In this inspiring episode of Avoiding Average, host Susan Gates sits down with Lindsey Lightner, an Air Force veteran and founder of The WanderHer, to explore her incredible transformation from military life to van life and homesteading.

Lindsay shares how leaving a toxic relationship, embracing nature, and living on the road became catalysts for deep healing and self-discovery. Together, they discuss the importance of community, vulnerability, and following your intuition when stepping into an authentic life.

This conversation is perfect for anyone seeking freedom, healing, and purpose through travel and connection with the earth.

Listen in to discover:

• How van life became Lindsay’s path to healing and freedom

• Tips for solo travel and staying safe on the road

• How nature and community can guide personal transformation

• What it means to choose yourself and trust your intuition

Connect with Lindsey:

thewanderher.com

Instagram: @lefthandedteacher

Connect with Susan Gates:
Explore astrocartography and transformational coaching at www.avoidingaverage.comConnect on Instagram: @susan.a.gates

In this deeply inspiring episode of Avoiding Average, host Susan Gates sits down with Joie (formerly Brittany Dobbs) — an Inner Evolution Coach who shares her profound story of transformation, healing, and rebirth.

After surviving a life-changing brain injury, Joy embarked on a journey of self-love, ancestral healing, and spiritual awakening that took her from corporate America to the sacred lands of Tanzania, Bali, and Ireland. Through travel, yoga, and embodiment practices, she discovered the true meaning of empowerment and purpose.

Tune in as Susan and Joie explore:
🌿 Healing the nervous system after trauma
🧘 The power of yoga and embodiment for inner evolution
🌍 How travel catalyzes personal and ancestral healing
💫 The ongoing journey of self-love and compassion
🔥 The identity shift from corporate success to soulful service

Whether you’re on your own healing journey or simply craving deeper meaning, this conversation will remind you that transformation is not about becoming someone new — it’s about remembering who you truly are.

More about Joie:

Since this conversation was recorded, Brittany now goes by Joie (pronounced Joy), and she has moved her Inner Evolution Coaching over to www.theultimatejoie.com.

The expression of Joie, the Inner Evolution Coach, that you are meeting here is one that has been through many cycles of death and rebirth in order to move through life as the truest authentic version of herself. She is a visionary that co-creates expansive and vibrant lives with her clients through Inpowerment, a process of inner evolution that uncovers the truth of who you are that resides beneath the layers of conditioning and allows you to stand in your own power sourced from within. Whether you are on a healing journey, going through a big life transition, seeking a deeper meaning and purpose in life, or just alive in the chaos of this time, Joie is passionate about working with you because of her own experience of moving through the depths of her suffering in order to embrace a life filled with more alignment, freedom, abundance, safety, and love. In her “previous lives,” she worked for Disney and HBO in NYC, founded a non-profit in Tanzania and healed herself from a brain injury. She has over 1,000+ hours in trainings and certifications in yoga, meditation, energy healing, coaching, and more.

Ways to work/connect with Joie:

Website: www.theultimatejoie.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TheUltimateJoie

FB: www.facebook.com/Joie.InnerEvolutionCoach

IG: www.instagram.com/ultimatejoie

Connect with Susan:
www.avoidingaverage.com | @soulcoachsusan

Keywords: inner evolution, coaching, self-love, healing, travel, yoga, brain injury, ancestral healing, personal growth, empowerment

In this episode of the Avoiding Average podcast, host Susan Gates sits down with confidence coach and spiritual leader Nicole Rogers, the creator of the Zen Red Method. Nicole shares her powerful story of losing everything, rediscovering her authentic self, and rebuilding her life through confidence, presence, and nervous system regulation.

Nicole dives into why confidence isn’t about faking it until you make it—it’s about embodying your wholeness. She explains how tools for nervous system regulation, emotional awareness, and forgiveness unlock the ability to manifest your goals and step into your true power.

From embracing anger as a teacher to learning self-forgiveness, Nicole offers a roadmap for self-discovery and personal growth. If you’re ready to break free from self-doubt and step into a more confident, authentic version of yourself, this conversation is for you.Nikól Rogers is a confidence coach, best-selling author, spiritual teacher and speaker who founded The ZenRed Method in 2015 to teach Influencers, professional artists, speakers, and presenters how to be fearless and ​embody a Powerful Presence, connect deeply with their audience, and stand out from the crowd. As a result, her clients create free of stress in their projects, and feel confident and secure in their work. Her clients have published books, sold out events and concerts, created Solo shows, spoken on large stages, and created award winning businesses that feed and nourish them. She can be found at nikolrogers.com and on Instagram at @Nikol_Rogers

Her book, 13, can be found at 13thebook.com. If you'd like her free video training, Reclaim Your Confidence, find it at www.nikolrogers.com/how-to-reclaim-your-confidence/

Learn more about Susan Gates and Avoiding Average at www.avoidingaverage.com