Episode Description:

Transitions—big or small—have a way of shaking up everything we thought we had figured out. In this solo episode, I’m opening up about a deeply personal season of change—from healing after surgery to embracing motherhood through surrogacy after a long and challenging fertility journey. I’m not just sharing the milestones—I’m talking about the messy middle, the identity shifts, and what it really means to stay grounded when everything around you is changing.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re supposed to “have it all together” in the middle of a life transition, this one’s for you.

• Redefine what balance looks like in your current season—because what worked before may not work now, and that’s more than okay.

• Simplify your nutrition with realistic, feel-good meals that support energy, healing, and clarity (no perfection required).

• Shift your movement mindset: consistency over intensity, and curiosity over pressure.

• Build simple rituals—like journaling, breathwork, or stepping outside—that help anchor you when life feels chaotic.

• Protect your energy (especially online), set boundaries, and give yourself full permission to curate what you consume.

No one teaches us how to care for ourselves when the ground is shifting. But we can learn to respond with gentleness, presence, and a few small habits that make a big difference. You don’t have to be thriving to be growing—and self-care doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective.

If you’ve read The Little Book of Game Changers, you’ll recognize a few of these small-but-mighty habits that I keep coming back to—especially in seasons where everything feels uncertain. And if you’ve read The Farewell Tour, you’ll hear echoes of the lessons I learned about caring for others and for myself when life takes unexpected turns. This episode pulls from both.

Tune in, take what you need, and if this episode speaks to you, pass it along to someone who might need it too.

Curious about surrogacy? This article from the Cleveland Clinic offers a great overview:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/23186-gestational-surrogacy

You can also stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com

👉 If you like what you hear, leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts HERE

YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/cku9PvQAokc

Episode Description:

It’s easy to tell ourselves we’ll move “when things calm down.” But let’s be honest—life rarely slows down on its own.

In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the all or nothing mindset that keeps so many of us from moving our bodies in a way that actually feels supportive. Whether you're in a busy season, feeling low on energy, or just trying to figure out how movement can realistically fit into your day, this is your reminder that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

We’ll explore why movement is more than a tool for physical health. It’s a way to reset, refocus, and reconnect with yourself. And yes, even five minutes counts.

If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just plain tired, this episode is full of gentle encouragement to help you rethink your approach and make movement work for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Reframe your relationship with exercise by focusing on how it makes you feel, not how it should look.

• Let go of the pressure to do long workouts—small, consistent movement adds up.

• Discover simple ways to find time to move, even on your busiest days.

• Use physical activity as a tool to boost energy and work through stress or emotion.

• Make movement feel approachable and aligned with your current season of life.
  
  

Movement doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes the win is simply showing up. Let this be your invitation to move with kindness, with curiosity, and most of all, with the reminder that you're allowed to make space for yourself—even in the busiest seasons.

If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts HERE.

Stay connected with me on Instagram @jesscording and over on Substack at jessicacording.substack.com

YouTube Link 👉 https://youtu.be/em4CLY8T3Gg

📌Make sure to check out Maggie’s new book ‘The MIND Diet: A Scientific Approach to Enhancing Brain Function’ https://amzn.to/4je5NPt

📌 Also check out The United States of Arugula https://amzn.to/3Qvw0Me

👉 In this episode of the Drama Free Healthy Living, Maggie Moon, a Columbia University-educated, culinary school-trained registered dietitian, and bestselling author, shares her journey and expertise in nutrition focused on brain health.

We delve into the principles of the brain health focused diet, which combines elements of the Mediterranean and DASH diets tailored to enhance brain function.

The discussion covers the diet's practical application, its flexibility in accommodating cultural and individual preferences, and its broad array of food recommendations. We also address common misconceptions about dietary fats, alcohol, and the importance of balance and psychological safety in dietary patterns. Throughout, Maggie offers practical tips for incorporating mind diet principles into simple everyday meals.

🖋️ Some key points

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome

(00:24) Maggie's Background and Achievements

(01:39) The Mind Diet Overview

(02:33) Maggie's Journey to Becoming a Dietitian

(03:57) Brain Health and the Mind Diet

(07:19) Implementing the Mind Diet

(17:42) Cultural Adaptations and Practical Tips

(24:27) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

🌎 Connect with Maggie Moon

Website https://maggiemoon.com/
https://minddietmeals.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/minddietmeals/?hl=en
LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggiemoon


🌎 Connect with Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, IFNCP

JessicaCordingNutrition.com

Instagram / Facebook

Author of The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep, and

The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety and (Viva Editions)

and

The Farewell Tour: A Caregiver's Guide To Stress Management, Sane Nutrition, and Better Sleep

🎤 Podcast post-production by Seamless Multimedia

YouTube 👉 https://youtu.be/2QjjQk9FWrA

If you like what you hear, leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts HERE.

Connect with me on IG @jesscording