Shows
I Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionAlex Wong - The Truth About What It Really Takes to WinSend us a textAlex Wong shares his journey from classical ballet training to viral content creator, revealing how his "negatively positive" personality and immigrant work ethic shaped his remarkable career across multiple entertainment fields.• Born in Canada and classically trained in ballet, Alex made history as the first Canadian to win the Prix de Lausanne• Despite a career-threatening Achilles injury, Alex pivoted to explore other talents including singing and acting• Alex describes his approach to excellence: doing more than what others are willing to do• His immigrant parents instilled strong work ethic wh...2025-08-1234 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionBalancing College Life: What Today’s Students Actually NeedSend us a textAva Hoffman, a psychology major at Kenyon College, trained mediator, and social media intern at Fortify Wellness, shares insights about campus wellness resources and what today's college students need for sustainable mental health. • Small colleges offer valuable one-on-one interactions with professors and discussion-based learning environments• Campus mental health services typically have limited hours (8-4, M-F), creating significant access barriers during evenings and weekends• Trust issues exist between students and on-campus therapists, making many hesitant to use available services• Sorority life teaches valuable collaboration skills and includes meaningful philanthropy work ofte...2025-08-0448 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionQuestion Everything: How I Found Myself in a World Obsessed with ValidationSend us a textAndrew shares his journey of self-discovery through asking difficult questions and finding authentic connections in a world full of superficial relationships.• Explorer and tinkerer at heart who has always loved building and understanding how things work• Grew up as a middle child among nine siblings and as a pastor's kid with high expectations• Started building computers at age nine, developing a lifelong passion for technology• Began asking deeper questions about himself and his purpose around age 25-26• Emphasizes the importance of separating self-worth from societal metrics and expectatio...2025-07-1658 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionGen Z Is Right. The System Is Broken—And Chronic Illness Proves It.Send us a textJillian Miranda shares how her personal experience with chronic illness shaped her career as an ecosystem builder and thought leader in digital health, driving her passion for leveraging technology to transform care and champion health equity.• Living with seizures and how her service dog can predict episodes before they happen• How chronic illness provides unique problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills that translate to entrepreneurship• Digital health resources that help manage chronic conditions, including wearables, telemedicine, and AI• The broken healthcare system's focus on reactive "sick care" rather than pre...2025-07-0739 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionBonus Episode: I Thought It Would Last Forever—Then I Took a WalkSend us a textIn this bonus episode, our founder Bettina says what most people won’t: sometimes depression hits like a truck—and all you can do is let it. But then? You get up. You go outside. And somehow, the weight starts to lift. This is a no-filter convo about mental health, shame, and the tiny things that bring us back to life. It doesn’t last forever.Support the showFollow Fortify Wellness on our new Tik Tok & Instagram platforms @atfortifywellness. Join our newsletter for weekly FREE content on all things...2025-06-1210 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness Production20,000 Startups, One Nervous System: Angela on Trauma, Guilt & Getting Real About SuccessSend us a textAngela reveals the surprising personal identity behind her professional achievements as an academic, entrepreneur, and investor who has evaluated over 20,000 startups throughout her career. She shares intimate insights about battling imposter syndrome, healing from childhood trauma, and finding balance while building businesses.• Cooking represents both learning and nurturing for Angela, who almost chose culinary school over business school• Early experiences with imposter syndrome taught her to lean into discomfort as a sign of growth• Growing up with trauma led to compartmentalization skills that initially helped but required therapy to overco...2025-06-1230 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionShe Said No to the Safe Route—And Built a Career on CourageSend us a textMaddi Holman, co-founder and general partner at Daring Ventures, shares her unconventional journey from pre-med student to venture capitalist—and how she’s built a career championing overlooked founders and untapped opportunities.• Entering uncharted territory as the only person with a biology background working on telecom deals• Embracing “I don’t know” as a sign of strength, not weakness• Pivoting from pre-med to VC after realizing surgery wasn’t her true path• Discovering venture capital during a master’s program in London, thanks to a Belgian VC professor• Nav...2025-06-0435 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionFrom Risk To Radical Reinvention: Lessons From Dmitry Koltunov’s Unstoppable JourneySend us a textSerial entrepreneur Dmitry Koltunov shares his journey from Soviet refugee to tech founder, exploring how embracing both his technical and creative identities fueled his success building multiple companies and a Broadway musical.• Coming to America as a refugee at age 9 shaped Dmitry’s unique relationship with risk-taking• How limiting beliefs about "what a founder looks like" almost kept him from pursuing entrepreneurship• The powerful revelation that self-doubt persists even for highly accomplished people• Why creatives often hide their artistic pursuits in corporate settings despite their tran...2025-05-2942 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionStop People-Pleasing. Start Living.Send us a textAlisia Gill, executive coach and creator of "The Era of Enough," shares her journey from corporate leadership to helping Gen X women make career decisions aligned with their authentic selves rather than societal expectations.• Finding comfort in thinking about her mother, who gave her a sense of possibility by saying, "you can be whoever you want"• Describing herself as a "smarty pants" who loved reading and was focused on facts rather than opinions• Learning about the consequences when friendships changed after returning from studying abroad• Surviving cancer twice and how...2025-05-1439 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionMagic Happens in Person: How Authentic Relationships Transform EntrepreneurshipSend us a textMagic happens in person. Tori Hanson shares her founder journey from corporate safety at the New York Times to building vibrant communities in NYC through the Knowledge Shop and Meet in 10.• From staring at pigeons during the pandemic to creating founder communities• Why entrepreneurship is "incredibly humbling" and requires deep self-awareness• Creating personal systems and boundaries to avoid burnout as a founder• The courage to leave corporate comfort for entrepreneurial uncertainty• Why networking fails when approached as transactional rather than relational• "Peacocking" - how introverts can attract conv...2025-05-1230 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionDance Beyond Movement: Transforming Lives Through Art with Suzanne CitereSend us a textSuzanne Citere, a lifelong dance educator from New York City, shares her journey of transforming dancers' lives through compassionate education that extends beyond technique to holistic development and confidence-building.• Exploring what it means to "take up space" both in dance and in life• How dance studios become sanctuaries where students find refuge from daily stresses• The transformative "aha moment" at a student's Sweet 16 that revealed dance's deep impact• Using movement as therapy to release endorphins and transcend anxiety• Embracing change and discomfort through lessons learned during pandemic pivots2025-04-1832 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionDecisions That Define Us: Jordan Scott's Entrepreneurial JourneySend us a textJordan Scott takes us on a deeply personal journey through the highs and lows of being a solo female founder in the tech world. As the creator of Cobble, an app helping people make better decisions together, she's raised over $3 million, grown to 100,000 users, and recently navigated one of her darkest entrepreneurial challenges – running out of runway and having to completely retool her business.More about Jordan Scott:Jordan Scott is the founder and CEO of Cobble, an app that helps people make better, faster decisions to...2025-04-0130 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionThe Colors of Bipolar: Paul English, Co-Founder of Kayak.com, on Mental Health, Entrepreneurship, and Overcoming AdversitySend us a textPaul English, successful entrepreneur and founder of six startups including Kayak, shares his deeply personal journey with bipolar disorder and how vulnerability became his leadership superpower.• Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 25 and developing coping mechanisms like daily task lists for depression• Creating the Bipolar Social Club after losing a mentee to suicide, now connecting 400+ people• Using radical acceptance as a tool to reduce stress and improve relationships• How vulnerability in leadership creates psychological safety and stronger teams• Exploring the emotional impact of color and sensory experiences in product...2025-03-2635 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionBershan Shaw - Unmasking the Ultimate WarriorSend us a textBershan Shaw: The Ultimate Warrior’s JourneyBershan Shaw, a two-time breast cancer survivor, international motivational speaker, business coach, and mental health advocate, shares her powerful story of resilience, authenticity, and purpose.In this episode, we explore: 🔹 Finding peace through meditation, prayer, and journaling to align mind, body, and soul 🔹 Recognizing when you’re living a lie—and finding the courage to step into your authentic power 🔹 Defying the odds after being given just three months to live with stage four cancer 🔹 Embracing resilience and pushing forward despit...2025-03-1234 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionChampioning Your Inner Child: Leadership Lessons with Crystelle DesnoyerSend us a textOur discussion delves into the delicate balance of masculine and feminine energies in leadership roles, highlighting how such dynamics can influence team culture and business growth. Crystelle's insight into cultivating supportive environments showcases a community's profound impact on individuals and organizations alike. With her rich experience scaling tech companies and supporting women in business, Crystelle inspires us to embrace vulnerability, prioritize self-care, and create meaningful connections.More about Crystelle Desnoyer:Crystelle Desnoyer is the former Chief of Staff to the CEO at Techstars and at Kyndryl (Public...2025-03-0530 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionInnovating Healthcare and Personal Resilience: Dr. Cynthia Nwaubani JourneySend us a textJoin us for an enlightening conversation with the trailblazing healthcare executive, Dr. Cynthia Nwaubani , as she shares her journey from battling malaria in Nigeria to founding PharmD Live in the United States. Discover how her personal experiences and professional evolution have fueled her passion for healthcare innovation, chronic disease management, and patient care. Dr. Nwaubani opens up about the influence of personal resilience, faith, and her support network in navigating her multifaceted roles beyond her career, offering valuable insights into finding one's purpose and inner fulfillment. More on Dr. Cynthia Nwaubani:...2025-02-2542 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionUnlocking Emotional Awareness and Growth Through DreamsSend us a textJoin us for an inspiring conversation with Sansan Fibri, the brilliant mind behind Wakefully, a platform revolutionizing wellness by harnessing the power of our dreams. Sansan's journey from a successful film and TV producer to a wellness pioneer is transformative. We explore how dreams can be a powerful tool for breaking free from limiting beliefs and achieving our life goals. She also emphasizes the importance of aligning with our consciousness and holistic practices like meditation, therapy, and physical movement to maintain balance and foster emotional awareness.More about Sansan:2025-02-1936 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionHarnessing Creativity and Overcoming Adversity: Sherry Shamrock's Journey to Innovation and ResilienceSend us a textJoin us as we welcome the dynamic Sherry Shamrock, the creative force behind Fit to Cheer and the inventor of the innovative weighted cheerleading pom-poms, Pound Palms. Sherry shares her journey from collegiate cheerleader to entrepreneur, revealing how she harnessed her creativity to bring her vision to life, even utilizing game show winnings to fund her business. Despite personal challenges, including the loss of her father, Sherry remains steadfast in her mission to introduce Pound Palms to the world, with aspirations of seeing them in the 2028 LA Olympics. Sherry’s story is one of...2025-02-1237 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionFrom Military Precision to Entrepreneurial Success Hyacinth TuckerSend us a textWhat if you could revolutionize an entire industry while championing community empowerment? Join me, Bettina Mahoney, as I sit down with the exceptional HyacinthTucker, an immigrant from Jamaica, Army veteran, and trailblazing entrepreneur, who has done exactly that. Hyacinth has not only transformed the laundry and dry cleaning industry by integrating sustainability and digital innovation but has also become a beacon of resilience and creativity. In our conversation, Hyacinth shares her incredible journey of navigating cultural and professional challenges, illustrating the power of choice and how shared experiences can foster both community and...2025-02-0530 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionFinding Strength and Community in the Face of AdversitySend us a textNavigating the complex world of neurodiversity and wellness in Silicon Valley is no small feat, particularly when chronic health issues and past traumas intertwine. In our discussion, Kendra opens up about her experiences with chronic migraines and the relief she found through ADHD treatment, shedding light on the often overlooked struggles women face in receiving timely and appropriate care. The birth of Divergently, a community for late-diagnosed neurodivergent women, serves as a testament to the power of community support and the need for personalized learning strategies. We explore systemic gaps in education and...2025-01-3127 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionHolistic Healing and Women Empowerment with HerMDSend us a textImagine growing up in a small Ohio suburb as the daughter of first-generation immigrant from Pakistan, and transforming personal challenges into a mission that changes women's healthcare. Komel Caruso, the co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of HerMD, shares her story of resilience and innovation with us. Inspired by her father's entrepreneurial spirit and her mother's health struggles, Komel's journey highlights how adversity can drive profound change. We discuss how her upbringing and personal experiences galvanized her commitment to empowering women through healthcare.More about Komel:Komel Caruso is the...2025-01-2138 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionTransforming Trauma into Empowerment: Cher Hayes on Healing and Self-DiscoverySend us a textTrigger Warning: This podcast contains sensitive content. Please take breaks when needed. Suitable for listeners aged 18 and above only.Discover the remarkable journey of Cher Hayes, a transformational facilitator and life coach with over three decades of experience in guiding individuals toward healing and empowerment. Her compelling story is one of resilience, having overcome a childhood marked by adversity, abuse, and trauma. Cher's profound encounters with luminaries like Deepak Chopra and her global adventures in mind-body medicine have not only enriched her understanding but have also fueled her dedication to helping...2025-01-1732 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionFrom Adversity to Innovation: Navigating Entrepreneurship and Family Dynamics with Technologist ZoyaSend us a textWhat if resilience was the ultimate key to success in the face of adversity? In our latest episode, we introduce you to Zoya, a remarkable first-generation immigrant who arrived in the U.S. with her mother and just $8. Her journey from overcoming language barriers to becoming a successful technologist and entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Zoya opens up about the influence of her mother's courage and a pivotal pandemic moment that pushed her to reevaluate her identity beyond professional triumphs. Discover how she left behind a prestigious corporate role to create Orgo...2024-11-2035 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionBaking Dreams and Building Community with Cupcake Me Owner, Brittany MossSend us a textBrittany Moss has transformed her personal adversities into a thriving business venture, and she's here to share her journey. As the founder and CEO of Cupcake Me, Brittany faced the challenges of launching a virtual bakery during a pandemic and a complicated pregnancy. Her tenacity and desire to provide a better life for her daughter Dakota led her to innovate and redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur in the baking industry. Brittany's story is not just about cupcakes; it's about resilience, kindness, and the strength found in community.About...2024-11-1443 minI Feel You, A Fortify Wellness ProductionReinventing Purpose: Navigating Change and Wellbeing in Entertainment Law with Kim YoungbergSend us a textWhat happens when a seasoned professional is faced with the challenge of starting over? Discover the inspiring journey of Kim Youngberg, a dynamic transactional lawyer whose unexpected transition out of Universal Music's Bravado became a pivotal moment of self-discovery and reinvention. Kim and I explore how AI is reshaping creative industries and the parallels between the analog-to-digital shift and today's technological advancements. Through perseverance and creative problem-solving, the episode underscores the value of aligning personal passion with professional aspirations in an ever-evolving landscape.About Kim Youngberg:Kim is a...2024-11-0635 min