Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous and epically talented Alyssa Kyria, aka The Funny Mummy!
In this episode of The Yes SHE Can Project, I’m chatting to actress, comedian and all round brilliant human Alyssa Kyria about her journey through comedy, confidence and motherhood, and honestly, this conversation is packed with laughs, vulnerability and those “oh my god, YES” moments so many of us feel but don’t always say out loud.
Alyssa takes us right back to the beginning of her career, sharing how she first found her way into comedy through character work. She talks openly about why hiding behind a character felt safer, like wearing a mask that allowed her to be braver, bolder and more outrageous on stage.
We talk about what happens when the thing that once felt empowering no longer feels aligned, and how scary it can be to step away from what’s “worked” and into something far more vulnerable. Next, to the beginnings of Bring Your Own Baby Comedy, which Alyssa co-founded to create a space where mums actually go out, laugh and feel seen, babies and all.
Alyssa shares what it was really like deciding to step on stage as herself for the first time, no character, no mask, just her own stories. The nerves, the self-doubt, the questions of how much do I share? and will anyone find this funny? and then the magic that happens when you realise the audience is laughing because they’ve lived it too.
We talk about motherhood pressure, the avalanche of advice new mums are hit with from every angle. NCT groups, midwives, books, social media, well-meaning strangers… all telling you the “right” way to feed, sleep, soothe and parent your baby. Alyssa shares the moment she realised that trying to follow everyone else’s rules was costing her mental health, and how learning to do things her way changed everything for her and her baby.
We also touch on the extra layer of pressure modern mums face thanks to social media. The spotless white kitchens, the “glam” babies, the idea that you should be skipping around the park with a flat stomach and endless energy. We laugh (because honestly, who is keeping a white kitchen or clothes clean with a baby?!) but we also talk seriously about the damage these comparisons can do. Body image comes up too, and Alyssa shares a really powerful reframe around the idea of “getting your body back” after having a baby. Instead of chasing a pre-baby version of herself, she talks about focusing on strength, confidence and acceptance, and allowing her body to be different without it being something that needs fixing.
One of my favourite parts of our conversation is when Alyssa talks about belonging. She shares a moment on tour, freezing dressing rooms, no privacy, all the nerves, and then walking out on stage to a room full of excited mums and realising, this is it… this is exactly where she was meant to be. We talk about how powerful it is to find the people you’re meant to serve and to stand fully in that space. And let's not forget her viral videos too!
Of course, we don’t shy away from the hard bits either. Alyssa is refreshingly honest about the brutality of comedy, especially at Edinburgh. Sparse audiences, the wrong audiences, moments where jokes die painful deaths, and the emotional toll that can take. She shares how tough it was, how long it took to rebuild her confidence, and why she’s still so proud she kept going.
This episode is about so much more than comedy. It’s about finding your voice, trusting your instincts, letting go of perfection, and being brave enough to show up as yourself, even when that feels uncomfortable. It’s funny, raw, reassuring and deeply human, and if you’ve ever felt pressure to be someone you’re not, especially in motherhood or business, I know this conversation will land with you.
Pop the kettle on, get comfy, and come and join us, I promise you’ll feel seen, I know I certainly did!
Check out Alyssa on Instagram @thefunnymummyuk or www.alyssakyria.com
