Mishaps, Magic, & Mayhem: “I’ve tried it so you can benefit.”

Ep 147 | LIVE A MANA LIFE with Dr. Elizabeth Wanek

MEET ELIZABETH Prior to studying for surgical boards around 40 years of age, I thought nutrition and basic science were something that only applied to my patients.  However, as I made the connection between food and my biochemistry, I became profoundly aware that what and how I was eating had a major impact on how I functioned: emotionally mentally, physically and spiritually. When I ate according to the principles of biochemistry, I felt completely different, no longer struggling with continuous cravings, yo-yo dieting, fatigue, frustration and, at times, complete anguish and despair. This experience led from the private practice of Pediatric Surgery to a consultative practice in Functional Medicine, with a focus on teaching patients how to stabilize blood sugar and meet needs for essential nutrient by balancing protein, carbohydrate and fats calories at each meal and/or snack.  In addition, I recommended a daily intake of equal amounts of Omega 3 and Omega 6 polyunsaturated fats (which human cells cannot produce) to supply the raw materials needed to construct and maintain a properly functioning cell membrane (Phospholipid bilayer in the figure below) and to supplement with the 8 simple sugars needed by the cell to construct receptor sites on the cell membrane (Glycoprotein in the figure below) which are used to call for and receive the  nutrients required for proper cell function.  With Functional Medicine, I went from the anatomy I could see as a surgeon to the anatomy of a cell, visible only with a microscope.  CONNECT WITH ELIZABETH Website: www.wanekmedical.com / www.liveamanalife.com

Ep 146 | DESERVE OR DESIRE? With Maria Kamau

MEET MARIA Hi, I’m Maria Kamau. Travel coach for women 40+ who are done waiting. Travel is a desire for many. It was mine too. I was born and raised in Kenya, a place the world dreams about and I was exposed to travel early: coastal buses, overnight trains, and road trips that turned horizons into classrooms. My first time abroad came through a high-school exchange in Germany. I loved it. That one trip widened the map for the rest of my life. Since then I’ve visited 90+ countries across 5 continents and explored all 47 counties of Kenya. Some journeys were solo, many were shared. each one taught me something about courage, curiosity, and the quiet joy of being on my own timeline. I grew up in Kenya with a passport full of dreams and a calendar full of responsibilities. The “right time” never arrived, so I stopped waiting. Over the next three decades, I explored 90+ countries, learned how to plan calmly and safely, and proved to myself that travel can be both soul-filling and affordable. Along the way, I noticed something: we don’t travel for hotels or hashtags. We travel to feel different, braver, lighter, connected, and joyful. That’s why I became an ICF-certified coach and created TravelwithMkay—a supportive place where midlife women get the clarity, structure, and confidence to say, “I’m going." Why I coach: Fear isn’t required—trust the plan. Safety and comfort can sit beside spontaneity. Smart trade-offs beat big budgets every time. The best trips are the ones you actually take. How I help: We get clear on what you want from this trip, then build a simple, realistic plan around your destination, timing, budget, and safety, plus a light-packing approach that keeps you free to enjoy it. You stay in control; I’m your guide, sounding board, and cheer section from idea to touchdown. If you’re ready to swap “one day” for “I’m going,” I’m here for you—gently, practically, and on your terms. CONNECT WITH MARIA Website: www.travelwithmkay.com Instagram: @travelwithmkay

Ep 145 | THE SHE SOCIETY With Kathleen Hutchens

MEET KATHLEEN I believe every woman should embrace their FIRE: Find your presence. Ignite the moment. Release what was. Embrace what is. Finding your presence is the key to life. Hi there. I'm Kathleen. I'm so glad you're here! I graduated with a dual honors degree in Environmental Studies & Geography from UC Santa Barbara—not an obvious springboard for launching a women's community platform, I know! But I've always felt drawn to creating something meaningful, something…bigger. I've spent my life trying to understand ecosystems—literal environments, basketball teams, classrooms I've volunteered in. But the biggest ecosystem I've come to understand? The one where women actually feel like they belong. I've struggled with where I fit in and realized so many of us are searching for a space that just… doesn't exist yet. This platform was created because I finally stopped waiting for someone else to build it. Welcome to The She Society. CONNECT WITH KATHLEEN Website: www.theshesociety.org [http://www.theshesociety.org] Instagram: @jointheshesociety

Ep 144 | HEALING HEROES with Chandler Stroud

MEET CHANDLER Chandler Stroud is an ex-corporate marketing executive turned holistic wellness advocate, having spent over 15 years marketing some of the world’s largest brands, to now embracing her new role as founder and host of The Healing Heroes podcast – a show dedicated to helping women find peace, better health, and more happiness using unexpected and enjoyable approaches that heal mind, body, and spirit.  She created The Healing Heroes with one singular mission in mind: to empower and inspire other high-achieving women to reconnect with themselves through a diverse set of unconventional methods that result in true healing vs. just coping as we so often do. The Heroes represent not just experts in their fields, but also Chandler’s very own healers and advisors, who served as guides along her path to peace, more happiness, and ultimately the life she knew she was meant to be living all along. Chandler’s marketing career includes time spent at companies such as WebMD, KraftHeinz, Danone, and ultimately ten years with American Express where she oversaw the marketing team at Resy, Amex’s global dining platform. She currently resides in Darien, CT with her husband and two children where she prioritizes walks to the beach, her daily yoga practice, and feeding her insatiable desire to continue learning about holistic approaches to living a more fulfilled life. CONNECT WITH CHANDLER Website: www.healingheroespodcast.com [http://www.healingheroespodcast.com] Instagram: @healingheroespodcast [https://www.instagram.com/healingheroespodcast/] @chanstroud [https://www.instagram.com/chanstroud/]

Ep 143 | ME BEING ME with Lindsay Pinchuk

MEET LINDSAY Lindsay Pinchuk is an award-winning entrepreneur, consultant, and small business mentor who’s among the less than 1% of female founders to successfully lead her company through an acquisition. She built her first company, Bump Club and Beyond, from just $500 into a 7-figure brand with partnerships that included Target, Nordstrom, Huggies, and Unilever, reaching over 3 million people every month before selling the business to a large agency holding company. Today, Lindsay is the founder of Dear FoundHer…, a top 1.5% podcast and community supporting women business owners over 40. Through her podcast, newsletter, mentorship program, and her signature SWEEP framework, she helps entrepreneurs simplify their marketing, grow their businesses, and build long-term success. CONNECT WITH LINDSAY Website: www.dearfoundher.com [http://www.dearfoundher.com]  Instagram: @dearfoundher @lindsaypinchuk