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So many people tell me the same thing: “I’ve tried everything…and I’m still tired!” Does that sound familiar? The thing is, it's not just about sleep. Yes, sleep matters, but there are other “energy leaks” many people overlook. Let’s run through a quick checklist:

✅  You’re Running on “Wired but Tired” Mode.

If you feel mentally alert but physically drained, that’s a sign your nervous system may be out of sync – maybe too much caffeine, screen time or late-night work. I have an Oura ring that tracks my sleep, and when I’ve had late coffee, I definitely notice that even if I get a full night’s sleep, my deep sleep is usually affected.

👉Fix it:  Cut off caffeine by 2 pm (maybe even noon), limit screen exposure before bed, and get sunlight early in the day to help regulate your body’s natural rhythms.

✅ Your Nutrition Isn’t Supporting Your Energy Needs.

Most people think “clean eating” = more energy. But if you’re undereating, skipping key nutrients, or missing out on enough carbs, p...

My husband and I just celebrated our twenty-first wedding anniversary.  Yay, us! We usually go for a bike ride together because that’s how we met. We had a fun ride then ordered take-out sushi, which we enjoyed eating outside in the nice spring weather. Earlier in the week we also went cross-country skiing, so it's been like an anniversary week. It's been a nice break from the usual daily busyness.

Speaking of regular life, we've been trying new snacks at home. My son is trying to limit his sugar while exercising more as part of improving his gut health. He doesn’t want to rely on standard energy bars, because he thinks they have too much sugar and he doesn’t want to undo the work he’s done to improve.

(You may remember he’s been on quite the health journey, suffering from chronic fatigue and brain fog brought about by an imbalanced microbiome and mold toxicity. It’s one of the reasons I’m writing a book on gut health!) 

So today, I’m sharing a recipe for Quick Energy Bites! They’re...

Your gut is about so much more than just digesting food. And when things are unbalanced in there, your body has subtle ways of letting you know. Here are some signs your gut health needs support; and some simple ways to do just that!

Little Red Flags 

Have you ever felt like something’s off, but you can’t put your finger on it? Like your energy is dragging, your skin isn’t cooperating, or no matter what you do, you can’t seem to focus? It’s frustrating, especially when you’re doing all the “right” things to feel your best. Believe it or not, these issues might link back to your gut!

I’ve been doing a ton of research for my gut health book, and it’s amazing, even to me, that practically everything is being linked back to the gut. Your gut health influences everything– from how energized you feel to how quickly you bounce back after a tough workout or just a long day at work! And when your gut isn’t working at its best, it can show up in ways you might not expect.

For example, low en...

I’m almost fully “recovered” and back into routine after a few weeks filled with travel. I got to see my daughter on the east coast and then my husband’s family in Colombia. I was sick while there, and it’s taken me time to feel back in the groove. Unfortunately, my body is still feeling stiffer than I’d like. 

If your body often feels the same - stuck, stiff, or generally off - I have a simple solution for you. It’s my go-to when I need my body to move better again, and it will help get your body moving, improve your circulation, and boost your energy naturally. It’s a short yoga practice that you can do right at home. (And no jitters, like after your third cup of coffee!)

I filmed this video nearly seven years ago and I usually include it in my paid wellness programs; it’s that good! The whole routine is about twenty minutes, but feel free to pick and choose the exercises that you need most and can fit into the time you have. 

Click here for the Gentle Yoga practice and I’ll lead ...

I’ve been thinking a lot about balance these days and what it even means. Balance your meals. Balance your schedule. Balance your life. It seems like an impossible task, but also one we all really crave. Wouldn’t it be amazing if “finding balance” was less like keeping a dozen balls in the air and more like a calm day on the lake? The truth is, real balance isn’t about juggling everything perfectly; it’s about getting in a groove that works for you. 

Look At Finding Balance Differently

When you’re working hard to eat right, exercise, take care of your family, and follow your dreams, it can feel like a lot. So, rather than try and devote equal time to everything, I want you to stop thinking about “finding balance” and instead think about living more intentionally. There is less pressure to be perfect and more alignment with what matters to you. 

Start by asking yourself “What’s one area of my life that feels a little off right now?” Maybe…

• Your meals feel rushed.
• Your workouts fe...

Hooray for the end of February! I’m already looking forward to daylight savings time, more light at the end of the day, and temperatures warming up. Come on, Spring!

As I write this, I’m on the plane heading to visit my daughter for her senior year open studio. I’m excited to have some one-on-one time with her, and by the time you read this I’ll be back home. At home, I’m in full swing with the kids’ mountain bike team I help with, and that’s something I’m really enjoying, too. 

In other words, my personal life is pretty okay.

At the same time, I’m also experiencing a lot of stress, fear, and even anger at what’s going on in the United States. I can’t really pretend that it’s all okay, when good people are losing their jobs and I worry that my own parents could lose their social security. I could go on and on, but it’s too depressing. 

I feel like I’m experiencing a low level of stress at best, and much more than that at times.  

As I’m researching for my book and drawing on what ...

I know I’ve been talking about motivation and how to keep moving forward quite a bit lately, but there really is a reason for that. I’m trying to keep myself on track, too! I’m trying to write a book, I have fitness goals, and I’m keeping the home fires burning. It’s a lot to stay motivated about, and I know I’m not alone. 

Have you ever noticed how motivated you are when you start working on a goal or project, and then it just seems to disappear? Suddenly getting off the couch to work out or open your computer feels impossible.

Well, it’s not because you’re lazy or undisciplined (although I sometimes worry about myself, too), it’s just how our brains are wired.

Motivation is meant to give us that initial burst of energy—it’s not designed to carry us forever. But here’s the good news: you don’t need motivation to keep moving forward. You just need a plan to future-proof it!

How to Keep Going When the Initial Motivation Disappears

1. Make it part of your identity. Think of the new ...

I don’t know about you, but when I lose motivation in one area, I often lose it in others, too. Last week, one of those things was cooking! If the idea of cooking dinner again has you considering ordering take out or eating a bowl of cereal, I invite you to try my laziest, tastiest, one-pan dinner. 

The Blahs

Last week the rain showed up here in California, which made it harder for me to get outside and exercise. The first day of rain over the weekend was great because I got to catch up on the housework that I’d failed to do on the previous sunny days while I was out on my bike.  The second day, I didn’t feel like doing more housework and the forecast kept saying that it was going to clear up… but it didn’t until I’d totally lost motivation just before sunset.

Before I totally lost my momentum to the rainy-day blahs, however, I used my two day rule and got out for a long walk on Monday. I’m doing better again this week. I’m getting out when it’s not raining and creating a plan for m...

When life inevitably throws you curveballs, it can be hard to stay consistent or be motivated to maintain your healthy habits. You can’t always control what life has in store for you but you can control how you respond to it. I’ve invented a simple rule for myself that allows me grace when I need it and also keeps me on track with the things I know are important to me. I bet it will work for you, too. 

It’s Been a Week Over Here

I’m sharing this trick with you because I had to use it myself last week. I caught a cold so I stayed in and rested for a few days. Then, while picking up a prescription, I decided to get my tetanus booster. I was overdue for it and already at the pharmacy, so it seemed like a good idea. I was wrong.

I don’t remember ever having much of a reaction to booster shots before, but this time it laid me out. I was achy, feverish, and lethargic for days afterward. Needless to say, I had a week of feeling awful and I didn’t feel like working out at all. Even though I...

Each year at this time I normally host my Design Your Decade Workshop. This year, however, I’m far too focused on writing my book about gut health. I couldn’t leave you hanging, of course, so I thought I’d share a simple but impactful part of the workshop below. It only takes ten minutes, and will help you “keep your eye on the prize” when it comes to your own goals. If you like it and want to go deeper, you can always continue on with the DIY version of the workshop. 

80% of people give up on their New Year’s resolutions by February, so if you’re losing steam, you’re not alone. But if you want to breathe some life back into the intentions you set at the beginning of the year, this quick ten minute exercise will help you do it. In fact, you can do this exercise any time, and I would recommend putting some version of it into your routine.

It’s simple: sit down and write (or type) out what your life looks like a few months from now, when you’ve stayed committed to your goal. This will ...