In this popular re-aired episode, Alison talks with Cathy Christen about self-care through the lens of energy, health, and intentional living and their conversation focuses on how nourishing ourselves can come from more than just sleep, food, and exercise.

Cathy shares her background in entrepreneurship and explains that after years of pushing hard, she became burnt out and realized that success was not sustainable if she ignored her own wellbeing.

They discuss the idea that energy has several parts: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Cathy describes how joy, meaningful relationships, mindfulness, and prayer all contribute to how she feels each day, along with practical habits like time blocking and choosing what matters most.

She also explains how her approach changed after having children. Instead of following a rigid routine, she adapted her mornings to include meditation, affirmations, shared family time, and trade-offs with her husband so both of them can care for themselves.

They close with practical guidance for listeners who feel overwhelmed. Cathy encourages starting with a clear reason for wanting better health, making a dreams list, finding support through a mentor or community, and being honest about what is draining versus what is life-giving.

HIGHLIGHTS:

0:06 Energy and Self-Care Reset

3:39 Beyond Physical Energy

6:04 New Mom, New Routine

7:27 Four Kinds of Energy

10:01 Fueling What Matters

12:48 Finding Your Why

15:03 Dream Big, Live Intentionally

17:53 Life on Purpose

19:22 Delegate the Drain

22:04 Forgiveness and Healing

25:01 Start With a Mentor

27:25 Make Time by Choice

29:30 Closing Thoughts on Priorities

connect with Cathy

website: https://cathychristen.com

Life As A Masterpiece book: https://a.co/d/06uMkQOW

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INNOVATION AVENUE: Fitness and Self-Care Revolution

This impactful, re-aired episode, features Alison speaking with Serena Sabala about her work in health, fitness, and wellness, including the holistic business she runs with her husband. Serena describes her book, *Make the Shift*, as a workbook built around three pillars: focus, food, and fitness.

She explains her approach to mindset as “empty, shift, repeat,” encouraging people to replace limiting thoughts and practice new habits consistently. In nutrition, she emphasizes more water, more plants, and more natural foods, and in fitness she recommends balancing cardio, strength, and flexibility with regular daily movement.

Serena also discusses common barriers such as information overload, old habits, and trying to compensate for poor nutrition with exercise. She points listeners to the book’s exercises and a free assessment questionnaire as tools for identifying blind spots.

HIGHLIGHTS:

2:25 Holistic Wellness Origins

4:09 The Make the Shift Book

6:27 Why Change Needs a Method

10:03 Common Health Roadblocks

12:56 Empty, Shift, Repeat

17:53 Food Foundations

22:49 Cardio, Strength, Flexibility

23:55 Daily Movement Matters

27:11 Getting Started Today

28:49 Be Selfish, Be Selfless

connect with Serena

website: https://wholeshiftwellness.com

SPONSOR:

Cellev8

Discount code: THEALISONK

ALISON'S LINKS:

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INNOVATION AVENUE: Fitness and Self-Care Revolution

This interview focuses on the connection between strength training, mindset, and nervous system regulation. Alison speaks with Maggie Huzarska, a mobile fitness professional based in the Netherlands who works with clients in their homes and in other studios. Their conversation centers on how movement affects not only physical fitness, but also identity, decisions, and daily habits.

Maggie describes her path into fitness as a gradual process that began with concerns about body image, calorie counting, and restrictive eating. She says this approach left her tired, anxious, and frustrated. A turning point came when she developed neck and back pain from desk work and was introduced to Pilates.

A major theme of the discussion is that exercise can function as a form of support for both body and mind. Maggie and Alison talk about how consistent movement can improve energy, focus, and a sense of self-trust before visible physical changes appear. They also discuss how showing up for workouts can build agency and reinforce the habit of keeping one’s word to oneself.

The conversation also addresses mindset during exercise. Maggie says she works with clients on how they talk to themselves during difficult moments, especially when movement feels uncomfortable. She distinguishes between discipline and punishment, and says she often asks clients why a goal matters to them, including whether the motivation is truly their own.

Another major topic is nervous system regulation. Maggie says she does not see regulation as forcing stillness or calm, but sometimes as using movement to work through overwhelm, stress, or feeling frozen. She emphasizes naming feelings honestly rather than suppressing them, and says short, effective movement sessions can be useful.

In closing, Maggie offers practical tips for people who want to start moving more: heel lifts while brushing teeth, taking stairs, parking farther away, and standing up regularly during the day. She encourages small, realistic habits that can build over time.

HIGHLIGHTS:

3:15 Movement as Therapy

8:18 Mindset in Training

11:53 Nervous System Regulation

16:24 Time and Self-Care

19:33 Small Habits, Big Results

connect with Maggie:

website: https://www.houseofmovement.club

SPONSOR:

Cellev8

Discount code: THEALISONK

ALISON'S LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

GET MY FREE 4 part Pop-up Podcast Series

JOIN Borderless Hybrid Innovators FB Group

INNOVATION AVENUE: Fitness and Self-Care Revolution