Olympian reveals what happens when the cheering stops?

In this powerful episode of Wake Up Your Soul, Andrea sits down with Carrie Bates (formerly Carrie Steinseifer), a three-time Gold Medalist swimmer from the 1984 Olympics. Carrie takes us on her raw and remarkable journey from the pinnacle of athletic glory to the depths of alcoholism and the fight to reclaim her life.

For years, Carrie was defined by her sport. But when the career ended, the identity crisis began. Carrie opens up about the dark side of elite athletics, the struggle with post-Olympic depression, and the heartbreaking rock bottom that led to losing legal rights to her children.

This isn't just a sports story—it's a story of survival.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Identity Trap: Navigating the mental health struggles athletes face after retirement.
• Rock Bottom: Carrie’s honest account of addiction, legal battles, and losing custody.
• The Road to Recovery: How she found lasting sobriety and built a life beyond the pool.
• Parenting & Pressure: The vital role of parental support in youth sports.
• Authenticity: Moving from "The Swimmer" to just "Carrie."

Whether you are an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating your own recovery journey, Carrie’s story proves that no matter how far you fall, you can always rise again.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer
00:49 Andrea's Story: Finding purpose through pain
01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul
01:36 Carrie Bates: What happens after the gold medal?
02:16 The "Identity Trap": Why athletes crumble when they retire
05:13 How to separate your self-worth from your performance
05:38 Parenting advice: Supporting young athletes without the pressure
13:12 The hidden dark side of fame and success
21:32 Mental health crisis: The crushing weight of expectation
23:38 Life beyond the medals: Who are you without the sport?
24:52 The isolation of being a public figure
25:31 How media narratives distort reality
26:12 The struggles nobody sees behind Olympic glory
27:42 The journey to sobriety begins
28:24 When celebration turns to coping: The onset of alcoholism
30:10 The harsh reality of life after the Olympics
31:23 How addiction destroys family dynamics and relationships
34:34 The turning point: Finding recovery and a new purpose
41:41 Rock Bottom: Losing custody and the darkest moments
47:35 Embracing self-discovery and finding your true self
50:12 Final thoughts: You can always rebuild

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In this insightful episode of Wake Up Your Soul, host Andrea Lynn sits down with Greer McGuinness, a practitioner specializing in autism and ADHD, to explore the powerful connection between pediatric gut health and neurodevelopment.

Greer shares her deeply personal journey, including her son’s regression into autism, and how that experience led her to uncover the critical role the microbiome plays in children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive health. Together, Andrea and Greer discuss how factors like antibiotics, environmental toxins, nutrition, clean water, and lifestyle habits can impact gut health and, in turn, influence symptoms associated with autism and ADHD.

This conversation offers a grounded, compassionate look at natural and holistic approaches to supporting children, empowering parents with knowledge while honoring the complexity of each child’s unique journey.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The gut–brain connection in autism and ADHD
• How antibiotics and early interventions can affect the microbiome
• Natural ways to support pediatric gut health
• The role of nutrition, clean water, and outdoor activity in child development
• How parents can take a proactive, informed approach to their child’s health

This episode is a valuable listen for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of holistic pediatric health and the foundations of lifelong well-being.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:49 Andrea's Near-Death Experience

01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul

01:36 Introducing Greer McGuinness

02:54 Greer's Journey into Autism and ADHD

11:08 Understanding the Pediatric Microbiome

14:50 C-Sections and Microbiome Development

17:21 Holistic Approaches and Personal Stories

21:37 Challenges with Strep and Immune System

22:38 Understanding PANDAS and Its Impact

23:18 Exploring PANS and Common Infections

26:09 Personal Experiences with Lyme Disease

27:25 Challenges in Diagnosing Chronic Lyme

31:26 The Importance of Support and Education

40:59 Wellness Tips for Children

43:23 Conclusion and Resources

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

In this uplifting episode of Wake Up Your Soul, host Andrea Lynn sits down with Caley Rose, a Billboard-charting singer-songwriter and successful voiceover artist whose work has been featured by major brands like Disney, Hershey’s, and McDonald’s.

Caley shares her inspiring journey from working at Starbucks to building a thriving voiceover career, and ultimately creating Confident Concerts, a mission-driven platform that uses music to help children build confidence, resilience, and self-belief. Drawing from her own experiences with bullying, Caley opens up about how those challenges shaped her purpose and fueled her desire to make a meaningful impact in young lives.

This conversation explores the powerful connection between music, confidence, and emotional development, while offering insight for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about helping children navigate self-esteem challenges in today’s world.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Building confidence after bullying
• Turning creative gifts into purpose-driven work
• Overcoming self-doubt and staying resilient
• Supporting children’s emotional growth
• The role parents play in shaping self-belief
• Using music as a tool for empowerment and healing

This episode is a reminder that confidence can be learned, purpose can evolve, and meaningful change often begins with sharing your story.

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

01:01 Andrea's Near-Death Experience

01:33 Welcome to Wake Up Your Soul

01:37 Meet Caley Rose: Voiceover Artist

02:06 Caley's Voiceover Journey

05:00 From Voiceover to Music

09:55 The Birth of Confident Concerts

13:15 Empowering Kids Through Music

17:06 The Power of Vulnerability in Songwriting

26:17 Understanding Children's Hidden Struggles

26:44 Modeling Self-Confidence for Kids

27:25 Dealing with Bullying in Schools

28:09 Personal Stories of Bullying

28:25 Challenges in School Systems

29:45 Handling Severe Bullying Incidents

33:35 Addressing Suicidal Thoughts and Prevention

35:56 The Importance of Internal Validation

41:59 Rewiring the Brain and Changing Thought Patterns

46:29 Practical Tips for Parents

50:26 Final Thoughts and Resources

Connect with Caley: https://www.confidentconcerts.com/

Support the show

Click and subscribe to my youtube channel where you can catch fun lives to uplift your mood and video versions of this podcast:

https://youtube.com/@wakeupyoursoulwithandrealynn?si=fGyeGrftRqTZNnjR

Follow me on Ig:

https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive?igsh=MTgzemQ2bnNwM2d4ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr