In this heartfelt and energizing conversation, Gina sits down with longtime yoga teacher and retreat leader Alex Roberts of Purple Yoga to explore what it truly means to choose love over fear: in relationships, in career pivots, in physical endurance, and in the face of profound uncertainty.

Alex shares his unconventional path from collegiate soccer player at UC Santa Barbara to yoga teacher, and how a humbling first class reshaped his ego, his body, and ultimately his life. He reflects on the transformative power of community, mentorship, and why teacher training can be life-changing, even for those who never plan to teach.

Together, Gina and Alex discuss:

• The magic and inclusivity of the Purple Yoga community
• Building resilience through surfing, ultramarathons, and the metaphor of the “pain cave”
• Rituals for staying grounded and intentional as a teacher and healer
• Navigating empathy, boundaries, and caregiver fatigue
• Choosing love in marriage, family, and hard life decisions
• Finding inspiration in his father’s courageous response to stage four cancer
• The power of showing up - especially when fear would be easier

Alex’s story reminds us that love isn’t passive. It’s a daily practice. It’s discipline. It’s devotion. And sometimes, it’s putting one foot in front of the other at mile 88.

If you’ve ever stood at the edge of a hard decision, wondering whether to lean into fear or into love, this conversation is for you.

And if you’re feeling called to deepen your own journey, whether through therapy, spiritual mentorship, or mindful movement, you can learn more about working with Gina in the links below.

Keep leaning into love. 💛

www.ginavelezwellness.com

Want to take class with Alex Roberts? Check him out over at www.purpleyoga.org or follow him on social media: https://www.instagram.com/alex_robertsyoga/

Episode Description

In this deeply moving episode of Lean into Love, Gina sits down with Kristin Hennenfent—a soon-to-be mama, radiant human, and powerful example of what it means to choose love in a world that often invites fear.

Kristin has lived through profound and life-altering experiences, including surviving the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. Rather than allowing trauma to harden her heart, she has committed to living with intentional positivity, grounded perspective, and open-hearted courage.

This conversation isn’t about bypassing pain. It’s about acknowledging darkness while refusing to let it define you. It’s about multiplicity—the grief and the gratitude, the fear and the faith, the heartbreak and the hope—coexisting in one human life.

And now, as Kristin prepares to step into motherhood, she shares what it means to bring a child into the world with clarity, compassion, and a fierce commitment to love.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• What it means to consciously choose love after trauma
• The long arc of healing and perspective
• Living with both grief and gratitude
• How motherhood deepens our commitment to hope
• The power of mindset—not as denial, but as devotion
• Showing up as love when fear would be easier

Content Note

This episode includes discussion of the 2017 Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. Please listen with care and tend to yourself as needed.

Work With Gina

If this episode resonated and you’re seeking deeper support, Gina is currently accepting therapy clients in California as an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, and offers coaching for those outside the state. Please visit www.ginavelezwellness.com for more information.

Natalie is one compassionate, quick-witted, funny gal who gives so much thought and care to her community, and I am so grateful she agreed to be on the pod! Listen as Natalie discusses her work at CAPC, Community Advocates for People’s Choice, a non-profit capitalizing on capabilities. They seek to empower individuals with developmental disabilities to live and work on their own, gain employment, and find living arrangements if they need. This incredible organization provides a community of inclusion and advocacy, often providing transportation to improve these individuals’ relationships and lives.

If you would like to partner or donate to CAPC, please visit https://www.capcinc.org/

or follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/capcinc

Follow Natalie on LinkdIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-saenz-2632a521/

Remember, you, too, can make a difference in your community like Natalie. All you have to do is begin!

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Bella Casperson, a dynamic young actor who is making a difference through her art, one performance at a time. Bella’s talent and passion shine both on and off the stage as she uses her creativity to spark change and tell meaningful stories.

In addition to her acting career, Bella is a dedicated yoga instructor who integrates mindfulness, self-compassion, and faith into her practice. In this episode, she shares insights on balancing her artistic pursuits with her commitment to helping others grow through yoga. Don’t miss this uplifting episode with a truly multifaceted talent!

Resources:

The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz

Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke

The Actor at Work by Robert Benedetti

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Alternate Nostril Breathing

Teaching both the Play and the Pause, Jen Trevor’s Thoughtful Theater is a youth performing arts program in Newport Beach, CA, that skillfully integrates theater arts curriculum with sensory mindfulness activities. This innovative approach blends self-expression with self-awareness, creating a unique and enriching experience for young performers. Jen's company intentionally channels children's talents and energy into local and global community projects, promoting awareness and compassion on a broader scale.

Join us as we talk about the power of mindfulness in the arts, spirituality, and so much more.

Learn more about Thoughtful Theatre and the amazing work Jen and her students are doing: https://www.thoughtfultheater.com/

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealthoughtfultheater

and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thoughtfultheaterprogram

Get involved with Nourish Every Child: https://www.nourisheverychild.org/

In this episode, Tim Cherry shares his near-death experience and how this occurance impacted him. We talk about the events leading up to his NDE, what happened during it, and everything he learned afterward as a result.

NDEs have always been a reminder for me that life exists beyond the one we're experiencing and how to stay connected to a higher power. I hope this helps you on your spiritual, self-compassion journey, as well.

Interested in a great pickleball podcast? Check out Tim's sister's podcast all about the sport that's taking the world by storm:

This is an eyes-open, present-moment awareness meditation centered around the concept of "Let Them."

As always, make sure you are in a safe environment and making good decisions when participating in a meditation. Feel free to let me know how this might have helped you.

Follow me on IG: www.instagram.com/theyogina

Visit my website: www.theyogina.com

Email me: [email protected]

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Dr. Chris Hoff, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the Executive Director of the California Family Institute (CFI).

In our conversation, Dr. Hoff shares profound philosophical insights and therapeutic wisdom, making this episode a must-listen. Whether you’re a mental health professional, a therapy seeker, or someone interested in personal growth, this episode offers valuable wisdom.

Key Topics:

- Dr. Chris Hoff's diverse career path and achievements

- The mission and services of the California Family Institute

- An introduction to narrative theory in therapy

- Insights into counseling, coaching, and organizational consulting

- The role of Zen Buddhism and meditation in Dr. Hoff's practice

Connect with Dr. Chris Hoff:

• Website: https://www.drchrishoff.com
  • https://www.instagram.com/drchrishoff/

• CFI Website: https://www.californiafamilyinstitute.org/
  • https://www.facebook.com/people/California-Family-Institute/100063789540570/
• Radical Therapist Podcast: https://www.theradicaltherapist.com/
  • https://www.instagram.com/theradicaltherapist/
• Empty Moon Zen: https://www.emptymoonzen.org/
  • https://www.instagram.com/emptymoonzen/
  • https://www.instagram.com/zenandrecovery/

We're baaaack! It's summertime, and this podcast is back in action, lovers! Now, I'm dropping an episode every two weeks because I'm in grad school and have limited time, but I still want to share stories of hope, courage, and choosing to lean into love, even in the face of fear!

Cheers!

Gina

In this episode, we welcome Pat Moran, a Philadelphia-based Vedic Meditation teacher. Pat is pursuing a master's in social work, aiming to integrate meditation and spirituality into his therapeutic practice.

In our conversation, we explore:

• The principles of Vedic Meditation
• The intersection of spirituality and personal growth
• Transcendent experiences in meditation
• Pat's vision for holistic mental health therapy

Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice for your spiritual journey.

Check out his Insight Timer page: https://insighttimer.com/patrickrmoran

Veda Center: https://www.thevedacenter.com/

Ziva Meditation: https://zivameditation.com/