Giving Your Best Life

Imagine the transformative power of movement on mental health. Join us on this enlightening episode of Giving Your Best Life Podcast, where Stephanie and Zach Lloyd delve into the profound connection between physical activity and mental wellness. Hear Stephanie’s touching story about a friend's triumph over depression and anxiety through consistent exercise. Supported by Zach’s detailed scientific insights, discover how even a 10-minute burst of vigorous activity can significantly improve your mood. From aerobics to resistance training and mind-body exercises, learn about the various forms of movement that act as natural antidepressants.
But that’s not all—we’re also bringing you practical, everyday strategies to incorporate these beneficial habits into your life seamlessly. They share a personal to-do list system that includes prayer, gratitude, and simple exercises like 10 push-ups to keep procrastination at bay. Stephanie highlights the importance of small, manageable actions, including her own routine of using a trampoline to elevate her mood. Together, they provide a roadmap for integrating movement and mental health practices into your daily routine, empowering you to give your best life every day. Don't miss this episode filled with actionable advice and inspiring stories!

Connect with Stephanie:
Get a free resource The 4G Method Journal here.
Shop Stephanie's books here.
Follow me on IG: @Giving_Gal or FB/GivingGal

Have you ever wondered how to support a friend when distance separates you? In episode 119 of "Giving Your Best Life," I share the heartfelt journey of staying connected and providing meaningful support to loved ones who are far away.
Then switching gears, get ready to be inspired by an unforgettable trip to Montana, where personal growth met breathtaking landscapes. Accompanied by my husband and niece, I embarked on rigorous hikes in Glacier National Park, learned to fish, and embraced the beauty of nature. Stepping out of our comfort zones brought accountability, new skills, and deeper connections. This chapter is a testament to the joy of encouraging others and taking time to absorb the serene surroundings, even if it means wading through freezing glacier water for a perfect moment of tranquility.
Finally, let's talk about the importance of recognizing personal limits and the lessons that come from facing them head-on. During a challenging hike, I experienced heat exhaustion, leading to a profound realization about prioritizing safety over perseverance. Through this ordeal, I learned there’s no need to prove anything to anyone. Plus, hear a touching story about my husband's sudden illness before a significant event and the power of prayer and community support that helped us through. This episode is a powerful reminder how we can support friends and they can support us, embracing new adventures, taking risks, and understanding when to let go.
Note: NLT Reflections Bible (Hardcover Cloth, Ocean Blue): The Bible for Journaling Hardcover

Connect with Stephanie:
Get a free resource The 4G Method Journal here.
Shop Stephanie's books here.
Follow me on IG: @Giving_Gal or FB/GivingGal

In this episode, Stephanie L. Jones, a.k.a. Giving Gal, talks about how gifts don't necessarily need to be monetary or time consuming. She shares how she had the opportunity to give the gift of experience and research to offer help to a friend in under 5 minutes. You can do the same! For extra resources and information, visit GivingGal.com!

Connect with Stephanie:
Get a free resource The 4G Method Journal here.
Shop Stephanie's books here.
Follow me on IG: @Giving_Gal or FB/GivingGal

Welcome to Giving Your Best Life! This episode is an introduction to Stephanie L. Jones, aka Giving Gal, and how she got started on her journey that has led her here today. In each episode, she will share intentional ways to give to yourself and others, how giving and gratitude changes your life and ways to go after living your big dreams and accomplishing goals. For more information, visit GivingGal.com!

Connect with Stephanie:
Get a free resource The 4G Method Journal here.
Shop Stephanie's books here.
Follow me on IG: @Giving_Gal or FB/GivingGal

Have you ever experienced one of those moments where something incredible happens and all you can say is "Only God could have done this"? These divine interventions—both dramatic and subtle—reveal a profound truth about living beyond our limitations.
Stephanie unpacks her phrase of the year, "Only God," exploring how this perspective transforms everything from career setbacks to everyday encounters. Drawing from Paul's words in Corinthians about coming "in weakness and in fear and with much trembling," she reveals how acknowledging our limitations actually opens doors to our greatest impact.
Through personal stories—from publishing nine books despite dyslexia to seeing a cardinal at exactly the right moment—Stephanie demonstrates how reframing our achievements as God's work through us creates a life of wonder and gratitude. This approach proves especially powerful during challenging times, as when her job loss last April led to unexpected opportunities in speaking, mentoring, and publishing.
The episode offers a refreshing counterpoint to our culture's self-reliance messaging. When we recognize that our most meaningful work happens beyond our natural capabilities, we develop the courage to attempt God-sized tasks. Those spontaneous nudges to check on a friend, that book that speaks directly to your current struggle, those "coincidences" that feel too perfect—all become recognized as divine appointments when viewed through this lens.
Ready to shift your perspective and discover what might be possible if you embraced the "Only God" mindset? This episode might be exactly the message you need right now—and that's no coincidence.

To register for the Giving Your Best Life "Rest and Renewal" Retreat before March 28th, visit givingyourbestlife.com/retreat.

Connect with Stephanie:
Get a free resource The 4G Method Journal here.
Shop Stephanie's books here.
Follow me on IG: @Giving_Gal or FB/GivingGal