Feral & Free

Ariel Balfour
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  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Feral & Free is the podcast for women who are done shrinking, silencing, over-functioning, and abandoning themselves just to be accepted. Hosted by Ariel Balfour, an emotional wellness mentor, trauma-informed coach, former fighter, and mother. This show blends emotional healing, nervous system regulation, movement, mindset, and raw real-life truth for the woman who's tired of pretending she's fine while quietly carrying everything. Each episode goes there: healing, identity, leadership, motherhood, trauma, body image, emotional regulation, boundaries, self-trust, entrepreneurship, fitness, rage, rebirth — becoming the woman you were before the world told you to be easier to handle. It's raw. It's honest. It's unfiltered. Because freedom doesn't come from being more acceptable, it comes from finally becoming yourself, fully. New episodes biweekly

Episodes

  1. 2h ago

    Episode 12: Maybe You're Not Lost — Maybe You're Multifaceted

    Have you ever been told you're "all over the place"? Too many interests.Too many ideas.Too many reinventions. Maybe you've started businesses, changed careers, pivoted directions, or discovered new passions only to be met with confusion from the people around you. And eventually, you started wondering if they were right. What if you're not lost at all? What if you've simply outgrown the box everyone else wanted you to stay inside? In this episode of Feral & Free, Ariel challenges one of the biggest lies modern society sells us—the idea that we are supposed to have one purpose, one path, and one identity for our entire lives. Together, we explore the difference between genuinely feeling lost and being a multifaceted human who refuses to stay stagnant. You'll learn why society rewards predictability, why your evolution makes some people uncomfortable, and how to stop interpreting your growth as confusion. Because sometimes the problem isn't that you don't know who you are. The problem is that everyone else keeps trying to define you. Inside This Episode: Why feeling "lost" is often a sign of expansion, not failure The difference between being scattered and being multifaceted How neurodivergent, creative, and entrepreneurial minds often evolve differently Why people label you as "all over the place" when they can't keep up with your growth The hidden guilt many high-achievers carry around reinvention How to identify your life themes instead of chasing a single purpose Why "you've changed" should be taken as a compliment The real reason you keep feeling called toward new experiences and opportunities How to stop abandoning parts of yourself to fit other people's expectations Powerful Questions to Reflect On: What if there is nothing wrong with you? What if your many interests are actually clues? What themes continue to show up throughout your life? What parts of yourself have you abandoned to gain acceptance? Who would you become if you stopped asking permission to evolve? Key Takeaway Your purpose is not a job title. Your purpose is not a business. Your purpose is not a role. Your purpose is a way of being. A teacher can teach from a classroom, a stage, a podcast, a coaching container, a book, or a conversation. The platform changes. The mission doesn't. The goal is not to find yourself. The goal is to stop abandoning yourself. Challenge for This Week Instead of asking: "Who am I?" Ask: "What themes are showing up in my life right now?" Look for the patterns. Look for the lessons. Look for what continues to call you forward. You may discover you've never been lost at all. You've simply been evolving. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  2. Aug 10

    Episode 11: The Book That Forced Me to Stop Abandoning Myself

    For three years, the manuscript sat waiting. Not because I didn't have the story.Not because I wasn't capable.Not because I lacked the experience. Because deep down, I was avoiding the very thing my soul was asking me to do. In this deeply personal episode of Feral & Free, Ariel shares the behind-the-scenes journey of writing her upcoming memoir, Born for the Fire, and the uncomfortable realization that what she thought was procrastination was actually self-abandonment. When the body speaks through exhaustion, resistance, anxiety, frustration, or even illness, it's often trying to tell us something important. But many of us have been conditioned to push harder, ignore the signs, and keep performing. This episode explores what happens when we finally stop running from ourselves and start listening. Ariel opens up about:• The emotional process of writing her most vulnerable work yet• Why the body often knows the truth before the mind is ready to hear it• How procrastination can be a symptom of deeper fears• The hidden cost of self-abandonment• The difference between avoiding discomfort and honoring your truth• What happened when she finally committed to showing up for herself daily• How self-trust is built one small promise at a time• Why vulnerability may be the most powerful form of freedom One of the biggest breakthroughs from this journey was realizing that the fear was never truly about being judged. The fear was abandonment. And the hardest truth? The person doing the abandoning was herself. As Ariel began honoring her voice, writing every day, and sharing pieces of her story publicly, something unexpected happened: The fear lost its grip. Not because everyone approved.Not because everyone understood. But because she finally stopped leaving herself behind. Key Quote:"The greatest betrayal isn't when someone else abandons you. It's when you abandon yourself to avoid being abandoned by others." Reflection Questions:• What have you been avoiding that keeps calling to you?• What is your body trying to communicate right now?• Where are you choosing comfort over truth?• What promise can you make to yourself today—and actually keep? Whether you're writing a book, building a business, healing from your past, or becoming who you're meant to be, this episode is a reminder that your next breakthrough may not come from doing more. It may come from finally listening. Born for the Fire releases October 2026. Until then, keep choosing yourself. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  3. Jul 27

    Episode 10: Achievement, Fulfillment & Self-Leadership: Why Success Still Feels Empty

    What happens when you've checked all the boxes, hit the goals, built the business, and yet something still feels missing? In this episode of Feral & Free, Ariel dives into the often-overlooked gap between achievement and fulfillment—and why so many high achievers find themselves exhausted, disconnected, and wondering, "Is this really it?" Achievement gives us measurable outcomes. Fulfillment gives us meaning. But neither can sustain us without self-leadership. Ariel explores how self-leadership becomes the bridge between success and satisfaction, teaching us how to build self-trust, listen to our bodies, and stop outsourcing our worth to external accomplishments. Drawing from her own journey writing her upcoming memoir, Born for the Fire, Ariel shares how years of procrastination weren't actually about laziness, fear of failure, or lack of discipline. They were rooted in something much deeper: self-abandonment. In this episode you'll learn: The difference between achievement, fulfillment, and self-actualization• Why success alone can never create lasting happiness• How burnout often comes from chasing goals disconnected from purpose• The hidden ways self-abandonment shows up in everyday life• Why your body is constantly communicating with you—and what happens when you ignore it• How to build self-trust through micro-actions instead of force• The leadership lesson every coach, healer, entrepreneur, and parent needs to hear• Why true leadership starts with leading yourself first Key Quote:"Love me, like me, or hate me—it will not change me." This episode is an invitation to stop measuring your life solely by what you've achieved and start asking a more powerful question: Are you actually fulfilled? Journal Prompts:• Where have I confused achievement with fulfillment?• What am I currently avoiding that I know is important?• Where am I abandoning myself in order to stay comfortable?• What is one small action I can take today to build trust with myself? If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who looks successful on the outside but may be struggling on the inside. Because freedom isn't found in doing more. It's found in finally leading yourself home. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  4. Jul 13

    Episode 9: Coming Back to Yourself Through Sound with Amber Pearson

    In this episode, Ariel sits down with Amber Pearson, a musician, cellist, and sound practitioner who helps women reconnect with themselves in the middle of full, busy, real lives. Amber shares how her journey with sound began, from playing cello at age 11 to exploring sound healing and creating “sound snacks” as a way to help people pause, breathe, and come back to themselves. Her work blends cello, sound bowls, creativity, and a little bit of rebellion against the idea that rest has to look like doing nothing. Together, Ariel and Amber talk about what it means to show up as a non-traditional healer, the pressure to fit into a certain mold, and the freedom that comes from doing things differently. They also explore Amber’s creative life as a performer, her band Fur Foxen, the energy of live music, and her plans to bring more sound bath experiences to people virtually and in-person. This conversation is a reminder that coming back to yourself does not always require a full retreat, a perfectly quiet life, or hours of free time. Sometimes, even a few minutes of sound, presence, and intentional breathing can help you reset and recharge. In This Episode Ariel and Amber discuss: Amber’s background as a cellist and musician How sound healing became part of Amber’s work Creating “sound snacks” as a quick way to reconnect What it means to be a non-traditional healer Letting go of the pressure to fit into the wellness industry mold The magic and energy of live music Amber’s band, Fur Foxen Virtual sound baths and building a global community How sound can help us reset, recharge, and come back to ourselves Connect with Amber Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltysoundscapes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saltysoundscapesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SaltySoundScapes Free Gift Amber is offering a 12-Min Energy Recharge Sound Bath for the audience: https://www.amberpearson.net/energy-recharge    Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  5. Jun 29

    Episode 8: It’s None of My Damn Business What You Think About Me

    In this raw and real episode, Ariel dives into the freedom that comes from stopping the obsession with other people’s opinions. If you’ve ever caught yourself people-pleasing, masking who you are, or shrinking to make others comfortable, this conversation will challenge you to drop the performance and start living authentically. Ariel breaks down why integrity is your greatest protection, how toxic voices reveal more about themselves than they do about you, and why the people closest to you have a massive impact on your energy and success. This episode is a reminder that your life becomes radically simpler the moment you stop making other people’s opinions your responsibility. Key Takeaways It’s None of Your Damn Business What People ThinkWhen you stop obsessing over what others think, you free yourself from people-pleasing and finally allow your real self to show up. Integrity Is Your Shield  When you live with honesty and integrity, your character speaks louder than gossip. The people who truly know your heart will question the accuser not you. You Are the Sum of the Five People Around You The five people you spend the most time with shape your mindset, energy, and outcomes in life. Choose them intentionally. Let People Watch You Win Adopt the “F*** Around and Find Out” mentality. Critics will always exist but their opinions say more about their character than your worth. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  6. Jun 14

    Episode 7: Love, Boundaries, Mental Fitness & Measured Miracles with Charity Joy

    What if your workout routine isn't actually making you healthier? What if your commitment to fitness is hiding unresolved emotional wounds, self-punishment patterns, or a deep fear of not being enough? In this powerful episode of Feral & Free, Ariel sits down with fitness coach, subconscious healing practitioner, and cycle breaker Charity Joy for a conversation that challenges everything you've been taught about health, healing, and self-worth. Together, they explore the intersection of physical fitness, emotional healing, nervous system regulation, and the subconscious patterns that shape our lives. Charity shares how she moved beyond traditional fitness coaching to help clients build what she calls "mental fitness"—the resilience to navigate life's challenges without losing themselves in the process. The conversation also dives into the Rapid Emotional Stress Technique (rREST), a groundbreaking subconscious healing modality designed to clear emotional patterns at the root rather than simply managing symptoms. And perhaps most powerfully, Charity opens up about a recent personal experience that taught her one of the deepest lessons of her life: Love without boundaries is self-abandonment. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why physical fitness can become a mask for emotional pain The hidden connection between self-worth and exercise How overtraining, yo-yo dieting, and perfectionism often stem from deeper emotional wounds The relationship between childhood experiences, food, and nervous system regulation What "mental fitness" actually means and why it matters How unresolved emotions show up physically in the body The importance of building resilience instead of relying on external validation Why healing is not about fixing yourself—it's about uncovering what's already there About Charity Joy Charity Joy is a fitness coach, subconscious healing practitioner, speaker, and cycle breaker who helps individuals transform both their physical and emotional health. Through her work, she combines fitness, mindset, nervous system regulation, and subconscious healing to help people create lasting change from the inside out. Resources Mentioned 📖 Triggered: From Reaction to Resilience Anthology featuring Charity Joy's chapter on the "Measured Miracle" Pre-orders open April 28 Paperback release May 18 Connect with Charity Joy Facebook: Coach Charity Joy Instagram: @trainwithcharity Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  7. Jun 1

    Episode 6: Mindful Strikes: Why Traditional Fitness Programs Are Failing Women

    Mindful Strikes: Why Traditional Fitness Programs Are Failing Women In this powerful episode, Ariel Balfour pulls back the curtain on the fitness industry's unrealistic expectations and introduces her revolutionary new membership, Mindful Strikes. If you've ever felt like you've failed at weight loss, struggled to stay consistent, or found yourself caught in a cycle of self-sabotage despite doing "everything right," this conversation will challenge everything you've been taught about health, healing, and transformation. Ariel shares why traditional fitness approaches often ignore the realities women face—including hormonal shifts, trauma, nervous system dysregulation, motherhood, entrepreneurship, caregiving responsibilities, and the invisible emotional burdens that impact health and weight loss. Rather than focusing solely on calories, workouts, and willpower, Mindful Strikes was designed to address the deeper roots of transformation. In This Episode, We Discuss: Why the fitness industry often sets women up to fail The damaging effects of "bounce-back culture" How trauma and nervous system dysregulation impact weight loss The role hormones play in fitness and overall well-being Why self-sabotage is often a symptom—not the problem The importance of addressing root causes rather than chasing symptoms Ariel's personal journey and commitment to losing 70 pounds in real time while coaching others through their own transformations How authenticity is replacing perfection in the wellness industry Introducing Mindful Strikes Mindful Strikes is a unique membership experience that combines: 🥊 Kickboxing and movement 🧠 Neurosomatic healing practices ❤️ Trauma-informed therapeutic approaches ✨ Personal growth and identity recalibration This is not another fitness challenge. It's a complete mind-body-soul approach to transformation designed for women who are ready to heal, grow, and create lasting change. Special Guest Experts The membership will also feature expert teachings from: Lottie Markman Core permission work Self-love and self-worth practices Identity expansion Jasmine Hormonal alignment for fitness and wellness Understanding the female body Sustainable health strategies   A Special Offer for Podcast Listeners As a thank you for listening, Ariel is offering an exclusive lifetime deal for podcast listeners. Simply reach out and use the code: "Mindful Strikes, Fail and Free Podcast" t o receive special access and pricing. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  8. May 18

    Episode 5: The Truth Behind Women Empowerment

    We talk a big game about women supporting women. But if we’re honest?There’s still tension in the room. In this episode, I rip the lid off the polished, Instagram-friendly version of “women empowerment” and tell the truth we don’t say out loud. For generations, a woman’s survival depended on her position. Her proximity to power. Her ability to be chosen. To stay relevant. To not be replaced. In a world where there was often only one seat at the table, staying safe sometimes meant competing. Sometimes it meant tearing another woman down before she could threaten your place. That wiring doesn’t just disappear because we made a hashtag. Now we want to collaborate. We say we empower. We preach community over competition. But beneath the surface? We fear being outshined. We fear not being enough. We struggle to receive support without suspicion. We say we want sisterhood, but our nervous systems still brace for comparison. True collaboration will never exist while survival is still running the show. In this raw and layered conversation, we explore: The ancestral and societal roots of female competition Why empowerment feels unsafe to the nervous system The hidden fear of being replaced or overshadowed Why receiving support can feel more threatening than empowering What it actually takes to build safe, regulated, powerful female collaboration This isn’t about shaming women. It’s about healing what we inherited. Because empowerment isn’t performative. It’s regulated. It’s rooted. It’s safe. And until we feel safe enough to let other women shine without it meaning we disappear… we’re still operating from survival. If you’re ready for the real conversation, the one beneath the slogans this episode is for you. Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  9. May 6

    Episode 4: From Triggered to Transformed: Healing at the Root with Dr. Cindy Sholes

    In Episode 4 of Feral and Free, Ariel Balfour sits down with transformational neuroscientist Dr. Cindy Sholes to explore a powerful new approach to healing through the rREST method. This conversation dives into why triggers aren’t the problem they’re signals of unresolved emotional experiences and how true healing happens when you address the root, not just the symptoms. From parenting and nervous system regulation to breaking generational cycles, this episode offers a new lens on what it means to heal fully. In This Episode: Why managing triggers isn’t enough How childhood experiences shape adult reactions The connection between emotional and physical symptoms What rREST is and how it creates full-circle healing Breaking generational patterns through nervous system work Why your healing impacts more than just you Connect with Dr. Cindy Sholes Website: www.drcindysholes.comInstagram: @dr_cindy_sholesLinkedIn: Mind Wave InstituteFacebook: Dr. Cindy Sholes Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  10. May 5

    Episode 3: Emotional Resilience, Authenticity & Healing That Actually Works with Brandon Brillinger

    In Episode 3 of Feral and Free, Ariel Balfour is joined by emotional wellness coach Brandon Brillinger for a powerful conversation on authenticity, emotional resilience, and redefining what healing can look like. They explore why many people stay stuck in cycles of emotional overwhelm, how fear of discomfort keeps us from growth, and why true healing shouldn’t feel like a constant loop. This episode is a reminder that you’re not “too much” you’re just ready to stop shrinking. In This Episode: Letting go of the need to be palatable Why emotional discomfort isn’t danger Breaking cycles of self-sabotage and stuck patterns A new approach to healing and integration rREST Building emotional resilience and self-trust Finding support and stepping out of isolation Connect with Brandon Brillinger Email: bbrillinger.coach@gmail.com Instagram: _energyalchemist Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  11. May 4

    Episode 2: Radical Honesty & Owning Your Truth

    In Episode 2 of Feral and Free, Ariel Balfour dives into what it really means to live unapologetically and speak your truth even when it feels uncomfortable. She opens up about her fear of judgment, years of holding herself back, and the moment she realized that being “too much” was actually her power. This episode explores self-abandonment, people-pleasing, and the deeper nervous system patterns that keep us stuck. Ariel challenges listeners to stop diluting themselves for others and start taking full ownership of their voice, their choices, and their lives. In This Episode: Why being “too much” is actually your strength Fear of judgment and being seen The connection between self-sabotage and self-abandonment Nervous system patterns and survival mode The importance of respectful disagreement and open dialogue Choosing authenticity over approval Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  12. Apr 21

    Episode 1: Breaking the Mental Health Narrative & Reclaiming Your Power with Ariel Balfour

    In the first episode of Feral and Free, Ariel Balfour shares her powerful story of navigating bipolar disorder, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and ADHD and ultimately choosing a different path to healing. Now over 20 years medication-free, Ariel challenges traditional mental health narratives and invites listeners to rethink what it means to heal. She reframes diagnoses as potential strengths, explores the impact of trauma and generational patterns, and encourages stepping out of victimhood into personal power. This podcast is raw, honest, and designed for those ready to grow. In This Episode: Ariel’s journey through diagnosis and healing Why she stepped away from medication Reframing mental health and emotional sensitivity Breaking generational cycles Moving from victimhood to empowerment Resources & Links Website: www.thearielbalfour.comInstagram: @thearielbalfourLinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ArielSommersFree Inner Child Healing

  • 12 Episodes

About

Feral & Free is the podcast for women who are done shrinking, silencing, over-functioning, and abandoning themselves just to be accepted. Hosted by Ariel Balfour, an emotional wellness mentor, trauma-informed coach, former fighter, and mother. This show blends emotional healing, nervous system regulation, movement, mindset, and raw real-life truth for the woman who's tired of pretending she's fine while quietly carrying everything. Each episode goes there: healing, identity, leadership, motherhood, trauma, body image, emotional regulation, boundaries, self-trust, entrepreneurship, fitness, rage, rebirth — becoming the woman you were before the world told you to be easier to handle. It's raw. It's honest. It's unfiltered. Because freedom doesn't come from being more acceptable, it comes from finally becoming yourself, fully. New episodes biweekly

Information

  • Creator
    Ariel Balfour
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Feral & Free