What thoughts come up when you hear the word discipline ?

Tags: conscious living, vegan lifestyle

Closing Out 2025 with Intention, Peace & a Little Fire

Is it just me… or did 2025 absolutely fly by?

As we close out this final newsletter of the year, I wanted to share a few reflections — what this past year taught me, how I’m approaching the new year, and the deeper shifts that have quietly (and powerfully) changed everything.

My intention with sharing is always to help spark inspiration for you.

2025 was a year of massive growth for me.

And here’s the twist: that growth came not from pushing harder… but from learning how to let go.

I’m a go-getter by nature. A doer. A hustler.
I’ve spent most of my life believing that if I just worked harder, tried more, pushed further — I’d fulfill my purpose.

And for me, that purpose has always been clear: to stand for animals, to live and teach fierce compassion, and to help shift this world toward more consciousness and care.

That part hasn’t changed.

But the HOW is evolving.

And honestly? I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up — and I’m finally okay with that!

A few years ago, the endless hustling caught up with me in a big way. Total burnout. Insomnia. Deep questioning.

(I share this very openly in my blog post Burn-Out, Insomnia, Psychedelics & More — which ultimately led me to Peru for a 12-day ayahuasca journey.)

Truthfully… I haven’t fully “bounced back.”

And maybe I wasn’t meant to.

Last year in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, during yoga teacher training, I met with an Ayurvedic practitioner who gently (and clearly) told me my yang energy was running the show — and it was time to deeply nourish my yin.

That single conversation changed my trajectory.

It led me to Tai Chi.
Which led me to Sifu Fred.
Which led me to Sifu Lester.
Which led me to a daily morning meditation practice with an incredible community.

So 2025 became the year I committed to:

• Tai Chi Chuan (4–6 hours per week)
• Daily meditation (5:45 AM every morning)
• Regular yoga practice
• Slowing down — on purpose

Now let’s be real… I’m still very much me 😄…
I didn’t give up calisthenics, strength training, primal movement, or boxing.

But for the first time, I prioritized the meditative practices — because I no longer wanted to live in that familiar insanity of doing the same things over and over and expecting different results.

And because life loves irony…

In the middle of all this focus on softness, I re-tore my ACL sparring Muay Thai in Tulum🤦‍♀️…
Went through ACL reconstruction surgery…
And rehabbed my way back to full function in just six months.

Yep. That happened too.

Which brings me to how I’m choosing to live as I step into 2026.

I’m not setting goals.
I’m not making resolutions per say.

I’m choosing a way of being.

I’m choosing to embody peace.
To embody love.
To embody abundance.

I’m trusting that as my state of being shifts, the outer world will continue to respond accordingly.

And I’m letting the Universe decide what this looks like in form — opportunities, projects, relationships — based on my state of being.

Boom 💥
That feels deeply, undeniably soul-aligned.

If you’ve made it this far and feel called to reflect…
I’d love to hear what you are leaning into for 2026.

Not goals per say — but mindset shifts.
Ways of being.
What peace, love, or abundance looks like for you.

If this resonates, make sure you’re signed up to receive the Soul-Aligned Sunday Newsletter here.💛

With fierce compassion and a whole lot of gratitude,
Ella ✨

29 Nov 2025

Holistic Health

>> I invite you to scoop up your 1-Week FREE trial membership within this awesome community! <<

How to Stay Aligned with Your Eating Through the Holidays (Without Falling Into the Food Guilt Spiral)

If the holidays tend to stir up stress, anxiety, or that old familiar “I can’t trust myself around food” feeling… this one’s for you.

I spent YEARS dreading the holiday season — not because I don’t love the lights, the traditions, the connection — but because I was terrified of losing control around food. Every November, I swore this would be the year I didn’t overeat, didn’t gain weight, didn’t roll into January feeling heavier, ashamed, and frustrated with myself.

And every year… the same thing happened.

I’d go in with the best intentions, end up in the “screw it, I already blew it” spiral, and spend weeks mentally beating myself up.

Thankfully, those days are behind me. After more than a decade of healing my own relationship with food — and coaching hundreds of others to do the same — I can honestly say the holidays no longer feel like a battle.

And I want to help you experience that shift too.

Below are some of the mindset shifts and practical tools I teach my clients, and am sharing in video format inside the VEGAN SQUAD COMMUNITY, a space where plant-forward humans interested in becoming the fittest, most holistically healthy humans they can be, come together to learn, grow, and support one another.

These aren’t quick fixes, but they will absolutely help you move into the holidays with more peace, more power, and a whole lot more self-trust.

And if you’re looking for 1:1 coaching, you can check out my coaching offers and reach out to me HERE.

1. Reframe the Holidays Before You Walk Into Them

There’s nothing magical about holiday food.

Food is just… food.

What changes is the story we attach to it — the traditions, expectations, pressure, family dynamics, nostalgia, and emotional weight that all get mixed in.

Instead of labeling foods (or yourself) as “good” or “bad,” try asking yourself these two questions before you head into a gathering:

✨ How do I want to feel at the end of this night?

Not just physically — but emotionally, energetically, spiritually.

✨ What choices would I make if I truly respected and loved my body?

This isn’t woo. It’s self-compassion.

When you’re anchored into how you want to feel, your choices naturally shift.

2. Step Out of Autopilot With the Power Pause

Most overeating happens simply because we’re checked out — acting on habit loops rather than conscious choice.

Before you take a bite, try this:

Inhale for 3
Exhale for 6 (this activates “rest & digest” mode)
Ask:
“What choice aligns with the version of me I’m becoming?”

This 10-second pause is a game changer.

3. Mindful Eating (Yes, It Matters More Than You Think)

If there’s ONE practice that transformed my relationship with holiday food, it’s this one.

Eat slowly.

Chew each bite thoroughly — to a paste (I know, it sounds gross, but trust me, it’s worth it). I’m talking 30ish chews.

Mindful eating will:

Slow you down
Activate digestion (pre-digestion begins with the enzymes in your saliva that are activated when you chew)
Help you recognize your satiety signals and feel satisfied sooner
Reduce overeating by about 20%
Let you actually enjoy the foods you love

Use all your senses.
Look at your food. Smell it. Notice its textures. Experience every bite fully.

If you’re going to enjoy your favorite holiday treat, be present with it — don’t inhale it while standing over the counter stressed out.

4. Start Your Day in Alignment

Instead of saving up calories (which backfires every time), nourish your body early.

A couple ideas:

A nutrient-packed green vegetable juice
A smoothie loaded with greens
A balanced, plant-exclusive meal with plenty of fiber and plant-protein

When I start my day with something that makes my body feel good, it sets the tone for everything else.

Avoid skipping meals. Showing up ravenous to a big holiday dinner is a recipe for feeling out of control.

5. Drink Water Before the Meal

This is so simple it’s easy to ignore, but it works.

A big glass of water 10 minutes before a meal helps you:

Slow down
Tune into your true hunger cues (sometimes a need for hydration can be confused with a need for food)
Feel more grounded and in your body

6. Stop at “Satisfied,” Not Stuffed

Aim for about 80% fullness — the point where you feel good, but not weighed down.

You’ll reach true fullness about 20 minutes later.

This becomes much easier when you eat slowly and stay connected to your body.

7. And If You “Blow It”? (Because You’re Human)

Listen… this WILL happen. Especially in the beginning.

The goal isn’t perfection — it’s pattern interruption.

Instead of spiraling into:

“Ugh, I blew it. Might as well keep going.”

Try:

“Okay. That wasn’t the plan. I’m human. And I get to start fresh in this moment.”

Self-compassion is not letting yourself off the hook — it’s creating the internal safety you need to get back into alignment.

One moment doesn’t ruin your progress.
One choice doesn’t define you.
One meal does not carry the power your mind gives it.

8. Replace Guilt With Gratitude (Ultimate Pattern Breaker)

Guilt and gratitude cannot coexist.

So when guilt creeps in:

Pause
Breath
Shift to gratitude

Gratitude for your body.
Gratitude for the people around you.
Gratitude for the privilege of having food.
Gratitude for the chance to practice self-trust.

This is one of the fastest ways to get back into your heart — and out of the guilt cycle.

Final Thoughts

You are not alone in this.
Holiday eating stress is incredibly common, especially among those of us who’ve struggled with emotional eating, overeating, or chronic dieting.

These patterns can feel deeply ingrained… but they are shiftable.

Remember:

✨ Your body deserves your love, not punishment.
✨ You’re allowed to enjoy holiday foods and stay aligned.
✨ Every moment is a fresh moment to choose differently.
✨ You don’t have to navigate this alone — we’re in your corner.

And if you want a deeper dive into cravings and self-coaching, I’ll be hosting a full masterclass in January. That’s where we’ll go step-by-step through my PEACE Process for navigating cravings without willpower battles.

But for now… breathe, slow down, stay present, and choose the version of you that you’re becoming.

You’ve got this. 💛

06 Aug 2025

Tags: conscious living, vegan health, vegan lifestyle

From Hustle to Harmony: My Top 5 Energy-Shifting Practices Right Now

The Universe works in mysterious ways – Know what I mean?

A few weeks ago I made a huge decision…

For the next six weeks I would simply (not to be confused with easily) stop trying so hard for the first time in my entire life…

I vowed to…

reduce my constant push to “do” and focus primarily on “being…”
prioritize meditation and my tai chi practice with the intention of increasing the flow and frequency of my energy…
minimize screen time, computer work, and social media…

And can you believe that in a matter of 2 weeks, my schedule filled up with amazing personal training and coaching clients whom I genuinely love working with?

AND

I feel lighter and less stressed than I have in… honestly, as long as I can remember.

So I thought I’d share a few of the ways I’ve been shifting my energy, in case you’re craving a reset too.

🌅Meditation Every Morning

I meet with Sifu Lester and other members of his Patreon, every morning at 5:45 on Google Meet for silent meditation practice.

I alternate between standing and seated meditation.

I started with 15 minutes, and am increasing the time by 1 minute each week.

Non-moving meditation has been the most difficult thing for me to stay consistent with, so having a group for accountability has been a game changer!

I have a 20-minute stretch, mobility, and qi gong routine that I also do every morning, before or after meditation. Make sure you’re subscribed

☯️Doubling Down on Tai Chi Practice

I train tai chi chuan at least 4 times a week, some days with Sifu Fred in person, and some days with Sifu Lester virtually. I am noticing significant changes in how grounded I feel, how open and aligned my body is becoming, and how much more focused and calm my mind is.

🥦Whole Foods-Based, Plant-Exclusive Fuel

This is certainly not new for me – it’s been part of my lifestyle for decades – but I of course wanted to mention it, because it plays a monumental role in our health on every level…. Not only for our physical health, but for our spiritual health (there’s something magical about moving through the world knowing you’re doing your very best to do the least harm and most good considering all living creatures).

It’s pretty awesome that every time we eat, we have the opportunity to make a positive impact on our own health and the health of other people, animals, and the planet.

I start my morning with LiveUltimate’s Ultimate Elixir, and I highly recommend everyone give it a try. I’ve been using it for years, as have many of my clients. Learn more and get a huge discount HERE.

🧘‍♀️Listening to My Body

I’m 8 weeks post ACL reconstruction surgery now, and I’m literally over a month “ahead of schedule” in terms of the recovery protocol.

My physical therapist even said it’s the fastest recovery he’s seen (not that it’s a race😜). I’m back doing all my animal locomotives and well on my way to regaining my leg strength. I even ran this morning for short intervals while out with Fiona!

That said, I’ve been experiencing more achiness and joint pain throughout my body than usual some days.

So instead of pushing through like I usually would, I’ve been honoring that. Like last weekend, I skipped training at Muscle Beach and did yoga instead.

I also got my annual bloodwork done to make sure everything’s in check.

So for now, I’m flowing with what my body tells me:

When it says “Go for it!” I train calisthenics and strength.
When it says “Not today,” I focus on yoga, mobility, and flexibility.

Spending time in Nature, and with Family and Friends

I feel beyond lucky to live by the ocean—and I’ve been soaking it in even more lately. It feels like pure medicine for my soul.

And even though Fiona’s not a big fan of the water, she’s a good sport about going in with me, and then does sprints in the sand like the little athlete she is! 🐾

I also:

Attended the friends & family opening of Love Life Café
Led a squat challenge at Vegan Block Party
Spent more quality time with my sister, nieces, and nephew than I have in a long time (my heart is full)

Oh—and speaking of family: I took my mom for her hip replacement surgery, and three weeks out she’s already walking 30 minutes every morning like the badass she is.. She’s crushing her recovery!

So with all that said…

I hope this gives you a little spark of inspiration to tune inward and find your own rhythm of self-care and alignment—whatever that looks like for you right now.

14 Apr 2025

Holistic Health, Traveling Vegan, Vegan Fitness, Vegan Lifestyle

Tags: conscious living, empowerment, fitness, purpose, tai chi, taiji, travel

Travel, Tai Chi, and Lessons About Replacing Force with Flow

Right now, I’m writing this from Miami International Airport, sipping on a matcha latte with soy milk (I managed to find one with unsweetened organic soy… WINNING!).😋

I’m headed to Tulum, Mexico for the week to visit my dear friend and soul-sister, Allison Melody (you may know her from the Food Heals Podcast). She’s living and working there for a few months.

I’m super exited that I found a badass outdoor Muay Thai gym that I plan to train at all week (I think my knee is ready now as I’m headed into month 8 post-op surgery and feel strong and mobile!).

I’ll also be doing a bunch of yoga, while continuing to work with my virtual coaching and personal training clients. (Expect a full Tulum download in next week’s email.)

Leaving Fiona is always the hardest part—she’s such a bundle of love in a small package!

Knowing she’s in good hands with my mom certainly makes the goodbye a little easier. 🐾💗

After so many years of traveling while staying true to my vegan lifestyle and movement practices, I feel like I’ve really cracked the code on how to stay aligned while on the go.

If you’ve got any travel plans coming up—whether it’s spring break, a long weekend, or a summer adventure—I’d love to support you in staying centered and strong while you explore, so I wrote a blog post that shares my favorite tips to help you feel your best wherever you roam.

Remember, alignment isn’t about rigidity—it’s about self-awareness, using compassion as your compass (for both yourself and others), and staying connected to your deep, meaningful “why.”

My Taiji Journey Continues

In case you missed it, I’ve been diving deep into the internal art of tai chi (taiji) since December.

It started as a prescription, really—after an Ayurvedic consultation revealed that my vata dosha (air element) is out of balance. No surprise there… I’ve been dealing with insomnia for over 20 years.

The recommendation?

Grounding practices.

So, I committed to taiji a few hours a week under the guidance of Sifu Fred Holt (@trainkungfu)—and let me tell you, it was not love at first stance.

At first, the slow, deliberate movements felt… well… borderline torturous. 😅

But I approached it the way I do with anything I’ve committed to that will uplevel my health holistically: with curiosity, compassion, and discipline (you can read about my take on discipline in this blog post).

And before long something shifted.

Bit by bit, week by week, I started to crave the practice. What began as two sessions a week has become nearly a daily ritual.

I believe it’s medicine for both my nervous system and my soul.

Lessons from Push-Hands (and Life)

Last weekend, I road-tripped with Fred and fellow student Peter to Lakeland, Florida for a Push-Hands retreat hosted by the Tampa Bay Martial Arts Group.

If you’ve never heard of push-hands, it’s a partner practice within taiji that teaches you to stay grounded, relaxed, and responsive—even when someone’s literally trying to throw you off balance.

I’ve only been practicing push hands for about 6 weeks, while many people at the retreat had decades of experience.

And although I managed to push some people, I often felt like a dead leaf caught in the wind as I was tossed around with ease by partners whose grounded power felt both humbling and awe-inspiring… A reminder of what’s possible when energy, strength, and presence are fully embodied and connected.

The big takeaway?

🌱 True strength doesn’t come from resisting or forcing—it comes from learning how to flow, to connect and work with energy, to expand, and to respond calmly and with purpose.

Whether you’re on a path of healing, traveling somewhere new, or just trying to stay rooted in your day-to-day routine, I hope this serves as a reminder that slowing down, leaning in, and choosing presence over perfection is a powerful path forward.

P.S. If you’ve been curious about starting a grounding practice like tai chi or want help staying aligned with food and fitness during travel or transition, hit reply—I’d love to hear what you’re working on or moving through. 💌

17 Jan 2025

Empowerment, Holistic Health, Vegan Lifestyle

Tags: conscious living, empowerment, mindfulness, vegan fitness

The Highs, the Lows, and Finding Peace in the Pause

It’s been 6 months since my ACL reconstruction surgery, and let me tell you, healing is no straight line—it’s a messy, winding road full of detours (and the occasional tumble).

A few weeks ago, I got a little too ambitious.

Picture me, deciding it would be a great idea to practice pushing into a handstand from a headstand. Spoiler: it wasn’t. I fell (hard), and let’s just say my knee was not amused. It set me back a couple of weeks.

Fast forward to this week, and I’m thrilled to report that for the first time in 7 months, I hit pads with my boxing coach and even did some light sparring—punches only, no kicks, and a knee brace firmly in place.

And WOW… the high I got from that session? Better than any street drug.

The Highs, the Lows, and Everything in Between

But here’s the catch: chasing that high, whether it’s from boxing, running, or hitting a big life goal, is like trying to hold onto water—it slips through your fingers.

Ram Dass (one of my all time favorite spiritual leaders) spoke to how, whether it’s psychedelics, exercise, food, or achievements, the constant chase of the high keeps us stuck in cycles of craving, creating suffering.

“This too shall,” pass applies to the highs as well as the lows.

Softening Into the Hard Stuff

Many years ago, I found peace around food cravings and emotional eating—a journey that’s now the foundation of the Cravings Cure Challenge (if you haven’t signed up yet, I invite you to join me for free here).

So my main work the last few years has been around connecting with peace in times of stillness.

My word of the year is soften, and trust me, it’s not about going easy on myself.

It’s about finding peace in stillness, and embracing movement that doesn’t necessarily provide that “high” I get from intense training sessions.

And that is hard for me!

I share this because maybe you’ve felt it too—the urge to push, to chase, to do more, even when your body or mind is crying out for rest.

So, here’s my invitation: what would it look like for you to find peace in the pause? To let go of the “high” and just be with what is, no matter how uncomfortable that is?

Your Move

We’re all on this winding road, learning as we go. For me, it’s about balancing movement with stillness, action with intention, and leaning into the moments that challenge me most.

For you? Maybe it’s something else entirely. But whatever it is, I hope this story reminds you to honor your body, your mind, and your journey—messy, non-linear, and beautiful as it is.

Because true badassery? It’s not just about hitting the pads or sticking the handstand.

It’s about showing up fully with curiosity and fierce compassion, and letting that be enough.

07 Jan 2025

Empowerment, Holistic Health, Vegan Lifestyle

Tags: compassion, empowerment, happiness, mindfulness

Fierce Compassion: Guide to Grieving, Celebrating, and Living Fully

Before I talk about FIERCE COMPASSION, I want to wish you a Happy New Year from me and Fiona!

We were gifted a gorgeous New Year’s Day in Miami (don’t hate😜… come visit!) and I had the fortune of taking Fiona to Bark Beach with the guy I’m dating (I can hardly believe I’m dating, as I was NOT looking to do so anytime soon, but that’s a story for another day).

I also took some time to reach out to people I care about this week.

I was touching base with a client turned friend, and she mentioned that she typically finds the holiday season to be “performative and annoying,” as well as challenging when it comes to eating healthfully.

She also mentioned that this year she was feeling a heaviness in her heart… a sense of grieving from the election perhaps… that was weighing on her.

As I was contemplating what words I could offer to be helpful to her, I put some energy into checking in with how I was feeling, and came up with the following message that I thought could be helpful to her and many of you reading this right now…

As we step into 2025, I’m reflecting on the idea of living with fierce compassion.

It’s a guiding force for me—a way of being that holds space for the full spectrum of emotions that are all a part of this human experience.

I feel deep sorrow for the unbearable suffering of animals and humans alike…

AND

I feel immense joy for the love, beauty, and wonder that still exist in this world.

**It’s not either/or. It’s both.**

I can grieve AND celebrate.

I can feel pain AND embody gratitude.

I can acknowledge the darkness AND shine my light.

This is what fierce compassion looks like.

It’s about being awake to the suffering around us while staying grounded in hope, love, and purpose.

Every moment offers us an opportunity to raise our vibration and contribute to the relief of suffering—for ourselves, for others, and for the planet.

Every action we take has the potential to do good or harm, to heal or to hurt.

So, as we move through this new year together, let’s ask ourselves:

How can we cultivate peace within, so we can ripple that peace outward?

How can we dance through life with loving awareness and intention?

Let’s make 2025 a year of fierce compassion, grounded in kindness and connection.

21 Dec 2024

Tags: chef aj

The Power of Collective Compassion: Prayers for Chef AJ

The following is an excerpt from from my December 22nd, 2024 Soul-Aligned Sunday newsletter.

*Sign up to receive this weekly heart-felt, inspiring newsletter HERE.

A REQUEST FOR PRAYERS

I had planned on sharing about how I’m dealing with the disappointment I’ve been feeling about my ACL surgery recovery having some hiccups…

And to tell you all about taking up Thai Chi, in my quest to fulfill the prescription for “slowing down” that was assigned to me by my Ayurvedic practitioner, Eran.

But all of that seems, well, unimportant and irrelevant at the moment.

What keeps coming up for me is that my friend, Chef AJ, recently came out about her diagnosis of lung cancer (watch on YouTube)…

And what I would rather share about, is her request for our prayers.

My heart broke when I heard the news…

Not only the fact that one of the most genuine, generous humans on the planet has cancer…

But also the fact that she had felt the need to hide it for almost 2 years because she was afraid of the backlash it might cause…

That people would attribute her diagnosis to a plant-based diet “not working…” and that trolls would have a field day.

In reality, epigenetics DOES prove that a huge percentage of disease can be prevented by “turning off” disease-causing genes through diet and lifestyle choices. And what great news that our genes do not necessarily determine our destiny!

Not only that, the research is clear that a whole foods plant-based diet can even reverse many diseases (most of you reading this are well aware of this fact).

AND

There are no guarantees. Especially in this day and age, when our world is as polluted, and full of toxins, as it is.

Simply by living in society – wearing clothes, using soaps and lotions, breathing the air, drinking the water, and eating food from the grocery store, we are exposed to disease-causing chemicals.

“Well that’s depressing, Ella!” you may be thinking.

Yes AND…

Being depressed and anxious obviously doesn’t help – in fact, it just adds stress and exacerbates the problem.

So…

We do our best, within reason, to align our lifestyle with compassion and health, for ourselves, other people, animals, and the planet…

AND practice LETTING GO of the rest.

Side note: One of my favorite Tara Brach talks is called The Three Steps of Letting Go, which has helped me through some really tough times (Apple podcasts / YouTube).

Back to Chef AJ…

I think it was in her latest YouTube live that she recorded when she got home from a lung biopsy, where she said just how comforting it was knowing that people were praying for her.

And no wonder!

It’s not just about religion or faith in the traditional sense of praying.

According to the HeartMath Institute, “numerous studies have shown that group or collective meditation, prayer, and focused intention directed towards a specific positive outcome can have increased beneficial and measurable effects. Every individual’s energy affects the collective field environment.”

So, if you could hold Chef AJ close in your heart, and send out your version of a prayer for her daily, I would be incredibly grateful, as I know she will be as well.

06 Dec 2024

Empowerment, Holistic Health

Tags: discipline, morning routine

How to Redefine Discipline and Align Your Actions with Your True Values

What thoughts come up when you hear the word discipline?

It’s a word that often carries mixed emotions. People frequently say to me, “You’re so disciplined!” followed by, “I’m just not disciplined enough to work out every day” (or something similar).

In my disordered eating days, I would resist this label because it reminded me of all the ways I wasn’t disciplined—like the times my willpower ran out, leading me to binge on granola or peanut butter.

Since healing my relationship with food and my body—and working with hundreds of clients to help them do the same—I’ve come to redefine discipline.

At its core, discipline means aligning your actions with your values and goals.

Simple? Yes. Easy? Not at all.

Here’s why:

1. Discovering Your True Values

Most of us operate based on “programmed” values—beliefs and priorities we’ve inherited from influential people in our lives. True discipline requires digging deeper to uncover your authentic values, which is a step many skip.

2. Setting Meaningful Goals

Without meaningful, purpose-driven goals, it’s hard to stay disciplined. Many people aim to “lose 10 pounds,” but statistics show that over 85% of people who lose 20 pounds gain it all back (and then some). Why? Because the goal wasn’t tied to a deeper “why.”

Ask yourself this: Will losing 20 pounds matter to you on your deathbed? Or will it matter more that you felt strong, healthy, and capable of climbing that 14,000-foot mountain or playing with your grandkids?

Discipline Is NOT About Willpower

Many equate discipline with sheer willpower, but that’s not the case. Discipline is a mindset—a daily practice of shifting out of autopilot and into conscious, mindful action. It’s about choosing thoughts that coach you toward aligned actions.

Does that resonate?

Last night, as I set my alarm for 4:22 AM, I reminded myself of this definition of discipline.

And here’s what my Thursday morning looked like:

My Morning (and How It Aligns with My Values)

4:22-4:44 AM: 🥰Cuddle under the covers with Fiona, connecting with gratitude, and deciding how I would deal with the fact that I had a rough night with little sleep (I decided that I would give no mental energy toward worrying about it and carrying on with my day as if I had a fabulous night sleep).
4:44 AM: Scrape tongue, brush teeth, and drink 12 oz water.
4:55 AM: Take Fiona on a mini-walk to potty.
5:10 AM: Fix hot ginger/turmeric water and mushroom coffee with soy milk (I sip on the hot water first until it’s gone, and then start on the mushroom coffee).
5:25-5:40 AM: Do my morning “body activation” routine to warm up and mobilize my body, followed by some chanting (Prayer for Enlightenment) and breathwork.
5:40-5:50 AM: Play fetch with Fiona.
5:50-6:00 AM: Get dressed, wash my face, apply a bit of make-up (maybe one day I’ll be ready to face the day make-up free like Pamela Anderson is doing these days which I LOVE (a topic for another day!), but for now I like at least a little vegan, cruelty-free mascara).
6:00-7:00: Write this newsletter.
7:00-8:00: Meeting with Sean Russell of Vegans Explore (totally worth following on Instagram HERE) about some exciting projects we’re working on together.
8:15-9:15: Train myself (strength, conditioning, boxing)
9:15-10:15: Teach my boxing class
10:45-11:15: Make and eat a version of my infamous high protein Noochylicious Kale Salad (I’m still waiting on this salad to get old… I’m not sure it ever will!).

Everything I do aligns with my core values and my deeper “why”— my mission to make the world a kinder place for all living beings… A mission I took on starting at the age of seven!

*Learn more about my story on the Plant Fuelled Podcast here.

Discipline in Food Choices

The same principles apply to food. Cravings can feel overwhelming, but they don’t have to control your actions.

That’s why I created my Emergency Cravings Kit, a free tool to help you handle cravings in the moment and make choices aligned with your goals.

Grab Your Free Emergency Cravings Kit HERE!

Key Takeaways

Discipline isn’t about forcing willpower—it’s about alignment.
Align your actions with values and goals rooted in meaningful “whys.”
Cultivating discipline is a mindset, not a struggle.

01 Dec 2024

Tags: vegan holidays