Christi's Couch Christi Lukasiak

“I remember looking up at myself for the first time. And my cousin kept saying, ‘I’m going to fix this. I'm going to fix this.’ And I literally looked at her and I was like, ‘How are you going to fix this?’ That was the first time I realized my whole upper lip was not there,” shares Brooklinn Khoury, close family friend and professional skateboarder. In November of 2020, Brooklinn suffered a horrific dog attack that disfigured her face. Following the attack was hours of chaos and continual surgeries to try to fix her face. In spite of enduring life altering trauma when she was only 21 years old, Brooklinn manages to maintain a positive outlook and shares her photos and videos on social media to inspire others in similar situations. In today’s episode, host Christi Lukasiak is joined in conversation with Brooklinn Khoury to talk about the attack, the aftermath, and how she manages to stay positive about life. 
 
Brooklinn’s life changed within a matter of seconds when her cousin’s dog, whom she had known for years, suddenly attacked her, biting onto her upper lip and essentially playing tug-of-war with her face. Brooklinn’s cousin did not call for an ambulance or immediately take her to the hospital, but Brooklinn explains that everyone responds to trauma differently and that they were both in shock, not fully understanding the extent of what had just happened. After her initial surgery to close the wounds, she could hardly recognize herself and had to live for years without an upper lip. To this day she is still undergoing corrective surgeries on her nose and lip after searching for a full year for a highly specialized surgeon to take on her case. Prior to the attack, Brooklinn had begun working in modeling for skateboarding companies, appeared in very high profile publications like Vogue, and even was in a music video. After the attack, brands backed out of having her represent them, but even that could not take away her positive outlook. Brooklinn is open about her experiences on social media even in the face of backlash and bullying because if she can inspire even one person, then she is happy. 
 
Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch to hear Brooklinn’s inspirational story. Learn how she managed to stay strong and maintain a positive attitude in the face of life altering trauma. 
 
Quotes
“You don't really realize what your instincts are going to say until you're in that type of situation.” (27:42-27:58 | Brooklinn)
“She screamed, ‘Oh my God, you're gonna sue me’!” (30:06-30:08 | Brooklinn)
“If she would have put the lips on ice within two minutes, I would have had my lip.” (34:09-34:12 | Brooklinn)
“I remember looking up at myself for the first time. And she kept saying, ‘I’m going to fix this. I'm going to fix this.’ And I literally looked at her and I was like, ‘How are you going to fix this?’ That was the first time I realized my whole upper lip was not there.” (35:51-36:03 | Brooklinn)
“I remember taking off the bandage and looking at myself and I didn't even recognize who I was.” (53:43-53:47 | Brooklinn) 
“My doctor said to me, ‘You got into an accident. You can go two ways about this. One, you can feel bad for yourself, sit on the couch, and hide from everyone. Or you can heal and live your life exactly how you were going to do it anyway’.” (56:39-56:50 | Brooklinn)
“I wanted to be the person that people could refer to like, ‘Hey, this girl is going through something. I can relate to her, and I'm gonna be okay.’  That's all I wanted to do. And if it helped one person, then I was doing something right.” (1:04:21-1:04:30 | Brooklinn)
 
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“We can't ever hate ourselves into a body that we love, but we can love ourselves into a body that we love,” shares Kelley Nemiro, certified holistic health coach, pilates instructor, and founder of Wellness by Kelley. Through her coaching membership program, Kelley helps women live healthier lives by teaching them how to balance their hormones from the inside out. In today’s episode, host Christi Lukasiak is joined in conversation with Kelley Nemiro to talk about the role of hormones on overall health and body weight and how changing your mindset can be the most important behavioral shift of all. 
 
Through Kelley’s wellness membership program, she teaches women useful skills including how to do low impact workouts like pilates with slow-controlled movements, how to cook nourishing plant-based meals that balance blood sugar, and how to meditate for stress reduction. People often focus too much on how many calories a food has rather than the impact it has on blood sugar. Kelley explains that blood sugar impacts all of our other hormones, so if it is spiking and dipping constantly, it will be even more difficult to lose weight. When we are super stressed and under a lot of pressure, as is the case for most working women, especially working mothers, our bodies produce more cortisol which in turn slows down our metabolism. By understanding the role of hormones in weight loss and overall health, we can learn better habits that will help us to foster a better relationship with our bodies. 
 
Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch for a conversation about the role of food, hormones, and stress on our overall health. Learn how to alter your perspective so that you can start loving the body you’re in.
 
Quotes
“A big part of the work that I do is shifting the mindset around not only food, but also around stress, and around how much pressure we put on ourselves.” (16:50-17:01 | Kelley)
“A lot of that [perfectionism] comes from looking at Inner Child Trauma and seeing where this belief that I have to be productive all of the time comes from. I love my family, they're amazing human beings, but that's where mine came from and noticing that they're all kind of that Type A personality, then from that place, I can have so much more compassion for myself in saying, ``I'm gonna take a break because this is a learned behavior.” (19:37-20:07 | Kelley)
“What you put into your body has probably the biggest impact besides your stress on your weight.” (27:07-27:15 | Kelley)
“Hormones are made from fat and protein and so I think focusing each meal on having fat and protein in your diet is really key.” (29:19-29:29 | Kelley)
“If we can shift the focus to slowly over time you eating more real whole food, and less of the processed packaged stuff, I promise, you'll start to notice a difference in your hormones.” (30:45-30:56 | Kelley)
“It’s not just what you eat, it's also how you eat that really matters.” (31:09-31:11 | Kelley)
“You have to create the space for the new habits to exist, because it takes time, it takes effort, it takes brain power to start to implement these things into your life.” (37:10-37:21 | Kelley)
“Measuring is what gets things done. So if you can track it, and you can measure it, and you can say, Okay, I have done this for 28 days, I can do this for 28 more, that is a really good way to be able to continue to fuel your motivation is by getting some sort of habit tracker.” (37:40-37:58 | Kelley)



Links
 
Follow Kelley here: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessbykelley/
Check out Kelley's website here: https://wellnessbykelley.com/



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“The more we bring everyone's gifts and potential into the world through giving them the tools that they need, the more we all benefit,” explains Briana Borten, Spiritual Mentor.  In today’s episode, host Christi Lukasiak is joined in conversation with Briana Borten to talk about the healing properties of energy work, listening to signs from the universe, and giving back. 
 
After graduating from high school, Briana experienced a horrible accident that broke her neck. She was in a lot of pain and barely able to function until she was gifted three energy working sessions by her step-mother. Energy work changed her life by reducing her pain to the point where she could be functional on her feet again. Through this experience, Brianna learned that when you surrender to the signs the universe sends for you and collaborate along your path, magic happens. She believes in helping others showcase their gifts. 
 
When money and resources are in the hands of spiritually rooted individuals, the world changes in amazing ways. Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch for a conversation about meditation, spiritual energy, money, and living your authentic life. Learn how to make space, manifest abundance, and become a co-creator with the universe. 
 
Quotes
“I was wasting no time, which I think actually came from really thinking I was going to die when I was 18. We are not guaranteed any amount of time.” (13:05-13:18 | Briana)
“The universe constantly navigates my path to this very specific thing. And when I veer from that in a way that isn't just to be added, I just get put right back.” (14:43-14:56 | Briana)
“If we want something beyond what's predictable, and moving into the potentiality of the world, then we have to learn how to surrender.” (18:07-18:20 | Briana)
“When you co-create with the universe so much more magic happens.” (18:35-18:39 | Briana) 
 “The more we get everyone's gifts and potential into the world through giving them the tools that they need to do that, the more we all benefit.” (24:14-24:25 | Briana)
 
Links
 
FOLLOW BRIANA HERE: https://www.instagram.com/brianaborten/?hl=en
 
CHECK OUT BRIANA HERE: www.brianaborten.com/sacredrelationships



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XO, Christi 

Every Monday on her Instagram stories, host Christi Lukasiak takes time to do an “Ask Me Anything” with her followers, and this week she’s bringing it to Christi’s Couch. In this episode, Christi answers listener questions and gives her advice on the topics most frequently asked to her. 
 
Take a moment to have a coffee with Christi as she answers some commonly asked questions. She discusses her favorite summer reads, her dislike of cooking, and her advice for choosing the right sorority. Christi does not shy away from more difficult questions like whether it is ever difficult to get out of bed in the morning or how she maintained a healthy marriage during Dance Moms. She gives advice on everything from choosing your first designer handbag to choosing what to do after high school. Her overarching messages for everyone are to be authentic and that anyone can do anything they set their mind to.  
 
Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch to hear Christi answer questions and give advice on situations ranging anywhere from cooking, relaxing after a vacation, and choosing a sorority. Learn Christi’s life motto, whether she still has the Dance Moms costumes, and why she chose to put Clara in dance in spite of Chloe’s traumatic experiences. 
 
Quotes
“Do you still have the Dance Moms costumes? I do. I don't have everything for sure.” (16:06-16:12 | Christi)
“I feel like cooking is relentless. Because if you're cooking breakfast, then you have to cook lunch, and then you have to cook dinner and you're constantly in a state of cleaning. I remember my grandmother never leaving the kitchen. She was constantly a short order cook. Something about it I just don't like. So honestly, I don't love cooking. But when I do cook, I am a good cook.” (18:17-18:42 | Christi)
“I feel like the first thing that you need to do after you travel in order to reset, is get yourself organized back at home. Which means you need to open up your suitcase and empty it. You need to unpack, wash your clothes, and put them away so that you don't have that suitcase sitting there eyeballing you from across the room at all times.” (22:10-22:31 | Christi)
“My life motto is ‘I literally can do anything I put my mind to’. That's what I think. I think anyone can do anything you put your mind to.” (29:48-29:59 | Christi)
“When you're on a reality show, there's an entire crew of people and all of these producers and everything. Everyone's whole goal is to lie and put you in situations that are going to get visceral reactions from you. So you kind of tend to have trust issues.” (34:28-34:44 | Christi)
“My best advice for rushing is do not pretend to be someone you are not because you quote unquote, want to get into the best sorority. Be honest with yourself and choose the sorority that is right for you.” (41:14-41:27 | Christi)
“Be as authentically you as possible and find the place that you are comfortable.” (41:55-42:01 | Christi) 
 
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If you've benefited from this episode be sure to tag me @christilukasiak on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word! Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes. And if you want a question answered on the couch, call 1-800-988-8155 and leave a message! 
 
XO, Christi

“I just want to encourage anyone out there who struggles, you are not alone. Get therapy. Go seek help. Find the things that work for you,” shares host Christi Lukasiak. In this episode of Christi’s Couch, Christi talks about her personal mental health journey which began with a misdiagnosis and changed dramatically when she was properly diagnosed and given the correct medication. 
 
When Christi first sought help for her depression, she was treated with very minimal doses of generic antidepressants that did not help her. After finding a new doctor, she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, and began an intensive therapy program. When that did not help, she finally found a doctor who recognized her symptoms for what they were and ultimately diagnosed her with Bipolar Disorder. Since Bipolar is mostly a hereditary chemical imbalance, it requires specific medications to help correct the imbalance, and therapy alone would not have been enough. After her diagnosis, Christi struggled with the stigmas surrounding Bipolar disorder, including having to take medication. She knew in her heart that people would scrutinize her behavior on Dance Moms even worse if they knew. Rather than succumbing to the stigmans, Christi decided to share her story with others in hopes of offering support and encouraging others to seek the help they may need.
 
Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch to hear more about Christi’s personal mental health journey. Learn more about the importance of finding the right therapist, destigmatizing medication, and exploring different treatment methods such as hypnotherapy, EFT tapping, and meditation. 
 
Quotes
“Bipolar disorder is very hereditary. It is a chemical imbalance that is hereditary, so it literally is not my fault. I take responsibility for what I can do for it, but the fact that I have it wasn't because I did something wrong. Once you release yourself from that guilt and assignment to yourself, it's very, very freeing.” (25:32-26:01 | Christi)
“Honestly, I think my most helpful work has been my own mental reframe. Instead of looking at it as a death sentence, look at it as an opportunity because you have struggled through things and you've persevered.” (26:53-27:11 | Christi)
“I just want to encourage anyone out there who struggles, you are not alone. Get therapy, go seek help, and find the things that work for you.” (28:31-28:42 | Christi)
“If you don't like your therapist, find another one. Because that makes all the difference in the world. You have to have somebody you're comfortable with.” (28:42-29:01 | Christi)
 
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If you've benefited from this episode be sure to tag me @christilukasiak on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word! Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes. And if you want a question answered on the couch, call 1-800-988-8155 and leave a message! 
 
XO, Christi

“The only thing that our universe is bringing to us is an amplification of our own thoughts, our own feelings and our own daily behaviors,” shares Allyson Byrd, money mindset strategist. In today’s episode, host Christi Lukasiak is joined in conversation with Allyson Byrd to talk about mindset change, imposter syndrome, and unlocking abundance by learning to listen to the signs sent by your universe. 
 
We all have our own universe that is created based on our unique lived experiences, but most of us are playing pretend trying to be part of an existence that matches our friends and neighbors. So many people try to go into manifestation without being honest with themselves, and manifestation will not work unless you are honest about what you are wanting to manifest. In order to combat imposter syndrome and really commit to the mindset shifts that are necessary for manifesting the life you desire, you have to be truthful with yourself and the people you interact with. You must release toxic thoughts and feelings that are holding you back and stop pretending to be happy or satisfied when you aren’t. 
 
Tune into this week’s episode of Christi’s Couch for a conversation about manifesting your best, most authentic life, defeating imposter syndrome, and being open to the signs your universe is trying to send you. Learn how to stop holding yourself back with doubts, fears, and dishonesty and instead live truthfully and openly, so that you can receive all that your universe has to offer you.
 
Quotes
“What most humans are doing as they step into manifestation is pretending that they're pleased. They're pretending that they're happy. They're pretending that they're satisfied. And what stops most of humanity from living a conscious existence is that pretend game.” (24:00-24:17 | Allyson)
“One of the greatest resources that we have for manifesting every desire of our hearts are the people around us. But for some reason, we do not tell the truth to the people around us.” (24:27-24:39 | Allyson)
“Whenever you feel those signs of ‘I feel like an impostor,’ it's a moment for you to just look around and go, ‘Wait, am I in a new territory? Am I challenging myself at this moment? Is this a moment for me to try something on?’” (30:09-30:27 | Allyson)
“People think unlocking abundance is ‘help me know what to do more.’ And you don't need to do anything else. You need to be more yourself by releasing yourself of red light feelings and toxic thoughts.” (33:23-33:39 | Allyson)
“Your Universe will always seek confirmation of your desires, and how will your universe do that? Your universe will always help you see the very thing that you've been given to be, do, or have by showing it to you. So jealousy is actually a supernatural template of possibility. It's a life bonus, because you get to see your dream being done right in front of you, and make decisions from the outside looking in.” (37:52-38:28 | Allyson)
“The only thing that our universe is bringing to us is an amplification of our own thoughts, our own feelings and our own daily behaviors.” (41:13-41:21 | Allyson)
 
Connect with Allyson Byrd:


Follow Allyson on IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamallysonbyrd/?hl=en
Work with Allyson: https://links.allysonbyrd.com/links



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If you've benefited from this episode be sure to tag me @christilukasiak on Instagram and share this episode with your community to spread the word! Also, be sure to leave a review on iTunes. And if you want a question answered on the couch, call 1-800-988-8155 and leave a message! 
 
XO, Christi