had that aha moment of movement. Like, oh my God, yes, like I've always been obsessed with moving, but I had such a fucked up relationship to it and think I need to kill myself in the gym. And then the more that I was strengthening my mind and getting really clear headed in my mind, and I was slowing everything down in my life.

I mean, I'm pretty fast paced, but it was just in a way where it was like I could see what was in front of me, like I was becoming more present. And I always did pretty intense trainings and cardio and I was like really, really intense with everything. And then coming out of a class, realizing that it just ignited my anxiety. And I was like, God, if I'm, I went in with a ton of anxiety because I hated the class,

but I did it, I thought I needed it. And then I would leave it. I'm like, God, I feel worse. I feel worse. Like, there has to be a way to do this and to enjoy it, but to see results. And it was literally this like, what? And then, I was blending Pilates and yoga.

And I wasn't even certified at this time and started sharing it on stories. And then it, you know, it just, it all really started to mold. And I felt more, I felt this like wholeness within myself. And I knew that that was the direction that I wanted to move.

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That's W-E-A-L-T-H-F-R-O-N-T dot com slash hustle to start building your wealth. That's wealthfront dot com slash hustle to get started today. Now what year are we talking now? I thought I'd been. Oh, God. So it was over six years ago. And so you became a certified yoga instructor, a pilates-ified yoga instructor, and Pilates.

Pilates mat. Pilates mat. OK, and then, so then when did you start doing this platform online? I mean, when did that happen? Were you starting to teach yoga, like, were you doing private yoga sessions then for a while, or?

So no, I never worked privately. I never, I I did start as a trainer I like I've never connected to the word trainer because I was never a trainer I never trained people I mean I did have a few people I worked with privately but I always connected to teacher and when I first started to give you like the real background. There are these guys reach out to me who were just launching an app. And we're like, you'd be great for this platform. And I was one of the first people that they brought on. And there, I think, you know, their ability to see that in me

definitely gave me the confidence to do it because at this point, like, I was still non-confident with myself. It was like, I was getting there, but I was steps away from really owning who I am and understanding my own strength. So that really opened up a whole new sector of me just like understanding that, oh wow, I can do this. And then, you know, I think getting to a point where it was

like, I feel like I have my own thing and I really want to do my own thing and create something on my own, which is what I ended up doing. But that was how you started though. You were working already into technology space. Got it, okay. I started digitally. And then, I mean, it really did stem from stories with me. Like, this is like when stories became a thing, like before. Oh, yeah. So years ago. Years ago.

And then it was more so also connecting with my followers at the time, which I mean, at that time, I don't even know if I was at 10,000 followers, but having them say, like, you should share a full workout, like, not just clips. Like, we want to see what you do from the beginning to the end and then being like, okay, you know, and like gaining that confidence from people like wanting to see it. Right. It just, it for me, because I think I came from this background where I was working one-on-one, and then learning this level of a boundary, right, where it's like, I can give so much more than at the end of the day, nothing left for myself.

And it sucked me a little dry. But for this, it was like, I can connect with people all over the world, but it gave me this healthy boundary with myself and with people. You know, like, right. Totally. I totally understand. I connected to it from the second I started doing it. I was like, I remember the first video I ever put out. And I was like, this is my thing.

This is, I felt it. I felt this like calling to share things digitally. Were you doing that? So, your app wasn't developed yet, though, right? Were you doing it online or just? My app didn't come out until December 2019. Right. That's what I thought.

Okay. Yeah. So, I had a website, I had a couple websites where I shared my workouts. I built a paywall behind the website and shared them all there. So I didn't even, you know, the app itself is new, but you can work out. I say like my site, the app, because it really is, like you can work out with me. It's site, the app, because it really is. Like, you can work out with me.

It's the same platform from like what outsider see it, but separately from the tech and it's two. Was it that like so? Was it that the, when the pandemic hit, was it that you were kind of first to kind of be very out there doing these online workouts with people besides Peloton and you. But seriously, the people who were first doing it just had their trajectory.

They just went sky high, sky rocketed. And then everybody else kind of fell suit. Everyone else in their dog are now doing to I mean today not as much Right Everyone's doing the work. I mean literally like my next door neighbor's daughter who's like 13 is now being workouts on but you are kind of the for not a pioneer, but you were doing it already You when you had the app was in perfect spot for that as well. No, it was really I mean I was so fortunate to be in this space for the time

span that I've been because I had really developed a beautiful community before I'd ever launched. So, I was, you know, moving in with a very healthy community that was, it was growing beautifully and then being in the right place at the right time definitely really enhanced things and it it definitely gave me that fuel to just reach more people because I was set up you know. Right I was set up for it. But you did all the right steps to get there. And then it's timing and opportunity plus hard work. I mean, everything kind of just came together in a really nice way. It did.

And I mean, obviously through the most unfortunate of times, but being able to offer something that gave people just an ounce more ease in their mind and their body, it felt, it felt so good being able to offer something that gave people just an ounce more ease in their mind and their body. It felt it felt so good being able to share it and to have people you know see that it was accessible to everyone because I think that was really what it woke us all up to understand is that oh wow I can I can still take care of myself in the way that I was, but I can do it at home and I can do it in the short amount of time.

So did it surprise you? Like how popular you got, like I said, he was gradually growing, but then when everything kind of hit and you hold the sudden, you know, like how many how many fall or am I going to base on followers, but like just as an easy way to gauge it. Right. Where were you before 2020? Where were you? Where you are now. Well, I can tell you that I went into the pandemic with 250 roughly and grew double and less than zero.

Crazy. And it's all organic. And the engagement is what it's crazy. Yeah. You're so. It was true. It's like it's not like. It is.

I mean, I know people who have 5 million, 10 million followers and like they, no, know whatever their engagement is like Doesn't even make a difference But like it was the amount of engagement and like and I just know just from like a micro forget about the macro the micro Of people and I got to take a picture with you for someone I work with a young girl who like loves you later By the way, but who's like, know, everyone's drinking your spirulina shake. I mean, I didn't even, you know, colonics, so that we're, you know,

or getting people are getting these colonics, because that's what you talk about. What else was, I mean, there's so many things. Your, your, your three ends was at mindfulness, meditation, and movement. I mean, I'm hearing it. I'm like the, while I'm at the, meditation, and movement. I mean, I'm hearing it in like the, while I'm at the grocery store. So you're doing something right there, girl. Thank you.

I mean, I feel so, oh, I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to share what I share because I love it. I really love it. And it like it never gets old. And I really mean that when people, you know, hearing you say that and when people stop me, I just, I feel so lucky and grateful that I'm here and then I'm doing it, you know, because there was a point where I was really afraid to. I was so afraid of myself. So that's why you know, thank you. I went so, okay, I've got like a few. Okay.

So I need to know your morning routine, specifically your night routine. I think is very important as well. Um, but my question really is, how are you able, like when you grow that fast or any business grows that fast, there's like, it's hard to catch up, right? Because there's only one you. You're also, and you look like you're a mom of two, but you look very involved with your kids.

Right? The priority for me. And you can see it. So, how are you able to do both well? I mean, some days you don't. Right? Allowing yourself to, you know, fuck up a lot, but it has been a learning experience

of giving over to understanding that I need a lot more help in every sector of my life. But, you know, I'm such a do it yourself kind of person that I need a lot more help in every sector of my life. You know, I'm such a do it yourself kind of person with everything, with work, with ordering my lunch, with just when it boils down to everything, but then understanding that, you know, I really look at like what my priorities are every day. And my priorities are my mental health. First, I have to do something for my mental health.

And then making sure that I am a present mother, that I am there for all the things. I like to do mornings along with my kids. I like to do evenings along with my kids and making time for my husband. Like real quality time. It's not as easy, but we work really hard at it, you know? And it takes that consistency of being like, okay, we need to spend time together. Like we're both going like this really late at the night. So constantly coming back to like, okay, what do we want? We want a strong family foundation. And then looking at, so hiring, you know, Arnani and a week and Annie was essential for me to give myself the space that I needed to be able to say, you know, I'm going to go meditate and move or do a live and whatever it is and not feel

bad about it because there was a long time that I wouldn't allow a certain level of help in my home even at work because I would feel bad about it and guilty that like no I need to do it and now I have really understood the value of building your team, building your team up and people and that have strengths that you do not have. And giving over, like giving over that control so that you can grow beyond anything you ever thought because I cannot do it alone. And I have always been the woman who thinks she can do everything because I can do a lot. Like I can do so much in a day, but I also want to enjoy my day. I want to enjoy every day as much as I can.

I don't want to over-pack my plate with meetings and just running from one thing to the next. I want a breathable day. And it takes a lot of hiring people and being able to, you know, delegate, which took me a while, but I'm getting better at it, and it feels good. Like, I feel with all the things, I feel breathable. I feel like it's breathable.

And I'm like, you know what? Like, I can leave and go take my daughter to ballet, or I can pick her up from ballet. And those are the moments that meant the most to me growing up that I didn't have, my parents in it have the luxury of coming to a game or picking me up from a game. So I just, I know the parent I wanna be. So being able to just, I'm expanding the team and being okay with having some more help.

Right? How big is your team now? I have, there are seven of us, like within the team and then, I mean, my videographer, my, you could could say we're about a team of 10 right now when you count some independent contractors. Wow, so to the video guide, so in product, because a lot of this, I mean, there's so much content creation that needs to be done.

Yeah. And then you have YouTube, YouTube is different than Instagram, Instagram is different than TikTok. I mean, it's so overwhelming. I mean, and it's hard to find these people. It is, most people don't know what I do. I do all my social media.

Like, no one does my social media. I've never had anyone do it. But it's definitely gotten to the point. And it's funny too, because I've never connected to like coming in and being like, okay, let's have a content creation meeting because it just doesn't feel an alignment. I feel like I'm like performing.

So now it's, you know, saying, okay, I need a full time in house videographer because I need to capture the essence of who I am. My day, the brownie. So I look at it more of just, it's like sharing, but getting comfortable sharing it in front of a camera where it's less like, and now I'm gonna create content, you know,

like cause it just, it doesn't connect. And it feels wrong and it reads wrong. Totally agree. So I could not agree with you more because if you were actually creating content that was more prepared and planned and calculated it would not come across authentic at all and that's not I've tried to do it. It's really I content calendar. I don't do a content calendar. Right. It doesn't work. Yeah, no, I literally everything I share share is intuitive. And it's, but now, because I am, you know, bringing the videographer in house,

it's now it's saying, okay, I'm going to just have you capture the morning of like how we navigate the morning. So that it is content, right? We're capturing it, but it's a real light, which feels good. It's the only way it works for me. And by the way, same with my workouts. I don't plan them.

I don't. You don't? No, I don't write anything out. When I first started in the space, I wouldn't go to the mat without my pad of paper with every move and every set. And I was so afraid of letting it go. And then when I let it go and I let it move through me,

it's because my meditation practice, I swear. I was able to tap into a strength stronger than myself and it just started, it literally flows. That's why I call it my flow. Because I go in, I have, we create a recommended workout calendar for each month because my members wanted it. So everything that is really at least given to them is is based off feedback.

So I go in like this, I just finished filming for the month of November. So I start filming December tomorrow. And I look at okay, like what did people love? What do they want more of? And then I give a little, okay, I'm going to do an inner outer thigh focus flow and I'm going to do an ab focus flow and people really love the arms and back,

but I go in knowing that and then I just, if I just go with what I would do if the camera were on me. It's like wow, when I would do if the camera were on me. It's like, wow, when I would go to the gym in the corner and do my own little workout, like what I would have put myself through, and that's how it's all guided. Wow, so how many workouts do you have to do it all

like in, so for next month, do you have three days of shooting or how does it work? I film workouts currently two days a week. So I have two workout days and they vary. They're all over the place because everything I do depends on my mood. It's all about the energy of how I'm feeling. And you know, I laugh about like those memes words like you know this new generation is like you know my shocker is on a line I cannot come in today. Yes. At you honey stay home.

Would you not need that ship? I'm gonna be off this like I could not do it because that's how I've been able to do that thing that I do is off walking in and being like wait what did I say I was going to do today? Oh god, it doesn't feel right, I can't do it. And listen, there's a lot of moving pieces. I really try to do all the things, but sometimes, I'm not in the mood. So it could be anywhere from, I would film two flows that day. That would vary in time.

And the beauty is, most of my flows, my sweet spot is 20 minutes. I do, I'm a 20 minute a girl day. When I'm not filming, I strive, and sometimes it's 15, sometimes it's 10, or like it's just something, but they vary. And then some days I'm in the mood and I just have tons of energy now, feeling forthless. But it averages out to be nothing more than filming for an hour, two and a half. Oh, that's it. Wow, so that's it. So what people think that I'm working out

for like five hours, four hours a day, I'm like, no, no, no, no, no. Like even when I film, I'll film a 20 minute flow. I'll take a break, I'll have lunch. And then I'll do 15 minute arms. And then I'll take a break. And I'll do my emails, I'll do whatever I have to do, and then maybe I'll do a 20 minute booty. It's actually for me, feel like I'm doing more because I'm giving all of my energy to

it, and teaching, and moving, and it's hard to do. So it's enough. I'm not here the same way I say, like we are not here to kill ourselves even with the way that I work. I'm not here to torture myself. Like if it feels like I've get to the point where I'm like, I'm done, I'm done.

I'm done for the day with that. What a great way to be. I mean, how did you have this? I know it's a long time. You're gonna say meditation. I know what you're going to say. Oh, it's meditation. I hate to have that as my answer, but you know, I also think I really know myself now. I did not know myself for, I mean, up until really I had my son. It does motherhood really as a way of like going you,

who you really are, whether you want to see it or not. And I just, I honor that. I really honor the things that I need each day. I mean, I'm just, I'm fortunate to be able to do that, right? Because I have my own company and I didn't know always. So I had to navigate working for other people but still giving myself the things that I need. And I look at it too, it's like, right now I have kids.

Like I take my kids, I wake up with my kids every morning, mostly alone my husband has been, is amazing and we'll do some mornings that are super early and we like tag team. But in order for me to wake up, my daughter is been waking up at 5. Like she's such an early ride. It's hard. I like to wake up and do my stuff before she gets up so that I feel aligned and not only happy. She told me today that I was being so cranky. She's three.

And she knows. She was right. What's your apology? I was like, I'm so sorry. But what time do you know, what time if she wasn't for five, what time would you normally wake up? Like what is your morning routine? If I could wake up, I would wake up at 5.30 if I had a choice.

Six would be like a dreamboat, but I really like to get my meditation in before I'm with the kids, because then I'm just a lovely to be around. Yeah, wow, that's it. So you'd wake up at 5.30 to do a meditation. Oh, yeah. That's that's been something that I've been really working at for a while. And it doesn't always happen. And I always like to keep it real because sometimes out like Eleanor, I wake up at 5 or I'm just extremely exhausted and she'll become my alarm clock. But my day starts to feel really anxiety-written when I wake up in

that manner. So I really, really try. She's just in a vicious cycle right now. So I need to call my girlfriend and from full feedings who's like my go-to resource to get my kind of sleep in. She's the best and she everything. I just need to tweak her day because she's in school all day now. Yes. And app, but she doesn't app. So I just need to get her to bed at 6.30. So it's leaving work at 5. Yeah, I have to navigate my whole day

to round their schedule, which thankfully I can do, but it's also hard to get your child to sleep at 6.30. Oh my gosh. I mean, that's your other kid's sick, six you said right. He's like my little like partner in crime now. He's like helps me. He you know we have like the language where I'm like we're all going to bed right now right. And she's like that's still light out. And I'm like no we're all so I we have to pretend we're all going to bed and he pretends. And oh my God, that's great. I know, but it's still, she has a very strong personality. She's like a me on steroids.

Wow. I have only three. A fiery force. I've seen myself in real form, but like 10 times more. Like I'm just like, what? I feel like she runs me and they go like, how do I tell her what to do?

Totally. I feel that's how it is with moms and daughters. Like my son is also like my partner and crime a little bit. And it's a different relationship. But the girl I swear, that's like they say that the girls and the moms have like, it's like an emotional, it's very combative.

I feel emotional around her. Like, I'm just, why are you listening? And exactly on her own tear. My son doesn't listen either, but that's a whole other. But it's a different type of not listening though. It's not so obstinate. Yes, I feel like she's doing perfect. Exactly, that's how I feel too.

Well, can you tell us what your date, what is the date in life? Give me your routines. I think that's like the mo you tell us what your date, what is the date in life? Give me your routines. I think that's like the moat. I need your habits. This is called habit. I know your hustle. I need your habits.

My muscular and very strong habits. Yeah. I am a creature of habit. They've saved my life. Yep. I wake up around, let's say 536. I avoid touching my phone at all cost. So I give myself 30 minutes before I even look at my phone.

Sometimes it's longer, but it has to be a good 30 minutes. And the second my feet hit the floor and I swear to you, I breathe something and I say something to myself that I'm just really grateful for in my life. And that moment it's typically like my kids or my family but if there's just something I like to take that in and then I go in the kitchen I turn on my kettle I make warm water with lemon and an oatmeal latte and usually while they're cooling, I make my daughter breakfast. This is if let's just say,

she's awake. She typically is now, so. Unfortunately, so today, I put a show on for her and I went to the couch where I could see the table in her and I did a little meditation. And I actually got a good one in. Like I felt really good after until she was like calling for me. Are you able to do it close to her or like in another room or where? I'm technically in the same space because it's kind of a big open room, but I'm on a couch and she was eating by herself with the show because I really needed something.

It was worth it. Yeah. No, no, no, I get it. Not feeling great about to get my, you know, sleep. And then I, you know, I get them ready and make her lunch. I get them both dressed, got them out the door, nose away, so I'm doing it all myself. And then I come home and I do a meditation. So I did a

longer meditation. With the way that I was feeling. How much meditation? I mean, let's say the meditation I did with Eleanor, it was maybe 10 minutes, but it wasn't like a grounding. I didn't feel how I like to walk away from my meditation. I don't judge my practice, but I can tell when I could give myself a little bit more time. So I went home, did a 20-minute meditation, and then made myself a green juice. I mean, I'm like super regiment. I make cucumber, lemon, and ginger. I drink that and then I start to get ready. We have it to the spirulina, you know, put the spirulina in it. I do love my spirulina, sweetie, but it's it depends. Like sometimes I don't create it and

sometimes I do. So it's really, like for me, I pretty much drink a green juice almost every single morning before I have anything after my warm water with lemon and my latte. And what is it though? What's in it? The cucumber. cucumber celery, I think I miss out. Cucumber celery lemon and ginger. That's my like standard go to sometimes all through carrots and maybe an apple, use whatever I have. If I need to get rid of things, but I love my green juice.

And if I don't have it in the morning and I do feel like my spiraling a smoothie, which I had on the weekend, I was like, I want something hearty to get me in the mood to work out. I'll go for my spiraling a smoothie. And then I got ready and I came to the office. Breathe in, breathe out.

Get dressed, head out. Grab some friends, camp out. Get hyped up, vibe out. Take your Dean. Let it all out. Now, are we at Co-op? We're here for all the outs. We want you to spend more time outside our doors and in them.

Try it out, check out, think it out. Are we Icoa? All out. Visit arei.com. So you didn't know workout? So not today because I have to come to the office of my nail appointment, but I will. Looks great. Thank you. Love it. I will move tonight. I'm going to do just a little like wind downflow because I can feel that I need something like slow moving. And it will probably be short, maybe 15 minutes, just a little something.

And that's, so you're staying, so you see, you only work out between 15 and 20 minutes a day. Besides not when you're not filming, but I'm saying when you're not filming, that's it. Yeah, like when I'm on my own time, it's it's a pretty standard, I would say 20 minutes a day, but I'm really consistent with it. So if I didn't have to run out the door and come to the office, I try to schedule it where, okay, I can come to the office at 10.30 and then I would have done a 20 minute flow and then come, but it's not, I share it delicately because every day is different. And although I am a creature of habit, life happens.

And sometimes you can't do every single thing that you want to do. So for me, it's being able to look at the day and then find those micro moments where like today, I know, right? I have something scheduled at 8.30, so I'll get the kids down by 8 and I'll do a little movement, right that. Without being too, I don't like to be too scheduled. I do. Right. As well, actually. Me too, I hate that. And so, I like a little, a little bit of fluidity so that I can shift. Absolutely.

What's your night routine? What time do you go to bed? What do you do it before you go to bed? I have a very similar night routine where I make my detox tea from secara that I love. I love the taste of it. It's caffeine-free and it's just, it's mild that you feel like you're ready to like close the night whenever I have that. I dim all of the lights or turn all

the lights off. I'm so sensitive to light and sound. So if like Noah comes in and he's on a call, I like you're gonna go. Yeah. I'm so sensitive to it. It's crazy. I will either take a bath or shower pretty much every night. Like I do I'm a nighttime or a sun or I love a bath. And the warm water really calms your nervous system. So in the big fan of that, I take Highline Wellness CBD, Melatonin, Oil, Love it, huge fan. I take their oil in the morning too, but this one for night and I sit in bed.

Sometimes I will, I mean, I'll put my legs up if we're going for like full details here. I'll put my legs up the wall for 15 minutes because I like to drain all the fluid of the inflammation from the day. I had pretty intense veins growing up and I have very visible veins where I've actually had them injected and have I put in them in my 20s. Super what in them? This dye.

Oh, visible. in my 20s. Super what in them? This die. Oh, visible. It was very painful and I don't know that I would recommend it. Oh wow. Plus, I've always been on, you know, I was a cocktail waitress. I worked at a makeup counter,

so I've always been on my feet all day. I just find that this really works and it also helps calm you. Yeah. The nice little inversion there. And then I love to read a good book that, yeah, I mean, they all tend to be self-help books for many years. What's your favorite?

What's your favorite book and what book are you reading now? I am reading the Law of Divine Compensation by Mary Ann Williamson. I've read it once before, but I like to read her books a couple times because I find there's so much just amazing things that you can learn from right with anything a couple times. amazing things that you can learn from right with anything a couple. Yeah. My all time favorite book is also by Marianne Milliamson, a return to love. It changed my life. I love that book with all my heart.

I read it four times. I'll probably read it again because it's just such a go-to manual for anyone this journey of really focusing on self-love and I think just patterns in their life. If you choose partners that don't serve you, I find it to be a really great, just like manual that you can continually come back to when you're feeling any formal weakness or just self-doubt. It's beautiful. And what other book do I love? I love, you can heal your life by Louise Haye.

It's an honor. Those are good. Those are good recommendations. And then, um, but okay, wait. So what supplements did you say you take and what time did you go to bed? I didn't get the rest of that. I got the CBD one. Yes, I sometimes I take a ray blow at night if I'm feeling like I actually take it right before I'm about to get my period and it really helps with that painful outcome.

It's so clean, all organic. I love that brand I share all the time. They also have a comb. If I feel like I really need to like take a chill pill, I'll take their comb supplement. I hate what else do I take at night? That's it. That's all I take. Really is the CBD oil. Sometimes I'll try. I love, love, wellness is lights out. I like to try things all the time, but I would say like these are my pretty standard. Oh, my body green has a great sleep support as well. If I'm like not with the kids, I'll take sleep support and I can sleep for 10 hours. It's great.

Oh wow. My, like there's nothing more that I love than sleep. Yeah, no, I get you. Not that 530 is like, it's really hard to do, but when I do it, I have my best days. That, and then what, don't you watch, do you watch television at all? I didn't hear anything about Netflix or TV.

No, I'm not a big, I used to be a really big TV person. I would watch mindless television. And then when I started paying close attention to the things that I was like absorbing and how it made me feel. And I was like, do I really need to watch? It really cut out a lot of TV for me. But I'm back on this kick now where I'm really enjoying

a good show. Which one? Like, sex life on Netflix. Oh my God, it's the best. First of all, that show, I watched it all in one sitting. I did not move for the entire eight, 10 hours. It was. It's really, it definitely got me on like,

I need to watch TV tonight. Oh no kidding. I don't know, not like that. But I also love to lose myself in the show. Oh my God. It's like stalking off. Yeah, and it also like it's like an outlet, right? You can let go, but like things like hand, I loved handmaids tale. Loved it.

I love docs. I love things that I can learn from, but sometimes it's like life. Yeah, it's a little sad. From that dating now,, but sometimes or a sex life. Yeah, it looks like I'm from that day. They're dating now, you know, they're a couple now. I know, I found out from someone, I can't take it, I need to know more, I need them to share more, I need them to go live. Oh my God, you have no idea.

I'm like literally after that show, I went like so deep on that thing, I like know everything about that guy. The girl's fine, I don't care. But that guy, I mean, I actually love her. She's great too, but I'm saying the whole thing to you. She's fine, but the combination is there amazing. Oh my God.

That chemistry, you can't fake that chemistry. You can, I was like, that is real. That's why I can't. Of course, that's why it is like that. If that wasn't, that you can't fake. No, that was real. That was some real connection there. Yeah, no shit.

But I do love to lose myself. I don't tend to turn on the TV. And especially if I have a big day or if I'm filming, though I don't. It's when tomorrow I'm filming. So tonight, I'm filming, though I don't. Like it's when like tomorrow I'm filming. So tonight I'm actually going to my girlfriend's for dinner. But no, what is today? It's today Wednesday or Thursday. Yeah. Oh, Wednesday. I'm filming tomorrow. So I can't watch anything. But I it's funny because I'm not I'm not even disciplined. I don't

even love the word discipline because it goes back to, I think, that way of living where it was like I was so disciplined that it didn't serve me. I'm pretty regimen that I know myself enough, right? That for me to wake up tomorrow at five because now the five thirty has to be five so I can try to beat her. I need to get to bed by 10.

Are you sleeping? By 10. Oh,. I need to get to bed by 10. Are you sleeping by 10? Oh, in bed. Okay. In bed by 10. Probably I fall asleep quite quickly. Wow. So then, okay, that's not, that's not too early. I'm working. I have this little like dome sound machine. And I have a fan on every single night. What kind of machine?

Electronics off 30 minutes before that? No nothing Before I fall asleep and that's where I like I'll read and maybe write a little bit in a journal Are you gonna start doing it writing in a journal now? You're what your paranoid. Yeah, I'd be paranoid too when you write things is there Trust me. I get it. I don't know if I would be too far for you. So are you gonna do your own line of stuff,

like your own line of supplements or online? Like what's, how are you gonna, I know you don't wanna tell me all your trade secrets on this podcast, you know, like, but do you have something in the works that's happening that you wanna share? I have something in the works, you guys, that I am busting at the freaking scenes to share,

but I can't just yet, but I literally can't wait. I really feel that it's just, it's going to give me the ability to share this practice with so many more people in a way to give me the ability to share this practice with so many more people in a way that I've been wanting to do for a really long time. And that will definitely, you know, lend itself into some products in the pipeline, but right now I wish I could literally tell you everything,

but there are some things next year. Oh, come on. I know. I wanted you to tell me something that, you everything, but there are some things next year. Oh, come on. I know. I wanted you to tell me something that, you know, we can, you know, who to hear first, you know. This I could, but my family from my team would kill me. Sam, what does Sammy do? She's my COO.

Oh, okay. Well, I'll ask Sammy. Tell Sammy that you have to come back on them before you launch it. Okay. Okay, Sammy, I'll ask Sammy. Tell Sammy that you have to come back on them before you launch it. Okay, Sammy, if you're listening. She will, she listens. Okay, all listen to everything. Awesome.

So before I let you go, since I've had you on forever, I mean, like, literally forever. Poor girl. It's been like an hour and a half, and I wasn't expecting it to be this long. I just really enjoyed being with you. I knew I was I knew it. Well, thank you. I really enjoy I you're just a delight actually just a delight. You're welcome. Your voice is also so soothing. You should have like a meditation app where you just like you just do it for people.

You should be part of like what's that one calm or headspace that they get? I do for meditations on the app. You do the actual speaking in your voice with the, oh my gosh, okay, I'm gonna. I share meditations and there'll be more coming there. It's so soothing, I mean, it's like a lullaby. Oh, thank you. It's true, it's like, wow, I get it now.

I think it's next to me now. It's so lovely. Oh, you're so sweet. But did you, is that voice, like over, did your voice shift in change as you changed? Yes. I think I'm more grounded in my voice. Yeah. I mean, I had an accent too.

I had an upstate accent when I moved here. And I did and I do any more, but no, it's totally changed. I think the more that I've just gained self-confidence, it's like I've honed in. Yeah, it's a very, very soothing and it's like soft and nice. It's okay, it's very nice to you. Welcome. What? Okay, the number one wellness tip, and then I'll let you kind of go me and or about your day. I truly believe that it's cultivating a practice that works for you. So, you know, I just sat here and shared what works for me and my day and we we're all so different. So it's it's finding that that habit, right, that you can continually come back to that it doesn't feel like torturous

but makes you better and brings out that but makes you better and brings out that version of yourself that like you know is deep within there, but we all have to work at bringing that person out. But if somebody is not kind of sure and they need to have some direction, what would be one that you would tell people to start doing now? Besides meditation, you can't say meditation. You can't say meditation and you can't say movement and you can't say mindfulness. Okay. I would honestly say, you're so funny. To avoid touching your phone, 30 minutes when you first wake up in the morning and watch how different you move about your day.

You're a different person and no social media, no emails, no texts, nothing. Okay, that's fair. That's easy, by the way, that's one of the hardest things to do. Oh yeah, I thought you were going to say colonics. No. I thought you loved that. It really is like bringing it back to basics. Yeah, basics for sure. I mean, but you are a big colonics person. I thought you loved that. It really is like bringing it back to basics.

Yeah, basics for sure. I mean, but you are a big colonics person. I've heard you talk. I love a colonic. Like, where are now laid to people go for colonics since a lot of people, I know you go to that gill guy. I have it saved in my phone. I don't remember it off the top of my head,

but I have a great place that all my girls told me is phenomenal. I've never been, but I've saved my phone. I don't remember it off the top of my head, but I have a great place that all my girls told me is phenomenal. I've never been, but I've heard the people that have told me I trust. Well, you'll tell me, would you let me know? And I'm gonna put in a show notes. I'm gonna put in a show notes. Well, Vanya, if you're in New York,

Vanya at Triscoll Balance is the best. Oh, I thought you'd like a guy named Gil. I used to see Gil. Agonya at Triscoll Balance is the best. Oh, I thought you like a guy named Gil. I used to see Gil, he's amazing. Gil really, like I would say sparked a totally newfound love of wellness for me. But I've been seeing Agonya for a really long time, but I'm at the huge fan of Gil's as well. He's awesome.

So Agonya, okay, what's a place called? And what's it called? It's her handle is Triscoll Balance, T-R-I-S-K-E-L balance. And how I'll Google it, but how often do you go like and also I heard it if you start doing them, you can't go you can't go on your own after a while. Is that not true? I'm a fleet bullshit. If anything, I'm more regular. And it's all about the kind of colonics that you get. They're not all created equal. And I mean, I've been doing gravity

colonics for a really long time. And I had the worst battles. Was always bloated. Had horrible gut health, acne, everything. And it has made me so much more regular. But also the way that I live my life, I follow food combining principles without it being rigid because it makes me feel better.

Right. So it's everything together. It's not the only thing. I don't know if anything. Like I'm very regular. It's not even about like I don't go not one thing. Or if anything, like I'm very regular. It's not even about like I don't go to become regular. It's more of just like releasing that toxicity build up in your body that affects your mind

when you start getting brain fog. And if I'm feeling out of my mind anxious, it's connected to the gut. And it's just for sure. It really worked for me. But I'm intuitive, like I don't have set, you know, I don't put things on the calendar, I go when I feel. And it ends up being six to eight weeks.

Wow, well get your going to send that to me, don't forget. What was that kid? I think you blocked cut out, what did you say? I said it's like about the same length of time when I get my hair trimmed. Oh, yes. Exactly. I don't I just know what I need to do it. Absolutely. No extensions either. That looks great. No.

I thought for sure they're going to be extensions in that. I'm like. No, I don't have extensions. I've never had extensions actually. Yeah, no, neither have I, but it's, I mean, you're there. You have a good head hair. Not today, I don't, but. No, I have to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

We both, okay, fine. I'm going to own it like you said. Thank you. You're welcome. Well, this has been really fun. Thank you for coming on. Thank you so much for having me. You're so sweet and so easy to talk to.

You're just, you've been great. And like I said, I want you to come back on when you launch your plethora of products that will be down the pipeline. Okay, I will, I definitely will. Okay, so don't hang up. I'm gonna say, I'm gonna say goodbye. Oh, no, actually tell people how to find you

and then we can hang up. Yes, if they don't, if you're living under a rock and you follow Melissa on Instagram, Melissa, tell people how they can find you and then we can hang out. Yes. If they don't, if they're living under a rock and don't follow Melissa on Instagram, Melissa, tell people how they can find you. You can find me at Melissa WoodHealth on Instagram. My website is Melissa WoodHealth and my app is Melissa WoodHealth where you can work out with me.

I have a seven day free trial. I have over 250 plus workouts, guided meditations, truly something for everyone. Awesome. Well, thank you Melissa. It's been a pleasure. Thank you so much. This episode is brought to you by the YAP Media Podcast Network. I'm Holla Taha, CEO of the award-winning Digital Media Empire YAP Media, and host of

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