The Beauty in the Mess

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Dana Sherwin, a healthcare executive turned patient advocate, who brings over 35 years of experience in healthcare administration, and a deeply personal story of survival. After facing a life-threatening illness and undergoing a stem cell transplant, Dana gained a rare perspective: what it’s like to move from managing care systems to navigating them as a patient. She shares what it truly means to take ownership of your health, from asking the right questions and building stronger communication with your providers, to organizing your own care and advocating for yourself when it matters most. Dana’s message is clear: you are the CEO of your own health. This episode is both practical and deeply human. It’s for anyone who’s ever felt lost in the medical system, overwhelmed by a diagnosis, or ready to take a more active role in their wellbeing.  [00:02:25] Dana’s journey from healthcare executive to patient [00:06:25] The day everything changed [00:10:25] Facing fear and finding strength through uncertainty [00:14:25] How to communicate effectively with your doctor [00:18:25] Becoming your own advocate in a complex system [00:22:25] Coordinating your care and building a support team [00:27:25] What it means to be prepared before a crisis hits [00:33:25] Lessons from both sides of the healthcare system [00:38:25] Finding gratitude and growth through survival [00:43:25] Final reflections on courage, hope, and advocacy ✨Connect with Dana Sherwin:·        Email: dana.sherwin@gmail.com·        Resource: The Journal of Patient Experience (Open Access)·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/desherwin/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Nisha Srivastava, the Director of Pilates Manchester & Northwest Pilates & Yoga Centre, who brings over 30 years of experience in movement, mindfulness, and holistic health. Nisha shares her story of how physical and emotional healing are deeply connected, and how true wellness begins when we stop ignoring the signals our bodies send us. From her own challenges with stress and imbalance to decades of helping others, she explains why we can’t separate the body from the mind, and how awareness, breath, and self-compassion can transform both. This conversation dives into what stress really does to the body, how to move through it with intention, and why slowing down is often the most powerful medicine of all. Nisha also leaves listeners with simple, practical tools to restore balance, whole foods, clean water, breathwork, and rest. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, exhausted, or out of rhythm, this episode is a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to be honest.  [00:02:20] Nisha’s journey from dancer to holistic healer [00:06:20] How Pilates and yoga helped her rebuild from burnout [00:10:20] The connection between emotions and physical health [00:14:20] When the body whispers—and when it starts to scream [00:18:20] The cost of pushing through stress [00:23:20] How awareness creates space for healing [00:28:20] The power of breath as the body’s first medicine [00:33:20] Releasing perfection and returning to balance [00:38:20] Simple, everyday habits that build real wellness [00:43:20] Final thoughts on self-love, presence, and rest ✨Connect with Nisha Srivastava:·        Website: https://www.pilatesmanchester.co.uk·        Studio: Northwest Pilates & Yoga Centre·        Instagram: @northwestpilates✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messLinkedIn: Michele SimmsFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast#TheBeautyInTheMess #NishaSrivastava #HolisticHealing #MindBodyConnection #WellnessJourney #Pilates #HealingFromWithin #SelfAwareness #AuthenticLiving💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with Chris Abdey, a procrastination coach who helps people stop beating themselves up and start getting things done with compassion and clarity. Chris shares how procrastination isn’t about laziness or lack of discipline, it’s often your brain’s way of protecting you from discomfort or fear. Drawing from his own burnout story and years of coaching experience, Chris breaks down what’s really behind chronic delay, why motivation doesn’t work the way we think it does, and how to start creating momentum by working with your brain instead of against it. This conversation digs into the emotional roots of procrastination, the difference between avoidance and rest, and why self-compassion might be the most productive mindset shift of all. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by your own inaction, this episode will help you see procrastination not as a flaw, but as a message that something deeper needs your attention. [00:02:30] Chris’s journey from burnout to breakthrough [00:06:30] What procrastination really is (and isn’t) [00:10:30] The emotional root of avoidance [00:14:30] Why fear and perfectionism keep us stuck [00:19:30] Learning to work with your brain, not against it [00:24:30] When procrastination is actually protection [00:29:30] How self-compassion creates momentum [00:34:30] Chris’s simple reset steps for when you freeze up [00:39:30] How to stop judging yourself and start moving again [00:44:30] Final thoughts: finding progress in imperfection ✨Connect with Chris Abdey:·        Website: https://www.procrastinationstation.ca/·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisabdey/·        Community: Procrastinator’s Pitstop✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #ChrisAbdey #ProcrastinationCoach #StopProcrastinating #SelfCompassion #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #BurnoutRecovery #ProductivityTips #Motivation #EmotionalHealth #Wellbeing #AuthenticLiving #Mindfulness #RealTalk

In this episode of The Beauty in the Mess, Michele talks with David Lederman, a speaker, author, and executive coach, who helps high-achievers find real fulfillment without burning out. After years leading in the tech world, David hit a breaking point trying to live up to all the advice about how to “do it all.” Be ambitious but stay calm. Lead selflessly but take care of yourself. It sounds doable—until you actually try to live it. That struggle nearly cost him everything, but it also pushed him to find a better way. David spent eight years diving into neuroscience, psychology, and ancient wisdom to figure out how peace and purpose fit into modern life. Now, through his coaching and his upcoming book Trust Life?, he teaches people how to align what they do with who they really are—what he calls the Zone of Fulfillment. This conversation gets real about burnout, paradox, and how to finally feel grounded even when life’s moving fast. [00:02:20] When success stops feeling successful [00:06:20] The contradictions that drain high-achievers [00:10:20] The moment David hit burnout and what changed [00:14:20] How neuroscience and ancient wisdom overlap [00:18:20] What fulfillment really looks like today [00:23:20] The 4 Life Paradoxes explained [00:27:20] The “Zone of Fulfillment” and how to find it [00:33:20] Learning to trust life again [00:38:20] Behind his upcoming book and TEDx Talk [00:42:20] Final thoughts on slowing down to move forward ✨Connect with David Lederman:·        Website: https://magicandawe.com/·        LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelederman/·        TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/59230?utm_source=chatgpt.com·        Book: Trust Life?✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #DavidLederman #Leadership #Fulfillment #Burnout #TrustLife #RealTalk #AuthenticLeadership #Growth

Arma Benoit has spent more than 25 years shaping stories in film, television, and now comedy. She started out producing iconic Atlanta rap videos for Outkast, Ludacris, and Goodie Mob, moved into eight seasons on The Vampire Diaries, and worked on projects like Genius: Aretha and Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis. Today, she’s also the owner of Atlanta Breakaway, the only female-owned rubber glass and breakaway bottle company on the East Coast, and a rising stand-up comic using humor to reclaim her own voice. In this conversation, Arma shares her early spark for filmmaking at age eight, the reality of breaking into a male-dominated industry, and the resilience it takes to keep chasing goals even after decades of success. We cover her philosophy of creating opportunities, why comedy has become a powerful outlet, and what it really looks like to balance creativity, business, and life. [00:02:15] Arma’s childhood dream of filmmaking and first steps into the industry [00:04:15] Breaking into sports broadcasting and music videos in Atlanta [00:07:15] Producing iconic rap videos and the whirlwind of the 90s scene [00:11:15] The long run on The Vampire Diaries and raising kids alongside a TV career [00:15:15] From Genius: Aretha to Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis [00:18:15] Facing fear, anxiety, and learning to focus on the process [00:22:15] Directing her own short film Amaia and lessons from the festival circuit [00:26:15] Turning to stand-up comedy as a way to tell her own stories [00:31:15] Building Atlanta Breakaway and creating movie magic props [00:37:15] Teaching at Georgia Film Academy and mentoring new talent [00:41:15] The truth about meritocracy and why “nobody’s coming” [00:46:15] Self-love, resilience, and redefining success on your own terms ✨Connect with Arma Benoit:·        Website: https://www.armabenoit.com·        Website: https://www.atlantabreakaway.com·        Production Company: group129.com·        Instagram: @armabenoit | @group129·        YouTube: Group129✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast#TheBeautyInTheMess #ArmaBenoit #WomenInFilm #FemaleFilmmakers #ComedyLife #CreativeJourney #Outkast #TheVampireDiaries #Storytelling #WomenInComedy #WomenInEntertainment #StorytellingMatters #Resilience #FilmIndustry #Group129

Trigger warning: This episode discusses addiction, mental health struggles, and suicide.International model, personal trainer, and wellness advocate Jonathan Niziol joins The Beauty In The Mess to share how he turned unimaginable loss into a mission to help others. After losing his mom the day before his 21st birthday, Jonathan spiraled into alcohol and drug addiction, depression, and anxiety, until a near-death experience at 25 forced a complete reset.Now 16 years alcohol-free and 6½ years free from all substances, Jonathan opens up about the inner work that saved him, the male mental-health stigma he’s determined to break, and how he rebuilt a thriving life and career. This conversation is raw, practical, and full of hope for anyone facing hidden battles.·        [02:25] Early life in Canada and the tragedy that changed everything·        [11:25] Spiraling into alcohol, drugs, and depression·        [20:25] A near-death hospital stay and the decision to live·        [30:25] From addiction to international modeling and fitness·        [40:25] Confronting body dysmorphia and eating disorders·        [50:25] Breaking the stigma around men’s mental health·        [59:25] Daily practices for staying sober and grounded·        [68:25] Words of encouragement for anyone who feels stuckConnect with Jonathan Niziol·        Website: https://www.jonathanniziolofficial.com·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathanniziol·        Agency Profile: https://www.sutherlandmodels.com/men/110-jonathan-niziol/bio/✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!If you or someone you know is struggling, you are never alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 anytime for confidential support.#MentalHealthAwareness #AddictionRecovery #TheBeautyInTheMess #HealingJourney #MenAndMentalHealth #JonathanNiziol #BreakTheStigma #MensMentalHealth #HealingJourney #SobrietySuccess #Resilience

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide and mental health struggles.In this deeply moving conversation, Rachel Zehden shares how profound loss became a calling to help others heal. A certified somatic attachment practitioner and life coach, Rachel opens up about losing her father suddenly and her mother to suicide while she was pregnant—then transforming that pain into purpose.We dive into somatic healing, how the body holds trauma, and what “high-functioning depression” really looks like. Rachel explains how generational trauma is passed down, why awareness is the first step to change, and how to rewrite the stories we inherit. If you’ve ever felt trapped in old fears or family patterns, this episode offers tools to release, rebuild, and move forward.·        [02:35] Rachel’s early path: from marketing to music to children’s books·        [09:35] The loss of her father and how writing helped her heal·        [18:35] Mother’s suicide during pregnancy: shock, grief, and seeking purpose·        [28:35] Discovering somatic healing and training on a suicide prevention hotline·        [38:35] High-functioning depression and why signs are often missed·        [47:35] Generational trauma, epigenetics, and reprogramming the nervous system·        [56:35] Somatic tools to calm anxiety and rewrite your story·        [65:35] Rachel’s programs: one-on-one coaching, group work, and workshops·        [73:35] Final message of hope and resources for anyone struggling 🌿 Connect with Rachel Zehden:·        Website & programs: https://rewindwithrachel.com·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rewindwithrachel·        Email: rachel@rewindwithrachel.com✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!If you or someone you know is struggling, you are never alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 anytime for confidential support.#TheBeautyInTheMess #RachelZehden #HealingJourney #SomaticHealing #HighFunctioningDepression #RewriteYourStory #GenerationalTrauma #MentalHealthAwareness #TraumaRecovery #BreakTheCycle

Three unexpected phone calls. A verse in James that would not let go. A cargo van full of winter boots. That’s how April Jurgensen knew she had been called to act. As founder and executive director of The Boaz Project, April has spent more than 25 years serving orphans by strengthening caregivers and supporting whole homes instead of individual sponsorships. In this conversation, she shares the origin story, the power of trauma-informed care, the challenges of carrying heartbreaking stories, and why this work ministers to both children and the heart of God.·        [00:03:05] Welcome and April’s origin story begins·        [00:04:05] The 2020/60 Minutes calls and James 1:27·        [00:08:05] First supply trip to Russia and the “cargo van” moment·        [00:12:05] Building a trustworthy model and launching Boaz·        [00:14:05] What makes Boaz different: caregivers and whole-home support·        [00:17:05] Why no individual child sponsorships and the attachment cycle·        [00:21:05] Guarding against unhealthy attachment while still loving kids·        [00:23:05] Handling hard days, logic vs emotion, and therapy tools·        [00:25:05] The hospital wing story and “feeling God’s heart”·        [00:34:05] Suffering, justice, and ministering to God by loving orphans·        [00:37:05] Nervous-system care: vagus, tapping, somatic work·        [00:40:05] Common misconceptions and why Boaz works outside the US·        [00:42:05] Culture-first partnerships and trauma training·        [00:45:05] Legal realities and why most orphans are not adoptable·        [00:48:05] How to help: prayer list, Orphan Advocate Training, trips, giving·        [00:49:05] Boaz meaning and mission·        [00:51:05] The future: growth across nations·        [00:52:05] Finding your own calling·        [00:53:05] Final word: God’s adopting love🌿 Connect with April Jurgensen:Learn More: https://boazproject.org/Free Orphan Advocate Training (self-paced online)Books: The Orphan’s Abba and When God is Your Father✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#TheBeautyInTheMess #BoazProject #OrphanCare #TraumaInformedCare #FaithInAction #AprilJurgensen 

Dr. Mary Alice Mina, Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, says skincare is whole-body care. What you eat, how you sleep, and how you manage stress show up on your skin as much as any cream. Hydration is important for overall health, but water alone won’t moisturize skin. “Clean beauty” is mostly marketing, and preservatives are necessary to prevent mold and bacteria. Stick with tested brands, be consistent, and avoid hopping from product to product.Perimenopause brings dryness and collagen loss; sleep and lifestyle matter, and HRT or topical estrogen may help. Red light therapy and exosomes show promise but require consistency and caution. Beware of “instant firming” creams; true laxity often needs surgical solutions. Most importantly, match the tool to the job and choose providers with skill and integrity. 03:05 Food, drink, and whole-body care for skin04:05 Hydration myths vs. moisturizers05:05 “Clean beauty” marketing, what matters instead08:05 Why preservatives exist and how to vet brands09:05 Trusted everyday brands and what she uses10:05 Biggest mistakes: inconsistency and product hopping12:05 Product Loyalty; irritation = stop13:05 Real timelines: acne, retinoids, collagen changes14:05 Makeup questions and where derms fit15:05 New preservatives, sensitivity, and reactions17:05 Physical exfoliators and brushes: when to pass18:05 Eczema 101: barrier repair and when to see a derm20:05 Perimenopause skin changes; options to discuss with your doctor23:05 Sleep, stress, habits, and skin repair25:05 Red light therapy: what it can and can’t do at home27:05 Stem cells vs. exosomes, hype vs. early promise31:05 “Instant firming” claims and what’s real32:05 Procedures: results depend on the operator35:05 Strategy: improve complexion first; what peels do36:05 Laxity and when surgery is the answer37:05 How facelifts evolved; natural results39:05 Why Dr. Mina started The Skin Real45:05 Her path from dance to dermatology; acne empathy48:05 Final message: cancel the noise, care from the inside out49:05 Free habits guide and how to follow Dr. Mina 🌿 Connect with Dr. Mina:Podcast: https://theskinreal.com/·        YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLggCqJEOBz0NUIcMeJDIaw·        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drminaskin·        Free Habits Guide: https://hi.theskinreal.com/habits✨ Connect with Michele Simms:Website: thebeautyinthemess.comInstagram: @the.beauty.in.the.messFacebook Group: The Beauty in the Mess Podcast💬 Rate & Review·        Loved this episode? Please consider leaving a 5-star review and sharing it with a friend!#Skincare #Dermatology #SkinHealth #Eczema #Perimenopause #RedLightTherapy #Exosomes #ChemicalPeel #Facelift #EvidenceBased #Dr.MaryAliceMina #TheBeautyInTheMess