Confidence isn’t always what it looks like on the outside. In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, host Belinda Waites sits down with local Okotoks confidence coach Wendy Halloway to explore the difference between performative confidence and authentic self-confidence—and what it truly takes to reclaim joy after years of survival mode.
Belinda shares a vulnerable story from her childhood that shaped how she learned to show up in the world, even when it meant hiding parts of herself to feel safe. Together, they unpack how early experiences, bullying, self-talk, and subconscious patterns influence who we become—and how we can gently unlearn what no longer serves us.

This episode is a reminder that confidence is a skill, authenticity is a practice, and joy often lives in the quiet moments we’ve been taught to ignore.
In this episode, we discuss:
● Why confidence can exist without authenticity
● How childhood experiences shape adult self-belief
● The long-term impact of bullying and unspoken wounds
● Why joy disappears—and how to find it again
● The difference between expectation and appreciation in relationships
● Reprogramming subconscious self-talk
● Learning to trust your body as a source of truth
● Giving yourself permission to change

Call to Action: If this conversation resonates, like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who might
need to hear it. And if you’re curious about doing the work for yourself, explore Wendy’s Fearful to Fearless program linked below.
Host: Belinda Waites Website: https://hearrightcanada.ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindawaites Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@belindawaites
Guest: Wendy Halloway – The Confidence Coach Website: https://www.theconfidencecoach4u.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheConfidenceCoach4u

In this special episode of Hear Me Out with Belinda, Belinda invites her “most difficult client” into the studio — her husband, Sean.
Together, they have a real, honest conversation about Sean’s journey with tinnitus, sound sensitivity, and high-frequency hearing loss. Sean shares how a painful salivary gland issue and surgery led to ongoing ringing in his ears, the mental fatigue of constantly “filling in the blanks” at work, and what it’s really like to live with invisible hearing challenges day to day.
Belinda walks through the treatment options, the long road of trying different hearing aids, and how they finally landed on a custom in-the-ear solution that supports both his tinnitus and hearing needs — while fitting his lifestyle (yes, even pickleball). They also talk about stigma, why some people delay getting help, and how the right hearing care professional can make all the difference.
If you or someone you love is struggling with tinnitus, sound sensitivity, or hearing loss, this conversation will give you insight, language, and a little bit of hope.

Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda! In this episode, Belinda sits down with Lorie Anne Schultz from the Foothills Community Coalition to talk about the growing need for an integrated youth services hub in the Foothills region.
Lorie explains what a “one-stop” youth hub could look like for ages 11–24—a safe place where young people can access mental health supports, social services, health care, and employment resources without getting lost in the system. Together, they unpack why youth mental health challenges can look different in small towns (couch surfing, hidden homelessness, long travel to Calgary), and how COVID, social media, and anxiety have amplified the pressure on kids and families.
This conversation is a reminder that prevention matters—and that communities can rally to create safer, more connected support systems for youth.
#youthmentalhealth #Okotoks #Foothills #mentalhealthsupports #communitywellness #parenting #AlbertamentaIhealth #youthhub
Host: Watch full episode YouTube: @belindawaites | 🌐 hearrightcanada.ca Guest: Lorie Anne Schultz | schultzLo@fsd38.ab.ca

Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda — where better hearing starts with listening. In this episode, Belinda sits down with Ernie Bird of Emerging Balance Reflexology (https://ebreflexology.com/) to talk about reflexology, healing, and why more people (especially men) need to take self-care seriously.
Ernie shares his powerful story: after 35 years as a heavy duty mechanic, a motorcycle accident in 2022 left him dealing with soft tissue damage, numbness, and frustration after getting little direction from specialists. That’s when he tried reflexology — and experienced a breakthrough that felt like “water pouring down my legs.” That moment changed his life, eventually leading him to become a registered Canadian reflexology therapist and shift into this work full-time.
They also dig into how reflexology supports the body, why holistic options deserve more awareness, and what it looks like to truly listen to your body again.
Watch full episode: @belindawaites Host: Belinda Waites — 🌐 hearrightcanada.ca Guest: Ernie Bird — 🌐 https://ebreflexology.com/
#reflexology #holistichealing #selfcare #wellness #healingjourney #calgarywellness #alberta

Welcome back to Hear Me Out With Belinda — where we learn to hear above the noise. In this episode, Belinda sits down with Melissa Swain, co-owner of GTFO (Get The F Outside), to talk about mental health, community, and why a bold message can open the door to honest conversations.
Melissa shares how GTFO started as an apparel idea, but quickly became something deeper — especially through COVID and watching someone close to them struggle with anxiety and depression. Together, Belinda and Melissa explore how getting outside (even in small ways) can reduce stress, boost mood, and help us feel less alone. They also talk about why it’s so hard to be vulnerable, how men often struggle quietly, and why support resources matter more than we think.
If you’ve ever felt “fine on paper” but empty inside — this one’s for you.
#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #community #okotoks #alberta #wellness #getoutside #anxiety #depression #selfcompassion #gtfo

Women in leadership are still facing a different set of rules — especially online. In this episode of Hear Me Out with Belinda, host Belinda Waites (Hearing Aid Practitioner at Hear Right Canada – Okotoks) sits down with Mayor Tanya Thorn of Okotoks for a real and vulnerable conversation about leadership, cyberbullying, and community. Tanya shares how social media has shifted over her 12 years in public service, the toll that online attacks take on leaders and their families, and why “attacking the policy, not the person” matters more than ever. Belinda and Tanya dive into double standards for women in leadership, emotional intelligence, mental health, and how parents’ behavior online impacts their kids.
They also explore how real-life connection — volunteering, joining local groups, having coffee with a neighbour — can build resilience in our community and help bring kindness back into everyday dialogue.
If you care about Okotoks, community, or kinder conversations, this episode is for you. 💙
Mayor Tanya Thorn of Okotoks - https://www.okotoks.ca/your-government/your-council/town-council Hear Right Canada – Okotoks: where better hearing starts with listening.
🌐 hearrightcanada.ca
#HearMeOutWithBelinda #Okotoks #WomenInLeadership #Cyberbullying
#MentalHealthMatters #CommunityConnection #KindnessOnline #HearRightCanada

How can a low-income Albertan afford quality hearing aids? In this episode, we sit down with a trustee of the Campbell McLaurin Foundation to unpack how the charity helps fund hearing aids across southern Alberta, how it works alongside Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL), and why Justice McLaurin’s legacy still changes lives today. We talk real results (like “hearing the birds again”), rising demand, updated eligibility limits, tech improvements, the hearing-loss/dementia connection, and exactly how to apply.
Who this helps: low-income adults and seniors, families, newcomers, and anyone facing financial barriers to hearing care.
Call to action: Start with a local hearing clinic, ask about AADL and the Campbell McLaurin Foundation, and use this episode as your guide.
www.instagram.com/cmfhear/
cmfhear.com/

In this episode of Hear Me Out with Belinda, we welcome Daren Jones—Belinda’s business partner at Hear Right Canada and a seasoned industry expert with over 20 years of experience as a sales rep in the hearing care field. Daren shares his unique perspective on how hearing aid technology and design have evolved over the decades, reflecting on the shifts he’s seen in client needs, innovation, and accessibility. It’s an honest, insightful, and often surprising look at the past, present, and future of hearing health from someone who’s truly seen it all.