Life Boost with Amelia

Dr. Amelia Knight Pinkston

Welcome to the Life Boost with Amelia podcast where we're changing the narrative around what true health and success look like. They should give you energy, not drain them. Whether you’re a veterinary professional, a high-achieving perfectionist, or a people pleaser ready to not just look good on paper but to FEEL good, my goal is to always leave you with a fresh perspective that lifts a weight off your shoulders by the end of the episode. I'm your host, Dr. Amelia - multi-passionate integrative health and life coach, entrepreneur, and recovered burnout veterinarian. Together, we'll explore the science behind how your brain and body work, including the unconscious mind while also connecting with what your heart needs in order to stand up to the norm of feeling stuck on a hamster wheel-working hard yet feeling exhausted and not where you want to be- and instead live a life that makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning and in love with who you see when you look in the mirror. The reality is if you do what everyone else is doing, you're not going to feel good. Let's break the norm.

  1. FEB 9

    Ep. 96 | The Story No One Is Telling: What a Team USA Bobsledder’s Brain Injury Reveals About Depression and Mental Health

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions This episode started as a conversation about an elite sport — but it quickly became something much bigger. Former Team USA bobsledder Will Person shares what happened years after repeated head trauma left him battling confusion, depression, memory loss, and suicidal thoughts — long after his athletic career ended. His story highlights a critical gap in how we understand mental health: many people struggling with depression, personality changes, or cognitive decline may be living with untreated brain injury — without knowing it. With the Winter Olympics underway, this conversation offers an important behind-the-scenes look at what high-impact sports demand of the brain — and why athletes are often taught to push through symptoms that appear “minor” at the time. In veterinary medicine and other caregiving professions, mental health struggles are often framed as emotional or psychological problems alone. This episode invites a deeper question: What happens when physical brain injury, chronic stress, inflammation, or nervous system overload are part of the picture — but never evaluated? In this episode, we explore: How repeated sub-concussive impacts can affect the brain years laterWhy CTE and brain injuries are often misdiagnosed or overlookedThe hidden mental health toll of elite sports — and other head trauma that may be dismissed or forgottenWhy “rest and return to play” is often not enough for concussionsHow hyperbaric oxygen therapy helped restore clarity, energy, and hope — and what this could mean for future brain-based mental health careIf you know someone who has experienced a concussion, head injury, or unexplained mental health changes — especially years later — please share this episode to help raise awareness. Resources & ways to support Will’s work: William’s GoFundMe is: https://gofund.me/93ff9c6e   To help open a CTE Recovery Center for athletes and military veteransLinks to William’s Social Media: @onemanwithachamber (LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok)  If you or someone you love is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988. Outside the U.S., visit findahelpline.com. Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    1h 19m
  2. 11/14/2025

    Ep. 95 | The F Word in Vet Med (Part 2): Tools & Mindset Shifts to Ease Money Stress and Overcome Financial Barriers

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions In this episode of the Life Boost with Amelia podcast, Dr. Amelia and Dr. Shona Kowtecky tackle the financial challenges that veterinary teams and pet owners face regarding the cost of veterinary care. They delve into practical exercises and activities aimed at helping veterinary professionals feel more comfortable and less stressed when discussing finances. Key topics include the FEARR framework, which stands for Familiarity, Exposure, Accessibility, Relatability, and Reason, and how it can reduce fear and anxiety around financial conversations. The episode also covers personal money memories, valuable team activities to understand costs better, humanizing financial talks, and strategies for enhancing client communication. This comprehensive discussion is a must-listen for veterinary professionals and pet owners looking to navigate the complexities of veterinary care costs more effectively and with less stress. 01:01 The Cost of Veterinary Care 02:16 Understanding the FEARR Framework 03:18 Exercises to Reduce Financial Stress 05:38 Personal Money Memories 10:31 Team Activities for Financial Clarity 15:37 Humanizing Financial Conversations 19:48 Partnering with Clients for Pet Care 31:09 Proactive Financial Planning for Pet Owners 32:17 Understanding the Dental Experience 32:50 Enhancing Client Communication 33:32 Addressing Subconscious Beliefs 35:00 Shifting Mindsets Around Money 36:19 Balancing Care and Costs 38:24 The Value of Veterinary Services 40:41 Visible vs. Invisible Discounts 42:46 Team Conversations on Pricing 45:57 Empowering Financial Conversations 48:00 Practical Steps for Financial Growth 48:47 Resources for Financial Assistance 53:12 Final Thoughts and Reflections Ways to connect with Dr. Shona Kowtecky: Email: letsconnect@shonakowtecky.comWebsite: https://www.shonakowtecky.com/LinkedIn -- www.linkedin.com/in/shona-kowteckyBook -- https://www.shonakowtecky.com/bookstore.html Blog post: Managing Veterinary Care Costs: A Complete Guide To Payment Options for Pet Owners & Vet Practices Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    1h 1m
  3. 11/07/2025

    Ep. 94 | The F Word in Vet Med (Part 1): Overcoming Fear Around Finances

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions With Dr. Shona Kowtecky — practical strategies to talk about money without stress. Join Dr. Amelia and special guest Dr. Shona Kowtecky for an honest, practical conversation about one of the most stressful and avoided topics in veterinary medicine: finances. Whether you’re a veterinary professional or a pet owner, financial stress affects how you think, feel, and make decisions — and yet it’s rarely discussed in a way that feels supportive or clear. In this episode, we unpack why money conversations feel so uncomfortable, how that impacts both veterinary teams and pet owners, and why building financial confidence is essential for well-being and access to care. Dr. Shona shares her F-E-A-R-R framework, a simple and effective tool to decrease fear around anything (including finances).  You’ll walk away with practical strategies and mindset shifts you can start using immediately — whether you’re navigating client conversations, managing personal financial stress, or trying to understand the business side of veterinary medicine more clearly. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Next week, we dive deeper into specific tools and exercises you can bring back to your clinic, team, or personal life. Ways to connect with Dr. Shona Kowtecky: Email: letsconnect@shonakowtecky.comWebsite: https://www.shonakowtecky.com/LinkedIn -- www.linkedin.com/in/shona-kowteckyBook -- https://www.shonakowtecky.com/bookstore.html Blog post: Managing Veterinary Care Costs: A Complete Guide To Payment Options for Pet Owners & Vet Practices Article: Anticipating the downturn: business cycle forecasting for veterinary practice strategy in the United States Aligned Success Reboot: https://www.lifeboost.today/aligned-success-reboot Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    1h 3m
  4. 10/24/2025

    Ep. 93 | Concussion Chronicles #6: From Control to Trust - Making Peace With Discomfort

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions Healing isn’t about control — it’s about trust. In this episode, Dr. Amelia shares the lessons her concussion recovery taught her about releasing resistance and the need to control, embracing discomfort, and finding peace in uncertainty. In This Episode The surprising lessons from slowing down when life forces you toHow resistance and control keep your body stuck in survival modeWhy allowing discomfort is essential for nervous system regulationThe power of “compassionate resilience” — trusting yourself through uncertaintyHow to begin shifting from control to trust (and why this changes everything)Mentioned in This Episode The Aligned Success Reboot (ASR): A 6-month mind-body coaching experience for high achievers ready to replace hustle with sustainable success. Learn more or join the waitlist → https://www.lifeboost.today/aligned-success-rebootEarlier Concussion Chronicles Episodes: Start from the beginning to hear how this journey unfolded.Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    12 min
  5. 10/15/2025

    Ep. 92 | Concussion Chronicles #5: The Hidden Struggles We Don’t See - A Nervous System Perspective on Healing

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions In this Concussion Chronicles episode, Dr. Amelia revisits a past concussion and the lessons it revealed about unseen struggles, caregiving, and empathy. She explores how viewing behavior through a nervous system lens offers a universal language for understanding ourselves and others—even when we don’t know the full story. Discover how compassion, curiosity, and connection become powerful tools for healing and leadership in life and veterinary medicine. Resources mentioned: Beat The Burnout: www.lifeboost.today/beatburnoutAligned Success Reboot: https://www.lifeboost.today/aligned-success-rebootDisclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    17 min
  6. 10/03/2025

    Ep. 91 | Concussion Chronicles #4: From Victim to Main Character Energy

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions In this episode of the Concussion Chronicles, Dr, Amelia, integrative health & life coach and recovered burned out veterinarian, shares one of the most powerful mindset shifts that helped her during concussion recovery: choosing main character energy instead of slipping into victim mode.  You’ll hear how a simple reframe can completely change the way you experience your reality, and you'll be introduced to a simple coaching tool that helps you to see how your thoughts, feelings, actions, and results are all connected.  This is an invitation to notice the way you’re narrating your own life so you can start choosing thoughts that align with the reality you want to be creating. Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    6 min
  7. 09/27/2025

    Ep. 90 | Concussion Chronicles #3: 6 Ways To Cope When Things Feel Really Hard

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions In this episode of 'Life Boost with Amelia,' host Dr. Amelia, an integrative health and life coach and veterinarian, shares her personal concussion recovery journey.  Through candid reflections and reading her social media posts from that time, Amelia outlines six crucial strategies she used to cope with the challenging recovery process.  She underscores the importance of addressing both good and uncomfortable emotions, reframing setbacks as learning experiences, and seeking gratitude and curiosity even in difficult times.  To help others foster a positive mindset, Amelia offers a nine-minute morning affirmations meditation, available here: https://www.lifeboost.today/morningaffirmations 00:00 Introduction to Life Boost with Amelia 01:01 Amelia's Concussion Recovery Journey 03:30 Coping Strategies for Difficult Times 05:09 Embracing Challenges and Finding Strength 06:57 Daily Choices for a Positive Mindset 10:11 A Gift of Meditation and Affirmations Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    11 min
  8. 09/19/2025

    Ep. 89 | Concussion Chronicles #2: The Surprising Truth About 5 Weeks Without Workouts

    Send me a text sharing your thoughts or questions In this episode of 'Life Boost with Amelia,' host Dr. Amelia, an integrative health and life coach, shares her personal journey of recovering from a concussion and how she coped with over five weeks of physical inactivity. Despite being someone who loves staying active, Amelia discusses the unique challenges she faced and the surprising results of this forced break. Discover how she navigated the emotional and physical aspects of her recovery, the strategies she used to minimize strength loss, and the powerful lessons on the importance of gentle movements and honoring your body's need for rest and nourishment. 00:00 Introduction to Life Boost with Amelia 01:02 Concussion Story: The Journey Begins 03:06 Lessons from Concussion Recovery 04:12 Overcoming Old Patterns and Fears 06:01 Adapting to New Physical Limitations 10:19 The Power of Small Movements 14:52 Consistency and Listening to Your Body 18:49 Reflections and Final Thoughts Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, mental health, or professional advice. I am a certified health and life coach, not a licensed medical or mental health professional. Please consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your physical or mental health routines. If you are experiencing a crisis, seek help from a qualified professional or contact emergency services. Connect with me on your favorite social media channel: Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn! To learn more about my approach and the programs and free resources available to support you, visit my website: www.lifeboost.today I love to hear from you. You can always reach me at amelia@lifeboost.today.

    20 min
4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Life Boost with Amelia podcast where we're changing the narrative around what true health and success look like. They should give you energy, not drain them. Whether you’re a veterinary professional, a high-achieving perfectionist, or a people pleaser ready to not just look good on paper but to FEEL good, my goal is to always leave you with a fresh perspective that lifts a weight off your shoulders by the end of the episode. I'm your host, Dr. Amelia - multi-passionate integrative health and life coach, entrepreneur, and recovered burnout veterinarian. Together, we'll explore the science behind how your brain and body work, including the unconscious mind while also connecting with what your heart needs in order to stand up to the norm of feeling stuck on a hamster wheel-working hard yet feeling exhausted and not where you want to be- and instead live a life that makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning and in love with who you see when you look in the mirror. The reality is if you do what everyone else is doing, you're not going to feel good. Let's break the norm.