In this heart-opening episode, Wendy welcomes Marla Mervis-Hartmann to share the story behind her book Befriend Yourself and the deeply personal journey that led her there. From navigating the complexities of food and body image to uncovering the deeper wounds beneath control and self-talk, Marla reveals what it really means to become your own best friend. The two explore how shame, addiction to busyness, and resistance to rest often stand in the way of healing—and how tuning into your body, receiving support, and embracing your full power can unlock a more compassionate, embodied way of being. If you've ever felt like rest is unsafe, or that your worth is tied to your willpower, this conversation is your invitation to slow down, soften, and trust that you are already enough.

About Marla:

As creator of Love Your Body Love Yourself, Marla Mervis-Hartmann assists women in finding a “YES!” to that question. After years of struggling with her own dysfunctional body-relationship, Marla has transformed her experiences into services to help women discover honor and appreciate their bodies.

As a professional, Marla has been featured at TEDx Salinas. She is Best-Selling Author of BE-Friend Yourself~Finding Freedom with Food and Peace with your Body. Marla has followed her passion for women's health down many study paths, including women's sexual wellness; postpartum care; Restore Your Core educator; Tantra teacher certification; Yoga teacher training, and massage therapy. She has a Certification in Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy. 

Marla has been Featured in major media outlets like ABC, NBC, and FOX. In all of her work, Marla is devoted to empowering women to feel good about themselves and to live the life they desire. 

She lives in Maui with her husband and son, working full-time as a professional coach, speaker, facilitator, and Reiki Master and Teacher.

Connect with Marla:

LoveYourBodyLoveYourself.com 

Get her book: Be-Friend Yourself: Finding Freedom with Food and Peace with Your Body

On Instagram @loveyourbodyloveyourselfalways

On Facebook 

On YouTube

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Podcast Production By Shannon Warner of Resonant Collective
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