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The last Wednesday of the month a bonus podcast episode will drop. A meditation or a breathing practice.

In this episode of Elevate and Align with Nikki, we're digging into why everything feels like an emergency in midlife — from the mental load of work, kids, aging parents, and notifications, to the habit stacking and multitasking that keeps our nervous systems stuck in overdrive. Nikki introduces the CALM method, a simple four-step framework — Check in, Assess the load, Lower the intensity, and Move or be still — to help you pause, breathe, and create space between the feeling of urgency and your reaction. Plus, a guided breathing exercise you can try right now, and a reminder that not everything and not everyone deserves immediate access to you. Links to Nikki's Substack and the free CALM Method guide are in the show notes. Free Calm Method Guide - https://stan.store/nikklanigan/p/get-my-free-calm-method- Substack - https://substack.com/@nikkilanigan?r=usp93&utm_medium=ios

In this episode, Nikki sits down with Chelsea Piazza Willsey author of Finding Chelsea: How Cancer Ripped Me Open and Brought Me Home. Chelsea shares her raw, honest journey from a breast cancer diagnosis at 37 — with two small children at home — to the unexpected reckoning that came after treatment ended. They dive into the impossible standards women hold for themselves, the identity loss that comes with being a patient, and how feng shui became the unexpected tool that helped Chelsea rediscover who she really is. In this episode: Chelsea's cancer diagnosis at 37 while balancing motherhood and an HR executive careerWhy life after cancer is oddly harder than treatmentThe impossible standards women set for themselves in today's societyHow donating a kidney to her brother was part of a pattern of over-serving othersThe awakening: "What's the point of life? What do I want to be remembered for?"How feng shui helped Chelsea reclaim control and reinvent her space — and herselfMind, body, spirit: why you can't ignore one and favor the othersThe mom guilt of not knowing how to talk to your kids about cancerRapid-fire round: Buffy, Practical Magic, mantras, and what wellness means nowGuest Links: Book: Finding Chelsea: How Cancer Ripped Me Open and Brought Me Home — available October 1 on Amazon and Barnes & NobleWebsite/business: https://sunbloomawakening.comInstagram (business): @sunbloom_awakeningInstagram (decorating/feng shui): @decoratingw.purpose

This episode on financial literacy, money psychology, and how spirituality and manifestation can coexist with practical money management. She clarifies she is not a financial advisor and critiques “woo” financial advice that encourages people to spend money they don’t have on challenges or expensive coaching by maxing out credit cards. Nikki advocates for building a savings cushion, understanding cash flow, debt and interest rates, and learning about retirement options like 401(k)s (including employer matches), IRAs, and 529 college savings plans. She frames financial stability as supporting nervous system regulation and wellness. She discusses Tara Swart’s The Source and summarizes key ideas from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, emphasizing spending less than you make, saving consistently, investing long term, compounding, and defining “enough." Time Stamp: 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:30 Money Meets Manifestation 02:12 Why We Need Both Worlds 04:08 Gabby Bernstein Manifestation Challenge 07:18 Calling Out Costly Coaching 10:43 Practical Money Basics 15:01 The Woo Woo Side 17:46 Books and Money Lessons 22:46 Your Next Money Steps 24:04 Be Both Spiritual and Practical Find Nikki online: Substack - https://nikkilanigan.substack.com/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/elevate_and_align_podcast

Welcome back to Season 7 of Elevate + Align with Nikki! This episode is all about navigating September — from sending kids off to college and back-to-school jitters, to the everyday systems that keep home life running smoothly. Nikki shares her go-to dinner shortcuts, after-school snack ideas, favorite books and planners for teens, and more. Find Nikki: Instagram: @elevate_and_align_podcast Substack: https://nikkilanigan.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Elevate + Align with Nikki (formerly Fit, Fun, and Frazzled Podcast) is a podcast for women navigating real midlife — covering strength, stress, motherhood, perimenopause, wellness, and pop culture. Host Nikki Lanigan brings real conversations for real women, focused on strong bodies, calm minds, and wellness that supports your life instead of taking it over. No perfection, no wellness BS — just honest talk for this next chapter. Season 7 is coming — new episodes start Wednesday, September 7thRebrand announcement: the show formerly known as Fit, Fun, and Frazzled is now Elevate + Align with NikkiWhat to expect this season: strength, stress, motherhood, perimenopause, wellness, and pop culture — real talk for real women in midlife

This is a replay of one of our most popular episodes from over a year ago! If you've ever felt burnt out, overwhelmed, or like your worth is tied to your productivity — this one's for you. Nikki dives into the #girlboss era, hustle culture, people-pleasing, and how to finally break free. She also explores whether our parents had it just as hard, and what it actually means to redefine success on your own terms. In This Episode: How the #girlboss era sold us on "doing it all" — and what it really cost usThe physical, mental, and emotional toll of hustle culturePeople-pleasing: why we do it and how to heal5 practical ways to break free from hustle cultureDid our parents have it just as hard? Gen X vs. Millennial burnoutWhy slowing down is not weakness — it's growthResources & Links: Neeshi Protein Powder — Use code NIKKIYOGA20 for 20% off: [www.neeshi.com]🍵 Mantra Matcha — Use link for 15% off: [mantramatcha.com]📬 Subscribe to Elevate & Align on Substack for weekly podcast episodes during summer break: For Paid subscribers {https://substack.com/@nikkilanigan}Connect with Nikki: Instagram: @elevate_and_align_Instagram: @fitfunandfrazzledpodcastSubstack: Elevate &Align https://substack.com/@nikkilanigan

In this episode, host Nikki Lanigan welcomes you into a special summer solstice edition of the show. Nikki opens with a guided Summer Solstice Activation Meditation — and visualization practice to help you release what's heavy and step into the second half of 2026 with clarity and intention. From there, Nikki dives into the yoga philosophy behind the summer solstice — the longest day of the year and the peak of solar energy — and why it's the perfect midyear checkpoint (no January required). She walks you through three simple but powerful prompts to use as your mid-year reset: She's taking July and August off from the main podcast feed, but will continue dropping shorter, bite-sized episodes exclusively for Substack subscribers (Elevate and Align with Nikki). Links & Resources: Subscribe to Nikki's Substack: Elevate and Align with Nikki https://substack.com/@nikkilaniganRate & review the showShare this episode with someone who needs a mid-year reset

Summer is beautiful — but let's be honest, it can completely derail the routines that keep us grounded. In this episode, Nikki talks about why you don't need a perfect schedule, you need rhythm. She breaks down how to create your "Summer Three" — the three anchors that keep you feeling like yourself even when schedules go out the window. From exercise and meditation to food and mindset, this episode is your permission slip to enjoy summer fully without abandoning yourself in the process. Substack article - https://open.substack.com/pub/nikkilanigan/p/how-to-have-an-80s-and-90s-summer?r=usp93&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web * As mentioned in episode, sponsors and affiliates: Mantra Matacha - 15% off with code NIKKIWELLNESS ⁠⁠https://mantramatcha.com/⁠⁠ Neeshi Protein Powder - 20% off your first order with code NIKKIYOGA20 www.neeshi.com⁠Gloci - Use code ELEVATE_AND_ALIGN_ for 10% off your order  https://getgloci.com/ELEVATE_AND_ALIGN_

Nikki Lanigan shares her personal reading list of 10 books she believes every woman — and teen — should read in 2026. From self-worth and confidence to motherhood and healing, these picks span powerful non-fiction and deeply resonant fiction chosen to help women unlearn scarcity, reclaim their identity, and live more fully. Sponsors & Affiliates: Mantra Matcha — The only matcha Nikki uses at homeUse code NIKKIWELLNESS for 15% off → mantramatcha.com Neeshi Protein Powder — Nikki's go-to protein + their cacao spreadUse code NIKKIYOGA20 for 20% off (first-time orders) → neeshi.com Subscribe on Substack — Free + paid tiers available

In this episode of Fit, Fun, and Frazzled, Nikki Lanigan opens up about something she's kept private for two years — her battle with chronic migraines. In honor of June being Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, she shares the full picture: the triggers, the treatments, the nervous system connection, and the emotional weight that comes with an invisible illness. Nikki covers the metaphysical side (think Louise Hay and Nicole Sachs' journal speak method), what her neurologist has her on, the supplements that actually help, and what daily life really looks like when your brain feels like it's on fire. This one is raw, real, and for anyone who's ever been told to "just drink some water."

In this episode of Fit, Fun, and Frazzled, host Nikki Lanigan sits down with pelvic health physical therapist Val Brown to explore one of the most overlooked parts of women's wellness: the pelvic floor. Val shares her Vital Axis Method — a groundbreaking approach that integrates pelvic health, neurology, yoga, and functional medicine to help women reconnect with their bodies, reduce injuries, and step into their pleasure, power, and purpose. Whether you're a postpartum mom, a busy professional dealing with burnout, or an athlete who keeps getting hurt, this conversation will change how you think about your body. Find Val: Website: http://vitalaxispt.com/Instagram: @Vital.axis.methodYouTube: VitalaxisWorkshops: link in Val’s Instagram BioTimestamped Show Notes: 0:00 — Intro & Meet Val Brown~1:00 — What Is the Vital Axis Method?~2:30 — Pelvic Floor Beyond Pregnancy & Kegels~5:00 — The Neurology & Shame Behind the Pelvic Floor~8:00 — Chronic Stress, Burnout & Pelvic Health~10:00 — Exercise, Movement & Whole-Body Connection~12:30 — Why Women's Health Is Dismissed~16:00 — One Thing Everyone Should Know~17:00 — Rapid Fire: Books, TV, Matcha vs. Coffee~22:00 — Where to Find Val

Most people think core training is just doing crunches — but it's so much more than that. In this episode, I sit down with fitness educator and KIPS founder Tyler Valencia to break down what the core actually is, why functional movement matters more than endless ab exercises, and how core strength connects to back pain, longevity, and everyday life. We also do a fun myth-busting true or false round covering six-packs, soreness, spot training, and planks. Whether you're just getting started or you've been at this for years, this one's for you. Topics covered: What the core really is (hint: it's not just your abs)Functional vs. isolation trainingCore training and low back painHow training changes after 40Fitness myth-busting: crunches, planks, soreness & moreFind Tyler: Instagram: @_tylervalencia_ @kipsfitnessKIPS Podcast: KIPS Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listenYouTube fitness workouts: https://www.youtube.com/@kipsfitnessKIPS (fitness education & certifications): https://kipsonline.org/

In this episode, Nikki gets personal about her journey with anxiety and OCD — from high school through motherhood, to her 40's. She opens up about the stigma of being a health and mindset coach and a yoga and fitness instructor while also having anxiety and OCD, and why she believes in bio-individuality: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to your health and well-being. Nikki also tackles the resurgence of thinness culture, now rebranded as "wellness," and breaks down the real tools that help her manage stress — movement, breath work, co-regulation, and community. If you've ever felt like you had to earn your rest or push through everything, this episode is for you. Topics covered: Nikki's personal history with anxiety and OCDMedication, talk therapy, and holistic tools — using all of them togetherOver-exercising as a form of OCD and the shift to intuitive movementWhy your nervous system needs a foundation before anything elseThe return of thinness culture and how to protect yourself and your kidsCo-regulation and the power of communityThe difference between discipline and dysregulation As mentioned in this episode: 21 Day Mindset Reset https://stan.store/nikklanigan/p/31day-nervous-system-reset-program

In this special bonus episode, Nikki Lanigan of Fit, Fun, and Frazzled guides you through a powerful activation meditation focused on gratitude and abundance. Whether you're walking, cooking, or sitting in stillness, this practice will help you slow down, reconnect with your body, and recognize the abundance already present in your life. Nikki also shares details about her 21-Day Mindset Reset — a program designed for women 40+ who feel overwhelmed, burnt out, and ready for a fresh start. You'll receive daily audio activations, a reset workbook, and access to a private Telegram community. In this episode: A guided body scan to cultivate gratitudeAbundance affirmations to repeat silently or aloudA visualization practice for the week and month aheadAn invitation to embody your best selfLinks mentioned: Check the show notes to sign up for the 21-Day Mindset Reset. https://stan.store/nikklanigan/p/31day-nervous-system-reset-program