Project Weight Loss

Fina Perez

Your best life is just one project away. The Project Weight Loss Podcast is where you will learn the tools and skills to change what is weighing you down, lose weight and above all, improve your quality of life. This reinvention of your life could have a tremendous ripple effect in all you do and everyone you touch. To learn more and work with us visit https://projectweightloss.org. 

  1. 6D AGO

    The Astonishing Light of Your Own Being

    Send us Fan Mail Life has a way of getting lifely — and this episode was born right in the middle of mine. In Episode 208, I get personal about a season that brought me to stillness, to my car, to my breath — and ultimately, to a word that changed everything for me this year. If you have ever found yourself waiting for the perfect moment to start again, or wondering if the hard thing you are going through has any light in it at all, this episode is for you. Come as you are. Start where you are. That is always enough. From a beloved novel to a spontaneous act of love from my son, from peer-reviewed science to a 14th century poet — I weave together the stories, the research, and the reminders that the light within you has never gone out. It may be quiet. It may be flickering. But it is there, and it has been there your whole life. I hope this episode helps you see it. Quote of the week: "I wish I could show you, when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being." — Hafiz of Shiraz Fina's 2025 Reading List The 48 Laws of Power — Robert GreeneThe Prince — Niccolò MachiavelliThe Art of War — Sun TzuQuotations from the Works of Mao Tse-Tung — Mao ZedongRight Thing Right Now — Ryan HolidayAwaken the Giant Within — Tony RobbinsThe Big Leap — Gay HendricksEmotional Intelligence — Bradberry & GreavesA Return to Love — Marianne WilliamsonNo Mud No Lotus — Thich Nhat HanhTao Te Ching — Translated by Stephen MitchellMindful Investor — Maria GonzalezEducated — Tara WestoverSlaughterhouse-Five — Kurt Vonnegut1929 — Andrew Ross SorkinBooks Referenced Doerr, Anthony. All the Light We Cannot See. Scribner, 2014.Frankl, Viktor E. Man's Search for Meaning. Beacon Press, 1959.Greene, Robert. The 48 Laws of Power. Viking Press, 1998.Holiday, Ryan. The Obstacle Is the Way. Portfolio/Penguin, 2014.Hanh, Thich Nhat. Mud and Lotus. Parallax Press.Westover, Tara. Educated. Random House, 2018.Peer-Reviewed Research Cunha, L.F., et al. "Positive Psychology and Gratitude Interventions: A Randomized Clinical Trial." Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 10, March 2019. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00584Martínez-Martí, M.L., et al. "The Effects of Gratitude Interventions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." PubMed Central. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393216/Lundman, B., et al. "Inner Strength — A Systematic Review of Qualitative Empirical Studies." PubMed Central,1990–2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12375945/Holmedal Byrne & Gustafsson. "Resilience Theory: Core Concepts and Research Insights." Cited in Positive Psychology, 2024. https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-theory/Poetry Hafiz of Shiraz. "I Wish I Could Show You." 14th century. English translation widely attributed to Daniel Ladinsky, The Gift, Penguin Compass, 1999.Media All the Light We Cannot See. Netflix series, 2023. Directed Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    24 min
  2. APR 23

    The Space Between Impulse and Action

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 207 The Practice of Not Reacting This week, I’m sharing something that has been quietly shaping my life for years—and I don’t think we talk about it enough in a practical way. We spend so much time trying to “fix” our habits… but what if the real shift happens before the action even begins? I’m talking about meditation and equanimity. Not meditation in a rigid or intimidating way—but in a way that actually fits into your life. In your kitchen. In your car. In a group meeting. In the moments where you feel the pull to do something you already decided you didn’t want. I share how I’ve been reconnecting with this through my own routine lately—and why it matters more than we think when it comes to food, stress, and decision-making. This one is simple, but not easy. And it might be exactly what you need this week. Quote of the Week “Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are more than our thoughts.” — Eckhart Tolle Health Disclaimer This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or mental health advice. Meditation and mindfulness practices can be supportive tools, but they are not a substitute for professional care. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical or psychological concerns. If you are experiencing significant distress, anxiety, or health issues, seek guidance from a licensed professional.   The reason you may be stuck isn’t lack of discipline—rather lack of pause? Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    13 min
  3. APR 16

    The Honest Money Conversation We All Need

    Send us Fan Mail Episode 206 Sorry I am late today -love ya This week, I’m opening up a conversation that many of us avoid—but all of us feel. Money. Not the polished, curated version we see online… but the real, behind-the-scenes truth about what’s coming in, what’s going out, and the quiet stress it can carry. If things feel tight right now… if you’ve been avoiding your numbers… if you’ve ever wondered whether you need to earn more or spend less—but haven’t wanted to face the answer—this episode is for you. We’re not talking about complicated strategies or financial jargon. We’re talking about honesty. The kind that changes everything. I’ll walk you through the two levers we actually have, the one question that can shift your entire financial direction, and why understanding who you are with money matters more than any perfect plan. We’ll also connect something we don’t talk about enough: how money stress shows up in our bodies, our eating, our sleep, and our relationships. Because this isn’t just about dollars. It’s about your life. If you’ve been feeling the weight of it all… this conversation might be the place where things start to feel a little lighter. Press play when you’re ready to tell yourself the truth. Quote of the Week “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” — Warren Buffett Citations  Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Research on financial habits and automatic savings systems. American Psychological Association (APA). (2023). Stress in America reports on financial stress and health impacts. Epictetus. Enchiridion (translated works on Stoic philosophy). Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    16 min
  4. APR 2

    Day One Starts Now: Stop Waiting, Start Living

    Send us Fan Mail Day One Starts Now: The Simple Reset That Finally Makes Weight Loss Stick   I caught myself the other day. In the middle of everything going on… I stopped doing the one thing that always helps me. Planning. Not because I don’t believe in it—but because life got heavy, real, and honestly… a little overwhelming. And that’s when it hit me. This is exactly when I need a Day One. Not Monday. Not next week. Not when things “calm down”… because let’s be honest—when does that actually happen? So in this episode, I’m walking you through what Day One really looks like when life isn’t perfect… when you’re tired, stretched, and still expected to show up. I share what I’m doing right now, the simple shift that changes everything, and why starting small—like really small—might be the most powerful thing you do. If you’ve been waiting for the “right time”… this is your sign. Let’s go. Quote of the Week: “A year from now you may wish you had started today.” — by Karen Lamb   Citations Gollwitzer, P. M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54(7), 493–503.Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2009). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998–1009.Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. Avery.Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    17 min
  5. MAR 26

    Rerelease: Our Brains and Why We Overeat

    Send us Fan Mail Life has a way of moving quickly, and instead of skipping an episode, I wanted to bring back one that truly matters. This is one of my favorite OG episodes If you’ve ever felt like your eating habits don’t match your goals, this episode will remind you—you’re not broken. There’s real brain science behind why we overeat, and understanding it can completely change how you approach your journey. This one is foundational. It’s honest, it’s eye-opening, and it’s still just as relevant today as when I first recorded it. I’m so glad you’re here to revisit it with me. Let’s get into it and I will talk to you next week. I am sending you good vibes. Love you so much –This week, I will be speaking with you on why we overeat, discussing the important brain science research from one of my favorite Maesters in this area, Dr. Susan Pierce-Thompson.   In this episode, I give you a gold mine of information on neuroscience. I discuss the motivational triad, the nucleus accumbens and dopamine down regulation. I discuss how eating too much sugar and flour over time makes it so that insulin blocks our hormones leptin and ghrelin from working and I piece it all together like a puzzle. Use this information to help you make the best decisions for you, for your health and make this year, the year of focusing laser sharp on your health.     Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    20 min
  6. MAR 12

    The Mud, & the Lotus: Finding Strength in Difficult Times | A Conversation on Mindfulness and Resilience

    Send us Fan Mail What If the Hardest Parts of Life Are Actually the Beginning of Something Beautiful? Life isn’t only the beautiful bloom — sometimes it’s the mud beneath it. In this conversation, we explore resilience, mindfulness, and how struggle can shape personal growth. Some conversations stay with you long after they happen. In this episode, I sit down with someone who knows my story deeply—my sister.  Together we reflect on the reality that life is never only the beautiful bloom or only the struggle beneath it. It’s both. She gives us a bit of insight in to France’s Plum Village. We talk about how challenges shape us, how perspective changes everything, and how sometimes what feels like the hardest moment may quietly be preparing something meaningful.  If you’ve ever wondered how to move through uncertainty, loss, or change without losing hope, this conversation may resonate with you. Stay with us as we explore the powerful idea that sometimes the very mud we wish away may be the place where something beautiful begins to grow. Citations 1.    No Mud, No Lotus – Thích Nhất Hạnh, 2015. No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Suffering. Parallax Press. 2.    Martha Beck – Beck, M. (Various years). Life coaching and mindfulness teachings referenced on The Oprah Winfrey Show. 3.    Peer-reviewed research on mindfulness & resilience: o   Garland, E. L., Hanley, A. W., Farb, N. A., & Froeliger, B. (2015). Mindfulness training and resilience to stress: Effects on cognitive, emotional, and physiological outcomes. Psychological Science, 26(7), 1041–1053. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797615570361 Let’s go, let’s get it done. Get more information at: http://projectweightloss.org

    29 min
5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Your best life is just one project away. The Project Weight Loss Podcast is where you will learn the tools and skills to change what is weighing you down, lose weight and above all, improve your quality of life. This reinvention of your life could have a tremendous ripple effect in all you do and everyone you touch. To learn more and work with us visit https://projectweightloss.org. 

You Might Also Like