In this episode, Leslie sits down with Chelsea McLeod — a corporate dropout turned Integrative Health Practitioner and hormone coach for high-achieving women — to talk about the hidden cost of hustle and how to finally feel amazing in your body again.

After 13 years leading global brands and managing a $60M e-commerce business, Chelsea walked away from corporate burnout to heal her own hormone and gut issues. Now, through her Healthy Hustle Method, she’s helped over 200 women—from CEOs to entrepreneurs to moms—rebalance their hormones, restore energy, and release weight without restriction, overtraining, or burnout.

Together, Leslie and Chelsea explore:

 * The surprising ways stress and ambition disrupt your hormones
 * How to heal the gut–brain axis and restore sustainable energy
 * Why “doing less” can be the fastest path to results
 * What every woman needs to know about balancing work, health, and identity
 * How to move from hustle to harmony and feel deeply at home in your body again

This conversation is a reminder that your body is not broken—it’s communicating. When you finally listen, healing becomes inevitable.

💫 Connect with Chelsea:
Website [https://chelseamcleod.com/]
Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/healthywithchels/]
Podcast:  It's not You, It's your Hormones [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-you-its-your-hormones/id1799354267]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Want to be a guest on The Light Within? Send Leslie Draffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thelightwithin

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Enjoy 50% off your FIRST MONTH inside The Inner Circle ($77/month after that) [https://lesliedraffin.thrivecart.com/the-inner-circle/]

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: ... [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin]

225. Root Cause Healing with Chelsea McLeod

In this episode, Leslie welcomes Sara Byers — CEO, thought leader, poet, and co-host of The Collecting Insight Podcast — for a heartfelt conversation on leadership, intuition, and what it really means to live with joy and purpose.

As the CEO of her family’s business and the author of two poetry collections, Heart and Moon and Wise Stars, Sara has spent decades blending practical leadership with soulful awareness. Her mission is simple yet profound: to lighten the burdens we all carry so we can live with more connection, fulfillment, and love.

Together, Leslie and Sara explore:

 * How to lead and live with both structure and spirit
 * The power of poetry as a portal to self-understanding
 * Why slowing down is essential for authentic leadership
 * How to cultivate joy and humanity in everyday life
 * The sacred intersection between business, intuition, and creativity

This conversation is a reminder that leadership can be deeply human — that success and softness can coexist — and that lightening our load is the first step to letting more light in.

💫 Connect with Sara:
Instagram: @collectinginsight [https://www.instagram.com/collectinginsight]
Podcast: The Collecting Insight Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/collecting-insight/id1732570634]
Books: Heart and Moon and Wise Stars [https://sarasbyers.com/writing/]Website [https://sarasbyers.com/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Want to be a guest on The Light Within? Send Leslie Draffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thelightwithin

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Enjoy 50% off your FIRST MONTH inside The Inner Circle ($77/month after that) [https://lesliedraffin.thrivecart.com/the-inner-circle/]

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: ... [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin]

224. From CEO to Soulful Guide with Sara Byers

In this episode, Leslie welcomes Christian de la Huerta — transformational coach, award-winning author, and TEDx speaker — for a powerful conversation on love, power, and the spiritual evolution of relationships.

With over 30 years of experience guiding individuals and couples toward deeper fulfillment, Christian has dedicated his life to helping people break free from internal barriers to love and awaken their authentic power. His latest book, Conscious Love: Transforming Our Relationship to Relationships, invites readers to reimagine love as a spiritual practice — one that dissolves unhealthy dynamics and opens the door to connection, courage, and grace.

Together, Leslie and Christian explore:

 * What it really means to practice conscious love in modern relationships
 * How to reclaim personal power without control or manipulation
 * The spiritual lessons hidden inside heartbreak and conflict
 * Why authentic self-expression is the foundation of intimacy
 * How awakening your soul’s power transforms not only your relationships, but your entire life

Whether you’re single, partnered, or in the process of healing, this conversation will leave you inspired to see love as the most sacred teacher of all.

Connect with Christian:
Website [https://soulfulpower.com/]
IG: @christiandelahuerta [https://www.instagram.com/christiandelahuerta/]
Books: Conscious Love  [https://soulfulpower.com/conscious-love/]& Awakening the Soul of Power [https://soulfulpower.com/awakening-the-soul-of-power-book/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Want to be a guest on The Light Within? Send Leslie Draffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thelightwithin

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Enjoy 50% off your FIRST MONTH inside The Inner Circle ($77/month after that) [https://lesliedraffin.thrivecart.com/the-inner-circle/]

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: ... [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin]

223. How to Break Relationship Patterns & Build Real Intimacy with Christian de le Huerta

In this episode, Leslie sits down with Sherry Shaban, a Montreal-based fitness and life coach, osteopath, and host of Make Peace with Food, to explore how true transformation begins from the inside out.

After surviving two near-paralyzing spinal surgeries, Sherry discovered that healing the body requires healing the mind. Together, Leslie and Sherry unpack the power of rewriting your story, releasing self-doubt, and creating a new relationship with your body that’s rooted in love, not punishment.

They discuss:

 * Why fitness isn’t about discipline—it’s about devotion
 * How to shift from diet culture to body respect and nourishment
 * The “athletic mindset” and what it really means to embody resilience
 * How trauma, injury, and setbacks can become gateways to transformation
 * Sherry’s anti-diet, self-loving approach to fitness and food

Whether you’re healing from burnout, perfectionism, or disconnection from your body, this conversation will remind you that your body is not the enemy—it’s the portal to your highest potential.

Connect with Sherry:
@sherryshabanfitness [https://www.instagram.com/sherryshabanfitness/]
Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-peace-with-food/id1543673323]
Website [https://www.sherryshaban.com/]
Freebies [https://www.sherryshaban.com/transform]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Want to be a guest on The Light Within? Send Leslie Draffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thelightwithin

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @les... [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin]

222. Why Diets Fail & the Key to Lasting Health with Sherry Shaban

In this episode, Josias Abriel talks openly and honestly about their near-death experience, including how it helped them stop fearing death & brought them closer to the divine. We offer a trigger warning for listeners - because this episode does include incredibly frank, open and vulnerable shares around abuse, SA, suicide, self-harm and depression. Listener discretion is advised. 

Listen to Josias' podcast: Vulnerability Time [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vulnerability-time/id1630207696]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Want to be a guest on The Light Within? Send Leslie Draffin a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thelightwithin

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @les... [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin]

221. Spiritual Awakening after a Near-Death Experience with Josias Abriel

In this episode, Womb Healer Carolina Sotomayor talks about how reiki helped her conceive her son and how she's helped over 100 women conceive through reiki. We also discuss why everything leads back to the womb - and how healing wounds within the womb lead women back to their joy, inner peace & professional bliss.

Carolina's Links:
Website [https://carolinasotomayor.com/]
Work with Carolina [https://carolinasotomayor.com/services]
Her Podcast [https://www.makeababypodcast.com/]
Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thecarolinasotomayor/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @lesliedraffin [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin] + @thelightwithinpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelightwithinpodcast]

4. 🍄 Curious about microdosing?
Grab my FREE Microdosing Guide - includes a powerful eBook + gui...

220. Reiki for Womb Healing & Fertility with Carolina Sotomayor

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode includes real, raw and open conversations around eating disorders and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. 

In this episode, Tara Wiskow breaks down the fawn survival state and how it impacts women specifically. We also talk about overcoming anxiety, learning to (really) love yourself and creating the body of your dreams.

Tara's Links:
Website [https://tara-wiskow.com/]
Work with Tara [https://tara-wiskow.com/services]
Tara's Podcast [https://tara-wiskow.com/podcast]
Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tara.wiskow/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @lesliedraffin [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin] + @thelightwithinpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelightwithinpodcast]

4. 🍄 Curious about microdosing?
Grab my FREE Microdosing Guide - includes a powerful eBook + gui...

219. This is why you FAWN & How to Stop with Tara Wiskow

This week Nic Nierras shares with us how hypnosis can help you redefine your worth, heal success wounds and reclaim your power. 

Nic's Links:
Website [https://thenicnierraswholisticlifestyle.com/]
Work with Nic [https://thenicnierraswholisticlifestyle.com/work-with-me/]
Free Hypnosis Audios [https://thenicnierraswholisticlifestyle.com/free-hypnosis-audios/]
Podcast [https://thenicnierraswholisticlifestyle.com/podcast/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @lesliedraffin [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin] + @thelightwithinpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelightwithinpodcast]

4. 🍄 Curious about microdosing?
Grab my FREE Microdosing Guide - includes a powerful eBook + gui...

218. Hypnosis for Self-Worth with Nic Nierras

On this episode, Catherine Crestani talks all about living from your heart and learning to understand the sacred power of your 'no'. If you have trouble understanding or setting boundaries this conversation is for you.

Catherine's Bio:

Catherine's Links:

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/willowhealingsh/?hl=en]

Buy her Book [https://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Life-Spiritual-Practice-Psychics/dp/1764150708]

Website [https://hello-b14.mvt.so/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @lesliedraffin [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin] + @thelightwithinpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelightwithinpodcast]

4. 🍄 Curious about microdosing?
Grab my FREE Microdosing Guide - includes a powerful eBook + gui...

217. The Power of No with Catherine Crestani

On this week's episode, Laura Hoorweg joins us to talk about spiritual counseling, mediumship and self-care for chaotic times.

Laura's Bio:

Laura Hoorweg is a gifted spiritual counselor, intuitive coach, and psychic medium known for her uncanny accuracy, deep compassion, and soul-level clarity. She helps those who feel lost, stuck, overwhelmed, or in transition reconnect with their purpose, release energetic baggage, and realign with who they truly are.

Laura's Links:

Website [https://www.spiritspeaks2.me/]

Work with Laura [https://spiritspeaks2.me/work-with-me]

Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/hoorweglaura/?hl=en]

Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpiritSpeaksToMe]

LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurahoorweg/]

Please note: The views and opinions expressed by guests on The Light Within are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host.

Ready to reclaim your body, your power, and your peace? Start here:

1. 💌 Get Midlife Magic in your inbox.
This free email series is your sacred scroll of somatic tools, nervous system rituals, and womb wisdom for mystical midlife women.
👉 Sign U [https://lesliedraffin.myflodesk.com/weekly-series]p

2.🌙 Ready to stop spiraling & start feeling steady (even on the hard days?)
The Inner Circle is your monthly sanctuary for nervous system healing, microdosing support & sacred feminine rituals. It’s not just a membership, it’s a lifestyle shift for women who are done with surviving & ready to live rooted, regulated, and radiant.
👉 Join the Inner Circle here [https://lesliedraffin.circle.so/checkout/the-light-within] (first 2 weeks FREE)

3. ✨ Follow me for real-talk & rituals on healing burnout, expanding your pleasure, and living fully expressed—every damn day.
👉 IG: @lesliedraffin [https://www.instagram.com/lesliedraffin] + @thelightwithinpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/thelightwithinpodcast]

4. 🍄 Curious about microdosing?
Grab my FREE Microdosing Guide - includes a powerful eBook + gui...

216. Self-Care for Chaotic Times with Laura Hoorweg

The Light Within is a podcast for anyone seeking to re-write their life, live in their light and align with their soul's highest purpose. Join Microdosing & Menstrual Cycle Coach Leslie Draffin as she explores spirituality, sexuality, wellness, empowerment, mysticism and the magical world around us. By opening up about her own spiritual journey and interviewing others who are living their purpose, Leslie shares all the ways we can ignite the light within.

Leslie Draffin

Shows