The Glow Up Economy Podcast

Leesa is the kind of woman whose presence carries a story before she even names it.She is a storyteller, generator, creative, former ICN competitor, runner, and a woman whose voice has become part of her work in the world.In this episode, Tuan sits down with Leesa for a raw, honest, and deeply grounded conversation about a relationship that began like a fairytale full of attention, intensity, affection, and promises of a future before slowly becoming confusing, controlling, and difficult to name.They talk about love bombing, future faking, coercive control, the body knowing before the mind catches up, and the grief of wanting the story to be real even when the truth is already showing.But this is not a conversation that leaves Leesa inside the wound.It follows the woman who emerged from it.The woman who found language for what happened.The woman other women reached out to when they recognised their own experience in hers.The woman who realised her voice was not just part of her healing it was part of her purpose.Leesa also speaks about trust, intuition, people-pleasing, public voice, self-awareness, boundaries, and the next version of herself, the one who no longer negotiates with her intuition, her time, her energy, or her truth.Sometimes the glow up is not softer makeup, a better body, or a shinier life.Sometimes it is the moment a woman becomes impossible to distort.Timestamps:0:28 – Introducing Leesa and the story behind the conversation1:13 – When the glow up means refusing to be distorted1:42 – Who Leesa was before sharing her story publicly2:32 – Having the best parts of herself chipped away2:58 – Feeling burnt to the ground3:14 – The phoenix chapter and becoming the next version of herself4:05 – What felt promising at the beginning4:34 – The Prince Charming phase5:02 – Quietening her intuition5:30 – Love bombing and hearing everything she wanted to hear5:56 – Moving quickly and future faking6:41 – How control slowly mixes with the good times7:11 – The body knows before the mind does7:41 – When her mind started catching up with her body8:49 – When he started defining what was “normal”9:24 – The cycle of forgetting the bad and focusing on the good9:44 – What changed when women started reaching out10:02 – Being warned while still in the relationship10:52 – How other women helped her continue leaving11:13 – Realising this was a behavioural pattern11:59 – The validation and grief of hearing from other women12:15 – “I definitely wasn’t special”13:23 – Mental health, domestic violence, and distorted reality13:39 – Wanting to protect the story she still wanted to believe14:36 – “I wanted what we had to be real”14:46 – Abandoning herself and still having compassion for that version15:47 – The power of having language for the experience16:18 – The cost of not abandoning yourself16:37 – Hope dies last16:50 – Surrendering to the truth17:09 – Not being grateful for what happened, but loving who she is today17:37 – Coming home to herself17:53 – Spirituality, purpose, and being part of change18:56 – Using her voice after twenty years in mental health advocacy19:41 – Not everyone can or should share publicly20:33 – How sharing your story can give others permission to speak21:52 – Authenticity beyond online wellness language22:41 – Why Leesa refuses to be told to niche24:16 – What the next version of Leesa no longer negotiates with25:37 – Learning to protect her time and energy26:35 – How her relationship with trust has changed27:05 – Why you don’t need to be fully healed to enter a relationship27:18 – Trust is given first, but difficult to repair once broken27:42 – Why consistency matters28:14 – There is no relationship without trust29:34 – Self-awareness and communication in future relationships30:23 – Where to find LeesaTo watch the show click HERETo connect with Leesa click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps Media

Leah Mifsud is a bikini athlete 12 days out from stepping on stage, deep in the final stretch of her first bodybuilding prep.But this conversation isn’t really about bodybuilding.It’s about what happens when a woman chooses something hard enough that she can no longer stay the same.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Leah in the middle of the process — not after the show, not after the photos, not after the polished final result, but while she is still inside the pressure of it.They talk about the mental and emotional reality behind prep, the exhaustion, the body dysmorphia, the food noise, the pressure to keep doing more, and the quiet question that follows so many women through transformation: am I doing enough?Leah opens up about people pleasing, burnout, learning to say no, putting study on hold, and what it feels like when the process forces her to stop abandoning herself. She talks about the support that actually matters, the friendships that become clearer under pressure, and the strange clarity that comes when you choose your own standards even when other people don’t understand them.Because the stage is one day.The woman she becomes comes with her.At its core, this is a conversation about discipline, boundaries, courage, and the private architecture behind a public transformation.And maybe the line that captures it best is the one Leah says near the end:“Eat the damn food.”In this episode we talk about:• What prep feels like 12 days out from stage• Why the mental game can be just as hard as the physical one• Body dysmorphia, self-doubt, and constantly asking “am I doing enough?”• The exhaustion of trying to hold work, study, training, cardio, posing, and life all at once• What real support looks like when a woman is under pressure• Learning to say no without guilt• People pleasing and the moment Leah realised she didn’t have to hurt herself to please others• The burnout moment that forced her to put study on hold• Why prep became a pressure chamber for boundaries and self-trust• How bodybuilding gave Leah a sense of identity, belonging, and direction• What people misunderstand when they say prep “isn’t that hard”• The woman Leah hopes to carry into her next chapter• The advice she would give the girl she used to beTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:31 – Meeting Leah 12 days out from stage1:08 – What prep feels like in her body and life right now1:47 – Body dysmorphia, self-doubt, and “am I doing enough?”2:44 – Good days, bad days, exhaustion, and missing normal life3:48 – What real support looks like during prep4:53 – Boundaries, pressure, and not abandoning herself5:39 – Burnout, study, work, and the cost of holding everything6:21 – Crying, breaking down, and being told to breathe7:32 – Choosing what has to go on hold8:23 – People pleasing and learning to put herself first9:43 – The first hard no10:40 – How prep changes who a woman becomes11:19 – Food, rest, dates, and life after stage11:57 – Finding bodybuilding after sport, endometriosis, and the gym13:52 – What Leah wants to carry into her next version15:18 – What people misunderstand about prep17:06 – How Leah feels before the final stretch18:04 – The advice she would give the girl she used to be18:57 – Where to find Leah19:30 – Closing thoughts———————————————————————To watch the show click HERETo connect with Leah Mifsud click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps Media

Melissa Perre is an IFBB bikini competitor, national open A champion, and a woman whose story is bigger than the stage.Because this conversation isn’t really about bodybuilding.It’s about what happens when a quiet girl decides she’s no longer going to stay small.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Melissa to explore the deeper story underneath the physique, the placings, the travel, and the polished feed people see online.They talk about the identity shift behind competition, what it means to build yourself without shortcuts, and how a woman goes from being underestimated, overlooked, and physically small… to becoming someone other women watch, follow, and quietly measure themselves against.Melissa opens up about growing up in Salisbury, never fully fitting into one world or the other, always feeling like she had to work a little harder to earn her place, and how bodybuilding became more than a sport. It became a vehicle for expansion.They also get into family pressure, ethnic expectations, social perception, the reality of competing naturally, and what Melissa learned when the dream of competing overseas didn’t feel the way she thought it would.At its core, this is a conversation about becoming bigger — in body, in voice, in standards, and in self-concept.And maybe the line that captures it best is the one Melissa says near the end:“We got bigger.”In this episode we talk about:• Why Melissa decided to compete almost overnight• The real reason bodybuilding mattered far beyond winning• Growing up in Salisbury and carrying the weight of being underestimated• Never fully fitting into one world — and the identity that creates• Why she always felt she had to work harder than everyone else• Competing naturally, without PEDs, sponsors, or shortcuts• The assumptions people make when a woman starts standing out• The moment strangers started coming to her for advice• Family pressure, ethnic expectations, and wanting more than the default script• The emotional reality of success moments that don’t feel how you imagined• What it means to stop shrinking and grow into your full sizeTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:32 – The woman behind the physique1:05 – She woke up one day and decided to change everything2:13 – The real reason she started had nothing to do with winning4:18 – What people get completely wrong about Melissa5:12 – Going to Cambodia alone and proving she could do life without permission6:08 – The little girl from Salisbury still shaped all of this10:07 – Why she always felt she had to work harder than everyone else12:18 – Why doing it naturally mattered so much14:13 – People can’t believe what discipline can actually build16:42 – The moment strangers started treating her differently18:18 – Her first client came from Canada19:37 – The pro pedestal is not what people think it is20:55 – Being the first in her bloodline to see the French Alps22:45 – Why she wanted more than the traditional script25:34 – The mountain moment that made everything feel small27:47 – The chapter she still gets emotional about30:18 – When the dream moment doesn’t feel like the dream32:14 – “This still isn’t peak me”33:53 – One word for this chapter: fun35:09 – “We got bigger”36:05 – Where to find Melissa---------------------------------------------------To watch the show click HERETo connect with Melissa Perre click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps Media

In this episode, I sit down with Tenille Janicki for a conversation on people-pleasing, boundaries, emotional patterns, and the quiet ways women abandon themselves without even realising it.In this episode we talk about:Why people-pleasing often begins as a strategy for love and connectionHow childhood emotional patterns quietly shape adult relationshipsWhy boundaries can feel unnatural before they feel cleanThe fear of being seen and what sits underneath itWhat self-abandonment looks like in ordinary lifeWhy “holding space” is more than a trendy phraseThe difference between healing language and real embodimentHow emotional growth can disrupt family roles and old dynamicsThe emotional crossover between self-worth, discipline, and fitnessWhat bodybuilding taught Tenille about grief, standards, and identityThe deeper work she’s still doing around shame, authenticity, and self-respectTimestamps0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:23 – Emotional intelligence, boundaries, and real-life self-abandonment1:16 – The childhood blueprint: where love, connection, and people-pleasing begin2:26 – Family patterns, inherited behaviour, and abandoning yourself in small moments3:24 – The turning point: the last six months of deeper work4:04 – “You’re pleasing everyone else but yourself”4:31 – Abandonment wounds, fear, and saying yes to stay connected4:58 – Why saying no can feel wrong in the body5:50 – Rewiring patterns through reps, discomfort, and repetition6:17 – The emotional patterns Tenille sees most in her clients7:26 – Why the real issue is usually deeper than the presenting problem8:04 – The emotional home: the feelings people return to most8:54 – Why people know what to do but still avoid the work9:17 – Fear of looking inward and the fear of being known10:10 – Masks, shame, and the performance of being okay11:01 – Reparenting, self-love, and learning to give yourself what was missing11:41 – Why some people resist inner child work completely12:22 – Becoming “Tenille 2.0” and speaking to the younger version of yourself13:28 – The photo on the fridge: a daily reminder to come back to herself13:35 – “Holding space” and why the internet gets it wrong14:13 – What real emotional presence sounds like in conversation15:17 – Word salad, embodiment, and the gap between captions and reality16:17 – How to hold space without rushing to fix someone17:24 – One simple question that changes how people feel around you18:08 – A family dinner, emotional discomfort, and making someone else’s pain about you19:20 – Seeing both sides once you’ve done the work20:04 – What happens when you change and the people around you feel it21:18 – The five emotions that sit underneath so much of human behaviour22:21 – How Tenille shows up now compared to five years ago23:43 – Looking confident on the outside while feeling disconnected inside23:54 – Job-hopping, masks, victimhood, and relationship patterns24:42 – How self-worth started changing her fitness and daily standards25:25 – Why the inner work helps you stay, choose, and follow through26:08 – Her first bodybuilding prep and stepping onto the ICN stage27:12 – Losing 18 kilos and what prep demanded of her27:27 – The Woolies breakdown: eight weeks out and feeling the reality of prep27:56 – How she pushed through before fully understanding emotional work28:23 – Grief, loss, and using bodybuilding as a way through pain29:19 – The small moments that slowly changed the direction of her life29:56 – Why she’s stepping back into prep again this year30:54 – What she’s still working on now: people-pleasing, shame, and cleaner boundaries32:38 – Where to find Tenille32:54 – Closing thoughts and outro—————————————————————————To watch the show click HEREFollow Tenille Janicki → HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you want to be featured, collaborate, or step into this world →DM @itstuanluu or @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah — bodybuilder, graphic designer, and co-founder of Acacia Blends — to talk about reinvention, discipline, and what it really takes to build a healthier life from the inside out.In this episode we talk about:• Going from overweight and unfit to stepping on a bodybuilding stage• The moment bodybuilding stopped feeling intimidating and started feeling possible• Why business built the resilience she needed for prep• What bodybuilding reveals about your mind under pressure• The hidden challenge of coming back to “normal life” after extreme structure• Building Acacia Blends from curiosity, health, and shared values• How supplier problems forced the brand into reinvention• Why wellness should feel enjoyable, not like another chore• The belief that keeps most people stuck: “that’s for other people, not me”• Why no one is watching you as much as you thinkTimestamps:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:30 – Meet Sarah: bodybuilder, founder, designer, and wellness builder1:15 – “10 years ago I never would’ve believed this was my life”1:36 – From overweight and unfit to finally taking health seriously2:13 – The bodybuilding myth that almost stopped her from starting2:28 – “Then I saw Emma Bowman… and everything changed”3:03 – The real reason she waited years before doing a comp4:03 – Why bodybuilding is NOT about looking stage-lean all year4:44 – Did entrepreneurship build the mindset she needed for prep?5:53 – Why bodybuilding can destroy you if you haven’t done the inner work6:31 – “Prep teaches you how you handle pressure in every area of life”7:56 – What discipline actually feels like on the inside8:24 – The dark side of bodybuilding: obsession, pain, and loving the process9:00 – Why coming OUT of prep can be harder than prep itself9:44 – The trap of constantly moving the goalposts10:24 – Control, intensity, and learning who you really are11:26 – How she balanced business, relationships, clients, and comp prep13:23 – The unexpected origin story behind Acacia Blends14:02 – Why mushrooms, health curiosity, and podcasts started the brand14:44 – The moment they realised: “If we want this, other people probably do too”15:35 – How they came up with the name Acacia Blends16:57 – Why most people wait until they’re sick to care about their health17:34 – “We’re the 2 percenters”18:21 – The truth about building a business while still working another job18:40 – The one question you need to answer before starting anything19:50 – Why 2026 is the year they’re finally pushing the brand harder20:13 – The supplier crisis that forced the business to reinvent itself21:04 – Making wellness fun, functional, and actually enjoyable22:03 – Why most wellness products feel like a chore22:56 – “Why would I drink something healthy if it tastes terrible?”23:16 – How challenges can become the catalyst for your next level24:20 – The scary moment they thought the whole business might collapse25:02 – Why taking your foot off the pedal can move you forward faster25:28 – What it felt like to lose control and rethink everything26:28 – “Oh shit… we’re in it now”27:08 – Visionary vs operator: why their partnership works28:05 – The biggest thing people would never guess about Sarah29:00 – How bad food habits started early and shaped her health journey29:55 – “I thought that life was for other people… not me”30:35 – The freedom of realising no one is watching you that closely30:47 – Why turning 40 changed everything31:19 – Watching teenage insecurity play out from the other side32:08 – Where to find Sarah, Acacia Blends, and follow the journey————————————————————————————————To watch the show click HEREFollow Sarah Lelliott → HEREFollow Acacia Blends → HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you want to be featured, collaborate, or step into this world →DM @itstuanluu or @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy

Cosmina is a self-worth and relationship coach working with high-performing women.But this conversation isn’t about dating advice.It starts outside. Light conversation. Open space.Then the rain hits. You move inside… and something shifts.The conversation gets quieter. Closer. More honest.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Cosmina to explore the patterns most people don’t realise they’re repeating in love — and why what feels right in your body… isn’t always truth.They unpack the difference between intuition and anxiety, how early conditioning shapes attraction, and why people often choose familiarity over what’s actually good for them.Cosmina shares her own experiences — from leaving a long-term relationship that looked perfect on paper, to ignoring her intuition in Bali and paying for it physically — and how those moments shaped the work she does today.This conversation moves between identity, nervous system regulation, dating patterns, and self-worth — but at its core, it’s about one thing:learning to trust yourself again.In this episode we talk about:• The difference between intuition and anxiety in the body• Why people choose familiar pain over unfamiliar stability• The belief: “If they choose me, I’m enough”• How childhood conditioning shapes attraction patterns• Why stable relationships can feel unsafe at first• Self-sabotage, emotional patterns, and nervous system responses• Building self-trust through repetition and awareness• The hidden danger of manifestation without grounding• EMDR and rewiring deep-rooted beliefs• Why rest is not weakness — it’s strategy• Letting go of the idea that you’re “too much”This is a grounded conversation about identity, self-worth, dating, emotional patterns, and what it really means to choose differently — not just think differently.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:34 – Who Cosmina is & what she does1:10 – What she’s currently working through2:32 – Working in prisons & understanding behaviour3:10 – Leaving an 18-year relationship4:29 – “I had everything… but hadn’t lived”4:47 – What it felt like in her body to leave5:42 – Trusting intuition vs fear of the unknown6:03 – Why “perfect on paper” still feels empty6:31 – The Bali story: ignoring intuition7:44 – The consequence: injury & a permanent reminder8:40 – “If he chooses me, I’m enough”9:11 – Intuition vs anxiety (what’s actually louder?)9:50 – The shift: moving inside as it starts raining10:07 – Anxiety in the body feels like urgency10:31 – Why you don’t choose what’s good for you10:42 – You choose what feels familiar10:49 – Certainty in pain vs uncertainty in healthy love10:56 – Why stability can feel unsafe11:02 – Self-sabotage patterns in dating11:07 – Self-trust is built through reps11:38 – Inner work vs visible success12:01 – Trusting yourself changes everything12:23 – What people get wrong about manifestation13:18 – “I had no food in my fridge”13:34 – Action vs delusion in manifestation14:26 – EMDR & rewiring beliefs15:53 – Core beliefs: “I’m not enough”16:20 – Changing identity at a deeper level17:31 – Burnout, rest, and learning the hard way18:07 – Why rest feels wrong (but isn’t)18:31 – “I am irresponsible” (core belief)19:00 – Scarcity, money, and early conditioning20:10 – Rest as a business strategy21:02 – “You’re not too much”21:48 – Capacity in relationships22:13 – Where to find Cosmina____________________________________ To watch the show click HERE To connect with Cosmina click ⁠HERE⁠ To connect with Tuan Luu click ⁠HERE⁠ Produced by GlowOps Media If you have a question for us or want to request a guest, or collaborate, comment or DM @itstuanluu, @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy.

Katie Perryman is an ICN Best Athlete winner, fitness model, and founder of a welfare-focused pet brand.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Katie to explore what it actually took to become the version of her people see today — and why that version is still evolving.From 120kg to stepping on stage… from hiding her body to owning it… from discipline and structure to softness, spirituality, and rebuilding after life fell apart.Katie opens up about the real reason her transformation started, not for validation, but because she refused to let her son inherit the consequences of her choices.They unpack the hidden side of transformation, the identity people assume you’ve always had, and what happens when life forces you to start again.In this episode we talk about:• Transforming your body for something deeper than aesthetics• The version of you people assume has always existed• Why confidence isn’t about attention — it’s about self-respect• Discipline vs softness and integrating both• Navigating separation, identity loss, and starting again• Spirituality, Buddhism, and emotional control• The difference between being seen… and being understood• Knowing your worth and how it changes everythingThis is a grounded conversation about identity, transformation, motherhood, discipline, femininity, and rebuilding your life without losing yourself.Timestamps:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:30 – “You look successful… but what did it actually take to become you?”1:18 – “I was 120kg… and I changed because of my son”2:32 – The real fear: “What if kids call him the fat mum’s son?”3:43 – Why most people NEVER change (and what finally forces it)4:05 – “I was embarrassed… but not enough to do anything about it”4:30 – “I spent 10 years hiding myself… now I love showing it”5:08 – Why “thirst traps” aren’t what you think they are5:45 – The hidden truth: people only see the final version of you6:33 – “I used to think I’d rather swallow razor blades than go to the gym”7:08 – How your identity can completely flip (without you realising)7:55 – Learning to respect your body after years of ignoring it8:40 – Food, habits, and the moment standards actually change9:02 – Does discipline in fitness change your entire life?9:40 – From Christianity to Buddhism: why she had to rebuild everything10:02 – Divorce, losing her dream home, and starting over10:35 – “Life is suffering… but you can choose how you experience it”11:23 – Meditation, breathwork, and regaining control of your mind12:02 – Discipline vs softness: can you actually be both?12:45 – The two sides of her: strong vs nurturing13:16 – Feeling stuck… even after becoming “that girl”13:48 – Why success doesn’t mean you feel ready14:08 – “People think I’m just an Instagram model… they’re wrong”14:28 – The hidden life: working in mining for 10 years15:00 – Why she keeps her career and Instagram separate15:30 – The truth about posting your body online16:05 – “If people don’t like it… they can unfollow”16:20 – Becoming someone you actually want to be (and still not being there yet)17:00 – Life is always a form of preparation17:40 – Why your mindset matters more than your body18:15 – “Do people feel intimidated by you?”18:50 – The difference between intimidation and inspiration19:00 – The advice that would’ve changed her entire life sooner19:30 – “Know your worth… or you’ll accept anything”20:00 – How self-worth silently controls your decisions20:40 – Who you let into your life is a reflection of your standards21:00 – Where to find Katie--------------------------------------------------To watch the show click HEREFollow Katie Perryman → HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you want to be featured, collaborate, or step into this world →DM @itstuanluu or @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy.

Briana Bowley is a performance coach who works with high-achieving women including athletes, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and first responders.But this conversation isn’t about hustle culture.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Brianna to explore the hidden cost of high performance — burnout, nervous system overload, identity crashes after major achievements, and why many performance models were never designed for women in the first place.Briana shares her journey from competitive bodybuilding into coaching high-performing women, including the physical and psychological consequences of pushing through discipline-driven systems that ignore the nervous system and the female hormonal cycle.They discuss why many women burn out trying to perform like men, the biological differences in stress and recovery, and why learning to do less can sometimes unlock more clarity, momentum, and magnetism.The conversation also moves into relationships — exploring why successful women often struggle to soften after years of operating in high-performance environments, and how safety, connection, and nervous system regulation shape both success and intimacy.This is a grounded conversation about ambition, identity, burnout, feminine leadership, and what it really means to build a life that feels sustainable.In this episode we talk about• Why many high-performing women eventually burn out• The nervous system differences between men and women• Why discipline alone can backfire• The hidden cost of bodybuilding and extreme fitness culture• Identity collapse after major achievements or competitions• The difference between masculine and feminine performance cycles• Why women need intentional rest to perform sustainably• Over-functioning vs under-functioning under stress• Why successful women often struggle in relationships• Learning to soften after years of operating in control• Why “doing less” can actually create more magnetism and influence• Trusting your own vision even when others push backTIMESTAMPS0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:28 – Why high-performing women burn out1:20 – Briana’s background in bodybuilding and coaching3:00 – Mindset patterns behind transformation and self-sabotage4:00 – Why men and women perform differently5:25 – The danger of discipline-only performance models6:54 – The psychology of safety and the female nervous system8:20 – The pressure on women to be “everything” at once9:57 – Over-functioning vs burnout and shutdown11:46 – Male vs female performance cycles (24-hour vs 28-day rhythms)14:35 – Training mistakes women make in the gym15:30 – Bodybuilding prep and the cost of pushing too hard16:50 – The moment Briana learned to rest instead of forcing discipline18:06 – Trusting intuition vs rigid systems21:32 – The difference between a stressful prep and an aligned one22:38 – Dissociation vs feeling connected to your body24:46 – Turning competition prep into a personal experiment27:00 – Scarcity vs abundance in fitness and dieting28:43 – Identity crashes after big achievements30:25 – Why high-performing women struggle in relationships31:52 – Masculine success vs feminine presence34:08 – Over-functioning in relationships and attracting under-functioning men35:22 – Expansive safety vs control-based safety36:23 – Why Brianna’s mentor told her to “do less”38:09 – Keeping your energy for yourself39:27 – Why feminine magnetism comes from self-connection41:10 – Playing to win vs trying not to lose42:03 – Advice Briana would give her younger self44:26 – Where to find Briana----------------------To watch the show click HERETo connect with Briana Bowley 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.

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.

Emma K is an IFBB Pro League Bikini Pro, international competitor, and long-time elite coach.But this conversation isn’t about trophies.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with Emma to explore what happens after you’ve proven yourself — when the stage lights fade and identity becomes the real work.They unpack:• Detaching from labels and external validation• Competing without attaching your worth to the outcome• The psychology of judgment — on stage vs in real life• Discipline as a mindset sport• Shedding identity and “becoming” again• Confidence, magnetism, and the courage to be unfilteredEmma shares her experience stepping away from competition, traveling solo to Thailand, and confronting the uncomfortable question:Who are you without the outer layer?This is a grounded, honest conversation about authorship, boundaries, motherhood, ego, femininity, and living beyond the spotlight.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 – Welcome to The Glow Up Economy0:35 – Emma’s current chapter & why she rejects labels2:16 – The danger of identity labels (mum, athlete, age)3:20 – Why elite success requires imbalance4:18 – The cost of competition: family, guilt & sacrifice5:51 – “Who am I without competing?”6:58 – Thailand: losing the outer identity8:41 – The discomfort of being seen beyond aesthetics9:19 – Stripping back: no nails, no lashes, no extensions10:17 – Comp prep as a mindset sport11:32 – Why not everyone should compete13:48 – Detaching from your physique on stage15:20 – Clean judgment (stage) vs messy judgment (real life)16:55 – 50% will hate you. 50% will like you.17:47 – Playing archetypes & stepping into alter egos19:43 – Why people are afraid to be “unhinged”20:25 – Rewriting the stories you tell yourself22:18 – Posting confidently for the women watching silently24:05 – “Everything’s a mirror.”25:32 – Coming back to who you were as a child26:56 – Advice to her 12-year-old self27:23 – Where to follow Emma____________________________________To watch the show click HERETo connect with Emma K click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you have a question for us or want to request a guest, or collaborate, comment or DM @itstuanluu, @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy.

Most conversations happen at the beginning or after everything is already figured out. This one lives in the middle.In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, Tuan sits down with writer and creator Darina Savova of The Bold Standard for a quiet, unscripted conversation about confidence, identity, and the moment performance stops working.They talk about people-pleasing mistaken for confidence, productivity problems that are really identity fractures, and what it feels like to be seen without armor in life, in work, and in creative expression.This isn’t a how-to. There are no frameworks. No positioning.Just a real conversation at the edge of becoming for founders, creators, and high-agency people who are no longer beginners, not yet “arrived,” and learning to trust themselves in the in-between.Show Notes00:01 — Welcome to the Glow Up Economy: Beyond Advice & Tactics01:49 — Entering Coaching at 21: Ambition Without an Identity03:47 — “It Was Never a Productivity Problem” — The Real Block Beneath Procrastination08:23 — The Social Chameleon Trap: When Adaptability Becomes Self-Betrayal15:16 — Confidence Without an Audience: Learning to Trust Yourself First19:19 — Zooming Out: Why Ego Shrinks When Perspective Expands23:54 — Creativity as Exposure: Being Seen Without Armor32:10 — Fast Music, Loud Personas & the Layers We Hide Behind37:07 — Follow the Impulse: Create Before the Mind Negotiates40:39 — Writing the Book That Scares You43:56 — Advice to Her Younger Self: You Have Nothing to ProveThis episode is for anyone who feels the tension between who they were and who they’re becoming and is learning to stand still without armor while the transition unfolds._____________________________________To watch the show click HEREFor detailed show notes visit theglowupeconomy.com/podcast/shownotesTo connect with Darina click HERETo explore The Bold Standard click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HERERead more on The Glow Up Economy HEREProduced by GlowOps MediaIf you have a question for us or want to request a guest, comment or DM @itstuanluu, @glowopsmedia, or @theglowupeconomy.

In this episode of The Glow Up Economy, I sit down with Bethany Anne — founder, strategist, and long-time leader inside the aesthetics industry — to explore what really sits beneath sustainable growth.After a decade in the trenches, Bethany shares how burnout wasn’t caused by workload, but by misalignment — unclear boundaries, misplaced responsibility, and leading clients before they were ready to lead themselves.We unpack why most founders try to scale strategy before stabilising identity, how urgency creates chaos, and why true momentum only emerges when leadership capacity, timing, and alignment come first.We also explore the future of aesthetics — moving beyond surface-level beauty toward identity-aligned, inside-out care — and why the next era of growth belongs to integrated ecosystems, not fragmented tactics.This conversation is a reminder that the most powerful businesses aren’t built louder — they’re built deeper.______________________________Chapters:00:00 — Welcome to the Glow Up Economy00:30 — From Agency Growth to Burnout: What Actually Broke01:45 — The Hidden Cost of Carrying Clients Without Clarity02:55 — The Quiet Pivot: Leading Founders Before Marketing03:55 — Boundaries Aren’t About Time — They’re About Direction04:45 — Why Clients Think They Know What They Need (But Don’t)05:40 — Business as a Mirror: Alignment Reveals Everything06:50 — When “Now Isn’t the Time” Is the Right Answer07:30 — The Acquisition That Wasn’t Just a Deal — But a Philosophy08:40 — Why Aesthetics Businesses Fail at Scale09:50 — Luxora Collective: Building an Integrated Ecosystem10:55 — Vanguard Leadership: The Responsibility of Going First11:40 — Reading Between the Lines: The Skill That Changes Everything12:50 — It’s Not a Marketing Problem — It’s a Safety Problem14:05 — Businesses Scale at the Speed Their Owners Mature15:40 — Great Provider ≠ Great Business Owner16:55 — The Future of Aesthetics: Identity-Aligned, Inside-Out Care18:55 — Peptides, HRT & Nervous-System-Friendly Aesthetics21:00 — Feeling Seen, Heard, and Acknowledged Is the New Luxury22:05 — Momentum Comes From Alignment, Not Urgency24:10 — The $300K Scaling Mistake: When Growth Is Misaligned26:15 — Founder Self-Care as a Leadership Strategy27:50 — Identity Before Strategy: The Core Leadership Principle31:20 — Lightning Round: Rituals, Mistakes & Alignment36:40 — Where to Find Bethany & What’s Next for Luxora Collective______________________________To watch the show click HEREFor Detailed Show Notes Visit theglowupeconomy.com/podcast/shownotes To connect with Bethany Anne click HERETo connect with the Luxora Collective Co click HERETo connect with Tuan Luu click HERERead More on The Glow Up Economy HEREThis episode is sponsored by The Good Batch - a small-batch comfort bar built for modern lives:Orders are currently available Australia-wide.Visit @thegoodbatchbars on Instagram to order.Produced By GlowOps MediaIf you have a question for us or want to request a guest, comment or DM @itstuanluu, @glowopsmedia or @theglowupeconomy. 

What started as a podcast about energy, presence, and personal magnetism has evolved into something much bigger.After countless conversations with founders, creators, and women building powerful brands, a clear pattern emerged — what moves culture today isn’t just strategy or mindset.It’s the fusion of beauty, influence, and structure.It’s self-expression becoming brand equity — and brand equity becoming freedom.In this episode, Tuan Luu reveals the next chapter: The Glow Up Economy.A new marketplace where feminine energy, storytelling, and design intersect.Where real conversations spark real opportunities — and where systems meet soul.✨ If you’ve been here since the beginning, this is the evolution.If you’re new here, welcome to the movement.The Glow Up Economy officially begins November 6, 2025.🎙️ Hosted by Tuan Luu — Founder of GlowOpsBuilding the creative infrastructure for the next generation of feminine-powered brands.#GlowUpEconomy #MagnetismPodcast #GlowOps

Culture isn’t built in meetings — it’s forged in motion.Movements don’t start with Google Docs or mission statements — they start with rhythm. You move first, and the clarity comes later.In this episode, I break down the two currents that shape every movement, brand, and creator:The Forge — discipline, structure, repetition, shared hardship.The Flow — beauty, magnetism, storytelling, allure.You’ll hear how the same patterns repeat across history — from Roman legions marching in lockstep, to Paris ateliers perfecting a single stitch, to Gymshark’s early athletes training before “influencer marketing” even existed.And how GlowOps is my living experiment where those two forces — masculine precision and feminine magnetism — meet.Because The Forge builds the body of a movement. The Flow gives it soul.In this episode:00:00 – Intro: Magnetism brand anchor01:00 – The Henley run → motion creates clarity03:10 – Forge & Flow: the two currents04:00 – Discipline-censored marketplace (post-run chat)06:30 – Why running lowers ego → clean ideas08:10 – ACT II: The Forge (masculine current)09:10 – Scene 1: Roman legions = alignment in motion10:35 – Scene 2: Paris atelier = patience as status12:10 – Scene 3: Early Gymshark = reps became marketing14:05 – ACT III: The Flow (feminine current)16:00 – Structure → trust → art17:20 – GlowOps as living experiment (polarity lab)18:50 – OutroKey Quotes:“Movements don’t start with documents — they start with rhythm. You move first, the clarity comes later.”“A forge isn’t a wall; it’s a filter. Discipline-censored, not gate-kept.”“They didn’t have alignment meetings — they were alignment in motion.”“You master constraint before you express art.”“The forge builds the body of a movement. The flow gives it soul.”🎙️ About The Magnetism Podcast:Hosted by Tuan Luu, founder of GlowOps Media — this show explores how culture, psychology, and brand building collide.Each week we decode the unseen signals that make people, products, and movements magnetic.If this episode sparked something in you, share it with someone you’d want in your Forge.New episodes drop every Monday.#GlowOps #MagnetismPodcast #TheForgeAndTheFlow #BrandBuilding #CultureDesign #FounderMindset #CreativePhilosophy #Discipline #FlowState

In this episode of the Magnetism Podcast, I share a story from a 35km run that reveals a deeper truth: when you stop obsessing over the scoreboard, you overshoot and raise your baseline.From fitness to business to brand building, I unpack how this principle plays out everywhere — including the polarity between emerging-market brands chasing Western cultural capital, and Western fit-girly brands drowning in creative chaos.You’ll hear why GlowOps is the bridge, how even the most mundane things (cold emails, Strava stats, shoes) become mythic when framed right, and why true magnetism comes from building worlds people want access to — not chasing.This is about redefining the game by raising your baseline so high that what feels impossible to everyone else becomes your casual Sunday.

The Greatest Time in History To Be AliveEveryone’s talking burnout, chaos, and nervous system overload.But here’s the flip: it’s not overwhelm — it’s overflow.In this episode of Magnetism, Tuan breaks down why this era isn’t unsafe, it’s abundant — and how overflow becomes your greatest leverage if you know who you are.Inside this riff:Why we’re living in the most abundant era for creators, founders, and culture-buildersGymshark’s rise from a UK garage to £600M+ revenue — proof of chaos turned into cultureWhy influencers are now table stakes, and the real challenge is which aesthetics + narratives actually cut throughHow to upgrade your nervous system to metabolize chaos instead of retreating from itThis isn’t motivational fluff — it’s cultural reality.Overflow is only overwhelm if you don’t know who you are.Anchor your identity, and chaos becomes fuel.

Most brands will scream louder than ever this Black Friday. 40% off, hurry, don’t miss out. But discounts don’t make you unforgettable — they make you forgettable the second someone else offers 10% more.In this episode, I break down why urgency isn’t enough, why exclusivity matters, and why immortalization is the real lever for brands heading into Q4.Featuring insights from creator surveys and examples from Nike, Alo, Lululemon, Parade, and AJE — we explore how to go beyond the sale and win a place in memory.Key takeaways:– The sea of sameness in Q4 marketing– Why exclusivity > urgency– How relatability outperforms polish– Transactional vs. Immortalizing brands– Discounts make brands forgettable in a saturated market.– Immortalization creates lasting connections with customers.– Exclusivity is more effective than urgency in marketing.– Relatable stories resonate more than polished campaigns.– Brands should focus on creating memorable experiences.– Nike and Lululemon exemplify storytelling in branding.– Consumers want to feel part of a community.– Immortalizing customers turns them into brand advocates.– Q4 strategies should prioritize meaning over noise.– Successful brands create myths around their products.– Urgency makes people buy. Exclusivity makes them belong. Immortalization makes them remembered.Thanks for listening. If this landed, follow Magnetism and share it with one person who needs the reminder. Ep 6 next.------------Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstuanluu/ ------------YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ItstuanluuKeywordscreative economy, branding, marketing strategies, consumer behavior, Black Friday, Q4, immortalization, storytelling, brand identity, marketing trends

SummaryIn this conversation, Tuan Luu explores the intricate relationship between fashion and identity, particularly focusing on how generational differences shape clothing choices. He discusses the shift from minimalist styles associated with millennials to the bold, expressive choices of Gen Z, emphasizing the stories behind clothing and the cultural implications of these trends. The dialogue culminates in a reflection on the future of fashion, moving from survival to a state of thrival, where self-expression and authenticity take center stage.TakeawaysFashion is deeply tied to personal identity and stories.Clothing choices reflect generational shifts in values.Gen Z embraces chaos and bold expression in fashion.Millennials often lean towards minimalist and survival-oriented styles.The color and style of clothing can influence one's state of mind.Nano influencers resonate more with younger audiences than traditional influencers.Fashion serves as a mirror reflecting cultural trends and values.The evolution of fashion is a response to societal changes.Self-expression in fashion is becoming increasingly important.The future of fashion may focus on authenticity and thrival rather than mere survival.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Creator Economy and Influence02:15 Generational Fashion Trends: Millennials vs. Gen Z05:29 The Shift from Survival to Thrival05:57 The Underlying Themes of Fashion Choices08:19 Generational Perspectives on Style and Identity08:24 The Power of Color and Intention in Fashion10:29 Stories Behind Our Choices: The Soul of Fashion11:44 Understanding the Role of Trends in Fashion12:01 Framing the Brand Narrative12:24 The Rise of Nano Influencers12:42 The Rise of Influencers and Cultural Insights14:42 The Power of Color in Fashion and EmotionKeywordsfashion, identity, generational shifts, millennials, Gen Z, clothing choices, cultural trends, influencers, self-expression, thrival

A riff on a universal law: if you stop training it, you lose it — in your body, your confidence, your presence, and your brand. I share a 26km run that humbled me, then bridge it to identity, story, and why AI can’t fake human resonance (plus why nano-influencers are winning). Imperfect action, compounded.Timestamps / Chapters:00:00 Intro – what Magnetism is about00:50 The run story (26km reminder of the rule)03:40 Body → baseline, capacity, atrophy05:10 Mind → confidence, presence, social reps post-202008:00 Surface vs depth in fitness; “soul is story”12:00 Brand → content presence, aesthetic intelligence13:30 AI can’t fake resonance; human stickiness14:50 Nano-influencers > big reach (why)17:30 The compounding effect of small daily reps18:55 One small action to “use it” today + CTAShow Notes (bullets)The “use it or lose it” law applies to muscle, confidence, presence, and brand relevance.Post-2020, social/identity muscles atrophied; rebuild them with intentional reps.Surface goals (looks) are fine to start, but depth comes from story.Brands lose pull when they stop showing up; aesthetic intelligence is a muscle.AI can copy scripts; it can’t copy resonance. Humans imprint via presence.Nano-influencers win because trust > reach.Small, imperfect reps compound.Thanks for listening. If this landed, follow Magnetism and share it with one person who needs the reminder. Ep 4 next.------------Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstuanluu/------------YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itstuanluu

In this raw riff, I explore presence — the part of magnetism that people feel before you even open your mouth.Why presence matters more than words.The psychology of body language, energy, and intention.How showing up authentically makes you “AI-proof.”It’s messy, imperfect, and exactly the point. Presence isn’t polish — it’s the vibe you radiate.👉 Follow to keep growing with me from day one.------------Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstuanluu/ ------------YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itstuanluu

Episode 1: Start Before You’re ReadyIn this very first episode of Magnetism, I hit record with no script and no plan — and that’s the point. I talk about imperfect action, the marathon mindset of putting one foot in front of the other, and why I finally stopped waiting for the “perfect time” to launch this podcast.I share why I chose the name Magnetism, what it really means to me — the intersection of culture, psychology, brand building, and influence — and why magnetism is more about depth, authenticity, and identity than just marketing tactics.This podcast is an experiment, a transmission, and the beginning of building an ecosystem for people like me who crave deeper conversations — with founders, creators, entrepreneurs, artists, and anyone with a story worth sharing.This is Day 1. Raw, messy, unfiltered — but in motion.------------Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itstuanluu/------------YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Itstuanluu