Trigger Warning: Eating Disorder

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Briana Bowley, an Australia-based former competitive bodybuilder who openly shares her personal journey through burnout, boundaries, body image, and holistic self-healing. Briana describes herself as innovative, driven, and inspired, and this conversation proves exactly why.

Briana reflects on her years in competitive bodybuilding and how pushing herself beyond her limits led to emotional exhaustion and disconnection from her inner voice. When she finally listened to her intuition and allowed curiosity to guide her, she discovered a more compassionate, sustainable way of living. Her story reinforces the importance of embracing our layers, leaning into curiosity, and rewriting the narratives that no longer support us.

One of the most impactful parts of this episode is Briana’s approach to building boundaries like building muscle. She shares how setting healthy boundaries isn’t something you master overnight—it’s something you strengthen gradually, just like lifting weights. Starting small, practicing consistently, and giving yourself grace can transform your relationships, self-worth, and emotional wellbeing.

Briana also offers an insightful perspective on internal vs. external conflict, illustrated through a simple real-life moment that many of us can relate to. Her story highlights how speaking up respectfully (rather than suppressing your discomfort) can create clarity, connection, and growth for everyone involved.

This episode is full of empowering insights, relatable moments, and compassionate reminders that healing doesn’t require perfection; it requires curiosity, patience, and courage. If the blog resonated with you, the episode will give you even more to reflect on and integrate into your own journey.

Ways to Engage

Next time you face a moment of internal vs. external conflict, challenge yourself to choose the conversation. Start small, stay consistent, and let your boundary-building strengthen over time—just like you would in the gym.

Resources

National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA)

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)

🔥 Hashtags

#EatingDisorderAwareness

#MentalHealthMatters

#BodyImageHealing

#SelfHealingJourney

#PersonalGrowthPodcast

#BoundarySetting

#TraumaHealing

#HolisticWellbeing

#WomenEmpoweringWomen

#OvercomingBurnout

#MindBodyConnection

#EmotionalWellness

#HealingJourney

#CuriosityLedHealing

#WellnessPodcast

#InnerStrength

#SelfWorthJourney

#EmpoweredLiving

#MindsetShift

#ResilienceBuilding

🔑 Keywords for This Episode

eating disorder recovery

mental health podcast

body image struggles

competitive bodybuilding journey

burnout and healing

boundary setting tips

emotional wellness tools

internal vs external conflict

self-worth growth

holistic healing practices

women’s empowerment stories

curiosity in self-development

personal transformation journey

resilience building strategies

overcoming perfectionism

trauma-informed healing

mindful communication

intuitive living

personal growth inspiration

emotional self-care techniques

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:31)

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 8:00 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 18:29 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 25:00 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 28:20 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 31:41 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 36:26 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 40:39 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 43:07 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 44:41 )

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

This week on The F.E.E.L Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Kara Vaval, powerhouse entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and host of the Unfiltered Podcast. You may remember her from our crossover episode, “How to F.E.E.L Your Way to Freedom with Melissa Crook.” Kara is bold, raw, and unapologetically herself, the definition of reinvention and resilience.

In this inspiring conversation, Kara and Melissa dive into the importance of self care, setting boundaries, and reclaiming your power as a woman. Kara shares how self care became her foundation for transformation — not as a luxury, but as a declaration that she matters. From morning workouts to journaling, she reminds us that self care isn’t selfish—it’s survival.

Kara opens up about her personal growth journey, learning to love herself through each reinvention and embracing every version of who she’s been. She offers wisdom on taking control of your own narrative, honoring your nonnegotiables, and making sure that you are in the driver’s seat of your life.

This episode will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to start living life unfiltered, unapologetically, and authentically.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

✨ Why self care is the foundation of self worth and empowerment

✨ How to identify your nonnegotiables and set healthy boundaries

✨ The power of journaling for emotional release and self-discovery

✨ What it means to reinvent yourself unapologetically

✨ How to take control of your life and live on your own terms

💡 Ways to Engage:

Think of one thing that nourishes your soul and make it a nonnegotiable part of your day. Whether it’s a quiet coffee, a morning workout, or journaling, protect your peace and practice self love intentionally.

🔍 Keywords for this Episode

Self care podcast

Women empowerment

Personal growth and reinvention

Setting healthy boundaries

Self love and confidence

Mindset and motivation

Women’s self care routines

Journaling for mental health

Living unapologetically

Empowered women stories

Emotional wellness and healing

Reinventing yourself

Personal development podcast

Mental health for women

Self discovery journey

Inspirational women interviews

Work life balance and self worth

Confidence building for women

Women supporting women

Mindfulness and motivation

📈 Hashtags:

#SelfCareJourney

#WomenEmpowerment

#PersonalGrowth

#MindsetMatters

#SelfLoveClub

#ReinventYourself

#EmpoweredWomen

#MotivationPodcast

#MentalHealthAwareness

#BoundariesMatter

#JournalingForGrowth

#AuthenticLiving

#UnfilteredPodcast

#FemaleEmpowerment

#InspiringWomen

#WellnessMindset

#SelfCareIsNotSelfish

#LiveUnapologetically

#PurposeDrivenLife

#FEELEverything

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 2:55 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 7:51 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 16:00 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 19:39 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 25:18 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 30:21 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 38:23 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 48:12 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 52:52 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 56:35 )

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

Trigger Warnings: Depression, suicidal ideation

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of The F.E.E.L Podcast, host Melissa welcomes Michelle Campbell, a serial entrepreneur, lifelong learner, and author of Bluebird: A Memoir. Michelle opens up about her emotional and financial struggles, sharing her powerful story of overcoming depression, suicidal ideation, and a toxic relationship with money.

She reminds us that financial hardship isn’t just about numbers — it’s about mental health, self-worth, and emotional healing. Michelle’s transparency about debt, money shame, and rebuilding her life from rock bottom is an empowering lesson in resilience, vulnerability, and financial empowerment for women.

As the holidays approach, a time often filled with financial pressure and emotional strain, Michelle’s message of hope and self-compassion is one everyone needs to hear. She reminds us that every day is a new opportunity to start over, and that financial healing begins with honest conversations, community support, and mindful money management.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

💡 The emotional connection between money and mental health

💡 How Michelle overcame depression and financial despair

💡 Why we must break the silence around money conversations

💡 How small acts of kindness can spark big change

💡 Steps to begin your financial wellness and healing journey

Ways to Engage:

Start a budgeting journal. Track income and expenses, and make small, intentional financial goals. Whether it’s saving for something you love or paying down debt, mindful money management can bring clarity and peace.

Resources:

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help.

📞 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

🤝 Connect With Michelle Campbell

📘 Bluebird: A Memoir

https://www.amazon.com/Bluebird-Memoir-Trauma-Heartbreak-Struggle/dp/B0DM6QLB1F

🌐 Website

https://bymichellecampbell.com/

💛 Hashtag Stability (Nonprofit)

https://hashtagstability.org/

📲 Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561259970143

Facebook (Bluebird Memoir): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561311624993

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluebirdmemoir/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taxshell6072

X (Twitter): https://x.com/tax_shell

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-c-1a697b318

📈 Hashtags

#FinancialWellness

#MoneyMindset

#FinancialFreedomJourney

#MentalHealthAwareness

#DepressionRecovery

#FinancialEmpowerment

#WomenInBusiness

#SelfGrowthJourney

#MoneyAndMentalHealth

#OvercomingDebt

#FinancialHealing

#EmpoweredWomen

#PurposeDrivenLife

#MindfulMoney

#SuicidePreventionAwareness

#HealingJourney

#EmotionalWellness

#BudgetingTips

#InspiringStories

#BluebirdMemoir

Timestamps:

Prioritizing Self Care - ( 3:09 )

Confidently Setting Boundaries - ( 5:19 )

Taking Care of Your Emotional Health as much as Your Physical Health - ( 9:43 )

Support self & other women unapologetically - ( 25:30 )

Coming Back to Your WHY and Your VALUES - ( 40:50 )

Living Out of Your Own Expectations - ( 44:50 )

Accepting the Layered Aspects of Yourself - ( 51:00 )

Living out FEEL, how does it affect your relationships - ( 53:41 )

5 Activities That Nourish You - ( 1:01:37 )

5 Words for How You Want to Feel in the Next Six Months - ( 1:04:51 )

Original Music by Rio & Valencia Saint-Louis

✨ Free Download: Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life Sample Freebie ✨- https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:02ce6c2f-90ed-4741-bdab-e62e20c2e7ad

In this empowering bonus resource, we’re giving you a free sneak peek into the Embracing a F.E.E.L Fueled Life course! This downloadable PDF guides you through reconnecting with who you truly are—beyond your roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
Want to be a guest on The F.E.E.L. Podcast? - Send Melissa Crook a message on PodMatch, here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/feel2021⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or complete our contact form here:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.embracinglayers.com/contact ⁠⁠