That's Healthy?!

In this episode, I'm walking you through a brutally honest self-audit if you feel like you're "doing everything" but not seeing body recomposition results. We break it down to the fundamentals: Are you eating regularly? Are you consistently getting at least five servings of produce? Are you hitting 20–30 grams of protein three to five times daily? I explain why these basics matter for hunger regulation, fat loss, muscle maintenance, and long-term sustainability. We also talk about the movement side of the equation, including why intentional walking is a great place to start and why resistance training at least twice per week is non-negotiable for maintaining muscle mass and supporting long-term health. If you're truly consistent and still not seeing results, I explain when it's time to increase precision through tracking and how my MAP (Macronutrient Assessment Protocol) groups help dial that in. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 27. Simplified Macro Tracking Episode 41. Q&A: Food Noise, Counting Macros, Seed Oils, and More 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In this week's episode, I'm getting back to basics because the basics are the basics for a reason. I break down the simplest, most effective nutrition strategy that works across fat loss, muscle gain, performance, and overall health: eating enough protein and fiber within an appropriate calorie range. I talk about why simple doesn't mean easy, how focusing on the minimum effective dose beats chasing "optimal," and how creating the right environment and mindset makes consistency inevitable. If you're tired of overcomplicating nutrition and ready to focus on what actually moves the needle, this episode is for you. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 45: Updated Protein Recs: How Much Do You ACTUALLY Need? Atomic Habits by James Clear 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, I'm sharing another tracking tip in my simplified macro tracking series — this time, it's all about how to incorporate energy-dense foods into your day without derailing your goals. I dive into why these foods (think cinnamon rolls, chips, queso, or a margarita) don't have to be labeled "treats" or "cheat meals" and how they can actually be a normal, satisfying part of a sustainable diet. I break down strategies for balancing indulgent foods with your macros, the importance of planning ahead, and how to focus on the overall picture instead of falling into an all-or-nothing mindset. I also cover the difference between energy-dense and nutrient-dense foods, the impact of food volume on hunger and satiety, and why looking at weekly averages, not daily perfection, is the key to long-term success. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 40: Tracking Tip: When and Why it's Okay to Estimate 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, we're talking all about pre-workout nutrition and the 3 essential fundamentals for maximizing workout effectiveness. I'm sharing why getting adequate sleep, consuming sufficient overall calories to support exercise and recovery, and maintaining adequate daily protein intake are crucial to seeing results from workouts. I'm also diving into the roles carbohydrates and protein play and pre-workout snack ideas (both with and without protein). Overall, you'll learn that the previous day's nutrition primarily determines how your workout will run. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 6: Performance Nutrition with Sports Dietician Christina Chu 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This episode is for those of you tracking macros or are on the fence about trying to see if it works for you. I'll make this a series as I think of more tracking tips to share! Today, I'm sharing the methodology behind tracking. My goal is to provide you with a way to track that is low-stress and sustainable. Our goals never have to be perfect; we're always aiming just to be within a certain range. There's no one-size-fits-all to tracking or creating a calorie deficit. This episode dives into when it is important to be accurate when tracking and when it's okay to estimate (plus examples!). There are many variables to look at when tracking based on caloric intake, what the food is, what your goal is for body recomposition, etc. Listen to my episode on Simplified Macro Tracking if you haven't already! Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 27. Simplified Macro Tracking 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, I'm kicking off a multi-part series on the top 10 nutrition mistakes I see when it comes to nutrition. These mistakes are the biggest reasons why people continue to struggle with creating a sustainable nutritional approach that yields positive outcomes. In part one of the series, I go through the first two mistakes. The first is emphasizing individual ingredients or nutrients instead of overall dietary patterns. I'll cover why concentrating on something like just protein isn't sustainable for an overall healthy lifestyle. I also share findings on what toxicity really means and why looking at ingredients and the hype around them doesn't always make sense. The second mistake I'm diving into is thinking you can earn your food via movement or exercise. This is something I was told growing up, as I'm sure you may have experienced the same information. I'll walk you through how calories are burned and much more. Stay tuned for the next part of this series! Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Doctor Shannon Show "Less is More" Playlist 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, we're talking about why there needs to be more to your nutritional approach than just "listening to your body." What if your body is telling you something that isn't accurate? What if your appetite cues are off? Does that mean you shouldn't eat because you're listening to your body? Being in tune with your body is important, but it can send you subjective signals influenced by several outside variables. So many things affect our hunger hormones, like sleep and stress. Building a foundation of a balanced, nourishing, satisfying diet will help you stay on track and fuel your body well, no matter the outside variables. With the right information and experience, you can trust yourself to make nutritional decisions that are right for you instead of just trusting your body. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: That's Healthy?! Episode: 3 Pillars of a Sustainable Diet + PEC Plates & 2-Mac-Snacks 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

I'm so excited to have Ally Spears with me today! Ally is a fourth-generation farmer and rancher originally from northern California, but after attending Texas A&M, she made Texas her home. She received her undergraduate degree in ag business and is a program coordinator for the Poultry Science Department at Texas A&M, focusing on youth programming and recruitment. She is also pursuing her Ph.D. in ag communications as she sees a need for consumers to better understand where their food is coming from. Her research is focused on social media and beef influencers online. Ally shares how she believes women are the needles that move the ranching and farming industries forward. Aly's podcast, Ag Chicks, helps highlight and introduce women who are doing incredible things to help feed our world. In this episode, Ally shares what it's like being a generational farmer and rancher, what goes on in the beef industry, what a cattle producer's processes look like from start to finish, and what hurdles the beef industry is overcoming. She also busts some myths and misinformation about utilizing hormones and antibiotics in cattle. We talk a lot about the purpose of raising cattle and the importance of farmers, ranchers, and how just 2% of the population is feeding 100% of the population. Connect with Ally Spears: Follow on Instagram Listen to her podcast Ag Chicks Visit her website Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, I have a multi-faceted topic: metabolism. I recently had a client ask me if weight gain through certain phases of life is inevitable. While there are many factors that go into metabolism and weight, we can help the process along in different ways. Metabolism is the combination of all the chemical processes that allow an organism to sustain life. It's the conversion of energy from food into energy for life-sustaining tasks such as breathing, blood circulation, building and repairing cells, digesting food, etc. I'm sharing the findings of a study I found (linked below) that examined metabolism across many different ages, geographical locations, and genders. This episode covers how metabolism changes throughout a lifetime. I also share information on basal metabolic rate, what that means, why some people's metabolism is faster than others, and how genetics can play a part. I explain how calories are burned and what affects that, how different foods have different thermodynamic effects, how energy expenditure changes as we age, and tips to help keep our metabolisms running efficiently. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Daily energy expenditure through the human life course 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

This episode is the second part and wrap-up of my postpartum body recomposition journey. I'm sharing more about my personal journey and what it took to maintain consistency. If your goal is body recomposition or fat loss, this episode covers how you must be in a caloric deficit, following the laws of energy balance, and staying consistent to see results. The number one reason I succeeded in my journey is that I never questioned if I was doing the right thing. My strategy always focused on energy balance and muscle maintenance, and I never thought I was doing it wrong. I'm sharing why my strategy and experience are the foundation of my coaching method. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: Episode 29, 3 Components of Successful Body Recomposition Episode 18, My Postpartum Body Recomposition Journey So Far & The Power of Choice Episode 8, 3 Pillars of a Sustainable Diet + PEC Plates & 2-Mac-Snacks Episode 1, My History with the Paleo Diet & 3 Major Changes to My Nutrition Philosophy 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

In today's episode, I'm walking you through the difference between increasing your protein vs. increasing your protein ratio in your diet. Adding protein or supplements won't get the results you may be looking for if your meal's protein, fat, and carbohydrate ratio is off. I'll share a real-world example of an actual meal one of my clients had and how I adjusted it to increase its protein ratio. Understanding how to look at ratios will help you plan, track, and reach your goals. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

I'm so excited about today's episode. I have a very special guest, Kim Rose, a registered dietician and a diabetes educator, with me. In today's episode, Kim shares her wealth of knowledge about blood sugar, insulin resistance, diabetes, and how nutrition is just one piece of the health puzzle. You'll learn what happens during the process of eating, what contributes to pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, and the myths around blood sugar and certain foods. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Connect with Kim Rose: Visit her website Follow on Instagram Find her on TikTok Resources & Links: 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!

I am so excited about today's topic. I have been thinking about it for years, especially in the last 8 months now that my daughter is here with me. In today's episode, I am talking about how I am consciously modeling a healthy relationship with food and nutrition for my daughter and potentially growing family. This is so important because I truly feel like I set the tone for this aspect of life for my family. I think this is the case for a lot of women. I'll talk through 5 ways that I am modeling a healthy relationship with food and 5 things I am consciously trying not to do. Connect with Hope: Follow on Instagram Join my email list Check out my website Resources & Links: 7 Days of Simple Meals eBook 30-Minute Nutrition Consultation The Hopewell Approach Course 1:1 Nutrition Coaching Hopewell Health recipes Make sure to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode!