I recently got up on the blue backlit stage to deliver my first TEDx talk at TEDxFiDiWomen in San Francisco, and as I stood there in the spotlight, I felt the gravity of what I was about to do.

Looking out over that sea of people who were anticipating what I was about to say, I felt the butterflies in my belly, but they didn’t keep me from leading off my TEDx talk with a bold statement - “Caring for your body is the LEAST important part of your health.”

New Year, New Me (or Real Me, Rather)

As the New Year approaches, I can’t help but think that I am not the embodiment of who I truly feel I am. Every year I make the same resolution -- to lose weight. Some years it works, but over time the weight always comes back. This year the change must go deeper, it must be a spiritual journey towards embracing my entire self-the shadows and the light. This year I will own my health!

Okay, so the holidays are upon us. First of all, take a deep breath. Now take as your motto for this holiday season the same one I use in my coaching programs: “Live imperfectly with great delight.” That’s right, live imperfectly. During the holidays the intention is not to achieve perfection, but to achieve delight and really own your holiday experience.

For many women, the decision to tell people that they’re having trouble getting pregnant is a challenging and brave one. As I learned the hard way, the ensuing conversations are so often fraught with peril – pet theories, unsolicited advice, the disappointment of loved ones – that it often seems less painful to keep the feelings to ourselves or to our partners (who are also emotionally drained and often even more reluctant to share their feelings). But instead of isolation, there can be another option: support. From you. It sounds easy, right? So why does it backfire? And what can you do?