What if mindfulness wasn’t just a buzzword—but a lifeline? In this episode, we sit down with Mikelle Deck, founder of Aligned Minds Consulting, to talk about mental health, mindfulness, and why your phone might be stressing you out more than you think. From EFT tapping and yoga with teenagers to regulating cortisol and managing social media burnout, Mikelle’s approach to supporting young people is anything but cookie-cutter.

Whether she’s working one-on-one with a student dealing with anxiety or introducing breathwork to entire sports teams, Mikelle is on a mission to help the next generation slow down, tune in, and thrive. This conversation is filled with real talk, practical tips, and a few deep breaths we all probably needed. (Oh, and yes, we even got a tapping demo.)

🎧 Tune in for:

• Why mindfulness is more than just meditation—it’s a daily practice
• How she’s helping students in Utica navigate anxiety, self-doubt, and social media pressure
• The story of one student who went from skipping school to thriving and graduating
• How athletes can gain an edge with mental training
• The epic benefits of Costa Rican living

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Show Markers:
(0:00) - Intro & What Is Mindfulness?
(2:15) - How the Journey Began
(4:30) - What Aligned Minds Offers
(6:00) - Young Scholars Program & Utica City Schools
(7:00) - Teaching Tools & Understanding Feelings
(9:15) - Building Relationships & Connecting With Students
(11:35) - Dealing with Anxiety
(13:15) - Personalizing Sessions
(14:15) - Mindfulness in Athletics & Reframing Thoughts
(17:00) - Costa Rica Experience & Slow Living
(20:30) - Northeast Mentality
(21:30) - The Breakthrough Story: From Skipping School to Graduation
(24:30) - Cortisol, Brain Chemistry & What Teens Are Really Up Against
(26:40) - Social Media Effects & Self Soothing
(30:00) - Where Are Parents Failing?
(32:50) - One Simple Thing
(36:50) - Mikelle's Book
(38:30) - Rapid Fire Questions
(40:45) - Tapping Demo


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Mikelle's Links
Website - https://alignedmindsconsulting.com
FB - https://www.facebook.com/alignedmindsconsulting
IG - https://www.instagram.com/alignedminds111
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@aligned.minds

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Scott's Book - https://www.referralsdonerightbook.com