What happens when you stop waiting for the “right time” and start saying yes to the opportunities that light you up, even if they terrify you?

In this episode, I sit down with the powerhouse that is Dana Ayers, author, speaker, decorated veteran, former White House staffer, and someone who has made a career of walking straight into the unknown and discovering just how capable she really is.

From her first internship at the White House, on 9/11, no less, to deployments overseas and even her surprising side gig in a D.C. cover band, Dana shares how following the breadcrumbs (no matter how small) has led to some of the biggest, boldest adventures of her life.

We talk about:

• Why fear is not the enemy, and how it can actually lead you home
• How to build confidence by doing the uncomfortable
• Her hilarious journey from strategic comms to singing onstage
• What it really means to live authentically and chase your dream life
• And how to stop talking yourself out of the very thing you’re meant to do

This episode is part story, part pep talk, and full permission slip to get out of your own way and go after the life you were meant to live.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by what people might think, or too afraid to take the leap, this conversation is exactly what you need to hear.

Press play and let Dana’s journey remind you just how powerful (and fun!) life can be when you dare to go for it.

Learn More about Dana Ayers

Dana Ayers is an author, speaker, decorated veteran, and long-time national security professional. She’s someone who thrives on inspiring others to push their limits and achieve their goals. Dana has burrowed her way into all sorts of places she had no business being, including herding celebrities in green rooms, working as an armed communicator in Afghanistan, serving as a White House staffer, and advising special forces. She is passionate about sharing insights she's learned for getting out of her comfort zone and going after dreams where she didn’t fit the typical mold.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dana Ayers

My website is: dcdana.com

Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dana-ayers-a123aa5

Instagram: http://instagram.com/DanaAyersAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanaLAyers

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode54

Connect with Susan:

Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!

To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Hair loss is one of the most emotionally devastating health challenges, especially for women, and it’s far more common than most people think. But what if we told you it’s not the real problem?

In this transformative episode, Susan sits down with Carrie Hicks, a salon owner turned Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, to uncover the deeper truth about hair loss. What begins as a conversation about thinning strands quickly becomes a powerful exploration of root cause healing, the ripple effects of stress, and how lifestyle choices, not genetics, are often the missing link to lasting recovery.

Carrie shares her journey from stylist to health advocate after witnessing alarming levels of post-pandemic hair loss in her clients. Her story is one of heartbreak, relentless curiosity, and a commitment to helping women reclaim their health, confidence, and power, starting from the inside out.

Together, Susan and Carrie explore how digestion, mineral imbalances, metabolic health, and emotional wellbeing are intimately connected to hair loss, and why no serum, supplement, or PRP injection can replace the foundational work of living in alignment with your body.

This episode is a call to action for anyone who’s been told their hair loss is “just genetic,” for those feeling like a stranger in their own skin, and for anyone ready to stop chasing surface-level fixes and start healing at the root.

Your hair is trying to tell you something. Let’s finally listen.

Learn More About Carrie Hicks:

She is the founder of Crimson & Clover Hair Studio in Flagstaff, AZ and Nurish.d Hair Loss + Wellness, is a licensed Cosmetologist, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner.

RESOURCES:

Connect with Carrie Hicks:

http://carriehicks.com/store/3-mistakes-hair-loss-guide

carriehicks.com

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode53

Connect with Susan:

Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!

To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast

Thyroid nodules are more common than most people realize, affecting up to 80% of the population, and yet, the truth about them is rarely talked about.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who's ever been blindsided by a diagnosis, felt dismissed by the medical system, or wondered if there was a better way.

Thyroid advocate and educator Jennifer Holkem shares her powerful journey from fear and frustration to fierce advocacy. After a misdiagnosis and a near-surgical intervention, she discovered a groundbreaking, non-surgical treatment option that not only saved her thyroid, but reignited her life’s purpose.

You’ll learn:

• Why most thyroid nodules are not cancer, and what to actually do about them
• The surprising reason doctors often push unnecessary surgery
• The revolutionary procedures that preserve your thyroid and your quality of life
• How Jen turned her story into a movement, empowering thousands around the world
• What it really takes to advocate for your health and reclaim your voice
  
  

This is more than a medical conversation, it’s a wake-up call, a guide, and a dose of hope for anyone who’s been told to “just live with it.”

Healing is never just about one procedure. A huge part of Jen’s journey, and her ongoing transformation, has come from lifestyle optimization. That’s where our work together has been key. From functional lab testing to DNA-based insight and pH360, Jen is living proof that when you address the root causes and support your body the way it was designed, healing happens.

If you’ve ever felt like no one was listening, this episode proves that your voice, your health, and your choices matter.

Learn more about Jennifer Holkem and find all of her links over on the show notes: healthyawakening.co/episode52

RESOURCES:

Visit the website: healthyawakening.co/podcast

Find listening links here: https://healthyawakening.co/links

SHOW NOTES: healthyawakening.co/episode52

Connect with Susan:

Contact me for your DNA testing or epigenetic coaching!

To schedule a FREE consultation, send an email to susan@healthyawakening.co

Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/susanrobbinshealthyawakening

Instagram: @susanrobbins_epigeneticcoach

P.S. Want reminders about episodes? Sign up for our newsletter, you can find the link on our podcast page! https://healthyawakening.co/podcast