the tara bixby podcast

I'm curious, do you struggle with your weight and feeling comfortable in your body? Do you have an unhealthy relationship with food? Is your worth tied up in your pant size? I've struggled with my weight for what feels like my whole life, and I'm most definitely riding shotgun on the emotional eating struggle bus. If you want to hear more about my weight struggle, be sure to tune into episode 4. As we roll into a new year, where diet culture is preying on our insecurities, I wanted to give you a serious dose of inspiration. Today's guest. Jessi Jean straight took me to church in today's episode. Jessi Jean is a Certified Eating Psychology Coach who turned her decade long struggle with food + body into her mission. Now she helps women worldwide end the fight with food using unique brain-based techniques so they can have an effortless relationship with food + unshakeable confidence in their skin. IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  How Jessi's diet/binge cycle journey led her to help other women find food freedom (5:01) What Jessi's journey with food and body love looked like (7:26) Questions to ask yourself if you're wondering if you have an unhealthy relationship with food (12:31) Jessi's thoughts on "disordered" eating (14:27) The power of reprogramming your brain to transform your life (17:25) How Jessi healed and found food freedom (19:10) Why you can have food freedom and still care about your body (24:50) An activity to help you better understand how society dangles an unattainable carrot in front of you (27:34) How body image ideals change over the decades (31:24) How to show companies you are not going to support unrealistic body ideals (33:27) What healing from body obsession looks like (35:32) Why your ideal body type might not be a healthy body type for you (37:09) Why you need to question and understand the systemic problems surrounding weight (41:20) Jessi's tips for navigating diet culture as you enter 2021 (44:10) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@jessijeannn and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Get 10% off your first Primally Pure order with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/jessi-jean/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today's guest is writer and essayist Christie Tate, who recently published her debut memoir, Group. Group is a real and vulnerable look at how one therapist and a group of strangers saved Christie's life. In law school, Christie was at the top of her class, yet she found herself struggling with suicidal ideations. What was missing? Christie desperately craved intimacy and connection, and with some serious reservations, Christie took the advice of a friend and sought help. Group is not your typical how-to book, but rather a raw look inside one courageous woman's struggle with a longtime eating disorder, suppressed emotions, trauma, the pursuit of unavailable men, and personal transformation. IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  What led Christie to write her debut memoir Group (5:38) A misconception about therapy (8:20) What Christie discovered about herself while writing Group (9:24) How Christie's thoughts were her worst enemy (10:54) Where Christie's negative internal dialogue came from (12:05) One thing Christie appreciates about her group process (13:25) What healing looked like to Christie (15:33) One of the things that tripped Christie up in group therapy (18:30) Christie's thoughts on how long you could stay in Group (19:54) The metaphor Christie uses to describe Group (21:35) What Dr. Rosen's prescriptions looked like (23:27) Christie's role in group therapy in regards to Dr. Rosen (27:02) How Christie feels when new members join her Group (28:23) One of Christie's biggest shocks about group therapy (32:16) Why christie struggled to get close to people (34:26) Christie's thoughts on calling anger bad (36:24) How Christie feels closer to people who show their "mess" (40:56) Where shame comes from for Christie (41:58) How Christie's will to be in a relationship led to unfulfilled relationships (42:38) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@christieotate and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: I need your help! Podcasting is like a popularity contest, and while I could care less about being popular, I want to make sure as many women as possible hear The Courageously.u Podcast. That's why I need your help. If you love The Courageously.u Podcast, click here to leave a 5-star review of the show. You get bonus points for adding a comment, too. Together we can make sure no woman struggles alone in silence. Thanks for your help, friend! __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/christie-tate/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today's guest is the courageous Kerri Axelrod. Kerri is a leading expert in a holistic approach to mental health, specializing in the connection between diet, lifestyle, and mood. In her work as a certified holistic health coach and nutrition consultant, she utilizes nutritional science, cutting-edge scientifically proven research, and the integrative modalities of Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. Before helping other women heal holistically, Kerri spent most of her life sad, anxious, overweight, frustrated – convinced that if she just lost weight, her life would change. In her twenties, she was a rising star in the fast-paced, high-stress world of national politics. Working long hours at a grueling pace, she endured a personal health crisis that marked the beginning of her health and wellness journey. After being diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disorder and bouncing between doctors to only be left without answers, she quit her job, packed up her life in D.C., and devoted herself to getting healthy. Now Kerri is the creator of a monthly online educational tool for integrative resources on mental well-being and frequently provides expert commentary for national and local media publications. She was also recently named one of Boston magazine's go-to wellness pros for nutrition services as well as one of the "Top 10 Healthy Food Instagramers to Follow." IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  How Kerri's mental health struggles led her to work in the world of wellness (4:56) What anxiety looks like for Kerri (6:36) Kerri's struggle with weight (8:39) How years of putting her career in national politics first led to an autoimmune disease (10:33) What Kerri's healing journey looked like (17:01) Kerri's tips on how to improve your wellness (20:28) The advice Kerri would give you if you're struggling with your wellness (25:20) The evolution of Kerri working 1:1 with clients (25:39) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@kerriaxelrod and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Ready to reduce your anxiety through breathwork? CLICK HERE to download your freebie today! __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/kerri-axelrod/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Part of my mission with the courageously.u podcast is to help you break free from beliefs and behaviors that keep you stuck. For the longest time, I believed periods were supposed to be painful, and the only way to function through the pain was to take medications. I’ve recently learned that my belief couldn’t be any farther from the truth.  To help further educate not only you but myself on hormonal health, I invited Dr. Neal Barnard onto the show.  Dr. Neal Barnard is an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and President of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota, Dr. Barnard received his M.D. degree at the George Washington University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the same institution. Dr. Barnard has led numerous research studies investigating the effects of diet on diabetes, body weight, and chronic pain, including a groundbreaking study of dietary interventions in type 2 diabetes, funded by the National Institutes of Health, that paved the way for viewing type 2 diabetes as a potentially reversible condition for many patients. Dr. Barnard has authored more than 90 scientific publications and 20 books for medical and lay readers and is the editor in chief of the Nutrition Guide for Clinicians, a textbook made available to all U.S. medical students. As president of the Physicians Committee, Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research. His research contributed to the acceptance of plant-based diets in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. In 2016, he founded the Barnard Medical Center in Washington, DC, as a model for making nutrition a routine part of all medical care.     Working with the Medical Society of the District of Columbia and the American Medical Association, Dr. Barnard has authored key resolutions, now part of AMA policy, calling for a new focus on prevention and nutrition in federal policies and in medical practice.  You can consider this episode your 101 course in hormonal health. If you’re ready, pull up a seat, or shall I say ear, and get ready to take some notes IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  What hormones are (5:10) Where things go wrong with your hormones (6:01) What determines the level of estrogen in your blood (11:10) Why doctors aren't educating us on our hormonal health (12:59) What Dr. Barnard wants you to do to heal your hormones (14:20) What endometriosis is (16:06) On average, how long it takes to heal your hormones (18:45) What PCOS is (22:16) How to begin shifting to a vegan diet (26:56) Why we shouldn't give kids milk (28:03) Dr. Barnard's thoughts on coffee (30:18) Why infertility seems to be on the rise (32:02) The first step to reducing menstrual pain (35:33) Whether or not toxins impact hormonal health (37:50) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@drnealbarnard and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Save 10% on your Branch Basics Starter Kit with code: COURAGE __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/neal-barnard/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Did you know that I work in an all-male prison? Yup! During my 9 to 5 or more like 6 to 4, you can find me working as a mental health clinician in an Idaho prison. Working with fellas who are incarcerated has opened my eyes in a way that they had never been opened before. I've become massively aware that trauma is real, substance abuse is, in fact, a common coping skill, and that many families looked like anything but the Brady bunch. Today's episode is me sharing a sliver of what I see at work with you. Granted, Doug was never incarcerated in Idaho. He was once incarcerated. Doug Bopst was a former convicted felon and drug addict, sentenced to months in jail due to being found guilty of "possession with intent to sell." With his cellmate's help, Doug was able to find fitness and use his time locked up to beat his demons and reinvent himself.  Doug is now an award-winning personal trainer, author, and host of the Adversity Advantage Podcast. He was voted Baltimore's "12 Fitness Heroes" in 2015 by The Baltimore Sun, and he has been featured on the Today Show and Men's Health. With the drug epidemic at an all-time high, he is on a crusade to share his story with hopes of inspiring others not only on the power of fitness but also to help inspire others to beat addiction.  IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU'LL LEARN:  How incarceration and fitness saved Doug's life (5:40) Why Doug used substances to cope (8:22) What led to Doug's incarceration (12:04) What Doug would tell a kiddo who's struggling with big emotions (17:36) How time led to change for Doug (20:15) The four things Doug would tell someone who has an addict in their life (26:22) How Doug navigated triggers (32:42) Ways Doug managed cravings (34:54) How anxiety presented itself in Doug's life and how he navigated it (37:50) What Doug's up to now (45:46) What Doug would tell his younger self (49:05) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@dougbopst and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Save 10% on your Four Sigmatic purchase with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/doug-bopst/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

You all know anxiety is my jam. I'm basically obsessed with all things anxiety, so when I learned of today's guest, you better believe I was all over getting him on The Courageously.u Podcast.  Today's guest is Dr. Russell Kennedy. Dr. Kennedy grew up with a parent with schizophrenia and developed his own anxiety disorder as a result. Dr. Kennedy has degrees and advanced training in medicine, neuroscience, and developmental psychology. He is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher —and to top it all off, Russell was a professional stand-up comedian for over a decade. His life's work is dedicated to helping people to recover from anxiety. His Book, Anxiety Rx combines his traditional scientific training with lessons learned from his atypical life experience to show people exactly how to escape chronic worry.  I'm a firm believer that anxiety is not black or white and that it presents itself in many shades of grey. Dr. Russell and I dive deep into the grey areas of anxiety. IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  How having a father that lived with schizophrenia ignited Russell's anxiety (4:25) What happens when we stop reading ourselves (5:47) Why we project on to people close to us (7:55) How Russell's anxiety led to him contemplating suicide (8:54) What Russell believes is the underlying cause of anxiety (9:22) How our ego dragon overprotects us from potential dangers (10:40) Why it's important to sit with and notice your anxiety (13:42) The one thing Russell wants you to do (14:19) Why Russell wants you to stop using the word anxiety (16:48) Why you can't have anxiety without being a victim (17:47) How your alarm (your inner child) is asking for attention (19:51) How to reconnect to your inner child (24:21) The correlation between childhood trauma and chronic anxiety (26:50) What the three W's of warning are (29:13) Why uncertainty drives anxiety (29:33) How worries are used to avoid feelings (33:04) How to get out of your thoughts and back into sensation (42:06) Why one can split from themself (47:03) Russell's thoughts on mental health meds and GP's role in prescribing meds (49:50) What Russell does when he has a panic attack (56:56) Why people mistake a panic attack for a heart attack (58:06) Why people cry during yoga (1:02:39) Russell's thoughts on health anxiety (1:07:54) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@theanxietymd and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Save 10% on your Four Sigmatic purchase with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/russell-kennedy/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today's guest is holistic nutritionist, and lifestyle cleanse expert Elissa Goodman. Elissa has struggled with her health her entire life, culminating in cancer and Hashimoto's in her 30's. Beyond her own health, she has also struggled while watching various loved ones suffer from health-related issues, including her husband Marc, who lost his battle to cancer in his mid-40's. Elissa believes that proper nourishment, healing by listening to your "gut, connecting to your inner strength, and a daily renewal practice is essential for optimal living. She's on a mission to educate and encourage healthy, mindful living while helping others embrace the concept that we are a product of what we eat and how we treat ourselves. Today's episode is jam-packed full of nuggets of wisdom, so feel free to take notes. I may be biased, but I feel this is just the episode we need as we roll into a wild holiday season. IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  Elissa's health story that led her to use food to heal (3:23) The importance of marrying conventional and functional medicine (9:01) Elissa's BIG epiphany (11:18) What happens to your gut when you're stressed and unhappy (12:42) Why focusing on your emotions and diet are essential in healing (13:32) What Elissa does for self-care to improve her well-being (14:46) Why you are never too old to reinvent yourself (18:11) The benefits of juicing (19:04) The importance of using food and lemon water to cleanse the toxins from our body (22:11) One of the best things to do for yourself in the morning (25:44) Why Elissa love's juicing and doesn't worry about the fiber being eliminated (26:34) Why you shouldn't put fruit in your juices (27:35) What to do if you don't have a juicer and want a shortcut (27:51) How Elissa does intermittent fasting and why she chose to fast (29:35) Key foods to incorporate into your diet (32:09) The supplements I use to improve my hormonal health (34:27) Foods Elissa encourages people to avoid (35:42) Why Elissa thinks the word superfoods is overrated (38:09) The benefits of taking organic MCT oil (41:35) Elissa's thoughts on alcohol (41:40) Why we should be drinking bone broth (43:45) The importance of sleep (46:02) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@elissagoodman and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Toss the toxins in your home for good! For a limited time only, Branch Basics is giving YOU 10% off your first Starter Kit. Click here to start tossing the toxins today! __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/elissa-goodman/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Today with are chatting with a survivor of a sexual assault, Lacy Crawford. I'll let Lacy share her story with you, but I do want to chat a second about why this episode means so much to me.  Did you know, on average, there are 433,648 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States, and every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted? Bananas, right?!? I'll never forget the feeling that came over me when I realized how many courageous souls had been sexually assaulted. The majority of my clientele, both in community work and corrections, have experienced sexual abuse at one point in their life (Not all, but definitely a large majority). This blew my mind! Why? Because no one ever talks about sexual assault. I honestly had no clue that it was really a problem until I became a therapist. Becoming a therapist opened my eyes to the realities that many people's emotional struggles stem from past sexual trauma. Creating a conversation around sexual abuse is very important to me, and that's why this week's podcast interview with the ever courageous Lacy Crawford is so near and dear to my heart. IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  Where Lacy found the courage to share her story of sexual assault (6:24) The red flag that leads to victims holding blame and shame (9:34) The background of what led to Lacy's first sexual assault (11:00) The events that followed after Lacy was sexually assaulted (14:22) When Lacy gave up and concluded her body no longer belonged to her (15:40) Why Lacy didn't kick and scream and say no (17:08) How Lacy's deadening inside carried with her into adulthood (17:45) How Lacy coped with the assault, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts (19:00) How Lacy refused to let the perpetrators and elite boarding school take what she had worked so hard to build away from her (21:35) The methods Lacy used to heal her inner child (24:45) What saved Lacy's life (27:57) How an elite boarding school failed to report, protect, and treat Lacy (32:32) What transpired when Lacy began the process of pressing charges (36:28) Why Lacy went back to St. Pauls after they threatened to destroy her reputation (45:55) What is taken away from someone who has been sexually assaulted (47:03) How St. Pauls school covered up teachers sexually assaulting students (48:06) Whether or not the school has tried to contact Lacy since her book came out (57:14) The advice Lacy would give to someone who has been sexually assaulted (1:01:29) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@lacycrawford and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Make the switch to non-toxic deodorant today! Get 10% off your first Primally Pure order with code: COURAGE10 __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/lacy-crawford/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Are you ready to toss the toxins and get back to basics? I sure am! Today's guest is the ever courageous Allison Evans. I first discovered Allison after hearing her story through Branch Basics. Allison is a co-founder of Branch Basics. She has dedicated herself to helping others reap the benefits of clean living after experiencing life-changing healing from living in an environment free of toxic chemicals.  I won’t dive into her story here because I want to let her tell you for herself, but Allison loves researching all things holistic parenting, clean eating, and she especially loves helping others navigate their health journeys.  This episode is really important to me because I recently learned I have endometriosis, and it threw my baby-making plans for a loop. After connecting with Allison and hearing her story, I discovered I’m not alone in this hormonal struggle.  My intention with this episode is to ensure women are informed and are provided the tools and education they need to be proactive in their overall health.  IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  Allison's health journey and what led to the creation of Branch Basics (4:47) How toxic products are disrupting our endocrine system (10:30) How we have become desensitized to fragrance (13:40) The importance of becoming more comfortable with the smell of clean (17:13) About Lyme Disease and how Allison is treating it holistically (18:00) Allison's feelings about birth control being used for symptom management (24:19) The first thing to do if you have endocrine-related symptoms (25:07) How to avoid overwhelm when removing toxins from your home (29:24) All about the wonders of Branch Basics (31:06) The two main categories of cleaning products and how we are depleting our gut bacteria through our cleaning products (33:45) The power of using Branch Basics for your laundry (38:10) Allison's challenge for you (40:19) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@branchbasics and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Want to snag 10% off your first Branch Basics Starter Kit? Click here and use code COURAGE at checkout. __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/toss-the-toxins/ COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393 COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/

Don't let the word trauma discourage you from tuning in. Trauma looks different to everyone and comes in many different shades and colors. Today's guest, Dr. Nicole LePera, best known as the holistic psychologist, is joining us on The Courageously.u Podcast to deliver the tools you need to begin your self-healing journey. Dr. Nicole LePera was trained in clinical psychology at Cornell University and the New School for Social Research and studied at the Philadelphia School of Psychoanalysis. She is a holistic psychologist whose work addresses the connection between the mind, body, and soul, incorporating overall lifestyle and psychological wellness practices. She is the creator of the #SelfHealers movement, where people from around the world are joining together in community to take healing into their own hands. Her first book, How to Do the Work, is currently in pre-order with a release date of March 2021.  IN TODAY'S EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:  All about the A.C.E. scale and how people are suffering wounding in childhood that is continuing to impair their level of functioning outside the traditional ten-point scale (11:05) What reparenting is (13:23) What the process of reparenting looks like (15:46) Why we need consciousness to create change (18:51) Markers that might imply someone has a wounded child (22:20) If there is a correlation between borderline personality and a wounded child (25:40) The importance of attachment with your parents and how it can impact future relationships (27:10) Why people seek relationships to meet their needs (33:34) What needs to change before other people can know us (37:16) The importance of putting boundaries in place, how to put them in place, and what codependency looks like (39:49) What is ego, and how does it operate in our daily life (51:24) Ways to begin healing your ego (57:26) I can’t wait to hear your feedback on this episode! Screenshot and tag me—I’m @courageously.u— and my guest—@the.holistic.psychologist and share your thoughts, feelings, and reactions. __________ ALL THE GOODIES FROM THIS EPISODE: Click here to download your anxiety freebie today! __________⁣⁣ COURAGEOUSLY.U SHOWNOTES: https://courageouslyu.com/nicole-lepera/   COURAGEOUSLY.U FACEBOOK COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1416219115169393   COURAGEOUSLY.U INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/courageously.u/