2025 asked a lot of us and somehow gave even more in return. In this New Year’s episode, Mackenzie and Tracy each share the five biggest lessons they learned this year, shaped by heartbreak, hard conversations, career pivots, and finally confronting some self-destructive patterns we’d been avoiding. This year stretched us, softened us, and strengthened us - and most importantly, we didn’t go through it alone.

Whether you’re closing out 2025 with clarity or still piecing things together, we hope our reflections help you feel less alone, more grounded, and ready to step into 2026 a little wiser, a little braver, and a lot stronger.

Before we unpack emotional regression, nostalgia, and why going home for the holidays can turn confident adults into slightly feral versions of themselves… we start with a very important debrief. Tracy just turned 29, the martinis were martini-ing, Sagittarius season got a little too fiery, and let’s just say lessons were learned (or at least acknowledged).

Then we cozy up and dive into the real stuff: why being “home for the holidays” can bring up old patterns, old dynamics, and emotions you swear you already worked through in therapy. We talk about nostalgia vs. reality, why your nervous system clocks in before you do, and how family, tradition, and expectation can make you feel both deeply comforted and deeply triggered (sometimes in the same hourly ).

This episode is part holiday hug, part emotional stocking stuffer, and part gentle reminder that growth doesn’t disappear just because you’re back in your childhood bedroom. Whether you’re feeling merry, moody, or somewhere in between, consider this your permission slip to feel it all… and maybe sip something festive while you do.

This week on Fit Happens, we’re sitting down with the effortlessly cool Rani Vance - Pilates powerhouse, SLT + Fuze House instructor, and one of the rising voices in the EMS (Electric Muscle Stimulation) fitness space. We first met Rani at a day party in the Hamptons (very Fit Happens coded), and instantly knew she was someone we needed to bring on the pod.

We dive into Rani’s journey into fitness, how she found her way to Pilates-based training, and what keeps her energized in an industry that’s always evolving. Then, we get into the nitty-gritty of EMS: what it actually does, how it works, what it feels like (yes, we tried it), and who it’s really for. If you’ve been EMS-curious but slightly intimidated, this episode breaks it all down in a way that’s both science-backed and real-world relatable.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Fit Happens without some laughs, personal stories, and a little wellness-meets-nightlife energy. Whether you’re a Pilates devotee, fitness professional, or just love learning about what’s next in the wellness world, this one’s a must-listen.