Maybe when you were young you heard that it was important to eat your fruits and vegetables. But what if… fruits & vegetables were the ONLY foods that you ate? 

If you’re listening to this in November of 2021, you may have noticed more and more brands hopping on “plant-based” and “vegan” trends. What’s that all about? Is it just another trend? Or could this truly be something life (and planet) changing? 

Plant-Based Chef Lena Ropp shares with us the power within a lifestyle that is not only fully vegan, but also raw. Lena’s been following a raw vegan diet for the past 7.5 years, along with her husband, children, and even their dog! 

It turns out there’s quite a bit of misinformation on nutritional advice out there. While this is by no means a conclusive guide to nutrition, it certainly sheds a lot of light on the food industry and the power of plants. 

Topics we touch on: 

• Raw vegan versus whole food plant-based
• Lena’s journey to raw vegan after growing up in Kazakhstan
• How we’ve been misinformed as a society 
• Dogs can be vegan too!
• Getting enough micro & macronutrients from a raw vegan diet 
• The “No-limits” diet
• Raw Veganism in Athletics
• Being more connected to the land and your food - relaxation and sustainability
• How retreats can help change peoples lives

Learn more about Lena: 

https://www.instagram.com/pureveganfood/

https://www.mypureveganfood.com/

We still have a few spots left for our Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat this December! Check out the details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

Are your sustainability practices sustainable? Not just in terms of how they impact the planet, but how they impact YOU!

Living “sustainably”, “eco-friendly”, and “zero-waste” are so trendy at the moment, but the reality is that these terms are so much bigger than a short-term trend. These are practices that, if they can become a normal part of our daily lives, will have an enormous impact on the planet!

So, how do we do that? By adopting practices that feel good to us on an individual level. If it doesn’t resonate with you, will you really stick with it? Probably not.. which means, it’s not very sustainable! 

This is just one of the topics we talk about today with sustainability blogger, Miah Ké-leigh. Miah, joining us from across the globe in the Netherlands, sat down to talk about her journey creating content in the sustainability space and more.  

One of my favorite takeaways from this episode is applicable to everyone, but especially those of us that love the outdoors. Miah says, “You'll start to realize how much the earth actually impacts your hobbies and lifestyle. And if you take care of it, you don't actually have to give anything up.” For us to continue to enjoy nature and do the sports we love, taking care of the environment is just a given! Sustainable living doesn’t have to be overly complicated. And certainly we ALL can make a positive impact. 

Other topics we touch on: 

• Sustainable Travel - does it exist?
• Eco and Sustainability Blogging
• Growth in your personal sustainability journey
• How social media can be a blessing and a hindrance 
• Have the conversations with people - keep it alive
• Mental & emotional health shouldn’t suffer from sustainable practices - combating eco-anxiety
• Figuring out where you fit into the eco-movement - and how to stay true to you in the process
• Femininity and Color in Sustainability
• Greenwashing: how to avoid it - do your research
• Continued learning - using social media as a resource to learn more 

Connect with Miah online: 

https://instagram.com/earthtomiah

https://www.earthtomiah.com/

We still have a few spots left for our Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat this December! Check out the details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

“Take it one day at a time and just ask yourself, what do I have the capacity to lean into today? Find my edge. And see if you could push it a little bit. I call it pushing your edge, but not your buttons.”

“Abundance is a birthright that we're all entitled to, without it becoming entitlement.” - Daniel Mangena 

Dan Mangena is a black entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author of the wildly popular book ‘Money Game’, a wealth manifestation guide.

Background wise, at the age of 27, Dan was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome which changed his life forever. By the age of 23, Dan had earned (and lost) 2 multi-million-dollar fortunes! 

With this new transformation, he was able to create a four-step system called the Beyond Intention Paradigm to help people struggling with dark thoughts.

Topics we touch on:

• Abundance: Giving ourselves permission to tap into our birthright
• Dan’s journey & healing story 
• Changing your life by changing the way you think 
• Dan’s Beyond Intention Paradigm: 4 Steps - Accept, Clear, Gratitude, and Listen
• Listening to what life is telling us & honoring the gifts we’ve been given
• Prioritizing deep, heart-based relationships with others
• “Micro-Shifts” - taking baby steps to make big progress

Learn more about Dan & connect with him here: dreamwithdan.com

We still have a few spots left for our Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat this December! Check out the details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

It’s my birthday!! I love getting older and the things I talk about in this episode are exactly why.

Other than this episode marking my 26th circle around the sun, this will also (probably) be my last solo episode for the rest of 2021! I know, I can’t believe it either. Tune in as I share 26 things I’ve learned in the past 26 years, as well as more about what’s next for me & Here For More Podcast. Here’s to another year come & gone, and a new one to look forward to 🥳

Before you go! We still have 4 SPOTS left for our December Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat! No surf or yoga experience necessary, just a good attitude & a high level of stoke. Details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

“Rest is not a luxury, it is essential… Our mission is to teach people how they can improve the quality of their lives while they're learning to walk more gently on the planet. So this shouldn't be some extreme sacrifice. This should feel good. It should feel expansive. You should feel this kind of freedom. “ - Stephanie Lentz

Stephanie Lentz, founder & CEO of zero-waste grocery store Scoop Marketplace, joins us today to share the realities of starting and growing a sustainable business. Sustainability, as Stephanie defines it, is more than protecting and preserving the planet - it’s just as much about taking care of yourself.  

Topics covered: 

• How grocery shopping and our consumption of food has an impact
• Microplastics and their impact on the environment
• Zero Waste Living: What is a “zero-waste” grocery store?
• Finding enjoyment in sustainable practices
• Learning to thrive: “Rest is not a luxury, it is essential!”
• Discovering entrepreneurship as a career path 
• How to be a good leader
• Emphasizing education, evolution, and growth: Investing in personal & professional development
• Work-life harmony > Work-life balance

Stephanie’s bio (via Scoop Marketplace website): 

Stephanie grew up in the Seattle area and enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She has always chosen to follow her passion, and for many years that meant working with kids, teaching baking/cooking classes, catering for friends' parties, becoming a certified dance fitness instructor, and dabbling in performing arts. After becoming a mom, Stephanie took a particular interest in how her family's daily habits were impacting the planet, and after a bit of research, she realized it was time to make some drastic lifestyle changes. Stephanie created Scoop Marketplace out of a need for a grocery store that aligned with her family values. She is thankful to have an opportunity to bring her passion and skill together by teaching people how to live more sustainably and take intentional action to build the world they want to live in.

Connect with Stephanie & discover Scoop Marketplace:

scoopmarketplace.com

https://www.instagram.com/scoopmarketplace/

Book mentioned: Bare, by Susan Hyatt 

//

We still have a few spots left for our Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat this December! Check out the details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

“Building wealth is not the same as making money. You don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard.” - Craig Schulze 

Craig is a global thought leader from Australia who has experienced the extreme heartache of losing his son Ethan stillborn. His breakthrough from the grief and suffering allowed him to amplify all areas of life to make the most of his one shot at life.

In this episode, we cover: 

• Finding meaning outside of your work
• The opportunities that can come from pure generosity and gratitude when expecting nothing in return 
• How Craig learned to “recession-proof” his business, and other lessons from  the global financial crisis in 2008
• Finding business alchemy ~ the art of creating something out of nothing 
• Building wealth, not just making money 
• Craig’s personal story and what it means to live your “One Shot”

Craig is a speaker who has spoken all over the world to audiences of up to 15,000 people. He is the author of You’ve Got One Shot and host of the One Shot Movement Podcast, where he interviews all the biggest entrepreneurs and sports stars to hear their inspiring stories. 

His vision and mission are to inspire and educate people to make the most of their one shot at life by living with passion and purpose.

Connect with Craig at: https://craigschulze.com/

We still have a few spots left for our Surf & Yoga Wellness Retreat this December! Check out the details here: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Find me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

Are you cycle smart? Regardless of whether you identify with having a menstrual cycle or not, this episode holds SO much value for YOU! Why? Because chances are - you know someone who does have a menstrual cycle, and this information is LIFE CHANGING. 

Maddie Miles is an integrative health practitioner, hormone guru, and founder of Peace Love Hormones. Having been diagnosed with many illnesses caused her hormone imbalance, but her education in integrative medicine helped her find something that suits her best. In this episode, she tells what factors affect a woman’s menstrual cycle and how to work around them.

The Intricacies of Female Hormones

Menstruation is something every woman goes through monthly, and it affects everything. A woman’s metabolism, mood, creativity, social skills, libido, and fertility can all be traced back to their hormones. However, menstruation is not the same for everyone; premenopausal women do not experience the same as menopausal women. The problem is the lack of normalcy in discussions, so women are often left to their own devices to manage their hormones. Sex education classes are also not very extensive in terms of the menstrual cycle. This is the reason why Maddie is so passionate about helping women. From her own experience, she also struggled to find a way to work around her period. Her background in integrative medicine greatly benefitted her and eventually made her decide to become a hormone guru. 

Taboo and Stigma

Many people feel awkward and shy away from conversations around menstruation. The discussion is often brushed off as something inappropriate when in actuality, it is not. Due to this fact, many are very uninformed when a woman experiences her period, especially men. Worse, they dismiss it as women trying to escape whatever they are doing when the truth is their hormones are making them suffer. Maddie made it her life’s mission to educate as many people as possible, both men and women. She envisions a future where everyone understands that menstruation is a normal function in a woman’s body. Maddie believes that with the right education, women can take full control of their hormones.

About Maddie Miles:

Maddie Miles is the founder and CEO of PLH, a brand that educates and empowers menstruators to take back control of their health through education and top-quality supplements. 

Maddie created PLH after going through the wringer with her health. She was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, insomnia, anorexia, and even Lyme Disease during her young adult life. Maddie was able to heal her body, spirit, and mind naturally, and now it is her mission to help others do the same.

Outline of the Episode:

[01:40] A brief background about Maddie

[08:36] Maddie’s canceled TED Talk due to COVID

[10:02] Hormones affect everything, and education is a must

[14:14] Phases of menstrual cycles explained and simplified

[22:37] Taboo around the topic of menstruation

[30:04] Everything is connected and indicative of overall well-being

[35:46] Maddie’s entrepreneurial journey as a hormone guru

[41:00] What Maddie does to get back on track when out of the flow

[43:22] About Peace Love Hormones 

Resources:

Website: https://www.peacelovehormones.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themaddiemiles/

Connect with Natalie!

Surf and Yoga Wellness Retreat Details: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/ 

There’s something in your life that’s just… fine. Some days, it's actually pretty good. But you can’t get rid of the nagging feeling that there’s something missing. You’re craving more. You feel stuck. You’re hesitant to give up your “safety net” (i.e. your current job, relationship, home, etc.) because what you have now is safe. You know how it all works. Even if it’s not totally fulfilling, it’s comfortable. Crisis averted. But… 

What if your “safety net” is actually the EXACT thing keeping you in a creative drought? What if giving it up meant that you would now have space to allow something else in… dare I say, something better? 

We have a limited capacity for how much we can hold in our brains. Getting rid of something creates fresh space for creative energy and new opportunities to be let in. 

Easier said than done, right? Stepping into the unknown is scary and uncomfortable. And yet, it’s often there that the most growth occurs.  

Can you allow yourself to be uncomfortable long enough to discover something you never knew about yourself? Or for an opportunity to present itself that you never knew was possible for you? 

You will never know what could be next for you if you don’t have the space to make that choice. When you no longer have a fallback option, you are forced to grow. You MUST make a choice. No matter what - you’re moving forward. 

Tune in to hear my personal experience with this and how I’m growing through it! 

Connect with Natalie!

Surf and Yoga Wellness Retreat Details: https://www.swellsolretreats.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejkraus/