Calm & Confident with Trina Gray

53. Be Where Your Feet Are

This week's episode marks the start of year two of the Calm & Confident Collective. After 365 days, 52 podcasts and thousands of downloads and messages, I'm grateful that you with me. Thanks for being part of the journey where we talk about how to live a better life at work and at home. I love hearing from listeners. You can find me on my socials (links below). Today's topic is about being present. I offered two ways to be more present in your daily life – being physically present with your actions, and being mentally present with your thoughts. There are a lot of things that try to throw us off course – distractions from devices, repeating thoughts and worries. I offer some strategy and reasoning for being mindful of where you are choosing to be. What You'll Learn in This Episode * (0:00) – Trina reflects on one year of the Calm and Confident Podcast and how listener feedback reaffirmed that these conversations truly matter. * (0:07:30) – "Be where your feet are" means being fully present in your actions, especially by reducing distractions like phones when you're with people you love. * (0:14:30) – Presence in thoughts is harder than presence in actions and requires consciously tabling worries about the past or future that don't belong in the current moment. * (0:20:00) – Repeating thoughts ("thoughts on repeat") drain your energy; you either need to make a plan about them or make peace with them. * (0:25:30) – When you intentionally choose to be where your feet are, others feel truly seen and heard, and you finish your days more grateful, grounded, and energized. "If you've chosen in any which way to be in this moment, then give yourself and the people around you the gift of being in this moment in your head."- Trina Connect with Trina: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trinagray/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinagray/] | Website [https://www.trinagray.com/]

52. When the World Feels Heavy, Go Small

In this week's short episode, I offered ways to navigate the heaviness of the world – whether you are feeling whiplashed by constant news headlines, or you are feeling the weight of a challenging circumstance in your own corner of the world – at home, or work, or with family or your health. I shared some simple ways to narrow your circle, spend quality time with people who you feel safe and seen by, and lean into the power of simple routines. What You'll Learn in This Episode * Use small actions to regain calm when life feels overwhelming. * Lean on simple, honest conversations with trusted people. * Build grounding routines like walks, journaling, and reading. * Protect your energy by setting boundaries and choosing safe relationships. * Take small, meaningful steps toward causes and values you care about. "Sometimes when things feel just kind of outside of our grasp, too heavy for our own two arms to carry, it feels good to go small."- Trina Connect with Trina: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trinagray/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinagray/] | Website [https://www.trinagray.com/]

51. 5 Simple Ways to Feel Better Next Week

In this week's episode, I offered a five-step practical plan for feeling better next week — not next year, or when love slows down. It won't. Life can feel heavy, fast-paced, or even mundane. Here are five ways to have more energy and set down some mental load. This is about feeling lighter and more in control of your life. This is about taking meaningful, intentional action. From fitness to decision making, let's dive in. What You'll Learn in This Episode * Move more * More water * Minimize social media * Make a decision * Make peace "I think sometimes life can feel heavy. Life can feel overwhelming. Life can feel very fast, depending on your state of life, life can feel at times redundant, like you're waking up doing the same thing every day. And I want to just infuse some joy, some energy, some freshness to your life, and we can do that together." -Trina Connect with Trina: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trinagray/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinagray/] | Website [https://www.trinagray.com/]

50. Best of the Calm & Confident Podcast

In this week's episode, I celebrated our 50th show by creating an "essentials album." Just like your favorite artist creates a "best of" album from time to time, I shared a quick recap of our top downloaded podcasts. I took your favorite lessons and delivered them again, in real time, not past recordings. From remembering to set things down, to saving your battery, to knowing people's place in your life, you'll be reminded of some great gems for life. If you missed one, this might inspire you to go back and listen to the full episode. What You'll Learn in This Episode * How to set things down that no longer fit the person you're becoming * A simple six-roles framework to avoid burnout and show up better * Why doing your fair share for your health matters to you and those you love * How to accept that "things can look different and still be right" * A practical way to decide who has a place, a voice, and a vote in your life "Things can look different and still be right." - Trina Connect with Trina: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trinagray/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinagray/] | Website [https://www.trinagray.com/]

49. In Control, Not Controlling

In this week's episode, I took a deep dive into the word control – which usually comes with a negative connotation. Examples: Control freak, out of control, a controlling parent, etc. I looked at the word control through two lenses. First, where we lack control over our lives (most commonly our schedules, our finances or our health). Next, where we try to exert too much control in life that is causing friction or animosity, or simply isn't working. This might be at work, at home, or in a relationship. This podcast will raise a lot of questions for you, that only you can reflect on and answer. The fix? Figure out what needs to improve. Communicate with people in your life about your lack of control or your over-reaching control. Find common ground, compromise and a better way. What You'll Learn in This Episode * Control often carries a negative reputation, but it can be a healthy, empowering force when applied intentionally. * Many women feel a lack of control in finances, often due to disinterest, lack of information, or being kept out of financial decisions. * A common area of struggle is scheduling—either being overcommitted with no free time or having no structure and living at the whim of the day. * Regaining control in health means making your own choices around food, movement, sleep, and medical care, even when those around you don't share your priorities. * Exerting too much control—at home, at work, or in relationships—can lead to tension; setting expectations, then "leaning back" and allowing others autonomy creates healthier dynamics. "You can make the most of the time that you have by doing the things you value in the time that you have." – Trina Connect with Trina: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/trinagray/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinagray/] | Website [https://www.trinagray.com/]