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In this spicy solo episode, Ashlee cuts through the noise of the wellness industry to address a fundamental truth: staying stuck in your current, exhausted patterns is hard, but doing the intentional work to change them is also hard. The difference is that one hard leaves you perpetually drained, while the other builds long-term peace, vitality, and resilience. Ashlee breaks down how to audit your daily, automatic pathways, from your late-night scrolling to your speech patterns and family dynamics and shows you how to strategically redistribute your energy. If you've been putting off making a change because you're waiting for it to feel effortless, this episode will give you the reality check and motivation you need to stop choosing convenience over growth. Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee dive deep into the root of control: why our nervous systems equate total control with safety, and how our fear of the unknown keeps us trapped in a false sense of security. Colleen shares her own real-life struggle with trying to control her schedule and health, while Ashlee shares how fear makes her want more control with her son and how for them both, that rigidity ended up creating the exact stress they were trying to avoid.  Together, they unpack the vital distinction between being controlling out of fear versus being in control of your own baseline, boundaries, and internal dialogue. If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling your day and start building true internal safety, this episode offers a compassionate roadmap to dropping the weight of micromanagement and making room for genuine ease. Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

Supplements can be incredibly helpful—but they aren't the whole answer. In this episode, Colleen is talking about why she views supplements as a bridge, not the destination.  She chats about why taking supplement after supplement without understanding why you need them can leave you stuck in the same cycle of symptoms, and why the foundations—food, protein, digestion, minerals, sleep, stress, and overall nourishment—matter so much. She will also share how functional testing can help us stop guessing and use targeted support based on what's actually going on in your body. Because the goal isn't to build the biggest supplement cabinet. It's to understand what your body needs and create the right environment for it to function better. Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation. Grab Colleen’s Free Gut Quiz:

How many times a day do you answer "How are you?" with a sigh and a default, "Oh, just so busy!"?  We’ve worn "busy" as a badge of honor for so long that we’ve convinced ourselves we have zero time left for our health, our joy, or our goals. But is time really the problem, or is it a cover story for misaligned priorities and a fear of saying no? This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee dissect the subtle ways our language around time keeps us trapped in burnout. Ashlee breaks down why she banished the word "busy" from her vocabulary in favor of "a full season," and how that tiny linguistic shift radically altered her schedule.  Colleen shares her real-life process of building a "Joy List" to audit where her energy actually goes, and why protecting space for movement and rest models long-term health for our kids. If you’ve been putting off your well-being until "things slow down" or "after the holidays," this episode is the honest, empowering wake-up call you need to reclaim your calendar and stop sacrificing long-term vitality for short-term convenience. Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

You’ve likely heard that ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ but in this episode Ashlee takes it one step further describing comparison as: greedy, distracting and rooted in not enough. Ashlee uncovers how comparison often sabotages you from your own path, journey, wins and growth by trying to make you feel less than and what you can do instead to shift that limiting belief into one of curiosity. This episode will challenge you to see comparison differently and let yourself grow. Take a moment to share how this resonated with you by sending Ashlee a direct message here Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ Want to explore this further? Book a free clarity call with Ashlee Here And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

Have you ever started to make progress toward a goal - finally sleeping better, feeling energized, or building momentum - only to suddenly drop your routine, abandon your habits, and slide right back into old patterns? It feels frustrating, but it’s not a lack of willpower. It’s self-sabotage, and it’s your brain's way of retreating to what is familiar, even if what's familiar is making you feel awful. This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee unmask the hidden mechanics of self-sabotage and why change can actually trigger deep resistance. We discuss why true, sustainable lifestyle shifts take time, why "taking off the blinders" forces us into new levels of personal responsibility, and how to spot the subtle ways we fight our own success.  Instead of beating yourself up for slipping, Colleen and Ashlee show you how to trade judgment for deep self-compassion, build unshakeable self-trust, and focus on small, manageable habits that actually stick. Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠.  And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation

If you’re constantly bloated, constipated, or convinced there’s a growing list of foods your body “can’t tolerate,” this episode is for you. We’re busting some of the biggest gut health myths—from elimination diets and probiotics to fiber, detoxes, carbs, and constipation—and talking about what your gut may actually need to heal and function well. Ready to stop guessing and get to the root of your gut issues? Book your free Gut Clarity Call here:https://l.bttr.to/2ldW7

Back-to-school doesn't have to mean chaotic mornings, sad lunches, and the daily “what are we having for dinner?” spiral. In this episode, Colleen shares her simple system for feeding your family well without spending your entire Sunday meal prepping—including easy breakfasts, realistic kid lunches, protein-first dinner planning, leftovers, grocery delivery, and the gut-health basics that actually matter. Because healthy eating doesn't need to be complicated.  Breakfast Guide: Cookbook Links: https://amzn.to/4x4jKpo and https://amzn.to/4zp29tQ Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

What if the biggest obstacle standing between you and your boldest goals isn't market competition, lack of time, or external criticism but the voice inside your own head?  For so many women, the inner critic runs the show, masquerading as protective logic while quietly fueling self-doubt, shame, and hesitation. In this inspiring solo episode, Ashlee pulls back the curtain on how she learned to separate her true, authentic voice from the relentless chatter of her inner critic. Drawing from her personal evolution from hiding behind the scenes to confidently showing up on video, launching her book chapter, and building a thriving business, Ashlee breaks down why true safety begins on the inside.  She shares why building radical self-trust and self-reliance is the mandatory foundation for taking bold, aligned action in your life and business. Ashlee dives into: The Voice of Deception: How to distinguish between your intuitive internal wisdom and the fear-driven inner critic holding you back.Self-Trust First: Why we often fear our own perceived failures more than external threats—and how to cultivate internal safety.From Hiding to Showing Up: Ashlee's personal story of overcoming self-shame to build visibility and confidence in her business.Fall Program Announcements: Details on Ashlee’s upcoming women’s business group program and her live 5-Day Morning Reset (September 14th–18th) designed to quiet the noise, utilize somatic breathwork, and set you up to crush your Q4 and 2027 goals. Want more support? Join Ashlee’s 5 Day Morning Reset to quiet the critic: join here Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

How often do you catch yourself treating your body like a project that constantly needs fixing? We’ve been conditioned to believe that self-criticism is the ultimate motivator—that if we are just tough enough on ourselves, we will finally reach our goals and earn self-worth. But the truth is, self-criticism doesn't motivate us; it paralyses us, blindfolding us to our wins, our strength, and our progress. This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee dive into the complex, often painful reality of body image. They unpack how the non-stop highlight reels of "perfection" on social media hijack our nervous systems, layer onto the self-image stories we inherited as kids, and keep us trapped in an endless loop of body dissatisfaction. Colleen and Ashlee share how to break free from the trap of exercising or eating to "fix" your flaws, and how to shift toward movement and nutrition as an authentic act of self-love. If you’re ready to stop waiting for a specific number on the scale to start appreciating who you are today, this conversation is the gentle, powerful perspective shift you need. Colleen and Ashlee discuss: The Social Media Distortion: How constant exposure to curated "perfection" online fuels body dysmorphia and triggers old childhood wounds around belonging."Fitness to Fix" vs. Fitness for Joy: Unpacking the toxic mindset of working out as a punishment versus moving your body to build strength and connection.Rewriting Your Self-Image: Somatic and mindset practices to unlearn deep-seated childhood conditioning and start viewing your body through a lens of appreciation.Want more support? Join Ashlee’s 5 Day Morning Reset to quiet the critic: join here Or grab a Discovery Call with Colleen  Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠

The transition back to school isn’t just stressful for our kids it completely disrupts the entire household's nervous system. From navigating massive high school hallways and locker anxieties to wrestling teenage sleep schedules and morning routine battles, the shift from summer freedom to autumn structure is a high-stakes transition for everyone involved. This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee welcome back guest Becky Funk to unpack how parents can navigate back-to-school anxieties without taking over, micro-managing, or projecting our own fears onto our kids.  Becky shares brilliant, real-world parenting strategies for supporting your teen's growing independence, including how to ditch accusatory language, manage the constant stress of online grade notifications, and help regulated teens make peace with natural consequences. Colleen, Ashlee, and Becky discuss: High School Transition Anxieties: How to validate fears around larger buildings, finding lunch tables, and shifting social dynamics without trying to "fix" everything. The "Should, Could, Would" Priority Reset: A simple paper-and-pen strategy to help overwhelmed teens (and parents!) organize their brain dumps and prioritize mental health over endless schedules. Curiosity Over Accusation: Why switching from "Why didn't you...?" to curiosity-based questions opens the door for genuine communication and co-regulation. Sleep, Energy Drinks, and Morning Battles: Practical ways to gradually adjust adolescent circadian rhythms and establish breakfast routines that actually stick. Balancing Safety with Independence: How to give your teenager control over their decisions while maintaining steady, supportive boundaries. Grab Becky’s free resource to discover if your teen is struggling with anxiety or if it is just typical teen stuff: https://www.thebeckyfunk.com/anxiety-or-typical-teen-stuff Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

We can’t stop corporate decisions from stressing us out, and we can’t stop people from doing annoying things. But we can stop letting external chaos hijack our internal peace. In this powerful solo episode, Ashlee gets incredibly honest about a recent moment on the baseball field where she lost her cool, got caught in a loop of complaining, and felt completely sidelined. She uses this raw, real-life trigger to show us how venting and complaining actually drain our energy and fuel our mental loops—and what it looks like to take radical responsibility for our own nervous systems instead. If you are tired of living in survival mode and reacting to every stressful event outside of your control, this episode is your blueprint for building a personal regulation toolkit that brings you back to clarity. Ashlee shares: The Circle of Control: How to quickly identify what is actually yours to manage (your attitude, words, and effort) and let go of the rest. Venting vs. Regulating: Why complaining only keeps your brain in a stress response, and how somatic tools like breathwork and movement break the loop. Digging Beneath the Anger: How pausing and regulating allows us to see the real trigger (like feeling left out or hurt) so we can actually heal it. Daily Radical Responsibility: Ashlee's personal practices for catching a stress spiral early, before it leaks onto the people around her. Download Ashlee's 10 minute breathwork to access your calm: ⁠Take a Breath⁠ Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

If you are in your 40s and have been told that sudden insomnia, crushing fatigue, and stubborn weight gain are "just a normal part of getting older," it is time to refuse that narrative. This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee sit down with hormone nutritionist Monika to break down why generic online advice and extreme fitness trends are completely failing middle-aged women—and what actually works instead. Monika explains that perimenopause is a natural transition, not a medical emergency. However, severe symptoms like night sweats and major sleep disruptions are a sign of a deeper, underlying dysregulation—often stemming from gut issues, inflammation, and decades of built-up cortisol. Together, they explore why the traditional "eat less, exercise more" blueprint from your 20s completely backfires in midlife, and how true regulation comes from shifting away from high-stress workouts toward deep mineral replenishment and self-compassion. Colleen, Ashlee, and Monika dive into: Common vs. Normal: Why severe perimenopause symptoms are signs of a depleted, stressed system—not an inevitable rite of passage. The Midlife Exercise Reset: Why lifting weights 2–3 times a week and walking are the ultimate regulators for your body, while overexertion leaves you entirely burnt out. The Carbs and Minerals Connection: Why whole carbohydrates should never be feared, and how replenishing essential minerals like magnesium and potassium addresses the true root causes of your symptoms. The HRT Missing Piece: Why hormone replacement therapy needs a solid foundation of optimized sleep, nutrition, and rest to actually produce results.Delegation as Regulation: Why true self-care for busy women means outsourcing and delegating tasks to lower cortisol, rather than adding more things to an already packed to-do list. Grab Monika's free Weight Loss & Energy Blocker AssessmentAnd connect with her on instagram: Monika Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

Ever wondered why your hormones still feel "off" even after trying all the supplements, hormone-balancing tips, and wellness trends? In this episode, Colleen is sharing why she doesn't typically start with hormone testing like a DUTCH test when women come to me struggling with painful periods, PCOS, endometriosis, PMS, infertility, perimenopause symptoms, bloating, fatigue, anxiety, or mood swings. Instead, she explains why she almost always begin by looking at two foundational areas: gut health and mineral balance. We'll talk about why she believes hormones are responders, how your gut plays a critical role in estrogen detoxification, what bacterial imbalances and inflammation can mean for your hormone health, and why minerals are the "spark plugs" that help every system in your body function—including your hormones. If you've been wondering why your symptoms keep coming back or why you don't feel like yourself anymore, this episode will help you understand the bigger picture and why identifying the root cause matters so much more than guessing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why she doesn't usually start with hormone testing What it means when she says "hormones are responders" How your gut influences hormone health What a GI-MAP can reveal about your symptoms Why minerals are essential for healthy hormone function How stress, the adrenal glands, and perimenopause are all connected When hormone testing does make sense If you're tired of guessing and you're ready to understand what your body is actually trying to tell you, this episode is for you. Ready to uncover the root cause of your symptoms? Book your complimentary 20-minute consultation here:https://l.bttr.to/2ldW7 Learn more about working with Colleen:www.mindfully-nourished.com Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback: ⁠Ashlee⁠ & ⁠Colleen⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.

We enter summer with one collective goal: to finally rest. Yet, by mid-July, most of us find ourselves completely overstimulated, playing cruise director for our kids, and cleaning up the physical and emotional mess of an overscheduling spiral. Why does the season of relaxation always end up feeling so incredibly dysregulated? This week on The Calm Collective, Colleen and Ashlee break down the exact strategies mom entrepreneurs (and busy parents) need to protect their energy this summer. They unpack how unexpected calendar shifts, travel-induced digestive issues, and the frantic urge to constantly look for the "next big activity" completely rob us of our presence. From setting firm boundaries around work-cation time to letting our kids embrace the deeply regulating power of pure boredom, this episode is your blueprint for a summer that actually fills your cup instead of draining it. Colleen and Ashlee lean into: The Unscheduled Entertainment Blueprint: How Ashlee sets structured routines with her teenager to avoid the trap of constant, frantic entertainment-seeking. The Travel Dysregulation Loop: Colleen breaks down how dehydration, stress, and poor sleep derail your digestion, and how to plan vacations that don't require a vacation to recover from. Normalizing Boredom: Why stepping back and allowing your kids to be bored is a mandatory skill for building their independence—and reclaiming your sanity.The "Hurry Up and Fun" Trap: How to catch yourself when you're rushing your family through the present moment just to make it to the next item on a packed calendar.Connect with us on Instagram - we love to hear your feedback:⁠ ⁠Ashlee⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠Colleen⁠⁠ And we encourage you to share this with one person you know who could benefit from this conversation.