The Balance Theory – Details, episodes & analysis

Today, we break down the science of confidence, why self-doubt isn’t always the enemy, and how understanding your specific doubt pattern can unlock lasting self-trust, without becoming someone you’re not. In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr Shadé Zahrai, behavioural researcher, award-winning peak performance educator, and one of the leading voices on confidence, self-image, and self-doubt. This is not about hype or surface-level confidence. It’s about rewiring how you see yourself. ✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode * Why confidence is trainable, not fixed * The role self-doubt actually plays in growth and performance * The 4 Self-Doubt Types and how they show up in behaviour * How to diagnose your own self-doubt profile (including mine, live) * The everyday habit that quietly erodes confidence * How posture, environment, and physicality shape self-belief * How to tell the difference between useful self-doubt and self-sabotage * Why your self-image is the blueprint for your entire life * Practical tools to build confidence in real time * How to set boundaries with negative people without losing yourself When you change how you see yourself, your behaviour follows. Confidence isn’t something you chase, it’s something you build. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram Link to free quiz online Link to BIG TRUST TIME STAMPS (01:43) Introduction / Background (12:06) What is the role of self-doubt? (17:26) Self Doubt Profiles (25:48) Diagnosing Erika’s doubt profile (30:22) Tools for improving self doubt (47:49) This everyday habit is ruining your confidence (53:28) Do you need to change your environment to achieve? (57:53) Setting boundaries for loved ones who are negative 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 MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confidence today feels different. We’re navigating a world where AI can outperform humans, social media is increasingly curated (and often fake), and comparison is no longer occasional, it’s constant. Even the most grounded, capable people are quietly questioning themselves. In this episode, we explore how to stay confident when nothing online feels real anymore and how to use social media without losing yourself. Joining me is journalist, speaker, and mother Danae Mercer, who has worked at the highest levels of media and still found her confidence shaken by the online world. Together, we unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of confidence in 2026, and what actually helps. This isn’t about deleting social media or fearing AI. It’s about learning the new confidence skill this era demands. 💭 If You’ve Been Thinking… “I don’t feel as confident as I used to” “Everyone online seems ahead of me” “I know better, but I still feel affected” “I want my confidence back” then this conversation is for you! And if this episode resonates, share it with someone who might be quietly feeling the same way. CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 📸 Instagram   TIME STAMPS (01:20) Introduction (06:40) How do we remain confident in the age of AI content? (18:23) Tools to find confidence (23:32) Do things you’re bad at (26:20) What's the line between being sucked in by social media and enjoying it? (29:26) The Proteus Effect (44:01) Consequences of phone use and emotions (47:01) Why did you start posting content? (51:14) What would you immediately change on social media 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 MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve been doing “everything right” but still don’t feel good, this conversation will connect the dots. Today I’m joined by Gary Brecka, human biologist and longevity expert, to break down the daily habits that quietly drain your energy, increase anxiety, and limit your health span. The best part? Most of the fixes are totally free and within your control today. In the first 10 minutes alone, Gary reveals the 3 free habits that have the biggest impact on your sleep, mood, stress, and long-term vitality - especially for people with busy lives and limited time or budget. We also explore the link between isolation and early mortality, why so many people struggle with anxiety without knowing the biological reason behind it, and how to invest in your health in a way that actually moves the needle. This episode is practical, grounding, and genuinely life-changing. (01:28) Introduction (03:01) 3 FREE things to extend your life (06:43) Caregiver syndrome (07:41) Investing in your wellness (09:34) Why people struggle with anxiety (12:32) 40% of people go to sleep like this (15:48) Is it just about more years? (20:13) Are you religious? (21:48) This is the most attractive frequency (24:37) Impact of Botox/Filler on longevity? (29:58) How long are we going to live in 200 years? Connect with today's guest on Instagram 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 MY FAVOURITE STUFF 💻 Email & Calendar tool - Sunsama for 1 Month free trial 🌱 Wholefoods & Supplements - use "THEBALANCETHEORY" for 15% off Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast is dedicated to anyone like me, who struggles from time to time with their self worth in moments where you are not “productive”, producing “out put” etc to remind you that the way we measure our worth can be so far from the things that actually show us our worth.  Today I remind us both of 6 signs we are doing better than we think we are to help us ZOOM out and not get so caught up in the single measurable metrics we always tend to focus on!  Check out the free 20min workshop on YouTube here! (00:00) Introduction  (02:28) Sign 1 (03:43) Sign 2 (05:26) Sign 3 (07:15) Sign 4 (08:36) Sign 5 (10:01) Sign 6 (10:51) Wrap up 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we chat about a topic I've only discussed a handful of time, that is - MONEY! Love it, hate it, repelled by it want more of it? We all have our relationship with it and at the end of the day, need it to survive and live quintessentially in the modern world. This is why I wanted to get someone on who could speak to me (someone who has only recently started on her money journey and unpacking my beliefs around it) about common mistakes we can avoid, saving tips, investment ideas, mindset around money, the concept of lifestyle inflation and more! This episode is especially for anyone, like me, who wants more abundance via financial wealth in their life, but are battling some pre-existing ideas around your ability to have it and practical ways to achieve it! (00:00) Introduction (02:04) Upbringing & Influences (06:39) Advice to 18 year old self (09:59) Mistakes & Mindset with money (13:24) Lifestyle Inflation (16:53) 50-20-30 rule (18:57) Saving Pots (21:54) Saving Best Practice (28:00) Difference between saving and hoarding  (30:10) Making your money work for you (35:27) Scarcity to Abundant Mindset You can connect with Lamide on Youtube or Instagram. 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you want a successful 2024 then you need to make sure you have no blocks! If any of these 13 things are holding you back or things you are stuck on, this video is your sign to work on those ASAP so you can rocket your success this year! ▶︎ Fear Podcast episodes: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1sTzuMpWey91Iodqpr6HTP?si=47ebcb63a4234a8a https://open.spotify.com/episode/7zbp7yYNfbOXkdLFjAKUtD?si=fe55427cbf294978 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am joined by one of my favourite guests, who rejoins me (our OG chat in 2022) but this time in person - none other than the beautiful Kelsey Wells. This chat is emotional, vulnerable, raw, pure connection and heart felt. We chat about struggling wanting our old self back during tough moments, habits, intention, aging, self worth and negative thinking. It's filled with incredible tips, stories and ah-ha moments. You don't want to miss this one! (00:00) Introduction (01:35) Podcasting & Poetry (05:26) Mindset with Injury (11:05) Failures  (12:30) Thriving & Struggling  (13:46) Change in habits (16:42) the power of intention (21:07) Wanting your old self back (22:59) Aging + Beauty (30:14) Self Worth (31:42) Negative self talk (39:50) showing up in low moments  (43:37) Surprise of meditation  (47:51) how do you meditate 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strong women 📢 THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!! In an era and time where as a woman, I am privileged with the opportunities I have, I can't help but reflect on how business + career puts us in a very masculine, 'go go' type energy... I wondered whether finding outlets or ways to embrace my more flowy, feminine side, aka my 'softer' side, can actually be a strength - and decided, yes it could! Today's about reframing how we look at 'softness'. To me it's not weak or doesn't mean we lose ourselves, but rather a strength and opportunitiy to get in touch with ourselves in a deeper way - what do you think? Let me know after watching this!! (00:00) Introduction & Connect (04:44) Forcing things (06:28) Cues to look out for (08:08) Learning from intuition (08:53) Intentions, intentions, intentions! (09:58) Do this more than you speak (11:00) Wrap up 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I have the absolute pleasure of sitting dwon and getting to know the woman who [fun fact] got me into the gym for the first time ever! I couldn't imagine my life without fitness as a daily part of my routine which is why I was SO excited to pick Kayla's brain on setting fitness goals, her journey + get to know her beyond the fitness front - has she struggled with people pleasing, does she get bored of her training, what are her goals for 2024? One of my FAVOURITE interviews to date - so special! (02:00) What you want to be when you grow up (04:18) How she got her first job (05:42) balance  (14:07) Moments where you need to taper back training (18:12) Bounce back mentality / postpartum advice (20:45) Is Kayla “too nice”? (24:38) Platueu in fitness journey  (30:40) fitness goal setting tips (35:02) your why with fitness (36:56) Kayla’s 2024 goals (38:06) Younger self advice  📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're ready for 2024 to be the GREATEST year of your life, then watch this before you finalise your goals! I have compiled the 7 mistakes I now look to avoid when goal setting which might be the gap between where you are now and where you want to go - today's ep is a combo of mindset hacks, practical tools, tips and suggestions to keep you aligned, motivated and growing in 2024! (00:00) Updates (free workshop, eBook) (05:17) 8 mistakes to avoid (05:50) Mistake 1 (07:52) Mistake 2 (10:14) Mistake 3 (12:11) Mistake 4 (MY FAV) 12:11 (15:28) Mistake 5 (16:34) Mistake 6 (17:55) Mistake 7 (19:05) System, system, systems! 📢 Like, subscribe, and activate notifications for more content on personal development and achieving career success without compromising your personal life. Why Winner's Quit episode here! ▶︎ NEW - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM 2024 eBOOK! Get it here ▶︎ Connect on IG ▶︎ Connect on TikTok ▶︎ YOUTUBE Channel ▶︎ Join our free telegram chat ▶︎ Curated playlists, website and other channels here HOW TO SET GOALS FOR 2024 - GOAL SETTING SYSTEM - GOAL SETTING - PLANNING FOR 2024 - GOAL SETTING TIPS Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thebalancetheory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices