About Progress

If you're still clinging to the idea that you are not creative, here's another fantastic interview to help you change the way you see yourself, and the reasons why that might be so important for you. Within your creative ability (it's in there, promise!) is the power, purpose, and fulfillment to shape your life and the lives of those around you that matter most. Writer Meg Conley shares her story and inspires you to reclaim your agency and create a life of meaning and fulfillment.   Meg tackles gender roles, home culture, and how to take creative action in this episode. She shares a few steps that she personally takes to begin creative endeavors, and it includes a lot of blank notebooks. You don't have to overhaul your whole world, you don't have to identify as traditionally creative, you just have to want more for yourself and take the first step forward in harnessing your creative power.   About a few other things...   Reclaim your creative power and rediscover who you actually are! If you’re ready to come back home to yourself, to be able to say that you know who you are and what matters to you, take my foundation course, “Finding Me.” It’s OK that you’ve lost parts of yourself along the way; but as you learn to anchor back into who you are and align your life to what matters to you, you’ll find that you have more strength, more fulfilment, and more creativity to bring to your important roles and responsibilities.   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   SHOW NOTES Meg's Instagram, Website, Medium Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Miss Kelsey Preschool and Kindergarten Boxes - 20% off with code ABOUTPROGRESS Try Better Help online therapy 10% off your first month New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Franzoni Thorley is the artist behind Flora Familiar, where she uses various art forms to address family history, antiracism education, and her culture. When you see her beautiful work you'll want to assume a lot about her talents. But, what she wants you to know is that artistic creativity is something she has worked to uncover within herself. Through her simple tips to uncover your creative side, and the guidance of this conversation, you'll begin to see where your creativity lies, because it's not always artistic.   Michelle's upbringing as a Mexican American and daughter of a single mother is what she attributes to being creative in many regards, because although her artwork did start young it did not flourish until she pursued it in her 30's. Now, since pushing aside perfectionism and leaning into the messiness of creativity, Michelle beautifully explores culture, family history, and educates others on antiracism through her art. Her perspective will inspire you to be brave, as she says "bravery is not about the lack of fear, bravery is about fear and doing it anyway."   About a few other things...   If you’re ready to come back home to yourself, to be able to say that you know who you are and what matters to you, take my foundation course, “Finding Me.” It’s OK that you’ve lost parts of yourself along the way; but as you learn to anchor back into who you are and align your life to what matters to you, you’ll find that you have more strength, more fulfilment, and more creativity to bring to your important roles and responsibilities   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Michelle's Instagram, Website, Patreon Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Miss Kelsey Preschool and Kindergarten Boxes - 20% off with code ABOUTPROGRESS Try Better Help online therapy 10% off your first month New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a community, we are anchoring into our deeper identity, one that exists OUTSIDE of our bodies and how they appear.This special episode is devoted to hearing from women of the About Progress community who share how they are fighting the constant push from the world to believe (and live!) otherwise.No! Here, we instead believe in the words of the Kite sisters from Beauty Redefined: we are more than our bodies. Full episode notes HERE.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I believe we really are all born to create, and this is something we've talked about often on the podcast. If that idea feels foreign to you, then I have a few suggestions of how you can dig in and find that spark again. Likely you're hung up on the definition of creativity, which I challenge you to reconsider. It's time to move away from that all or nothing thinking and remember that you don't have to earn the right to be a creative, you just have to create. Tune in for my 3 tips on how to begin to cultivate creativity in your life again, and how those things have helped me personally.   About a few other things...   If you’re ready to come back home to yourself, to be able to say that you know who you are and what matters to you, take my foundation course, “Finding Me.” It’s OK that you’ve lost parts of yourself along the way; but as you learn to anchor back into who you are and align your life to what matters to you, you’ll find that you have more strength, more fulfilment, and more creativity to bring to your important roles and responsibilities   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Miss Kelsey Preschool and Kindergarten Boxes - 20% off with code ABOUTPROGRESS Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is from an exclusive masterclass that was presented to the Strive Hive by registered dietitian Taylor Chan. This won't happen often, or maybe ever again, but her message on navigating diet culture is too important. When you tune in you'll hear her teachings on the 3 important new ways to look at nutrition and some reframing around specific food examples. There is also a question and answer session that took place in real time, and you will likely identify with the voices you hear. Taylor doesn't shy away from answering the big questions, too, like how to deal with family and emotional eating. This holistic approach to looking at food and nutrition is another important factor as we continue to learn how to honor our body this month.   About a few other things...   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Taylor's Instagram, Website Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Bravery Magazine - 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Try Better Help for 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In my coaching experience and working with the women in this community I have often heard, "What about my health problems?" Not being able to show up for your life the way you want to, because your health struggles affect your identity, is happening in big and small ways for many of you. If you feel "outside" of some of the topics we've been discussing here I want you to take the space you need within certain teachings to honor your body best. In this episode I want to remind you how to refocus on your identity, remove shame, honor your choices, and insert meaning and purpose into your struggles.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're dreading even the thought of it, the free "You Can Get Organized Challenge" is for you. Join our group challenge and hear daily live lessons from me on why you're struggling and how to work through it. Get support + have fun + share your "Small Organization Wins!"   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Bravery Magazine - 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Try Better Help for 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much of your time, your precious energy, are you spending worrying about your body, your food, and what others think about you? In a society that celebrates women in smaller bodies and oppresses women in larger bodies, you are not alone. Former macro coach, Ashton Barrett, describes her "diet rock bottom" and how she has learned to thrive on the other side. She teaches when it's time to ditch diets for good, and how to heal yourself by honoring your body through this shift.   In this conversation between Monica and Ashton you'll hear from two women who suffered from disordered eating, diagnosed and not, but work continuously towards healing. Through simple tips (unfollow diet culture accounts!) and more introspective guidance, such as honoring your fears, this is a gentle way to break the dieting cycle that you're stuck in.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're dreading even the thought of it, the free "You Can Get Organized Challenge" is for you. Join our group challenge and hear daily live lessons from me on why you're struggling and how to work through it. Get support + have fun + share your "Small Organization Wins!"   I have a goal to get to 1000 reviews, and I need your help! If you would leave a rating and simple review on Apple Podcast it would really help the show grow, and reach even more women who need this community. I appreciate each one, as well as your shares, it helps me keep the show going and know better how to serve you!   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Ashton's Instagram Leave a rating and review for the podcast! Bravery Magazine - 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Try Better Help for 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could go from a place of negativity, or numbness, towards your body, to a place of neutrality? What if you could go from there to liking it, even loving it. Your body is a part of you, but it is not all of you. If this feels foreign to you, it's time to heal your relationship with your body by stating there - with the relationship.   As we dive deeper into this month's theme of "Honor Your Body" we are lucky to learn from Anna Packard, a clinical psychologist and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist, who shares her own story with disordered eating and how she was fueled by that into helping others. Her simple approach will resonate immediately and be something you can apply today. This is a lesson unlike what the louder voices of the world want us to hear. This is all about us changing our orientation and feeling toward our bodies. It is no longer about our bodies needing to change.   About a few other things...   Whether you've already jumped head first into Spring cleaning, or you're dreading even the thought of it, the free "You Can Get Organized Challenge" is for you. Join our group challenge and hear daily live lessons from me on why you're struggling and how to work through it. Get support + have fun + share your "Small Organization Wins!"   If you feel stuck, or lost, it's time to uncover who you are and belong to yourself again with my newest course focused on identity. It's never too late to find yourself! Get the 6 week audio course and workbook at Finding Me.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Anna's Website Bravery Magazine - 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Try Better Help for 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much time are you spending thinking about your body and appearance, instead of your dreams and goals and other pursuits? For me, personally, it has been too much time. I recount a few very specific memories from my youth that shaped my own ideas of a perfect body, which, if you're familiar with my story, led to very difficult years of disordered eating. My guess is that you can relate and may have also struggled to really honor your body.   One thing I want you to remember, though, is that you are not your body. We must support and honor our physical bodies, but they do not define us and are not our identity. In this episode I'm sharing 4 things that have worked for me as I learn to honor my body. These are not strict rules, rather ways to help you find a new perspective as you develop a loving relationship with your body.   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Rational Faiths "Art, Nudity, and Modesty", Stephanie Nielson's "My New Life," About Progress Episode 97 "Stepping Into Your Power by Building a Resilient Body Image" with Lindsay Kite, phD, Episode 263 "Why You Don’t Need to be Afraid of Intuitive Eating" with Beth Summers, Episode 318 "How to Overcome Body Obsession" with Lexie Kite, phD, Episode 329 "A Misplacement of Identity"   About a few other things...   It's time to belong to yourself again, so you can belong to your life. Get my free and easy Belonging Guide, where I walk you through how to figure out what's missing in your life and what you can do about it.   If you feel stuck, or lost, it's time to uncover who you are and belong to yourself again with my newest course focused on identity. It's never too late to find yourself! Get the 6 week audio course and workbook at Finding Me.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Bravery Magazine - 10% off with code 'ABOUTPROGRESS' Get started on belonging to yourself with this free resource Join the free Organization Challenge New audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you think of your goals, are they the really big, New Year's Resolutions type? While a desire to totally revamp your morning routine, for example, is noble, it can be too large to be doable. To achieve change through sustainable growth you have to understand the keys to creating big routines by starting with small habits.   Not sure where to start? Sandra Chuma, Habits Coach and Podcaster, has some great ideas for how to break it down. She opens up about her own story from being born and raised in Zimbabwe, to building a company with her husband, and then attending university in her 40's, and more. Through mindset (fear of habits, anyone??), compounding actions, and a "failure plan," she teaches how you can have tangible and long-lasting success.   About a few other things...   If you're pumped about learning more about habits, but don't know where to start, get my free handout, "Sticky Habits for Progressors" HERE.   If you feel stuck, or lost, it's time to uncover who you are and belong to yourself again with my newest course focused on identity. It's never too late to find yourself! Get the 6 week audio course and workbook at Finding Me.   Quality matters with supplements. From protein powder, to energy-giving or calming drinks. Choose organic plant-based products with Organifi and get 20% off with the code ABOUTPROGRESS.   Sign up for the Go Getter Newsletter to get Progress Pointers in your inbox every Thursday.   SHOW NOTES Sandra's Instagram, Podcast, and Website Get 20% off Organifi with the code "ABOUTPROGRESS" Get my audio course on identity - "Finding Me" Try Better Help, today! Get on the waitlist for the Strive Hive, my monthly membership group Lend your voice and experience + be featured on the show HERE Join Monica on Facebook and Instagram Songs Credit: DRIVE by Dj Nicolai Heidlas @nicolai-heidlas Music provided by FREE MUSIC FOR VLOGS AND VIDEOS bit.ly/freemusicforvlogs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices