Michelle Hillaert dives into a topic many women struggle with but rarely prioritize: true self-care. In a culture that often reduces self-care to bubble baths and lattes, Michelle explores the deeper habits that actually restore our strength, bring peace, and allow us to show up well for the people we love.

Drawing from her experience working with women in health, faith, and personal growth, Michelle offers practical encouragement for anyone who feels overwhelmed, tired, or stuck. She reminds listeners that transformation doesn’t happen through perfection—it happens through small, consistent choices.

From building a morning routine and nourishing your body to cultivating prayer and accountability, Michelle shares ten simple habits that can gradually shift your energy, mindset, and daily life.

Because the truth is: you are not stuck. You always have a choice.

• Why many common “self-care” practices are actually just temporary band-aids

• The importance of caring for yourself so you can care well for others

• How small daily habits can create long-term transformation

• Why guilt and perfectionism keep women stuck

• The power of making intentional choices about how you begin your day

Michelle walks through ten practical changes that can help bring more peace, energy, and clarity to your life:

1. Wake Up Before the World — Why early rising aligns with your body's natural cortisol rhythms for better energy and focus
2. No Screen Time for the First Hour — How reaching for your phone first thing triggers a fight-or-flight response and trains your brain for hypervigilance
3. Pray — Making intentional time with God a daily practice; more surrender equals less stress
4. Exercise — Women who exercise regularly are 52% happier, 48% more confident, and 67% less stressed (Asics report); tips for making it work with any lifestyle
5. Eat Clean — Shop the perimeter, limit processed foods, prioritize healthy fats, and cook at home (ChatGPT recipe experiments included)
6. Drink Water — 47% of Americans drink less than 16 oz a day; benefits include higher energy, better brain function, and healthier skin
7. Read — Nurture your mind with spiritual reading, personal development, and fiction; book recommendations included
8. Get Dressed — How getting up and getting ready shifts your mindset and how you show up for the day
9. Find an Accountability Partner — Using tools like the Habit Share app to stay honest and motivated
10. Build a Morning Routine — Tying it all together with early wins that set the tone for your whole day

1. Habit Share app (accountability tracking)
2. Brene Brown (shame research & personal development)
3. John C. Maxwell, Pat Lencioni (personal development)
4. Francine Rivers (Christian fiction)
5. I Believe in Love (spiritual reading)
6. Hinds' Feet on High Places (allegory)

🎧 New episodes released weekly.

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✉️ Contact the Living Fearlessly Podcast at hello@livingfearlessly.us