Think plant-based food means bland salads, mushy tofu, expensive groceries, or protein deficiencies?

Vegan chef and entrepreneur Elyce Jacobson joins Julia Furlipa on the Best Life BY You Podcast to challenge those myths. Elyce shares how culinary school changed her relationship with meat, why she became vegan, and how she creates colorful, flavorful meals that surprise even non-vegans. They discuss protein, fiber, vitamin B12, soy, gut health, meal preparation, eating out, traveling while vegan, and making healthier choices without restrictive diets.

Connect with Elyce Jacobson

Website: https://www.bewholesome.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bewholesome123/

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

Subscribe for more conversations about nutrition, mindset, fitness, relationships, and creating your best life.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Plant-based food should be exciting

01:16 Meet vegan chef Elyce Jacobson

03:22 Why culinary school changed everything

07:10 Can pregnancy be healthy without animal products?

08:53 Is plant-based eating restrictive?

11:54 The truth about vitamin B

1213:17 Why fiber may matter more than protein

14:44 Raising children around plant-based food

17:11 Is eating plant-based expensive?

19:46 Micronutrients, gut health, and mental wellness

24:01 From restaurant owner to meal-prep chef

28:19 Elyce's real mission

31:51 Mock meats and common misconceptions

33:05 Why people struggle to prioritize health

37:20 Carnivore diets and restrictive nutrition advice

43:22 Why your body needs more plants

45:37 Soy, dairy, and menopause myths

51:21 Handling criticism and social situations

57:25 Eating vegan at restaurants and while traveling

1:00:27 Elyce's portable food strategy

1:03:38 The Paris trip that ended in starvation

1:08:33 Creating watermelon tuna and carrot lox

1:11:34 What living your best life means

1:14:55 Final thoughts and where to find Elyce

#PlantBased #VeganChef #HealthyEating #GutHealth #VeganNutrition #BestLifeBYYou #ElyceJacobson #JuliaFurlipa

No one actually wants recovery — they want to find a way to manage their addiction. That's the uncomfortable truth Amber Hollingsworth has learned after 20+ years counseling people through addiction and the families who love them.

In this episode of Best Life By You, host Julia Furlipa sits down with Amber — YouTuber (800K+ subscribers) and founder of Family Recovery Academy — to unpack why "balance" is the wrong goal for addicts, how dopamine and the brain's pleasure-pain system get rewired, why people switch addictions (gambling to YouTube, crack to the gym), the difference between dependence and addiction, how family dynamics fuel the cycle, and why confronting a loved one almost never works.

We also dig into caffeine and phone addiction, why recovery "success stories" rarely tell the whole truth, and where real healing actually begins: closing the gap between your behavior and your own values.

Connect with Amber Hollingsworth:

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

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

Website: http://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online/

Chapters:

00:00 Cold open — "No one wants recovery"

01:33 Welcome & introducing Amber Hollingsworth

02:02 Amber's background and 20+ years in addiction counseling

03:27 From teaching high school to running a teen addiction program

06:22 How she got resistant teens to show up

08:21 Why "balance" is the wrong goal for addicts

09:11 Who she works with today — entrepreneurs and businessmen

11:13 The myth of wanting recovery — "bargaining" and managing it

12:41 Nature vs. nurture — are we born with addictive traits?

14:20 Dopamine, the brain, and why it's not "broken"

15:50 Switching addictions — the gym as a healthy outlet

18:23 Why most people are leveraged into treatment

20:42 Case study: gambling addiction turned into a YouTube career

22:04 Amber's own family history with addiction

24:22 Rebuilding trust — the family dynamics that fuel addiction

26:50 Why alcoholics tend to be driven, Type-A people

28:53 The rebound effect — why the "fix" makes it worse

30:32 Replacement addictions: nicotine, caffeine, and sugar

32:13 Willpower is a limited resource — how to manage it

34:18 Is phone and social media use an addiction?

36:47 Comparison culture and recovery timelines

38:18 Why recovery "success stories" aren't the full truth

44:48 Dependence vs. addiction — what's the difference?

46:15 Does everyone need childhood trauma to become addicted?

48:25 What actually triggers someone into addiction

50:56 How to help a loved one without confronting them

55:46 What does living your best life mean to Amber?

58:00 Where to find Amber — Put the Shovel Down & Family Recovery Academy

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa 

#Addiction #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealth #BestLifeByYou #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #DopamineDetox #FamilyRecovery #PutTheShovelDown #HealthPodcast

What does it really take to succeed as an athlete, both on and off the court?

On this episode of Best Life By You: Athlete Corner, Julia sits down with college basketball head coach and former Division I athlete Liz Flooks for a candid conversation about the lessons sports teach that go far beyond wins and losses.

Liz shares her journey from growing up surrounded by basketball to becoming a collegiate head coach, why “family” is at the center of her coaching philosophy, and what she has learned from helping young women navigate confidence, pressure, body image, nutrition, mental health, setbacks, and life after sports.

Julia and Liz also unpack the damaging comparison culture female athletes face on social media, why properly fueling your body matters for performance, and why the number on the scale does not define strength or health.

Most importantly, Liz explains why some of her proudest coaching moments have nothing to do with basketball. They happen when her athletes find their voice, stand up for themselves, pursue ambitious goals, and become confident women.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Set the Bar High

00:34 Welcome to Athlete Corner

02:58 Liz’s Basketball Story

07:26 Liz’s Coaching Philosophy

11:59 Why Team Sports Matter

19:02 The Hardest Parts of Coaching

23:48 Liz’s Most Rewarding Coaching Moments

28:21 Staying Healthy in a Demanding Career

35:09 The Biggest Struggle Facing Female Athletes

39:35 Social Media & Body Image

42:01 Fueling Your Body for Performance

46:49 What Undereating Can Do to Athletes

51:30 Nutrition, Body Recomposition & Mental Health

53:48 Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

58:17 Changing the Way You Talk to Yourself

1:00:39 The Younger-Self Exercise

1:02:00 Liz’s Advice for Athletes & Coaches

1:05:25 Following the Career You Actually Want

1:07:50 “Be Where Your Feet Are”

1:10:05 Closing

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

#BestLifeByYou #AthleteCorner #FemaleAthletes #Basketball #SportsNutrition #AthleteMindset #WomenInSports #CollegeBasketball #CoachLizFlooks #SportsPsychology

What if saying “yes” to everyone else is quietly draining your emotional and physical health?

In this episode of Best Life By You, Julia Furlipa sits down with psychologist, nutritional therapist, hormonal well-being expert, and award-winning author Aneta Grabiec for a powerful conversation about people-pleasing, authenticity, emotional health, fertility, perimenopause, menopause, and learning to trust yourself again.

Aneta shares how her own experiences with endometriosis, eczema, lupus, and infertility led her to explore the connection between psychology, nutrition, hormones, and holistic well-being. Together, Julia and Aneta discuss why constantly performing, achieving, scrolling, comparing, and saying yes can disconnect us from our authentic selves. They explore the importance of silence, boundaries, self-belief, emotional healing, and giving yourself permission to simply be instead of constantly do.

You’ll also hear an in-depth discussion about fertility challenges, perimenopause and menopause symptoms, hormone replacement therapy, advocating for yourself in healthcare, finding purpose, and creating a life that genuinely feels like your own.

In this episode:

• Why people pleasing can leave you emotionally depleted

• How to start discovering your authentic self

• Why boredom, silence, and solitude can

support self-awareness

• The difference between motivation and discipline

• Emotional health, stress, and fertility

• Self-belief during a fertility journey

• Perimenopause and menopause symptoms women should know

• Why midlife can become a powerful period of reinvention

• Questions to ask before starting hormone replacement therapy

• Advocating for yourself when you feel unheard medically

• Finding purpose when you feel stuck or disconnected

• Gratitude, neuroplasticity, and changing negative thought patterns

CHAPTERS

00:00 Stop Saying Yes to Everyone

01:02 Meet Aneta Grabiec

02:40 Aneta’s Health & Healing Journey

05:16 Authenticity and the Joy of Missing Out

06:29 The Onion Exercise: Who Are You Really?

11:18 How to Discover Your Authentic Self

16:32 Silence the Noise and Stop People Pleasing

21:06 Discipline, Boundaries & Emotional Wellness

23:28 People Pleasing, Stress & Fertility

26:33 Family Roles, Independence & Emotional Pressure

31:11 Ancestral Trauma & Generational Patterns

33:27 Self-Belief During Infertility

37:02 Emotional Health and Women’s Wellness

39:48 Perimenopause & Menopause Explained

42:13 Midlife as a Rebirth

46:29 Supporting Women Through Hormonal Changes

47:03 Navigating Perimenopause With Confidence

49:38 Hormone Replacement Therapy: What to Ask

52:21 Julia’s Experience Feeling Medically Dismissed

54:58 Root Causes, Toxins & Holistic Health

56:27 What Does Living Your Best Life Mean?

57:41 Finding Your Purpose When You Feel Lost

59:56 Gratitude, Neuroplasticity & Positive

Thinking

Connect with Aneta Grabiec

Website: https://anetagrabiec.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anetagrabiec_motivator?igsh=ZHVoaWFieHFoaDlp

Aneta’s Books

Reject to Heal: Stop Pleasing, Start Healing: A Guide To Saying No Without Guilt

https://a.co/d/06OnMRnG

How to Be Good Enough: A Practical Book On Living Joyfully

https://a.co/d/02cJs0Y3

How To Get Pregnant: Shortcut To Your Fertility

https://a.co/d/0hFjOudd

Connect with Julia

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

#BestLifeByYou #PeoplePleasing #HormoneHealth #Perimenopause #Menopause #Fertility #WomensHealth #EmotionalHealing #Authenticity #MentalWellness #HealthyBoundaries #SelfWorth #HolisticHealth #PersonalGrowth #AnetaGrabiec

Micronutrients may be small, but they play a HUGE role in how your body functions.

In this episode of Best Life By You, Julia Furlipa breaks down the world of vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, supplements, and whole-food nutrition to help you better understand what your body actually needs. We talk constantly about protein, carbohydrates, fats, calories, and exercise, but micronutrients are working behind the scenes to support energy, recovery, brain function, healthy bones, muscle function, oxygen transport, and more.

In this episode, Julia breaks down:

🥦 What micronutrients actually are

⚡ Why micronutrients are like the “spark plugs” of your body

💊 Nutrition Facts vs. Supplement Facts

🍊 Water-soluble vs. fat-soluble vitamins

🪨 Vitamins vs. minerals

🌱 Getting micronutrients on a plant-based diet

🩸 Why iron is especially important for women and athletes

🍋 How vitamin C can help with plant-based iron intake

🔬 What bioavailability means and why absorption matters

🏷 What to look for on supplement labels

✅ Why third-party testing matters

🥗 Why whole foods should form the foundation of your nutrition

Julia also discusses how she approaches supplementation and why supplements should be used strategically to fill nutritional gaps rather than replace a nutrient-dense diet.

Whether you're plant-based, an athlete, trying to improve your nutrition, or simply overwhelmed by the vitamin and supplement aisle, this episode will help you better understand what those nutrients actually do.

📲 CONNECT & WORK WITH JULIA

🥗 Best Life By You Nutrition Tracker:

https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/

📅 Book a Nutrition Strategy Success Call:

https://holisticwellnessnutritioncoaching.as.me/schedule/b802b184/appointment/

79891014/calendar/7566562?appointmentTypeIds[]=79891014

📸 Best Life By You Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bestlifebyyou/

Julia Furlipa Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/juliafurlipa/

📖 BUY THE BOOK: The 7+ Lifestyle

https://www.amazon.com/Lifestyle-Recipe-Book-Life/dp/B0CR5KQM2R

🎧 Subscribe to Best Life By You for conversations about nutrition, training, mindset, relationships, and creating a healthier life.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Best Life By You

00:11 Why Micronutrients Matter

02:32 Nutrition Facts vs. Supplement Facts

04:51 Understanding Supplement Labels

07:15 What Are Micronutrients?

09:33 Water-Soluble vs. Fat-Soluble Vitamins

11:53 Can You Get Enough Micronutrients on a Plant-Based Diet?

14:14 The Truth About Vitamin B12

16:34 Plant-Based Sources of Essential Minerals

18:51 Iron Deficiency, Women & Athletes

21:09 What Is Bioavailability?

23:32 Supplements Julia Recommends Considering

25:54 Third-Party Testing & Supplement Quality

28:11 Building Your Nutrition Foundation

#Micronutrients #Vitamins #Minerals #Nutrition #Supplements #WholeFoods #PlantBasedNutrition #Iron #Bioavailability #HealthyEating #WomensHealth #SportsNutrition

What if the very thing you thought would hold you back became your greatest purpose?

In this inspiring episode of Best Life By You, Julia sits down with James McLeod to discuss growing up with vitiligo, surviving relentless bullying, overcoming prison, rebuilding his life from the ground up, and dedicating his life to helping others discover confidence, resilience, and self-worth.

James shares the life-changing moment when a simple smile transformed both his life and the life of his biggest bully, why self-love begins long before the world accepts you, and how mindset; not circumstances determines your future.

Whether you're struggling with confidence, healing from trauma, navigating bullying, or searching for your purpose, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and hope.

In this episode, you'll learn:

~ What vitiligo really is—and what it isn't

~ How bullying shaped James' life without defining it

~ The incredible story that changed his outlook forever

~ Why kindness is one of the most powerful forms of strength

~ How affirmations transformed his self-image

~ Lessons learned from prison and rebuilding his life

~ Why success is about impact, not money

~ How to overcome limiting labels

~ Practical ways to build confidence and resilience

~ Why your greatest setback can become your greatest comeback

Connect with James McLeod

🌐 Website: https://thatvitiligoguy.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatvitiligoguy/?hl=en

▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thatvitiligoguy

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

👍 If this conversation encouraged you, please:

- Like this video

- Subscribe for more inspiring conversations

- Share this episode with someone who needs hope today

Chapters

00:00 The smile that changed a bully's life forever

01:12 Introduction to James McLeod

02:12 Growing up with vitiligo

04:07 The cafeteria story that changed everything

05:40 Learning confidence through affirmations

06:36 Julia's experience with bullying

10:01 Helping children build confidence and self-worth

14:38 Speaking in schools & The Boy Behind the Face

16:53 Becoming a DJ and personal trainer

18:17 From prison to purpose

24:24 Shaping minds before shaping bodies

25:41 Overcoming doubt after prison

29:49 Why James never gives up

31:24 Self-acceptance vs. seeking approval

36:38 What success really means

43:06 Breaking free from limiting labels

51:42 Journaling, healing & personal growth

53:43 James' mission today

56:00 Building a legacy of hope

1:00:27 What success truly looks like

1:02:23 Final message of encouragement

#JamesMcLeod #Vitiligo #SelfLove #Confidence #Mindset #Resilience#MentalHealth #Bullying #PersonalGrowth #Motivation #Inspiration #Purpose#BestLifeByYou #Podcast #Wellness

What does it truly take for a young athlete to reach the next level and when does parental support become pressure?

In the debut episode of The Athlete Corner, Julia sits down with Matt Keator, President of WIN Hockey Agency, to discuss the mindset, discipline, mentorship, and personal development required to build a successful athletic career.

Drawing from decades of experience as an NHL scout, hockey agent, entrepreneur, and player-development mentor, Matt explains why every athlete’s journey is different, how social media creates anxiety for players and parents, and why young athletes must eventually develop the internal motivation to master their craft for themselves, not for anyone else.

Matt also shares lessons from working with professional hockey players, including Blake Wheeler, Zdeno Chára, Adam Fox, and Chris Kreider.

He discusses the importance of learning how to handle adversity, building a trusted team of mentors, becoming an expert on your own mind and body, and committing to the process without comparing your timeline to someone else’s.In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why parents may need to step back as young athletes mature

• How social media comparison affects athletic development

• Why every athlete needs an individualized roadmap

• The importance of journaling, reflection, and tracking progress

• How athletes can develop resilience through adversity

• Why personal development matters as much as physical talent

• The four qualities Matt believes lead to long-term success

• How to build a meaningful career or business from the ground up

Whether you are an athlete, parent, coach, entrepreneur, or someone pursuing an ambitious goal, this episode offers practical lessons for trusting your journey, mastering your craft, and building success without regret.

Connect With or Work With Matt Keator

Learn more about Matt Keator and WIN HockeyAgency: https://www.winhockeyagency.com

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa 

Chapters

00:00 Why Parents Need to Step Back

01:10 Welcome to The Athlete Corner

02:41 Matt Keator’s Career in Hockey

03:17 From College Hockey Player to NHL Scout

05:39 Entering the Player-Agent Business

06:08 Telling Athletes What They Need to Hear

07:37 Why WIN Hockey Agency Stays Small

08:11 Developing the Whole Athlete

09:13 Training the Mind Like a Muscle

11:38 Why Every Athlete Needs a Different Plan

13:56 Building a Team of Trusted Mentors

14:09 The Challenges of Working With Parents

14:28 Why Elite Athletes Journal Their Progress

16:18 How Social Media Creates Athlete Anxiety

17:10 Why Parents Must Eventually Step Back

18:56 The Most Rewarding Part of Being an Agent

19:03 Blake Wheeler’s Journey From Age 15 to the NHL

21:20 Learning From Every Athlete’s Career

22:22 The Hardest Moment of Matt’s Career

22:33 Guiding Athletes Through the COVID Shutdown

25:02 How Matt Managed Stress and Uncertainty

27:24 Why Athletes Must Learn to Handle Adversity

28:10 Julia’s Experience Surviving a Tornado

30:32 Rejection, Resilience, and Finding Another Path

31:50 What to Do When Other Athletes Advance Before You

32:20 Becoming a Transformational Leader

33:20 Turning Long-Term Dreams Into Action

35:27 Finding Mentors and Building a Career in Sports

37:23 The Four Qualities Needed for Success

39:00 Choosing Your Inner Circle Intentionally

41:49 Why You Must Trust the Process

42:22 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

42:58 Building a Business Around Strong Values

44:49 How to Connect With Matt Keator

Subscribe to Best Life by You for candid conversations about nutrition, mindset, training, relationships, wealth, wellness, and the lessons that help people rise above life’s challenges.

Best Life By You Podcast with Julia Furlipa

Stefan Lessie (host of I Choose Health) returns to Best Life by You for a raw, honest conversation about balancing fatherhood, podcasting, and personal training without burning out. Stefan and Julia dig into vision-setting, protecting your energy, affirming your own existence, and healing childhood insecurities so they don't pass down to the next generation.

We talk about why passion projects don't have to be profitable yet to be worth it, how to spot people and situations that drain your cup, and why talking to your inner child might be the most powerful mental health tool you have.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome back, Stefan

01:52 Stefan's background & why he started I Choose Health

04:25 Becoming a personal trainer & the group vs. 1-on-1 debate

06:47 Podcast burnout & finding your "why"

10:04 Vision casting: where do you see yourself in 5 years?

11:37 Using the podcast to serve his Brooklyn community

16:46 The importance of having a vision

18:40 Where Stefan sees himself in 10 years

23:14 The Jay Shetty story: blessings in disguise

27:49 Advice for feeling stuck & underpaid in your passion

32:07 Ranking what brings you joy (low risk vs. high reward)

38:28 Energy drainers vs. energy givers

47:36 A new philosophy: affirming self-worth

53:10 Talking to your inner child

58:34 Closing thoughts

Connect with Stefan Lessie / I Choose Health:

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

Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopify.com/collections/all

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

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP

Subscribe for more on health, mindset, and living your best life.

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

#BestLifeByYou #IChooseHealth #StefanLessie #MentalHealthPodcast #Burnout #SelfWorth #Fatherhood #PlantBased #PersonalTrainer #MindsetShift #InnerChild #Purpose #HealthPodcast #WellnessJourney #SelfLove

Why do we sabotage the very goals we say we want?

In this episode of Best Life by You, Julia sits down with returning guest Austra Putnina for a deep conversation about self-sabotage, identity, self-respect, perfectionism, relationships, and the hidden beliefs that keep us stuck.

Together they explore why people stay in unhealthy patterns, how high standards can become self-punishment, why your identity always lags behind your actions, and how small daily decisions shape the person you'll become months from now.

Whether you're trying to lose weight, build confidence, improve your relationships, or pursue your biggest goals, this conversation will challenge the way you think about personal growth.

In this episode:

• What self-sabotage really is

• Why your identity changes after your actions—not before

• The difference between self-love and self-respect

• Why perfectionism keeps people stuck

• Escaping victim mentality

• Building confidence through action

• Relationships as mirrors for personal growth

• How today's habits create tomorrow's identity

Connect with Austra Putnina

🌐 Website: https://www.udemy.com/user/austra/?srsltid=AfmBOorpt03zFnfn9pi8Zbrp8NFpajMguLviAYHHcl3ICsG7DXO63r7N

▶ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@austraputnina

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisdominactionpod

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/

CONNECT WITH JULIA:

My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY 

My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast 

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

My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ 

Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

Follow Julia and Best Life by You for weekly conversations on mindset, nutrition, fitness, relationships, and becoming the best version of yourself.

If this episode helped you, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Chapters

00:00 What Self-Sabotage Really Is

01:59 Welcome Back Austra Putnina

03:15 High Standards vs Self-Sabotage

08:25 Seeking Validation Through Achievement

12:29 Rewriting Your Identity

14:42 Why People Stay Stuck

19:08 Victim Mentality vs Responsibility

20:58 Identity Comes After Action

22:32 Your Future Self Is Built Today

29:18 Self-Respect vs Self-Love

35:30 Dating, Standards & Personal Growth

45:06 Living Up to Your Own Standards

49:48 How Relationships Mirror You

54:03 Final Thoughts

#SelfSabotage #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #Confidence #SelfRespect #MentalHealth #Success #Habits #Identity

Are animals here for a purpose... or simply for our pleasure?

In this unforgettable conversation, Julia Furlipa sits down with legendary animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky to explore one of the most challenging ethical questions of our time.

From the moment Gary witnessed elephants chained in a circus to his lifelong fight for animal liberation, this interview dives deep into why society treats some animals like family while viewing others as food. Together, Julia and Gary discuss veganism, speciesism, Christianity, compassion, health, environmental responsibility, and what it truly means to live according to our values.

Whether you agree with Gary or not, this conversation will challenge assumptions, encourage critical thinking, and leave you asking difficult questions about the way we view animals.

Topics include:

• Why we love dogs but eat cows and pigs

• The difference between vegan and plant-based living

• Speciesism explained

• Gary Yourofsky's journey into animal rights activism

• The ethics of eating animals

• Christianity, the Bible, and compassion for animals

• Why changing our beliefs can be so difficult

• Health, nutrition, and common myths about veganism

• Animal sanctuaries and how you can help

Support the incredible work of Sasha Farm Animal Sanctuary:

https://www.sashafarm.org

Learn more about Gary Yourofsky's educational work through ADAPTT:

https://www.adaptt.org/

If this conversation challenged you or made you think differently, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing another perspective.

Subscribe for more conversations on health, mindset, nutrition, spirituality, longevity, and living your best life.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why We Love Dogs But Eat Other Animals

01:00 Introducing Gary Yourofsky

02:55 The Moment That Changed Gary's Life Forever

05:20 Why We Treat Animals as Commodities

07:00 What Veganism Really Means

12:20 Plant-Based vs Vegan

16:40 Why People React So Strongly to Veganism

19:00 Why Humans Resist Change

23:40 Christianity, God, and Animal Rights

30:40 Was Jesus Vegan?

35:20 The Biggest Misconceptions About Veganism

40:05 The Most Common Excuses for Eating Animals

44:40 The Truth About Gladiators and Plant-Based Eating

51:20 Media, Propaganda, and Animal Agriculture

58:30 Why Most People Would Never Kill Their Own Food

01:00:50 Soy Milk vs Dairy Milk

01:05:20 Faith, God, and Animal Compassion

01:10:05 The Story That Changed Thousands of Lives

01:12:15 Gary's Legacy and Final Thoughts

#GaryYourofsky #AnimalRights #Vegan #Veganism #AnimalLiberation

#BestLifeByYou #JuliaFurlipa #PlantBased #EthicalVegan #Speciesism

#Compassion #Christianity #Bible #Health #Nutrition #Podcast #AnimalEthics

#CrueltyFree #SaveAnimals

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