Stronger Than Before

In this raw and deeply personal episode, I reflect on what it means to become stronger—not despite vulnerability, but through it.

After two traumatic horseback-riding accidents, a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, and a season of forced rest, I share how physical weakness has opened a profound space for spiritual, emotional, and inner growth. I explore the difference between meaningful reflection and spiritual bypassing, making room for pain without needing to explain it away.

I also speak candidly about my past with anorexia, my relationship with movement and nourishment, and the realization that constant intensity is not the same as true strength. This is an invitation to soften, rest, ask for help, and honor the seasons when growth happens quietly beneath the surface.

In this episode:

• Why “stronger than before” feels like a new chapter
• Finding strength while feeling vulnerable and dependent
• Living through pain without forcing a meaning onto it
• The healing power of rest, recovery, and slowing down
• Releasing the pressure to earn food or rest through exercise
• Redefining strength beyond productivity, cardio, and pushing through
• A reflection on how life’s difficult seasons can shape us

Thank you for listening to the show and for witnessing my process! 

My hope is that my words encourage and inspire you on your way of becoming stronger than before – always, at any time, and on every step in the process.

I would love to hear from you and get to know you better. 

Please reach out via ⁠[email protected]⁠!

It would mean the world to me if you share the episode with a friend, leave a comment, and subscribe to the show!

Let’s connect:

Website: ⁠https://www.verenaborell.com/en⁠ 

Email: ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

In the first episode of my new podcast, I explore the journey of embracing every facet of yourself — from spirituality to physical health, and from vulnerability to strength. When I recorded the episode, I wanted to call the podcast „Spiritual & Sporty“ (which turned out to be not the name of the show!) so I also talk about my inner conflicts between my spiritual self and my sporty self and why I sometimes struggle to feel like I belong–in the gym, on the mat, and in spiritual circles.

Get ready for raw reflections on my past struggles with burnout, exercise addiction, and physical injuries, and I talk about the importance of reconnecting with the body’s wisdom and embracing softness alongside strength. 

Hear more about…

• The importance of accepting and exploring all parts of yourself, including softness and vulnerability
• The healing power of reconnecting with the body, spiritual rituals, somatic practices, and physical exercises
• My (current and future) transformation from being the “strong one” to a more balanced, gentle kind of strength
• How trauma and emotional health influence physical well-being, including autoimmune conditions
• The role of spirituality, astrology, and somatic work in my self-discovery

Thank you for listening to the show and for witnessing my process! 

My hope is that my words encourage and inspire you on your way of becoming stronger than before – always, at any time, and on every step in the process.

I would love to hear from you and get to know you better. 

Please reach out via [email protected]!

It would mean the world to me if you share the episode with a friend, leave a comment, and subscribe to the show!

Let’s connect:

Website: https://www.verenaborell.com/en 

Email: [email protected] 

Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction: embracing a new journey of self-expression and exploration 

00:30 - My perspective as an explorer, not an expert 

01:03 - Being in a human body as a soul, with all its pain and pleasure 

01:42 - Facing the heaviness of physical existence and past ways to dissociate 

02:12 - Past struggles: eating disorders, alcohol, adrenaline, and survival habits 

03:26 - Exercise addiction and its impact on health 

04:21 - Creating a space to live all facets of identity, including spirituality and physical strength 

05:19 - Balancing spirituality with physical practices like working out 

06:44 - Honoring injuries and what it means to be strong and soft 

07:54 - The desire to explore the body deeper, especially in relation to health 

08:25 - Reflecting on past burnout and unhealthy lifestyle choices 

09:10 - Rediscovery of spirituality 

10:38 - Moving into the body and embracing a full-body-yes-life 

12:07 - Learning to feel and live in the lower chakras and trauma healing 

12:36 - The call to explore the body through pain, including rheumatoid arthritis 

14:55 - Physical injuries from horseback riding and their deeper spiritual significance 

16:52 - Releasing the image of being always strong and embracing vulnerability 

18:01 - The ongoing process of transformation and the goo phase of growth 

19:18 - Redefining strength as something internal, soft, and accessible 

20:15 - Asking for help, honoring needs, and allowing oneself to be vulnerable 

22:13 - Future plans: rebuilding strength, healthy training, and balancing the body, mind, and spirit 

23:28 - Closing thoughts: embracing the journey, ongoing healing, and gratitude