She Became CEO

ILZE BE BERZINA
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She Became CEO is for people who feel behind and want to take leadership of their lives again. Many have worked hard, carried responsibilities, supported others, and still feel unsettled financially, professionally, or personally. This podcast creates space to think clearly about what comes next. We talk about: Rebuilding financial stability in midlife Communication as a leadership skill Hormones, metabolism, and cognitive performance Nervous system regulation and stress Reinvention grounded in practical action I speak with experts — clinicians, entrepreneurs, researchers — to translate complex ideas into usable insight. I also speak with people willing to share their lived experience. Real change happens when knowledge meets honesty. This podcast connects health, wealth, and voice — because long-term performance depends on all three. If you are ready to move forward with clarity and responsibility, you are welcome here.

  1. E52 | Weight Loss: Why You Can’t Separate Hormones from the Nervous System

    2D AGO

    E52 | Weight Loss: Why You Can’t Separate Hormones from the Nervous System

    In this episode, I respond to requests to speak about weight loss in midlife — especially the relationship between hormones and the nervous system. I share my personal experience and the information I’ve collected over the years from listening to hundreds of hours of podcasts and reading extensively on metabolic health, thyroid function, insulin, menopause, and nervous system regulation. Topics include: Estrogen, serotonin, and midlife metabolic shifts Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and common myths Thyroid–insulin connection Low-carb, ketogenic, and carnivore approaches Ketones and fat adaptation Sleep, cortisol, and circadian rhythm Why nourishing the body may be foundational for nervous system balance Sources and voices mentioned in this episode: Dr. Peter Attia Dr. Andrew Huberman (Huberman Lab) Dr. Sara Gottfried (The Hormone Cure) Dr. Lisa Mosconi Dr. Elizabeth Bright Dr. Anthony Chaffee Rina Ahluwalia (The Primal Podcast) Dr. Robert Kiltz Steven Bartlett The Williams Table (90-Day Carnivore Update) This is not medical advice. It is an invitation to research, discern, and consider your options. If this episode resonates, please rate and follow the podcast. And if you’d like me to explore a related topic, feel free to reach out. Host's email: support@shebecameceo.com https://shebecameceo.com https://ilzebe.com

    28 min

  2. FEB 15

    E51 | I Got Interviewed by John Solleder: Communication, Trauma, and Becoming CEO of Your Voice

    This episode is different from the others—because this time, I’m the guest. I’m sharing a few fragments from Leave Nothing to Chance, where host John Solleder interviewed me. It was my first time ever being interviewed on someone else’s podcast, and John made it easy. We talk about communication, why listening is the foundation of clear messaging, how trauma can shape how we speak and relate, and how I work with both organizations and individuals to clarify what’s not working—and what to do next. You’ll also hear the story behind my original podcast name, Ill Zebra’s Transformations, and why She Became CEO is about more than business: it’s becoming CEO of your voice, health, money, and relationships. If you’re an experienced entrepreneur, I also recommend checking out Leave Nothing to Chance—John’s audience is slightly different from mine, and you may love it. In this episode Why clear messaging starts with listening Communication as an art: talking with people, not at them Trauma, compassion, and what changes after hard life events How I begin organizational work (interviews + defining outcomes) The “Ill Zebra” story and the transformation behind it A simple clarity exercise for 2026: where you are → where you want to be → resources you already have Mentioned Leave Nothing to Chance (John Solleder) She Became CEO (Ilze Be)

    39 min
  3. E50 | Authenticity Has Boundaries: Building Community With Discernment with Paige Royal

    FEB 7

    E50 | Authenticity Has Boundaries: Building Community With Discernment with Paige Royal

    In Episode 50 of She Became CEO, I welcome back my very first podcast guest, Paige Royal, for a conversation about community—how we build it, how we belong, and how we sometimes outgrow it. We talk about authenticity versus “filtering” ourselves in different spaces, loneliness (including the kind that comes from language and cultural barriers), and why shame—especially around money—keeps people quiet. I also share how learning English as a 12-year-old became my way into the wider world, and eventually into business and leadership. Connect with Paige: https://www.paigeroyalcoaching.com/

    53 min

  4. JAN 31

    E49 | Jermaine Ee on Legacy, Loss, and the Conversations We Avoid

    This episode was recorded just before Ilze travels to Latvia to visit her parents—during their birthday month—and shortly after Jermaine lost his mother. Jermaine asked to be on the podcast not to promote a product, but to honor his mom by sharing her story and the lessons she left behind. What unfolds is a quiet, deeply human conversation about parents, time, migration, money, and the conversations we postpone because they feel uncomfortable—or too final. In this episode, we talk about: Losing a parent and what it changes about how we relate to time Growing up in a communal culture where family always came first Reinventing oneself later in life—and learning, sometimes late, to enjoy it Why gratitude can feel complicated after loss The small moments we dismiss that end up mattering the most How encouragement from loved ones can help us reclaim joy Why clarity around money, wishes, and legacy is an act of love Jermaine also shares the personal story behind HeirLight—a will-making app he is building in honor of his mother. Designed as a calm, guided experience, HeirLight helps people face one of adulthood’s most avoided tasks with clarity and care. As Jermaine says in the episode: clarity is love, in practical form. This conversation isn’t about productivity or hustle. It’s about courage, tenderness, and choosing not to wait. About the guest Jermaine Ee is a founder and storyteller interested in how we spend our time, the work we do, and what we leave behind. His career has spanned ed-tech, logistics, toys, political campaigns, executive search, and impact projects, always focused on helping people make better decisions about their futures. Born in Los Angeles and raised between LA and Malaysia, he reflects often on belonging, identity, and the quiet instructions we leave behind for the people we love.   Connect with Jermaine Ee through his website: https://heirlight.com/en

    35 min
  5. E48 | Starting a Business Without Being on Camera — eBay Income with Paul Apollonia

    JAN 24

    E48 | Starting a Business Without Being on Camera — eBay Income with Paul Apollonia

    This episode is for people who want to create income without being on camera, without “selling themselves,” and without a large upfront investment. My guest, Paul Apollonia, has been buying and selling on eBay since 2001. Over the past two decades, he has built a sustainable eBay business, weathered economic downturns, and helped individuals and businesses turn overlooked items into real income. In our conversation, Paul shares why eBay is a particularly strong option for people who are: camera-shy or introverted, navigating layoffs or career transitions, short on startup capital, looking for a realistic side gig that can grow over time. We also talk about pivoting, mindset, and why practical skills often matter more than hype when money is tight. What We Cover in This Episode Why eBay selling does not require video, personal branding, or public speaking How Paul pivoted from IT → auto detailing → online selling Starting with what you already own—or can source for free Why selling needs often works better than selling “wants” The power of niches and overlooked items Real examples of ordinary objects that sell surprisingly well What actually makes an eBay listing effective When coaching helps people move faster than trial-and-error Why eBay works well for introverts and people who prefer minimal interaction Using eBay as a side income vs. a primary business How small businesses can turn excess inventory into cash About the Guest Paul Apollonia has been selling and buying on eBay since 2001 and became an eBay-trained Education Specialist in 2009. He teaches both new and experienced sellers how to succeed on eBay and works closely with businesses to help them turn excess or idle inventory into cash. Paul has taught: stay-at-home parents, small business owners, executives and employees, helping them create additional income streams through eBay. He teaches in classroom settings, small groups, and 1:1, and continues to support clients through Zoom, phone, and email. Paul is also the founder and facilitator of a monthly eBay E-Commerce Sellers Circle, launched in 2013. What began with just two members has grown to over 540 sellers, connecting beginners and experienced sellers from across the U.S. and beyond.

    38 min
  6. E47 | Kaye Squire on Brain Health, Trauma, and Why She Chose to Speak

    JAN 17

    E47 | Kaye Squire on Brain Health, Trauma, and Why She Chose to Speak

    In this episode, I speak with Kaye Squire, a member of the Amen University community who chose to share her story publicly after years of hesitation. Kaye explains that her reason for speaking out was simple: if her experience could help even one person feel less alone—and see that there is a better path forward—then it was worth doing. What Kaye shares in this conversation Her very high ACE score (Adverse Childhood Experiences). What childhood abuse and neglect looked like in her own life. How early trauma affected her relationships and sense of safety. A suicide attempt in her early twenties, and what followed. Memory struggles later in life and how they prompted her to take brain health seriously. The steps she has taken to better support her brain and overall well-being. Themes explored What it takes to speak publicly about trauma when you’re not “over it.” Why resilience often begins with just one safe relationship. The long-term effects of early trauma on the brain. Why Kaye feels strongly about supporting children and breaking cycles early. This is not a polished success story or a dramatic transformation arc. It is a grounded conversation about lived experience, responsibility, and the decision to speak—not for attention, but to help someone else recognize themselves and feel less alone. Find Kaye's Instagram account at https://www.instagram.com/kayesquire_brainhealth/  Host's website: ilzebe.com

    51 min
  7. E46 | Damaged People Become High Performers: Aldis Ozols, Latvian Entrepreneur in Ghana

    JAN 10

    E46 | Damaged People Become High Performers: Aldis Ozols, Latvian Entrepreneur in Ghana

    In this episode, I talk with Aldis Ozols, whose English is functional, direct, and unconcerned with convention. What stands out is how effectively he uses it to achieve his goals. Aldis is the author of Lose Millions, Win Life, a book shaped by his childhood in a Soviet Latvian village—by cold barns, physical labor, scarcity, and early responsibility—and by the long years that led him far beyond Latvia, eventually rebuilding his life in Ghana. The book traces how those early conditions forged a relentless drive, a tolerance for uncertainty, and a willingness to start over from scratch in a new culture. He wrote the book in English by putting his thoughts on paper, working with a ghostwriter, and asking his son to record the audiobook. The book exists because he focused on the outcome and assembled the right support. He sold his first signed copy for $10,000 and several others for $5,000. The money went to causes in Ghana. The gesture amplified his message and strengthened his reputation. This conversation provides a grounded perspective on intelligence, as expressed through action, resourcefulness, and follow-through. Find Aldis Ozols' books at https://www.aldisozolsbooks.com/ Contact Aldis Ozols  at aldisozolsbooks@gmail.com  Contact Ilze Be Berzina, the host of this program at ilze@ilzebe.com

    1h 18m
  8. E45 | Beyond Logic: Listen to Your Body to Get What You Want with Mara Lee Gilbert

    JAN 3

    E45 | Beyond Logic: Listen to Your Body to Get What You Want with Mara Lee Gilbert

    In this episode, Ilze reconnects with Mara Lee Gilbert for a grounded, wide-ranging conversation about trauma, the nervous system, embodiment, and inner wisdom shaped through lived experience. Together, they explore how early conditioning influences behavior in subtle ways, why insight alone doesn’t always lead to change, and how the body holds information long after events have passed. The conversation moves gently through themes of emotional expression, safety, desire, success, and peace—without rushing toward solutions or dramatic conclusions. This episode is especially relevant for listeners who have done significant inner work and still sense unresolved layers, or who feel that conventional strategies no longer reach the deeper places where change actually happens. In This Episode, You’ll Hear About: How trauma shows up in unexpected ways Why emotional expression doesn’t follow a single “correct” script Rage, anxiety, compassion, and how different bodies process truth Inner wisdom as a practical, embodied skill Peace as something cultivated internally, even in uncertain or conflicted environments About Mara Lee Gilbert Mara Lee Gilbert is a Transformational Guide and Coach, trauma-informed space holder, and sound channeler devoted to the healing power of truth, transmutation, and deep embodiment. With a Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology and over a decade of experience supporting youth and adults in trauma recovery, Mara bridges grounded clinical insight with somatic healing and sacred plant wisdom. Her work draws on her unique ability to channel energetic frequencies through sound, activating deep remembrance and regulation within the body. Currently training as a Death Doula, Mara works at the intersection of shadow and light, inviting others to reclaim their power through presence, honesty, and radical self-trust. Connect with Mara & Explore Her Work Instagram: @maraleegilbert Sacred Rage Retreat (online, for women/female-identifying participants): https://www.thymespace.com/sacred-rage-retreat Online Workshop – Sacred Rage: Exploring the Alchemy of Intense Emotions Wednesday, December 17th, 7:00 PM EST (replays may be available) https://withfriends.events/event/gocrE3kd/sacred-rage-exploring-the-alchemy-of-intense-emotion Abundance Activation Ceremony (online) Friday, December 19th, 1:00–2:30 PM EST (replays may be available) https://cara-khym-7481.mykajabi.com/offers/pWszqnwF/checkout Chanting & Sound Work on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYfX0NwhjdYOnZMzL83gd0AW8pD-lQjSV Mara is also available for one-on-one work.

    1h 17m
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5
out of 5
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About

She Became CEO is for people who feel behind and want to take leadership of their lives again. Many have worked hard, carried responsibilities, supported others, and still feel unsettled financially, professionally, or personally. This podcast creates space to think clearly about what comes next. We talk about: Rebuilding financial stability in midlife Communication as a leadership skill Hormones, metabolism, and cognitive performance Nervous system regulation and stress Reinvention grounded in practical action I speak with experts — clinicians, entrepreneurs, researchers — to translate complex ideas into usable insight. I also speak with people willing to share their lived experience. Real change happens when knowledge meets honesty. This podcast connects health, wealth, and voice — because long-term performance depends on all three. If you are ready to move forward with clarity and responsibility, you are welcome here.

Information

  • Creator
    ILZE BE BERZINA
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © ILZE BE BERZINA
  • Show Website
    She Became CEO