Think you’re doing everything right — eating clean, avoiding junk, trying all the wellness trends — but still feel bloated, tired, or stuck? You’re not alone. In this episode, leading nutritionist Laila Al-Naif joins us to unpack the hidden ways your healthy habits might actually be backfiring — and what to do instead.

This is not about restrictive diets or fear-based rules. It’s about helping you understand:

• Why fad diets often fail to create real, lasting change
• How cheat meals mess with your gut and mindset more than you realise
• What your gut actually needs to function well
• Why eating “clean” doesn’t always mean eating right
• How to build balanced meals that support your energy — even when you're busy

If you’re:

• Always bloated, even on a “clean” diet
• Feeling low on energy despite eating well
• Confused about what’s actually healthy
• Craving a simpler, more sustainable approach to food

...this episode will help you reset your thinking and feel better — without the overwhelm. Simplified no BS advice from Layla to get your nutrition on track!

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LONDON DAIRY

Thank you to London Dairy, the sponsors of today's episode. This is your reminder to carve out a moment just for you today! Join me and my London Dairy ice cream tub on the couch for that self-care mmmm moment.

TIME STAMPS

(01:30) Introduction

(02:52) FAD Diets: Which one should we avoid?

(06:31) When diets are only a means to an end

(11:30) Cheat meals are your worst friend

(15:04) What your gut needs

(16:53) Eating for your Blood Type

(18:56) Does your cultural heritage play role in what you can and can’t eat?

(27:07) Do emotions play a role in digestion?

(30:38) Is Fasting good?

(39:36) Should we aim for ‘healthy’ or ‘nutritious’?

(43:49) Blueprint for building our plates

(46:55) How to meal prep when you’re time poor?

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

🌱 Wholefoods & Supplements - use "THEBALANCETHEORY" for 15% off

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thinking of moving to Dubai? Or just curious about life here? 🌆 In this episode, I give you my honest review after living here as an expat for the past 3 years — the highs, the lows, and everything in between. This isn’t a sugar-coated guide or influencer highlight reel. It’s the real, unfiltered truth about what it’s like to build a life in Dubai as a foreigner.

Whether you’re considering a move for work, lifestyle, or a fresh start, this episode dives into:

✅ What surprised me most about Dubai

✅ The hardest parts of adjusting as an expat

✅ What I absolutely love about living here

✅ Would I recommend it — and to who?

✅ What I’d do differently if I were starting again

💬 Have a question or thinking of moving to Dubai? Drop a me a comment on socials – I’d love to hear your story or help if I can!

LONDON DAIRY

Thank you to London Dairy, the sponsors of today's episode. This is your reminder to carve out a moment just for you today! Join me and my London Dairy ice cream tub on the couch for that self-care mmmm moment.

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

🌱 Wholefoods & Supplements - use "THEBALANCETHEORY" for 15% off

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've ever felt like your worth depends on what you do, how you look, or who approves of you — you're not alone. In this raw and empowering conversation, Davina Rankin opens up about her journey of chasing external validation through modelling, relationships, and perfectionism… and what it took to finally feel enough without it.

We dive deep into:

✨ The habit that keeps you stuck in cycles of not-enoughness

✨ Why external validation feels so addictive — and how to stop relying on it✨ The emotional shift that comes from choosing yourself first

✨ How motherhood, celibacy, and solitude helped Davina reclaim her worth

This episode is a MUST-listen if you’re tired of seeking approval, performing for love, or feeling like you constantly have to prove yourself. It’s time to break the cycle and remember: your worth isn't something you earn — it's something you own.

NUTRAORGANICS

Today's episode is brought to you by my current daily go-to brand for all things wellness, supplements, vitamins and wholefoods. I am currently LOVING the bone broth range!

✨ GET 15% OFF HERE USING CODE: "THEBALANCETHEORY"

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

📸 Instagram

TIME STAMPS

(01:27) Introduction

(01:57) Why Celibacy?

(08:04) Uncomfortable truth about yourself

(12:32) Radical Self Acceptance

(14:28) Don’t have poor spiritual hygiene

(20:10) How has your feminine energy shifted

(23:08) Practical Tips for moving away from External Validation

(27:57) First step to seek your own validation

(33:41) Showing up authentically you in all areas of your life equally (EVEN WORK)

(38:33) Losing yourself & finding yourself as a mother

(42:40) How has your self growth influenced your parenting?

(46:05) Genuine Self love v Bandaid Self Love

(47:56) Learn from your judgemental side

THE STUDIO 🎥

We filmed this incredible conversation in the beautiful Pivotal Conversations Studio on the Gold Coast, Australia. Check them out if you're looking for high quality production, we couldn't recommend them enough!

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

🌱 Wholefoods & Supplements - use "THEBALANCETHEORY" for 15% off

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever felt confused by food labels, overwhelmed by gut health advice, or unsure which supplements are actually worth it — this episode is for you.

We sit down with Lisa Baker, a dermal therapist turned nutritionist and supplement product developer, to demystify what’s really worth paying attention to when it comes to nutrition. From breaking down misleading food label claims to understanding the connection between gut health and overall wellbeing, Lisa shares practical, no-stress tips to help you make more confident and informed choices.

✨ You’ll learn:

– How to actually read food labels without getting lost

– What ingredients to watch out for (even in “clean” products)

– When supplements can support your diet — and when they’re unnecessary– Why gut health matters more than you think

– How to build a realistic, balanced approach to eating

This is your no-BS guide to gut health and nutrition — grounded, practical, and empowering.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

📸 Instagram

📚 Books

TIME STAMPS

(01:33) Introduction

(02:43) Lisa’s journey from outside to inside health

(05:44) 5 steps to creating a high quality product

(10:48) Can we trust healthy clean labels?

(14:33) What to look out for on labels

(19:25) What foods/ingredients do you 100% avoid?

(23:53) Supplements or Food?

(26:05) Gut Health research update

(29:25) Gut health helps mum’s breast milk for baby

(32:34) FAD Diets - which one is worth exploring?

(37:28) How does your work help you as a mum feeding your kids?

(42:42) Is there a common nutrition rule you don’t agree with?

(44:54) Ozempic - a concerning trend in Nutrition right now?

NUTRAORGANICS

Today's episode is brought to you by my current daily go-to brand for all things wellness, supplements, vitamins and wholefoods. I am currently LOVING the bone broth range!

✨ GET 15% OFF HERE USING CODE: "THEBALANCETHEORY"

THE STUDIO 🎥

We filmed this incredible conversation in the beautiful Pivotal Conversations Studio on the Gold Coast, Australia. Check them out if you're looking for high quality production, we couldn't recommend them enough!

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever feel like you should be further ahead by now? Like no matter how much you do, it still doesn’t feel like enough?

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through 8 powerful signs that you’re actually doing far better than you give yourself credit for. If you’ve been doubting your progress, stuck in self-comparison, or just feeling behind in life — this one’s for you.

💡 You’ll walk away feeling:

Reassured you’re on the right path (even if it doesn’t look like it)

- Validated in the quiet progress you have made

- Clearer on what growth really looks like in this season

- Let this episode be your reminder: you are not behind — you’re building.

Press play and see if these 8 signs show up in your own life — chances are, they’re already there.

🎧 Episode with Georgie Stevenson

NUTRAORGANICS

Today's episode is brought to you by my current daily go-to brand for all things wellness, supplements, vitamins and whole foods. I am currently LOVING the collagen powder and bone broth range.

✨ GET 15% OFF USING CODE: THEBALANCETHEORY

www.nutraorganics.com.au

TIME STAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(02:10) Sign 1

(02:41) Sign 2

(03:20) Sign 3

(04:35) Sign 4

(06:29) Sign 5

(07:32) Sign 6

(08:13) Sign 7

(08:51) Sign 8

👉🏽 My FREE Work Life Balance Workshop

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🚨 Trigger Warning: This episode includes a discussion of self-harm. Please take care while listening.

You’re doing everything right — checking the boxes, reaching your goals, and growing on paper. But deep down, something still feels off.

Why doesn’t the progress stick? Why does every achievement feel good… but only for a moment?

In this episode, we uncover how shame often hides beneath the surface of high achievement — quietly driving your need to succeed, be the “good girl,” or live up to others’ expectations.

🔑 We cover:

* How shame subtly drives high achievers without them realising it

* Why your wins don’t land the way you thought they would

* The pressure to be the “good girl” — and what it’s costing you

* What to do when your identity no longer feels like it fits

* Friendship breakups, saying no, and reclaiming space for the real you

If you’ve ever felt like your life looks perfect but doesn’t feel like yours, this conversation will help you reconnect with the version of you that feels truly aligned.

💭 You might not even realise shame is the root — but if your progress feels empty or fleeting, this might be your missing piece.

NUTRAORGANICS

Today's episode is brought to you by my current daily go-to brand for all things wellness, supplements, vitamins and wholefoods. I am currently LOVING the collagen powder and bone broth range.

✨ GET 15% OFF HERE USING CODE: THEBALANCETHEORY

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

📸 Instagram

📚 Get UNAPOLOGETIC Here

TIME STAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(04:30) Are high achievers driven by shame?

(07:55) Are Limiting Beliefs because of shame?

(09:36) How do you know if your identity is actually you?

(11:44) Why you shouldn’t say “be a good girl”

(18:04) Be mindful of the word “SHOULD”

(22:26) How do you be authentically you if others are used to another version?

(24:31) How do you manage friendship breakups?

(28:04) Narcissism in friendships

(35:46) What’s the difference between being lonely or being on my own?

(43:06) How does one get good at saying no

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling drained, stuck, or like you're just going through the motions at work? In this episode, we’re diving into the 7 clear (and often ignored) signs that it's time to walk away — even if everything looks “fine” on paper.

Whether you're feeling burnt out, undervalued, or like you've simply outgrown your current role, this conversation will give you the clarity (and nudge) you’ve been waiting for.

✨ Expect to hear:

• The emotional and physical red flags you're probably brushing off

• Why staying could be costing you more than you think

• Practical steps to take if one (or more) of these signs hit home

💭 If even ONE of these signs resonates... it’s time to listen in.

NUTRAORGANICS

Today's episode is brought to you by my current daily go-to brand for all things wellness, supplements, vitamins and wholefoods. I am currently LOVING the collagen powder and bone broth range.

✨ GET 15% OFF USING CODE: THEBALANCETHEORY

www.nutraorganics.com.au

👉🏽 My FREE Work Life Balance Workshop

👉🏽 Podcast episode on Confidence in the Workplace

TIME STAMPS

(00:00) Introduction

(01:00) 7 Signs you need to leave your job

(07:29) Practical things to do to prep to LEAVE

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 Connect with me on IG!

RESOURCES

▶︎ 25 Day Self Development Marathon

▶︎ 21 Day Self Growth Challenge

▶︎ Goal Setting System E-Book

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 Instagram

📱Tiktok

MY FAVOURITE STUFF

💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.