

2024 was a year that tested me in ways I hadn't prepared for.
I navigated a wave of loss—from saying goodbye to family members, including my grandfather, at the start of the year to the end of a relationship and later grappling with the weight of caring for an ailing senior dog that I, at one point, felt I was on the verge of losing. The ongoing grief, coupled with periods of running on empty, I experienced during that time unearthed so much more than I expected. But more than that, it wasn’t just about losing people, I was also mourning a version of the life I thought I’d be living by that time.
There is a silver lining to that, though. Through it all, I began to understand the importance of centering my well-being in ways I hadn’t before. My therapist helped me realize something that seems so simple in retrospect but was transformative to how I lead my life now: the tools I needed to feel good were always within my reach, but I tended to abandon them when I needed them most. I’d wait to feel “better” before returning to the things that nurtured me instead of using them as anchors during my personal storms.
This shift in perspective redefined how I approached my wellness journey, and it’s shaping the way I’m looking toward 2025 and what's to come.
While I know wellness isn’t just about routines or trends, I am learning that wellness is about putting into practice things that truly sustain us physically, mentally, and emotionally and doing so regularly. As we ease into the new year, why not highlight some emerging wellness trends for 2025? The following are wellness trends predicted by Ally Head, Senior Health Editor at Marie Claire UK.
From practices that honor simplicity to innovations that prioritize mental health, these trends reflect a deeper shift toward sustainable, holistic well-being—something I’ve come to value now more than ever. Let's get into the ones we'll be checking for the most, shall we?
1.Move Over, Protein, Fiber’s Taking the Throne
It's time to get your fiber intake up. Yes, you read that right. In 2025, fiber is having its moment and while in recent years our airwaves have been saturated by the importance of daily protein intake, the importance of fiber is taking over for its incredible benefits to our overall health. The sad fact of the matter is, most of us aren't getting enough of it. More than 90% of Americans don't meet the recommended dietary fiber intake each day, increasing the risk of chronic disease.
The driving force behind fiber as a wellness trend? Well, fiber is finally getting the recognition it deserves for its role in supporting gut health, regulating blood sugar levels, aiding in weight management, and reducing the risk of heart disease as well as some cancers. It's a simple yet powerful dietary change that can make a big difference in how we feel day-to-day and in our long-term health.
2.From Pre to Pro to Post: The Future of Gut Health
When it comes to gut health, you might know that prebiotics and probiotics are the reigning champions. However, a new biotic is coming for the throne in the wellness world in 2025: postbiotics. Postbiotics are emerging as the "biotic" sister compound poised to revolutionize the conversation, thanks to a number of studies pointing to their efficacy last year, per Marie Claire UK.
One of the most promising postbiotics is butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) molecule produced by bacteria in the colon, which has exciting implications for managing symptoms of IBS and improving overall gut health. Moreover, the potential benefits of postbiotics extend well beyond the gut, influencing everything from reducing inflammation and improving blood flow to enhancing immune function, athletic performance, and cognitive health.
In 2025, alongside prebiotics and probiotics, postbiotics will surely have us saying hello to the gut health trifecta.
3.Biohacking Your Way to Wellness
Biohacking has been on the wellness scene for a while now, but in 2025, it’s going mainstream. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, biohacking is exactly what it sounds like: it's essentially hacking your biology in order to feel your best. Biohacking is a proactive way to manage your health that's all about using science and technology to optimize your body and mind. Think wearable devices that track your sleep habits and stress levels or personalized supplements and diets.
As a fellow biohacker himself, Jamie Bellis gave his two cents to Marie Claire UK on the emerging wellness trend, "With the rise of wearable tech, functional foods, and adaptogenic supplements, biohacking empowers individuals to address modern challenges like burnout, focus, and boosting longevity."
And, speaking of longevity...
4.The Fountain of Youth Is Longevity
Although there's nothing new about this as a wellness trend, longevity is gaining more momentum in 2025. Fewer wrinkles and smoother skin as a way to reverse aging is taking a backseat to sustainable diet and lifestyle changes and having that be the true key to accessing the proverbial fountain of youth. It's not just about looking good. Instead, it's about feeling good in our bodies for as long as we can. As opposed to the quick fixes of aesthetic injectables and the like, longevity is about the quality, emphasizing practices that help us age gracefully, maintain our vitality, and sustain energy as we age.
From dietary shifts and movement practices designed to protect your joints and heart health to red light therapy and NAD+ supplements, longevity is inspiring us to invest in long-term health well beyond the temporary aesthetics.
5.Making Moves and Making Friends
Per Marie Claire UK, exercise as a social movement is here to stay, and in 2025, it’s going to continue gaining momentum. Whether it’s joining a run club, linking up for group yoga, or setting up fitness meet-ups, more of us are realizing that working out alongside others adds a whole new layer to the experience.
This trend couples individual fitness goals with external accountability, blending movement with building social connections. It’s a reminder that wellness is holistic—emotional, physical, and social. As we step into 2025, expect to see even more of us leaning into fitness as a way to strengthen our bodies while strengthening our relationships.
6.Strength Is the New Sexy
According to data from Strava, via Marie Claire UK, the fastest-growing sport type for women in 2024 was weight training. It's all about the gains, baby! Women are embracing strength training like never before, breaking stereotypes and redefining what it means to be fit and lead an active lifestyle. Zip Allen, Strava’s CBO, shared what she thought about the shift, telling the mag, "What I love most about the weight training growth we’ve seen this year is that it indicates how the active landscape is changing. It shows that women are leading the way in seeking new ways to be active to reach their goals."
As 2025 kicks off, the demand for weight training will only continue, with more women prioritizing gains, functional fitness training, and the confidence that comes with knowing their strength.
For the complete list of 2025 wellness trends based on Marie Claire UK's predictions, click here.
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'Sistas' Star Skyh Black On The Power Of Hypnotherapy & Emotional Vulnerability For Men
In this insightful episode of the xoMAN podcast, host Kiara Walker talked with Sistas star Skyh Black, as he opened up about his journey of emotional growth, resilience, and self-discovery. The episode touches on emotional availability, self-worth, masculinity, and the importance of therapy in overcoming personal struggles.
Skyh Black on Emotional Availability & Love
On Emotional Availability & Vulnerability
“My wife and I wouldn't be where we are today if both of us weren't emotionally available,” he shared about his wife and Sistas co-star KJ Smith, highlighting the value of vulnerability and emotional openness in a relationship. His approach to masculinity stands in contrast to the traditional, stoic ideals. Skyh is not afraid to embrace softness as part of his emotional expression.
On Overcoming Self-Doubt & Worthiness Issues
Skyh reflected on the self-doubt and worthiness issues that he struggled with, especially early in his career. He opens up about his time in Los Angeles, living what he calls the “LA struggle story”—in a one-bedroom with three roommates—and being homeless three times over the span of 16 years. “I always had this self-sabotaging thought process,” Skyh said. “For me, I feel therapy is essential, period. I have a regular therapist and I go to a hypnotherapist.”
How Therapy Helped Him Heal From Self-Doubt
On Hypnotherapy & Empowering Self-Acceptance
Skyh’s journey is a testament to the power of tapping into self-development despite life’s struggles and being open to growth. “I had to submit to the fact that God was doing good in my life, and that I'm worthy of it. I had a worthiness issue and I did not realize that. So, that’s what the hypnotherapy did. It brought me back to the core. What is wrong so that I can fix it?”
Watch the full podcast episode below:
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Women Are (Still) Spelling 'Coconut' With Their Hips. And Guys Are Losing Their Damn Minds.
While prepping for a podcast interview a while back, because I received the questions beforehand, I did a bit of research into one of the inquiries: what are men’s current favorite sex positions? I doubt any of you are shocked by the fact that what continued to pop up (like here, here, and here) was doggy style and the cowgirl position (i.e., when a woman is on top).
When it comes to ridin’, specifically, that got me to thinking about something that was all over the internet a few years ago: women who were advising that you spell “coconut” with your hips, during sex, in order for you and your partner to receive maximum pleasure and satisfaction.
When I asked a few women I know if they ever tried that before, I was surprised to discover that not only had they, but many didn’t treat it as some random social media fad — they actually still do it to this day. Partly, because it’s fun to them and partly because their partner(s) seem to go crazy for it.
Listen, any time something sexual works like a charm, I’m going to shout it out — (late) trend or not. And so, if you’ve never heard of the whole coconut thing, you tried it and forgot all about it, or you just want to try something new/different/else tonight — here’s a reminder, in article form, that coconut-ting is still alive and well, y’all. And the men are all about it!
But First, The Grapefruit Technique
Video Credit: Myem/YouTube (Funny part starts at 2:40)
If this woman is not familiar to you on sight, you ain’t a real one. LOL. Although I know that a lot of people think that the concept of grapefruiting came from the movie Girls Trip (you can see the clip from the film here) that absolutely is not the case. Auntie Angel (whose real name is reportedly Denise Walker) is the creator of the Grapefruit Technique and although I thought that this video came out way earlier, apparently it made its way onto the YouTube streets sometime back in 2014.
If for some reason, you’re not familiar with grapefruiting on any level, I will tell you right now that I had to download this video because it is absolutely NSFW — so you should probably watch it on your lunch break (on your phone with the volume as low as possible) or at home…because chile, the sound effects? Whew, the sound effects. LOL. However, when I sat down to pen this piece, I thought it was hilarious that this video is what immediately came to mind because it seems like, when it comes to “blow his mind sex hacks,” fruit is constantly on the menu.
When it comes to oral sex, it’s grapefruit.
When it comes to ride ‘em cowgirl, it’s a coconut.
What Is the “Coconut” Sex Trend?
@windy_moraba #duet with @mysteri0us.gir1 spell coconut with your waist 😂😂😂
Okay, so what in the world does a coconut have to do with intercourse? Well, for starters, if you and your partner are looking for an all-natural lubricant, coconut oil works well. HOWEVER, do keep in mind that the disclaimer on this is you shouldn’t use it if condoms are in the mix because they can actually cause rubbers to be less effective (silicone lube is a solid bet for condoms, by the way).
There is another way that coconuts are kinda-sorta incorporated when it comes to making sex more pleasurable — and it actually became pretty popular right after COVID lockdown (2021): spelling C-O-C-O-N-U-T with your hips while you’re on top of your partner.
It’s wild how I forgot all about this until a client of mine was telling me how much her husband liked her on top while it wasn’t her favorite thing to do because it felt awkward to her. When I said, “Have you ever heard of spelling ‘coconut’ with your hips before?” — at first, she looked at me like I was crazy and then she busted out laughing: “Girl, no” was her reply.
Hmph. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it because, as wild as it might sound on the surface, the word isn’t the point so much as the movements that come with spelling it out are.
When you’re moving your pelvis around to make a “c,” “o” or U-turn, not only does it intensify the level of sensation that both you and your partner feel during intercourse, it can also increase the level of blood circulation to both of your genitalia which can make your orgasms more satisfying too.
At the end of the day, spelling “coconut” is simply reminding you that there are more options to riding than simply sitting there while your partner pumps for all he’s worth or you humping up and down like you’re on a pogo stick.
Spelling “coconut” is an easy hack to bring some variety into cowgirling. However…
Honestly, the “Fruit” Isn’t the Point. THIS IS.
From grapefruiting and spelling “coconut” to reading articles that I’ve penned for the platform like “How To Improve The Taste Of Sperm” — fruit and sex are always going to be a winning combination, one way or another. However, the main point of this article isn’t about making sure that you are a master speller so much as providing you with tips that will make the cowgirl position something that you are confident about and you find a ton of fulfillment in doing.
You can make both of these things happen by incorporating the following things:
Stretch beforehand. A charley horse during sex is the worst thing ever — and chile, don’t let it be right before you’re about to climax. SMDH. Yeah, if you want to feel more comfortable when you’re on top, make sure that you stretch beforehand and that you are well-hydrated. That will reduce the chances of experiencing a totally-out-of-nowhere muscle spasm — whether you decide to “spell” during sex or…not.
Bring pillows into the mix. Sometimes riding is a challenge because your partner feels farther away from your body than you would like. Putting a pillow underneath him can help to elevate his pelvis, so that you don’t feel like you’re stretching and straining. Speaking of pillows, a longer one can really come in handy because it can give your knees some additional support as well.
Also, ask him to put his knees up. Speaking of making the “grind” easier for you, ask your partner to put his knees up. That way, your back can recline on his legs as you’re moving your hips around. You’d be amazed how much this one hack can do for you. Straight up.
Add lube. When you get a chance, check out “The Wetter, The Better: 10 Creative Ways To Use Lubricant” and you will automatically see why bringing lubrication into a cowgirl session is an absolute must. It reduces friction. It makes your movements glide with ease. And it’s just more fun. Promise you that.
Lean in. If your partner happens to be on the larger side of life, one way that you can control his depth is by leaning forward into him. That way, your hips can better control how much or little he is inside of you, so that you can get into a position that gives you the sensation that you are looking for.
Get him to multitask. Again, whether you are spelling “coconut” or not and whether you are riding cowgirl or reverse cowgirl — something that is awesome about being on top is it frees your partner’s hands to do, umm, other things. And since it is so much easier to have an orgasm while your clitoris is being stimulated, get your partner to put some of the lube that we discussed earlier on his fingertips, so that he can gently rub on your clitoris while you are riding him. It doesn’t get much better than that!
Don’t wanna spell? Hula Hoop then. What if you try the whole coconut thing and it’s not a favorite for you (or him)? No problem — when’s the last time that you hula hooped? Pretend that you have one of those around your hips and move around that way. I’d be shocked if you ended up feeling “meh” about that option.
5 Guys Tell Me What They Love When Their Partner Is on Top
A part of the reason why I am “team cowgirl” is because it provides a lot of benefits to the woman: she has more control, it tends to be more comfortable for her, it’s a great position for a quickie and the orgasms tend to be that much more — wonderful. However, as I was thinking about spelling coconut, in general, I couldn’t help but wonder what guys thought about it and the cowgirl position overall.
If you’re curious, here’s what five of ‘em said.
1. Braxford. Engaged. 35. “Y’all be spelling up there? Who knew? My favorite thing about when my fiancée is on top is what I think every man likes: the view. It’s a chance to see her entire body and experience it at the same time. Not even doggy style accomplishes that. Damn, where’s my lady at?”
2. Denez. Single. 42. “Do you know how many ‘spots’ you have access to when y’all are on top? Breasts are in my mouth. Hickeys are on her neck. Prop my head up on a pillow and her tummy is getting licked. When a woman is riding you, it’s sensory overload! It’s crazy how each one looks amazing in that position too.”
3. Omar. In a Serious Relationship. 29. “[He said her name yet I’m not going to share it] isn’t a very vocal lover. Her body and technique are insane, so even though I love dirty talk, I’ve learned to compromise — except when she’s on top. She’s not saying much but those moans? And yeah, we tried the coconut thing. ‘Cs’ and ‘Os,’ hell yeah. ‘Ns’ and “Ts’? Nah.”
4. Nolen. Single. 45. “45 isn’t old but it’s old enough for your back to show out on you when you least expect it. My experience has been that women don’t want a lot of thrusting when they are on top, so it’s like having some of the best sex without having to do much at all. Well, aside from trying not to bust too quickly. I take that back: riding is easy on the body; it’s work on the brain.”
5. Ivan. Married. 37. “I like the spelling sh-t because it switches things up. We make a game out of it by her picking a word and spelling out while I try and guess what it is. We also try to see how many words that we can get to before one of us cums. 12 words is pushing it unless it’s like ‘dog’ or ‘cat’ or something. I’ve guessed ‘coconut’ a few times and I get what the excitement is all about. Spelling bee sex: try it.”
Yep. I concur.
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