Imagine your foot slammed on the gas pedal while your car’s still in neutral — the engine’s roaring, the vibrations are constant, but you’re going nowhere. That’s what living with unhealed trauma feels like. Your body’s stuck on go, your nervous system always scanning for danger, trying to keep you alive instead of helping you heal.   In this episode, I unpack how trauma and abuse don’t just shape your mind — they reshape your body. We talk about what happens when your nervous system gets trapped in survival mode, how unexpressed emotions turn into physical illness, and why your body might be saying “no more” when you can’t.   I share insights from some of the most powerful trauma resources I’ve ever read — Dr. Gabor Maté’s “When the Body Says No” and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s “The Body Keeps the Score.” These incredible works show us that healing begins when the body finally feels safe enough to rest, express, and release.   You’ll also hear my own story — how years of emotional suppression and self-hatred led to chronic illness, and how learning to listen to my body and express what I used to silence became the key to restoration. Together, we’ll explore practical tools to begin reclaiming safety: setting boundaries, practicing nervous system regulation, expressing instead of suppressing, and creating emotional environments that say, “You’re safe now.”   ✨Download your Free 7-Day Guide to begin reconnecting with your body and healing your nervous system. 📚 Books Mentioned: When the Body Says NO – Gabor Maté The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Cherished: Shattered Innocence. Restored Hope – Polly Hamp   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Okay friends, buckle up—this one’s a wild ride! After years of trying every diet under the sun (hello vegan, paleo, keto, you name it), I decided to go full-on carnivore for 75 days—yep, just meat, salt, and water. No salads, no snacks, no sugar… just beef, lamb, and tallow. And what I learned had way less to do with food and way more to do with trusting my body.   I didn’t start this to lose weight. I started because I wanted to think differently about health—to strip away all the noise, stop labeling foods as “good” or “bad,” and really listen. And wow… clarity, energy, mood balance, and sleep all improved big-time. I discovered that my body didn’t need caffeine or constant snacks—it just needed me to listen and fuel it with intention.   But it wasn’t all steak and sunshine. I talk about the not-so-glamorous detox phase (hello, “keto flu”), the social awkwardness of eating differently, and even how my mindset shifted from restriction to reset. This experiment reminded me that health isn’t a quick fix—it’s a relationship with our body built on curiosity, compassion, and consistency.   So no, I’m not telling you to go carnivore (promise!). I’m just sharing what happens when you get quiet enough to actually hear your body’s truth.   🎧 Resources Mentioned: 📘 Dr. Paul Saladino – The Carnivore Code: https://share.descript.com/view/Qb4JpM0muxW 🥩 Shawn Baker, MD: www.youtube.com/@ShawnBakerMD 🍳 Ken Berry, MD: www.youtube.com/@KenDBerryMD 📄 Download my free guide: Carnivore Tips and Tricks (PDF) → Carnivore Tips and Tricks.pdf If this episode helped you rethink your relationship with food and your body, share it with someone who’s on their healing journey! Don’t forget to follow, rate, and download Be A Blaze Podcast — and check out my Carnivore Tips and Tricks guide for simple, real-life ways to start tuning in to your body.   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Hey friends — welcome back to Be a Blaze! I am so excited to have Dr. Terri DeNeui back with us for another powerful conversation! Last time, we dove into hormones and how they impact your overall health… and this week, we’re digging deeper into something that affects every single one of us: gut health — and how it connects to your mood, hormones, energy, and even your family’s well-being.   Dr. Terri and I explore why all disease really begins in the gut (yep, Hippocrates was right!), and how inflammation, stress, and what we eat can totally change how our bodies function. We also talk about the gut-brain connection — how your thoughts, emotions, and even trauma can affect digestion and hormone balance.   And if you’ve ever wondered why you feel anxious after a big meal or why fatigue just won’t quit, this conversation will connect the dots in such an empowering way. Terri breaks down simple, practical ways to start healing your gut — from what to eat, what to avoid, and how to listen to your body again.   We even get real about emotional eating, dopamine hits from processed foods (hello, Flaming Hot Cheetos 👀), and learning to eat intuitively without guilt. It’s not about punishment — it’s about freedom and healing from the inside out.   So grab your coffee (yes, you can still have it ☕), tune in, and let’s learn how to love our bodies, nurture our health, and lead our homes with peace and purpose.   Check out Dr. DeNeui’s resources and grab your free TDAH! 7-Day Workbook: 📘 Hormone Havoc (Book) 🎧 Hormone Havoc Podcast 🔗 Download resources 🔗 More info here   👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Terri DeNeui Dr. Terri DeNeui, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, is the Founder and Chief Science Officer of EVEXIAS Health Solutions. She’s a nationally recognized speaker, author of Hormone Havoc, and an expert in integrative and functional medicine, endocrinology, and hormone optimization. Her pioneering EvexiPEL® method has helped thousands live stronger, more vibrant lives.   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp   👉 Share this message with a mom who needs to know her value as the heart of her home — and don’t forget to subscribe! New episodes drop every Wednesday!

Hey friends, it’s Polly! 💛 In this episode, I sit down with my brilliant friend Dr. Terri DeNeui, founder of EVEXIAS Health Solutions and creator of the EvexiPEL® Method, to talk about something we all need to understand better—our hormones. This conversation was a total game-changer, especially if you’ve ever wondered why your mood, sleep, energy, or even your drive seems off as you age.   Dr. Terri and I dive deep into the truth about hormones—their role in prevention, energy, and emotional balance—and how so many of us have been misled by myths for decades. She breaks down the difference between synthetic and natural hormones (spoiler: not all hormones are created equal!) and explains why women, in particular, experience such drastic changes throughout life—from our 30s all the way through menopause.   We also unpack the why behind symptoms like anxiety, fatigue, brain fog, and low libido. Terri shares how optimizing hormones can literally help you feel like yourself again—and even turn back your biological clock. 🕰️✨ It’s not about vanity; it’s about living fully alive, not just surviving!   We talked candidly about trauma, emotional healing, and how our hormonal health connects with our mental and spiritual well-being. If you’ve ever felt “off” but were told your labs are “normal,” this episode is your wake-up call to dig deeper and take charge of your health.   Check out Dr. DeNeui’s resources and grab your free TDAH! 7-Day Workbook: 📘 Hormone Havoc (Book) 🎧 Hormone Havoc Podcast 🔗 Download resources 🔗 More info here   👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Terri DeNeui Dr. Terri DeNeui, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, is the Founder and Chief Science Officer of EVEXIAS Health Solutions. She’s a nationally recognized speaker, author of Hormone Havoc, and an expert in integrative and functional medicine, endocrinology, and hormone optimization. Her pioneering EvexiPEL® method has helped thousands live stronger, more vibrant lives.   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp   ✨ Let’s keep blazing a trail toward full-body health—mind, body, and hormones!

Friends… this conversation will blow your mind! Today I sit down with Dr. Ben Edwards from Veritas Medical, and we dig into a radical but powerful idea — there’s no such thing as “disease.” Instead, what we call disease is really the consequence of what’s happening inside our bodies — inflammation, stress, toxins, and a lifestyle that doesn’t match how we were designed to live.   Dr. Ben shares his journey from being a conventional MD (even making front-page news for turning around a county clinic!) to discovering a better way to help people truly heal. We talk about epigenetics — how your thoughts, nutrition, and environment can literally turn genes on or off — and why you’re not doomed by your genetics. This episode is packed with hope: diabetes, autoimmune issues, even heart disease can be reversed when we get to the root cause instead of just masking symptoms.   We also unpack the Veritas 4 Pillars of Health — Nutrition, Hydration, Movement, and Peace — and how aligning with these pillars gives your body the chance to heal the way God designed it to. And yes, we get real about personal responsibility and the courage it takes to take back your health, even when the system pushes against it.   About Dr. Ben Edwards: Baylor undergrad, UT-Houston Medical School, Chief Resident at McLennan County Family Practice in Waco, and the only physician in rural Post, TX for 7 years before founding Veritas Medical 13 years ago to focus on true healing.   ✨Dive deeper with Dr. Ben’s You’re The Cure course at VeritasWellnessMember.com, follow him on Instagram @drbenedwards, and grab your FREE TDAH! workbook at TDAHYou.com. 📱 Follow me: Instagram | Facebook

Ever wonder why you keep ending up in the same kinds of relationships, jobs, or conflicts—no matter how hard you try to do things differently? Yep, me too. In this episode, I’m joined once again by my amazing husband, Bob Hamp (licensed marriage & family therapist, author, speaker, and organizational consultant) to dive deep into why we keep repeating patterns from our family of origin—and how to finally break free.   Bob explains how family systems shape the way we think, feel, and respond, not just in our homes but in our workplaces, friendships, and even marriages. We talk about how your family role (oldest child, middle child, youngest, or only) can unconsciously influence your choices—like who you date, how you parent, and how you lead. And here’s the kicker: you will keep repeating these patterns… until you don’t.   We unpack what it really takes to stop recreating those unhealthy cycles, starting with awareness (becoming the “observer” of your own reactions), then learning to regulate your emotions, and finally interrupting old communication loops that keep you stuck. Bob shares how these same principles transform businesses and organizations, not just individuals, and why learning to step outside the system—what he calls taking a “meta perspective”—is the key to lasting change.   This episode is packed with “aha” moments and practical wisdom that can help you change your family story for good.     ✨ Subscribe to Think Differently Academy at TDACAD.com & get your free workbook at TDAHyou.com. 📚 Grab Bob’s book: Think Differently Learn Differently 📱 Follow Bob: FB, IG & Twitter @BobHamp 📱 Follow me: Instagram | Facebook

Today’s episode is a big one, friend — I’m sharing 10 things I no longer do as a body image consultant, and honestly, these were game-changers for my health and healing journey.   We dig into the mindset shifts that helped me break free from diet culture and self-sabotage, starting with the big one: I don’t diet anymore (yep, not ever!). I unpack why dieting can actually keep you stuck in survival mode and how I learned to make choices from a place of freedom, not restriction.   I also talk about why I don’t weigh myself every day, count calories, or judge my progress based on a number. Those old habits used to dictate my emotions and self-worth, and letting them go has been so freeing.   We get real about mindless eating, silencing the inner critic, and why I no longer drink alcohol or use diet medications to try to control my body. Instead, I’ve learned to listen to my body’s signals and treat it with love and respect.   I also share why I gave up sodas, processed foods, and anything that keeps me stuck in a cycle of inflammation, brain fog, and emotional rollercoasters. And finally, I talk about one of the most powerful shifts of all — stopping the habit of tearing myself apart in the mirror.   Here’s the truth: you cannot hate yourself to health — you can only love yourself to health. These 10 changes helped me reconnect with my body, regulate my nervous system, and finally step into freedom.   🔥 CTA: Order the TDAH! Course and get signed up for the 8-Week Cohort starting October 6th! 📱 Follow me:Instagram | Facebook

Have you ever done something and immediately thought, “Oh my gosh… what was I thinking?!” Yeah, me too. In this episode, I dig into what’s really happening when we—or the people around us—act completely out of character and “lose our minds.”   I start with a couple of viral clips making the rounds—like the woman at the Phillies game who snatched a ball away from a child, and the guy at a tennis match who literally grabbed a hat out of a kid’s hands. While those reactions might look outrageous, I unpack the psychology and brain science behind it. Spoiler: when we say someone is “out of their mind,” sometimes they literally are—stuck in survival mode and reacting from the downstairs brain.   We talk through the fight, flight, freeze, faint, fawn, and even fix responses, and why people in survival mode can’t think critically, connect relationally, or respond with empathy in the moment. I share a personal story of a time when I totally lost my mind (and ended up throwing coffee on someone—yikes!) to show how even well-intentioned people can react in ways that don’t line up with their character.   But here’s the hope: you don’t have to stay stuck in that survival state. By becoming consciously aware, paying attention to your language (hello “they make me so mad”), and using what I call the Power of Pause (POP), you can shift back into connection and take ownership of your emotional state.   This conversation is all about moving from dependence to independence, from reaction to response, and ultimately living connected, peaceful, and free.   ✨ CTA: If you loved this episode, please like, follow, download, and share it with a friend who needs this reminder today!   📓 Sign up for the Free 7-Day Workbook at www.TDAHyou.com   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Oh friend, I am so excited for this conversation because today I get to sit down with my amazing husband, Bob Hamp—and yes, I’m totally biased! Bob is an author, speaker, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and business consultant who has helped countless people and organizations step into freedom by rediscovering their true identity. His work blends family systems theory, neuroscience, and communication models to unlock both personal growth and organizational change.   In this episode, we talk all about what it really means to live from the power of self—your true identity—rather than constantly striving to “overcome” habits, trauma, or other people’s expectations. Bob shares why freedom isn’t just about breaking free from something; it’s about becoming the person you were always created to be.   We dive into the difference between relief and freedom, why performance-driven living keeps us trapped, and how identity is something that can never be taken from you. Bob gives powerful examples (from Viktor Frankl to real-life stories from his Decoding Identity course) that show how transformation happens when you finally stop performing and start living out of your truest self.   This conversation is full of aha moments, practical insights, and the kind of wisdom that lights a fire in you to step out of survival mode and into the freedom of who you really are.     📘 Resources & Links Mentioned: Think Differently, Live Differently by Bob Hamp → Buy Here Decoding Identity (Sept 2025): Join Here On Demand: Becoming Yourself   📱 Follow Bob Hamp: IG, FB & Twitter → @BobHamp 🔥 CTA: If you liked this episode, please like, follow, download, and share!   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Back-to-school season is here, and if you’re anything like me when my girls were little, you know it can feel like a whirlwind of carpool lines, packed lunches, after-school practices, and endless to-do lists. One minute it’s lazy summer mornings, the next it’s alarm clocks, homework, and schedules that leave us moms running on empty.   In this episode, I’m diving deep into the truth about the back-to-school hustle—how it pulls us in a million directions and, if we’re not careful, leaves us surviving instead of thriving. I share some of my own stories from when my twins were young (and let me tell you, I was in survival mode way too often!) and how I realized that the way we show up as moms communicates so much more to our kids than the words we say.   We talk about the subtle but powerful ways our kids mirror our behaviors—if we’re stressed, disconnected, and running on fumes, they learn that’s the “normal” way to live. But when we choose to pause, to connect, and to truly care for ourselves, they learn something so much healthier: that peace, presence, and joy are possible even in the busy seasons.   I also break down the difference between living in survival mode versus living from a connected place, and I walk you through my favorite tool—the Power of Pause—that helps shift you out of anxiety and back into peace. Because here’s the truth: when you’re connected to yourself, your whole family feels it.   So let’s trade the burnout for the mom glow this school year. Your kids don’t just need you present—they need you well.   📓 Sign up for the Free 7-Day Workbook at www.TDAHyou.com   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Disclaimer: This episode contains discussion about suicide, which may be distressing to some listeners. Please take care while listening, and know that help is available. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 in the U.S., or visit 988lifeline.org for support.   Today’s episode is heavy, but oh-so-important. We’re talking about suicide—what it looks like, how it affects us, and the different ways it touches our lives. I open up about my own journey through suicidal thoughts, the moment I almost didn’t make it, and what it took to climb out of that place.   We explore three groups of people: those struggling with suicidal ideation, those who have lost someone to suicide, and those who may not understand but carry judgments. I talk about the silent epidemic—the friends and family members who smile on the outside but are crushed inside—and how empathy, not judgment, can open the door for connection and hope.   If you’ve lost someone, I give you permission to lay down the weight of their choice. It’s not yours to carry. You can grieve deeply and still allow yourself joy without guilt.   If you’re struggling yourself, I want you to know—you are not broken beyond repair. Healing is possible, even if it’s just one breath at a time. There’s freedom on the other side of this pain.   Let’s keep talking, keep listening, and keep showing up for each other.   Order my book Cherished: Shattered Innocence. Restored Hope. 3rd Edition.   Crisis Resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 Veteran/Military Crisis Line – 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741 IMALIVE – 202-536-3200 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (Spanish) – 1-888-628-9454 Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing Line – 1-800-799-4889 Boys Town National Hotline – 800-448-3000 / Text VOICE to 20121 NAMI Helpline – 1-800-950-6264   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Hey friend, if you're feeling worn out on your healing journey, this episode is for you. Today, I’m giving you full permission to pause—not because you’re failing, but because you’re human.   The pause and rest is mandatory in your healing journey. Because if you don’t, you are gonna burn out. Trauma can be compounded on top of trauma because of burnout.   In this episode, I share how rest can actually fuel your healing instead of slowing it down. We talk about how to recognize burnout, how to take intentional breaks, and how to return to your healing with more clarity and compassion.   You don’t have to push harder to be worthy of healing. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is pause.   📓 Sign up for the Freebie 7-Day Journal🌐 www.TDAHyou.com Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Hey friend! I cannot wait for you to hear this deeply meaningful conversation with my dear friend and powerhouse guest, Gina Birkemeier. In this episode, we explore the idea that just because something’s been passed down through generations—like trauma, dysfunction, or limiting beliefs—doesn’t mean you have to keep it. 🙌   Gina and I talk about the patterns and emotional narratives we inherit from our families (even before we’re born!) and how those legacy burdens quietly shape the way we see ourselves, others, and even God. We unpack what it looks like to do the inner work, confront regret, rewrite inherited stories, and offer ourselves—and others—grace through the process.   Gina also shares her personal story of breaking generational cycles in her own life and how that transformation fueled her mission to help others do the same. Whether you’re deep in your healing journey or just beginning to wonder “Where did this come from?”—this episode will help you connect the dots with compassion and curiosity.   About Gina Birkemeier: Gina is a Licensed Professional Counselor, award-winning author, international speaker, and current PhD student at Regent University. She holds a Master’s in Counseling and Theology, and has advanced training in trauma and evidence-based therapies. A survivor of generational dysfunction herself, Gina’s work is rooted in both faith (as a healthy relationship with God) and the sciences—especially psychology, biology, and epigenetics. She’s walked with the hurting toward hope and healing for nearly two decades.   ✨ Resources & Links Mentioned: 📘 Generations Deep Book: Buy on Amazon 📓 Generations Deep Workbook: Buy on Amazon 💻 Support Groups & More: ginabirkemeier.com/resources   🔥 Leave a Review & Sign up for the free TDAH! Workbook   Connect with Gina: 🌐 Website: www.GinaBirkemeier.com 📱 Instagram: @myoutloudvoice   Connect with Polly: 📱 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📱 Facebook: Polly Hamp

Hey friend, welcome back! In this episode, we’re diving deep into a big question that’s honestly life-changing when you sit with it: What story are you telling yourself?   Ever had a moment where your brain takes one little situation and builds a whole dramatic narrative out of it? Yep, me too. Whether it’s a frustrating email from a coworker or a painful breakup replaying in your mind, our thoughts can kick our emotions into overdrive—and next thing you know, we’re angry, anxious, or completely shut down. Sound familiar?   In this episode, I unpack how the stories we rehearse in our minds can either keep us stuck in survival mode or guide us toward healing and connection. We talk about the difference between toxic positivity and real emotional processing, why your feelings aren’t too much, and how to start learning the language of your emotions instead of shoving them down.   I also walk you through practical ways to rewrite your internal script—one that feels empowering, honest, and connected to who you really are. This isn’t about pretending things are okay. It’s about becoming consciously aware of your thoughts, giving your emotions a voice, and learning how to shift your nervous system from chaos to calm.   It’s wild what changes when we start telling ourselves new stories. Ones filled with hope, compassion, and fire. 🔥     👉 Leave a Review & Sign up for the Free TDAH! Workbook 🌐 Resources or Links Mentioned: www.TDAHyou.com Let’s connect! 📸 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📘 Facebook: PollyAHamp    

Hey hey, it’s Polly! 👋 Welcome back to Be A Blaze! In this episode, we’re getting real about something so many of us wrestle with — our relationship with our own bodies. If you’ve ever asked yourself "What is wrong with me?" — this one’s for you.   We dive into how trauma shapes our nervous systems and explore how your body isn’t broken — it’s doing exactly what it learned to do to survive. We talk brain science (don’t worry, I make it simple!) and how our brainstem's “F-responses” — fight, flight, freeze, faint, fawn, and even fix — kick in when we feel unsafe. This isn’t dysfunction, it’s design. It’s your system saying, “I got you.”   I also walk you through a practice I love and teach often: POP — the Power of Pause. It’s all about moving out of survival mode and into connection, creativity, and calm. We also touch on addictions (yep, even the ones that look “harmless”) and how they often mask unmet needs. No shame here, just curiosity, compassion, and powerful truth: you can shift your state and take your power back.   There’s so much fire in you — and when you stop fighting your body and start listening, healing starts to unfold. 🔥 Leave a review if this resonated — it helps more people find their blaze too.   Resources Mentioned: 📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk 🧠 Teachings by Gabor Maté   Let’s connect! 📸 Instagram: @pollyahamp 📘 Facebook: PollyAHamp   See you next week, friend. Until then — stay curious, stay fiery. 💛

Hey friend—welcome to the very first episode of Be a Blaze! 🔥 I’m so glad you’re here. If you’ve ever felt like your past disqualifies you… or if you’ve been carrying pain that no one else sees… this space is for you. In this kickoff episode, I’m opening up about my story—not to spotlight me, but to let you know you’re not alone. From surviving childhood sexual abuse to dancing under the name Blaze, I walk through how trauma shaped my story—and how healing, redemption, and purpose are possible, even from the ashes. You’ll hear why I believe so deeply that true health starts from the inside out. No more chasing diets, punishing our bodies, or living in shame. At TDAH! (Think Differently About Health), we’re learning how to love ourselves to health—and I want that freedom for you too. I also share how the name Blaze, once part of a painful survival story, became the name God gave me for who I truly am. And maybe, just maybe, there’s a blaze inside you too—quiet or fierce, waiting to rise. If something in this episode speaks to your heart, would you share it with someone who needs to know they’re not alone? Let’s take the next brave step together. You were made to be a blaze. Let’s light it up.   👉 Sign up for the Free 7-Day Workbook Resources Links Mentioned: 📖 Cherished: Shattered Innocence. Restored Hope. 3rd Edition – By Polly Hamp 📱 Instagram | Facebook