Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Stein and Aly French.
After experiencing a cancer diagnosis in her twenties (Aly) and a sustained 50lb. weight loss and self-love journey (Erica), we created a platform to interview real people about their personal journeys in health and wellness. From physical wellness,
to emotional and spiritual, we hear courageous stories and focus on why it’s important to share them.
We are committed to de-stigmatizing conversations in the wellness space and celebrate the experiences and lessons of our courageous guests. Aly and Erica met in 2014 and became friends through practicing Buddhism. Aly then moved to Japan for a year and a half for work, and while she was there, the girls reconnected over Instagram as they learned they were reading the same book on blood sugar and nutrition.
When Aly returned to the states in mid-2018, the girls started sharing their own personal health and wellness stories with each other. Aly and Erica were shocked that they had been friends for years but didn’t know so much of each other’s personal wellness journeys.
As they continued to discuss their own experiences, they realized so many people have their own stories to share and from that felt empowered to create a platform for individuals from all walks of life to share their journeys too.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The majority of the roadblocks we have hit along the way have been internal battles.
Balancing our responsibilities as we grow Courageous Wellness can at times feel overwhelming and learning to practice what we preach and prioritize our own wellness and self-care.
We have found that our own personal wellness can be the first thing to go on the back burner when building a business. It has been a lot of late nights, early mornings, working while on vacation, and not having days off.
Erica has always battled with anxiety, and Aly struggles with finding balance — as a team we have created a supportive partnership so that we can take turns carrying the weight at any given moment.
We both feel so passionate about what we are doing. The mission to share stories in wellness is bigger than just a passion, and it is a joy to get up every day and do this work.
Courageous Wellness – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Courageous Wellness is a podcast that interviews real people about their journeys in health and wellness. From physical wellness, to emotional and spiritual, we hear courageous stories and why it is important to share them.
We are most proud of the outpouring of response we have received from many of our episodes. These stories have helped so many people in their own health and wellness experiences.
We have had listeners tell us they have connected with stories of overcoming cancer, doctors who share our podcast with patients who are in treatment, young women finding self-care practices for the first time, and even people finding solutions to years-long gut issues and becoming proactive by taking their health into their own hands.
What sets us apart is the wide range of stories we share through the diverse individuals who come on our podcast. We are also not afraid to bring up topics that can seem taboo or uncomfortable in the wellness space. We talk a lot about accessibility, affordability, and privilege and how we believe health and wellness should be a right for all people.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for us is having a platform for these stories to be heard. The response we have received from our episodes where listeners have felt inspired, hopeful, and empowered, is the most incredible part of this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.courageouswellnesspodcast.com
- Instagram: @courageouswellness
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/courageouswellnesspodcast
Image Credit:
Annie Vovan Photography
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