Have you ever had a strong reaction to something, convinced yourself it wasn't for you, or found yourself pushing back against an idea before you fully understood why?

Sometimes, the things we resist most are connected to something we haven't yet given ourselves permission to see, acknowledge, or pursue.

In this episode of The Becoming Podcast, I'm sharing four personal experiences when facing my own resistance opened the door to something I hadn't expected. From learning to give myself permission to pursue what matters to me, to finding greater alignment in my work and recognizing the importance of connection and support, each experience helped me see a possibility I hadn't fully recognized before.

These moments taught me that what feels uncomfortable isn't always something to push away. Sometimes, it's an opportunity to understand ourselves more deeply, move beyond the barriers we've created, and discover a new way forward.

You don't always have to know what's holding you back to begin exploring what's possible.

What if the thing you're struggling with is also a doorway to something more?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

This week, I'm exploring what happens when we give ourselves permission to rest—not because we've failed or run out of motivation, but because rest is part of the process.

I'll share what I've been learning through my own experience this week, what my clients have taught me about rest and recovery, and a piece of personal writing called Roots that has reminded me how much growth can happen beneath the surface.

Sometimes we get so focused on what's next that we forget to notice how far we've already come.

Maybe rest isn't about stopping.

Maybe it's about stepping back far enough to see what's already taking root.

Question for this week: When is it time to rest—and what might you notice if you gave yourself permission to do it?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

Sometimes we know something in our lives needs to shift long before we know what we're going to do about it. We notice something isn't quite right. We feel stuck, restless, or unsettled. We become aware of patterns that no longer fit—and then we wonder: Am I supposed to do something about this now?

In this episode, Carrie returns to a question that first surfaced in one of the very first Becoming Circles: How do you know when you're ready?

Together, we explore the space between awareness and action, the fear that can exist alongside knowing, the difference between intuition and urgency, and what it means to trust yourself when you don't have the whole path figured out.

You'll also be invited into a simple practice to help you slow down, listen to what you're noticing, and consider what “ready enough” might look like for you.

Because awareness doesn't have to be an emergency. And you don't have to force yourself to be ready.

Sometimes, the next step becomes clear when we give ourselves enough space to hear it.

The question to carry with you this week:
What is changing in you—and are you willing to trust yourself enough to let the next step reveal itself?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

But what happens when we actually stop and pay attention?

This week's conversation took an unexpected turn during one of my workshops when a simple question came up: What are you doing while someone else is talking to you?

From listening and feeling heard, to relationships, nature, and the way we experience our own lives, this conversation became an exploration of what it really means to be present—and how presence can become a practice rather than another thing we have to get right.

You don't have to slow your entire life down.

You might just need to notice when you've left the moment you're in... and learn how to come back.

So, how do you slow down enough to be fully present in your life?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

This week, I’m doing something a little different.

Instead of simply talking about an idea or sharing something I’ve been thinking about, I’m inviting you to do a little Becoming work with me.

The question we’re exploring is simple:

What is it time to let go of?

In this episode, I’ll walk you through a reflection exercise you can actually do alongside me. You’ll have the opportunity to pause, notice what feels heavy, name what you may be carrying, get curious about why you’re still holding onto it, and consider what might become possible if you were willing to put it down.

And I’m doing the exercise too.

I don’t know what my answer is going to be when I sit down with the question. I’m not going to pretend I do. I want to discover it alongside you—and see what happens when I give myself the same space and attention that I invite you to give yourself.

Because Becoming isn’t about reaching a place where you have everything figured out. Life still gets heavy. We still question ourselves. We still lose our motivation and sometimes have no idea what the next step is.

The practice is having somewhere to return to when we don't know.

And as we step into autumn—the Season of Expression, courage, and showing up more fully as who we are becoming—we’re also reminded by nature that some things are ready to fall away.

What is it time to let go of?

You may be surprised by what comes up.

And remember: you don't have to have the answer before you sit down to ask the question... in fact maybe it is better if you don't. 

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

As summer gives way to fall, many of us feel ready to settle back into familiar routines. But what if a change of season isn't always about going back to the way things were? What if we've changed, too?

In this episode of The Becoming Podcast, we explore the seasons of our lives—how we recognize when something is shifting, why we sometimes resist what we already know, and what we can learn by looking back before moving forward.

You don't have to know exactly what comes next. Sometimes, you simply have to notice that something has changed and become curious about what the next season might be asking of you.

What are you ready to return to—and does it still fit the person you've become?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

In this episode of Becoming, I sit down with Sean McNally for a conversation I couldn't fully prepare for.

Sean's story includes addiction, recovery, identity, self-worth, and the difficult work of rebuilding a life—but ultimately, this is a story about learning to see yourself as a person of value—and then building a life that reinforces that belief.

We talk about what it means to give yourself a chance, recognize your own worth, allow yourself to be truly seen, and keep moving forward when the road behind you has been difficult.

And because this is Sean, there's plenty of personality and unexpected fun along the way—including the original song he wrote and sent to me on his way to our conversation: Moving Forward.

This is a conversation about being seen, but maybe even more importantly, about learning to see yourself.

Do you feel truly seen?

A Resource from Sean

If Sean's story resonates with you and you're looking for support, Sean recommends SMART Recovery, a science-based approach to overcoming addictive behaviors.

Sean's SMART Recovery Meeting:
https://meetings.smartrecovery.org/meetings/9503/

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

In this episode, you'll hear directly from the people who went through Foundations Four—their goals, their struggles, the weeks when life got messy, the things they discovered about themselves, and what began to change by the end.

Because sometimes change isn't a dramatic transformation you can measure from the outside.

Sometimes it's learning to stay engaged when life doesn't go according to plan.
Sometimes it's recognizing what you can control and releasing what you can't.
Sometimes it's realizing, I deserve to be happy. I deserve to have a life that I want.

And sometimes four weeks doesn't give you all the answers, but it does give you enough space to begin asking better questions.

This is a conversation about Foundations Four, but it's also a conversation about something much bigger: what happens when we give ourselves permission to slow down, pay attention, and become more intentional about the lives we're living.

How could your life change in four weeks?

Listen to the people who lived it.
Real people. Real steps. Real change.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

It's a question most of us want to answer with "yes." But we also wonder something else...

What does it actually take to make that answer true?

Six months ago, Amanda joined me on the Becoming Podcast just as she was beginning her journey. She had recently completed Foundations Four and was taking her first steps into creating lasting change. This week, she returns—not because she's reached a finish line, but because enough time has passed to look back and ask what really happens when someone keeps showing up.

This isn't a conversation about perfection.

It's not a before-and-after story.

It's an honest conversation about the middle—the part we often skip over. The part where habits are built, setbacks happen, confidence grows, and little by little, we begin to see ourselves differently.

Together, we explore what changed over the past six months—not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and in the way Amanda now sees herself and her future.

If you've ever wondered whether lasting change is really possible...

This conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Can six months really change your life?
• The difference between motivation and consistency
• Why showing up matters more than being perfect
• Building confidence one choice at a time
• How emotional wellness and physical wellness work together
• The power of keeping promises to yourself
• What happens when you stop quitting on yourself

Because sometimes the biggest transformation isn't becoming someone new. It's finally becoming the person you were capable of being all along.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

Some stories are filled with setbacks. Others are filled with triumphs. Most are a little bit of both. But every story has the power to remind us that we aren't walking this journey alone.

In this episode, I'm joined by Johnnie Flynn and Reuben Barkley of Body by Johnnie and R&J Fitness for a conversation that goes far beyond the gym. We talk about the role of community, the courage it takes to begin something new, and why lasting change is about so much more than motivation or willpower.

Together, we explore what happens when people feel welcomed instead of judged, why collaboration is more powerful than competition, and how every person's story has the potential to encourage someone else to keep going.

Whether you're just beginning your own journey or you've been walking it for years, I hope this conversation reminds you that your story matters.

And maybe...

someone else is waiting to hear it.

You can connect with Johnnie and Reuben at: 

Facebook: R&J Fitness: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578130778520

Facebook: BBJ Bootcamp & Fitness Center: https://www.facebook.com/BBJFitness2020

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rj33461

Email: rjfit2025@gmail.com

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

Maybe you're wondering who you are now after a season of change. Maybe you know something needs to shift, but you're not sure where to begin. Or maybe you're simply looking for a community of people who are asking the same kinds of questions.

In this episode, Carrie reflects on a week that challenged her own self-trust, shares what she learned from celebrating her 49th birthday, and explores why our next step doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to be intentional.

She also introduces the many ways you can become part of the Becoming community, including the monthly Becoming Circle, the weekly Sunday Pause, upcoming podcast conversations, Foundations Four beginning in September, and the Becoming book series.

No matter where you are on your journey, there's a place to begin.

If you've ever asked yourself...

• What is my next step?
• Who am I now?
• How do I know when I'm ready for change?
• How do I trust myself again?
• Where do I even begin?

...this episode is for you.

Because Becoming isn't about having all the answers.

It's about taking one intentional step at a time.

Learn more, register for a Becoming Circle, or subscribe to The Sunday Pause at
www.totaltransformation.life

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

What if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn't your circumstances... but the relationship you have with yourself?

In this special episode of The Becoming Podcast, I'm taking you inside the very first Becoming Circle—a small gathering around my kitchen table where three women came together to answer one simple but powerful question:

Do you trust yourself?

What followed was an honest conversation about fear, perfectionism, identity, self-doubt, and the stories we've carried for years. As you listen, you'll hear real voices, real struggles, and real moments of insight that remind us we're not as alone as we often think.

Together, we explore what self-trust actually looks like—not having all the answers or never making mistakes, but learning to listen to ourselves, honor what we know to be true, and choose alignment over approval.

If you've ever questioned yourself...
If you've ever felt stuck...
If you've ever wondered whether you could trust your own voice again...

This conversation is for you.

Because sometimes the first step toward trusting yourself begins by realizing someone else has been asking the very same questions.

Reflection Question:
Do you trust yourself?

If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to invite you to join the conversation. The Becoming Circle now meets both in person and online, creating space for honest conversations, meaningful questions, and intentional growth.

Until next time...
Keep becoming.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

This week on Becoming, Carrie shares a beautiful moment from a recent coaching and meditation group where everyone realized they weren't simply discussing personal growth anymore—they were talking about their lives. The conversations about self-confidence, relationships, stress, boundaries, and mindfulness had quietly become part of the way they were living.

That moment inspired this week's question:

What is your body trying to tell you?

Together, we'll explore how our bodies communicate through stress, fatigue, tension, anxiety, and even peace. We'll talk about the difference between acute and chronic stress, why awareness always comes before intentional change, and how listening to our bodies can help us make more intentional choices.

Because your body isn't working against you.

It's trying to tell you something.

The work isn't to silence it.

The work is to become curious enough to listen.

Weekly Reflection: What is your body trying to tell you?

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

Every morning, most of us stand in front of a mirror without giving it much thought. Within seconds, a familiar story begins to play. We notice the wrinkles, the gray hair, the number on the scale, or the clothes that fit a little differently than they used to.

But what if the mirror isn't really the problem?

In this solo episode of Becoming, Carrie explores the stories we attach to our reflection and asks whether we've been looking at ourselves—or through a lifetime of assumptions about ourselves. Along the way, she shares a personal story about a dress she almost didn't buy, the unexpected perspective she gained after knee replacement surgery, and the realization that the weight we carry is often far more than physical.

This conversation isn't really about body image.

It's about self-worth, gratitude, comparison, and learning to see ourselves with greater compassion.

Because the mirror can only reflect what is visible.

It can never reveal the life you've lived, the love you've given, the challenges you've overcome, or the person you've become.

In this episode, you'll explore:

• Why our automatic thoughts often shape the way we see ourselves.
• How easily we postpone joy while waiting for another version of ourselves.
• The surprising perspective that emerged during recovery from knee replacement surgery.
• Why we often compare ourselves to an earlier chapter of our own lives.
• How gratitude can begin to change the way we see our reflection.

Question of the Week:
What do you see?

Companion Reflection:
Continue the conversation with this week's Sunday Reflection, What the Mirror Doesn't Reveal, at www.totaltransformation.life.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

It's a question many of us quietly ask when life changes. When children leave home, a loved one passes away, retirement begins, or a role we've carried for years comes to an end, it's easy to wonder where our identity fits in this new season.

In this deeply personal conversation, I'm joined by my mom as we reflect on caregiving, loss, resilience, and the quiet ways life continues to shape us. What began as a conversation about identity became something much more—a reflection on the people who build us, the seasons that change us, and the love that remains long after our roles begin to shift.

If you've ever wondered who you are after life changes, this conversation is for you.

Visit my blog to read my companion blog and view the pictures that accompany today's story. 

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

Some seasons invite us to slow down. Others ask us to let go, begin again, or find the courage to step into something new. The challenge is that we often don't recognize the season we're in until we pause long enough to reflect.

In this episode of The Becoming Podcast, Carrie shares why this conversation marks the true beginning of the podcast and reflects on the journey that led here—from releasing the first three volumes of the Becoming series and creating the Becoming Garden to hosting the Summer Solstice Gathering and discovering what it means to step into a season of expression.

Along the way, she explores the relationship between Becoming and Foundations, shares the powerful metaphor that finally brought clarity to how they work together, and reflects on a personal realization that has transformed the way she sees both her work and herself.

This episode is also the beginning of a new tradition.

Each week, The Becoming Podcast will begin with a single question—not because there is one right answer, but because the questions we ask ourselves have the power to change the way we see our lives.

This week's question is:

What season are you standing in?

As you listen, consider your own answer.

You may discover that the season you're standing in has been quietly preparing you for what comes next.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Why completion can sometimes feel like loss—and why that's okay.
• The difference between Becoming and Foundations, and why both matter.
• How the stories we tell ourselves shape the lives we create.
• Why expression is less about being seen and more about living authentically.
• What it means to recognize and embrace the season you're living in today.

If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear from you. Share your reflections, leave a review, or pass this conversation along to someone who might need it.

Because becoming was never meant to be a journey we take alone.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog

In this first episode of the Becoming Podcast, I sit down with Amanda as she reflects on her experience completing four weeks of the Foundations Four program. What unfolds is not a polished success story, but an honest and deeply human conversation about what it feels like to begin reconnecting with yourself after years of putting your life on hold.

After spending more than a decade caring for others, Amanda found herself at a point where life finally opened up—but instead of clarity, she was met with uncertainty. Through this work, she began to shift—not by having all the answers, but by becoming more aware, more intentional, and more willing to step outside of her comfort zone.

We talk about:

• What changed for her over four weeks
• The emotional challenges that surfaced along the way
• Stepping into discomfort and trying new things
• The role of daily reflection and journaling
• Why this approach felt different from anything she’s done before
• And what it means to continue, even without having everything figured out

This episode is a reminder that real change doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from seeing yourself more clearly.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve been living for everyone else… or you’re not quite sure what comes next… this conversation may resonate more than you expect.

If you're ready to move beyond a life that's simply good and begin finding more fulfillment in your everyday life, you're in the right place.

Welcome to Becoming. I'm Carrie, and I'm glad you're here.

Let's begin.

Read my companion blog at: 

https://www.totaltransformation.life/blog