The Daring Well Podcast - Holistic Health & Wellness, Mindset, and Personal Growth

Rita Mercer, Wellness, Mindset & Mental Health Expert
  • 5.0 (12)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you ready to feel empowered and motivated to crush your personal development and wellness goals? Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Your one stop for mindfulness, meditations, holistic wellness, mental health, evidence based strategies, healthy habits, and deep and meaningful conversations to help you transform your mind and relationships.  Well, I’m your host, Rita Mercer. I’m a holistic wellness and mindset coach, licensed counselor, and your new virtual friend on this wild and crazy journey called life.  On the Daring Well podcast, we will explore holistic wellness practices to strengthen your mind, body, and spirit.  Each episode we will learn new coping skills and explore holistic wellness tools and tips to shift your mindset and discover your true self.   With nearly a decade of experience as a licensed mental health counselor, specializing in trauma, grief, loss, and integrative mental health, I’m excited to share some nuggets of wisdom, clinical experience and research that I’ve learned along the way.  I invite you to lean in as I share stress management tools, resources, and guest interviews to help you DARE TO BE free, calm, have more joy, create meaningful relationships, be your true and authentic self.   Want more wellness and mindset support, let’s connect at DaringWell.com or on YouTube at Daring Well Coach.  If you’re ready to Dare to be Well, let’s lean in!

  1. How to Speak So People Listen: Storytelling, Confidence & Connection with Dr. Danny Brassell

    10H AGO

    How to Speak So People Listen: Storytelling, Confidence & Connection with Dr. Danny Brassell

    What if one powerful story could completely transform the way you lead, communicate, and connect with others? In this inspiring and high-energy episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with keynote speaker, story coach, and author Dr. Danny Brassell to explore the art and science of storytelling, leadership communication, and authentic connection. Dr. Brassell—co-founder of Well Crafted Story and author of 20+ books—shares his extraordinary journey from journalist to educator to global speaking coach, revealing how life’s pivots, setbacks, and lessons shaped his mission to help others communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Together, Rita and Danny dive into what separates good speakers from transformational communicators, why vulnerability builds trust, and how leaders can use storytelling to inspire action and drive meaningful change. This conversation is packed with practical frameworks, powerful metaphors, and mindset shifts for anyone ready to elevate their voice and influence. Key Takeaways How storytelling transforms leadership and communicationWhy sharing failure builds deeper audience connectionThe “Five C’s Framework” for powerful presentationsHow to turn perceived weaknesses into strengthsThe RAP Method to instantly connect with any audienceWhy clarity and emotional closings drive conversions Connect with Dr. Danny Brassell: Free Storytelling Blueprint:   http://freestoryguide.com/ Website:  https://dannybrassell.com/home YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DannyBrassell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannybrassell/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    29 min
  2. How to Break Limiting Beliefs, Redefine Success, and Align with Your Purpose with Stephen McConnell

    MAY 20

    How to Break Limiting Beliefs, Redefine Success, and Align with Your Purpose with Stephen McConnell

    In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Stephen McConnell — CEO, speaker, NLP coach, and author of the upcoming book The 7 Laws of Personal Mastery. Together, they explore how to redefine success, overcome limiting beliefs, and create sustainable growth without burnout. Stephen shares his deeply personal journey through addiction recovery, emotional healing, and discovering purpose. He explains how neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and intentional habits can transform both personal and professional growth. Listeners will learn practical strategies for reframing anxiety, developing healthier thought patterns, building empowering communities, and aligning decisions with core values. This conversation is filled with wisdom for leaders, high achievers, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking clarity, healing, and authentic success. In This Episode, We Discuss: What neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) really meansWhy identity matters more than goals aloneBreaking free from limiting beliefs and burnoutStephen’s personal journey through alcoholism and healingThe importance of emotional intelligence and self-awarenessHow to reframe anxiety into excitementThe impact of community and mentorship on growthAligning your decisions with your purpose and valuesCreating sustainable success without sacrificing peace Memorable Quotes from the Episode “Everything in life is going to hurt. You get to choose how you hurt.” — Stephen McConnell Connect with Stephen McConnell Website: https://www.myndsetgrowth.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmcconnell1/Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    37 min

  3. MAY 13

    Creating White Space for Emotional Wellbeing & Self-Care (Replay)

    In this heartfelt episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer dives into the powerful practice of creating “white space” in your life. If you’ve been feeling emotionally exhausted, overwhelmed, overstimulated, or constantly pressured to keep going, this episode is your reminder that rest is productive too. Rita explores how creating intentional pauses in your daily life can improve emotional well-being, reduce anxiety, increase mindfulness, and help you reconnect with yourself. Through practical self-care ideas, mindset shifts, and emotional wellness strategies, listeners are encouraged to protect their peace, establish healthier boundaries, and stop tying their self-worth to constant productivity. This episode is packed with encouragement for anyone struggling with burnout, stress, emotional overload, or difficulty slowing down in today’s fast-paced world. You’ll walk away with practical coping skills, mindful awareness techniques, and simple ways to create more breathing room in your schedule and your mind. Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, grounding techniques, nature walks, meal prepping, hobbies, or simply learning to say no, Rita reminds listeners that creating white space is an act of self-love and emotional resilience. Top Episode Chapter Breakdowns 1. The Hidden Cost of Busyness Why modern life keeps us overwhelmed and overstimulatedRecognizing the emotional and physical signs of stress and burnoutHow constant productivity impacts emotional well-being2. What White Space Really Means Defining white space as intentional rest and breathing roomThe importance of mindfulness, stillness, and self-awarenessWhy your worth is not tied to what you produce3. Identifying Your Energy Zappers Recognizing people, habits, thoughts, and environments that drain your energySetting boundaries to protect your peace and emotional wellnessHow negative self-talk and shame keep us stuck in exhaustion4. Self-Care as a Form of Emotional Resilience Practical self-care ideas that refill your emotional cupWhy self-care is more than luxury—it’s emotional maintenanceHow hobbies, routines, nature, and rest help regulate stress5. Simple Strategies to Create More White Space Meal prepping, reducing distractions, and intentional planningLearning to slow down without guiltSmall daily habits that improve focus, clarity, sleep, and emotional balanceKey Takeaways From This Episode White space is essential for emotional wellness and stress managementRest is not laziness—it’s necessary for resilience and healingYour self-worth is rooted in who you are, not what you accomplishProtecting your energy requires boundaries and intentional choicesMindful self-care helps prevent burnout and emotional exhaustionSmall changes can create major improvements in your mental and emotional healthResources Mentioned Free Resources (Download)- Self-Care Journal & Holistic Wellness Guide https://www.daringwell.com/freebiesSend us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    18 min

  4. MAY 6

    There’s No Card for That with Rita Mercer

    In this heartfelt and deeply affirming episode, Rita Mercer explores the life moments that often go unseen, unacknowledged, and uncelebrated. Titled “There’s No Card for That,” this conversation shines a light on the silent wins, invisible strength, and unspoken grief we all carry at different points in our journey. From making responsible adult decisions and choosing healing, to navigating personal loss and emotional transitions—this episode reminds listeners that just because something isn’t publicly recognized doesn’t mean it isn’t meaningful. If you’ve ever felt overlooked in your growth or alone in your pain, this episode is your reminder: your experiences matter, and you are seen. Reflection Questions What is one silent win you’re proud of?Where have you shown invisible strength recently?What loss or transition do you need to give yourself permission to grieve?Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    14 min
  5. You Don’t Have to Hold It All Together: Go Beyond Survival Mode

    APR 29

    You Don’t Have to Hold It All Together: Go Beyond Survival Mode

    Have you ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside… but quietly falling apart on the inside? In this powerful and honest conversation, Rita sits down with therapist and author Cherise Small to unpack what it really means to “perform strength.” Together, they explore how survival mode, people-pleasing, and silent suffering can disconnect us from our true selves—and how to begin the journey back to alignment. Cherise shares her personal turning point, practical tools for recognizing survival patterns, and how to set boundaries without guilt. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to stop over-functioning, release emotional burdens, and reclaim their voice. You’ll walk away with empowering mindset shifts, reflection questions, and actionable strategies to help you move from surviving to truly living. ----------------------------------------- What You’ll Learn How to recognize when you’re stuck in survival modeWhy “performing strength” can lead to emotional disconnectionThe truth about guilt, shame, and boundary-settingWhat healthy boundaries actually look like in real lifeSimple ways to pause, reset, and reconnect with yourselfHow to shift from obligation to alignment----------------------------------------- Connect with Cherise Small Website: www.release2heal.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/therapywithcherise Book Waitlist: www.release2heal.com/book-waitlist Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    33 min
  6. The Hidden Key to Chronic Pain Relief: Healing Through Myofascial Release with Gwen Bernardo

    APR 22

    The Hidden Key to Chronic Pain Relief: Healing Through Myofascial Release with Gwen Bernardo

    ✨ If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain, anxiety, or feeling “stuck,” this conversation may open a door you didn’t know existed. In this powerful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Gwen Bernardo, a myofascial release therapist, to explore the deep connection between the body, trauma, and healing. After a life-altering horseback riding accident that left her with both physical injuries and unresolved emotional trauma, Gwen spent years searching for relief through traditional therapies—without lasting results. It wasn’t until she discovered myofascial release that everything changed. Gwen shares how this gentle yet powerful modality helped her release stored emotional pain, dramatically reduce anxiety, and reconnect with her body in a way she never thought possible. Together, Rita and Gwen unpack: What fascia is and why it plays a crucial role in chronic painHow trauma and emotions can become stored in the bodyWhy traditional treatments may not always address the root causeThe importance of the mind-body connection in true healingPractical ways to begin releasing tension and reconnecting with your bodyThis episode is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and explore a new pathway to healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Chapters Breakdown From Trauma to Transformation The Missing Piece in HealingWhat Is Fascia & Why It MattersReleasing Stored Emotions & Chronic PainPractical Healing Tools & Next Steps  Connect with Gwen Gwen Bernardo, MFR Therapist, CMT Website:  https://performancemfr.com/ Discount Code - Ask for "Jumpstart Program" for Daring Well Listeners (Save $500) Find a local Myofascial Therapist in your state or country: https://mfrtherapists.com/ Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    34 min
  7. Stop Waiting, Start Living: Why Most People Stay Stuck (And How to Change)

    APR 15

    Stop Waiting, Start Living: Why Most People Stay Stuck (And How to Change)

    Cam Cordin - I wasn’t waiting to die, I was racing to live! In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Rita Mercer sits down with Cam Corden, founder of Savage Chill and author of Savage Chill: Die to Live, to explore what it really takes to go from being stuck in survival mode to living fully. Cam shares his personal journey through chronic pain, failed marriages, emotional collapse, and a pivotal “911-day contract” he created during one of the darkest seasons of his life. What followed was not a quick fix—but a complete identity transformation built on systems, discipline, and intentional discomfort. This episode challenges the idea that motivation creates change—and instead reveals why structure, subtraction, and emotional regulation are the real keys to lasting transformation. --------------------------- Episode Highlights Why most people stay stuck waiting for motivation instead of taking actionThe “911-day contract” that became a turning point in Cam’s lifeHow Savage Chill blends discipline with emotional regulationWhy systems always outperform willpowerThe role of cold exposure and intentional discomfort in rewiring the nervous systemHow subtraction (not addition) creates clarity and focusThe “No Panicking, No Whining” rule for emotional masteryMoving from victim mindset to becoming the “commander” of your life--------------------------- Connect with Cam - https://savagechillstyle.com/ Purchase the Book on Amazon -  Savage Chill: Die to Live https://www.amazon.com/Savage-Chill-Live-Cam-Cordin/dp/B0GNPZY7K2 Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    45 min

  8. APR 8

    How Are You? A Gentle Check-In for Your Mind & Heart

    When was the last time you truly paused and asked yourself, “How am I really doing?” In this heartfelt and grounding episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita offers a moment of stillness in the middle of life’s busyness. This episode is a gentle invitation to slow down, breathe, and reconnect with your emotional well-being. Life can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and unpredictable—but instead of pushing through or ignoring what you feel, this episode encourages you to pause and check in with yourself. Through reflection, encouragement, and a simple yet powerful emotional awareness tool, you’ll learn how to better understand your feelings and prioritize your self-care. If you’ve been feeling stressed, disconnected, or stretched too thin, this episode will remind you that you are worthy of rest, balance, and care—just as you are. Take this moment for yourself. You deserve it. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why it’s important to pause and check in with yourselfHow to normalize and validate your emotional experiencesThe power of stillness in finding clarity and peaceWhy you don’t need to earn rest, love, or self-careA simple 0–10 emotional check-in tool (SUD scale) to build awareness 💛 Key Takeaway You don’t have to keep pushing through without pause. Your feelings matter. Your well-being matters. And most importantly—you are worthy of care, rest, and balance. --------------------------------------- Let's Connect & Continue the Conversation If this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts and let me know: How are you feeling today—really? Connect with me @DaringWell on YouTube, TikTok, Substack, and LinkedIn. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Follow us on YouTube & TikTok: @DaringWell For free wellness resources. Click the link to tap into new ways to reset with mindfulness, holistic wellness tips, and coping skills. https://www.daringwell.com/freebies

    10 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Are you ready to feel empowered and motivated to crush your personal development and wellness goals? Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here. Your one stop for mindfulness, meditations, holistic wellness, mental health, evidence based strategies, healthy habits, and deep and meaningful conversations to help you transform your mind and relationships.  Well, I’m your host, Rita Mercer. I’m a holistic wellness and mindset coach, licensed counselor, and your new virtual friend on this wild and crazy journey called life.  On the Daring Well podcast, we will explore holistic wellness practices to strengthen your mind, body, and spirit.  Each episode we will learn new coping skills and explore holistic wellness tools and tips to shift your mindset and discover your true self.   With nearly a decade of experience as a licensed mental health counselor, specializing in trauma, grief, loss, and integrative mental health, I’m excited to share some nuggets of wisdom, clinical experience and research that I’ve learned along the way.  I invite you to lean in as I share stress management tools, resources, and guest interviews to help you DARE TO BE free, calm, have more joy, create meaningful relationships, be your true and authentic self.   Want more wellness and mindset support, let’s connect at DaringWell.com or on YouTube at Daring Well Coach.  If you’re ready to Dare to be Well, let’s lean in!

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