The Balance Theory

What if the reason you still feel off… isn’t because you’re not trying hard enough, but because the advice you’re following was never designed for your body?

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Iman Hasan to unpack one of the most frustrating experiences so many women face: doing everything “right” when it comes to health - eating clean, trying fasting, investing in supplements and still not feeling better.

This conversation challenges the idea that more discipline or stricter habits are the answer. Instead, it explores what’s actually happening beneath the surface, from chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation to why your body might not be absorbing the nutrients you’re giving it.

If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding the way it “should”… this episode will help you understand why and what to focus on instead.

What We Cover:
* Why fasting doesn’t work the same for every woman and when it can actually make things worse
* The hidden impact of stress and being in a constant fight-or-flight state
* Why your body might not be absorbing nutrients (even if you’re eating well)
* The truth about “healthy eating” and why food quality isn’t what it used to be
* Why supplements alone won’t fix the root issue
* The importance of cell health and what it actually means
* How to approach your health in a way that works with your body, not against it
* Simple, overlooked shifts that can make a real difference day-to-day

You’re not doing it wrong, but your body might be under more stress than you realise. And until your body feels safe, no amount of “healthy habits” will work the way you expect them to.

SPONSORS:

🌬️ AIR DOCTOR - Use code “ERIKA” to get $300 off
https://www.airdoctorpro.com

CONNECT

📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Iman's Instagram

🎥 Biohack-It Youtube Channel

TIME STAMPS

(00:00) Introduction
(05:21) The Core Pillars of Nutrition
(08:14) What smart choices do we need to make for food?
(16:42) Biggest health changes to make everyday
(18:01) Cell Health
(20:01) Fasting for Women
(35:06) What role does intuition have to play in health?
(35:39) Regulating versus Creating Space for the Nervous System
(43:32) What are politicians doing wrong right now?
(50:17) You need to be asking questions

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET’S BE FRIENDS

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📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the reason you haven’t changed your life yet… isn’t because you’re not capable, but because you’re not ready in the way you think?

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with top 1% podcast host and founder Shivani Pau to unpack the reality behind wanting more, feeling stuck, and questioning whether it’s time to leave your job.

This isn’t another conversation telling you to “just quit” or “follow your passion.”It’s a grounded, honest look at what actually happens when you move too soon and what truly needs to shift before your life can change.

If you’ve ever felt like:

“I want more from my life… but I don’t know what’s stopping me”

“I’m not fulfilled, but I don’t feel ready to leave”

“I’m scared I’ll make the wrong decision”

“Why hasn’t anything changed yet, even though I want it to?”

then this episode is for you!

🔑 What We Cover:
* The truth about quitting your job too early (and what it taught Shivani)
* Why feeling “ready” is often misunderstood
* The difference between timing vs internal readiness
* The mistake most people make when trying to change their life
* How to build proof of concept before taking the leap
* Why your environment plays a bigger role than you think
* Redefining self-worth beyond external validation
* How to stop feeling stuck and start creating real momentum

This episode will give you the clarity you’ve been missing.

SPONSORS:

💧 AQUA TRU - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off
https://www.aquatru.com

⚪ KA'CHAVA - Go to https://kachava.com and use code "BALANCETHEORY" for 15% off your first order.

CONNECT

📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ - Shivani's Instagram

TIME STAMPS

(02:17) Shivani’s story
(15:54) Quitting work too early
(20:53) Why you need a proof of concept
(25:27) Timing v Internal Readiness
(34:36) How do you measure your worth?
(37:05) Why is changing your environment necessary?
(46:57) I’m not good enough

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐ ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠

🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the reason so many ambitious women feel torn about motherhood isn’t because they have to choose… but because no one has shown them how both can actually work?

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with psychologist and friend (and her first guest ever on the show) Nancy Sokarno, to unpack the real, unfiltered experience of becoming a working mum - beyond the surface-level advice and societal expectations.

This conversation explores the identity shift that comes with motherhood, the internal conflict high-achieving women often face, and the uncomfortable truths that aren’t spoken about enough: from grief and resentment to guilt and pressure to “do it all.”

But more importantly, it reframes the narrative.

This isn’t about choosing between ambition and family. It’s about understanding what needs to evolve within you to hold both.
Whether you’re planning to become a mum, navigating early motherhood, or trying to build a life that includes both career and family, this episode will give you a deeper perspective on what that actually requires.

💭 What We Cover:

Why motherhood is an identity evolution, not just a new role

The internal pressure to be the “perfect” mother — and how to let it go

Why high-achieving women often struggle more in early motherhood

Grieving your old self while stepping into a new version of you

The truth about resentment, guilt, and relationship shifts after a baby

How to communicate better with your partner before and after becoming parents

Why asking for help is harder than it sounds (and how to shift this)

The reality of becoming a working mum — and why simple things feel harder

What ambition looks like after motherhood — and how it changes

The key mindset shift that allows you to build both a career and a family

You don’t go backwards after becoming a mother, you evolve.

The version of you that’s capable of holding both ambition and motherhood isn’t the old you… it’s the next version of you.

LINKS

💧 CURE HYDRATION - Use code “BALANCETHEORY” to get 20% off

⚪ KINSYN - Use code "BALANCETHEORY" to get 20% off

CONNECT

📸 ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

🎥 Original Nancy episode

TIME STAMPS
(01:36) Introduction

(07:47) Motherhood: Role change or identity reconstruction?

(13:10) Work you do before becoming a mother

(17:46) Grieving our old selves

(22:45) Understanding resentment

(27:53) Conversation starters for couples before a baby

(31:14) Asking for help

(36:58) Working Mum

(46:02) What skills in high performing women work against them when becoming mums?

(52:04) One thing all parents should know

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐ ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠

🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the reason you’re not living your dream life yet isn’t because you’re not working hard enough… but because you’re focusing on the wrong things?

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with manifestation expert and entrepreneur Regan Hillyer to break down what actually creates results and why working harder is often the biggest misconception holding you back.

This is not about wishful thinking or surface-level manifestation. It’s about understanding your internal programming, shifting your emotional state, and learning how to align your actions with the life you actually want.If you’ve ever felt like:

“I know I’m capable of more, but I don’t know where to start”

“I’m doing everything right… but nothing is changing”

“I don’t have enough time, money, or resources yet”

this conversation will challenge that and give you a new way to approach creating your dream life.

🔑 What We Cover:

- Why working harder is NOT the answer to building your dream life

- The hidden beliefs that keep you stuck in the same reality

- How to stop living on autopilot and start creating intentionally

- Practical steps to manifest your exact dream life

- The role of emotional state in attracting opportunities

- How successful people actually think differently about growth and success

You don't want to miss this episode. It literally felt like magic sitting in it!

LINKS

💆‍♀️ COZY EARTH - Use code “ERIKA” to get 20% off (I’m currently loving the ankle weight socks)

CONNECT

📸 ⁠Instagram⁠

TIME STAMPS
(01:51) Introduction
(08:44) How do we start to create change in our life?
(13:12) Practical tips to manifest your exact dream life
(14:28) How to change your emotional state to manigest what you want
(18:16) Set Manifestation Alarms
(21:42) How do we manifest with our wounds there?
(26:32) Manifesting $1 million in 8 months
(33:22) Do I need to be patient or course correct?
(40:08) How to deadlines work with manifesting?
(42:55) Whats the most common money block?
(45:14) MUST TRY: Vision beyond Vision
(50:48) Can we borrow from our future self?

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠⁠

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

📱⁠⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐ ⁠Substack⁠

🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the reason you feel constantly busy, overwhelmed, or pulled in every direction is because you’re saying yes to the wrong things?

In this episode of The Balance Theory, Erika sits down with Christine Assouad - author, serial entrepreneur, investor on Shark Tank Lebanon, and founder behind multiple ventures including Dunkin’ Lebanon and Semsom. She has mentored thousands of women across the Middle East and beyond and recently released her book The Power to Say Yes, which explores how learning to say yes to yourself can transform your life and career.

In this conversation, Christine shares what she has learned from mentoring thousands of women, why so many ambitious people struggle with guilt and overcommitment, and how to become intentional about where your time, energy, and attention go.

This episode dives into the tension between being capable and feeling obliged, why energy management matters more than time management, and how to start designing a life aligned with what actually matters to you.

What We Cover

• Why so many people say yes to everyone except themselves


• The hidden difference between being capable and feeling obligated


• The Wheel of Life exercise to understand what truly matters
• Why many ambitious women feel burnt out despite doing everything “right”


• The importance of energy management, not just time management


• How saying yes to one opportunity can shape an entirely different life path


• Why guilt often holds people back from pursuing what they want


• The smallest “yes” you can start with today to reclaim control of your life

This episode could be the one that powerfully changes your life. Make sure to share it with a friend if someone came to mind during the episode!

CONNECT

📸 Instagram

📚 The Power to Say YES!

TIME STAMPS

(00:34) Introduction

(03:16) Saying Yes to Everyone But Yourself

(04:33) What Foundation Do We Need To Build?

(10:04) Wheel of Life Exercise

(15:49) Hardest YES You’ve Given

(19:58) Being Capable v Obliged

(22:59) Energy Management

(26:43) Being an Entrepreneur v. Careerist

(31:20) Running 3 Iterations of Your Life

(34:35) How to Dream Without Being Ungrateful?

(38:37) Why a Monk Can’t Understand Guilt

(43:02) What’s the Smallest YES Someone Can Start With Today?

WHO AM I?

My name is Erika and I am an Australian living in Dubai. I have my own business as a strategic legal consultant and run this podcast to explore my passion + curiosity for all things health, wellness, self growth & mindset. A big focus of mine is how to sustainably navigate a busy schedule and live my best life in the process. Welcome to my Channel! 📸 ⁠⁠⁠Connect with me on IG!⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

▶︎⁠⁠⁠ 25 Day Self Development Marathon⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠21 Day Self Growth Challenge⁠⁠⁠

▶︎ ⁠⁠⁠Goal Setting System E-Book⁠⁠⁠

LET’S BE FRIENDS

📸 ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

📱⁠⁠⁠Tiktok⁠⁠⁠

⭐ Substack

🧡 This description may contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices