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

Rita Mercer, Wellness, Mindset & Mental Health Expert
  • 5.0 (11)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you ready to feel empowered and motivated to crush your 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. You Don’t Have to Hold It All Together: Go Beyond Survival Mode

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. APR 1

    Secure Attachment: Healthy & Whole (Healing Attachment Wounds - Part 4)

    In this final episode of the Healing Attachment Wounds series, Rita Mercer, podcast host, holistic wellness & mindset coach, and licensed counselor, explores what it truly means to experience secure attachment—the foundation of healthy, balanced, and emotionally safe relationships. If trust has ever felt difficult… If vulnerability has felt unsafe… Or if you’ve found yourself stuck in patterns of overthinking, emotional distance, or fear of abandonment… This episode is for you. Secure attachment is not something you either have or don’t have—it’s something you can learn, practice, and embody. Through self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and intentional relationship choices, you can rewire old patterns and create deeper, more fulfilling connections. In this episode, I walks you through how secure attachment forms, how it feels in your mind and body, and how you can begin cultivating it in your everyday life. Because healing isn’t about perfection— it’s about creating safety within yourself. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode What secure attachment really looks like in healthy relationshipsHow past attachment styles (anxious, avoidant, fearful avoidant) impact your patternsThe core beliefs that support emotional safety and trustHow secure attachment feels in your body and nervous systemPractical steps to build self-trust and healthier relationship dynamics---------------------------------------------- Let’s Stay Connected If this episode supported you on your healing journey, share it with someone who needs encouragement in their relationships. For coaching, nervous system regulation tools, and self-care strategies, connect with Rita for 1:1 support. 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

    23 min
  6. Creating Calm & Safety in the Body: Movement Practices to Release Anxiety, Trauma, and Stress with Jo Stewart

    MAR 25

    Creating Calm & Safety in the Body: Movement Practices to Release Anxiety, Trauma, and Stress with Jo Stewart

    In this insightful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita Mercer sits down with Jo Stewart, Yoga Teacher & the Founder of Garden of Yoga, Cohost of the Flow Artists Podcast, and author of Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga.  Together in this episode we explore how gentle movement and aerial yoga can provide relief and support healing from anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress. Jo shares her 20+ years of experience teaching yoga and introduces a compassionate, body-centered approach to movement that prioritizes safety, autonomy of choice, and nervous system regulation. Rita & Jo, unpack how the body holds onto tension, the role of fascia, and why traditional “stillness” doesn’t work for everyone—especially those navigating trauma or heightened stress. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t have to be intense. It can be soft, supportive, and intuitive—meeting you exactly where you are. ------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaways Healing begins with creating safety in the bodyMovement can regulate the nervous system more effectively than forced stillnessFascia plays a key role in storing and releasing tensionGentle, supported movement can be more impactful than intense workoutsThere is no “right way” to move—your body’s needs are your guide------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Jo Stewart Website & Online Classes: Garden of Yoga https://gardenofyoga.com.au/Podcast: The Flow Artist Podcast https://podcast.flowartists.com/Book: Eight Limbs of Aerial Yoga (available for pre-order) https://gardenofyoga.com.au/learn/eight-limbs-of-aerial-yoga/FREE Super Deluxe Shoulder Self-Massage Guide https://www.gardenofyoga.com.au/free-shoulders-guide/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
  7. Want to go from Brain Hijack to Emotional Safety? Learn how to Regulate your Nervous System with Diane McDowell

    MAR 18

    Want to go from Brain Hijack to Emotional Safety? Learn how to Regulate your Nervous System with Diane McDowell

    Have you ever found yourself reacting in ways you later regret or feeling overwhelmed despite “doing everything right,” or constantly seeking validation from others?  If you answered yes, you might be struggling with emotional safety and I hope that this episode will speak directly to you and give you the tools to Dare to Be Well. In this powerful and insightful episode of The Daring Well Podcast, Rita sits down with therapist, relationship coach, and emotional safety expert Diane McDowell to explore what it truly means to feel safe—from the inside out. Diane introduces her transformative framework, the Brain-to-Heart Code, and breaks down how our nervous system responses—especially during moments of perceived rejection or stress—can hijack our behavior, relationships, and sense of self. Together, Rita and Diane unpack how to shift from external validation to internal regulation, helping you reconnect with your body, calm your nervous system, and build a deeper sense of self-trust. This episode is a must-listen for high achievers, helpers, and anyone ready to move from survival mode into emotional alignment and inner peace. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode What emotional safety really means—and why it starts withinHow a “brain hijack” impacts your reactions and relationshipsWhy high achievers often feel stressed despite outward successThe connection between your thoughts, body, and nervous systemHow to stop outsourcing your self-worth and reclaim your valuePractical tools to regulate your emotions and shift your mindsetWhy “words are neutral” and how to take back control of meaning----------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Diane McDowell Website: www.emotionalsafetyco.com/Social: @EmotionalSafetyCoFree Resources: Hijack Quiz, Mini-Course, Relationship ToolsSend 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

    22 min

  8. MAR 11

    Anxious Attachment: Calming the Fear of Abandonment (Healing Attachment Wounds - Part 3)

    Anxious Attachment: Calming the Fear of Abandonment (Healing Attachment Wounds – Part 3) Relationships can bring us deep joy and connection—but they can also awaken some of our deepest fears. Have you ever found yourself worrying that someone might leave, questioning whether you’re “too much,” or feeling anxious when a message goes unanswered? In this episode of The Daring Well Podcast, we continue our series on attachment styles by exploring anxious attachment—one of the most common relational patterns rooted in early childhood experiences. Anxious attachment often develops when love and emotional support felt inconsistent or unpredictable growing up. As adults, this can show up as a deep fear of abandonment, emotional hyperawareness in relationships, and the need for reassurance to feel secure. But here’s the encouraging truth: these patterns are not character flaws—they are survival strategies that were learned long ago. And what was learned can also be healed. In this episode, we explore the origins of anxious attachment, the core beliefs that fuel it, how it impacts the nervous system, and practical steps to begin healing attachment wounds and creating healthier relationship patterns. If you’ve ever felt emotionally overwhelmed in relationships or worried about losing connection with someone you care about, this conversation will offer insight, compassion, and hope. Episode HighlightsIn this episode, we explore: What anxious attachment is and how it developsThe fear of abandonment and the internal stories that fuel relationship anxietyHow anxious attachment affects the mind, body, and nervous systemCommon patterns that show up in adult relationshipsPractical steps to begin healing attachment wounds and building emotional securitySend 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

    17 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Are you ready to feel empowered and motivated to crush your 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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