The Honest Truth About How Tough This Year Really Was
This year stretched me, challenged me, grounded me, and changed me in every way possible — and today, I’m opening up about all of it.
In this cozy, honest, and emotional Thanksgiving-week conversation, Ian and I sit down to reflect on the past year — the hardest moments, the proudest wins, and the lessons that shifted everything for us as individuals, partners, and parents.
We talk about the beauty of slowing down, the chaos of moving, setting new traditions in our new home, training for races together, regaining my period after two years, the identity shifts in our careers, and the moments with our kids that we never want to forget.
This episode is equal parts fun, heartfelt, nostalgic, and grounding — the perfect listen for Thanksgiving week._____Sam’s LINKS:https://www.shopltk.com/explore/SamcfitEMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*https://www.empwrbysam.com/My Macro Guide:https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
_____Dream Recovery | code: SAM15https://dreamrecovery.io/
CLEARSTEMHow to claim your free Hydration Heroes Mini Kit from CLEARSTEM: Go to CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code EMPWRHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.
CarawayVisit https://Carawayhome.com/samcfit to take advantage of this limited-time offer for up to 20% off your next purchase.BUBS NaturalsFor A limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code SAMCFIT at https://Bubsnaturals.com
TimelineMy friends at Timeline are offering 20% off, just for my listeners. Head to https://timeline.com/SAMCFIT to get started. FabeleticsHead to https://Fabletics.com/SAMCFIT and sign up as a VIP to get eighty percent off everything.Jones Road BeautyFrom November 18th - December 1st, get up to 20% Off at https://jonesroadbeauty.com for their first ever Black Friday Sale!
00:00:00 Welcome & Thanksgiving Traditions
00:03:51 The Year of Yes: Reflecting on Growth
00:04:33 Getting Engaged & Moving In Together
00:07:07 Managing Stress During the Move
00:12:30 Fitness Milestones: Marathon Training & HYROX
00:14:42 Learning to Slow Down & Get Her Period Back
00:16:55 Growing Emotionally & Communicating Better
00:18:22 Career Transitions & Working Together
00:23:45 What Their Relationship Taught Them
00:28:16 Career Highlights & Building Community
00:37:46 Precious Moments with the Kids
00:42:48 New House Traditions & Looking Ahead
00:47:20 Hardest Challenges & What They Taught Us
00:50:09 The Best Thing That Happened: Getting Engaged
00:50:53 Thanksgiving Food & Closing Thoughts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How to Look Younger Without Overdoing It | ft. Beth Higney
I get asked in my DMs every day about my skin routine, Botox, and filler — so today, I’m breaking it all down with one of my favorite humans, Beth Higney, founder of Complexion and an advanced aesthetic provider I’ve known for over a decade.
Beth and I go way back — we met when I was just starting out in the pharmaceutical world, and she’s been guiding me through every stage of my glow-up ever since. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what really works for aging gracefully, inside and out. From the myths around Botox and filler to how diet, hormones, and SPF play into healthy, youthful skin — this conversation is your crash course in confidence and skincare that actually lasts.
About Beth Higney:
Beth Higney is a Nashville-based nurse practitioner, skincare expert, and founder of Complexion Skin Studio. With years of experience in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, she blends science with artistry to help clients achieve natural, healthy results.
Find Beth Online:
Website: https://complexionnashville.com
Instagram & TikTok: @complexionnashville
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Products mentioned:
“Golden Hour” retinol drops by Complexion
Vitamin C “AM Serum” by Complexion
“Block Party” mineral sunscreen by Complexion
“R&R Spritz” face mist by Complexion
“Complexion C3 Pads” by Complexion
EltaMD mineral sunscreen
ColorScience tinted sunscreen
“Happy Baby” sunscreen at Target
Biologique Recherche hydrating mask
Summer Fridays “Jet Lag” mask
Clean skincare rating websites:
Clean Credo Beauty:
https://credobeauty.com/
EWG:
https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/browse/brands/3803-Skin_Care/
Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:
https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow Sam:
Insta: @samcfit_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
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Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpodhttps://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
David Protein
Go to https//www.davidprotein.com/samcfit, when you buy 4 cartons, you’ll get the 5th free.
Caraway
Visit https://www.Carawayhome.com/samcfit for up to 20% off your next purchase.
CLEARSTEM
Go to https://www.CLEARSTEM.com, add the Hydration Heroes Mini Kit plus $75 of other CLEARSTEM products to your cart, and enter code EMPWRHH at checkout — the kit is yours for free! Offer ends December 2nd.
Calm
Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at https://www.calm.com/SAMCFIT
Jones Road Beauty
From November 18th to December 1st, Jones Road is running their first-ever Black Friday Sale, you can get up to 20% off sitewide at https://www/JonesRoadBeauty.com.
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Topics discussed:
00:00 – Intro
01:27 – Meet Beth: Dermatology Expertise & Background
05:06 – What Sam’s Skin Is Really Like
05:39 – Botox & Filler: Safety, Myths & Real Risks
13:43 – How to Choose the Right Injector
17:52 – Why Natural-Looking Results Matter
18:24 – Not Ready for Injectables? Best Starter Skin Treatments
19:06 – Why Microneedling Is the #1 Anti-Aging Treatment
23:56 – Bridal & Event Prep: When to Do Treatments
25:04 – How Often You Actually Need Microneedling & Filler
26:26 – Supplements for Skin: What Works & What Doesn’t
31:46 – Skincare Basics: The “Skincare Macros” Framework
34:01 – SPF Deep Dive: Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreens
50:49 – Daily Habits for Youthful Skin: Sleep, Stress & Food Sensitivities
55:16 – Travel Skincare Essentials & On-the-Go Routine
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:03:22
Your Body Keeps Score: How Emotional Pain Becomes Physical Illness | ft. Dr. Josh Axe
I used to think “stress” was just mental — until I learned it’s the root cause of almost every hormonal, digestive, and inflammatory issue we face today. In this conversation with Dr. Josh Axe, we unpack the real reasons your body is breaking down — and how to finally heal it from the inside out.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Josh Axe, one of the world’s leading experts in functional and natural medicine. If you’ve ever looked up a natural remedy or gut-healing tip, chances are you’ve encountered his work — from Eat Dirt and Ancient Remedies to the countless wellness tools he’s shared through DrAxe.com. But today’s conversation is about more than supplements and superfoods — it’s about the emotional, spiritual, and biological roots of why women are so burnt out, bloated, and hormonally imbalanced.
Dr. Axe opens up about his mother’s battle with cancer and how faith, food, and natural medicine helped her heal against all odds. We dive into the connection between emotional trauma and autoimmune disease, the truth about inflammation and stress hormones, and why healing your gut is the first step to healing everything else.
Dr. Axe doesn’t just talk about health — he lives it. His approach blends functional medicine, biblical wisdom, and eastern principles to help people heal on every level: body, mind, and spirit.
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Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:
https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
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Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
CLEARSTEM
Head to https://www.clearstem.com and use code SAMCFIT at checkout for an exclusive Black Friday deal, just for EMPWR listeners.
Eight Sleep
Head over to https://www.eightsleep.com/empwr and use the code EMPWR to get $350 off your very Pod 5 Ultra. The best part is that you still get 30 days to try it at home and return it if you don’t like it - but I am confident you will love it. Trust me, your body will thank you for this investment in better sleep.
Branch Basics
Get 15% off Branch Basics with the code EMPWR at https://branchbasics.com/EMPWR
Cozy Earth
Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code SAMCFIT on top of their sitewide sale at https://www.cozyearth.com — giving you up to 40% off in savings.
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Topics discussed:
00:00 – How Emotional Stress Drives Disease
00:32 – Why Slowing Down Is the Medicine You’ve Been Missing
01:25 – Dr. Axe’s Story: His Mom’s Cancer and the Shift to Natural Healing
09:49 – Why One Diet Doesn’t Fit Everyone
10:17 – The Truth About “Healthy” Foods That Harm Your Gut
11:18 – Inflammation: The Root Cause of All Disease
19:52 – The Power of Gratitude and Mindset in Healing
24:41 – The Real Reasons Behind Women’s Hormone Imbalance and Infertility
29:13 – How Emotions Like Fear, Anger, and Grief Cause Physical Illness
32:09 – The Truth About Leaky Gut and How to Fix It
35:00 – The Gut–Hormone Connection Explained
48:12 – Nutrition, Macros, and Finding Balance Without Stress
51:33 – Everyday Toxins and How to Reduce Your Exposure
57:07 – Healing Naturally: Simple Steps for Gut and Hormone Health
01:00:10 – What Empowerment Means to Dr. Josh Axe
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Solo Q&A: What No One Tells You About Fitness, Family, and Finding Yourself Again
It’s been a season — moving houses, marathon prep, wedding planning, launching a new program — and somehow keeping the kids, workouts, and business afloat.
In this solo Q&A, I’m getting real about what it looks like to juggle all the things without losing yourself in the process.
From marathon training and moving into our dream home, to navigating motherhood, building my business, and staying grounded through change — I’m answering your questions about fitness, mindset, nutrition, and balance.
This is one of those cozy, girl-chat style episodes — raw, real, and hopefully encouraging. If you’ve ever wondered how to balance your health goals with the chaos of real life, this one’s for you.
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Mentioned in this episode:
EMPWR App (new program launches Nov 17)
CLEARSTEM & Complexion Skincare
Toonie Moonies s’mores bites
TruFru Dark Chocolate Blueberries
Redmond Sea Salt
Simple Mills “Sweet Thins”
Adrenal Cortex by Thorne
Ashwaghanda supplement
Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:
https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow Sam:Insta: @samcfit_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
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Blokes + Joi Wellness | code: SAMCFITPOD
*50% off all labs on both sites*
https://blokes.co/samcfitpod
https://choosejoi.co/samcfitpod
PUORI
Go to https://puori.com/pages/SAMCFIT and use the code SAMCFIT at checkout for 20% offAquaTru
Head to AquaTru.com now and get 20% off your purifier using promocode SAM.
Cozy Earth
Black Friday has come early at Cozy Earth! Right now, you can stack my code SAMCFIT on top of their sitewide sale — giving you up to 40% off in savings.
_____
Topics discussed:
00:00 – Intro
02:23 – Are You Ready for the Marathon?
05:16 – How’s the Wedding Planning Going?
06:28 – What’s Your Go-To Meal You Could Eat on Repeat?
07:25 – Are You Watching Any Good TV Shows?
08:06 – How Often Do You Weigh Yourself (Without Freaking Out)?
10:23 – Tell Us About the New House
17:11 – If You Only Have 30 Minutes to Work Out, What Should You Do?
19:25 – What Are Your Favorite Running Shoes?
20:28 – What Are Your Favorite “Better-for-You” Desserts?
22:13 – Biggest Tips to Build Muscle While Staying Lean
24:33 – How Do You Avoid Eating Kids’ Snacks?
25:48 – How Can I Heal My Skin Through Gut Health?
26:32 – How Did Your Exes React to the Engagement?
26:54 – Will You and Ian Have a Baby Together?
27:24 – When Is the Next Program Coming Out?
28:04 – Will You Be Doing Another Macro Guide?
31:39 – How Do You Balance Parenting, Business, Training & Self-Time?
34:38 – Are You Carb Loading Before the Marathon?
35:09 – Do You Cycle Sync Your Workouts?
36:32 – Should I Add Creatine (and What About Water Weight)?
38:17 – Best Supplements to Lower Cortisol Naturally
40:02 – Is It Bad to Eat Too Much Protein?
41:09 – What’s a Healthy Body Fat Percentage for a Toned Look?
42:55 – How to Start as a Content Creator Without Feeling Embarrassed
44:27 – What Are Your Beauty Secrets and Skincare Routine?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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47:10
The Shocking Truth About What’s Floating in Your Indoor Air | ft. Mike Feldstein
I never thought about my air quality until this conversation. In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Mike Feldstein, founder and CEO of Jaspr, to explore the invisible world of the air we breathe—and how it could be silently sabotaging your health, energy, and longevity.
We breathe 20,000 times a day, yet most of us have no idea what’s in our air. From mold and VOCs to toxins from furniture and cleaning products, the hidden pollutants inside our homes can trigger fatigue, brain fog, allergies, and even chronic illness.
Mike breaks down why indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, what makes “new home smell” toxic, and how air scrubbers differ from traditional purifiers.
As a mom, this conversation made me realize that air is the missing link in creating a healthy home. If you’ve ever walked into a space and felt “off,” this episode will completely change how you think about your environment—and what it means to truly live well.
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About Mike:
Mike Feldstein is the Founder & CEO of Jaspr, an air science and technology company on a mission to protect air quality and improve human health through innovation and education. An unconventional entrepreneur, Mike’s journey spans disaster restoration, air-quality consulting, and design. His work is driven by one mission: to make clean, healthy air accessible to everyone. With Jaspr, he’s transforming how we understand and control the spaces we live, work, and breathe in.
Find Jaspr online:
🌐 jaspr.co
📸 Instagram: @jasprair
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For the next two weeks, Mike is giving EMPWR listeners an exclusive $400 off a Jaspr Air Scrubber!
Just head to https://jaspr.co and use code EMPWR at checkout to claim your $400 discount.
Sam’s LINKS:
https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit
EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7-day trial*
https://www.empwrbysam.com/
My Macro Guide:
https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only
Running Programs:
https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs
Follow Sam:
Insta: @samcfit_
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine
_____
Dream Recovery | code: SAM15
https://dreamrecovery.io/
Beam
Go to https://shopbeam.com/SAMC and claim your 35% off.
Caraway
Visit https://carawayhome.com/samcfit you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase.
Calm
Get 40% off a Calm Premium Subscription at https://calm.com/SAMCFIT.
Timeline
Head to https://timeline.com/SAMCFIT to get 20% off.
Fabletics
Go to https://Fabletics.com/SAMCFIT and sign up as a VIP and get 80% off everything.
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Topics discussed:
00:00 – Introduction
01:40 – Why Air Quality Awareness Matters
04:02 – What’s Actually in Our Air
06:00 – The Hidden Dangers of Modern Homes
07:10 – Toxic Furniture, Fire Retardants & Home Building Codes
08:10 – Crawl Space vs. Slab Homes
09:20 – The Truth About “New Home Smell”
10:30 – Why Home Inspectors Don’t Check Air Quality
11:42 – Fragrances & Air Fresheners: Hidden Toxins
12:50 – How Builders Can Create Healthier Homes
17:20 – Understanding PM2.5 and Air Scrubbers
18:45 – Signs of Poor Indoor Air Quality
19:20 – Mike’s Background in Disaster Restoration
21:00 – The Difference Between Air Purifiers and Air Scrubbers
22:35 – Founding JASPR: From Burnout to Purpose
24:30 – How COVID & Dentists Helped Launch JASPR
26:40 – Early Testimonials & Family Transformations
28:30 – The Power of Environment & Design
32:40 – The Data Behind Clean Air
35:40 – Chronic Exposure vs. Acute Exposure
37:40 – Simple Steps to Improve Air Quality
39:00 – Cooking & Hidden Air Pollutants
41:00 – Bathroom Moisture, Mold & Ventilation
42:20 – What Makes JASPR Different
44:30 – The Value of Investing in Health
45:40 – Lifetime Warranty & Customer Service Model
47:50 – JASPR as an Education Company
51:00 – Building the Healthiest School in America
52:10 – Why Kids Get Sick in Schools
53:40 – Designing the Ideal Learning Environment
55:00 – Redefining “Environment”
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to THE EMPWR PODCAST— the show where wellness meets real life + confidence becomes your way of being. Hosted by Fitness Entrepreneur, Certified Personal Trainer + Nutritionist, Samantha Christine, each episode is packed with workout tips, nutrition hacks, expert advice + personal stories designed to empower you on your journey to a healthier, happier you.
No matter where you’re starting, or how far you’ve come, this is your space for transformation, self love, connection + growth. Whether you’re getting in a sweat, navigating traffic, or unwinding on the couch, tune in + let’s move together— physically, mentally + intentionally— toward your strongest self. Because here, we believe every season of wellness, whether you’re pushing new limits or finding your rhythm, deserves to be empowered.