There’s a version of me that exists in London that feels softer, calmer, and more present. Every time I return, it feels less like I’m visiting another country and more like I’m stepping back into a version of myself that I almost lost somewhere along the way. People often ask why I spend so much time abroad, and honestly, the answer has become much deeper than travel. What started as an opportunity to explore the world slowly became part of my healing journey after unexpectedly losing my Dad in November of 2022. Grief changed everything for me. It shifted how I viewed life, success, relationships, rest, and even myself.


At first, I told myself I just needed a break. A change of scenery. A reset from the constant noise of everyday life in America. But somewhere between my long walks through London neighborhoods, quiet mornings at cafés, solo dinners, and wandering through bookstores with no real destination, I realized something bigger was happening. I was slowly finding pieces of myself again. Back home, life often feels like survival mode. Entrepreneurship, social media, deadlines, bills, expectations, partnerships, and constantly trying to stay afloat can become emotionally exhausting. Add grief on top of that, and there were moments I truly felt like I was drowning internally while still trying to show up for everyone else externally.


London gave me space to breathe. There’s something about waking up and taking a slow walk through Notting Hill, sitting quietly in Hyde Park with coffee and my thoughts, or hopping on the Tube with nowhere urgent to be that reminded me life is supposed to be experienced, not just survived. My lifestyle there became much slower and more intentional. I would spend mornings journaling, afternoons walking through museums or neighborhoods, and evenings enjoying solo dinners or meeting new people. For once, I wasn’t constantly rushing. I wasn’t glued to my phone every second. I wasn’t solely focused on productivity. I was simply existing.


I didn’t realize how much I needed that. Living abroad also showed me how deeply our environments impact our wellness. In America, especially as an entrepreneur, I think many of us are conditioned to believe rest has to be earned. We glorify burnout, overworking, and constantly being busy. But overseas, particularly in London, I noticed people embracing life differently. There’s more walking, more balance, more enjoyment of simple moments, and more presence. That shifted something in me.


Over the last few years, I’ve had the opportunity to spend extended time abroad through hotel and tourism partnerships, living between places like London, Toronto, and Montreal. While those opportunities have looked glamorous online, what people don’t always see is how much those experiences helped me emotionally. There were days in London where grief still hit me hard. I remember walking through the city and suddenly wishing I could call my Dad just to tell him what I saw that day. There were moments I cried quietly in my hotel room questioning my purpose, my career, and who I was becoming after such a painful loss. But there were also moments where I genuinely felt joy return to my body again.
That mattered more than anything.
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Travel didn’t erase my pain, but it reminded me that life could still feel beautiful even after heartbreak. It reminded me that I was allowed to rest, to evolve, and to rebuild myself differently. Somewhere along the way, London became more than a destination for me. It became a safe space where I could grieve, heal, reflect, and reconnect with myself without pressure. I think that’s why this city will always hold such a special place in my heart. It gave me room to become softer instead of just stronger. It taught me that healing doesn’t always happen loudly. Sometimes it happens quietly, during long walks, peaceful mornings, unfamiliar streets, and moments where you finally feel your nervous system exhale.
And maybe that’s the biggest lesson London gave me: life is not only about surviving difficult seasons. It’s also about allowing yourself to still experience joy, beauty, rest, and possibility while healing through them.

Turning 40 has felt a lot different than I expected. For years, society makes women feel like aging is something to fear, especially in beauty, media, and entrepreneurship. But honestly? This season of my life feels less about trying to prove myself and more about protecting my peace, my health, and my joy.


The older I get, the more I realize wellness is not a luxury—it’s survival.
At 40, I’m learning that taking care of myself has to go deeper than facials, pretty vacations, or aesthetic self-care moments on Instagram. Those things are beautiful, yes. But real wellness is learning how to regulate your stress, get proper sleep, move your body consistently, protect your mental health, and stop carrying the weight of the world alone. If I’m being transparent, this chapter has required all of that from me.


Over the past few years, grief, entrepreneurship, burnout, and life changes forced me to look at my health differently. Losing my Dad unexpectedly changed me in ways I’m still unpacking. There were moments I was operating purely in survival mode. Traveling constantly, overworking, struggling with sleep, emotionally exhausted, and disconnected from myself. On the outside, life may have still looked glamorous, but internally, I knew something had to shift.


Now at 40, I’m finally understanding what women mean when they say your body starts talking to you differently.
I’ve become much more intentional about my health—not from a place of fear, but from a place of wanting a soft, healthy, fulfilling life. I want energy. I want peace. I want longevity. I want to feel good mentally and physically, not just look good online.


One page I’ve really enjoyed following lately is Our Health In Focus because it reminds women to pay attention to the small habits that truly impact long-term wellness. Especially as we age, those little things matter more than we realize.
Here are a few things I’m personally focusing on in this season of life:


Prioritizing sleep
In my 20s and early 30s, I could survive on little sleep and keep pushing. Not anymore. I’ve realized poor sleep affects everything—my mood, anxiety, skin, focus, hormones, and ability to cope with stress. Rest is now part of my wellness routine, not something I earn after burnout.


Strength training and movement
At 40, movement feels less about shrinking my body and more about staying strong and healthy. Pilates, walking, stretching, and strength workouts have become more important to me because I want to feel mobile, energized, and supported long-term.


Managing stress differently
Stress shows up physically. I’ve learned that chronic stress can impact your hormones, digestion, inflammation, skin, and mental health. Therapy, journaling, prayer, travel, saying “no,” and creating slower moments have all become necessary for me.


Protecting my mental health
This may be the biggest lesson of all. I’ve had to stop pretending I’m okay when I’m not. Women, especially Black women, are often expected to carry everything gracefully. But healing requires honesty. Some days I’m strong. Some days I’m tired. Both can exist.


Learning that wellness is personal
What works for someone else may not work for me and that’s okay. At 40, I’m no longer chasing perfection. I’m chasing alignment. I’m learning to listen to my body instead of fighting it.
And maybe that’s the beauty of getting older.


You stop performing so much. You stop needing outside validation for every decision. You start realizing that peace, health, boundaries, and joy are the real flex. Turning 40 has not been about “losing youth.” It’s been about finding myself again.

There’s something beautiful about watching your family build a life together. My older brother is a newlywed, and my sister-in-law recently received her green card a major milestone that our entire family celebrated. She’s from the Philippines, and after months of paperwork, waiting, and navigating the immigration process, she’s finally at the exciting stage of settling in, building her career, and creating her own rhythm here in Cincinnati. It’s a fresh chapter and one filled with possibility.


There’s just one catch: she doesn’t drive.


Now, if you know my brother, you know he’s a gentleman through and through. He has stepped up in every way possible—driving her where she needs to go, helping her get settled, and making sure she feels supported as she adjusts to life here. And because she’s now working, he’s even been driving her to and from work. The thing is they’re on completely different schedules. He has his own responsibilities, his own workday, and a life he’s balancing, yet somehow he still finds time to make sure she gets where she needs to be. As sweet as that is, when he was recently telling my mom and me about her commute and where she works, a light bulb went off in my head.


I said: “Wait, why aren’t you using MetroNOW?” Cue the blank stares.


I explained that MetroNOW! offers an easy, affordable on-demand ride service and one of its service zones is conveniently located near their home. Instead of coordinating schedules, rushing around town, or spending extra money on gas, she could simply download the app, schedule a pickup, and ride to work stress-free. My brother was amazed. My mom was amazed. Honestly? I wasn’t surprised because this is exactly what I mean when I talk about how transportation innovation can make everyday life easier.


We don’t always think about how something as simple as getting from Point A to Point B can become a daily challenge especially for new residents, people without cars, families juggling multiple schedules, or anyone trying to save money in today’s economy. With gas prices continuing to fluctuate, car maintenance costs rising, and time becoming one of our most precious resources, having an option like MetroNOW! is more than convenient it’s practical. What I love most is how easy it is. Download the MetroNow! app. Book your ride. Get picked up. Get where you need to go. Simple.


For my sister-in-law, that means more independence. It means being able to confidently get to work without feeling like she’s inconveniencing anyone. It means learning the city on her own terms. And for my brother, it means a little breathing room knowing she has a reliable option that still gets her where she needs to be safely.


That’s what smart transportation should do: create freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind. Sometimes the best solutions are already right in our backyard we just have to know about them. If you haven’t checked out MetroNOW!, now is the time. Whether it’s for work, errands, appointments, or simply making life a little easier, it’s one of those services that can quietly become a game-changer for families like mine.


To learn more, visit Metro’s MetroNOW! page. Life is busy enough. Transportation shouldn’t make it harder.

April always feels like a reset for me. As the energy shifts and the sun shows off a little more, spring inspires you to open the windows, clean out what no longer fits, and start fresh not just in your home, but in your life and your mindset too.

I had one of those real, no-filter conversations recently with a girlfriend. You know the kind where you’re not pretending everything is fine, you’re just being honest. We started talking about business, the economy, how things feel heavier lately, and how so many of us are working harder than ever, yet it’s not always reflected in our results.

In that moment, something clicked for me. Spring isn’t just about refreshing your space; it’s about refreshing how you show up. Because, to be real, I’ve had to check myself too. There have been moments where I’ve been moving on autopilot, saying yes too quickly, over-delivering, undercharging, and not fully honoring the value I bring. Not because I don’t know my worth but because sometimes we fall into patterns that no longer serve the next version of us.

And spring? She’s not about that. Spring is about growth. Expansion. Elevation. And growth requires letting go of what no longer fits.

That might be outdated pricing. That might be due to misaligned partnerships. That might even be the mindset that says, “Just be grateful you got the opportunity."”
No. Be grateful, yes but also be aligned. Be intentional. Be paid.

I’ve been reflecting a lot on what I want this next season to look like not just financially, but energetically. I don’t want to be busy just to be busy. I want to be aligned. I want to feel good about what I’m building. I want my work to not only impact others but sustain me too.

Here’s the truth: you cannot pour into others from an empty cup. And you definitely can’t build something meaningful long-term if it’s constantly draining you. This season has been teaching me that a “fresh start” doesn’t always mean starting over it means starting better. Smarter. More intentional.

It means asking:

• Does this opportunity align with where I’m going?
• Does this reflect the level I know I’m operating on?
• Am I honoring my time, my energy, and my expertise?

If the answer is no, have the confidence to pivot. That’s the part we don’t always talk about. Growth requires adjustment. It requires boundaries. It requires being honest with yourself about what’s working and what isn’t.

Recently, I came across a perspective that really aligned with where I am in this season. Tasha Randle, a former Fortune 50 marketing executive and founder of 828 Leadership Group, often discusses how many entrepreneurs lack clarity in positioning and packaging their value, rather than lacking talent or effort.

Sometimes it’s not that you need to do more; it’s that you need to do things differently. More strategically. More intentionally. In a way that actually reflects the level you’re operating on.
That’s something former Fortune 50 marketing executive Tasha Randle talks about often in her work with founders. It’s not always that we need to work harder. Sometimes it’s about making sure our effort is focused in the right place to actually create the results we’re looking for.

And the hard part is, when you’re in it day to day, it’s not always easy to see where things are off, especially when it comes to how your work is positioned, communicated, and valued.

She created a short diagnostic that helps you step back and quickly see what might be getting in the way and what to shift. It only takes a few minutes, and honestly, that kind of clarity can change everything.For me, this spring is about realignment.

Realigning with my purpose, my vision. Realigning with the person I’m becoming.
To every woman reading this, especially my entrepreneurs and creatives: let this be your reminder that you are allowed to evolve. You are allowed to raise your standards. You are allowed to want more and pursue it unapologetically.

This is your season to reset, refocus, and reintroduce yourself. Not as who you were but as who you’re becoming.
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Trust me she’s worth everything.

Click the link here to check out more resources.

Getting ready for an event is never just about the outfit, it’s about how you feel when you walk into the room. And with Herald Beauty’s 5-Year Anniversary happening this Saturday, I knew I needed more than glam—I needed to feel lighter, refreshed, and grounded in my body. That’s exactly why I booked a lymphatic drainage session at Viva Body Sculpt.

If I’m being honest, this season has been heavy in more ways than one. Planning a major event, carrying the weight of entrepreneurship, and just navigating life, it all builds up. And one thing I’ve learned is that stress doesn’t just sit in your mind, it sits in your body too. I was feeling it: bloated, tired, a little inflamed and I knew I needed a reset.

Enter lymphatic drainage.

For those who may not know, lymphatic drainage is a gentle massage technique that helps move fluid through your lymphatic system, reducing swelling, detoxing the body, and giving you that snatched, sculpted feel naturally. But beyond the physical benefits, it’s also deeply calming. And that’s exactly what I needed going into this week.

From the moment I walked into Viva Body Sculpt, the energy felt different: peaceful, intentional, and centered on care. It didn’t feel rushed or transactional. It felt like I was giving my body permission to slow down and release everything it’s been holding onto.
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During my session, I could literally feel my body softening. The tension I didn’t even realize I was carrying started to melt away. It was one of those moments where you don’t realize how much you needed something until you’re in it. And when I got up? I felt lighter not just physically, but mentally too.

And yes, let’s talk about the results.

That post-lymphatic glow is real. My stomach felt flatter, my body felt less puffy, and everything just looked smoother. It wasn’t about drastic change it was about refinement. About feeling like the best version of myself walking into one of the most important weekends for my brand.

But what I appreciated most was the pause.

As women especially as entrepreneurs we are constantly pouring into everything and everyone else. We’re producing, planning, executing, and showing up, even when we’re exhausted. This session reminded me that taking care of my body is not a luxury, it’s necessary. Herald Beauty has always been about more than beauty. It’s about wellness, confidence, and creating space for women to feel seen, supported, and empowered. So it only made sense for me to align my own self-care with that same mission as I prepare to celebrate five years.

Walking into this Saturday, I don’t just want to look good—I want to feel aligned. I want to feel present. I want to feel like myself again.
And this experience helped me get there. So if you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, puffy, stressed, or just off this is your sign to try lymphatic drainage. Sometimes the reset you need isn’t a full getaway it’s an hour of intentional care that brings you back to yourself.

Because how you feel in your body matters. This weekend? I’m walking into my 5-Year Anniversary feeling lighter, clearer, and ready.

Let’s be real travel feels a little chaotic right now. Between long airport lines, delays, and the uncertainty that comes with things like a government shutdown, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even step on a plane. And if you’re anything like me, travel isn’t just a luxury—it’s part of your lifestyle, your work, your reset.


So let me say this clearly: I’m not going to stop flying. I’m just pivoting. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that travel doesn’t have to stop when things get unpredictable—you just have to move smarter. Here are 3 travel tips I’m using right now to navigate the chaos without losing my mind (or my flights).


1. Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need
I know, I know—we all love cutting it close and making it to the gate right on time. But this is not the season for that.
With longer TSA lines, potential staffing shortages, and just overall airport congestion, you need to build in extra time. I’m talking:

• Arrive at least 2–3 hours early for domestic flights
• 3+ hours for international flights

Even airports like Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which are usually pretty smooth, can have unexpected slowdowns right now. Trust me—sitting at your gate with a coffee is way better than running through the airport stressed and missing your flight.


2. Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR (This Is Your Sign)
If you’ve been going back and forth about it, let this be your sign: get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR.
Right now, this is less of a luxury and more of a necessity.

• TSA PreCheck helps you move through security faster without taking off your shoes, laptop, or liquids
• CLEAR lets you skip the ID line entirely using biometric screening

When lines are wrapping around the airport? That time saved is everything. I personally look at it as investing in my peace. Because nothing throws off your travel energy like starting your trip stressed.


3. Be Flexible and Have a Backup Plan

This is the season of flexibility over frustration. Flights are getting delayed. Things are shifting. And instead of letting that ruin your entire trip, I’ve learned to pivot.
Here’s what that looks like for me:

• Booking flights earlier in the day (less chance of delays stacking up)
• Choosing airlines with multiple flight options in case I need to switch
• Keeping essentials in my carry-on (because checked bags can get delayed too)

Mentally? I’ve shifted my mindset. Instead of “this better go perfectly,” it’s “I’ll figure it out if it doesn’t.” Because I always do.


Travel right now might require a little more patience, a little more planning, and a lot more grace but that doesn’t mean we stop living our lives. For me, travel is freedom. It’s joy. It’s a reminder that there’s so much more out there. So no, I’m not canceling trips or putting my passport away. I’m just moving differently. I’m giving myself more time. I’m investing in convenience where it makes sense. And I’m staying flexible when things don’t go as planned. Because the world is still waiting and I’m still going to see it. If you’ve been feeling hesitant about traveling right now, let this be your reminder: You don’t have to stop. You just have to pivot.

During Women’s History Month, I always find myself thinking about the women who came before us—the ones who paved the way, fought for opportunity, and showed us what strength really looks like. But I’ve also been reflecting on something else: how modern women can honor that legacy by taking better care of ourselves.

Because let’s be honest for a second, friend. Women carry a lot. We’re building businesses, running households, supporting friends, raising children, showing up in our communities, and still trying to find time to breathe somewhere in between.Too often, our health becomes the thing that gets pushed to the bottom of the list. That’s why I love seeing more women step into spaces that remind us to slow down and take care of ourselves—one of those spaces being Our Health In Focus, founded by Marcy Fitzgerald  right here in Cincinnati.


What I appreciate about Our Health In Focus is that it’s rooted in something simple but powerful: helping women prioritize their health in realistic, sustainable ways. Not extreme trends. Not unrealistic expectations. Just real conversations about how we nourish our bodies, support our wellbeing, and actually rest. During a recent conversation, Marcy shared a few simple reminders that many of us need to hear—especially as busy women who are used to pouring into everyone else first.


Rest.
One of the biggest tips from Our Health In Focus is something many women struggle with: rest. We often feel guilty slowing down, like we should always be productive or doing something for someone else. But our bodies were not designed to run on empty. Real rest—sleeping well, unplugging from devices, and taking a quiet moment—helps our nervous system reset. It allows us to wake up stronger, clearer, and more present in our daily lives.


What we eat.
Another key focus is nutrition. Food is fuel, and the better we nourish our bodies, the better we show up in every other area of life. That doesn’t mean perfection. It means being intentional—drinking more water, incorporating more whole foods, and actually listening to what our bodies need instead of ignoring those signals while running from one responsibility to the next.


Movement and care.
Our bodies deserve care beyond just surviving the day. Whether it’s Pilates, a long walk around the neighborhood, a lymphatic massage, or simply stretching in the morning, movement reminds our bodies that we are investing in them. It’s not about punishment or chasing unrealistic beauty standards. It’s about honoring the body that carries us through life. The truth is, when women take care of themselves, everyone benefits.


We show up as stronger mothers, stronger leaders, stronger friends, stronger entrepreneurs, and stronger community members. We also set an example for the next generation of women watching us, showing them that success and self-care can coexist.


Spaces like Our Health In Focus are important because they create a community where women feel encouraged to prioritize their health without guilt. Sometimes we just need that reminder that taking care of ourselves isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.


So during this Women’s History Month, while we celebrate the incredible women who shaped history, let’s also commit to something for ourselves.


Let’s rest when we need it.
Let’s nourish our bodies.
Let’s move with intention and care.


And if you’re looking for daily inspiration and practical wellness reminders, be sure to follow Our Health In Focus on Instagram and stay connected with the work Marcy is doing to help women put their health back into focus.