The BraveAF Podcast

Most of us are wired to push, to hustle, to constantly be doing—until life hits pause in the most brutal way. Jessica's raw, unfiltered story of her recent surgery and the humbling lessons it brought reshapes everything you think about productivity, failure, and true resilience.When her body forced her to sit still, her mind became a battlefield—church of guilt, shame, self-doubt, and fights against her own perfectionism. But in that stillness, Jessica uncovers a powerful truth: you can't perfect what you don’t perform. You only get better when you show up, even amid setbacks. You'll discover how she’s confronting the patterns we all wrestle with—comparing ourselves, feeling behind, apologizing unnecessarily—and the wisdom lost in constant self-judgment. She shares her honest insights on the importance of asking for help, rewiring expectations, and appreciating the simple, vital skills we often overlook until they’re ripped away.This episode is a call to every ambitious soul who’s ever felt overwhelmed, unworthy, or afraid to pause. Jessica’s story isn’t just about recovery—it's about reclaiming your power through humility, grace, and relentless self-compassion.Perfect for anyone navigating life’s unexpected detours or cracking under the pressure to prove themselves. You’ll walk away not just inspired but armed with practical steps to reset, refocus, and show up boldly—no matter what life throws at you.

In this episode, I sit down with Bobby Newell—author, somatic experiencing therapist, executive coach, and founder of Mindful Collaboration—to explore the difference between somatic and traditional therapy, and how it can transform the way you show up in your life and work.Drawing from over 20 years of experience and her book S.H.I.F.T. Happens, Bobby shares practical ways to shift your energy, regain focus, and create real change—without walking away from your career.If you’ve been feeling stuck or burned out, this conversation is for you.Connect with Bobby:Book: : https://a.co/d/0bCaXcIDThe SHIFT Reset:  https://www.skool.com/theshiftreset/about?ref=d55f2a7bfd9d4b9c84b73ae663348501

Once you take that first leap, EVERYTHING changes.Once the fog of fear and uncertainty dissipates, the path gets clearer, and the momentum shifts.In this episode we talk about why it's so important to jump and what happens after you jump - The Leap Effect.Forgive me - I might be a little fired up in this one, y'all. That's because I know some of you are standing on the ledge of greatness and it's time for you to JUMP.

It’s Time to Dream AgainSometimes the things we’re meant to do have been quietly living inside us long before we recognize them.In this episode, I share a video I recorded back in 2016 about chasing your dreams, surrounding yourself with positive people, and pushing past fear. Watching it again all these years later felt like a strange kind of déjà vu — almost like the seeds of this podcast were already there, long before I ever imagined starting one.We talk about:• The courage it takes to pursue the things that call to you• Why the people you surround yourself with matter more than you think• Moving forward even when fear tries to convince you to stay stillSometimes the dream doesn’t disappear — it just waits until you’re ready to listen.And sometimes the bravest thing you can do is decide it’s time to dream again.

What you focus on shapes more than your mindset — it shapes your life.In this episode, we talk about the power of being intentional with where you place your attention and the people you choose to surround yourself with. Because the voices in your circle, the conversations you engage in, and the energy you allow around you all influence how you see the world.We discuss:• Why the people in your circle matter more than you think• How negativity and constant criticism can quietly shape your outlook• The importance of protecting your mindset by being intentional about what — and who — you give your attention toSometimes changing your life doesn’t start with changing everything around you.Sometimes it starts with changing what you focus on.

Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan.Unexpected twists can have us feeling that everything is suddenly off track can make it easy to fall into frustration or self-criticism.In this episode, I share how life had recently gone sideways for me and the reminder that sometimes the most important thing we can do is give ourselves grace.We talk about:• Letting go of unrealistic expectations• Why life doesn’t always follow the timeline we create for it• The importance of offering ourselves the same compassion we give othersAnd how kidney stones suckNot every setback is a failure. Sometimes it’s simply life asking us to slow down, reset, and extend ourselves a little more understanding.Because being BraveAF doesn’t mean everything goes perfectly — it means showing up anyway, even when things don’t go the way you planned.

What happens when you know something in your body has changed — but the people you turn to for answers don’t seem to hear you?In this episode, I share my personal experience navigating the confusing and often frustrating reality of menopause. From countless labs and appointments to symptoms that didn’t make sense, this journey became a lesson in learning to trust my own body.This episode is the beginning of a deeper conversation we’ll continue in future shows, where we’ll explore menopause from multiple perspectives and bring in guests with different experiences and expertise.In this episode we talk about:• The symptoms that started raising questions• The challenge of feeling dismissed in medical spaces• Why learning to advocate for your own health mattersSometimes the bravest thing you can do is trust what your body is telling you — even when others aren’t ready to listen.

“You are enough” is a powerful truth — especially when it comes to your worth and value.But somewhere along the way, that message got tangled with another idea: that being enough means doing everything on your own.In this episode, we talk about why asking for help doesn’t make you weak — it makes you brave.We discuss:• The importance of vulnerability• The value of community• The courage it takes to speak up when you need supportBravery isn’t about carrying everything by yourself.Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is raise your hand, share the struggle, and allow others to show up for you.

The holidays are supposed to be full of joy, connection, and celebration.But for many people, they can also be a season of loneliness, grief, or learning how to navigate life differently than before.In this episode of BraveAF, we talk about what it means to spend the holidays solo — whether by circumstance, choice, or life simply taking an unexpected turn. Being alone doesn’t mean something is wrong with you, and it doesn’t mean the season has to lose its meaning.We discuss:• The strength that comes from learning to do things on your own• Reframing what the holidays can look like• Finding peace in your own companyAnd yes… there’s also a moment where we address the important question:Why is Walmart already putting out Valentine’s Day decorations before the holidays are even over?Because sometimes being BraveAF also means calling out the nonsense.If you’ve ever felt out of step with the season, this episode is for you.

Creating the life you want doesn't start with luck - it starts with vision.In this episode, we talk about the power of setting intentional goals and why creating a clear vision for your life matters more than simply making resolutions.We discuss how vision boards work, why they're more than just a craft project and how giving your goals a visual home can help shift your focus and energy toward the life you actually want to build.Brave doesn't start when you feel ready. It starts when you become intentional.

Unfiltered stories. Unapologetic truths. Unmistakably Brave as Fuck. Sometimes being brave means doing something heroic, sometimes it's getting the fuck out of bed and trying ONE.MORE.TIME - when you don't feel ready, when you don't know how and you're not even sure you want to.When fear says you can't, we call bullshit and bring you the stories of people who prove it everyday by showing up brave as fuck.

In this episode we cover what to expect on the show - a lot of truth, probably a few fucks and maybe a hoodie.