UpLift Women’s Wellness

About UpLift Women’s Wellness

UpLift Women’s Wellness is hosted by Bethany Busch, MS, ACSM-EP, CSCS, sport and exercise scientist, strength specialist, and founder of Head 2 Toe Strength, and Auria Zahed, MS, LMFT, licensed psychotherapist. Together, they explore women’s health, performance, mental health, identity, relationships, body trust, recovery, and the systems that shape how women experience their bodies and lives. Expect smart, candid conversations that connect science, lived experience, and professional expertise without reducing women to symptoms, diagnoses, or wellness trends.

Publisher

Bethany Busch, MS, ACSM-EP, CSCS & Auria Zahed, MS, LMFT

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

8 Mar 2025

Latest episode

26 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

34 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Aug 2026

   In the Spotlight: Overcoming the Mind-Body Disconnect in Dance

   Year-round competition, zero off-seasons, and non-stop rehearsals create an unsustainable and judgemental environment where dancers operate at peak volume physically and mentally. Physical therapist Claire Spivak joins the discussion to review why skill instruction and aesthetic ideals, without intentional physical and mental preparation, breaks young athletes. Claire shares how taking dancers out of the studio and into a strength environment helps them ask questions, listen to physical signals, and build resilience.

2. 

   27 Jul 2026

   Radical Selfishness: Protecting Your Peace in a Turn-and-Burn Culture

   Burnout isn’t just feeling tired after a long week—it’s staying stuck in a state of chronic stress without ever giving your nervous system permission to complete the cycle. In this episode, Auria and Bethany (https://www.head2toestrength.com) sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist, yoga teacher, and recovery coach Kaylin Zabienski (https://www.kzcounseling.com/) to unpack why modern hustle culture is keeping us stuck in fight-or-flight mode. We dive into why positive affirmations won't magically heal your stress, simple vagus nerve hacks you can do on your bathroom floor, the reality of menstrual cycle phases vs. wellness marketing trends, and how to set unapologetic workplace boundaries. Tune in to learn how to complete the stress loop, prioritize rest without guilt, and protect your energy in a world built for burnout. Are you living in a constant state of heightened stress, waiting for a break that never comes? In this deep-dive conversation, Auria Zahed (https://www.head2toestrength.com/therapy), Bethany Busch (https://www.head2toestrength.com/services), and special guest Kaylin Zabienski (LMFT, RYT, Sleep, Stress & Recovery Coach) (https://www.kzcounseling.com/) break down the science of burnout, nervous system regulation, and the systemic trap of modern productivity culture. From the difference between zebras escaping lions and humans reading late-night emails, to practical somatic habits for vagus nerve regulation, this episode is your ultimate guide to closing the stress loop and taking your time back. 00:10:12 – Defining Burnout: Chronic stress, compassion fatigue, and why humans get stuck in stress loops while animals shake it off. 00:12:54 – Closing the Stress Loop: Why you can't "think" or affirm your way into safety—and why somatic action is required. 00:15:06 – Nervous System Regulation: Daily movement, proper nutrition, and finding space for stillness. 00:21:03 – Hormones & Menstrual Cycles: The four cycle phases (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal) and calling out fitness industry cycle-syncing traps. 00:26:43 – The Dark Side of Accessibility: Setting hard digital boundaries, blocking work apps after hours, and overcoming the fear of disconnecting. 00:32:17 – Managing Stress as Parents & Pet Parents: Micro-transitions, intentional pauses, and communicating needs. 00:44:53 – Vagus Nerve 101: Physical touch, dog cuddles, humming, chanting, gargling, and tapping to activate rest-and-digest. 00:48:53 – Restorative Yoga: The power of deep rest, using props for 1% effort, and opening up the body from posture slumps. 00:52:59 – Systemic Burnout & Workplace Realities: Dismantling corporate gaslighting, using your PTO, and redefining self-care as self-preservation. You can’t just tell yourself you are safe—your body has to feel safe. Try incorporating these simple practices into your daily routine to signal rest and digest: Humming, Chanting, or Singing: Vibrates the vagus nerve where it connects through the throat. Water Gargling: A simple morning or shower habit that activates throat muscles tied to the vagus nerve. Restorative Touch & Cuddling: Hugging a loved one, cuddling pets, or getting physical touch helps soothe the nervous system. Tapping (EFT): Rhythmic tapping on key points of the upper body to release physical tension. Digital Hard Stops: Block work notifications, emails, and voice apps after work hours (e.g., 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM) to let your brain off the hook. Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski Why Don't Zebras Get Ulcers? by Robert M. Sapolsky Guest: Kaylin Zabienski, LMFT, RYT, Sleep, Stress & Recovery Coach (https://www.kzcounseling.com/) Hosts: Auria Zahed & Bethany Busch (https://www.head2toestrength.com)

3. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Personalized Nutritional Health vs. Diet Culture Clickbait

   In a world obsessed with quick fixes, fad diets, and AI-generated meal plans, how do you separate clinical science from clickbait? Today, we are joined by Registered Dietitian Loshi Vue (https://www.grainbygrain.co/) to expose the concerns of trusting Dr. Google, ChatGPT, and uncredentialed fitness influencers with your health. We break down the science-backed process it actually takes to become an RD, why generic nutrition advice fails, and how to find a practitioner who looks at your whole human experience. If you struggle with chronic illness, restrictive eating, or the exhaustion of constant "food noise," this episode will give you the validation and practical tools you need to stop fighting your body and start healing it. We also dive deep into the systemic barriers to health, from immigrant family dynamics and survival mode, to navigating food deserts in a capitalist society. What We Cover in This Episode: The Danger of Dr. Google: Why ChatGPT and fitness influencers cannot diagnose or treat your unique metabolic and hormonal needs. Redefining "Food Noise": Why restricting calories triggers a literal fight-or-flight response in your brain, causing intense food cravings. The "Practical Hunger" Strategy: How to build trust back with your body and stop nighttime bingeing. Cultural Mental Health: Loshi opens up about the Hmong-American immigrant experience, the pressure of survival mode, and breaking the stigma around therapy. Systemic Health Barriers: A raw conversation on the high cost of groceries and why you cannot "out-diet" a broken system. Episode Timestamps: Intro Meet Loshi Vue, RD: From competitive athlete to Registered Dietitian The problem with self-diagnosing via ChatGPT & fitness influencers What it actually takes to become a credentialed RD The Immigrant Experience: Survival mode, capitalism, and mental health Loshi’s personal journey with body image and extreme diet culture Creating safety for clients with eating disorders and chronic illness What is "Food Noise"? (And how to calm your nervous system) Using "Practical Hunger" to build trust with your body Food Accessibility: Food deserts, inflation, and dropping the shame How to work with Loshi virtually Connect with Our Guest:Loshi Vue, RDWebsite: www.grainbygrain.co (https://www.grainbygrain.co/)(Loshi accepts Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Health Care, Aetna, and cash pay for virtual clients). Connect with UpLift Women's Wellness:Bethany Busch, Founder of Head to Toe Strength (https://www.head2toestrength.com/performance-nutrition-coaching)Auria Zahed, LMFT (https://www.head2toestrength.com/internal-foundation)Follow us on Instagram: @head2toestrength (https://www.instagram.com/head2toestrength/) Loved this episode? Please leave us a 5-star review! It helps us break through the algorithm so we can bring these uncompromising, system-changing conversations to more women who need to hear them.

Who has been a guest on UpLift Women’s Wellness

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ilona Varo
• Bethany Busch
• Alexa Levine
• Holli Howard
• Kim

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

33,899

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

72

Engagement

0

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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