The Life Coach Lounge

Lisa Gates, Angela Pleune, and Emily Kolars
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Life Coach Lounge: Your Midlife Revival Space Step into our warm, faith-filled space where three friends turned life coaches invite you to transform your midlife journey! Here, authenticity reigns and judgment takes a back seat as we navigate life's transitions together. Weekly, we share: • Honest conversations about empty nests, career pivots, and finding yourself again • Faith-centered wisdom for life's storms • Practical strategies to move from stuck to spectacular • Laughter that heals the soul Join our community of women who are choosing to THRIVE, not just survive!

  1. 8h ago

    EP 76: Nervous System Series, Part 2: Vagus Nerve, Vagal Tone & the Gut-Brain Connection Explained

    Most stress advice misses the real issue: your body may be stuck in survival mode. In part two of our four-part nervous system series, Emily Kolars, Lisa Gates, and Angela Pleune make the vagus nerve, vagal tone, and the gut-brain connection simple and reassuring, especially if you deal with anxiety, burnout, panic, or unexplained physical symptoms. If you've ever felt wired but exhausted, or dealt with a racing heart, an upset stomach, shallow breathing, or a frozen, shut-down feeling, this episode helps explain what may be happening inside your nervous system, and why "just calm down" isn't a real solution. You'll discover: What the vagus nerve does and why it matters Why stress shows up in your heart, lungs, gut, and decision-making The difference between fight, flight, freeze, and fawn How co-regulation helps when someone's nervous system is overwhelmed How vagal tone works and how it can be strengthened over time Lisa shares simple ways she supports her nervous system, like humming and splashing cold water on her face, while Angela offers her own reset habits, from walking in fresh air to singing and praying in the shower. You'll also hear a powerful reframe for symptoms we dismiss as "just stress" or "just aging": physical discomfort can be your body's signal, not a personal failure. Essential listening if you want a clearer, kinder way to understand your stress response. Stay tuned for part three, where we explore nervous system states and the window of tolerance. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge ⁠Facebook Group⁠ The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  2. Sep 29

    EP 75: Nervous System Series, Part 1: Why "Just Calm Down" Doesn't Work

    Your body may be trying to tell you something long before your mind catches up. If you've been pushing through burnout, anxiety, or the invisible stress of midlife, this conversation will help you understand what's really happening inside your nervous system. In the first episode of a four-part series on calming the chaos, Emily Kolars, Angela Pleune, and Lisa Gates unpack why "just calm down" isn't always the answer, and what it takes to move from fight-or-flight into true rest and recovery. You'll discover: Why midlife can make stress symptoms impossible to ignore How adrenal fatigue, burnout, and cortisol connect to your stress response The difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, explained as a "gas pedal" and "brake pedal" Why your body can stay on high alert even when there's no obvious danger Emily shares the signals her body wouldn't let her ignore, Lisa describes what burnout looked like before she had language for it, and Angela opens up about the dark season of postpartum depression. Their stories make this feel less like theory and more like the missing piece so many women have been searching for. If you're waking at night, feeling chest tightness, battling irritability, or sensing your nervous system is stuck in overdrive, this is a grounding place to start. Perfect for women in midlife, caregivers, and anyone curious about the connection between stress, hormones, and the nervous system. Episode two reveals the "brake pedal" that brings it all back into balance. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge ⁠Facebook Group The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  3. Sep 22

    EP 74: Dolly Parton Quotes & Life Lessons: Live on Purpose

    Dolly Parton's life is a blueprint for confidence, resilience, and joy, and this episode pulls out the quotes that still hit hardest. Lisa, Emily, and Angela celebrate Dolly's legacy through faith, coaching, and real-life wisdom. From her iconic line, "find out who you are and do it on purpose," to the reminder that rain and rainbows belong together, they turn each quote into something you can actually use. You'll discover: Why authenticity matters more than performing success How to rethink hard seasons without slipping into toxic positivity What it looks like to "pave another road" when your current path no longer fits How bravery can mean showing up without all the answers Why making a life matters as much as making a living Whether you're raising kids, building a business, or remembering who you were before life got so busy, this one is for you. If you need encouragement to slow down, reframe your story, and choose joy on purpose, listen in. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge ⁠Facebook Group⁠ The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  4. Sep 15

    EP 73: When Faith Meets Fear: Breaking the Anxiety Loop

    Ever look fine on the outside while your brain is paddling like mad underneath? Lisa Gates, Emily Kolars, and Angela Pleune get real about what it's like to be human in the middle of health scares, wedding chaos, and the kind of fear that turns a headache into a worst-case scenario in seconds. What starts as a parking lot breakdown turns into a practical conversation about anxiety, looping thoughts, and how to stop letting your amygdala drive the car. Lisa shares her "Annie Lynn" framework for naming a fight-or-flight spiral, Emily talks about how prayer and honesty brought her back to peace, and Angela opens up about movement, worship music, and her word of the year: trust. You'll discover: Why "swanning" perfectly captures looking composed while spiraling inside A simple spoken sentence that interrupts looping thoughts Why feelings are meant to be felt, not fixed How masking keeps you stuck—even alone Why perseverance can mean serving someone else, not just powering through This episode explores the difference between falling apart and failing, why gratitude grows even in hard seasons, and how healing often starts with honesty and grace. You are not broken. You are not alone. And you don't have to perform calm to deserve care. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge ⁠Facebook Group⁠ The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  5. Sep 8

    EP 72: Wellness Culture Anxiety: Clean Eating, Supplements & Holistic Health Without the Overwhelm

    Wellness culture can help you heal — or quietly become the next thing making you anxious. Emily Kolars, Lisa Gates, and Angela Pleune unpack the line between wise stewardship and obsession, and show how to simplify your health routine without guilt. If you've ever felt like you're failing at clean eating, supplements, morning routines, or "doing wellness right," this one's for you. The hosts get honest about their own crunchy habits — seed oils, raw milk, essential oils, mineral salt, breath work, travel wellness — and name the moment when all the "good" things start turning into pressure. You'll discover: Why food dyes, chronic illness, and gut issues pushed each woman toward holistic care How Lisa uses aromatherapy, vagus nerve work, and a "start low and slow" approach to avoid all-or-nothing overwhelm Why Angela had to back off the fear-driven urge to over-supplement and rediscover what actually helps How Emily filters wellness advice by considering the source and spotting expensive hype disguised as health The difference between true freedom and swapping "big pharma" for "big wellness" This episode goes beyond trends to explore what happens when wellness becomes its own identity — social media noise, expensive protocols, and pressure to get every detail perfect. The result: a grounded, faith-based reset centered on peace, discernment, and sustainable habits over paranoia and perfectionism. Emily, Lisa, and Angela also share their non-negotiables for travel and daily life — homeopathic remedies, walking shoes, sleep support, water bottles, and tools that actually move the needle. And they point back to Proverbs and a simple truth: wellness should lead you back to life, not away from it. Perfect for anyone who loves holistic living but wants less anxiety, more balance, and permission to keep it simple. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge ⁠Facebook Group⁠ The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  6. Sep 1

    EP 71: Mother of the Bride Emotions: Joy, Grief & Letting Go When Your Child Gets Engaged

    Your child gets engaged, and suddenly joy, grief, pride, fear, and nostalgia all show up at once. If you're a parent navigating this season, this episode will help you make sense of the emotional whiplash — and remind you that you're not doing it wrong. Angela opens up about her daughter's surprise engagement and the mix of excitement, gratitude, and unexpected loss that followed. Lisa shares her perspective as an outside observer, while Emily reflects on her daughter's engagement at 19 — a short engagement season full of emotions and transition. You'll discover: Why engagement can feel like celebration and heartbreak at once How to hold conflicting emotions without shaming yourself What happens when a close parent-child relationship shifts into a new season How to navigate tension and honest conversations during wedding planning Why "this is not about me" is one of the hardest — and healthiest — reminders for parents Angela shares the permission slips every mother of the bride or groom needs: permission to cry, celebrate, ask questions, respect boundaries, and get support. The episode also digs into the tension between parental expectations and modern wedding realities — shifting traditions, changing roles, and learning to let your child make their own choices. Whether you're preparing for a child's engagement, deep in wedding planning, or just want a grounded, faith-filled take on this milestone, this episode meets you where you are. Sometimes the most loving response isn't control — it's release. And that release can become its own kind of growth. Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Life Coach Lounge Facebook Group Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  7. Aug 25

    EP 70: "I Honor My Word to Myself" — A Coaching Conversation on Goals, Guilt & Self-Trust

    "I honor my word to myself" sounds empowering—until it starts feeling like pressure, guilt, or failure. Lisa Gates, Angela Pleune, and Emily Kolars unpack why this popular coaching phrase works for some people and backfires for others—and what to pay attention to instead. A casual Marco Polo chat turned into a sharp, funny coaching conversation about goals, habits, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves when we think we're "not doing enough." Lisa shares why her two-year attempt at using a paper planner was never really about the planner—and Angela and Emily help her see she was keeping her word to herself, just not how she expected. You'll discover: Why a phrase can sound motivating but still create resistance How to tell healthy discomfort apart from real misalignment Why "I honor my word to myself" isn't one-size-fits-all How a bridge thought like "I'm becoming a person who…" can soften the pressure Why coaching works best through the right questions, not a perfect formula If a mantra or "motivating" phrase ever left you feeling worse instead of better, this episode is your permission slip to get honest about what actually works for you. You’re invited to hang out with us once a month in our “Virtual Lounge” on Zoom! Join the Life Coach Lounge Facebook Group for details! Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram

  8. Aug 18

    EP 69: Becoming a Confident Decision Maker: How to Stop Overthinking and Trust Yourself

    Feeling stuck making decisions? This episode breaks down decision fatigue, overthinking, and how to build confidence in both small and big life choices. In this episode of the Life Coach Lounge, Emily Kolars is joined by Angela Pleune and Lisa Gates for a practical, honest conversation about overthinking, decision fatigue, and learning to trust yourself more. They unpack what indecision really costs, how to make everyday choices easier, and how to approach big decisions with more clarity and peace. You’re invited to hang out with us once a month in our “Virtual Lounge” on Zoom! Join the Life Coach Lounge Facebook Group for details! Connect with us: The Life Coach Lounge on Instagram Angela Pleune: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emily Kolars: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website, Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Lisa Gates: Website, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram Keywords: decision making, self-trust, decision fatigue, confidence, habits, big decisions, small decisions, coaching tips

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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Life Coach Lounge: Your Midlife Revival Space Step into our warm, faith-filled space where three friends turned life coaches invite you to transform your midlife journey! Here, authenticity reigns and judgment takes a back seat as we navigate life's transitions together. Weekly, we share: • Honest conversations about empty nests, career pivots, and finding yourself again • Faith-centered wisdom for life's storms • Practical strategies to move from stuck to spectacular • Laughter that heals the soul Join our community of women who are choosing to THRIVE, not just survive!

Information

  • Creator
    Lisa Gates, Angela Pleune, and Emily Kolars
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lisa Gates, Angela Pleune, and Emily Kolars
  • Show Website
    The Life Coach Lounge

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