In this podcast episode, I interviewed Renata Trebing, an intuitive nutrition coach specializing in women's hormones, emphasizing the importance of understanding hormonal balance for overall well-being. Renata highlights the significance of tracking menstrual cycles to recognize patterns and identify potential hormonal imbalances, offering insights into symptoms and signs to watch for - something that would have been so helpful for me at the beginning of my health journey! Find out more about Renata at ⁠nourishwithrenata.com⁠ 

In this first episode of the new year (I've been hibernating!), I open up about my personal journey through unexpected challenges and survival mode. From conquering health hurdles to a pregnancy twist, my story is a testament to resilience and overcoming the unexpected. Tune in to hear how faith, inner strength, and the support of loved ones guided me through life's toughest moments, offering inspiration and encouragement for anyone facing their own trials. Find more information on the course I referenced in this episode here ⁠https://amiereed.podia.com/return-to-you

I'm recounting my biggest "survival mode" scare in the form of my health journey and all my mysterious symptoms. Frustrated with traditional medical approaches, I chose to embrace holistic and alternative methods, uncovering hidden toxins like mold in my living environment. I'm using this episode to emphasize the importance of advocating for one's health, the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being, and the significance of considering environmental factors in the pursuit of comprehensive wellness.

We're diving into the importance of setting boundaries during the festive season and recognizing the diverse emotions it can evoke. Drawing from personal experiences and insights gained from reading "Boundaries" by psychologist John Townsend, I'm sharing my journey in establishing boundaries to protect my mental energy. The episode covers strategies for managing holiday activities, thoughtful gift-giving, and fostering the magic of Christmas for children while addressing challenging family dynamics through effective communication techniques.

Before continuing on the topic of our external worlds, I review the last two episodes and explain why it's important to know if you're an extrovert or introvert. Then we delve into survival modes and how it can show up differently in different phases of our lives and how it complicates doing any 'deeper' work.

In addition to the typical Thanksgiving gratitude episode you might expect, I give you two unexpected aspects: 1) why I am thankful for concealer (a hilarious conversation with my daughter); and 2) how gratitude actually opens our minds and hearts for a more positive life. Happy Thanksgiving, I am so grateful you are here on this journey with me.

After a rave review of my daughter from her teacher, I got to thinking about our social skills and how much pressure the external world can put on us to be a certain way. Until the age of 35 I thought I was an extrovert - everyone told me so. But finding out I was truly an introvert was a game changer for my self-care and how I show up for myself, my family and my friends.

Not knowing where to start, I am starting from the beginning with external validation. Specifically with some of my quarter life struggles and why most of us have a hard time in our 20s.

After being inspired to leave a legacy for my kids, here I am putting my thoughts and guidance into a podcast in the hopes of them one day having me in their ears, long after I'm gone. As a therapist and life coach, I have an abundance of stories and knowledge that I am eager to pass on to my kids. While putting as much love as I can for my kids into each episode, I hope you're entertained, I hope you're moved, I hope you laugh, and if it helps, I hope you cry a little too. Thanks for being here with me as I leave these notes from mom.