What if the reason fitness resolutions fail every year isn’t a lack of motivation—but the fact that we keep trying harder instead of choosing better systems?

New year, same pressure to “get it right” with fitness and health—and yet most resolutions don’t survive February. In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Coralyn and Jamie sit down with professional trainer Stacey Jackson to talk honestly about why fitness goals fall apart and how to build habits that actually last.

We ditch the all-or-nothing mindset and break down what really matters: discipline over motivation, simple routines over extreme plans, and support systems that keep you going when life gets busy. Stacey shares practical advice on nutrition, meal prep, breaking plateaus, and how she trained for an Ironman while balancing real life. No shame. No perfection. Just sustainable, doable health.

If you’re tired of starting over every January, this conversation will change how you approach fitness—for good.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode

• Why most New Year fitness resolutions fail (and it’s not a willpower problem)

• The difference between motivation and discipline—and why discipline wins

• Why choosing one achievable goal beats doing everything at once

• How nutrition impacts results more than most workouts

• Simple meal-prep strategies that save time and decision fatigue

• How to break through fitness plateaus without burning out

• Why support systems matter more than self-control

• Giving yourself grace and getting back on track after missed workouts

• Lessons from Ironman training that apply to everyday health

Key Takeaways

• People try to change too much at once—and that’s why they quit

• One realistic goal builds momentum faster than extreme plans

• Discipline carries you when motivation fades

• Nutrition matters just as much as your workouts

• Missing a workout doesn’t mean failure—quitting does

• Health has to become a priority before burnout hits

• Consistency over time creates real habits

• Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness

If setting New Year’s resolutions feels more exhausting than motivating, this episode is your permission to try something different.

In this episode of Lead Like a Girl, Jamie, Coralyn, and Jessica explore a more grounded, sustainable approach to growth—one that focuses on personal mantras, intentional themes, habit stacking, and seasonal check-ins instead of rigid resolutions. We talk honestly about why traditional goal-setting often falls apart and what actually supports real change in busy, real-life seasons.

This conversation is for anyone who wants to grow without burning out and believes progress can be thoughtful, flexible, and deeply personal.

Key Takeaways
Mantras create clarity and focus without pressure
Growth doesn’t have to start on January 1 and can begin anytime
Habit stacking helps new behaviors stick by building on what already exists
Seasonal goals allow for reflection, flexibility, and recalibration
There is a difference between what you’re paid to do and what you’re made to do
Choosing a word or theme for the year can guide daily decisions
Accountability strengthens follow-through without shame
Behavior-based goals lead to more sustainable change
Reflection is a critical part of meaningful growth
Small, consistent shifts create long-term impact

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Busy Lives
01:16 New Year, New Goals
03:48 Personal Mantras and Intentions
06:42 Goals vs. Resolutions
09:21 Alternative Goal-Setting Styles
12:09 Theme-Based Goals and Reflection
17:36 Choosing a Word or Theme for the Year
26:58 Habit Stacking for Real Life
32:04 Seasonal Goals and Accountability
33:57 Personal Themes for Growth

Losing a job can feel like losing your identity—but it doesn’t get to define your worth.
In this honest and deeply relatable episode of Lead Like a Girl, we talk about the kind of grief no one prepares you for: job loss, career disruption, and the emotional fallout that follows. We share personal stories, early career lessons, and what it really looks like to rebuild confidence, community, and purpose when life doesn’t go according to plan.

This conversation is raw, real, and validating—for any woman navigating career transitions, professional rejection, or the in-between season that feels uncomfortable but isn’t wasted.

Episode Summary

In this episode, we open with real-life chaos (because that’s life) and move straight into a powerful conversation about grief tied to job loss. We reflect on first jobs, career setbacks, and how losing a role can feel personal—even when it’s not.

We unpack the emotional weight of professional grief, including feelings of betrayal, disappointment, and self-doubt, while also highlighting the importance of community, honest conversations, and maintaining relationships during transitions. This episode explores resilience, gratitude, slowing down, and learning to regain control when everything feels uncertain.

If you’ve ever questioned your worth after a job loss or wondered what’s next, this episode is for you.