Love Your Body Now
Love Your Body Now
How To Overcome External Validation & Find Self-Acceptance with Audrey Rose
Join us as we welcome Audrey Rose, the exceptional founder of Hello Audrey Rose, who is dedicated to empowering women to discover their authentic selves and break free from societal confines. Together, we explore Audrey's multifaceted roles as a published author, podcast host, community leader, retreat host, and sound bath healer. Through her inspiring journey and mission, we uncover the profound themes of self-love, redefining self-worth, and the essential practice of reconnecting with our true selves. Audrey’s story is a testament to the power of living passionately and authentically.
We also dive into the critical importance of nurturing self-worth from a young age. Reflecting on childhood experiences of feeling like an outsider, we discuss the hidden struggles of youth self-esteem. From heartfelt personal stories to practical tips on embracing vulnerability and authenticity, this episode is packed with insights aimed at breaking the cycle of self-doubt. With gratitude to our listeners, we conclude with a call to action: let’s continue spreading the empowering message of self-worth and confidence, helping more women recognize their inherent value and embark on their journeys of self-discovery and acceptance.
Connect with Audrey on IG --> @helloaudreyrose
Her podcast: Ready To Rise
Website: helloaudreyrose.com
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If you have been following the podcast for a while now and you are loving the Love your Body Now brand and the entire mission that it represents, then you should definitely go check out our Love your Body Now apparel line self-love. And we don't just have t-shirts, but we have sweatshirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, key chains, and we are always launching new products to give more women the opportunity to represent the message behind the Love your Body Now brand. And we have even recently added in a couple of youth girl options for your daughters, little sisters, nieces, whoever you have in your life. So I definitely recommend checking that out if you are behind this mission and want to spread it and represent for others to see. And I will also suggest joining our text list because we send out uplifting body positivity messages, self-love messages, and we also send updates for new product launches. And if you join the text list, you do often get a special discount code for new launches for being a part of our VIP text list. So you can text join to 1-844-311-3767. Or if you go onto our website, loveyourbodynoworg, the link to join our text list will pop up and it'll also give you a 15% off discount code when you join. So totally recommend joining that and just being more involved in our community and our mission and staying up to date. And, of course, everything is linked in the show notes, so be sure to check that out. And, of course, thank you so much for being a part of this community and supporting the Love your Body Now podcast.
Speaker 1:Today on the podcast, we did things a little bit differently. I had a guest her name is Audrey Rose, but we both recorded because she also has a podcast and we wanted to do this recording a little bit differently than a typical guest recording. So think of this more as a chat where we were talking about different topics when it comes to self-love, and just to give you a little bit of context about Audrey she is the inspiring founder of Hello Audrey Rose, a movement dedicated to empowering women to rediscover themselves and create a life that they are truly obsessed with. With a mission to help women break through societal expectations and uncover the layers of limiting beliefs that they've built up. Audrey's work is all about guiding women to reconnect with their authentic selves and live a life that feels genuinely theirs. Not only is she a published author, but she's also the host of a global top 1.5% podcast called Ready to Rise, a self-love virtual community leader, retreat host and sound bath healer.
Speaker 1:So Audrey Rose, her whole mission and message is obviously very aligned to what we talk about here on the podcast, which is all about finding your worth beyond physical image. And she is all about finding your worth and how can we let go of societal expectations and not allow that to hold what we view as our own value. So we were super excited to collaborate and do a podcast together, and we also have potentially something in the works for the future, so stay tuned for that. But I can't wait for you to hear about this episode and listen to what we we chatted about today, because it is so powerful and super impactful and I hope that it resonates with you and you can take something away from this episode.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the Love your Body Now podcast, the podcast for women who are ready to feel confident in their body right now and redefine what health looks like for them. I'm Savannah, your host, and together we'll be having conversations about what it means to accept and love our bodies now, while simultaneously prioritizing our health journey. We'll be debunking beliefs that do not serve us and diving into misconceptions and unhealthy narratives in the fitness world, so that we can rebuild our foundation from a place of self-love.
Speaker 2:I'm super excited to chat with you, like legitimately. This conversation has been like forever in the making. Like I'm so glad we're finally talking. I, I truly am just so in love with your story and like it's super inspiring and just you know just the self-love component and what you're doing with everything. Like you're like truly making an impact, like really like literally today on Instagram, like like every, like every other post, I see your shirts and I'm like this is so cool, it's so cool, like really. Just like you know, I, our missions are like, um, I know our missions are kind of aligned, just like just wanting to just teach every single woman that like she's worthy and like I know that you've been through it, so like I obviously want to dive in, but but yeah, like I just I don't know, I just I love it, I love all of it. I love what you're doing truly and it's just so much fun to get to talk about it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure. And like I have heard your story, I know you spoke at one of the events that we were both at and I got to hear more about your journey of just like that feeling of like not feeling enough and I know every woman feels that, um, but a lot of the times, like we pour into outside things for the validation to feel like we're enough, and so I really resonated with you and your whole journey, with self-love, and I knew we would be able to like. Because our missions are so aligned and the messaging is so similar, I'm like we would definitely work well together, collaborating.
Speaker 2:So, yes, which I'm going to like soft announce that we have like another collab in the works that we're we're working. We have a message that we want to bring to the world, but we're working on um, on how to like bring that message. So, but I'm super excited for that as well. Like, yeah, we have so much that we both want to talk about and it's really cool, like almost finding somebody who, who shares that, who shares similar beliefs and has like a kind of a different side of the coin in a way as well, you know just a different side of um, of how we've lived these stories. So, no, I think it's super inspiring. Um, can you just tell us a little bit like I know everybody wants to hear a little recap of your story and what led you to like self-love, and you know what led you to like self-love and you know what led you to like screaming this from the rooftops?
Speaker 1:yeah. So, um, I always grew up around fitness and like played sports growing up, um, so was always very involved with exercising and all of that. And um, I just remember from like a very young age like as young as like 12 and like 13 that and I just remember from like a very young age, like as young as like 12 and like 13, that time of being like super hyper aware of my physical self, like my body image, and feeling like really uncomfortable in my own skin to the point where I felt like I hated myself. I was super hyper fixated on my weight all the time, um, just like really aware of how my clothes fit and, um, you know, like going down this whole cycle of being like in this like diet mentality as young as 12 and 13, which is really sad to think about and feeling like I needed to work out more and exercise more and just be really focused on those things and playing sports. You know it was a nice way to channel some of that energy and feel some of that validation that I felt like I was missing a lot in my life. So I gained a lot of that through my sports and competing. But on the flip side of that. There was also this internal battle, this internal struggle that I had with myself when I was competing and working out, where it was like, if I don't achieve this thing or if I don't meet the goal that I have for myself, that I'm failing, that I'm, you know, I'm not enough.
Speaker 1:And after I finished school and college sports, I had to navigate what health and fitness was going to look like in my life after all of that where it had always just been integrated into my life and I knew for me, I was like I was so afraid to lose my I guess athleticism and lose my body. And, um, you know, I had always seen, like so many women who played sports in high school and were super active growing up, and then, once that came out of their life, they just like let it all go. And you know, it was like something I was so terrified of. So I really dove into my own health journey and figuring that out, what that was going to look like. And all the while, I also got certified in health coaching. So I started doing that online and wanting to help women because I was so passionate about fitness.
Speaker 1:Well, during that time, I was figuring out. You know what does this look like for me? And, at the same time, how can I help women? And it was almost like these parallels were happening, where I was telling women hey, the only way to do this in a sustainable way is to stop focusing so much on dieting and really focus on how you can make this integrated into your lifestyle. And then me preaching that to clients.
Speaker 1:I was feeling that in my own journey and realizing how much I was struggling with my body image, regardless of what it looks like, I would lose 10 pounds and I thought I would be happy at that weight. And then it was like, no, I need to lose 10 more and then I'll be happy. And it just was. It was constant. And I finally got to a point where I was like I need to take a step back and actually really heal my relationship with my myself and my body image and exercise and nutrition, instead of focusing so much on, you know, using it as a way to feel in control and validated. And so that's when I started to shift into focusing on that healing journey.
Speaker 1:And then it turned into the podcast where I just talk about different topics and how we can navigate them and heal through them and, um, having those conversations that I feel like are not had enough in the fitness industry. And then it also has evolved into apparel where I just put designs on there that really represent self-love and healing our relationship to ourselves and our body. And yeah, that's where I'm at with it. Come out on the other side of it that I want other women to see how fitness and health can be fun. It can be integrated into our lifestyle. We can have a positive experience with it. It doesn't have to be what we've been taught, how it's supposed to be.
Speaker 2:I was literally just like thinking about that when you were talking is like like what we've been taught, like that is like so big on my mind Cause, like you know, like I'm all about like this, like whole societal standards thing. Like I just want to like, obviously like one woman with one podcast or whatever cannot like take on this like billion dollar market of like the beauty industry, but but literally like these societal standards of like what we're supposed to be or what we're supposed to look like, like that's literally been my journey, you know, is like growing up from about that same age like probably about 12 years old or so, my body started changing. Um, when I was about halfway through high school or maybe even like just like my sophomore year, I guess I just remember gaining like weight and I just like couldn't.
Speaker 2:I was like eating my emotions, like I was definitely an emotional eater and just like really, like struggling, like I struggled so much and um, and back then, I don't think you know, like my parents were armed to like to notice that there was like depression going on or or whatever there was for me, and so I gained weight and I just remember feeling unworthy, like unworthy, oh my God, like in capital letters, right. Like just, my brother and sister are very athletic, like you are, you know, they're just like my brother, like he owned a CrossFit gym for a while. He's like the firefighter, like the buff guy. You know my sister, she like ran track and basketball and soccer, like everything.
Speaker 2:And um, I just wasn't, I just was, you know, like a little bit nerdy and overweight and kind of awkward and um, and I just I was bullied for it. And I remember feeling like my whole life like I don't measure up to my siblings, I'm not cool like them, I'm not good enough. I remember, um, my mom like just making comments, cause she didn't know any better, she just wanted, you know, her daughter, like she was trying to protect me and like she would make comments and I just felt so freaking bad about myself and like talking about, like the diet culture, like, oh my God, back then, like it was like one fat, and I guess still today, but I think we're more aware.
Speaker 2:But there was just like one fat after another, like I remember like my mom bought me, like the Atkins diet book, you know, like that, or like the zone, like there's like some in the zone or something, like there's like some in the zone or something. But I just remember like everybody was so focused on body image and I'll never forget oh my God, I'll never forget I got a pair of do you remember those like super washed out jeans we all used to wear? Like, with all of like the strutting, yes, like so freaking bleached.
Speaker 2:Are we like bleach our own? Oh my God. So I got a pair of hand-me-down, like super bleached jeans. Like they were so cool and I was like, oh my God, but they were like three sizes too small for me and I was like I just remember like hanging them like on like a you know closet hanger and putting them like right on like my closet door, so I would see them like every day and I'm going to work out so hard.
Speaker 2:I like made my mom buy me Slimfast. Like literally, I was like we'd go to the grocery store and put Slimfast in the cart and I'd be like this is for dad. That it was like you know, like this isn't for me, you know, in case anybody was watching, like nobody cared, you know. But now that I look back, though, it's just like damn, like I don't. I know that we weren't equipped with the tools that we have today and I know that we weren't as aware back then.
Speaker 2:And what a shame, because like, literally, like this, like 14 year old girl was like buying SlimFast and like trying to like you know, just do all these things like the cabbage soup and all this crazy stuff just to like fit into a pair of jeans Cause I thought that that would finally make me cool, rather than learning how to truly love myself. And, you know, let that be the gateway into like self-love and, you know, just caring about my body in that way and like allowing that to be like okay, like we can work out as a form of self-love and we can like eat healthier as a form of self-love, but not, you know, trying to like sneak slim fast into the cart as like a form of like, kind of like self-sabotage, you know, and just showing so much hatred towards myself.
Speaker 1:So, all of that, to say like I resonate and I know like we all resonate so much with your story and just, you know, just talking about in general, talking about what it was like growing up in that time and like having to like cling on to that, cling on to like this, and yeah, yeah, and I don't know if you notice it, but, like something that I've noticed I have to catch myself is I've, like I would say, my healing journey has been like since 2020, so it's been like four years that I've been really super focused on it and I sometimes forget, like how far I've come, because I will hear other women speaking and they'll be in a state that I used to be in, like whether you know, I was so far in it of negativity about myself and I feel so like the gap between that is so it's hard for me to kind of relate to at this point and that's why I really try to stay connected with, I guess, like the mission of it and the brand, because sometimes I forget because I'm so different and I've, like I said, I'm on the whole, I'm on the other side of it now.
Speaker 1:I'm on the whole, I'm on the other side of it now and it's it's it's hard to like remember that there are still people who are in that mindset that I used to be in, because I just don't think that way anymore and I don't know if you noticed that either where you're, you know, very focused on the whole self-love and like finding worthiness, where maybe you hear someone say something negative about themselves and you're just like I'll be so in shock. I'd be like why would you say?
Speaker 2:that about yourself.
Speaker 1:And it's like I forgot, Like I used to be that down like down about myself, and there's still people out there that think that way.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and there's still, like I know Well, I kind of had forgotten. To be honest, I had forgotten a lot of that part of my journey, of the the whole, like crash dieting or whatever part of my journey. And recently one of my mentors, katie Saltzman she's been talking about this so much, like I just keep hearing her say cabbage soup and I'm like, dude, that's right. Like I had forgotten about that part, cause I think I shoved it down super far because I just didn't want to like remember that I hated myself that much that I was going to all these lengths. But, um, but yeah, she just like reminded me and I was like, oh my gosh, like I forgot about that time period where it was all about like slump fast cabbage soup, atkins bars, like the special case cereal thing.
Speaker 2:And you know I'm like, oh my gosh, like it just sucks that, um, that we were, you know, led and again, like people didn't really, I don't think, know differently or have the tools back then, but it just sucks that we were so impressionable back then that we just thought that like this external validation is what's going to make us worthy.
Speaker 2:And you know, we have to like look a certain way or we have to be. You know we have to achieve like I was a huge achiever academically rather than, like you know, through athletics. But you know that similar feeling of like people are going to like really love me, like when I get an A on this paper, or when, you know, I do X, y, z and I just I don't know, I just love like. Okay, that's what I want to say is like how much I love, like that you're sending reminders for everybody, like in different ways. I want to chat about that for a minute. Like when you started making the shirts, you know that have that reminder of like worthiness and just the messages on there was that kind of why was so that people will see that? And just like making it more mainstream or, um, like, was it because of like those anchor word kind of things.
Speaker 1:So for me, um, when I was health coaching and like doing all of that, I honestly think, as much as I love like talking on the podcast and like speaking like to your audience and like at events and stuff I don't know if health coaching was aligned for me at that time and like specifically working with someone one-on-one who knows, maybe one day I'll lead back to it but it felt like there was like a creative piece missing for me for a long time.
Speaker 1:Um, and I had just like always had this idea in the back of my mind that, like once my health coaching business takes off, I'll get like shirts that'll represent my brand. And, um, uh, when I had kind of decided that I was going to take a step back from health coaching, that's when I just I honestly started just like playing around with shirt designs. Like the one I'm wearing right now is like one of the shirts I designed a long time ago and it was like I just wanted to figure out how to do it and like be creative, because I always like growing up, I used to do like art and loved doing art stuff.
Speaker 1:So, and I haven't done art- in a really long time and I think that I was just missing, like a creative aspect, that with, like, my designs. It's like some of them are just sayings but other, like others, are actual designs that I make and I just get, like these little downloads that come in and are like, oh yeah, like this saying, but like, and then I just like have a vision of what it would look like aspect, but then also tying it to something that feels very um, like impactful, um, for me is what I don't know like I guess that's just like where it comes from. And recently just launching, um, one of my collections for youth girls, like that one was like it.
Speaker 1:It's the thing that really brought me back to my younger version of myself, because I had kind of remembered, like you know, I had struggled at that age and I had had a girl that I am friends with on Facebook and she's a teacher and she had reached out to me and was like I wish that, like one of my students is like really struggling and she's like always going on these diets and we're talking like fifth, sixth grade here, yeah and yeah, and that's what I think.
Speaker 1:That that's what kind of made me like remember, like, oh, my gosh, like I'm so focused on women and healing, like helping them heal they're almost like their inner child wounds, with this whole body image thing that I didn't even think about. Like how can I reach youth girls to where they're starting to see the messaging, because that's when it starts and yeah, that's kind of how it's evolved of. Like I think it's important for women as adults to heal because we can end the cycle. But also, like how do we, how do I get this message in front of the younger girls, like the younger version of myself and yourself, where that's what we needed and we didn't have it.
Speaker 2:So literally like how do we do that? Like, I mean, I'm just thinking, like from my perspective, like just just talking to them, or you know something like that. I mean how, like, like what do you think they need to hear?
Speaker 1:I've wondered that too, because I'm like I don't even know how to relate to someone that young. Um, you know, when I, when I think about my journey as, like that age, at that age, there were other kids that, at least from my experience, it always felt like I was an outsider as a little kid. My friends I just and maybe you know that's not the case, but, like when I perceived my friends, they always seemed like to be like cooler and like seems to be more confident in themselves and to get along with more people easily than I could. And so, um, when I look back, I always just feel like I was really alone with how I felt. And so, when you think about reaching youth girls, for me it's like, well, I don't know if all youth girls feel this way, but it's kind of like there's always that hidden one, you know that where she just doesn't say how she's feeling, um, and it's just kind of like becoming part of her narrative just kind of like becoming part of her narrative.
Speaker 2:I met um. I went to like a local networking event last night and I met um an author. Her name is Kelly. She wrote a book called Norris, the nostril layer. I can barely pronounce that, but, um, it's a children's book and she wrote this really cool book.
Speaker 2:It's about, um, just a young girl who hates her nose and is on a journey to like find the perfect nose, and I you know she's like looking at everyone's noses and like trying I guess she's like trying on different nostrils and things like that. And then, of course, in the end she learns that like her nose is perfect the way it is, like it's perfect for her, and we got to talking about that and how some of the messages are so like versatile, right, like love yourself and like at any age. Cause I was talking to her about like bringing the book into my um my retreat in November. I was like could you like read this to like my group of 30 and 40 year olds, cause like I think the message is so important, um, but literally like what you're saying, you know just bringing it back to kids and like I think resources like that and like your shirts and like everything.
Speaker 2:I think it's just so important for women to just keep seeing these reminders at a young age, because exactly what you said, I mean I, I was gosh, you know, just that feeling of unworthiness but trying to hide it. So I wonder, like when you said, you know, from the outside we might look okay, or the other girls that you were, you know, hanging out with, they looked confident, they seemed confident, but were they really? And same thing, kind of like in this book, you know this children's book, where it's like people probably you know, hanging out with this Norris, like they probably didn't know she hated her nose until like later on, right, the story comes out but um, but we can go and and seem so confident, and then people might not know that like we really need help on the inside and um, and we do, and so just learning how to connect, connect.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's definitely like that's a good point of the book that you mentioned it just being something as simple as that, where, even, like, the kids don't really realize that they're in for a lesson at the end. I think that that's really interesting how she did that and I know you have like a self-love journal, yeah, and I am like I have always like wondered how you got to like that point of where you felt like this is what needs to be in the world and what inspired you to make that, um, and how it just like came about.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know, what's so crazy is, you know, just same thing kind of like. Kind of like with what you're saying as far as like the message that needs to be shared and and all of that, like literally just seeing the word worthy on like a shirt that's made for like a fifth grader, like that's freaking awesome, and so kind of like it goes along with that point of I created that workbook just because I think at any age like we really need those reminders of who we are and what makes us special. And so throughout the book it's it's definitely not geared towards the youth, but, um, throughout the book it's just talks about you know, like, like, what did you do for yourself today? Or what was a compliment somebody gave you? Or what's your favorite thing about yourself? Just simple questions there are.
Speaker 2:So I sometimes I'm almost like looking at my journal and I'm just like, whoa, like it's extremely simple, but I'm like sometimes I do feel like, oh, should I like be blasting out to the world, you know, cause it's nothing crazy, it's not like rocket science, but it's taking the time to sit down and truly like pour into ourselves and remember that we're worthy and that we're special and that we're deserving of, you know, sharing, just being loved and showing up as ourselves. And I think, though, that's like the message that gets lost. I really do, like truly, and I'm just literally when you were talking about the example of a fifth grader, like literally I started crying because I'm just like, oh my God, like that's what leads us to being, you know, an adult who has self-love issues and worthiness issues is because at that age, when we're super young and impressionable, we just we didn't believe that we were deserving of being loved, deserving of being worthy, we didn't see ourselves as worthy, beautiful people. And so we just go through life, just kind of already feeling like that, and I don't think that.
Speaker 2:I think that, like we hide it so well in a way, and people aren't in tune, because unless you're really really like practicing the tools yourself and you're in this kind of self-development world, you won't see that necessarily, you might not notice those subtle signs, and and kids are good at hiding things, and kids are good at, you know, maybe not showing, maybe they look confident, maybe they look like they have a bunch of friends, but on the inside you're so hurt.
Speaker 2:And then going through life with that feeling, it just builds like those limiting beliefs, just build and build and build to the point where then you're in your thirties and you just don't feel deserving of anything and you're just like you know all the tendencies that we get, all of the limiting beliefs that we're holding, all of the you know just self doubt that we have, and then you start your journey, you start chipping away all of that, but it takes so long because there are years and years of us holding all of that you know and but yeah, I mean, that's truly why I created the journal is just because I want women to like stop and think about this and stop and take time to really start to like heal those wounds of of not feeling good enough, of not feeling worthy, not feeling deserving.
Speaker 1:Yeah, how? What was like the moment for you where you were like I don't know, I guess like your wake up call of everything, like realizing that the way that you were thinking and believing about yourself was not the way it had to be. What was your moment?
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh. The short version is um, I had. So I was like kind of living life. Um, my mid twenties I was living life kind of checking off all those boxes, all those societal standard boxes. You know, it's like the certain career and the car and like white picket fence and you have to marry a guy that looks like this and blah, blah, blah and um, I literally had like almost like the whole thing checked off. I was like, oh, I'm, I'm doing pretty good, I feel really good about myself. And again, like side note, those external factors were making me feel good about myself.
Speaker 2:Um, but one day the, the guy I was with, he kind of hinted like about a ring and I remember like I found it and my heart just sank and like not in the good way, my mind, and I just not in the good way my mind, and I just I just felt like super trapped, um, and I was just like I can't do this, like I like the job, the white picket fence, the car we're driving, the guy, all of it just suddenly felt so just like it was like just trapping me and um, I finally had like this realization over. You know, it took a little bit of time and some spiritual journey like mixed in there. But I finally had this realization that, like this isn't right for me and I'm only doing all of these things to try to convince myself that, like I'm worthy, based on you know, the accomplishments that I'm accomplishing, and and just finally fast forward. Like it took a lot of courage to be like, okay, I'm, I'm not going to do this, I'm not, I'm going to. You know, I had to end the relationship. I moved like um, and then I went on, like I call it my eat, pray, love journey.
Speaker 2:Like I like went on this whole journey of like doing all the things and like trying to really find myself again, because then when you take away all like your worth from these accomplishments, when that's gone, it's like who am I really?
Speaker 2:What have I like the last 20, 30 years of my life, like I have literally been building up to this point to like think that I am somebody and I'm not her, like I don't even know who I am Right and yeah, and so finally going on that journey to truly like figure out, like who I am, what lights me up, what makes me happy, all of that kind of stuff and and that led into learning that, like I am worthy as I am, like I am, you know, able to love myself, and I'm allowed to love myself regardless of, like, what I've achieved, who I marry, what I do with my life, like it's just, it's it's just so crazy. And again, like I almost feel like it sounds so simple, but it's, it's not because it's so ingrained in us that we have to have all of these outside accomplishments. We have to look a certain way, drive a certain car, whatever to like, be worthy, which it's it's so sad, honestly, yeah.
Speaker 1:You remind me of, like when I, when I first started, um, I guess, like my health, coaching and healing, all of that stuff Um, I also struggled a lot with the um. Well, college softball had always been the thing that made me feel like I matter and you know, I always, like, had big goals every single season, worked really hard, like all year up until the season and then, and then it was over and it was like my whole identity. Just like you know what I had planned on doing for my career, I decided my last semester as a senior that I wasn't going to do it and it was just like all of these identity, you know what I was carrying just got like stripped away. I moved, I moved out of state to go be with my husband and I didn't have a car. You know, it was just like I was so dependent on him for so long I had no idea what I was going to do with my career. Um, you know, had the thing that, like, I had been pursuing for, you know, I don't even know like 18 years of my life was just done no family. And I remember really struggling. You know, I don't even know like 18 years of my life was just done no family. And I remember really struggling, you know, not just with my health journey, but feeling like I mattered and, you know, feeling like the career. What am I going to do with my career? You know how am I? I don't even have a car, like all these things.
Speaker 1:I was working when I it was during COVID, so like it was really hard to find a job at the time, especially in, like, the fitness industry, and I we worked by the Home Depot and I walked to the Home Depot for work, working in customer service with my new degree in exercise science, working at the Home Depot, with no car, and I was just like. I just remember feeling like so worthless. I was like this is like what the hell? And like just I don't know, like. And then my husband, you know, had his career and he was like financially supporting us. So then I felt the pressure. I'm like, oh my gosh, like I'm dragging us down and it was just like a really low time, like as far as self-esteem goes, and I think, how you had said, it's a very like slow chip away process.
Speaker 1:But something that I've realized in this, I guess fourth year of my healing journey, is that when you can like strip away everything and like see yourself for who you are and like know yourself, finally know yourself and like feel the love of that and like feel proud even of the things that like you used to hate about yourself or like mistakes you used to make.
Speaker 1:When you can feel like at ease with yourself, with those things, I feel like that's when you know you've like really healed. Um, because, like for a long time it was like I was like preaching so many things and like trying to show up as this person on the outside, but but then internally I was like I like had self-loathing, you know, I felt so useless and like I didn't have my shit together. So I was like, yeah, like you know, like I'm a phony, basically, and I was like preaching these things, but then at the same time, I was like feeling the exact thing that I was trying to preach for other people. So I think that it's kind of tough sometimes being that person trying to preach these things but then go on that journey at the same time.
Speaker 2:Also. It's like it's tough but it's also really beautiful because it makes you relatable it. You know how it feels, so and it's like I love like kind of shining the light on that, a little bit of like healers need healing too, like you know, like like you get to coach women through all of this, but you also have your own struggles and your own things that you're going through. You're a few steps ahead, of course, of the women that you're teaching, but but you've been there and you truly, you truly know how it feels. You just reminded me you are also like a huge proponent of mirror work. I remember you talking about mirror work and I love how in-depth you get when you talk about it, because it's also like one of my like signature practices. Like at every retreat we do a little mirror work. It's super cool. But I would love if you want to chat about that, because you, I love how you explain it. I love how you get deep, like you explain it way better than I do, so like.
Speaker 1:I hope I remember what I said last time. Okay, so, um, like I said this year, this year has been like my true year of healing. All the other years were just like absorbing information and like learning about personal development. I'm like, oh my gosh, yeah, that's a good point, but then I don't apply it to my own life. And this year was the year that I finally started applying stuff to my life and feeling the feelings and crying and literally getting super vulnerable with myself.
Speaker 1:And one of the ways that I did this and I was introduced to this from a book that I read. I did this and I was introduced to this from a book that I read and it was about mirror work and the way that you do it is you basically, like you know, and there's a lot of times, if you are aware, when you maybe you go into a bathroom and your mind naturally is like, oh, you look ugly today. You're like, oh my gosh, like look at your you know, you're breaking out so bad, like we naturally like critique, and it's just automatic. And I finally got to the point where I was becoming super aware of it where, if I was just going to go use the bathroom and I catch my reflection and it's like you got to point out all of the negative things. And I was like, okay, instead of doing that, every time I see myself in the mirror, I'm going to compliment myself or I'm going to say something kind to myself. And I took it to the point where it was like for a few minutes in my day, I would just stand in front of the mirror and like literally look myself in the eye and tell myself exactly what I needed to hear, even though I may not believe it, and it was. It's super, like raw and like it's such a vulnerable state that you could put yourself in and if you take it a step further, you can do it naked.
Speaker 1:And I know this, like everyone's probably like, oh my God, that sounds so uncomfortable, like it is. It really is because you're you're looking at yourself in your most vulnerable state and you're saying the things eye to eye and like everything right there of like what you need to hear, whether it's like you are beautiful, you are worthy, you are enough, and it's like you know, I get emotional just thinking about it because it's like those aren't things that we hear enough and we definitely don't tell ourselves these things and like, allow ourselves to feel it. And that's where you take it to the next level is like, when you say these things, you feel the emotions that come with it and nobody wants to do that. I know we all just want to surface level, like, say the thing and be like check the box. That I know. We all just want to surface level, like, say the thing and be like check the box.
Speaker 1:Yep, I did my mirror work today, but like, when you can actually feel the emotion that comes from you, giving yourself that love that you you need. It is transformative and you, like can let go and you can release things that maybe you were holding onto, that you don't even understand, and that's okay, like you don't have to understand it, but the point of it is to release it and like, give yourself the love that you need. And the other thing, as far as like mirror work goes, that I started doing was like dancing in the mirror. Um, which is weird. Like it feels weird at first because you're like wow, I'm like, you're like judging yourself dancing, but when you dance it's I don't know.
Speaker 1:For me, it's like it allows me to like just give my body language in a way where it's like we all need to vent sometimes and like get things off our chest.
Speaker 1:That's how we, how we say it. But like get things off our chest, that's how we how we say it. But like the body has no language. So dancing or, you know, exercising whatever, I feel like allows the body to release energy and like let energy flow through. And again, when you're looking at yourself in the mirror, with no judgment, just allowing your body to do what it wants to do and going with that, it's just. It's just such a powerful thing to again see yourself in that state and be okay with it and say, like you know, there's no judgment here and um, it's not going to happen overnight, but I feel like the more that you do it, I do it in between my sets for my workouts now, because it's so regular for me. We have we have mirrors in our, in our gym, and so, like in between my sets, I'll, whatever song I'm listening to, it's like I just want to dance and like I'll look at myself and it's like you go, girl, you know there's nothing judgmental about it and it's it's super powerful.
Speaker 2:I dude, I. I think you know that about yourself. I hope you do that. You are such um gosh, you.
Speaker 2:The way that you talk about not judging and the way that you talk about giving grace I really admire the way you speak about that, because you are not the kind of person who's like, well, I'm just going to give myself grace and like forget about all of it and like not do my workout and be like, oh, here's your grace.
Speaker 2:But I love how you show up and you're always posting your workouts online and you're always posting everything. But you talk about the real thoughts that you're having, like I didn't get all these sets, I didn't lift as heavy as I wanted to, but like I still love myself and I'm still worthy, even though I didn't hit this mark. And like I hope you know, like that's super impactful the way you speak about that. And like for anyone listening who's not like watching your stories, like they need to be, because it always inspires me and I'm not, like you know, I'm not your workout girly at all, but like it still inspires me in my daily life just to be like, okay, I didn't hit this mark, I thought I was going to, but like it's, I get to like have no judgment towards myself, so yeah I really appreciate you saying that, because when I type those things out sometimes and I put it up, it's really uncomfortable because I'm like does anyone actually even read this long ass little thing with me doing my exercise?
Speaker 1:like it feels so dumb sometimes but I'm just like whatever. Like if one person reads it and like they get something from it, then you know good, Then that's all that matters. So I appreciate you saying that.
Speaker 2:No, and it's inspiring, like I like I've been trying to be more like open to, like sharing some of those feelings as well Like just the true thoughts you're having, like like when your camera flips open and it's facing you and you didn't expect that. And like you're having like like when your camera flips open and it's facing you and you didn't expect that, and like you're just like, oh shit, especially for me lately, um, in the middle of a night shift, that will happen and I'm just like, oh, no, girl, yeah.
Speaker 1:I know what you mean.
Speaker 2:But just like the other day I took like a selfie and I was super inspired by the way you've been talking about this and I literally was like, well, let me just actually click the selfie of this moment and I posted it and just writing about my thought process too, of just like I am not like feeling my best, I'm not looking my best, but that doesn't mean that I, you know, need to beat myself up. It doesn't mean that I'm unworthy. It doesn't mean that I, you know that I can't love myself because like it's still me underneath these, like black circles and like this, like exhaustion, it's still me under there and I still get to love her.
Speaker 1:So yeah, yeah, and I think it it also, like by us doing that, it gives other women permission of like, because when I, like you just said, pointed out with when I do it, but like also when I see other women do it, if they point out like I intentionally don't have a filter on and I know I'm breaking out, I'm not wearing any makeup and you know like it's just like, yeah, like, look at her, show up with confidence, like that, and I think that's a really great reminder. Women who are on that journey and maybe they're not necessarily preaching it full time, but like recognizing that them allowing themselves to be vulnerable and still feel confident in themselves is giving permission to someone who's like struggling with it on the inside and not really saying anything.
Speaker 2:Totally, totally, and again back to that point that we were saying of like as somebody who mentors other women through these, these thoughts and these feelings. Like we get to show up and be vulnerable ourselves and show that like there's still these moments but we get to work through them and I think that's like the biggest thing that you know we have is like we have the tools to work through them. Now we are able to switch our mindsets, we're able to like remind ourselves how worthy we are, and I think that's like the biggest part is like coming back to that Cause, you know, back. You know, when I was 13 years old, trying to like fit into these like bleached ass denim jeans, I like did not have those tools and so I felt every time I would try that pair of jeans on, I would feel so low about myself and you know, if they didn't fit or something.
Speaker 2:And now I have the tools to just be like no dude, I'm so worthy Like I don't, you know, like it's okay, like yeah, no judgment, like, so it feels so good. But I just want to thank you so much, like I I have so many notes. I'm like looking at my paper right now, just all the things you said, I wanted to ask you, um, and if you don't remember, that's okay, but you mentioned that there was a book that you had read, that kind of, where you learned about the mirror work and that kind of thing. If you remember it, I would like love to like hear about it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Um, I actually. So now that I'm thinking about it, I am questioning if that was where I learned mirror work, but it is. It was super, a super powerful book for me called Lady Balls Um, it actually taught me all about like journaling, um, in a way that I had never really understood journaling. Um, but that and then, yeah, I I honestly I'm like thinking back. I can't remember. She also has like a ton of YouTube content where that may have been where I learned about mirror work, but I don't know, for whatever reason, I remember I was on TikTok one day and I was watching this girl's content and she was like I'm reading this book called Lady Balls and it's teaching me I mean, it touches on like feminine and masculine energy. You know how to like like balance that back out in your life. So, just, it just taught me so much about myself and actually it was the first book that I was like I'm going to apply this to my life and it just was like the catapult to my my healing journey this year.
Speaker 2:I love it. Okay, this is awesome. I have never heard of that book, so now I have to read it because yeah it's.
Speaker 1:it's kind of funny like lady balls, but like I mean it's good stuff. I really really liked the book oh cool.
Speaker 2:Oh, I just like literally want to say thank you so much for coming on today. And, um, I wanted to ask you, like, of course, like, where can everyone find you? What do you have coming up Like, how can we connect and get into your world? And, um, and just also, if you could give us like one self-love tip, like your one thing, like maybe it's reading that book or like whatever it is that you would tell everyone to go to book or like whatever it is that you would tell everyone to go to, um, okay, so our Instagram page is at.
Speaker 1:We are love your body now and we're also on Tik TOK Um, the podcast is love your body now. So you can find everything, um, from our Instagram page. We have it linked. Um. And then my apparel line is also linked on Instagram currently, right now, what we had mentioned earlier. So I just launched our youth worthy line, um. So I launched basically a couple of different color shirts and hoodies with one of our popular worthy designs it's a heart shaped worthy. So, um, that just launched on our website and anyone can if you have daughters, if you have a little sister, if you have nieces, um, you know this, it can be for anyone that is in your life that you're like, oh my gosh, she would look so cute wearing this Um, and you can also buy a matching one. So that is currently what's on my page.
Speaker 1:And then, as far as number one self-love tip, I guess like, hmm, when I think about where I'm at right now and what, like I wish I would have applied into my life sooner. As far as like people pleasing goes, because I feel like people pleasing goes, because I feel like people pleasing is like the opposite of loving yourself, because you're so like, you're so wrapped up in um making the other person happy and you kind of ignore what makes you happy and like what's aligned with you. So I think I said this to um, a girl that I work with the other day, where she was talking about how she gets like really bad anxiety and like worries about upsetting people. I had said something like I'm just at a point in my life now where you know, first of all, you can tell yourself like well, what's the worst case scenario in this situation and typically it's not that bad and everyone's entitled to their own opinion, so they are allowed to be mad at you, whatever. But like I don't know, just if it makes you happy, if you feel aligned doing it, then like like give yourself permission to do that and whatever happens after that, like it's all okay, like it doesn't have to. I mean, it's not going to work out the way that, like you always want it to.
Speaker 1:But I don't know. I'm just like in a point in my life where I'm like if it doesn't make me happy, then I don't like, get it out of my life, get it out of my way, like I don't care, or if I, if I make a decision and I feel uncomfortable because someone else got upset by it, I'm kind of like you know, like they're going to, they're allowed to feel their emotions, like it's okay. I don't know, it's just, I just like try to honor myself the most these days. And yeah, how about? I want to know your self-love tip? And then also like where my, my listeners can connect with you.
Speaker 2:Okay, so everyone can connect with me at hello Audrey Rose. It's same thing. It's all on Instagram and like everything's there. My podcast retreats, all of that and I do have a free self-love challenge that I'm like super obsessed with because I just finished like creating it. So it's six days long and it's full of free videos where you can come in like each day and do a different practice. So it's a lot of like the signature things I use in my retreats and stuff like that. But you can just DM me the word challenge on Instagram and get access to that, and I think my self-love tip is going to be kind of piggybacking off.
Speaker 2:What we were talking about is look in the mirror a little bit more often, and I was going to say something else, but this is like really like what's coming to mind, like coming out, is just look in the mirror more often. Like give yourself a smile. Like when your phone, you know, opens up to that ugly selfie thing that you, you know it's the wrong angle. Like just smile to yourself, like make that, like be like yes, I'm that bitch. Like that is me. Like just be proud, like ah, you know. Like you pass the storefront window and you like catch your reflection, like just you know, like hype yourself up because, like you truly are, um, you truly are just such a rare and unique person Like there's a quote that I read um, that we are 4 billion years of like process to be in this body, who we are right now. Like the biology, like the science, is insane, but it takes like 4 billion years for us to like be where we are right now. So, be like proud of you know, like that is like rare as heck the fact that, like you are here right now in this body. So, like, look in the mirror, smile and, yeah, you should be so proud.
Speaker 2:Also, I have to shout this out on this episode so, for everyone who follows us, y'all need to check out our dogs, because I swear that they were like twins, like separated. Somehow. I literally mine has bigger ears. She's cause yours is full shepherd, right? Yeah, yeah, mine's mixed with a little Doberman and so she has like these huge ears. But I swear I sent a picture like these huge ears. But I swear I sent a picture. So you, you had something in your stories not long ago and I legitimately screenshotted it and I sent it to my sister and I was like, look like, cause it was both, both your dogs. And I was like, look, klein is at my friend's house, like I was like babysitting her for the day and literally my sister. It took her like a while and then finally she like she's like, oh, that's super cool. And then she texted me back like a few hours later and she's like that's not your dog, yeah.
Speaker 1:It's crazy, like I'll see, I'll see your stories of your dog and I'm like, oh my gosh, that's like their little sisters. They look so alike Like they have just similar markings.
Speaker 2:So I'm like obsessed, so I love it. But yeah, well, anyways, like thank you so much for coming on Like. This is a blast.
Speaker 1:Yes, finally, I'm so glad. Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode. You have no idea how grateful I am to have you as one of the Love your Body Now listeners. If you are loving this podcast, it would mean the world to me if you subscribed and left a review. This helps me get the message out to more women just like you who are also committed to their journey. And if you love this episode, please be sure to share it with someone who you know needs to hear today's message. Together, we can help more women recognize their self-worth and build their confidence from a much deeper place, just like you're doing right now. Let's help change the world, one woman at a time. All right, talk to you soon, friend.