ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Somewhere along the way, eating (one of life's greatest pleasures, tbh) started to feel like something to manage or optimize. I can’t be the only one who feels exhausted by all the conflicting advice out there.
So this week I invited a guest who I've worked with personally — holistic nutritionist, personal chef, and Reiki healer Amanda Michaelson. Amanda's entire approach is built around what she calls a heart-centered lens: leading with compassion instead of shame, and helping people reconnect to the wisdom that already lives in their bodies.
And let me tell you, after sitting in her group program sessions (all of which ended with dance sessions!) and watching something shift in me around food and confidence, I knew this conversation needed to happen.
In this episode, we're talking about:
- The gap between knowing and doing, and why filling it starts with compassion, not discipline
- What "heart-centered nutrition" actually means in practice and how it shapes the way Amanda works with clients
- Why confidence with food isn't about having the right information, but learning to trust yourself
- How to approach your nutrition without falling into restriction, shame, or all-or-nothing thinking
- The six foundations of health (whole foods, sleep, movement, nervous system regulation, joy, and community) and why food is only one piece of the picture
- Blood sugar balance: what it is, why it matters for women's energy and mood, and what a balanced meal actually looks like
- Amanda's "comeback" framework for returning to your healthy habits as quickly as possible
- Reiki, intuition, and slowing down enough to actually hear what your body needs
- Why dancing is one of the most powerful somatic tools around
Let's Connect
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with someone who could use a little more mindfulness in their life. Your support helps Thinking About reach more listeners and grow our community of thoughtful, intentional individuals.
Continue the conversation with me on IG / Tiktok @thinkingaboutpodcast and @kirstimcnabney. Follow along on Substack for more conversations on the things that keep us thinking.
Connect with Amanda:
Follow Amanda on Instagram!
Check out her website
The Glow Up (mention Thinking About, and Amanda will honor a 10% discount for listeners of the podcast!)
The Aliveness Practice playlist
Note: The Move the Needle Masterclass happened before the episode was released!
Links from the episode:
