Behind The Smile with Ash Butterss

In another deeply honest solo episode, Ash reflects on the six biggest mistakes she’s made across six years of sobriety and how each one became a turning point for growth, self-trust, and real transformation. She takes you back to the day her life changed, then walks you through the lessons that followed, from expecting others to change, to trying to squeeze her new self into her old life, to giving her power away to people who didn’t have the best intentions.
She opens up about people pleasing, outgrowing relationships, chasing what’s next instead of appreciating what’s now, and the humbling realisation that healing has no finish line. These are the truths she learned the long way, the kind that only come through lived experience, deep reflection, and choosing honesty over comfort.
If you’re navigating change, questioning your path, or learning how to stand in your truth even when it costs you, this episode will feel like a conversation you didn’t know you needed.

Follow and connect with Ash on:
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!

The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026

Reset and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Ash is joined by her mentor and high performance advisor, Mark “Dobbo” Dobson, for a thought-provoking exploration of what it truly takes to grow, evolve, and rise after life challenges you. Together they dive beneath surface level success and unpack the real work behind clarity, purpose, and personal expansion.
Dobbo shares hard-earned wisdom on defining your values, sharpening your vision, and having the courage to live in full alignment with who you really are. They also explore how adversity can become a catalyst for transformation, and why the relationships we choose play a pivotal role in shaping the person we become.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that meaningful growth is not built on perfection, it is built on honesty, resilience, and the willingness to turn life’s hardest moments into the foundation for something greater.

You can connect with Dobbo through his website www.dobbo.com.au.

Follow and connect with Ash on:
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ash is joined again by her dad, Rod, for a candid conversation about the real complexities of love and relationships. They unpack topics many people experience but rarely talk about openly, including love addiction, love avoidance, codependency, and what healthy communication actually looks like in practice.
Drawing on both personal experience and honest reflection, they explore how family dynamics shape the way we love, the patterns we repeat without realising, and what it takes to change them. Ash also opens up about a deeply personal crossroads, her uncertainty around motherhood, and the inner questions that come with choosing a path that feels true rather than expected.
Their father daughter conversations are always listener favourites, and this is exactly why they continue to shine a light on the honest, nuanced conversations that many people are thinking about, but few feel safe enough to say out loud.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Ash has a raw conversation with husband, father, and sober human Vim Verma as they discuss addiction, identity, and what happens when you finally stop running from yourself. Vim opens up about growing up in a mixed-race culture where drinking was normalised, emotions were rarely spoken about, and asking for help felt almost impossible.

Together, they unpack the quiet pressures of family expectations, the heavy emotional charge of the holiday season, and the stigma that keeps so many people suffering in silence. There are moments of grief, moments of clarity, and Vim’s classic humour, that remind us how human this journey really is.

Vim also shares how his recovery program, meditation, and spiritual practice became a turning point, helping him strip back the noise and reconnect with who he is beneath the coping mechanisms. This is a conversation about breaking cycles, choosing courage over comfort, and discovering that real healing starts on the inside.

If you’ve ever questioned your relationship with alcohol, felt trapped by expectations, or wondered what life could look like if you truly listened to yourself, this episode will land.

Episode Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Retreats and Self-Discovery
01:34 Vim Verma's Journey to Sobriety
03:45 Navigating Sobriety During the Holidays
04:54 Cultural Influences on Drinking
07:24 The Impact of Family Dynamics
07:53 Getting to Know Vim: Daily Life and Fun
14:06 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Photo Story
16:20 The Progression of Alcoholism
19:05 Consequences of Drinking: Crashing and Bashing
28:18 The Turning Point: Seeking Help
31:44 Experiences in Early Recovery
38:47 Finding Hope in Recovery
41:54 Life After Sobriety: Changes and Growth
47:50 Navigating Life's Challenges in Recovery
51:23 The Role of Support in Recovery
59:46 Non-Negotiables for a Happy Life

You can connect with Vim through his Instagram here. 

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Ash is joined by her longtime friend Ash Murray. For years, both women battled addiction silently, only sharing the full depths of their stories with one another after coming into recovery. Today, Ash Murray is the Eating Disorder Lead and Therapist at The Wave Clinic in Malaysia, with her expertise grounded not just in study, but in lived experience.

Ash opens up about her personal journey through eating disorders and alcohol addiction, sharing what recovery has truly looked like beyond the surface. From the isolating depths of illness which nearly took her life, to the slow rebuilding of trust, self-worth, and connection, she reflects on the pivotal role that rehab, honesty, healing and self-care have played in finding lasting freedom.

Together, they explore the intersection of therapy and lived experience, how vulnerability and empathy can become powerful tools for healing both self and others. They unpack the mental health challenges that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the importance of ongoing support in maintaining balance and wellbeing.

Episode chapter:
00:00 Introduction to Ashley Murray's Journey
02:57 Life in Malaysia and Work at the Wave Clinic
05:46 Navigating COVID-19 in Treatment
08:21 The Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health
11:08 A Photo that Represents Struggles
13:55 The Super Yacht Experience and Its Consequences
16:27 The Turning Point: Seeking Help
19:22 Life in Bali and the Struggle with Addiction
22:16 The Rock Bottom Moment
24:49 Desperation and the Path to Recovery
27:08 The Turning Point: Reaching Out for Help
31:53 Childhood Struggles: The Roots of Eating Disorders
44:03 Escaping Reality: The Need to Hide
48:25 Facing the Truth: A Journey of Self-Discovery
54:28 The Struggle of Surrendering Control
57:02 The Complexity of Eating Disorders
59:13 The Power of Intervention
01:00:41 Transformation Through Therapy
01:04:11 Building Trust in Recovery
01:06:15 The Importance of Honesty
01:08:57 Setting Boundaries for Recovery
01:13:03 Non-Negotiables for a Fulfilling Life

Connect with Ash through:
https://thewaveclinic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thewaveclinic/

Follow and connect with Ash on: 
⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss
TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb
Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Upcoming Workshops:
A Return To You | One Day Retreat 
Sunday 22nd February, 2026
Tickets available here. 

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!
The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 
Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.