ABOUT THIS PODCAST 🔗
• metabolism shifts and blood sugar spikes/weight gain
• establishing sustainable habits despite crazy-busy schedules
• adapting movement regimens (featuring walking!*) to work for you… in a fun way!
• implementing doable nutrition approaches that work with your midlife body and life
Hi, I'm Carolyn, a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach of almost 20 years.
I was a health-rejectionist! I didn't think it mattered what our lifestyles were like – I even doubled down on this approach, working in the ultra-processed foods industry for a decade (and gained a lot of weight and was fatigued all the time, but I didn't connect the dots!) But then I got very sick. And my young children did, too. I started to open up to the idea that what we ate, how (if!) we moved, how we slept and more – how it did matter! I "walked back" my chronic disease diagnoses and my kids healed.
After over a decade of health coaching people in their midlife years, I also noticed another trend – that of extremes! Folks rejected things like walking and eating largely whole foods for their more intense counterparts, like running and "eating clean." I knew that I needed to fight this, because there are lots of health-conferring points in between on the spectrum, and I'm all about capitalizing on the low hanging fruit by taking small steps that we'll actually do and enjoy!
I do think we need to fight societal norms that leave us unhealthy – we call that "walking against traffic" – but this can be a moderate, doable, fun and effective path! Getting this word out to the wider audience beyond my clientele led me to introduce the Wellness While Walking Podcast in January of 2020, and we've been going strong since!
I hope you'll join me, Health Coach Carolyn, for Wellness While Walking—your 30-minute movement companion that delivers research-backed strategies for weight management, metabolic health, healing chronic conditions and extending your healthspan in a motivating, compassionate format!
Whether you're seeking accountability for consistent action, clarity on conflicting health advice, or gentle guidance for aging vibrantly, Wellness While Walking meets you where you are with understanding and actionable solutions.
By the end of each episode, you'll feel physically energized, mentally renewed, and equipped with clear next steps—having moved, learned, laughed, and found the motivation to take the next meaningful step on your health journey! (*Did I mention that we play a beep halfway through so you know when to turn around if you're walking while listening?!)
Today is a terrific day to start so press "Follow" and then "Play," and let's do this, together!
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PODCASTER INTERVIEW
► Tell us about you and your podcast
I'm a health coach who's passionate about letting people know they don't have to run a marathon or cook an Instagram-worthy 3 course vegetarian meal to be healthy! The little steps are awesome -- they count and they often have an outsized impact on our health and how we feel! The impetus behind starting the show was to share this good news, and then to have fun with the listener while they take the next steps on their wellness journeys!
► Why & how did you start this podcast?
I love podcasts, and since I've been listening while walking for many years, it made sense to start a wellness podcast instead of a wellness blog or video channel! There are so few opportunities for real multi-tasking in this world, but we can do a lot of things, including moving our bodies, while we listen to podcasts!
Wellness While Walking was born on January 1, 2020, and because so many people found walking during the pandemic, it's built a nice community of listeners.
► How'd you find the time and funding to do this podcast?
I release an episode each week, and since it's meant to be listened to while walking, each episode is about 30 minutes long. There's even a beep halfway through each episode, to remind the listener to turn around if they're walking out and back!
It can be hard to find time to do the show, but I haven't missed a week yet, because I really want the listener to walk every week. I have moved some of my coaching clients from 1:1 sessions to group sessions to allow me to do the research the show requires; decades of misinformation have gotten us into the unhealthy situation we find ourselves in, and so I'm exceedingly careful about sharing proven findings.
► What do you gain from podcasting?
I haven't accepted any sponsorships yet, but I'm open to the idea, as long as the products or services are consistent with the healthy behaviors I'm motivating the listener to aim for!
I get so much out of podcasting! I get to share my message of hope and optimism, namely, that we may be unhealthy as a population, but there's a lot of room to take small steps that can lead us to feeling better. And that's great because we have lives of meaning and purpose to live! But I also learn a ton! I love to talk to listeners for whom walking has had a huge impact on them, and I occasionally have them on the show. I love connecting with the listeners, and having meaningful interactions. I am really blessed.
I also have met so many people I adore in the podcasting world. So few podcasters make a substantial amount of money from their show -- most are in it for other reasons, and I respect that drive and dedication!
► How does your podcasting process look like?
For solo episodes, I record in one of my kids' closets (I have 4 kids, but I picked the best closet!) I do hours of research for each episode, whether it's just me on the mic or I have a guest. I've shared some conversations I've had with wonderful people -- experts in their fields -- with the audience. I find people are very generous with their time when they feel strongly about something -- I'm so grateful for that!
► How do you market your show?
Listeners, especially during the pandemic, often find the show by searching for podcasts on walking. There are a lot of Walking Dead podcasts, but few shows have walking at their core. I'm proud that the show regularly ranks in top 50 and 100 shows for fitness, and so some listeners have told me they found me on those lists. I also hope word of mouth has helped -- I know that a couple of doctors and therapists recommend the show to their patients. I am most active on Instagram and Clubhouse. Oh, and if you know podcaster extraordinaire Gretchen Rubin, would you please let her know I'd love to join her Onward Project?!? Thank you!
► What advice would you share with aspiring (new) podcasters?
Even if you think your niche is crowded, there's always room for your voice! You will do things differently from the rest because you ARE different from those other creators! So, go ahead -- your voice needs to be heard!
► Where can we learn more about you & your podcasts?
Check out the podcast website while my main website is under construction. That can be found at wellnesswhilewalking.com, and all the episodes and show notes can be found there. Wellness While Walking is on Facebook and Instagram, and I'm on Clubhouse as Carolyn Cohen/@stepstowellness. And the show is being featured in Podcast Magazine in the May 2021 issue.
