In this episode of Why Not Wellness, Cat gets real about the things we think and say to ourselves about our bodies… and how the body keeps score, even when we don’t.

If you’ve ever:

• Looked in the mirror and gone straight to what’s “wrong”
• Compared yourself to younger, smaller, “more put together” versions of you
• Felt like your midlife body has betrayed you

…this conversation is for you.

Cat talks about:

• The quiet, constant self-talk we aim at our bodies
• How your nervous system “hears” every eye roll, every harsh thought, every skipped meal and overworked day
• Why the body keeps score in tension, fatigue, and numbness, even when you can’t remember what you said
• Common “voices” we carry: the Comparison Voice, the Drill Sergeant, the Inner Critic, and the Ghoster
• What it looks like to interrupt that pattern with a simple apology to your body
• How to start giving your body new receipts to keep: moments of kindness, rest, pleasure, and honest gratitude

You’ll also walk through a short reflection you can do anywhere:

• Notice the part of your body you’ve been hardest on
• Hear the stories and expectations you’ve placed on it
• Begin talking to it like a partner instead of a problem

This episode is an invitation to shift from body war to body home, one softer thought at a time.

What is it really like to grow up as a “military brat”? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the constant moves, new schools, base life, and the unspoken pressure of carrying a parent’s service on your shoulders. We talk about: - The emotional impact of always being “the new kid” - How frequent PCS moves shape identity, friendships, and trust - Living between two worlds: base culture vs civilian life - The hidden strength, resilience, and adaptability military brats develop - Grief, loss, and the quiet goodbyes that come with every new station - How brat life affects adult relationships, career choices, and sense of home Whether you grew up as a military brat, are raising one, or just want to understand this often invisible community, this conversation will give you a deeper look at the challenges and gifts of growing up in uniform’s shadow. **Listen if you:** - Grew up in a military family and want to feel seen and understood - Are a service member or spouse raising kids in the military - Work with military-connected families (schools, counselors, nonprofits) - Are curious about how childhood instability can lead to powerful resilience If you’re a military brat and this episode hits home, I’d love to hear your experience. Send me a message, or tag the show and share your “brat life” story so we can keep this conversation going.

Have you ever been “cleared” by your doctor or PT, but still feel terrified to move? Your body is technically healed… yet your brain is stuck in protection mode. In this episode, we’re talking about the **hidden side of recovery**: the fear that keeps you frozen long after the injury is gone. You’ll hear about: - Why your brain doesn’t believe your body is safe yet - How fear of re-injury shows up as stiffness, hesitation, and second-guessing every move - The difference between *actual pain* and *anticipated pain* - How past injuries, age, and “what if” stories make you play small with your movement - Why doing nothing can quietly make things worse for your joints, balance, and confidence I’ll also walk you through: - Simple ways to start rebuilding trust with your body, one tiny movement at a time - What to do when you mentally want to move, but your body locks up - Gentle questions to ask yourself when fear shows up - How to know the difference between “this is scary” and “this is unsafe” This episode is especially for you if: - You’ve had an injury, surgery, or chronic pain that changed how you move - You’re over 40 and worry, “If I get hurt again, will I bounce back?” - You’ve been told you’re “fine” but you don’t feel fine in your body yet - You’re tired of sitting on the sidelines of your own life .

Healing isn’t just about your tissues. It’s about teaching your nervous system that it’s safe to move again. (if you If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend who’s recovering from an injury and needs a reminder that it’s okay to start small.

They fought for stability, for freedom, for a country that promised to have their backs—but when the uniforms come off, too many veterans find themselves fighting a different kind of battle: keeping a roof over their heads. Beneath the surface of patriotic speeches and public gratitude lies a harsh reality—gaps in support programs, confusing assistance systems, and slow-moving aid are leaving veterans vulnerable to foreclosure. This podcast dives into the uncomfortable truth of how those who served are slipping through the cracks, sharing real stories, systemic failures, and the urgent need for solutions before more heroes are quietly pushed out of the homes they once believed they’d earned.

The Pilates boom looks sexy on Instagram, but experts are warning it’s turning into the Wild West of injuries. In this solo episode, I break down what’s really going on, who’s at risk, and how to protect your body while still enjoying the benefits of reformer Pilates.

Pilates studios are popping up on every corner, but so are stories of injuries, burnout, and women wondering, “Is this actually safe for my body?”

I pull back the curtain on the “Wild West” reformer Pilates boom and shares what experts are warning about:

• why injuries are increasing
• how aggressive marketing and under-trained instructors play a role
• what midlife women and beginners need to know before they hop on the carriage of a reformer machine

You’ll learn:

• the difference between traditional Pilates and today’s high-intensity, boutique-style reformer classes
• red flags to watch for in studios and instructors
• questions to ask before you buy a package or membership

• • how to enjoy reformer Pilates safely, especially if you’re navigating perimenopause, old injuries, or joint pain

This episode goes beyond the surface-level “thank you for your service” and asks a deeper, more uncomfortable question: what does the military actually mean today—especially to those who’ve never served? Speaking as a female veteran with 20 years of service, and now 26 years removed from the uniform, I explore the shifting perception of the military through both lived experience and distance. This isn’t about highlight reels or patriotic soundbites—it’s about the quiet realities of service, the evolving connection (or disconnection) between military and civilian worlds, and what relevance really looks like in today’s society. It’s honest. It’s reflective. And it might just challenge what you think you know about service—and what it means now.

In this episode I am talking about something we don’t always say out loud, but many of us feel as we get older:
that taking care of our mind, body, and soul starts to feel like a full-time job… and sometimes we wonder, “Is all this really worth it?” If you’ve ever looked at your pill box, your stretching routine, your appointments, your to‑do list and thought, “You know what… maybe I’ll just let it all slide,” this episode is for you.

For decades, women were told to fear hormone therapy. Much of that fear stemmed from the highly publicized Women's Health Initiative Study (WHI), a study that dramatically changed the conversation around menopause and hormone therapy in the early 2000s. Headlines spread quickly. Hormones became the villain. And millions of women were left confused, unsupported, and often suffering through symptoms without answers. But today, the conversation is changing. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. LaKeischa - creator of The Apology Tour, to unpack what really happened after the WHI study, why fear took over the narrative, and why the recent **U.S. Food and Drug Administration decision to remove the black box warning from certain estrogen products is such a major moment for women’s health. This conversation is about more than hormones. It’s about correcting misinformation, empowering women with facts, and rewriting the story of **menopause and **perimenopause for the next generation. If you’ve ever wondered whether the information women received about hormones was incomplete—or simply wrong—this episode will open your eyes.

info@drlakeischamd.com