Today’s episode features Erin Paruszewski, Founder & CEO of Alkalign. Erin talks about the problems she sees within the fitness industry, and shares why she’s so passionate about functional fitness as a sustainable way to take care of our bodies and live well.

Stacey & Erin chat about how to become consistent with exercise, build better habits, and prioritize self-care, so that you can support your body for the years to come.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• 1:30 - The pros and cons social media
• 5:00 - Getting off our phones to foster real connections
• 12:20 - Functional fitness & why it’s so important
• 22:15 - The key to being consistent & building good habits
• 31:30 - The value of life experience and relatability in the fitness industry
• 41:40 - Disrupting toxic diet & fitness culture
• 48:00 - Why you should focus on quality over quantity with exercise
• 57:15 - Navigating midlife changes & prioritizing self-care
• 1:07:40 - Wellness travel essentials
• 1:13:50 - This period of your life could be your primetime

QUOTABLE

“If you’re taking care of yourself, your body is better prepared to face challenges or recover.”

“Good habits build upon good habits.”

LINKS

Sleep Mask: find it here

Therapy Balls: find it here

CONNECT WITH ERIN

Website: https://alkalignstudios.com/

IG: @alkalignfitness

CONNECT WITH STACEY

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

In today’s episode, Stacey responds to the election results, and focuses on navigating the moments in life when we receive unexpected & unsettling news. She shares practical strategies to help you process your feelings, manage anxiety, and find clarity amidst the chaos.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

(2:15) Calm your mind & body

(5:50) Write out all of your thoughts

(8:30) Identify the worst-case scenario

(11:40) Stay open to all future possibilities

(15:30) What Stacy does to get through challenging moments

QUOTABLE

“Your brain is designed to keep you safe at all costs; it wants you to seek pleasure, avoid pain and discomfort - and do it in the most efficient way possible.”

“We look to the past for answers about the future, but there’s on way we can predict what’s going to happen. It’s a blank slate.”

CONNECT WITH STACEY

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Today’s episode features Tracy Harward, the creator of Ishtara, a movement method that promotes body awareness and healing.

Stacey and Tracy explore the importance of connecting with your body, and the transformative power of listening to what your body has to say. Tracy shares how she created Ishtara, and explains how processing your feelings in your body can lead to healing, freedom, and self-love.

Tracy is the creator of Ishtara - an embodiment method that balances emotions and gives you a way to become your own healer. Tracy created Ishtara from her own journey of healing herself from childhood trauma through the wisdom of her body. After years of searching for answers, she healed herself by learning to listen to her own body's guidance in meditative movement. What began as her personal practice gradually evolved into her life's work—empowering others learn to heal themselves. Through a decade of following her body's wisdom, Tracy created a method to naturally transform patterns held in the nervous system. She also validated her method by studying with experts she deeply admires, including Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Stephen Porges, and Dr. Pat Ogden. These studies, along with her exploration of gestalt psychology, trauma therapy, attachment theory, Jungian psychology, and yoga, helped her understand the science behind what she was experiencing. Ishtara grew from Tracy's desire to share what worked for her, offering simple, body-based practices that make healing accessible to everyone. Today, she feels grateful to see Ishtara being shared by compassionate, trauma-informed teachers and embraced by people around the world who are discovering their own path to healing through movement.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

(0:20) Grounding practices & connecting to your body

(2:30) How we become disconnected from our bodies

(7:14) Tracy’s story & the origin of Ishtara

(12:35) Finding the spark to keep trying when nothing is working

(17:18) The pivotal experience that taught Tracy to go towards what she was feeling in her body, instead of running away

(25:43) Why processing emotions in your body is safer, faster, and freeing

(32:20) Finding complete love from within, beyond romantic relationships

(35:00) Stacey’s experience of healing through Ishtara & what she learned about herself in the process

(43:10) Your body is the source of your intuition

(45:45) How to know if Ishtara is for you

(52:30) The power of listening to your body & following its wisdom

CONNECT WITH TRACY

Website: ishtarabody.com

IG: @ishtarabody

CONNECT WITH STACEY

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Welcome back to the Where to Next Podcast! In this episode, Stacey reflects on her decision to end the podcast, and shares why she’s bringing it back, plus what to expect in this new iteration.

She talks about embracing the midlife phase of life - and what to do when you start to have more energy & bandwidth, and you find yourself wanting to make a shift or go do something new.

Stacey closes the episode with four things you can do right now to figure out what’s next for you.

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a new chapter in your life - this episode is for you!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

(1:00) It’s time to stop quitting on ourselves

(3:30) Embracing this phase of life - you’re not starting over

(6:45) What to expect in this new iteration of the podcast

(7:30) The power of taking risks & stepping outside of your comfort zone

(9:50) Four things you can do right now to figure out what’s next for you

QUOTABLE

“The only way we fail in life is when we quit on ourselves.”

“You’re not staring over. You have a wealth of knowledge, expertise, knowledge, intuition, wisdom - and that matters, because you can’t unknow what you already know.”

“You have everything you need right now to go and do whatever it is you want to go and do.”

CONNECT WITH STACEY

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Today’s conversation features Danielle Stanton, co-founder and CEO of Fuel 4 Ever. Danielle shares her personal journey through perimenopause, hormonal changes, and mental health struggles.

Danielle emphasizes the importance of going after what you want - at any stage of life. She shares what its like to launch a company and run a business with her husband.

Stacey and Danielle chat about going through challenges, the importance of mindset & resilience, and celebrating this chapter in life.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

(2:35) What happens when perimenopause is misdiagnosed as depression

(16:50) If you want more … go for it!

(20:50) How Danielle created products and launched Fuel 4 Ever

(23:45) What it’s like running a business with your husband

(25:10) Behind the scenes of selling a consumer packaged good

(31:30) Shifting your parenting style after divorce

(34:10) Finding things that light you up & getting through tough moments after divorce

(40:35) The challenges of making female friends at this stage of life

(45:02) Celebrating this chapter of your life

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE

• Fuel 4 Ever: https://fuel4ever.com/
• Personal IG: @daniellenstanton
• Business IG: @fuel4ever_

CONNECT WITH STACEY

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Welcome to Where to Next - The Reboot!

This version of the podcast will feel a little different from last time.

There will be conversations, interviews, solo episodes, and coaching.

You can expect inspiration, practical advice and wisdom, a little bit of woo (or maybe a lot!), takeaways … and probably tears, from time to time.

This podcast is for you if you’re in the midlife stage of life, and you’re itching to do something new, make a career change, or pivot a part of your life.

You’ll hear stories of women who have taken leaps, while feeling afraid; those who have mustered courage to go after more, despite not needing to; and those who have intentionally upset the apple cart, because they wanted to.

This chapter of your life is the prime time.

Stay on the lookout for new episodes of Where to Next - The Reboot, dropping soon!

Connect with Stacey

Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Stacey has some news to share …this is the final episode of Where to Next. It’s not because Stacey is quitting or isn’t having fun. Quite the opposite. The podcast isn’t taking Stacey in the direction she wants to go, so instead of forcing things, she’s stopping while she’s still enjoying it. Hear more about this decision and Stacey’s plans for the future in this final episode.

As this chapter comes to a close, it's not a farewell, but an invitation to stay connected with Stacey. Join her on Instagram for new adventures, remember to subscribe to her newsletter for exclusive updates, empowering insights, and the latest news about her upcoming endeavors.

(0:10) This is the final episode of the Where to Next podcast! Hear why Stacey has loved this podcast so much.

(1:05) Here’s why the podcast is ending.

(3:49) It can sometimes take us a while to take action on how we’re feeling.

(5:33) Part of this process has been through journaling.

(8:22) The irony of the Where to Next Podcast ending isn’t lost on Stacey. Hear her thoughts.

(10:58) Goodbye for now. Make sure to keep up with Stacey on her Instagram and newsletter!

“We tend to live in our heads, but we are not our thoughts.”

“I don’t see this as quitting. I see this as no longer taking me in the direction I want to go.”

“When we do things that don’t light us up, that’s letting me down and that’s letting you down.”

“When you’re at a party, make sure you leave when you’re having a good time.”

Email Stacey | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website

Have you ever experienced those overwhelming 'just can't' days when even the simplest tasks feel impossible? Whether it's tackling never-ending chores, to socializing, or battling low energy levels, we've all been there. And guess what? Stacey can relate!

On this episode of the Where to Next Podcast, Stacey shares how she gets through the hard days – where you’re feeling frustrated and exhausted. When everything feels so challenging. She also talks about how taking care of yourself models healthy behavior for your kids. Tune in to this episode and equip yourself with the tools you need to face your next 'just can't' day with grace and determination.

(0:14) Today’s topic can be shared with your kids! Hear why.

(1:30) Stacey recently had one of these days. Here’s what happened.

(3:09) The first thing Stacey does when these days are happening: Stop

(4:40) Next, Stacey has a conversation with herself.

(6:07) Third, Stacey pinpoints specifically what she “just can’t” do.

(6:51) Finally, it’s time to solve the problem.

(10:15) Here’s what Stacey learned through her most recent “just can’t” day.

(12:26) Do you practice self-compassion on hard days? Hear why you should.

(15:24) When you ask for help, you’re modeling healthy behavior for your kids.

(17:19) Stacey shares an analogy from a storm.

“The thing about thoughts is whenever we have a thought, we have a feeling.”

“We are not the things we think.”

“What’s gotta go? What can I let go of for now?”

“Our children need to know they can ask for help. They need to know it’s okay.”

Email Stacey | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website