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

  
  

  Tuesday Unwind Dog Pack Walk

  
  

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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.

LMFT and perinatal mental health expert, Alexa Levine, provides insights into preparing for parenthood, navigating mental health during pregnancy and postpartum, and the benefits of support systems. This episode also challenges societal pressures on women and medical abuse in childbirth, and affirms the critical need for self-compassion and open communication.

Learn more about Alexa Levine, LMFT: Website

Explore emotionally intelligent coaching and therapy for women: Head 2 Toe Strength

UpLift Women’s Wellness Podcast Page: Catch more episodes

If this episode resonates, share it with someone navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or healing from medical harm.

We’re building care that doesn’t require performance—and conversations that make space for the truth.

In this episode, Bethany Busch and Auria Zahed reveal the shocking truth about abuse in women’s sports. From childhood to elite competition, female athletes face sexual, physical, and emotional abuse—often from coaches, officials, and peers exploiting power dynamics.

We explore:

• Alarming abuse statistics (26–74% of athletes affected)

• Real-world cases including Mary Kane, NCAA athletes, and Larry Nassar’s victims

• How athlete culture perpetuates harm

• Steps to protect athletes and advocate for positive coaching

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Strength Coaching

• Mental Health Therapy

• Mirror Talk Workshop

Listen now to learn how to support athletes, challenge systemic abuse, and empower women in sports: UpLift Women's Wellness Podcast Hub

This podcast features a candid discussion with Holli Howard on the nuances of trauma, the importance of non-judgmental support, and the role of therapy and coaching in the healing process. Gain a deeper understanding of how past experiences shape us and how to move forward with compassion and self-forgiveness.

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Bethany and Auria discuss the importance of role models in media and why diverse representation matters. From the groundbreaking "Scully effect" to increasing visibility in sports and beyond, discover how diverse on-screen presences are not just stories, but catalysts empowering women and reshaping societal norms.

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Millennials aren’t broke—they’re up against systemic financial inequality. In this episode of UpLift Women's Wellness, Bethany Busch and Auria Zahed, LMFT, unpack the data behind stagnant wages, unaffordable housing, student debt, and extreme wealth concentration.

✅ Fact-Driven Analysis: No hot takes, no opinions—just cold, hard numbers and actionable insights.
✅ Practical Resilience Tips: Learn how to strengthen your body and mind with Strength Coaching, Performance Coaching, and Private Virtual Training.
✅ Mental Health Support: Tackle financial stress and anxiety through Mental Health Therapy.

Don’t buy the “lazy millennial” myth. Learn the truth, see the data, and build strategies that actually work.

🌐 Visit us for more resources and coaching: Head 2 Toe Strength