In this episode of Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell welcomes Dr. Ian Smith—physician, bestselling author, and one of the most recognizable voices in health and wellness.

Dr. Smith is the author of nine books, including multiple #1 New York Times bestsellers such as SHRED, Super Shred, Blast the Sugar Out, The Clean 20, The Ancient Nine, Clean & Lean, and Fast Burn, with millions of copies in print worldwide. His newest release, Beyond Midnight: An Ashe Cayne Novel, marks the latest installment in his Chicago-based detective series, which has been optioned for an upcoming television project.

Beyond the page, Dr. Smith has spent decades educating audiences through television and media. He served as the solo host of the Emmy Award–winning syndicated show The Doctors, was a longtime medical contributor on The Rachael Ray Show, and appeared for six seasons as the medical and diet expert on VH1's Celebrity Fit Club. He has also worked as a medical correspondent for NBC News, contributing to NBC Nightly News and The Today Show.

A passionate advocate for public health, Dr. Smith founded national initiatives such as The 50 Million Pound Challenge and The Makeover Mile, and has appeared on major programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The View, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, MSNBC, and many others. His writing has been featured in outlets such as Time, Newsweek, Men's Fitness, and the New York Daily News.

Dr. Smith's work and service have earned national recognition, including honors from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. He has served on numerous nonprofit boards and was selected to serve on President Obama's Council on Fitness, Health, and Nutrition.

This conversation explores Dr. Smith's remarkable career at the intersection of medicine, media, storytelling, and service—and what it means to build impact that lasts.

Instagram: @doctoriansmith

TikTok: @theofficialdrian.

Website: www.doctoriansmith.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Dr.IanKSmith

In this powerful episode of Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell sits down with Charles and Heidi Hatley, the couple behind Kava & Kettlebells, to challenge one of the most normalized beliefs in modern wellness: that alcohol is the best way to relax, unwind, or cope with stress.

Charles and Heidi share how their journey through fitness, parenthood, trauma, and healing led them to explore alternatives to alcohol—specifically kava, a traditional plant-based drink long used in Pacific Island cultures. What began as a personal experiment quickly became a lifestyle shift rooted in nervous system regulation, recovery, and intentional living.

Charles opens up about how his background in aviation and the Air Force exposed him to a deeply ingrained drinking culture, and how alcohol quietly undermined his fitness, recovery, sleep, and overall health. Heidi shares her own deeply personal story of surviving a near-fatal car accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, and how movement, nutrition, faith, and consistency played a critical role in her recovery.

Together, they discuss how kava works differently than alcohol or marijuana, why it supports calm without impairing awareness, and how it has helped them stay present—as parents, partners, and individuals—without numbing out. The conversation also explores the importance of sleep, cortisol regulation, screen boundaries, circadian rhythm, and creating intentional family routines in a world driven by constant stimulation.

This episode is an honest, grounded conversation about healing the nervous system, redefining relaxation, and modeling strength, faith, and calm in everyday life. It's not about extremes or perfection—it's about creating an environment where the body and brain can actually recover.

Whether you're sober-curious, burned out, navigating recovery, or simply questioning what real wellness looks like, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on choosing clarity, connection, and strength over numbing.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why alcohol quietly sabotages fitness, recovery, and brain health
• What kava is, how it works, and how it differs from alcohol and marijuana
• Nervous system regulation and why it's missing from most wellness conversations
• Healing after traumatic brain injury through movement, nutrition, and sleep
• Cortisol, sleep quality, and intentional evening routines
• Parenting without numbing in a high-stimulation culture
• Morning workouts, circadian rhythm, and daily structure
• Faith, resilience, and building a grounded family life

About Charles and Heidi Hatley:

Charles and Heidi Hatley are the voices behind Kava & Kettlebells, a platform and podcast focused on strength training, alcohol-free living, nervous system health, and intentional recovery. They are parents, fitness enthusiasts, and advocates for living fully present—without sacrificing clarity, connection, or purpose.

Listen, learn more, and connect:

Kava & Kettlebells
https://kavaandkettlebells.net

Kava & Kettlebells Podcast
https://kavaandkettlebells.net/podcast

One-sheet and episode reference
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12gV0nIl0Uu9Fps34sy0VnYPy3E0dvlFe/view?usp=drivesdk

Shaun Cassidy is a true creative multi-hyphenate whose career spans music, television, theater, and storytelling. First rising to fame as one of the biggest teen idols of the late 1970s, Shaun signed with Warner Brothers Records while still in high school, released three multi-platinum albums, earned a Grammy nomination, and performed in sold-out venues like Madison Square Garden and the Houston Astrodome — all while starring in the iconic ABC series The Hardy Boys Mysteries.

Behind the scenes, Shaun quietly reinvented himself as one of television's most respected writers and producers. His work includes creating and producing critically acclaimed series such as American Gothic, Roar, Cold Case, The Agency, Invasion, Emerald City, and New Amsterdam, which completed a powerful five-year run on NBC and Netflix.

In this conversation, Shaun reflects on the courage it takes to evolve beyond early success, what reinvention really looks like over a multi-decade career, and why creativity has no expiration date. He also opens up about returning to live performance in 2020 with his one-man show The Magic of a Midnight Sky, the grounding role family has played in his life, and what legacy means to him now.

This episode is an honest, thoughtful look at reinvention, purpose, and the power of staying connected to who you're becoming.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Rising to fame as a teen idol and navigating success at a young age
• Balancing music, television, and public life simultaneously
• Reinventing a career behind the scenes as a writer and producer
• The creative leap from performer to storyteller
• Why compassion-driven stories resonate so deeply today
• Returning to live performance after nearly 40 years
• The role family plays in grounding long-term success
• Redefining purpose and legacy beyond career milestones
• Why it's never too late to begin again creatively

Connect with Shaun Cassidy:

Official website
https://www.shauncassidy.com

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/shauncassidyofficial

Learn more about New Amsterdam
https://www.nbc.com/new-amsterdam

In this episode of the Sisterhood of Sweat, Linda Mitchell sits down with Dr. Joy Kong, MD — triple board-certified physician, stem cell specialist, educator, author, and founder of Chara Health USA — for a powerful conversation about healing, resilience, and the courage to never shrink your light.

Dr. Joy explains how ketamine therapy, when used therapeutically, can support brain regeneration, enhance neural connections, and help rewire the brain after trauma. She shares how ketamine increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor, promotes new synapse formation, and can support emotional healing when used responsibly in a clinical setting. The conversation explores how ketamine can be paired with stem cell therapy to reduce inflammation, support neurological repair, and promote deep, long-term healing.

The discussion also turns to skincare and aging from a regenerative perspective. Dr. Joy shares the personal story behind creating her stem cell–inspired face cream, Chara Omni, explaining how it combines umbilical cord–derived regenerative factors, peptides, and powerful botanical ingredients. Her goal was to create a clean, non-toxic product that truly works — supporting collagen production, reducing pigmentation, and improving skin health without hormone-disrupting or harmful chemicals.

Dr. Joy also shares her top non-negotiables for youthful, healthy skin at any age, including eating clean, avoiding toxins, moving your body consistently, prioritizing sleep, and cultivating a mindset rooted in gratitude. She emphasizes that gratitude alone can shift your physiology, energy, and overall well-being.

Linda and Dr. Joy then dive into the powerful story behind her memoir, Tiger of Beijing. Dr. Joy recounts growing up in China with limited access to education and opportunity, her visa rejection in 1992, and the fierce determination that drove her to claw her way toward possibility. She explains the "tiger spirit" — a refusal to shrink, accept limits, or let fear take over — that ultimately helped her reach the United States and build a life devoted to healing and purpose.

She also opens up about the second half of her story, sharing how she found the strength to leave an abusive relationship and why protecting your spirit is just as important as chasing your dreams. Her message to women is clear: do not dim your light, do not shrink yourself, and do not let fear take you out of the game.

This episode is a powerful reminder that healing is possible, resilience can be cultivated, and your story — no matter how difficult — can become a source of strength.

To learn more about Dr. Joy Kong and her work, visit
https://www.joykongmd.com

Explore her regenerative skincare line, Chara Omni, at
https://www.charaomni.com

Find her regenerative medicine clinics and concierge services at
https://www.chara-health.com

Watch Dr. Joy's educational videos and lectures on stem cell therapy on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@JoyKongMD

Follow Dr. Joy Kong on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dr_joy_kong

Dr. Joy's memoir, Tiger of Beijing, is available on Amazon in print, Kindle, and Audible.

Burnout has become so common that many people don't even recognize it until their energy, focus, or emotional health begins to suffer.

In this episode of Sisterhood of Sweat, Linda Mitchell sits down with licensed clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and LiveWell Behavioral Health founder Dr. Mike Ronsisvalle. With more than 21 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, and burnout, Dr. Mike shares practical, science-backed tools for building real resilience that lasts.

This conversation explores how emotional health, movement, and faith-based wellness work together to support long-term wellbeing—without sacrificing ambition or performance. Dr. Mike breaks down how chronic stress shows up in daily life, the early warning signs of burnout, and simple ways to calm the nervous system on high-pressure days.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or running on empty, this episode offers grounded strategies you can start using today to protect your energy, strengthen your mindset, and move forward with clarity.

Connect with Dr. Mike Ronsisvalle
https://www.livewellbehavioralhealth.com/
https://www.instagram.com/livewellbehavioralhealth/
https://www.facebook.com/LiveWellBehavioralHealth/
https://www.facebook.com/mike.ronsisvalle/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mike-ronsisvalle-08366a7a/

Learn more about Dr. Mike's book, Stress Relief for Life:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Stress+Relief+for+Life+Mike+Ronsisvalle

Get the app!

https://www.livewell-coaching.com/offers/wNUroKM5?coupon_code=LINDA50 for 50% off the first 3 months.
Use code LINDA50

On today's motivation, we're talking about the importance of rest.

Do you ever find yourself second guessing yourself? You have some ideas or dreams, but then reality hits, and you ask the question, "Who am I to do this?" Doubts creep in along with fears of the unknown. We tend to live in that constant state of fears and because of it remain exactly where we are. But what we were to break out of that fear? What if we were to make steps today that would lead us to a brighter and better future version of ourselves?

Listen to the podcast HERE

In this episode I talk about my own struggle about opening a gym and the fears and doubts that I had as I second guessed myself. I realize that we all have big plans and dreams, so how do we turn those into a reality rather than just sitting on them? How do we take that first step and then another in order to further our dreams and do the desires that are in us to do. That's what we are talking about today.

Topics Discussed:

• Making big plans.
• How to overcome fear.
• Recognizing that you are capable.

Quotes from the show:

• "We worry about the what ifs instead of what could be." @LindaMitchell
• "What are you actually afraid of?" @LindaMitchell
• "You're going to win or learn." @LindaMitchell
• "Give yourself permission." @LindaMitchell
• "You can't put one foot in and one foot out." @LindaMitchell
• "I don't have to do things the way others have done them." @LindaMitchell

How you can stay in touch with Linda:

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• YouTube
• SoundCloud

"Proud Sponsors of the Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T"

• Essential Formulas

On this week's Let It Rip Friday, we're discussing the importance of dreaming big and planning for 2026.