​​December can be the rush… or the reset. In this episode, I’m sharing why I’m so passionate about making December matter—how I went from hanging on to the season to aligning it with what my family and I actually need. I tell the stories: the year we cozied and decorated everything for a kid who needed softness, the year we all agreed to travel, and the year I dreamed a whole new chapter from my couch.

If you’re craving a gentler, more intentional season, press play. We’ll talk about pausing now, planning from clarity, and letting December become a portal into who you’re becoming. And yes—I’m inviting you into Make December Matter, my 4-part guided experience with a comprehensive workbook and replays if you can’t come live. Join me and let’s design a December that feels like you. (https://plansimple.com/makedecembermatter)

“At some point, feeling good wins over old thoughts.”

–VJ Hamilton

Struggling with autoimmune disease — or uncomfortable symptoms that you’ve just learned to live with? What if you could reverse your symptoms? I’m so excited to talk with VJ Hamilton, registered nutritionist and a functional medicine practitioner who specializes in autoimmune disease.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease fairly late in life. When I was diagnosed, it just made so much sense and explained so many things. It also led to change. And that can be hard to navigate on your own.

Perimenopause and menopause symptoms and those of autoimmune diseases — like brain fog, joint aches, and fatigue — can be signs of both. Plus shifts in hormones can certainly trigger changes or unmask hidden inflammation. Testing and treatment can help.

We talk about:

• Autoimmune disease 101 — what we’re actually talking about
• Triggers vs. root causes and how to find the root cause
• How to advocate for yourself with doctors and what other practitioner you might want to see
• Simple changes you can make to improve your health
• Focus not on what you have to cut out for food or what exercise you have to do, but what you need and what you like
• Eating whole foods instead of prepared meals and how to navigate restaurants and special events

ABOUT VJ

VJ Hamilton is the founder of The Autoimmunity Nutritionist and an expert in autoimmune disease, specialising in skin disorders, chronic fatigue, joint health, and digestive issues for both men and women.

As a Registered Nutritionist with a Medical Science degree (BSc) in Biochemistry & Immunology and having completed the full certification programme at the renowned Institute for Functional Medicine, VJ uses evidence-based nutritional therapies to support her clients in transforming their health.

LINKS

• https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/theautoimmunitynutritionist/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/theautoimmunitynutritionist/

DOABLE CHANGES

At the end of every episode, we share three doable changes, so you can take what you've heard and put it into action. Action is where change happens.

But here's the thing: when we have a goal, a wish, a desire bubbling up in us, it can feel really huge. Sometimes we stop ourselves in our tracks based on how huge our desire feels. Change needs action, but it doesn't need huge action. When we focus on the next step, the next Doable Change that we can integrate into our lives, we don’t get stuck and we create momentum.

Choose one Doable Change that resonates with you today and really play with it. Fit it into your life, your days, make it work for you — then move on to your next Doable Change.

Here are Three Doable Changes from this conversation:

• MAKE A LIST OF THINGS YOU LOVE TO DO. Changing your lifestyle doesn’t have to be terrible! Make a list of things you love to do. Ways you like to be active, rest, connect with others. Make a list of things that make you feel good! Plan for more of those things in your life. That might look like swapping dancing for a gym session or eating food that gives you energy or going to bed on time.
• RESET IDEAS AROUND FOOD. Here are a few ways to try this Doable Change. First, instead of asking, “What do I have to cut out?” think about what foods you can...

“People want human connection more than anything. They want the transformation.”

–Amanda Kijek

I’m really excited to talk with Amanda Kijek, who has helped me so much with launches and challenges. She moved from a brick and mortar business to the line world and helps entrepreneurs launch and make 10K months and beyond.

After her own deep dive on marketing and spending too much money learning about it, she decided to create something for women who too busy, don't have a team, and don’t know how to hire someone and train them — but want results and need the money.

We get clear on what launching is — maybe not what you think — touch on building cold leads, and really zooming in on your message.

We talk about:

• What a launch is — something you can do over and over
• Getting past the trust recession by letting people try you on in person
• Explaining what you do in the simplest terms — and in relation to what people actually need
• Adding “So you can …” to the ends of you description of what you do
• Starting conversations and leading people to the next conversation point
• Sharing vulnerable things from your life

ABOUT AMANDA

Amanda Kijek helps already-successful coaches stop hustling for one-off sales and scale to consistent 10K+ months without ads, overwhelm, or tech headaches.

She’s a best-selling author, CEO of Amanda Kijek Coaching, and the creator of the 5-phase Peaceful Launch framework and Profit Accelerator Mastermind—programs that have helped hundreds of coaches build stable 6-figure businesses with repeatable, timeless strategies.

With 23 years of entrepreneurial experience—from brick-and-mortar to online—Amanda built the system she wished existed as a new mom: one that gets clients now and is actually done-for-you and with you. She runs her multiple 6-figure business in under 15 hours a week and is passionate about helping other coaches scale without sacrificing family, freedom, or peace.

LINKS

• https://amandakijek.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/groups/profitablemompreneur
• https://www.instagram.com/amandakijek/?hl=en
• https://ca.linkedin.com/in/amandakijekcoach

DOABLE CHANGES

At the end of every episode, we share three doable changes, so you can take what you've heard and put it into action. Change comes from action.

Doable changes are things that you can add into your life, one at a time to make micro shifts and really create a ripple effect that will create a big change over time. Choose one that really piques your interest and roll with it.

Here are three Doable Changes from this conversation:

• MAKE YOUR MESSAGE REALLY CLEAR. Think about what’s keeping your clients up at night, what they are Googling. Don’t use your expert language. Keep it really simple. And add “so that you …” to the end of your message to help the client see the results.
• SHARE SOMETHING VULNERABLE. We all want deeper connection, and when we share something vulnerable, it helps people connect with us. Aim for once or twice a month. But your first step: Make the first vulnerable post.
• PRACTICE BEING CONSISTENT. Instead of trying to come up with something new to post, seek different examples, anecdotes, or other ways to tell people again what you you do. Your message should be consistent. It might even