the own it podcast

50. From Eating Disorder to Conscious Eating

*Trigger Warning* In this episode, I talk about my past struggles with body image, disordered eating, and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Please take care of yourself while listening, and feel free to pause or skip this episode if it's not supportive for where you're at right now.

This episode is deeply personal. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been asked a lot about my eating habits and healthy lifestyle. And to be honest, it caught me off guard—and in mulling over it the past few days, I realized how free I’ve become. I used to obsess over every bite, every pound, every number. And now? I live in peace with food and my body. 

Today, I eat consciously—not restrictively. I listen to my body. I nourish it. I don’t punish it. And I think that kind of maturity and peace comes with time, grace, and a lot of honesty and intentional choosing of better choices. 

If you’re in a stuck place—whether with food, your body, or anything else—don’t despise the small steps. You might not notice the shift until you look back and realize you’re free.

This is the story of how I got here—from disordered eating to conscious, intuitive freedom.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

49. A Window Into My Heart: The Season is Changing

Welcome back to another Window Into My Heart episode—a space where I open up about what God is doing in me, what I’m sensing in the spirit, and what I believe He might be stirring in you too. These episodes are meant to give you a behind-the-scenes look into my walk with God, with the hope that it encourages you in your own.

Lately, I’ve been sensing a shift. A season change. And I don’t just mean the natural signs of spring—we’re talking about something deeper, more spiritual. I keep coming back to this passage in Song of Songs 2, where it says:

"The season has changed,
the bondage of your barren winter has ended,
and the season of hiding is over and gone..."

It’s as if God is whispering, “Can you not perceive it?” There’s new life breaking forth all around us—spiritually, emotionally, and even practically. The signs of God’s purposes are beginning to bud and bloom. This is a time of awakening, of rising, of going to a higher place with Him.

But even in the midst of this beautiful shift, there’s a warning: “It’s the foxes.”

I had a dream recently about spiders—a picture that, for me, represents distractions. The Lord brought me back to Song of Songs 2:15, which talks about the little foxes that ruin the budding vineyard of love. These distractions might seem small, but they have the power to sabotage what God is trying to plant and grow in this new season.

I believe we’re in a prophetic moment—a divine invitation to move forward. But the enemy would love to keep us in the comfort of the past, in what was familiar, even if that season was barren or dry. He wants to tether us to what was, so we miss what is being birthed.

So here’s my encouragement: be aware of the distractions. Pay attention to the things trying to steal your focus, your time, your energy. This is the time for spring cleaning—in your heart, your rhythms, your relationships. What once served you may now be crowding the space God wants to fill with fresh vision and provision for the next season.

Let’s not miss the shift because we’re clinging to what was.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

48. What I’d tell my 20-something self:

I’ve been asked this question twice this week: “What would you tell your 20-something self?” And I get why people ask. Those years are full of decisions, confusion, stretching, and becoming. Looking back, I can honestly say I’m proud of the life I’ve built—flawed, beautiful, and shaped deeply by grace. A lot of my growth came through my insecurities, fears, and missteps, but also through leaning into God’s presence and learning to trust His process over my own.

So here’s what I’d say if I could sit across from my younger self over coffee:

You’re exactly where you need to be.
You don’t need to be further along. Stop chasing your imagined timeline and be present in your season. Everything you’re walking through is shaping you in ways you can’t yet see.

Prioritize your secret place with God.
Make space for stillness. Get used to quiet. Learn to be anchored in His presence now, not just when you’re desperate. That connection will carry you through more than you realize.

Stop doing so much. Learn how to just be.
You’ve gotten really good at performing and producing. But being—resting, receiving, slowing down—that’s where real transformation happens. Don’t wait until burnout to learn it.

God will exceed your expectations.
You can’t plan your way into the life God has for you. It’s going to be more than you can imagine—stretching, surprising, and better than what you would’ve written for yourself.

Tell the truth.
Silence might feel safer, but it will eat away at you over time. Say the hard things. Be honest—with yourself and with others. That’s where healing begins.

Your dreams will come to life.
Not always in the timeline or form you expect, but they’ll unfold—bit by bit, often through pain and process. Stay open to how they show up.

Deal with the beliefs that are keeping you stuck.
“I’m not enough.” “I don’t have what it takes.” “I am what I do.” These are lies that sound like truth. Start confronting them now so they don’t dictate your decisions later.

Learn how to cook—and enjoy it.
It’s not just about food. It’s about slowing down, nourishing yourself, and learning rhythms that bring peace. You’ll thank yourself later.

Wear sunscreen.
You’re not invincible. You don’t need to prove anything to the sun. Take care of your skin—it’s not superficial; it’s stewardship.

Invest in your friendships.
Not the convenient ones, the real ones. These people will become your support system when life gets heavy. Nurture those relationships now. They’ll be a safe place when you need one most.

If I could sum it all up: You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just keep showing up, keep telling the truth, stay grounded in who God is, and trust that the story unfolding is far more meaningful than the one you’re trying to control.

✨ The doors to Thrive close TODAY – and won’t open till FALL.

Thrive is my online membership community for women who are ready to stop surviving and start becoming. Use the code THRIVETODAY to get your first month completely free.

Join us at: www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive

47. Feel Insignificant + Want PURPOSE?

In this episode, we dive into the difference between purpose and significance, and how getting the equation wrong can keep us feeling stuck. I share my own journey of discovering my purpose and how I realized that, instead of focusing on doing more to get to where I wanted to go, I needed to first be who I was created to be. This episode is about learning how to align with your true purpose so you can move forward in your destiny with confidence.

 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Purpose vs. Significance:
  
  • Purpose is the reason why something exists or is done—it's something that's inside of you, waiting to be discovered.
    
    
  • Significance refers to the importance or value of something—often, we confuse this with purpose, chasing success and external validation instead of realizing that purpose is already within us.
    
    
• The Backwards Equation:
  
  • When I first started pursuing my purpose, I was focused on doing everything to get to where I thought I should be. Social media, growing followers, chasing success—I thought it would lead me to the purpose God had for me.
    
    
  • The key realization: Instead of trying to “get there,” the focus should be on being who you really are. When you lean into your true self, you'll naturally get to where you're meant to go.
    
    
• Be Who You’re Made to Be:
  
  • It’s about doing what you’re made to do—whether it’s connecting with others, leaning into hard moments, experiencing joy, or simply being faithful in the season you’re in.
    
    
  • As you be who you are and do what you’re made to do, you'll become who you're called to be. It’s a process of growth and alignment.
    
    
• Purpose Is Inside You:
  
  • We often think purpose is something external, something we have to chase, but it's already inside us. God has placed it there for us to discover.
    
    
  • We spend so much time hustling for significance that we forget purpose isn’t something we need to perform for—it’s already part of who we are.

The takeaway? Your purpose is already inside of you. Stop chasing external markers of success and significance. Lean into who you were made to be, and the rest will follow.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

BONUS: Why we stay stuck (and how to start moving again)

In today’s special bonus episode, I’m talking about something that so many of us wrestle with: why we stay stuck, even when we deeply want to grow. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the “right” things but still can’t seem to move forward, you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack ten of the most common reasons we get stuck—and what it actually takes to start moving again. We’re talking about things like limiting beliefs, mental overload, nervous system patterns, and the subtle self-sabotage that keeps us circling the same mountains.

Here’s what might be holding you back: 

– You’re carrying old limiting beliefs like “I’m not good enough” or “This is just how I am.”

– You feel overwhelmed by mental overload, decision fatigue, or analysis paralysis.

– Your nervous system is wired for survival, keeping you in fight, flight, or freeze mode.

– You haven’t been taught how to recognize or meet your real emotional needs.

– There’s unprocessed pain from rejection, betrayal, or childhood wounds.

– You fear being seen, judged, or misunderstood, so you self-sabotage to stay safe.

– You’re still attached to patterns or relationships that feel familiar—even if they aren’t healthy.

– Shame or low self-worth whispers that you don’t deserve more.

– You’re stuck in comfort habits—scrolling, overconsuming, avoiding—because change feels too hard.

Lastly, inside this episode, I share a powerful framework for getting UNSTUCK:

UNCOVER – becoming aware of the deeper roots of your stuckness, like past pain, identity confusion, or survival patterns.

DISCOVER – learning the truth about who you are, how God sees you, and what’s actually possible when you show up differently.

BECOME – walking out healing and wholeness in real life, with confidence, intention, and purpose.

✨ The doors to Thrive are officially open today.

Thrive is my online membership community for women who are ready to stop surviving and start becoming. Use the code THRIVETODAY to get your first month completely free.

Join us at: www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive

BONUS: Creativity, Wholeness, + Living Fully Alive w/Donta Nelson

Today’s episode is a special one—because I’m joined by my husband, Donta Nelson, for a rich, real conversation about creativity, healing, and what it means to live fully alive in what you were put on this earth to do. 

As we prepare for Donta to co-teach inside Thrive this summer, we wanted to give you a glimpse into the heart behind what he carries—and why creativity isn’t just a gift for artists, but something every single one of us is wired for.

In this episode, we talk about:
- How creativity is connected to identity and wholeness
- The myth of “I’m not creative” and how it keeps us stuck
- How we move from creative inspiration to action on our dreams
- How creating and expressing from wholeness moves you from doing to BEING

…and soooo much more!

This conversation is more than just a peek behind the scenes. It’s an invitation to begin reclaiming the parts of you that have gone quiet or the dreams you’ve been too afraid to act on and to being to imagine again and create from wholeness and fullness!

✨ And guess what? Doors to Thrive are officially OPEN today.
If this conversation stirred something in you, if you’re tired of just surviving and ready to start showing up in your life with intention and wholeness—now’s the time.

Join us this summer as we go deeper into the connection between healing, creativity, and becoming who you were created to be.

Head to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive and use the code THRIVETODAY to get your first month free.

We can’t wait to walk with you.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

If you’re interested in joining Thrive, the doors are OPEN so you can join by heading to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive. Use the code THRIVETODAY and get your first month completely free!

46. DEMONIC ALTARS — what's keeping you stuck in cycles you can’t break

In this episode, we dive into a powerful topic that many of us can relate to: feeling stuck in cycles that we can't seem to break, no matter how hard we try. I know the struggle—doing all the right things, like praying, changing habits, and seeking help, yet still feeling trapped. But what if it's deeper than just habits? What if there are invisible altars—false comforts or agreements—that are holding us back?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• What Are Demonic Altars?: A demonic altar is any place in your life—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—where you’ve made an agreement with something other than God. It becomes a place of sacrifice, worship, or covenant, even unintentionally.
  
  
• Altars Aren’t Gone, They’ve Changed: In the Old Testament, altars were physical. Today, they take on the form of habits, mindsets, addictions, or idols that we place in our hearts.
  
  
• Why Altars Keep You Stuck:
  
  
  • Spiritual Legal Rights: Demonic altars give the enemy access to parts of your life until they are renounced and torn down.
    
    
  • Cyclic Patterns: We revisit the same struggles (addiction, fear, poverty) until the altar is destroyed.
    
    
  • False Comfort Zones: Altars offer temporary comfort but long-term bondage, like food, alcohol, or self-sufficiency.
    
    
  • Unconscious Agreements: Altars can be inherited from family, culture, or trauma, keeping you stuck in generational cycles.
    
    
• How to Tear Down the Altars:
  
  
  • Awareness and Identification: Recognize where you're repeating cycles and running back to old altars.
    
    
  • Repentance and Renouncement: Confess any agreements with lies or false comfort, and break them in the name of Jesus.
    
    
  • Tear Down and Replace: Dismantle the altars spiritually and symbolically, and rebuild with truth through worship, prayer, and obedience.
    

It's not just about tearing down altars; it's about staying aligned with God's truth. Daily invite the Holy Spirit into areas where false comfort once lived and rebuild your relationship with God through worship and truth.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

45. Setting Healthy Boundaries w/o the GUILT

In this episode, we’re diving into the topic of boundaries—how to set them without guilt, what to do when someone doesn’t respect them, and why they’re essential for protecting our emotional, mental, and relational well-being. Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out; they’re about creating the safety needed for deeper, healthier connections.

Boundaries protect what you value. They help define what’s okay and what’s not okay in different relationships. Some examples:

• Not discussing certain personal topics with your boss.
• Choosing who you process emotional pain with.
• Not allowing toxic family members into your inner circle.

In this episode, i unpack common misconceptions about boundaries, questions that come up about boundaries, and how to set them in a healthy way. 

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a person who lacks self-control.” Boundaries are like city walls—they protect what is valuable inside. Without them, everything that comes our way has full access, and we’re left exhausted, overextended, and maybe even resentful.

The older I’ve gotten (and the fuller my life has become), the more I’ve realized: I need boundaries. Boundaries aren’t about pushing people away. They’re about protecting what you value the most and what God has asked you to steward in this season!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

44. Stewarding Your Season

There’s a real tension we feel as women—How do I walk out God’s call when my season doesn’t match my dreams? When I first got married, God told me, “Do what’s in front of you, and I’ll take care of the rest.” So, I did. I faced insecurity and codependency, went to therapy, let go of my performance-based identity, and redefined success. I learned that thriving starts with stewarding what’s right in front of me, even when it feels small.

Many of us are grateful that God brought us out of Egypt, but we hesitate to step into the Promised Land. The biggest battle is often in our beliefs—rewiring the survival mindset and daring to trust God for more. Stewardship is faithfulness in the present, even when we don’t see the full picture.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

- Your YES to God holds every season – You can’t step outside His will unless you say no.

- The S.E.A.S.O.N. Framework helps us navigate seasons:

• S – Say YES to where God has you.
• E – Embrace the Assignment.
• A – Align Priorities.
• S – Steward Resources well.
• O – Own the Grace for now.
• N – Nurture what’s in front of you.

- Scriptures to Anchor You

• Philippians 1:6 – God will finish what He started.
• John 10:10 – Jesus gives life—abundant, overflowing life.
• Psalm 119:105 – God’s Word lights the path.

Your calling isn’t tied to a perfect set of circumstances—it’s tied to your obedience. Steward this season well, and trust that God is leading you exactly where you need to go.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

43. Showing Up When it's HARD

I know how challenging it can be to show up when life feels really hard. In this episode, I’m sharing what helps me stay present and intentional, even in the hard seasons. Even when life feels overwhelming, I lean on small daily rhythms, grounding truths, and celebrating small wins to keep moving forward. And above all, I hold onto the reminder that He is a light to my feet and a lamp to my path—I don’t have to see the whole road ahead, just the next step. If you’re in a hard season right now, I want to encourage you: just take the next step. Keep showing up. It matters. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• How to recognize what season you’re in and adjust your expectations
• The power of small daily rhythms and practices
• Redefining success and celebrating small wins in hard seasons
• Holding onto truth when life feels overwhelming

I hope this episode encourages you. You’re doing better than you think and the season you’re in will not last forever!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.