I Choose Health Podcast

Healing from within—one story at a time. 🌿The I Choose Health Podcast shares real, powerful journeys of people who’ve overcome chronic illness, addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges through resilience, mindset, and holistic healing. Each episode brings inspiring stories and expert insights from health professionals, therapists, and nutrition experts to help you find balance, strength, and total well-being—body, mind, and soul. 💫#alternativehealth #healthandfitness #mentalhealth #vegan

I Choose Health Podcast is a health podcast hosted by Stefan Lessie, with 88 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Stefan Lessie hosts I Choose Health Podcast, a health show with 88 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  I Choose Health Podcast

  #90: Vegan at 52 & First Vegan at Olympia| Torre Washington

  Sep 25, 202657 min

  Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth At 52, vegan bodybuilder Torre Washington is preparing for the Olympia stage with a lifetime of discipline and his mother’s memory driving him forward.In this collaboration between I Choose Health and Best Life By You, Torre joins Stefan Lessie and Julia Furlipa to share how a childhood dream of becoming a superhero became a journey of strength, purpose, and personal transformation.Torre opens up about losing his mother, overcoming self-doubt, and envisioning his competition wins. He also shares what he eats during prep, how he approaches training, and how coaches Cliff Wilson and Paul Baker helped him develop his physique.From his Jamaican upbringing and Rastafari influences to living vegan since 1998, this conversation explores the experiences behind the athlete and why he believes there is still more to accomplish.What part of Torre’s journey inspires you most? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for more conversations about choosing health, purpose, and possibility. CHAPTERS00:00 Introducing Torre Washington’s Olympia journey01:00 Sponsor: BetterHelp02:13 Podcast intro and welcome02:46 Representation and inspiring others at 5204:40 From childhood bullying to a superhero dream06:20 Kaizen: The drive to keep improving08:18 Compassion, Rastafari, and going vegan12:22 His mother’s sacrifices and lasting influence15:59 Turning grief into purpose20:20 Qualifying for Olympia and visualizing victory24:30 What Torre eats during competition prep27:27 Supplements and focused training29:52 Tracking food and staying consistent31:51 Working with Cliff Wilson and Paul Baker38:24 Why coaches need coaches41:28 Responding to vegan stereotypes and critics44:04 Steroid accusations and a Lenny Kravitz story45:10 Handling judgment with humor50:36 Chris Hemsworth and adjusting to plant-based eating51:32 Final preparations for Las Vegas53:13 Watching Olympia and Meet the Olympians55:18 Support, gratitude, and closing reflections CONNECT WITH TORRE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/torre.washington/ Website: https://www.torrewashington.com/ Watch Torre at Olympia: https://www.olympiaproductions.com/ Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health: YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP ️ Shop Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopify.com/collections/all #TorreWashington #VeganBodybuilding #MrOlympia #IChooseHealthPodcast #BestLifeByYou

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  I Choose Health Podcast

  #89: She Hid Childhood Sexual Abuse for 50 Years: Darlene Lekowski

  Sep 18, 202659 min

  Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth Darlene Lekowski carried the secret of childhood sexual abuse within her family for more than 50 years. When she finally spoke up, one of the people she accused sued her for defamation.In this powerful conversation, Darlene shares why she remained silent, how trauma affected her relationships and mental health, the signs parents should look for, and how she learned to release shame, break free, and live forward.Darlene also discusses her memoir, Shattering Silence, her legal victory, survivor advocacy, and why it is never too late to begin healing.Content note: This episode discusses childhood sexual abuse, suicidal thoughts, trauma, and violence.CONNECT WITH DARLENE LEKOWSKIWebsite: https://www.darlenespeaksup.com/ Instagram: / darlenelekowski Buy the book: https://www.darlenespeaksup.com/the-book Survivors Solidarity March: https://www.survivorssolidaritymarch.... Resources: https://www.darlenespeaksup.com/resou... CHAPTERS 00:00 The secret Darlene carried for 50 years 02:50 Meet Darlene Lekowski 03:37 Why she stayed silent 06:14 How abuse changes safety and trust 10:02 Understanding sibling sexual trauma and abuse 11:29 Shame and protecting the family 14:09 When hidden trauma begins to surface 15:30 The unseen effects of trauma 17:54 The moment Darlene finally spoke up 20:19 Her brothers’ responses 22:31 Telling her children the truth 23:57 Sued for defamation 25:35 Living around the people who abused her 28:48 Winning in court did not bring healing 31:12 Choosing peace and living forward 32:32 Apologies, denial, and family division 37:32 Does Darlene wish she had spoken sooner? 38:23 Why children need language for abuse 41:14 Writing Shattering Silence 44:33 Misconceptions about sibling sexual abuse 46:16 Signs parents should look for 49:50 The effect on the wider family 53:12 The Speak Your Truth Act 54:34 What letting go really means 56:35 Darlene’s advice to survivors 57:49 Where to find Darlene and her bookIf this conversation helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need to hear Darlene’s story. Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health: YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP ️ Shop Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopify.com/collections/all #IChooseHealth #DarleneLekowski #ShatteringSilence #SurvivorStory #TraumaHealing

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  I Choose Health Podcast

  #88: Grief Is Making You SICK? The Physical Symptoms No One Talks About -Brenda N

  Sep 11, 20261h 9m

  Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth Grief does not only affect your emotions. It can show up in your body.After losing her husband of 24 years to COVID in just 11 days, Brenda Mundt’s entire life changed. She shares how the Grief Recovery Method helped her navigate overwhelming loss and how breathwork later became another powerful part of her healing journey.In this episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, we explore physical symptoms of grief, including fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, gut issues, and chronic stress. Brenda also explains why grief does not follow neat stages, what NOT to say to someone who is grieving, and why losing someone can also mean grieving the future and identity you thought you would have.We also discuss breathwork, nervous system regulation, rediscovering yourself after loss, and the complicated emotions that can come with finding happiness again.CONNECT WITH BRENDA MUNDTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendmundt/ Heartache, Health and Healing Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... The Stress Reset Method: https://thestressresetmethod.lovable.... The Grief Recovery Method: https://www.griefrecoverymethod.com/ Chapters 00:00 Can grief affect your physical health? 02:58 Meet Brenda Mundt 03:14 Losing her husband in just 11 days 05:53 The darkest period of grief 08:17 Losing her home and rebuilding life 10:45 Discovering breathwork 12:25 The Grief Recovery Method 15:16 What NOT to say to someone grieving 17:39 The exercise that helped Brenda heal 19:00 Is silence better than saying the wrong thing? 23:23 Grieving the life that should have been 27:40 Why different losses affect us differently 32:59 Helpful vs. harmful things to say 37:00 Grief in the workplace 43:47 Why 3 days of bereavement is not enough 46:27 Grief Recovery vs. conventional advice 48:19 Processing grief vs. functioning through it 50:02 Physical symptoms of grief 52:35 How breathwork affects stress 56:41 Signs breathwork may be helping 58:13 Grieving your old identity 1:00:47 Feeling guilty about finding happiness again 1:03:41 Rediscovering yourself after loss 1:07:51 How to connect with Brenda Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health: YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealt... Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitn... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichooseheal... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealth... Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqB... ️ Shop Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopif... #Grief #GriefRecovery #PhysicalSymptomsOfGrief #GriefSupport #HealingAfterLoss #LossOfSpouse #WidowGrief #Breathwork #MentalHealth #GriefRecoveryMethod #BrendaMundt #IChooseHealthPodcast

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  I Choose Health Podcast

  #87: SHE CUT HIS THROAT AND LEFT HIM TO DIE... BUT HE SURVIVED| Kevin Lessie's Story

  Sep 4, 20261h 12m

  Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth Kevin Lessie trusted the woman he loved. Then, without warning, she tied his hands, covered his face, cut his throat, and stabbed him. She left him alone in his van to die.In this deeply personal episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, Kevin recounts his fight to survive, his mother’s powerful intuition that something was wrong, the lasting effects of trauma, and the faith and family support that helped him rebuild his life. Connect with Kevin and discover his vegan desserts from LK Fusion Treats: https://www.instagram.com/lkfusiontreats/ Content warning : This episode contains detailed descriptions of violence and trauma. Chapters 00:00 Kevin’s attack and fight to survive 01:44 A mother’s intuition 02:16 BetterHelp 03:30 I Choose Health 03:49 Learning what happened to Kevin 05:35 The relationship before the attack 12:34 The day everything changed 17:27 Kevin’s hands are tied 19:41 The attack begins 21:27 Fighting to stay alive 23:57 A stranger calls 911 26:20 Emergency surgery and permanent injuries 28:51 Calling his mother from the hospital 31:10 Living without answers 35:36 How the attack affected the family 38:25 His mother knew something was wrong 43:07 Stefan learns about the attack 46:16 Anger, grief, and unanswered questions 47:45 The two-year search for his attacker 50:11 Trauma, triggers, and vulnerability 54:21 How faith changed Kevin’s perspective 57:00 Family support during recovery 59:15 Losing part of his singing voice 1:02:53 Finding purpose through LK Fusion Treats 1:06:45 How therapy helped Kevin heal 1:09:10 Cleaning the blood from the van 1:11:29 Choosing power, possibility, and purpose Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health: YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP ️ Shop Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopify.com/collections/all #SurvivorStory #TrueCrime #AttemptedMurderSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #MothersIntuition #FaithAfterTrauma #IChooseHealthPodcast #KevinLessie #LKFusionTreats

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  I Choose Health Podcast

  #86: She Got Everything She Wanted… So Why Was She Miserable? | Meghann Dawson

  Aug 28, 202659 min

  Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth What happens when you finally achieve the success you spent years chasing, only to realize you don't want the life that came with it?After 21 years in corporate America, Meghann Dawson had climbed the ladder, become a director, and even flown on the corporate jet. But behind the success were burnout, toxic workplace dynamics, heavy drinking, perfectionism, and a growing realization that the life she had built no longer aligned with who she was becoming.In this episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, Meghann shares why high achievers can become so good at hiding burnout, how trauma and people-pleasing can shape our careers and relationships, what it means to "perform for love," and why learning to advocate for yourself can change your life.We also explore authenticity, self-worth, boundaries, healing, redefining success, and why becoming who you really are can get messy.Connect with Meghann Dawson:Website: https://www.meghanndawson.com/ Podcast: https://www.meghanndawson.com/podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanndawson/ https://www.instagram.com/becomingism... Pre-order Book Now: https://www.meghanndawson.com/contactus Chapters 00:00 When Success Starts Feeling Like a Trap 03:58 Meet Meghann Dawson 05:10 Chasing the Corporate Definition of Success 06:41 Getting Everything You Wanted and Still Being Unhappy 08:19 Recognizing When Your Life Is Misaligned 09:30 Success, Achievement and Self-Worth 10:25 21 Years in Corporate America 14:08 The Breaking Point 16:17 Learning to Advocate for Yourself 17:35 Alcohol and Toxic Corporate Culture 20:13 What Burnout Actually Looks Like 21:20 Why High Performers Hide Burnout 22:26 What People Misunderstand About Burnout 24:46 Burnout When You Don't Feel Successful 26:55 What Does "Performing for Love" Mean? 29:31 When Achievement Rewards People-Pleasing 30:32 Authenticity vs. Performing a Version of Yourself 33:20 What If You Have to Shrink to Belong? 35:20 Can You Love Someone and Still Walk Away? 38:56 Recognizing Patterns Without Shaming Yourself 42:44 Self-Love, Your Inner Voice and Asking for Help 45:43 Teaching Your Children Healthy Boundaries 46:52 Personality Traits That Were Actually Coping Mechanisms 48:14 What Healing Forced Meghann to Face 49:48 Healing Yourself vs. Trying to Fix Yourself 51:38 Why "Becoming Is Messy" 53:46 Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time 55:23 Building a Life Around Your Own Definition of Success 56:58 Where to Find Meghann Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health: YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealt... Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitn... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichooseheal... TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealth... Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqB... ️ Shop Merch: https://ichoosehealthpodcast.myshopif... #Burnout #HighAchiever #CorporateBurnout #ToxicWorkplace #PeoplePleasing #SelfWorth #Authenticity #HealingJourney #CareerChange #MentalHealth #BecomingIsMessy #MeghannDawson #IChooseHealthPodcast

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