They want to change the world. They want their work to matter. They want a voice. But the pressure is paralyzing them.

Welcome back to What Am I Modeling! Today I'm joined by Maya Kogan, professional coach, certified Master Practitioner of NLP, and HeartMath Institute Trainer, who helps young professionals break through the mental and emotional barriers holding them back from their next level.
In this powerful conversation, we explore:

✨ Why Gen Z seeks meaning and purpose more intensely than previous generations
✨ The anxiety-performance cycle: overachieving while feeling overwhelmed
✨ How the desire to "make a difference" creates paralyzing pressure
✨ The numbing-out epidemic as a coping mechanism for overwhelm
✨ Why wanting to change the world can lead to burnout instead of impact
✨ The back-and-forth struggle between ambition and anxiety
✨ Creating supportive environments that honor both purpose AND wellbeing

Maya Kogan combines actionable strategies with science-backed resilience techniques, supporting individuals to make aligned decisions, communicate with authenticity, and lead their lives with clarity and confidence. Through her breakthrough programs, Maya guides participants to identify and dissolve limiting beliefs, strengthen self-trust, and create lasting momentum toward a purposeful and fulfilling future.

Whether you're Gen Z navigating the pressure to be purposeful AND successful, a leader managing young professionals, or a parent trying to understand this generation's unique challenges, this conversation offers empathy and insight into what's really happening beneath the surface.

Connect with Maya Kogan:
🌐 Website: https://www.mayakogan.com
📱 Instagram: mayakoganofficial

Key Topics: Gen Z mental health, millennial burnout, purpose-driven work, anxiety and overperformance, generational workplace challenges, young professional development, meaningful work, career fulfillment, generational values, managing anxiety

Remember to SUBSCRIBE and hit the notification bell to join our community of people turning pressure into power!

💫 If you're Gen Z (or managing Gen Z)—what's ONE way this generation is modeling something different about work and meaning? Share your perspective in the comments below.

🎯 About Dr. Tricia: Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations about authenticity, purpose, and sustainable success!

#GenZ #MillennialBurnout #PurposeDrivenWork #YoungProfessionals #AnxietyAndSuccess #OverperformanceCulture #GenerationalDifferences #MeaningfulWork #CareerAnxiety #WorkplaceWellness #drpingel #redefineyourhealth #naturopathicmedicine #naturopath #healthyliving #healthylifestyle #naturalwellness #healthandwellness #bewell #healthiswealth #wellnessjourney #healthtips

Welcome back to What Am I Modeling! Today I'm joined by Lijana Wallenda, seventh-generation high wire walker from the world-famous Wallenda family, who had to completely redefine what she was modeling after a devastating 35-foot fall nearly took her life.

In this powerful conversation, we explore:
✨ What it means to grow up where the high wire isn't dangerous—it's just life
✨ The 2017 accident that shattered bones and forced an identity reckoning
✨ How she protected her family by modeling strength during her darkest recovery
✨ Choosing to return to the wire 25 stories above Times Square—and why that mattered
✨ What she's consciously modeling about courage for her son after trauma
✨ The real work: confronting the fear that lives in your mind, not just your body
✨ Why your "fall" doesn't have to be your defining moment

Lijana Wallenda is a seventh-generation circus performer from the legendary Wallenda family, having walked the high wire across the globe. In 2017, a catastrophic 35-foot fall during a pyramid performance left her with life-threatening injuries and an identity crisis—if she couldn't walk the wire, who was she? After intensive recovery, she faced her trauma head-on and returned to the wire, performing a historic skywalk 25 stories above Times Square. Now, through The High Wire Project, she shares her message: your fall doesn't define you, but what you model in your recovery does.

Whether you're recovering from your own fall (literal or metaphorical), struggling to reclaim your identity after a life-changing event, or wondering how to model resilience for the people watching you, this conversation offers profound insights into courage, recovery, and refusing to let fear write your story.

Connect with Lijana Wallenda:
X- @lijanawallenda
📱 Instagram: @lijanawallenda
🌐 The High Wire Project: https://thehighwireproject.com

Key Topics: resilience after trauma, overcoming fear, high wire walking, Wallenda family, recovery journey, modeling courage, family legacy, identity after injury, mental strength, confronting fear, personal transformation, inspiring resilience

Remember to SUBSCRIBE and hit the notification bell to join our community of people turning pressure into power and modeling authentic courage!

🎯 About Dr. Tricia: Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com

#LijanaWallenda #DrPingel #DrTriciaPingel #CourageOverFear #ChoosingCourage #TheHighWireProject #TimesSquareSkywalk

💫 What's your metaphorical high wire - the fear you're working to overcome or the challenge that's redefining who you are? Share your story in the comments below.

In this episode of "What Am I Modeling?", host Tricia Pingel welcomes Dr. Aimie Apigian, a preventative and addiction medicine physician, to discuss the profound impact of trauma on our biology and overall health. Dr. Aimie shares her insights from her bestselling book, "The Biology of Trauma", emphasizing that trauma is not just about extreme experiences but can also stem from what might seem like normal life events. The conversation dives into how trauma manifests in our bodies, the physiological responses to stress versus trauma, and the importance of recognizing these patterns to foster healing and resilience.

Dr. Tricia and Dr. Aimie explore the societal pressures that contribute to chronic stress and trauma, particularly in parenting and professional environments. They discuss the need for a cultural shift towards recognizing and addressing trauma, not just for individual healing but for the well-being of future generations. The episode concludes with practical advice on how to identify trauma in our lives and the importance of nurturing a supportive environment for ourselves and our children.

A Preventive and Addiction Medicine physician with Master’s degrees in both biochemistry and public health, Dr. Aimie Apigian is the national bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma. She hosts her podcast, leads online nervous system healing courses and a practitioner certificate training program. Bridging the worlds of functional medicine, attachment and trauma, she is a leading expert on how the body holds fear and overwhelm from the past to make one sick today.
Takeaways

"All of us have trauma; it's just to what degree and level has it impacted us."
"The body has a breaking point that decides how much stress it can hold before it falls apart."
"When we are in a stress response, we have energy; when we are in a trauma response, we feel drained."
"We need to learn something different and model that learning process for the younger generation."
"It's possible to live fully alive in our most authentic expression of ourselves."

Keywords

trauma, biology of trauma, Dr. Aimie Apigian, healing, stress response, mental health, parenting, resilience, self-care, personal growth

About our guest: A Preventive and Addiction Medicine physician with Master’s degrees in both biochemistry and public health, Dr. Aimie Apigian is the national bestselling author of The Biology of Trauma. She hosts her podcast, leads online nervous system healing courses and a practitioner certificate training program. Bridging the worlds of functional medicine, attachment and trauma, she is a leading expert on how the body holds fear and overwhelm from the past to make one sick today.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draimie/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-aimie-apigian
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrAimieApigian
Website: https://biologyoftrauma.com/
Podcast: https://biologyoftrauma.com/biology-of-trauma-podcast/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aimie.apigian/
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🎯 **About Dr. Tricia:** Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com

💫 What are YOU modeling about success and stress? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that turn pressure into power!

In this episode of "What Am I Modeling?", host Tricia Pingel welcomes Dr. Jenn Simmons, a trailblazer in women's health and breast health. Dr. Simmons shares her journey from traditional breast cancer surgery to founding Real Health MD and Perfection Imaging, where she aims to empower women by challenging the medical dogma surrounding breast health. The conversation dives deep into the misconceptions about mammograms, the impact of hormonal health on women's well-being, and the need for a paradigm shift in how women's health is approached. Dr. Simmons emphasizes the importance of understanding the root causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms, advocating for a more holistic and informed approach to women's health.

BIO: Dr. Jenn Simmons didn’t just step away from breast cancer surgery—she walked out and sparked a revolution. As the founder of Real Health MD and PerfeQTion Imaging, she’s disrupting the fear, confusion, and medical dogma that have controlled women’s breast health for generations. The author of The Smart Woman’s Guide to Breast Cancer and the unapologetic host of the Keeping Abreast podcast, she’s redefining how women are diagnosed, treated, and screened—and giving them back the power they should’ve had all along.

Keywords

breast health, women's health, mammograms, Dr. Jenn Simmons, Real Health MD, Perfection Imaging, hormonal health, healthcare revolution, women's empowerment, health myths

Takeaways

We need to redefine how women are diagnosed, treated, and screened.

Mammograms do not necessarily save lives; the data does not support this claim.

The healthcare system often prioritizes profit over patient well-being.

Women are often misled about their health and the necessity of certain procedures.

Empowering women with knowledge is crucial for better health outcomes.

jennsimmonsmd.com

perfeqtionimaging.com

IG: drjennsimmons

Links mentioned in episode:
Auria.care discount code: DrJenn20

Welcome back to What Am I Modeling! Today I'm joined by Leah Vachani, Certified Nutritionist and Menopause Specialist who helps women over 40 transform their health through sustainable lifestyle changes.

What We Explore
In this eye-opening conversation, we dive into:
✨ Why perfectionism sets us up for constant disappointment
✨ How childhood influences shape our adult self-expectations
✨ The gratitude shift that transforms your relationship with yourself
✨ Why women focus on flaws instead of celebrating their incredible bodies
✨ How mindset impacts health outcomes more than we realize
✨ The power of simplifying choices to reduce stress
✨ Redefining success through self-acceptance instead of achievement

Leah's Journey
Leah Vachani is the creator of signature programs including the 14-Day Green Smoothie Challenge, 6-Week Sleep Better Challenge, and CGM Metabolic Makeover. Through her podcast "Women Aging Powerfully" and as host of the Women Aging Powerfully Summit, she shares evidence-based health strategies and nutritional guidance. Her mission is helping women take control of their health journey, one powerful change at a time.

For You
Whether you're struggling with perfectionist tendencies, battling negative self-talk, or ready to shift from constant self-criticism to authentic gratitude, this conversation offers a powerful perspective on what you might be unconsciously modeling - and how to change it.
Connect with Leah Vachani:
🌐 Website: leahvachani.com
🎙️ Podcast: Women Aging Powerfully
📱 Check out her 14-Day Green Smoothie Challenge, 6-Week Sleep Better Challenge, and CGM Metabolic Makeover
Key Topics: perfectionism, self-acceptance, gratitude practice, women's health, mindset transformation, menopause, hormone balance, nutrition, aging powerfully, mental health

🎯 About Dr. Tricia: Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com
💫 What perfectionist pattern are YOU ready to release? Share your breakthrough moment in the comments below.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that turn pressure into power and perfectionism into peace!

#Perfectionism #Gratitude #WomensHealth #Menopause #MindsetShift #SelfAcceptance #WhatAmIModeling #HealthyAging #DrTriciaPingel #drpingel #LeahVachani

What happens when a professional dancer decides to walk away from the spotlight to serve in urban schools? Kiersten "KT" Willis made a decision that looked crazy to everyone around her - and it changed everything.

In this raw conversation, KT shares how she went from performing with artists like Skrillex and Kirk Franklin to becoming a dancing missionary in some of the toughest schools in America. What she thought would be one year turned into seven years of discovering what it really means to serve from authentic love versus performing for acceptance.

🎭 What You'll Discover:
✨ Why surrendering your "dream" might be the path to your purpose
✨ How dance became her tool for reconnecting kids to their worth
✨ The difference between performing your life and actually living it
✨ What it looks like to model faith in action, especially when it doesn't make sense
✨ How vulnerability in storytelling can transform both the teller and the listener
✨ Why your background doesn't disqualify you from making an impact
🌟 About Kiersten "KT" Willis:

Professional dancer with over a decade of experience, BA in Arts Administration from ASU. She's performed at SuperBowl 57, worked with major artists and NBA/WNBA, and spent seven years as a dancing missionary in urban schools. Currently hosts "The Collective's Table" podcast and continues empowering youth to recognize their worth and realize their potential.

💫 Key Takeaways:
Dance can be a powerful tool for personal reconnection
Surrendering control often leads to unexpected opportunities
Everyone's struggles are valid, regardless of background
Vulnerability in storytelling inspires others to share their experiences
You matter, and your contributions to the world are significant

🎯 About Dr. Tricia: Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com
💬 What are YOU modeling about surrender vs. control? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that turn pressure into power!

#WhatAmIModeling #DanceMissionary #Surrender #Faith #Authenticity #ProfessionalDancer #UrbanMissions #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth #Community

This conversation with Dr. Tabatha Barber was absolutely inspiring. Here's a woman who became a teen mom at 16, and instead of letting that define her story, she completely rewrote it. She's now an OB-GYN, bestselling author, and living proof that your circumstances don't get to decide your future.

What we talked about:
✨ The moment she decided her story wasn't over - it was just beginning
✨ How she literally changed her body by changing her mind (there's real science behind this)
✨ Why you can't transform a life you're constantly criticizing
✨ The gut feeling that told her "medical school" when everyone said "impossible"
✨ How fear tricks us into playing small when we're meant for so much more
✨ Why loving yourself isn't selfish - it's the foundation of everything else
✨ The tiny daily choices that completely transformed her life
✨ What she tells her patients about hope when they've given up on themselves
Honestly, if you've ever felt stuck by your past or wondered if you're "too far gone" to change, you need to hear Tabatha's story. She's living proof that it's never too late to become who you were meant to be.

And here's what I love most - she's not just telling people to "think positive." She's sharing the real, messy, beautiful process of rebuilding your life from the ground up.
Connect with Dr. Tabatha Barber:
🌐 Website: https://drtabatha.com/
📚 Book: "Fast to Faith"
🎙️ Podcast: "Fast to Faith"

Dr. Tabatha Barber is a highly sought after physician, speaker, and 2-time best-selling author who has dedicated her life to empowering women in their health journeys. Overcoming early life challenges, including being a teenage mother and high school dropout, she rose to success through faith and perseverance. Dr. Tabatha holds triple board certifications in obstetrics and gynecology, menopause, and functional medicine. Her virtual medical practice offers compassionate care to women across the nation. Through her international best-selling book Fast to Faith, podcast, program, certified coaching academy, and supplement line, Dr. Tabatha inspires thousands to heal from within by focusing on gut health, hormone balance, and soul nourishment. She is a beacon of light in a sea of medical darkness.

FREE Guide to Intermittent Fasting the Faithful Way https://fasttofaith.com/intermittent-fasting-guide/

Balancing Your Hormones Naturally, FREE Guide: https://drtabatha.com/free-hormone-guide/

Dr. Tabatha’s Website: fasttofaith.com
Dr. Tabatha’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gutsydrtabatha/

Dr. Tabatha’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrTabatha

Dr. Tabatha’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fasttofaith

Key Topics: teenage pregnancy recovery, medical school journey, faith-based healing, mindset transformation, women's health empowerment, overcoming fear, gut instinct, self-love, identity reconstruction

🎯 About Dr. Tricia: Former fashion model turned naturopathic physician helping high achievers transform pressure into sustainable success. Learn more at drpingel.com
💫 What story have you been telling yourself about what's "not possible" for you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly conversations that turn pressure into power!

Welcome to Season 2! We're back and diving deeper than ever before.
Here's the uncomfortable truth: You can say all the right things, set beautiful intentions, and do all the "self-care" - but if your nervous system is broadcasting survival mode, that's the frequency everyone around you is picking up on (including your own body).
In this Season 2 kick-off:

✨ Why the universe responds to what you're MODELING, not what you're saying
✨ The neuroscience of mirror neurons and how your stress response was LEARNED (which means it can be UNLEARNED)
✨ The roller coaster example that will change how you think about stress forever
✨ My hip hop dancing breakthrough that literally saved my life
✨ What we're exploring this season - medical insights, empowering conversations, and living authentically in uncertain times

The Challenge: Stop asking "Am I doing enough?" Start asking: "What am I modeling?"

Because when you change what you model, you change everything.

Connect with Dr. Tricia:
🌐 Website: drpingel.com
📱 Social: Search "Dr Tricia Pingel" on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
🎙️ Podcast: Available on all platforms
🎥 YouTube: What Am I Modeling
Remember: Your nervous system is broadcasting a frequency - make sure it matches the life you actually want to live.