Welcome to "Message in the Middle" with Marianne, a podcast where we dive deep into empowering stories and insightful conversations to inspire personal growth and wellness. In this episode, Marianne sits down with Rachel Lavin, a remarkable fitness professional and author of "The Doughnut Diaries." Rachel's journey is a testament to the power of resilience and self-discovery.Rachel began her fitness career in 2000 as an ACE certified group fitness instructor teaching a variety of classes like Aqua Aerobics, Bootcamp, and Jazzercise.  In 2007, she became certified as an ACE Personal Trainer working at big box gyms in NYC,  and then an independent ACE trainer in 2012 and an ACE certified Health Coach in 2018.On paper one would never guess that Rachel struggled with her weight and restrictive dieting for over thirty years, but that all changes when Rachel turned forty.  She had had enough and made a decision to take her power back and heal from decades of negative thinking and self-sabotage and she began to work on mind, body and soul.In 2020 she wrote her first book "The Doughnut Diaries" as a way of sharing the message to all women that they are not alone and to share her three pillars of fitness.Join Marianne and Rachel as they discuss Rachel's personal struggle and the pivotal moments that led her to writing her book and the message she wants to share with all women.  The conversation explores: Rachel's suggestion for three pillars of wellness, breaking free from the shackles of diet culture, body acceptance, and self-love.  Rachel shares her insights on why women find it challenging to embrace sustainable practices that support their mind, body, and soul wellness. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, self-acceptance, shifting the focus from external appearance to inner well-being, and Rachel offers valuable tips on how to embrace your "enoughness."Tune in to this inspiring episode of "Message in the Middle" as Marianne and Rachel unveil the transformative power of embracing wholeness, breaking free from diet culture, and nurturing mind, body, and soul wellness. Get ready to be motivated and uplifted on your own journey of personal growth and empowerment.Connect with Rachel:Home - Rachel Lavin Wellnessrachel@rachellavinwellness.com Connect with Marianne: Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966 Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne Subscribe to Message In the Middle: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Leave Us a Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please leave a review and share your favorite takeaway. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and bring you even more valuable content.Keep the conversation going - Join us for more insightful conversations in the Message in the Middle Private Facebook Community & subscribe to Message in th...