Small Habits, Strong Boundaries & Becoming the Author of Your Life with Amanda Younts

What if improving your health didn’t require another complicated program, perfect routine, or dramatic life overhaul?

In this episode of the Wise Divine Women Podcast, Dana Irvine welcomes Amanda Younts, educator, wellness advocate, writer, and host of the Midlife Catalyst podcast, for an honest conversation about creating meaningful change through simple daily habits, stronger boundaries, self-awareness, and personal responsibility.

Amanda shares how more than 22 years in public education and leadership taught her an important lesson: we cannot effectively lead and care for others when we continually neglect ourselves.

Her own wellness journey became deeply personal after struggling with alcohol addiction for more than 25 years and later watching both of her parents pass away from cancer. In her early 40s, Amanda began looking closely at her own mortality, habits, health, and priorities. One major change—removing alcohol from her life—became the catalyst for improvements in her weight, sleep, skin, energy, and overall well-being.

But Amanda emphasizes that sustainable transformation isn’t about finding a quick fix. It’s about behavior change.

Dana and Amanda explore the power of habit stacking—looking at what you already do each day and finding realistic ways to weave movement, breathing, rest, reflection, and self-care into your existing routine.

From keeping resistance bands under the desk to taking “exercise snacks” throughout the day, setting reminders to breathe, clearing the nightstand before bed, or simply going outside for fresh air, small choices can become powerful health practices.

Amanda also shares her love of journaling, weekly life audits, paper planners, gratitude practices, and celebrating small wins rather than constantly focusing on what hasn’t been accomplished.

Amanda’s Words of Wisdom

“AI can do a lot, but it cannot write your story. You need to be the author of your own narrative—and don’t leave it up to someone else.”

Technology can support us, but it cannot replace our lived experiences, our heart, our truth, or the wisdom gained through walking our own path.

Connect with Amanda Younts

Podcast: Midlife Catalyst — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Substack

Substack: amandayonce.substack.com

Website: midlifecatalyst.net

Amanda shares weekly writing, podcast episodes, journal prompts, thought-provoking questions, and resources to help women examine their habits, priorities, and next chapter.

Connect with Dana

If you’re ready to better understand what your body may be asking for in this season of life, visit DanaIrvine.com and book a Health Clarity Call.

The Wise Divine Women Podcast is here to help women move from fed up to faith fueled and become the wise, divine women they have been called to be.

Amanda Younts, midlife wellness, habit stacking, behavior change, women’s health, self-care, boundaries, people pleasing, burnout, caregiving, sandwich generation, healthy habits, exercise snacks, journaling, leadership, alcohol recovery, personal growth, wellness routines, stress management, Midlife Catalyst, women over 40