EP 187: Hidden Inflammation - The Foods Quietly Draining Your Energy

Feeling fatigue even after a full night’s sleep?

Struggling with persistent brain fog during busy workdays?

It could be that hidden inflammation may be quietly draining your energy.

Many high-achieving professionals are doing “all the right things,” yet still feel tired, unfocused, and off balance.

In this episode, we explore how everyday foods can fuel chronic inflammation—often with subtle symptoms.

You’ll learn ...

• How inflammation affects energy, focus, and long-term health

• Simple shifts toward an anti-inflammatory diet

• Whether food timing or intermittent fasting decreases inflammation

All of this so you have clearer thinking, steadier energy, and better recovery.

If you want more calm energy and fewer crashes, this conversation will help you spot the hidden triggers—and start making small changes that support your body’s natural healing.

EP 185: Burnout Starts with "Tomorrow"

Have you ever told yourself:

“Life will calm down tomorrow.”

“Next week will be easier.”

“After this launch, I’ll rest.”

What if that little promise is what’s keeping you exhausted?

On a recent trip to Panama, I realized something uncomfortable.

I fiercely protected some self-care habits — things like walking, lifting weights, eating vegetables.

But other habits I needed - like quiet time alone, meditation, journaling?

I let social pressure or the weather or "just the busy-ness" of the trip take control.

By the end of the week, I was exhausted.

This was the same pattern that once led me to burnout.

Here’s the truth:

You protect what you believe defines you.

Anything still negotiable will lose to pressure.

What about you?

In this episode you'll learn how to build a non-negotiable mindset around the high energy habits you want.

EP 184: Burnout is Breaking Your Heart (Literally)

What if burnout and being exhausted isn’t just miserable?

What if it is increasing your heart disease risk, too?

Research shows burnout is linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure, and chronic inflammation.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What lifestyle cardiologists emphasize beyond cholesterol management

• How stress reduction directly impacts your heart health

• Why your body can heal when given the right conditions

If you’re successful on paper but tired in your body and brain — this conversation matters today.

Press play to protect your energy—and your heart—before burnout becomes something bigger.

Here’s the Instant Energy Reset episode I mentioned. It will give you ideas on easy ways to reset your energy.

EP 183: The Invisible Habits Draining Your Energy

You’re doing the “right” things—sleep, movement, nutrition—

So why does your energy still disappear?

In this episode, I break down the invisible habits quietly draining your energy every day.

Not big life mistakes. Not lack of discipline.

But mental patterns like open loops, decision fatigue, and thinking styles that exhaust your nervous system before noon.

You’ll start to see why rest alone doesn’t fix fatigue.

Listen now to identify your biggest Energy Escapes

—and reclaim calm, focused energy you can actually sustain.

EP 181: Your Goals Aren't Too Big. They're Just Draining You.

Your goals aren’t the problem.

They are just designed in a way that is draining your energy.

After speaking to CEOs and executive directors last week, one thing was clear:

Big goals weren’t burning people out — how they were pursuing them was.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• A life-changing filter to evaluate any goal or commitment

• A simple shift from Return on Investment to Return on Energy

• The practical planning tool that turns the year from overwhelming to exciting

This is about about getting the results you want, without the exhaustion.

Listen now and learn how to set goals that fuel you — not drain you — for the rest of the year.

For the free planning tool I mention, reach out to me at sheri@thevireolife.com

EP 179: 7 Must-Know Habits to Beat Colds Before They Start

You don’t get sick in winter because it’s cold.

You get sick because your energy and immune defenses are depleted.

Most "how to stay well" advice focuses on supplements as the superstar.

But the strongest immune protectors are behavioral and biological.

Listen and learn:

• Why winter actually creates higher illness risk

• How sleep loss, stress, and low sunlight weaken immunity

• Why simple precautions still matter

• How exercise can help — or hurt — immune function

If you want to:

• Avoid the fatigue → illness → deeper fatigue cycle

• Stay clear-headed and energized through winter

• Protect your immune system without overhauling your life

This episode gives you a smarter framework.

EP 177: What High Performers Listened to Most This Year

What did high performers listen to most - and use!?!

This is your shortcut to the most impactful high energy insights of year.

In this year-end recap, I’m breaking down the most popular episodes across:

• Beating burnout

• Fitness

• Stress management

• Energy boosting

• Intuitive Eating

• Nutrition

• Making habits stick

These rose to the top for one reason:

They helped people feel better and perform better.

For each episode, you’ll get:

• Why listeners loved it

• The one big takeaway to listen for

• Ways to use the insights in your own life

Missed one? Start there.

Loved one? Revisit it with fresh perspective.

Listen through and pick one episode to queue up next.

Share this with a high performer who wants more energy—without extremes.

EP 175: The 5 Year-End Filters to Beat Burnout Next Year

What if the way you review your year is actually setting you up for burnout next year?

Most high performers look at results, revenue, and completed goals—

but miss the impact on energy that made those results not sustainable.

In this episode, you'll hear the five year-end filters I use with leaders to identify:

• What actually fueled success

• What drained energy without delivering real ROI

• What’s creating burnout risk—before it becomes a problem

This isn’t about achieving less.

It’s about reaching more, but smarter.

If you want next year to feel:

• More focused

• More energized

• More sustainable

... These five filters will help you see patterns and priorities in your life, so you can keep them or level them up.

Listen now and use these five filters to review your year—

so you don’t repeat the same burnout patterns next year.

Press play and start designing a calmer, more energized year ahead.

EP 167: You're Not Tired - You're Ultra Processed - Regain Real Energy

You eat what’s healthy - according to the food packages. You exercise. You even get enough sleep most nights.
So why are you still dragging through the day?
Here’s the truth most professionals never hear: it’s not your workload or your willpower—it’s where you’ve been lied to about your food.

Ultra-processed foods are sometimes marketed as “healthy” but they’re actually hijacking your energy, focus, and health.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How ultra-processed foods inflame your brain and dull motivation.

• The hidden ways they create energy crashes and afternoon fog.

• Why even “clean” protein bars, flavored yogurts, or oat milk lattes can work against your performance.

Imagine feeling steady, clear, and alert all day—not wired, not wiped out.
When you upgrade your daily fuel, you regain your natural energy rhythm, sharpen your focus, and improve your health.
You don’t have to overhaul your diet—just learn how to recognize what’s real vs. what’s re-engineered.
Press play and take the first step to getting your real energy back.

EP 166: Why Hiking Boosts Your Brain (And How to Do It Right)

Feeling drained from stress? The fastest way to recharge your focus might not be another latte—it’s a hike.

Hiking doesn’t just clear your head.

It’s proven to lower cortisol, increase creativity, and grow brain cells.

But if you’re new to hiking, the trails can feel confusing: What shoes do you need? How do you read trail signs? What’s safe?

This episode breaks down everything you need to know about how to start hiking confidently and safely, even if you’ve never stepped off a paved path.

You’ll learn:

• How to stay hydrated without carrying too much weight

• The best beginner-friendly shoe and sock options

• What common trail markers mean (and how to read them)

• When to bring a friend, compass, or first aid kit

• Smart altitude and training tips for longer hikes

Whether you’re hiking for brain health, stress relief, or adventure, you’ll finish this episode feeling prepared and energized.

Listen now to discover how to start hiking the right way—so you can lower stress, recharge your energy, sharpen focus, and boost your brain naturally.

Here are the bonus resources I mentioned -

First Aid Essentials for Hiking and Home (Video)

The Surprising Energy Benefits of Nature Walks (Real Wellness Podcast)

EP 165: Traveling for Work? Here's the Secret to More Energy

If travel leaves you running on fumes, you’re not alone.

Between airports, meetings, and hotel food, even the most seasoned travelers feel drained.

But what if you could step into every meeting feeling focused and energized, instead of wiped out?

In this episode you’ll discover how to plan your travel around five key energy zones that make or break your performance:

• Sleep: how to rest well even in noisy hotels

• Stress: what to do when plans change—or people test your patience

• Exercise: creative ways to fit movement in on the go

• Food: how to eat for energy (even with limited options or allergies)

• Sunlight: the underrated secret to staying alert and positive

These aren’t extreme hacks or rigid routines—they’re simple, doable shifts that help you think clearly, feel calm, and show up at your best anywhere in the world.

Listen now.

Then choose the strategy to take on a test-flight.

Because your work deserves your best energy—no matter where you are.

Here are the bonus resource links I mentioned:
How to Eat a Powerful Plate
Meet Your Stress-Busting Avatars

Video of Packing Food for Your Hotel Room

EP 164: The Secret to More Energy and Freedom in Quarter Four

Quarter Four is here — are you pushing hard but feeling drained?

In this episode, I’m joined by Grammy-nominated author and creative entrepreneur Deborah Johnson, who shares her secrets to finish the year strong without burning out.

From biking across Spain to running multiple businesses, Deborah knows how to design a life fueled by freedom, values, and energy — not exhaustion.

Listen in and discover:

• The secret to unlocking more freedom and energy in Q4

• How to use AI to plan smarter for a powerful 2026

• Simple systems that create flexibility instead of stress

Hit play now to learn the secret to finishing this year strong and entering next year energized.

Click here for all of the free resources Deborah has for you.

https://goalsforyourlife.com/djworks/

EP 162: Gingko and Brain Energy - What Science Actually Shows

Feeling unfocused? Wondering how to keep your brain sharp?

Enter the Ginkgo tree. These fan-shaped leaves have been used for centuries to support memory and circulation. Modern science has tested Ginkgo for mental performance, and the results are… surprising and mixed. Some studies show short-term boosts in focus and processing speed, while others reveal little long-term benefit for healthy adults.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Ginkgo actually works in the brain

• What the research shows for healthy professionals vs. aging adults

• Practical tips if you want to try Ginkgo tea or supplements yourself

  Listen now to find out if Ginkgo deserves a spot in your wellness routine—or if you’re better off with other tools for sharper focus.

EP 161: Peak Performance - The Neuroscience of Doing Nothing

What if the smartest thing you could do for your energy and your performance was… nothing?

Neuroscience shows that unstructured time isn’t wasted—it’s when your brain’s default mode network activates.

That’s where problem-solving, creativity, and insight spark to life.

High performers know: stillness is a strategy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “doing nothing” boosts creativity and decision-making

• How strategic disengagement lowers stress and resets focus

• Seven simple ways to design mental spaciousness into your busy week

Ready to reframe rest as your competitive advantage?

Press play now and discover why doing nothing may be the most productive move you’ll make all week.

Got questions? Reach out to sheri@thevireolife.com

EP 160: How Elite Performers Recharge Energy - The Science of Rest

Think the secret to high performance is pushing through tired? Science says otherwise.

Your brain and body are wired for cycles of work and recovery. Ignoring rest drains your energy, focus, and creativity.

Honoring it? That’s where your real edge begins.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why Deep Rest lowers stress and protects long-term health

• How ultradian rhythm breaks supercharge focus and productivity

• The surprising performance benefits of meditation and intentional downtime

Ready to design rest into your week and take back your energy?

Hit play now—and start building Energy by Design.

EP 159: Peak Energy Scheduling - Win Back Hours Every Week

Ever notice how one task flies by in the morning but drags endlessly at night? It’s not your workload—it’s your energy cycles.

In this episode, we explore the science of Ultradian rhythms and how they shape your productivity. You’ll hear:

• A story of a businessman who wasted hours working at the wrong (for him) time of day

• The difference between larks and owls—and how to know which you are

• How to map your personal peak energy zones so you stop fighting your natural rhythms

Imagine scheduling your deep work, creative projects, and even your meetings at the exact time your brain is primed to shine.

No more late-night struggles or sluggish afternoons. Just focus, flow, and freedom.

Here’s “The Shift That Took Me From Burnout to Peak Performance” I mentioned.

Want to put this into practice? Get your free Peak Energy Scheduler—email me at sheri@thevireolife.com and I’ll send it right to you.

EP 158: The Weekly Blueprint High Performers Use

Ever feel like your calendar is running you—draining your focus, your energy, and even your health?

High performers know that energy isn’t an accident—it’s a design.

In this episode, you'll learn a simple, repeatable blueprint to create a week that fuels you instead of burning you out. You’ll learn how to align your schedule with what your body and brain need most—without adding more to your plate.

Imagine a week where your meals are already set up for success, your movement fits into your ever-changing calendar, and you’ve built in margin that makes you sharper, calmer, and more productive. That’s not wishful thinking—it’s practical design.

(And yes, even teams benefit when leaders plan this way—something author Tom DeMarco highlights in Slack.)

Listen in to discover:

• How to spot what meal prep really needs your attention vs when it can go on auto-pilot

• The smartest way to fit movement into a shifting schedule

• Why margin isn’t wasted time—it’s your productivity secret

• How this blueprint gives both you and your team more capacity

Tune in now and start designing the week that fuels you—because high energy is no accident.

Got questions on how to have more energy?

Reach out to me at sheri@thevireolife.com

EP 157: The One Thing Missing in Your Energy Plan

High performers don’t lose energy because they lack discipline. They burnout because energy is leaking out in places they can’t see.

Here’s the insider truth: even the finest nutrition, training, and recovery strategies can’t overcome the silent energy drain of living out of sync with your values.

When your calendar reflects obligations instead of what truly matters, you’re running at half power—no matter how healthy you eat or how much you sleep.

In this episode, you’ll learn the high-level values alignment practice I use with executives and leaders to:

• Align daily decisions with their deepest priorities

• Eliminate the hidden drains stealing focus and stamina

• Access the kind of calm, confident energy money can’t buy—but clarity can unlock

Discover what the most energized leaders do differently—and how you can too.

EP 156: Clear Mind, Cool Herbs - Unlock Your Mental Edge

Feeling foggy or distracted lately? Before you reach for another cup of coffee for false-energy, there’s a refreshing solution growing right in your herb garden. Well, or your grocery shelves.

Meet your new focus allies: basil and mint.

These vibrant herbs do more than flavor your meals or scent your tea—they’re packed with science-backed brain benefits. From reducing mental fatigue to boosting clarity and focus, basil and mint might just be your brain’s favorite upgrade.

In this quick, energizing episode, you’ll learn:

• Why mint can help with memory, clarity, and even alertness

• The unique compound in basil that supports executive brain function

• How to enjoy these herbs daily (without becoming a full-time gardener)

Ready to think sharper and feel fresher—naturally?

Tune in now and discover how two simple herbs can unlock your mental edge.

The essential oil spelling I promised - Eugenol and Linalool

Also, here are the resources I mentioned:
Holy Basil vs Sweet Basil Video

Decision Making Mastery: Dopamine, Serotonin, and the Last-Samurai

Got questions? Reach out to me at sheri@thevireolife.com

EP 151: Let ChatGPT Plan Your Perfect Summer

Too tired to plan? Too hot to think?

Juggling plans for the summer travel, camps, hot days, work deadlines when your staff is out on vacation, plus your wellness? Summer can quickly turn into overload.

In this episode, I’ll show you how to use ChatGPT like a personal assistant to create refreshing, low-stress summer routines tailored to your energy, family schedule, and even the weather.

Whether it’s a rainy weekend, a heatwave, or just a jam-packed workday, you’ll get ready-to-use prompts to help you stay energized, grounded, and well—without overthinking it.

Listen now.

And head to the transcript on your listening platform to grab the prompts to copy and paste.