371 // Do you remember the little girl you used to be? | My Journey Home, Part 1

Do you remember the little girl you used to be? Before the responsibilities, before marriage and motherhood, before life got complicated… there was just you.What was she searching for? What did she believe? And what parts of her might still be waiting to be rediscovered?In this first part of my faith journey, I’m taking you all the way back to the beginning—to the little girl who was searching for something she couldn’t yet put into words.And this is only the beginning of the story.Come back next week for Part 2 next week as I tell you what happened when this “Church Girl” became a teenager?Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Have you ever wondered why you do what you do today in your 40s or 50s?In this episode of Fit and Fueled by Faith, we dive deep into how childhood examples, learned behaviors, and past conditioning shape our daily habits and why it is NEVER too late to break old cycles and build a healthy, vibrant life God’s way. Whether you grew up loving movement or felt like fitness was never for you, you have the power today to let go of patterns holding you back and start fresh with strength training, nourishing habits, and faith-centered wellness.💬 QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is one habit from your past that you're ready to break or replace with a healthy one? Share with our community on Youtube.Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Three months into my HRT journey, I'm checking in with a real-life update: what's working, what's not, how I'm feeling, my sleep, my energy, my weight-loss progress, and what I've learned along the way.I'm about 10 weeks into my 12-week We Rise strength program, with just two weeks left. It has been challenging, but I've continued showing up and I'm starting to see and feel the results.So far, I've lost about 6 pounds.But here's what makes that number meaningful to me:I've been trying to make changes for a long time.I've been strength training. I've been walking. I've been paying attention to my nutrition. I've been working on my calories and macros.And now, after a year and a half of feeling like I wasn't seeing the results I wanted, something is finally shifting.I'm feeling energized.I'm sleeping well.I'm getting stronger.And I'm feeling good in my body.Is that because of HRT?Maybe partly.But I don't think it's that simple.I'm also exercising consistently, strength training four days a week, walking, paying closer attention to my nutrition, and staying consistent with my calories and macros.So this isn't a story about taking HRT and suddenly losing weight.It's my story about what I'm experiencing when HRT is combined with consistent movement, strength training, nutrition, and simply continuing to show up.In this episode, I'm sharing where I am at the three-month mark, what I'm noticing, what I'm still figuring out, and why I'm feeling hopeful about this next chapter of midlife.This is my personal experience not medical advice and everyone's experience with HRT is different.If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and wondering what HRT might be like, I hope my real-life updates give you another perspective to consider and discuss with your own healthcare provider.Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Have you ever noticed that when you start changing, growing, or living differently, certain people seem to pull away?Maybe you've started taking your faith more seriously. Maybe you've stopped drinking. Maybe you've changed the way you spend your time, the people you surround yourself with, or the things you're willing to tolerate.And suddenly, someone who used to be comfortable around you isn't quite as comfortable anymore. That happened to me. I recently had a conversation with someone I love about going to church with me. They weren't angry with me, but they expressed that sometimes my emotions, my tears, and the way I express my reverence and love for God can be…a little much.  And honestly, it made me think.Have you ever been turned off by someone else's behavior? Or have you ever felt like someone was turned off by you?Sometimes, when we're changing, we can unintentionally remind other people of something they're not ready to face in themselves. Maybe it's not even conscious. Maybe our choices simply make them uncomfortable because we're no longer participating in something we once shared.I've experienced this in friendships too. There was a time when I didn't drink alcohol, and I could sense that it made someone I used to spend time with uncomfortable. Eventually, we just didn't spend as much time together.But here's what I'm learning:We don't have to shrink ourselves just because someone else is uncomfortable with who we're becoming.At the same time, we don't have to judge them, condemn them, or assume we know exactly why they're pulling away. We can simply love people where they are, allow them to be themselves, and continue walking the path God has placed in front of us. Because transformation can change relationships. And sometimes, that's part of growing.In this episode, we're talking about acceptance, relationships, faith, personal growth, and the uncomfortable space that can happen when we're becoming someone different.Are you willing to keep becoming even when everyone around you doesn't understand?Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

What does a truly rich life look like?This past summer, Stacey slowed down, let go, surrendered control, and began thinking differently about what it means to live a successful life.Instead of measuring life by career, money, titles, possessions, followers, or recognition, she began asking a different question:What do I actually want my life to stand for?In this episode, Stacey shares the five core values she discovered as her personal compass:Connection. Acceptance. Growth. Freedom. Joy.And underneath all five is the foundation that matters most to her: putting God first.Inspired by Matthew 6:33, this conversation explores surrender, gratitude, forgiveness, authenticity, growth, and the freedom that comes from trusting God rather than trying to control every outcome.A reflective episode for anyone entering a new season and asking:What really matters now?Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Is it time for you to take a leap of faith? 10 years ago today, I took a risk on online dating and it changed my life forever.Today, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about starting over, taking action, and why the hardest part of any journey is always the beginning.In this video, I’m diving into:✨ My 10-Year Anniversary Story: How I met my husband through online dating and why being my "real self" made all the difference.✨ The 6-Week Shift: My results using the Rise app, hitting my macros, and how "hard" became "habit."✨ The Habit Stacking: A first look at my new 6-week challenge concept designed to help you stack faith, movement, hydration, and nutrition until they stick!Whether you’re thinking about a new career, a new relationship, or a new wellness journey, remember: if you don’t start, you stay stuck. It’s time to stop talking and start walking! Join me as we talk about caring for the body, renewing the mind, and strengthening the soul God’s way.Join the Habit Stacking for a BetterMe Interest List: [Insert Link]Timestamps:0:00 - 10 Years Ago Today: My Leap of Faith1:23 - Welcome to Fit and Fueled by Faith2:12 - Why We Fear Starting Over2:50 - My 6-Week Wellness Update (Rise App)4:09 - Introducing: The Habit Stacker Challenge6:27 - The Rest is History (My Dating Story)8:35 - A Message of Encouragement & Action9:40 - Outro: With God, All Things are Possible Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

In today's video, I'm opening up about a recent family "feud" and the deep feelings of rejection and chaos that can surface in our closest relationships.After my rosary prayer walk, I felt called to share how we can move from strife to peace by turning to Christ and practicing true forgiveness.We talk about the generational differences in respect, letting go of the past, and why Jesus never rejects us, even when we feel abandoned by the world. Key Moments:00:00 - Why can't we all just get along?00:45 - A wedding update and personal weight loss wins01:15 - Why family chaos happens: personalities and beliefs01:50 - Why we are often the hardest on those we love most03:00 - Finding peace through forgiveness and restoration04:10 - Looking to the Cross for healing06:10 - Letting go of the need to control or fix others07:10 - Generational respect: "Thou shalt honor thy father and mother"08:00 - Dealing with deep-seated feelings of rejection09:30 - How Jesus reaches down to pull us out of the storm12:40 - Letting Jesus take the wheel (literally!)14:15 - Changing your perception vs. changing others Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Today is all about real talk, real life, and real wellness for women over 50.Join me for a "Get Ready With Me" where I share my simple 5-minute makeup routine, how I handle thinning eyebrows and melasma, and my favorite trick for natural, heatless beach waves! But I’m also keeping it raw.I’m checking back in at the end of a long day after teaching water aerobics and grocery shopping to share the reality of midlife. We’re talking about hot flashes, the transition of perimenopause, my experience with HRTs, and how I find gratitude even when I'm "pooped out."In this video, I share: My quick "Morning Glow" makeup and hair routine. The truth about midlife "hot mess" moments and managing energy. How I use faith and prayer (like my daily Rosary walk) to stay centered.Remember, you're not alone in this journey. We’re caring for our bodies, renewing our minds, and strengthening our soul God’s way. Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

What's the best investment you've ever made?Most of us think about money, retirement, or financial returns. But what if the greatest investment you'll ever make isn't in your bank account it's in yourself?In this episode, I share a personal story about finally stepping outside my comfort zone, trying something new, and discovering that real growth often begins the moment we're willing to invest in becoming the person God created us to be.We'll talk about:• Why doing the same things often keeps us stuck• The courage to invest in your health, faith, and personal growth• Why consistency matters more than perfection• The return that comes from showing up, even when it's hardWhether you're considering hiring a coach, starting a new program, improving your health, growing your faith, or simply making a change you've been putting off, I hope this episode reminds you that the greatest return on investment isn't measured in dollars.It's measured in the woman you're becoming.💛 If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend who needs this reminder today.Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.

Have you ever found yourself saying, "I can't wait until..."?Until the wedding, the arrival of a baby, the weekend, retirement, better health, or the next chapter of your life?In this episode, I share how waiting for marriage became one of the greatest seasons of spiritual growth in my life. Through surrendering my timeline to God, I discovered that the waiting wasn't wasted it was where God was preparing my heart.Together, we'll explore why we often rush toward the next milestone while overlooking the ordinary moments that truly shape us. Because it's often the small, faithful steps we take today that lead to tomorrow's greatest celebrations.If you've been feeling impatient, anxious about the future, or simply longing for what's next, this episode is an invitation to slow down, trust God's timing, and embrace the gift of today.Remember: Stop waiting to live. Today is already a gift worth celebrating.Download the Free 7 Holy Habits Guide: https:// bit.ly/7holyhabits📬 Sign-up for weekly newsletters and more: https://substack.com/@fitandfueledbyfaith📸 Connect on Instagram: https://instagram.com/fitandfueledbyfaith  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@fitandfueledbyfaithFit and Fueled by Faith is a faith and wellness podcast for women over 40 who want to feel strong, energized, and rooted in faith. Hosted by Stacey Ziegler, NASM-CPT, Certified Holistic Health and Life Coach.