Travel & Transformation

Have you ever had a moment where you realized you could choose a completely different response to a challenging situation? Today's guest discovered this life-changing truth while sobbing on a curb in the middle of a French traffic circle.Lena Ehrenberg came on the show to talk about her dating expertise, but we went in a completely different direction. She shared the story of her transformative solo trip to France for her big birthday, where she got lost trying to find a hiking trail and ended up having a profound spiritual awakening. From that moment of choosing resilience over defeat, Lena's journey led her through broken boards, fire-eating workshops, and eventually to becoming a relationship coach who helps women figure out who to date. We talked about the magic of solo travel, how getting lost allows us to be found, the importance of vacation mindset in daily life, and why starting with yourself is the key to finding love.If you're someone who loves solo travel stories or you're looking for a different perspective on dating and relationships, this episode will give you some beautiful insights about transformation and choice.TOPICS DISCUSSED:How traveling alone opens you up to unexpected connections and personal growthThe pivotal moment of realizing you can choose your response to any situationHow moments of confusion and vulnerability create opportunities for human connectionApplying the curiosity and presence of travel to everyday situations like grocery shoppingWhy working on your relationship with yourself is essential before seeking romantic partnershipsRESOURCES MENTIONED: Website | www.lenaehrenberg.comInstagram | @havemoreloveFacebook | www.facebook.com/HaveMoreLoveBEST MOMENTS:"You can sit here and cry and decide that you're a failure and decide that you're an idiot and all these other things that you're telling yourself right now. And you can say that this is a huge disaster and debacle, and why did I ever think that I could do this? And on and on and on. And then if you find your way back to your hotel, you can get your bag, go back home and tell that story for the rest of your life, or you can figure it out.""I literally had never considered that I could think a different thought and feel a different feeling, and out of that choice, create a different outcome for myself.""When we're lost and we're open to it and aware, we allow ourselves to be found. And that's. That's what we're there for. The connections.""The only relationship we're guaranteed to be in till death do we part is the one we have with ourselves."CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What happens when a self-described princess who's afraid of dogs, cows, and getting dirty decides to walk 800 kilometers across Spain with everything she owns on her back?Meet Colleen Sands, author of the blog "Then We Walked," who transformed from a cancer survivor seeking proof of life into a seasoned pilgrim who has completed 22 Caminos. Her journey began with a childhood dream sparked by a 1960s TV show and evolved into a life-changing adventure that opened her eyes to minimalist travel and global citizenship. We explore the history and significance of the Camino de Santiago, the profound personal transformations that happen when you walk alone with your thoughts, and how travel can shift your perspective on everything from material possessions to global responsibility. Colleen shares practical wisdom about ultra-light packing for months-long journeys, leading walking groups without actually walking together, and why she believes everyone is capable of completing a Camino with the right preparation.Join us for this conversation about finding courage, embracing discomfort, and discovering that the person who starts the journey is never the same one who finishes it.TOPICS DISCUSSED:What led Colleen to her first Camino after a cancer diagnosisWhy walking solo became a turning pointHow the Camino connects past and present, history and healingThe shift in mindset from tourist to travellerLetting go of things both physical and emotionalWhat walking around the world taught her about humanityRESOURCES MENTIONED: Then We Walked Website | https://thenwewalked.comFacebook | www.facebook.com/groups/walkingthecaminodesantiagoInstagram | @thenwewalkYouTube | www.youtube.com/channel/UCJhj3ETCFLZaqyVC4o8pqBABEST MOMENTS:"I love the way you put, everybody has their own walk. Because I'm sure everybody had a reason, not just, oh, here's the insta reason for going on a walk.""The person that started was not the same person that finished that hike.""The more you travel, the more you realize that we are more the same than we are different. But we can always learn to appreciate our differences.""You'd be amazed how much you really don't need.""If you can become a citizen of the world, then you start thinking about everybody's family.""There's always deep down a reason why somebody's there. And you don't share that if you don't wish to. But I've come to the conclusion that there's always something."CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What if two weeks could change your entire relationship with health and medication? That's exactly what happened to our guest today.Colleen Kurtz, a functional nutritional therapist and licensed clinical social worker, shares her personal journey from taking 15 different medications to finding freedom through nutrition. Starting with mysterious health issues at age 14, including endometriosis, chronic fatigue, and debilitating pain, Colleen spent over a decade seeking answers from specialists who only offered more prescriptions. Her transformation began when she reluctantly gave nutrition two weeks to prove itself. The results were so dramatic that her husband noticed she didn't fall asleep after work for the first time in years. We dive deep into why women are often dismissed in healthcare, the lack of nutrition education in medical school, and how medical research has historically focused on men. Colleen breaks down practical meal planning strategies, explains why most women aren't eating enough protein or calories, and reveals the powerful connection between mindset and nutrition.Tune in to discover how small changes can create big shifts in your health and why trusting your body's wisdom might be the key to feeling your best at any age.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Colleen's transformation from 15 medications to nutrition-based healingWhy doctors aren't taught nutrition and women are often dismissedSimple strategies for busy people and protein-first planningWhy most women under-eat and how this affects hormonesHow mental health and nutrition work togetherRESOURCES MENTIONED: Colleen's Instagram | @colleen_mindfully_nourishedColleen's Podcast | The Calm CollectiveAnyList App (for grocery planning)BEST MOMENTS:"So many women don't even know that the majority of medical research is done on men. Yes, men. And then we're applying that to women, and we're very different.""And we know our bodies best. I think that is one of the things that, as women, we need to recognize that we do know our bodies. To listen to our bodies, and we need to advocate for our bodies."“I tell people this all the time. You know, you know your body best, and if what you're being told you feel in your gut is different, trust that. We often divert our feelings or our gut instinct because a professional has told us you're fine or it's normal, and then we just accept it. And you don't have to, you know, if you're not feeling your best, don't accept it. Look for a different answer. Because we should feel our best. “CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What if the most powerful season of your life is the one you’re in right now?In this episode, we explore what happens when ambition, burnout, hormones, and personal power meet. Emma Mason joins me to share her story of leaving a high-level government role, not because she lacked success but because something deeper was calling.Emma talks about the moment she realized she was burning out, and how a cycling trip in France unexpectedly became her turning point. We dive into how perimenopause played a hidden role in her breakdown, the masculine model of leadership that many women follow, and how reclaiming feminine wisdom is the path forward. Emma also explains how our menstrual and life cycles mirror seasons and how recognizing those patterns can unlock our unique style of leadership. We talk about presence, intuition, and how to create real impact by doing less, not more.If you’re at a crossroad in your career or life, this episode offers a new way of thinking. Tune in to hear how Emma guides women to reconnect with their power and lead with intention.Free resource: 5 Questions to Ask at a Career CrossroadTOPICS DISCUSSED:Burnout and career crossroadsThe impact of perimenopause on leadershipMasculine vs. feminine models of powerThe four seasons of a woman’s life and menstrual cycleReclaiming presence and intuition as leadership toolsLetting go of hustle and leading from softnessThe hidden power of post-menopausal womenRESOURCES MENTIONED: Website | www.emmamason.com.auLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/emma-mason-1a32a71b/ BEST MOMENTS:"I didn't understand anything about the fact that, you know, as women, we contort ourselves into this very masculine model of leadership. And so as we rise through the ranks, we really lose a part of ourselves as we do that.""A very masculine construct of power is about power over having power over others. Whereas for women, feminine construct is very much power with or even, you know, more so presence with.""One of the things about women's power is that it comes so easily to us, and we talk about it so flippantly that we don't recognize it for what it is.""As women, we don't have to dominate. We can be quiet, we can be expressive, and we can just command a room with our presence.""When you hit a certain age, you do not become invisible actually in listening to what you're saying. This is the time when you can become more visible and shine and lead."CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What if the key to healing chronic disease isn't found in a prescription bottle, but in ancient wisdom from cultures around the world?Meet Tiara Willis, a clinical herbalist who has lived in over 10 countries and traveled to more than 70, all starting from her teenage years in North Philadelphia. Her journey began at 17 through a transformative program called Summer Search, which sent her to Ghana and opened her eyes to a world beyond her neighborhood. What started as escaping her environment became a two-decade quest for healing knowledge. She shares her personal approach to each condition, emphasizing the importance of getting to the root cause rather than just treating symptoms. She covers everything from the connection between trauma and gene expression to practical travel tips for maintaining health on the road. Tiara also dives deep into women's health, explaining how hormone imbalances in your 20s and 30s can impact everything from fertility to Alzheimer's risk later in life.Tune in to discover how this world traveler is helping people heal naturally and why she believes our bodies are constantly talking to us if we know how to listen.TOPICS DISCUSSED:The connection between chronic illness, trauma, and lifestyleHerbal and dietary approaches to cancer, diabetes, HSV, and autoimmune diseasesUnderstanding gene expression and root causes of diseaseAlkaline eating and nutrition misconceptionsWomen’s hormone health and perimenopauseTips for managing dietary needs on the goRESOURCES MENTIONED: Website | www.healwithtiara.comLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/healwithtiaraInstagram | @healwithtiaraYouTube | www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lA2B4hcMKOXHbBpz65yAgSummer Search Program | https://summersearch.orgBook recommendation | The Glucose Goddess MethodBEST MOMENTS:"Tell me your diet and I'll tell your disease. Or I also say, tell me your disease and I'll tell your diet because it's a ripple effect.""Make sure that you stay on your journey, regardless of what medical professionals have to say, regardless of even what I have to say. If you believe in a higher power, if you believe in God has the final say."CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What happens when the headlines stop and the real healing begins? In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts on the Sean Diddy Combs trial, focusing specifically on Cassie's testimony and what it reveals about consent, control, and the difference between kink and abuse.I walk through the sexual aspects of the case first, explaining terms like cuckolding and urophilia to help normalize consensual adult activities that might sound foreign to mainstream audiences. Then I dive into the abuse allegations, breaking down why Cassie likely stayed in the relationship and how predatory behavior often starts with grooming. I also discuss the importance of checking in with yourself if this case is triggering unresolved trauma, and I share resources for healing including trauma-informed coaches, therapists who specialize in complex PTSD, and practitioners who work with somatic release. Throughout the episode, I emphasize that celebrity status doesn't put anyone above the law and explore the broader questions this case raises about how we value women and treat abuse victims.If you've been following this case or if any of the testimony is bringing up difficult emotions for you, this episode offers both perspective and practical support. I'm here to help you process what you're feeling and find the resources you need to heal.If you need help, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit RAINN.org.National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233TOPICS DISCUSSED:Trauma response and healing resources for those triggered by the caseDifferent types of therapeutic approaches (EMDR, somatic release, EFT, hypnotherapy)Normalizing consensual adult sexual practices and kink community standardsThe importance of informed consent in sexual relationshipsGrooming behavior and predatory patterns in relationshipsAge gaps and power dynamics in relationshipsThe mindset of abuse victims and why they stayComparing abusive relationships to trafficking situationsThe cycle of abuse and normalization of violenceParenting perspectives on protecting daughters while harming other womenBEST MOMENTS:"Healing is not a one time deal. Sometimes it's one of those things where there are layers to it. You heal one layer and you're like, I thought I was done with that. But then another layer comes up.""What somebody does in their bedroom, as long as it is consensual and it is happening between two consenting adults, that is what makes the difference.""Once you've been stripped of your self esteem, your self worth, and you're constantly living under duress, the survival mind kicks in.""Celebrity does not equal above the law. Even though it seems like it does not equal that."CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

What if your messy space isn’t just about stuff but your mindset, your fears, and the version of yourself you’re ready to let go of?In this episode, Kate Evans, is a psychologist, declutter coach, and author of the upcoming book Ditch Your Sht: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home*. Kate shares how she went from living in chaos to creating a clutter-free sanctuary and how that shift led to massive personal transformation. We dig into the emotional weight of clutter, the fears we don’t even know we’re carrying, and how simply clearing space in your home can open the door to healing, confidence, and even better relationships.If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like “you’ve just always been messy,” this episode is your sign to rethink everything.TOPICS DISCUSSED:Kate’s story from mess to mindset shiftThe spiritual and emotional impact of your physical spaceHow to start decluttering when you feel overwhelmedDigging into fears, resistance, and limiting beliefsJournaling tips (even if you hate journaling)Creating maintenance systems that don’t fall apartDecluttering in relationships and shared spacesWhat to do when others resist your transformationRESOURCES MENTIONED:Ditch Your Sh*t: Decluttering Your Mindset to Declutter Your Home By Evans, KateWebsite | www.soulfulspacecoaching.comFacebook | www.facebook.com/katesevans.coachingInstagram | @kateevans.coachingBEST MOMENTS:“Caring for your home is self care.”“When we declutter, we're removing the things that get in the way of our authentic self.”“You can have lots of stuff. But if it’s intentional, it’s not clutter.”“Sometimes, you need to declutter people too.” – Sophia“You’re not stuck. You just haven’t made the decision yet.”CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

Have you ever heard someone say “you need to do your shadow work” and wondered what that really means? Or maybe you’ve tried and felt stuck not knowing where to begin? In this episode, Melanie Stevens is a spiritual teacher and course creator, she shares about how she went from corporate HR manager to building a soulful online teaching platform. We explore how intuitive nudges led her to Reiki, tarot, and ultimately teaching what she’s learned on Udemy. From there, we dig into what shadow work actually is, how it shows up in your life, and why self-love isn’t as simple as it sounds. Melanie shares how to start doing this inner work gently—with simple journaling, self-reflection, and compassion. We also talk about practical ways to raise your vibration, how to connect with your intuition, and how tools like tarot and oracle cards can support your personal growth. Toward the end, we even dive into spirit guides—who they are and how to connect with them.If you’ve ever felt like your inner world needs some attention, this one’s for you. Tune in and let’s talk about how transformation really happens.TOPICS DISCUSSED:What shadow work actually is and why it mattersHow Melanie transitioned from HR to spiritual teachingThe role of intuition and how to strengthen itRaising your vibration with simple practicesHow tarot/oracle cards support self-inquiryWorking with spirit guides and what they can teach usRESOURCES MENTIONED:Website: www.melanie-stevens.comFree Workshops and Downloads Melanie’s Courses on UdemyFacebook | www.facebook.com/melanie.stevens.334YouTube | www.youtube.com/@melaniestevenshealingInstagram | @melaniestevenshealingTikTok | @melaniestevenshealingBEST MOMENTS:“You weren’t born afraid of confrontation. You weren’t born a people pleaser. You became that.”“We can’t go through life beating ourselves up about mistakes we’ve made. That’s not helping anyone.”“Not all of our stuff that we bury is bad. Some of it could be confidence, leadership, joy.”“Sometimes your changes are subtle—you won’t notice you’re transforming until something shifts.”CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock

Have you ever asked yourself, “Why am I still so tired even when I sleep through the night?” You’re not alone. In this episode, we dig into the deep link between sleep and mental health—especially for women who feel like they’re constantly running on empty.Keri Cooper, a psychotherapist turned certified sleep science coach, who now runs a virtual adult sleep coaching program called Sleep Solutions by Carrie. Keri shares how years of therapy work—especially during COVID—led her to recognize sleep as a major driver of mental wellness. She talks about high schoolers with flipped sleep schedules, exhausted parents who knew what to do but couldn’t bring themselves to do it, and even a surprising discovery at a dinner party about a 2 AM “mom text chain.” From the emotional toll of sleep deprivation to the everyday choices that either help or hurt our rest, this episode explores how simple sleep habits can change how we think, feel, and function.If sleep feels like the missing piece in your mental and physical well-being, this episode is for you. Tune in now to learn what might be getting in the way—and how to finally get the rest your body’s been asking for.TOPICS DISCUSSED:How sleep affects mental health in teens and adultsThe connection between parenting stress and poor sleepReal-life stories about sleep-deprived women and professionalsHow behavioral patterns and beliefs influence sleep qualityPractical sleep coaching strategies and mindset shiftsWhat it means when you sleep “well” but still wake up tiredRESOURCES MENTIONED:Website | sleepsolutionsbykeri.comLinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/kericooper1Facebook | www.facebook.com/sleepsolutionsbykeriMental Health Uncensored: 10 Foundations Every Parent Needs to Know by Keri CooperMental Health Uncensored Teen Workbook by Keri CooperCorporate Sleep Programs | Sleep Solutions by KeriBEST MOMENTS:“The moment sleep really started becoming an issue, their mental health started declining.”“Literally everything comes back to sleep. It is the number one foundation for health.”“Taking care of ourselves is so important. We have to put up boundaries. Self-care is not just getting your nails done — it’s stopping work and shutting yourself down.”CONTACT THE HOSTWebsite |  www.thereikihealingcoach.com Instagram | @sophia_i_got_igInstagram | @createlifeyourwayFacebook | www.facebook.com/sophia.e.754LinkedIn | Sophia Elcock