Body and Mind Strong Podcast

Renee Thomas
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Biweekly

The Body and Mind Strong Podcast is where we talk all things life, wellness and health to help you create a happier, healthier and stronger you. My mission with Body and Mind Strong is to help active, busy women through integrative behavioral and wellness counseling that treats the whole person — not a diagnosis, not a single struggle — and builds habits and strategies that fit into real life, so growth actually sticks. As an online Integrative Wellness Counselor, I envision women moving through midlife feeling strong in their bodies, clear in their priorities, and confident in their ability to care for themselves without guilt or burnout. Topics include the body and mind connection, life transitions, stress management, emotional regulations, burnout, health challenges, relationship with foods, nutrition, self-care, relationships, coping skills, financial wellness, and so much more. Renee is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, Healthcare Life Coach, business owner, and mamma to a Chocolate Lab fur baby all the while completing her second masters in Business Administration/Finance. You can follow her here: Blog on www.bodyandmindstrong.com/blogYoutube: @bodyandmindstrongIG: @bodyandmindstrong

  1. 6d ago

    Ep64: Confidence Isn't a Character Flaw: Ego, Ownership, and the Space You're Allowed to Take Up

    So many of the women I work with carry the same quiet fear: that believing in themselves might make them arrogant. In this Body and Mind Strong episode, we're pulling apart two things that get mistaken for each other constantly — ego and genuine self-confidence. We'll talk about where that fear actually comes from, what the research says really separates a fragile ego from steady self-worth, and why being hard on yourself was never proof of humility. Then we get practical. You'll walk away with real tools for building confidence that isn't dependent on outside approval — including how to track evidence of your own competence, take up space on purpose, and redefine success on terms that are actually yours instead of ones you inherited. If you've ever shrunk yourself to seem humble, this one's for you. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong References: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/finding-a-new-home/202207/the-difference-between-narcissism-and-high-self-esteem https://psychuniverse.com/narcissism-vs-self-confidence/ https://narcissisttest.org/blog/narcissism-or-self-esteem-key-differences https://psychuniverse.com/narcissism-vs-self-confidence/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6070240/

    Ep64: Confidence Isn't a Character Flaw: Ego, Ownership, and the Space You're Allowed to Take Up

  2. Aug 7

    Ep63: Your Health Identity: Is it helping or hindering you

    Somewhere along the way, most of us built a story about who we are when it comes to our health — the strong one, the athlete, the one who never gets sick. But bodies change, and that old story doesn't always keep up. In this episode, Renee breaks down what a health identity actually is, why it quietly drives your daily choices and your resilience, and how it can either carry you through change or leave you clinging to a version of yourself that doesn't exist anymore. Whether you're feeling the shift already or just want to get ahead of it, this episode walks you through how to check if your health identity still fits — and how to update it without losing yourself in the process. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong References: Pelters P. I am what I am?-An integrative review of understandings of 'health identity' and 'illness identity' in scientific literature. Sociol Health Illn. 2024 Jul;46(6):1169-1191. doi: 10.1111/1467-9566.13771. Epub 2024 Mar 22. PMID: 38517474. Embracing a Healthy Identity: A Pathway to Healthier Choices. Stress Management & Mental Health Clinics. https://stressmanagementclinic.com/embracing-a-healthy-identity-a-pathway-to-healthier-choices/

    Ep63: Your Health Identity: Is it helping or hindering you

  3. Jul 30

    Ep62: Food Isn't the Enemy: Fixing Your Relationship with Food

    Ever start a diet feeling unstoppable, only to fall off two weeks in? The problem probably isn't the plan — it's your relationship with food. In this episode, I break down why most diets ignore the mental side of eating: trigger foods, stress eating, and the habits driving them. Then share my own honest (and slightly embarrassing) food confessions, walks through a simple self-awareness practice you can start today, and give you real strategies for handling cravings without white-knuckling your way through them. Because food isn't bad — the goal is just to know yourself better. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

    Ep62: Food Isn't the Enemy: Fixing Your Relationship with Food

  4. Jul 23

    Ep61: The Power of Radical Acceptance for Body and Mind

    We've all been there — stuck in a moment we can't change and fighting it with everything we've got. In this episode, I break down radical acceptance, a concept from Dialectical Behavior Therapy that's become one of the most powerful tools she uses with clients. Learn what radical acceptance actually means (hint: it's not giving up), why resisting reality takes a real toll on both your mental and physical health, and how to start practicing this skill in your everyday life — one small moment at a time. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

  5. Jul 9

    Ep60: The Truth About Cravings: And Why Ignoring Them Backfire

    Cravings aren't a sign of weak willpower — they're a signal. In this episode, we bust the myth that ignoring cravings makes them go away, and walk through six practical ways to work with your cravings instead of against them — from satisfying swaps to smart pairings to simply riding it out. Plus: why your sweet tooth isn't permanent, and how your taste buds actually recalibrate as your eating habits shift. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com and on IG @bodyandmindstrong

    Ep60: The Truth About Cravings: And Why Ignoring Them Backfire

  6. Jul 3

    Ep59: The Perfection Trap: How It's Secretly Sabotaging Your Progress

    Perfectionism doesn't feel like a flaw, it feels like ambition. But chasing "flawless" often keeps us stuck in place while progress passes us by. In this episode of the Body and Mind Strong Podcast, I break down where our need to be perfect really comes from, including some surprising research on gender and double standards, and I share practical, real-world ways to loosen perfectionism's grip so you can move forward, one "good enough" step at a time. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

    Ep59: The Perfection Trap: How It's Secretly Sabotaging Your Progress

  7. Jun 25

    Ep58: Interview with Lisa Swanson of Body and Soul Coaching

    Today’s episode is another interview from Athena’s Listening Crew where we sit down with Lisa Swanson, founder of Body & Soul Coaching. A single mom turned successful entrepreneur, Lisa brings over 40 years of experience helping women navigate fitness and weight loss. After noticing a major gap in support for women over 50—especially post-menopause—Lisa shifted her focus to empowering this often-overlooked group. Through her three-pillar approach of aligned nutrition, progressive overload, and empowered thoughts, she helps women embrace where they are now and build vibrant, healthy lives.You can find Lisa at www.bodyandsoulcoaching, IG/FB @lisaswansonfit  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com.

    Ep58: Interview with Lisa Swanson of Body and Soul Coaching

  8. Jun 18

    Ep57: Running on Empty: Understanding and Preventing Burnout for Busy, Active Women

    If you've been waking up exhausted even after a full night's sleep, snapping at the people you love, or going through the motions without feeling like yourself, this episode is for you. Renee breaks down what burnout actually is, why it tends to sneak up on the women doing the most rather than the least, and four practical strategies you can start using today to protect your energy before you hit empty. Plus, a teaser for next week's episode all about boundaries, one of the most powerful (and hardest) tools for preventing burnout. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to my podcast, or tell someone else about it, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if this episode resonates with you and you’re ready for more clarity, balance, and support in your wellness journey, I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at www.bodyandmindstrong.com. Resources NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11496429/ NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180705/ NIH: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9180705/ Journal of Neuropsychiatry: https://www.jneuropsychiatry.org/peer-review/gender-differences-in-different-dimensions-of-common-burnout-symptoms-in-a-group-of-clinical-burnout-patients-12860.html

    Ep57: Running on Empty: Understanding and Preventing Burnout for Busy, Active Women
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About

The Body and Mind Strong Podcast is where we talk all things life, wellness and health to help you create a happier, healthier and stronger you. My mission with Body and Mind Strong is to help active, busy women through integrative behavioral and wellness counseling that treats the whole person — not a diagnosis, not a single struggle — and builds habits and strategies that fit into real life, so growth actually sticks. As an online Integrative Wellness Counselor, I envision women moving through midlife feeling strong in their bodies, clear in their priorities, and confident in their ability to care for themselves without guilt or burnout. Topics include the body and mind connection, life transitions, stress management, emotional regulations, burnout, health challenges, relationship with foods, nutrition, self-care, relationships, coping skills, financial wellness, and so much more. Renee is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Nutrition Coach, Healthcare Life Coach, business owner, and mamma to a Chocolate Lab fur baby all the while completing her second masters in Business Administration/Finance. You can follow her here: Blog on www.bodyandmindstrong.com/blogYoutube: @bodyandmindstrongIG: @bodyandmindstrong

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