The Karen Kenney Show

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show podcast, I’m thrilled to welcome my wonderful friend Tess Masters - some of you might know her as The Blender Girl. Yay!

Tess brings such incredible honesty, joy, and wisdom to the table as we chat about what it really means to find your way with confidence, creativity, and a whole lot of heart.

Right from the start of our conversation, you’ll feel like you’re sitting with two old friends as we share laughs, real-life stories, and the big lessons we learned along the way.

Tess and I dive deep into the messy middle of overcoming that pesky self-doubt and why true confidence isn’t about having it all together.

We revisit some pivotal moments in Tess's journey - both the triumphs and the tough stuff -that helped her find her voice and turn her fear into fuel for growth.

As Tess says, “Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's acting in the presence of fear, and we build a different relationship with it.” 🙌

So, if you’ve ever wondered if you’re the only one who struggles sometimes, this episode is your reminder that you’re absolutely not alone!

We also get into Tess’s inspiring path to wellness, from her own health transformations to why she created Skinny60® and the 60-Day Reset.

Tess shares her flexible, fun, and no-one-size-fits-all approach to nourishing yourself in a way that actually works!

Her philosophy is filled with compassion and smarty-pants know-how, and it just might leave you feeling empowered and ready to try something new for yourself.

If you’re ready for a little spark of inspiration, a good laugh, and some practical ideas to make healthy living doable (and even enjoyable!), this conversation is for you!

Tune in and join us as we remind each other that progress, not perfection, is where the magic happens - one next, honest choice at a time! ❤️

MY TOP 10 FAVORITE QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:

1. On Courage + Fear:

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s acting in the presence of fear, and we build a different relationship with it. I am constantly in pursuit of refining my relationship with fear or self-doubt, and I certainly experience it on a daily basis.” – Tess Masters [0:09:15]

2. On Imposter Syndrome (and Being Human):

“If you’re thinking, ‘Gosh, she’s balls to the wall, she thinks she can do anything’… I’m often in a fetal position. I’m often meditating. I’m often going, ‘I’m a fraud, no one’s going to want to hear that from me.’ And then I pull out my bag of tools and I work through it, just like we all do.” – Tess Masters [0:09:40]

3. On a Pivotal Missed Opportunity:

“It was a very, very pivotal moment in my life, because it was an example of me choosing to be crippled by fear and running with the narrative of ‘I’m not enough,’ that I somehow have to be different to meet the moment.” – Tess Masters [0:11:32]

4. On Regret + Taking the Shot:

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. I may not have gotten that role in that film, but now I’ll never know. I would rather regret what I did as opposed to what I didn’t do. So, I did things very differently after that.” – Tess Masters [0:12:35]

5. On Health, Dogma, and Flexibility:

“Health is not about dogma. It’s not about rigidity. The keys to health and happiness are about flexibility. You can be committed to your choices but flexible with your approach.” – Tess Masters [0:28:29]

6. On Finding Your Own "Perfect Blend":

“We blend different notes and flavors, philosophies, cultures, experiences, lessons, hobbies, relationships, to find our perfect blend for health and happiness - and that perfect blend changes. We’re not chasing static goals.” – Tess Masters [0:38:14]

7. On what Skinny60 + The 60-Day Reset really is: 

“We’re wanting to really re-educate people on our relationship to ‘skinny’ and weight. We’re looking at your blood sugar, your sleep and energy, your bowel movements, inflammation markers, blood pressure, cholesterol, your mood, your hormones… Weight is only one measure of health, and I would argue the least reliable indicator.” – Tess Masters [1:00:53]

8. On who the 60-Day Reset is for (and what’s possible in 60 days):

“It’s people that just want to feel better… low energy, hormones all over the place, digestive issues, pre-diabetic or diabetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol -or- people who say, ‘I don’t really have any health issues, but I don’t want to get any.’ People are able to regulate their numbers in 60 days.” – Tess Masters [1:09:43] 

9. On Why Most Women Are Stuck:

“Most women in particular are under-nourishing themselves. They’re actually not eating enough, and that gets in the way of better thyroid function and better metabolic function. You can’t maintain a healthy weight or lose weight when you’re not optimizing your body function.” – Tess Masters [1:17:41]

10. On Perfection, Progress, and Choice:

“In our community the mantra is good, better or best—not perfect. We’re not aiming for perfection; we’re just aiming to make the next choice. Every choice serves us. So just make a choice and then look at what you’re going to learn from it—and have fun.” – Tess Masters [1:25:16]

TESS MASTERS BIO:

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show podcast, I’m talking all about using December as a chance to take your habits for a “test drive” before the new year kicks in.

I share why December, even with all its holiday buzz and end-of-year busy, is actually the perfect time to slow down a bit, get quiet, and start making plans for who you want to be in the year ahead - without any of the ol' stressful, ego-driven pressure.

We all know what happens in what I like to call, “Jazzed-Up January”! 😆

Everyone’s fired up, the gyms are packed, resolutions are flying, and then… by February, it’s kinda' crickets, riiiiiight?

The problem isn’t your willpower; it’s that we’re trying to stack on big changes without first building them up in a real, honest way.

That’s why I suggest we use December as a kind of “practice run” for the habits and changes we actually want to keep doing once January rolls in.

It’s not just about working out though; maybe your thing is writing, music, gratitude, or anything else you want to make part of your daily life.

December gets to be your gentle test lab… a chance to notice where you get in your own way and work out the kinks without beating yourself up.

So, if something’s tugging at you for the new year - whether it’s getting healthier, being more creative, or simply being kinder to yourself - pick one habit and let’s start that sucker now!

Notice what trips you up, keep it real with yourself, and have a little compassion for when you “fall out of the pose”.

Remember, this is about laying the groundwork and building some momentum so we can glide into January already ahead of the game, feeling grounded, and ready to roll. ❤️

BIO:

Gratitude Isn’t Just for Thanksgiving: The Four A’s That Change Everything

On today’s episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m breaking down my simple (but life-changing) Four A’s of Gratitude: Awareness, Acknowledgement, Appreciation, and Action.

Tune in for some down-to-earth stories, a sweet gratitude meditation you can sit back and enjoy, and a whole lotta’ love from my heart to yours.

Gratitude isn’t just a holiday vibe - it’s a daily practice that can shift your whole outlook! ❤️

KK BIO:

Spiritual Mentor and writer Karen Kenney uses dynamic storytelling and humor to bring a down-to-earth, no-BS perspective to spirituality and self-development.

Bringing together tools that coach both the conscious and unconscious mind, Karen also helps clients deepen their personal connection to Self and Source, in relatable, practical, and actionable ways, so they can discover their unique understanding of spirituality.

Her practice combines neuroscience, subconscious reprogramming, Integrative Hypnosis, somatic work, Spiritual Mentoring, and other holistic modalities to help regulate the nervous system, rewrite old stories, remove blocks, and reimagine what’s possible.

A passionate yoga teacher for 25+ years, a longtime student of A Course in Miracles, and a Gateless Writing instructor, Karen is also a frequent speaker, podcast guest, and retreat leader. She coaches both individuals and groups via her programs The Quest and The Nest.

With The Karen Kenney Podcast, she encourages listeners to shift from a thought system of fear - to one of love, compassion, and personal responsibility.

CONNECT WITH KAREN:

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I dive into the idea of “adjusting your sails”- a message that came to me one morning and has been bopping around in my mind ever since.

Sometimes, life throws us winds that we can’t control, but we always get to choose how we respond.

So, I talk about taking a pause and tuning in, and getting wicked intentional about the direction we're heading… especially as this year wraps up.

I invite us to look at different areas of our lives - whether it’s physical health, relationships, finances, or creativity - and asking ourselves: are my current choices pointing me in the direction I really want to go?

We discuss the little habits that can trip us up (like staying up too late or scrolling on your phone) and the importance of taking a “fearless moral inventory” of what’s really working, and what isn’t. 🫣

There’s also some truth-telling about the baggage we carry… the old stories, beliefs, and resentments that weigh us down and keep us stuck on shore, and definitely not catching the wind.

I share inspiration from my own spiritual teachers, reminding us that the “Winds of Grace” are always blowing…

But we need to patch up our sails, let go of what no longer serves us, and then raise those suckers if we want to move forward!

If you’re ready to stop waiting around for the “right time” and want to start making more thoughtful, aligned choices and changes now…

Then this episode is your little nudge from the universe (and me!) to take some action. 

So, go grab some paper, and find a cozy spot, to create some space to both honestly reflect, and to dream.

Thanks so much for tuning in to the show and remember - the power to adjust your sails is always in your own hands. ❤️

BIO:

On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I’m diving into something near and dear to my heart - World Kindness Day!

Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or you’re a brand new listener, I’m super excited to have you here as we discuss the power of spreading a little more love in the world.

I talk about the everyday ways we can all show kindness, from picking up trash in your neighborhood, to getting inspired by amazing role models like Mister Rogers and Bob Ross – who are members of my Spiritual Team and my personal heroes in kindness and compassion!

I share a sweet story about meeting a neighbor named Jessie and how she reminded me of the importance of not just “finding a kindness”, but “doing a kindness” and making it a part of our daily lives.

We also reminisce about “The Kindness Boomerang” video, which shows how one small, good deed can ripple out and inspire kindness in others.

It’s all about those moments and movements that remind us that we’re all connected and that every little action counts.

I also invite you to join me in the 31 Days of Kindness campaign I learned about – which is a free, easy, no-strings-attached way to spread some positivity.

Each day, you’ll get a little inspiration in your inbox along with a simple act of kindness to try – but only if it speaks to your heart.

It’s not about being perfect or keeping score, it’s about enjoying the chance to do a little more good -and- feel a whole lot better because of it!

Finally, I sprinkle in some cool science showing how kindness truly makes us healthier and happier – by boosting our mood, improving our well-being, and even helping us be kinder to ourselves. 

So, if you want to join in or just take away a little nugget of inspiration, I hope this episode encourages you to be the reason someone smiles today (including yourself).

Let’s keep on lifting each other up and spreading the love - because the world could always use more kindness! ❤️

KK’S KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• On this episode of The Karen Kenney Show, I celebrate World Kindness Day and the amazing impact of small acts of love.

• I share a heartwarming story about meeting a neighbor while cleaning up my street, and how our daily kindness can inspire others.