Afleveringen
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In this episode, you will learn the truth about women's health + hormones, along with the misinformation that keeps so many women confused, overwhelmed, and constantly questioning their bodies.
Today, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, researcher, science communicator, women's health expert, and one of the leading voices cutting through the noise in the health and fitness industry.
If you've ever wondered whether you need to cycle sync your workouts, avoid certain foods, balance your hormones, buy expensive supplements, or follow the latest wellness trend, this conversation is for you.
Dr. Lauren shares what the science actually says - and what the wellness industry often gets wrong.
Inside this episode, you'll learn:
- What you should (and shouldn't) do differently during your menstrual cycle
- The truth about cycle syncing
- What hormones actually do in your body (and how to feel your best!)
- The biggest fitness myths people still believe today
- The health hacks that matter far more than supplements, gadgets, and wellness trends
- Hacks to build strength, confidence, and long-term health without obsessing over perfection
- What parents need to know about helping their children develop a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and body image
This conversation is both empowering and reassuring.
Dr. Lauren reminds us that health doesn't require extreme diets, complicated rules, expensive supplements, or constantly trying to "fix" ourselves. The biggest changes often come from the simplest habits done consistently over time.
And stick around until the end for Dr. Lauren's powerful advice for parents striving to help their children build a positive relationship to their bodies and to food - and for the lesson she wishes someone had told her when she was young.
Whether you're a teenager, parent, athlete, or simply someone trying to navigate the endless stream of health advice online, this episode will help you feel more confident, more informed, and much more at peace with your body.
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Shop Be Canada Crewneck
Follow Dr. Lauren on Instagram
Explore Dr. Lauren's website
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Dr. Sarah McKay. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You(02:16) A Confused Girl and Woman - The Misinformation Dr. Lauren Faced(03:58) The Impacts of Misinformation(07:23) How Can I Avoid Health 'Fads'?(08:15) Social Media: Empowering or Confusing?(09:54) Are Anti-Inflammatory Foods Real!?(12:38) Fitness Advice That You SHOULD NOT Follow(14:44) The Gym Floor vs A Lab(16:55) How Differently Should Men vs Women Train?(20:20) Be Canada22:07) I Only Have 20 Minutes...What Do I Do?(24:34) The Impact of Hormones on Happiness(27:26) Stop Blaming Your Hormones For This!(29:45) Top Nutrition Fears(32:44) Women vs Men: Intermittent Fasting(35:24) Should I Cycle-Sync?(38:49) Your Emotions Throughout Your Cycle - How To Tell Which Phase You're In!(42:07) Live Well and Feel Well: Make These Lifestyle Changes (45:31) Thank You(45:58) Social Support's Impact on Health(50:01) Dr. Lauren's Overarching Goal(52:21) Hacks For Building a Positive Body Image(55:31) Rapid Fire(57:58) Find Dr. Lauren Here(58:20) Brain Health Hacks, Building Habits, and Environmental Influences on Mood
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In this episode, you’ll learn how to build a healthier relationship with money.
Not just how to save it. Not just how to invest it. But how to stop letting money control your confidence, your happiness, and your sense of self-worth.
Maybe you constantly feel behind financially.
Maybe you feel guilty every time you spend money on yourself.
Maybe you're working hard, earning money, and still feeling stressed about your future.
Or maybe you've spent years believing that your value is tied to your paycheck, your success, or what's sitting in your bank account.
This episode will completely change the way you think about money!
Today, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with financial educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Deeper Than Money, Chloe Elise.
After discovering she had over $36,000 of debt while still in college, Chloe went on a mission to learn everything she could about personal finance. She paid off that debt in just 18 months and has built a multi-million dollar financial literacy company that helps thousands of people take control of their finances and their future.
But what makes Chloe different is that she believes money isn't just about numbers.
It's about confidence, boundaries, people-pleasing, and identity.
And ultimately, it's about creating a life you actually enjoy living.
In this conversation, you'll learn:
- Why your self-worth has nothing to do with your bank account
- The dangerous money beliefs that keep people stuck for years
- Why spending less is not always the answer
- How to stop feeling guilty every time you spend money
- The simple mindset hacks that can transform your relationship with money
- Beginner negotiation tips that can help you earn more throughout your life
- The first financial step everyone should take, no matter their age
As Chloe says in this episode, money should be an amplifier, not your identity.
This conversation will help you stop seeing money as a source of stress and start using it as a tool for freedom, confidence, and happiness.
Explore our website
Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook
Follow Chloe on Instagram
Check out Deeper Than Money
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Million Dollar Listing Star, Kirsten Jordan. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:34) Chloe Wants You To Understand THIS
(04:46) From Debt to Millionaire
(08:34) Chloe's BIGGEST Money Mindset Shift
(12:24) A Standout Low Moment
(17:42) Why Do People Spend Money to Prove Status?
(21:20) How Should I Think About Money?
(25:58) There's A Moment That Everyone Hits...
(27:18) Money & Self-Sabotage
(32:58) Hacks For Getting Ahead With Money
(37:01) Paying Off $36K in Debt
(44:52) Healthy vs Unhealthy Money Mindsets
(49:04) Are You Thinking Differently?
(49:44) Hacks For Beginner Negotiation!
(54:42) Social Media Money Lessons
(1:02:25) Rapid Fire
(1:08:09) Find Chloe Here
(1:09:30) Get Ahead in Finances, Build a Personal Brand, and Feel Confident!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Today, you’re going to learn what it really takes to become the person you want to be.
In this episode, we sit down with astronaut, engineer, author, and former commander of the International Space Station, Scott Kelly.
But this conversation isn’t really about space.
It’s about resilience.
It’s about overcoming the identities that hold you back.
And it’s about learning how to stay calm, focused, and hopeful when life gets hard.
Because Scott Kelly wasn’t always the person you see today.
He struggled in school. He doubted himself. He felt stuck. Then one book changed the trajectory of his life and set him on a path that would eventually take him 250 miles above Earth and keep him in space for 340 days.
In this conversation, Scott shares what it’s really like to live and work in one of the most extreme environments imaginable, what happens to your mind and body when you’re isolated from everyone you love, and the lessons he learned that all of us can apply right here on Earth.
You’ll learn:
- How to stop defining yourself by who you’ve been in the past
- Why perseverance matters more than talent
- Hacks to stay calm and focused during stressful situations
- The powerful mindset astronauts use when things go wrong
- What spending nearly a year in space taught Scott about happiness, purpose, and resilience
- The surprising physical effects of living in space for months at a time
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt stuck, struggled with failure, or wondered whether you’re capable of more than you think, this episode will change the way you see yourself.
Because as Scott’s story proves, the person you become is not determined by where you start.
It’s determined by what you choose to do next.
Explore our website
Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook
Follow Scott on Instagram
Follow Pickles on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with astronaut Ellen Ochoa. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:34) From Struggling Student to Astronaut
(05:58) Stop Locking Yourself Into Identities
(08:33) Scott On Going to Space 4 Times
(11:02) The GREATEST Space Challenge That Scott Faced
(13:58) Hacks For Managing Stress and Pressure
(17:48) Failure Is An Option
(19:57) Guess What...
(21:01) Inside Scott's Mindset
(27:24) The Space Symptoms Nobody Talks About
(33:58) Confinement vs Commitment
(35:51) What It's Really Like to Go to Space
(41:04) Living In Your Workplace - How Scott Found Downtime + Breaks
(43:56) Storytime: Scott's Gorilla Prank
(47:17) Who Are You Sending This To?
(47:58) Try This Astronaut Practice In Your Life
(51:03) A Lesson From Scott's Books
(53:06) Scott's View On AI
(56:13) Rapid Fire
(1:02:18) Find Scott Here
(1:03:12) Space Experiences, Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and Building Resilience
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If your room is messy, your schedule feels overwhelming, your mind won’t slow down, and you constantly feel behind in life, this episode is for you.
In today’s conversation, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with world-renowned organizing expert and bestselling author Shira Gill. And Shira is about to completely reframe what clutter actually is.
Because according to Shira, clutter isn’t just about messy rooms or overflowing closets.
It’s emotional.
It’s mental.
It’s stress that quietly follows you every single day.By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how your environment affects your mood, energy, confidence, and overall happiness far more than you realize. And even better, you'll know exactly how to optimize your space for more clarity, peace, and happiness.
You’ll also learn:
- Why we keep buying things we don’t need
- How to stop feeling guilty saying “no” (+ scripts to use when saying "no")
- How to create more calm in your space without becoming an extreme minimalist
- Simple systems and routines that instantly make life feel lighter
- How to efficiently organize your space TODAY
Shira also shares her powerful story of growing up between two homes after her parents’ divorce, how organizing became a coping mechanism during difficult seasons of life, and how that eventually turned into a global career helping thousands of people simplify their homes, minds, and lives.
Whether you feel buried under clutter, stuck in comparison, overwhelmed by your schedule, or simply exhausted from trying to do it all, this episode will leave you with practical tools and a completely new perspective on what it really means to feel enough.
Explore our website
Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook
Visit Shira's website
Sign Up For Shira's Newsletter
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with home organizing expert, Michelle Ogundehin. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:21) "The Worst Thing That Turned Into The Best Thing"
(04:46) How Organization Impacts Happiness
(06:16) Three Organizational Practices To Use TODAY!
(09:41) Most Frequent 'Clutter' Items
(12:18) Let's Talk About Emotional Clutter
(15:00) Storytime: Personal Life and Clutter
(19:11) A Quick Way To Transform Your Life
(20:14) Editing Your Life Without OVER-Editing
(23:12) How is Organization a Wellness Tool?
(25:32) How Can I Stop Buying Things That I Don't Need?
(29:52) Hacks To Stop Saying "Yes" To Everything
(31:03) Shira's Must-Know Scripts For Saying "No"
(33:43) Define Your Enough
(36:39) Quick Pause!
(37:03) What Is 'Enough'?
(38:45) Should I Care About Routines?
(40:30) Staples For Your Daily Routine + A Peek Into Shira's Routine
(43:51) Complaining: Good or Bad?
(46:32) Shira's Challenge For You
(48:04) Rapid Fire!
(51:12) Find Shira Here
(52:12) How To Make Your Home Happy
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Prepare to unlock the key to staying calm under pressure, never spiraling in uncertainty, and building real confidence - even when life feels overwhelming.
If you constantly overthink the future…If you feel stuck, anxious, or frozen when life gets uncertain…If you struggle with confidence, fear of failure, or stepping outside your comfort zone…
If you feel overwhelmed by big goals and don’t know where to start…This conversation will completely change the way you think about fear, resilience, leadership, and what it actually means to be mentally strong.
Joining Mercedes and Anastasia today is Rich Diviney. Rich is a former Navy SEAL commander, bestselling author, and founder of The Attributes, a company designed to help individuals and teams perform at their highest level under pressure.
Rich spent more than 20 years as a Navy SEAL, operating in some of the highest-stakes environments imaginable. But what makes his perspective so powerful is this: he says the people who perform best under pressure are not necessarily the most talented or fearless.
They’ve simply trained themselves to think differently.
In this episode, Rich explains the neuroscience behind stress, fear, uncertainty, confidence, and performance - and shares practical tools you can use to stay grounded and focused when life gets hard.
He also brings us into Navy SEAL training, explaining the difference between physical vs mental strength, and how Navy SEALs train their mindsets for extreme missions.
Rich shares one of the most powerful concepts Navy SEALs use called “moving horizons” - a simple strategy that helps you stop spiraling and regain control when everything feels overwhelming.
Prepare to learn:
- How Navy SEALs train their mindsets (a peek into Navy SEAL training!)
- The Navy SEAL strategy that helps you stop spiraling under pressure
- How to stop procrastinating and finally take the first step toward your goals
- Why doing hard things literally changes your brain
- How to handle uncertainty without letting it control your life
- The hidden habits that build trust + the behaviours that quietly destroy it
This is not a conversation about becoming fearless.
It’s about becoming the kind of person who can keep moving forward even when life feels uncertain.
Explore our website
Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook
Visit Rich's website
Shop Rich's books
Follow Rich on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with former Navy SEAL commander, Rorke Denver. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:24) Becoming A Navy SEAL
(03:33) Inside Navy SEAL Training (how Rich got through!)
(05:48) Top Tips For Perseverance
(09:06) Rich's High Pressure Moment + Hacks To Staying Calm Under Pressure
(19:30) Why Do Some People Handle Pressure Better Than Others?
(22:11) Strength vs Mindset Training
(26:19) Who Comes to Mind?
(26:48) Do This ONE Thing to Become A Better You
(30:10) What Role Does Uncertainty Play in Decision-Making?
(31:42) The Truth About Procrastination
(35:25) Keeping Morale & Hope Through Tough Moments
(37:04) Navy SEAL Practices That Rich Still Follows
(39:12) Tying Identity to Achievement
(42:18) All About The Attributes
(44:10) EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT!
(45:16) Leadership Is A Behaviour, Not A Position
(47:24) The Lesson That Changed How Rich Views People
(49:03) Rich's Personal Purpose
(50:17) Behaviours That Eat Away At People's Trust
(52:12) Common Misconceptions About Navy SEALs!
(53:28) Hacks For Resilience
(54:39) Rapid Fire!
(57:39) Find Rich Here
(58:27) Motivation, Discipline, and Staying Calm Under Pressure
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YOU need to hear this.
If you’ve ever felt confused about food, overwhelmed by health advice online, or guilty every time you eat something “unhealthy,” you need to hit play.
Because the truth is: nutrition has become way more complicated than it needs to be.
And today’s episode is going to change that.
In this conversation, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Dr. Jessica Knurick - a nutrition scientist, registered dietitian, and one of the most trusted voices online when it comes to cutting through health misinformation.
Dr. Knurick specializes in chronic disease prevention and public health, but what makes her work so powerful is this: she doesn’t believe health should be driven by fear.
This is not another conversation about “good” foods and “bad” foods.
It’s a conversation about balance.
About stress.
About the systems shaping the way we eat.
And about how to actually take care of yourself.In this episode, Dr. Knurick explains why social media has made so many people afraid of food, why “superfoods” are mostly marketing, and why health has a lot more to do with consistency than perfection.
You’ll also learn:
- What you actually need to be doing for better health
- Why nutrition matters even if you’re not an athlete
- How to spot misinformation online
- The truth about sugar, seed oils, supplements, and ultra-processed foods
- Why so many people feel healthier in Europe
- How parents can help their kids build a healthy relationship with food
But most importantly, this episode will help you stop obsessing over every little thing you eat.
Because health doesn’t come from fear.
It comes from what you do consistently.And by the end of this conversation, you’ll feel calmer, clearer, and way more confident about what actually matters when it comes to your health.
Explore our website
Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook
Check out Dr. Knurick's Substack
Follow Dr. Knurick on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with gut health scientist, Emily Leeming. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(01:41) From Sports To Nutrition
(03:31) Dr. Jessica Knurick's Mission In One Sentence
(04:08) Why Does Nutrition Matter For Me?
(07:06) Must-Know Fibre Hacks
(09:46) How Much Fibre Do I Need?
(10:22) The Anatomy of a Healthy Lifestyle
(15:05) Food's Role in Happiness
(16:56) Do 'Superfoods' Actually Exist?
(18:39) Hacks For Eating The Rainbow!
(19:35) I Swear It's Easy
(20:55) Healthy Eating Without Intense Restriction
(25:32) Dr. Knurick Busts Nutrition Myths!
(29:45) Before You Believe Social Media, Ask Yourself THIS
(31:49) All You Need To Know About Supplements
(34:54) You Need To Reevaluate These Systems (they're impacting your health)
(40:49) Tips To Avoid Falling Into Toxic Food Systems + Mindsets
(44:13) Who Comes To Your Mind?
(44:51) Canada vs USA Chronic Disease Gap
(49:12) Culture's Impact On Health & Lifestyle Hacks From Other Countries
(52:30) Rapid Fire!
(57:22) Find Dr. Knurick Here
(57:53) Unlock All You Need To Know About Gut Health
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In today’s episode, you’re going to learn what performance actually means - and why it has nothing to do with being an athlete.
Whether you feel overwhelmed trying to stay consistent, stuck in an all-or-nothing mindset, or like you’re doing everything “right” but still not feeling your best, this conversation will show you how to take back control of your energy, your health, and your life.
Joining Mercedes and Anastasia today is Andy Galpin: a leading human performance scientist, coach, and Executive Director of the Human Performance Center at Parker University. Dr. Galpin has worked with elite athletes, executives, and high performers across every field!
Andy is here to help you redefine performance - not as winning or perfection, but as having the ability to feel how you want to feel, think how you want to think, and show up for the life you want to live.
What he shares today will change the way you think about your habits, your body, and what it really means to feel good.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why “if you have a body, you’re an athlete” and how performance applies to YOUR everyday life
- How to identify the one thing holding you back!
- The FIRST step towards getting better sleep tonight
- A guide to using just 30 minutes a day to improve your health, mood, and energy
- What’s actually draining your energy (and what the solution looks like)
- Why wearables, routines, and trends can either help you or hold you backIf you’ve ever felt like you’re stuck, inconsistent, or overwhelmed trying to “optimize” your life, this conversation is for you.
You don’t need to be perfect.
You don’t need more discipline.
You just need to remove what’s holding you back, and start showing up.
And today, with Dr. Galpin's help, you’ll learn how to do exactly that.
Explore our website
Shop the Connection Journal
Visit Dr. Andy Galpin's website
Follow Dr. Galpin on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with elite performance coach, Alan Stein Jr. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You(02:16) Why Human Performance?
(05:12) The TRUE Meaning of Performance
(08:06) Got 30 Minutes? Here's How To Invest Into Your Health
(13:05) Dr. Galpin's Daily Non-Negotiables
(17:25) Tips For Being More Resilient
(24:48) Your Tool For A Stronger Relationship
(25:42) This Wellness Trend is HARMING Your Wellbeing!
(30:57) Are Wearables Harmful?
(34:55) The Truth About Intermittent Fasting
(40:19) Tips For Boosting Sleep Quality
(49:08) The Normalization of Poor Sleep
(50:43) Ready To Optimize Your Performance & Life? Do THIS!
(52:28) Think of Someone In Your Life...
(52:53) High Performers Do THIS (and so can you!)
(58:59) Rapid Fire!
(1:03:03) Find Dr. Andy Galpin Here
(1:04:24) Stop Letting Fear, Doubt, and Pressure Control Your Life!
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Today’s episode is a masterclass in turning your biggest insecurities into your greatest power.
If you’ve ever felt like your differences make you an outsider… if you’ve hidden parts of yourself to fit in… if perfectionism, comparison, or fear has held you back from going after your goals - this one’s for you.
What you’ll learn here will completely shift how you show up for yourself!
Today, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Grammy-winning musician and powerful storyteller, Molly Tuttle.
Molly is not just a master of her craft, she’s an advocate for authenticity, a voice for anyone who’s ever felt different, and an artist who turned her differences into her greatest strengths.
From living with alopecia since childhood to performing on stage without a wig, Molly opens up about her journey of self-acceptance.
You’ll learn:
- How to transform your personal struggles into superpowers
- How to find a way to express emotions, even if songwriting isn’t your thing
- What embracing your authenticity actually looks and feels like
- The truth about staying passionate when your passion becomes your career
- What to do when fear or perfectionism blocks your creativity
If you’ve ever wondered how to love the parts of yourself that feel “too different,” or how to express what’s really in your heart, this episode shows you how.
Explore our website
Shop the Be Dreams Crewneck
Check out Molly's website
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with award-winning jazz singer, Stacey Kent. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You
(02:10) In Love With Music From A Young Age(03:31) Meet Molly's Grandfather
(04:35) How Does Molly Write A Song?
(06:00) How Can I Better Express My Emotions?
(06:50) Living With Alopecia From Age 3 - Molly's Story
(08:49) Feeling Confident In Your Own Self Image
(11:01) Performing Without A Wig For The FIRST Time!
(12:47) Ever Felt Insecure? This Is Molly's Advice
(14:16) Molly's Biggest Lesson From Life With Alopecia
(16:19) The Story Behind 'Crooked Tree'
(17:43) What Does Molly Hope To Share Through Her Music?
(18:57) Your Dreams Matter
(20:06) A Deeper Look Into Molly's Lyrics
(20:38) That's Gonna Leave A Mark
(22:16) Practices For Staying Grounded & Joyful
(23:54) What Did It Feel Like To Win 2 Grammy Awards?
(25:05) Tips For Being A Better Teammate/Collaborator
(26:24) Hacks For Communication
(27:20) Work Your Passion & Stay In Love With It
(28:21) Getting Real About Challenges Within The Music Industry
(30:10) Changing Music Styles
(31:33) What Does The 'So Long Little Miss Sunshine' Album Cover Mean?
(33:00) How Does Molly Keep Growing As An Artist?
(34:16) Molly's View On AI In Music
(36:13) Want To Become A Musician? Start Here!
(37:40) Rapid Fire!
(40:51) Find Molly Here
(41:20) Hacks To Pursue Your Dreams + Stop Caring What Others Think
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If you feel confused about food, frustrated by wellness advice online, or like you’re trying to “be healthy” without even knowing what that actually means, you are not the only one.
A lot of us are stuck in this place where we don’t feel great in our bodies, but we also don’t know what feeling good is supposed to feel like. We're tired of diet culture, tired of overthinking food, tired of trying to be perfect, and tired of feeling like wellness is something we're supposed to eventually “arrive” at.
That is exactly why today’s conversation matters.
Today, Samantha Cutler is here for you.
Samantha is the founder of The Fit Fatale and MINDFULL, a platform focused on helping people build food freedom, reconnect with their bodies, and create a healthier relationship with eating without calorie counting, obsessing, or punishment. She built her platform after going through burnout, health struggles, and years of feeling disconnected from her body.
She has an empowering and honest perspective on wellness, happiness, body image, intuitive eating, and the pressure so many people feel to get everything “right.” Samantha is here to help you think about food, health, and self-worth in a completely different way.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Build a healthier relationship with foo
- Understand what food freedom actually means
- Let go of calorie obsession and perfectionism
- Recognize the signals your body is giving you
- Start eating in a way that helps you feel better
- Help your family create healthier habits at home + view food in a positive way!If you've looked at food and thought, “Why does this feel so complicated?”
If you have ever felt like you should know how to be healthy by now, but still feel stuck…
If you have ever struggled with body image, comparison, or the pressure to get it all right…this conversation is going to help.
Because Samantha explains something so important in this episode: Most of us don’t actually know what feeling good feels like. And once you understand what feeling good actually feels (and looks) like, everything starts to click.
Explore our website
Try Waking Up here!
Follow Samantha on Instagram
Try MINDFULL (use code HAPPY)
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with food blogger, Monique Volz. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:15) From Corporate Life To Self Employed
(11:33) Unhappy With Your Job? Think Of It This Way
(16:20) What Does 'Wellness' Even Mean?
(22:22) Negativity's Role In Happiness
(26:16) Begin Your Wellness Journey With THIS
(32:40) Truth About Food Freedom (and why it matters for you!)
(38:24) Do You Feel Bad About Your Body?
(38:54) Eat, Listen, Modify - How To ACTUALLY Learn Intuitive Eating
(44:05) Hacks For Evaluating Food
(49:15) Wellness Gift Idea!
(49:52) Untold Challenges of Being An Influencer
(59:25) How Can I Help My Teen/Child Love Their Body & Be Confident?
(1:07:19) Rapid Fire!
(1:10:33) Find Samantha Here
(1:12:19) Transform Your Relationship With Food
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This episode is for you: the person who’s trying hard, but feeling stuck.
If you’ve been putting pressure on yourself, doubting your progress, or wondering whether you’re doing enough, this is what you need to hear right now.
Today, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Alan Stein Jr.: renowned performance coach who spent 15+ years working with elite NBA superstars, including Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant. Alan has spent years studying what actually separates people who grow from people who stay stuck. But this conversation is not just about performance. It’s about responsibility, self-worth, discipline, and what it really means to become the person you want to be.
Alan’s message is not about perfection. And it’s not about grinding yourself into exhaustion. He talks about something much more honest: learning how to stop blaming, stop waiting, and start taking ownership of your life in a way that builds confidence, peace, and real fulfillment.
This episode is not a lecture about hustling harder. It’s a reset for the person who wants to grow, but also wants to feel okay while doing it.
By sitting down with us for this conversation, you will:
- Learn why success can feel empty (and how to avoid this!)
- Understand how discipline can create freedom, not pressure
- Hear what top performers do differently when life feels hard
- Finally gain control over your life and thoughts
- Get a one-on-one motivational speech from Alan, explaining exactly what to do if you feel stuck right now
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m behind,” “I keep getting in my own way,” or “I don’t know if I should keep going,” this episode will help you breathe, reflect, and take your next step with more clarity. Because growth is not about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming more honest and more aligned with who you want to be.
Explore our website
Get your own Manta Sleep mask (seriously, they're so worth it!)
Visit Alan's website
Follow Alan on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, Duncan Wardle. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You
(02:05) Becoming A Top Performance Coach
(04:58) From The King of Blaming To The King of Self-Accountability
(08:15) You're Overcomplicating Success!
(13:25) The SECRET To Achieving BOTH Success + Wellbeing
(17:20) Why Do I Want This?
(19:38) Inside The Mind of A Top Performer
(22:45) Average vs Good vs Great
(28:28) Hacks For Perfectionism
(32:03) Who Comes To Your Mind?
(32:23) Hacks For Performing Under Pressure
(39:38) How Can I Sustain Performance Overtime?
(43:53) What Would Your Future Self Do?
(47:38) The Ultimate Performance Hack
(48:13) Reframe Your Daily Actions
(49:09) Most Extreme Discipline Habits of Elite Athletes
(53:22) Persevering vs Quitting: How To Decide
(1:00:51) Want To Quit? Alan Wants You To Hear This
(1:03:53) Rapid Fire!
(1:06:56) Find Alan Here
(1:07:57) Get Your Creativity + Curiosity BACK!
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In this episode, you’re going to learn how to slow down and enjoy your everyday life more - without disconnecting from the modern world.
Whether you’re in a season of change, feeling stuck, questioning your current path, trying to get off your phone more, or simply wanting to enjoy your life again, this episode is for you.
Today, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Chloe Crane-Leroux. Chloe is a photographer, cookbook author, content creator, and visual storyteller known for finding and sharing the beauty in everyday life.
In this heartfelt conversation, Chloe opens up about what it looked like to have a 5-year-plan for her entire life -- and then to suddenly change course! She gets deep with us about how she left an environment that didn’t feel good, and unveils all that you need to know to create a life that feels beautiful, grounded, and true to who you are.
Chloe breaks down why so many of us are craving a slower pace right now, how to know when a situation is no longer serving you, and how to romanticize your everyday life in a way that is real, meaningful, and sustainable.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to recognize if something in your life FEELS right for you
- Tips for pivoting your life plans
- How to handle toxic or draining situations
- What to do when you feel stuck, uninspired, or burnt out
- Hacks to romanticize your everyday life without making it fake or forced
- Why people are craving slower, more offline living in a fast-paced digital world
- How to build a stronger relationship with your parent or childAfter this episode, you’ll know how to slow down, trust yourself, and create a life that feels beautiful in real life.
Explore our website
Get your own Manta Sleep mask (seriously, they're so worth it!)
Follow Chloe on Instagram
Check out Chloe on TikTok
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with food blogger, Monique Volz. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Meet Chloe Crane-Leroux
(02:20) The Lifelong Dream
(04:28) 5-Year Plan From Age 5
(06:30) Amori Fati: Why Letting Go is Important
(07:39) How Can I Leave A Toxic Environment?
(12:35) Advice For Pushing Through Toxic Situations
(18:50) Chloe's Identity Crisis
(21:42) How Can I Manage Creative Ruts?
(23:26) Send This To That Person!
(24:00) Feel Stuck? Try This
(25:21) Chloe's Guide To Finding Beauty in Every Day
(27:42) Ready To Romanticize Your Life? Start HERE
(30:29) A Beautiful Instagram Feed vs Accepting Life's Imperfections
(32:33) The Pressure To Sugarcoat Life
(36:42) Tips For Slow-Living in A Fast-Paced World
(41:33) Are We in a Phone Rebellion?(45:59) A Cornerstone Of Our Happiness
(46:30) Chloe's Relationship With Her Mom
(48:41) Working Together & Maintaining A Relationship
(50:37) How Can I Boost My Relationship With My Kids?
(54:17) Do THIS To Get Better At Cooking
(56:25) The Role of Food and Cooking in Happiness
(1:00:15) Rapid Fire!
(1:05:14) Find Chloe Here
(1:06:03) Transform Your Relationship With Food
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Today’s episode will change how you see your life, especially in moments that feel uncertain or out of your control.
Because today, you’re meeting someone who will help you answer a question most of us don’t stop to ask:
How do you stay hopeful when the world feels heavy?
Maybe you’ve been feeling overwhelmed -- like there’s so much going on, and you don’t even know where to start.
Maybe you’ve been questioning if anything you do actually makes a difference.
Or maybe you’re just trying to stay positive, but it feels harder than it used to.
Well, that’s exactly what this conversation is going to help you with.
In this powerful episode, we’re sitting down with Alan Gratz -- a bestselling author whose books bring some of the hardest moments in history to life through the eyes of young people, showing not just what people went through… but how they found courage, resilience, and hope anyway.
Together, we unpack what history actually teaches us about hope, why you don’t have to solve everything to make a difference, and how people -- even in the darkest moments -- have always found ways to keep going and help each other. By the end, you’ll see your own challenges differently.
Today, you are learning:
- How to stay hopeful even when the world feels heavy and uncertain
- Why you don’t have to fix everything to make an impact- Tips to build real resilience
- How to find your voice when you feel powerless
- The mindset shift that helps you keep going through rejection and self-doubt
- Why there are always “helpers” and how to find them & be them
This episode will give you a new perspective on your life, your challenges, and your ability to create change. Above all, this conversation with Alan will remind you that even in times of chaos, hope is something you can choose and build.
Explore our website
Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!
Visit Alan's website
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Professor of Classics, Michael Scott. We know you'll love it: listen now!
(00:00) Meet Alan Gratz
(02:19) The Career Switch That Changed It All
(04:57) Everyone Needs THIS Person In Their Life
(05:28) Why YOU Can Make An Impact
(08:03) The Truth About Hope and Help
(09:54) Alan's MOST Important Lesson For You
(13:00) Why Should I Care About History?
(15:09) History's BIGGEST Lesson For You
(18:11) How Can I Find Hope In The Midst of Challenge
(22:35) Spreading Hope
(23:26) Be A Helper + Find The Helpers
(24:32) What Is Hope?
(28:43) BTS of Alan's Writing Process
(32:50) History's MOST COMPELLING Story of Hope
(37:26) How Can I Be More Resilient?
(41:19) From Rejection to Bestselling Author
(45:52) REFRAME: Think About Rejection This Way, Instead
(48:44) Alan's Most SURPRISING Questions!
(52:30) Pick An Event From The Past 10 Years
(58:57) Rapid Fire!
(1:08:35) Were People Really Happier Back Then?
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If you feel like the world is exhausting right now - and you’re just trying to stay happy and calm in the middle of all of it - you are not the only one.
So many people are carrying stress they can’t even name. Constant news. Social media overload. Friendship drama. Toxic people. Uncertainty about the future. And underneath all of it, this quiet question: How do I stay okay when everything feels like a lot?
That’s why we wanted to have Kati Morton on the podcast today.
Kati is a licensed therapist, author, and one of the internet’s most trusted voices on mental health. She has spent years helping people understand anxiety, relationships, resilience, boundaries, therapy, and the real-life tools that help when your mind feels overwhelmed.
In this episode, Kati shares an honest and practical guide for protecting your peace, building resilience, and feeling more stable in an unstable world.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Feel more stable and hopeful in our modern world
- Stop letting other people’s moods control yours
- Recognize healthy and unhealthy relationships
- Handle uncertainty
- Build tips for being more resilient
- Understand how social media affects your nervous system
If you’ve been feeling emotionally overloaded, mentally drained, or like you’re waiting for the world to calm down before you let yourself feel okay, this episode is for you.
Kati will leave you feeling seen, steadier, and better equipped to handle real life.
Explore our website
Shop the Manta Sleep Mask
Follow Kati on Instagram
Check out Kati's website for her books
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with psychiatrist, Dr. Tracey Marks. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Kati
(01:41) Becoming A Therapist
(03:19) From Therapist To Social Media
(05:10) How Does Social Media Benefit Mental Health?
(06:23) Hacks To Becoming More Resilient + Happier
(12:04) Why People Are Mean + Hacks For Dealing With Them
(16:10) The Influence of Other People's Moods
(21:52) Who Comes To Your Mind?
(22:30) Mirror Work: What Is It & How Can I Do It?
(24:24) Do THIS To See If A Relationship Is Healthy
(28:13) Hacks For Managing Toxic Relationships
(31:18) Acknowledging Your Role In Your Own Suffering
(35:22) The Role Of Uncertainty In Our Lives
(38:52) Social Media = Smoking?
(41:30) What Is The 'Whole Foods' Of Dopamine?
(42:35) Hacks For Finding A Sense Of Stability
(47:47) A Message From Us To You
(48:19) Change Your Thoughts To Change Your Outlook
(49:48) Feeling Overwhelmed? Start HERE!
(50:37) Are Humans Wired For Our Modern World?
(53:08) Hacks For Raising Resilient Kids
(56:29) Kati's MOST ASKED Question
(58:41) Her Most Personal Book Yet
(1:01:18) Daily Wellness Habits
(1:03:39) Rapid Fire!
(1:07:09) Find Kati Here
(1:07:39) ADHD, Stress, and Anxiety
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If you’re tired of tying your worth to achievement, this episode is for you.
If you’ve ever felt like your worth depends on how well you perform… if you’ve ever wanted to quit when something got hard… or if you’ve ever thought, once I achieve this one thing, then I’ll finally feel good - this episode is for you.
Today, Molly Seidel is here for you. Molly is an Olympic bronze medalist, elite distance runner, and one of the most honest voices in sports when it comes to failure, pressure, discipline, self-worth, and mental health.
But this conversation is not just about running.
It’s about what happens when you lose, when you doubt yourself, when you tie your identity to achievement, and when you realize that success doesn’t automatically = happiness.
Molly opens up about the pressure of perfectionism, the mindset that helped her push through pain, what winning an Olympic medal actually felt like, and why she had to rebuild her life in a way that was additive instead of hollowing herself out just to achieve.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
- Keep going when you feel like quitting
- Build discipline without needing to be perfect
- Stop tying your self-worth to achievement
- Totally reframe failure
- Build your own Olympic winning mindset
- Win and be successful in a way that feels good
For anyone who feels tired of the pressure, stuck in perfectionism, or afraid they’re falling behind, this conversation will help you breathe, reset, and keep going.
After this conversation, you’ll never think about success, failure, or discipline the same way again.
Explore our website
Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!
Follow Molly on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Olympic gold-medalist, Gwen Jorgensen. We know you'll love it: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Molly
(01:52) What Molly's First Loss Felt Like
(03:09) Molly's Advice For Moving Through The Hard
(06:48) Discipline in Sport Translating To Discipline In Life
(10:14) Losing By ONE Spot
(14:12) You Know This Person
(14:54) The Power of People
(17:22) Hacks To Detach Your Self-Worth From Achievement
(21:04) Molly's Winning Mindset + Tools That You Can Use
(23:56) Pushing vs Resting - How To Find A Balance
(26:48) THIS Separates Top-Performers From Amateurs
(29:57) The Mental Health of Sports
(32:07) What You Need To Know About Post-Olympic Blues
(37:29) Eating Disorder Recovery IS NOT Linear!
(40:23) A Hack You Need To Try
(41:23) How Can I Accept Myself?
(43:44) Molly's Favourite Rest Activity
(45:26) Rapid Fire!
(49:54) Find Molly Here
(50:37) Gold Medalist On Pressure & Setbacks
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This conversation changed how we view our body.
Truly, this might just be the MOST important fitness and body advice that you ever hear.
Today’s guest, Sadie Lincoln, is the co-founder and CEO of Barre3. She's also one of the boldest voices redefining what success, fitness, and belonging really mean.
But Sadie Lincoln didn’t build her company on six-packs or before-and-after photos. She built it after realizing that the fitness industry, and her own relationship with her body, was breaking her.
She’s here to tell you the truth most wellness programs won’t: chasing physical results won’t make you happy, and punishing your body in the name of “health” is a trap far too many of us fall into.
Today, Sadie’s going to walk you through the small shifts, in mindset, in movement, in how you talk to yourself, that lead to true, lasting wellness. The kind that actually feels good.
And unlike most advice out there, hers isn’t just inspirational — it’s been tested on thousands of clients, franchisees, and people rebuilding their relationship to their body from the inside out.
After listening, you'll know:
- Why achieving your “goal body” won’t fix how you feel inside, and what will
- How to know when to take a risk — and how Sadie knew selling her house for her business would pay off
- The top mindset shifts that build self-trust, calm, and confidence, even during chaos
- How to build fitness into your life (even when you “don’t have time”)
- Mindset hacks for reframing your body image.
- The simple way to spot whether a relationship is draining or energizing you
If you’re burned out from pushing, striving, or feeling like you’re never enough, this conversation will feel like a full-body exhale.
And if you’re ready to reconnect with your body and your purpose, this episode will show you exactly where to start.
Sadie’s story will shift how you move and live - from the inside out.
Explore our website
Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!
Follow Sadie on Instagram
Check out Barre3 on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Peloton Instructor, Marcel Dinkins. In this episode, Marcel opens up about her journey from the army to Peloton, tips for embracing the journey, and hacks for self-growth: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Sadie Lincoln!
(02:02) An Unconventional Childhood
(04:07) How Did Sadie's Childhood Influence Her Business?
(05:51) Tips For Self-Acceptance
(10:18) Getting Into Fitness & Starting Barre3
(12:30) The Downturn of Sadie's Health & Happiness
(18:25) How Can I Heal My Relationship To Fitness & My Body?
(21:20) Here's Why You Need A Safe Space
(23:24) Who Comes To Your Mind?
(24:06) Risking It All For Barre3 & Advice For Taking Risks + Bold Moves
(28:43) Growing Barre3 While Prioritizing Core Values
(30:37) Why Are The People in My Life So Influential & Important?
(31:42) Hacks To Finding 'Your' People
(34:37) Do THIS When Seeking External Validation
(38:27) Knowing When To Stop vs Keep Pushing Yourself
(41:06) How Can I Find Supportive People?
(45:35) How Can I Find Time For Exercise?
(48:58) Sadie's First Step For Listening To Your Body
(51:41) What Are Sadie's Daily Wellness Habits?
(53:09) Go-To Weekday Meal Ideas!
(54:08) Sadie To Her Teenage Self
(55:22) What Brings Sadie A Small Bit of Happiness?
(55:31) Sadie's Motivational Quote
(56:03) Find Sadie Here
(56:52) Self-Growth Tips From A Peloton Instructor
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A successful business and meaningful relationships. A stacked work schedule and time for self-care. Reaching all your goals and time with family. Can you have it all? Well, today, we're diving into the mind of a brilliant entrepreneur who shows us how.
Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Alina Starr Morse, founder of Zolli Candy. Alina didn’t set out to become an entrepreneur - she was just seven years old when she asked a simple question that turned into a global business. Today, she leads a company sold in major retailers while navigating college, public pressure, and the realities of growing up running a company and being in the spotlight.
In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, we’re not just talking about entrepreneurship — we’re talking about courage, self-worth, rejection, and what it really takes to grow up while building something meaningful.
Alina opens up about rejection, bullying, imposter syndrome, and the sacrifices that come with chasing a dream — and she shares the mindset shifts that helped her stay grounded and keep going.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, felt overwhelmed, or wondered whether you’re capable of more, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.
After this episode, you’ll know:
– How to stop letting “no” define you.
– How to calm anxiety and perform under pressure when it matters most.
– The mindset shift that helps you move forward even when you feel afraid.
– How to balance ambition with real life.
– Real tips for building confidence.
– BTS of building Zolli Candy as a child, teen, and now, young adult.
Whether you’re raising a teen, stepping into something new, navigating self-doubt, or trying to build a life that feels meaningful, this episode offers practical tools that you can use right away.
If you put what Alina shares into practice, you’ll stop waiting for permission, stop letting fear make your decisions, and start trusting that you are capable of more than you think.
Explore our website
Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!
Follow Alina on Instagram
Check out Zolli Candy
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with young sister entrepreneurs, Sydney & Toni Loew. In this episode, Sydney and Toni share how anyone can start their own business, advice for taking bold risks, and how to release the fear of judgement: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Alina
(01:47) What Started Zolli Candy?
(04:02) Inside The Factory: Formulating A NEW Type of Candy
(07:57) The Role of Alina's Parents
(10:51) What Can I Do To Foster An Entrepreneurial Child? (advice from Alina's dad!)
(12:23) Did Alina Miss Out On Her Childhood?
(17:28) Building A Business While In Middle & High School
(22:37) Alina's Hardest Lesson
(25:24) Who Else Needs To Hear Alina's Story?
(25:47) Tips For Managing Nervousness
(30:49) Hacks For Staying Calm Under Immense Pressure
(33:32) On AI: Alina's Thoughts, Feelings, and How She Uses AI
(39:22) This Is How You Can Bet On Yourself
(41:47) Maintaining Self-Value Despite External Challenges
(45:10) Has Alina Experienced Imposter Syndrome?
(49:16) We Have A Gift For YOU!
(49:42) Entrepreneurial Thinking Applied To Daily Life
(53:08) Interested In Business? Start HERE
(55:21) Alina's Day-in-the-life
(59:07) Rapid Fire!
(1:05:49) Find Alina Here
(1:07:05) The Tale of Two Sister Entrepreneurs
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You’re about to learn how to understand your brain, steady your emotions, and build habits that actually stick.
In this firecracker of an episode, we're not just diving into brain health - we're diving into hormones. Women's hormones. Teenage hormones. The hormones behind happiness, stress, and change.
Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Dr. Sarah McKay. Dr. McKay isn’t just a neuroscientist trained at Oxford — she’s built a career translating brain science into real-life tools you can use at home, at school, at work, and inside your relationships.
So, prepare to dive deep into the often under-explored realm of women's health; we're getting into all the facts behind women's emotional stability and resilience, brain health, and even understanding why women struggle so much with body image.
After this episode, you’ll know:
– Why “it’s just hormones” is often an oversimplification (and what matters more).
– The impact of your environment and attention on your life and health.
– The most underrated brain-health “non-negotiable” hacks.
– Simple focus shifts that protect learning, memory, and calm.
– How habits actually form in the brain.
Whether you’re raising a teen, trying to stay steady in a chaotic season, or just want science-backed tools to feel more focused, resilient, and grounded, this conversation is for you.
Explore our website
Shop the Manta Sleep Mask
Visit Dr. McKay's website
Follow Dr. McKay on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with neuroscientist and memory expert, Dr. Charan Ranganath. In this episode, Dr. Ranganath explains why we are wired to FORGET, hacks for boosting memory, and how memory and happiness are connected: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Dr. Sarah McKay!
(00:52) Getting Into Neuroscience
(03:55) Changing Life Trajectories
(06:03) Teen Brain vs Young Adult Brain vs Adult Brain
(16:39) Most SURPRISING Changes in Female Brain!
(26:19) Why is This Conversation So Important?
(26:56) How Do Hormones Influence My Mood + Happiness?
(34:17) Body Image: Why We Struggle
(39:17) Thoughts On a Phone Ban
(43:35) Brain Toolkit: Must-Know Hacks To Optimize Your Brain
(53:27) We Need Better Sleep!
(53:52) How Can I Build Positive Habits?
(59:24) Do THIS For Better Brain Health
(1:00:15) Dr. McKay To Her Teenage Self
(1:05:37) What Brings Dr. McKay a Small Bit of Happiness?
(1:07:07) Dr. Mckay's Motivational Quote
(1:08:45) Find Dr. McKay Here
(1:09:59) Check THIS Out
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Most people spend years trying to fit into systems that were never designed for how they think, create, or dream. The moment you step into an environment that values curiosity, courage, and creativity, everything changes.
Interlochen Center for the Arts isn’t just a school. It’s a launchpad. In 2026, it was ranked the #1 School for the Arts in America - and today, we're all getting to attend.
Mercedes and Anastasia sit with Trey Devey, the president, and Tristan Lysonge, a senior student actor. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it takes to grow in a high-pressure, high-performance environment, and how to stay grounded while doing it. This episode isn’t just about the arts. It’s about resilience, identity, pressure, belonging, and building a life with meaning.
After this episode, you’ll know:
– How to build resilience when you’re overwhelmed, homesick, or facing a major life transition.
– The mindset shift that turns passion into purpose.
– How to think on your feet and stay calm when the pressure is on.
– Hacks for managing nerves + handling criticism.
– What Interlochen is really teaching their world-changing students.
Whether you’re navigating a big transition, raising a teen, chasing a dream, or trying to figure out where you belong, this conversation is for you.
Explore our website
Shop the Manta Sleep Mask
Visit the Interlochen website
Follow Tristan on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with jazz singer, Stacey Kent. In this episode, Stacey shares her road to fame, advice for managing judgement, and hacks for pursuing your passion: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Trey and Tristan!
(01:42) Why is Interlochen Center for the Arts Unique?
(03:14) Interlochen's FORMULA For Creativity(05:36) How Can I Be More Creative?
(08:15) Tristan's Passion For Acting
(09:53) Moving Out For High School
(12:28) Hacks For Handling MAJOR Change
(13:52) Turning Passion & Potential Into Purpose
(17:11) Attend Interlochen For A Day - Here's What You'll Learn
(19:28) Regular School vs Interlochen Center for the Arts
(22:01) Pause For A Second!
(22:21) Tips For Avoiding Burnout (at any age)
(25:15) How Can Build Resilience & Empathy?
(28:00) Wifi + Internet On Creativity and Productivity
(30:03) Storytime: Rejection As A Young Actor
(33:13) 100 Year Anniversary: Important Changes Over the Last Century
(36:34) How Can I Pursue My Passion?
(38:39) On AI: How Trey Views Creativity & Careers Changing
(40:59) On AI: How Tristan Views His Future
(43:22) Looking At Tristan's Horizon
(44:14) Don't Miss Out On Your Best Sleep
(44:46) Rapid Fire!
(50:13) Find Interlochen & Tristan Here
(51:09) Your Next Stop
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We’re hitting rewind on history and stepping into the ancient world.
Michael Scott is a professor of Classics at the University of Warwick, a bestselling author, and the historian behind hit documentary series like Invisible Cities.
Mercedes and Anastasia join Michael for a journey back in time to ancient Greece and Rome, uncovering the hidden layers beneath modern cities and the timeless questions that have shaped humanity for thousands of years. Along the way, Michael shares the ancient wisdom and practices that can boost our happiness - and modern habits that are preventing us from living our best lives.
This episode isn’t just about history- it’s about perspective. It’s time travel without a machine; learning from lives lived long before ours and realizing that feeling unsure about your next step is part of the human experience.
After this episode, you’ll know:
– Why the biggest myth about the past is that it’s “over.”
– How people 2,500 years ago dealt with uncertainty, purpose, and happiness.
– Were people in the past happier than us?
– Ancient life hacks that we can utilize today!
– A simple way to bring the joy of discovery into your everyday life.
Whether you’re questioning your future, feeling overwhelmed by decisions, or just curious about how people lived & thought before us, this episode will make you feel less alone in your questions and more excited about exploring what’s next.
Explore our website
Shop the Manta Sleep Mask
Check out Michael's Website + buy his new book (US)!
Buy Michael's new book (UK)
Follow Michael on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with creator of Everybody Loves Raymond and star of Somebody Feed Phil, Phil Rosenthal. In this episode, Phil shares his learnings from traveling the world, his favourite food, and hacks for being more spontaneous: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Michael!
(01:36) Falling In Love With The Ancient World
(02:54) How Can I Become A Better Communicator?
(05:27) Why Should I Care About History?
(09:40) Storytime! Visiting Ancient Roman Sites
(12:56) The Joy of Discovery
(15:34) Happiness From Ancient Civilizations
(18:17) How Can I Deal With Life's Challenges?
(21:19) Did People Used To Be Happier?
(23:17) Pause This!
(23:49) Connection: Then vs Now
(27:25) Lessons From The Silk Road
(30:21) The Psychology Of The Ancient World
(32:16) Similarities Between Today & The Ancient World
(34:50) How Can I Make My Passion Into My Career?
(36:20) Did Ancient Civilizations Care About Passion?
(38:25) You Should Be Thankful For THIS!
(39:37) Want To Learn About History? Start Here
(41:53) Your Best Sleep Ever Awaits...
(42:25) Michael's Ultimate Bucket List
(43:59) The BIGGEST Historical Myth
(49:59) You Can Visit ONE Ancient Civilization
(50:23) Michael's Go-To Weeknight Dinner
(50:43) Michael To His Teenage Self
(51:26) What Brings Michael A Small Bit of Happiness?
(51:44) Michael's Motivational Quote
(52:24) Find Michael Here
(52:59) Your Next Stop
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What happens when you stop chasing perfection, and choose yourself instead?
Amelia Boone is a four-time world champion obstacle course racer, an elite ultrarunner, and an attorney at Apple. But her story isn’t just about medals or finish lines. It’s about what happens after you win, when the applause fades and you’re left wondering if you’re actually enough.
In this raw and radically honest conversation, the sisterly duo sits down with Amelia to explore what it really takes to succeed at the highest level - and what it costs when your identity is tied to achievement. From hiding a 20-year eating disorder to redefining strength, Amelia shares the mindset shifts, tangible tools, and hard-won wisdom that helped her trade perfection for purpose.
After this episode, you’ll know:
– Hacks to redefine success when your worth feels tied to achievement.– Amelia’s exact mental strategy for pushing through physical and emotional pain.
– How to stop chasing “the next win” and find joy in the process.
– What it looks like to prioritize happiness without losing your edge.
– Tangible tips for feeling 'good-enough'.
If you're a high achiever stuck in burnout, a student or athlete questioning your path, or simply someone trying to like yourself a little more, Amelia’s honesty will challenge you to rethink strength, success, and what it actually means to be happy.
Explore our website
Shop the Manta Sleep Mask
Follow Amelia on Instagram
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with ultra-endurance athlete and adventure racer, Rebecca Rusch. In this episode, Rebecca shares wild stories from her adventures, hacks for being fearless, and how anyone can start over: listen + watch now!
(00:00) Welcome, Amelia!
(01:20) Getting Into Obstacle Racing
(02:53) What Does It Take (Emotional + Mindset) To Become A World Class Athlete?
(04:16) I Don't Have Time - How Can I Explore Interests?
(06:11) What Does It Mean To Be 'The Queen of Pain'?
(08:06) Knowing When To Push vs Pull Back
(10:56) A Practical Guide For Getting Through Challenges
(13:04) The Impact of Success On Amelia's Confidence
(15:31) Amelia's Journey To Re-Gaining Her Confidence
(18:32) We All Know This Person
(19:15) The Most Challenging Thing Amelia Has Ever Done
(24:18) How Can I Feel More Worthy?
(26:23) Success vs Eating Disorders
(28:03) Amelia On The Desire For Control (and letting go of control)
(31:02) How Has Amelia Changed Her Relationship With Food?
(32:32) Meet The Manta Sleep Mask
(33:04) Amelia's Daily Habits
(36:02) How Can I Find Time For Daily Happiness Habits?
(38:04) Tips For Letting Others Help You
(41:10) Amelia's Favourite Post-Training Snack
(42:07) Amelia To Her Teenage Self
(43:57) What Brings Amelia A Small Bit of Happiness?
(44:53) Amelia's Motivational Quote
(45:56) Find Amelia Here
(46:22) Learn From Another 'Queen of Pain'!
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