Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

Who are you becoming, and are you giving yourself room to evolve beyond the woman you've always been?

In this episode of The FEEL Podcast, Tina B. Coleman joins Melissa Crook for a conversation about identity, confidence, self-trust, curiosity, life transitions, personal growth, solo travel, and having the courage to explore what's next.

As with every FEEL guest, we begin with who Tina is, not what she does.

From there, we explore what happens as life changes, our priorities shift, and we begin to recognize that something that once fit us may not fit in quite the same way anymore.

Because knowing who you are doesn't mean you have to remain exactly who you've always been.

We grow.

We change.

We experience loss, transitions, unexpected chapters, new beginnings, and moments that invite us to get curious about ourselves again.

And sometimes discovering who we're becoming requires enough self-trust to step beyond what's familiar and ask:

What do I want in this season of my life?

💛 Who we are, and who we're becoming

💛 Allowing ourselves to grow and evolve through different seasons of life

💛 Building confidence and learning to trust ourselves

💛 Why curiosity can be powerful when we don't know what's next

💛 Recognizing when we've outgrown something that once fit

💛 Navigating loss, change, and new beginnings

💛 Challenging expectations about who we're supposed to be at different ages and stages of life

💛 Solo travel as an opportunity for independence, curiosity, and self-discovery

💛 Rediscovering parts of ourselves we may have lost touch with

💛 Making room for adventure, joy, freedom, and new experiences

💛 Giving ourselves space to want something different

💛 Embracing what's next without dismissing or judging the chapters that came before it

1. Identify one part of yourself you're ready to rediscover or explore.

2. Name something you've outgrown without judging yourself for once choosing it.

3. Finish this sentence: “The woman I am becoming is ready to ______.”

You don't have to know exactly what your next chapter looks like.

Maybe the first step is simply getting curious enough to ask:

Who am I becoming, and what might she be ready for?

#WomensEmpowerment #SelfTrust #SelfDiscovery #PersonalGrowth #Confidence



Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:47 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:32 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 11:20 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 18:06 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 36:50 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 39:05 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 44:25 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 56:15 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:00:17 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:01:26 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis



✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨-

Who Are You Becoming? Self-Trust, Confidence & Embracing What’s Next with Tina B. Coleman

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

Who are you when you take away your job, relationships, responsibilities, accomplishments, and all the roles you hold for other people?

In this Empowerment Tuesday episode of The FEEL Podcast, Melissa Crook continues exploring one of the foundational questions of the FEEL Framework:

Who am I, not what do I do?

Last week, we began by identifying the character traits that describe who we are. This week, we're going deeper into what it actually means to define yourself beyond your roles, labels, accomplishments, and other people's expectations.

“Defining Who I Am” is also Section 1 of our book Embracing Layers Unapologetically, which celebrates its two-year anniversary this month. That section explores three ideas that have become foundational to the FEEL Framework: accepting the layered aspects of ourselves, living out of our own expectations, and prioritizing self-care.

Because knowing who you are gives you information.

It helps you recognize what nourishes you, what you value, what you need to communicate, where you need healthy boundaries, where you want to say yes, and where you need to say no.

💛 Who you are beyond your roles, titles, and accomplishments

💛 Why defining yourself is foundational to self-worth and self-trust

💛 How roles and labels can become intertwined with our identity

💛 Accepting all of our layers with curiosity and empathy instead of judgment, shame, and fear

💛 Recognizing when a label that once fit may no longer fit who you are today

💛 Understanding what nourishes you and supports meaningful self-care

💛 Identifying your own expectations instead of allowing others' expectations to define your life

💛 How knowing yourself informs healthy boundaries and your yeses and nos

💛 Giving yourself room to grow, change, and become

Ways To Engage:

1. Name 3 roles you hold. Then ask: “Who am I without this role?”

2. Identify one label you've carried that may no longer fit.

3. Finish this sentence: “The woman I am becoming is ready to ______.”

Defining who you are isn't about putting yourself into another box.

It's about knowing yourself well enough to recognize what fits, what doesn't, what you need, what you value, and what you might be ready for next.

Who are you, and who are you becoming?

#SelfDiscovery #SelfWorth #WomensEmpowerment #PersonalGrowth #SelfTrust

✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.



For more Support reach out to Melissa here -

Who Am I? How to Define Yourself Beyond Roles, Labels & What You Do 

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

What happens when you stop living from the scripts, expectations, and roles you've collected along the way, and start trusting yourself enough to choose what actually feels aligned with who you are?

In this Season 11 conversation on The FEEL Podcast, Merit Kahn joins Melissa Crook to walk through the FEEL Talking Points and explore what they look like through the lens of Merit's own experiences, perspectives, and layers.

As we do with every FEEL guest, we begin with who Merit is, not what she does.

From there, the conversation moves into what it means to know yourself beyond your roles, recognize where you may be overextended, get curious about the scripts you've been following, and develop the self-trust to make choices that reflect who you are now.

💛 Self-care and why making room for yourself isn't selfish

💛 How roles, expectations, and the scripts we inherit can shape our choices

💛 What happens when you become "everyone's everything"

💛 Knowing who you are beyond titles, responsibilities, and accomplishments

💛 Self-worth and separating your value from what you do

💛 Healthy boundaries and learning to say no

💛 Paying attention to what nourishes you and what doesn't

💛 Using your values to guide your choices

💛 Trusting yourself when something no longer feels aligned

💛 Allowing yourself to grow, change, and question the scripts you've been following

Ways to Engage After Listening:

Ask yourself what script you may still be following.

Identify where you've become "everyone's everything."

Finish this sentence: "If I trusted myself a little more right now, I would ______."

You don't have to rewrite your entire life today.

Start by getting curious about what you're noticing.

Because knowing yourself, recognizing your worth, and trusting what you know are important steps toward making choices that actually reflect YOU.

The conversation may be where FEEL begins, but what you do with it is where FEEL becomes yours.

#WomensEmpowerment #SelfTrust #HealthyBoundariesTimestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:15 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 5:28 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 9:58 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 17:46 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 25:49 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 34:45 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 40:56 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships -

( 50:41 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 56:37 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 59:06 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.

How to Choose Yourself Without Guilt: Self-Trust, Boundaries & Living Unscripted with Merit Kahn

Welcome to Season 11 of The FEEL Podcast!

What happens when you know self-care matters, understand the importance of healthy boundaries, and believe your worth isn't determined by what you do, but still struggle to put those things into practice in your own life?

That's where we're going this season.

In this Empowerment Tuesday kickoff, Melissa Crook shares what's ahead for Season 11 and why The Embracing Layers Network is becoming even more intentional about helping women take the conversations they're hearing and connect them to their own lives.

Because hearing another woman talk about setting boundaries is one thing.

Setting the boundary yourself is another.

Hearing someone talk about self-care, self-worth, trusting herself, or choosing herself can be powerful, but eventually we have to ask:

What does this mean for me, and what am I going to DO with what I now know?

In this episode:

💛 Get a sneak peek at the women joining Melissa for Thursday conversations throughout Season 11

💛 Learn about the new weekly FEEL Calendar dropping every Monday

💛 Meet Wednesday's FEEL Connection; a weekly opportunity to explore how that week's conversations connect to the FEEL Framework and resources from The Embracing Layers Network

💛 Celebrate the 2nd anniversary of Embracing Layers Unapologetically Book

💛 Hear what's ahead for Volume 2 of the book, coming in 2027 with insights from Seasons 5–10

💛 Discover three simple Ways to Engage as we begin the new season

Your Ways to Engage:

Choose how you want to FEEL this season.

Put FEEL on your calendar.

Take one conversation into your real life.

The conversation may be where FEEL begins—but what you do with it is where FEEL becomes yours.

#WomensEmpowerment #SelfWorth #HealthyBoundaries

How to Live What You Know: Self-Care, Boundaries, Self-Worth & Choosing Yourself | Season 11 Kickoff

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]



Welcome to the Season 10 finale of The FEEL Podcast! In this special episode, Melissa Crook welcomes Carla Perez for an empowering conversation about self-care, self-worth, healthy boundaries, emotional wellness, and personal growth.

Carla shares how becoming more intentional and self-aware has helped her recognize when she needs to slow down, protect her peace, and prioritize her mental, physical, and emotional well-being. As a naturally empathetic person, she has learned that self-care isn't selfish—it's essential for showing up authentically for yourself and the people you love.

Together, Melissa and Carla explore why listening to your body is such an important part of emotional self-awareness. Rather than waiting for burnout or exhaustion to force you to stop, Carla encourages women to recognize their needs, create healthy boundaries, and give themselves permission to rest without guilt.

A powerful theme throughout the conversation is building self-worth from within. Inspired by wisdom from her father, Carla reminds us that nobody else gets to determine our limitations or value. Your worth isn't defined by your career, relationships, accomplishments, gender, mistakes, or someone else's perception of you. There is a seat at the table for you.

We also explore authentic living and what it means to embrace every layer of yourself—including the imperfect ones. Carla shares how self-awareness has helped her recognize difficult emotions, habits, and triggers without allowing self-criticism to take over. Especially through motherhood, she has learned the importance of giving herself grace while continuing to grow.

Whether you're learning how to set boundaries, overcome guilt and self-criticism, build confidence, or simply prioritize yourself again, this Season 10 finale is a reminder that personal growth doesn't require perfection. You can protect your peace, honor your needs, and become more fully yourself one intentional choice at a time.



Your self-worth is inherent. You don't have to earn it or prove it. Give yourself permission to rest, grow, make mistakes, set boundaries, and take your seat at the table.



#SelfCare #SelfLove #SelfWorth #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #MentalWellness #HealthyBoundaries #Boundaries #WomenEmpowerment #WomensEmpowerment #EmpoweredWomen #AuthenticSelf #BeYourself #ProtectYourPeace #HealingJourney #Resilience #Mindfulness #Confidence #TheFEELPodcast

Timestamps:Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:19 )Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 4:13 )Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 10:49 )Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 14:54 )Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 22:35 )Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 25:02 )Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 29:57 )Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 36:12 )5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 40:38 )5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 45:20 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF gu

How to Protect Your Peace, Build Self-Worth & Master Self-Care with Carla Perez

One more week left to join our #Founding500 on Substack! Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

Are you constantly putting other people's needs, emotions, and expectations ahead of your own?

In this episode of The FEEL Podcast, Melissa Crook explores how codependency, people pleasing, self-abandonment, and unhealthy relationship patterns can affect our emotional wellness, self-worth, and ability to create healthy relationships.

Relationships can enter our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Sometimes a relationship that once provided important support no longer works in the same way as we grow and change.

That doesn't necessarily mean the relationship has to end. But healthier relationships require communication, accountability, mutual respect, and a willingness for both people to grow.

Melissa also discusses trauma bonding relationship dynamics, why setting boundaries can change relationships, and what can happen when the people around us resist the healthier boundaries we're beginning to create.

• Recognizing codependency and people-pleasing patterns
• Understanding how people pleasing can become self-abandonment
• The connection between self-worth and healthy relationships
• Understanding trauma bonds
• How to stop feeling responsible for everyone else's emotions
• Setting and communicating healthy boundaries
• What someone's reaction to your boundary may reveal
• Why stepping back doesn't mean you stopped caring
• Trusting yourself and your instincts
• Building a healthier relationship with yourself

One important reminder:

Someone else's discomfort with your boundary doesn't automatically mean your boundary is wrong.

You can love someone without becoming responsible for them.

You can support someone without abandoning yourself.

And you can make choices that protect your well-being without requiring everyone around you to agree.

Rooted in the FEEL Framework — Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers, this conversation invites you to become curious about your relationship patterns and begin asking:

What do I need? What do I value? What boundary haven't I communicated? Am I making this decision because it's right for me—or because I'm afraid of someone else's reaction?

💛 You are worthy.
💛 You are valuable because of who you are, not what you do.
💛 And you get to choose.

Think about a relationship where you regularly compromise your own needs to keep someone else comfortable.

Identify one boundary you've been wanting to communicate and, if it feels safe to do so, practice expressing it clearly.

Then notice what happens when you choose not to abandon yourself.

✨ FREE Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

💛 Ready for deeper support? Schedule a complimentary 30-minute conversation with Melissa to explore healthy boundaries, people-pleasing patterns, self-worth, emotional wellness, and creating healthier relationships:

https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact

#Codependency #PeoplePleasing #HealthyBoundaries #TraumaBonding #HealthyRelationships #SelfWorth #SelfAbandonment #SettingBound

How to Break Free From Codependency, People Pleasing & Trauma Bonds

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

What happens when you stay busy for so long that your body finally forces you to slow down?

In this episode of The FEEL Podcast, Melissa Crook welcomes entrepreneur and community leader Marianela Borbon for an inspiring conversation about burnout prevention, self-care, personal growth, and defining success on your own terms.

Marianela shares her journey of realizing that she didn't have to be "on" all the time. After years of moving from one responsibility to the next, she learned that slowing down isn't unproductive—it's an essential part of protecting your mental wellness, managing stress, and creating a healthier work-life balance.

Together, Melissa and Marianela explore how intentional pauses can create space for self-discovery and self-awareness. Slowing down gives us an opportunity to ask deeper questions about who we are, what brings us fulfillment, and whether the life we're building actually reflects our values.

Marianela also shares how this process led her toward purpose-driven entrepreneurship. In 2020, she founded Uplift Balloons, combining creativity, community service, and her values into work that brings her genuine fulfillment. Her story demonstrates how entrepreneurship can become an extension of authentic living when your work connects with what matters most to you.

The conversation also explores building self-trust, balancing business and self-care, and creating sustainable routines without overworking yourself. Marianela shares her approach to quarterly planning—looking ahead while intentionally leaving room for rest, flexibility, relationships, and the unexpected moments life brings.

Whether you're experiencing burnout, struggling with work-life balance, or simply wondering what success means to you, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with yourself, and build a life around your own definition of fulfillment.

Try Marianela's approach and plan your life in quarters. Look ahead at your goals and responsibilities, but intentionally leave room for adjustments and rest. Most importantly, put things on your calendar that matter to you—not just the things you have to accomplish.

Your work matters, but so do your health, relationships, joy, and peace.



#SelfCare #BurnoutPrevention #MentalWellness #PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #WorkLifeBalance #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #MindfulLiving #IntentionalLiving #PersonalDevelopment #EmotionalWellness #SelfAwareness #StressManagement #LifeBalance #PurposeDrivenLife #SmallBusinessOwner #CommunityLeadership #TheFEELPodcast



Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:38 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 6:28 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 10:46 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 14:20 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 20:14 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 24:29 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 32:14 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 35:29 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 38:22 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨-

Learning to Slow Down, Find Yourself & Define Success on Your Own Terms with Marianela Borbon

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]

When was the last time you truly checked in with yourself?

Maybe it was last week. Maybe it’s been a month, or longer. With busy schedules, constant responsibilities, and the pressure to say “yes” to everything, it’s easy to lose touch with what we actually need.

In this episode of The FEEL Podcast, we’re talking about the importance of honoring your bandwidth in your schedule, recognizing your energy levels, setting healthy boundaries, and making space for yourself before burnout takes over.

 * Why regularly checking in with yourself is essential for your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being
 * How to recognize when your schedule is exceeding your emotional and physical bandwidth
 * Why self-care should meet you where you are rather than becoming another obligation
 * The importance of listening to your body and honoring your energy
 * How to give yourself permission to cancel, reschedule, rest, or say no
 * Why pushing through exhaustion can contribute to stress and burnout
 * How communication can help you establish healthier boundaries
 * Why saying “no” doesn’t mean you’re letting people down
 * How to stop overcommitting simply because you feel responsible for everything
 * The connection between self-awareness, boundaries, self-care, and preventing burnout
 * Why your time and energy are valuable and why you deserve to protect them



The goal is nourishment, not another item on your to-do list.

Your bandwidth can change from day to day and week to week. An emotionally draining conversation, an unexpected responsibility, or an especially demanding schedule can affect how much energy you have available. Checking in with yourself before and after a busy period can help you recognize what you need to replenish your energy.

You don’t have to say yes to every project, commitment, invitation, or responsibility.

Sometimes the healthiest choice is to say no.

Communicating your needs with the people around you can create healthier relationships and stronger boundaries. The people who genuinely care about you will want you to make choices that support your well-being, not choices that leave you depleted.

You cannot carry everything on your shoulders. Honor the bandwidth you actually have instead of overloading your schedule based on what you think everyone else expects from you.

Burnout doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it develops slowly as we continue ignoring our needs, overcommitting, and pushing through exhaustion.

Regular self-check-ins can help you notice the warning signs sooner.

Then, most importantly, give yourself permission to respond honestly.

 Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad?utm_source=chatgpt.com]: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

Take advantage of this summer’s special 50% offer with code CLEANSE50 on the Calendar Cleanse [https://www.patreon.com/EmbracingLayersNetwork/posts/calendar-cleanse-141122644?source=storefront] to get you started today on honoring your bandwidth and energy daily! Offer

How to Prevent Burnout: Honor Your Bandwidth and Protect Your Energy with Melissa Crook

Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]⁠⁠https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]



What if better health had less to do with the number on the scale and more to do with how you actually feel? In this empowering episode of The FEEL Podcast, holistic nutrition and wellness expert Jana Westin returns for an honest conversation about nutrition vs. dieting, body image, healthy habits, and sustainable wellness.

Jana challenges the one-size-fits-all approach to health, exploring how diet culture can impact both mental and physical well-being. Instead of focusing solely on weight, she encourages listeners to consider nourishment, energy levels, sleep, movement, stress, and the mind-body connection when evaluating their overall health.

Together, we explore how holistic nutrition and personalized wellness can help you build a healthier relationship with food and your body. Jana also discusses the connection between nutrition and nervous system regulation, why food should be viewed as nourishment rather than something to fear, and how listening to your body's individual needs can support lasting change.

We also dive into the role of healthy boundaries and self-care in protecting your energy and well-being. By starting with small, sustainable habits and keeping the promises you make to yourself, you can strengthen self-trust and create a healthy lifestyle that works for you—not one dictated by fad diets, appearance, or outside expectations.

Whether you're healing your relationship with food, questioning diet culture, working toward better health, or simply looking for realistic ways to prioritize your well-being, this conversation offers a compassionate approach to creating lasting wellness.



Ways to Engage:

Check in with your energy levels throughout the day and week. Pay attention to your food, sleep, movement, relationships, stress, and environment. What consistently fuels you, and what leaves you feeling drained? Use those patterns to begin creating healthier habits and environments that support your individual needs.



#Nutrition #HealthyLifestyle #WellnessJourney #HolisticHealth #BodyPositivity #BodyImage #HealthAndWellness #SelfCare #MentalHealth #HealthyHabits #MindBodyConnection #IntuitiveEating #DietCulture #Wellbeing #PersonalGrowth #SelfLove #EnergyHealing #Boundaries #HealthPodcast #WomenEmpowerment



Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:32 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 13:54 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 19:49 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 28:31 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 37:56 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 42:00 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 51:21 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 59:22 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:01:52 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly a

Nutrition vs. Dieting: The Truth About Healthy Living, Body Image & Lasting Wellness with Jana Westin

Five Years Of FEEL! We’re aiming for 500 Paid Subscribers for $5/mo or $50/year by August 31st, 2026! Become a Paid Subscriber and help us continue creating conversations, resources, and community that remind women they are valuable because of who they are, not what they do. -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast⁠⁠ [https://substack.com/@thefeelpodcast]

Have you ever left a doctor's appointment feeling unheard, confused, or frustrated because your concerns weren't fully addressed? You're not alone. In this episode, Melissa and network friend and contributor Erin Copelan share why clear communication with medical practitioners is one of the most important skills you can develop for protecting your health and improving your healthcare experience.

After navigating her own health journey and learning the importance of self-advocacy in healthcare, Melissa created The FEEL Podcast to empower women to prioritize their well-being before a major medical crisis occurs. She explains why no one knows your body better than you do, and why your voice matters during every medical appointment.

You'll discover practical strategies for communicating symptoms more effectively, asking better questions, being honest about pain levels, and ensuring your healthcare providers have the complete picture. While doctors and nurses are dedicated professionals, today's healthcare system is often overwhelmed, making patient advocacy more important than ever.

Whether you're preparing for your next primary care visit, specialist appointment, or annual wellness exam, this conversation will help you feel more confident speaking up, asking questions, and becoming an active participant in your healthcare decisions.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

 * Why self-advocacy is essential in today's healthcare system
 * How to communicate symptoms clearly to your doctor
 * Common mistakes patients make during medical appointments
 * Why honesty about pain and symptoms leads to better care
 * How to prepare questions before your doctor's visit
 * The importance of tracking symptoms over time
 * Why transparency helps healthcare providers make accurate diagnoses
 * How to build confidence when speaking with medical professionals
 * Practical tips for improving doctor-patient communication
 * Why trusting your instincts about your body matters



Key Takeaways:

 * No one knows your body better than you.
 * Clear communication leads to better healthcare outcomes.
 * Speak honestly about symptoms, pain, and concerns.
 * Don't minimize or dismiss what you're experiencing.
 * Write questions down before every appointment.
 * Your health deserves to be your highest priority.
 * Self-advocacy isn't being difficult, but it's being informed and proactive.



Ways to Engage: Next time you go to your doctor’s appointment, write down your questions ahead of time. Put them in your Notes app or somewhere you won’t forget, writing them down through the weeks leading up and clearly communicate what you’re feeling.

Resources to Support You:

Download the Embracing a FEEL Fueled Life free sample guide: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad?viewer%21megaVerb=group-discover

 Schedule a complimentary 30-minute session to learn more about communicating clearly with medical practitioners and becoming your own best health advocate: 

Communicating Clearly with Medical Practitioners: How to Advocate for Your Health and Be Heard with Melissa Crook & Erin Copelan

Welcome to Embracing Layers - The FEEL Podcast (Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers)

Melissa Crook (@feelpodcast2021) · Zencastr

Melissa Crook (@feelpodcast2021)

A podcast that helps women at any age, but especially 20 somethings, prioritize self-care without feelings of guilt or selfishness, set healthy boundaries in jobs, activities, and relationships, and deal with all emotions and feelings fully and in a healthy way so they don't get stuck in their body and produce physical and emotional problems down the road. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thefeelpodcast/support

The F.E.E.L. Podcast - Finding Empowerment Embracing Layers