Wrestling with Life: Recent Episodes
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Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud (aka Erick Rowan/Eric Redbeard) talk about his life and experiences in the professional wrestling business along with real life topics and why wrestling can be a metaphor for life.
We're back baby!! :)
In this episode, I cover:
- Why I took a break from the podcast for a few months
- How my heart has shifted during this time
- Why my old episodes are no longer available
- What you can expect from the pod moving forward & who it's for!
A lot has changed, but one thing is always gonna be the same around here: whatever you're wrestling with, you are not alone <3
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We are all wrestling with something – especially us twenty and thirty somethings who are navigating the most transitional, confusing, overwhelming times of our lives thus far. We’re doing so many things for the first time: getting started in our careers, living on our own, moving to new places, dating (or marrying) new people, making new friends, and asking the big life questions like “What is the point of all of this?”
And on top of all that, our generation is up against something none of our ancestors before us have ever navigated: growing up in a tech savvy world full of constant distractions. We’re more connected than ever before – yet we’re largely lacking purpose, in-person community, and faith in anything besides “quick fixes” to give us relief. Instead we’re overwhelmed with information, addicted to our phones, and desperate for a more meaningful existence.
Whether you’re wrestling with your self-image, your faith in God, or your entire life’s purpose – I’m here to tell you that you are not alone and to encourage you to find both beauty and purpose in the midst of your struggle.
My name is EmLed and this is the Wrestling With Life podcast :)
I’m in my late twenties and spent the last few years in my “healing era” – going to therapy, reading tons of self-help books, and pouring myself into my career ambitions. This is what the modern mental health movement tells us will fix our problems, right? But my obsession with self-improvement slowly morphed into a pursuit of perfection, outperforming my competition, and total self-absorption. Funny enough, all the time I spent “finding myself” left me feeling more isolated, more insecure, and more sad than ever before. Then God brought me to my knees and opened my eyes – I can’t do life without Him.
Wrestling With Life is for anyone like me who is tired of trying to play God and rely on themselves to find peace. Together, we’re gonna look to Jesus for inspiration on how to live and love and give and feel. We’ll kick perfection and control and pride to the curb and intentionally seek how God may use our pain for good. We’ll explore how we can build community and lift others up and embrace humility. And above all else, we will strive to accept our beautifully messy, limited human nature and remember that the point of life is learning to unconditionally love one another – not rise above each other.
And real quick, before you dive in, let me be very clear on what this podcast is NOT. Wrestling With Life does not exist to judge you or replace the voice of God. I am absolutely NOT a preacher, life coach, or therapist – nor will I ever pretend to be. I am simply a deeply flawed human on a mission to eliminate the messages of perfection, self-reliance, and materialism that the world worships. Because sometimes I can forget the truth – and when I buy those lies, my world never feels darker. And if you’re here, I’m willing to bet you can relate.
Whatever you’re wrestling with, you are not alone – let’s Wrestle With Life together. Follow @em_led11 on Instagram for more <3
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Introducing a new series to kick off Season 3 of Wrestling With Life: Seaside Sagas!!
In this new series, me and my roomie Kait will be on the mic each week to spill all the tea on:
- What it's like picking up and moving your life to a new city
- Making new friends
- Changing habits
- Missing home/old life
- Dating in a new place!!
- Any struggles we're having
- And more :)
Tune in each week for alllllll the tea!
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Calling all of my ambitious Wrestling Squad members...
One of my biggest marketing world inspirations, Jay Schwedelson, joined me to talk about:
- Being your authentic weirdo self, even at work!
- The cringey feelings that come up with creating content
- Balancing work and having a life
- How to maintain motivation when the numbers aren't there
- The importance of having your own outlet to express yourself
Jay is the Founder of Subjectline.com (online email marketing tool) and GURU Media Hub (in person marketing events). He hosts a podcast, Do This, Not That!: For Marketers (top 10 in marketing podcasts) and runs a marketing agency, Outcome Media.
For anyone who hasn’t experienced Jay’s speaking events or consumed his content, his self-deprecating humor, enthusiasm, and goofy personality shines through while still presenting super helpful marketing insights.
This is an amazing episode anyone with big career aspirations does not want to miss!!!!
CONNECT WITH JAY
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The title says it all hehe :) My heart is bursting with gratitude. Tune in for the dirty deets on my move to North Carolina and also a sneak peek of the content to come in Season 3 of the podcast!!! Love y'all <3
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My friend Trent Balduff, professional Beekeeper and a new(ish) resident of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands, joined me for a beautiful and open conversation on:
- How he is healing his shadow self and childhood trauma
- Why he moved to Hawaii (spoiler: his intuition called him there)
- How we are moving away from chasing money & success to pursuing love & authenticity instead
Such a beautiful conversation, thank you Trent for joining me. This one is so raw and real Wrestling Fam - tune in <3
BABE! If you are constantly worried about what people think about you, you feel uncomfortable in social situations as if everyone’s eyes are on you, or you generally struggle to carry yourself in conversations – this episode is for you!
By the end of this episode, you will learn tips and tricks on how to use your body language to take your power back in social situations, feel more comfortable, confident, and free to be yourself, and become the perceiver not the perceived. Let's go baby, press play!
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Suck at organizing your life? Always late to things? Procrastinating deadlines? Feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to get done?
I got you baby, this is lowkey my forte!! Let's lighten the mood and talk practical tips on how to:
- Never be late again
- Never miss a deadline again
- Celebrate the little wins
- Stay on top of your shit and feel at peace!!
- Make time for more fun things
Lesssss gettt ittttt
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There's a lot of noise out there telling us what we should be, do, buy, think, and feel. Sometimes you can't even hear that inner voice guiding you anymore and everything feels overwhelming. Don't worry bb, I've been there and I'm here to tell you what's helped me sort thru the BS.
By the end of this episode, you'll know:
- How to spot advice, marketing, and ideas that just aren't best for you
- How to tap into your intuition to make good decisions for yourself
- How to limit your exposure to outside opinions, influences, and temptations
Stats on Social Media Ads:
- Mintel Research
- Fashion United Data
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How is fear running your life? What are you so afraid to admit or do or say or be? What would happen for you if you let go of it?
In this episode I share:
- How sharing my deepest struggles and shame has freed me
- What vulnerable conversations with my parents, friends, and the world have felt like behind the scenes
- What changes when you let go of fear
The fastest way to step into your authentic self? Saying the thing out loud that you're afraid to say.
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Harley Seelbinder is an intimacy coach and the founder of Road Away From Porn, a program that empowers men to quit watching porn and lead happier, healthier, and more authentic lives!
This episode is both for MEN and WOMEN who watch porn.
Harley and I discuss:
- How we have both struggled with watching porn
- Stats on pornography that will blow your mind
- How watching porn negatively impacts your mental health, relationships, and confidence
- How to stop watching!
Get in touch with Harley:
- @roadawayfrompxrn on Instagram
- Visit Harley's Website
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How often are you up til 3 AM racked with guilt and shame as you think about the past mistakes you've made?
Guilt is a healthy and normal human emotion -- but when we internalize that guilt, it turns into shame, and shame tells us that we are broken, unworthy, and unlovable. WHICH IS A LIE!
Nobody is irredeemable. No matter what you've done or how low you've sank, forgiveness is possible.
I have REAL ACTION STEPS you can take to actually forgive yourself and leave your shame in the past -- where it belongs. Let's go babyyyyyy
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Trigger Warning: This episode contains raw conversations about personal drug use and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, please confide in your trusted loved ones or contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Ready to have your mind expanded and your heart strings tugged on?
My friend Anthony has overcome a LOT. He shares his painful experience being addicted to drugs, losing his social identity and sense of self completely, and being outcasted from society.
The raw vulnerability, authenticity, and bravery Anthony showed up with in this conversation is truly inspiring to me in my own battle against my ego and learning to live from the soul.
If your ego tends to drive your choices, tune in for inspiration on how you can move back into soul, let your idea of who you "should be" die, and lead your life from love and authenticity rather than a desperate need to fit in.
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Calling all people pleasers... this episode is for you!!
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Y'all ever heard of paradox? Sentences like...
"Less is more."
"You must fail to succeed."
"Silence is louder than words."
All of these statements seem to contradict to each other, but as you dig into their meaning you can see the truth behind them. So much of the confusion we feel in life is a result of paradoxes that are much harder to understand than these.
Like, how can I be a confident badass bitch but also be super emotional and sensitive? We think for one part of ourself to thrive, any feelings or thoughts that oppose it must cease to exist altogether. But I'm here to tell you why this is BS!!
In this episode we will break down:
- How the wisest and most peaceful people embrace paradox
- Why black and white thinking is so harmful
- How to find peace and truth in the confusion of the gray area
- How to stop shaming parts of yourself that are begging to be loved
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This is basically a diary entry of all of the conflicting emotions I've been experiencing of late LOL. Just because life is going well overall doesn't mean you're not allowed to feel frustrated or sad or angry or overwhelmed, too.
Listen to this if you're sick of pretending to be okay <3
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The episode title says it all baby: We got unhappy single people out here longing for families and unhappy married people out here reminiscing on the good ole days when they could pee in peace.
Poor people dream of mansions and fancy cars and rich people just wish they had the love and peace they had before money made them cold.
No matter where you're at in your life, it's easy to think someone who has it different also has it better. But that's not necessarily the case babe! Tune in for some encouragement and ideas on how to water the grass you're standing on right now :)
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A huge shift is taking place in my heart y'all. My priorities are shifting. Things that used to keep me up at night just don't anymore. "Making it" by the world's standards and crafting a certain image for myself just feels like a silly waste of time. I'm saying goodbye to being obsessed with my own little world and myself, always trying to be right and justified in my perspective...
When you operate from the ego, peace is not possible. You focus on things you think will ultimately make you happy but actually leave you empty: status, money, titles, self-importance, accolades, recognition, credit, and praise.
I used to think humility was the opposite extreme of this: shrinking yourself, not caring about success at all, and operating from a place of low self-esteem.
But it's not that at all. Humility is actually how we tame our ego and find true peace, wonder in the world, joy, contentment, and purpose. Tune in to hear more <3
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Resources Mentioned in this episode:
- Crucial Conversations book
BUY MERCH: Wrestling With Life merch is finally here baby!!!!! Get your hands on a big comfy embroidered hoodie or trucker cap ;) More merch coming soon. Lesssss goooooo
Today we got one of my besties, Baby Bri, on the mic for a vulnerable convo about faith: how we've both wrestled with doubt, shame, and anger towards God and the Christian church in general.
Boy oh boy have I avoided this topic for a long time y'all. I have been so angry with the church for many years, but I'm finally starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Even if you're not a Christian and you don't believe in God, I encourage you to give this episode a listen. We cover:
- How judgmental people in the Christian church can be and why this is so harmful
- How it's easy to be turned off to faith for this reason
- How Christians can speak and model truth in love instead but still stay in your own lane
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The people we hang out with, the places we go, and the choices we make all shape how in touch with our true selves we really are. A lot of times we sacrifice our authentic selves so we can fit in.
Tune in for a SUPER simple mindset shift you can make that will help you stop trying to fit in places where you don't belong and prioritize authenticity over acceptance.
P.S. We are back to episodes on Tuesdays!!! Stay tuned for my Patreon dropping soon which will give you the option of a paid subscription with bonus content <3
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DISCLAIMER: The Wrestling With Life podcast and any content posted on my channels is presented solely for general informational and educational purposes. The use of this information is at the user's own risk and should not be substituted for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are struggling with your mental health, please consider seeking professional help or contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Please don't try to get through things by yourself, you are not alone <3
This one is for all my "fixers" out there :) Anybody with high standards for themselves (AKA all of you beautiful people) likely has high standards for the people in their life, too. That's why it can be so frustrating when we think the people around us are slacking.
A lesson I've learned the hard way: you cannot fix or change people. They have to want that for themselves. In this episode we discuss why being a fixer is actually toxic and how you can inspire people to be better instead :)
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👑 <-- here babe you dropped this :)
Do you know how BAD ASS you are to be chasing after what you want even when nobody else gets it? Even when you're wrestling with your own limiting beliefs and doubts and fears IN ADDITION to living in a super judgmental world where everyone else is constantly projecting THEIR OWN self-doubt on you???
I don't think you do babe, so I'm here to remind you. Tune in for the pep talk you didn't know you needed today and pointers on how to stop doubting yourself :)
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Resources mentioned:
- Why High Achievers Struggle with Self-Doubt
We got LED himself guest starring on the pod baby!!!!
My dad has always had a pristine reputation everywhere he goes as a reliable man who follows through on his word, doesn't speak poorly of other people, and always strives to do the right thing.
Led is here to spill the tea on how and why it's so important to live a life of integrity and share practical ways you can do the same. Let's get into it baby!!!!
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You ready for the biggest truth bomb I've ever learned in my life?
NOTHING. IS. PERSONAL!!!!!!
The way people treat you has nothing to do with you. Getting rejected romantically or by friends or for a job has nothing to do with you!!!! Tune in to hear why <3
Resources Mentioned in this epi:
- The Four Agreements
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How do you define success...
- In the gym?
- At work?
- In your lifestyle?
- At school?
- In your side hustles?
If you're a success-driven person, it's likely that you've gotten caught up in the metrics usually associated with success in these endeavors: how heavy your lifts are, how high your salary is, the cost of the home you bought, your GPA, the engagement you're getting on social media...
If you have, you're not alone. We're living in a digital age where numbers are everywhere and it's really hard not to focus on them.
This episode encourages at you to define success a lil differently baby <3
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How you talk to yourself is everythinggggggg you guys. In this Monday Motivation, I'm spilling the tea about 10 mentalities you must embrace so you can correct your negative self talk.
Have the bestest week ever y'all ilysm <3
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My bestie LIZZY!!! is on the pod to give you the 411 on advocating for yourself when...
- People cross your boundaries
- People hurt your feelings
- People are disrespecting you
- You need help
...while also keeping in mind:
- There are two sides to every story
- People who love you don't intend to hurt you
- Coming in HOT is not the best approach
- And more <3
We giggled the entire way through this episode and Lizzy dropped some amazing truth bombs of wisdom you don't wanna miss!
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Is life feelin a little mundane, boring, or repetitive for you lately?
This Monday Motivation is here to give you 10+ ways to SPICE UP YOUR LIFE and create MAGIC everywhere you go :)
Happy Monday y'all!
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It's soooo important to demand respect from the people in your life. But be warned: there are two extremes when it comes to setting boundaries and standards in your relationships:
- High standards and no grace
- Low standards and too much grace
Both of these extremes are SO unhealthy and lead to either having no solid relationships or letting people walk all over you. In this episode we discuss what a healthy middle ground looks like :) Let's gooooooo baby!!
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Listen to this for some motivation to get your week started right! The gist of this epi...
There are two types of people in life:
- Those who RKO the shit out of life
- Those who let life RKO the shit out of them
Suffering is involved in either choice. Which do you want to be?
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We got a beautiful soul on the mic today: JLED! My big sister Jenna lives and works in Glacier National Park and now lives a life full of adventure and grizzly bears :)
She has been a shining example for me of what breaking societal expectations and chasing down the kind of life you want looks like.
In this episode we discuss:
- Jenna's struggles growing up and into adulthood
- How we have both struggled with people pleasing
- Overcoming societal expectations
- Living a life that's true to you even when your closest people don't support you
Follow Jenna on Instagram
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Welcome to the FIRST EVER Monday Morning Motivation episode on Wrestling With Life!!
Want to start your week off with a pep talk full of encouragement and wisdom? I got you babyyyyy. This week I'm telling you to slow TF down.
Listen to find out why <3 Have a great week wrestling fam!
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Are you focusing on all your problems? What hasn't been going well? How you've failed? Where you're "behind"?
Me too dude. I've been so in my head lately and in such a funk. God really spoke to me the last few weeks and showed me that my attention has been centered around all the wrong things.
In this episode we talk about:
- How hyper-fixating on our problems is counterproductive
- How we can pull ourselves out of scarcity mindset
- How to practice gratitude for what you DO have, what you ARE doing right, and how you HAVE grown & improved
Your emotions and problems are always valid bb. But letting negativity and darkness consume you will only destroy you in the long run. Let's get out of our heads together today <3
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- 2 billion people don't have access to clean water
- 1.6 billion people don't have adequate shelter
- 60% of people suffer from chronic disease
DUVAN IN THE HOUSE!!! My college bestie of 7+ years joined me on the pod for a hilarious but also real ass conversation.
We discuss:
- How Duvan was effected growing up in poverty and being bullied
- How he overcame these feelings and stopped caring about what others think
- How we both struggle with:
- Trusting people
- Feeling "behind" in life
- Believing it's okay to not be okay
We also reminisce on Duvan's player days and both of our party days. This episode is full of a lot of laughs, wisdom, and way too many F-bombs.
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Please welcome the TikTok star (who also happens to be my little brother) Ben Led to the mic!!!
Benny and I bring you our best crackhead energy and advice in this episode while talking about:
- Responding to Internet hate
- Getting back up again after job loss
- Pursuing your dreams even through setbacks and criticism
- Our childhood mems <3
Stick around for some silly lil bloopers at the end! So incredibly proud of my brother and the way he has worked to shift his mindset through everything he has faced in the last few years.
Follow Ben on TikTok or Instagram
Ben's Twitch
Ben's screaming TikTok LOL
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Anybody else down bad in the trenches rn? I've had a rough start to 2024 -- but I'm here to tell you it isn't the end of the world.
Here's some words of wisdom from my favorite people who have been picking up my pieces:
- Healing isn't linear
- It's not weak to ugly cry
- You don't lose the healing progress you made just because you have a few bad nights or weeks
- Give yourself grace
- Remember you're only human and this is your first time every doing any of this shit
- Know when to take breaks and take a step back from things
- Let yourself feel your emotions
- It's okay to slip back into old patterns as long as you catch yourself and correct yourself
P.S. Wrestling With Life will be pivoting to guest episodes for the foreseeable future. I'm so excited for this next season of the podcast and I hope you are too :)
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Wrestling with yourself? Other people? Life? You’re not alone – nobody has life figured out.
Welcome to Wrestling With Life, where we get out of our heads together, baby!! I’m your host, EmLed, and I’m spilling all the tea on the ways I’ve struggled and how I’m stepping into the highest version of myself in the hopes it will help you do the same. Wrestling With Life is a community for ambitious people who want to get out of their head and start truly living!
Learn to adopt the mindset shifts, habit changes, and self-talk of the people who truly love themselves and their lives so you can step into your most authentic self. We cover all sorts of juicy topics like how to stop caring what other people think, advocating for yourself, living a life that’s true to you, and so much more.
Sometimes I drop these truth bombs solo and sometimes I bring in my favorite people to do the honors. But one thing is always the same: I keep it real with you guys and get really freaking vulnerable, own my shit, and challenge you to look at life through a limitless lens of who you could be. It’s time to get out of your head and grab life by the freaking balls!!!
If you’re liking what you’re hearing, follow @wrestlingwithlifepod on Instagram and TikTok or leave me a 5-star review wherever you listen.
Welcome babe - I’m so happy you’ve joined the wrestling squad!
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You can do all the therapy in the world and become as self-aware as you want, but if you don't learn to accept who you are to your core -- even the "negative" things about yourself that you don't like -- then you will never be at peace with yourself.
Today's epi covers 8 major truth bombs that will help you work towards self-acceptance:
- Your judgement of others reveals what you haven't accepted about yourself
- The things you see as "good" or "bad" about yourself are actually neither. That's just how you've been conditioned to see it!
- You can reframe core negative beliefs about yourself into positive ones
- There is a HUGE difference between intellectualizing yourself and letting yourself be who you are!!
- The voice inside your head is not you -- it's your ego and you can talk back to it baby
- Taking down your facade + embracing vulnerability = freedom
- There is not a spotlight on you and nobody is judging you more than you
- Embrace the cringe and stop taking yourself so seriously
I am so proud of this one Wrestling Fam. Give it a listen <3
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I don't think I talked enough in my last episode about the territory that comes with choosing healthier habits for your life. This quick little bonus episode describes the feelings and pain that can come with leveling up your life and choosing a better reality for yourself. Healthy choices can sometimes feel really isolating and lonely. Just had to keep it real with y'all. Love you <3
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HAPPY NEW YEAR WRESTLING FAM! I'm feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and nostalgia as I reflect back on 2023.
Today I'm spilling the motha frickin tea about:
- The biggest lesson I learned in 2023: You will become what you believe
- How I entered 2023 vs. how I'm entering 2024 (spoiler alert: it's night and day babyyyyyy)
- The biggest mindset shifts and habit changes I made to level up my life in the past year
- My 2024 Resolutions/Goals
- Wrestling With Life WRAPPED (podcast stats from 2023)
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Trying to get over your ex? You're in the right place. I've got 6 logical steps you can take to ACTUALLY move on for good.
- Make the decision to TRULY move on
- Go completely no contact
- Fill the void in a healthy way
- Stay busy but also let yourself feel
- Set boundaries with dating apps, sex, and seeking validation
- Get back out there
I have LIVED this reality you guys, so take it from me: these steps ACTUALLY work. This is a juicy & vulnerable epi you don't wanna skip <3
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Let's talk about luvvvvvv ;) You guys know I've been a relationship girly for pretty much the past 10 years. After a lengthy single girl era and recently experiencing healthy adult love for the first time, I have some PIPING HOT relationship tea to spill to y'all. Basically, I'm just telling you what not to do in your romantic relationships :)
In this episode we cover:
- The dangers of codependency
- How toxic situationships can get and why
- Why jumping into bed with someone right away is no bueno if you're trying to build a healthy connection
- How breaking up and getting back together multiple times is a recipe for disaster
- Why it's so important to know your relationship non-negotiables
- Why you should BE PICKY!!
- All the ways I've messed up bad in my relationships
AND MORE! This is a juicy one you guys, let's love it upppppp.
Guyssssss, can you believe it's been 4 months of Wrestling With Life?! What the FRICK!!!! This mini episode is just a quick little check-in to tell you:
- How launching this podcast and being vulnerable has changed my life
- THANK YOU for your support <3
- A quick little life update (what I've been up to, my love life...)
- What you can expect from the podcast in the future
I love you guys and I love this life!!!!!!! Have a wonderful holiday season :) <3
PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER for my second guest EVER: please welcome the queen of bad bitch energy herself, Leann, to the mic!! In this raw and real episode, Leann and I get vulnerable AF with all things beauty standards and our journeys to love the bodies we're in.
We discuss:
- How we have both struggled with our own body image
- The way society capitalizes off of women's insecurities to make money
- Plastic surgery, injections and filler, and makeup: how far is too far?
- How you can shift your mindset to create your own beauty standard rather than conforming to what society deems beautiful
- How our insecurities are not actually that deep
- How your appearance is actually the least interesting thing about you
If you are feeling any type of way about your body, you've come to the right place. Leann and I are here to remind you that WE ARE SOULS, NOT BODIES! Buckle up for some encouraging messages baby, you don't wanna skip this episode :)
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Now more than ever, beauty is currency. "Pretty privilege" is actually a thing -- being hot opens the door for more opportunities, greater wealth, and bigger social circles. In this Kardashian-influenced era of beauty, it's tough for women and men alike to feel comfortable in our own skin. In this episode, we explore how beauty standards have evolved over time, how those standards and societal expectations take a toll on us, and how we can overcome them and create our own standards. I also open up about my own personal struggle with body image and how I logically rationalize with myself when I'm having negative thoughts about my appearance. This is a raw and real juicy epi you don't want to miss!
Resources referenced in this episode:
- Perceptions and Deceptions: Human Beauty and the Brain
- The Evolution of Beauty Standards
- Mik Zazon on Instagram
- Lainey Molnar on Instagram
- Zach Miko on Instagram
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The questions below are for BOTH men and women alike.
Do you...
- Judge a women's sexual behavior differently than a man's?
- Believe women are too emotional to be leaders?
- Feel disgusted by female body hair?
- Think women can't be talented at sports or science?
- Mock men who are outperformed by a woman?
- Believe women's rightful place is in the home (to cook, clean, and care for children?)
- Wolf whistle at women?
- Think women (or yourself) is/are partly to blame when they are groped or raped?
- See any of the above happening and fail to speak up against it?
If you can say yes to any of these things, there is misogyny and/or toxic masculinity programmed somewhere in your mind. This episode dives deep into the reality of the patriarchy we live in today: what women face on a day-to-day basis, how so many other men and women perpetuate this dynamic by failing to challenge the status quo, and real life stories of mine that illustrate just how shitty it can feel to be a woman in this world.
DISCLAIMER: This is not a "screw you, men!" episode, but rather a realistic "lemme tell you how it is" take that also recognizes women's role in allowing the patriarchy to continue. I encourage you to come into this conversation with an open mind <3
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Robin Clark, Feminist Life Coach on Instagram
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Wanna know a huge mistake I've made throughout my entire life? Attaching my security, fulfillment, and sense of worth to things like how much I can achieve, how much validation I'm receiving from others, my status, the person I'm dating -- the list GOES ON. And guess what the result was? When those things were taken away from me or I missed the mark in some way, my sense of self, confidence, and joy came crashing down. In this episode, I dive into the human psyche and explore why we all tend to attach our identity to other things and other people, how this can be so harmful to us, how we can detach ourselves from our external environment, and the amazing opportunities that open up for us once we finally do. Put your motherfreaking thinking caps on and get ready to have your mind blown today, baby!!!! This lesson has changed and is still changing my life today for the better.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- "Become" Sermon Series (ONE Church)
- Julien Blanc: "Life is a video game"
- Simply Psychology: The Id, Ego, and Superego
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WE GOT OUR FIRST GUEST EVERRRRR ON THE POD, PEOPLE!!! Please welcome my beautiful mama (Mama Led) to the mic! With 50+ years under her belt of being an incredibly selfless mother, wife, businesswoman, friend, mentor, Christian, and so much more, there is nobody else better to speak on the topic of moving out of your comfort zone than my mama. We're diving deep into the psychology of comfort zone (why humans like to play it safe and why it's so scary to step outside our comfort zone), how we can get unstuck, and the beautiful things that happen when we finally do! Mama Led gets super vulnerable (I'm so proud of her rawness in this convo btw) and shares some hard life lessons she's learned throughout different seasons: from growing up with a parent who was abusing alcohol to navigating a leadership role that challenged her ability to be vulnerable and take charge. You don't want to miss this amazing mother daughter heart to heart <3
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- The Deepest Well
- BF Skinner's Operant Conditioning Theory
- System 1 & 2 Thinking
Follow Wrestling With Life: https://linktr.ee/wrestlingwithlife
Remember how simple and carefree being a kid felt? Now there's bills to pay, real trauma to heal from, and shit to get done. Even though you may feel like you've completely lost touch with the fun-loving kiddo you used to be, that doesn't mean they're gone forever. This episode details practical ways we can tap back into our inner child through play and creativity while still holding onto the adult lessons we've learned in life. If you've been feeling emotionally triggered, emotionally numb, or just lost in general, this epi is for you, baby. You're not alone <3
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Relationships Made Easy Podcast: https://spotify.link/0mC0e1BzBDb
Follow Wrestling With Life:
https://linktr.ee/wrestlingwithlife
In this episode, we're talking all things routines and how to set ourselves up for success by getting the little things right. I'll walk you through the play by play of the morning & night time routines I've created for myself throughout the last few years. These routines are backed by both science and psychology and help me to show up as the best version of myself each day. When my mental health was in a really shitty place, I had very little structure and discipline in my life. Creating healthy routines for myself played a huge role in pulling me out of the dark hole I had climbed into. If you struggle with sticking to routines, anxiety/depression, or just having structure in your life in general, you're gonna want to tune into this episode!!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Andrew Huberman's morning routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ezOLT2Kv0
- Hydration statistics: https://www.thehealthy.com/hydration/heres-how-much-water-you-lose-when-you-sleep-according-to-a-medical-expert/#:~:text=It's%20estimated%20that%20a%20person,two%20pounds%20of%20water%20weight
- Health benefits of grounding: https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding#benefits
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https://linktr.ee/wrestlingwithlife
All any of us really want is to be understood: to feel seen, heard, and validated. To feel like we freaking MATTER and that our lives are significant. But sometimes we get so caught up in wanting other people to see our worth that we forget how equally important it is to do the same thing for others. I had a low moment last week where I felt like nobody in the world gave a shit about me. I was feeling very "whoa is me" and had a good cry. But then gave some deeper thought to where those feelings were coming from and uncovered a deep realization. I've been insanely self-absorbed lately: focusing all my time and energy on building this podcast, working my 9-5 job, and getting my own shit done. It's gotten to the point where I'm realizing I've been neglecting the most important people in my life and not showing up for THEM. I realized that I can't expect to feel understood if I don't take the time to understand others. I'm not going to feel important or heard or seen if I don't make an effort to make the people in my life feel that same exact way. And how many of us do this? How many of us want so desperately to feel important, yet we don't make a conscious effort to do that for the people we love most? In this episode, we dive deep into how practicing empathy and grace for others can heal this disparity we feel deep in our souls. How we can be better listeners and practice making others feel seen in our everyday conversations, and how we can, in turn, feel more deeply understood by the people we care for the most.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Jay Shetty: https://jayshetty.me/
- You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy: https://www.amazon.com/Youre-Not-Listening-Missing-Matters/dp/1250297192
Follow Wrestling With Life:
- https://linktr.ee/wrestlingwithlife
It's so easy to play the blame game, isn't it? It's nice living in our own little delusional worlds where EVERYONE ELSE is the problem and we don't have any toxic traits, never mess up, and can't possibly be wrong about anything. I hate to be the one to tell you this bucko, but the blame game is actually what's keeping you stuck. Your inability to take accountability for your mistakes, the way you've hurt others, and the role you play in your own suffering might just be the reason why you're so down bad and in the trenches right now. When I learned to finally own my shit and be honest with myself and others about my imperfections, flaws, and failures, my life changed for the better. Today we're talking about how blame leaves us powerless in our own lives and how taking accountability is your one way ticket to getting that power back, baby!!! If you're ready to get unstuck and level up your life, relationships, and overall mental health, you gotta give this epi a listen. Let's gooooooooo!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Brene Brown's video on blame: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWf2_2L2v8
Julien Blanc (@julienhimself): https://www.instagram.com/julienhimself/
Follow Wrestling With Life:
https://linktr.ee/wrestlingwithlife
I've spent a lot of my life always trying to get to the next thing -- thinking my life would be better, bigger, or more beautiful "someday" than it was at the time. I learned the hard way that when we live our lives longing for a brighter future, we miss out on so many beautiful freaking moments that are right in front of our faces. We've all had shitty seasons of our lives that we wish we could hit the fast forward button through, right? Maybe you're even in a season of life like that right now. But when we're always thinking we have to become a better version of ourselves, or buy that house, or get that job, or find that person in order to truly be content and actually enjoy where our feet are, we sacrifice the authentic joy, contentment, and magic that are available to us RIGHT NOW in the present moment. Recorded live from the Boston airport during an extremely frustrating 8 hour flight delay, this episode dives deep into how we can rewire our brains to search for the good even in the shittiest of situations and how that can snowball-effect into a more peaceful, happy, and truly whole life.
We've all struggled with people pleasing at some point in our lives, right? Whether it's struggling to say "no," toning down our opinions or personality to "fit in," not advocating for our needs, or desperately sucking up to others to try to earn love. But it's time to cut it the frick out, y'all. What if I told you that people pleasing isn't actually about being a nice person? That it's actually coming from a place of trying to control outcomes, keep yourself safe, and avoid uncomfortable experiences? Welp, that's exactly what I'll be preaching to you today. Buckle up baby: I'm here to tell you real stories of how I've taken "being a nice person" way too far, how it's negatively impacted my life, and how I broke the shitty cycle of trying to earn love by kissing ass and shrinking myself.
If you ever listen to ANY episode I ever record, it's gotta be this one. We're talking about how learning to be vulnerable and assuming emotional risk changed my freaking life. It's human nature to protect ourselves and try to avoid rejection, pain, disappointment, and shame. But doing everything we can to avoid those shitty feelings actually isolates us, ruins our relationships with others, and keeps us from being true to who we are and what we feel. This episode dives DEEP into what being vulnerable could look like for you, how to step into it, and the truth about what vulnerability REALLY feels like. To illustrate my points, I get super raw and even share one of my journal entries from the week I launched my podcast. There's no sugarcoating it - vulnerability is freaking hard and scary. But it's also so. freaking. worth it. Buckle up for some vulnerable af TRUTH BOMBS in this epi, baby!!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Brene Brown's Vulnerability TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCvmsMzlF7o
Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen: https://www.amazon.com/Get-Out-Your-Head-Stopping/dp/1601429649/ref=sr_1_3
Julien Blanc (@julienhimself): https://www.instagram.com/julienhimself/
What silly little thing did you lay up in anxiety thinking about last night?? Why are you freaking torturing yourself over your imperfections when you're an imperfect human? This episode is all about why we're so mean to ourselves and how we can tone down that inner critic we all have. It's time to work towards a more beautiful and peaceful inner world you guys. I'm gonna tell you little cuties all about how mean I used to be to myself and how I finally got to a place to be able to talk back to those meanie pants thoughts!!! If you're mean to yourself, you're gonna want to give this one a listen :)
We’re in our FEELS today, baby. I’m bringing you a slightly longer epi (per your feedback on IG) that dives deep into why we stuff down our true emotions so much, why that is SO bad for us, and how we can break the toxic ass cycle of emotionally numbing and distracting ourselves from how we REALLY feel. We’ll also talk about how sometimes we even hold ourselves back from feeling true joy because we’re punishing ourselves for the past or we think we don’t deserve to be happy. Are you dealing with grief from losing a person you loved to death? Have you been struggling through the aftershocks of a tough breakup? A lost job? A broken dream?? Have you been spending HOURS on your phone to distract yourself from how low you actually feel inside? Are you a man who has fallen into the trap of toxic masculinity and adopted a hard exterior that hides your true emotions? If you can say “yes” to any of these, this epi is for you baby!!! Life is a beautiful mess full of SO MANY ups and downs. Let’s talk about how we can embrace that truth and stop trying to avoid the low moments.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
“Man Enough” by Justin Baldoni: https://www.amazon.com/Man-Enough-Undefining-My-Masculinity/dp/0063055597
Harvard Health Article on Crying: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020
Why is it so freaking hard to be confident today??? There’s so many reasons to be honest. But once you realize that the biggest reason you don’t feel confident is likely just your own mind working against you…it gets easier to step into your own. Let’s talk all things confidence: how to get our confidence back after life (or people) knock us down, what true confidence really looks like, and the top 10 biggest lessons I’ve learned that have helped me improve my confidence. If you’ve been struggling with your confidence, you’re in the right place. So, suit up and get ready to put confidence in a choke hold, baby!!!!
Guys. People can only meet you as deeply as they have met themselves!!! Everybody is projecting 24/7, so you shouldn't take everything so freaking personally, okay? Let's dive into why we all care so much about what everyone else thinks about us, how we can stop caring so much, and what life looks like when we show up as more accepting, open-minded, and loving people. Buckle up for a raw and vulnerable lesson, baby!!!
This is a juicy one you guys!!! Here's a life lesson that took me 25 years to learn: how to actually enjoy being single. Why is everybody freaking terrified to be single these days?! Why is relationship hopping so toxic and how do we find peace without having a boyfriend or girlfriend?? I'm diving deep into my own relationship history and what the last 10 months of the single life have been like for me. Let's get into it baby!!!!!
What's holding you back from living the life you know you're capable of living deep down???? In this episode, I spill the tea on what kept me playing small for so long - the fallout of getting laid off from my first big girl job, the limiting beliefs I formed about myself, and sooo much more. We'll talk about why so many of us choose to play small in life, how to get out of that shitty mentality, and what life might look like for you if you decide to start playing BIG in your life today, baby. Life's too short to keep settling for less than what you're capable of. Buckle up, this is the pep talk you didn't know you needed!!
What's up beautiful people!!!!! WE ARE LIVE! Check out this trailer for an inside scoop on why the freak I made this podcast, what tea you can expect me to spill about my life, the life lessons I've learned, and why my 4th grade wrestling photo is the cover art of my podcast. Let's goooooooo!!
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud talk about music.
Some of his favorite bands/artists (including a couple surprises), and he played what instrument when he was younger?
Lots of cool things to get into with this episode. Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out.
Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud get into the amount of information available to wrestling fans.
How does he feel about the business being exposed and people using insider terms? What really bothers him about social media? Lots of cool things to get into with this episode.Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out.
Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud discuss one of the most unforgettable shows that Chris ever attended in person and that was Elimination Chamber 2014 at Target Center in Joe's hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
What did he think about The Shield vs. The Wyatts being held at Target Center? When did he know that this match would be something special?
What was his reaction when it was all said and done? Lots of cool things to get into with this episode.Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out.
Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud discuss Joe's favorite genre of film.. Horror.
What sparked his interest? What does he like, and what types won't he watch? We get into that, plus what can he take from that type of movie and incorporate into his wrestling persona?
Plus an appearance from a special guest at the end of the show.
Don't forget, we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out. Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud get into the independent wrestling scene. What was it like when he was breaking in? How did he go about getting booked?
When he was in WWE, could he tell the difference between guys who worked in indies and those who came up through the Performance Center? He also tells a story about Vince McMahon wanting Jon Huber to have a southern accent, why they didn't agree with that and more.
Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out. Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on all of us and one of the more unfortunate aspects of the pandemic is the loss of jobs and changes we had to make. Joe was part of the WWE releases back on April 15, 2020 and found himself in a weird situation.
Did it come as a surprise? What's next and how do you handle the uncertainty, especially with all of the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic when the world is essentially shutting down around us?
He talks about making the foray into acting and the process that goes into making the transition. Those are some of the topics we cover this week.
Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out. Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
In this weeks edition talk about the end of his WWE run, teaming with and against Daniel Bryan, why that pairing worked, how it was different than Jon and why he didn't like traveling with belts.
Plus what was the plan with the cage, where did you want it to go, the pandemic hitting, his upcoming bookings and really good "random gimmick reference" and more.
Plus we're going to have EXCLUSIVE features for Twitter followers, so follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out. Plus MORE opportunities for those that rate, review and subscribe.
Joe talks about the worst injury he ever suffered in the wrestling business, what he thought when Braun Strowman was added to the Wyatt Family, and the creative frustrations he experienced during his time in WWE.
He also tells us about a couple of ideas they had for their feud vs. the Brothers of Destruction, seeing the "fireflies", the transition into the Bludgeon Bros. and more.
We have some really cool things coming up that you'll want to be a part of, so be sure to follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard, so you don't miss out. Plus subscribe, rate and review for more exclusive opportunities.
In this first of two episodes, Joe goes into the genesis of his career, including why he trained with Eddie Sharkey, why the name Thoruf Marius means so much to him and how he got into WWE.
Plus we talk about how the Erick Rowan look came about, how he felt about getting called up, why he would have wanted more with his brief babyface run, and potential stories that were being pitched.
Let us know what you think. Any questions, comments or suggestions!
Rate, review and subscribe, and be sure to follow on Twitter, Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard.
This week Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud talk about something that we can all relate to and is also top of mind in today's society, and that's mental health.
What advice does Joe give for those that might be going through certain events in their life, and how does he deal with it? Being a high profile person, is it more challenging when you're constantly in the spotlight?
Be sure to follow Chris (@CMTubbs) and Joe (@erickredbeard) on Twitter, and subscribe, rate, and review. Let us know what you think and what you'd like to see and hear!
In this week's episode, Joe Ruud talks about raising family while also working to manage and pursue a career in the wrestling business. How do you handle both? How have things changed, and what advice does he have for people in all walks of life that are trying to juggle and multitask?
Plus a he tells a very scary and emotional story about almost losing his two month old son that no parent should have to deal with.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter. Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @ErickRedBeard.
Also like, review, and subscribe!
In the debut episode of Wrestling with Life, Chris Tubbs and Joe Ruud (aka Erick Rowan and Erick Redbeard) talk about the "Road To Wrestlemania." Is there such a thing, and when does it start? Do plans change or are they set in stone? What is that time like for WWE superstars?
He's had some big moments on the Grandest Stage of Them All, including being involved with John Cena and The Rock, so which one stands out? Being a part of WWE, does he pay attention to other events going on during that week?
Those are just some of the topics that we discuss! Rate, review and subscribe! And follow us on Twitter: Chris- @CMTubbs, Joe- @erickredbeard!