When it comes to your fitness and wellness journey, you aren’t in it alone. Follow our Well-being Coaches on the Holistic University Podcast for wellness information and real discussions to help you navigate your wellness and stay connected.

Learn more about Well-being Coaching for all URI students

Well-being Coaching offers one on one meetings with a certified Well-being Coach, who is trained to identify your strengths and support you with a goal or behavior change. Your coach will guide you holistically and support you through day to day struggles. Whether you are just starting out on your journey optimizing your well-being or are trying to maintain a behavior and would like more accountability, we are here for you!

Well-being Coaching

Fall 2022

Episode 37: Myth Busting – The Freshman 15 October 28, 2022 - Ilayna and Allison are back with another myth busting and debunking segment. In this episode, they discuss the connotations behind the dreaded myth of "the freshman 15". Hear their take on how to combat anxiety around food, exercise, etc. Content Warning ⚠️ this episode contains discussion on body image. Interested in becoming a well-being coach,… Continue »
Episode 36: Intramural Sports October 28, 2022 - Ever been interested in Intramural Sports? We are so excited to have guest speakers, Matt Wilson, Allie Coutu, and Mason Houle, all of whom are a part of URI Campus Recreation Intramural Sports, join Ilayna and Allison to dish on their favorite memories with Intramural Sports and share their advice on how and why you… Continue »
Episode 35: Myth Busting – Pilates, Lifting, or Hot Girl Walk October 28, 2022 - Ilayna and Allison are back this week with a new segment: myth busting. Your two hosts chat candidly about their experience with pilates and lifting as well as time being a "cardio bunny". The two even tackle the social media trend of "the hot girl walk" and what it really means to be a "hot… Continue »
Episode 33: Self Compassion and Jealousy in College October 28, 2022 - College can be a difficult time. Making new friends, being in a different environment, new classes and professors, etc.. All of this can lead to insecurities and the stress of trying to fit in. In this episode, Ilayna and Allison talk about how they have dealt with their inner critic and grown to have self… Continue »
Episode 32: 10 Things We Wish We Knew Before Entering College October 28, 2022 - Welcome back listeners! Tune in this week to hear what Ilayna and Allison to hear what they with they knew before entering college. With special guests Angela Nolan, Jake Payne, Teddy Hopkins and Emily DeStefano you'll learn about different perspectives of what they wished they knew before entering college and what tips they have for… Continue »

Spring 2022

Episode 31: Shaping up the Summer with Dr. Missimer May 10, 2022 - We finish the semester of Spring 22 by finishing up the FloURIsh acronym. The H in the flourish acronym means physical activity, health, and nutrition. Join us in talking with Dr. Missimer about why she loves the field of nutrition, what got her started, how we can stop the mindset of having to change… Continue »
Episode 30: Safety and Resources On and Off Campus March 30, 2022 - TW: Discussion of sexual assault, drugs, and other personal safety issues. As young college students, it is crucial to make your safety a priority and understand the resources and protection available to you. Ilayna and Allison are joined by a special guest, Alex O'Connor, a junior criminal justice major interning with the URI police department.… Continue »
Episode 29: Leila Cox March 7, 2022 - On this episode of the Holistic Podcast, Ilayna is joined by special guest, Leila Cox, a senior Communications and Journalism major here at URI. Leila is the Director of Communications for the Student Senate, a staff writer for the Good Five Cent Cigar, as well as one of the three founders of the Black… Continue »
Episode 28: Fact Check Your Content – NEDA Week February 23, 2022 - How often do you scroll past an article, image, or video claiming that this solution is a quick fix to your problems? Is it too good to be true? Is the information credible and reliable? Take a listen as our well-being coaches discuss what questions you should be asking yourself while scrolling through social media… Continue »
Episode 27: Getting Started With GroupEx With Angela Rossi February 4, 2022 - Group Ex is one of the many departments within URI Campus Rec and in this episode one of our well-being coaches interviews Angela Rossi from Group Ex to learn more about what are the benefits of Group Ex classes, the different types of classes we offer at URI, how to sign up and what is… Continue »
Episode 26: Welcome Back Rhody 2… January 27, 2022 - Welcome back URI! Happy New year and new semester. Tune in as our well-being coaches discuss how their holidays were, what they are doing over break to relax, and how they feel about the upcoming semester. Continuing with the FLOURISH acronym the coaches dive into the URI portion of the acronym and discuss ways… Continue »

Fall 2021

Episode 25: Savoring Positive Emotions During Finals December 8, 2021 - As finals season quickly approaches, it is important to keep a positive mindset admit all the stress. This week, Ilayna and Allison give some tips on focusing on the good, rather than letting yourself get overwhelmed! Interested in becoming a well-being coach, or co-podcast host? Let us know wellcoach@etal.uri.edu Continue »
Episode 24: Thriving or Surviving – How Are You Feeling? November 17, 2021 - Feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Or are you totally in control this semester? Either way, it is good to check in with yourself and take time to unwind. In this episode, Ilayna and Allison discuss how to relax and put your mental health first, despite all that you may be doing in your busy schedule. … Continue »
Episode 23: Fulfillment and Purpose October 27, 2021 - For the next few episodes, we want to help increase your well-being by taking a different approach! Future episodes are now going to cover the acronym floURIsh and what it really means to flourish at URI. This episode is going to discuss the F component of Finding purpose within yourself and finding love within yourself.… Continue »
Episode 22: New Semester, New Co-Host October 5, 2021 - Welcome Back URI! We can't wait to get into this year with all the new things that are happening and being back in person! Speaking of new... we have a brand new co-host this semester and couldn't be more excited! Listen to the full episode to find out what is going on at URI and… Continue »

Listen to ALL holistic University Episodes

Spring 2021

Episode 21: Sydney’s Send-Off May 5, 2021 - Say goodbye to our wellbeing coach Sydney as she reflects on her time working with Campus Rec. In this episode, we touch on plans for the podcast and well-being coaching for summer, what we have both gained from Campus Rec and what makes our jobs so special. Interested in becoming a well-being coach, or co-podcast… Continue »
Episode 20- Dig into Dining Services with Chef Aaron April 20, 2021 - Today we met with chef manager Aaron Fitzsenry from URI dining services. He tells us what dining services have planned for next school year, what are the crash culinary videos, and where dining services obtain their ingredients. Come by Butterfield or Mainfare and tune into what dining services do to support their students! Interested in… Continue »
Episode 19: Accepting the Burnout April 9, 2021 - Are you feeling the burn? Burnout is very common to feel mid-semester with everything going on, plus the added stress of having no spring break! We vent about how it has been for many of us, and remind everyone to take time for themselves. Get outside, vent to a friend, and make time for YOU.… Continue »
Episode 18: Find Your Path with Erica from CCEE April 2, 2021 - Today we met Erica Cassidy from the URI CCEE (Center for Career and Experiential Education). She tells us how the CCE supports students and what students can do if they are having trouble figuring out what they want to major in and/ or what career opportunities they would like to pursue. Sign-up today for a… Continue »
Episode 17: Relationships with Food: Our Story March 22, 2021 - TW (trigger warning): ED and weight loss discussion. Ilayna and Sydney open up about their struggles with food and their bodies and how they got to where they are today. We hope sharing our stories will give hope to others and make connections for those who have struggled with the same thing. Interested in becoming… Continue »
Episode 16: Focusing on Fitness with our Personal Trainer Nick March 18, 2021 - Nick believes “Everyone's an athlete” and in the importance of staying active no matter what your skill level is. We debunk some myths about training and go over some best practices. Stay tuned to hear more about Nick as a trainer and an Olympic WeightLifter. Interested in becoming a well-being coach, or co-podcast host? Let… Continue »
Episode 15: Boat-Life with Dr. Kate March 10, 2021 - Dr. Kate is a Statistical Psychology Professor at URI who does amazing research work. She specializes in women’s fertility research, and she is currently studying how COVID-19 is affecting college student’s education. We also talked about behavior change and what makes it so hard to make changes, even when we know they are for the… Continue »
Episode 14: Emotional Eating: What Else is In Your Tool Kit? March 5, 2021 - We want to normalize emotional eating. Emotional eating is OK. It happens we all do it. Who doesn’t like to snuggle up on the couch with your fav comfort food? Emotional eating might feel like a problem to you if you are doing it all the time or you don’t have any other strategy for… Continue »
Episode 13: NEDA Week with Allison Hall February 19, 2021 - Wow-what a conversation! Allison Hall is a clinical counselor at URI and has extensive knowledge and experience with eating disorders. National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week is happening this week at URI, which coincides with Inside Out Week. Allison tells us about some great activities and events that will be going on virtually this year.… Continue »
Episode 12: Vitamins, Minerals, and Winter Energy February 11, 2021 - Boost your immune system this winter by eating foods that support your wellness! We talk a little bit about incorporating these foods into your life during the cold months, and we have a few non-conventional ways to boost your mood. Interested in becoming a well-being coach, or co-podcast host? Let us know wellcoach@etal.uri.edu … Continue »
Episode 11: Getting Chatty with Courtney Mackey February 2, 2021 - We are thrilled to have our boss Courtney Mackey on today’s episode. We talk about how she got into her role as Coordinator of Fitness Health and Well-being . She shares her joy for yoga and intuitive movement and shares some of her self-care practices with us and what it means to her. We also… Continue »
Episode 10.5: Bonus Episode: Student Move-In Quarantine and Winter Wellness Week January 19, 2021 - Bonus Episode: In this short and sweet episode learn all about Winter Wellness Week which coincides with the spring semester student move-in day. We have a few ideas to beat the boredom and quarantine blues upon moving back. Continue »

Fall 2020

Episode 10: Want to Know More About Coaching? January 12, 2021 - What is well-being coaching? How do I sign up? What can you help me with? We go over all details about what we do as well-being coaches! We will be here all spring semester to assist you and meet with you, but if you have some extra time over winter break, why not start now?… Continue »
Episode 9: Holidays and Resolutions December 22, 2020 - Happy Holidays! We talk about our holiday plans and how much we love this time of year. Making memories with family and friends is at the center of our holidays. We also talk about New Year’s resolutions and setting realistic attainable goals. It doesn’t have to be a “new year, new you” you can make… Continue »
Episode 8: Toxic Positivity and Toxic Negativity, It’s All in the Ears! December 22, 2020 - Do you respond with toxic positivity? Do you feel that others respond to you in this way? Do you know people who are toxic-ly negative? In this episode, we talk about how being a good listener is far more beneficial than giving unsolicited opinions/advice. We also talk about how responding in an empathetic way ties… Continue »
Episode 7: Coffee with Kelly Kidd, URI’s Registered Dietitian December 7, 2020 - We are thrilled to have our first guest on the podcast! Kelly Kidd, the Registered Dietitian at URI meets with us to discuss her life and some of the highlights of her career. Kelly has extensive experience including being the Dietitian at the United States Military Academy West Point. She talks about how her role… Continue »
Episode 6: Finding Joy in the Little Things November 23, 2020 - It is almost Thanksgiving, the holiday season right around the corner. We are reflecting on things we are grateful for and how to find joy in the little things. We talk about vision boards and gratitude journaling to get yourself in a more positive mindset. Continue »
Episode 5: Morning and Night Routines November 12, 2020 - In this episode, we talk about finding stability throughout our days in these uncertain times. Creating a solid morning and night routine is a great way to ground yourself at the beginning and end of each day. We also talk about the importance of sleep, and why you need it. Listen to hear what we… Continue »
Episode 4: Nourishing Your Body for You! November 12, 2020 - Nourish your body for YOU and only you. In this episode, we talk about why it is important to listen to your body. You are your own best expert. We open up about our own personal struggles with listening and trusting our bodies and how other’s opinions can be harmful. Also, we go through how… Continue »
Introduction of your Holistic University Podcast speakers October 16, 2020 - Bio's of your Holistic University Speakers: Sydney: Hi I am Sydney! As a well-being coach I hope to bring new ideas about what it means to practice self-care and I hope to polarize the messages we see everyday in the media. I love learning more about myself so that I can grow in the direction… Continue »
Episode 3: Flip the Script on People Pleasing October 16, 2020 - An information-packed episode on people-pleasing and how to say NO. Making yourself a priority when you are feeling overwhelmed with requests from your boss, co-workers, friends, and family. We also talk about another form of people-pleasing -- conforming and changing yourself to make others happy. We wrap up with how to set boundaries and more… Continue »
Episode 2: Body Positivity and The Media October 16, 2020 - In week two we get into the buzz buzz topic of body positivity. We tell you what it means to us, and how it relates to our goals and motivations. We shed light on diet culture, how to reject it, and how to recognize it through the media. We also talk about how positive self-talk… Continue »
Episode 1: Our COVID Experience October 16, 2020 - In our first full episode, we talk about what has been going on in each of our lives. We talk about our personal experiences with COVID, the bad, the good, and somewhere in between. We also touch on some tips we have been using to get through these tough times and the ways it affects… Continue »