The Erica Diamond Podcast

Welcome back to the show. As we approach the closing of Mental Health Awareness Month, today, I have the true privilege of bringing you one of the most compassionate, kind, and intelligent souls I have connected with in a long time.

Alon is very special. He is young, but you will agree that he is wise beyond his 20 years.

I won't give anything away and how Alon finally embraced his sexuality, overcame mental health struggles and is now healing the world through love and vulnerability.

Let's dive right in!

• What was life like for you growing up for you? Give us a sense of your environment?

• Talk to me about what it was like growing up a gay teen in America. As a society, we have definitely become more progressive, and thank goodness for our world finally embracing that love is love. But I know that you say your dad's reaction was saddening. And that really hurts my heart. Talk to me about that.

• This all goes with one of my favourite quotes —"the truth sets you free." I know what struggling in silence and what secrets do to your heart. Talk to me what that felt like when you set your truth free?

• Perfect time to lead us into vulnerability and what vulnerability does not only for the person, but for us as a society? Can you speak to this?

• When did you first notice that you were struggling with depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation? What were some of the warning signs?

• If someone is struggling right now, how can they reach out for help? What would be their first step? What is the first thing someone can do if they are struggling in ways that feel beyond their own control? What would you advise them to do?

• You're only 20. What are your plans for this wonderful life?

• I'm still going to ask you what you would tell your younger self because your soul is mature and I have a feeling you've learned a lot.

Alon Fishman is an inspirational speaker and Psychology student at the University at Buffalo. Having overcome years of anxiety, depression, suicidality, and more; he has made it his mission to eradicate suicide while also uniting the world through unconditional love.

Alon has recognized that humans share one consciousness and through his discoveries has opened up the door for internal dialogues that have held us back for so long; to be spoken up about. Alon is determined that through vulnerable communication, people will feel less alone; one conversation at a time.

Alon Fishman on Instagram

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Professional Speaker, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Course Creator of Busy To Bliss, Author of the women's entrepreneurial book 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®).

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome back to the show. Today I have the great fun of interviewing a work colleague who has become a true friend. Lesley Rubinoff AKA the Holistic Genius is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to living a holistic lifestyle.

Today we're learning how to eat and live a cleaner lifestyle. Small changes, my friends.

I think you'll agree with me when I say her no BS approach is refreshing, honest and authentic. This girl knows a lot.

Enjoy the episode!

• Talk to me about your journey into holistic living?

• What does it mean to live a holistic lifestyle? And what does it mean to eat clean?

• If people want to make healthier changes, what are the three things they should do now? Let's do three things they should take away, and three things they could add to their diet.

• Let's talk supplements. I'm on 1000 IU of vitamin D3 drops for immunity and wellness. What else do people need (don't make it too complicated), what are the necessities for daily help? Vitamin D and turmeric?

• Talk to me about inflammation. What does that mean, and what foods should we cut out for inflammation?

• OK, let's talk CBD. You know that I'm a CBD nerd, and I won't even take an Advil. Why should people use CBD?

• Les, let's talk about the importance of water

• What would you tell your younger self?

Lesley Rubinoff is a dynamic holistic practitioner who walks the talk abs talks the talk! Focusing on foundational and root cause healing, Lesley specializes in digestive disorders and female hormone/ fertility. Over the past 8 years, Lesley has worked globally with her clients via her virtual office. Her online presence reaches more then 50,000 people daily. Her main goal is to educate, inspire and motivate others to live a clean life by promoting healthy and clean living choices. Lesley has been involved in the cannabis space for the last three years, making her a pioneer in a fast evolving industry. Lesley teamed up with renowned hemp innovators to create a revolutionary hemp cannabis line of products. Her products truly are in a league of their own , incorporating terpenes and drivers along side genuine full spectrum hemp cannabis. Along side her product line, Lesley focuses on educating the masses on cannabis and health.

The Holistic Genius

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Professional Speaker, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Course Creator of Busy To Bliss, Author of the women's entrepreneurial book 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®).

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Erica Diamond Podcast!

Today's topic is something so close to my heart. It's very close to my expertise too which makes it a sure slam dunk! We are going to start feeling better after listening to today's interview my friends! We are changing our lives, starting today!

We're talking morning routines and the power of mindset!

• Take me back to the beginning. To understand where you are today is go back to your childhood. You lived with an invisible chronic illness that went undiagnosed until you were 23.

• Talk to me about the importance of mindset, Brianna. I know how important mindset is to my happiness, tell me how pivotal it's been to yours.

• Before we get to the Miracle Morning, tell me about the importance of a morning routine for well-being

• Okay let's get to the Miracle Morning. For those that don't know what the miracle morning is, please share with us about the S.A.V.E.R.S. And what drew you to the morning miracle.

• So, for the A in affirmations, can you share some positive affirmation for us? Some positive affirmations we can say when we wake up.

• For those who want to feel more abundant, more energetic, where can they start? What's the first step?

• You are trained in ancient healing techniques. Often we don't look to healing until we're sick- until we hit the wall. How can we begin healing before it gets that far?

• What do you say to those who step off the path? It's one thing to do all the right things sometimes, but consistency and habits is a whole other ballgame. It's hard stuff to stay consistent!

• How can you start to design a life that you love today?

• What are you reading now?

• What would you tell your younger self?

Brianna Greenspan is a chronic illness advocate, mentor for teens and young adults with chronic illnesses, author and Genetics Consultant at Gene By Gene, a genetic testing company based in Houston, Texas.

Since being diagnosed with EDS, a genetic connective tissue disorder, Brianna has been using the power of positive affirmations and powerful mindset shifts to overcome the inherent obstacles of her condition.

She is passionate about nature, sustainability, wellness, her advocacy work, and inspiring others to achieve their goals. Her life's work is centered around using her superpower as a master connector to facilitate all the good she can in collaborative settings to uplift global wellbeing mainly focused in medical genetics and education.

Brianna Greenspan

The Miracle Morning: The Art of Affirmations

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Professional Speaker, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Course Creator of Busy To Bliss, Author of the women's entrepreneurial book 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®).

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome to Season 3 of The Erica Diamond Podcast!

Today's episode is care of a social media app that you might have heard me speak about a lot lately. Yup, you guessed it, Clubhouse!

What I love about this app is, you can photoshop your wrinkles, or you can filter out your cellulite on Instagram, but you can't photoshop your soul, or your voice. Voices and vibes don't often lie.

When I hear Dana speak, her energy literally jumps out of my phone. On today's episode, Dana (pronounced Donna) is here to teach us how to gain confidence, how to show up and speak up. Today's episode is about how to find our voice and how to shine in social media and in life.

• To understand the fireball that you are today, we have to go back to the beginning. Talk to me about your childhood. You shared something very vulnerable recently about how you grew up as a little girl. Maybe you can share how you think that impacted the woman you are today.

• You help people gain confidence and show up for their lives. What can you share for our listeners who say "I wish I had Donna's confidence. How can I get me some?" What would you say to them? Please share some tips.

• Talk to me about your thoughts on being vulnerable and why that's such an integral part of success. One would think vulnerability is weakness. Talk to me about its strength.

• What have your learned by showing up on Instagram every single day for the past few years. What have you learned about people?

• For our female entrepreneurs or women who have to show up on camera on social media for their businesses, or who even have to public speak as part of their jobs, WHAT ARE YOUR BEST TIPS to present, to be a great speaker and show up as naturally as you do?

• Talk to me work life balance or as I like to call it worklife harmony. How do you make it all happen?

• Let's talk Clubhouse, and let's tell everyone why they should be there!

• When are you at your happiest?

• When are you at your most vulnerable

• What would you tell your younger self?

• What's still on your Bucket List?

• Okay quick

  Coffee or tea.

  Beach or lake

  Netflix or book

  Early bird or night owl.

  Best book you ever read.

  You have to sing a karaoke song, what is it?

Dana Bowling is a business and motivational coach helping women gain confidence, take action, and show up & stand out on Instagram and Clubhouse. As a former Casting Director in LA, Dana has discovered talent for Disney, Nickelodeon, ABC, MTV, FOX and more. A mom to two young energetic boys, she truly understands what it's like to build a business and show up consistently while balancing #momlife. Her energy & vulnerability are contagious and you can always trust Dana to keep things real, making her the best biz bestie you'll ever have. She is the host of the AMP It Up Podcast where she inspires women with tangible, actionable advice on how to show up, stand out, and start their businesses. On Instagram @thisisdanabowling, you can find her coming in hot with Instagram & Reels tips and giving you daily motivation to succeed in both life and business. And when she's not on Instagram, she is moderating on Clubhouse sharing advice and tips.

DanaBowling.com

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Professional Speaker, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Course Creator of Busy To Bliss, Author of the women's entrepreneurial book 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®).

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome back to the Erica Diamond Podcast!

Today I have a very special guest. Someone I actually met on Clubhouse, a new audio social media app I'm enjoying very much. This new app is so intimate, it lets us get so close to someone, that you feel like you're literally sitting next to them.

I stumbled in a room recently on Clubhouse, and there I heard Cheryl Rich. I heard her share her life's story and tears were literally streaming down my face. Cheryl was pregnant at 11 years old. At 18 years old, her only child, Eric, was killed in a car accident. After a treacherous journey through drug addiction, prison and "self-induced-hell," Cheryl rose from the ashes with brutal courage and fierce determination to overcome some of life's most mind-shattering tragedies.

I felt her pain as she spoke, and yet I felt her resilience and her triumph and her power.

I reached out to her and asked her if she would share her story with you-- our beloved listeners. Well, I'm so grateful she said yes.

Enjoy our very candid, and very intimate and raw interview.

• Take me back to your childhood. To understand how far you've come is to share where you began.
• Cheryl, pregnant at 11. I can only imagine the fear in discovering this news.
• Cheryl, can you share with us about your son Eric, who passed away in a car accident?
• How did you find the inner strength to make it through those difficult times of addiction, incarceration, and the loss of Eric?
• What was the mental shift in your mind that had to take place for you to go from victim to thriving survivor.
• Talk to me about the role of forgiveness as part of your recovery.
• Are there teachable moments here, because I imagine there are? If so, what would they be?
• For someone listening going through a very difficult time, what advice or wisdom could you share with them
• Tell me about your book that you're writing.
• What would u tell your younger self?

Cheryl Rich is a reality TV personality and executive producer who principally collaborates with Doug Deluca of Jimmy Kimmel Live. She is also a seasoned public speaker and founder of Self-Acceptance Academy. For over a decade Cheryl has volunteered hundreds of hours with other non-profit organizations. She has been a board member of the Pico Youth & Family Center and was the Director of Community Outreach for AIM4theHeart.

Cheryl is an "Oprah-like" psychologist for those in desperate situations. Pain does not discriminate, therefore whether she is conducting therapy for at-risk youth or white-collar housewives, Cheryl has the uncanny ability to provide much-needed hope to the hopeless. Cheryl has facilitated therapy sessions within churches, foster homes, drug rehabilitation centers, juvenile halls, and prisons.

She was pregnant at 11 years old. At 18 years old, her only child, Eric, was killed in a car accident. After a treacherous journey through drug addiction, incarceration and a "self-made-hell," Cheryl rose from the ashes with brutal courage and fierce determination to overcome some of life's most mind-shattering tragedies.

After many years of self-exploration Cheryl completed a master's degree in clinical psychology from Antioch University. She is a certified Intervention Specialist and licensed Victims Assistant Mediator. Cheryl's nonconventional therapeutic technique literally meets people where they are. Today she relentlessly guides others from mental imprisonment to liberation and from self-hatred to self-love.

A quote by the author Og Mandino has become Cheryl's personal mantra: "I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth, I will apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all. And I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy."

Cheryl Rich

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Professional Speaker, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Course Creator of Busy To Bliss, Author of the women's entrepreneurial book 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business, and Founder & Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®).

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada, FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and a Profit Hot 50 Canadian Company. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome back to the Erica Diamond Podcast. While creating Busy to Bliss, my first online course for busy women to reclaim their time, energy & well-being, I met Mel Vandesluis. We hit it off instantly and I knew I wanted to bring her onto the show to teach us all about upping out branding game, our social media game and our online businesses.

For those that know me, know that entrepreneurship and marketing are my first loves and passions, so I'm excited to have Mel on the show!

Many of my female readers are mompreneurs, entrepreneurs and business owners took their businesses online when COVID arrived last March. We had to learn how to sell our brands in a very crowded space and stand out in new ways order to stay relevant.

On this episode, Mel teaches us how to curate beautiful Instagram feeds, how to grow our following, and then how to monetize our following converting those eyeballs to dollars and those followers into customers.

• How did you get started as a content creator
• What do you love most about your job
• For anyone looking to share their brand or product or service with the world, what are your 3 biggest tips to getting started?
• Let's talk instagram a little. What exactly should we be posting and how frequently should someone be posting.
• Let's talk hashtags. What's the deal there?
• And once we're on Instagram, do we have to dabble in reels, stories, IGTV? It's a lot. What's a must do, what's a nice to do?
• Should you be on all platforms?
• The photos in your feed are gorgeous. What are your three biggest tips for taking great photos on our smartphones
• Best tips for editing our photos so they look as great as yours, and what apps do we need on our phones?
• If you 're looking to monetize your instagram feed, where do you begin? Give us the sparks notes version!
• How do you manage being online for work and unplugging. I imagine it's a delicate dance. mental health piece
• What's next for Mel?

Mel Vandersluis is a content creator and professional travel photographer. She's worked with large companies like American Express, Aeroplan, Fairmont Hotels as well as tourism boards all over the world, and you need only to visit her on Instagram to see her talent, and feel her calming vibes.

Mel Vandersluis Instagram

Teaching women how to prioritize self-care, Erica Diamond is a leading Expert in Lifestyle, Wellness and Empowerment. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga & Meditation Teacher, Erica is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®), Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Host of The Erica Diamond Podcast, Keynote Speaker, Course Creator & Teacher of Busy To Bliss, and Author of the women's entrepreneurial book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business.

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada as well as FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://ericadiamond.mykajabi.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome back to the Erica Diamond Podcast. Between COVID, and creating my new online course Busy To Bliss, it has all has kept me away for far too long.

I'm so happy to be back with you guys!

And as I have come to teach over the years, although prioritizing self-care and health may seem like common sense, it's often the first thing to go when we find ourselves is challenging situations, especially during a pandemic.

That's why I'm so thrilled to have Val Desjardins on today's episode. She's here to inspire us to get ourselves back on our to-do lists and care for our mind, body and soul.

Before we went on lockdown, Val was also one of my coaches at her gym, kicking my ass for 60 hard minutes, which then let me reap the benefits and feel the afterglow of all that hard work.

• Take me back to the beginning. We know you as Pump Fitness MTL, but I feel like I remember night club owner somewhere in your past? Tell us about that, and how you found fitness.
• You're an LGBTQ advocate, married to your amazing wife Jen (also in health and fitness), with your beautiful family and daughter Brooklyn. Talk to me what it was like growing up a gay woman in Montreal. As a society, we weren't nearly as progressive back then as we are today— gay marriage is legal in Quebec and thank goodness for our world finally embracing that love is love.
• Let's get into fitness! I wanna jump right in. First, — your body, your discipline, your regiment. We have to talk about that first. Not your clients' - please tell us about you! Tell me your secret to DISCIPLINE. Because that's the hardest part for most people - it to stay consistent.
• Talk to be about this stat we often hear. It's 80% food and 20% exercise to keep our bodies fit and in shape. Do you really believe this?
• Which leads me to, anyone can work out for an hour. It's the other 23 hours that helps determine success too. Can you speak to that?
• I'm going to ask you especially during COVID when we're at home and not in gyms (depending of course where you live), what 5 quick exercises you would do on a deserted island with no equipment!
• What are 3 things you can't live without.
• What are 3 things we should all give up (I'm expecting soda to be one of them?)
• How have you adapted during COVID? I know you followed the digital trend, but you also have your new space, The Studio MTL, which I can't wait to check out when we can! I know that I miss teaching my yoga students in person so much, it hurts. Zoom doesn't convert for me the way live human interaction does, especially for yoga. How has it been for you?
• How do you feel about cardio vs strength training… what balance is right? Is it ok to just do cardio?
• If someone is listening and they haven't made moving their body a priority, where can they start? How do they ease into a life of health and wellbeing?
• What do you do to relax?
• When are you at your happiest?
• When are you at your most vulnerable
• What would you tell your younger self?
• Favorite book or podcast? What are you reading and listening to these days?
• And finally, I ask this one a lot: What's still on your bucket list?

Val Desjardins, also known as PUMP Fitness MTL, has devoted the bulk of her career to both creating and embracing an all-encompassing wellness approach. Her 20 years of experience as an athlete, coach, and entrepreneur have greatly contributed to the success of her own brand and to the launch of both her physical and digital spaces in the wellness industry. She is the owner of The Studio MTL, located in Westmount, QC, and, over the last year, she has also launched her own platform, the PUMP Digital Studio. Val's distinctive PUMP training method, which combines individualized cardio, resistance work and mat pilates, has become infamous and has attracted clients that include celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Michelle Pfeiffer and Coeur de Pirate. Ultimately, her approach is about empowering people to embrace a mindful lifestyle which she firmly believes is the path to wellness on all levels.

PUMP FITNESS DIGITAL STUDIO

PUMP Fitness MTL

Teaching Empowered Living, Erica Diamond is a leading Women's Expert in Lifestyle, Wellness and Empowerment. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, Erica is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Women's Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®), Weekly Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker, Spokesperson, and Author of the women's entrepreneurial book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business. Erica founded the Global Get Off The Fence Movement inspiring people worldwide to get off the fence, get unstuck and thrive, and launched The Erica Diamond Podcast in summer 2019 to spotlight trailblazers and change makers around the world.

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada as well as FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and FORBES 25 Most Influential Women In Entrepreneurship on Twitter. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Welcome to the Erica Diamond Podcast. Today we have a special guest, one could say, is the definition of trauma and triumph. Strength and resilience. Loss and healing.

Marci Warhaft is a recognized expert on body image and self-esteem, and founder of The Fit vs Fiction body image workshops. She is a regular contributor to Optimyz Fitness magazine. One of Canada's Top 100 influencers for 2018, 2019 and 2020, she has appeared on numerous television and radio programs across North America. Marci is the author of the newly released, "The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom's Memoir of Lies, Loss and Lap Dances" and "The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents".

Let me start by saying, both of us Montrealers, I know Marci as the author of a blog post on WomenOnTheFence.com seven years ago on body image and her struggles with her eating disorder. She inspired our audience with her healing and self-acceptance.

But I did not know her full story arc. Nor did most.

It wasn't the life Marci Warhaft envisioned for herself. A good student who had been accepted into a prestigious theatre school, a doting mother with two young sons, and there she was taking it all off in front of paying customers to "Bootylicious" by Destiny's Child. The Good Stripper is an eye-popping journey: Warhaft reveals the punishing circumstances and self-destructive behaviors that shaped her early adulthood, including a bank-robbing stepfather, the loss of her beloved brother, eating disorders, and sexual misadventures with a manipulative husband. She describes, in honest, raw, and intimate detail, her struggles to recognize what was happening to her, and her sometimes misguided fight to regain control of her destiny. Above all, it is the story of how one woman, after years of living a double life, packing school lunches by day and giving lapdances by night, finally became the inspirational leader she was.

• Tell me why you wanted to tell this story. Why now?
• You describe your marriage as almost dysfunctional in the book. What role did your husband play in both your struggles, and your growth and evolution?
• What was the mental shift in your mind that had to take place for you to take to a stage with strangers watching, and take your clothes off. What was going on in your mind that made you feel that stripping would fill a void or a need?
• When you were Cassidy, how did that make you feel?
• Did you not feel like you could live out Cassidy in a safer expression? What need was being fulfilled by you choosing Cassidy?
• In your book, you talk about evenings in the gym working out, away from your kids in order to keep your body fit for work, all the while fueling your eating disorder. What was that time like for you?
• Were you able to compartmentalize your roles, meaning Cassidy had her place in your life, and then when you got home, soccer mom and wife was in the house. How did you manage those dual roles? I Can't imagine that was easy.
• What was your aha moment that made you stop dancing?
• Are there teachable moments here for your readers? If so, what are they?
• For anyone who may be struggling with forgiving themselves for the mistakes they made when they were just doing their best to survive, what would you say to them?
• Talk to me about the role of forgiveness as part of your recovery
• At what point did you feel the shift from survivor to thriver
• What would you say to your younger self today, after all your life lessons learned and so much wisdom.
• What have you learned in your journey. What has been life's greatest lesson to you? IF TIME

Marci Warhaft is a recognized expert on body image and self-esteem, and founder of The Fit vs Fiction body image workshops. She is a regular contributor to Optimyz Fitness magazine. One of Canada's Top 100 influencers for 2018, 2019 and 2020, she has appeared on numerous television and radio programs across North America. Marci is the author of, "The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom's Memoir of Lies, Loss and Lap Dances" and "The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents".

The Good Stripper: A Soccer Mom's Memoir of Lies, Loss and Lap Dances

The Body Image Survival Guide for Parents

Fit vs. Fiction

Teaching Empowered Living, Erica Diamond is a leading Women's Expert in Lifestyle, Wellness and Empowerment. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, Erica is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Women's Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®), Weekly Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker, Spokesperson, and Author of the women's entrepreneurial book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business. Erica founded the Global Get Off The Fence Movement inspiring people worldwide to get off the fence, get unstuck and thrive, and launched The Erica Diamond Podcast in summer 2019 to spotlight trailblazers and change makers around the world.

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada as well as FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and FORBES 25 Most Influential Women In Entrepreneurship on Twitter. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

We are living through difficult times. Man, I don't like saying that over and over! As we are in a 28-Day lockdown in my city, Montreal, there is definitely an aura of tension in the air.

If you remember, we spoke to Matthew this summer to bring a little lightness to our show. We spoke summer beauty and skin wellness tips, and I promised you I would follow up in the fall as our skin gets dryer, our creams get heavier, and our makeup gets darker.

Today I'm thrilled to have Matthew back on the show speak to us about fall beauty, beauty trends, and what are the musts for this fall. Matthew Richard is a makeup artist and Influencer Relations lead for MAKE UP FOR EVER. He is obsessed with helping women look and feel their best.

Matthew's personality is you remember is electric, and I know you're going to love him as much as I do.

• Matthew, it's so great to follow up since our first interview! We did summer beauty and tips when we were swimming outdoors, and as we head into fall and the weather gets cooler, it's the perfect time to talk again. Fall is about shedding, letting go, and making room for rebirth and renewal. I love fall. Talk to me about what the season of fall means to you.
• Let's dive into makeup, because this podcast is meant to be fun and informative for my women. You actually taught me the history of makeup and lipstick a few weeks ago, and things like color theory. It was fascinating! Things like, why are we drawn to a red lip? Tell our listeners some of the origin of makeup.
• Speaking of lipstick, I know MF has a new lipstick, Rouge Artist. As a RELIGIOUS wearer of Makeup Forever daily for 8 years, I'm obsessed with this new lipstick. Some love matte lipstick, but I love a creamy, non-drying moisturizing lipstick that stays on. I'm loving the colors this fall too. Can you tell me about Rouge Artiste and the new campaign?
• Fall is here! We talked summer skin, so we need to chat fall skin. How can we care for our skin during the fall - skin is dryer. Do we now need heavier night creams, serums, anything thicker heading into winter? How can we care for our skin during the fall? Really, in a nutshell, how can we ADAPT our skincare routine now?
• Matthew, what are some fall makeup and beauty trends we are seeing? I read that FLOATING OVER LINER on our eyes is now a trend? You know, like eye liner above the creases of our eyes! I don't think I could do it! I also read that the dewy look is still in, but not as shiny, almost like a tamer dewy look! What will we see in beauty and makeup trends this fall?
• What are 3-5 makeup or beauty essentials we need for fall. I imagine a darker lipstick, great mascara and a good bronzer?
• Once we're talking fall, can we talk quickly how to prevent those lines from undereye concealer? You know, as we hit our thirties, the concealer starts to crease in our eyes. YUCK! Please tell us how to apply proper smooth foundation on our face and under our eyes. I'm obsessed with MF Reboot by the way. It looks like I'm wearing nothing, my skin looks great and dewy and hydrated and clear when I wear it. Any tips to apply natural looking foundation and concealer?
• And more!

Matthew Richard is a makeup artist and Influencer Relations lead for MAKE UP FOR EVER. He is obsessed with helping women look and feel their best.

MakeUpForever.com

Make Up Forever Rouge Artist

LIPBRUSH INSPIRATION | LIPSTICK REVOLUTION

The Make Up Forever pros have developed their ideal lipstick combining the color intensity of a matte with the luminosity of a creamy hydrating lipstick. The best of both a satin and matte formula in one lipstick, for an ultimate color impact and beautiful lips.

Teaching Empowered Living, Erica Diamond is a leading Expert in Lifestyle, Wellness and Empowerment. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, Erica is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®), Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker, Spokesperson, and Author of the women's entrepreneurial book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business. Erica founded the Global Get Off The Fence Movement inspiring people worldwide to get off the fence, get unstuck and thrive, and launched The Erica Diamond Podcast in summer 2019 to spotlight trailblazers and change makers around the world.

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada as well as FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and FORBES 25 Most Influential Women In Entrepreneurship on Twitter. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her at EricaDiamond.com!

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

http://eepurl.com/hdfq65

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!

This episode is sponsored by

Welcome back to the Erica Diamond podcast. When I think of today's guest, I think of the tune, "We are family, I got all my sisters with me!" Our guest today is very special and dear to me. She is my sister-in-law, Dr. Stephanie Diamond. I just might be a little biased when I say she's smart, lovely, kind, caring and is a true expert in her field. But I know that after you listen to our interview, you will agree.

Welcome my sister-in-law to the show, AKA Dr. Diamond!

• Tell us exactly, what IS eating disorder, can you define it for us

• Take us back to high school and then college, when did you realize this was the field you wanted to study?

• You are now in outpatient private practice, and before that, you were the director of the Oliver Pyatt Center for eating disorders. Talk to me about both jobs, very contrasting I imagine, and do you miss being in a center with the patients, or do you enjoy being on your own? I imagine COVID has changed a lot for the patients themselves in how they struggle. Maybe you can touch on that as well.

• f we are concerned that either we or someone we love might be suffering with an ED, what are some red flags that suggest a possible eating disorder?

• I have heard of all different categories of new disorders when it comes to eating, like Orthorexia and other terms. Talk to us about these new disorders and when it becomes more than just food.

• You have helped us identify the signs and red flags, and if we spot those signs, what are the next steps we should follow? Let's talk about ourselves first, and we'll get to our children.

• And if we see these signs in our children. What should we do next?

• Genetic component or not? Are eating disorders a result of biochemistry or environment?

• Let's talk about some warning signs of when to know that someone we love is teetering on an unhealthy relationship with food

• I know it's a long road and journey, but how can we start to work towards a healthy relationship with food if we're not already there?

• You have two daughters. What is your vision to help them develop healthy eating habits and a love and passion for food. Because for me, food is love and passion. For me food is not to be feared, it is to be loved.

• What gets you out of bed in the morning?

• What are you reading now?

• When are you at your happiest?

• What is something loving we can say to ourselves or our children that breeds positivity and compassion in our daily lives.

• And more!

Dr. Stephanie Diamond is a Miami-based psychologist in private practice. For over 18 years, Dr Diamond has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders at all levels of care, helping hundreds recover from eating disorders and other complex psychiatric illness.

Dr. Diamond has presented nationally on the topic of self-compassion, and on a myriad of themes related to the treatment of eating disorders. She is known for her mentoring and supervision of other professionals, her direct, yet warm, therapeutic style, and her capacity to engage patients with their deeper work.

MiamiModernCounseling.com

Oliver Pyatt Center

Teaching Empowered Living, Erica Diamond is a leading Women's Expert in Lifestyle, Wellness and Empowerment. A Certified Life Coach and Certified Yoga Instructor, Erica is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Award-Winning Women's Lifestyle Platform EricaDiamond.com® (previously WomenOnTheFence.com®), Weekly Lifestyle and Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, Award-Winning Entrepreneur, Keynote Speaker, Spokesperson, and Author of the women's entrepreneurial book, 99 Things Women Wish They Knew Before Starting Their Own Business. Erica founded the Global Get Off The Fence Movement inspiring people worldwide to get off the fence, get unstuck and thrive, and launched The Erica Diamond Podcast in summer 2019 to spotlight trailblazers and change makers around the world.

Erica Diamond has been named to the coveted list of The Top 20 Women in Canada as well as FORBES Magazine's Top 100 Sites for Women and FORBES 25 Most Influential Women In Entrepreneurship on Twitter. Erica Diamond was the Spokesperson for National Entrepreneurship Day and is a Huffington Post contributor.

To learn more about Erica Diamond, visit her website EricaDiamond.com

Don't forget to SIGN UP for Erica's newsletter and tips:

https://wellness.ericadiamond.com/subscribe

If you liked this, then listen to the podcast episode for even more. And don't forget to subscribe to the show!