Barely Naked

Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health challenges, including bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation and medication.

In this episode, we sit down with Shaley Hoogendoorn, speaker, content creator, and host of the popular vlog and podcast “This is Bipolar.” Shaley shares her journey of living with bipolar 2 disorder and anxiety, her experiences with medication, and how she balances parenthood while advocating for mental health awareness. This candid conversation sheds light on the realities of living with bipolar disorder and the importance of breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health.

About Shaley Hoogendoorn:

Shaley is a speaker, mental health advocate, and content creator. As the host of the “This is Bipolar” vlog and podcast, she shares her personal experiences with bipolar 2 disorder and amplifies the stories of others to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental illness. Shaley is passionate about educating and empowering others through her advocacy work, and she has been featured in publications like Sanctuary Ministries, Psych Central, and BP Hope Magazine. She also previously hosted the "Sisters in Mental Illness" series at SheLoves Magazine.

Shaley’s mission is to create safe spaces for individuals to connect, find hope, and share their experiences. Through her vulnerability and storytelling, she hopes to provide comfort and strength to those navigating mental health challenges.

How to connect with Shaley:

• Instagram: @this.is.bipolar
• YouTube: This is Bipolar
• Podcast This is bipolar: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, and Prime.

How to get in touch with Christina:

• Instagram: ⁠@christina_simone⁠
• LinkedIn: ⁠Christina Beischl⁠
• TikTok: ⁠@barely_naked_podcast⁠
• ⁠one77consulting.com

In this episode, Christina speaks with Lauren Dawson PhD, a workplace wellbeing coach, trainer, and founder of Curious Coaching.

Lauren shares her personal experiences of navigating neurodivergence in high-stress workplaces, learning she’s Autistic and has ADHD, and the complex mix of relief, grief, and overwhelm that often accompanies a late diagnosis. She sheds light on the unique struggles of masking individuals who appear outwardly successful but frequently experience cycles of burnout.

In this conversation, Lauren discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with understanding neurodivergence in adulthood, offering practical strategies for navigating work, relationships, and self-care. She also touches on the impact of the hormonal cycle on neurodivergent individuals and the differences in ADHD presentation between adults and children.

About Lauren Dawson:

Lauren Dawson, PhD, is a qualified workplace wellbeing coach, trainer, speaker, and founder of Curious Coaching. A late-discovered Autistic ADHD-er, Lauren began her career in STEM, spending over 10 years working as a particle physicist before transitioning into coaching and a senior management role at a rapidly growing EdTech unicorn.

Her mission is to support the growing number of women and non-binary people in tech who discover later in life that they are Autistic and/or ADHD. For many, this realisation can feel like a “glass-shattering” moment, suddenly making sense of lifelong feelings of being different while also bringing on a mix of relief, grief, anxiety, and overwhelm. Lauren recognises that many of these individuals, especially high-maskers who appear to have it all together, often feel lost in cycles of burnout without knowing how to break free or where to turn for support.

Specialising in workplace wellbeing coaching, Lauren translates her expertise into actionable awareness and practical strategies. She helps clients move from chaos and relentless pushing through, to working in ways that allow them the freedom and space they need to thrive.

How to get in touch with Lauren:

Website: curious-coaching.co.uk

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dawsonlauren/

Resources

Book recommendations:

• ​'ADHD: An A to Z' by Leanne Maskell - https://g.co/kgs/Qow22Pz
• ​'Un-typical: How the world isn't built for Autistic people and what we should all do about it' by Pete Wharmby - https://g.co/kgs/uj8pC1X
• ​'Unmasked: The Ultimate Guide to ADHD, Autism, and neurodivergence' by Ellie Middleton - https://g.co/kgs/sNBGgCK
• ​'Neuroqueer Heresies' by Nick Walker - https://g.co/kgs/AGu7cM9
• ​'Different, not less' by Chloé Hayden - https://g.co/kgs/kN1TWk8
• ​'but you don't look autistic at all' by Bianca Toeps - https://g.co/kgs/ffKeFg3
• ​'Can you see me?' by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott - https://g.co/kgs/xgBAii6

TV recommendations:

Crucially all of the characters are played by neurodivergent actors.

• ​'A kind of spark' - BBC (based on a series of books, season 2 is particularly good) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0f7q3rv/a-kind-of-spark
• ​'Geek Girl' - Netflix (also based on a book) - https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81637842
• ​'Inside our Autistic minds' - BBC (Flo's episode especially) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bbnh47
• ​'Heartbreak High' - Netflix (Great AuDHD character played by Chloé Hayden) - https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81342553

How to get in touch with Christina:

Instagram: @christina_simone

LinkedIn: Christina Beischl

TikTok: @barely_naked_podcast

Website: one77consulting.com

Christina talks to San Diego-based Sound Healer, Mentor and Emotional Bodywork Therapist, Sara Love about what Sound Healing is, how it works and the science behind it. You will also hear about her approach to emotional bodywork therapy, and how she aims to help people with mental and physical misalignments to reach a place of happiness. At the end of this episode (at the 57-minute mark) you will find a sound healing session to try out – details below.

About Sara

Saraswati Love is a Sound Activation Alchemist and Emotional Bodywork Therapist from San Diego, CA. Her experience as a professional musician and dedicated yoga practitioner help her craft deeply moving sound alchemy sessions. Saraswati shares her energy hosting retreats, sound activations and bodywork treatments in California and also shares her time abroad in Dubai, UAE where she trains with Grandmaster Nir Levi in this unique and transformative style of bodywork and therapy. After many years in depression, anxiety, panic, suffering autoimmune conditions and gut disorders, she now dedicates her life to the healing arts and awakening of others to experience living harmoniously in their body.

wholebeingactivation.com
Instagram: @sarasholisticupgrades
TikTok: @sarasactivation

Sound Healing Session (starts from 57 minutes)
This Sound Activation for the Heart uses Crystal Alchemy bowls that are created with gemstones, minerals, precious metals from the earth that support the heart centre to open. The heart is our centre of magnetism, love, joy, and most importantly presence. When we live from the heart, we can only live in the present moment.

To prepare for this Sound Activation, use your headphones and enjoy this track from a place where you can close your eyes and rest your body. Take three deep breaths in through your nose and exhale with a sigh out of your mouth, releasing any held muscles or places of tightness in your body with each exhale.

While it isn't necessary to close your eyes and lay down, perhaps if you're driving or travelling somewhere, you listen again later when you can go deeper.

Listen to the frequencies without judgement of any thoughts that arise, and be open to feeling your heart centre. Focus your breathing on the heart and enjoy the opening that comes.

How to get in touch with Christina:
Instagram: @christina_simone
LinkedIn: Christina Beischl
TikTok: @barely_naked_podcast
one77-consulting.com

German Episode
In dieser Folge von Barely Naked setzt sich Christina mit Burnout-Coach Ulrike Alice Becker zusammen, um über ihre persönlichen Erfahrungen mit Burnout, ihre Herangehensweise und ganzheitlichen Ansatz zu sprechen. Ulrike erklärt auch, was Palm Therapy ist, wie diese zu einem schnellen Erfolg bei Stressmanagement führen kann und wie sie ihre Klienten als InnerChi- und Nutriton-Coach unterstützt.

Über Ulrike
Ulrike Alice Becker ist Coach und Expertin für ein stressfreieres und vor allem freudvolleres Leben. Klarheit ist für sie der Schlüssel zu mehr Freude und Leichtigkeit – sowohl beruflich als auch privat. Sie setzt dabei auf einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz für einen nachhaltigen Erfolg und vereint dabei EmotionsManagement, FokusMindset und KörperbewusstSein/-Intelligenz. Mittlerweile begleitet sie schon seit mehr als 5 Jahren Menschen im gesamten deutschsprachigen Raum sowie in den USA dabei, dass sie ihr Leben wieder in vollen Zügen genießen können und eine neue Lebensqualität gewinnen. Davor hat sie 15 Jahre in einem der renommiertesten deutschen Automobilkonzerne als internationale Projekt- und Teamleiterin gearbeitet.
Sie ist auch als Speakerin für die Themen „Herausforderungen gelassen meistern“ und Gastreferentin bei der Biogena Akademie zum Thema „angewandte Stress- und Burnoutprävention“ aktiv. Zurzeit arbeitet sie auch als Coautorin an einem Buch über die Palmtherapy mit, ihr Schwerpunkt liegt dabei auf: "Burnout Prävention mit der Palmtherapy"."

Webseite: ulrikealicebecker.com

E-Mail: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ulrike-alice-becker/

Instagram: @ulrikealicebecker

How to get in touch with Christina:
Instagram: @christina_simone
LinkedIn: Christina Beischl
TikTok: @barely_naked_podcast
one77-consulting.com

Do you struggle with your nighttime routine and falling asleep? Then this is the episode for you. Christina talks you through the key things you need to know for improving sleep, how to create an effective bedtime routine, and shares little tips and tricks you can implement for better sleep that will affect your overall health.

How to get in touch with Christina:
Instagram: @christina_simone
LinkedIn: Christina Beischl
TikTok: @barely_naked_podcast
one77-consulting.com