A Boston Weekend to Celebrate Us

Every year for our anniversary, we try to do something new - a little road trip, a city to explore, or an experience we’ve never had before. This year we headed to one of our favorite places, Boston, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of history, food, and fun.

We took the bus from Portsmouth, which was the best decision ever. No traffic stress, no parking hunt, and it dropped us South Station, just a quick Uber ride to the hotel. Everything we wanted to do was walkable, and when our feet finally protested, we called an Uber.

We stayed in Back Bay at the Marriott Copley Square, and thanks to Chris being a “super-duper” member, we got a sweet anniversary upgrade to a suite with a view of the Charles River. 

We started the morning at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and it was even more incredible than I expected. Isabella designed everything herself...every room, every view, and even the fourth floor, which was her private home. When she passed away, she willed that the museum remain exactly as she arranged it and be open to the public, with no labels on the artwork so visitors could simply enjoy it instead of feeling like they were in a stuffy museum. The beautiful palazzo-style courtyard blooms with flowers that change seasonally, so we’ll definitely be back to see it again. We saw incredible pieces like Rembrandt’s Self-Portrait, Ralphael's Portrait of the Tommaso Inghirami, the Pope's Librarian, a stunning painting of Isabella herself, her private chapel still in use for Mass once a year on her birthday April 14, and intricate tapestries. It’s a museum  that completely pulls you in - part history, part art, part wonder.

That afternoon, we headed to Fenway Park for a behind-the-scenes tour. It's amazing how tightly tucked into the city grid this ballpark is. We learned about the Green Monster towering 37' over left field and sat in the exclusive seats on top of it. We sat in some of the original wooded seats in section 32, visited the rooftop garden, and gazed down at the famous red seat marking Ted Williams’ record-breaking home run. We even peeked into the press box and the private Rooters Club. Such a fun tour!

The next morning, we toured the Boston Public Library - the first public library in the U.S. From the marble staircase guarded by the lion sculptures, to the murals and quiet beauty of Bates Hall, it’s absolutely stunning. We spent time enjoying the courtyard before heading back out into the city. 

In between, we wandered around Copley Square, stopped at Trinity Church, and visited the Boston Marathon Memorial on Boylston Street. We also made our way over to the Christian Science Plaza and Reflecting Pool - peaceful, reflective, and so beautiful in person.

Boston’s food scene didn’t disappoint.

• Boston Burger Company (Boylston St) — amazing burgers and sweet potato fries, and I had a berry spritzer that came with Swedish fish at the bottom.

• LUCIE drink + dine (Huntington Ave) — delicious meatball appetizer and pizza, plus top-notch service. We learned it’s actually part of The Colonnade Hotel.

• Brownstone (Dartmouth St) — my favorite! Cider donut holes to start, sourdough French toast for me, corned beef hash for Chris. We sat by the open windows, the service was wonderful, and they even acknowledged our anniversary from our reservation note.

Everywhere we went, the service was incredible — from restaurant servers to Uber drivers to the taxi driver who took us back to South Station for our bus ride home. Boston has some of the friendliest people we’ve met.

We ended our trip just walking around Newbury Street, window shopping and making plans for what we’ll do next time. 

How to Change Your Health in 21 Days

What if I told you it only takes 3 weeks to start feeling like yourself again?

Most women I work with come to me saying the same things:

• “I’ve tried everything but nothing works anymore.”

• “My energy is gone, and I can’t figure out why.”

• “The holidays throw me off every single year.”

I get it. Life is busy. Long programs feel overwhelming. And the thought of committing to one more thing can feel impossible.

But here’s the good news: 21 days is all it takes to start shifting your energy, hormones, and metabolism in the right direction.

Why 21 Days Works

✅ Short enough to stay consistent, even in a busy season.
✅ Long enough to see real changes in how you feel.
✅ The perfect “reset button” if you’ve been stuck, tired, or frustrated.

With the right strategy, you can:

• Eat in a way that works with your hormones (no starving or cutting out foods you love)

• Do short, effective workouts that build strength and burn fat

• Reset your metabolism so you feel energized instead of sluggish

Here’s the Teaser…

This fall, I’m offering something brand new: the FASTer Way 21-Day Reset. It’s designed exactly for women who want a simple, doable plan to feel their best—without waiting until January.

👉 We kick off October 13.

If you’ve been curious about coaching with me, this is your perfect entry point.

Our Newport Tradition: A Weekend with Family

Newport has been part of my husband’s story since he was a kid. His dad worked on the Naval Base there, and it’s where he first fell in love with the ocean and sailing. Years later, before we were even married, he took me to Newport for the first time. I understood instantly why he loved it so much. Now it’s our tradition - every summer we find a way to return, sometimes more than once.

This year we went after Labor Day, which locals call “Locals' Summer.” It’s when the tourists thin out and the town feels like itself again. Lines are shorter, traffic eases, and even big parties (like our group of six, including the kids and Frankie) can get tables without the usual wait.

Chris and I drove down Friday morning and stopped in Jamestown for brunch at JB’s on the Water, a place new to us. We sat outside in the warm sun, I ordered coconut shrimp with rice, and he had a sandwich. Jamestown is just across the bridge from Newport - quiet, peaceful, and a nice way to start the trip before diving into the busier pace of Aquidneck Island.

Once in Newport, we settled into what we always do: soaking it in. We scored Adirondack chairs on The Lawn at Cliff House. It's always a treat because of the iconic views and chill vibe. Frankie ran around exploring while we took turns chasing him. It felt like vacation mode officially started.

Meals were easy to plan this time (one of the perks of being there post-Labor Day). We spread out with plenty of elbow room at Bar & Board Bistro, no wait at Belle’s Café, and quick seating at Mother Pizzeria. For anyone planning a trip, you would definitely need to make reservations in July or August. 

We stopped at the little Hope Chapel on base, where Chris and I were married, which is always special. Then we did some shopping at the Exchange (new sneakers for both of us) and downtown, where I finally picked up a new Newport hat. One highlight was the colorful Umbrella Sky Project installation at Brick Market, worth a stroll and a photo. And of course, we couldn’t skip a Del’s lemonade and a stop at Kilwin’s for ice cream.

Some of the best moments, though, weren’t on any official itinerary. Just hanging out on Hammetts Wharf or Bowen's Wharf, chatting, watching the boats, and enjoying the view reminded me that it’s the simplest parts of a trip that often end up being the most memorable.

And because Newport always calls us back to the water, we booked a ride on the Rum Runner again. We first did it five years ago, and this time we chose the Lighthouse & Coastal Tour. It was just as magical. We cruised past Newport Harbor Light, Castle Hill Lighthouse, Castle Hill Inn, Rose Island, and more. The views, the breeze, the history...there’s no better way to see Newport than from the water.

By the time we wrapped up the weekend, it felt like we’d hit all the essentials: family time, good food, a little shopping, ocean breezes, and those Newport-only treats that keep us coming back year after year. Newport is always worth the trip, but in September, it feels a little extra special, like the town is letting you in on a secret once the crowds head home.

Our Lucky Catch: Lobstering in Portland, Maine

Living in Maine, lobster is just part of life, but until now, we had never actually gone out on a lobster boat to see how it’s done. So this summer, we decided to change that and booked a trip with Lucky Catch Cruises in Portland’s Old Port. It turned out to be the kind of day that reminded us why Maine summers are so special.

We hopped on board, donned the official orange aprons, and got right to work. The crew showed us how to haul the traps up from the bottom of the bay, swap out the bait bags, and measure each lobster to see if it was a keeper. In Maine, the rules are strict: if it’s too small or too big, it goes back. And if you find a female with eggs (we saw one loaded with them), she gets notched and released forever to keep the population healthy.

Between traps, the boat cruised past Seal Island, where we spotted at least seven seals lounging on the rocks, and we even passed an old fort. It was the perfect Maine summer backdrop.

The highlight came when we each got to pick a lobster from the traps to bring next door to Portland Lobster Company, where they cooked them up for our lunch. Talk about fresh...straight from the trap to the plate. I went classic with corn on the cob and fries, while my husband chose a baked potato with his lobster. I managed the claws and legs like a pro, but I’ll admit I needed a little help with the body. It was absolutely delicious. And while most people swoon over lobster rolls, I’ll stick with the whole lobster every time.

Nothing says summer in Maine like sitting by the water with lobster, corn, and the salty breeze in the air. This was one of those days where you think, “Yes, this is exactly what Maine should feel like.”

The Excuse I Hear Most: I Don’t Have Time

If I had a dollar for every time someone told me they just don’t have time to focus on their health, I’d probably have enough for my own personal chef by now. It’s the number one excuse I hear, and to be honest, I’ve used it myself.

Life is busy. Work deadlines, family commitments, appointments, errands - there’s always something tugging at our schedule. But here’s the hard truth: waiting for life to slow down before you start taking care of yourself means you’ll be waiting forever.

When I went through my own setbacks, time always felt scarce. Between the everyday demands of work and family plus add an illness or injury, there was never a “perfect time” to focus on my health. What I learned is that small, intentional choices matter more than perfect timing.

You don’t need hours a day to overhaul your life. You need minutes. Thirty minutes to prep some protein and veggies for the week. Twenty minutes to do a strength workout at home. Ten minutes to step outside for sunlight and a reset. Even five minutes to pause, breathe, and shift your mindset. These little deposits add up.

The truth is, when women tell me they don’t have time, what they usually mean is that they don’t know where to start. And that’s where coaching changes everything. With the right strategy, you stop wasting energy on guesswork and start using the time you do have more effectively.

So instead of asking yourself, “Do I have time for this?” try asking, “How can I make this work with the time I have?” Because you are never too busy to take care of yourself - you’re too important not to.

Try This Mini Time Audit
Grab a piece of paper or your phone’s notes app and jot down three things you did today that took less than 20 minutes. It could be scrolling social media, watching part of a show, or running a quick errand.

Now imagine if just one of those blocks of time had been spent on your health - prepping a protein, going for a walk, or doing a short strength workout. Over the course of a week, that small shift could make a big difference.

You don’t need more time. You need to use the time you already have with intention.