I’m incredibly excited to introduce the first guest of our newly rebranded Nourished CEO Podcast, my friend and powerhouse entrepreneur, Kelly Ruta.

This episode is a raw, honest, and inspiring look at what happens when life and health force even the most driven business owners to hit pause.

Kelly shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with long Covid, navigating relentless health challenges, and ultimately making the brave decision to take a sabbatical from her business—a decision she describes as both “kicking and screaming” and profoundly necessary.

We unpack the internal struggle between ambition and wellbeing, how to set radical boundaries, and why “slowing down is not giving up.” Whether you’ve ever wondered "how do I step back without losing everything?" or you’re seeking a grounded conversation about redefining success as a female CEO, this is a must-listen.

[02:00] – Kelly’s journey through long Covid and her decision to take a sabbatical
[06:00] – How chronic illness forced Kelly to stop ignoring red flags and face her limits
[09:00] – The messy logistics of taking a sabbatical: finances, team, and boundaries
[14:00] – Defining your sabbatical: creating space for reflection and healing
[20:00] – The hidden dangers of hyper-independence and burnout
[27:00] – Breaking the patriarchal mold of business leadership for women
[35:00] – Why women must rethink their definitions of success
[42:00] – Kelly’s vision for discovering “the third way” after her sabbatical
[46:00] – How to stay connected with Kelly and follow her journey

“I’m a very high energy person. I love to work. So taking this break was the hardest decision I’ve made.”

“This was not a fun choice. This was not an easy choice.”

“For some, a sabbatical is traveling Europe. For me, it’s rest, reflection, and healing.”

“I’ve trained people to treat me as strong all the time. That’s not healthy.”

“The systems we’ve been taught were built for men with wives at home. They weren’t built for us.”

“The only helpful comparison is who I am today vs. who I was a year ago.”

“Slowing down felt like giving up... but really, it’s an admission of vulnerability, and they are not the same.”

“I’m not going back to who I was being or what I was doing. There has to be a third way.”

• Connect with Kelly Ruta on Instagram: @kellysruta

• Stay tuned for Kelly’s new website relaunch in September 2025!

I am so grateful to Kelly for choosing The Nourished CEO Podcast as her final interview before fully stepping into her well-deserved sabbatical.

This conversation is for every ambitious woman who has ever wrestled with the tension between chasing big goals and protecting her health, energy, and joy.

As Kelly so beautifully said:

“Slowing down felt like giving up... but really, it’s an admission of vulnerability, and they are not the same.”

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, follow, share, and review The Nourished CEO Podcast.

Your support allows us to keep bringing these important, behind-the-scenes conversations to light.

Today I’m pulling back the curtain on something that’s changing the game faster than anything I’ve seen in my 12+ years online: artificial intelligence.

In this solo episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’m embracing AI in my business, not running from it. From the wild rise of AI tools like ChatGPT to the opportunities (and challenges!) they bring for coaches, consultants, and online service providers like you and me, I talk through how I’ve strategically decided to adapt and thrive.

I’ll also give you a behind-the-scenes look at the three major shifts I’m making—from using AI to multiply my content reach and client support, to elevating my ideal client avatar, to fully leaning into my personal brand like never before.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or unsure about where AI fits in your business, this episode will inspire you to see AI not as a threat—but as a tool to help you work smarter, serve better, and step boldly into your role as a thought leader.

[00:00] – Kicking off with the explosion of AI in the online space and why it’s not just a passing trend

[03:58] – Why I chose to adapt early to AI to stay competitive with less time and energy

[05:47] – The #1 way we use AI in my business: expanding my thought leadership without replacing my unique voice

[08:53] – How we’re building custom AI tools to provide faster, scalable client support (and why it’s been a game-changer!)

[14:01] – Why I’m refining my messaging and elevating my ideal client avatar to future-proof my offers

[21:55] – How AI is impacting entry-level coaching programs—and why I’m shifting my focus to mentorship and advanced clients

[24:53] – The power of going all-in on my personal brand and creating The Nourished CEO as a movement, not just a program

[32:02] – A direct message to business owners: why adapting to AI is non-negotiable for future success

“AI is not going anywhere. They’re not going to put that toothpaste back in the tube.”

“At the end of the day, AI is not ever going to replace humans. It’s going to make us all more efficient.”

“If your paid offer can easily be replaced by an AI chatbot, you’re going to struggle.”

“I want to be the face of a movement, not just a coach or program creator.”

“My energy and my voice and my experience—that is the product. AI can never replicate that.”

“The coaches and practitioners who adapt early, stay human-first, and lead with experience will be the ones who thrive.”

“Honestly, if you’re not using AI to streamline your operations or client support, you’re behind.”

• Learn more about The Nourished Business Accelerator

• Follow me on Instagram: @lauraschoenfeldrd

AI isn’t going anywhere, and the online business landscape is shifting fast.

But the good news? You can adapt and thrive—by staying human-first and showing up as the leader and face of your business.

If you loved this peek behind-the-scenes, be sure to rate, review, follow, and share The Nourished CEO Podcast to help other entrepreneurs get the guidance they need in this AI-powered new world. See you next week!

Today, I’m diving into a topic that might ruffle a few feathers, but it’s one I believe every woman entrepreneur, especially those in health and wellness, needs to hear.

If you're a coach, consultant, or practitioner who's been conditioned to undervalue your expertise or struggle with money mindset, this episode is your wake-up call.

I'm sharing my personal journey as a mom, business owner, and former dietitian and explaining why charging premium prices isn’t just okay... it’s necessary.

We’ll explore how motherhood, time constraints, and industry expectations intersect to create burnout, and why women must lead the change in valuing their time and talent.

This episode is both a reality check and a rallying cry to raise your prices, own your worth, and reclaim your freedom. 🔥

If you’re tired of sacrificing your energy, finances, or time with your kids to serve clients who undervalue your services, I promise you there’s a better way.

Tune in and get inspired to make bold, empowered decisions that honor you and your impact.

[1:10] - Why this topic might be controversial but essential for impact-driven women.

[2:41] - What it really means to be the sole breadwinner with limited time and energy.

[4:10] - The real cost of your expertise: education, internships, and hard-won experience.

[7:42] - Unpacking the false choice between helping people and making good money.

[10:26] - The societal and industry beliefs that keep female experts underpaid.

[12:15] - The trap of corporate wellness jobs: convenient but undercompensated.

[14:08] - Why high-ticket pricing is not greedy—it’s essential for sustainability.

[17:28] - How charging premium raises the standard for your clients and your industry.

[20:15] - Moms, your time is even more valuable now. Here’s why that matters.

[24:45] - Final reflection: are your prices based on value or fear?

• “Premium pricing is not just about the income you’re making. It’s about reshaping what’s normal for female experts.”

• “Motherhood expands your wisdom, your intuition, your value… and that’s why moms should be charging the most.”

• “You didn’t start your business to work 40 hours a week and barely scrape by. You started it for freedom.”

• “When you undervalue yourself, you attract clients who undervalue your work too.”

• “Wealth and wellness are not opposites. Wealth is a tool, and women, especially moms, deserve to live well too.”

• “If you’re bleeding yourself dry serving 30 to 40 clients a week just to afford childcare, something has to change.”

• “The system is built to keep women and female health experts undervalued. And it only changes when we decide to change it.”

• Follow me on Instagram @lauraschoenfeldrd

• Want my eyes on your business? Check out my coaching programs.
  
  

Loved this episode? Let me know what resonated with you—DM me on Instagram @lauraschoenfeldrd and share your takeaways.

If this fired you up, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

And if you’re feeling generous, I’d be so grateful if you left a 5-star rating and review.

It helps other women entrepreneurs find this podcast and join the movement to build wealth without burnout.

Until next time, keep showing up, charging what you’re worth, and stepping fully into your power as a Nourished CEO.