The Cultivate an Exceptional life Podcast is where Leisa Watkins uncovers stories, strategies, and resources designed to inspire and encourage you to cultivate better health, more happiness, and joy, despite the challenges life throws in our path.
What are you doing to take care of your soul? Are you playing enough? Are you doing the things that bring you joy? Are you developing a greater spiritual muscle?
Here you’ll find content designed to support your soul.
Writing a self-compassion letter is a powerful practice that allows you to embrace kindness, understanding, and patience toward yourself, especially in challenging times. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to be our harshest critics, but self-compassion offers a...
On this first day of the year, a soft hush falls upon the world, as if the universe itself is holding its breath, waiting for us to make the first move. The sun rises quietly, casting its golden light across a landscape that has been touched by the frost of the past...
For so many years, I lived in a constant state of self-reproach. I was my own harshest critic, ever vigilant in pointing out my flaws, my missteps, and my imperfections. No matter how much I did, it never seemed enough. I believed that if I could only perfect...
It’s easy to let life’s challenges convince you that your dreams are impossible. There were days I felt utterly defeated, days when even breathing felt like a struggle. But what I’ve learned is this: Persistence is more than just stubbornness. It’s the quiet courage...
Why Do We Discount the Importance of Play? Have you ever wondered why, as we grow older, we gently set play aside, as if it were a relic of childhood, no longer meant for our “serious” lives? Somewhere along the way, we embraced the notion that play is for children,...
Living without regret can sometimes feel like a distant dream, especially when regret feels like a heavy, uninvited companion—one that whispers doubts and “what-ifs” when you least need them. I’ve certainly experienced these moments of deep disappointment, wondering...
Welcome to Cultivate an Exceptional Life. I am so grateful to have you here, and I’m Leisa Watkins, your guide on this transformative journey. Living with chronic illness—multiple sclerosis, PTSD, Lyme disease, and a host of other health challenges—I’ve learned that resilience is not simply about enduring; it’s about thriving with grace, despite the storms. I’ve also watched my dear ones face their own battles, and through it all, I have come to understand the deep strength that resides within us all.
This site is born from my heart—a place where I offer you the wisdom I’ve gained, the resources that have brought me light, and the research that has inspired me to believe in the endless possibilities for healing and growth. It’s a haven designed to nourish your soul, uplift your spirit, and help you cultivate a life that is not just survived, but fully embraced, even amidst the challenges of chronic illness.
As we step forward together, know that you are not alone on this journey. We will discover new pathways, unfold the layers of healing, and cultivate an extraordinary life—one that feels deeply, wonderfully, and beautifully yours.