Healthy Teen Life

If staying focused, getting started on tasks, or managing everything on your plate feels impossible, you are not broken and you are not behind. In this episode, Leslie sits down with executive function coach Lauran Kerr-Heraly to break down what executive function skills actually are and why they are something every teen can learn regardless of where they are starting from. From procrastination to planning to keeping your focus when your phone is right there calling your name, Lauran walks through practical, low-pressure strategies you can start using today. Whether you are neurodivergent, buried in college prep, or just trying to get through your week without burning out, this episode is full of tools that work with how teen brains are actually built right now. Parents: Lauran also gets into the unique pressure teens are carrying and what you can do to support your teen without taking over. From asking for help the right way to rethinking the college prep grind, this is a conversation worth sharing. Why procrastination is not a character flaw and what is actually driving it for most teens What "low stakes experiments" are and how they help your brain build new habits without the pressure How body doubling and habit bundling make it easier to focus without making everything feel miserable What a helpful morning and evening routine actually looks like when you are overwhelmed and short on time Why junior year of high school is the hardest and how to protect your mental health while still showing up What one small habit you can start today to begin building your executive function from the ground up Connect with Lauran: Website: https://alteringcourse.com Free Infographic: https://www.alteringcourse.com/infographic Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

School teaches you a lot of things, but what about how to deal with stress, navigate awkward social moments, or feel like you actually belong? In this episode of Healthy Teen Life, Leslie sits down with Kevin Dahill-Fuchel, a licensed clinical social worker and executive director of Counseling in Schools in New York City, to talk about the emotional and social skills that matter just as much as your grades but that almost no one is teaching you. If you have ever felt overwhelmed, unsure of yourself, or like you are just trying to keep it all together, this episode is for you. Kevin shares real insight from decades of working inside schools with real students, including practical tools you can start using right now to build your confidence, strengthen your social connections, and feel more at home in your own life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why it is completely normal to feel confused or overwhelmed as a teen and what to do with those feelings Why social skills are something you can actually practice and how to start How to rebuild social confidence if you feel rusty or awkward after COVID Why being smart or getting good grades is not enough on its own and what else actually matters What counseling really is and why it is not just for people with serious problems How to map out your support network so you always know who to turn to when things get hard Connect with Kevin: Website: https://www.counselinginschools.org/ Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Have you ever felt like your body is something you need to fix? In this episode of Healthy Teen Life, Leslie sits down with Dr. Joey Skelton, a pediatrician and author of Your Child Is Not Their Weight, to talk honestly about what your body size actually means, what it does not mean, and why the number on the scale tells you far less than our culture wants you to believe. If you have ever felt judged for how your body looks, confused about BMI, or unsure how to talk about food and weight in a way that actually feels good, this episode will give you a completely new way to think about all of it. Dr. Skelton brings decades of experience working with teens and families to this conversation and his perspective is one you genuinely need to hear. In this episode, you'll learn: Why up to 60% of your body size is determined by genetics and what that actually means for you What BMI really is, what it is not, and why it should never be used as the only measure of your health Why labeling foods as good or bad creates more harm than good and what to do instead How family meal time affects your health, happiness, and even your performance at school What parents should and should not say at the dinner table when they are concerned about their teen's weight How to start building a positive relationship with food that actually lasts Connect with Dr. Joey Skelton: Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Have you ever eaten lunch and then felt like falling asleep in your next class? Or crushed it at practice one day and felt completely empty the next? That is not random — it could be your food talking. In this episode of Healthy Teen Life, Leslie breaks down how to build a personal fuel plan that actually works for your unique body, your schedule, and your life. This is not about strict meal plans, going organic, or following someone else's diet. If you have ever wondered why what works for your teammate or your best friend does not seem to work for you, this episode will help you figure out what your body is actually trying to tell you and how to start listening to it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why every body is different and why copying what someone else eats is working against you What strategic eating actually means and how it has nothing to do with restriction or control Which foods give you steady energy and which ones are setting you up for a crash How to start building your own personal fuel plan based on your energy patterns, activity level, and sleep Why being mildly dehydrated could be the reason you feel tired and foggy every afternoon How to make small simple changes that add up to feeling a whole lot better every single day Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Have you ever felt like the sport you once loved has started to feel more like a job? In this episode of Healthy Teen Life, Leslie sits down with Harvey Araton, a 25-year New York Times columnist and author of The Goal of the Game, to talk about what youth sports pressure is doing to young athletes and how you can start playing for yourself again. If you have ever stayed in a sport because quitting felt like letting everyone down, wondered whether you love the game or just love the approval, or felt like the pressure has gotten so big that the fun has completely disappeared, this episode will give you a new way to look at it all. Harvey shares honest insight, real stories, and the perspective shift that could change everything about how you experience your sport. In this episode, you'll learn: How to figure out whether you're playing your sport for yourself or for the approval of the people around you What the difference looks like between healthy commitment and unhealthy pressure Why 60 to 70% of young athletes quit by age 13 or 14 and what that means for you How to rebuild your identity so it isn't completely tied to your performance or your team What parents can do to support without pushing too far The truth about college scholarships that most families don't find out until it's too late Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

If you have ever felt like you're not good enough, not confident enough, or that one bad moment defines who you are, this episode is for you. Leslie sits down with Laura Ollinger, Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach, speaker, and certified Parent-Child Whisperer™, to get into the hidden ways self-doubt shows up in everyday teen life and, more importantly, what to actually do about it. Blending neuroscience, positive psychology, and her own experience raising four teens, Laura brings humor, heart, and real science to one of the most common struggles teens face today. This one is for teens who feel the pressure to perform, parents who want to support their teen without adding more stress, and anyone who's ever let that inner voice get a little too loud. Laura shares practical mindset tools for shifting perspective, practicing self-compassion, and taking the small steps that build lasting confidence, plus two specific takeaways for parents and one powerful action step every teen can start today. Questions Answered in This Episode: How does self-doubt secretly show up in a teen's everyday life, even when they don't recognize it? What's the first step to breaking free from the performance mindset and actually feeling like yourself? How can teens practice self-compassion when their inner critic is already running the show? What small, concrete steps can teens take today to start building a confident mindset? Connect with Laura Ollinger: Laura Ollinger is a Teen & Parent Well-Being Coach, inspirational speaker, and certified Parent-Child Whisperer™ who helps families move from conflict to connection. She blends research-backed tools with her own experience raising four teens to guide parents and students toward less stress, more confidence, and stronger relationships. Laura also hosts The Positively Healthy Mom Podcast and delivers her signature youth keynote, The Decider, to schools across the country. Website: positivelyhealthycoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/positivelyhealthycoaching Facebook: facebook.com/positivelyhealthycoaching LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-ollinger Connect with Leslie: Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen or young adult resolve weight and unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab Leslie's free guide: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better Without Making Things Worse Website: leslierosecoaching.com Instagram: instagram.com/leslierosecoaching Facebook: facebook.com/leslierosecoaching Disclaimer

Teen stress, emotional regulation, and mental health are deeply connected to how the brain works. When teens and college students are under pressure, the emotional brain can override logic, leading to overwhelm, impulsive reactions, and feeling out of control. This isn’t a willpower problem — it’s a stress response in the brain. In this episode, Leslie talks with psychologist Dr. Laurel Mellin, founder of Emotional Brain Training (EBT), about how stress affects the teen brain and why common advice like “try harder” or “just calm down” doesn’t help. We discuss: The emotional brain vs. thinking brain How stress impacts teen behavior, mood, and decision-making Why shame and self-criticism worsen stress and anxiety What emotional self-regulation really means Brain-based stress management tools teens and college students can use to calm the nervous system This episode offers a science-backed approach to teen mental health, helping teens and parents better understand stress, build emotional regulation skills, and respond with compassion instead of blame. For more on EBT: https://www.ebt.org/ Groups are available for teens upon request. Get 30% off the Community Membership (includes app) - Use promotion code: JOY For Professionals - EBT Certification: https://www.ebtcertification.com/ Dr Mellin's book available at Amazon, starting February 15th, 2026: The 5-Minute Solution: Self-therapy Anytime Anywhere. Like this episode? Hit follow and then leave a review or comment — we’d love to hear what you think. Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen/YA resolve weight & unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better - Without Making Things Worse Https://cc.leslierosecoaching.com/eat-healthier-5-steps Disclaimer

Feeling exhausted, anxious, bloated, foggy, or just not yourself—even though doctor visits end in more questions than answers, and your labs come back “normal”? Having health concerns as a teen or college student can be concerning when you're not sure what's going on. But not getting clear answers can be even more stressful, frustrating and sometimes, feel hopeless. In this chat with functional medicine practitioner Hali Laricey we break down 5 key blood markers often missing from common blood work that most patients don't know about -- and how having them can be the key to revealing what’s really going on in your body. You’ll learn: Why “normal” lab ranges can still miss root causes The 5 blood markers that point to bacterial, viral, or inflammatory stress and why this matters How gut health, food quality, and chronic stress affect mood, energy, and focus Why anxiety and fatigue are often symptoms, not the real problem How teens and college students can advocate for themselves at the doctor This episode helps teens and college students feel informed and empowered —not overwhelmed—about their health. Website: https://halilaricey.com/resources Facebook: facebook.com/functionalwellnesswithhali Instagram: instagram.com/functionalwellnesswithhali/ Like this episode? Hit follow and then leave a review or comment — we’d love to hear how this episode helped you. Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen/YA resolve weight & unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Freebie: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better - Without Making Things Worse Disclaimer

Tired of obsessing over calories or feeling confused about what you're actually eating? You're not alone. Most of us have been taught to judge food by numbers on a label or trendy health claims — and honestly, it just makes eating more stressful. In this episode, nutrition expert Julia Putzeys breaks down why what's actually IN your food matters way more than calories — and how understanding ingredients can help you feel more energized, less anxious around food, and actually enjoy what you eat. You'll discover: Why calorie counting can make you think about food MORE (not less) How ultra-processed foods mess with your energy, mood, and those constant cravings The real difference between packaged foods and ultra-processed foods (spoiler: they're not the same) How to decode ingredient labels without your brain melting Why knowing what you're eating gives you actual control over your food choices Easy food swaps that don't require giving up your favorites A game-changing app that cuts through confusing labels and makes smart choices simple Perfect for teens who want to: Stop stressing about every meal Understand food without a nutrition degree Feel better without restrictive diets Make informed choices that actually work for their life Learn how to eat in a way that feels good, sustainable, and drama-free — because understanding your food shouldn't be complicated. Use this link to download the free version of the Trash Panda app on iOS or Android. Teens & parents - don't be shy, leave us a comment on what you liked about the episode, we love to hear from you. Parents: Get my free parent guide here: 5 Ways to Help Your Teen Eat Better For more in-depth support and coaching on unhealthy eating and body image issues, schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here. Disclaimer

Loneliness is a big challenge teens face today — and it’s far more common (and more normal) than most teens recognize. In this episode, Leslie talks with licensed psychologist and author Dr. Kathy Wu about why so many teens feel disconnected, what loneliness does to the teen brain, and how it affects self-confidence, motivation, and mental health. What you'll hear: How the brain’s reward system and stress response make loneliness worse The link between belonging, self-talk, self-compassion, and connection What to do when you want to reach out… but fear rejection How to make friendships in small, real-life steps Why loneliness can show up even when you're surrounded by people Practical ways to reconnect, build confidence, and reshape your social habits This episode gives relatable insights + actionable steps teens can use today to break the loneliness cycle and feel more connected again. Book: Self-Regulation Handbook for Teens and Young Adults by Dr. Kathy Wu Like this episode? Hit follow and leave a review -- your voice matters! Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen/young adult build self-esteem while resolving body image, unhealthy eating and and weight concerns. Grab a copy of my FREE Parent Guide: 20 Ways to Help Increase Confidence in Your Teen

This episode breaks down mindful eating in a way teens and young adults can use in their everyday lives — and during the holidays when stress, emotions, and food are everywhere. Dr. Michelle May joins Leslie to explain why typical “outside-in” rules (counting, restricting, avoiding “bad” foods) actually fuel guilt, cravings, and feeling out of control, and what to do instead. You’ll learn:• How to use the Mindful Eating Cycle (the six decisions behind every eating moment)• The difference between being in control vs. in charge• Why teens lose trust in their hunger cues — and how to rebuild it• How emotional triggers, boredom, stress, and scarcity sneak into our eating• What balanced eating really looks like during holidays, school, sports, and real life. This conversation helps you ditch the guilt, tune into your body, and make eating decisions that actually feel good. Get the first chapter of Dr. May's book here: https://amihungry.com/programs/mindful-eating-for-students/ Simply fill out the box on the right side of the webpage to download chapter 1. Like this episode? Take a second to click 'Follow' so you're updated on each new episode. If you have a question, compliment or topic request for a future episode, let us know! Drop us a note in the comments. Parents: If you'd like more help with mindful eating, food-body relationship support and how to help your teen -- Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here.

If you've ever struggled with math you've probably had thoughts that you're dumb, not good at it, or will never "get it". Too many students struggle and give up when they begin to fall behind or miss out on a section that leaves a gap in the building blocks of math. And sometimes parents believe their student isn't trying hard enough or isn't as smart as the other kids. In today's episode Beth Bowen joins Coach Leslie to bust those beliefs and talk about why math is often a mental block for students. Learn how to think in a fresh new way that opens the door to not only learning but becoming fully confident with math -- Going from "this sucks" to "I've got this!" in a short amount of time. Beth has taught in public schools, homeschool co-ops, and one-on-one tutoring settings for over 20 years. Specializing in helping teens and young adults who believe they are "bad at math", she rebuilds their foundation and helps them overcome math anxiety to find real success in Middle School, High School and placement tests like the Accuplacer and ACT. Ekster discount code link: https://www.ekster.com/LESLIE01046 For more on Beth Bowen and her tutoring: https://www.mathmentortutoring.com Facebook Group: Math Mentor Tutoring Community LinkedIn Like this episode? Take a second to click follow and leave a review -- your support makes a big difference in reaching more listeners seeking support like you. Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with Leslie here to help your teen/YA resolve weight & unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab a copy of my FREE Parent Guide: 20 Ways to Help Increase Confidence in Your Teen

Most people think of personal branding as an adult or career-focused exercise but the reality is that doing the work in your teens years is the most ideal time. In this episode Suzanne Tulien, a Brand Clarity Catalyst, joins Leslie to share what a personal brand is, how it's relevant for teens, and why teens need it more than ever. Find out how you as a teen or college student can tap into your personal values and attributes to develop your own authentic identity. The result builds confidence, clarity and sense of self that serves as a guiding light in your life -- above all the external noise from society that so often creates distraction and dissatisfaction. For more on Suzanne and personal brand clarity coaching: BrandAscension.com YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0Xr8GUiQsriW9BYIhQuQ0g/ Ekster discount code link: https://www.ekster.com/LESLIE01046 Like this episode? Take a second to click follow and leave a review -- your support makes a big difference in reaching more listeners seeking support like you. Parents: Schedule a free Clarity Call with me here to help your teen/YA resolve weight & unhealthy eating habits, while improving body image and self-esteem. Grab a copy of my FREE Parent Guide: 20 Ways to Help Increase Confidence in Your Teen