Glen Alex: Special Presentation October 19th 12:30 pm – First Presbyterian Church – Ashland
Glen Alex is an award-winning author, speaker, and health advocate whose work continues to inspire people to live healthier, more balanced lives. Her first book, Living in Total Health, has won multiple awards and positioned her as a respected voice in holistic wellness. Now, Glen returns with her second book, Living Boundaries, scheduled for release in November 2025 and will be included in Glen’s special presentation on mental health—exploring the vital difference between mental health and mental illness, and why understanding this distinction is key to living a thriving life on Sunday, October 19th at 12:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland.
In addition to her writing, Glen was recently honored as the 2025 Mental Health Educator of the Year, further solidifying her role as a leader in the global conversation on health, boundaries, and personal freedom. We caught up with Glen to talk about her new book, her coaching work, and her vision for helping people live fully and authentically.
Glen, congratulations on the success of Living in Total Health. Can you share what it meant for you to receive two more awards this past July?
I am deeply honored that Living In Total Health continues to be recognized for its timeless information, insights, and tips for readers to “live in total health.” My goal in writing Living In Total Health was for it to a timeless resource for health and wellness because these aspects of humanity do not change. And the continuing rewards validate that.
You were also named the 2025 Mental Health Educator of the Year. How did that honor come about?
Well, I received an unsolicited email from Corporate Vision inviting me to apply. I checked out their website, I liked their mission, and said why not? Applying didn’t cost me anything other than time, so I did. We can’t know or control outcomes. Still sometimes it is okay to try, to do and see how it works out. I’m so honored to receive this award.
Your new book, Living Boundaries, has such an intriguing title. What inspired you to write this follow-up, and what do you mean when you say “boundaries are alive?”
My first introduction to health was boundaries. As a child, I was so captivated by the nuance of interpersonal interactions. Even though I didn’t intellectually know what boundaries were then, I was aware what smiles, frowns, cringes, and backing away signaled. I saw boundaries respected and boundaries violated with my own eyes. And it stuck with me. While writing Living In Total Health, I was inspired to take a deeper dive into boundaries because poor boundaries often underlie poor choices, self-neglect, remaining in unfulfilling or harmful relationships and situations. For me, boundaries are alive. They are innate and ingrained in us as humans, which makes them so much more powerful and beneficial than just uttering the word no. Hence the title, Living Boundaries.
Who is this new book for, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
I initially wrote Living Boundaries for adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, bad relationships. During the process, however, it occurred to me that the information is applicable to teens too. I hope that readers learn what boundaries are, and how to set and affirm them to promote wellness on all levels.
You’ve often said mental health is not the absence of problems. How do you differentiate mental health from mental illness, and why is that important today?
That’s a big question that requires a big answer :) I conceptualize mental wellness on a continuum, from mental health to mental illness. Think of a horizontal line. At the beginning of the line on the left is reality. What is, like it or not. According to the Centers for Disease Control, mental illness is defined by the disconnection from reality. So the further you move on that line to the right (red), then the greater the disconnection from reality and presence of mental illness such as schizophrenia, psychosis, and severely disabling symptoms. And sometimes traumatic brain injuries and conditions like Alzheimer’s can present mental illness characteristics. So going back toward the left, mental health issues present closer to reality (green). This area is where life happens, normal human experience that includes positive, negative, and painful events and involve adjusting to what has and what is happening. So mental health is not the absence of problems. Mental health is determined by how well we respond to events of reality and the Human Condition.
Can you tell us more about your coaching practice—who you work with, and the issues that most often come up with your clients?
In my coaching and psychotherapy services, I work with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, grief, relationship, caregiving, perceived failure, chronic illness, work, family, and trauma issues. Underlying most of the issues that my clients present with are unhealthy boundaries, both with self and others. Another reason why Living Boundaries is necessary. I see clients virtually on different platforms and am credentialed with 150+ insurances and offer self-pay options. My approach is no-nonsense, intuitive, and provides a safe space for clients to share their experiences. While empathizing with clients, I do provide information and guidance for them to recognize their own truths. Their aha moments are invaluable and crucial to their growth and healing.
Glen, you’ve been hosting your podcast for eight years now. What has that platform allowed you to share that maybe books or coaching alone could not?
Yeah, The Glen Alex Show has been quite a ride! YouTube is great for the video version of The Glen Alex Show, which is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Spotify, and other audio platforms. Each episode has new guests who have expertise in the various health areas. I actually take pride in not having repeat guests in 8 years.
Health, for you, is a very holistic mission—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. How do you personally stay grounded and maintain your own freedom?
Let me start by saying that I do practice what I preach. To stay as balanced as I can on the daily, I meditate every morning, practice present-moment awareness as much as I can even when stressed, I self-advocate, I manage my diet with what I eat and the net calories I consume per day, I limit my social media and news exposure, and I am physically active with weights, tennis, cardio, pilates, yoga, and dancing. I plan to add swimming to my activities as the fall and winter weather prohibits outdoor activities.
Please tell us more about your upcoming event.
Upcoming is my presentation at the First Presbyterian Church in Ashland on October 19, 2025 @ 12:30pm. It will be on mental health and wellth, a concept I introduced in Living In Total Health. Wellth is health plus other riches, which presents as being joyful, connected, confident, and complete.
Glen finally, what do you most enjoy about living here in Ashland?
I still so enjoy seeing deer roam freely throughout Ashland. It was fascinating to see a doe chastise her baby by kicking it for drinking out of a fountain in someone’s yard. Either this behavior was unacceptable or mom just wanted to keep moving. This was near Lithia Park. Aside from deer, I love the culture of Ashland. From really good restaurants to wineries to live music, Ashland has a lot to offer and I’ve enjoyed it.
Learn More:
Glen Alex
702-577-0428
