Be Freaking Awesome Podcast

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On this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Angela is joined by Dr. Roz Griffiths, a chiropractor from Wellington, New Zealand, for a fascinating deep dive into the polyvagal theory and how understanding your nervous system can help you move from feeling stuck or overwhelmed to feeling safe, regulated, and empowered.

Dr. Roz shares her own health journey, explains the three main nervous system states (ventral vagal, sympathetic, dorsal vagal), and gives practical tools you can use right now to help your body process stress, release stored tension, and return to a state of balance. Whether you’ve been in fight-or-flight mode for too long or find yourself shutting down, you’ll walk away with simple hacks to help your nervous system work with you instead of against you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The basics of the polyvagal theory and why it matters for your health and stress levels.
• How your nervous system shifts between safe, danger, and freeze states — and why all three have a purpose.
• Signs you might be stuck in fight/flight or freeze, and what to do about it.
• How cues of safety, body awareness, and hands-on care can help restore regulation.
• Practical, daily nervous system “hacks” to help you feel grounded, connected, and more resilient.

Connect with Dr. Roz Griffiths:

• Website: chirobalance.co.nz
• Email: [email protected]

If you’re ready to stop just “pushing through” stress and start working with your body to feel safe and supported, this conversation will give you the science, the language, and the tools to begin right now.

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

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Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

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What if being kind to yourself wasn’t just a nice idea—but the key to better relationships, leadership, and daily peace?

In this episode, Angela sits down with executive coach and author Massimo Backus to explore what self-compassion in action really looks like—especially for high achievers and recovering perfectionists. With Sami on a surprise maternity leave (yay!), Angela and Massimo keep it real, diving into everything from early childhood stories and emotional filters to workplace typos and repairing strained relationships.

You’ll learn:

• Why self-love is hard to say—and even harder to practice
• How childhood coping strategies become adult roadblocks
• The 3-part framework for building a self-compassion habit
• Why trying to "silence" your inner critic doesn’t work
• How to respond differently (and more kindly) to conflict, failure, and feedback

This isn’t fluff. It’s practical, transformative, and—yes—a little messy. But that’s what makes it so powerful.

📘 Grab Massimo’s Book:

Human First, Leader Second: How Self-Compassion Outperforms Self-Criticism
Perfect for leaders, professionals, and anyone ready to rethink the myth that harshness equals success.

🔗 Connect with Massimo:

• Website: massimobackus.com
• LinkedIn: Massimo Backus

🎧 Whether you're deep into your healing journey or just starting to realize you’ve been too hard on yourself, this episode is your permission slip to soften, reframe, and show up differently—starting today.

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

What if the way we usually talk about confidence is kind of wrong?

This week, we’re joined by speaker and confidence igniter Meshell Baker for a conversation that challenges everything you thought you knew about confidence. Meshell doesn’t just inspire. She equips you to take ownership of your confidence. This isn't surface-level motivation. It's a real conversation about building lasting confidence.

Angela and Sami dive in with Meshell on what it means to create confidence from the inside out, why showing up in excellence matters (even when life feels unfair), and how your morning mindset may be the most powerful tool you have.

You’ll hear:

• Why confidence isn’t something you find. It’s something you create.
• How to stop living on rerun mode and start owning your story.
• The surprising impact of morning routines and intentional energy.
• A refreshing take on grief, hardship, and showing up with purpose.
• Real talk from Meshell’s lived experiences that will move and motivate you.

If you’ve ever felt like confidence just isn’t your thing, this episode offers a fresh and empowering perspective to help you take your next step.

Resources:

Connect with Meshell at [email protected]
 Grab her best-selling book UNSTOPPABLE: Embrace Your Unshakable Confidence on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3G7DvY8

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Ever felt torn between loving the body you have and wishing you moved it a little more? Or walked into a gym, got slammed by fluorescent lights and clanging weights, and thought, “Nope—hard pass”? This conversation with personal-trainer-turned-neurodivergent-fitness-whisperer Abby Clapper is your permission slip to ditch the shame-spiral and find movement that actually fits you.

In this episode we explore

• How ADHD brains (and other neurodivergent minds) beat all-or-nothing workout plans by chasing dopamine-boosting activities they genuinely enjoy.
• Sensory-friendly hacks—noise-canceling headphones, texture-happy clothing, quieter corners, at-home routines—that make exercise feel safe instead of overwhelming.
• The science of burning off fight-or-flight hormones so anxiety stops hijacking your day.
• “Non-scale victories” that prove you’re winning long before the mirror notices.
• Abby’s leap into an Autism Exercise Specialist certification and her vision for truly inclusive fitness spaces.

You’ll walk away with

• A repeat-able, keep-able habit you can start today—no treadmill trauma required.
• Real-world tweaks to fit movement into busy, beautifully complex lives (and budgets).
• Fresh confidence that thriving bodies and neurodivergent brains can coexist—and have fun doing it.

Tap ▶️ now and go Be Freaking Awesome with us—then pass the episode to a friend who needs the nudge!

Where to find Abby

• Podcast: Talk Your Abs Off – Abby’s show on sustainable, actionable wellness. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
• Website: EndorfinWellness.com – explore Abby’s 1-on-1 coaching, custom programs, and inclusive fitness services.

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

What if the fastest way to dial down drama and crank up joy is as simple as giving everyone around you a permission slip to be themselves—including you? In this episode, Angela and Sami invite well-being therapist Jamie Lerner to spill the secrets of her Art of Allowing, a practice that turns judgment into curiosity and workplace chaos into something you can actually manage.

You’ll get:

• The story of why Jamie ditched traditional talk therapy and how her clients leap forward by focusing on right-now momentum instead of yesterday’s baggage
• A five-minute morning habit that rewires your inner chatter—no journals, glitter pens, or awkward affirmations required
• A pocket guide to spotting the exact moment you slip from setting healthy boundaries to running the entire show, plus how to pivot without the shame hangover
• The projection trick that melts irritation in real time, saving your energy for people and projects that deserve it
• Backup-deadline magic and other sneaky scripts for thriving when teammates ghost, stall, or show up late
• A fresh way to handle compliments so you soak in the goodness without handing strangers the keys to your self-worth

By the time the outro hits you’ll feel lighter, clearer, and ready to practice allowing with your kids, your coworkers, and—most importantly—yourself.

Want more Jamie in your life? Explore her work or book a session at jamie-lerner.com.

Press play now and start living the Be Freaking Awesome life today!

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

Ever had a wild idea you couldn’t shake—even if it sounded totally out of left field? That’s exactly what happened to Deborah Niemann, a suburban mom who packed up her family, moved to the middle of nowhere, and accidentally became a nationally recognized goat expert.

In this episode of Be Freaking Awesome, Deborah shares how her journey started with a desire to eat organic and live more intentionally. What unfolded was a story filled with goats, gardening, fiber animals, and one big mystery that led her to uncover a massive gap in veterinary knowledge. (Spoiler: when the experts told her she was wrong, she proved them otherwise—using research and a whole lot of persistence.)

We dive into what it takes to build a purpose-filled life, even if it looks nothing like what you imagined. From discovering the hidden dangers in our food system to building a homestead and creating a successful niche podcast (For the Love of Goats), Deborah’s story is both inspiring and deeply practical.

What you’ll take away from this episode:

• Why following your curiosity—even when it’s unconventional—is often the key to purpose
• How small, intentional food choices can lead to massive life change
• The power of problem-solving and self-advocacy when the experts fall short
• Why your weirdest passions might just be your greatest gifts

Whether you’re a fellow goat lover, a clean-eating enthusiast, or just someone craving a more intentional life, this episode is packed with insights and encouragement to help you get started—right where you are.

🎧 Tap play now and discover what can happen when you dare to trust your gut, lean into the unknown, and live freaking awesome on your own terms.

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

What if joy isn’t random—but a daily quest you can map out?

In this uplifting episode, wellness entrepreneur and podcast host Moyra Gorski joins Angela and Sami to reveal how she turned a season of overwhelm into a life anchored in grace-filled, repeatable joy practices. From mirror work to micro-habits and community, Moyra shares simple tools that anyone—no matter how busy—can start today.

Press play to laugh, learn, and launch your own Joy Quest!

What We Talk About

• Moyra’s shift from Juggling the Chaos of Recovery to Your Journey to Joy
• The “oxygen-mask” rule of self-care (and why it’s not selfish)
• Tiny daily rituals—mirror work, morning moments, joy boxes—that actually stick
• How community (walking clubs, volunteer work) accelerates healing and happiness

What You’ll Learn

• A 3-step framework to build a morning routine that fits any season of life
• Ways to spot hidden perfectionism and replace it with grace-based self-talk
• Practical tips for stacking small joy habits into big lifestyle change
• How to turn ordinary moments (a creek, a feather, a kind note) into joy anchors

Listen now and jump-start your own Joy Quest—from the inside out.

Connect with Moyra Gorski

• Website & Blog: moyragorski.com
• Podcast: Your Journey to Joy (Apple, Spotify, everywhere)
• Instagram: @moyra_gorski_wellness_advocate

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is Part 2 of our 2-part conversation with writer and coach Omar Ferraira of A Soul’s Quest. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go back and start there—we explore life transitions, identity, and what it means to go on your own hero’s journey.

In this second half, we’re turning toward men’s mental health, emotional resilience, and what it takes to find your footing when life has fallen apart. Omar opens up about his personal story, the quiet suffering many men carry, and how imagination, values, and inner discipline can begin to heal what feels broken.

This is a powerful episode that honors Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month—and speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they’re quietly crumbling inside.

💬 In this episode:
- What keeps men from asking for help
- The emotional cost of trying to “hold it all together”
- Why imagination is key to mental well-being
- Reclaiming identity and self-worth after loss
- A vision-forward approach to healing for men

🎙️ Connect with Omar:
🌐 asoulsquest.com
📱 Follow the A Soul’s Quest Podcast on social media: @ASQPodcast

👉 This is Part 2 of a 2-part series.
Both episodes are available now, so if you missed Part 1, go listen to that next!

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation with writer and coach Omar Ferraira. Both episodes drop this week, so when you’re done here, hop over to Part 2 to continue the conversation.

We’re diving into life transitions, inner growth, and the search for purpose when it feels like you’ve checked all the boxes—but still feel like something’s missing. From Carl Jung and Maslow to the hero’s journey and cultural traditions, Omar shares a deep, reflective view on how we evolve—and what society often gets wrong about it.

It’s a rich, soul-stirring conversation that reminds us that we’re not alone in our questions.

🔥 In this episode:

- Why achieving the “dream life” can still feel empty
- The contrast between Eastern and Western perspectives on identity
- How our society neglects to teach us about psychological milestones
- What it really means to start your own personal hero’s journey

👉 Ready for more? Go listen to Part 2 of this conversation with Omar, Episode 177, where we dive into men’s mental health, emotional survival, and what it takes to rediscover purpose after life falls apart. It’s raw, real, and available now.

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].

Send us Fan Mail

This isn’t just a milestone—it’s a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the practice of showing up. In this episode, Angela and Sami get real about what 175 episodes have taught them: how to let go of the pressure to be perfect, reframe what success looks like, and lean into meaningful, fun, and fulfilling work.

They talk about the doubts that almost stopped them early on, the episodes that unexpectedly took off, and why metrics like downloads and dollars don’t tell the whole story. It’s vulnerable, honest, and full of the kind of perspective that comes only from doing the work—one step at a time.

In this episode:

- The myth of being “flaky” and how to rewrite it
- Reframing low-performing episodes (hello, renaming magic)
- What success looks like when you stop chasing the algorithm
- Why podcasting became more than content—it became connection

Let’s keep this going.
If this episode hit home, share it with someone who’s taking their own small-but-mighty steps. And seriously—thank you for walking this journey with us.

You've done the work. The retreats, the books, the coaching. And the pattern is still there. The Invisible Edge Foundation 1:1 Coaching is where that changes. Six sessions, one-on-one, body-based belief work that gets underneath what nothing else has touched. bfreakingawesome.com/podcast-coaching

Support the show

Sign up at bfreakingawesome.com to get the latest news, insights, and episodes straight to your inbox.

Follow Be Freaking Awesome on Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Instagram.

Let us know what questions you want to be answered and discussed by emailing us at [email protected].