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I don’t know about you, but after a particularly hot summer, I look forward to fall. And then it gets here and I wonder, where did the year go? Suddenly you’re staring down the last three or four months of year in an almost dizzying state. Woman to Woman is celebrating its sixth year and wow. We started the publication mere months before the world shut down and our continual growth still gets me sometimes. Our fan base across our platforms is remarkable. When we first launched, I believed so strongly that there was a market for stories like those that we were telling and wanted to tell. And time and time again you showed us just how true that was and continues to be.
This issue, I’m immensely proud to bring you the story of one of the models we used during our very first issue that included an epic 17 women from all walks of life. Her business acumen and larger than life thinking is awe inspiring yet approachable. You can’t help but be drawn in.
Our other features do some serious soul searching that may have you doing some deep reflection yourself. Nevertheless, they’re here to encourage and possibly give you the nudge to go after something that’s been on your own heart. We couldn’t ask for more for you.
Once again, thank you for giving us these last six years. More than 2,000 pages of content released to date and the sky is the limit. We are honored to do what we do and look forward to more and bigger and better with each passing year.
All the best, Nichole
& Send Media Company, LLC team
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Woman to Woman is always open to story ideas and leads and conversing with talented writers, photographers, makeup artists and hair stylists! Have an interest in advertising sales or marketing? Let’s chat! Reach out to sendmediacompanyllc@gmail.com.
When I first came up with the idea of owning a weight loss clinic, I was excited. I could finally combine what I enjoy with something I’ve lived through personally and professionally. But I also doubted myself. Why would people take advice from someone who isn’t a size four?
Over time, I’ve realized my perspective is exactly what makes me qualified. I know the struggle firsthand. I’ve battled weight since childhood, endured the sting of careless comments, and cycled through every diet imaginable—Weight Watchers, Keto, South Beach, low-calorie, low-fat, even bizarre fad diets that promised results but only left me frustrated.
I even underwent lap band surgery in 2011, thinking it would be the “magic fix.” At first, it wasn’t—I continued making poor food choices and didn’t lose weight. Eventually, I committed to calorie counting and daily exercise, losing 90 pounds. But the band slipped, complications followed, and the weight slowly returned. Add in pregnancies, life stress, and the constant cycle
of dieting, and I found myself struggling with weight again. I’ve tried phentermine, lipotropic injections, B12 shots, and later, semaglutide and tirzepatide. I test these treatments not just for myself, but so I can understand what my patients experience. That combination—real-world experience and medical expertise—is what I believe makes me the kind of provider patients can trust.
The old “eat less, move more” advice oversimplifies a complex problem. Bariatric surgery, starvation diets, calorie counting, low-carb programs, or exercise alone. Many of these work in the short term, but for most, the weight comes back. It’s a lifelong battle. Not because people lack willpower, but because biology, genetics and hormones have been working against them all along.
Hunger isn’t just mental—it’s hormonal. Signals from ghrelin, leptin, and other pathways push people to eat, creating cravings that overwhelm even the strongest intentions. That’s why diets fail. The body is literally fighting to restore the weight it “thinks” it needs to survive.
This is where GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have completely changed the landscape. For the first time, we have tools that work with the body instead of against it. GLP-1s mimic natural hormones in the gut that regulate appetite and satiety. The constant mental “noise” about food- the cravings, the planning of the next meal, the irresistible urge for a sweet treat suddenly quiets. They can eat smaller portions, feel satisfied, and finally focus on life instead of their next bite.
Patients describe it as life-changing. One of my patients, who struggled with both weight and eating disorders from a young age, started Semaglutide. Just a month later, she sat in my office with tears in her eyes and said:“Is this how normal people feel?”. For the first time in her life, she wasn’t consumed by thoughts of food. She was free.
And she is not alone. Over and over, we hear the same words in our clinic: “I finally feel in control.” These medications aren’t about vanity, they’re about breaking chains that have held people captive for years, even decades.
For too long, diets, exercise plans, and even surgery have failed people because they didn’t address the root cause: hormones and biology. That’s why GLP-1s are finally working where everything else has failed.
If what you’ve tried in the past hasn’t worked, it’s time for a change. Don’t be afraid of these medications. In the right hands—with a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant—they are safe, effective, and truly transformative.
Yes, every medication comes with potential side effects. With GLP-1s, the most common are mild nausea or digestive upset, which are easily managed with careful dosing, time and support. When prescribed and monitored by an expert, these medications are overwhelmingly safe.
At Monarch Health & Wellness, we’ve treated more than 7,000 patients. We are not seeing the horror stories you read on the internet or see in the news. Much of that information is exaggerated or misleading. Trust the experts who have your best interests at heart, not sensational headlines.
For years, GLP-1s were out of reach for most people. With prices over $1,000 a month and little insurance coverage, access was nearly impossible. Thankfully, times are changing. Pharmaceutical companies have reduced prices by more than half, and compounding pharmacies now make these medications far more affordable. Patients are finally able to access life-changing treatment at a fraction of the former price. We’re hopeful insurance companies will recognize the enormous long-term benefits of covering these treatments. With weight loss many can avoid high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart attacks and multiple hospitalizations later on down the road which ultimately lead to much higher costs, lower quality of life and patients not living life to their fullest.
Who wants to spend their retirement years in and out of the hospital and visiting doctors to manage their illness? Not me.
What matters most isn’t the number on the scale, it’s the life that weight loss gives back. Our patients can now:
• Ride roller coasters with their children instead of watching from the sidelines.
• Tie their shoes without getting winded.
• Travel without worrying about seatbelt extenders.
• Hike, dance and fully participate in family life again
These “little wins” mean everything. They restore dignity, joy, and confidence. They add years to life, and life to years.
I’m not a size four. I’m not perfect. I still enjoy donuts on occasion. But I’ve learned moderation and acceptance. More importantly, I’ve seen what’s possible when people have the right tools.
For years people have been blamed for failed diets, told they just didn’t try hard enough. Science has proven otherwise. Obesity is not a failure of willpower, they failed because they were fighting against their own biology. Now, with GLP-1s, patients are finally getting sustainable and long term success, safely.
So, if you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, know this: it’s not your fault. And it’s not too late.
You have one life to live. Reclaim it with the tools we now have. Go to an expert, trust the process, and finally live the healthy, vibrant life you deserve.
Cassie Layne, FNP is the founder of Monarch Health & Wellness and Monarch Med Spa in Crown Point, Ind. Three years ago, she opened Monarch Health & Wellness with the mission of transforming lives through evidence-based, compassionate, and individualized weight-loss care. Since then, the practice has served more than 7,000 patients. Layne is a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Medicine, credentialed by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. A graduate of Purdue University and Olivet Nazarene University, she began her healthcare career in 2007 and has dedicated nearly two decades to helping patients achieve better health. She and her hand-selected team believe in thorough evaluation and individualized treatment to provide the highest quality care. Beyond her role as a clinician and entrepreneur, Layne is a mother to three children. Her passion for family, community, and patient care fuels her mission.
SELF CARE with
A few Saturdays ago, I did something that was equal parts out of my comfort zone and totally my vibe: I drove to Indianapolis to combine two of my favorite things, puppies and peace. Yep. Puppy yoga is a thing. And it’s everything.
As a newer dog mom to a one-year-old rescue Maltipoo named Gracie (hi, sweet girl!), I’ve always had a soft spot for pups. Add in the fact that I’ve been leaning into movement and mindfulness lately? Puppy yoga felt like a match made in heaven or at least the Midwest version of it.
I signed up for a French Bulldog session through Puppy Yoga Indianapolis and arrived early to settle in. The studio is tucked inside The Stutz building (yep, that iconic old-car-meets-culture hub), and the vibes were as cozy as they were Insta-worthy. Think yoga mats already set out, café nearby for post-class snacks, and calming energy from the jump.
The instructor was so good. The staff was honestly the sweetest. They made the entire experience feel warm, welcoming, and totally doable and even for someone who hasn’t stretched on purpose since 2019. They even go around snapping photos during class, so don’t be surprised if your downward dog moment ends up on their IG feed (hello, surprise internet fame!).
The moment the doors opened and the pups came tumbling in, I felt an instant shift. My body was still in tired mom-mode, but my heart? Fully in the moment. I couldn’t help but gravitate toward one squishy-faced baby I named Sweet Baby Girl (not officially, but emotionally, yes). The dogs roam freely, playing, eating, napping, occasionally stepping on your mat, and definitely stealing the show.
The class itself runs about 75 minutes and includes guided yoga plus time to cuddle and
snap your “I do yoga now” pictures. No need to bring a mat (they provide one), and no yoga experience necessary. It’s come-as-you-are energy—which is exactly what I needed. You can’t bring your own dog, but every pup is vaccinated, cared for, and just...pure joy.
One question folks always ask: Are the puppies adoptable? Most of the time, no, they’re not adoption events. But a reputable breeder is on-site for questions, and the focus is fully on wellness and fun, not sales or pressure.
Location: 212 W. 10th St., Suite A290, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (Stutz Building – 2nd floor, entrance behind the clock near Café Patachou)
Cost: $69
Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.
No late entry after 20 minutes.
Expect the usual puppy chaos, licks, zoomies, and the occasional scratch.
Children must be at least 10 years old.
Cuddle time + photo ops included (and yes, they’ll take pictures of you too!).
The breed reveal drops every Tuesday on their Instagram, so definitely follow along if you want to choose your session based on floppy ears or squishy faces.
I walked out of that class lighter than I’d felt in weeks. Puppy yoga reminded me that rest doesn’t always look like silence or stillness, it can be wiggly, playful, and covered in paw prints. And sometimes, that’s the best kind of reset.
Ashley Franklin is the founder of Lovehearted Kiddos. She created the brand as a love letter to my two daughters, and it’s become a place where fun, creativity, and empowerment come together. As a mompreneur, she understands the balancing act of business, parenthood, and self-care, but wouldn’t trade it for the world. Shey says she’s honored to be raising her girls with the values of empowerment, creativity, and confidence, and hopes Lovehearted Kiddos continues to inspire others to do the same.
You existed before those titles.
You
You are still someone outside
are still someone outside of what you do
For
others.
3 2
5 4 1
Jacquelynn Cotten is a “no-fluff, soul-stirring” voice in the personal growth space, known for helping high-achieving women reconnect with who they really are so they can build lives and businesses that actually feel good. As a mom, she understands the identity shifts that come with motherhood and partnership and she’s on a mission to remind women that they are someone before they were everything to everyone else. She’s the host of the podcast Just Women Talking S**t, a no bull approach to self-help, and the creator of Rise in Phoenix, a transformative retreat and girls’ week trip happening September 29 to October 3, 2025. Connect with her on Instagram @jacquelynncotten for daily tough love, identity work insights, and unapologetic realness.
In life, we grow, we adapt, and we evolve into many different versions of ourselves. Along the way, it can become difficult to fully accept who we are becoming. The process of transformation—while necessary—can feel unfamiliar, even uncomfortable. I always say that Self-acceptance is where your true Self-love journey begins.
New Version of Me is a personal letter—a word piece I wrote to myself during a time of deep reflection and transformation. It’s a reminder that growth is not only possible, but beautiful.
Becoming a new version of yourself isn’t always easy. It requires courage, awareness, and the willingness to let go of who you used to be.
My hope is that these words speak to your heart, encourage you, and remind you that the next version of you is worth embracing—fully and unapologetically.
Let these words be healing to your soul and refreshing to your spirit.
And above all else—please, always continue to choose you.
New Version of Me
I feel like this new version of me is trying to emerge— but I won’t let her.
You see, I’m afraid to see her.
And it’s wild because she’s such a better version of me—living fully in her freedom.
I’m afraid that the old version of me will die.
But maybe... that old version of me needs to die, so that this new version of me can be born.
This new version of me—
She doesn’t care what people think. She lets go without questioning her intuition. She thrives in her peace and in her joy.
She’s enjoying life—with her family, with her friends. She’s satisfied.
She knows she is whole and complete. She’s not seeking validation from anyone.
She is free.
So why am I afraid of freedom?
Why am I afraid of her this new version of me?
Oh—and I forgot to mention—
She speaks her truth unapologetically. She knows what she wants. She knows what she doesn’t want.
I think... I will become her.
I think she deserves to be seen. I think she deserves to be heard.
The way she moves—
Oh my goodness, it's sensual and goddess-like.
She owns her divine feminine energy. It is fire. It is giving. It is her.
I see her.
And I want to be her.
She’s not desperate.
She’s not tired.
She’s not defeated.
She is centered. She is peaceful.
I see her.
And I want to be her.
I’m at a crossroads:
Do I choose her—this new version of me?
Or do I keep choosing the old version I’ve outgrown?
I’m 43-years-old.
It’s time for me to wake up.
No more putting myself back to sleep with things that don’t serve me.
No more staying around people who aren't good for my nervous system.
No more shrinking.
No more hiding.
No more denying my freedom.
I am awake. I am aware.
I choose me
Every version of me.
And this version—this woman who is emerging— I will let her be.
I will become her.
Thank you, God, for this change within me.
I embrace it.
I embrace my freedom.
I embrace me.
This new version of me—
She releases everything that doesn’t align with her truth.
She walks away from what disturbs her peace. She sets her boundaries. She protects her energy.
I accept me.
I accept myself.
I accept the whole version of me.
I accept the whole version of me.
I accept the whole version of me.
And I will stop being divided within myself.
I deserve to take up space in this world— So I will take up space, fully, as my authentic self, unapologetically.
I am not too much. I am everything right.
I am everything right. And I love and accept me.
I love and accept this New Version of Me.
Charmaine Denise Moore is the founder of Face of Hope and Beauty a Self-Love Life Coaching business, a writer, and a speaker. She is also a wife, mother of six, and a proud “glam-ma” to her granddaughters. Having faced and overcome a range of life challenges—including depression, anxiety, rejection, grief, sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)—Charmaine has become a passionate advocate for mental health and wellness. Through her empowering Mindset Coaching Workshops and Guided Meditations, she helps Women and Teens reclaim their power, embrace healing, and cultivate lives rooted in self-love and self-acceptance. Charmaine guides this transformation through the power of music, movement, healing, and affirming words. Please feel free to connect with Charmaine on her website at www.faceofhopeandbeauty.com or her Instagram page @faceofhopeandbeauty.
WITH HOLLY WELLS
Name: Holly Wells
Age: 42
Job title / company: Dental Hygienist at Valparaiso Family Dentistry; self published author
Town / city you’re from: Valparaiso, Ind.
Town / city you live in now: Valparaiso, Ind. (also lived in Cape Coral, Fla. for a stint)
Describe your family. Significant other? Children? I was a single parent at the age of 19, so needless to say I struggled. Thankfully I had help from my mom, sisters, and close family friends. My daughter is now 23 y/o and applying to med school. I always wanted more kids, but sadly it just wasn’t in my cards. I am blessed to have a fiancé who has 2 girls, so even though I can’t have more children of my own, I get the honor of being a future step parent and it’s more than I could’ve asked for.
Do you have a license or degree? If so, in what, from where? I started as a dental assistant, then got my Associates in Dental Hygiene at Ivy tech in south bend, then continued on to get my Bachelor’s in Health Science in Dental Hygiene from Indiana University South Bend. I also hold many certifications such as diode laser, expanded functions, and local anesthesia.
You just released your first book. Tell us about it from the title to the process.
It’s called “All My Exes” and details my horrible dating history. It started as a therapy journal, a way for me to self reflect on failed relationships and figure out why I made the decisions I made with the men in my life. It shows how your relationships as a child can influence your relationships/decision making as an adult. It has humor, but also some very dark things that were very hard for me to face. It took me four years to dig out memories I thought would never see the light of day, and now it’s all in a book for the world to read.
What was that experience like for you?
Writing a book is harder than it looks. A lot of time, a lot of editing, a lot of money. This book in particular was hard because it’s my own personal story. I’m not a vulnerable person, but putting this out there made me be.
Describe your professional background / history?
I have no professional writing back ground. Took no classes, nothing like that. I do have a sister who’s had many published articles and short stories, although I do not claim to be anywhere near as experienced as her. Before my dad passed, he wrote stories of his travels to the Smokey Mountains. Maybe writing is in our blood.
How did you discover your passion?
I wouldn’t say writing is my passion. It’s my hobby. I do it for fun. My passion is helping people in the dental setting. I treat disease every day. Saving smiles one day at a time. It’s life changing for some people.
What mark do you hope to leave on your industry?
I just hope that my readers enjoy my stories, it’s really what motivates me to keep writing.
What are you most proud of in your life personally and/or professionally?
My one goal in life was to make sure that my daughter’s life wasn’t as hard as mine. She still has a long way to go, but I feel like this mission was accomplished and I’m proud of that. I went from working multiple jobs—days, nights, and weekends just to scrape by, to making six figures. I’ve worked hard and invested in myself, it’s paid off.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Another woman on the path to finding her calling?
It’s not your job to make other people happy at the expense of your own happiness. It’s okay to be selfish when it comes to your life.
Always take a chance on yourself. If taking a chance scares you, then it’s the right thing to do. Just don’t make excuses for or ignore the red flags. Trust your gut!
What's next for you?
I’m currently working on a thriller of sorts, and have plans for a love story. I don’t have a niche quite yet, but thats the fun in telling stories, you can make up whatever you want!
Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?
Outside of work I enjoy cooking, traveling, hiking, fishing, being active, anything beach related, thrifting.
Anything else you'd like to include.
I’m an advocate for living donation, as I am a living donor myself. I donated a kidney in 2019 to a family member, and am proof you can save a life and still live a normal life!
morganhechtmakeup@gmail.com @morganhechtmua | yourmakeupdestination.com OFFERING
