How do you know if you're winning or losing? This question was the inspiration for this week's episode. We start with our usual exploration of the importance of personalizing what winning and losing look like for you.

The analogy this week is clear: Rocky Balboa. One of the P2W duo (you'll never guess which one!) is a huge Rocky fan. Rocky is the epitome of heart and grit, and his character demonstrates over and over the importance of showing up - going the distance. When we show up as authentically as possible in our lives, we're more able to readily access authentic relationships and joy. Even when we feel like we can't catch a break.

We talk a lot about the importance of mindset and perspective. For example, we can define winning as waking up to live/fight another day. Goal setting is also useful, defining what we're working toward. We want to let go of the outcome though, and emphasize showing up. Consistently.

So many amazing Rocky quotes to choose from, we'll end with this one: "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done," ~ Rocky Balboa

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This episode is a two-for. You get two episodes for the price of one! This week, the Instigator and the Yogi, and our friend Dave, talk about therapy.

First up, the Pieces to Wellness duo dig deep into what we think of therapy. As usual, we're trying to dispel some of the stigma that swirls around therapy, and share about our own personal experiences. We talk about what therapy is and what it's not.

One question we reflect on is, "If nothing's "wrong with you", what do you talk about in therapy?" We talk about how therapy can be used ongoingly or intermittently. Most importantly, we talk about how using therapy proactively to increase your options has served us both well.

Then, Ding, Ding! We transition to talking with Dave. Dave's been on the show before, interviewing Tim and Karen. Today, Dave asks us some deeply personal questions to gain our insights. Reminder we are not therapists, we are compassionate peers helping out our friend.

In true Dave form, he dives right in talking about the existential nature of time, and the feeling of wistfulness that accompanies the letting go of the past, and then we get into self-esteem, self-worth, and the enormous value of perception and perspective. Enjoy!

If you want to hear more from Dave, check out Episode 101: Learn to Swim: Deep End Conversations with Dave.

Are YOU struggling with something? Or is there something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
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Mary, Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? We love analogies here on Pieces to Wellness, and this week's episode is all about digging into wellness as a garden. And yes, this week we're extra full of puns, word play, even nursery rhymes!

Plants and humans, all living beings really, have many of the same basic needs. We all need water, sunlight, and nourishing foods. And we need these things consistently. One of this week's take-aways is that consistency beats motivation every time. Another nugget is that we all must identify our guardrails - the outer limits of what we will and won't do. Then we can work toward staying within our guardrails as much as possible.

Keep in mind that gardens don't bloom all the time (growth isn't linear). Not every season is harvest season. Sometimes we need to let some parts of the garden get dormant so that other things can take root. Strong roots don't worry about strong winds. Stay on top of pulling out your weeds - the things that interfere with your wellness and growth. This week, the Yogi's got lots of TLC for you, and the Instigator is full of gardening tips. Listen in and enjoy!

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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New Guest Alert! This week, the Pieces to Wellness duo is delighted to welcome Jen Degroff, coordinator and A.D.A.P.T. facilitator for Bring on the Spectrum (BOTS) in Albany, NY. BOTS is a community space and sensory gym. The community space offers a huge variety of classes and fun activities (from cabaret to self-defense to Pokémon) for neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals and groups. Using the approach of, "nothing about us without us", they co-create the calendar of activities in partnership with the people who use the space. They are dedicated to building a wildly inclusive shared sense of belonging for all, and have created an environment that centers personal strength and ability.

We are all about elevating lived experience here. Jen openly shares about her own experience with neurodivergence and how working with neurodivergent clients helped her get her energy back. The program she facilitates at BOTS is called A.D.A.P.T. (Actions to Draw All People Together). A.D.A.P.T. is an adaptable/portable classroom-style program for youth of all abilities in which participants learn about neurodivergent individuals including those with autism and other intellectual/developmental disabilities, develop integrated environments, and cultivate a “natural helper” mindset.

Jen also shares about her company, True Icon, in which she provides personal training, coaching, along with public speaking and workshops all focused on staying true to yourself, growing boldly, and finding/doing the things that give you joy.

If you're interested in connecting with Jen, visit her website: https://www.beatrueicon.com/ or follow her on IG @beatrueicon

Interested in bringing ADAPT to your school, workplace or other community setting? Email bots.adapt@gmail.com.

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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This week the Instigator and the Yogi are talking about overthinking. We start with the questions: Does overthinking steal your joy? Can it be strategic or useful?

Thinking about thinking (metacognition), like so many things, is a behavior that has a whole spectrum of applications. There are so many possible ways our thoughts can be helpful/healthy or unhealthy/unhelpful. It all comes back to our perspective, how we look at things. We each share how black and white thinking tends to be on the unhelpful side for us, whereas talking with a trusted person helps us sort out our thoughts and broadens our perspective. Karen reflects on Norman Cousins who's known for using laughter, positive thinking, and megadoses of vitamin C to cure himself of a crippling connective tissue disease.

Our perspective is shaped by our experiences for sure. And, it's up to us to take a steadfast approach to maintaining the inner landscape of our minds. With gentleness, grace, and a relentless spirit. We're right there with you to help you find the way!

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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There is so much info out there this time of year about resolutions, intention-setting, goals. We talk a lot here about living in alignment with goals and values as an everyday practice, and this week's episode is no exception. And for many, the significance of a new year (or any date) on the calendar can be a motivator to take a step, to establish a goal that means something to you. It's not about all or nothing, it's both-and.

Karen shares a winter solstice/new year intention-setting ritual she's trying out this year for the first time. For her, this ritual is about holding space for imperfection and uncertainty while also putting goals into the world. Tim offers some tips for setting goals that are tangible, achievable, and suggests writing down the larger goal as well as some of the more immediate or initial steps toward that goal. In short, start small, and adjust your goals as you grow. And, while Jan 1 can provide the energy to start toward a new goal, or to level up, the truth is that you don't need a special day to set a goal. Every day is a good day to take those steps toward the wellness side of the spectrum, and consistency is underrated. Stay the course on the things that matter to you, and we'll keep doing the same.

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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In keeping with the spirit of the holiday season, this week's episode is a real gift! We are beyond grateful to welcome listeners to the first of several Deep End Conversations with Dave.

Dave is a regular listener to the podcast, and also happens to be friends with Tim and Karen. In fact, rumor has it that Dave and Karen have known each other since they were teenagers (ok, not a rumor, that's a fact). Dave is one of those people with whom every conversation feels like an adventure, and we recently thought, what if we flipped the script? What if we had someone come on the podcast to interview us?! We knew right away that Dave was the guy for the job.

And so here we are. Dave has prepared a slew of questions for the Instigator and the Yogi. If you've ever wanted to hear what it's like behind the scenes of our podcast or want to find out what makes Tim and Karen tick individually and as a duo, tune in here. We haven't yet reached the end of Dave's questions; this is just the beginning of our swim in the deep end. Dive in!

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

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Welcome to the 100th episode of Pieces to Wellness! This is a big milestone for us, and we're here to celebrate!

Pieces to Wellness has evolved over the course of these 100 episodes, and this week, Tim and Karen get a little nostalgic, remembering some conversations that have really stood out and resonated for us. We remark on what we're most proud of, reflect on what we wish we'd done differently, and share what we're looking forward to bringing to the pod in the next 100 episodes.

One thing has remained consistent throughout. Our mission here at Pieces to Wellness is to inspire, educate, and support others on their mental health journeys. Each week, we offer you some pieces to the puzzle of wellness, and that's what we're going to keep doing. It's up to you to put the pieces together.

Is there something you're struggling with? Or something you'd like to hear us discuss?
Reach out on IG @piecestowellness or shoot us an email at neverunderestimatetpp@gmail.com.
Please check out our other episodes and tell a friend!
Remember - The road to a better you is paved with pieces to wellness…
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Get a copy of Tim's book, Never Underestimate the Power of You by clicking the link below:

Send us a text

https://a.co/d/h7AQf91