Shows
UpLift Women's WellnessThe Self-Love Blueprint: Values, Identity, and WellnessSelf-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 Phi...
2025-11-2758 minUpLift Women's WellnessRed Flags, Real Talk, and Relationship RepairEmily 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 datingGreen...
2025-11-1356 minUpLift Women's WellnessUnlocking Women’s Health: A Deep Dive Into How Healthy Should FeelUpLift 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 He...
2025-10-301h 25UpLift Women's WellnessEmpowering the Maternal Journey: Addressing Mental Health during Pregnancy and PostpartumUpLift 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....
2025-10-161h 06UpLift Women's WellnessAbuse in Women’s Sports: The Shocking Truth About Trauma, Power, and Athlete SafetyAbuse in women’s sports isn’t rare — it’s systemic. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany and Auria talk openly about the realities female athletes face from childhood through elite competition, where power imbalances, silence, and cultural bias create conditions that allow harm to continue unchecked.We examine the data behind interpersonal violence in sport, the pressure placed on young athletes to perform at any cost, and the way coaching culture often prioritizes winning over well‑being. From high‑profile cases like Mary Kane and the survivors of Larry Nassar to the everyday experiences of...
2025-10-021h 12UpLift Women's WellnessHealing the Inner Critic: A Deep Conversation with Holli Howard on Trauma and Self-WorthIn this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Holli Howard joins Bethany and Auria for a grounded conversation about identity, self‑worth, and the voice so many women carry inside — the inner critic. Holli shares her personal story and the framework behind her AIBL Method, offering insight into how awareness, impact, belief, and lived experience shape the way women talk to themselves.Together, they explore the patterns that form in childhood, the expectations women absorb in adulthood, and the way perfectionism, people‑pleasing, and self‑doubt show up in real life. This isn’t a conversation about fixing yours...
2025-09-2552 minUpLift Women's WellnessWhen You Finally See Yourself: The Life-Changing Power of Representation in MediaRepresentation isn’t abstract — it’s the starting point for what we believe is possible. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany and Auria talk about how the images we grow up with shape identity, confidence, career paths, and the way women learn to see (or not see) themselves in the world.We explore the “Scully Effect,” the science behind mirror neurons, and why a single character on TV changed the trajectory of thousands of women in STEM. We also look at how Hollywood’s narrow beauty standards still shape self‑worth, how kids absorb messages about w...
2025-09-1159 minUpLift Women's WellnessMillennial Money: Why Wages, Debt, and Housing Keep This Generation Broke Not LazyMillennials were never the problem — the system was. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany and Auria break down the numbers behind wages that never kept up, housing that slipped out of reach, and wealth that concentrated at the very top while an entire generation was told to “work harder.”We look at the data that rarely makes it into the conversation: how millennials hold only a fraction of the wealth boomers had at the same age, why minimum wage froze while the cost of living climbed, and how homeownership became a financial trap disguised as a mil...
2025-09-041h 09UpLift Women's WellnessHead 2 Tail: Navigating Dog Nutrition, Adoption, and Vet CareMost people love their pets deeply — but very few understand what it actually takes to care for them well. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany and Auria sit down with Kim, one of only 36 Veterinary Technician Specialists in Nutrition in all of North America, to talk about the realities behind dog nutrition, adoption, and the emotional weight carried by the people who care for our animals.Kim shares what it takes to earn the VTS title — thousands of hours of clinical experience, case studies, exams, and a level of dedication most pet owners never see. S...
2025-08-281h 07UpLift Women's WellnessThe “Perfect Woman” Lie — And How to Break Out of the BoxWomen are asked to carry expectations that were never designed for real bodies or real lives. In this episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany and Auria talk openly about the pressure to perform, the quiet exhaustion of being “the reliable one,” and the way so many women learn to shrink themselves just to stay acceptable.This conversation is for the women who’ve been overlooked in fitness spaces, dismissed in medical rooms, or pushed into roles that never fit — especially women of color, women in nontraditional bodies, and women navigating chronic illness, autoimmune disease, or chronic pain.We...
2025-08-211h 03UpLift Women's WellnessUndiagnosed, Dismissed, and Still Showing Up: What it means to live, lift, and lead with autoimmune disease.The episode where everything finally gets said out loud.For years, Bethany lived inside a body that doctors dismissed, minimized, or blamed on her weight, her stress, or her imagination. She spent her twenties fighting for answers, navigating medical gaslighting, and being pushed into diet culture and fitness shame instead of being offered actual care.This episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness is the story behind why Head 2 Toe Strength exists at all — the lived experience that shaped Bethany’s mission to build a place where women are believed, supported, and treated like whole human beings...
2025-08-141h 17UpLift Women's WellnessFrom Shame to Strength: Redefining Success for Working MomsWhat does it really mean to “balance it all”? In this episode, therapist and mom of three, Kathia Aviles LMFT, shares her experience with parenting pressures, mental health, and why she started her own business after COVID. As she and Auria talk through the realities of burnout, identity shifts, and invisible labor, this episode offers the kind of grounded honesty so many parents crave. If you’re navigating similar overwhelm or identity changes, Therapy With Auria provides a compassionate space to sort through the mental load and reclaim your footing.Learn how motherhood shaped Kathia’s career, why flex...
2025-08-0755 minUpLift Women's WellnessBehind the Vision: Bethany & Auria’s Story of Inclusive, Meaningful WellnessBethany and Auria reflect on how a client-coach relationship became a revolutionary approach to healing. What began as two women navigating their own lived experience, gaps in care, and the impact of systems not built for them evolved into the foundation of Head 2 Toe Strength—a place where women are met with honesty, safety, and autonomy rather than judgment or performance. If you're curious about the roots behind this work, the Who We Are page shares more of the philosophy that shaped this partnership.Learn how lived experience, systemic gaps, and a shared commitment to underrepresented communities fo...
2025-08-011h 08UpLift Women's WellnessThe High Cost of Being Likable: Narcissism, People-Pleasing & Lost IdentitySociety tells women to smile, soften, and put others first. But that pressure to be likable can make them vulnerable to manipulation, narcissistic abuse, and emotional collapse. Bethany and Auria share personal stories and unpack the psychology of narcissistic relationships to help others avoid the slow erosion of self-worth women often face.For anyone beginning to rebuild boundaries and reconnect with their own voice, Therapy With Auria offers a grounded space to unpack these patterns and rebuild a stronger sense of self.This conversation gets into the emotional conditioning that teaches women to tolerate too much...
2025-07-241h 15UpLift Women's WellnessDiet Culture: Who Benefits When You Feel Broken? Wellness myths and the systems that sell shame to womenDiet culture didn’t just teach you to restrict — it taught you to disown yourself. In this episode, Bethany gets real about the industries designed to keep you sick, exhausted, and insecure. For listeners beginning to rebuild trust with their bodies after years of external rules and shame, the Strong Foundations Strength Program offers a grounded, compassionate way to reconnect without the pressure, punishment, or performative wellness culture.We unravel the lie that “health” has ever been about healing, and we offer a radically different way to see your body and your worth. Bethany rejects diet culture and toxi...
2025-07-171h 14UpLift Women's WellnessShe’s Ready—The World Isn’t: Why Women Are Still Shut Out of PowerDespite measurable success and relentless drive, women—especially mothers, women of color, and those outside dominant norms—are still underrepresented in leadership, misjudged in the workplace, and undervalued across industries. For listeners trying to navigate these pressures while staying connected to themselves, Auria’s approach inside Therapy With Auria offers space to unpack the emotional labor and identity tension that often sits beneath the professional surface.In this UpLift Women’s Wellness episode, Bethany and Auria dig into the data, the lived stories, and the invisible barriers still holding women back—from salary gaps to leadership double standards...
2025-07-101h 04UpLift Women's WellnessFeminism’s Past & Present: From First Vote to Future HopeWhy do so many believe in gender equality—yet shy away from the word feminist? In this powerful roundtable, Bethany Busch, LMFT Auria Zahed, and educator Isabelle Comtois unpack the real history of feminism—from suffragette wins to interconnected healing—and why reclaiming the “F word” still matters.For listeners exploring what liberation looks like in their own bodies and lives, this conversation pairs beautifully with Auria’s grounded approach in Therapy With Auria, where these themes often take shape in a deeply personal way.We dive into the legacy of each wave of feminism, challenge myths about...
2025-07-031h 08UpLift Women's WellnessWe Were Never Meant to ShrinkBethany and Auria go deep this week on what it means to finally breathe in your own body, on your own terms. It’s not just about movement. It’s about reclaiming personhood in a world that’s tried to define womanhood by silence, control, and performance. For anyone starting to reconnect with their body in a gentler, more powerful way, spaces like Move to Mend or the Strong Foundations Strength Program offer support that aligns with this exact conversation.From childhood body image fears to the quiet rebellion of not caring what others think, this episode become...
2025-06-261h 11UpLift Women's WellnessBeyond the Grind: Work-Life Balance, Purpose & Wellness in a Hustle CultureBethany Busch, founder of Head 2 Toe Strength, and Auria Zahed, LMFT, co‑host the UpLift Women’s Wellness Podcast to unpack America’s obsession with hustle culture. From side hustles and chronic stress to redefining balance through hobbies, rest, and nature, this candid conversation challenges toxic work culture and explores inclusive wellness strategies for women, LGBTQIA+ adults, and small business owners.Discover how Strength Coaching and Therapy with Auria embody a model of care that prioritizes humanity over grind. Explore programs like Soft Start Series™, Rooted in Strength™, and Move to Mend™ for real, sustainable wellness.Support th...
2025-06-191h 10UpLift Women's WellnessBeyond the Silence: Strength, Recovery & Real Conversations on Breast CancerA deeply personal conversation about the realities of facing breast cancer—beyond the medical charts and clinical explanations. One participant shares her journey through genetic testing, diagnosis, a double mastectomy, and reconstruction, opening up about the emotional and physical weight of it all.This episode digs into the messy parts of recovery, navigating dismissive medical professionals, and the difference between genuine support and the “good vibes only” culture that can feel isolating during a health crisis. We also talk about body image, rebuilding trust with your own reflection, and the strength that comes from women supporting women. If you...
2025-06-051h 08UpLift Women's WellnessStrength for the Women Healthcare Forgot: Belonging, Bias & Breaking BarriersIn this raw conversation, co‑hosts Bethany Busch and Auria Zahed share personal stories of racial identity, belonging, and systemic bias. From growing up “unbelonging” in white spaces to confronting healthcare disparities, they reveal how race, culture, and chronic illness shape access to care.Bethany presents data on racial health gaps — from maternal mortality to insurance coverage — while Auria highlights why “seeing color” is essential for culturally competent counseling. Together, they call for curiosity, compassion, and inclusive strength for the women fitness and healthcare have forgotten.👉 Learn more at Head 2 Toe Streng...
2025-05-2859 minUpLift Women's WellnessGrief Unfiltered: The Stories We Don’t TellMother’s Day isn’t joyful for everyone. In this deeply personal episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany, founder of Head 2 Toe Strength, and co-host Auria open a conversation many people avoid. When motherhood is marked by distance, loss, or unspoken pain, the impact can shape how we move through the world and how we care for ourselves.With honesty and steady compassion, Bethany and Auria explore what it looks like to navigate complicated emotions and find grounded strength in the process. Drawing from the reflective frameworks woven through Strength Coaching, Mental Health Therapy, and Nutrition Coachi...
2025-05-1459 minUpLift Women's WellnessThe Power of Female Friendships: Connection, Boundaries & GrowthEver felt drained or betrayed by female friendships? Or wondered how to build bonds that truly lift you up instead of leaving you empty? In this episode, Bethany Busch, founder of Head 2 Toe Strength, sits down with Auria Zahed, licensed marriage and family therapist, to explore the complex world of female friendships — from toxic patterns to deeply supportive connections.🎙 What You'll Learn in This Episode:How Auria and Bethany turned challenging past friendships into lessons on boundaries, self-worth, and connection.The hidden dynamics of "frenemies," jealousy, and people-pleasing behaviors, and why drama often seems...
2025-05-0600 minUpLift Women's WellnessChoosing to Opt-Out: Redefining Motherhood, Freedom, and Society’s ExpectationsIn this episode of Uplift Women’s Wellness, Bethany Busch and Auria Zahed confront the societal pressures women face to become mothers and explore the choice to remain childless. From the stigma of being “childless by choice” to the misconception that opting out is selfish, they unpack the emotional, financial, and psychological realities of modern parenthood.Hear personal stories from Bethany and Auria about why they chose not to have children, how privilege and societal expectations shaped these decisions, and the ways women can redirect nurturing energy into professional and personal fulfillment. The episode also provides practical guidan...
2025-04-2900 minUpLift Women's WellnessDating Then vs. Now: Love, Growth & Mental Health in 2025Dating in your 20s versus dating now—what’s changed? Bethany and Auria reflect on their experiences, from early relationships to navigating modern dating with greater self-awareness. Drawing from the same grounded, BS-free approach they teach through Strength Coaching, Nutrition Coaching, and Therapy with Auria, they explore what it really means to date from a place of clarity and confidence.They dive into what healthy dating looks like, how mental health and emotional resilience shape the types of partners we choose, and how identity shifts over time influence connection. If you want to go deeper into the phil...
2025-04-2359 minUpLift Women's WellnessBody Image, Media & Mental Health: How Beauty Standards Shape Women’s LivesIn Episode 3 of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany Busch and licensed therapist Auria Zahed unpack the complex realities of body image—from historical beauty standards to modern media distortion. This powerful conversation explores:• How advertising and social media manufacture insecurity• The emotional toll of beauty pressure on mothers and aging women• The myth of “body positivity” and why it still separates us• Hollywood’s influence on self-worth and authenticity• The rise of weight loss drugs and the trauma of rapid transformation• Why women’s value is still tied to appeara...
2025-04-1400 minUpLift Women's WellnessFrom Breakdown to Breakthrough: Reclaiming Strength, Purpose & JoyIn this powerful episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, Bethany Busch (Founder of Head 2 Toe Strength) and Auria Zahed (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist) get real about what it means to rebuild your life from the ground up.Bethany shares her raw journey—from coaching softball as a teen to working 13 years in warehouses, failing out of college, and rediscovering her purpose through exercise science. Together, she and Auria unpack the toxic culture of fitness, the emotional toll of body image battles, and the barriers women face in wellness spaces.You’...
2025-04-1456 minUpLift Women's WellnessWhat You Feel Matters: Therapy, Strength & Breaking Free from Societal PressureIn the premiere episode of UpLift Women’s Wellness, hosts Bethany Busch (Founder of Head 2 Toe Strength) and Auria Zahed (Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist) share the origin story behind their podcast—and the powerful conversations that sparked it.This episode explores:• The emotional bond between trainer and client that led to a movement• Auria’s early calling to therapy and her journey through psychology and biotech• How societal expectations shape women’s choices, self-worth, and emotional health• Why women struggle to separate their true desires from cultural conditionin...
2025-03-0846 min