Podcast
It Has to Be Me
Hosted by Tess Masters · EN
What are your “It has to be me” moments? Those key points in your life where you know “This is what I want to do” and you go for it! I’m Tess Masters and I’m getting the skinny from people who are smashing their fears and doubts to make the things they want happen. Let’s dive in, get fired up, and go after your next “It Has To Be Me!”
27episodes
Episodes
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What’s The Story You’re Sharing? The Perspective Of A Filmmaker | 094
Feb 1901:22:11Tap to summarizeWe explore the value of storytelling and amplifying other voices with photographer and filmmaker Deborah Anderson.She takes us back to her childhood, and her father’s ability to captivate her with stories. Inspired by his work as a musician, she sang on his albums and performed at the Royal Albert Hall before she was 10. This early imprint shaped how she sees creativity: an organic weaving of stories in various mediums.Deborah leads us through the labyrinth of her career, from breaking out with solo albums, to collaborations with DJ Shadow, to clothing design in London and Paris, and then into photography. When a craftsman who’d developed film for a legendary photographer recognized her work, something clicked, and she saw her path was in capturing images of people.Planning a portrait exhibition at the Leica gallery in Los Angeles led her to South Dakota. She spent months with Lakota women and made the documentary Women of the White Buffalo. What had begun as a photo show became a divine detour, with Deborah traveling and interviewing women from indigenous communities worldwide for her latest project, The Lost Language Of Her.Listening to elders who speak the language of spirit and nature we safeguard feminine wisdom and legacy. Through this shared storytelling, we connect in ways that transcend language and culture.Deborah’s story reminds us that it’s not a straight path or a solo journey. And sometimes, It Has To Be Me is really It Has To Be Them.TESS’S TAKEAWAYSProvoking thought and moving us into action, art can be a messenger of change.Creativity in any medium has a common thread—the artist’s perspective.The expectation that art is selfless negates the inevitability of perspective.Admitting there will be perspective enables celebration of multiple perspectives.Ancient and indigenous stories connect us with spirit, nature, and the divine feminine.Self-doubt is intrinsically feminine, and pushes us to go beyond where we’ve been.Lean into your dynamism. Trust in the magic of your offer.Trust in your capability, and never stop refining your craft.ABOUT DEBORAH ANDERSONFilmmaker and photographer Deborah Anderson has spent the last decade amplifying the voices of women and indigenous communities, exploring identity, memory, and healing.Her documentary about Lakota women preserving their culture, Women Of The White Buffalo, received critical acclaim, including Best Feature Documentary film at the Red Nation Film Festival, Best Director of a documentary at the LA Independent Women Film Awards, and four accolades at the Idyllwild International Film Festival. She also champions women’s stories in the feature Aroused and the short films My Revolution with Eve Ensler and Rosario Dawson and Rise with Thandie Newton for the One Billion Rising organization.Deborah’s photographs have appeared on covers of albums by Pink and other artists, and been featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, and exhibited around the world, including at the Leica Galleries which hosted her Women Of The White Buffalo portrait series.The central aim of her work is to bear witness and build bridges, provoking audiences to imagine a more compassionate and connected future.CONNECT WITH DEBORAHWebsite: https://deborahanderson.com/Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_AndersonWomen Of The White Buffalo: https://womenofthewhitebuffalo.com/The ORA Pathway: https://theorapathway.com/My Revolution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL36jjF6-DIInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/deborahandersoncreativeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-anderson-6825b7354/MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Simplicity, Creativity, and Ritual | 093
Feb 1201:22:06Tap to summarizeAre you in the driver’s seat of your story? Shiva Rose reflects on how she leveraged her everyday experiences to create a successful company and build a more diverse and fulfilling life.We trace Shiva’s career from actress to wellness writer to skincare entrepreneur. A public divorce and life-threatening autoimmune conditions forced her to seek major life change. The power of food, a renewed relationship with nature and spirit, and ancient rituals became vital allies in her healing journey.Learning to trust her body and intuition and stay open to transformation helped her recognize the unique medicine she possessed. She takes us inside how food and the alchemy of herbs awakened her senses. But, it was tea ceremonies that helped quieten her mind, and taught her patience and presence. Ritual, Shiva says, keeps us focused and grounded, especially when life takes a destabilizing turn.We celebrate the arts as a powerful tool for nurturing connection with self and others, and explore creativity as a living force that doesn’t disappear when circumstances change—we give it new forms. Shiva urges us to stay in the dream state, not to escape reality but to meet it.Her call: You are the writer, director, and producer of your story. Decide that it will be extraordinary.TESS’S TAKEAWAYS:Living creatively is about leaning into curiosity, possibility, and discovery.Chronic illness can be a doorway into listening, not just symptom management.Healing begins when you listen, engage, and activate your own medicine.Seek out the wisdom, power, and unique medicine of women.Connection with nature and spirit move grief and emotion when words fall short.Rejection is often just bad timing, not a judgment of readiness or worth.Suffer what there is to suffer and enjoy what there is to enjoy.Making each moment intentional creates extraordinary lives in everyday realms.ABOUT SHIVA ROSEShiva Rose is the author of Whole Beauty and founder of the natural skincare company Shiva Rose Beauty.Life-threatening autoimmune diseases prompted her pursuit of healing through clean living. To document her journey, she started a lifestyle website, The Local Rose. Her skincare line evolved from that. Shiva is also passionate about Kundalini practice and the Chinese way of tea, Cha Dao.Through her two courses, The Power Of Lunar Energy and The Waterways Of The Feminine Mystique, she helps women connect with nature and spirit.She lives with her daughter and her partner in the mountains of New Mexico and the hills of Texas.CONNECT WITH SHIVAShiva Rose: https://www.shivarose.com/Shiva Rose Beauty: https://www.thelocalrose.com/Whole Beauty: https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Beauty-Rituals-Lifelong-Wellness/dp/1579657729/Substack: https://thehouseofmagdalena.substack.com/Courses: https://shivarose.podia.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localroseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivarosebeauty/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/localroseLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiva-rose-79b62249/MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Sketch by Sketch: Process Your Emotions Through Creativity | 092
Feb 501:57:15Tap to summarizeSheila Darcey’s Sketch By Sketch changed my life. So, we’re talking about the book, and how the daily sketch practice she’s developed for herself and thousands of others helps us process emotions when words fall short.And before you back away with “I can’t even draw a stick figure” (like I did), hold on. This isn’t about drawing or creating art, it’s about connecting with your unconscious wisdom to create marks of free expression that precede and transcend language.Sheila starts her story with the fear of flying that became her doorway to sketching, not just as an artistic pursuit, but as a somatic tool. This daily practice became an effective way to get out of her head and into her body, process trauma, and build a sense of safety that other methods hadn’t provided.Having grown up in an environment distorted by addiction and fear, Sheila recalls how creativity helped expand her emotional vocabulary, and reconnect with parts of herself she had abandoned. We talk about childhood survival, and how many of us disconnect from our bodies simply to cope. Leaning into curiosity and creativity help dissolve the judgment that gets in the way of compassion.We cover why sketching with a pen not a pencil helps us beat back perfectionism and performance, and leap into the unknown. Through sketching, we can transmute shame and other oppressive emotions into feelings that strengthen possibility.Sheila invites us to reframe boredom, rest, stillness, imagination, and innovation, and consider our generational and energetic imprints. Healing is not about fixing ourselves, but about relating to ourselves differently.Sheila’s key point: Creativity is not a luxury but a necessity.TESS’S TAKEAWAYSCreativity expands our emotional lexicon.Creativity helps us connect to the parts of ourselves we’ve ignored or abandoned.Part of the creative process is leaping into the unknown and inviting co-creation.Sketching can be a therapeutic practice to identify and process thoughts and emotions.Sketching can be a daily embodiment practice like meditation or yoga.Sketching is fast and loose—you don’t have to get attached.“Letting go” is not an act of releasing, but accepting what has been there.Sketches are modern-day hieroglyphics—marks that transcend language.ABOUT SHEILAFounder of SketchPoetic®, and author of Sketch By Sketch, artist Sheila Darcey teaches a transformational sketching practice that enables people to access emotional healing through intuitive expression.Sheila created the Living Canvas Foundation™, a nonprofit supporting healing, connection, and social impact through creativity. She serves as its executive director.Through her art, workshops, community-based art initiatives, and innovative use of technology, Sheila creates spaces where people can access their creativity as a pathway to connect with emotions and gain personal insight.Her work bridges art, wellness, and consciousness, tapping into personal and collective storytelling, and is rooted in the belief that every life is a dynamic canvas.CONNECT WITH SHEILASketch Poetic®: https://www.sketchpoetic.com/Living Canvas Foundation™: https://livingcanvasfoundation.org/Sketch By Sketch Book: https://www.amazon.com/Sketch-Creative-Emotional-Transformation-SketchPoetic/dp/1250773873/Substack: https://sheiladarcey.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sketchpoetic/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingcanvasfoundation/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livingcanvasfoundationMEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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When the World Gets Unstable, Turn to Stories | 091
Jan 2900:38:43Tap to summarizeIn unstable times like these, it’s easy to harden, retreat, or get swept up in fear and shouting. Instead of being part of destructive narratives, find clarity and perspective in stories—in books, poetry, theater, film, TV, music, and your own life. I reflect on my childhood and the values my parents instilled—curiosity, compassion, asking questions, and imagining life through someone else’s eyes. My mom and dad encouraged storytelling as a way to explore challenging ideas without needing certainty or agreement. In adulthood, stories help me hold confusion and overwhelm, understand my experience and those of others, and connect with what matters most.Inviting us into lives we haven’t lived and perspectives we don’t yet understand, stories invite us to practice empathy toward understanding. Connecting with characters and situations soften our certainty, and remind us of our shared humanity.In this episode, I share recent experiences that have done that for me. From a Jacob Collier concert that turned thousands of strangers into willing collaborators, to shows like Schitt’s Creek and Heated Rivalry that remind us of our capacity to connect with people who are not like us. Be invested in the diversity of stories, including your own. Stay curious and risk talking with people who think differently, even if it provokes their hostility. Hear them out. Dare to be wrong. Allow yourself to be surprised, not by their views, but their willingness to have a civil conversation. Storytelling can soften your edges, and those of others. Someone has to make the first move. Decide—It Has To Be Me. TESS’S TAKEAWAYSStories invite empathy and understanding without force or persuasion.Stories help us hold complexity without shutting down.Curiosity keeps us connected. It changes our minds and perspectives.Listening is an act of resistance to outrage.Share your stories and take in the stories of those who think differently. Be kind as a quiet form of courage.You can learn from someone without agreeing with them.We build community through shared humanity, not shared opinions.MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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The Antidote To Overwhelm | 090
Jan 2200:55:45Tap to summarizeIt’s the Year of the Horse. Are you going to be a rocking horse, going back and forth and staying in the same place? Or a champion—sharp and focused, determined to win the race?Easier said than done. In this episode, I share how I had decided to shut the podcast down, because I felt like an imposter, that I’d been too ambitious, and bitten off more than I could chew!I recall tools shared by our guests to combat fear and overwhelm, and which ones worked for me. In the end, I realized we don’t always need to spend time and money correcting course. Often, it just takes the right person saying the right thing at the right time to shift your perspective.What got me back in the game was trusting myself to do my own triage, and choosing the strategies that felt right. Two mantras I embraced help me enjoy the work, not just obsess about the result.Just because you don’t know how it’s going to happen, doesn’t mean it’s not possible.Spoiler: Self-doubt and self-belief are both needed to create anything of value.If you’re waiting for the perfect time to go after your It Has To Be Me, you’ll be waiting forever.TESS’S TAKEAWAYSIt’s a puzzle, not a problem. If you want to, you can figure it out.Don’t be overwhelmed or depleted by your “to do” list—be energized by it.When faced with an overwhelming task, imagine the feeling of having done it.Worrying is like a rocking horse. It has motion, but gets you nowhere.There are a finite amount of yes’s and an infinite amount of no’s. Choose them wisely.A compassionate no is a gift for you and the other person.Stay in the race. Most people give up right before they cross the finish line.Give your imperfect offering. The right people can handle it. The wrong people never will.MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Fatty Liver Disease—What Everyone Needs To Know | 089
Jan 1501:30:48Tap to summarizeFatty Liver Disease is an epidemic—1 in 3 people has it and many don’t know they do. Dr. Ibrahim Hanouneh, leading hepatologist and co-author of Skinny Liver and Regenerative Health, tells us what we need to know so we can avoid fatty liver or reverse it. We track his career from early medical training in Syria and England to cutting-edge work at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Hanouneh shares how the liver’s extraordinary ability to regenerate brought him into the study of the liver, then breaks down the progression of liver disease in an accessible—and hopeful—way.We discuss the critical role of the liver, the metabolic health crisis affecting 90% of people, the root causes of fatty liver in both adults and children, and how the disease is linked to heart attacks and strokes. From there, we cover risk factors we can control, those we can’t, and why women over 40 and adults with obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea are at particularly high risk. Dr. Hanouneh explains the non-specific symptoms of “the silent disease,” the five criteria for metabolic syndrome, and how to get tested for fatty liver. He addresses the four metabolic types, why BMI is outdated, and how “skinny fat” is the real medical risk.Stressing the importance of prevention and early detection, Dr. Hanouneh shares the impact of diet, sleep, and stress, the best exercise to reduce fat in your liver, and proven food and lifestyle strategies. Next up: the common supplements, detox products, and over-the-counter medications that are causing liver damage, and why a daily cup of black coffee may be exactly what you need. For those diagnosed with liver disease: We get into the latest studies, what we need to know about the two FDA-approved medications, timelines for recovery, and exciting new developments with transplants. The key takeaway: When you catch it early and make strategic lifestyle changes, fatty liver is 100% reversible. Don’t miss this episode so you know exactly what to do. TESS’S TAKEAWAYSFatty liver has surpassed alcohol as the leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer. What causes fatty liver is a high intake of carbs and sugar—not necessarily fat. Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver are linked—having one increases risk for the other. Sleep apnea and chronic stress both accelerate fatty liver through inflammation. Children are developing fatty liver due to diet and sugary drinks, obesity, and diabetes. Fatty Liver was renamed from NAFLD to MASLD to reflect its metabolic origins. Knowing your metabolic type enables detection and tailored treatment for fatty liver.Rezdiffra and Wegovy are FDA-approved drugs for treating fatty liver disease. ABOUT DR. IBRAHIM HANOUNEHDr. Hanouneh completed his residency in internal medicine and fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at the Cleveland Clinic, and served on staff there before attending patients at the Mayo Clinic and joining the Board Of Directors at MNGI Digestive Health. Co-author of the books Skinny Liver and Regenerative Health, Dr. Hanouneh has spent much of his career working with liver disease, with particular expertise in studies relating to fatty liver. He has presented at national and international conferences, and authored over 70 papers and numerous abstracts. CONNECT WITH DR. HANOUNEHWebsite: https://www.mngi.com/provider/ibrahim-hanouneh-mdSkinny Liver book: https://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Liver-Program-Prevent-Epidemic-Fatty/dp/0738234648/Regenerative Health book: https://www.amazon.com/Regenerative-Health-Discover-Metabolic-Renew/dp/0306830159/MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Better Weight Health - With or Without a GLP-1 Medication | 088
Jan 802:09:27Tap to summarizeWant to lose weight but don’t know whether a GLP-1 medication is right for you? Ashley Koff, dietitian and author of Your Best Shot, explains the links between gut health, blood sugar, hormones, and metabolism, and how we can achieve and maintain our goal weight, with or without the Shot.We start with Ashley’s own struggle with weight, from belly awareness as a kid and dieting in high school and college, to obsessive exercise, extreme fads, and even a goat’s-milk cleanse! Finally, a gastroenterologist provided a real solution: First, focus on digestion. The results were life-changing. Ashley became a dietitian, building on that approach. She recognized, before the GLP-1s came along, the impact of weight-health hormones—"the Switch"—on blood sugar and appetite, and the connection between these hormones and gut health. She fine-tuned her system, and treated patients with huge success.From there she walks us through the science—the difference between the Switch and GLP-1 medications that replace these hormones, ”The Shot.” We weigh the benefits and side effects of medications, and how to titrate off them and maintain your results. Covering what you need to know to establish and maintain a healthy weight, Ashley says it's not just about losing weight, it's about optimizing your weight health.What's “Your Best Shot”? Assess and decode your body’s signals, then create a personalized action plan to fit your specific situation and needs. We talk through that process and what a plan might look like, common pitfalls in formulating a strategy, the skinny on supplements, and why doctors are not always the best guides.The great news: You can control your weight health more than you think.TESS’S TAKEAWAYSYour body is an ecosystem, and needs optimized resources to run better.To optimize weight health start with improving digestion and gut health.The body produces hormones that act as “the Switch” to regulate appetite and blood sugar.GLP-1s can reduce food noise, regulate blood sugar, and support weight loss.GLP-1 medications are a hormone-replacement therapy—and suppress the Switch.The medications also can cause dehydration, digestive problems, and other health issues.Titrating off a GLP-1 medication without improving digestion can result in rebound weight gain.Willpower is a fake muscle that does not play a role in effective weight management.ABOUT ASHLEYAuthor of Your Best Shot, Ashley Koff, RD is the founder of The Better Nutrition Program (BNP), the Nutrition Course Director for UC Irvine’s Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute's Integrative and Functional Medicine Fellowship. Also a faculty member at the Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy, she teaches the IFNA course “An Integrative and Functional Nutrition Approach to Obesity and Weight Management.”A go-to nutrition expert on the Today Show, Good Morning America, and others, Ashley was among CNN’s Top 100 Health Makers, InStyle magazine’s Hollywood Nutritionist, and a Global Wellness Ambassador for Westin Hotels.As a practitioner and business owner, Ashley makes her mission providing personalized nutrition solutions and helping people identify their needs to make “better, not perfect” choices toward their health goals.CONNECT WITH ASHLEYWebsite: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/Your Best Shot: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Best-Shot-Personalized-Health_GLP-1/dp/0063444186/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleykoffapprovedInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleykoffapproved/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-koff-rd-11b6196/GLP-1 Weight Health Hormone Assessment: https://thebetternutritionprogram.com/glp1-weight-health-hormone-assessment/?utm_source=the-blender-girl&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ybsMEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs.Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others.Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com.CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think.Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app.Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Transpersonal Therapy—The Stories We Carry | 058
Jun 12, 202501:13:43Tap to summarizePete Coles, transpersonal counselor and somatic practitioner, shares how listening in an embodied way to grief, anxiety, and other overwhelming emotions softens self-judgment and shame. He tells us about his journey, from working musician to therapist for adolescents dealing with drug and alcohol addiction. Seven years in this work led to burnout. A 600-km trek through the Tasmanian wilderness brought him to a deeper, more holistic relationship with healing. Pete transitioned into working with adults, integrating somatics to enhance trust, body listening, and self awareness. We discuss the significance of family narratives and inherited personality traits. Understanding those, we can explore our internal landscapes with curiosity and compassion, recognize destructive patterns, and move to deeper understanding of ourselves and others. Pete offers insights into relationship dynamics, and how conflict is often a collision with events in the past. He says: Slow down and listen to your body. Honor the discomfort that arises—not as a problem, but as a signal that there’s something to take care of. This conversation will move you beyond words. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: Rather than trying to solve reality in your mind, listen and care for your body. Somatic practices expand how we meet ourselves and others. Reframing problems as puzzles shifts our responses to disruptions. Give anxiety, sadness, and other overwhelming emotions seats at the table. Grief is a meticulous and sacred journey that heals and builds resilience. Observing yourself with curiosity expands inner dialogue and choices. In taking responsibility for our inner stories, we can move from conflict to resolution. Knowing your internal myth leads to greater compassion for yourself. ABOUT PETE COLES A transpersonal psychotherapist with extensive experience in drug and alcohol addiction, Pete has a nuanced understanding of mental health, compulsive behavior, and trauma. In his therapeutic approach, he integrates somatic awareness, helping people connect with their bodies and explore internal myths and formative stories that shape perceptions and behaviors. Pete also supports clients in the safe use of psychoactive plants in their therapy. Specializing in relationship dynamics, Pete works with couples to uncover how personal narratives intersect, guiding them toward greater clarity and connection. As co-founder of Elk & Me Therapies and Dispensary, Pete works with a complementary team to offer a holistic and integrative approach to mental health and wellbeing. CONNECT WITH PETE Website: https://elkandme.com.au/practitioners/pete-coles/ Website: https://www.emotionalintellect.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkandme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkMeTherapiesDispensary/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-coles-125879a2/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Acupuncture and The Five Elements of Chinese Medicine | 057
Jun 5, 202501:08:38Tap to summarizeDr. Ava Roubin takes us inside the power of Chinese medicine and acupuncture, the value of integrating Eastern and Western healing practices, and how she combined different modalities to build her unique treatment approach. We retrace the path that’s made Ava a renowned practitioner. The journey forked when she walked away from the final exam to complete her medical degree. Feeling “too young” to be a doctor, she set off on a self-directed apprenticeship, traveling around the country as a massage therapist. With more life lessons under her belt, she completed her degree plus an additional five years of Chinese herbal medicine. An internship in Shanghai expanded her practice, and she felt ready to open her clinic and dispensary in Australia. Giving us an overview of the 5 elements of Chinese medicine, Ava covers how your constitutional type serves as a guide to nourish your body, reset physical and emotional imbalances, and restore vitality. We dive into how acupuncture balances energy and supports recovery, enabling an embodied connection and understanding of self. Ava explains her unconventional choice to incorporate massage into sessions as a way of opening deeper healing and communication. Acknowledging the significance of ancestral trauma and inherited narratives, she highlights the importance of working with our internal rhythms, seasons in nature, and the cycle of the day. Whether you’re familiar with Chinese medicine or curious about it, Dr. Ava will rock your world. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: An integration of Eastern and Western medicine can enhance patient care. The five elements of Chinese medicine shed light on emotional and physical health. Healing is a collaboration between practitioner and client. Acupuncture creates a bridge between the body and the external world. Physical touch and massage facilitate deep communication and healing. Cycles of nature and of the day influence our own rhythms and healing processes. Chinese medicine acknowledges inherited cycles and ancestral trauma. You don’t have to feel “ready” to begin. Wisdom often comes through practice. ABOUT DR. AVA ROUBIN, MA, CMD A practitioner of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Ava Roubin has decades of experience in the healing arts. She set out on her path as a massage therapist, and evolved to a clinical and spiritual practice rooted in acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, and psychosomatic holistic care. With a Bachelor of Health Science in Chinese Medicine from Victoria University, with a double major in acupuncture and herbal medicine, Ava completed her clinical internship at Shuguan Hospital in Shanghai. It was there that she gained experience combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine in gynecology, oncology, internal medicine, and acupuncture. Ava’s work with Five Element Acupuncture draws from ancient Taoist wisdom to support profound emotional, physical, and spiritual transformation. As co-founder of Elk & Me Therapies and Dispensary, Ava works with a team of multi-modality practitioners helping clients connect with their innate healing capacity. CONNECT WITH DR. AVA ROUBIN Website: https://elkandme.com.au/practitioners/ava-roubin/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elkandme/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElkMeTherapiesDispensary/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ava-roubin-98930456/ MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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Smoothie Secrets: Blend Like a Pro | 056
May 29, 202501:00:54Tap to summarizeTired of the same smoothies? Up your game with tips from my cookbooks. As The Blender Girl, I’ve spent decades crafting thousands of recipes for my websites, nutrition programs, restaurants, hotels, and food and lifestyle companies. Now, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about making shakes with the wow factor. I’ll walk you through my six steps to sensational smoothies: from thinking outside the box with liquids, choosing the right fruits and veggies, achieving super creamy textures, unexpected leafy greens beyond spinach and kale, to using herbs, spices, extracts, and superfoods to boost flavor and nutrition. You’ll also learn about incorporating flavored ice, frozen veggies, juices, herbal teas, fermented beverages, and citrus zest to take your shakes to the next level. And get the wildest and most delicious flavor pairings that will make you weak in the knees. We’ll cover how to avoid the common pitfalls: Strategies for preventing blood sugar spikes, bloating, reflux, and the dreaded chill in winter. Plus how to bring back vibrant colors and flavors when your blend looks like swamp water, and secrets for fixing flavor flops! Last and not to be missed: Why protein powders are one of the worst things to add to shakes. Join me for the ultimate smoothie masterclass. TESS’S TAKEAWAYS: The best smoothies deliver fabulous flavor and balanced nutrition. Add protein and fats to balance the carbs and avoid blood sugar spikes. Skip protein powders made with isolates and use whole foods for better nutrition. Boost flavor and nutrient density with herbs, spices, and superfoods. Experiment with unusual ingredients and pairings for unexpected taste sensations. Go beyond spinach and kale. Try other leafy greens in shakes. Add frozen raw veggies to boost smoothies—without altering taste. Rather than gulping, sip smoothies slowly to support better digestion. MEET TESS MASTERS: Tess Masters is an actor, presenter, health coach, cook, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend, published by Penguin Random House. She is also the creator of the Skinny60® health programs. Health tips and recipes by Tess have been featured in the LA Times, Washington Post, InStyle, Prevention, Shape, Glamour, Real Simple, Yoga Journal, Yahoo Health, Hallmark Channel, The Today Show, and many others. Tess’s magnetic personality, infectious enthusiasm, and down-to-earth approach have made her a go-to personality for people of all dietary stripes who share her conviction that healthy living can be easy and fun. Get delicious recipes at TheBlenderGirl.com. CONNECT WITH TESS: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Delicious Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessmasters/ Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed this conversation and think others would benefit from listening, share this episode. And, please post your comments or questions below. I’d love to hear what you think. Subscribe to the podcast. Get automatic updates so you never miss an episode. Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast app. Leave a review on Apple podcasts. Ratings and reviews from listeners help our podcast rank higher so it can reach more people. Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
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