Overcoming the Winter Blues

As winter sets in across Canada, many people experience a noticeable shift in mood and energy levels. For some, the drop in sunlight and colder temperatures trigger more than just a seasonal slump—it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically occurs in the late fall and winter months. With Canada’s long, dark winters, understanding SAD and how to manage it is especially important for those who are affected. SAD by the Numbers 2-3% of Canadians will experience SAD at some point in their lives, while another 15% may suffer from a milder form known as the «winter blues.» Women in Canada are eight times

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Our role in behavior change: When is a good habit really adopted?

Last week I completed my 29th annual CPR recertification, and it got me thinking about how learning takes root. Even though I’ve “learned” CPR 29 times, I still forget certain aspects of the procedure because I’ve never needed to practice it between certifications. Has the same thing happened to you? This made me realize that, despite repetition, CPR was never truly acquired as a habit because it wasn’t ingrained in my routine. In my conversations with clients about healthy living, there’s often a misconception that because tools for wellness – like stress management, regular physical activity or mindful eating – are

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Kick Off Your Fitness Workday on the Right Foot

Are you hoping to have a day full of energy, resilience, and positivity? Do you want to show up mindfully for your clients and classes while not draining your social battery for your loved ones? ​I feel compelled to share this career productivity tip: It’s time to break up with your snooze button.  Unfortunately, for avid fans of the snooze button, science is not on your side. We’re in the habit of pressing snooze once, or sometimes 5 times, to feel more rested from our night and more energized for our day. As it turns out, sleep science demonstrates that hitting the

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Want Better Sleep? Give Your Brain a Break

Let’s recognize Mental Health Week, May 6-10 th, 2024, by paying attention to our sleep. The bidirectional relationship between sleep and mental health indicates it’s worth attention. Did you know? Up to 80% of people with mental health problems have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep (CAMH). Frequent awakenings can contribute significantly to deteriorating mood and negative emotions. A powerful way to improve our sleep is by giving our minds time to power down. Going from awake to asleep isn’t an ON/OFF switch; it’s a dimmer switch! Getting there smoothly requires gradually decreasing all forms of stimulation the 2-3 hours before bedtime. This includes

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In Bed with Sarah Zahab and the Fitness Industry

Developing our network and collaboration is critical to serving our clients and career success! Kinesiologist and exercise physiologist Sarah Zahab shares ideas for bridging the gap between injury/rehab and returning to sport and fitness. In this episode of In Bed With the Fitness Industry, she also shares the launch of her brand new certification focused on Women’s Wellness. Contact Sarah: Instagram Facebook Podcast Information: Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts   Summary In this episode, Nathalie Lacombe interviews Sarah Zahab, a registered kinesiologist and

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Making Fitness Accessible Through Adaptations

Written by Jess Silver, Founder of Flex for Access Pursuing fitness- based training in a gym setting at a high-performance level, has long been thought of as something that a specific type of person does, who is part of a specific demographic; one who already had exposure to exercise and sport performance, is an athlete, or businessperson or the individual who is seeking a way to lose weight. This siloed and divisive understanding needs to evolve, and it is required that there is more education for fitness industry professionals to understand that access to gyms and fitness programming needs to be

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In Bed with Jonathan Ross & the Fitness Industry

In the newest episode of my In Bed with the Fitness Industry podcast, Jonathan Ross discusses the importance of movement and enjoyment in fitness, particularly for special populations with chronic conditions. He emphasizes the need for fitness professionals to find their niche and continue their education to serve their clients better while highlighting the role of fun and pleasure in physical activity. He expresses his optimism for the fitness industry as more people are finding the value of feeling good in their bodies. Key Takeaways: Fitness professionals should focus on helping clients find enjoyment in physical activity, as it leads to greater adherence and long-term success. Special

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In Bed with Emma Barry and the Fitness Industry

You’ve been waiting for this one! Emma Barry joined us from New Zealand to share ALL her insights: trends in fitness and beyond, generational gaps in our industry, must-haves for sustainable careers and businesses, and so much more!  Grab your headphones and kick off your 2024 learning with the incomparable Emma Barry in this episode of In Bed With the Fitness Industry!  Contact Emma here: Website Instagram Facebook Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts This podcast season is sponsored by Hexfit, the leading software

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Avoid This Career Goal Mistake

Chances are you’ve set yourself some exciting career goals for 2024: new clients, increased revenue, learning and teaching a new type of class, etc. Goal setting with clients is a big part of our jobs and I know we do it well as fitness pros, but I also suspect we fall into the trap of outcome-oriented goals when it comes to our careers and businesses.  Let’s avoid this goal-setting trap by setting the oh-so-critical process-oriented goals that will propel us toward success!  We’ll use the following example which you would of course adapt to the goal you’ve set for yourself and

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Power Naps: Breathing Practice

As the year draws to a close, I take the opportunity to reflect on the trust you place in me to support your fitness and wellness career. I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the trust you have placed in me and for the opportunity to contribute to your success.  As a way of saying thank you, I’m pleased to share with you this short video featuring a restorative breathing practice. In the midst of the holiday frenzy, taking a few moments to breathe mindfully can help restore balance and prevent exhaustion. I hope this practice

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IN BED WITH MO HAGAN & LOREDANA WAINWRIGHT AND THE FITNESS INDUSTRY

Ever thought about hosting a fitness and wellness retreats? They are making a major comeback! Listen to special guests trendsetter Mo Hagan and retreat host Loredana Wainwright as they share how to successful plan some fabulous getaways and how to best choose your project partners. We also have a VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT to make and you’re the FIRST to hear it! Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts   https://youtu.be/TyjukBrMhnw Details and Pricing Book Here Summary In this episode of In Bed with the Fitness

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In Bed with Kim Vopni and the Fitness Industry

I’m sure your clients and maybe yourself have had to deal with pelvic floor challenges like incontinence and prolapse. These dysfunctions are common and very treatable but so many women struggle with shame, uncertainty and a belief that the only option is surgery or kegels. Join Kim Vopni – the Vagina Coach – to learn the true reasons for these situations and how you can help your clients eliminate the bothersome symptoms to feel like themselves again. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts  https://youtu.be/ITZiRo7XHU8

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Power Naps: Motivation or Discipline

I’ve noticed many fitness pros shifting their attention from trying to help motivate people to exercise, towards telling people they need to get disciplined about their physical activity. My thoughts on the matter in this edition of Power Naps. Have a listen to this short video and let me know your thoughts. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/g9SIbNKkQ58

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You’re a Perfect Fit for Workplace Wellness

I did the math: 254, that’s how many workplace workshops I’ve presented since 2020. That means I’ve not only had the pleasure of sharing health and wellness with over 10,000 people looking to improve their well-being, but I also developed a revenue stream that is so cost-effective I’m able to keep my career sustainable and profitable. You can too, and here are the guidelines to follow: 1) Be aware that organizations have turned many human resources departments into “people and wellness” as they strive to recruit and keep top talent. They allocate time and budget to the physical and mental health

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In Bed with Dawn Bowman & the Fitness Industry

How can a lifestyle photographer who cultivates joy, laughter, and fun into her shoots help you build your business? A photo tells a thousand stories, oui? Find out how Dawn combines timeless and documentative lifestyle photography principles to give you photos that feel organic, elevated, and full of life. You’ll learn how to choose a photographer that provides way more than a standard headshot! Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/LxPgdRm-7fM

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In Bed with Jessie Thomas & the Fitness Industry

From outdoor workouts in the winter to converting a barn into a fitness studio, Farm Girl Fitness has been pivoting from the very beginning to help its members keep active and stay mentally strong.Farm Girl Fitness owner Jessie Thomas turned the crisis of gym closures in 2020 into the creation of a fitness facility on her family’s farm where people could train in the safety and the beauty of nature and feel the support of community. Find out how becoming an entrepreneur helped Jessie thrive in her career, and build the community that made her an award-winning fitness pro! Listen to the newest episode of

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Moving Towards Wellness

Our clients’ health and wellness needs have moved beyond workouts focused solely on physical health, and we are perfectly poised to meet their needs. With services including healthspan and longevity, recovery and sleep, stress management and mental health, and so much more.​The global wellness market is worth $4.4 trillion and is expected to reach $7 trillion by 2025. A Global Wellness Institute (GWI) study reveals that for every annual increase of around $800 in wellness spending per person, happiness levels rise by 7% and life expectancy by 1.26 years.​Distinguishing between fitness and wellness helps us see how to integrate our current

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Are Live Conferences Worth the Money?

Investing time and money to attend a live fitness event and participate the same way you would online is not worthwhile. You’re better off staying home and joining via the live stream or watch the recorded sessions. Why do I still go to live conferences? Not so long ago, I would go to 1 fitness event per month, often as a presenter but also to participate, network, and learn. I now carefully choose my time away from home and working IN my business. Last week’s canfitpro’s 30th-anniversary conference and tradeshow were one of these times when spending five days working ON

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In Bed with Jess Silver and the Fitness Industry

What is adaptive fitness? While numerous definitions are floating around our industry, Jess Silver of Flex for Access explains exactly what adaptive fitness means – and how you should already be doing it. This isn’t a future trend; it’s a now requirement for all trainers.  Jess Silver is a Medical Writer, Motivational speaker, Adaptive Fitness personal trainer and Founder of Flex for Access Inc., a Non-Profit Organization for fitness and sport promotion to manage disability and injury. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/JT5Zz7VgskM

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Fresh Out of Ideas for Social Media?

We all feel it; the pressure to post “something” on social media when we’re drawing a blank. Most of us didn’t become fitness professionals out of a burning desire for content creation yet here we are, feeling like we compete with influencers with huge audiences and a constant stream of ideas for posts/reels/stories/shorts/etc. on social media.  I’ve been there, and so have all my career coaching clients. Here are my top tips to ease the frustration and a couple of fresh ideas.  Social Media Top Tips Consistency matters more than frequency  Most fitness pros who don’t really use social media say

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How Exercise Helps Manage Stress

Fitness professionals owe it to themselves and their clients to not only understand how exercise impacts physical health, but also the direct effects on mental health including stress and resilience. We’ve felt it in ourselves, we hear it from our clients, we read about it in the news, and we share it as an outcome but understanding the “how” could have a huge impact on keeping clients beyond the 50% retention rate in our industry. It would also help us finally connect with and attract the 85% of the population that doesn’t use our services. Two ways to begin a meaningful

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In Bed with Christine Conti & the Fitness Industry

Did you know 1/4 of adults are dealing with a chronic condition? Are you prepared to support them in their health and fitness goals? Christine Conti shares how learned to provide services to people with all kinds of abilities and build a more inclusive career and business. Christine is a best-selling author and award-winning international fitness educator and speaker who specializes in chronic conditions. After a life-altering diagnosis at the age of thirty, Christine has made it her mission to empower and inspire others to live more quality lives by taking control of their health and wellness and grow their «split-second

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9 Keys to Client Retention

If you’re like most fitness professionals you’re spending almost all your time on attracting and getting new clients, and very little on client retention strategies. We assume that delivering great service and coaching them towards their results is a retention strategy and hope they’ll automatically renew.  Curious about the common mistakes fitness leaders make in client service and retention?  I’ve got good news 😊 I’m honored to join renowned industry experts as we share our experiences with customer loyalty throughout our careers. Join us on April 11th at 1pm EST (or register to get the recording).  During this FREE Masterclass event,

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Health For All! Celebrate World Health Day

April 7th is World Health Day and a wonderful opportunity for fitness leaders to tackle health challenges by making our services even more accessible! Let’s celebrate the World Health Organization’s 75th birthday with this year’s theme, HEALTH FOR ALL!  What can you do as a health and fitness leader to make health more accessible? I’d love to hear your ideas! Here are a few to help get us started. Bring a friend for free Host a special event and have your clients bring their loves ones for free. Focus on accessibility by making the program/exercises SUPER simple. Make it about simply

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A Simple Way to Build Your Credibility

Want to know how to best utilize special events or notable health days to connect with your clients? There is a super simple way to demonstrate your credibility by keeping an eye on the calendar and making the most out of what “everyone’s talking about”. I explain how I tapped into World Sleep Day in this short video: Welcome to Power Naps!! An extension of my podcast “In Bed With the Fitness Industry.” These short tips and are perfect for the fitness professional who needs a quick idea to help boost in their career and connection with their clients.  Listen to

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Power Nap: Utilizing Special Events

Welcome to Power Naps; an extension of my podcast «In Bed With the Fitness Industry.» These short tips and tidbits are perfect for the fitness professional who needs a little boost in their career. I hope you enjoy this first one on how to best utilize special events or days to connect with your clients.   Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/CA8ds8Erpk8

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They Told Me $500 Was Cheap for a Class

Have you experienced the “oh geez” feeling after being told by a potential client that your rates are too low? It happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I pride myself on pricing my services based on my confidence in my value, and I coach my career clients to do the same. Imagine my surprise when I quoted a corporate virtual Chair Yoga at $500 and my client replied, “wow, that’s cheap!”.  My first reaction after getting off the phone was happy that I landed the gig, then “wait…what??.  After some reflection, I came to three realizations I’m happy to

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In Bed with Paul Galloro & the Fitness Industry

Nervous system in chaos? Your breathing will show you the way. Don’t believe me? Let Paul Galloro teach you more in the latest episode of my «In Bed with the Fitness Industry» podcast. Paul’s approach to health and wellness goes beyond the physical and is grounded in Love. With 18 years of experience in the health and wellness industry, he blends modern sciences, ancient practices, and astrology to help people fall wildly in love with themselves.  Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/QKHRwug5Z6I

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Inactivity Costs $5.2 Billion to the Canadian Healthcare System

Fitness professionals deserve to feel proud of our impact on the health of our communities. We also need to consider if changes in our programming could make our services so much more accessible.  The data now available is awe-inspiring: physical activity provided Canada $23.4 billion in health savings. We need to take a moment to acknowledge how our industry’s services directly impact preventative health care, in particular, non-communicable diseases in both physical and mental heath.  Feel free to geek out on the data compiled by the Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) and share this document! FIC aims to work with

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In Bed with Debra Atkinson & the Fitness Industry

The way our clients chose to age, or fight against aging, has an impact on their quality of life. Just one of the things discussed In Bed with Debra Atkinson; hormone balancing fitness expert. She’s the CEO and founder of Flipping50® and The Flipping50 Project, a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and 39 yr fitness expert, and creator of the Flipping50 Menopause Fitness Specialist™ Debra helps us understand how to best connect, communicate, and show up for your audience in order to ensure their success and yours! Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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What is a Mental Health Gym?

Less daylight, big credit card bills arriving, increased workload thanks to January fitness goals, etc. No wonder heading back to work after the December holiday season has us feeling stressed out! Close to 80% of workers in North America feel stress on the job, and nearly half say they need help in learning how to manage stress.   Are mental health workouts the answer? Mental health gyms or mental fitness studios have been popping up to meet the demand for mental health support. Check out this article to read about what services they offer and what qualifications their professionals have.  We

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Their Hourly Rate Will Never Match Your Value

Should you work for a gym or studio where the hourly rate proposed or even the top of their wage band will never match your value? Maybe, but only if you’re taking a fresh look at compensation and think beyond the hourly rate.  It might be the gym you’ve worked at for a while or a new facility that’s looking for staff; if you feel connected to their brand, culture, and member experience it might be worth discussing future earnings that get you closer to the compensation you deserve.  NEGOTIATION TIP #2 Take a fresh look at compensation: Consider other means

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In Bed with Tosca Reno & the Fitness Industry

The food we choose to eat nourishes us, or doesn’t, has a deeper connection to our health than we may have ever imagined. Tosca Reno is a New York Times best selling author, founder of the Eat-Clean Diet®, health and wellness expert, transformation coach, motivational speaker, Star of a Gemini Award Winning reality TV show, physique competitor, and mother of 4. She shares how she manages to connect with her community around nutrition, health, and wellness after all these years. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify

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Great Holiday Gifts For Fitness Pros: Part 2

To my fellow fit pros: feel free to share this blog and list with your loved ones  Two themes will be omnipresent in 2023. Last week, I shared my ideas for growth gifts. Now, let’s talk about recovery. As we spread cheer this holiday season, let’s spoil ourselves and our colleagues while creating a wonderfully successful 2023!  Recovery As the biggest trend in wellness and many fitness clubs setting up recovery studios in their facilities, we owe it to ourselves to focus on self-care and invest in recovery.  Here are some “Santa’s List” suggestions for recovery Gift certificates for «Nordic spas»

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Great Holiday Gifts for Fitness Pros: Part 1

To my fellow fit pros: feel free to share this blog and list with your loved ones There are two themes that will be omnipresent in 2023 now that we’ve adapted and relaunched our services toward sustainable careers and businesses. What are they? Keep reading to find out… As fitness professionals, we are dedicated to our clients, but sometimes neglect our own health and wellness needs.  Let’s reward the resilience, adaptability, and compassion we’ve provided consistently this year with some growth and recovery.  As we spread cheer this holiday season, let’s spoil ourselves and our colleagues while setting up a wonderfully

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They Don’t Pay Enough But You Still Want to Work There?!

The labor crisis and inflation rates, combined with the fact that many fitness professionals are re-evaluating their worth, have created a chasm between the rates of pay offered by gyms and what you want to make. How can we get closer to a salary you and your employer can agree on?  It might be the gym you’ve worked at for a while or a new facility that’s looking for staff; if you feel connected to their brand, culture, and member experience, it might be worth discussing future earnings that get you closer to the rate of pay you deserve.  Fitness job

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In Bed With Funk Roberts & the Fitness Industry

How do you know if you have created a successful brand? Funk Roberts has the answer for you.  Learn how Funk built an authentic business that is dedicated to helping hundreds of thousands of men over 40, 50 and 60 excel in, health, fitness, weight loss, business and life through new monthly workouts, programs, nutrition info, exclusive products, motivation, master classes, community and more. Find out how serves his niche, stays vulnerable and continues to thrive in his business by listening below. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple

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Global Report on Physical Activity: Are We Hitting Targets? 

The World Health Organization released its inaugural Global status report on physical activity to chart the progress across the world in efforts to achieve their global target of a 15% relative reduction in the prevalence of physical inactivity by 2030. Unfortunately, the report shows that there is much more work to be done and that in some cases, countries have fallen behind.  As citizens we should all be concerned because “A consequence of this “inaction” is that already stretched health systems are burdened with preventable disease today and even more so in the future, and communities fail to benefit from the wider

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In Bed with Melanie Levenberg and the Fitness Industry

How do you explain what you do for your career? Melanie Levenberg teaches you how to speak your truth while energizing and inspiring more play-like movement for your clients – adults and kids! Melanie is canfitpro’s Fitness Instructor of the Year 2022 and is the Founder/CEO of PL3Y Inc. When Melanie is not coaching clients on launching and operating a profitable kids fitness business, you can catch her hiking, camping, skiing, snowboarding and PLAYING in the mountains. Listen to the newest episode of my podcast below or anywhere you listen to podcasts. Podcast Home Page Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts https://youtu.be/c_9IBKKWvWA

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A Podcast For You

Busy fitness and wellness pros like yourself need and deserve consistent opportunities to learn, grow, and be inspired. I got you! I assemble the best our industry has to offer; from award-winning instructors to executives at national gyms to wildly successful leaders who have overcome obstacles, I bring them all to you in compact 20-minute interviews In Bed With the Fitness Industry!  My guests and I get “In bed” for cozy conversations about their careers, connection to their purpose and audience, challenges and goals, and inspirations. From our boudoir to wherever you choose to watch on YouTube or listen to the

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