One year into Ash to Dusk, more than 55,000 plays later, I’m realizing something:

I have spent way too much time asking myself, “Who am I to do this?”

Who am I to share my life?
Who am I to talk about what I’m learning?
Who am I to build something outside of the work I’m already known for?

I’m not a therapist. I’m not a doctor. I don’t have a long list of credentials behind my name.

I’m just Ashley.

A mom. A business owner. A woman who has been through some hard things, built some things, lost some things, healed through some things, and is still figuring life out in real time.

And maybe that’s the point.

In Episode 66 of Ash to Dusk, I’m showing up exactly as I am—no makeup, still getting over being sick, behind on work, recording on a Saturday morning—and giving you a real-life update on what’s happening behind the scenes.

I talk about the season of “shedding” I’ve been in professionally and personally, why I’ve struggled to fully step into this next chapter, and what I’ve realized about the responsibility that comes with having a platform.

I also introduce something I’ve been really excited to build:

The Ash to Dusk Journal.

Think of it as a living storybook of my life—part personal journal, part wellness edit, part recipe inspiration, and part weekly reminder to slow down and think about the life you’re actually creating.

Each Sunday, the journal will include:

• a personal reflection from me
• Olivia’s Corner with nutrition knowledge from our registered dietitian
• something from our kitchen, including recipes
• the I Am Wellness Edit
• things I’m reading, using, wearing, or loving
• a little inspiration to carry into the week
• direct links to the newest Ash to Dusk episode

I also talk about why the robe is staying for solo episodes, what you can expect from Season 2, and why I want this podcast and journal to feel less polished and more like you and I are sitting down together and talking about real life.

Because this isn’t about me pretending to have all the answers.

It’s about sharing the story while it’s still being written.

And maybe giving you permission to do the same.

JOIN THE ASH TO DUSK JOURNAL

Sign up at:
ashleymorena.com

New journal editions arrive every Sunday.

WATCH + LISTEN

Watch Ash to Dusk on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

New episodes every Sunday.

FOLLOW ASH TO DUSK

Follow along on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube for podcast clips, journal content, wellness ideas, recipes, and more.

WRITE TO ME

Ashley Morena
PO Box 457
Green, Ohio 44232

Thank you for being here—and thank you for helping Ash to Dusk reach more than 55,000 plays in its first year.

Until next time, keep your light burning from Ash to Dusk.

School nutrition is having a moment—and not always for the right reasons.

After more than 13 years working in this industry, I’ve learned that school nutrition is one of the most misunderstood parts of the entire school system.

Recently, someone in one of my sessions asked me a question I haven’t stopped thinking about:

“What is it going to take to change the perception of school nutrition and the work that we do?”

My answer probably wasn’t what she expected.

We have to change the way we show up.

In Episode 65 of Ash to Dusk, I’m having a conversation directly with my school nutrition people—but I also want parents, educators, administrators and anyone who has ever had an opinion about school lunch to hear this one.

Because there is so much happening behind that tray that most people will never see.

We talk about what it actually takes to operate a school nutrition program, the financial and staffing pressures teams are facing, why the “lunch lady” stereotype still matters, and why the way we communicate, dress, serve food and tell our stories shapes how people perceive this profession.

I also revisit my conversation with Amanda O’Dell, the Lunch Lady Ninja, and the moment she refused to play into the stereotypical “lunch lady” character producers wanted for American Ninja Warrior—even knowing it could cost her airtime.

That decision has stayed with me.

Because changing perception doesn’t happen because one person launches the perfect campaign.

It happens when one person here, another person there, and eventually thousands of people decide:

I’m going to show up differently.

I’m going to tell the stories happening behind the scenes.

I’m going to speak proudly about this profession.

I’m going to make the food look like something I would want to eat.

I’m going to communicate professionally.

I’m going to take a seat at the table instead of waiting to be invited.

And most importantly, I’m going to believe that this work matters.

This isn’t about pretending school nutrition doesn’t have challenges. We do.

It’s about remembering why we are doing the work in the first place—and helping other people understand it too.

If you work in school nutrition, this episode is for you.

I see you. I know how hard you work. And I’m proud to walk alongside you.

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY

Website:
ashleymorena.com

Write to me:
Ashley Morena
PO Box 457
Green, Ohio 44232

Watch Ash to Dusk on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

If this episode makes you think of another school nutrition professional who needs to hear it, send it to them.

Amanda O’Dell never considered herself an athlete.

She didn’t grow up playing sports. She describes herself as awkward, not naturally athletic, and someone who has to work hard to learn physical skills.

Then, in her 30s, everything started to change.

What began as a search for something active her son could enjoy eventually led Amanda into a Ninja Warrior gym—and ultimately onto American Ninja Warrior.

But when producers discovered she worked in school nutrition, they wanted Amanda to lean into the stereotypical “lunch lady” character: apron, hairnet and all.

She said no.

Amanda wanted people to see what school nutrition professionals actually look like and the work they really do. And after an incredible run on the show, she ended up getting something even better: the opportunity to tell that story on national television.

In Episode 64 of Ash to Dusk, Amanda and I talk about so much more than American Ninja Warrior.

We talk about getting stronger as we get older, making our health a priority after years of pouring into everyone else, growing your own food, raising chickens, protecting your peace, anxiety, motherhood, and learning to actually like who you are.

Amanda also shares one of those simple reminders that has stuck with me:

When you tell yourself, “I can’t do this,” sometimes the real question is:

Can’t you? Or do you just not want to?

We also talk about the idea that turning 40 does not automatically mean accepting a body that hurts, moves less, or becomes incapable of doing the things you love.

For Amanda, fitness isn’t about chasing a certain appearance. It’s about being able to sit on the floor, work in her garden, move her body, play, and remain capable for as long as possible.

And somewhere along the way, her journey expanded beyond fitness.

Today, Amanda and her family are growing food, preserving what they harvest, raising chickens and becoming more intentional about the way they live—all while figuring it out as they go.

This conversation is about strength in a lot of different forms.

Physical strength.

The strength to say no.

The strength to let go of things that are costing you your peace.

And the strength to finally accept yourself instead of constantly trying to become someone else.

Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Amanda what she knows now that she wishes she had trusted sooner.

Her answer was simple:

Everything will be okay.

We are meant to evolve. We are meant to adapt. And even during the seasons when we can’t imagine how we’re going to get through something, eventually we find ourselves standing on the other side.

ABOUT AMANDA O’DELL

Amanda O’Dell is known online as Lunch Lady Ninja. Her journey has taken her from working in school nutrition to competing on American Ninja Warrior, advocating for the school nutrition profession, building strength later in life, growing her own food, and sharing the funny, messy and very real parts of life along the way.

Find Amanda on Instagram by searching Lunch Lady Ninja.

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY

Website:
ashleymorena.com

Write to me:
Ashley Morena
PO Box 457
Green, Ohio 44232

If this conversation connected with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and subscribe to Ash to Dusk for new conversations every week.

Until next time, keep chasing what matters, keep growing through every season, and keep your light burning from ash to dusk.