Being Present in Your Life

On this special encore presentation of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall dives deep into one of her all-time favorite episodes: “Beyond Manifesting.” This episode unpacks the popular concept of manifesting—those vision board dreams fueled by the Law of Attraction—and examines it with both an open mind and a critical, science-based perspective. Darlene invites listeners to join her in the middle ground, where skepticism and hope coexist, and where manifesting is neither blindly worshiped nor outright dismissed. She traces the origins of manifesting back to the widely known book (and film) “The Secret,” breaking down how its spiritual foundations entered mainstream culture and wellness circles. But is manifesting enough to create real change? Darlene explains why simply “thinking your way to success” may be incomplete, highlighting the ways manifesting practices often misinterpret science, particularly concepts from quantum mechanics. She shares compelling research—like Gabrielle Oettingen’s studies on “mental contrasting”—showing how combining dreams with honest reflection and action steps delivers tangible results. Listeners will learn why it’s important to move beyond wishful thinking, identify self-sabotage, and implement evidence-based tools to create change—personally or professionally. Whether you’re a true believer, a diehard skeptic, or somewhere in-between, this episode will empower you to take ownership, ground your aspirations, and go beyond manifesting to make meaningful progress in your life. References: Free support to practice WOOP: https://woopmylife.org/Gabrielle Oettingen's book Rethinking Positive Thinking: https://a.co/d/eXYEzkx If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM. Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

On this episode “Better Than Fine,” host Darlene Marshall dives deep into what it takes to thrive when life gets tough, sharing her evidence-based "three keys to resilience." As so many of us navigate a world full of uncertainty, Darlene unpacks the leading research on resilience—including insights on connection, purpose, and mindset—and guides listeners on how to practically apply these powerful concepts to their own lives. Kicking things off, Darlene invites you to reflect on your own moments of struggle and introduces the foundational habits that buoy resilience: sleep, nutrition, and movement. From there, she explores why humans are truly pack animals, emphasizing the profound impact of connection—from co-regulation with others to literal sharing of resources and community. She encourages simple, actionable ways to deepen community ties and give/receive help when you need it most. Next, Darlene explores the role of purpose, prompting big questions: Why are we doing what we do? What really matters to us? She shares strategies for finding meaning day-to-day and reframing even life’s chaos in more hopeful, purpose-driven ways. Finally, she highlights the essential "mindset" skills that foster solution orientation—like realistic optimism, growth mindset, and process goals—especially when we can’t control the outcome. Whether you’re feeling uncertain or simply want more tools to build a better, more resilient life, this episode is a practical, compassionate guide. Tune in to refresh your perspective, find your purpose, and connect with both you and your community, even when times are tough. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM. Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

In March of 2024 the FDA made continuous blood glucose monitors available without a prescription for the first time.  Now that you can get one over the counter, should you try it?  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall shares her own experience in trying a continuous blood glucose monitor and how she's currently using them with her clients. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM. Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

It's been 4 years since Wegovy, the GLP-1 weight loss drug, was first approved by the FDA for weight management. We've learned a lot; but there's still a lot we don't know.  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall is joined by featured guest, researcher and practitioner, Dr. Scott Cheatham, to take a closer look at how lifestyle impacts the outcomes of modern weight loss drugs. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM. Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. ttps://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

There's been a lot of buzz in the last five years about exercise for mental health, but what does the science say we should do if we want greater emotional wellbeing?  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall is joined by featured guest, entrepreneur and positive psychology practitioner, Danny Fung, to take a closer look at the latest evidence on exercise and emotional wellbeing. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

With rapid changes in technology and economy, work is evolving. Many people expect more than just a paycheck.  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall is joined by featured guests, Tamara Myles, and Wes Adams, authors of "Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee," to take a closer look at how to unlock meaning in your work and your teams.  If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Do you ever feel like life is slipping past you? Like the world is somehow spinning faster and faster and you're struggling to keep up?  It's easy to get lost as we jump from task to task and the days run together.  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall takes a closer look at what it takes to be more present in our lives and why that's a key skill to not missing the things that make life worth living. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

The interaction between our biology, neurology, and psychology is complex and even our little habits can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing.  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall is joined by returning featured guest, Neuroscientist, Dr. Allison Brager. to take a closer look at the way light and light therapy impacts mental health. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

It's been all over social media recently: oatmeal is bad for you? But is the hype all it's cracked up to be?  What does the research say?  On this week's episode of the “Better Than Fine” podcast, host Darlene Marshall deep dives into the referenced study to see if it stands up to the claims. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm

Do you ever find yourself striving, working hard, but at the end of the day crashing and feeling like it's all not good enough? But what does "good enough" even mean? This week on the "Better Than Fine" podcast, for the first week of Mental Health Awareness Month, join host Darlene Marshall to take a closer look at the essential foundation for building mental health and wellbeing: allowing yourself to feel satisfied when you do a good job. If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. https://bit.ly/4ddsgrm