B. Real Podcast

Brittany Bijan

You have spent years holding it together for everyone else.Your kids. Your partner. Your job. Your family. Everyone except yourself. Somewhere along the way you stopped recognizing yourself. Not because you are broken — but because nobody told you the truth about your body, your hormones, your trauma or your healing. And you have been running on empty ever since.B. Real — The Sh!t Nobody Told Me is where that shit stops. Hosted by Brittany Bijan — certified health coach, trauma coach and yoga teacher, mama of 4, nana of 2 and a woman who figured out everything the hard way — this podcast exists for the midlife woman who has spent years taking care of everything and is finally ready to take care of herself. Every week we get real about four things: Your body — building strength and capability that has nothing to do with how you look and everything to do with how you live and how you feel. Your nervous system — understanding what chronic stress, burnout and fight or flight are actually doing to you mentally & physically and what to do about it. Your story — the trauma, the healing, the hormones and everything they forgot to tell us. Said out loud. Finally. We all have shit and we’re gonna unpack our shit together. And Who you are beyond everyone and everything else — your identity, your relationships, all of it. No one ever talked to me about any of this, I figured it all out on my own through experience. I am happy to be able to share all with you now. No b******t, all raw and honest conversations from a woman still working through her own shit daily — with guests who keep it a hundred too. You are not broken. You got this. New episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.If this is your show - hit follow. Come find me on Instagram at Brittany Bijan and grab The 40 Fit Blueprint through the link in my bio.

  1. 2d ago

    23. How Even "Good" Change Wrecks Your Nervous System

    In Episode 23 of the B.Real Podcast, Brittany Bijan gets real about something nobody warned her: even a change you chose and dreamt about can dysregulate your nervous system. Fresh off her family's move to Spain, Brittany shares her personal experience of being simultaneously grateful and physically wrecked — missing her period for three months, waking at all hours, and crying on a loop. She dives into the science of the female stress response (thanks to Stacy Sims), Gabor Maté's concept of the "authentic vs. adapted self," and the very real signs your body is running on overdrive. Most importantly, she shares the tools that actually helped her calm her system down — from strength training and breathwork to nature walks and leaning on her closest friends. Key Takeaways • (3:47) - Your nervous system can't tell the difference between a good change and a bad one — it just knows something big is happening. • (7:00) - Women have a unique stress response called "befriend" — you're biologically wired to seek connection and care for others under stress. • (9:16) - After 40, declining estrogen raises your baseline cortisol, making stress recovery take up to three times longer. • (13:20) - Nervous system dysregulation shows up as 2 AM wakeups, digestive issues, hair loss, repeated illness, and emotional numbness — not just panic attacks. • (18:05) - Strength training, breathwork, daily nature walks, proper fueling, and real connection are the tools that actually calm your system. Quote "What you cannot express, you suppress, and what you suppress does not disappear. It lives in your body."— Brittany Bijan, quoting Gabor Maté If this episode hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review the B.Real Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help more people find the show — and let Brittany know she's not the only one navigating the real stuff. Hit subscribe so you never miss an episode.

  2. Sep 9

    22. Life in Spain Begins

    Brittany opens up about her family's life-changing move to Spain — nine people (including her kids, son-in-law, and grandbabies) and four dogs relocating to a country where they don't speak the language. She shares the emotional toll on her teenage sons, the surprising ease of adapting at this stage of life, how she's kept up her fitness routine with minimal equipment, and how she's continuing the podcast amid the chaos of an international move. Key Takeaways: • (1:17) - Brittany's family move to Spain includes nine people and four dogs, none of whom speak Spanish yet. • (3:14) - Jet lag and adjusting hit harder in her 40s, so she prioritized simple at-home strength training and Pilates to reset. • (7:52) - Reactions to the move varied widely — her daughters were excited, but her teenage sons struggled emotionally for months. • (13:30) - The move has been harder than expected for her 16-year-old, but overall life abroad has exceeded her family's dream of it. • (15:16) - Despite the upheaval, Brittany pushed forward with the podcast, bringing on guests from her new time zone in Europe. Quote: "Better than expected — I think just our idea of our dream of moving abroad, and what that could look like, and then actually living it, is better than my dream." If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and follow B.Real Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your support helps us reach more listeners — thank you for tuning in!

    22. Life in Spain Begins
  3. Sep 2

    21. The Decision We Kept Talking Ourselves Out Of

    In this raw and emotional episode, Brittany opens up about her family's life-changing decision to leave Santa Barbara and move to Spain. She traces her lifelong nomadic spirit back to a childhood spent bouncing between homes, shares the logistical chaos of relocating a family of five (plus two dogs) overseas, and gets vulnerable about the emotional toll — from her teenagers' resistance to the gut-wrenching goodbyes with her closest friends. It's a candid look at chasing a long-held dream while grappling with fear, grief, and growth. Key Takeaways: • (0:55) - Brittany reveals the family made the decision to move to Spain back in March, after years of talking about a big life shift. • (5:40) - The tipping point was realizing their almost-17-year-old would be starting his junior year — wait any longer, and moving would become nearly impossible. • (9:10) - The stress of relocating was so intense that Brittany didn't get her period for almost three months. • (11:16) - Brittany opens up about how "change is f*****g scary," even when you know it's the right move. (12:37) - The hardest part of the move has been saying goodbye to the close friends who've become chosen family. • (17:47) - Despite the move, Brittany confirms the podcast will continue — just recorded from Spain going forward. Quote: "It's a lot of goodbyes, but also knowing I'm gonna see them again, yes, but also knowing that the distance will make that more difficult." Enjoyed this episode? If this one hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review B.Real Podcast — it means the world and helps more women find this conversation. ⭐ Apple Podcasts: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap Rate → leave a review ⭐ Spotify: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap the ⋯ menu → Rate show ⭐ Follow on Instagram: @brittanybijan And share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 💛

    21. The Decision We Kept Talking Ourselves Out Of
  4. Aug 26

    20. we all have sh*t, this is how I show up and share mine

    Celebrating 20 episodes of B.Real, host Brittany Bijan gets real about the self-doubt she faced before ever hitting record, why she started the podcast, and the roadmap of topics — trauma, strength, hormones, sleep, boundaries, and grief — that have shaped the show. She reflects on rewriting her own story after a chaotic childhood and reminds listeners that there's never a "perfect time" to start. Key Takeaways: • (0:27) - Brittany opens up about the self-doubt and jitters she felt right before recording episode one. • (1:35) - She started the podcast to help women heal and to give herself a wider platform to do it. • (5:13) - Brittany breaks her own generational cycle instead of repeating her chaotic upbringing. • (5:14) - She shares the roadmap of topics covered on the show: strength, nutrition, stress, sleep, and nervous system health. • (7:47) - The two-part episode with her daughter on grief remains one of her proudest and most emotional moments. Quote: "You just have to start. Whatever it is that you're thinking about, whatever it is that you've been holding off, you need to start and just f*****g do it." — Brittany Bijan  Enjoyed this episode? If this one hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review B.Real Podcast — it means the world and helps more women find this conversation. ⭐ Apple Podcasts: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap Rate → leave a review ⭐ Spotify: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap the ⋯ menu → Rate show ⭐ Follow on Instagram: @brittanybijan And share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 💛

  5. Aug 13

    18. Part 1: Strength Training Is Your Armor: Building Consistency as a Busy Mom with Bec Taylor

    In this first half of a two-part episode, host Brittany Bijan sits down with Nike coach and Her Sports founder Bec Taylor for a real conversation about strength training, motivation, and making fitness work amid the chaos of motherhood and busy careers. They break down why strength training matters at every life stage, how to build a "support team" to stay accountable, and the mindset shifts that turn workouts into non-negotiables. 5 Key Takeaways: • (0:13) - Success in fitness starts with planning and structure, not motivation alone. • (5:32) - Everyone needs both a friend and a professional trainer as their accountability "support team." • (11:17) - The fear of getting "bulky" from lifting weights is a myth — it's actually very hard to achieve. • (13:46) - Strength training acts as your body's armor, protecting bone density and hormone health as you age. • (20:58) - Non-negotiable workouts (5 days a week, 45 minutes) work best when locked into a consistent schedule. Quote: "Strength training, it's got that name for the reason. It's building that armor for everything." Call to Action: Enjoyed this episode? If this one hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review B.Real Podcast — it means the world and helps more women find this conversation. ⭐ Apple Podcasts: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap Rate → leave a review ⭐ Spotify: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap the ⋯ menu → Rate show ⭐ Follow on Instagram: @brittanybijan And share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 💛

    18. Part 1: Strength Training Is Your Armor: Building Consistency as a Busy Mom with Bec Taylor
  6. Aug 5

    17. The Hormone conversation you need to hear with Dr. Talina Hermann Part 2

    In Part 2 of this two-part episode, host Brittany Bijan sits down with Dr. Talina Herman to dig into the real conversation around women's hormonal health in their 40s and beyond. They cover how declining estrogen and progesterone affect sleep, stress tolerance, and nervous system capacity — and why that's not a death sentence, but actually a powerful recalibration. From blood sugar regulation and magnesium to community, mindset, and self-advocacy, this episode is packed with actionable insight for women navigating perimenopause and menopause. 5 Key Takeaways: • (2:07) - Protect sleep above all else — it's the first domino that affects everything in your body. • (3:16) - Declining estrogen and progesterone reduce your nervous system's ability to buffer stress, so you simply need more recovery time now. • (4:47) - As a woman in your 40s, people-pleasing gives way to owning your identity and knowing what you won't tolerate — and that's power. • (4:47) - We hold so much space for others; learning to vocalize your own needs is non-negotiable. • (9:35) - Find your people — a community that screams inspiration back at you is essential at this stage. Quote of the Episode: "Sleep is the first domino that goes — and then everything in your body gets affected." — Dr. Talina Hermann Enjoyed this episode? If this one hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review B.Real Podcast — it means the world and helps more women find this conversation. ⭐ Apple Podcasts: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap Rate → leave a review ⭐ Spotify: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap the ⋯ menu → Rate show ⭐ Follow on Instagram: @brittanybijan And share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 💛

    17. The Hormone conversation you need to hear with Dr. Talina Hermann Part 2
  7. Jul 29

    16. The Hormone conversation you need to hear with Dr. Talina Hermann

    In this episode, host Brittany Bijan sits down with Dr. Talina Hermann — functional medicine practitioner, East Asian medicine specialist, clinical herbalist, and acupuncturist — for a raw, honest conversation about women's hormonal health. They break down what perimenopause actually is, why so many women in their late 30s and 40s are suffering without knowing why, and what a whole-body approach to healing really looks like. Brittany also gets personal about her own hormonal disruption from chronic stress, and Dr. Herman explains the science behind why your body prioritizes survival over reproduction when life gets hard. 5 Key Takeaways: • 5:37 — Perimenopause starts in the late 30s and often goes unrecognized because its symptoms mimic burnout and stress. • 6:46 — Before jumping to HRT, ruling out thyroid issues, nutrient deficiencies, and blood sugar imbalances is essential. • 8:18 — Progesterone is your natural calm hormone — when it declines, anxiety and sleeplessness are often the first signs. • 10:07 — The foundation of healing starts with movement, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and community — not a prescription. • 14:02 — High stress triggers "cortisol steal," diverting hormones away from reproduction and into survival mode — which can stop your cycle entirely. Episode Quote: "Suffering is optional. So when you meet with a client that's miserable... we start slow, and whatever lever you can affect right away, we start there." — Dr. Talina Hermann Resources: Connect with Talina through Instagram: @drtalinahermann Enjoyed this episode? If this one hit home, please take 30 seconds to rate and review B.Real Podcast — it means the world and helps more women find this conversation. ⭐ Apple Podcasts: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap Rate → leave a review ⭐ Spotify: Search "B.Real Podcast" → tap the ⋯ menu → Rate show ⭐ Follow on Instagram: @Brittanybijan And share this episode with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 💛

    16. The Hormone conversation you need to hear with Dr. Talina Hermann
5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

You have spent years holding it together for everyone else.Your kids. Your partner. Your job. Your family. Everyone except yourself. Somewhere along the way you stopped recognizing yourself. Not because you are broken — but because nobody told you the truth about your body, your hormones, your trauma or your healing. And you have been running on empty ever since.B. Real — The Sh!t Nobody Told Me is where that shit stops. Hosted by Brittany Bijan — certified health coach, trauma coach and yoga teacher, mama of 4, nana of 2 and a woman who figured out everything the hard way — this podcast exists for the midlife woman who has spent years taking care of everything and is finally ready to take care of herself. Every week we get real about four things: Your body — building strength and capability that has nothing to do with how you look and everything to do with how you live and how you feel. Your nervous system — understanding what chronic stress, burnout and fight or flight are actually doing to you mentally & physically and what to do about it. Your story — the trauma, the healing, the hormones and everything they forgot to tell us. Said out loud. Finally. We all have shit and we’re gonna unpack our shit together. And Who you are beyond everyone and everything else — your identity, your relationships, all of it. No one ever talked to me about any of this, I figured it all out on my own through experience. I am happy to be able to share all with you now. No b******t, all raw and honest conversations from a woman still working through her own shit daily — with guests who keep it a hundred too. You are not broken. You got this. New episodes every week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.If this is your show - hit follow. Come find me on Instagram at Brittany Bijan and grab The 40 Fit Blueprint through the link in my bio.

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