In this episode, I speak with my new friend Jay, a fitness trainer in the UK who is living his life to the fullest, despite being diagnosed with Cerebellar Ataxia at age 15.

We discuss Jay's journey with his disability, the importance of independence, and the role of community and support systems in overcoming adversity.

Jay shares his insights on challenging perceptions of disability, the significance of human connection, and the impact of his fitness journey on others.

The conversation emphasizes resilience, inspiration, and the need for compassion in a world where everyone is facing their own struggles.

Jay's Instagram pages:

@FitnessbyJayy__

@ataxiasoldier

Donate to his GoFundMe! Help him buy a new wheelchair

Help Jay live daily life with even more independence!

In this episode, I interview Aanchal Arora, the author of the book of poetry she wrote and published, called The Efflorescence.

We discuss various themes in the book, including love, loss, motherhood, self-love, and feminine health. Anshal shares her journey into poetry and how it became a form of therapy for her.

We also talk about the importance of self-love and the power of vulnerability in writing.

Key takeaways

• Poetry can be a form of therapy and a way to express emotions and experiences.
• Self-love is important and should be a priority. It is okay to say no and take care of yourself.
• Failure is a stepping stone to success and a learning opportunity.
• Vulnerability in writing can validate the human experience and help others feel less alone.
• Dream big and pursue your passions, even if it means taking risks and facing challenges.

Aanchal dreams of going on a world book tour and spreading her words to a larger audience.

In this episode, I interview Parker Melendez, an emergency management specialist, about how stoicism has helped him navigate adversity in his career.

We discuss the principles of Stoicism, like controlling what you can and accepting what you can't, and how it applies to emergency situations.

Parker shares how he discovered Stoicism and the impact it has had on his emotional resilience. He also talks about using techniques like box breathing to stay calm in high-stress situations.

The conversation highlights the importance of emotional regulation and the idea that obstacles can be opportunities for growth. We dive into the practical application of Stoicism in everyday life, particularly for first responders.

Parker talks about the idea of accepting what is out of one's control and focusing on what can be controlled. We also touch on the importance of taking action and living in accordance with Stoic principles.

Parker emphasizes that Stoicism is not a religion but a philosophy that can be used as a set of tools to navigate life's challenges.

Resources:

The Daily Stoic website

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday's (author and Stoic expert) Instagram

Have you ever noticed that everything feels hard when you talk to yourself life shit?

I have!

In this episode, I reflect on my own journey of overcoming adversity in the form of that good old inner voice. You know...that one cheers you on when you're doing great, but also blames you for everything and is never quite satisfied with your efforts.

I talk about positive self-talk and how it has transformed my life. I look back a bit on experiences that have helped me rebuild my inner voice, like therapy, self-reflection, and holding myself accountable.

In 12 minutes and 4 seconds, I look back on how my inner voice from a year ago has completely changed from weak and confused to clear and confident.

Resources:

Huberman Lab Podcast (The Science of Wellbeing) - Dr. Martha Beck - Access Your Best Self with Mind-Body Practices, Belief Testing, & Imagination

In this episode, I reflect on the power of the pause and how it is helping me to better navigate life's inevitable challenges.

I share my personal experiences and insights on how pausing before reacting has helped me improve my communication and regulate my emotions, and ultimately, it helps me make more educated, more informed, and more rational decisions.

I highlight 3 ways the power of the pause has helped me do the following in my own life:

1) Be a more conscious, regulated parent

2) Show up as a loyal and confident friend

3) Integrate gratitude into my daily life

I emphasize the importance of taking a pause to evaluate how to respond and rewire the brain for positive outcomes.

Key messages:

• Pausing before reacting can improve communication and outcomes.
• The power of the pause helps regulate emotions and leads to better decision-making.
• Taking a pause when parenting can change how you react and the effectiveness of discipline.
• Pausing in friendships can prevent overanalyzing and jumping to conclusions.
• Cultivating gratitude requires taking a pause and appreciating the present moment.

Before you listen to this episode, take a pause...your brain will thank you for it :)

Resources:

• Mindful.org - the power of the pause
• Gratitude physically changes your brain, new study says

In this episode, I interview Moriah Melendez, a licensed therapist, about her journey in therapy and her private practice.

Moriah specializes in working with women in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s in Idaho and Washington (both online and in person) focusing on:

• Relationship issues
• Recovering from people-pleasing
• Perfectionism

She and I discuss the importance of mental health and therapy, especially during the pandemic, and how therapy can help people who may not appear to be struggling.

Moriah shares her personal experiences with ADHD and OCD, and how they have informed her career as a therapist.

Overall, the conversation highlights the need for compassion and understanding in supporting others through their struggles. We discuss the importance of practicing imperfection and authenticity in therapy.

Moriah shares a personal experience of being late for a session and how it allowed her to practice grace and understanding. We also talk about Moriah's journey in managing ADHD and OCD, and the role of self-compassion in healing.

The conversation highlights the mind-body connection and the physical manifestations of mental health issues. Moriah emphasizes the value of therapy in gaining a different perspective and finding effective tools for healing.

Resources:

Follow Moriah on Instagram - therapywithmoriah

Read Moriah's bio + verification in Psychology Today

Book a consultation with Moriah

Self-compassion with Kristin Neff

In this conversation, Bryan, owner of K Floors in Concord, CA shares his experiences of overcoming adversity and finding joy in life.

He emphasizes the importance of self-love and not letting fear and worry control your actions. Bryan also discusses the significance of surrounding yourself with positive and supportive people.

He shares the stories of his children's births and highlights the importance of being present and adaptable in challenging situations.

Overall, Bryan's message is to embrace the good in life, accept what you can't control, and focus on what brings you joy.

• Embrace the good in life and accept what you can't control
• Surround yourself with positive and supportive people
• Practice self-love and prioritize your own well-being
• Be present and adaptable in challenging situations
• Focus on what brings you joy and don't let fear and worry control your actions
• Overcoming Adversity and Finding Joy in Life
• The Power of Self-Love and Positive Relationships
• "If it's not a hell yes, it's a no."
• "Self-love is so important. In fact, it's probably the most important in life."
• "You can't always do everything. You can't always be happy. You can't always make the right choice. You can't always plan everything out. You can't always have every contingency covered. And you have to accept that."

Bryan shares his journey of overcoming adversity and building a successful flooring company, K Floors, in Concord, CA.

He started as a painter and worked his way up, facing challenges along the way.

Despite setbacks, he remained resilient and focused on his goals. Bryan emphasizes the importance of specializing in a specific area and providing excellent service.

He also discusses the impact of family relationships and the role of mental health in his life.

The conversation covers various topics, including:

• The importance of support and resilience
• Starting a business during challenging times
• Overcoming adversity
• Finding happiness in life

He shares personal stories of his mother's support, as she worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Bryan also discusses the challenges of starting a brick-and-mortar business and the importance of commitment and dedication. He emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, healing from childhood trauma, and learning to embrace both positive and negative experiences in life.

The conversation then shifts to his experience of breaking his back after falling 16 ft. off scaffolding while painting.

In Part 2 (Ep. 18), Bryan shares the physical and mental challenges he faced during recovery.