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Are you interested in sustainable weight loss? Have you been worried about your mental struggles around weight? In this episode we dive shaking off the shame around your body and wellness journey. Today, I talk with Sarah Stites. She is the co-founder and CEO of Wavelength, a modern program for healthy eating that combines personalized nutrition with mental health tools. She joins us today to share her personal journey around weight loss, she was diagnosed with PCOS and prediabetes as a teen, gaining 100lbs in a year. While diet programs relied on guilt and body shame, her mom — a PhD with a master’s degree in nutrition science — helped her take a more compassionate approach. That’s what she brings to us today. She is a fierce advocate for “more science, less blame,” and pleasure as an important part of health. We discuss body shaming, healthy weight loss, the mental struggle with body image and so much more. She shares the fact that shame keeps us from meeting our health goals, and the fact that willpower alone will literally never be enough to sustain weight loss. Enjoy!
Questions I asked:
- Where were you before getting weight loss surgery?
- Why did you get surgery?
- How did regaining weight after a weight loss surgery change your behavior?
- What was revealed about you when you were thin, and then when you were overweight?
- How can we help people feel better about themselves?
- What are the steps we can take to reduce shame?
- What have you learned about acceptance since you have gone on this journey?
- How does shame keep us from reaching our health goals?
- How did you take your value away from the number on the scale?
- Why did weight loss become a dirty word?
- Why is it that our willpower alone isn’t enough for sustained weight loss?
- What are your thoughts on intuitive eating and the anti-dieting trend?
- How can we hope to improve our health and navigate the confusing advice?
- What do you value in a person?
- What would you like to tell listeners about their value today?
- What would you like to say to anyone dealing with body shame?
- Where can people find you online?
Topics Discussed:
- Learning to love your body.
- Health at any size.
- Reducing shame around body size.
- Dealing with trauma.
- Diet mentality.
- Peer pressure.
- Shame cycles.
- Eating disorders.
Quotes from the show:
- “There was this feeling of shame that I couldn’t do what everyone was telling me to do – just go on a diet.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
- “So much of my value has nothing to do with what I look like.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
- “I had gained back almost all the weight I lost with surgery in one year.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
- “I was still the same person that I was before I lost the weight.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
- “If you fix one problem, you find another one. I had to change how I was relating to my body.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
- “My shame was so intense, I needed some steps before I got to letting go of it.” Sarah Stites @SisterhoodSweat
How you can stay in touch with Sarah:
How you can stay in touch with Linda:
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On this week's Motivation Monday, we're discussing the power in using our voices.
On this week's Let It Rip Friday, we're discussing the fact that achievement starts with deciding to try.
On this week's motivation Monday, we're discussing our dreams.
What happens when two people from completely different generations—each carrying their own hidden scars—find healing through an unexpected friendship?
In this powerful episode of The Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell sits down with rising young actor Luke David Blumm to talk about his role in the deeply moving new film The Optimist.
Luke shares insights from working on major projects like Where the Crawdads Sing, The King of Staten Island, and hit TV series including The Walking Dead, Watchmen, and The Sinner.
At the heart of today’s conversation is The Optimist, inspired by the true story of Holocaust survivor Herbert Heller—and the unexpected friendship that helps bring long-buried trauma into the light.
This episode explores intergenerational healing, resilience, and the profound transformation that happens when we are finally seen, heard, and understood.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode
- How storytelling can become a powerful tool for healing
- The emotional impact of portraying real-life trauma on screen
- Why intergenerational relationships can be deeply transformative
- The importance of listening—truly listening—to someone’s story
- How vulnerability creates connection, empathy, and growth
- Why preserving Holocaust survivor stories matters now more than ever
🎬 About The Optimist
The Optimist tells the extraordinary true story of Herbert Heller, who escaped the Auschwitz death march at just fifteen years old.
Through an unlikely bond with a younger generation, the film reveals how sharing painful truths can lead to healing—not just for individuals, but across generations.
This is a story of courage, compassion, and the life-changing power of being heard.
🎤 Key Themes from the Conversation
- “I’ll tell you about my scar if you tell me about yours.” — The courage to be vulnerable
- Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in connection
- Trauma may shape us, but it doesn’t have to define us
- Empathy bridges generational and emotional divides
🎸 More About Luke David Blumm
Beyond acting, Luke is also passionate about music, playing guitar and performing with his band—another creative outlet that fuels his artistry and emotional expression.
With multiple upcoming projects on the horizon, he is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most compelling young talents to watch.
🌐 Connect with Luke David Blumm
Stay up to date and follow Luke’s journey:
🎟️ Don’t Miss It
The Optimist opens in theaters nationwide on March 11.
If you’re looking for a film that will move you, challenge you, and remind you of the power of human connection—this is one you won’t want to miss.
Are you ready to understand menopause? Have you been worried about menopause? In this episode, we dive into learning the truth about menopause, perimenopause, and post-menopause. Today’s episode aims to give women the correct information in order to help more women embrace these changes, instead of fearing them.
In this episode, I talk with Shirley Weir, author and menopause expert, joins us to discuss the importance of navigating menopause with knowledge. She talks about her own experiences dealing with perimenopause and nutrition. She discusses why women don’t need to be afraid of menopause. We also discuss what people can expect in perimenopause and postmenopause, and what you can do to feel your best through the whole process. Shirley founded Menopause Chicks to create a community of knowledge and support for women dealing with menopause. We discuss the myths around menopause and the real truths that women need to know.
Questions I asked:
- What drove you to write your book?
- Was this your first book?
- What are your tips for people in perimenopause?
- What is menopause, perimenopause, and postmenopause?
- How can we beat the brain fog?
- How can we reduce our stress hormones?
- How do adrenal glands effect the body?
- Why did you throw a Menopause party?
- What was it like taking over Oprah’s twitter?
- Tell us about your private online community?
Topics Discussed:
- Using Dr. Google to get Support.
- What Mokita is about, and why it was important.
- Menopause does not mean getting old.
- Why being informed is so important.
- How to deal with perimenopause.
- How to accept your body.
- Embracing healthy menopause.
- Menopause is a wake-up call.
- How eating, moving and sleeping impacts your menopause.
Quotes from the show:
- “When we do talk about them, we feel better, we feel empowered.” @shirleyweir @SisterhoodSweat
- “I got in the best shape of my life when I was going through menopause.” @shirleyweir @SisterhoodSweat
- “My ultimate vision would be that every 35-year-old woman knows about perimenopause, and knows what to expect.” @shirleyweir @SisterhoodSweat
- “Get as informed about menopause as you possibly can.” @shirleyweir @SisterhoodSweat
- “Focus first on how we eat, move and sleep before you jump to the vitamin aisle.” @shirleyweir @SisterhoodSweat
How you can stay in touch with Shirley:
- http://www.menopausechicks.com
- Her TedX Talk
- https://twitter.com/shirleyweir
- Get The Book
- https://www.facebook.com/MenopauseChicks/?ref=br_rs
How you can stay in touch with Linda:
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My daily energy stems from mushrooms... mushroom coffee that is!
- Have you checked out Four Sigmatic yet? If you want a coffee that contains superfoods and adaptogens like rhodiola, eleuthero, and schisandra to help you live a healthier, more enhanced life, then you need Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee in your daily routine! Check out their products here and be sure to let me know what you think of it!
In this episode of The Sisterhood of Sweat, we sit down with conversation expert and storyteller Kalina Silverman, the creator of the global movement Make Big Talk and author of the new book Big Talk: How to Skip the Small Talk, Make Meaningful Connections, and Enrich Your Life.
Kalina’s journey started with something many people quietly experience—loneliness. While away at college, she realized she was surrounded by people yet still struggling to form meaningful friendships. Instead of accepting surface-level conversations, she began asking deeper questions that moved past small talk and opened the door to real connection.
That experiment turned into a viral video series and eventually a global movement encouraging people to ask better questions and build deeper relationships. Today, Make Big Talk events and conversations are happening around the world, helping people connect in a more authentic and human way.
Kalina’s work also took on a powerful new dimension in 2025 when she partnered with GoFundMe to highlight survivors of devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Traveling to burned neighborhoods and damaged homes, she asked one simple but powerful question: What did you lose?
The emotional conversations that followed introduced the world to survivors like Walt, Willie, and Dorothy. These raw, human stories spread across social media, generating millions of views and helping raise more than $2 million in donations for recovery efforts. The project earned Kalina a Shorty Impact Award for Emergency Relief storytelling.
With the release of her new book Big Talk, Kalina is helping people learn how to move beyond surface-level conversations and create deeper connections in friendships, relationships, work, and everyday life.
Her work has attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in media, including Maria Shriver, Anderson Cooper, and Katie Couric, who are all fans of her work and the powerful impact of meaningful conversation.
In this conversation, we explore why small talk often leaves people feeling disconnected, how asking better questions can transform relationships, and why authentic storytelling can create real change in communities.
What we discuss in this episode:
• Why small talk often keeps people feeling isolated
• How one question can unlock meaningful connection
• The moment Kalina realized deeper conversations change lives
• How Make Big Talk grew from a college idea into a global movement
• The emotional wildfire survivor stories that helped raise millions in relief
• Why meaningful conversations are more important than ever in a digital world
• Practical ways to connect with anyone—even if you’re shy or socially anxious
Kalina’s work reminds us that connection isn’t about saying the perfect thing. It’s about creating space for honesty, curiosity, and empathy.
If you’ve ever struggled with awkward conversations, felt lonely in a crowd, or wished relationships felt deeper and more meaningful, this episode will completely change how you think about talking to people.
Connect with Kalina Silverman
Buy the book Big Talk
https://www.makebigtalk.com/book
Make Big Talk Website
https://www.makebigtalk.com
Make Big Talk Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/makebigtalk
Big Talk Box of Questions
https://www.makebigtalk.com/bigtalkbox
Story of Hazel – The Dancing Woman
https://www.makebigtalk.com/hazel
Make Big Talk Disaster Relief Stories
https://www.makebigtalk.com/disaster-relief
Submit Your Story
https://www.makebigtalk.com/story-submission
In this episode of The Sisterhood of Sweat, we sit down with Elizabeth Gaines, Director of Education at Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN), to talk about burnout, stress physiology, and how unresolved emotional patterns can quietly drive chronic illness.
Elizabeth’s path into functional medicine began in survival mode.
For more than a decade, she worked in nonprofit trauma recovery, supporting victims of domestic minor sex trafficking. The emotional intensity and chronic stress eventually led to severe burnout and declining health. When conventional medicine dismissed her symptoms as psychological, she knew there had to be a deeper explanation.
That search led her to Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®, where she learned how to identify hidden stressors through advanced lab testing and personalized healing protocols. By addressing hormone imbalance, gut dysfunction, immune stress, and nervous system dysregulation, she was able to restore her own energy, clarity, and resilience.
Today, Elizabeth leads curriculum development, live practitioner training, and mentor education for one of the world’s most respected functional health certification programs. She now helps others break free from cycles of fatigue, co-dependency, chronic stress, and frustration.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
• Why burnout is biochemical — not just emotional
• How chronic stress disrupts hormones, digestion, immunity, and sleep
• The link between trauma, co-dependency, and physical dysfunction
• What functional lab testing can reveal that standard labs often miss
• Why “it’s all in your head” is one of the most damaging messages in healthcare
• How rewriting your personal narrative supports sustainable healing
• Building resilient, healthy communities that foster long-term wellbeing
Elizabeth blends lived experience with science-based insight, showing how stress physiology and personal story are deeply intertwined — and how healing becomes sustainable when both are addressed.
We have got free exclusive access to their “FDN Methodology in Action” case study series at https://fdntraining.com/
Connect with Elizabeth Gaines
🌿 Learn more about Functional Diagnostic Nutrition®
https://www.fdntraining.com
🌿 Explore Practitioner Training & Certification
https://www.fdntraining.com/certification-course
🌿 FDN on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/fdntraining
🌿 FDN on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/fdntraining
🌿 FDN on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@FDNTraining
This week on The Sisterhood of Sweat, we’re joined by Jordan Nolan — three-time Stanley Cup Champion turned actor — to talk about his transition from professional hockey to starring in the hit series Shoresy, now premiering Season 5 in the U.S.
Jordan shares insights from his NHL career, what it was like winning three championships, and how he stepped into the world of television — all while staying connected to his roots and giving back to First Nation communities.
🏒 About Shoresy – Season 5
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Premiere Date: February 21, 2026
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Streaming On: Hulu
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Episodes: 6 (All dropping at once)
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Synopsis: Shoresy and the Bulldogs fight to protect the North American game.
Created by and starring Jared Keeso, Shoresy is produced by Bell Media for Crave and distributed by New Metric Media.
🎭 Returning Cast Includes:
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Tasya Teles as Nat
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Blair Lamora as Ziigwan
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Keilani Rose as Miigwan
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Brandon Nolan
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Jordan Nolan
🏆 Jordan Nolan’s NHL Career
Jordan was selected 186th overall in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings and went on to win:
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🏆 Stanley Cup Champion – 2012
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🏆 Stanley Cup Champion – 2014
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🏆 Stanley Cup Champion – 2019
He also played for:
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Buffalo Sabres
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St. Louis Blues
Over his career, he appeared in 375 NHL games and was known for his physical, high-impact style of play.
Fun fact: Jordan and his brother Brandon Nolan are the sons of former NHL coach Ted Nolan.
🎬 From Ice to Acting
After retiring from professional hockey, Jordan stepped into acting, joining the cast of Shoresy and bringing authentic hockey grit to the screen. His role blends humor, intensity, and real locker-room chemistry — something only a true NHL veteran can deliver.
🔗 Watch & Follow
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📺 Stream Shoresy Season 5 on Hulu beginning February 21, 2026
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🎬 Created by Jared Keeso
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🎥 Produced by Bell Media & New Metric Media