Maureen (00:01.442)
So hey, today we are joined by Pam Adams, a board certified nutritionist and personal trainer with over 20 years of experience empowering midlife women. Specializing in perimenopause, Pam creates personalized nutrition and fitness plans that help women over 40 redefine their relationship with food and fitness. So if you're feeling unsure or caught off guard by the changes of midlife, this is the episode you'll definitely want to tune into.
Pam's expertise and genuine care will give you the tools and confidence you need to navigate perimenopause and take control of your health, which is what we all want, right? So without further ado, let me introduce Pam. hello. I am so excited to have you here. So I have to share our history because I realized I've known you for about 20 years because I am
Pam Adams (00:38.755)
Yes.
Pam Adams (00:42.934)
Hello, hello, hello, hello.
Pam Adams (00:49.954)
Okay, that's fine.
Pam Adams (00:55.95)
Has it been 20?
Maureen (00:56.962)
Well, yeah, because I did a figure competition when I was, started training for it with your husband, Ron, when I was, I think 39, 38 or 39. And I did my last competition when I was just turning 40. So, and now I'm, you know, do the math, I'm 58. So yeah, we have known each other for that long.
Pam Adams (01:05.24)
Yes, yes.
Pam Adams (01:20.774)
my gosh, it's so how time flies. It was just like yesterday. I really enjoyed that time for sure. Yeah.
Maureen (01:23.658)
I know.
I did too. Well, I have to say so Pam and Ron have the patience of saints because it was like from the movie Miss Congeniality where they're trying to turn Sandra Bullock's character who's like this, you know, rough and tumble cop into a graceful fitness pageant person. I was like the most ungraceful person and Pam was tasked with teaching me how to walk in high heels and a bikini that's glued on you basically and to smile and
Pam Adams (01:54.39)
Hahaha.
Maureen (01:56.206)
and look like, you know, it's not full of effort, but I will tell you, she did a great job. And I actually did, you know, I walked down that stage and looked decent and had a great time. But that was really how we started working together so long ago was when her husband convinced me to do a figure competition.
Pam Adams (02:15.566)
you convinced you. Well, you looked fabulous, by the way. You did such an amazing job. So yeah, very, very good.
Maureen (02:21.932)
Thank you. Well, Pam is actually a former pro fitness competitor. So I was just, you know, dallying in the, you know, just trying it out. But Pam actually went pro. So I'd love for you to, you know, tell people a little bit about that and also your history because she was also in the music industry, which I forgot about until you sent me your bio. Yeah. And so kind of weave into that. You were in the music industry and you also did talk about back then you were drinking kind of socially.
Pam Adams (02:41.859)
Mm
Maureen (02:51.168)
and in the music industry and as you transition in the fitness industry, you started to reevaluate that and eventually made some changes. So I'd love to have you take it away and talk about yourself.
Pam Adams (03:03.246)
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I had a later start with getting into the music industry. started in my late 20s. And I moved to New York and I was in the music business. And when people hear music business, were you singing? No, no, no. I was in marketing and promotions and artist management at the time. Loved what I did. And it was up to almost 10 years of doing that. But what was coming into play with that is that the amount of stress.
Maureen (03:19.308)
Right.
Pam Adams (03:32.416)
I was going through at the time and also struggling with like panic attacks and also low mood. I was going I was just going through it. But my body was telling me signs that there were issues coming with that. my escape at a certain point of trying to deal with it was, you know, with the music industry, with entertainment, you know, social events, drinking, you know, at first it was like, hey, I'll just have a drink after dinner, you know, all those things.
Maureen (03:38.252)
Hmm.
Maureen (03:43.105)
Right.
Maureen (04:00.268)
right.
Pam Adams (04:00.824)
But then that became my, my God, I'm so stressed out. Let me just have something to drink. So that's how it first started, but I could see I wasn't feeling well, but I wasn't really listening to my body at the time, really what was happening. Fast forward, I was getting very exhausted by the whole situation and how my body was responding. And I just wanted to make a change in my life. So I quit. I don't recommend that with anybody, but I did. just quit. And then I changed my whole career and decided to go into the fitness industry.
Maureen (04:07.436)
Sure.
Maureen (04:22.55)
Hmm.
Pam Adams (04:30.584)
I wanted to find another way to find how I could take care of myself and have a better relationship with understanding how to heal myself. So once I started learning a little bit more about the fitness industry and how it works, especially with nutrition, started where I started to compete in the beginning as I became a personal trainer. And that's my first experience. And one of the eye -opening things was nutrition and fitness and how it
Maureen (04:40.567)
Yes.
Pam Adams (04:59.448)
really transformed how I felt. And with that experience just in general, it just came down to the point of, hmm, you know, I think I want to go pro. So but I noticed that during the time where I was getting ready for these shows, I wasn't drinking at that time, because nutrition was more important. At that point, it was the focus of how my body was going to transform and and do the things that you had to do as a competitor. And yeah, so I got a chance to really see how nutrition, fitness and how my relationship with alcohol.
Maureen (05:02.476)
Yes.
Maureen (05:14.85)
Mm
Maureen (05:26.38)
Mm
Pam Adams (05:29.956)
played a role also in how I was feeling.
Maureen (05:33.196)
Yeah, so that's I think something a lot of people don't know and I certainly didn't know when I signed up to do these contests was you don't drink alcohol. mean, bodybuilders, figure, fitness, bikini competitors, they do know this secret that alcohol affects you negatively as far as you know, body composition and how you feel and muscle protein synthesis, building muscle. So they really did know this way back when. So when I remember when your husband said, so you know you
Pam Adams (05:41.698)
you
Pam Adams (05:52.83)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (06:02.786)
can't drink when you're going to do this contest. And I don't think I even shared this with either one of you, but back then I was drinking more than I wanted to. And I actually found that as a relief. Like this is, I could tell people, Hey, I can't drink because I'm doing this contest. And I found that to be a relief because I had an excuse.
Pam Adams (06:18.214)
Mmm, mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (06:24.258)
Wow, I didn't know that. Yeah, yeah, okay, okay, I did not know that.
Maureen (06:25.536)
Mm -hmm. Yeah.
Maureen (06:30.348)
So people couldn't pressure me because like I'm going to do this contest and get up on stage in this itty bitty bikini and I want to give it my all. But I think the difference is if what I hear you saying is you in that time when you were training and eating and not drinking, you really took note of it and you really started to make some changes because you were feeling so much better.
Pam Adams (06:54.858)
Yeah, I started feeling so, so much better. you know, when I started, you when I had the breaks in between the competitions, I would just have like a glass or two. But my relationships are changing with that alcohol because now it wasn't about escape or not dealing with the anxiety or
Maureen (07:02.775)
Mm
Pam Adams (07:11.308)
you know, the worry, the stress, all those things where I used to use it for. And then eventually it changed and it made such a difference. I remember the day that I, it wasn't like this one moment I had a light bulb go off and like, you're never going to drink again. It's fine. You know, it wasn't one of those was after I had my son, I had been on bed rest for five months. You know, like again, that experience of time where, you know, those stressors were there for me. And then,
Maureen (07:15.66)
Right.
Maureen (07:25.697)
Right.
Pam Adams (07:36.77)
then just before, after I started competing again, right after he was born, not right after, that sounded crazy, about a year after. It's just really nice that that, that's interesting. Yeah, but I just remember the experience. It was just that moment. I was about to get something to drink and then I took a sip and I was like, nah, it doesn't feel good. I'm good, I don't need it. And then it just gradually just happened. So yeah, it just took time, but it just, it was about.
Maureen (07:45.756)
Yeah, that's good time. Yeah.
Maureen (08:03.008)
Yeah, it does take time. listening, the whole reason you changed and left the music industry was you were listening to your body. You got into fitness and nutrition and you really were listening along the way. I was ignoring it along the way. And so unfortunately, after the contest, I went back to that lifestyle of drinking for a while until the anxiety and stress and depression really got to me and I started to put it together like, okay, wait a minute, after a big drinking weekend, I am really down in the dumps and really anxious and...
And when I started to look up the biochemical results of drinking, I realized that's what was happening to me.
Pam Adams (08:33.293)
Yeah.
Pam Adams (08:41.485)
Wow, that's really interesting that you saw that some people don't research to that level of understanding. So that was great that you took that next step because it is you can kind of almost be overwhelmed or not really want to understand or how to listen to your body. A lot of women struggle with that. So yeah, I commend you for that.
Maureen (08:46.22)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (08:55.753)
yeah.
Maureen (08:59.286)
Yes. And I bet you see that because you work with women who are either entering perimenopause or in perimenopause. What about menopausal? Do you work with menopausal women as well?
Pam Adams (09:03.597)
Yes.
Pam Adams (09:11.214)
Yes, I do. But the majority of the women I do work with are in perimenopause. I mean, the age range for just women in general, if we take the menopause part out, I mean, I'm working with women probably like in their mid 30s. And my oldest client is like 82 years old. So I have this full, you know, pre menopause, peri and post, of course, go through all stages there.
Maureen (09:15.5)
Mm
Maureen (09:27.105)
Wow.
Pam Adams (09:36.142)
But yeah, the emphasis has definitely been perimenopause for women midlife going as early as in the 30s, 35, early 40s. And just by personal experience also, because I'm going through the menopausal transition too, I'm 53. And so I'm, what is that commercial or whatever that hair club thing, you know, I'm not only a client, I'm a president too. Right. Yeah.
Maureen (09:43.084)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (09:47.009)
Right?
Maureen (09:59.372)
Hair club for men, yeah. But that's great because you have lived experience. Exactly why I coach and help people change their relationship with alcohol because I have lived experience and I understand the stresses and how it can feel scary and hard and the things you need to learn to make the changes. So that's perfect that you know what you're talking about because you go through it. So what is the, like when women come to you, what is one of their biggest challenges around nutrition and making the changes that will help them?
Pam Adams (10:14.904)
Hmm.
Pam Adams (10:20.824)
Yeah, I love it.
Pam Adams (10:30.002)
Some of the struggles that will hear or I hear or we you know have conversations with the girlfriends for example girl you going through this, you know is struggles with the body composition, know increased inches around the waistline that you know menopausal belly fat going on also, though even Changes as far as with going through mood swings, you know depression anxiety or I'll just say low mood for example Brain fog can't think straight
Maureen (10:42.476)
Mm
Maureen (10:45.697)
Yes.
Pam Adams (10:59.563)
Lost for words. That may happen even in this podcast right now because that will happen. Just so everybody understands. But yeah, a majority of the struggle, low energy, fatigue, bloating, digestive issues, you name it, pretty much everyone be like, yeah, yes, yes, joint pain, all of that. But yeah, a majority of it is struggling with, well, I'm eating well and I'm exercising, but I don't see a change.
Maureen (11:02.474)
Right? That's I was thinking.
Maureen (11:11.671)
Yes.
Pam Adams (11:28.338)
and I don't understand what's going on. one of the conversations that will come up with nutrition is also, what's your intake with alcohol? What is your relationship with alcohol? But when I have those conversations with my clients, it gives them a chance to discuss it. It's not about this judgment because I'm like, you don't know me, so are you gonna be able to share that with me? But if it's something...
Maureen (11:37.132)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (11:47.617)
Yes.
Pam Adams (11:54.572)
that you need to share, of course, I'm here to listen, but there is no judgment in any way. Yeah, I'm sorry, you're about to say something.
Maureen (11:58.806)
Yeah. No, that's so important, the no judgment. people are afraid to share because they're afraid they're going to be judged. You know, so that's so nice that you bring that up. Yeah, that's important. My trainer and I, we used to talk about that it was like the elephant in the room. You know, he would ask how you're doing, how was your weekend? How was your nutrition? my nutrition was great. Yeah, I got my workouts in. But let's not talk about that one piece of my nutrition, the alcohol. That's like negative zero calories, right? That really, you know, doesn't count.
Pam Adams (12:06.348)
Yeah, yeah, that stigma.
Pam Adams (12:14.113)
Yeah.
Pam Adams (12:23.265)
And one more piece.
Maureen (12:28.022)
but it does count so much.
Pam Adams (12:29.026)
Yeah, it does count. It does count. yeah, that can be a very challenging thing for people to share during the conversation in the beginning. You know, I put it in my intake forms for sure. But then I get that chance to talk with my, you know, comprehensive time of assessment and get a chance to really have that conversation and build that relationship so we can really get to the bottom of what could be going on. And it doesn't mean, you know, yeah, the diet's one thing, but then
Maureen (12:50.146)
Mm
Pam Adams (12:57.368)
How is alcohol affecting your gut health, for example, or could be affecting your blood sugar, or maybe it's affecting how your body is responding into maybe you have certain health goals that you're focusing on, your fitness goals. All those things can play a role through alcohol.
Maureen (13:10.156)
Yeah, you mentioned that let's talk about that the connection between blood sugar, alcohol and perimenopause. What is that connection?
Pam Adams (13:17.418)
you
That connection with blood sugar, alcohol, and perimenopause. yeah. Okay, so with perimenopause just in general, the fluctuation of hormonal shifts that are happening can affect potentially insulin resistance for some women because of the fluctuation of estrogen levels and also the slow decline of happening with the gestural also can affect us. then...
It's sometimes with our appetite, our cravings, changes in gut health and our microbiome, the diversity of our gut can also play a role. So, I mean, it's various factors that go on in terms of our blood sugar. But one of the things that are very challenging that you might notice that your cravings will increase, for example, wanting a little bit more sugar, more carbs. And the thing is that what's so key about that is making sure that you're balancing your blood sugar in every way. The reason why I say this,
Maureen (14:04.533)
Mm
Pam Adams (14:13.304)
It's because we might want to crave more, like I said, those sweets or those carbs, but they can also make us feel just awful. You feel like crap. Can I say that, Maureen? Yeah, yeah. You can feel pretty bad physically and also mentally, and it also can affect your emotions also because there's not this balance of nutrients of your macronutrients, of your proteins and carbs and your fats.
Maureen (14:21.866)
Right. Yeah, you can say crap.
Pam Adams (14:39.148)
they all balance out and have where you don't have this fluctuation or roller coaster of spikes and then this bottoming out where we're feeling like I need more to get me through. That could be cars, that could be even just even dealing with stress and emotional situations going on that it's not just about the cars, we look for the alcohol to help us with that too. And I mean, yes.
Maureen (14:39.479)
Right.
Maureen (14:49.388)
Mm
Maureen (14:57.408)
Right. It's that reward pathway in the brain. It's that instant reward pathway and alcohol and sugar run the same reward pathway in the brain.
Pam Adams (15:07.958)
Absolutely. So sometimes it'll be, well, you know, I'm going to, you know, I've heard clients say, well, I, I don't feel that great after I've had a long day. been under a lot of stress. You know, I just want to, you know what? I just, I just want a glass of wine. So they'll have a glass of wine just before dinner, but then they'll also grab other things because maybe they've skipped meals, right? They want something else. They want more carbs, you know, to try to help boost.
Maureen (15:31.754)
Right, right.
Pam Adams (15:36.534)
serotonin, make them feel good for a little bit. But sometimes that could be great for a moment and then they got that crash. I don't know if you've had that personal experience. I've had it. I don't know if you've had clients also share that with you. But as far as that reward system like you're mentioning now.
Maureen (15:38.711)
Yes.
Maureen (15:47.036)
Mm -hmm. yeah.
Maureen (15:54.05)
100%. And once you have the first drink, then all the other things you've said you're not going to do or you're not going to eat, that goes out the window because then all your inhibitions start to go away. And you're like, well, I'll eat that, whatever it is in front of you while you're cooking dinner or at a restaurant. forget it. I'm going to order the pasta, even though Pam and I talked about maybe not having that for dinner. So how do you...
Pam Adams (16:09.867)
Right.
Pam Adams (16:18.944)
Yeah, I don't see so many people like protein. Yes, I'm looking for protein. Yeah, I don't I don't hear that crave. I'm going to eat a salad or with protein in it. No one's thinking that that moment.
Maureen (16:21.856)
Eww.
Yeah.
Maureen (16:29.332)
Right. So it sounds like you have to coach people on what are macronutrients and how that balances blood sugar. think do a lot of people have an understanding of that or do you have to kind of re -educate or educate how that's going to help them?
Pam Adams (16:43.426)
That's a great question. For the most part, it's almost re -educating, but not just by the nutrition aspect of, this is how you're going to add protein to each meal to start helping you feel more satiated to also help balance your blood sugar. But it's also listening to your body as well, which is just as important. And I know I've said that a few times, but it's so key. So even though I might be helping the balancing of making sure, like I said, protein in every meal.
Maureen (16:47.841)
you
Maureen (17:07.542)
It is.
Pam Adams (17:13.1)
making sure that your carbohydrates are not highly processed. We want to try to get as close to your whole food source as possible. And also make sure there's certain healthy fats. So you have this balance in your meals. So your energy levels are good, a little bit more supporting, you know, with your fitness goals. But the thing it comes right back down to, even though we're balancing your meal, how do you feel? How does it make you feel?
And when I say that, how are your energy levels? How's your mood? Are you feeling digestive problems going on? You know, all those things that are just so important that we start to miss. We even miss hunger cues. We kind of miss that because we hear all the things about what we're supposed to be eating or you're supposed to eat this much. And then we lose sight of what works for you, you personally.
Maureen (17:53.856)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (18:03.934)
So your coaching is similar to mine in that you're helping people become aware. Aware of things that they've been unaware of. know, I help people with what are your triggers. Yeah, we lose sight of that and mindlessly grab for the food, you know, the pizza, the late night snack, even though our desire is to, you know, be healthier. So you're trying to coach people to become aware, become aware of their triggers, very much like alcohol.
Pam Adams (18:08.598)
Yes, awareness. Right, right. Because we lose sight of that.
Pam Adams (18:21.614)
Mm
Pam Adams (18:28.621)
Yeah.
Maureen (18:34.13)
If stressed, they'll eat chocolate or something like that. There's that sugar reward pathway.
Pam Adams (18:36.022)
Yes.
Pam Adams (18:41.516)
Yeah, a lot of that. then also helping to try to get more observant of what's going on without judgment, which is very challenging for a lot of women to go through because then, you know, trying to discuss as far as like, do you feel what are the reasons why you went that way? You know, is it a reward? Is it boredom? Is it stress? Are you trying to, know, whatever that is, it's a kind of observe and figure out what is going on so we can help.
Maureen (18:53.921)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (19:11.544)
because I partner with the person I'm working with. It's not me just going, I can throw some things at you. You let me know how that goes, right? Yeah, we're working together. Yeah, good luck with that.
Maureen (19:14.422)
Yes. Telling them what to do. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Good luck. I love that because you're asking them to be curious instead of beat themselves up or, you know, be curious instead of the what the hell effect. I also call it too, like, what the hell? I already had one piece of cake. I might as well eat the whole thing. Right? Yeah. Yeah. What the hell? I already had one drink. I might as well finish the bottle. It's the same.
Pam Adams (19:33.537)
well, right. Yeah.
Maureen (19:39.699)
So getting people to pause and be like, what was I hoping to get out of that piece of cake?
And did I get out of that what I thought I was going to get?
Pam Adams (19:47.106)
Yes.
Pam Adams (19:50.764)
That's a good point in addition to what just thought in my mind was when people are, when I work with the women that I do that I am also not the food police. Right? Well, Pam said, don't, yeah, it's not that I'm trying to empower the individual, which is more important than anything for me to empower the women I work with and not to be this person that's like.
Maureen (19:54.666)
Mm
Pam Adams (20:17.536)
Hopefully they don't see me as food police. I don't want to be that person.
Maureen (20:22.036)
Now, I think you're very compassionate. know this having worked with you. And also, I think, yeah, we're hit with like all these changes, all of a sudden we feel very out of control. And maybe we've been able to control our diet, our fitness, our body composition, you know, in our early 20s and early 30s. But after all kinds of changes, either having children or hormonal changes, and all of a sudden we're like, whoa, I never had this belly weight around my middle. I don't, you know, all the usual things I used to do aren't working.
Pam Adams (20:25.624)
Thank you, thank you, thank
Pam Adams (20:47.704)
Thank
Maureen (20:51.478)
So they come to you and say, help me.
Pam Adams (20:56.46)
Yep. In a nutshell, that's exactly what happens.
Maureen (20:57.878)
But I think and I think that they come to you and say, help me, I want to lose weight right here. Like do you often have that? Like I just want to lose weight right here.
Pam Adams (21:07.052)
Yeah, I hear it all the time. I just this one area and it and I take such a holistic approach with each woman because that's so, so important. Sometimes we feel like, well, if I eat better, which they're probably eating very well, it's just, we just need to make a couple shifts. You know, it's just in also taking that.
stigma when it comes to my alcohol, God, it's my fault, you know, or a, well now I'm old, so forget it. You know, you have, there's so many things you can do holistically as far as when I brought that up, it's not just in your diet itself, but then also how you manage your stress, your quality of sleep. It's okay to say no to things that goes back to the stress part. It's okay to say no, you're allowed.
Maureen (21:33.122)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (21:37.025)
Right.
Maureen (21:48.022)
Yes.
Maureen (21:53.186)
Huge. Mm -hmm, mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (21:58.36)
but just those two alone, your physical activity, what that is for you is key also. But self -care is a big one. So it's not just what you eat and exercise. It's so much more to that, especially at this time of midlife, for women who are going through perimenopause where there's a lot going on, your body is inflamed, there's a lot of shifts happening. It's just so much, you're just like, don't understand what the hell is happening in my body right now and how I'm feeling.
Maureen (22:12.748)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (22:26.028)
Right.
Pam Adams (22:28.246)
And some of that will come back to women where they're just, you know what, I don't understand what's happening and they may use alcohol for that support. Yeah.
Maureen (22:36.61)
Sure. The stress. Because it's the reason why we do it is because it's fast. It happens right away and it does depress your central nervous system and you get that calming down. But you're sharing with them how to calm down their central nervous system and regulate their physiology in other ways so that they're more resilient to stress and don't turn to alcohol, which is, I mean, it's very similar what we do. You're doing it with food and nutrition and...
Pam Adams (22:42.092)
Yeah.
Pam Adams (23:02.21)
Yeah. Yep.
Maureen (23:06.284)
fitness and lifestyle and I'm doing the same thing as well as removing alcohol. So that's great. I make so much sense to me. Yeah.
Pam Adams (23:14.298)
Yeah, true. And true with the whole thing of calming the nervous system. Glad you mentioned that the parasympathetic is key. It's about trying to get that balance. The only way we can do that is through our lifestyles, but also being proactive in that sense. when we say that, doesn't mean you're going to do this huge overhaul. For some women, they may like, I don't have enough time to even breathe. I'm in this sandwich generation kind of situation with...
Maureen (23:35.732)
Right, right.
Pam Adams (23:41.346)
with caring for my parents, or for example, or I have kids, and I have a new career, or maybe I'm questioning my relationship right now with certain things, and it could be overwhelming, and I hear this a lot. How the heck do I fit that in? And it doesn't have to be a huge thing. It's just kind of figuring how important it is to you as far as prioritizing your health and wellness. Does what you're doing right now fit with your goals?
Maureen (23:44.586)
and kids, yep.
Maureen (23:57.335)
Right.
Pam Adams (24:10.67)
you know, how important is it to invest in that time? Does it only take five minutes? I think I people give me look at me like I have three heads when I'm going, you know, even five minutes of just go outside, just get some sunshine, you know, just something to just start. It doesn't have to be this, you know, okay, 45 minutes to an hour, some women don't feel like that's even possible. It's too overwhelming. So even five minutes can make a difference and you just kind of build from there. So
Maureen (24:22.71)
Yes.
Maureen (24:39.586)
So you help them break it down into tiny bite -sized pieces and that doesn't feel so scary and overwhelming and then you build from there.
Pam Adams (24:43.436)
bite size.
Pam Adams (24:49.622)
Yes, and also looking at it in such a way with nutrition, for example, is, you know, it could be a little intimidating meeting with someone who does nutrition, trying to give you support and you feel like, good Lord, they're to tell me to take everything out. I can't eat anything, you know. And the other way I always put the focus on like, let's look at ways we can find what to add.
Maureen (25:08.107)
Right?
Pam Adams (25:15.874)
So for example, we're looking at gut health, for example. If it's this importance where I noticed that gut health may be an issue, which is a classic issue for women in perimenopause. And if you are struggling with alcohol intake, which can add more issues with gut health.
Maureen (25:20.652)
Yes.
Maureen (25:32.578)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (25:35.852)
you know, are the one of the things I can do? Maybe alcohol might be a vice at the time and maybe that's not the conversation this individual may not be having. So I'm like, okay, well, what things can I focus on right now? And it could be like, let's add certain things into your diet to help you without you feeling more restrictive or me telling you, you have to do this. Cause that could be another way where people might go, I don't, I don't know if I want to do that. And they'll back off. Yeah.
Maureen (25:44.822)
Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm.
Maureen (25:57.538)
back off, yeah. No, I love that approach because again, you're helping to build their physiology first before you ask them to remove something that they're relying on to manage their stress. So if you get their sleep more in line and in eating more protein, then you can talk about that elephant in the room, but that may not be one of the first things that you can address. Yeah.
Pam Adams (26:19.286)
Right, exactly. Sometimes I see people where it's maybe not alcohol, it's even coffee. Like coffee is like a big one too. And they're like, I drink, you know, I think I had one person where there's like seven, eight cups, like they just drink coffee all day, but that's their thing. That's what they need. So that is not the first thing I would be like, hey, let's work on that.
Maureen (26:23.618)
coffee. Yes.
Maureen (26:39.042)
for energy. Right. Because you know you'll lose them if you go right for that thing that they're relying on. So it's helping them in the other ways. You brought up the I word. I think that's so important. Inflammation. And from what I'm reading and learning is really it's the basis of all disease is inflammation. And so when we look at things like
Pam Adams (26:47.496)
Yeah, that's like almost an added stressor. Yeah, it's another stressor.
Maureen (27:06.75)
coffee, there's a lot of debate about that, but like alcohol, we know for sure it's an inflammatory agent and it does disrupt the gut microbiome and increases estrogen. So when we're looking at perimenopause, those are things we want to get away from. talk about a little bit more about inflammation and how you give people some bite -sized advice to reduce inflammation.
Pam Adams (27:30.324)
Inflammation. say for example, in the nutrition aspect of this, one of the things we'll look at too is the, you your intake in certain foods. So in perimenopause also, some surprisingly, you might notice some food sensitivities happening around tolerances that you might not have been aware of, or they were existing and now it seems worse, you know. So we would be discussing that first and finding out what are the things that are possibly causing inflammation.
Maureen (27:51.968)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (27:59.7)
And sometimes it could be what we're eating and that's where the awareness kicks in. Right. So, I mean, either there's testing involved in there or, you know, maybe it's stool analysis, maybe if that was one of the options go. Another way is in terms of elimination. But again, it's a very sensitive thing. It depends on the individual and what they can handle. But we've been looking at more of the triggers. For some people it might be, you know, is there an issue with dairy?
Maureen (28:02.412)
Definitely.
Maureen (28:05.868)
Mm
Pam Adams (28:28.906)
Is there gluten? Is there wheat? Is it soy? Things that may have known are possible intolerances to sensitivities, but they seem to go back to it anyway, and it's causing more inflammation. So that's probably one of the first discussions we'll be looking at. And then what also comes with inflammation too is stress can cause inflammation, also to the body. So we'll be looking at that. What are things are your go -tos if you even have them to help reduce the stress?
Maureen (28:49.154)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (28:58.508)
because then the amount of stress that's happening causing inflammation is something that is almost overlooked. It's kind of interesting. Even when I have the discussion and talking about let's calm the nervous system down. I don't know.
Maureen (29:07.525)
yeah.
Maureen (29:13.89)
When we live in this really fight or flight society, like everybody's working hard all the time, we can work now 24 hours from home, right? You can work all the time and you're go, go, go. And people don't really take time to slow down. I know that's something I've had to work on is slowing down, know, breath work, trying to...
Pam Adams (29:34.434)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (29:36.352)
relax without artificial substances. So that is, it is a challenge for most people because the society encourages go, go, go.
Pam Adams (29:44.926)
Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Which, you know, it's funny that you just said that is the thought of the gut -brain connection.
Maureen (29:46.134)
You
Maureen (29:52.032)
Yes. Big talk about that.
Pam Adams (29:54.04)
Right? So the amount of stress and inflammation, know, or serotonin in the gut, second brain, which was mind blowing when I went to grad school and was like, what? Who knew? Right? But you think of the amount of inflammation that's happening in the gut can also then affect your gut brain access or connection, you know, and it can affect your mood and, you know, the amount of stress levels that you're going through. Like it's this vicious cycle that happens.
Maureen (30:04.18)
Yes.
Maureen (30:09.964)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (30:14.571)
Yes.
Pam Adams (30:21.806)
I personally have been through it. I'm curious to hear what you've gone through. Yeah, okay. Yeah.
Maureen (30:24.737)
Yeah, me too.
Well, that was the other thing with drinking for me. My gut was so bad. And again, I didn't want to think it couldn't possibly be the alcohol for the longest time because I didn't want to look at that. But then when I eliminated everything else, I'm like, okay, it is the alcohol. I had gut permeability, I have celiac. So I was really just continuing to destroy my gut and removing the offensive agent, the alcohol.
Pam Adams (30:40.174)
Mm
Pam Adams (30:54.222)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (30:57.504)
And then going through a program of healing my gut lining has made all the difference in the world. But then with that, I started sleeping better and mentally processing things better, less brain fog. So that gut, like you said, we don't realize how important it is and how many serotonin receptors are in the gut. think, is it even more than the brain? I'm not sure. I thought I read that.
Pam Adams (31:19.326)
It might be, yeah. Yeah, yeah. That's a good point you mentioned about the gut lining too, because if you're already going through so much in peri as it is, that can then affect your gut health. But then when you're adding alcohol to the mix of that too.
Maureen (31:25.794)
you
Pam Adams (31:37.134)
causes even that more inflammation affects that gut lining then things are entering into the bloodstream because the tight junctions in the small intestines for example are not there almost like that somewhat of a barrier like a know a guard like okay this is where we're taking in but we can get to the point where the food sensitivity issues become a problem for some individuals or they start noticing that their emotions and you know the moods are off to connection gut brain you know that's a key thing
Other besides alcohol, know, intakes of high intakes of sugar can be also play that same kind of thing too. yeah, it's also reducing sugar is a big one too. Yeah.
Maureen (32:11.358)
absolutely.
Yeah, mean sugar is just as addictive as alcohol, you know.
Pam Adams (32:18.028)
Yeah, exactly. Yep. And when I'm saying sugar, refined sugars, I think sometimes people will connect, well, you know, I've heard this, well, fruit, fruit is high in sugar, you know, but it's like a natural source of sugar, but you're also getting fiber. But when I'm saying sugar, I'm talking like refined sugars that can cause a lot of inflammation. So.
Maureen (32:31.212)
Right.
Maureen (32:34.944)
Yeah. And we're getting so much sugar in our daily diet if we're not conscientiously, you know, being aware, reading labels, taking that out. Who's a good success story you can think of or talk about someone who's come to you and was struggling and you work together and...
Pam Adams (32:42.314)
write those added sugars, reading labels, yeah, which is key. Yeah.
Pam Adams (32:55.03)
a good success story. Yeah, you kind of did. Okay. Did it look, did I, did I show it in my eyes? I'm like, okay. wow. There's so, there's so many.
Maureen (32:56.3)
Put me on the spot there, didn't I? Yeah.
Maureen (33:04.929)
Ha
Maureen (33:08.514)
Or maybe, yeah, or I'd love to hear about the 80 year old woman, you know, that you said you work with and she's been working with you.
Pam Adams (33:13.678)
yeah, yeah, there's actually two of them. They're wonderful. You know, I learned so much from them. One, I'll say her. She's 81 and she is type two diabetes, right? She struggles through that. she also is been sober 30 years. Yeah, right? And she...
Maureen (33:38.071)
Nice.
Pam Adams (33:41.454)
has done amazing things, but she struggles with diabetes. she has really, we have worked together in strength training, which yeah, right? Strength training in 81. And then also, you know, working with her diet as well to now she, for her, fat loss has come down and she's been very happy and she's much more active. Now keep in mind, hear me out. This success story is awesome because she never worked out before until she met me.
Maureen (33:50.476)
so important.
Maureen (34:01.27)
Mm.
Maureen (34:09.578)
That is great.
Pam Adams (34:11.769)
So we started when she was 79. 79 years old. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So when you hear, it's too late, you know, when I'm in my 40s or 50s. No, she was 79 and she started working for me because one of her girlfriends that used to work that works with me also, she has been training with me for maybe 20 years. So now she's 80 also. So she hooked her girlfriend up and said, hey, start working out at 79. So
Maureen (34:14.476)
that's great.
Pam Adams (34:40.568)
But yeah, I would like.
Maureen (34:40.758)
I love that story because so many women you're right, say, well, this is just how it is. This is who I am. It's too late to change. It's too hard to change. And here this woman is like, I'm not giving up basically. I'm going to hire and work with somebody who knows more than I do about all this and is going to help me and guide me.
Pam Adams (34:59.17)
Yeah, yeah. And we get to simple. And I think that's what when I work with with with my clients, I keep it simple. It's not about this huge overhaul because it's a process. It takes time, you know, and you're going to struggle with things and and that's OK. We just we just change it up and figure out what's going to work best for you. And I emphasize you. I think I did that earlier, but it's just so important because every we're just as individual as our personalities. And it's so a key like
Maureen (35:10.977)
Yes.
Maureen (35:19.734)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (35:29.27)
As someone who's listening now where you might have a girlfriend or somebody who's doing something and you're like, well, I'll do exactly what they're eating or maybe I'll make a change. like, they don't know because you're different than they are. You're going to respond differently because of whatever other factors that might be going on. Like even with your lifestyle, if you're very busy and you're going through a lot of things, you meal planning may not be the best option. We may have to figure batch cooking, for example, might be the best option for you.
Maureen (35:38.039)
bright.
Maureen (35:55.222)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (35:57.76)
or quick easy things because you're on the run with practices with your kids or you know or you're an executive and you're know you're running a business or whatever that is where you have more challenges in your life where you're handling your stress a little differently and you need support your nutrition and your fitness is going to be different than the next person so always keep that.
Maureen (36:02.646)
Right.
Maureen (36:16.844)
So you truly do individualize. You meet with these women, you talk to them, get to know their lifestyle. And over time you can help prescribe, and some of it sounds like trial and error, which makes sense, you know.
Pam Adams (36:28.31)
Yeah, some of his trial and error based on what they can handle. you know, we start small and then we build from that, you know, it's about celebrating the small wins. think we kind of get we missed that part and it's like each day just celebrate something, you know, you did great, you know, even if it was off by one day, no problem, you know. Yeah, you're not perfect.
Maureen (36:34.359)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (36:42.102)
Yes.
Maureen (36:49.952)
Yeah. It's one of my favorite books called Tiny Habits. And the author talks about celebrating the small wins are so important because that locks in those new neural pathways that habit change happens with the tiny wins building over time. And I do the same thing in my coaching, know, hey, let's celebrate that you didn't drink for three days. That's great. So then, you know, we'll build on that because people automatically turn around and get hard on themselves.
Pam Adams (37:05.514)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (37:18.208)
Not drinking for three days and then I drink. Okay, let's focus on the positive part and what you learn from that and how can we take that in the future. And it sounds like you do the same thing with your fitness and nutrition training.
Pam Adams (37:20.098)
Right.
Pam Adams (37:29.932)
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I always do it that way. I think it's so important because, you know, like some of we get overwhelmed and thinking that you have to do this big overhaul and it's that's just a little thing, but it's not getting me where I am. like, well, actually these little steps can get you where you need to go. So yeah, it's just as important. I really do.
Maureen (37:45.345)
Yes.
Maureen (37:49.504)
And most people, including myself, want, just tell me the end game. Just tell me A, B, and C, how to get there. Give me the cliff notes. And so it sounds like you need to slow them down and back things up and say, let's take our time. Let's break this down. Let's make this just for you. I love that.
Pam Adams (37:54.37)
you
Pam Adams (38:08.032)
Yeah, yeah, that's exactly, that's exactly how I do it every single time. Yeah, and I like it that way. That's how I learn pretty much on how it was for me. And then a lot of my experience has been to then inspire and share with women that I work with now. Like it's about the small things that make a big difference. Yeah, that'll get you there.
Maureen (38:12.812)
That's great.
Maureen (38:19.607)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (38:31.436)
Yes. You are inspiring. That is, you've always been inspiring as long as I've known you, but I'll tell you, everybody, go to Pam's Instagram. You want to be inspired? She shows videos of her working out. So she walks the walk. You know, she's not just telling people what to do. She does this for herself and you can see her. What is your Instagram called?
Pam Adams (38:42.756)
Aww.
Pam Adams (38:54.178)
Synergy with Pam.
Maureen (38:55.894)
Synergy with Pam, that makes so much sense because synergy is total body, mind, body, fitness. So I love that. Yeah. And where do you do your training if someone locally is listening and wants to find you?
Pam Adams (39:02.129)
Yeah, exactly. Yeah.
Pam Adams (39:11.594)
Locally, I have a studio, but I also do mainly virtual for clients and the reason because the women are so busy, you know, or if you ever look fit your fitness there or support nutrition, I do everything majority is all virtual. So it makes it lot easier for the ladies.
Maureen (39:17.536)
You do, okay.
Yes?
Maureen (39:30.86)
So do you have people all over the country, not just here in Maryland? We're both in Maryland. So that's why I was thinking.
Pam Adams (39:37.206)
Yes, yes, I do. So I do work with women outside of the Maryland area also. But for the majority, I'm thinking most of it is really Maryland. which, yeah, and now when I think about it, yeah, it's been mainly Maryland. And a lot of individuals I work with have also been just returning to which has been great to it's great to see, see all the friendly faces. Yeah.
Maureen (39:57.676)
That is great. So virtually, if you're training someone, do you encourage them to get certain equipment, probably resistance bands or things that might be easy for them to have and be on screen with you and going through these workouts?
Pam Adams (40:12.374)
Yeah, yeah, I usually do recommend certain types of equipment available to them. They do not have to have this extravagant gym like functional trainer. They don't need all that. yeah, it's free some free weights available for sure, especially because we're supporting here with lean muscle, increasingly muscle because we start losing the muscle. yeah, so we get all the sarcompenia. So we want to make sure that we're working on that. So I do highly recommend.
Maureen (40:20.662)
Mm -hmm. Mm -hmm. Yes.
Maureen (40:33.41)
That's right.
Pam Adams (40:40.799)
free weights for sure and some bands too and if they have additional equipment that's even better you know so yeah but try not to make it so complicated
Maureen (40:46.498)
Yeah. Yeah. I just wanted to highlight that so people don't think they have to have a whole gym to work with you and you can work with them. And talk about, because I don't know if everybody knows this, I do because I was a former personal trainer myself as well, but why is that important? So if we're losing muscle, it really starts early after what? Like age 25, micro, we start losing micro muscle, but it increases as we get older and we're losing more and more muscle. Why is that important? Especially for women in perimenopause to
either give back some muscle or maintain or even build muscle. Why is that important?
Pam Adams (41:20.264)
Having lean muscle is so important to maintain or build or build and maintain I should flip that For a couple things first of all for your strength and for your support for your bone health for the future Strength training also as far as with muscle is is Metabolically active too. So when you are at rest, right?
Maureen (41:32.598)
bones.
Maureen (41:44.524)
What does that mean? I know what it means. Tell people what that means.
Pam Adams (41:48.994)
So when women are going with the struggle of fat loss, for example, and they're like, gosh, I'm having trouble with this. One of the great things about having maintaining and building lean muscle mass is that you burn calories at rest when you're inactive. And it's so important. you know, those are the two things. I say two? Did I say two? And then also just with strength training just in general as well, you know, it helps with just functional movement because, you know, we could...
Maureen (42:16.268)
Yes.
Pam Adams (42:18.502)
Just the basic things that we just take for granted sometimes we definitely knew that as we get older. So that's why I mentioned it's never too late for women to build muscle. But the key thing too is not to be afraid of lifting heavier weights, ladies. those, yeah, lifting heavier weights is key. Now that's very subjective because you know, what's heavy to one person might not be heavy to another person. That's why I'm clarifying that. But if you're in this, you know,
Maureen (42:33.312)
Yes, I was gonna bring that up, yes.
Maureen (42:41.537)
Right.
Pam Adams (42:47.042)
hamster wheel just running doing the same thing over and over again you need to change it because if you're not making changes into your strength training program challenging yourself with correct form of course then the body gets kind of just used to it it's just like all right no changes so that's why it's so so important to make sure that you are lifting heavier weights for sure not the same thing over and over again no promise you we don't have enough testosterone to do it
Maureen (43:00.546)
Mm -hmm.
Maureen (43:07.778)
Yes, yes. You will not look like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Yes. Right. Yeah. And yeah, I love that you introduce that to women who maybe like the woman who was 79, you said when she started with you, 79 and started lifting weights. So that's so important. I hope people hear that, why that is so important. It's the only metabolically active tissue in your body. So if you're not actively building it or replacing it, you're going to lose the very
Pam Adams (43:16.558)
Yeah, yep.
Pam Adams (43:24.782)
79, yeah.
Maureen (43:37.484)
tissue that helps you burn calories, ladies. So don't forget to do that. Yes.
Pam Adams (43:40.822)
Ladies, yes, with the plus of mentioning the only way of supporting lean muscle mass is making sure you're getting enough protein in your diet as well. We skipped that part and it's so important to make sure you have protein in each meal. How much is that? Varies on individual. That's why I'm not going to put a blanket statement because that varies with each person. So, but definitely, yeah.
Maureen (43:51.339)
That's right.
Maureen (44:00.266)
that's why they need to come talk to you and you can help figure out the protein intake for each individual and their lifestyle and their activity level. So that's great. I love that. I think I want to cover one more thing that I think a lot of women and people in general don't understand and I didn't understand, but going back to alcohol and nutrition, when you drink alcohol, doesn't matter if it's in a fancy cocktail glass and
Pam Adams (44:08.994)
Yeah.
Maureen (44:25.47)
It's a very expensive French wine or it's a crappy beer. Alcohol is alcohol is alcohol. So when it goes into your body, your body goes on high alert. she just is drinking that toxin again. Let's take all the calories she also ate with dinner and let's shove them aside. We're not going to break those down right now. So we're going to store those, right? And we're going to make getting rid of this toxin a priority. And so instead of processing food, absorbing nutrients,
Pam Adams (44:51.682)
Yes.
Maureen (44:55.2)
and doing all the things that are good for you, actually putting all those, your body puts all those processes aside and makes getting rid of the alcohol its top priority. So how does that affect people when they're trying to eat, right? Getting good food, but yet they're drinking alcohol with their food or after their food, you know, and it's really affecting their goals of losing weight or I was not absorbing nutrients because of it. So maybe speak to that a little bit.
Pam Adams (45:22.188)
Yeah, you made a good point of that last part right there, just saying that it will disrupt the issues of nutrient absorption, which is important for metabolism. And if this is a thing of you're focusing on fat loss or changes in making changes with your body composition, yeah, nutrient absorption is key because we need those nutrients to help. In addition to that,
Maureen (45:32.812)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (45:50.51)
Besides nutrient absorption, just lost my thought there Maureen, hold on. I need to edit right there. I was just like, wait, why can't I talk? Hold on. Okay. So with nutrient, okay, let me start back. Okay. Ask me the question one more time and then I'll be able to answer it. So I'll pause for a second.
Maureen (45:54.796)
That's okay. We can edit.
Maureen (46:02.689)
Ha
Ha ha.
Maureen (46:12.054)
I think it's important to help people understand when they're drinking alcohol with food, whether they're having cocktails before they're eating or they're having while they're eating or afterwards, it affects nutrient absorption because your body makes it a priority to get rid of the toxin of alcohol and puts all the other processes aside and stores calories as fat.
Pam Adams (46:33.762)
Yeah, and the key is that when we are drinking alcohol, and it depends on how much as well can make a difference too. But the thing is that yes, it affects nutrient absorption and it can affect your results as far as if you're trying to make changes with your body composition. You've also added too, yeah, it will also be a potential where you're gonna be storing more fat as well, or storing fat. And where is that usually, especially with
Maureen (46:40.929)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (47:02.806)
elevated cholesterol, amicolesterol cortisol levels, increase in fluctuation in blood sugar. All of these can play a role where with the changes in body composition and perimenopause, I'll say that specifically, goes right to the abdominal area. And one of the things with the abdominal area with increase in fat, we're looking at visceral fat. That's the one where it's more inflammatory as well, but can also put risks for like
Maureen (47:06.326)
Yes.
Maureen (47:25.175)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (47:32.024)
cardiovascular disease, increases with the risk of diabetes, for example, you know, even some high risk for cancer. So all of those things can play a role with alcohol, the inflammation in the gut, fat storage, what type of fat storage, where it's located in the abdominal area. All of those things can play a role to put a higher risk, but also affecting how it may not support your fitness goals too, or your health goals, depending on where you're at with that.
Maureen (47:59.062)
Yeah, yeah. So I think it's, you know, going back to what we talked about earlier about being mindful. Okay, I'm working with Pam, I'm trying to make these changes, I'm tired of feeling like crap from perimenopausal symptoms, and yet I'm mindlessly drinking this wine and just helping people hopefully who listen to this podcast start thinking about it is calories, you are taking it in, you can't discount it like I used to do and pretend it didn't.
Pam Adams (48:24.918)
I'm drinking it. It should be fine. Yeah. Yeah.
Maureen (48:26.099)
Yeah, right. So I'm speaking from experience. There's no judgment here. I'm just saying to help everybody become more mindful of everything they're putting in their body and that it does have an effect on your goals if you want to help yourself feel your best during perimenopause or menopause or just for the rest of your life, really.
Pam Adams (48:44.94)
Yeah, yeah. and I wanted to add one last thing about that. With alcohol too, it can inhibit protein synthesis. So as far as you increasing your lean muscle mass, alcohol can actually cause an issue, be an issue for that too. Where you're trying to maintain lean muscle mass, alcohol can actually interfere with that process.
Maureen (48:47.799)
Yeah.
Maureen (49:00.416)
Yes, it inhibits the protein muscle synthesis. So what does that mean in everyday terms, protein muscle synthesis?
Pam Adams (49:08.018)
So for example, where we have your, I'll just say like for your intake for nutrient absorption, right? We're having protein to help support your lean muscle mass, but then alcohol can also interfere with that. So when it comes down to you trying to improve or maintain your lean muscle mass, it can interfere with that. In addition to like dehydration also can play a role. We're trying to intake with water, but if you're drinking alcohol also,
Maureen (49:30.967)
Yes.
Pam Adams (49:34.606)
that can cause dehydration, you don't feel your best when you work out the next day, all those things can play a role. Again, if your fitness goals are specific to certain things, if alcohol may be interfering in that process as far as like, wanna reach a certain goal, you might wanna reevaluate how alcohol plays a role in your life or your goals for that one. Yeah.
Maureen (49:53.142)
Yeah, so goes back to that curiosity piece. Okay, I'm doing all these things that Pam is saying, but I'm not changing this one thing. I wonder if that could be holding me back, slowing me down. So that's just really kind of the message is to think about it, become more mindful and aware, like you use those words, and curiosity.
Pam Adams (50:11.99)
and the three C's that you said. In your Instagram reel, your three C's.
Maureen (50:15.052)
tell you to get one of this. yeah. Remind me which one I do a lot of them. See,
Pam Adams (50:21.791)
First is curiosity, compassion, and courage.
Maureen (50:25.75)
Yes. There you go. Yep. And that applies to both types of people we work with, adding those three C's, curiosity, compassion, and courage. Courage to make the changes. And I know Pam can help you with that courage to make these changes. If she can get me to walk down a stage in high heels in a blinged out bikini, she can help you address your...
paraminopause symptoms and make some really good lifestyle changes. So let me ask you this question, Pam, that I ask everybody, what do you do in your life to feel sober fit? And when I ask that, I mean, it could be mentally fit, physically fit, spiritually fit. What do you incorporate for your own self in your life?
Pam Adams (51:11.391)
I do this kind of daily thing in the mornings that I get up early enough where it's quiet and peaceful in my home. And I actually will go out on the balcony, have a little cup of coffee after breakfast and just quiet. I just need that quiet time to kind of gather my thoughts and how my day is gonna go. And I always make sure that it's just this positive mindset as best I can.
Maureen (51:30.476)
Mm -hmm.
Pam Adams (51:37.004)
Even when I know it might be a long stressful day or things are going on, always go, it's going to be fine. It's going to be fine. Yeah. But I always try that quiet time first thing in the morning for myself. Just get that peace. Yeah. Just to get that peace. Because once you start going, boy, it's just on going, going, going, going, right? You're on a run. And especially for someone as a...
Maureen (51:47.5)
so important.
Pam Adams (51:56.59)
with working with health and wellness and we were working with the clients, I want to make sure I am there 100 % for them and also for my family. So that's just so important. I invest that time in that little window, even if it's 15, 20 minutes helps me out.
Maureen (52:10.196)
I love that. So you're sitting in stillness, which you're doing that before your day gets going. So you're grounding yourself. You're starting with this morning routine that helps set the rest of your day. That's such a good choice.
Pam Adams (52:19.342)
Mm -hmm, little notes in a note, you know a notebook or something like that with affirmation or just my thoughts Just kind of dump everything on a piece of paper So I already know what I'm gonna do for the day or just clear my mind. So, yep, that's what I do
Maureen (52:32.48)
And what are your favorite hobbies?
Pam Adams (52:36.998)
The sign's working out.
Maureen (52:38.356)
Yeah, I know. I say that too, right? That's one of my, yes, what's number two?
Pam Adams (52:41.678)
You know what, and I love music. I don't know. Is that a hobby? I like I love playing music. So I'm constantly will either play music in my home and just sit out. I love being out my balcony. So it's kind of one of those things. I just love listening to music and I'll go back and go. I feel like a 90s or 70s or 80s moment. So yeah, I'll do that. That's like one of my hobbies. And I like to consignment shop. Don't don't don't judge me.
Maureen (52:48.064)
Yeah. Yeah.
Maureen (53:10.592)
Ooh, I love that. I love that. That takes patience. I think that's good. Yeah. So where can our listeners who want to learn more about or connect with you, where can they find you? And I'll, of course, put it in the show notes, but how can they find you?
Pam Adams (53:11.8)
Yeah.
Pam Adams (53:15.417)
That takes patience, so yeah.
Pam Adams (53:25.102)
Sure. Easy way to find me is if you type in synergywithpam .com, you will find my website there. Definitely a to review some of the information there. And if you wanted to schedule a discovery call with me, I would be more than happy to talk to you. Definitely let me know that you actually listen to podcasts, just as a reference to. And socials is synergywithpam as well with Instagram.
I'm mainly on Instagram. have Facebook too, but I'm mainly on Instagram. But remember Synergy with Pam. Easy to remember. Yeah.
Maureen (53:59.116)
Synergy with Pam. So that's where you can find her and she is well worth looking into and working with. So thank you so much Pam for being here. I loved catching up with you and talking with you.
Pam Adams (54:10.91)
thank you so much for inviting me to this moment. I love it. I'm honored. I really appreciate it all Maureen. Thank you.
Maureen (54:17.856)
You're welcome.
