In this soul-stirring conversation, Nisha shares her journey from clinical psychology to spiritual teaching. The episode explores how life’s most difficult moments—childhood trauma, the sudden loss of a sibling, and a debilitating brain injury—serve as invitations to go inward. The discussion centers on the “myth of strength,” the necessity of female community, and how somatic practices like Kundalini can transmute grief into radiance.

Key Discussion Points

• The Honesty Mantra: Why “being honest” is more transformative than “being strong” during times of grief.

• Forced Stillness: Lessons from a two-month silent recovery following a brain injury.

• The Power of Being Held: Why high-achieving women struggle to receive care and the healing power of non-judgmental sisterhood.

• Healing vs. Functioning: Moving beyond simply “getting through the day” to regulated nervous system health.

• Somatic Release: Using breathwork and movement to release “heavy” energy that words alone cannot reach.

Connect with Nisha

Ready to go deeper? Whether you’re looking for clinical support, somatic healing, or a community of conscious women, you can find Nisha here:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishakhare/

• Work with Nisha: https://www.nishakhare.com

• Join Women of Wonder: https://www.instagram.com/womenofwonderglobal/

• Human Biography: https://www.humanbiography.com

Her story is a masterclass in resilience. Her path hasn’t been a straight line to the top—it’s a narrative shaped by profound pivots. From a near-fatal car accident at 19 to navigating a single-motherhood pivot into franchising, Jen has scaled Oxygen Yoga and Fitness to 200 plus locations. This episode explores the “behind-the-scenes” of her success, focusing on the importance of finding your voice, the challenges of working with adult children, and the philosophy of “equal playing fields” in leadership.

Key Discussion Points

• The Power of Voice: How a childhood gymnastics lesson taught Jen to speak her truth—a skill that later gave her the courage to pivot her life and business.

• The “Accidental” Franchise: How a single mom seeking flexibility turned a garage studio into a national brand through community demand.

• Resilience Through Rehab: Jen recounts being pronounced dead on arrival at 19 and how fitness became her path to survival.

• Leading as “Equal”: The “pick up the poop” philosophy—why a CEO must be willing to do any job they ask of their team.

• Family Dynamics: The rewards and necessary boundaries of operating a global business with her three children as partners.

Connect with Jen

Follow Jen on social media and take your first Oxygen Yoga and Fitness:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenatoxygen/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oxygenyogaandfitness/

Heather Odendaal is a brand builder and event producer who turned a corporate observation into a global movement. After noticing that leadership development was often reserved only for those already at the top, Heather founded W North to support women in the “leadership pipeline.” In this episode, she discusses the alarming dip in female managerial stats, the power of industry-agnostic peer mentorship, and why the upcoming $3 trillion wealth transfer is the most critical leadership topic of the next decade. We also explore, Motherhood, Burnout, and Self-care.

Key Discussion Points

• The “Mid-Management” Gap: Why corporate training often misses “high-potential” women before they reach the C-suite and how to bridge that gap.

• Social Impact as a Career Pillar: How to build a social legacy (through angel investing or advisory roles) without quitting your corporate job.

• The Power of External Community: Why finding support outside your own organization is the key to avoiding internal politics and competition.

• The Wealth Transfer: A deep dive into the $3 trillion shifting into the hands of women and how it will redefine global leadership.

• Vulnerability in Career Transitions: Practical advice on “testing the waters” and using social platforms like LinkedIn to signal your readiness for a move.

Connect with Heather

Follow Heather’s journey and explore her work with W North Connect by checking out the links below:

• Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherodendaal/

• W North Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wnorthconnect/

• Register for the 11th Annual W North Conference: https://wnorthconnect.com/2026conference/

We dive deep into the messy, beautiful reality of reinvention. Michelle shares the raw truth about shedding old identities, the power of “calculated risk,” and why seeking external validation is a trap that keeps women small. We also discuss her emotional pitch on Dragon’s Den, how she involves her children in her business to illustrate resilience, and the difficult decisions she faces now regarding work-life balance and business growth.

If you are a woman over 35 feeling the itch to pivot, or if you are struggling to balance motherhood with your ambition, this conversation is the permission slip you’ve been waiting for to step into your “20% zone” of creativity and purpose.

Key Takeaways & Themes

• The Power of the Pivot: How to transition from a “safe” career to a passion project using calculated risks.

• Identity Shift: Moving past labels like “Teen Mom” or “Dutiful Daughter” to define your own worth.

• The Validation Trap: Why you need to stop waiting for applause and start validating your own growth.

• Generational Healing: How to raise children free from societal pressure regarding marriage and traditional paths.

• Dragon’s Den Behind-the-Scenes: The reality of vulnerability on national television and what it taught Michelle about her own strength.

Connect with Michelle

Want to learn more about Michelle’s brands and follow her journey? Check out the links below:

• Elevate Brows: https://elevatebrows.com

• Lash Artisan: https://lashartisan.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michellebong/

We have been taught to think our way out of problems, but what happens when talk therapy isn’t enough? In this episode, I sit down with Abneet Sandhar, a somatic coach and lineage Tantra teacher, to explore the missing link in women’s leadership and wellness: Embodiment.

Abneet challenges the “Good Girl” conditioning many women—especially those from immigrant or patriarchal backgrounds—carry well into their 30s and 40s. We discuss the critical difference between “performative femininity” (aesthetics) and “authentic embodiment” (feeling safe in your body). Abneet shares why “unclenching” is not just a luxury but a matter of life and death, linking suppressed emotions to chronic illness in women.

We dive deep into the concept of “internal gaslighting,” the necessity of “sacred rage” over toxic positivity, and how to set heart-based boundaries without apology. If you are a high-achieving woman feeling burned out, disconnected, or stuck in your head, this conversation offers the tools to drop back into your body and reclaim your power.

Join Abeet in Bali this Spring 2026 for Shakti Somatica, a transformative women-only retreat held in a luxury resort surrounded by lush green jungles, complete with rejuvenating saunas and invigorating cold plunges. This unique sanctuary provides the perfect backdrop to blend Sensual Somatic Tantra Yog, sacred rituals, and soul-nourishing practices that will help you embody your true power.

• Content Warning: Some of the topics we discuss may be sensitive or potentially triggering. Your well-being is the priority; please feel free to step away or change the subject at any time if you feel uncomfortable.

• Seek Medical Help: If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or need medical guidance, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider or reach out to a professional support service immediately.

Connect with Abneet

Ready to transform? Join the Nourished Women’s Program or work with Abneet 1:1 for a personalized experience.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abneetsandharwellness

• Website: https://abneetsandhar.com

• Email: abneetsandhar@gmail.com

• Register for Shakti Somatica: https://www.sheetalkandola.com/shaktisomatica

If you’re reading this, I want you to know something right out of the gate: we are more similar than you might think. Whether you’re tuning into the podcast or catching me in a boardroom, there’s a polished version of “Selena” that the world sees. But behind the scenes? I’ve been unlearning the very things I thought made me successful.

The Enemy Named “Perfect”

I wanted to take a moment to talk about why perfection is your greatest enemy. Don’t get me wrong—perfectionism served me at points in my life. It was the fuel that helped me climb the ladder. But lately, I’ve realized it comes with a heavy price tag: the suffocating pressure to perform, to be “good,” to be polite, and to wait until everything is 100% “ready” before I dare to show my face.

In the middle of the daily juggle, I’ve found that being authentic—truly, messily who I am—is much more rewarding than being perfect. It’s pushed me to lean harder into my personal practices and actually carve out time for the things I want to do, not just the things I have to do.

Showing Up When It’s Hard

Some of my best moments this year didn’t happen because of a five-year plan. They happened on the web, or at the very last minute, simply because I decided to do everything I could in that moment to show up as the best version of myself.

But trust me, there were days when it was incredibly hard. I’ve been challenged with my weight over the last few years, and I’ll be honest: I often find it hard to see myself on camera. There was a long period where I didn’t want to show up at all until I lost the 40 pounds I’d gained. I didn’t feel like myself, and I certainly didn’t look like the version of “Selena” I had in my head.

But then I remembered: inside, I am still that same little girl with massive ambitions and a dream of being a storyteller. She didn’t care about the scale; she cared about the story. I couldn’t let her down.

It Takes a Village (Across Three Cities)

I also have a major “I can do it myself” complex. I used to think that if I didn’t do it alone, it didn’t count. Frankly? I cannot do it all. And it is okay to ask for help.

It has taken me over six months to launch Season Two of my show. This season was a true cross-country labor of love, filmed and produced across Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa. I worked more independently this time, but “independent” didn’t mean “solo.” Between my assistant and me, we’ve been in the trenches—arranging, word-smoothing, and wrestling with the logistics of three different cities.

I also have to give a massive shout-out to the people who kept me sane during the process:

• 💕 Cookie: For being my ultimate sounding board and answering my random, late-night WhatsApp messages without hesitation.

• 💕 Elizabeth: For your incredible eye and for helping me bring the vision to life through graphics and branding.

• ❤️ Serena: Thanks for being my helper and showing up when I need you.

• ❤️ Mum: For being you and always being there to support me especially when I am tired and going 100 miles an hour.

• ❤️ Ish: Being in my corner.

It wasn’t a perfect process, and it wasn’t a fast one. But it was real.

A Note to You

“Waiting to feel ‘perfect’ before you show up is just a way of staying small. Your story is worth telling exactly as you are right now.”

I’d love to hear from you: Is there a “40-pound weight gain” (metaphorical or literal) that is keeping you from hitting record or starting that project? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Stay authentic,

Selena

If so, you’re in luck! In our debut episode, we shine the spotlight on the co-executive producer of some of your favorite reality special and commentary after shows like BravoCon.

She has been trained in various Evidence-Based Practices, including Seeking Safety, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She also uses a variety of tools from other theoretical approaches as supplements to enhance treatment, including Solution-focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Systemic Therapy.
Her goal is to help clients find inner strength and peace. She works from a strength-based approach integrating mindfulness, and client collaboration Her approach stems from the idea that by gaining knowledge, and insight into problems, then real change may take effect into sought-after solutions.

As a Chair member of WomenExecs on Boards, she’s dedicated to normalizing diversity and inclusion. Tune in as she shares how her family values helped to sculpt her career, how she has a relentless drive for personal growth, and loves giving back to her community by championing change for the next generation of women leaders.

You may recognize Malinda Williams from movies such as The Wood (photo), Soul Food (photo), and A Thin Line Between Love and Hate (photo). But Williams is also an author –The Game of Life and How to Slay It ,Words That Work: Affirmation Card Deck and she recently launched an HBCU coding camp for women called E.S.T.E.A.M. And if that’s not enough, she’s also the CEO of Arise and Shine Foundation A Non-Profit Organization Building Empowered Communities. You can follow Malinda at:

https://www.instagram.com/malinsworld/

https://iammalindawilliams.com/

https://shesgotahabit.com/