In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with longtime Bikram Yoga practitioner, teacher, and yoga asana world champion Esak Garcia to explore the deeper meaning behind the practice and why so many people turn to the hot room not just for physical fitness, but for healing, mental clarity, discipline, and self-awareness.

I share how I first discovered Bikram Yoga in 2011 while navigating anxiety and panic attacks during my PhD program, and how the practice eventually became an essential part of my life as an entrepreneur, athlete, mother, and educator.

Together, they discuss:

Esak also shares insights into:

Key Takeaways

Books Mentioned

Connect with Esak Garcia

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, host I sit down with Ashley Gould, founder of The Dew Generation, a skincare brand created specifically for tweens.

Ashley shares how her experience as a master esthetician and mom led her to develop gentle, age-appropriate skincare products that prioritize skin health over trends. Together, they discuss the dangers of adult skincare products being marketed to young audiences, the importance of education for both parents and kids, and how brands can truly serve their customers with intention and integrity.

What You’ll Learn:

Key Takeaways:

Connect with Ashley Gould:

Instagram: @thedewgeneration

Connect with Boryana:

Instagram: @blackseaams

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What if the best real estate advice you could get… is not to buy?

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with real estate expert and longtime friend Ani Golovko to break down what most buyers and sellers aren’t being told.

From navigating high interest rates to understanding your true financial options, this conversation goes far beyond the typical “buy vs. sell” advice.

Ani shares how her background in economic consulting and her personal experience as an immigrant and entrepreneur shaped her unique, client-first approach to real estate.

Whether you're thinking about buying, selling, or simply planning ahead, this episode will help you make smarter, more aligned decisions.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ How to approach buying a home in today’s high interest rate market

Key Insights

Real estate is more than a transaction, it’s a strategy.

There is no one-size-fits-all mortgage.

You may not need to sell your current home.

Clarity creates confidence.

Real Talk: What Most Realtors Won’t Tell You

Standout Moment

Ani shares how she sold a home in just 11 days in a market where the average was over 100 days by focusing on strategy, preparation, and buyer psychology rather than shortcuts.

Memorable Quotes

“Clarity is what drives decision-making.”

“For every situation, there’s a financial product—you just have to find the right fit.”

“Sometimes the best advice is: don’t buy.”

About the Guest

Ani Golovko is a real estate professional based in the San Francisco Bay Area, specializing in the East Bay. With a background in economics and financial consulting, she helps clients navigate real estate decisions with a strategic, education-first approach.

Connect with Ani

Instagram: @ani.golovko

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In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Elizabeth Brunner, founder of Stereotype Kids, a purpose-driven children’s clothing brand challenging gender norms and promoting authenticity.

Inspired by her twins, Elizabeth created a brand that empowers kids to express themselves freely while also prioritizing sustainability, quality, and inclusivity. From launching during the pandemic to building a movement (not just a brand), this conversation dives into entrepreneurship, conscious marketing, and redefining what it means to grow organically.

What You’ll Learn:

Key Takeaways:

Resources & Mentions:

 Connect with Elizabeth

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with Samantha Gold, founder of Motette and Atlas Row, to unpack what it really takes to launch and scale a successful product-based business as a mom.

From leaving a corporate career to building a fast-growing bamboo sleepwear brand, Samantha shares how she leveraged community, AI, and fearless execution to grow quickly, while keeping her operating costs incredibly low.

If you’re a wellness entrepreneur or aspiring founder, this episode is packed with actionable insights on marketing, sales, pricing, and mindset.

✨ What You’ll Learn:

💡 Key Takeaways:

🛠️ Tools Mentioned:

Favorite Quote:

“Your skills are completely transferable. You are more capable than you think.”

🎧 Who This Episode Is For:

Connect with Samantha

IG: @shopmotette

Website: https://www.theatlasrow.com/

If you’ve ever wondered how to stand out in the crowded food and wellness space, this episode is for you.

I sat down with Dean D’Angelo, founder of Horseman Wellness Club in Philadelphia, a one-of-a-kind concept where everything is grass-fed, thoughtfully sourced, and cooked with intention.

What started as simple meal prep for athletes turned into a thriving business rooted in quality, community, and purpose.

Dean shares his unconventional journey-from working in restaurants and funeral homes to building a brand trusted by athletes, fighters, and health-conscious customers.

This conversation goes beyond food. It’s about discipline, relationships, and creating something meaningful in your community.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Key Takeaways:

Connect with Dean:

📍Meal prep also available at The Bunker Fitness Center, 2 S Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ 08012

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In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with entrepreneur and community builder Suzette Melendez, founder of Suzette LC and a key member of the team behind Alchemize Fightwear.

Suzette shares how her journey from office management to community building, operations, and event planning led her to develop a passion for helping small businesses grow through strategic organization, authentic relationships, and strong communities.

The conversation explores what small businesses often miss when it comes to marketing strategy, why community is at the heart of every successful brand, and how entrepreneurs can build systems that support sustainable growth.

Suzette Melendez is the founder of Suzette LC, where she helps small businesses improve operations through:

Strategic organization

Standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Community management

Event planning

She also plays an important role in building community for Alchemize Fightwear, supporting women athletes in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community through events, partnerships, and relationship-driven brand building.Key Topics Discussed

Suzette began working as an assistant and office manager before gradually expanding her role into customer service, fulfillment, event planning, and athlete relations. Her curiosity and willingness to learn every part of the business helped her develop deep operational knowledge.

SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedures—step-by-step processes that help businesses operate efficiently.

Suzette explains that many small businesses struggle because they skip structure and strategy, which makes it difficult to scale.

One of Suzette’s biggest beliefs is that every business should stay rooted in its community.

Instead of focusing only on transactions, businesses should:

Build relationships with customers

Understand their audience deeply

Communicate their mission clearly

Create meaningful experiences

Suzette approaches athlete partnerships by prioritizing real relationships over transactional sponsorships.

Her philosophy:

Start with genuine conversations

Focus on long-term relationships

Support people beyond the product

This approach has helped create strong connections within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.

The episode also touches on the experience of women training in a male-dominated sport.

Through events and community initiatives with Alchemize Fightwear, Suzette helps create spaces where women can:

Train confidently

Build friendships

Support one another

Through Suzette LC, Suzette also offers small wedding coordination services, helping couples who plan their weddings themselves.

Her approach focuses on:

Organizing vendor communication

Managing timelines

Overseeing setup and logistics

Ensuring the couple can simply enjoy their day

1. Passion matters.

2. Community builds brands.

3. Strategy is essential.

4. Listen to your customers.

5. Relationships beat transactions.

Instagram: @the_slc_method

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Yoana Vasileva to talk about what it really takes to pivot careers, especially when you’ve invested years into a “safe” and prestigious profession.

Yoana shares her journey from tax accountant and CPA to boutique photographer, and the mindset shifts, business strategy, and pricing confidence required to build a creative business the right way.

This episode is a must-listen for wellness entrepreneurs who:

Feel called toward something more creative

Struggle with pricing their services confidently

Want to build a business that supports their lifestyle — not consumes it

Why walking away from a hard-earned certification felt “irresponsible”

The emotional weight of investing years into one path

How long it really takes to feel ready for change

Why it’s okay to evolve

Testing different creative ideas before landing on photography

Why enjoyment matters, especially when business gets hard

Turning a hobby into a legitimate business

Why $100 mini sessions aren’t sustainable

The hidden costs of running a photography business

Editing time, equipment, taxes, education

Calculating your Cost of Doing Business

Pricing for your ideal client, not for everyone

Working with fewer clients at higher quality

Delivering a white-glove experience

Avoiding burnout

Designing a business around your life (not the other way around)

Making photoshoots fun for kids (yes, even with fart sound buttons!)

Creating emotional value, not just pretty pictures

Why people invest in memories, not just images

✔️ You are allowed to change paths, even after years of investment.

Website: https://www.yoanavasilevaphotography.com/

Instagram: @yoanavasilevaphotography

Facebook: Yoana Vasileva Photography

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In this episode of the Wellness Marketing 101 Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Britt Parvis, an ophthalmologist, retina specialist, and founder of Dr. Bright Eyes, to talk about something most of us have never considered:

👉 Eye health is not just about your eyes.

Dr. Britt shares her journey from traditional, system-based medicine to a holistic, root-cause approach to eye and overall health. We talk about:

If you’ve ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling rushed, dismissed, or without real answers, this episode will resonate deeply.

Key Takeaways

✨ Your eyes can reflect systemic health issues.

About Dr. Britt Parvis

Dr. Britt Parvis is a fellowship-trained ophthalmologist and retina specialist who transitioned from managed care to creating her own holistic practice, Dr. Bright Eyes. She integrates ophthalmology, nutrition science, hormone optimization, and aesthetic treatments to support whole-body wellness.

📍 Based in NJ

Facebook: Dr. Bright Eyes

In this episode of Wellness Marketing 101, I sit down with business strategist Joanna Sapir to talk about one of the biggest challenges in the health and wellness industry: burnout. Joanna shares her journey from high school teacher to gym owner to business coach for holistic practitioners and explains why so many talented wellness professionals struggle financially despite delivering incredible results for their clients.

Together, they unpack why session-by-session models don’t serve clients or practitioners, how “hope-and-wish” marketing hurts yoga studios and wellness businesses, and what it really means to serve clients more powerfully through structured programs, intentional sales conversations, and long-term transformation.

If you’re a holistic practitioner, yoga studio owner, or wellness entrepreneur who wants a business that supports your life, not drains it, this episode is a must-listen.

Why many wellness businesses burn out even with loyal clients

The difference between marketing and sales (and why both matter)

Why discounts and free trials don’t convert without a sales process

How session-by-session services limit client results

What it means to “serve clients more powerfully”

How structured programs create better outcomes and more income

Why listening, not pushing, is the foundation of effective selling

How to pre-qualify clients so you work with the right people

“Busy is not a badge of honor.”

“Selling is really about listening.”

“You’re not selling sessions, you’re guiding transformation.”

“Hope is not a marketing strategy.”

Joanna Sapir’s Website: https://joannasapir.com/

Free Resource for Listeners: https://joannasapir.com/lp/systems/

Instagram: @BlackSeaAMS

Website: https://www.blackseaams.com/

If this episode has brought you any value, insight, or even just a moment of inspiration, I’d be so grateful if you could take a minute to leave a review. Your feedback not only helps others find the show but also keeps me motivated to keep creating. Thank you!