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On this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I’m joined by Bob Martin JD.,MSW., CMT —a truly unforgettable guest whose life story reads like a movie script. From growing up in a carnival atmosphere to playing football and then somehow finding his way into law school after taking an aptitude test on a whim, Bob's path has been anything but ordinary.

We dive into his wild ride through Miami’s infamous Cocaine Cowboy era, where he worked alongside Janet Reno and crossed paths with mob-connected clients in the thick of the 1980s drug trade. The stories he shares are intense, eye-opening, and sometimes downright jaw-dropping.

But Bob’s journey doesn’t stop there. A therapist introduced him to Taoism and meditation, which sparked a powerful spiritual awakening. That moment of self-discovery completely changed his perspective on life, law, and purpose. He later met a Taoist master who helped him deepen that path, leading him to become a guide for others in the realm of mindfulness and self-awareness.

We also talk about how he and his wife navigate their different spiritual beliefs with love, curiosity, and respect—proof that interfaith understanding is possible and even enriching. Bob’s approach to meditation is grounded, accessible, and refreshingly real. He busts some common myths and offers simple, powerful advice for anyone looking to get started.

This episode is packed with wisdom, transformation, and a few surprises along the way. Bob’s story is a beautiful reminder that life is full of unexpected turns, and sometimes, the most chaotic beginnings lead to the deepest peace. You don’t want to miss this one.

Connect with Bob:

https://awiseandhappylife.com/

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

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In today’s episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I sat down with the incredible Darlene Hawley—business coach, speaker, and mama of four—who joined me from sunny Temecula, California. We dive into her story, starting with her early days in retail management where she climbed the ladder fast, all while juggling life as a single mom. But everything changed when she tragically lost her mom in a car accident. That heartbreaking moment pushed her to rethink everything and find a career that gave her more freedom and flexibility.

Darlene opens up about transitioning from retail to becoming a loan officer and eventually finding her true calling as a business coach. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing—she gets real about those messy early years in business, battling imposter syndrome and struggling to show up authentically. Spoiler alert: she figured it out, and now she helps others do the same.

We also talk about something we both know is so important—learning to say no. Darlene shares how she got clear on her values, started honoring her own alignment, and began setting boundaries like a pro. She leaves us with powerful business advice (that you’ll totally want to write down!) and shares a bit about her podcast Attract and Stand Out, where she shines a light on other women entrepreneurs doing amazing things.

If you’re building something of your own—or just trying to figure out how to stay true to yourself in the middle of life’s chaos—this episode is for you. 💫

Connect with Darlene:

Podcast: https://www.darlenehawley.com/podcast

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

Website: https://www.darlenehawley.com/mystory

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In this eye-opening episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I sit down with Dana Kay, a board-certified health practitioner and ADHD expert, to dive into her incredible journey of helping children with ADHD thrive—without solely relying on medication. Her story is one of transformation, from a corporate career to a passionate advocate for families navigating neurodevelopmental challenges.

Dana’s path took an unexpected turn when her son was diagnosed with ADHD at just four years old. At first, she felt relieved to have an answer, but she quickly realized that medication wasn’t the complete solution. That’s when she began digging deeper, discovering that ADHD symptoms often stem from underlying health issues, particularly gut health. With 95% of serotonin and 50% of dopamine produced in the gut, the connection between digestion and brain function became impossible to ignore.

One of the biggest game-changers for Dana was diet. She learned that inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, soy, artificial flavors, colors, and processed foods were fueling the fire. By eliminating these triggers, she saw remarkable changes—not just in her son, but in countless other children she’s worked with.

Dana explains this process using a simple but powerful analogy: Everyone is born with a metaphorical "trash can." The goal isn’t to keep it spotless but to prevent it from overflowing. By reducing inflammatory inputs and supporting detoxification, the body can function at its best.

But food is just one piece of the puzzle. Dana shares a holistic approach to ADHD management that includes nutrition, movement, sleep hygiene, and stress reduction. Exercise plays a crucial role in detoxification, neurotransmitter balance, and reducing ADHD symptoms. And while her strategies are life-changing for children, they’re just as effective for teenagers and adults.

Dana is the first to say that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. While she’s passionate about natural approaches, she recognizes that medication has its place, especially in crisis situations. Her advice to families is to start small. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but an 80/20 approach—focusing on sustainable, realistic lifestyle shifts—can make a world of difference.

Dana’s work through the ADHD Thrive Institute and her book Thriving with ADHD offer families the guidance they need to take action. She also hosts Soaring Child, a podcast dedicated to this journey.

And as she reminds us—Rome wasn’t built in a day. Take one step at a time, and healing will follow.

Connect with Dana Kay:

Website: https://adhdthriveinstitute.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ADHDThriveInstitute

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soaring-child-thriving-with-adhd/id1619834565

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This is a special episode drop for Everything’s Messy Podcast to highlight the Women in Wellness Conference happening this Saturday, March 15th! If you're local to the Temecula Valley area, grab your ticket and come join us for an unforgettable day of empowerment and inspiration! Use code WOMENSMONTH for $50 OFF! Click the link here to get your ticket now https://bit.ly/EWWC2025 In this powerful and inspiring episode of Everything’s Messy, I sit down with Kimberle Smith Austin—a transformational speaker, strategist, and three-time best-selling author. Our conversation dives deep into resilience, personal growth, and the power of choosing yourself.

Kimberle’s story begins in the south side of Chicago, where she spent most of her early life. After years of working as a management consultant and traveling extensively, she made a life-changing decision to leave behind the harsh winters and relocate to Temecula, California. That shift in environment brought with it a new perspective and lifestyle, proving that big changes often lead to incredible transformations.

But Kimberle’s journey wasn’t without challenges. She opens up about navigating life’s toughest moments—the "D’s" as she calls them: Disease: A 12-year breast cancer survivor, Divorce: Walking away from a 14-year marriage, Dysfunction: Growing up in a challenging environment

Her philosophy? “You are not a product of your circumstances, but a product of your choices.”

Kimberle is also the visionary behind the Empowered Women in Wellness Conference, a movement dedicated to helping women prioritize self-care, build a strong community, and step into their personal power. She reminds us that true wellness isn’t just about what we eat or how we move—it’s also about taking time for breath work, silence, and stillness.

On top of everything else, Kimberle is the host of the Made2Nnspire Podcast, where she shares transformative stories and actionable inspiration to help others build the life they’re meant to live.

Kimberle’s story is a testament to resilience, self-love, and the power of community. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired to embrace your journey, make bold choices, and find strength in the mess.

Connect with Kimberle:
📍 Website: https://www.kimberlesmithaustin.com/

🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made2nspire/id1533024529

📚 Books: Courage to Shine, Millions of Possibilities, The Vision of Peace (Available on Amazon)

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In this episode of Everything’s Messy Podcast, I’m diving deep into what it really takes to unlock your potential and get the results you’re after. Success isn’t just about motivation—it’s about the layers beneath the surface.

It’s like an iceberg—what you see on the surface is only a fraction of what’s really going on. Beneath every accomplishment are the habits, choices, systems, and mindset shifts that make it possible. I’ll walk you through the key ingredients of success, from setting up the right tools and systems to making small, daily choices that lead to big transformations over time.

We’ll also explore the power of self-awareness and how understanding your values, beliefs, and barriers can completely change the way you approach your goals. Your environment and the people around you play a huge role too—so I’ll share how to create a space that supports your growth and fuels your momentum.

One of the biggest game-changers? Learning to be stronger than your excuses. Resourcefulness beats limitations every time, and I’ll show you how to tap into your potential even when things feel impossible.

The journey to success isn’t about overnight results—it’s about those 1% improvements that stack up over time. Whether you’re working toward a personal, professional, or wellness goal, I’ll give you actionable steps to take inventory of where you are, fine-tune your strategy, and stay committed to the process.

Because great things never come from comfort zones. Growth is messy, but that’s where the magic happens. Let’s dive in and unlock your full potential!

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On this episode of “Everything’s Messy Podcast” I ask the question: Ever feel like you're your own worst enemy when it comes to reaching your goals? You're not alone. Self-sabotage has a sneaky way of creeping in, whispering doubts, and throwing roadblocks in our path. But here's the thing—it's not about a lack of willpower. Most of the time, it's about a lack of clarity and a strategy that actually works.

In this episode, I dive into the root of self-sabotage and why understanding your why is the game-changer you need. It’s easy to set goals like “I want to lose weight” or “I need to save money,” but if you don’t dig deeper into the real reason behind them, staying consistent feels impossible. I’ll walk you through powerful reflection questions to help uncover the emotional drivers behind your goals and show you how to turn that insight into an actionable plan.

We’ll also talk about the importance of setting realistic and specific goals (because vague goals lead to vague results), creating reward systems to stay motivated, and learning from people who’ve already mastered what you’re working toward.

Most importantly, we’re talking about the power of small, consistent steps. Success doesn’t come from one massive leap—it’s the result of tiny, daily improvements that add up over time. And when life throws you off track (because let’s be real, it will), I’ll share why self-compassion is key to bouncing back stronger.

So, if you’re ready to stop getting in your own way and start building unbreakable habits, hit play and let’s dive in. Because growth is messy—but that’s where the magic happens.

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Part 2: On this episode of Everything's Messy Podcast, I continue my discussion with Erika Herman, a functional health and nutrition expert, researcher, clinician, and best-selling author. We dive deep into her personal health journey, the hidden dangers of environmental toxins, and the critical role of self-advocacy in navigating the healthcare system.

I kick things off by diving into vitamin D metabolism 🧬. Erika explained how our bodies convert vitamin D from its inactive form to the active form we actually need, unraveling the complexities of these metabolic pathways. It was eye-opening to see how these processes can impact our overall health and why it's so important to understand what our lab results really mean.

Next, our conversation shifted to exploring the root causes of health issues 🌱. We both agree that addressing just the symptoms isn’t enough; we need to look deeper into our individual health challenges. Erika emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and comprehensive testing to truly uncover the underlying factors affecting our well-being.

Finally, we discuss personal health empowerment 🚀. Erika and I share how vital it is to take charge of our health journeys, learn from our past experiences, and remain open to new information. This empowering chat reminded me that being proactive and informed is key to achieving long-term wellness.

Join me as I unravel these intricate health topics with Erika, and let’s embrace a proactive approach to our well-being together!

Connect with Erika:

Website: https://erikaherman.com/free-stuff-podcast/

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In this two-part episode of Everything's Messy Podcast, I sit down with Erika Herman, a functional health expert, researcher, clinician, and best-selling author. We dive deep into her personal health journey, the hidden dangers of environmental toxins, and the critical role of self-advocacy in navigating the healthcare system.

Erika opens up about her battle with mold toxicity—years of unknowingly living in a toxic environment and the cascading health issues that followed. We explore how chronic symptoms are often linked to environmental factors and why many people, including doctors, overlook these connections. Erika also breaks down the complexities of vitamin D metabolism, revealing why standard lab results might not tell the full story.

We discuss the importance of taking charge of your health, pushing for deeper testing, and questioning conventional wisdom. If you're ready to challenge what you thought you knew about health, this episode is for you.

Don’t forget to tune in next week for part two!

Find Erika Here:

Website: https://erikaherman.com/free-stuff-podcast/

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Memorable Quote:
"Everyone wants health to fit into a nice, neat little bow. But that's not the way health works." – Erika Herman