Well Balanced

Have you ever felt like a stranger in your own body? Expert meditation coaches Ofosu and Leah have, and they discuss how body scan meditation is a powerful way they reconnect with themselves. They also talk about its benefits, various techniques, and tips for incorporating body scan meditation into your daily routine. ▶️ Follow along on YouTube to watch this episode and more exclusive content: https://youtu.be/xOqvDieDDA4 📲 Want to experience the benefits of body scan meditation for yourself? Unlock your FREE YEAR of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by meditation experts Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) What is a body scan meditation? An overview (02:43) Benefits of body scan meditations: Relaxation, mindfulness, and more (04:38) Techniques for practicing body scan meditation: Best practices (06:23) The connection between body scan meditation and mind-body wellness (08:49) Incorporating body scan meditation into your daily routine: Tips and strategies (12:31) Using body scan meditation to manage stress and anxiety: Cultivating a sense of calm and well-being (17:05) The role of guided meditations in body scan meditation: Finding the right teacher or resource with the Balance app

Ofosu and Leah talk with former Real Housewife of New Jersey and activist for childhood cancer Dina Cantin about her journey toward living a life with more compassion. They also discuss practical tips for developing empathy and communicating with kindness, and Dina shares her top five life lessons. 📲 Want to learn how to be more compassionate and increase your overall well-being? Unlock your FREE YEAR of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1 📚 More about Dina Cantin: Dina Cantin is the creator of Project Ladybug, a supportive ally of DCG Giving, and a former Real Housewife of New Jersey. 📱 Follow Dina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dina/ 🎤 Listen to Dina’s podcast, Dina Does, here: https://dinadoespodcast.com/podcast ▶️ Follow along on YouTube to watch this episode and more exclusive content: https://youtu.be/rkMlgsZROSE 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by meditation experts Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) Meet Dina Cantin (02:50) The power of compassion: Why it matters in today's world (03:45) Dina's turning point toward living a life of compassion (06:08) Developing empathy and understanding: Tips and techniques (07:47) Communicating with kindness: Strategies for effective and compassionate communication (10:32) Cultivating compassion in relationships: Tips for building stronger connections with others (12:42) Dina's top five life lessons: Practices for cultivating compassion through self-care (14:14) Compassion in action: Making a positive difference in the world (19:46) Starting your journey toward greater compassion with the Balance app

Ofosu and Leah talk with certified coach and clinician María-Victoria Albina about the causes, effects, and challenges of the Sunday scaries. They also share other practical tips for managing work-related stress and anxiety, establishing a healthy work-life balance, and cultivating greater mindfulness and well-being. 📲 Ready to start managing your work-related stress and anxiety? Unlock your FREE YEAR of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1 📚 More about María-Victoria: María-Victoria is a trained Nurse Practitioner and Master Certified Life Coach. Her mission is for her clients to stop feeling anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed, so they can have better relationships with their partners, parents, and themselves. You can learn more about her work here: https://victoriaalbina.com/ 🎤 Listen to María-Victoria’s podcast, Feminist Wellness, here: https://victoriaalbina.com/podcast/ 📱 Follow María-Victoria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaalbinawellness/ ▶️ Follow along on YouTube to watch this episode and more exclusive content: https://youtu.be/0gC1sySGYSw 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by meditation experts Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) Ofosu's experience with the Sunday scaries (01:33) Leah's experience with the Sunday scaries (03:40) Meeting María-Victoria (04:29) The psychology of the Sunday scaries: Understanding the causes (09:07) Effects of the Sunday scaries on mental health: How meditation can help (11:39) Coping strategies for dealing with the Sunday scaries: Tips and techniques (12:44) The importance of self-compassion and self-care: Cultivating self-awareness and self-love (18:39) Communicating with colleagues or supervisors about work-related stress: Setting healthy boundaries (22:49) Starting your journey toward greater mindfulness with the Balance app

Ofosu recently made a commitment to have more productive mornings, but it's been difficult for him to become a "morning person." So he talks with Leah and Greg Hammer, MD, about the benefits of waking up early, the science behind sleep and your circadian rhythm, and the strategies for incorporating meditation into a morning routine. They also share other practical tips for creating a sustainable morning routine that sets the tone for a productive, fulfilling day ahead. 📚 More about Greg Hammer, MD: Dr. Hammer is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, pediatric intensive care physician, pediatric anesthesiologist, mindfulness expert, and the author of GAIN without Pain: The Happiness Handbook for Health Care Professionals, which you can order here: https://www.amazon.com/GAIN-Without-Pain-Happiness-Professionals/dp/1951104013/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 🩺 You can also learn more about Dr. Hammer and his work here: https://greghammermd.com/ ▶️ Follow along on YouTube to watch this episode and more exclusive content: https://youtu.be/R-MuUaP1Zzk 📲 Ready to start your journey toward becoming a morning person? Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by meditation experts Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) Why Ofosu's trying to become a morning person (01:41) Meeting Dr. Greg Hammer (02:17) Can you change your circadian rhythm? (03:18) Why you should pay close attention to your sleep hygiene (03:52) Rewiring your brain to become a joyful morning person (06:10) How to establish a morning meditation practice (09:33) Bringing intention into your morning routine (and your entire day) (11:07) How to make sure your morning routine is sustainable (11:59) Caffeine and alcohol's impact on your sleep (15:11) The importance of always having a plan (16:49) Creating a morning ritual with the Balance app

Ofosu and Leah guide you through a quick meditation for anxiety that you can do wherever you are. Learn how practicing a few simple breathing exercises—and some gratitude—can ease any anxiety you're experiencing in just a few minutes. ▶️ Follow along on YouTube to watch the latest episode and more exclusive content: https://bit.ly/3KZCtLT 📣 Update on our show: We’re moving to a new release schedule. So from now on, we'll release new episodes every other Monday. Our next full episode will be out on April 24. 📲 Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by meditation experts Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) An update on Well Balanced (00:46) Meditation for anxiety (04:02) Why do we experience anxiety? (05:11) How to get a free year of Balance, a personalized meditation app

As coaches, Ofosu and Leah are well-versed in meditation for focus and have an impressive list of other tips to help themselves focus. So they compare notes, as well as talk about how meditation music can be a useful tool to deepen concentration. They also celebrate the launch of Flow State, the Balance app's first meditation music track clinically proven to increase focus, by talking with Adam Hewett, the founder of Evoked Response. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/0Pg2Spuvjrg 📣 Update on our show: We’re moving to a new release schedule. So from now on, we'll release new episodes every other Monday. Our next full episode will be out on April 24. 📚 About Adam Hewett: Adam is the founder and team leader of Evoked Response, and a pioneer in the neuroscience of music. You can learn more about his work and Evoked Response here: https://www.evokedresponse.com/ 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) A sneak peek of Flow State, new science-backed meditation music for focus in the Balance app (00:47) Why is it so hard to focus? (02:52) What helps Ofosu get focused (03:43) Leah's hack to make tasks more interesting (06:39) Juggling parenthood, partnership, and other obligations (07:39) Challenges to our ability to focus (09:32) How meditation music can help us focus (10:22) Adam Hewett on Flow State (12:03) The clinical studies (and results) on Flow State (13:09) Meditation for focus and how mindfulness can improve focus 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Leah's neighborhood dog recently had puppies in her home, and she's feeling all the puppy love. She talks with Ofosu about the lessons in unconditional love, mindfulness, and contentment that we can learn from animals. They also discuss ways we can perceive the world more like our four-legged friends. 📣 We want to hear from you! What do you like, not like, and want more of on the Well Balanced podcast? Share your feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WB_March?user_id= ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/zVtjZAv73Jw 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) The story of Lala, Leah's neighborhood dog (01:53) How animals can help us live healthier and happier lives (03:29) How to bond with and learn from animals (06:46) Caring for rescue animals and the power of loving attention (09:13) What we gain from taking care of animals (11:08) Alternatives to pet ownership (12:20) Ofosu's childhood dog and grieving the loss of a pet 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Vulnerability can be scary—even for meditation coaches. So Ofosu and Leah talk about how they've overcome that fear and why being vulnerable is important to grow. They also share their tips to help you embrace vulnerability and confidently ask for what you need. 📣 We want to hear from you! What do you like, not like, and want more of on the Well Balanced podcast? Share your feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WB_March?user_id= ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/brDne6bgS-s 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) A Well Balanced listener asks, "How can we learn to be vulnerable?" (00:57) Leah's experience breaking through the fear of vulnerability (03:55) The power of vulnerability (05:10) Is being vulnerable counterintuitive? (05:59) Ofosu's experience of being vulnerable in hip-hop culture (08:07) Being vulnerable on social media (08:40) Letting go of perfectionism (09:36) When vulnerability doesn't come easy (11:26) What vulnerability is not and why we armor ourselves (11:56) Expressing yourself freely (13:26) How to notice what you need (and ask for it) 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Financial anxiety, just like all forms of anxiety, can affect anyone. So, Ofosu and Leah talk with Alexa von Tobel, the founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital and a Certified Financial Planner™ about how to overcome mental barriers around money and take the fear out of finances. She also shares her three key steps to successful money management and how to have better conversations about money with others. 📣 We want to hear from you! What do you like, not like, and want more of on the Well Balanced podcast? Share your feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WB_March?user_id= 📚 More about Alexa von Tobel: Alexa is the founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital, a Certified Financial Planner™, and a bestselling author. 📙 You can order her book, "Financially Fearless," here: https://www.amazon.com/Financially-Fearless-LearnVest-Program-Control/dp/0385347618 📘 And you can order her second book, "Financially Forward," here: https://www.amazon.com/Financially-Forward-Todays-Digital-Smarter/dp/1984823523/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:31) Meet Alexa Von Tobel (01:47) What's at the core of our fears about money (02:57) Having conversations about money (03:44) Overcoming mental barriers around money (04:24) Reframing money as a tool (07:57) The 3 key steps to successful money management (10:14) How to talk to your family about financial stress (12:14) Reframing your beliefs about money (13:37) Teaching children about money (16:41) What's giving Alexa von Tobel life right now 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

What does it mean to #dateyourselfinstead? Ofosu and Leah talk about their experiences of taking themselves out on solo dates and why they're important, even if you're in a relationship. They also discuss tips to help you prioritize dating yourself, push against your comfort zone, and nurture your independence. 📣 We want to hear from you! What do you like, not like, and want more of on the Well Balanced podcast? Share your feedback here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WB_March?user_id= ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/j082m7hRgxQ 🎧 What's in this episode: (02:43) - Leah's experience going on artist dates (03:23) - Ofosu's experience eating solo at a restaurant (05:55) - How to push against your comfort zone (06:34) - Learning how to be truly autonomous (07:20) - The difference between spending time by yourself and dating yourself (07:39) - Going on N.I.C.E dates (08:23) - How Leah prepares for a solo date (09:40) - Nurturing the independent part of you (10:22) - Taking micro-dates with intention (12:07) - Feeling awkward when you're out by yourself (14:21) - Do you really know yourself? (14:39) - How to prioritize dating yourself (17:11) - Overcoming mom guilt (19:12) - Dressing up for yourself 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Ofosu and Leah talk about what really matters at the end of our days—and lives. They discuss how death can remind us to celebrate the life and connections we have, and they share tips that'll help you shift your focus toward what matters most. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/0YSN1i8Ej6Q 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:46) - The Tibetan death meditation and celebrating the life that we all have (02:55) - Hear a part of Ofosu's new song (03:10) - Experiencing everything life has to offer (04:24) - How distracting social media really is (04:50) - Doing what's right for you (06:01) - Overcoming the sense of "time's running out" (07:46) - Ofosu's fear of losing his parents (10:24) - Leah's tip: Writing a letter to loved ones that have passed away (12:55) - Appreciating moments of real connection (with yourself and others) 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Ofosu and Leah talk with certified coach and clinician María-Victoria Albina about the signs and symptoms of workaholism and what we can do to break the cycle of burnout. They also discuss how to incorporate more intention throughout your workday to help alleviate stress. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/SDnV4WmPZQU 📚 More about María-Victoria: María-Victoria is a trained Nurse Practitioner and Master Certified Life Coach. Her mission is for her clients to stop feeling anxious, exhausted, and overwhelmed, so they can have better relationships with their partners, parents, and themselves. You can learn more about her work here: https://victoriaalbina.com/ 🎤 Listen to María-Victoria’s podcast, Feminist Wellness, here: https://victoriaalbina.com/podcast/ 📱 Follow María-Victoria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaalbinawellness/ 🎧 What's in this episode: (00:00) Leah's experience as a workaholic (01:28) Meeting María-Victoria Albina (02:04) Ofosu's experience of workaholism as a child of immigrants (02:53) How to identify when you're working too much (04:23) Why it's not you (it's your nervous system) (06:55) The symptoms of overworking (08:18) How to incorporate mindfulness and choicefulness throughout your workday (09:56) Being a working parent (11:22) Accepting the circumstances of your life (12:52) Ask yourself: "What you need?" (15:34) Tips to transforming your habits (20:16) What's giving María-Victoria life right now 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 5 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Ofosu and Leah talk with Ofosu's mentor and teacher Ayesha Ali about her deliberate choice to pursue joy in the midst of growing older and going through difficult times. She shares her wisdom about how to embrace aging and feel more empowered from within, including the role meditation has played in shaping her perspective. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/XK9V--oTQiw 📚 More about Ayesha: Ayesha Ali is a teacher, poet, writer, and performer. She is the co-founder of Heart Refuge, a volunteer-run mindfulness community dedicated to cultivating love, courage, and healing for people of color and all orientations in Washington, D.C. She also teaches BIPOC, Queer, and Heartwidth groups at Insight Meditation Community of Washington.You can learn more about Heart Refuge here: https://www.heartrefugemindfulnesscommunity.org/ 📱 Follow Ayesha Ali on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crone.throne/ 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) Meet Ayesha Ali (02:45) Choosing to cultivate joy (05:28) Moving to your "baby self" (06:49) How Ayesha has embraced aging (09:28) The role meditation plays in Ayesha's life (14:02) More about Heart Refuge (15:32) What's giving Ayesha Ali life right now 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/yqod/dyc1

Ofosu and Leah talk with Olivia Johnson, Senior Employee Success Manager at Elevate Labs, the company that created the Balance app. She's the expert planner behind the company meetup that's brought everyone together—even Ofosu and Leah—in Los Cabos, Mexico. They discuss how to plan big events with introverts and extroverts in mind, and they share expert tips for providing comfort to both personality types in work settings and personal relationships. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/h9lWD3_r0Sc 📚 More about Olivia: Olivia Johnson is the Senior Employee Success Manager at Elevate Labs and an expert at making all personality types feel comfortable at company-wide events. Case in point: After the last meetup, 100% of survey respondents felt more bonded with their co-workers. 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) Meet Olivia Johnson (01:53) Leah's experience as an introvert working in tech (03:18) Olivia's experience planning big events (04:51) Introverts vs. extroverts (07:05) The power of perspective (08:33) Why setting expectations early is important (09:37) "It's a social marathon, not a sprint" (10:22) Ofosu's experience as an extrovert (13:11) Introversion and extroversion in romantic relationships (15:18) The social pressure to be extroverted (16:27) The pain of small talk (16:58) Tips for providing comfort to introverts during social gatherings (18:05) Making space for all personality types 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

Ofosu's had a lot on his mind since the release of the video footage of Tyre Nichols being brutally beaten. So he and psychologist Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi check in with each other and discuss the impact that race-related stress and trauma has on our mental and physical well-being. They also share practical tips for taking care of yourself after experiencing (or witnessing) a traumatic event. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/oFnO8w3hrO0 📚 More about Dr. Maryam Jernigan-Noesi: Dr. Jernigan-Noesi is a licensed professional psychologist with decades of experience as a scholar, clinical researcher, and mental health professional. She is a professor at St. Agnes College, where she heads the Intersections Research Lab, which investigates the effects of experiences of discrimination on health outcomes. She is also the co-author of the paper #racialtraumaisreal. You can find that, along with the Racial Trauma Toolkit, here: https://www.mmjerniganassociates.com/racial-trauma/racialtraumaisreal/ 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) Ofosu's reaction to the body cam footage being released (01:30) Meet Dr. Jernigan-Noesi (02:17) Why Ofosu isn't watching the footage (03:20) The impact of race-related stress and trauma (05:20) Checking in on Dr. Jernigan-Noesi's and Ofosu's emotions (07:12) The effects of our exposure to race-related violence (10:43) How to care for ourselves after experiencing a trauma response (14:30) The importance of seeking support (15:05) Resistance as a form of healing (18:29) What's bringing Dr. Jernigan-Noesi life right now 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

Ofosu and Leah are together in Los Cabos, Mexico, and take advantage of this face-to-face time to check in with their emotions. They discuss what it means to be able to express exactly how we’re feeling and why we don’t give ourselves permission to do it all the time. They also share their tips for embracing more joy, and why leaning into sadness can actually make us happier. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/dTldF6_BATQ 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) Why Ofosu and Leah are together in Los Cabos, Mexico (01:40) Letting yourself feel sadness (03:35) Would you ever cry in public? (04:35) The fear of being vulnerable (08:20) Meeting sadness with compassion (09:28) Being okay with showing your darkness (10:12) Letting yourself fully experience joy (12:43) "Not enough" versus "too much" (13:30) Subconsciously sabotaging our joy (15:07) Owning your accomplishments (17:27) How a gratitude practice helps Leah experience more joy (18:42) Why Ofosu embraces discomfort 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

Can you be disciplined and nice to yourself? Ofosu and Leah believe it’s possible. Actually, they say self-compassion is essential to reaching your goals. They also discuss their experiences of putting intense pressure on themselves to improve (and why this didn’t work in the long term) and share practical tips for incorporating more compassion into the ways you stay motivated. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ec5jRYmU-zM 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) Building discipline and having self-compassion (02:42) What does discipline mean to you? (03:38) David Goggins’ “Embrace the suck” (06:10) What’s motivating for different personality types (07:48) Why self-compassion creates long-term change (08:42) Dr. Kristen Neff de-bunks: Does self-acceptance lead to complacency? (11:04) Cultivating a lifelong relationship with your body (13:47) Comparison is the thief of joy (15:57) The importance of rest (16:55) Finding your “why” (18:15) Consistency is key (18:37) Reframing discipline as an expression of love 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy is proof that our words have power. So to honor MLK today, Ofosu and Leah look back on their conversation from MLK Day 2022 and discuss what his impact means to them in 2023. They listen to some of Dr. King’s moving words, reflect on what we can learn from them, and share ways to use our own words for good. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/EOaAoGcMv44 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) A message from Ofosu and Leah for MLK Day 2023 (01:54) Words from MLK's speech, "The Other America" (02:25) How to apply MLK's words to our own lives (03:37) Leah's favorite MLK quote (06:05) Ofosu's favorite MLK quote (08:42) How to remember the good in ourselves (09:44) Using your words to support others (11:56) What words come to mind when you think of Dr. Martin Luther King? (12:20) Creating visions in your mind of a more just world (13:55) Reflections on the power of Dr. King’s message in 2023 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

Ofosu talks with photographer Thosh Collins about what we can learn about wellness from an Indigenous perspective. They also discuss the toxicity of mainstream wellness culture, the interconnectedness of your body, mind, and spirit, and how to take inspiration from others without appropriating their culture. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/F4DoK-71fHo 📚 More about Thosh: Thosh Collins was raised in Salt River, Arizona. He works as a photographer and serves as a board member for the Native Wellness Institute. You can order his and Chelsey Luger’s book, "The Seven Circles: Indigenous Teachings for Living Well," which offers wisdom for achieving spiritual, physical, and emotional wellbeing rooted in Indigenous knowledge here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-seven-circles-chelsey-lugerthosh-collins?variant=40244015333410 📱 Follow Thosh Collins on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thosh.collins 📱 Follow Chelsey Luger on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsey.moves 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:29) Meet Thosh Collins (01:24) Inspiration for “The Seven Circles” (03:30) Aspects of Indigenous culture that affect your physical and emotional wellbeing (03:49) The toxicity of mainstream wellness culture and how to avoid cultural appropriation (06:50) Why inspiration isn’t the same as cultural appropriation (07:18) Thosh’s #1 tip to support your wellbeing (08:02) “Nature versus not” (09:17) Finding nature wherever you are (10:19) How Thosh uses visualization to cultivate his wellbeing: “Think, feel, act.” (14:13) Earth Gym: A new way to approach physical fitness and working out (17:11) What’s giving Thosh Collins life right now 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji

So you found your word of the year in last week's episode, instead of making New Year's resolutions. Now what? Ofosu and Leah share practical tips for incorporating your word into everyday life, and they reveal theirs for 2023. Plus, hear Well Balanced listeners' words of the year, in case you need some last-minute inspiration. ▶️ You can watch the latest episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/w_M7JQCl9UM 💭 And if you still need help finding your word for 2023, you can watch last week's episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/zh5bKKQv3bo 🎧 What’s in this episode: (00:00) What Leah thinks about new year's resolutions (00:57) Why Ofosu avoids new year's resolutions (01:35) What to do if you're still finding your word for 2023 (02:35) Hear Well Balanced listeners' words of the year (05:20) Leah and Ofosu reveal their words of the year (07:55) Ensuring your choices align with your word of the year (10:05) Why your word of the year is different from a resolution (11:16) When Leah's word of the year didn't work (and why) (12:10) Having fun while growing along with your word (14:26) Having an accountability partner (15:30) Get 75% off a lifetime of personalized meditation (15:57) The power of positive self-talk 🧘 About Balance: Well Balanced is co-hosted by Ofosu and Leah, Balance’s Co-Heads of Meditation. Balance is a highly personalized meditation and sleep app that's been named Google's App of the Year and Apple's App of the Day. Completely free for the entire first year, Balance is helping 4 million+ people around the world improve their stress, sleep, focus, and mood. Unlock your free year of Balance today by downloading it from the App Store or Play Store: https://balanceapp.sng.link/Arat1/h3qp/icji