Rebuilding The Beast

Where to begin on Chloe Hakim-Moore… We recorded this the day after the shooting in Uvalde, Texas and we both had a heavy heart. Talking with Chloe though, hearing all the work she’s doing, especially for kids, inspired me. Chloe is a Social Designer, mental health advocate, a first-generation American born citizen, a business woman, and so much more!  

Let’s break down what we unpacked, shall we?

• The  4 different pillars of activism for well-being and what you can do to make a difference.
• Her family life and how her grandfather was born into sharecropping and her father being born during segregation. Then how her mom immigrating from Trinidad allowed Chloe and her siblings to have so many more opportunities, especially when it came to schooling.  
• The first time she understood what race was at the age of 8 and the memory she has of the moment her dad realized it was time to tell his daughter what it means to be a black woman in this world.  
• How therapy saved her life and the important lesson she learned that the only person that can take care of you, is you.
• In 2020, Forbes called Chloe “a key revolutionary changing the course and the face of business and society.” Putting her on their renowned Forbes 30 under 30 list. 

I’m very thankful for this interview with Chloe and the words of wisdom she gave us all. I hope you feel as inspired as I do.

Want to keep up with Chloe? Follow her on Instagram!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

On May 24th, 2022, 19 children and 2 teachers were killed after a gunman went to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Young children’s lives were lost, parents are grieving, and change needs to happen.

It’s okay to send out your thoughts and prayers to the lives lost but remember, faith without works, is dead. If you’re wanting change there are things you can do.

• Vote for your local officials who believe in stricter gun laws
• Call your local congressional office asking for change. Here’s a link to find your U.S. Senator and U.S House of Representatives.
• Consider donating to the families who lost someone, here.
• Share the stories and try to impact at least one person.

One of the goals of this podcast is to teach people how to overcome. But you can’t have change without putting in the work.

Love you all.

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

Trigger Warning: Abduction and Human Trafficking

When we talk about how one person’s story can be someone else’s survival guide, this episode is what we mean! Sarah Taylor is a sports psychologist who a few years ago was a victim in an attempted human trafficking abduction. After moving to San Diego to start a new job as a reporter, Sarah was on her morning run when a man grabbed her from behind, tasered her, and attempted to shove her into his car. Immediately, Sarah remembered a story she saw on Oprah about a woman who fought for her life when a man tried to abduct her. Sarah instincts came in and she fought for her life. After breaking free, a guardian angel drove by and drove Sarah to safety.

Sarah today is using her story to try and help others. After we first heard her story on the platform “I Am Second”, we asked Sarah to come on Rebuilding the Beast to inspire us. We cover everything from…

• The trauma she was going through and how after playing so many ‘what if’ stories in her mind, and visualizing him in places he wasn’t, her church helped her find a therapist.
• How therapy gave her the tools to be the woman she is today and say goodbye to the fear that was holding her back.
• Her relationship with God and how in a therapy session she heard His voice clear as day and has never felt alone since.
• How her relationship with God gave her a peace of mind and the ability to forgive this man who wronged her.
• The moment she felt she was called to go on a new career path and got her master’s in sports psychology.
• What you can do to help victims of slavery.

If you or anyone you know have tips on a potential human trafficking case, call 1 (888) 373-7888 or text HELP to ‘befree’ at 233733 to save lives.

Check out Sarah’s story on I am Second. 

Want to keep up with Sara? Follow her on Instagram!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

This week on Rebuilding the Beast we’re looking back at my favorite answers to my favorite question I ask all my guests, “If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what advice would you give?”

You’ll hear;

• Episode 3 – Nicole Buchanan
• Episode 4 – Jenna Free
• Episode 6 – Lauren Sesselmann
• Episode 7 – Marreese (Mo) Speights
• Episode 9 – Bridgette W.
• Episode 10 – Bryony Hopkins
• Episode 11 – Andrew Bogut
• Episode 12 – Victoria Jancke
• Episode 14 – Kaliegh Garris

Everyone’s answer is always so raw and inspirational and has stayed with me. Please enjoy this trip down memory lane!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

This past week, I went to the Joe Dispenza retreat in San Diego. It was a week-long meditation retreat that teaches you how to heal your own body. At first, I had a lot of apprehension. Like a week-long retreat? I have to work! But I did, and boy am I glad I did. There was so much I learned, but mainly learned how to love myself and be kind to myself. Then I recognized a lot of walls I had unconsciously put up.

I met so many wonderful, inspiring people at this retreat and hearing their stories was so fulfilling. That is what this podcast is all about and I didn’t want to let their stories and experience be unheard. So please enjoy, and I hope you feel as inspired as I did.  

Check out Joe Dispenza’s website!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

We’ve got the Paleo Chef here today on Rebuilding the Beast! Mary Shenouda is a private chef whose journey starts all the way back to the 2nd grade. While in elementary school, she would experience extreme headaches that caused her to be sick with no fever, resulting in doubts from her teachers. But after decades of pain, countless trips to the ER, and people telling her it was all in her own head, Mary decided to take matters into her own hands. By 25, she discovered she was Celiac. A sense of relief absorbed Mary because she finally figured out how she could heal her body – by changing the way she ate. After coworkers saw a beautiful change in Mary, they asked if she could cook for them, bringing to light something she never thought was on her journey.

We cover everything from

• How she thought this pain was her everyday normal and tried to bargain with God for answers.
• Dropping out of high school and then immediately succeeding in her corporate job while being so much younger than her coworkers.
• How meeting Tyler Florence (a big time chef) was the sign from the universe to quit her corporate job and become a full time chef for others.
• Success stories she’s had from her clients and people who have downloaded her “Gut Reset Program”.
• Her success with her own recipe “Phat Fudge” and how the pandemic has caused an unexpected rebuild for it.
• Why she likes to say PaleYou instead of Paleo.  

You can hear the passion Mary has in her work. She emphasizes that this changes from person to person, but you can gain control over your body again. Through time and patience, you can heal your gut.

Want to keep up with Mary? Follow her on Instagram and check out her Website!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

Happy Wednesday everybody! We’re doing something new here on Rebuilding the Beast. Occasionally, I’m going to share a short story. A story that hopefully you all can apply to your life.

Our story today is called The Businessman and the Fisherman. This story is a reminder to enjoy the simple things in life and do what makes you happy. We all have this inner voice inside our head that likes to block the things we’re called to do. Try not to listen to it unless it’s serving you. Enjoy this journey that you’re on!

I hope you all like this new segment! I can’t wait to share more stories with you all.

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

Our next guest is Fabrice Gautier! Fabrice is a major part of many athlete’s journeys and their comebacks with 20 years of experience as a physical therapist and osteopath in Los Angeles. He started out playing soccer and many different sports growing up, but his teenage dream was to play basketball with Magic Johnson for the LA Lakers. He has a diploma from France as an Osteopath, and works as a private consultant for professional athletes, and still makes time to play a little basketball just for fun in his spare time.

We dive in on…

• His transition from an aspiring NBA player (and being forced to retire from playing basketball professionally) to becoming a health and performance specialist.
• The injury that inspired his journey into physical therapy.
• How he built up a successful practice in Los Angeles as a French immigrant and the people who inspired, mentored and encouraged him. 
• Some challenges that he faced early on in his professional career and how he learned from them.
• Learning how to let go of control and find inner peace.
• Why it takes a team to rehabilitate clients back into action after an injury and how to build your own dream team in order to rebuild your body and your mind.
• How there’s more to physical recovery than just the injury itself and how to overcome these challenges.
• Some tools to get back on track after physical trauma (for those who can’t work with him personally) and advice on how to stick to a healthy lifestyle.
• And his favorite, inspiring Kobe Bryant story.

Fabrice shares some very encouraging personal and professional stories. Whether you are aiming to rebuild yourself mentally, physically, or both, this episode is sure to inspire you!

Want to keep up with Fabrice’s journey? Follow him on Instagram!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

Trigger Warning: This episode hits on subjects about suicide and sexual abuse.

My friend Victoria Moghaddami is our guest today! Victoria is a huge inspiration to me and a prime example of what it means to be constantly rebuilding yourself. In her 20’s, Victoria was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome; POTS, which is a blood circulation disorder. After a life of overcoming and working hard, Victoria had to learn what it means to take a step back and relearn her body. She’s done everything from sports growing up, being a TV Host, an advocate, and now is working on this new chapter of being a Real Estate Agent. But that’s not all we cover!

We dive in on

• Advice she has for me on this new journey I’m on being a TV Host.
• Her journey with POTS and oftentimes being misdiagnosed by doctors and the frustrations she has with the medical system now.
• Having to lean onto her mom for assistance after not being able to be alone once diagnosed with POTS. Then how she’s able to take care of herself today, 5 years later.
• Going through current grief and healing after losing her brother to suicide and the importance of remembering to check in on others.
• Being a survivor of sexual assault starting at the age of 6 years old and how it has shaped the woman she is today.
• Then tips she gives to heal from trauma, remembering that it is okay to grieve and we should give ourselves time, and how we should have a sense of community around us.

Victoria was very gracious in sharing so much in this interview. We even hit on subjects she hasn’t talked about before. I feel honored to know her and feel inspired by her every day!

Want to keep up with Victoria’s journey? Follow her on Instagram! 

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram!

Olympic Gold Medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock is my guest today. Tamyra is a pro wrestler as well as the first black woman and only the 2nd woman ever to win gold at the Olympics! This girl is making history! Not only is Tamyra a literal beast on the mat, she’s also using her voice to inspire other young girls and spread the word of God.

We cover everything from

• How Tamyra first started off doing track and field, but after constant bullying in High School, decided to join the wrestling team after following the advice from her twin sister.
• Then after hating wresting at first, the moment she discovered her love and passion for it.
• She speaks on advice she’d give young girls, women, men – everyone! On how to follow their dreams and work hard.
• How at the age of 16, she lost her father due to a car accident and the trauma she’s still working through now at the age of 30.
• What it means to her being a child of God and the ups and downs she’s had with her relationship with God. Especially after losing her father
• Then we go over what it’s like being in a biracial marriage and the stereotypes she faces along the way.

This episode had me all in my feels. Tamyra was so open and vulnerable that I was left in awe of her! Please enjoy!

Want to keep up with Tamyra? Follow her on Instagram!

Be sure to rate & review the show on Apple Podcasts!  It will really help us grow & reach more people!

Follow us on Instagram for daily inspirational stories!

Or check out our YouTube & website!

Want to connect with Festus directly? Hit him up on Instagram