*TRIGGER WARNINGS*: Anxiety, depression, mental health, and suicide are discussed in this episode.  I have the honor and pleasure of delivering a very raw episode of Exercise Confidence to you listeners. I had the opportunity to chat with my best friend, Kaley Pedulla, and my new friend, Paul Waller. The three of us navigate a conversation about confidence, the lack of it, and mental health. Each of us brings a unique perspective to the discussion as we talk about the unseen ways confidence and mental health can go hand in hand. We have some great laughs, share some deeply personal struggles, and bare our souls as we express our passions, fears, and hopes. I hope you find what you may be looking for in this episode.  If you are seeking mental health resources please consult the list below and never hesitate to reach out! Suicide Prevention LifelineExternal1-800-273-8255 Veterans Crisis LineExternal1-800-273-8255 Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National HelplineExternal(1-800-662-HELP (4357) OK2Talk Helpline Teen HelplineExternal1 (800) 273-TALK Crisis Text LineText SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling CalHope - 833-317-4673 Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Gear up for an episode full of laughs! I had the pleasure of interviewing my good friend, Chandler Schuyler. Chandler shares his own struggles on his confidence journey with us and how he did not initially consider himself an outwardly confident person. He talks with us about how he has had to make some difficult decisions that were in his best interest but ultimately led to him being more confident in himself. One of the guiding forces in his life has been his faith and we dive into how that has also aided in his confidence. Chandler competes in strongman competitions and we chatted about how being a part of the fitness industry has affected his mental health and confidence. If you would like to keep up with Chandler's journey you can follow him @onehandchan. Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Helena Czohanski chats with us in this episode about her own confidence journey. Helena is the first Gen Z guest I have had on the show and I was excited to get her perspective on her confidence journey having grown up in a social media-centric society. She expresses how representation is an important matter when it comes to self-confidence and how the women in her life have afforded that to her. Helena talks about her own body positivity battles that she has fought and learning to appreciate her body's capabilities via competing in triathlons and marathons. Helena is currently pursuing her bachelor's in pre-dental studies, as she works to become a dentist. If you would like to keep up with Helena's dental aspirations and life you can follow her at @helena.czo Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Austin Logas chats with us in this episode on Exercise Confidence. Austin is a high school physics teacher and baseball coach. He shares his story with us about overcoming cocky beginnings and how a few humbling experiences have allowed him to intentionally work on rebuilding a truly confident foundation for himself. Austin expresses how he has become very intentional with the way he lives his life as well as the lives that he interacts with on a daily basis as a teacher. If you would like to keep up with Austin's confidence journey you can follow him @austinlogie. Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Taly Goody, Esq. shares her time and wisdom with us in the episode of Exercise Confidence. Taly is an attorney who owns and runs her own law firm. As the daughter of immigrants, she expresses how fortunate she is to have parents who supported her goals and aspirations, along with a spouse who does the same for her. She gives us her personal insight into how she has overcome obstacles such as self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Taly has excellent advice on how to face the giants in your life and reminds us that they are just visitors - not permanent residents. If you would like to keep with Taly or utilize her as a resource in your own legal career journey, you can follow her @talygoodyesq.  Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Nick Manzano shares his confidence journey with us on Exercise Confidence. He expresses how as a man his confidence was most influenced by a woman - his mother. Nick talks with us about how an unforeseen season of solitude afforded him the opportunity to decide to work on his self-growth. Decisions are an interwoven theme in Nick's story. He has had moments where he decided to take risks, work on his fitness, and even change the trajectory of his career. Nick currently works in marketing in the Los Angeles area where he enjoys spending quality time with his family. If you would like to keep up with Nick and follow him @nickbuble. Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hannah Quinn is one of thee coolest people you will ever get to know! She is a genuine ray of sunshine whether you are hanging out with her or listening to her in this episode. Hannah chats with us about her journey as an openly gay woman of faith. She shares her struggles and her triumphs of what this has been like for her. Hannah expresses why the dinner table is a sacred place to her and how she even found healing around the dinner table. Hannah’s mother and siblings have been some of her biggest supporters and confidence role models. Currently, Hannah's most recent hobby has become her passion - she LOVES gardening and is affiliated with Friendly Hills Farm in Whittier, CA. If you want to keep up with Hannah or her gardening endeavors you can link up with her socials at @theehannahquinn or @friendlyhillsfarm. Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Amanda Lee chats with us about how her choice to exercise confidence in herself led to her saving her own life. Amanda was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. This diagnosis was no easy road. After having an encounter with a doctor who discredited her pain and fat-shamed her, Amanda decided enough was enough! Growing up in and working in the musical theater industry, Amanda was no stranger to people shoving their biased opinion down her throat. Rather than allowing other's negative input to affect her, she chose to channel the empowerment and self-confidence that her mother instilled in her. Amanda's inspiring story is one that you do not want to miss! If you would like to follow Amanda's journey you can find her on Instagram at @mandapaints.  Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Allie Curtis joins us in this episode to talk things from crowns to combat artillery! Allie is a woman with a tenacious story and a passionate approach to life. Allie was Miss Rhode Island 2015 and used her platform to encourage young women to believe in their dreams, especially those pertaining to running for public office. Currently, she is serving full-time in the Rhode Island National Guard as a Public Relations Officer as well as the state's first female Artillery Officer. Curtis holds a B.A. in Political Science and Public Relations from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University, a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Homeland Security from Salve Regina University. Allie is on a lifelong journey to impact the world in the best way she can. To follow Allie's impactful journey you can follow her @alliecurtisri or keep up with her at alliecurtis.com. If you are interested in more information pertaining to the United States National Guard you can follow the link below www.nationalguard.com/ Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

I had the opportunity to chat with Marisa Butler, the current Miss Earth USA. Marisa is a young professional who is a trailblazer in the finance industry. Marisa earned her bachelor's degree in economics while she was also a student-athlete at her university. Marisa talks about her transition from being a soccer player to a lacrosse player and how she needed to remove herself from an environment where her self-confidence was not being fueled. She also talks about how she got involved in pageantry and how that has allowed her to use her platform to make a positive environmental impact with her own volunteer organization she began called "We Clean Trails." Marisa shares why it is vital to self-confidence that you are intentional about your choices in life and how your power is already within you at your core. If you would like to follow Marisa's year as Miss Earth USA or get involved with her trail cleaning impact you can follow her at @marisapaigebutler or @MissEarthUSA Music license credit: Carpe Diem by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3478-carpe-diem License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/