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There’s a reason I named this podcast Everything’s Messy—because life rarely goes according to plan. In this episode, I sit down with Courtney Townley, wellness coach, fellow podcaster, and author of The Consistency Code, for a powerful conversation about what it really means to create lasting change.

For over 30 years, Courtney has helped women navigate their health journeys, but her own experience with motherhood completely transformed the way she viewed wellness. After becoming a mom, she found herself struggling with identity, self-worth, and the realization that health isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about learning how to lead yourself through life's inevitable challenges.

Together, we unpack the idea of self-leadership, why so many women lose trust in themselves, and how our obsession with outcomes often keeps us stuck. Courtney shares why consistency has less to do with discipline and more to do with building a relationship with yourself that can withstand the messy seasons of life.

We also dive into why health is so much more than a number on a scale, a clothing size, or a fitness goal. True wellness includes your mental, emotional, and relational health—and learning to honor all of those pieces may be the most important work we ever do.

If you've ever felt like you're failing because life got messy, this episode is your reminder that the mess isn't the problem—it's often where the greatest growth happens.

So grab your coffee, lace up your walking shoes, or settle in for a few minutes of reflection as we explore what it means to trust yourself, embrace the process, and find strength through the mess.

Keep it messy. 💙

Connect with Courtney Townley:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceGritLlc

Website: https://graceandgrit.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gracegritllc

Author of The Consistency Code

Connect with Me:
Website: www.everythingsmessywellness.com
Instagram: @everythingsmessywellness
Podcast: Everything's Messy Podcast

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On this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I sit down with Jessica Carlson, and wow… her story is one of those conversations that reminds you just how powerful the human spirit really is. Jessica opens up about walking through grief, divorce, motherhood, cancer, and rebuilding herself from the ground up — all while learning how to turn pain into purpose.

We talk about what it looks like to sit in the mess when life completely unravels. After 17 years of marriage, Jessica found herself navigating divorce while raising four children, carrying deep grief from miscarriages, and trying to rediscover who she was outside of survival mode. At the same time, she was also facing a devastating cancer diagnosis after a routine eye exam revealed ocular melanoma. Jessica shares how quickly life can change and why listening to your body and staying on top of your health matters more than we sometimes realize.

What I love most about Jessica’s story is that she didn’t allow her struggles to define her — she used them as fuel to create something meaningful. Through her healing journey, she discovered yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and holistic wellness practices that helped her reconnect with herself emotionally, mentally, and physically. That journey eventually led her to create the Life Force Center, a space dedicated to helping others heal from the inside out.

In this episode, we dive into the importance of nervous system regulation, holistic healing, emotional wellness, and finding balance between conventional medicine and alternative therapies. Jessica shares how meditation and yoga became lifelines during some of her darkest moments and how healing is about so much more than simply treating symptoms.

This conversation is truly about resilience, transformation, and learning how to embrace the messy parts of life instead of hiding from them. Jessica’s story is proof that even in our hardest seasons, there is still room for growth, healing, strength, and purpose. If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode, overwhelmed by life, or unsure how to move forward after hardship, this episode will remind you that healing is possible — even when life feels unbelievably messy. 💖

Connect with Jessica:

thelifeforcecenter0305@gmail.com

https://www.instagram.com/jessicalifeforce/

https://thelifeforcecenter.com/

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On this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I dive into “burnout” specifically for autoimmune or chronic illness, it definitely hits differently. We can’t stop it or prevent it. But we can arm ourselves with a plan to recognize when it's creeping up and how to soften it just a bit so it is not endless. I am talking about the 3M’s.

1. Sit in the MESS - allow your body to rest in it. If you dont fight it then what comes next is..
2. MINDSET “Shivot” when you allow your body the burnout it deserves then you allow it to trust you and with that comes a different perspective and ultimately MINDSET. Use that new mindset to…
3. Gain your MOMENTUM! Use this phase to make a plan to look back and reflect that you become self aware when burnout is coming. Then the best part as you build that plan build in set breaks, treats and rest to help mitigate burnout.

3M's MESS, MINDSET and MOMENTUM

We can’t stop but we can prepare for it and be ready so it doesn't keep us down for long!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram @everythingsmessywellness and check out my website for support https://www.everythingsmessywellness.com/

Keep it Messy!

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In this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I dive into the controversial evolution of PCOS into the newly renamed PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) and ask the hard questions many women are already thinking. I break down the history behind the diagnosis, why the medical community changed the name after years of research, and whether the timing aligns a little too perfectly with the explosion of GLP-1 medications.

This episode explores the deeper root causes behind hormonal imbalance, inflammation, insulin signaling, cortisol dysfunction, gut health, and metabolic issues affecting women today. I share my honest thoughts on why quick fixes and prescriptions alone aren’t enough, why women deserve more nuanced conversations around wellness, and how movement, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and gut healing all play a role in long-term health. From dopamine blunting and gut-brain connections to peptides, probiotics, and the importance of becoming your own health advocate, this episode gets messy in the best way possible.

Keep it Messy

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In this episode of "Everything's Messy Podcast I set down with Mrs. California Melissa Locke’. Her story is proof that sometimes the biggest setbacks in life are actually setting us up for something greater. From trained dancer to Mrs. California, Melissa opens up about the rejection, self-doubt, emotional highs and lows, and relentless perseverance it took to keep showing up — even when doors kept closing. And let me tell you… this conversation is about so much more than pageants or titles. It’s about grit. It’s about purpose. And it’s about learning how to turn rejection into redirection.

We dive into what it really means to build resilience when life keeps testing you. Melissa shares how the word “no” became fuel to push forward, how acts of service transformed not only her community but her own mindset, and why staying grounded in faith and purpose helped her keep going when quitting would have been easier. Her passion for fighting hunger and creating impact grew louder with every challenge she faced, proving that sometimes our messiest moments create the strongest messages.

We also talk about the power of movement for mental health, self-affirmation, building confidence through action, and how authentic leadership starts with genuinely serving others. Melissa’s journey is inspiring because it’s real — the tears, the setbacks, the discipline, the growth — all of it.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, rejected, or questioned whether your hard work is actually leading somewhere… this episode is for you. Melissa reminds us that perseverance isn’t glamorous most of the time — it’s messy, emotional, uncomfortable, and exhausting — but it’s also where transformation happens.

So whether you’re chasing a dream, rebuilding your confidence, trying to create impact in your community, or simply learning how to keep going after disappointment, this conversation will leave you feeling empowered to take the next step forward.

Because around here, we know strength isn’t built in perfection… it’s built through the mess. 💖🎙️

Connect with Melissa:

Instagram: @iammelissalocke

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In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Valerie Ioriatto , founder of the Hip Hop Tribe, and wow… this conversation is so much bigger than dance. This is about identity, confidence, community, and what happens when you finally stop dimming your light and step into something that feels like YOU.

Valerie shares her “messy story”—from climbing the corporate ladder, chasing success, and still feeling like something was missing… to a simple text that changed everything: “Do you miss dancing?” That one question sparked what would become a powerful movement helping women reconnect with themselves through music, movement, and community.

What started as a once-a-month dance party turned into a full-blown experience—now spanning hundreds of classes, multiple studios, and a thriving tribe of people showing up not just to dance… but to feel alive again.

And let me just say—I experienced this firsthand. Walking into that room, completely out of my comfort zone, I expected awkward. What I got instead? Acceptance. Energy. Empowerment. And honestly… a version of myself I didn’t even realize I was missing.

This isn’t about learning choreography. It’s about learning yourself. It’s about stepping into a space where there’s no judgment, no comparison, no negativity—just women (and a few brave men!) lifting each other up, celebrating each other, and creating something truly rare: a safe place to be fully seen.

We talk about:
✨ Why success doesn’t always equal fulfillment
✨ How movement unlocks confidence and emotional release
✨ The power of community in healing and growth
✨ Creating a space free of gossip, negativity, and judgment
✨ Why “don’t dim your light” is more than just a phrase—it’s a lifestyle
✨ How small habits and energy shifts can completely change your life

Valerie breaks down how dance impacts not just your body, but your brain, your mood, your relationships, and your ability to dream bigger. From oxytocin and connection to confidence and clarity—this is wellness in a way that feels fun, freeing, and real.

And the biggest takeaway?
You don’t have to be a dancer. You just have to show up.

Because sometimes the most powerful transformation starts the moment you walk into a room and decide… I belong here.

We wrap with an incredible reminder:
Energy shifts everything. Your thoughts shape your words, your words shape your actions, and your actions shape your future. So if you can change your energy—you can change your life.

And honestly? That’s exactly what this experience does.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or like you’ve lost a piece of yourself… this episode is your sign to go find it again.

So go take up space.
Go move your body.
Go stop dimming your light.

And as always… keep it messy. 💖

Connect with Valerie:

On Instagram @hiphop_tribe

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This episode? Whew… it’s a real one.

I’m coming off what should have been a high—an “aha” week full of connection, growth, and stepping into what I know I’m meant to be doing. And yet… at the exact same time, my body is waving the white flag.

If you’re living with chronic illness—especially my Hashimoto’s girls—you already know. This kind of fatigue? It’s not “I’m tired.” It’s not “I need a nap.” It’s a deep, unrelenting, full-body shutdown that doesn’t care how motivated, inspired, or driven you are.

And that’s where I’m at right now.

I’m trying to build, create, connect, show up, finish my book, be present for my family… and my body is like, “Nope. Not today.” 😅

In this episode, I’m opening up about what it really looks like to build a wellness brand while still being in the thick of it. The flare-ups. The blood sugar swings. The inflammation. The burnout. The moments where I question myself and think—how can I possibly lead in this space when I don’t have it all figured out?

But maybe… that’s exactly the point.

Because the truth is, I don’t have it all figured out. And neither do you. And maybe we’re not supposed to.

We’re just supposed to keep showing up—messy, honest, and willing to figure it out one step at a time.

I talk about the mental battle between momentum and rest… the guilt that comes with slowing down… and the discipline it takes to actually listen to your body (even when you don’t want to). I share how I’m trying to shift my routine, create space for recovery, and stop treating my body like it’s something to push through instead of something to partner with.

There’s humor in here too—because if I don’t laugh, I’ll cry. From “which version of me are you getting today?” to the autoimmune roulette joke… sometimes laughter is the only way through.

But at the core of this episode is one reminder I needed—and maybe you do too:

You are enough. Even when you’re tired. Even when you have to slow down. Even when you’re not operating at 100%.

I’m learning (in real time) that strength isn’t just in pushing harder… it’s in knowing when to pause.

So if you’re in a season where your body is asking you to slow down, but your heart is ready to go all in—this one’s for you.

We’re figuring this out together. 🤍

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In this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I’m reflecting on my wellness journey and getting real about what has actually worked for me—and what hasn’t. After sharing some feedback from last week’s conversation about juicing versus eating whole foods, I wanted to simplify things and offer a kind of “from scratch” approach. If I had to start my wellness journey all over again, what would I actually do? Not the trendy stuff, not the overwhelming list of supplements—but the true non-negotiables that made the biggest difference for me.

I open up about where I’m still struggling—weight, perimenopause, insulin sensitivity, cortisol spikes—and how messy this journey continues to be. I’m not here to wrap it up with a pretty bow. I’m living it in real time, just like so many of you. That’s exactly why I want to make this easier for anyone just starting out, so you can skip the trial-and-error and go straight to what truly matters.

I also touch on the importance of limiting phone use and reducing the constant noise we’re exposed to. Whether it’s doom scrolling, news, or even just mindless content, it all impacts our nervous system more than we realize. Learning to step away and create space for quiet, reflection, or real connection has been huge.

I emphasize that while supplements and weightlifting have their place in my routine now, they weren’t where I started. These foundational habits came first. And if you’re at the beginning of your journey, that’s where I’d tell you to start too.

This episode is really about simplifying wellness, removing the overwhelm, and reminding you that you can do this. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s going to be messy—but that’s exactly where the growth happens.

Keep it Messy