Empowered + Well

Amanda & Lauren

Hi friends! Lauren & Amanda here. We are so excited to share our podcast, Empowered + Well! The platform will serve as a space for us to join forces and cover all things wellness for women. Together we bring you over 20 years of experience in the health & fitness space and we can't wait to share it all - with great guests along the way! Our goal is to empower you to find your strength so you can be truly unstoppable.

  1. 3 days ago

    Beyond the Physical: Finding God, Grace & Connection on the Mat with Cheryl Lovelace

    What if yoga could be about more than flexibility, strength, or movement? We're joined by Cheryl Lovelace, founder of Twisted Sister Yoga, a Christian yoga ministry based in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Since 2014, Cheryl has been creating spaces where women can move, breathe, slow down, and deepen their connection with God — both on and off the mat. Cheryl shares the story behind Twisted Sister Yoga and how her understanding of "yoga as ministry" has evolved over the years. We talk about what it means to move beyond the physical aspects of yoga and use the practice as an opportunity for stillness, gratitude, prayer, reflection, and connection. We talk about: Cheryl's journey and the story behind Twisted Sister Yoga What it means to view yoga as a ministry How Scripture, prayer, breathwork, and movement can come together Creating stillness in a world that constantly demands our attention Cheryl's offerings & upcoming retreats Our Takeaway Yoga doesn't have to be about achieving the perfect pose. Sometimes, the most meaningful part of the practice happens when we stop striving, become still, breathe deeply, and make space for connection — with ourselves, with others, and, for Cheryl and her community, with God. The invitation is to move beyond the physical and discover what can happen when movement becomes a pathway to stillness, gratitude, grace, and connection. Connect with Cheryl To learn more about Twisted Sister Yoga, Cheryl's classes, Sole to Soul retreats, and upcoming destinations, visit her website and follow her on social media. Website Instagram Loved this episode? If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a woman who might need the reminder to slow down, reconnect, and create a little more space for stillness in her life. And if you're enjoying Empowered + Well, be sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share the podcast with a friend. Your support helps us continue reaching more women with conversations that educate, inspire, and empower. Try two weeks free of Coach Lauren's online strength training program: https://package.everfit.io/OQ860017 Grab her free annual strength training guide for endurance athletes: https://settingthepacenj.lpages.co/strength-training-freebie/ Breast Cancer Thriver or caretaker looking for support? Check out Amanda's FREE guide: 5 Key Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @coachlaurenbrown | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project

    Beyond the Physical: Finding God, Grace & Connection on the Mat with Cheryl Lovelace
  2. 3 Sept

    Why Being Lighthearted Might Be Your Secret Weapon for Change - with Alyssa Christofalo

    Amanda and Lauren sit down with Amanda's best friend Alyssa Christofalo for a conversation that started as a fun catch-up and turned into a masterclass in taking chances. Alyssa opens up about losing her dad at 16, walking away from a stable hygienist career to go back to school, and how she talked herself into (and almost out of) the biggest leap of her life — all while pregnant with her first baby. This one's for anyone sitting on a decision, waiting to feel "ready" before they take the next step. Alyssa makes the case that you don't need certainty — you need to trust yourself enough to figure it out along the way. In this episode: How losing her father young reshaped Alyssa's entire outlook on risk Why she almost didn't quit her career — and what changed her mind The reframe that got her through the scariest decision of her life Why therapy isn't about "how does that make you feel" (and how to find the right fit) Breaking overwhelm into bite-sized, doable pieces Her advice to anyone waiting for the "perfect" moment to say yes Connect with Alyssa: Instagram @a_doc 💛 Loved This Episode? If this one made you laugh, nod along, or text a friend — please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more women who are ready to feel empowered in their health. Try two weeks free of Coach Lauren's online strength training program: https://package.everfit.io/OQ860017 Grab her free annual strength training guide for endurance athletes: https://settingthepacenj.lpages.co/strength-training-freebie/ Breast Cancer Thriver or caretaker looking for support? Check out Amanda's FREE guide: 5 Key Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @coachlaurenbrown | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project

    Why Being Lighthearted Might Be Your Secret Weapon for Change - with Alyssa Christofalo
  3. 27 Aug

    Reframing Wellness Goals: Why "How Do I Lose Fat" Is the Wrong Question

    Most people chasing "fat loss" are asking the wrong question. In this episode of Empowered & Well, Lauren and Amanda flip the script: instead of focusing on losing body fat, they make the case for focusing on building muscle — and why that mindset shift changes everything about how you train, eat, and age. They cover why muscle mass (not the number on the scale) should be the real goal, what's actually happening with cellulite and damaged fat cells, how strength training protects bone density and lowers cancer risk, and why "laying the foundation" now matters if health challenges ever come your way. They also break down nutrient timing in plain terms — when to eat carbs, when to prioritize protein, and how to fuel workouts without overthinking it — plus simple action steps you can start this week, whether you're brand new to strength training or ready to add more weight to the bar. In this episode: Why "how do I lose fat" is the wrong starting question The truth about cellulite and what strength training actually does for it Strength training's role in bone health, injury prevention, and cancer risk reduction A simple, practical way to think about nutrient timing This week's action steps for beginners and lifters alike See the difference: Normal vs. Osteoporotic Bone — a side-by-side comparison from the U.S. Surgeon General's report on bone health, showing how bone structure changes with osteoporosis. 💛 Loved This Episode? If this one made you laugh, nod along, or text a friend — please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more women who are ready to feel empowered in their health. Try two weeks free of Coach Lauren's online strength training program: https://invite.everfit.io/MUCMY00LSD Grab her free annual strength training guide for endurance athletes: https://settingthepacenj.lpages.co/strength-training-freebie/ Breast Cancer Thriver or caretaker looking for support? Check out Amanda's FREE guide: 5 Key Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @coachlaurenbrown | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project

    Reframing Wellness Goals: Why "How Do I Lose Fat" Is the Wrong Question
  4. 20 Aug ·  Video

    The Mouth-Body Connection: Why Oral Health Is About More Than Teeth

    What if your mouth could tell you more about your overall health than you realize? Today, we're taking a closer look at the powerful connection between oral health and whole-body wellness with Dr. Monica Atallah and Dr. K, co-founders of Aura Dental & Wellness. While we often think of dentistry as simply caring for our teeth and gums, our guests explain why the mouth can be an important part of the bigger health picture — from inflammation and oral bacteria to airway health, sleep, breathing, and even the way our bite can influence overall function. Dr. Monica brings her expertise in biological and integrative dentistry, with a focus on oral-systemic health, biocompatible materials, minimally invasive care, and addressing potential root causes. Dr. K specializes in esthetic and rehabilitative dentistry, TMJ treatment, airway-focused dentistry, and full-mouth rehabilitation, helping patients understand the relationship between their bite, breathing, sleep, and overall physiology. Together, they offer a fascinating look at how dentistry is evolving beyond treating problems after they occur and toward a more comprehensive, preventative approach to health. In This Episode, We Explore: What biological dentistry actually means and how it differs from conventional dentistry Why oral health shouldn't be viewed as separate from the rest of the body How nutrition and everyday habits can influence oral health and the oral microbiome Practical ways to support healthier teeth, gums, and overall oral wellness Connect With Dr. Monica & Dr. K Interested in learning more about biological dentistry, airway-focused care, and the mouth-body connection? Learn more about Aura Dental & Wellness and explore the work of Dr. Monica Atallah and Dr. K. Website - Aura Dental Wellness Instagram @auradentalandwellness   💛 Loved This Episode? IIf this conversation gave you a new perspective on your oral health — please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more women who are ready to feel empowered in their health. Try two weeks free of Coach Lauren's online strength training program: https://package.everfit.io/OQ860017 Grab her free annual strength training guide for endurance athletes: https://settingthepacenj.lpages.co/strength-training-freebie/ Breast Cancer Thriver or caretaker looking for support? Check out Amanda's FREE guide: 5 Key Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @coachlaurenbrown | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project Disclaimer: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to provide individual medical or dental advice. Always consult with your qualified healthcare or dental professional regarding your personal health needs.

    The Mouth-Body Connection: Why Oral Health Is About More Than Teeth
  5. 6 Aug

    Women's Health Hot Takes, Round Two: No Notes, No Filter

    What happens when two friends show up ready to record with a guest… and end up going rogue instead? This episode: round two of no notes, no guests, no filter. Lauren and Amanda pull up a fresh batch of trending health questions, off-the-wall hypotheticals, and some real talk — and just go for it. We cover everything from what our bodies would say if they could text us, to whether "protect your peace" has gone too far, to the health habits our moms and grandmas passed down that we still swear by — plus a few personal moments that got real, fast. We Discuss: What we'd tell our 20-something selves about our own health fears — and how wrong we were The wellness "rules" we secretly break all the time Off-the-wall hypotheticals that turned into real conversations about our bodies and priorities And so much more... 💛 Loved This Episode? If this one made you laugh, nod along, or text a friend — please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more women who are ready to feel empowered in their health. Try two weeks free of Coach Lauren's online strength training program: https://package.everfit.io/OQ860017 Grab her free annual strength training guide for endurance athletes: https://settingthepacenj.lpages.co/strength-training-freebie/ Breast Cancer Thriver or caretaker looking for support? Check out Amanda's FREE guide: 5 Key Strategies to Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @coachlaurenbrown | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project

    Women's Health Hot Takes, Round Two: No Notes, No Filter
  6. 11 Jun

    Running Back to Yourself — Nervous System, Identity & the Mom Who Needs a Mile

    What happens when motherhood completely shifts your identity — and you lose yourself in the process? This week, Lauren and Amanda sit down with Tricia Lesnevich-Callahan, a certified run coach, Boston Marathon qualifier, two-time Ironman finisher, and mom of three, including a 19-year-old daughter with autism. Tricia shares her deeply honest journey — from putting her career dreams on hold, to falling into depression, to finding her way back to herself through running and community. What started as survival became a calling: she now works with moms, especially moms of children with special needs, to help them regulate their nervous systems and reclaim their identity through run-walk programs. We Discuss: The identity loss that no one prepares you for when you become a special needs caregiver How running pulled Tricia out of a depression she didn't even realize she was in Why chronic fight-or-flight is so common for special needs parents — and how rhythmic movement helps regulate it How racing proved to Tricia she was stronger than she knew — and how that carried her through the hardest days at home Navigating mom guilt (spoiler: it never fully goes away — but here's how to work through it) How to start when you're overwhelmed, exhausted, and the idea of running feels impossible The "fill your bucket" principle — and why you can't give from empty And so much more... 🎙️ Connect with Tricia: Instagram: @trixncor (5-minute morning ritual freebie dropping soon — check her bio!) 💛 Loved This Episode? If this conversation resonated with you — or you know someone who has ever lost themselves in a role and wondered how to find their way back — please share it, subscribe, and leave us a review. It helps us reach more women who are ready to come home to themselves. Connect With Us: Lauren Brown | Instagram: @settingthepacenj | Website Amanda Gargiulo | Instagram: @amanda.gargiulo | Website Follow us on Instagram: @empoweredandwell_podcast Follow us on YouTube: Empowered Wellness Project

    Running Back to Yourself — Nervous System, Identity & the Mom Who Needs a Mile

About

Hi friends! Lauren & Amanda here. We are so excited to share our podcast, Empowered + Well! The platform will serve as a space for us to join forces and cover all things wellness for women. Together we bring you over 20 years of experience in the health & fitness space and we can't wait to share it all - with great guests along the way! Our goal is to empower you to find your strength so you can be truly unstoppable.