How do you know your podcast has hit the big time? When someone bids on a special guest spot at The Struggle Is Real event auction... and it's not one of your friends. Elisha and Shannon are delighted to sit with Ajay and Lindsay, co-founders of Momentum Chiropractic and Sports Medicine in Hillsboro - a "one stop shop" covering multiple chiropractic modalities (cupping, Graston tools, massage, women's health, etc). These two beautiful badasses launched Momentum amidst quitting their full time jobs, buying a house, and organizing their wedding, and while their practice is less than a year old, they are thriving due to hard work, a strong, interactive social media presence, and connecting with the local fitness community. This hilarious episode covers it all - from getting rolfed for research (ie: a finger up your butt), pooping yourself during a marathon (it's a thing), and why Shannon's FitBit thinks she's bedridden. Share this episode with your buddies, and take advantage of a special Real Talk, Real Change discount to become another Momentum success story!

Folow us on Instagram!

Real Talk | Real Change:

@realtalkrealchangepodcast

@shannonkbeekman

@elishaalcantara

Momentum Chiropractic + Sports Medicine:

Instagram: @momentumchiropdx

Facebook: Momentum Chiropractic + Sports Medicine

Website: Momentumchiropdx.com

Portland has an international rep as a quirky outlier city known for passive politeness, a sordid history of racism, sex trafficking, and serial killers, and home base to some of America's best known brands, like Nike, Columbia, and Dave's Killer Bread. But what's it really like to launch a business here... especially as a woman and/or a minority? Shannon and Elisha are here to help, having built their own successful businesses while dodging sexist contractors, disastrous mis-hires, and dissatisfied client reviews. And they've found that Portland is surprisingly open to women entrepreneurs, and that "community not competition" is a real thing, here. Jump in on this enlightening episode with all the trade tips and secrets of building success from the stump up in Portland, Oregon. And if you're thinking of starting up a lil' business of your own? Reach out, the girls have got you. Just don't ask to "pick their brains" (there's snakes).

Interested in our episode that covers negotiating wages? Check out Episode 10!

Follow us on Instagram!

Real Talk | Real Change Podcast @realtalkrealchangepodcast

Elisha Alcantara @elishaalcantara

Shannon Beekman @shannonkbeekman

Breaking up is hard to do, but why aren't we talking more about the devastating heartache of breaking up with your best girlfriend? It's weird, right? Because basically every woman you know has been through this, and yep, it hurts waaay worse than breaking up with a lover. There's a very special type of friendship that occurs when two girls/women make that instant connection, a deep, obsessive enmeshment where you become joined at the literal hip. And if (or when) that friendship falters, it can be just as intense in its conclusion. Elisha and Shannon share their ex-bestie histories: the warning signs to look out for, how forming close relationships with employees can be a lousy idea, and that ghosting is a pretty shitty way to end things with a friend. And sometimes, those deep, trusted friendships grow toxic, as you love that person so hard that they learn they can get away with treating you like garbage. We're curious to hear your stories of "best friends forever" gone south, and especially from the fellas listening in - does this also happen to you? Do you settle your differences with a quarrel before heading out for mimosas?

Follow Us on Instagram!

Real Talk | Real Change Podcast @realtalkrealchangepodcast

Elisha Alcantara @elishaalcantara

Shannon Beekman @shannonkbeekman

Longtime fans of our podcast know that Shannon has been shouting accolades for the Oprah-approved Miraval from the rolling Catalina mountaintops, and Elisha is finally reporting back on her first experience at the Tucson wellness retreat. An all-inclusive luxury getaway with classes and events on a sliding scale of woo, the goal of Miraval is to be open and present, and the result of your stay? Life changing. Join our gals as they evangelize on the myriad benefits of Miraval: how Shannon considers an outdoor shower to be the height of luxury, the deep self revelations achieved throughout the retreat... and how Elisha showed up butt ass naked to a foot massage and was nearly devoured by wild pigs. This episode overflows with life lessons, pro-tips, and absolute hilarity, and you'll be glad to join the secret Miraval club that everyone should be a part of. Are you already a fan of Miraval, or have some sort of connection with the resort? Ping us and let us know! Please also be advised of a cw: for light discussion of suicidal ideation. 

"The reason why we wanted to share these stories with you is so that you understand what it f****** takes." Nothing summarizes our short series more succinctly than this quote from Carolynn Koznarsky of Megaburn fame. In this final installment of our recordings from The Struggle Is Real speaking event, our gal Shannon Beekman ushers the shame out of the darkness to expose her spiral into alcoholism in full light. From leaving a trail of wreckage in her wake until finally hitting rock bottom (with "bottom" being an actual ravine), it took some stark realizations to tackle the hardest thing she'd ever done: achieve and maintain sobriety. Then we hear from Carolynn, who self-admittedly stumbled during the Permission Granted event by not fully revealing her truth. Her desire to remedy that is the entire reason why The Struggle Is Real was born, and here she totally levels up the courage and power and delivers on the gritty realities of the sex industry. These stories expose the trials and traumas behind the successful faces we present to society. They remind us that even the most confident, seemingly put together entrepreneurs and public figures have fought their own dark and private struggles to succeed. And again and again, we're shown how much it truly takes to find your place of power. 

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this special series, our speakers, their stories. What can you relate to? What hit you hard? Where should we go next? And please share Real Talk, Real Change with someone who you think would enjoy what we're dishing out, too.

Follow us on Instagram!

Real Talk Real Change Podcast @realtalkrealchangepodcast

MegaBurn Fitness @megaburnfitness

Elisha Alcantara @elishaalcantara

Shannon Beekman @shannonkbeekman

Carolynn Koznarsky @___carolynn__

Settle in for Pt. 2 of our live recordings from The Struggle Is Real, 'cos next up is Leanne Saffer, author of Shit You Didn't Think Would Happen to You, survivor of both domestic abuse and breast cancer, and advocate for women sharing their struggles. Her ultra-religious upbringing landed her in a controlling, manipulative marriage, and it took close to a decade for her to convince her family (and herself) that she needed help. The stress of this life - and extricating herself from it amid gossip and society's misperceptions - resulted in a cancer diagnosis. And then our very own Elisha reveals how she survived a predatory mentor, who recognized and capitalized on her vulnerabilities, how her inability to say "No" got her tangled in a vicious lawsuit that almost scuppered her hard-built business, and how the "gift" of grieving the loss of her mother in real time closed the loop and led to where she is now - 100% confident in who she is as a person, and no longer seeking to fill a bottomless hole. These gripping, emotional testimonies are a privilege to witness, and offer valuable insights that will benefit every single one of us. 

Follow us on Instagram!

Real Talk Real Change Podcast @realtalkrealchangepodcast

Elisha Alcantara @elishaalcantara

Shannon Beekman @shannonkbeekman

Lianne Saffer @basic_li

Yesss, it's finally here! As many of you already know, Shannon and Elisha became instant BFFs at the Permission Granted speaking event, and it was decided to do it all again - but deeper and more raw. Shame and embarrassment be damned. And in front of a sold out audience of 70 people (eek!). And so, The Struggle Is Real happened. In this Part 1, MC badass extraordinaire, Kathryn Durkin, torpedoes us well beneath the surface (and promises we'll all be in bed by midnight). Glynis Olson of Fingerbang fame dispels *that* tawdry gossip, and somehow makes heart-rending trauma funny (oof). And Lovely Laban proves that you can rebel to success, grow from grief, and strike out from a life of fear. Friends, you can hear a pin drop during some of these confessions... and others are a suckerpunch direct to the gut. Stop what you're doing, clear some headspace, pour some tea, and join us for the first installment of this live recording of all the compelling, compassionate, hilarious, and powerful women you've gotten familiar with on recent episodes of Real Talk, Real Change. Promise zero regrets, surprise lols, and loads of healthy enlightenment.

Follow us on Instagram!

Real Talk Real Change @realtalkrealchangepodcast

Elisha Alcantara @elishaalcantara

Shannon Beekman @shannonkbeekman

Glynis Olson @glynasty

Lovely Laban @luckbealady12

Remember when Real Talk, Real Change recently covered the subject of estranged, toxic mothers in "Mourning Mom"? Yeah, it was pretty heavy, and by the end of it Elisha was struggling with the decision of whether she was going to risk getting back in contact with her seriously ill, highly problematic mom. In today's episode, Elisha shares her experiences of the past few weeks of sitting by her mother's deathbed. Through many years of hard work holding herself accountable and finding her true self, Elisha was able to approach this situation with openness, love, strength... and forgiveness. Listen in as Elisha processes those hard feels, how being there at the end was like receiving a gift... and find out how both Shannon and Elisha are using their lessons learned over death and grief to eventually leave this life with no regrets (hint: it involves Lizzo, and shark poop).