Episodes

  • 25. Lifestyle Medicine Week 2024: The Impact of Lifestyle Medicine on Mental Health

    25. Lifestyle Medicine Week 2024: The Impact of Lifestyle Medicine on Mental Health
    May 20 2024

    In this solo episode, Melyssa focuses on the significant impact of lifestyle medicine on mental health. Coinciding with Lifestyle Medicine Week 2024 and Mental Health Awareness Month, Melyssa shares her insights on how lifestyle behaviors can serve as therapeutic interventions. She elaborates on the six pillars of lifestyle medicine—physical activity, plant-predominant eating patterns, effective stress management, healthy sleep, positive social connections, and avoidance of risky substances. Melyssa also reflects on her personal experiences, including the emotional challenges of losing her dog, Buddy, and emphasizes the importance of taking small, manageable steps to improve well-being. Tune in for practical advice, heart-to-heart discussions, and an invitation to her upcoming presentation on Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health taking place May 30th, 2024 at 6pm EST! Register at heatlhylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/events

    WORK WITH MELYSSA

    **Join the Change Maker Collective group coaching membership to receive support, accountability, and coaching from Melyssa to achieve your lifestyle change goals!

    **Sign up for the Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK Audiobook Group Coaching Program!

    • Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!
    • Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!
    • Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!
    • Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck
    • Email Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.com
    • Visit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/

    Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers!

    00:00 Welcome to Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Suck Podcast
    00:36 Celebrating Lifestyle Medicine Week 2024
    01:22 The Power of Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health
    02:45 Discovering Lifestyle Medicine: A Personal Journey
    03:36 The Six Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine
    05:23 Navigating Personal Struggles with Lifestyle Medicine
    18:38 Making Small, Positive Changes for Mental Health
    21:12 Join the Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health Presentation
    21:37 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Engage
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    23 mins
  • 24. Grief is Fucking Hard: A Conversation About Attachment, Loss, and Mental Health with Dr. Annelise Cunningham

    24. Grief is Fucking Hard: A Conversation About Attachment, Loss, and Mental Health with Dr. Annelise Cunningham
    May 6 2024
    In this episode of Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK, Melyssa explores the complexities of navigating grief and promoting mental health with Dr. Annelise Cunningham, author of Grief is Fucking Hard: Love Notes from a Trauma and Loss Psychologist. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the episode discusses breaking the stigma around mental health struggles, emphasizing the importance of support systems and self-care during tough times. Special guest, clinical psychologist Dr. Annelise Cunningham, discusses her journey into specializing in infant mental health, trauma, attachment, and grief, highlighting the need for mental health support in unexpected scenarios like the NICU. They explore the concept of procedural memory in grief, the impact of attachment styles on emotional well-being, and the power of recognizing and tending to one's vulnerabilities. The conversation offers listeners reflective questions to explore their emotional narratives and attachment styles, encouraging active engagement with one's mental health. The episode wraps up with offering practical advice on finding personalized coping mechanisms, underlining the show's mission to make healthy living accessible, empowering, and interconnected with mental well-being. MEET OUR GUEST Dr. Cunningham is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in attachment, trauma, and loss. She has worked in community, inpatient, and outpatient settings providing both assessments and psychotherapy. Throughout her work, she developed an interest in the grief process; noticing stages, checklists, and a desire to "move on" did not work well for those grieving. With her background in attachment, Dr. Cunningham instead believes grief is a relationship that requires an honest and authentic communication style. In her relational approach to grieving, Dr. Cunningham places a focus on decreasing self-judgement and increasing self-compassion to build an understanding of the complicated thoughts and feelings about loss. Dr. Cunningham resides in Chicago where she has a private practice which offers telehealth services to residents of Colorado and Illinois. Purchase Dr. Cunningham's workbook on Amazon: Grief is Fucking HardVisit Dr. Cunningham's Website: https://www.amcthepractice.com/ WORK WITH MELYSSA **Join the Change Maker Collective coaching membership to receive support, accountability, and coaching from Melyssa to achieve your lifestyle change goals! **Sign up for the Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK Audiobook Group Coaching Program! **Get your first week of my Move with Melyssa virtual fitness studio FREE! Or to try a sample class, use code MOVEWITHMELYSSA to attend a livestream class for free, or use code MWMREPLAY to catch an on-demand class for free through my Move with Melyssa virtual fitness studio! Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuckEmail Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.comVisit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/ Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Suck Podcast 00:52 Kicking Off Mental Health Awareness Month 03:08 Deep Dive into Grief and Loss with Dr. Annelise Cunningham 12:37 Exploring the Complexities of Grief and Healthy Living 22:31 Embracing the Duality of Grief and Healing 23:36 Exploring the Power of Movement as Medicine 24:55 Embracing Self-Compassion and Grace 26:43 Understanding Attachment and Self-Esteem 28:05 Navigating Emotions and Vulnerability 30:31 Reflective Questions for Self-Discovery 33:07 Engaging with Attachment Styles and Self-Exploration 41:07 Concluding Thoughts on Healthy Living
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    45 mins
  • 23. Toasting to Transformation: Tips to Live The Champagne Diet Lifestyle with Cara Alwill, Best-Selling Author and Master Life Coach

    23. Toasting to Transformation: Tips to Live The Champagne Diet Lifestyle with Cara Alwill, Best-Selling Author and Master Life Coach
    Apr 8 2024
    In this episode of the Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK Podcast, Melyssa is joined by one of her all-time favorite life and business coaches - Cara Alwill, creator of The Champagne Diet! They discuss the importance of embracing a healthy lifestyle without succumbing to societal pressures and restrictive norms. Cara shares her journey from a dissatisfying career and unhealthy relationship to finding joy and authenticity through living The Champagne Diet lifestyle - the only kind of diet Melyssa would ever recommend to her listeners! 😉 Their conversation covers topics such as the significance of mental well-being in overall health, embracing the impact of small daily habits, and the liberating power of giving yourself permission to enjoy life without guilt. Cara suggests that listeners prioritize feeling good over looking a certain way, remember that your size is the least interesting thing about yourself, and to draw inspiration from those around you without falling into the comparison trap so you can live your healthiest, happiest life! MEET OUR GUESTCara Alwill is a New York City based creative entrepreneur who encourages women to live their most effervescent lives, celebrate themselves every day, and make their happiness a priority. She is a best selling personal development author, mentor to women entrepreneurs, and creator of The Champagne Diet blog. Over 11 million listeners worldwide tune in to Cara’s podcast Style Your Mind each week for powerful conversations and a mega dose of inspiration. Cara is the author of 9 best selling books, including the worldwide sensation Girl Code, that have inspired women around the world to step into their power and fulfill their potential. Cara’s books have been translated into multiple languages like Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, Mongolian, and Vietnamese. Her message continues to transcend cultures and break barriers for women across the globe. Check out Cara Alwill's Website! www.thechampagnediet.comFollow Cara on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/thechampagnediet/Listen to Cara's Style Your Mind Podcast! https://styleyourmind.libsyn.com/ Episode referenced: Your Size is The Least Interesting Thing About You Join Cara's low-cost monthly membership, the Girl on Fire Collective! https://girlonfirecollective.com/Purchase Cara’s Best Selling Books! WORK WITH MELYSSA **Join the Change Maker Collective group coaching membership to receive support, accountability, and coaching from Melyssa to achieve your lifestyle change goals! **Sign up for the Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK Audiobook Group Coaching Program! **Use code MOVEWITHMELYSSA to attend a livestream class for free, or use code MWMREPLAY to catch an on-demand class for free through my Move with Melyssa virtual fitness studio! Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuckEmail Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.comVisit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/ Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers!
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    25 mins
  • 22. Workout with Mom (and MORE!) with Women's Fitness Specialist, Alayna Curry

    22. Workout with Mom (and MORE!) with Women's Fitness Specialist, Alayna Curry
    Apr 1 2024

    In this episode of Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK, Melyssa welcomes her guest, Alayna Curry, a fitness instructor and mom to discuss the complexities of maintaining a healthy lifestyle among various life challenges. Alayna shares her journey from struggling with body image to embracing fitness as a celebration rather than punishment. They discuss tips for busy individuals, especially moms, to integrate fitness into their lives, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals, planning, and giving oneself grace. Alayna introduces her 'Workout with Mom' program, designed for accessibility and flexibility, catering to individuals with different needs and constraints. They conclude by addressing the misconception that health and enjoyment are mutually exclusive, advocating an approach to fitness and nutrition that's enjoyable and suited to individual lifestyles.

    MEET OUR GUEST
    Alayna Curry is a fitness instructor, public relations pro, wife and mom based in Central Florida. For nearly 15 years, she has taught group fitness classes -- both in person at local gyms and virtually through her Workout with Mom program. Alayna is a certified group fitness instructor, women's fitness specialist and licensed Zumba instructor. When she's not working out, she's working her full time job doing PR for the space industry and juggling life as a mom of two young boys.

    • Check out Alayna's website! http://workoutwithmom.com
    • Don't miss Alayna's Virtual Fitness Program!
    • Connect with Alayna on her socials!
      https://www.instagram.com/alaynajcurry
      https://www.tiktok.com/alaynajcurry
    • Contact Alayna at: alayna@workoutwithmom.com
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    48 mins
  • 21. Non-Toxic Living for a Cleaner, Healthier Lifestyle with Brittany Snell

    21. Non-Toxic Living for a Cleaner, Healthier Lifestyle with Brittany Snell
    Mar 25 2024

    In this episode we focus on non-toxic living to celebrate National Clean Week with Brittany Snell! Brittany, a lawyer with a passion for health, wellness, and her podcast 'The Canine Culture Podcast', shares her journey towards a non-toxic lifestyle amidst dealing with autoimmune diseases. She emphasizes the importance of making small, manageable changes rather than striving for perfection and provides practical tips for transitioning to non-toxic products in various aspects of life, from personal care to household items. The episode stresses the concept of cleaner living and the long-term benefits of reducing toxin exposure. Furthermore, Brittney offers resources like social media accounts and apps to assist listeners in identifying and switching to non-toxic alternatives.

    00:00 Welcome to Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Suck Podcast
    00:35 Apologies for the Audio/Video Issues
    01:21 Celebrating National Clean Week with a Focus on Non-Toxic Living
    02:42 Introducing Brittany: From Attorney to Non-Toxic Living Advocate
    03:34 Brittany's Journey: Law, Fitness, and Battling Autoimmune Diseases
    05:11 The Shift to Non-Toxic Living: A Personal Transformation
    07:24 Practical Tips for Starting Your Non-Toxic Living Journey
    17:20 Understanding Greenwashing and Making Informed Choices
    21:17 Leveraging Social Media for Non-Toxic Living Inspiration
    23:35 Healthy Living for the Future: It Doesn't Have to Suck
    24:38 Connect with Brittany and the Canine Culture Podcast
    26:07 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

    Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers!

    • Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!
    • Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!
    • Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!
    • Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck
    • Email Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.com
    • Visit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/

    ABOUT BRITTANY

    Brittany wears many hats and keeps her schedule packed with her passions. While she is an attorney, her passion lies with animals. She is the host of the podcast the Canine Culture Podcast and volunteers with rescues and shelters are local to Jacksonville, Florida. Brittany also serves her community in other volunteer capacities and sits as the President of the Chris V. Brown Foundation, which seeks to help underserved high school students.

    Brittany is also very passionate about health and wellness. She previously competed in bodybuilding and has not transitioned to an "amateur runner" as a means to check-off some bucketlist items. As part of this running journey, she has greeted the opportunity to be outside more often with open arms and recognizes the cognitive and mental health benefits of the sport. As someone who battles autoimmune conditions, Brittany started a non-toxic journey during COVID. Being home more frequently and working from home was eye-opening with how many toxins we are surrounded by daily. Perfection is not the goal with moving toward a more non-toxic life; rather, the focus is on how we can balance the toxins we face voluntarily and to reduce that load on our systems.

    CONNECT WITH BRITTANY

    Instagram: @brittenglandsnell and @canine_culture_podcast

    Website: https://www.canineculturepodcast.com/
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    27 mins
  • 20. Ditch the Damn Diet and Step Off the Scale with Registered Dietitian, Ashlee Wright

    20. Ditch the Damn Diet and Step Off the Scale with Registered Dietitian, Ashlee Wright
    Mar 18 2024

    Enrollment for the Change Maker Collective closes 3/31/2024! Join now by visiting healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/coaching

    In this episode of the Healthy Living Doesn't Have to SUCK podcast, host Melyssa Allen invites registered dietitian, Ashlee Wright, to discuss sustainable strategies for creating a healthier lifestyle without the need for restrictive diets. They cover the importance of mindset and positive behavior changes, the negative impacts of diet culture, and practical tips for incorporating nutritious foods and enjoyable exercise into daily life. Additionally, they highlight Ashlee's Ditch the Damn Diet Academy, a group program designed to help individuals achieve a healthier relationship with food and exercise. The conversation also delves into the power of self-compassion and the impact of social media on our health perceptions, offering insightful advice for listeners seeking to make lasting health improvements.

    00:00 Welcome to Healthy Living Doesn't Have to Suck Podcast
    00:34 Special Announcement and Excitement for Today's Guest
    02:05 Introducing Ashlee Wright: A Journey from Dietitian to Entrepreneur
    05:18 The Philosophy Behind Why Eat Wise
    07:31 Ditch the Damn Diet Academy: A Revolutionary Approach
    10:08 Real Talk: Navigating Nutrition and Lifestyle Changes
    19:41 Empowering Strategies for Healthier Living
    26:11 Wrapping Up: Where to Connect and Final Thoughts
    28:31 Closing Remarks and Resources for Changemakers

    Connect with Ashlee!

    • Ashlee’s FREE free training on 5 dieting mistakes to stop making now:
    • Ashlee’s Website: http://www.whyeatwise.com/
    • Ashlee’s Instagram: @whyeatwise

    Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers!

    • Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!
    • Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!
    • Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!
    • Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck
    • Email Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.com
    • Visit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/

    Enrollment for the Change Maker Collective closes 3/31/2024! Join now by visiting healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/coaching
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    29 mins
  • 19. Less Stress, More Calm - Unlocking Your Stress Superpower with Dr. Lauren Hodges

    19. Less Stress, More Calm - Unlocking Your Stress Superpower with Dr. Lauren Hodges
    Mar 11 2024
    Enrollment for the Change Maker Collective, behavior change group coaching membership, is NOW OPEN! Join now by visiting healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/coaching In this episode, Dr. Lauren Hodges, author of "Less Stress and More Calm: Discovering Your Unique Stress Personality and Make it Your Superpower," joins Melyssa for a conversation about the concept of stress personalities - the patterns in which individuals typically respond to stress - explaining the importance of self-awareness in managing stress effectively. She distinguishes between different types of stress (distress and eustress) and shares insights on how understanding one's stress personality can lead to better stress management strategies, ultimately enhancing personal and professional performance. The episode also covers the significance of neuroplasticity in building resilience and adapting to stress, providing listeners with practical tips on incorporating mindfulness and other stress management tools into their daily routines. 00:00 Introduction to Healthy Living 00:35 Unveiling the Changemaker Collective 01:56 Exploring Other Coaching Opportunities 02:37 Introducing Dr. Lauren Hodges 03:16 Dr. Lauren Hodges' Journey and Expertise 07:38 Understanding Stress Personalities 08:35 The Impact of Perception on Stress 12:30 The Role of Stress in Personal Growth 17:53 Managing Stress: Building Awareness and Tools 31:51 The Power of Mindfulness in Stress Management 34:49 Conclusion: Embracing the 'Yes, And' Approach MEET OUR GUESTDr. Lauren Hodges is a consultant, speaker, and author of Less Stress, More Calm: Discover Your Unique Stress Personality and Make It Your Superpower which releases in April of this year. She is the owner of Performance on Purpose, a global human performance coaching and training company and is a renowned expert in human performance and learning sciences. She has spent the last 17 years consulting with Fortune 500 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Accenture, and Estee Lauder Companies on their human sustainability and learning strategies. Lauren leverages her expertise and experience to equip individuals and their teams with the tools needed to move beyond burnout to thrive in life and at work. She lives in Satellite Beach, Florida with her husband and two boys. Check out Dr. Hodges's Website! https://www.performance-on-purpose.com/Grab your copy of Dr. Hodges's book Less Stress, More Calm available for pre-order on Barnes & Noble and Amazon!Contact Dr. Hodges at lauren@performance-on-purpose.comCheck out Dr. Hodges's LinkedIn Learning Course: Discover Your Stress Personality Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers! Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuckEmail Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.comVisit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/ Enrollment for the Change Maker Collective closes 3/31/2024! Join now by visiting healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/coaching
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    38 mins
  • 18. Celebrating My 5 Year Business Birthday AND International Women's Day!

    18. Celebrating My 5 Year Business Birthday AND International Women's Day!
    Mar 8 2024

    Melyssa celebrates the fifth anniversary of her business, Melyssa with a WHY LLC, which coincides with International Women's Day. She reflects on the significance of this alignment, emphasizing her commitment to empowering women and challenging toxic societal messaging about women's bodies. Melyssa shares a personal journey from self-doubt in her potential as a business owner to embracing entrepreneurship, inspired by one of her faculty mentors during graduate school. She discusses how her business offered an alternative to the traditional corporate route, highlighting the freedom and opportunities that entrepreneurship has brought into her life and share some exciting things to come in 2024!

    Enrollment for the Change Maker Collective, behavior change group coaching membership, is NOW OPEN! Join now by visiting healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/coaching

    Please remember to Follow/Subscribe, Rate & Review our show to help us reach more Change Makers!

    • Grab our FREE Wellness Wheel Activity sneak peek from the book!
    • Join our FREE Change Maker Community here!
    • Grab your copy of Melyssa's book here!
    • Follow us on Instagram: @melyssa_with_a_why and @healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck
    • Email Melyssa at: info@melyssawithawhy.com
    • Visit our website: https://www.healthylivingdoesnthavetosuck.com/
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    31 mins