We Eat Life

You are what you eat. You are what you absorb.

Tell me what you have been consuming (all foods and sensory input) and I will tell you who you are.

We eat LIFE. 

What we choose to eat impacts our overall health and wellbeing.

Make poor choices and life eats away at us.

Undigested foods rot our body.

Undigested emotions rot our mind.

The mindbody connection - it’s a real thing. 

Your mind will store unprocessed emotions in the tissues of your body. As a Medical Massage Therapist, I am often reminding clients, “the issues are in the tissues.”

Everything we think, feel, see, touch, taste, smell, hear, do, have done to us, choose not to do has the power to be medicine or poison to our spirit.

I refer to this as your mind diet.

What are you feeding your mind? And what impact is it having on your body? On your spirit?

“The human body is the best picture of the human soul.”

— Ludwig Wittgenstein

Negative thoughts, programs and beliefs become habitual causing fear and anxiety, anger and resentment.

Those emotional blockages create tension in the body. 

Foods we eat, particularly the frankenfoods that make up the American diet of today, have a direct impact on every area of our health, and ultimate happiness. 

Eat like crap - feel like crap.

On the other hand, eat a diet filled with fresh, organic plant-based foods that come from Mother Earth and you will feel light and radiant.

Music, movies, books, every single thing we take in through our senses has an impact on how we show up in the world, who we become.

Who are you becoming? 

Do you like what you see when you gaze into your eyes in the mirror? When you go within during your yoga or meditation practice is your mind buzzing with negativity and random thoughts? Or do you avoid being still because you are afraid to face yourself?

How about how you show up in relationships? Are you hearing yourself bitching and complaining about what is not working out for you? Or are you expressing your love and gratitude for the blessings and love that you share with those closest to you?

What are you holding onto?

What are you carrying around?

Take an honest inquiry.

What would your life look like if you allowed in all the love, attention and validation you needed to make lasting change?

Being peaceful is a lifestyle built on choices made moment to moment.

Those choices become our habits and rituals. 

It takes about ten weeks to form new habits. 

Start Today

What are you doing with your now?

• Transfer the authority for your life from the external world to yourself (where it belongs).

• Give up self-judgment - it only leads to more anxiety and fear. Instead be kind and tender with yourself in your thoughts and self talk. It’s a process. The more negative your inner dialogue, the  more tender you will need to be to shift how you connect with yourself.

• Allow the tasks that are of your highest and best use of time to manage your schedule. 

• Keep a journal or use the Notes feature on your phone. We change what we track. 

“Your body is your castle, if you don’t take care of it, it will crumble.”

— Jim Tolsen

Quit treating your body like a rental! 

Be at home in yourself.

Self love is self care - it’s about caring for yourself in every possible way - from what you eat, to what thoughts you allow to swirl in your mind, to what you tolerate in your life. 

You deserve an absolutely fulfilling life. I can help you make that your new reality. Let’s chat.

Stress Isn't The Glue That Holds You Together - 5 Methods to Increase Stress Resiliency

As a Wellness Coach and Practitioner, a big part of my work with clients incorporates stress-reducing remedies in the form of hands-on body therapies, and simple practices that can quickly become a go-to in times of heightened stress and anxiety. 

In honor of April being Stress Awareness month, I’m going to share with you some of the practices I use with my clients.

I think we all know the real dangers to our health and wellbeing associated with chronic stress. In case you need a refresher or some extra motivation to make a change.

Chronic stress…

…is inflammatory to the brain and body.

…creates imbalances in our hormones.

…destroys brain cells.

…fuels depression.

…impacts us biologically, psychologically and socially.

Living with constant high levels of stress and no reprieve increases our sensory load, leading to an overstimulated nervous system. When the nervous is overstimulated chronically, a cascade of potential health issues arise. Stress accounts for 80% of doctor visits!

Based on the latest model, we have three branches of the autonomic nervous system:

1. Safety - rest/digest

2. Danger - fight/flight

3. Life threat - freeze (immobilization)

Ideally we should be in the rest/digest nervous state most of the time with moments of fight/flight when faced with heightened stress from threats (reckless drivers on the highway, running late for a presentation, etc). When we are unable to shift back to rest/digest or when we think we *need* our stress to have an edge, that’s when we have problem.

If you think, stress is the glue that holds you together, read on, and reach out to me!

I’ve got a better way for you to unlock the highest potential of your brain so you can sustain peak performance AND feel bliss and joy.

My Top 5 Methods To Increase Your Resiliency To Stress:

#1 - Recharge (consistently)

Take short decompression breaks throughout the day. You’ll come back more focused and productive.

Do This!

Meditate - sit quietly and focus on your breath. That’s it. Do this for 5-15 minutes.

Breathe - take full deep breaths in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Take nine breaths and on the last breath hold your breath using a timer. Slowly exhale the air when you body signals you to do so. Repeat this nine breath practice for 5-15 minutes.

Keep in mind - relaxation is a learned skill.

ROI 

Invest 30-60 minutes daily into your health and get back 4-6 hours - achieve more in less time.

Non-destructive Ways To Decompress After Work:

Restorative Mindbody Practices

Breath work (deep, slow breathing)

Massage therapy

Move Your Body 

Take a walk outside for a minimum of six minutes.

Jump on a rebounder

Dance and sing

Qigong, yoga (not hot yoga), Pilates, foam rolling*

*Keep in mind - gentle movement exercises that rely on body weight are easier on the nervous system because they rely on leverage instead of weights.

Play In The Dirt 

Tend to your garden

Go forest bathing

Earthing - place your feet directly on the ground on dirt or sand.

Laughter

Play - let go and have fun.

#2 - Energize

Fuel your brain and body with nourishing whole foods and purified water. Move your bones.

Do This!

Eat REAL Foods (choose organic)

Fresh fruits

Leafy greens and vegetables

Lean, organic meats

Smoothies - a delicious meal that packs a ton of nutrients, quick to prep and easy to consume.

Mid-afternoon munch on crunchy vegetables or fruits like apples or pears.

Keep in mind - 40% of stress is due to nutritional stress.

Do This!

Stay Hydrated

Keep a glass or stainless bottle of purified water at your desk. Refills and potty breaks get you moving.

Drink 30 minutes before a meal, 2.5 hours after meal.

Drink half your body weight in ounces (increase intake with high heat or exercise).

Keep in mind - dehydration causes stress.

Do This!

Connect With Your Body/Move Your Bones

Take a 5-6 minute walk, preferably outside (weather permitting), otherwise walk the steps or through the building.

Roll your feet/foam roll your body.

Do a few stretches at your desk or in the kitchen at your office.

Keep in mind - You address tension throughout your whole body when you Roll or Massage your feet.

#3 - Recovery 

Train your brain to become more comfortable in a quiet, restorative state. Here are some of my personal go-to products to help me recover and repair from life’s stressors.

Do This!

Use Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils

There are many ways to use essential oils. You can diffuse them, add to a cream or oil and apply topically, or apply them directly to the bottoms of your feet. My favorite brand is Young Living. I love their Peace & Calming blend, Lavender, Joy, and some special blends I make.

Take a Magnesium Supplement 

Chronic stress causes the depletion of magnesium in the body. Magnesium protects the body against stress, aids in restful sleep and post workout muscle recovery, just to name a few of the powerful benefits. As with all supplements, you want a high quality supplement that is bioavailable. My favorite brand is Activation Magnesium spray. You can find it here, along with other favorites.

Do a detox soak

Use a Quality Grade CBD Oil

I recommend beginning with a low dosage and listening to your body. My favorite brand is Charlotte’s Web. www.cwhemp.com

Build Your Cellular Engine

Drink a REDOX signaling molecules solution. It’s been my not-so-secret fountain of youth elixir for over six years. I am a huge fan of ASEA brand - quality products backed by science and supported by research. www.trishfortune.myasealive.com

Keep in mind - more stress means more rest. Recovery is KING!

#4 - Reflect

Reflect on what you are thankful for - there is always something!

Do This!

Give Thanks - give thanks to Spirit/God/Universe or whatever you refer to the source greater than us.

Keep a Gratitude Journal 

Express Your Gratitude -never miss an opportunity to show appreciation to your loved ones, clients, strangers, service providers, on the highway - everywhere.

Keep in mind - what we think about expands. Want more goodness? Focus on it!

#5 - Revitalize

Rest and relaxation is a must, not a luxury.

Do This!

Make Time Daily For a Little “Me Time.”

Prioritize Rest

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene - set yourself up for sound sleep.

Keep in mind - daytime stresses often lead to restless sleep.

Schedule Time Off - make off-days your reality

Take Mini-breaks - unplug and unwind

Keep in mind - you can diminish/eliminate burnout in a week’s time (7 to 10 days have positive effects).

There you have it, some of my proven practices for overcoming fatigue, increasing your stress resilience and improving your state of mind and health. 

Start small. Make it stick. Before you know it you will feel the increase in your energy levels, better overall performance, more patience and life satisfaction. 

If you are ready for a more personalized program to address your chronic stress, let’s connect. I can help you clear the fog of distress and restore your health.

Cheers to your lifelong wellbeing,

Trish

Good Morning Sunshine Smoothie

A delicious, tropical delight packed with plant-healing goodness.

This smoothie is packed with plant-healing nutrients sure to give you a good morning, sunshine! I love the combination of the sweet pineapple with the nutty flavor from the alfalfa sprouts and hemp seeds. The mint and ginger really add a freshness to the flavor profile.

From my first sip, it was tropical love!

Yield: 1 large or 2 small servings

1 cup purified water

1 ripe banana, broken into chunks

1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts or a handful of sunflower microgreens

2 cups chopped pineapple

6 small mint leaves

1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger

1-2 ribs of celery

1 medjool date

1 tablespoon hemp seeds

2 big handfuls of spinach OR 4 dark leafy greens, stems removed (collards, kale)

Combine all the ingredients in a high-powered blender (VitaMix). Process until smooth.

Pour in a tall glass or mason jar. Makes a great on-the-go meal or pre-workout snack.

Chew your smoothie - let it swirl in your mouth before swallowing to aid in proper digestion.

Want more delicious recipes?

Jumpstart your health and vitality in as little as three days. Feel, see and experience a difference in your mind and body. Enjoy a plant-powered diet coupled with a daily, restorative plan. Detoxify. Nourish. Rejuvenate.

AN EASY TO FOLLOW 3-DAY MEAL PLAN, INCLUDING RECIPES FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, SNACKS, DINNER, DESSERT AND BEVERAGES TO BOOST YOUR VITALITY.

So much love for this fruity booty fabric swatch! I need a beach towel or coverup with this pattern! Hope it makes you smile, too!

Five Steps To Reinvent Your Morning Routine

As a Wellness Coach, one of the top questions I’m asked is “how do you start your morning (and your brain) without caffeine and sugar?” 

For most of us, mornings can be hectic and stressful. 

The Not-So-Good Morning Rush

Alarms buzzing. 

Rushed to get yourself (and often kids, possibly pets) put together, fed and out the door. 

Traffic delays and backups.

The ticking of the clock..fear of being late..missing the meeting.

Exhausted before you even begin the day.

With so little time..and brain power, when it comes to morning fuel, we just grab-and-go whatever is fast and easiest, like coffee and something sweet.

Now don’t get me wrong, a good cup of coffee and a sweet treat is one of my favorite indulgences, but it’s certainly NOT the breakfast of champions.

If you are serious about setting your day up for success, it’s time to reinvent your morning routine. 

Step 1 - MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE MORNING

Remove the rush.

Set your alarm for fifteen minutes before you would normally get up. If you’re a fan of the snooze button, set your alarm for thirty-minutes ahead to give yourself a little extra snooze time. 

Step 2 - Greet The Day

“What good shall I do today?”

— Ben Franklin

As soon as your feet hit the floor, make your bed, open your blinds to let in the sunshine. A quick stretch and yawn with sound (ahhhh) as you head to the kitchen.

Step 3 - Hydrate And Get Moving

Begin your morning with a mug of warm lemon water*, followed by a fruit/green smoothie.

These beverages will begin to awaken your brain and get your bowels moving. 

I like to use this time to put away hand-washed dishes that dried overnight or empty the dishwasher while I drink my smoothie. This allows me to use my time wisely and return home to a tidy space. Winning the day, already!

*Add the juice from one, organic fresh lemon to a mug of warm purified water. Sip and enjoy!

Step 4 - Mindful Morning

Our personal routine of cleansing and primping is often completed on autopilot. Use this time to bring mindful attention to what you want for the day.

Set an intention.

See yourself having pleasant exchanges with loved ones and coworkers, enjoying nourishing foods (away from your desk), and getting outside for a breath of fresh air. 

Give thanks. Life has a way of slowing us down just enough to pause and give thanks - while drying our hair, waiting for traffic lights and elevators, during refills at the water cooler, on your commute, foam rolling before or after your workout. There’s always time for gratitude!

Remember - we’re more in control of our time and experiences than we often believe.

Step 5 - Move Your Body

Move your body now or later in the day. There’s no right time, it’s what’s right for you.

If you are the type that likes to get in your exercise first thing, great! If not, pack your workout bag the night before and have it ready by the door (or already in your trunk).

A mid-day walk with a coworker is a great way to maintain meaningful connections and camaraderie while staying healthy.

If you prefer to exercise after work, head to the gym, studio or the trail. A good sweat session is the perfect way to release your stresses and flush out toxins.

You will find that you sleep more soundly if you get ample movement.

By now you probably noticed there was no step devoted to checking emails or social media.

Let the fear go that you will be “missing something” if you don’t check in.

Rest assured you will have plenty of time for what is important when you begin with your own self-care. 

Free yourself from the hectic, “same as usual” mornings.

Reserve time and energy for what matters most.

Engage more fully in what you are doing.

Become more aware of your here-and-now experience.

Live a richer, more fulfilling life, with more meaningful relationships, greater health and well-being. 

It’s a big promise, I know.

This strategy works for me; and many of my coaching clients that have tried it for themselves.

Give it a try, adjust as necessary to meet your needs and preferences.  I want to hear how it goes. Let me know what worked (what didn’t and why). 

The Inside Story of Trish Fortune, a Heroine's Journey (personal essay)

“She’s not one of us.”

— Childhood message

“She’s not one of us”  was one of the primary messages of my childhood. I never fit in. All of my friends moms were stay at home moms. My mom was an ambitious corporate executive fighting to prove herself worthy to the old boy’s club. She spent her days locked away in an office, in a time in history where men made deals on the golf course. It was painful to watch my heroine return home late every night, stressed to the max and exhausted.

I spent my Summers at our community pool. While me and my friends played like fish all day their moms built their nest in a horseshoe patter poolside the two-foot section so they could keep a close eye on their kids, soak in the sun, read novels and gossip about working mothers neglecting their children and missing out. I was a member of that pool, but I didn't belong. I never understood what they had against working mothers, like my mom. I was a self-reliant kid who resented being treated like a needy child. I greatly valued my autonomy. I could be trusted to look after myself. Besides, my mom was a complete badass who slayed all day.

“You must be perfect to be accepted, to be loved.”

— Childhood message

I was part of a family I loved very deeply, but even at home with my parents and little brother, I was unsure if I belonged. When you are raised by perfectionists everything you do is picked apart like roadkill to a turkey vulture. I was never good enough. Constantly under their scrutiny, I strived harder to be “a good girl.” It seemed the message I was receiving was “you must be perfect to be accepted, to be loved.”

So I strived harder to do better, to be better, to get “it” right.

I was “too sensitive,” at least that is what my family reminded me of every time I showed vulnerability - when I got too real. I would build up my courage once more only to be cut down to size with phrases like “who do you think you are?” And “don’t get too big for your britches, young lady!”

I’d “get an intuitive hit” about someone or something, but when I shared my insight with my mom, I’d be told, “you don’t know what you’re talking about.” This rejection birthed serious self doubt; and even more serious self-loathing.

My intuitive muscle lived a wispy existence my entire childhood. I constantly questioned and critiqued myself. I took over their role - picking myself apart. There was so much wrong with me. I lived riddled with shame. 

By high school, I was overcome by shame for my vast imperfections and sense of failure. I was sure I was never going to be good enough.

I dreamed of dying—not by committing suicide though, just somehow miraculously ceasing to exist.

I used to pray to God to bring me ‘home’—I would say ‘do over’ just like when you kick the ball out of bounds in a game of schoolyard kickball. I prayed this prayer more times than I could count and—well, nothing changed.

Graduation was coming up fast. I was terrified by all the talk amongst my elders of what was next for my life. I had no plan. Time was running out for me. I locked myself away in my bedroom. I desperately dropped to my knees to pray my ‘do over’ prayer.

I began to bargain with God.

“Show me the way to health and I’ll dedicate the rest of my life to helping others find their way.”

That day, at the age of seventeen, marked the turning point in my life.

I made the choice to take personal responsibility for my health and well-being.

I also made a promise to God to pay it forward.

I began my hero’s journey to take back my power, to discover who I really was beneath the shame.

As a recovering perfectionist, striving for excellence, the fear I was inherently flawed drove me toward liberation.

I began the journey to self-love through improved health and personal development.

That path led to lasting transformation.

Looking back from the joyful life I live now, my heart is filled with gratitude for that dark night of the soul, as it has served me, and others, very well. This younger version of me seems like another place and time.

Life is now easier, more fulfilling.

My heart is full of peace and joy.

I belong to me.

This led to the realization that I belong to my family; and I belong here - wherever here is in the moment.

“Optimal health is the master key to joy. I have become the locksmith.”

— Trish Fortune

I kept that childhood promise. With the purest of intentions, I’ve made it my life’s work to facilitate others on the road to optimal health - unlocking their greatness. Optimal health is the master key to joy. I have become the locksmith.

My fear of not being good enough drove me to learn, study and apply everything I could get my hands on in the area of health, healing and wholeness. I became a researcher, living in the self-help section of Borders Books and Barnes and Noble. I was up to my ears in research studies in my college library. I believed I didn't truly know a subject until I could teach it. My college curriculum was filled with the sciences of human movement, psychology and nutrition. The more I learned, the more I realized how much more there was to learn. I discovered a new label for myself, I was a nerd that loved research - I ate it up (still am..still do). It gave me power and confidence, dispelling my childhood fear that I was stupid.

I felt completely empowered for the first time in my life.

The process of getting to know myself seemed like a necessity for living a good life. I listened to motivational tapes while driving to work and running the trails. I unlearned the limiting messages of my childhood and began reprogramming my brain. I started to like me. At some point, I began to embody the wisdom of these texts. I know because my friends began accusing me of “being a self-help book.” I took it as a compliment, it was true sign I was on the right path. My mantra became - the better I am, the more healed I am; the better I serve.

I discovered I had the courage to live out on the bleeding edge.

I was holistic when holistic was somehow taboo. A Reiki Master that prayed you’d opt for a personal experience instead of turning to the woo-woo, new age descriptions found on Google.  I became a Life Coach with the intention to combine my background in fitness, massage and bodywork, therapeutic nutrition and psychology.

I was an innovator of true wellness coaching before there was ever such a thing.  

With over twenty-five years of knowledge and experience, I am an expert in health, healing and wholeness.  It is my greatest passion.  I have a burning desire in my belly to be a positive force. While my friends were busy reading the latest murder mystery, love novel or watching reality TV to see what bizarro thing would happen next, I was immersed in research and working with clients.

I’ve helped thousands of women and men create optimal health and well-being.

As your guide, I help you map your road to freedom so you too, can achieve the health and life you deserve.

Don’t put your health and happiness off a day longer.

I’ll show you how to wholeheartedly

love your body + your life.