Always Becoming: Real Stories of Resilience, Healing, & Growth

Mikalen Cox
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Bimonthly

Ever thought, "Wait, is everyone else just casually crushing life except me?" Welcome to Always Becoming, a podcast about the messy, beautiful, ongoing journey of becoming who you're meant to be. This is the podcast for anyone who's still figuring it out—navigating heartbreak, life shifts, the in-between seasons, the "what now?" moments, and all the tiny breakthroughs in between. Through deep yet lighthearted conversations, we'll hear real stories of resilience, share personal lessons, and remind each other that we're not alone. Think of it as a heart-to-heart with your best friend—raw, unfiltered, and full of hope. Healing doesn't have a final destination. But it does have good company and we're in this together.

  1. Jul 15

    To Be Honest, It Feels Good to Be Myself

    Some journeys aren't about becoming someone new, they're about finally giving yourself permission to be who you've been all along. This week we have an exciting To Be Honest epsiode with one of my best friends, Holt! In this conversation, Holt shares what it was like growing up in a tiny North Carolina town where he didn't always feel comfortable being his full, authentic self, how moving away for college began to expand his world, and how finding community in Denver helped him fully embrace who he is today. We also talk about the role fashion has played in self expression, why no single part of your identity defines you, and how authenticity isn't something you arrive at overnight, it's something you build one small step at a time. In this episode, we talk about: Growing up in a small town and feeling like you had to fit a certain mold How college and new experiences can expand your perspective Finding community and the power of being understood Using fashion as a form of self expression Why one part of your identity doesn't define your entire story Taking small, courageous steps toward living more authentically Whether you're navigating your own identity, searching for where you belong, or simply learning to show up more fully as yourself, I hope this conversation reminds you that becoming who you are is always worth it. ✨Lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  2. Jul 1

    Something Always Has to Give

    Have you ever felt like you're dropping the ball no matter how hard you try? Maybe you've been pouring more energy into work lately, and your friendships have taken a back seat. Or you've been focused on your family, your health, your relationship, or simply getting through a busy season and suddenly you feel guilty for everything you aren't doing. In this episode, we're talking about the pressure to do it all, why something always has to give, and how I'm learning to let go of the guilt that comes with shifting priorities. We get into: why balance doesn't always mean giving everything equal attention the pressure to keep up with every area of life learning to see life in seasons instead of falling behind why letting something take the back seat doesn't mean it isn't important replacing guilt with self-compassion during busy seasons giving yourself permission to do your best with the season you're in If you've been feeling stretched too thin lately, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not failing you might just be expecting yourself to do more than anyone realistically can. lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  3. Jun 17

    It Felt Impossible Until It Wasn't

    Have you ever wanted something so badly that it felt impossible? A relationship. A job. A new chapter. Healing. A dream that felt so far away you couldn't even imagine how it would happen. And then one day it does. But almost as quickly as you get the thing you've been hoping for, your attention shifts to the next thing you don't have yet. In this episode, we're talking about why we do that, why the things we want often feel impossible until suddenly they aren't, and how easy it is to forget the things we once wished for when we're busy chasing what's next. We get into: why we tend to doubt what we can't yet see things in my life that once felt impossible but aren't anymore the tendency to move the goalposts after reaching a goal trusting life's timing when you don't know how things will work out finding gratitude for where you are while still hoping for more why "I don't know how" doesn't mean "it will never happen" If you're waiting on something right now and wondering if it's ever going to happen for you, I hope this episode reminds you that not knowing how isn't the same thing as never. Sometimes life changes faster than we think. ✨Let's connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  4. Jun 3

    Things I'm Still Figuring Out at 28

    I think when I was younger, I assumed that by 28 I'd have a lot more figured out than I actually do. The truth is, there are still so many things I'm learning, questioning, and working through. And while I used to see that as a sign that I was behind, I'm starting to realize that maybe growth isn't about having all the answers, it's about learning to trust yourself while you're still figuring things out. In this episode, I'm sharing some of the things I'm still navigating in this season of life, including: career, purpose, and the pressure to have a plan relationships, dating, and learning to trust the process body image, confidence, and self-acceptance finding balance between ambition and being present letting go of timelines and expectations learning to be okay with uncertainty If you've ever felt like everyone else has it together except you, this episode is a reminder that most of us are figuring it out as we go. And maybe that's not a problem to solve. Maybe that's just part of life! ✨lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  5. May 20

    To Be Honest, I've Gotten Really Good at Leaving

    In today's episode of To Be Honest, I'm joined by my friend Naya for a conversation about reinventing yourself, trusting your intuition, and having the courage to walk away from anything that no longer aligns. Whether that's a career path, a relationship, or an old version of yourself. We talk about her journey from studying finance to teaching herself how to code during covid, becoming a software engineer, building an online platform helping women break into tech, and the personal growth that happened alongside all of it.  We talk about: Taking unconventional paths and starting over Teaching yourself new skills and breaking into tech in 2026 Why it's not "too late" to pivot careers or start creating content online The importance of representation when pursuing a dream Building a community and personal brand online Imposter syndrome, confidence, and reinventing yourself Developing higher standards for yourself in dating Not being afraid to leave relationships that aren't fulfilling you The difference between something looking good on paper vs actually feeling aligned Learning to trust yourself and ask the universe for more Outgrowing old versions of yourself and choosing what truly feels right This is a fun, inspiring, real episode for anyone who feels scared to start over! Connect with Naya: IG @theblackfemaleengineer TikTok @theblackfemaleengineer YouTube The Black Female Engineer   ✨Lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  6. May 6

    How I Actually Made Friends As An Adult

    I used to genuinely think that if you didn't meet your friends in high school or college… you kind of just missed your opportunity. Making friends as an adult felt awkward, forced, and kinda intimidating. I never knew what to say, and it always felt like everyone already had their people. But over the past few years, that's actually changed a lot for me. I've met more people and built more of a community than I ever have before, which feels wild to say as someone in their late 20's! So in this episode, I'm talking through what shifted, how I actually started meeting people, and what helped me get out of my comfort zone to start making friends as an adult. I get into things like: why it feels so hard to make friends as an adult how my mindset around it changed how I actually met people building confidence socially when it doesn't come naturally why not every connection has to turn into a close friendship If you've ever felt like you don't really know how to meet people or where to start, you're definitely not the only one but the good news is that it doesn't have to be as hard as you think! ✨lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co See if Volo is in your city and get $10 off your first league when you use the code BOAB21

  7. Apr 22

    Why Waiting to Feel Ready Is Keeping You Stuck

    Ever feel stuck even when you want to change? Like you have ideas, goals, things you care about but you keep overthinking, waiting, or telling yourself you'll start when you feel more ready? In this episode we talk about what that "stuck" feeling actually looks like and what it takes to start building momentum from that place, not after it. We get into: why starting can feel so hard how we procrastinate under the disguise of planning how overthinking quietly keeps you stuck the pressure to feel confident before taking action what momentum actually looks like in real life  how small, imperfect actions can shift your energy why you don't need clarity or motivation to begin what it means to move with doubt instead of waiting for it to go away This isn't about having it all figured out. It's about learning how to move anyway. If you've been feeling stuck lately, this is your reminder that momentum doesn't come from a big breakthrough, it comes from taking one small step. lets connect on instagram: @mikalen.co

  8. Apr 8

    To Be Honest, I Didn't Realize What This Dream Would Cost Me

    You know that feeling of working toward something for so long, finally getting there, and then realizing it's not as simple as you thought it would be? In this week's "to be honest" episode, I'm sitting down with one of my best friends, Kelsey, to talk about what it actually looks like to follow your dreams and what no one really prepares you for once you get there. If you've ever felt pressure to have it all figured out, tied your identity to one path, or wondered if the life you're building is actually sustainable… I think you'll really relate to this one! We talk about: Knowing what you want from a young age and the pressure that comes with that How your identity can get wrapped up in your goals What law school (and real life after) actually feels like Stress, comparison, and imposter syndrome The sacrifices that come with ambition (health, relationships, time) Feeling guilty for resting and struggling to separate worth from productivity What it means to keep showing up for your dream while also taking care of yourself This episode is about being honest about what your dreams ask of you and figuring out how to build a life that feels good while you're chasing them. ✨Lets connect on Instagram: @mikalen.co

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About

Ever thought, "Wait, is everyone else just casually crushing life except me?" Welcome to Always Becoming, a podcast about the messy, beautiful, ongoing journey of becoming who you're meant to be. This is the podcast for anyone who's still figuring it out—navigating heartbreak, life shifts, the in-between seasons, the "what now?" moments, and all the tiny breakthroughs in between. Through deep yet lighthearted conversations, we'll hear real stories of resilience, share personal lessons, and remind each other that we're not alone. Think of it as a heart-to-heart with your best friend—raw, unfiltered, and full of hope. Healing doesn't have a final destination. But it does have good company and we're in this together.

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