Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Forget the overnight success stories and million-dollar launch myths. This raw, honest conversation with Denise Millay—the "Findability Queen"—peels back the glossy veneer of entrepreneurship to reveal what really happens when you decide to work for yourself.

Denise's journey began not with a business plan, but with a wake-up call. Standing in a hotel lobby during yet another exhausting business trip, she received a cancer diagnosis that forced her to reevaluate everything. Though thankfully treatable, this moment became the catalyst that transformed her from corporate consultant to entrepreneur. "If you're going to work that hard for a company that has no loyalty to you," she reflects, "I would much rather put my loyalty in me."

What follows is a refreshingly candid discussion about the messy middle of building a business—the part most entrepreneurs don't share on social media. Denise reveals how her greatest corporate strength—being a versatile problem-solver—actually became her biggest entrepreneurial weakness. "Online, you need one thing, one thing," she emphasizes, describing the years-long process of narrowing her focus to become truly effective.

From the challenge of articulating your value proposition to the delicate dance of work-life balance, Denise offers practical wisdom gained through trial and error. Her advice on finding the right mentor stands out as particularly valuable: research thoroughly, observe their communication style, and ensure they're willing to answer your questions—even if you need to ask fifty times before understanding.

For anyone standing at the crossroads of continued employment or entrepreneurship, Denise offers this gem: start small, on the side, without the pressure of immediate success. "It's not something you want to do feeling panicked," she advises. And perhaps most importantly: "Stop getting ready to get ready. Just do it."

Ready to take that first small step toward building something meaningful? This episode will give you both the reality check and encouragement you need to move forward with confidence.

https://www.desnisemillet.com

Youtube: @findabilityqueen

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Recovering from an injury can feel like crossing a bridge that abruptly stops in the middle – you've completed physical therapy, received medical clearance, but now what? This critical gap between rehabilitation and returning to your regular fitness routine is where many people stumble, often rushing back too quickly or without proper guidance.

The journey back to exercise after injury demands respect for your body's unique healing timeline. As I share from both professional expertise and personal experience, the standard recovery windows doctors provide (like "8-12 weeks") are merely guidelines – some heal faster, others slower. The key is understanding that your recovery journey belongs only to you, regardless of how quickly others might bounce back from similar injuries.

This episode walks you through the essential steps for safely returning to activity: securing proper medical clearance, working with movement specialists who can spot compensatory patterns, implementing a truly gradual progression, and perhaps most importantly, developing the patience to honor your body's signals. I offer practical examples using runners returning to their mileage, explaining how alternating walking and running segments allows the body to rebuild strength systematically rather than risking reinjury through immediate high-intensity workouts.

The mental challenges often prove more difficult than the physical ones during recovery. Progress comes in waves – improvement followed by temporary setbacks – requiring a positive mindset that trusts in your body's capacity to heal. Whether you're currently navigating injury recovery or want to prepare yourself for future setbacks, this episode provides the framework for a successful return to the activities you love. Ready to rebuild your strength safely? Join my upcoming 11-Minute Fitness Challenge or reach out for personalized guidance on your fitness journey!

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

What happens when life strips away your identity? At age 50, Jennifer Arthurton found herself divorced after 22 years, an empty nester, unemployed from her corporate executive role, and battling a stress-induced illness—all at once. This perfect storm became the catalyst for a profound transformation and the birth of her platform, Old Chicks Know Shit.

During our heartfelt conversation, Jennifer reveals how she navigated this identity crisis when every role she'd used to define herself suddenly vanished. "If I'm not a wife, if I'm not a mother, if I'm not a corporate executive, then who am I?" This question resonates deeply with many women who've prioritized others while disconnecting from their authentic selves.

We explore how women unconsciously minimize our accomplishments and diminish our power through self-deprecating language and thought patterns. Jennifer shares the liberating experience of challenging limiting beliefs—including how she overcame a forty-year belief that she "wasn't a good writer" based on childhood criticism about her handwriting. This breakthrough eventually led to creating her transformative platform.

The journey through midlife reinvention requires emotional release and surrender. Jennifer describes a powerful meditation experience where suppressed emotions emerged as uncontrollable tears, creating necessary space for healing and self-discovery. For a self-described "type A" personality, letting go of control became her greatest gift, opening doors to possibilities she couldn't have planned.

For women feeling stuck in repetitive patterns, Jennifer offers practical wisdom: take the tiniest possible steps forward, challenge negative thought patterns by questioning their validity, and most importantly, create quiet time to listen to your inner voice. "Whatever question you're struggling with right now, you already have the answer. It's in there."

Ready to reclaim your power and discover what's possible in life's second act? This conversation will remind you that you already have everything you need—your accumulated wisdom, strength, and life experience have perfectly prepared you for what comes next.

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Your body is speaking, but are you listening? That burning sensation in your lower back, the numbness in your legs, and the constant shifting in your chair aren't random discomforts—they're urgent messages from a body designed for movement, not prolonged sitting.

As a movement specialist, I've seen how our sedentary lifestyle creates a cascade of health problems that most people don't recognize until significant damage has occurred. We've normalized discomfort to the point where we accept pain and stiffness as inevitable parts of aging rather than symptoms of our increasingly stationary habits. The reality? Sitting compresses your entire spine, weakens crucial muscles, and—perhaps most surprisingly—impairs your cognitive function through what I call the "brain-bottom connection." When your bottom goes numb from sitting too long, your brain literally can't perform at its best.

The military understood this connection years ago, implementing mandatory movement breaks every 50 minutes during long training sessions—a practice supported by modern research showing how movement acts as a reset button for both body and mind. Have you ever worked on an email for hours, only to stand up briefly and suddenly notice all the typos you missed? That's your brain waking up after being dulled by prolonged sitting. Even more alarming is "gluteal amnesia" (or "dead butt syndrome"), where your glute muscles literally forget how to function properly, creating a domino effect of compensation patterns throughout your body.

Breaking free from sitting disease doesn't require dramatic lifestyle changes—just consistent attention to movement breaks throughout your day. Set a timer, stand up every 50 minutes, and give your body the reset it's desperately signaling for. Whether it's a quick stretch, a walk down the hallway, or dancing to your favorite song, any movement counts. Your future self, free from preventable pain and limitation, will thank you. Ready to feel what your body is truly capable of? Join us for a free week at Small Space Pilates or sign up for our 11-minute challenge—because everyone deserves to feel good in their body, and movement is how we get there.

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

What if the most powerful mental health intervention was simply asking someone "How are you?" and truly listening to their answer? Dr. Iran McGann, psychologist and former Israeli military officer, has built his life's work around this deceptively simple approach.

From his unique perspective as someone who served in a country where "being a veteran isn't really a thing because everybody's a veteran," Dr. McGann bridges worlds that rarely intersect. He draws compelling parallels between military and medical cultures—both demanding heroism, suppressing vulnerability, and facing alarmingly high suicide rates. This insight led him to create Early Alert, an innovative suicide prevention system that texts regular wellness check-ins to vulnerable populations, connecting them with resources when needed.

Dr. McGann's work extends deeply into family dynamics, particularly through his organizations Parenting for Humans and Divorcing Dads. He challenges our focus on tactical parenting problems, instead emphasizing relationship quality: "The better the relationship, the easier everything is." His approach to supporting divorcing fathers addresses a critical gap in mental health services, noting that men experience significantly higher suicide rates during divorce than women, largely due to isolation and lack of support networks.

Perhaps most powerfully, Dr. McGann reframes our understanding of how divorce affects children. "What's bad for kids isn't divorce—it's conflict between parents," he explains, advocating for children to remain children during family transitions, not messengers, spies, or judges between warring parents. His practical guidance reminds us that self-care (particularly adequate sleep) forms the foundation for healthy relationships, and that small daily "deposits" of attention and respect build the connection children need to thrive.

Join us for this illuminating conversation about connection, mental health, and the profound impact of asking someone how they're doing—and caring enough to listen to their answer. Whether you're a parent, veteran, healthcare provider, or simply someone who values deeper human connection, Dr. McGann's insights will transform how you approach your most important relationships.

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Grief arrives without warning and stays without permission. After saying goodbye to Brady, my 16-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and faithful "workout warrior," I'm sharing this deeply personal episode from a raw, tender place of loss.

The bond between humans and their pets creates a unique kind of love—uncomplicated, steady, and honest. Brady wasn't just my dog; he was woven into the fabric of my daily existence. He was the first face greeting me when I opened the door, the loyal companion who looked directly into my eyes as if understanding every word, and the constant presence beside me during workouts. When such a powerful connection is severed, the silence becomes deafening.

Through tears and vulnerability, I offer gentle guidance for anyone navigating the grief of losing a beloved pet: Allow yourself to feel everything without judgment. Create small rituals to honor their memory. Lean on friends who understand. Most importantly, reject the arbitrary timelines society tries to impose on your healing journey. Those first days after losing Brady, my wellness routines faltered—I skipped workouts, chose comfort foods over nutrition, and that was perfectly okay. Sometimes self-compassion means giving yourself permission to simply survive rather than thrive.

Let this episode be a reminder that grieving a pet is valid, significant, and worthy of your patience. Our furry companions teach us about unconditional love in life, and in their absence, they teach us about grace. If you're walking this difficult path, I see you, I honor your loss, and I hope you'll join me in choosing wellness even in grief—not by forcing yourself back to "normal," but by carrying their love forward in everything you do.

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Navigating menopause often feels like entering uncharted territory with little guidance and too much conflicting information. In this candid conversation, Air Force veteran and fitness expert Dr. Maria Luque breaks through the silence and stigma surrounding midlife transitions, sharing wisdom gained from both her academic research and practical experience helping women thrive during menopause.

Dr. Luque reveals how she discovered her passion for fitness while serving in the military and how that eventually led to specializing in menopause health. She explains why so many women fail to recognize early menopause symptoms—anxiety, heart palpitations, and mood changes often appear before the more commonly known hot flashes and irregular periods. Both Cat and Dr. Luque share their frustrations with medical professionals who dismiss women's concerns with unhelpful "you're just getting older" responses, emphasizing why self-advocacy and finding knowledgeable providers is crucial.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when discussing body image during menopause. Dr. Luque introduces the concept of "grieving your former body" as an essential step toward acceptance, noting that most women don't realize they need this emotional processing. She explains why traditional approaches to fitness and weight management often backfire during menopause, leading many women to give up entirely. Instead, she advocates for "movement snacks" throughout the day and finding activities that bring joy rather than punishment.

What makes this episode particularly valuable is the practical wisdom shared between two fitness professionals who understand the real challenges women face. They discuss how to overcome the mindset barriers that keep women from trying new activities, why community support is vital during this transition, and how to approach physical wellness with curiosity instead of judgment. Their message is ultimately one of hope and possibility—the door to your best self isn't locked during midlife; it just needs to be approached differently.

Whether you're currently experiencing menopause, approaching it, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers refreshing insights that extend far beyond hormones and hot flashes into creating a meaningful, active life that honors your changing body and expanding wisdom.

https://www.fitnessinmenopause.com

Support the show

Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry

Your health is worth every penny – even when those pennies are in short supply. In today's economic climate, with recession talk swirling and financial pressures mounting, fitness often becomes the first casualty of budget cuts. But what if that's exactly the opposite of what we should do?

This eye-opening exploration challenges the mindset that wellness is expendable during financial hardship. While gym memberships, training sessions, and healthy food options may seem like obvious expenses to eliminate when money gets tight, the true cost of neglecting your health far exceeds any temporary savings. Think about it: we meticulously maintain our vehicles with regular washes and services but often treat our bodies as if good health is guaranteed rather than earned through consistent care.

The real financial comparison isn't between keeping or cutting your fitness budget today – it's between investing in prevention now versus paying for medical interventions later. As shared by many retirees who did everything right financially but neglected their health, spending your golden years paying for preventable health conditions is a steep price no one wants to pay. Instead of completely eliminating fitness from your life, consider creative alternatives: downgrade your gym membership, see your trainer less frequently, workout at home or outdoors, purchase smaller quantities of quality foods, and leverage free online resources. These adjustments allow you to maintain wellness momentum without breaking the bank.

Ready to recession-proof your fitness? Listen now to discover practical strategies that will keep you healthy and strong without financial strain. Remember, your future self will thank you for the investments you make in your health today – and some of the most valuable ones don't cost a thing.

Sign up for a FREE week of SSPilates classes: https://www.smallspacepilates.com/sspilates

Support the show