Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

When life hands you a bunch of BIG things all at once, they tend to take up a lot of energy, time and capacity in your life. And that’s what I’ve been dealing with lately. I even contemplated taking a break from the podcast this week, but then decided to just turn on the mic and talk about everything that is going on. I believe by sharing some of my experiences and how I am working through them is helpful (not only for me), but for you as well. Tune in to the episode as I talk about three big things that are happening in my personal and professional life, what I'm doing about self-care, plus the feelings that surround it (read: guilt) and what you can do for YOUR life if you can relate.In this episode you’ll hear: My heartbreaking experience with bringing a rescue dog home Some book proposal news and waiting on a book deal Reflecting on how can you slow down in your life and take a break, guilt-free http://yourkickasslife.com/311  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week Sydney Williams joins me on the show! Sydney is a former collegiate athlete and competitive skydiver (and it was news to me this is a competitive sport!) who unexpectedly found herself on the receiving end of a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis while grappling with unresolved trauma from a decades-old sexual assault. So what did she do? She set out on a mission to turn her pain into power. Two hikes across Catalina Island and 80 miles later, she founded Hiking My Feelings to help others tap into the mind-body connection and healing power of nature that helped kick her self-limiting beliefs and disease into remission. In this episode, Sydney and I had a conversation about enduring hardships, the choices we make in the wake of them, and how we cope and make peace with our pain. We also talked about how Sydney’s hiking trips led her to appreciate her body, as well as, accepting and reversing her Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. Her story is an incredible one. Our conversation was a beautiful one. I hope you’ll listen. In this episode, you’ll hear: What led Sydney to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail, completely unprepared, armed only with delusional self-confidence (5:21) Some of the moments and lessons from her first backpacking trip (12:57) Embracing her body just the way it is and taking deliberate action to make her social media feed a place to find positivity and inspiration (13:50) Her Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, how she handled it and what she did to reverse it (18:22) What it means to unpack your trauma and how Sydney began to unpack her own following a sexual assault (29:03) One step survivors of trauma can take to start the healing process (40:44) http://yourkickasslife.com/310  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where were you in November 2009? This time ten years ago I had a two-year-old, a newborn, was finishing up my coach training certification and was in the planning stages of launching Your Kick-Ass Life into the Universe. At that time writing books seemed like a far-away dream as I felt I had enough plates spinning (and was dropping more than a few). As I look back on the last ten years, it’s clear that a lot can happen in a decade. Yes, I’ve had a lot of success and I’m incredibly grateful for that. But, to be honest, the thing I’m the most grateful for and proud of is the internal growth I’ve done. The mental and emotional growth I’ve intentionally moved through. I couldn’t have had the other successes like writing and publishing books and business growth without doing my own work. And I see you. I see you, the woman who listens loyally every week to this podcast, and other personal development podcasts every week. The woman who goes to therapy, who maybe goes to trauma therapy even though she’s had a good week and really doesn’t want to go. Who has that hard conversation with her partner even though she’s afraid. The woman who’s taking a closer look at her drinking, or who’s decided to get sober, or stay sober. Who’s kept on going on this personal development journey even though her family teases her about it because they just don’t get it. The woman who’s separated or going through a divorce and it’s been the hardest year of her life. And she keeps just putting one foot in front of the other. Who’s struggled with her health or infertility, we see you, we see all of you. The woman who’s lost a parent, or a friend, or her beloved pet. And no matter what you’re going through, no matter what your year has looked like, I know if you’re listening to this, you ARE on your way, you’re still on your journey to your best life. So, this is the last month of the D E C A D E. Let’s take a look back on it. Tune into this episode as I ask you powerful questions about where you’ve been, what you’ve learned, and what you want to take with you into the next decade. There is a special journaling worksheet to accompany this episode too. Be sure to grab yours at the link below!http://yourkickasslife.com/309  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I am pumped to share today’s episode with you! Partly because it is a coaching session episode, partly because Tracie, the lovely lady I am coaching, is a longtime coaching client of mine, and partly because I was (and still am) fired up about the topic Tracie brought to our session! Oh and I also am doing something I haven’t done in a loooonnng time. All the details are in this episode, so you will have to listen in. 😉 We’re staring down the barrel at the end of the decade. So what are you declaring for the next decade? Well, for this week’s coaching client, Tracie, she’s grappling with following her heart and soul’s deepest passion - starting a business of her own. And as she inches closer to turning 50-years old this year, she came to me, looking for some help and some answers, to move closer to her goal.Wanting to follow your heart and your passion, but not taking action, is a topic many can relate. In fact, I see this all the time in my work. There may be something you are yearning to do but are unsure how to get there. Maybe your values are misaligned, your inner critic is holding you back or it’s something else entirely. In this episode, we explore the things keeping Tracie from moving forward, we discuss the concept of, ‘Sometimes being selfish is okay,’ and we walk through some actions steps Tracie can take to reach her ultimate goal - freedom from a job that she feels is holding her back. Know that you CAN be selfish, selfless, give back, and answer the calling of your soul. Keep that fire lit under your ass and in your heart, ass-kickers. And never, ever forget your why. I hope this episode inspires and motivates you to take the next step in your life. In this episode you’ll hear: Tracie’s feeling of being stuck in her job and not making any progress towards what she really wants to do (7:00) Not being aligned with what you want to be doing versus what you are doing (8:00) Tracie’s value around freedom and how she is craving it in her life right now (12:47) Feelings of selfishness and the whole concept of ‘what is selfish was okay?’ (16:00) I give Tracie some assignments so she can start going after what she wants in her career (23:17) Tracie’s kick-ass audio update (36:41) Resources mentioned in this episode:You Are a Badass At Making Money, Jen Sincero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I welcome Nicole Whiting to the podcast. She is a “life pacer” who turned to running during a time of tremendous hardship. Instead of retreating and playing the victim, Nicole picked something extraordinary, ultra-running, to help her process and move the difficulties through her body. Now an ultra-runner and life coach, Nicole meets women “where they are” and gets them across the finish line. I’ve been looking forward to having Nicole on my show for a long time! I met her in January through a Mastermind group and y’all, she’s kinda stolen my heart. In this episode, Nicole and I talk about being out of your league, but still committing to being all in, and Nicole’s experience of moving from survival mode to thriving mode.I love Nicole’s story so much because so many people have experienced some kind of life altering event and struggle to move past it. Nicole says, “The race starts, when it starts to hurt.” And some might say, the real work (when it comes to personal development) starts when things start to feel hard. Our conversation truly talks to that idea and and how physical movement might be the key to help get you through life’s toughest transitions. In this episode, you’ll hear: How and why Nicole got into running and became an ultra-marathoner, plus what ultra-running is (9:51) Nicole’s experience with training and participating in an Iron Man race (12:00) How showing up, even in the face of the unknown, could be a gamechanger and what living life unapologetically means (18:00) The trauma Nicole faced when she was 13 and how it shaped her(21:00) Processing emotion through body movement (25:33) Nicole’s emotional and grueling experience running a 100 mile race, and what she learned from it (26:13) http://yourkickasslife.com/307  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solo episode for you this week! Today I’m talking about taking breaks, introversion, and becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Recently a friend of mine asked me how she could overcome her introversion. And I was like, “Wait, hold up!” Introversion is a character trait, not something to overcome. It is what makes you, you. Overcoming unwanted behaviors like the kind I talk about in my book, How to Stop Feeling Like Shit, yes absolutely.  Being an introvert, being tall, or having long fingers - those are things you should embrace and never shun away. I go into this further, in this episode. I also talk about being comfortable with the uncomfortable. To sum it up here, life is a series of uncomfortable and awkward events and conversations. Stop waiting for comfortable. Humans are ever-evolving (now I’m not trying to act like we’re better than everyone else, but I’m just sayin’ if you listen to my podcast you’re out there doing hard work and probably evolving at a faster rate than those who don’t. I mean… 🤷). And if I know you, I know you love to read personal development books, listen to podcasts, and know you’re taking action on bettering your life. YAY YOU! And sometimes you need a break. In this episode you’ll hear me talk about a big break I’ve been taking, what a psychic told me a few weeks ago about this break, and how I feel about taking lots of action and seeing results, and not taking any action at all. (Hint: you’re always exactly where you need to be). In this episode you’ll hear: Someone asked me, “How can I overcome my introversion?” and I share my answer You don’t have to always be ‘moving’ to feel like a productive member of society Why I am such a fan of taking a break and making myself a priority Trust your inner wisdom because she knows what is best for you  My meeting with a psychic and how she called me out  http://yourkickasslife.com/306  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Returning guest, Shannon Kaiser joins me this week on the YKAL podcast. She is the bestselling author of five books on the psychology of happiness and fulfillment, including the #1 bestseller, The Self-Love Experiment and Adventures for Your Soul. Her new book, Joy Seeker: Let Go of What's Holding You Back So You Can Live the Life You Were Made For, is available this week! It is always a pleasure to talk to this amazing lady. Today we talk about joy, spirituality, and authentic living. As you will hear, the underlying message to our conversation is, giving yourself permission to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. We talk about how women can work to trust and believe in themselves, how to live more authentically and how to speak your truth. As Shannon said so perfectly during our time together, “It all comes back to living your life from a place of integrity, a place of truth, and a place of honesty; that is the true joy.”In this episode you’ll hear: What led Shannon to write Joy Seeker and how her experiences appear throughout it (8:00) Ask yourself, “What have you always wanted to do but have not given yourself permission to do?” (9:00) How women can work to trust and believe in themselves and how we can follow our hearts and our dreams; plus ask yourself, “What dream keeps coming back to you?” (11:00) Being in gratitude and exploring gratitude practices (30:00) How losing what you love most can help you find what you need and honoring your grief (34:00) Letting go of who you think you're supposed to be so you can be who you’re meant to be (39:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/305  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the podcast I have another coaching episode for you. Long-time YKAL community member and Patron, Corrina joins me. She is a working mom from Toronto who needed help with prioritizing time for her own self-care. Here is what I love about this episode, not only is Corrina a loyal listener of the show, our conversation starts out on one topic and ends up going in a different direction. If you’ve listened to some of my past coaching sessions, you’ve come to learn that’s typically how my sessions go. And I love it. 🙌🙌🙌 Our conversation went from what seemed like a “simple” struggle (and I use the word simple loosely because nothing is ever simple in self-help) and turned to having (or in this case not having) support or help around the household. We discussed partnerships, having hard conversations and how to ask for what you need from your partner, with compassion and gratitude. The health of any relationship rests on the reciprocity of love, trust, and the work it takes to create a household. Corrina and I explore this topic together and come up with a possible solution to her current struggles. As you will hear, Corrina learns that prioritizing means reaching out for help so she can make more, “Yes” decisions for her own wellbeing. In this episode you’ll hear: Corrina’s struggle with prioritizing and making time for self-care (6:01) Working through her feeling of shame when it comes to taking care of the home (ie: home not in order or clean) (9:00) Realizing that you can’t do all the things, all the time without feeling resentful (9:21) Communicating the severity of the lack of support around the household and having hard conversations with a partner (18:37) Finding the line between realistic and unrealistic expectations and not trusting your own voice (22:06) Acknowledging and leaning into each other’s love languages (33:21) Telling your partner what you want and need from your relationship with compassion and gratitude (36:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/304  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

💥Special announcement, ass kickers! Amy Smith and I are starting a new podcast that will focus on hilarious stories, PLUS answering your burning questions! You’ll hear more about it in the intro to this episode, and you can ask your questions HERE. 💥This week I welcome back returning guest, Erin Stutland! Erin is a renowned author and mind-body wellness expert and the host and life-style coach of Z Living’s cable series, Altar’d. I reference her work often and I am thrilled to have her back to talk about her book, Mantras in Motion. We live in a culture where we spend a lot of time in our own heads. And while it’s comfortable there, it can hold us back. Today Erin describes how movement in our bodies can lead to inspired action and movement in our lives. We talk about how her work and her book help clear out beliefs holding you back and what it means to move well. We also explore the topic of our “own brands of existence,” (aka: the inner critic), and some ways to move away from them. While the whole concept of getting into our bodies, out of our heads, and moving can seem foreign, Erin introduces us to it in such a way that it makes sense and is easy to implement. It’s time to move. 💃In this episode you’ll hear: The catalyst for writing her book, Mantras in Motion, and what readers can expect from it (9:00) The purpose for combining movement with mantras and helping people reconnect to their bodies; and what the movement might actually look like (11:27) Some ways we can get out of our head and get connected with our bodies (18:00) How movement in your body can create movement in your life (24:16) What Erin means when she uses the word resistance and some ways to move forward from it (25:13) http://yourkickasslife.com/303  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I welcome Chase Chewning to the YKAL podcast. Chase is the creator of the platform Ever Forward and host of the podcast Ever Forward Radio. I’ve been on his podcast twice and y’all, he is an amazing host who is doing phenomenal things in the wellness industry (and wait until you hear his radio voice. Just wait). Today we take on big topics such as mental health, the revolution in masculinity and moving ever forward no matter the circumstance. Chase shares openly with me the physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma he experienced following a serious hip injury, which led to being medically discharged from the military and having to learn to walk again. And like many of the conversations I have with my guests, ours shifted to topics I did not expect but am so glad they did. We discussed the stories men (and women) sometimes make up about what it means to be a man (as in hiding one’s emotions) and how a revolution in masculinity is flipping those stories on their heads. As Chase so eloquently stated, “Every area of your life will be significantly better once you get honest, look inside, and allow yourself to feel.” Yes, we got a bit deep, philosophical, and real in this episode. But as you’ll hear at the top of the show, it’s important to be the person you were meant to be. This episode is a perfect example of Chase and I, doing just that. In this episode you’ll hear: The physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma Chase experienced following medical discharge from the military due to a hip injury and having to learn to walk again (11:00) Internal and external healing: who and what was most helpful to Chase (emotionally and physically) during his journey (19:00) Chase on the revolution in masculinity and the importance of women being present with a man while he shares his deepest and darkest fears (27:00) Coming to our own conclusions about religion and spirituality (35:00) Chase’s mantra, Ever Forward: what it means and why it matters so much to him (47:09) http://yourkickasslife.com/302  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices