Best Life By You

Julia Furlipa

Welcome to “Best Life By You,” the podcast dedicated to helping you overcome challenges in nutrition, mindset, and fitness while prioritizing holistic health and wellness. Hosted by your very own, Julia, my episodes have a signature blend of humor and education to create an engaging and empowering experience. We’ll focus on how to foster a healthy dialogue with ourselves around food, movement, self-efficacy, goals, and relationships. In a world where much is beyond our control, I will guide you to take charge of the principles that matter most to you.

  1. 6d ago

    #54 | The Hidden Reason You Keep Self-Sabotaging, with Austra Putnina & Julia Furlipa | Best Life By You Podcast

    Why do we sabotage the very goals we say we want? In this episode of Best Life by You, Julia sits down with returning guest Austra Putnina for a deep conversation about self-sabotage, identity, self-respect, perfectionism, relationships, and the hidden beliefs that keep us stuck. Together they explore why people stay in unhealthy patterns, how high standards can become self-punishment, why your identity always lags behind your actions, and how small daily decisions shape the person you'll become months from now. Whether you're trying to lose weight, build confidence, improve your relationships, or pursue your biggest goals, this conversation will challenge the way you think about personal growth. In this episode: • What self-sabotage really is • Why your identity changes after your actions—not before • The difference between self-love and self-respect • Why perfectionism keeps people stuck • Escaping victim mentality • Building confidence through action • Relationships as mirrors for personal growth • How today's habits create tomorrow's identity Connect with Austra Putnina 🌐 Website: https://www.udemy.com/user/austra/?srsltid=AfmBOorpt03zFnfn9pi8Zbrp8NFpajMguLviAYHHcl3ICsG7DXO63r7N ▶ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@austraputnina Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisdominactionpod 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austra.putnina/ CONNECT WITH JULIA: My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY  My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/  My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/  Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa Follow Julia and Best Life by You for weekly conversations on mindset, nutrition, fitness, relationships, and becoming the best version of yourself. If this episode helped you, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs to hear it. Chapters 00:00 What Self-Sabotage Really Is 01:59 Welcome Back Austra Putnina 03:15 High Standards vs Self-Sabotage 08:25 Seeking Validation Through Achievement 12:29 Rewriting Your Identity 14:42 Why People Stay Stuck 19:08 Victim Mentality vs Responsibility 20:58 Identity Comes After Action 22:32 Your Future Self Is Built Today 29:18 Self-Respect vs Self-Love 35:30 Dating, Standards & Personal Growth 45:06 Living Up to Your Own Standards 49:48 How Relationships Mirror You 54:03 Final Thoughts #SelfSabotage #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement #Confidence #SelfRespect #MentalHealth #Success #Habits #Identity

  2. Jul 10

    #53 | Are Animals Here for a Purpose or for Our Pleasure? | Gary Yourofsky on Veganism, God & Animal Rights | Best Life By You Podcast with Julia Furlipa

    Are animals here for a purpose... or simply for our pleasure? In this unforgettable conversation, Julia Furlipa sits down with legendary animal rights activist Gary Yourofsky to explore one of the most challenging ethical questions of our time. From the moment Gary witnessed elephants chained in a circus to his lifelong fight for animal liberation, this interview dives deep into why society treats some animals like family while viewing others as food. Together, Julia and Gary discuss veganism, speciesism, Christianity, compassion, health, environmental responsibility, and what it truly means to live according to our values. Whether you agree with Gary or not, this conversation will challenge assumptions, encourage critical thinking, and leave you asking difficult questions about the way we view animals. Topics include: • Why we love dogs but eat cows and pigs • The difference between vegan and plant-based living • Speciesism explained • Gary Yourofsky's journey into animal rights activism • The ethics of eating animals • Christianity, the Bible, and compassion for animals • Why changing our beliefs can be so difficult • Health, nutrition, and common myths about veganism • Animal sanctuaries and how you can help Support the incredible work of Sasha Farm Animal Sanctuary: https://www.sashafarm.org Learn more about Gary Yourofsky's educational work through ADAPTT: https://www.adaptt.org/ If this conversation challenged you or made you think differently, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who would benefit from hearing another perspective. Subscribe for more conversations on health, mindset, nutrition, spirituality, longevity, and living your best life. CHAPTERS 00:00 Why We Love Dogs But Eat Other Animals 01:00 Introducing Gary Yourofsky 02:55 The Moment That Changed Gary's Life Forever 05:20 Why We Treat Animals as Commodities 07:00 What Veganism Really Means 12:20 Plant-Based vs Vegan 16:40 Why People React So Strongly to Veganism 19:00 Why Humans Resist Change 23:40 Christianity, God, and Animal Rights 30:40 Was Jesus Vegan? 35:20 The Biggest Misconceptions About Veganism 40:05 The Most Common Excuses for Eating Animals 44:40 The Truth About Gladiators and Plant-Based Eating 51:20 Media, Propaganda, and Animal Agriculture 58:30 Why Most People Would Never Kill Their Own Food 01:00:50 Soy Milk vs Dairy Milk 01:05:20 Faith, God, and Animal Compassion 01:10:05 The Story That Changed Thousands of Lives 01:12:15 Gary's Legacy and Final Thoughts #GaryYourofsky #AnimalRights #Vegan #Veganism #AnimalLiberation #BestLifeByYou #JuliaFurlipa #PlantBased #EthicalVegan #Speciesism #Compassion #Christianity #Bible #Health #Nutrition #Podcast #AnimalEthics #CrueltyFree #SaveAnimals CONNECT WITH JULIA: My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY  My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/  My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/  Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

  3. Jul 3

    #52 | The Juice Lady’s Healing Journey: Juicing, Seed Oils, & God’s Purpose with Cherie Calbom & Julia Furlipa | Best Life By You Podcast

    In this powerful episode of Best Life By You, Julia sits down with Cherie Calbom, known worldwide as The Juice Lady, to talk about her personal healing journey, the life-changing power of juicing, whole foods, healthy fats, seed oils, faith, and finding your God-given purpose. Cherie shares how chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia in her twenties led her to discover juicing, nutrition, and the importance of using food as fuel for the body. She also explains why vegetable-based juicing is different from fruit juice, how to approach oils wisely, and why health matters when it comes to fulfilling your purpose in life. This episode is for anyone who wants to feel better, eat better, live with more purpose, and take ownership of their health journey. Disclaimer: This conversation is for educational and inspirational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making major health changes. Chapters: 00:00 God, purpose, and health 02:02 Welcome to Best Life By You 05:32 Cherie’s chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia journey 06:50 How juicing changed Sherry’s life 08:36 Julia’s mold toxicity healing story 10:51 The right way to juice 13:47 Green juice vs. fruit juice 16:21 Working with George Foreman and the UAE royal family 18:33 Why vegetables and fiber matter 21:24 The truth about seed oils 30:03 Healthy oils to use instead 34:21 Cooking oils and smoke points 37:33 Coconut oil, oil pulling, and skin health 41:21 Walnut milk and omega-3s 46:11 Finding your God-given purpose 50:51 How Cherie lives her best life 52:15 “Nothing tastes as good as good health” Connect with Cherie: https://www.instagram.com/juiceladycherie/ CONNECT WITH JULIA: My Book “The 7+ Lifestyle: A Recipe Book for Life!”: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY  My Podcast “Best Life By You”: https://www.youtube.com/@bestlifebyyoupodcast  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/  My All-in-One Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/  Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa

  4. Jun 26

    #51 | The Mindset of a Professional Athlete: TJ Starks' Journey to Greatness | Best Life By You Podcast with Julia Furlipa

    TJ Starks joins the Best Life By You Podcast to share his incredible journey from being a 5'6" high school athlete to becoming a professional basketball playeroverseas.In this inspiring conversation, TJ discusses his growth story, playing professionally in Uruguay, training through uncertainty, preparing for upcoming G League opportunities, and how faith has helped guide every step of his journey.We also dive into athlete mindset, motivation, nutrition, recovery, coaching young athletes, and the lessons TJ has learned while pursuing greatness. Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or simply chasing a dream, this episode is packed with valuable insights on perseverance, discipline, and trusting God's plan.Topics Covered:• Professional basketball overseas• G League aspirations• Athlete mindset & motivation• Training and recovery• Faith and sports• Kobe Bryant's influence• Coaching young athletes• Staying ready for opportunitiesFollow TJ Starks: https://www.instagram.com/iamtstarks/ CONNECT WITH JULIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ Book: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY #BestLifeByYou #TJStarks #Basketball #AthleteMindset #GLeague #ProfessionalBasketball #NBA #FaithOverFear #Motivation #Basketball#KobeBryant #BestLifeByYoupodcast #juliafurlipa

  5. Jun 19

    #50 | Why Curious People Become More Successful, with Troy Szymanski & Julia Furlipa | Best Life By You Podcast

    "Jack of all trades, master of none." But what if that's completely wrong? In this episode of Best Life By You, Julia sits down with entrepreneur, athlete, coach, and lifelong learner Troy Szymanski to discuss curiosity, purpose, entrepreneurship, faith, fitness, personal growth, and why the most successful people often build experience across many different areas before discovering their life's work. We discuss: • Why curiosity creates creativity • The danger of choosing one path too early • How to find your purpose • Faith, entrepreneurship, and personal growth • Why motivation isn't enough • The difference between goals and systems • How to build discipline that lasts • The Ask, Seek, Knock framework • Why anything worth doing is worth doing poorly Whether you're building a business, improving your health, exploring your passions, or trying to figure out what's next in life, this conversation will challenge how you think about success. Subscribe for more conversations on health, mindset, faith, entrepreneurship, and building your best life. CHAPTERS 00:00 The River Never Stays The Same 00:43 Welcome To Episode 50 02:27 Meet Troy Szymanski 05:44 Curiosity, Sports & Finding Yourself 09:35 Why Passion Compounds 14:04 When Your Passion Changes 18:33 How To Find Your Purpose 21:46 Why Curiosity Beats Specialization 25:58 Jack Of All Trades vs Master Of One 30:14 Ask, Seek, Knock 37:53 Faith, Growth & Asking For Help 48:10 What Would You Tell Your Younger Self? 52:18 Motivation vs Discipline 54:09 Anything Worth Doing Is Worth Doing Poorly 58:40 Why Most People Quit Too Early 01:02:49 Your Environment Shapes Everything 01:03:49 Final Thoughts On Growth & Success CONNECT WITH JULIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa  Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/  Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠  Book: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY

  6. Jun 12

    #49 | He Survived an Overdose, Reversed Diabetes & Lost 150+ Pounds | Adam Sud's Incredible Recovery Story | Best Life By You Podcast with Julia Furlipa

    #49 | He Survived an Overdose, Reversed Diabetes & Lost 150+ Pounds | Adam Sud's Incredible Recovery Story | Best Life By You Podcast with Julia Furlipa What happens when someone survives the darkest moment of their life and decides to start over?In this powerful episode of Best Life By You, Julia sits down with Adam Sud, addiction recovery advocate, speaker, researcher, and founder of Plant-Based for Positive Change. Adam shares the raw and emotional story of his battle with addiction, obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and a life-threatening overdose that became the turning point for everything that followed.After years of struggling with substance abuse, chronic disease, and hopelessness, Adam made a decision that transformed his future. Through recovery, lifestyle change, and a whole-food plant-based approach to nutrition, he reversed type 2 diabetes, lost over 150 pounds, came off multiple medications, and went on to become one of the leading voices in addiction recovery and behavior change.In this conversation, we discuss:✅ Adam's overdose and rock-bottom moment✅ Addiction, shame, and recovery✅ Mental health and resilience✅ Reversing type 2 diabetes naturally✅ The science behind plant-based nutrition✅ Fiber, longevity, and chronic disease prevention✅ Why behavior change is so difficult✅ The "Pleasure Trap" and human psychology✅ Building a meaningful life after addiction✅ Hope for anyone struggling todayThis episode is filled with practical wisdom, emotional honesty, and life-changing insights for anyone facing challenges with health, addiction, mindset, or purpose.🔗 Connect with Adam SudWebsite: https://www.adamsud.com/abouthttps://www.plantbasedforpositivechange.org/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plantbasedaddict/🔗 CONNECT WITH JULIA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/ Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠ Book: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY Chapters00:00 Adam's Suicide Attempt & Overdose Story01:22 Introduction to Adam Sud03:43 The Best Decision of His Life: Marriage04:35 What Adam's Life Looks Like Today11:28 Why Adam Went Plant-Based17:20 The Overdose That Changed Everything19:40 Choosing Life After Rock Bottom21:10 Rehab, Diabetes & Devastating Diagnoses23:43 Discovering Plant-Based Nutrition25:13 The First Days of Recovery30:03 The Pleasure Trap Explained33:18 The Power of Simple Habits34:54 Reversing Type 2 Diabetes Naturally36:00 Nutrition & Addiction Recovery Research39:20 Why Nutrition Science Gets Misunderstood44:00 The Truth About Fiber & Longevity48:12 Plant-Based Nutrition Myths51:00 Groundbreaking Recovery Research Findings58:30 What Living Your Best Life Really Means01:00:20 A Message for Anyone Struggling01:02:15 Final Thoughts & Closing#AdamSud #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #PlantBased#WholeFoodPlantBased #Type2Diabetes #DiabetesReversal #SuicidePrevention #RecoveryJourney #Fiber #Nutrition #HealthPodcast #WellnessPodcast #BehaviorChange #Longevity #BestLifeByYou #PersonalTransformation #Mindset #HealthJourney

  7. Jun 5

    #48 | Vegan Bodybuilder Nurse Reveals the Truth About Plant-Based Muscle Building with Henry James Carpenter & Julia Furlipa

    Best Life By You Podcast Can you build serious muscle on a plant-based diet — and keep your faith while doing it? Henry Carpenter has been proving the answer is yes for over 14 years. Henry is a pediatric nurse, military veteran (Army + Air Force), vegan bodybuilder, and powerlifter who discovered plant-based living through years of spiritual study, alchemical research, and a deep dive into ancient scripture. In this episode, he and Julia break down identity, energy, discipline, grief, overtraining, and what it actually takes to thrive — not just survive — on a plant-based lifestyle. 🌱 What we cover: • Why Henry went vegan after reading scripture and alchemical texts • How he went from 19–20% body fat to stage-ready in just 90 days — on plants • The cortisol and cardio mistake that was keeping him fat • Losing a patient and how grief completely derailed his health for 3 years • How intermittent fasting done wrong triggered hormonal imbalance • The identity crisis behind every anti-vegan argument • Why compassion — not debate — is the most powerful tool for change • Blue zones, the Daniel fast, and plant-based longevity • "You were born perfect. After that, man put titles on you." CHAPTERS: 0:00 – Intro: Henry's philosophy on thriving as a vegan 1:18 – Welcome & how Julia and Henry connected 3:20 – Henry's background: nursing, military, and healing work 6:39 – Why to keep your goals private (or not) 8:00 – Stop taking advice from people not where you want to be 11:50 – Henry's spiritual journey and why he went vegan 15:23 – Juicing, ditching dairy, and the addiction of cheese 16:30 – Training without anger: how veganism changed his gym mindset 19:00 – The identity behind anti-vegan arguments 22:39 – The fish argument, sea cockroaches, and the Bible debate 25:13 – Identity, dating, and being vegan in a non-vegan world 29:30 – Is your attachment to food really about something deeper? 36:08 – Survival school: skinning a rabbit and going vegan after 38:36 – Bodybuilding as a vegan — his first show prep story 41:30 – Low carb bro science vs. what actually works 42:19 – Losing a patient, grief, and a 3-year health breakdown 44:37 – How over-fasting wrecked his hormones 46:52 – Mental becomes physical: when suppression shows up in the body 49:26 – What does health really mean? Henry's answer 50:31 – The #1 reason to go vegan 55:18 – "You were born perfect. Man gave you the titles." 56:17 – Closing thoughts and Julia's invitation for a round 2 🔗 Connect with Henry Carpenter: https://www.instagram.com/henryjc1984/ 🎙 Subscribe to Best Life By You: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts 📲 CONNECT WITH JULIA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_bestlifebyyou/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@juliafurlipa  Best Life By You App: https://bestlifebyyoutracker.replit.app/  Work with Julia: ⁠https://www.bestlifebyyou.com/⁠  Book: https://amzn.to/4rM6HpY  #vegan #veganfitness #plantbased #veganathlete #veganBodybuilder #bestlifebyyou #plantbasednutrition #veganmuscle #mindsetmatters #holistichealth #militaryveteran #spirituality #veganlifestyle #plantbasedliving #danielfast #mentalhealth #bodybuilding

About

Welcome to “Best Life By You,” the podcast dedicated to helping you overcome challenges in nutrition, mindset, and fitness while prioritizing holistic health and wellness. Hosted by your very own, Julia, my episodes have a signature blend of humor and education to create an engaging and empowering experience. We’ll focus on how to foster a healthy dialogue with ourselves around food, movement, self-efficacy, goals, and relationships. In a world where much is beyond our control, I will guide you to take charge of the principles that matter most to you.