The Vitalist
Dr. Keiko Finnegan & Dr. Sera Sheppard
Welcome to The Vitalist Podcast, where we take a vitalistic-powered approach to optimal living. This is your space to gain transformative knowledge, deepen your mind-body connection, and awaken your human spirit.
Join us as we explore the art and science of healing through thought-provoking conversations with practitioners, scientists, creatives, and visionaries. Driven by awe and wonder, we deepen the conversation around health and healing. Here, we believe human beings are healable, thrivable, and adaptable.
Our mission is to provide a vitalistic framework to help you reconnect with your innate healing potential, embrace the wisdom of your body, and trust the process of life’s challenges. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your well-being, or embrace a deeper perspective on healing, our mission is to help you experience moments of profound discovery that change how you see yourself and the world.
The Vitalist Podcast invites you to slow down, be moved by beautiful questions, and live like a true vitalist.
Join us as we explore the art and science of healing through thought-provoking conversations with practitioners, scientists, creatives, and visionaries. Driven by awe and wonder, we deepen the conversation around health and healing. Here, we believe human beings are healable, thrivable, and adaptable.
Our mission is to provide a vitalistic framework to help you reconnect with your innate healing potential, embrace the wisdom of your body, and trust the process of life’s challenges. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your well-being, or embrace a deeper perspective on healing, our mission is to help you experience moments of profound discovery that change how you see yourself and the world.
The Vitalist Podcast invites you to slow down, be moved by beautiful questions, and live like a true vitalist.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 7, 2025 • 55min
From Setback to Strength: Coach Dar on Turning Pain into Purpose - Ep 001
Dr. Keiko sits down with powerhouse leadership coach and mental skills expert Darlene Santore—known as Coach Dar (@thecoachdar)—for a deep and uplifting conversation on resilience, purpose, and what it really takes to bounce back from life's hardest moments. From working with elite athletes and CEOs to surviving three strokes, Coach Dar brings real, raw wisdom on mental fortitude and the art of rewriting your story when life knocks you down. Her new book, The Art of Bouncing Back, is a call to action for anyone ready to rise stronger—not in spite of challenges, but because of them. HIGHLIGHTS What it means to be “licensed to rise” after setbacks (5:61) Why adversity isn’t a punishment—it’s preparation (8:21) Finding your “flow state” and working in your genius zone (13:57) Coach Dar shares her mentor Laurie Beth Jones (14:02) Dar’s ultimate game changer in life when things get tough (18:10) The moment Dar stopped looking for approval (22:40) Letting people off the train. Not everyone is meant to go the full ride with you. Letting them go is part of your growth. (24:15) Mental resilience starts by choosing hard over easy (24:56) There’s no “right” way to grieve—just feel it, share it, and reframe it to keep moving forward. Grief is a personal journey (31:33) Dar reflects on giving a keynote less than 24 hours after watching her mother take her last breath—and how she channeled that pain into purpose. (32:28) Dar’s micro moments to recharge her energy (40:48) Using stillness to discover your strengths (42:20) Coach Dar shares her mental reset rituals even while in your car and with animals –sometimes it’s just the simple things that reset your soul. (42:57) How not to agree with everyone-it’s about embracing differences and finding common ground through kindness. (45:22) Surprising an Uber driver with apple pie to encourage the importance of human connection. (44:56) This episode is for the visionaries, the high-performers, the healers, and anyone who’s ever asked: Can I come back from this? Coach Dar’s answer? Yes. You’re born to rise. RESOURCES AND LINKS instagram.com/thecoachdar www.coachdar.com The Art of Bouncing Back Never miss an episode. Subscribe to get notified about what's coming next. Follow us @TheVitalistPodcast www.TheVitalistPodcast.com Visit us @KinfolkOptimalLiving www.KinfolkOptimalLiving.com
