What does real strength look like when you stop performing it for the world?In this episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristin Medeiros sits down with Louise Butcher to share a deeply moving conversation about authenticity, empowerment, and reclaiming your identity through life’s most confronting moments.Louise opens up about her journey through health anxiety, motherhood, ADHD, and a breast cancer diagnosis that forced her to confront fear, femininity, and the expectations placed on women’s bodies. What began as anxiety and self-abandonment became a powerful awakening — one that led Louise to reconnect with her body, her voice, and her freedom.Running became a symbol of liberation and healing, culminating in Louise running marathons topless as a bold statement of empowerment, self-acceptance, and defiance of societal norms. Her story challenges traditional ideas of strength and femininity, reminding listeners that vulnerability is not weakness — it is courage in its truest form.This episode is for anyone navigating illness, identity shifts, or the pressure to appear “strong” while feeling anything but. Louise’s story is a testament to what’s possible when you stop shrinking and start living authentically.#podmatch Episode Chapters00:00 Journey of self-discovery and authenticity10:00 Facing cancer as a turning point19:59 Redefining strength and femininitySEO Keywordsself-discovery, authenticity, cancer journey, strength, femininity, ADHD, health anxiety, running, empowerment, personal growthSubscribe and Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join a growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creativeshttps://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaAExplore the Flying Upstream Bloghttps://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/Follow Flying Upstream on social mediaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream

What if January isn’t meant to be a fresh start — but a moment to breathe?

In this solo episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristin Medeiros explores the intense and often unspoken pressure to reinvent yourself at the start of the new year. From goal-setting culture to “new year, new you” messaging, Kristin gently challenges the idea that growth must be loud, fast, or visible to be valid.

She speaks directly to those who feel tired, tender, or unsure — especially after a difficult year — and reminds listeners that survival is not failure. Growth doesn’t always come from dramatic transformations or bold declarations. Sometimes it comes from quiet honesty, self-reflection, and allowing yourself to move at your own pace.

This episode offers permission to pause, grieve past versions of yourself, and reconnect with what actually drains or energizes you — without judgment or pressure. It’s an invitation to choose depth over display and alignment over expectation.

If January feels heavy instead of hopeful, this conversation will help you feel less alone — and more grounded in who you already are.

#PodMatch

Episode Chapters

00:00 The pressure of reinvention in January
02:52 Challenging the myths of new beginnings
06:13 Honesty and self-reflection as foundations for growth
09:02 Navigating grief and unmet expectations
11:55 Choosing depth over display

Subscribe and Stay Connected

Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join a growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives
https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4

Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA

Explore the Flying Upstream Blog
https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/

Follow Flying Upstream on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_

SEO Keywords

January, reinvention, self-reflection, growth, honesty, expectations, pressure, transformation, personal development, mental health

What if children are far more capable than we give them credit for?In this episode of Flying Upstream, host Kristin Medeiros sits down with Leah Ellis, founder of the Society of Child Entrepreneurs, alongside her children Melody Ellis and Serenity Ellis, for an inspiring conversation about youth entrepreneurship, creativity, and confidence.

Together, they explore what happens when children are encouraged to ask questions, solve real problems, and take ownership of their ideas — without age-based limitations. Leah shares how parents often project their own fears onto their children, while Melody and Serenity offer firsthand insights into what it’s like to start and run businesses at a young age.This episode highlights how entrepreneurship can be a powerful teaching tool for resilience, adaptability, financial literacy, and self-belief. From navigating challenges to embracing failure as part of the learning process, this conversation invites parents to step back, create space, and allow their children to explore what’s possible.If you’re a parent, educator, or entrepreneur who believes in raising confident, capable kids — this episode will expand your perspective on what children can achieve when they’re empowered early.#podmatch

Episode Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Flying Upstream
00:50 Empowering children as entrepreneurs
05:51 Leah Ellis’ journey with her children
11:59 Overcoming challenges in business
16:58 Encouraging creativity and problem solving
20:11 Final thoughts and messages for children

Subscribe and Stay Connected

Subscribe to the Flying Upstream newsletter and join a growing community of visionary souls, healers, and creatives
https://flying-upstream.kit.com/5a525057c4

Watch this episode on the Flying Upstream YouTube channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCru9Sle2Ms_tmgEL_Bo8ZaA

Explore the Flying Upstream Blog
https://flyingupstreamblog.com/blog/

Follow Flying Upstream on social media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563051165826
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flyingupstreampodcast/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flying-upstream-podcast
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@flyingupstream_

SEO Keywords

entrepreneurship, children, creativity, confidence, parenting, problem solving, business, empowerment, financial literacy, youth entrepreneurship