Ep 13: Ego, Shadow Work & Embodiment - The Conversation Most People Avoid (W/ Lena Joy Barrett)

Lena Joy Barrett is a health and wellness coach, embodiment guide, and practitioner of tantra whose work explores the intersection of performance, identity, spirituality, and the human nervous system.But this conversation isn’t about motivation quotes.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Lena to talk about the side of growth most people never show publicly — burnout, ego, shadow work, emotional regulation, masculinity and femininity, and the messy middle of becoming who you really are.They explore why high-performers often feel trapped by their own strength, why the ego isn’t the enemy, how safety in the body changes relationships, and why real personal development is far less aesthetic than social media makes it look.Lena also shares her experience with tantra, somatic work, trauma recovery, and the long road from survival mode to embodiment — including the moment that forced her to completely rebuild her life.This is a grounded, honest conversation about identity, pressure, power, relationships, sexuality, and what it really takes to feel alive again.In this episode we talk about:• Why high-achievers struggle to relax and receive support• The difference between real growth and spiritual bypassing• Ego, shadow work, and integrating the parts you hide• Masculine vs feminine energy in modern life• Why safety in the body changes everything• Tantra, embodiment, and feeling fully alive• Trauma, burnout, and rebuilding from rock bottom• Leadership, boundaries, and standing in your truth• Why life is supposed to feel messy sometimesTIMESTAMPS0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:35 – Why high performers secretly feel trapped by their own strength1:38 – The pressure to achieve and losing connection to your body3:14 – Burnout, tension, and the body always telling the truth5:22 – Why successful people struggle to ask for support7:31 – Is the ego really the enemy? (Spirituality gets this wrong)9:43 – Tantra, transcendence, and the danger of chasing highs11:23 – Why safety is the foundation of love, sex, and success13:56 – Why disciplined women struggle to soften16:13 – Personal development has become too serious18:29 – Shadow work: meeting the parts of yourself you hide19:17 – Shame, sexuality, and the things people never talk about20:53 – Instagram healing vs real life healing23:22 – Control vs surrender and the messy middle of life25:49 – Loss, grief, and learning to appreciate life again27:25 – The simplest way to reconnect with your body30:04 – Why most self-development advice doesn’t work under stress32:28 – Teaching emotional regulation to kids35:14 – Why men are scared of their emotions now36:26 – Masculine + feminine balance in relationships37:47 – Modern dating, polarity, and responsibility40:15 – What real leadership actually looks like43:26 – What younger Lena wouldn’t understand about her life now46:35 – Trauma, rock bottom, and the moment everything changed48:59 – Being judged for being different (and not backing down)51:57 – Why growth requires sacrifice and discomfort54:07 – Masculine vision + feminine flow working together55:02 – Final thoughts: life isn’t about fixing yourself55:22 – Where to follow Lena---------------------------------------------------------To watch the show click HERETo connect with Lena Joy Barrett click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you have a question for us, want to request a guest, or collaborate,comment or DM @itstuanluu, @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy.