Self-love isn’t just a feeling — it’s self-respect.
In this honest conversation with LMFT Ilona Varo, we break down what it actually looks like to put your needs back into the center of your life. We explore self-care, self-talk, and giving yourself the same compassion you give everyone else.

If you’re currently navigating burnout, identity shifts, or pressure-heavy wellness spaces, this episode pairs perfectly with our written work on redefining strength in a way that honors lived experience — like our pieces in the Head 2 Toe Strength Blog and our core philosophy of care explained in Our Philosophy.

We also highlight how values and identity shape your well-being, echoing the therapeutic and integrative work inside Auria’s mental health therapy practice for women and LGBTQ+ adults seeking relief from perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxious attachment, and emotional overload.

If you’re ready to soften self-judgment and reconnect with what you truly need, this episode will meet you exactly where you are — and if you want support integrating these ideas into your daily life, start with The Alignment Call or explore our full list of Offerings.

Listen to this episode and all others on the UpLift Women’s Wellness Podcast — where mental health, identity, strength, and real-life wellness finally share the same room.

⁠Emily Kirkbride, LMFT⁠ joins Bethany Busch, MS, CSCS and Auria Zahed, LMFT on the UpLift Women’s Wellness Podcast to unpack the emotional and cognitive navigation of dating apps, attachment styles, and long-term relationship health. This episode offers grounded, therapy-informed strategies for noticing green flags, building emotionally intelligent relationships, and creating connection that actually feels safe.

Whether you’re navigating dating apps, healing from past relationships, or trying to understand your attachment style—this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Topics include:

• How attachment styles show up in dating
• Green flags vs red flags: what to notice early
• Why “the ick” might be a trauma response
• How to build relationships that nourish, not deplete

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and WDJY FM.

Subscribe for more episodes on strength, emotional safety, and wellness that actually fits.

• UpLift Women’s Wellness is the official podcast of Head 2 Toe Strength, a radically authentic wellness collective based in Laguna Hills, CA. Co-hosted by Bethany Busch, MS, ACSM-EP, CSCS, PN1, and Auria Zahed, MS, LMFT, this show redefines care for women navigating pain, burnout, and recovery.

  
  

  What does true health look like? Bethany redefines well-being beyond aesthetics, focusing on internal markers like sleep, energy, and mood. Explore frequently asked questions about health, debunk diet culture, and learn how to advocate for yourself in a world full of misinformation.

  
  

  Register Here for This Body Doesn’t Belong to You Workshop led by Bethany Busch, CSCS

  
  

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