The Messy Truth About Postpartum Mental Health

Three weeks postpartum with my second baby, I sat in my car after a pediatric appointment, crying because I couldn't remember if I'd buckled the car seat properly. Again. My first thought wasn't "maybe I need help" - it was "other

Stop Sending Sleep Problems to Doctors (When You Could Fix Them Instead)

Here's something that's been bugging me for months... I was chatting with my client Sarah last week. She's been struggling with her 3 PM energy crash for ages. We've dialed in her nutrition, her workouts are solid, but she keeps hitting this

Stop Apologizing for Wanting Sleep

Picture this: You're standing in your kitchen at 3 AM, swaying back and forth with a baby who's been up every two hours for the past six months. You're so tired you're not entirely sure if you're awake or having

Your Menopause Insomnia Isn't Broken—It's Brilliant

Let me paint you a picture from 2 AM last Tuesday. There I was, sprawled across my bathroom floor like a crime scene victim, except instead of being murdered, I'd just been ambushed by another nuclear-level hot flash. My pajamas were soaked, my sheets were soaked, and honestly?

Stop Letting the Fitness Industry Control Your Body

The Fitness Rebellion You Never Knew You Needed Picture this: You're standing in a gym at 6 AM, doing burpees because some trainer told you that's what "gets results." Your body feels like shit, your mind is screaming "I hate this," but

Your Warm-Up Sucks (And It's Killing Your Gains)

I used to be that guy. You know the one - jogging in place for 90 seconds, doing some arm circles that would make a kindergarten PE teacher cringe, then jumping straight into heavy squats wondering why my knees felt like rusty hinges. Then I tore my hip flexor. Not

Why I've Been "Ruining" My Grandmother's Blueberry Cake for 10 Years

My grandmother would probably roll over in her grave if she knew what I've done to her blueberry cake recipe. But here's the thing - I think she'd secretly be proud. Ten years ago, I found her handwritten recipe card tucked between the pages

I Was Wrong About Lavender Syrup

Okay, confession time. Six months ago, I thought lavender syrup was pretentious BS. Like, who needs their coffee to taste like soap, right? I was that person rolling my eyes at $7 lavender lattes, convinced it was just another way for cafes to separate hipsters from their money. Then I

Sleep Training While Working: The Messy Truth Nobody Talks About

Let me guess—you're reading this at 2:47 AM while your baby screams in the background and you're wondering how the hell you're supposed to function at tomorrow's 9 AM meeting. Been there, mama. Three times, actually. Everyone talks about sleep

The Insurance Truth Nobody Tells Health Coaches

Three years ago, I got the email that every health coach dreads. "Maya, I think your nutrition advice made my condition worse. My lawyer will be in touch." My stomach dropped. Not because I'd done anything wrong—my client had stopped taking prescribed medication without telling

Stop Overthinking Your Diet (The Periodization Truth)

I used to be that guy who planned his meals six months in advance. Seriously. I had spreadsheets within spreadsheets, macro calculations that would make a NASA engineer weep, and enough meal prep containers to stock a small restaurant. I thought I was being "strategic" with my nutrition.

I Spent 3 Years Researching Every Meal (And Why You Shouldn't)

Picture this: It's Tuesday morning, I'm standing in my kitchen, staring at a banana. Not eating it, mind you. Just... staring. Because I'm trying to remember if I read somewhere that bananas spike your blood sugar too much, or if that was just for