In today’s episode, we explore how to balance your energy and manage emotions like stress 🧘 We also dive into the fascinating world of chakras, the energy centers in your body that influence your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Learn about the seven main chakras: ❤️ Root Chakra: Your foundation and sense of security. Blocked by fear. 🧡 Sacral Chakra: Creativity, pleasure, and emotional balance. Blocked by guilt. 💛 Solar Plexus Chakra: Confidence, willpower, and self-esteem. Blocked by shame. 💚 Heart Chakra: Love, compassion, and relationships. Blocked by grief. 🩵 Throat Chakra: Communication and self-expression. Blocked by lies. 💙 Third Eye Chakra (Indigo): Intuition, wisdom, and inner vision. Blocked by illusion. 💜 Crown Chakra (Violet): Spirituality and connection to the universe. Blocked by ego. We also touch on the healing practice of Reiki, as well as the power of manifestation to help you magnetize your energy. This episode is all about understanding and aligning your energy for a more balanced life. Here are the links to the videos mentioned in this episode for further exploration and insights: ✨Chakras and the Nervous System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeLDfuYhKEI ✨The Power of the Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIH2kGolxgk&t=1895s ✨Quick and Easy Meditation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd_4LmBZrVM&t=19s

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(00:00) Intro

(01:32) Instagram polls

(05:00) Managing stress and alone time

(09:38) Feng Shui and energy flow

(12:22) Introducing Reiki and Chakras

(17:02) Alexa's Reiki experience

(22:14) Chakras and frequencies

(23:28) Root Chakra

(25:17) Sacral Chakra

(27:33) Solar Plexus

(28:32) Heart Chakra

(30:10) The heart and quick meditation

(36:42) Throat Chakra

(38:50) Third Eye and Crown Chakra

(40:28) Chakra alignments and connections

(43:00) Magnetize your energy and manifest

(44:59) Placebo effect

(47:07) Outro

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In today’s episode, Andrea opens up about her journey with bloating and SIBO, a complex digestive condition that has impacted her well-being. She shares her thoughts on what she believes caused her symptoms, along with the range of treatments she’s explored, highlighting what made a difference and what fell short.

Here are some key protocols Andrea tried:

💛 Carrot Juice Cleanse (Dr. Ludwig Johnson): This cleanse, specifically designed for SIBO, played a role in Andrea’s journey. (https://viveprimal.com/en/protocols/sibo-en/)

💛 Digestive Bitters Before Every Meal: These bitters helped stimulate digestion and ease symptoms. (https://amzn.to/48MziCV)

💛 Digestive Enzymes before every meal: Andrea found these enzymes beneficial in breaking down foods and reducing discomfort. (https://amzn.to/3O4LLZ9)

We wrap up the episode with Andrea’s key takeaways and tips she would recommend to anyone struggling with similar digestive issues. Tune in for her insights on finding relief and practical tips for better gut health!

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(00:00) Intro

(01:38) Beginnings of bloating & changes in diet

(08:04) Alexa's experience on a vegan diet

(09:07) Blood types and diet relationship

(09:44) Counting macros on a vegetarian diet

(10:54) When it all started

(12:31) Bloating symptoms & Doctor's appointments

(16:53) What is SIBO?

(18:08) SIBO testing

(19:20) Positive SIBO results & treatment

(21:05) Hypnotherapy for SIBO

(26:15) Supplements

(29:13) Change in diet

(30:00) Juice Cleanse 5X5

(34:22) Acupuncture

(38:08) Inflammatory foods

(39:40) Key takeaways

(42:26) Outro

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In today’s episode, we’re getting real about setting healthy boundaries and clearing limiting beliefs! ✨🌱 We dive into your poll responses, sharing our own struggles with boundary-setting and the steps we’re taking to improve. We discuss why being a people-pleaser doesn’t serve you—or anyone around you—and explore practical actions that can help YOU embrace YOUR LIGHT!

Alexa also shares her experience completing the Boundaries and Limiting Beliefs chapters in the "Duality" program with Jeffrey Allen on Mindvalley and shares the powerful shifts she felt after. We hope this conversation inspires you to take those first steps towards a more confident and authentic you!

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(00:00) Intro

(01:11) Instagram poll

(04:28) How journaling helps with boundaries

(05:36) How I (Alexa) gained confidence

(06:24) Setting boundaries at work

(08:50) Radiate confidence and authenticity

(13:35) Meditate to set boundaries and clear beliefs

(19:40) How we started setting boundaries

(22:51) Your environment shapes your self-talk

(24:44) "Inside Out 2" movie analogy

(27:06) Find your salt!

(29:55) How I (Andrea) started taking responsibility

(31:57) Tips to build confidence in setting boundaries

(35:47) Difference between being selfish and setting boundaries

(36:52) Big picture

(38:23) Outro

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In this episode, we dive deep into our personal journeys with menstrual cycles and the ways we’ve come to understand our bodies over time. Growing up, we thought our symptoms were just a normal part of life, heavily influenced by societal norms. We discuss our experiences starting birth control pills during puberty—the different ways they affected us, how long we stayed on them, and what it was like to finally come off.

Join us as we reflect on the unique journey of each individual when it comes to menstruation, and how important it is to recognize and validate our own experiences. Whether you're navigating your cycle, considering birth control options, or simply seeking to understand your body better, this episode is for you!

✨ Must-read books ✨

💛 "The Fifth Vital Sign" by Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: explores the intricacies of menstrual health and the impact of hormonal contraceptives on our bodies: https://amzn.to/4e0ga5v

💛 "Real Food for Fertility" by Lily Nichol and Lisa Hendrickson-Jack: emphasizes the connection between nutrition and reproductive health: https://amzn.to/4edMCBH

✨ Additional references ✨

💛 "The Better Period Food Solution: Eat Your Way to a Lifetime of Healthier Cycles" by Tracy Lockwood Beckerman: https://amzn.to/3UfIZnC

💛 ”Birth Control’s Impact on Your Brain with Sarah Hill, PhD” by WhealthCo Podcast

💛 ”This Is Your Brain on Birth Control” by Sarah E. Hill: https://amzn.to/4fcO7Rp

✨ Helpful apps to track our cycles ✨

💛 Clover app

💛 Natural Cycles app

💛 Oura Ring

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(00:00) Intro

(00:39) Instagram poll

(03:11) Must-read books and article

(07:11) Unpacking our menstrual journeys

(11:56) Our stories with birth control and acne

(22:51) Taking care and connecting

(27:29) Living in a masculine world

(29:22) Managing acne off the pill

(32:15) The shocking effects of the pill

(39:30) Natural menstrual cycles + Apps

(45:08) Outro

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In today's episode, we dive deep into our personal journey with meditation! 🧘‍♀️✨ We share why we started meditating, how we got into it, and the types of meditation that have worked best for us—whether guided or not.

We also talk about the apps and courses that helped us start our meditation practice: Headspace, Insight Timer, and the Jeffrey Allen course on Mindvalley. These tools have been instrumental in helping us build a consistent and meaningful practice.

Meditation has been a powerful way to connect with our thoughts and emotions. It’s a constant practice that helps us stay grounded and mindful throughout the day.

We hope to encourage you to slow down, embrace the present moment, and try meditation for yourself. It's a gradual process, but over time, it can bring so much clarity and peace to your life.

Tune in and join us as we explore the calming and transformative effects of meditation! 🙏

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(00:00) Intro

(00:29) Instagram poll

(00:50) Our mediation routine

(03:48) Scheduling time for meditation

(05:18) Connecting with your inner voice

(06:20) How I meditate (Andrea) + Apps

(12:24) How I meditate (Alexa) + Mindvalley

(15:37) Why should I meditate?

(17:44) Remembering to be present

(22:21) Dealing with work stress

(25:17) How I meditate (Alexa)

(26:48) Tips to clear your mind and get into meditation

(33:18) Identifying stress in your body

(36:37) The computer analogy

(38:09) Outro

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Welcome to the very first episode of As You Are! We are Alexa and Andrea, two friends who met through work and connected over long lunch conversations. Join us as we dive into the origins of our podcast!

In this episode, we share how our passion for wellness, health, fitness, and mindfulness inspired us to start recording our chats. We'll discuss how we met, the incredible conversations that sparked this experience, and the personal project of designing our own set. Plus, stay tuned for a special bonus at the end!

Whether you’re looking for inspiration or just curious about our story, we can’t wait to share it with you. Tune in and embrace the conversation—just as you are!

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(00:00) Intro

(00:50) Figuring out the intro

(03:01) Setting up the podcast

(05:07) Exposing our process

(07:35) Social media engagement

(14:36) How we met

(22:02) Why we decided to do a podcast

(26:24) Designing the set and building the brand

(34:24) Topics we want to talk about

(40:35) Bonus: Questions

(53:24) Outro

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