On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast) Alia is joined by new mama Abby Hildebrand (@wellnesscreek). After miscarrying a baby she did not know she was even pregnant with, prenatal anxiety set in as she began to question her body and her fertility. Once she had gotten pregnant and given birth at the end of 2019, Abby’s mental health continued to be a challenge to navigate as she managed through postpartum anxiety and depression, all during the pandemic. Abby gets raw and real with us as she discusses the balance between being energized by your baby and the exhaustion of the long days, and how admitting you need help does not make you any less of a parent. She has now taken her experience to support other parents in a similar position through writing a chapter in a book “Mama’s gotta grow”, coming out later this year, and hosting virtual classes through a collective called Motherwell, to introduce prenatal and postpartum women to wellness tools that will support their emotional health.

The Motherwell Collective was designed to empower families (prenatally and postpartum) by introducing them to a variety of wellness practitioners and tools. They are hosting a week long virtual class series (March 22-26, 2021) designed to introduce prenatal and postpartum women to wellness tools that will support their emotional health.

For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/Motherwell2021

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Alex Charleton (@alex_charleton). After the death of her friend and the end of a relationship, Alex found herself finding control in her life through restricted eating. After a year of restriction, she then moved from one end of the spectrum to the other where she spent 3 years of her life coping through binging. Alex takes us through her suffering and the moment in her life when she experienced her wake up call to make a change. Now working as a therapist supporting others working through a similar struggle, she discusses the importance in making the self a priority and shifting the relationship with the body in order to heal. 

To book with Alex: https://www.alexcharleton.com/

To sign up for Alex's Course - "Embrace Your Body": https://www.canopyeds.co.nz/online-course

On this episode of Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Natalie Chow. At a young age, Natalie, her older sister, and her mother were left by her father, and found themselves navigating a new normal. Natalie discusses her relational trauma, and how the impact of her father leaving shaped the way she approached her own relationships. In this episode, Natalie tells us about her experience with anxiety and depression, her journey towards self-awareness, and the blessing friendships have been in helping Natalie find her way back to her resilient self.

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by her older sister, Wyncel Chan, MD (@wjoy.fit.corgimama.md). Now practicing as a pediatrician in Indiana, USA, Wyncel reflects back on her medical journey and how the pressure to be successful played a big role in her self-worth. Through numerous tests and examinations, her fear of failure escalated and Wyncel had to work through high test anxiety to finish her schooling. In this episode, Wyncel speaks to us about her experience in therapy and hypnosis, how exercise keeps her grounded, and why being kind to ourselves is important to our growth.

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), I am joined by therapist and nutritionist, Brendan Callaghan (@bdlc_cognition_and_wellness). Brendan and I had a fun and very insightful conversation about party culture, drugs, alcohol and the effects all of this can have on one’s well-being in the long term. After experiencing major changes in his hormones, liver, and the ability to feel emotions, Brendan shares his own personal journey with drugs and alcohol and how looking inwards allowed him to take back his life.

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Vanessa Boutilier. At the age of 21, Vanessa experienced a mental disruption that admitted her into the psychiatric ward. Upon her admittance, Vanessa was diagnosed with schizophrenia (now revised to schizoaffective bipolar disorder), a diagnosis that is now very much intertwined into her life. On this episode, Vanessa walks us through her experience with schizophrenia, and how with support, self-love and a strong will to live, has enabled her to live a rich and meaningful life.

Today on Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia is joined by Megan Livesey. Megan takes us through her mental health journey, beginning with an eating disorder at a young age. Following her struggles with anorexia and an unplanned pregnancy, Megan opens up about her decision to terminate and the grieving process that came after. She shares her honest experience with loss, and how self-love and support from others has allowed her to honour her choice and heal. 

It is no secret that life has its challenges, so why don't we talk about it more? On Human First Podcast (@humanfirst.podcast), Alia Chan will talk to inspiring people about their mental health journey in an effort to help increase mental awareness, normalize struggle, and end stigma. With the help of her guests, Alia's intention is to embrace hope and celebrate all parts of the human experience.