I Put My Business on Credit Cards: Why One Mom Chose Family Time Over Financial Security

I Put My Business on Credit Cards: Why One Mom Chose Family Time Over Financial Security

In this episode of Aspirations Over Hesitations, Alli Eldridge sits down with Dr. Cortney Kante, chiropractor and founder of Edge Rehab Chiropractic, to explore what it takes to walk away from financial security and build a brick-and-mortar business that prioritizes both family and purpose. Cortney shares her journey from feeling burnt out in a traditional healthcare job where she felt guilty for using PTO for her kids' appointments to opening her own practice with minimal savings, credit card debt and an unshakable conviction that there had to be a better way. They discuss the financial realities of entrepreneurship, from doing Instacart deliveries to depleting their savings. Cortney opens up about the physical breaking point that finally pushed her to make the leap—a shoulder injury and a burned hand that forced her out of practice and became the "God push" she needed to stop hesitating. She also shares how she built her patient base from scratch through genuine community connections, invested in business education to avoid costly mistakes and went from burnt out to booked out by working smarter instead of longer. This episode also dives deep into boundaries and what it really means to protect your time as a working mom. Cortney explains how she's refusing to miss bedtime, school drop-offs and pickups or class parties by scheduling her practice around moments that matter most. She shares her rehab-based chiropractic model that empowers patients through hour-long appointments and customized care plans instead of creating lifelong dependency. She offers practical advice on finding providers who truly listen, avoiding fear-based healthcare and building a business that supports the life you actually want to live. If you're ready to stop sacrificing family time for a paycheck that doesn't fulfill you, this episode is your permission slip to take the leap, set fierce boundaries and build something extraordinary on your own terms. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen or treatment plan. Chapter Markers 00:00 Pursuing Dreams: The Leap of Faith 04:14 Navigating Motherhood and Career 07:07 Financial Challenges and Solutions 10:15 Building a Business from Scratch 13:17 Setting Boundaries for Family and Work 16:13 The Importance of Presence in Parenting 26:24 Balancing Work and Motherhood 28:32 The Importance of Hiring and Team Building 30:08 Rehab Chiropractic Philosophy 32:39 Finding the Right Chiropractor 33:41 Nervous System Chiropractic Care 35:57 Overcoming Fears in Entrepreneurship and Motherhood 38:06 Insights from Current Reading 40:08 Surprises in Entrepreneurship 42:39 Social Media Strategies for Engagement 45:35 Investing in Yourself and Community Resources Mentioned: * Work with Cortney Kante → Edge Rehab Chiropractic [https://www.edgerehabchiropractic.com/] * Instagram → @edgerehabchiropractic [https://www.instagram.com/edgerehabchiropractic] * Follow Alli → @alli.eldridge [https://www.instagram.com/alli.eldridge] If this story resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review and share this episode.

Healing Without Band-Aids: Why One Nurse Practitioner Rebelled Against Traditional Healthcare

In this episode of Aspirations Over Hesitations, Alli Eldridge sits down with Jillian Tate, board-certified family nurse practitioner and founder of the Rebel Institute of Health, to discuss why she walked away from traditional healthcare—and what she discovered about healing on the other side. Jillian shares the story that changed everything: her husband's type 2 diabetes diagnosis at age 21, the doctors who dismissed her questions and the moment she realized the medical system was setting him up for a lifetime of unnecessary medications. Through a ketogenic diet and lifestyle changes, he reversed his diabetes completely, a transformation that would ignite Jillian's career in functional medicine. They dive into the realities of women's health today, exploring why so many high-achieving mothers are experiencing hormone imbalances, adrenal fatigue, thyroid dysfunction and stubborn weight gain. Jillian explains how chronic stress, inadequate nourishment and the over-prescription of birth control are contributing to widespread infertility and metabolic issues. She emphasizes the importance of integrative medicine—combining the best of functional and traditional approaches—and shares her five pillars of lifestyle medicine: diet, exercise, stress management, relationships and sleep. This episode also explores the challenges of building a business while raising three children and the guilt that comes with leaving traditional medicine to practice in a way that aligns with your values. Jillian offers practical advice for being your own health advocate, finding providers who truly listen and doing your own research without falling prey to misinformation. Whether you're dealing with unexplained symptoms, feeling dismissed by doctors or simply wanting to optimize your wellness, this conversation will inspire you to rebel against the status quo and take charge of your health journey. If you're ready to stop settling for band-aid solutions and start healing at the root, this episode is your permission slip to question everything and demand better care, so you can show up fully for your biggest aspirations. Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health regimen or treatment plan. Chapter Markers 00:00 Jillian's Journey: From Personal Crisis to Health Advocate 08:11 The Flaws in Traditional Healthcare 15:23 Breaking Free: Jillian's Transition to Independent Practice 20:54 Understanding Women's Health: Hormonal Imbalances and Fertility Challenges 24:01 Understanding PCOS and Its Impact on Women's Health 25:32 The Power of Lifestyle Changes 28:53 Becoming Your Own Health Advocate 34:36 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 39:17 Integrative Medicine: A Holistic Approach to Health 43:03 Empowering Future Practitioners in Functional Medicine Resources Mentioned: * Work with Jillian → Rebel Institute of Health [https://www.rebelinstituteofhealth.com] * Instagram → @rebelinstituteofhealth [https://www.instagram.com/rebelinstituteofhealth/] * Institute for Functional Medicine → IFM Education [https://www.ifm.org] * Follow Alli → @alli.eldridge [https://www.instagram.com/alli.eldridge] If this story resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review and share this episode.

Ditching the Sunday Scaries — How a Marketing Mom Replaced Her Salary in 6 Months

In this episode of Aspirations Over Hesitations, Alli Eldridge sits down with healthcare marketing strategist Leecy Chiles to explore her journey from nearly a decade in corporate to launching Marae Marketing—a business helping health and wellness providers grow their practices. Leecy shares the raw reality of collecting her annual bonus and then walking away from corporate, not because she hated her job, but because the pandemic fundamentally shifted her perspective on motherhood, time and what she actually wanted from life. She opens up about the 18-month evolution from seed of an idea to resignation letter and how watching a friend take the freelance leap first gave her permission to believe it was possible. They discuss the practical side of leaving corporate—from mapping out a 90-day financial cushion to working Saturdays at Starbucks while her family was at home to building her business one small step at a time. Leecy breaks down how she replaced her corporate salary in six months through referrals and organic networking, why she limits herself to four retainer clients at a time and the mindset shift that helped her realize corporate income isn't actually as stable as it seems. She also gets honest about the decompression period after leaving, the weird guilt of not having back-to-back Zoom meetings and learning to give herself permission to live in the gray between working mom and stay-at-home mom. This episode offers actionable insights on corporate exit planning, overcoming self-doubt as a new business owner, the power of values-driven entrepreneurship and why choosing your hard matters more than avoiding challenges altogether. It's a candid conversation for women in marketing, communications or any corporate role who are feeling pulled toward something different but aren't sure how to make the leap without sacrificing financial stability or losing their identity in the process. Chapter Markers 00:00 The Leap from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 02:53 Navigating the Pandemic and Motherhood 05:55 Finding Inspiration and Building Confidence 09:04 Planning the Transition: From Corporate to Freelance 12:02 The Emotional Journey of Leaving Corporate 15:03 Embracing Flexibility and Freedom 17:57 Adjusting to a New Work-Life Balance 21:11 Values that Drive Business Decisions 24:05 Overcoming Self-Doubt as an Entrepreneur 26:49 Living in the Gray: Balancing Work and Family 32:24 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change 36:10 The Shift from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 41:57 Finding Balance 45:07 Building a Business: Initial Clients 51:49 Childcare Challenges and Work-Life Integration 58:15 Marketing Insights and Business Offerings Takeaways * Leecy transitioned from corporate healthcare marketing to entrepreneurship after becoming a mother. * The pandemic significantly shifted her perspective on work and family. * Having a financial cushion is critical before making the leap to entrepreneurship. * Setting a resignation date helped Leecy create a timeline for her exit from corporate. * Small steps lead to significant changes over time. * Flexibility in work allows for better family time. Resources Mentioned: * Work with Leecy → Marae Marketing [https://maraemarketing.com/] * Instagram → @maraemarketing [https://www.instagram.com/maraemarketing] * Follow Alli → @alli.eldridge [https://www.instagram.com/alli.eldridge] If this story resonated with you, subscribe, leave a review and share this episode.

Doing All the Things But Still Not Getting Pregnant? A Fertility Acupuncturist Explains Why

In this episode of Aspirations Over Hesitations, Alli Eldridge sits down with Dallas-based acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Mason Martinez to explore the intersection of Eastern medicine, reproductive health and motherhood. Mason opens up about her own fertility journey—including a miscarriage and the anxiety of bleeding during her pregnancy with her daughter—and how those experiences transformed the way she connects with patients who are struggling to conceive. She shares the raw reality of feeling like pregnancy might never happen and the mindset shift that changed everything. They discuss why hustle culture and corporate stress are quietly impacting women's fertility, the foundational pillars that matter most, and why so many women are doing "all the things" but still not experiencing the results they are after. Mason breaks down Chinese medicine principles like yin and yang energy, constitution and how your period is your monthly report card for overall health. She also offers her perspective on IVF, emphasizing the importance of ruling out foundational issues first before jumping into expensive protocols and why getting a sperm analysis early on is non-negotiable. This episode offers practical insights on making health easy through small sustainable changes, the power of patient education and empowerment and why eating more food (yes, really) might be the missing piece for women trying to conceive. It's a candid conversation for women navigating fertility challenges, corporate burnout or anyone seeking alternative approaches to wellness that honor the body's natural rhythms. Takeaways: * Mason's journey into motherhood was shaped by her experiences with loss. * Empathy gained from personal experiences enhances her practice. * Stress from work can impact fertility and overall health. * Understanding one's constitution is key in Chinese medicine. * IVF is a tool, but foundational health should be prioritized first. * Sperm analysis is essential in fertility assessments. Resources Mentioned: * Work with Mason Martinez → Totality Holistics [https://totalityholistics.com/] * Book a complimentary consultation → Schedule here [https://totalityholistics.com/consultations] * Connect on Instagram → @dr.masonmartinez [https://www.instagram.com/dr.masonmartinez/] * Follow Alli Eldridge → @alli.eldridge [https://www.instagram.com/alli.eldridge] If this story resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who might need it today. Chapter Markers: 00:00 Journey into Motherhood: Loss and Resilience 06:52 The Impact of Personal Experience on Practice 12:55 Work-Life Balance and Fertility Challenges 19:00 Understanding Chinese Medicine and Constitution 24:51 Navigating Fertility Treatments: IVF and Alternatives 30:52 Finding the Right Practitioners and Paths 32:49 The Journey to Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine 34:56 Starting a Business in Acupuncture 36:50 Balancing Work and Family Life 38:47 The Importance of Travel and Flexibility 40:49 Overcoming Fears in Fertility and Business 46:54 Transformative Fertility Stories 50:41 Working with Patients: Approaches and Methods 54:41 Encouragement and Advice for Women on Fertility Journeys 56:39 The Role of Men in Fertility Discussions

From Dependent Visa to Nutrition & Fitness Coach — Empowering Women to Get Stronger in Perimenopause

In this episode of Aspirations Over Hesitations, Alli Eldridge sits down with nutrition coach and fitness entrepreneur Charmi Ramchandani to explore her journey from moving to the U.S. on a dependent visa to building a thriving virtual coaching business that helps women in perimenopause regain control of their health. Charmi shares the raw reality of her early years in America—from confidence-crushing job interviews to being fired via email while on vacation—and how those challenges ultimately led her to create Cimply Fit, where she now coaches women worldwide. They discuss the foundations of sustainable weight loss without restrictive dieting, why strength training is the "401k for your longevity" and how addressing root causes beats quick fixes every time. Charmi breaks down her philosophy on hunger, stress management, movement as medicine and why moms hold the power to transform their family's health simply by leading through example. She also opens up about competing in a bodybuilding competition at 44, navigating mom guilt as an entrepreneur and the importance of surrounding yourself with women who understand the unique challenges of building a business while raising a family. This episode offers practical insights on managing perimenopause symptoms, building confidence through scary challenges and creating a business around the life you want rather than building your life around your business. It's a candid conversation for women ready to pursue their health goals and entrepreneurial dreams without sacrificing their sanity or their family. Resources Mentioned: * Work with Charmi Ramchandani →CimplyFit.com [http://CimplyFit.com] * Join the free community → Cimply Fit in Perimenopause (Facebook) [http://facebook.com/groups/cimplyfitinnercircle] * Connect on Instagram → @cimply_fit [https://www.instagram.com/cimply_fit/] * Follow Alli Eldridge → @alli.eldridge [https://www.instagram.com/alli.eldridge] If this story resonated with you, please subscribe, leave a review and share this episode with someone who might need it today. Chapter Markers 00:00 Charmi's Journey: From Abu Dhabi to Austin 07:14 Navigating Motherhood and Career Transitions 13:25 The Birth of a Fitness Business 19:02 Lessons in Entrepreneurship and Business Mindset 25:15 Finding Structure and Focus in Business 26:12 Embracing Self-Care and Personal Growth 29:53 Navigating the Challenges of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 33:09 Understanding Weight Loss and Lifestyle Changes 36:15 Addressing Hormonal Changes and Health 39:26 Building Confidence Through Challenges 45:00 The Power of Moms in Family Health