#47 When Life Uncovers Strength You Didn’t Know You Had

#47 When Life Uncovers Strength You Didn’t Know You Had

In this episode of Within, Nicky Wallace sits down with Andrea Irwin, owner of Empirical Sales & Marketing, to talk about resilience, advocacy, entrepreneurship, motherhood, and the unexpected challenges that can completely reshape your life. Andrea shares her journey through business ownership, motherhood, and navigating complex medical experiences with her daughter—an experience that ultimately uncovered a new level of strength, advocacy, and purpose she never expected to develop. Together, they explore the idea of “potential” in three different forms: the potential we naturally recognize within ourselves the potential we discover through growth and experience and the potential that is uncovered during life’s hardest moments. This conversation is an honest look at what happens when life takes an unexpected turn, how advocacy can become essential in navigating healthcare systems, and why asking questions, trusting your instincts, and seeking support matters. Important Note about this episode:  Andrea's diagnosis of C-PTSD came from a multitude of medical traumas, not just the ones discussed. She is a strong proponent of mental health care and recommends that everyone at some point in their life should see a therapist. If you suspect you have a mental health condition, please seek the help of a therapist or psychiatrist. If you are having a severe mental health crisis, please call 911. When Andrea refers to her daughter being too severe for Iowa City to handle, it was evident that they knew how to diagnose the condition but didn't have a lot of experience treating patients who suffered from chronic symptoms and were out of their depth. Andrea's daughter's condition varies greatly on a day-to-day basis and has experienced long periods of stability with minor breakthrough flares on occasion on proper treatment. The recent flare discussed on the podcast is being handled by the medical professionals on her team, and they are working together with Andrea daily to find and add suitable treatment options for this flare and her condition as a whole. Condition discussed: Hereditary Alpha Tryptasemia - you can learn more about it here: https://tmsforacure.org/overview/hereditary-alpha-tryptasemia/ About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Andrea -  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-irwin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreacirwin/ https://www.facebook.com/andrea.c.irwin1

#45 Looking Beyond “Your Labs Are Normal”

In this episode of Within, Nicky Wallace and Heidi Buttoph sit down with Amanda and Kristen, founders of Vivid Wellness & Aesthetics  in Des Moines, to talk about the growing world of functional medicine, integrative wellness, and personalized care. Amanda and Kristen share how their backgrounds in nursing and healthcare led them to create a space focused on root-cause healing, individualized wellness plans, and modalities designed to help people feel better—not just manage symptoms. The conversation dives into the differences between traditional healthcare, integrative medicine, and functional medicine, while also exploring services like IV therapy, ozone therapy, hormones, metabolic lab testing, aesthetics, and advanced wellness technologies. Together, they discuss why so many people are being told their labs are “normal” while still struggling with fatigue, inflammation, brain fog, hormone imbalances, and other symptoms—and how personalized wellness approaches can help uncover deeper answers. Whether you’re new to functional medicine or already exploring your own wellness journey, this episode offers an approachable and educational look into the future of individualized healthcare. About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Heidi- Linkedin- www.linkedin.com/in/heidibuttolph/   Connect with our Guest:  Amanda Kramme:  https://www.instagram.com/amanda_kramme/ https://www.facebook.com/amanda.kramme.2025 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandakramme/ Kristen Shelton:  https://www.instagram.com/kristen_shelton1/ https://www.facebook.com/kristen.meyer.125 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-shelton-9031aa8b/ Find Vidid Wellnes + Aesthetics https://www.instagram.com/vividwellness.aesthetics/ https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=vivid%20wellness For more information on The People Co., check out our Webiste: thepeople-co.com For more information on The Potential Within, check out www.thepeople-co.com/potentialwithin

#46 I Wish I Would Have Known: You’re Not in Control

In this special edition of Within: I Wish I Would Have Known, Ali Payne and Nicky Wallace sit down with Nikki Russell of Aptitude Fitness + Paws for an honest conversation about control, motherhood, business ownership, and learning to let go. As a mom of three and owner of two businesses, Nikki shares how life has taught her that trying to control everything often leads to more stress, overwhelm, and frustration. Instead, she’s learned the importance of leaning into the chaos, trusting the process, and letting go of the pressure to do everything perfectly. From outsourcing meals and household tasks to rethinking what’s “conventional” for her family, Nikki opens up about the guilt many women carry—and how creating systems that actually work for your life matters more than appearances. This episode is a refreshing reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone, and sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is simply let go. About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Ali - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alipayne/ For more information on The People Co., check out our Webiste: thepeople-co.com For more information on The Potential Within, check out www.thepeople-co.com/potentialwithin Connect with our Guest:  Nikki Russel:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-russell-9703b874/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikrussell/ https://www.facebook.com/nicolerussell11 Aptitude: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aptitude-fitness-dsm/ https://www.instagram.com/aptitudedsm/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AptitudeFitnessDSM Pause:  https://www.instagram.com/pausewestdesmoines/ https://www.facebook.com/pausewestdesmoines

#43 Cycle Syncing, Perimenopause & Learning to Listen to Your Body

In this episode of Within, Nicky Wallace and Ali Payne sit down with Nikki Russell, owner of Aptitude Fitness and Pause Studio, to talk about women’s wellness, cycle syncing, recovery, perimenopause, and learning how to better listen to your body. Nikki shares how her own experience as an endurance athlete led her to explore the connection between hormones, performance, recovery, energy levels, and nutrition. After realizing there was very little support or education available for women navigating these changes, she began building programming designed specifically to help women better understand their bodies through every stage of life. The conversation dives into: ✨ cycle syncing ✨ perimenopause & menopause ✨ intuitive eating & movement ✨ recovery modalities ✨ protein intake ✨ nervous system recovery ✨ and the pressure many women feel to constantly “push through.” Together, they also discuss how wellness doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing, the importance of giving yourself grace, and why small sustainable changes often matter more than perfection. This episode is an empowering reminder that our bodies are constantly communicating with us—and learning to listen may be one of the most important parts of the wellness journey. About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Ali - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alipayne/ Connect with our Guest:  Nikki Russel:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-russell-9703b874/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikrussell/ https://www.facebook.com/nicolerussell11 Aptitude: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aptitude-fitness-dsm/ https://www.instagram.com/aptitudedsm/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AptitudeFitnessDSM Pause:  https://www.instagram.com/pausewestdesmoines/ https://www.facebook.com/pausewestdesmoines

#42 The Support New Moms Don’t Know Exists

In this episode of Within, Nicky Wallace and Ali Payne sit down with Katie Nyberg, founder of Iowa Baby Lady , to talk about the support many parents don’t realize exists during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. Katie shares how her team of birth doulas and postpartum doulas helps families navigate everything from labor support and advocacy to overnight newborn care and postpartum recovery. The conversation breaks down common misconceptions about doulas, the realities of modern motherhood, and why support systems matter more than ever. Together, they discuss the overwhelming amount of information new parents face today, the pressure many moms feel to “do it all,” and how postpartum support can help families move from simply surviving to truly thriving during those early weeks. Whether you’re expecting, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the changing conversation around motherhood and wellness, this episode offers a refreshing and educational look at what modern support can actually look like. About the show:  Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built. Connect with hosts & guests: Nicky - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/  Nicky - Instagram:  @Freedomtoleadwell Ali - Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alipayne/ Connect with our Guest:  Instagram & Facebook:  @theiowababylady For more information on The People Co., check out our Webiste: thepeople-co.com