Caressa Dunphy is a nutrition professional, podcast host, and resilient voice for those breaking cycles of toxic family dynamics. After growing up in a home marked by control and conditional love, she chose courage over compliance—walking away from her entire family tree to protect her peace and build a life on her own terms.

A veteran, wife, and mother of two, Caressa has spent over a decade pursuing her education, recently earning her master’s degree while raising her boys and navigating her healing journey. She is the founder of A is for Avocados, a private practice that blends nutrition, fitness, and lifestyle coaching, and the creator of the Badass Thriving Podcast, where she shares her own story and amplifies others who are learning to live fully, freely, and authentically.

Her message is simple yet powerful: your intuition is your compass, and happiness is possible—even if it means redefining family and pruning what no longer serves.

Carolyn Chebaro is a speaker, writer, and creator of The Simple Life, a movement that helps women slow down, reconnect with themselves, and live beautifully and intentionally. After selling nearly everything she owned and leaving the U.S. behind, Carolyn began adventurizing her life by traveling through Wales, Ireland, and beyond with her tiny dog, Miss Evie, in search of a
truer, simpler way to live.
Through her writing, retreats, and upcoming podcast, she invites women to rediscover what “enough” really means, not by doing more, but by choosing what matters most. Her work blends simplicity, mindfulness, and quiet luxury, inspiring women to reimagine their next chapter with ease and elegance.
When she’s not creating, you’ll likely find her wandering seaside paths or exploring new corners of Europe, always letting the journey teach her how to live more gently and fully.

Email: Carolyn@CarolynChebaro.com

Celessa is a Reiki Master and intuitive healer whose work bridges the seen and unseen. With a heart rooted in service and energy attunement, she helps others release what no longer serves and reconnect with the frequency of peace within. As a retreat leader and collaborator with the FitZen community, Celessa brings warmth, wisdom, and a sacred sense of presence to every space she enters. Her gift lies in guiding others toward deep energetic alignment — where healing becomes remembrance, and transformation feels like coming home.

Christopher Hill is a visionary in eco-luxury family travel. After a career in London finance, he had a life-changing volunteer experience in South Africa in 2002 which inspired him to reshape what travel could be: not just seeing the world, but serving it. In 2006 he founded Hands Up Holidays to do just that—create high-end travel experiences paired with meaningful community and conservation work.  Christopher believes travel should do more than entertain—it should expand perspectives, foster human connection, and leave both guests and host communities enriched. He often says that his most cherished travel memories are the times when meaningful engagement with locals and service have been part of the journey.

https://handsupholidays.com/ 

Dana Hunter Fradella is a transformational career and empowerment coach, podcast host, and founder of Girls Who Recover. She helps women turn setbacks into powerful comebacks by guiding them to reclaim their stories, step into their strength, and create lives they love.

As host of the Girls Who Recover podcast, Dana blends raw reflections, inspiring interviews, and practical tools to remind listeners that recovery is not just possible—it’s a pathway to radical growth and freedom.

With more than two decades of experience coaching women, Dana has helped hundreds find breakthroughs in their careers, finances, relationships, and personal development. Known for her vibrant energy and heart-centered approach, she empowers women to rise, thrive, and live unapologetically.

Daniel Cain is a singer-songwriter from Stanford, Kentucky, crafting a raw, soul-stirring sound that fuses the grit of grunge with the rebellious twang of bluegrass—what some call “y’allternative.” Rooted in his Appalachian heritage, his music blends roots rock, folk, country, and psychedelic blues with a jagged edge, channeling the intensity of Chris Cornell and the soulful grit of Chris Stapleton. Named Kentucky’s Rising Star of Music (2023) by Renfro Valley and featured by Whiskey Riff and Kentucky Country Music, Cain’s rise began in 2021 as a tribute to his late father, Jeff, whose legacy still drives his songwriting. Now collaborating with grunge legend Matt Cameron, Cain’s gravelly vocals, intricate picking, and unfiltered honesty carve a bold, authentic path through America’s evolving musical landscape—raw, reflective, and rooted in Kentucky soul.

Gwen Fitzpatrick is a woman of strength, wisdom, and unwavering grace. As a beloved mother, trusted mentor, and natural-born leader, Gwen has spent a lifetime inspiring others through her compassion, resilience, and quiet power. She’s a role model to many—not only within her family but also in her community—offering guidance, perspective, and love wherever it’s needed most.

With years of lived experience and a heart rooted in service and courage, Gwen brings stories that uplift, wisdom that resonates, and a presence that commands both respect and comfort. She is a hero in her own right—one whose legacy is built not just on achievements, but on the lives she’s touched.

On today’s episode, Gwen joins us to share her journey, insights, and the values that have shaped her life and leadership.

Lisa Hartung is the host of Giving Grief Grace, a podcast that transforms personal loss into purpose by opening space for real conversations about grief, caregiving, and legacy. A small-town girl from Maine, Lisa built a diverse career in the arts, real estate, and nonprofits before finding her calling in storytelling and community. Today, she leads an HR team at a global water nonprofit, raises two kids with her husband near Raleigh, NC and runs marathons for fun — all while helping others navigate life’s hardest moments with heartfelt compassion.

Liz Betack is the founder and creative force behind LBD Design, a Kentucky-based interior design studio known for crafting spaces that blend beauty, functionality, and soul. With years in the fast-paced world of high-end design, Liz carved her own path rooted in authenticity, ethics, and heart.

After time in the city, she returned to her small hometown to rediscover what design truly means: connection, community, and storytelling. Her work reflects a deep commitment to ethical business, accessibility, and transformative design that uplifts both clients and community.

Liz believes design goes far beyond color palettes and floor plans — it’s about how people feel when they walk into a room. Through her work and mentorship, she empowers others to create spaces — and lives — that feel aligned, intentional, and true to who they are.

“How you treat other people is what matters most — in design and in life.”

Michelle McGinnis is a people leader, change manager, team builder, process improver, and one of my all time favorite mentors. She is a certified Project Management Professional, Six Sigma Black Belt, and Product Owner/ Product Manager. Throughout her career, she has dedicated her energies to lead with quality skillsets and customized the level of support each team member needs to be successful. Michelle embodies what it takes to build strong teams of experts that can identify opportunities and solutions, and then implement those solutions with an emphasis on change management and long term value measurement. 

Mike Tomes is a Marketing Director for five local radio stations in Louisville, KY and content creator. He is also a creative director and stylist with a passion for bold self-expression through fashion. Known for blending vintage influences with modern trends, Mike has styled and directed for publications like The Voice Tribune and Today's Woman Magazine. Beyond the fashion and digital world, he finds joy in spending time with his amazing husband, Sheldon - who he's spent the better half of his life with, spoiling his cat Zara and being a social butterfly around town.

Instagram: mike_tomes_social

A transformational coach, speaker, and soulful guide who helps people move from clarity to courageous action.

Mindee’s journey has taken her through Tony Robbins’ Mastery University, immersive somatic training, and years of deep inner work. She’s the creator of a unique coaching approach that blends the S.E.M.B.U. method—addressing transformation on the somatic, emotional, mental, behavioral, and unconscious levels.

She’s worked with hundreds of clients, appeared on HGTV and radio, and continues to serve as a beacon for those ready to evolve with intention. Mindee believes that life is a mirror, and when we get clear on who we are, we magnetize the life we’re meant to live.

Whether she’s coaching one-on-one, leading retreats, or speaking on stages, Mindee brings wisdom, warmth, and a deep commitment to helping others rise.