I didn’t just go to India. I checked myself into a hospital for 21 days. I let go of my business, my routine, my Western way of life—and I surrendered to a deep, ancient healing process. I was bathed by women half my size, scrubbed down with herbs, and forced to slow down in a way I never had before.

This is what happened.

 

Why I Did This

• I reached a breaking point. Numb toes, neuropathy, panic attacks, extreme stress, feeling trapped in my body—it all led me to this decision.

• My body was screaming at me. And I knew I needed something more than another diet, another break, another surface-level fix.

• I discovered Pancha Karma, an ancient Ayurvedic cleanse for detoxing not just the body, but the mind and soul.

• I decided to go all in. I closed down my business, leaving everything behind.

Arrival at Vaidyagrama: Entering Another World

• This was a hospital—not a spa. There were basic rooms, strict routines, and repetitive rituals.

• Getting naked was a daily ritual. The towels were tiny, and loincloths were used for coverage. For the first time, I was truly seen.

• The doctors and staff infused ancient wisdom with medicine. Prayer and spiritual connection were a part of every treatment.

• Everything was done with deliberate slowness. There was no soap, no shampoo, no rushing—just pure, purposeful care for the body.

The Treatments: Surrendering to the Process

• Red juice treatment. I lay on a wooden slab, while three tiny Indian women poured warm red juice over my body again and again, staining my skin crimson.

• Oil massages & herbal scrubs. I was massaged daily by women who saw bodies in a way I never had—practical, neutral, without judgment.

• Ghee treatment. I was fed butter and broth for 21 days. As this happened, it was not only my body that became cleansed, but also my mind in its relationship to food.

• Everything here was intentional. Every drop of oil, every movement, every prayer. It was about more than the body—it was about resetting something deep inside me.

My Body Was No Longer an Enemy

• Western culture teaches us to battle our bodies. Ayurveda teaches us to nurture, honor, and support them.

• For the first time in my life, I wasn’t trying to change my body. I was caring for it.

• I released old narratives. My body isn’t something to fix—it’s something to listen to.

• What shifted for me:

• I stopped seeing my size as "wrong."

• I understood slowness as healing instead of laziness.

• I learned to receive care instead of always giving.

What I Took Home with Me

• The real healing started after I left.

• In the West, we treat exhaustion like a badge of honor. In India, I learned that rest is sacred.

• I made changes in my daily life—diet, movement, self-talk, and most importantly, prioritizing inner peace over external productivity.

 

Closing Thought

Would I do it again? Absolutely. This wasn’t just a cleanse. It was a complete reset—of my body, my mind, and the way I relate to myself. And I think more of us need that.

 

What happens when you sit in complete silence for 10 days—no talking, no technology, no eye contact, no distractions? In this episode, I take you inside my Vipassana meditation retreat, where I spent over 100 hours in silence and came face-to-face with my mind in ways I never expected. From nearly having a panic attack on Day 4, to watching a cobra almost kill my neighbor, to a tiny fly teaching me a profound lesson on suffering—this experience rewired my brain, changed how I see technology, and redefined what it means to be human in the modern world.

What Is Vipassana Meditation?

Vipassana, which means “insight” or “clear-seeing,” is one of the oldest meditation techniques in the world. Rooted in the teachings of Gautama Buddha, it’s designed to cultivate awareness, equanimity, and liberation from suffering.

During the retreat, I followed the traditional Vipassana rules, including:

• Noble Silence – No speaking, no eye contact, no gestures.
• No technology – No phones, books, or journaling.
• No intoxicants or distractions – Just meditation, walking, and sitting.
• Complete surrender to the schedule – Wake-up bells at 4 AM, over 10 hours of meditation per day.

But what I thought would be a peaceful experience turned into one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, unplug, and reconnect with yourself in ways you never imagined. Would you ever try Vipassana? Listen now and decide for yourself.

 

What if your work was so distinct that people could recognize it instantly—without even seeing your name attached to it? That’s the power of a signature style. In today’s episode, I’m diving deep into what it really means to develop an artistic voice that sets you apart in the photography industry.

If you’ve ever felt like your work blends in or that you’re creating for others instead of yourself, this episode is your wake-up call. Your signature style isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about confidence, perspective, and the energy you bring to your work.

🚨 Ready to refine your signature style? Join my free masterclass! 🚨 👉 Find Your Signature Style Masterclass – [Register Here]

 

In this episode of Play It Brave, I sit down with Dr. Chelsea Shields, an expert in luxury branding and strategy for billion-dollar businesses. We dive deep into how prestige brands set themselves apart in the market and explore the essential elements that make a brand luxurious. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode will show you how to apply luxury branding principles to your business—no matter your size or industry.

 

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In today’s episode of Play It Brave, we’re exploring the often-overlooked aspects of branding that go beyond logos and fonts. Dr. Chelsea Shields, a 4x TED speaker and expert in placebo effects and human behavior, joins me to share her powerful insights into building trust with your audience. We dive into how body language, communication style, and relatability can transform how your audience perceives you and your brand.

We discuss how to use your body and voice as brand assets, why perfection can actually hurt your relationships with potential clients, and why building trust means being intentional in the way you present yourself—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Whether you’re working on your personal brand, business, or just looking to connect with your audience on a deeper level, this episode has the tools and tips you need to build trust and visibility the right way.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

Branding is the foundation of any successful business, but it’s often misunderstood or overlooked. Whether you’re running a small creative business or scaling to seven figures, these five essential truths will help you craft a brand that connects, converts, and thrives. This episode with branding expert, Dr. Chelsea Shields dives into actionable insights you can use today.

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CLICK HERE FOR FULL SHOW NOTES

In this episode of Play It Brave, I sit down with my coaching client Hayley Richardson, the powerhouse behind Intimately You, a multi six-figure boudoir photography studio in Sydney, Australia. Known for her high-end aesthetic and all-female team, Hayley’s mission is to empower women to embrace their bodies and confidence through the art of boudoir photography.

Today, I’m coaching Hayley on how to create a freebie sales funnel that feels authentic, powerful, and—most importantly—converts! Funnels aren’t just for business-to-business (B2B); they’re a game-changer for business-to-client (B2C) creatives like Hayley. We’ll unpack the 10 essential steps to building a funnel, brainstorm ideas for a “Love Your Selfie” challenge, and discuss how to nurture leads into dream clients.

Whether you’re new to funnels or ready to refine your strategy, this episode is packed with actionable tips and fresh perspectives to help you level up your client experience and marketing game.

🎧 Tune in to get inspired and start creating your own client-converting funnel!

SHOW NOTES 

In this episode, Hilary Billings, a viral content creator and CEO of Attentioneers, shares her expertise in capturing and keeping attention online. She discusses her journey in understanding the intentional nature of viral videos and the struggle to create successful content. Hilary highlights the key components of successful viral videos and the importance of understanding different platforms and their audiences. She also emphasizes the constant changes in algorithms and the need for quality content. Hilary introduces the viral video blueprint, which includes a three-part guide to creating engaging videos. The guide focuses on grabbing attention, sparking emotion, and providing value to the audience. The conversation explores the key elements of creating viral content, including the power of emotion, the importance of creating a curiosity gap, attention-grabbing hooks, video length and engagement, editing and equipment, and the viral video blueprint. The guest, Hilary, provides valuable insights and practical tips for content creators to improve their content and increase their chances of going viral. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the psychology of attention and leveraging it to create engaging and shareable content. Hilary also offers a free resource, the viral video blueprint, to help content creators generate ideas and improve their content creation process. Hit play! Meet Hilary: Hilary Billings is the Co-Founder and CEO of Attentioneers- where she helps entrepreneurs and personal brands drive revenue by creating content their audiences care about. Having grown her own following from 0-400k followers in 40 days, and garnered over a billion organic views in under 12 months, Hilary understands the psychology of capturing and keeping attention online. Her agency not only works with internationally recognized brands and celebrity influencers, but also collaborates directly with TikTok as members of their Advisory Board. A certified personal brand strategist, Hilary has worked with a gamut of high-performing entrepreneurs, including billionaires, Victoria’s Secret models, and New York Times best-selling authors. A former Miss Nevada, journalist, and on-camera host, Hilary has also worked with traditional media outlets including USA Today, E! News, and Extra!. Considered an authority on personal branding and short-form video strategy, Hilary’s insights have been featured in Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, and Forbes. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SHOW NOTES

As we build our businesses, we're often focused on the here and now. But have you considered the profound impact your ancestral lineage can have on your journey?

By tapping into the wisdom and resilience of our ancestors, we unlock new avenues for growth, innovation, and authentic connection. The path to building a luxury enterprise is not always linear. Sometimes, it requires us to look back in order to move forward.

READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE.

Mary Hyatt, an expert in embodiment and alignment, provided valuable insights this week on the Play It Brave podcast. True alignment is not about doing more, but about living authentically and honoring your true self, rather than wearing masks to seek love and avoid pain. Mary shared her own journey of recognizing the masks she wore, and how misalignment manifests through symptoms like anxiety, procrastination, and self-sabotage. It is so important to listen to your body's wisdom, using somatic tools like breathwork, movement, and emotional release to come back into alignment. Mary also shared powerful examples demonstrating how tuning into the body's messages and making small, aligned changes can lead to significant life improvements. 

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SHOW NOTES.