Dr. Imane Tarib is a highly skilled ophthalmologist specializing in cornea, external diseases, and refractive surgery. She is currently a fellow at the well-known Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Florida, following advanced training at institutions like the University of Illinois Chicago and Cleveland Clinic. Originally from Morocco, Dr. Tarib earned her medical degree in 2015 and completed her ophthalmology residency in 2020. She is also the founding president of the Young Ophthalmologists of Morocco, reflecting her commitment to advancing eye care globally. With extensive international experience, she combines cutting-edge techniques with a passion for improving vision and patient outcomes.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why Imane chose ophthalmology
• Highlights from her early career as an ophthalmologist in Morocco
• Transitioning to a New Life in the U.S. and becoming an immigrant
• Challenges of re-entering education, residency, and fellowship in the U.S.
• Comparing Healthcare Systems: Morocco vs. U.S.
• Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated
• Strategies for rebuilding her career and finding resilience
• Habits, mindsets and routines that support positivity and focus
• Imane's Social Media Journey
• Inspiration to build an online presence
• How her platform has opened new opportunities
• Staying authentic in the social media space
• Advice for overcoming fear, worry, and self-doubt to chase dreams.
• How to change the narrative around failure

...and more!

Follow Imane

Follow Stef Speaks Radio

Frank Desico, a University of Notre Dame graduate and four-year starter on the baseball team, played professional baseball in Cleveland and has spent the last decade building a strong reputation for his performance and developmental work with athletes. As assistant general manager with USA Baseball, he helped hundreds of athletes secure college baseball scholarships. In 2015, he founded Ohio Sports and Fitness, which has since grown to include OSF Baseball and Ohio Sports Complex, reflecting its expanding influence.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Frank’s journey from baseball to entrepreneurship and building a successful fitness business.
• His upbringing and how his early environment shaped his work ethic.
• Lessons learned from his experience as a baseball player at Notre Dame and professionally.
• The inspiration behind starting Ohio Sports and Fitness (OSF) with just $13,000.
• The challenges faced without securing loans and the strategies used to budget and prioritize expenses.
• Early hurdles in OSF’s growth and strategies for staying motivated through doubt and stress.
• How Frank navigates the daily stresses of being a business owner.
• The evolution of Frank’s financial planning as his business grew.
• The importance of financial planning as a business owner.
• Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs in the fitness and sports industry.

...and more!

Follow Frank

Follow OSF

Follow Stef Speaks Radio

Lindsay Kronk (soon to be Lindsay Butler) is a Chardon, OH native who returned to Northeast Ohio 8 years ago after starting her real estate career in Chicago. She founded The Elle Kaye Group in 2020, helping hundreds achieve their real estate goals and selling over $100 million in Northeast Ohio.

In 2022, after losing her mother, Trish, to suicide, Lindsay and her husband Mat opened Kava Sol Botanical Bar, a space offering alcohol-free, plant-based drinks and a supportive community. Inspired by her mother’s artistic and loving spirit, Lindsay splits her time between The Elle Kaye Group and Kava Sol, where all are welcome to connect, share, and heal.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lindsay's journey into real estate
• Motivation for shifting from real estate to co-founding Kava Sol
• The story and inspiration behind Kava Sol
• Major roadblocks during Kava Sol’s creation and growth
• Practices for managing personal and professional life
• Insights into maintaining mental health and balance as an entrepreneur
• Essential tips for young adults in their 20s and 30s in the business world
• Lessons on perseverance, resilience, and staying true to one’s vision
• Starting a Brick-and-Mortar Business
• Tips for planning, funding, and executing
• Importance of building community, forming partnerships, and adapting to unforeseen challenges
• Balancing masculine and feminine energy in professional life

...and more!

Follow Lindsay

Check out Kava Sol

Follow Stef Speaks Radio

Allison is a certified Holistic Nutritionist, Fitness Trainer, and Functional Medicine Health Coach. Since founding Finesse Fitness in 2012, she has supported hundreds of clients nationwide with a range of health services, specializing in helping women with chronic stress, low energy, and hormone imbalances. She focuses on empowering women to establish consistent health routines, enhancing both how they look and feel through a holistic, inside-out approach. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Allison lives with her husband, their two-year-old daughter, and is expecting a baby boy in December 2024. She enjoys outdoor activities, baking, reading, exercising, and spending time with family.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Advice for women navigating their first pregnancy
• Addressing common misconceptions women face regarding health and fitness during pregnancy
• Educating women on their options for nutrition, wellness, and fitness during pregnancy
• Highlighting key health and wellness practices that are often overlooked but important during pregnancy
• Determining safe and beneficial exercises for each stage of pregnancy for active lifters and those new to fitness
• Knowing when to modify or adjust workouts during pregnancy and recognizing signs that adjustments are needed
• Preparing the body for pregnancy with pre-conception fitness and nutrition
• Maintaining key habits and routines during pregnancy to support healthy postpartum recovery and consistency despite challenges like morning sickness or fatigue
• Common hormonal challenges during and after pregnancy, their impact on fitness, energy levels, and emotions
• Supporting hormone health naturally through nutrition and movement, and the role of functional medicine
• Balancing a fitness routine with the demands of motherhood and advice for moms struggling to find time for self-care and movement
• Strategies for moms to set realistic fitness goals while balancing family and work, and the importance of embracing small wins and letting go of perfection

...and more!

Follow Allison

GET 10% OFF ALLISON'S Holistic Prenatal Fitness Program WITH CODE "SMF10"

Follow Stefanie

Dr. Kate Shoger is an Orthopedic and Pelvic Health Physical Therapist specializing in helping active women achieve their physical goals, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. With expertise in both orthopedic and pelvic health, she takes a whole-body approach to care. Dr. Shoger holds a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, is a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, and a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist. She is certified in the McKenzie Method, integrative dry needling, and has advanced training in TMJ, jaw pain, and pelvic health from leading institutes.

In this episode we talk about:

-Explanation of pelvic health and therapy for those unfamiliar

-Importance of pelvic health awareness for women

-Definitions of overactive (hypertonic) and underactive (hypotonic) pelvic floors.

-Common symptoms and issues associated with both conditions.

-Pelvic Health Across Different Age Groups and Life Stages

-Key considerations for active women to protect their pelvic health

-Recommended exercises and habits to support pelvic health

Suggested exercises and routines to support pelvic health before/during pregnancy

-Tips for preventing issues and maintaining pelvic function.

...and more!

Follow Stefanie

Follow Kate

Taylor Bruck is an Emmy-winning anchor and multimedia journalist for Spectrum News 1 Ohio, where she anchors weekend mornings and covers diversity and sustainability stories. Passionate about amplifying marginalized voices, Taylor began her journalism career at WOUB Public Media and interned twice with the TODAY show in NYC and Los Angeles. An Ohio native, she enjoys fitness, family time, and traveling.

In this episode we talk about:

-Building a Personal Brand on Social Media

-Obstacles public figures face in today’s social media environment.

-Advice for sustaining positive mental health while having an online presence

-Insights and lessons learned from Taylor’s journey

-Dealing with negative people online

-Daily Habits for Grounding and Authenticity

-Being Multi-Faceted in a Viral World

-The importance of showing up authentically and embracing all aspects of oneself

…and much more!

Follow Stefanie

Follow Taylor

Jessica Thomas is a Cleveland-based makeup artist of 5 and a half years. After studying and assisting under industry greats such as Tiyana Robinson, Sir John and Jacen Bowman, her love for beauty led her to her passion of mastering complexion which ultimately birthed Jessica's signature Camera Ready makeup technique. Since the start of her career, Jessica has been featured in Instyle and Vogue magazine as a beauty liason highlighting products for the BIPOC community, has led and participated in runway events nationally and internationally, worked as a celebrity makeup artist for Loretta Devine, Lisa Leslie, K Michelle and Carole King,  as well as collaborated with brands to expand the shade range of their current catalogs to continue to advocate for BIPOC.

In this episode, we talk about:

-Jessica's journey into becoming a Makeup Artist

-What inspired Jessica to focus on inclusivity as the anchor of her career

-The journey with of finding skin confidence

-Managing acne, hyperpigmentation, and insecurities

-Pressures in the Beauty Space

-Navigating the judgmental beauty space while staying true to yourself and embracing authenticity

-Messages for those struggling with skin issues and confidence.

-Understanding inward vs outward beauty

..and more!

Follow the podcast!

Follow Jess!

Anastasios Tseheridis is a dedicated Marriage and Family Therapist with over a decade of experience in mental health. A First-Generation Greek American, he draws from his background in psychology and sociology to navigate family dynamics and cultural challenges. After completing his undergrad at USC in 2005 and a Master’s in 2012, he worked in group homes, community services, and Children and Youth Services for the County of Orange, where he served as a clinician and intake coordinator. Known for his upfront style, he empowers clients to adopt sustainable, healthy lifestyles. His goal is to transition into private practice.

In this episode we talk about:

Personal experiences of growing up in a Greek-American household.

Discussion on how Greek cultural and family dynamics shape one’s worldview.

Exploring how guilt and shame manifest within the Greek upbringing (relating to other cultures as well).

Discussion on ingrained beliefs from a young age, how they contribute to feelings of guilt when deviating from family expectations.

Pressures faced growing up to meet certain standards & the emotional impact of falling short or changing course from expectations

The difference between family’s definition of success and personal definitions.

How to navigate family expectations while embracing authentic self.

Discussing cultural pressure to be “perfect” and how to redefine perfection.

Insight from a therapist’s perspective on understanding this type of guilt.

Explanation of what boundaries are and what they do.

Importance of setting boundaries, especially in the context of upbringing.

...and more!

Follow my personal IG

Stay up to date with the podcast

Tori Kurtz is a musician, producer, filmmaker and multi-faceted artist with a desire for deep connection and healing through her work.   Tori’s creative expressions serve as spaces of meditation, spiritual exploration and healing. 

Along this journey, tori has learned that her worth is not in her performance or success, but her willingness to show up exactly as she is.

In this episode we talk about:

-Tori's journey into music and art

-What inspired her creative path

-The process of writing her album, "Willingness"

-The challenges faced as an artist

-Dealing with creative blocks and periods of low productivity

-Navigating the urge to give up and finding ways to push through it

-Imposter Syndrome

-Managing Self-Doubt

-Showing up honestly, vulnerably, and authentically

-How to stay connected to your true self 

...and more!

Follow my personal IG

Stay up to date with the podcast

I started "Stef Speaks Radio" in 2019 and I took a pause in 2022. A lot has changed over the last two years, and I’ve changed a lot as well.⁣ ⁣ I finally feel ready to turn the mic back on. It’s been a journey to get back here… a lot of overcoming my own limiting beliefs, fears, and excuses.⁣ ⁣ It’s crazy how something that has always felt so *right* for me was the very thing I kept pulling away from.⁣ ⁣ I don’t know exactly what this new chapter looks like; I just know I’m finally ready to start it and connect with this community in a way I’m deeply passionate about—one that goes far beyond fitness.⁣ ⁣ Here’s to new beginnings, continued growth and deeper connections. Thank you so much for being here, I can't wait to to share this new era with you.

Follow my personal IG

Stay up to date with the podcast