Balance Period

Here's what I'll be covering in this episode:

1. Mindful Moment - I guide us through three deep breaths, accompanied by a soothing awareness practice. Experience the power of these techniques as we relieve tension throughout the mind and body, cultivating a sense of inner peace and balance. Unlock the transformative benefits of mindfulness and embrace the present moment.

2. Mindful Reflection - Sourced from the esteemed Generational Wellness Digest, we delve into the prompt that asks: "What aspects of my life bring me the most joy and fulfillment, and how can I cultivate more of those experiences?" Explore the profound impact of cultivating joy and fulfillment in our lives. Gain insights into the personal fulfillment I feel as a result of guiding others through mindful moment breathing exercises.

3. Check-In - I share the valuable data from my June WHOOP Monthly Performance Assessment. Explore how prioritizing rest after completing the 50K race influenced key metrics such as strain, sleep, and recovery. Gain insights into the impact of restorative practices on training state and overall well-being. Discover the significance of sleep performance, restorative sleep, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and training behavior in optimizing our physical and mental health.

4. System Updates - I share the recent implementation of blood pressure testing into my morning routine. Discover the importance of monitoring this vital health metric and how it contributes to our overall well-being. Additionally, stay tuned for the latest update on my InnerAge as my InsideTracker results are being processed. Unleash the power of personalized data-driven wellness and gain insights into optimizing your health and vitality.

5. Resource Review - I summarize this week's featured article titled "11 Conditions That Disproportionately Affect Black People." Together, we explore the health gaps that exist in the Black community, common conditions that disproportionately affect individuals, and actionable steps we can take to create better health outcomes. Gain valuable insights into addressing health disparities and fostering a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.

Intention: My desire is to create a space where we learn, grow, and create generational wellness together. If you have any questions you would like answered on the show, email me at [email protected]

Remember to be patient with yourself, and kind to yourself because you don't have to be perfect to be great 🙏🏾

Balance Period Resources:

See our Products/Services: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/

Check out the Generational Wellness Digest: https://balance-period.ck.page/profile

Get a Free WHOOP Wellness Tracker - https://join.whoop.com/balanceperiod

Sustainable Self-Care System Discounts: shorturl.at/lpsMV

Download our Free Energy Management Guide: https://balance-period.ck.page/742a74403a

Access more resources: https://linktr.ee/balanceperiod

Pause, observe a DEEP breath. Could you use a message of encouragement during this season of your life? In this episode, we welcome Renay Achille to the show. She is a mom, caregiver, author, and fellow member of our Patreon Community. Renay shares her story of how cultivating a morning routine to prepare herself for the uncertainty associated with caring for her mother, birthed her first published book, Messages From The Master. She also shares her current morning routine and a powerful message to encourage you to embrace what makes you unique.

We have had family members as guests on the show before, but getting an opportunity to highlight our mother is extra special. Without her, there would be no Balance Period. The story she shares with us in this episode is powerful, especially for those of us who are experiencing uncertain times. Her ability to maintain a present perspective and stay disciplined with keeping her cup full now has her in the position to reap the harvest of the seeds she sewed years ago.

Regardless of where you are in life and what circumstances you currently face, you have an opportunity to grow depending upon what you believe about yourself and the habits you choose to practice. Use what you learn from this episode to continue to develop a morning routine that promotes your well-being so you can keep your cup full and recognize the full worth of your life.

Here is where you can purchase Renay's book: Messages From The Master [LuLu] | Messages From The Master [Amazon]

Ways to support Balance Period:

Subscribe to the Mindful Monday Newsletter: https://balance-period.ck.page/a5703dcd32

Download our Free Energy Management Guide: https://balance-period.ck.page/742a74403a

Get some Mindful Merch: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/

Access our resources: https://linktr.ee/balanceperiod

Sustainable Self-Care System Discounts [Paid Links]:

WHOOP Wellness Tracker - https://join.whoop.com/balanceperiod

Balance Meditation App - https://www.balanceapp.com/referral-text

FITINDEX Smart Scale - https://amzn.to/3FsBjV1

Pause, and observe a DEEP breath. Are you serving what serves you? In this episode, we welcome Sequoia Ruby Lee to the show. Ruby is an educator and personal trainer who shares her story of self-awareness, self-love, and self-care. She discusses the evolution of her mental, physical, and spiritual health and shares the habits she practices to keep her cup full.

"The only thing that needs validation is parking." This is just one of the many gems Ruby drops throughout her time on the show. Her perspective is powerful and the wisdom she shares is sure to empower you to continue to create generational wellness.

Let's listen, learn, and grow together!

Here's how you can connect with Ruby...

Instagram: @ruerulee | @trapntrain_

Twitter: @ruerulee

TikTok: @ruerulee

Balance Period Resources:

Support Balance Period on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/balanceperiod

Customized Wellness Plans: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/collections/customized-wellness-plans

Generational Wellness Creators Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/389047646076003/

Subscribe to the Mindful Monday Newsletter: https://balance-period.ck.page/a5703dcd32

Download our Free Energy Management Guide: https://balance-period.ck.page/742a74403a

Get some Mindful Merch: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/

Sustainable Self-Care System Discounts: shorturl.at/lpsMV

Access more resources: https://linktr.ee/balanceperiod

Note: We had some connectivity issues during this live broadcast so the audio will sound a bit choppy at times. We are working to ensure that our next episode returns to its normal quality.

Here's what I'll be covering in this episode:

1. Mindful Moment - I guide us through 5 rounds of deep breathing and an awareness practice to redefine our relationship with our thoughts.

2. Mindful Reflection - I answered last week's question from the Balance Period Newsletter: "What is something I am holding onto that I need to let go of?"

3. Check-In - I share some updates on what next steps I am taking after reviewing my InsideTracker data with my primary care physician. I also discuss some of the sleep trends I notice in the data I received from my Weekly WHOOP Performance Assessment. I then talk about what shifts I noticed in my monthly FitIndex weigh-in. Here are some measured metrics: body weight, BMI, body fat, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, body water, skeletal muscle, muscle mass, protein, and metabolic age.

4. System Updates - I share an app that can be used to create an evening routine, without a wearable device, and help improve your quality of sleep called ZenSleep.

5. Resource Review - I share the featured article from the Balance Period Newsletter: Meditation Facts - Why You Don't Have to Clear Your Mind, and highlight some of the common misconceptions associated with practicing meditation.

Intention: My desire is to create a space where we learn, grow, and create generational wellness together. If you have any questions you would like answered on the show, drop them in the comment section below 👇🏾

Remember to be patient with yourself, and kind to yourself because you don't have to be perfect to be great 🙏🏾

Balance Period Resources:

Support Balance Period on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/balanceperiod

See our Products/Services: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/

Check out our Resource Center: https://balance-period.ck.page/profile

Sustainable Self-Care System Discounts: shorturl.at/lpsMV

Generational Wellness Creators Community: shorturl.at/akorQ

Download our Free Energy Management Guide: https://balance-period.ck.page/742a74403a

Access more resources: https://linktr.ee/balanceperiod

In this episode, Recovery Ray provides an update on several areas of his wellness, including a progress report on the 300 Days of Discipline challenge, his WHOOP data over the past month, the results of a recent bloodwork test through Function Health, and the grief process from losing one of his sisters.

Ray started the 300 Days of Discipline challenge this year as a sustainable way to build consistent healthy habits. He is now over 100 days into the challenge and is realizing the impact of proactive rest on his mental health, physical health, and performance. By regularly taking a nap, or doing a non-sleep deep rest protocol [NSDR], Ray is creating the conditions to break old paradigms around productivity and improve his overall quality of life.

Ray credits this proactive rest with what he noticed in his WHOOP data from April. His sleep performance, heart rate variability, and resting heart rate all improved. The WHOOP data also confirmed that on days when Ray incorporates non-sleep deep rest, his overnight recovery improves by 4%. He emphasizes the value of investing in a wearable device to measure our sleep so we can make data-driven decisions about what healthy habits to adopt.

He then discusses the results from his most recent Function Health blood test. This new platform measures more biomarkers and is more affordable than the platform he used in the past. Ray shares the changes in his liver enzyme levels and the shifts to his inner age. He reminds us of the importance of pursuing blood work outside of primary care visits to be more proactive and preventative with our health care.

Finally, Ray talks about the recent loss of his sister and the grief process he's been experiencing. Even though he has felt overwhelming amounts of guilt, he's been able to understand the incredible opportunity he has to build relationships with his living siblings. To continue healing, he is giving himself the grace and space to feel his emotions fully in the moment when they arise.

Key Takeaways:

• Ray has completed over 100 days of the 300 days of his discipline challenge
• Ray's April WHOOP data shows improved sleep performance, HRV, and resting heart rate compared to March
• Practicing proactive rest has had a positive impact on Ray's mental health, physical health, and performance
• Bloodwork, from Function Health, indicates Ray's inner age has decreased and liver enzymes are back in their optimal ranges
• Ray is grieving his sister's passing and intentionally allowing himself to fully feel and process the emotions

Balance Period Resources:

• See our Products/Services: https://shop.balanceperiod.com/
• Check out the Generational Wellness Digest: https://balance-period.ck.page/profile
• Get a Free WHOOP Wellness Tracker - https://join.whoop.com/balanceperiod
• Sustainable Self-Care System Discounts: shorturl.at/lpsMV
• Download our Free Energy Management Guide: https://balance-period.ck.page/742a74403a
• Access more resources: https://linktr.ee/balanceperiod