Why Kindness Starts With Saying No

What Happens When Your Identity Disappears Overnight

What happens when the dream you've spent your entire life chasing suddenly comes to an end? Rachel Blogg sits down with former NFL running back Montee Ball for an honest conversation about identity, performance pressure, addiction, recovery, and what it means to rebuild your life after everything changes. Montee shares the hidden struggles behind his success at the University of Wisconsin and in the NFL, the pressure to always appear strong, and how alcohol quietly became a way to cope with anxiety, burnout, and the expectations placed on him. He opens up about the mistakes that led to his arrest, the moment he realized he needed help, and why taking responsibility—not shame—became the foundation of his recovery. Together, they explore the mental health challenges athletes often face after sports, the importance of asking for help, and the work Montee is doing today to make sure the next generation of athletes knows it's okay to not be okay. Connect with Montee: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/monteeball/?hl=en], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/MonteeBall/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/monteeballjr/] Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therachelblogg/], Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBlogg/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therachelblogg/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwblogg] ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

Why Showing Up as Yourself Feels So Hard

What keeps so many of us from showing up as our authentic selves? Rachel Blogg sits down with holistic therapist and coach Corynne Carranza for a candid conversation about perfectionism, social media, motherhood, entrepreneurship, boundaries, and the quiet fears that often hold us back from being fully seen. Together they explore why even experienced therapists struggle with vulnerability online, how comparison steals confidence, the pressure to always be productive, and the importance of creating space for joy instead of constantly chasing achievement. They also reflect on the value of women's retreats, building meaningful community, protecting your time, and learning that growth often begins just outside your comfort zone. Honest, funny, and deeply relatable, this conversation is a reminder that being imperfectly human is exactly where real connection begins. Connect with Corynne: Instagram,  [https://www.instagram.com/wellness.with.corynne/]Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/corynne-carranza-a8555a2b1], Website [https://www.wellnesswithcorynne.com/] Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therachelblogg/], Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBlogg/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therachelblogg/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwblogg] ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

When Recovery Becomes About More Than Surviving

What happens when recovery stops being about simply staying alive and starts becoming about fully living? Rachel Blogg sits down with comedian, entrepreneur, and recovery advocate Jill Pavlov for an honest conversation about eating disorders, addiction, perfectionism, and the long journey toward self-worth. Jill shares how years of believing she wasn't enough led to an eating disorder, substance abuse, and ultimately a life-changing stay at treatment. Together, she and Rachel explore the lingering voice of an eating disorder, the pressure of perfectionism, why confidence is something we practice rather than something we have, and how improv comedy unexpectedly became a powerful tool for quieting overthinking and learning to take up space. They also reflect on grief, honoring loved ones lost to addiction, and why kindness may be one of the most powerful forms of healing we can offer each other. Connect with Jill: Instagram,   [https://www.instagram.com/comedyjill/]Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-pavlov/] Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therachelblogg/], Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBlogg/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therachelblogg/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwblogg] https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

How a Former NFL Player Turned Failure Into His Greatest Success

In this inspiring episode of Imperfectly Human, Rachel sits down with former NFL player, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and keynote speaker Marques Ogden to explore what it really means to rebuild your life after everything falls apart. Marques shares his journey from professional football to becoming a successful business owner, only to lose nearly everything after a devastating business failure. Faced with financial ruin, addiction, and a complete loss of identity, he found himself at rock bottom and forced to make a choice: remain a victim of his circumstances or take radical accountability for his future. Together, Rachel and Marques discuss the challenges of identity beyond achievement, the mental health struggles many athletes and high performers face, and why focusing on the process rather than the outcome can lead to greater success. Marques opens up about the lessons he learned through bankruptcy, personal setbacks, and starting over, while sharing the mindset shifts that helped him rebuild both his career and his life. This conversation is a powerful reminder that adversity does not define us. Through resilience, personal responsibility, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even our most difficult setbacks can become the foundation for growth, purpose, and a meaningful comeback.   Connect with Marques: Instagram,   [https://www.instagram.com/marquesogden/]Linkedin Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therachelblogg/], Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBlogg/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therachelblogg/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwblogg] https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.

How I didn't Let Fear Control my Decisions

Fear doesn't always show up in obvious ways. Sometimes it's loud and easy to recognize, and other times it hides behind perfectionism, self-doubt, and the belief that we're not ready yet. In this solo episode of Imperfectly Human, Rachel shares how her fear of the ocean led her to take on a triathlon and eventually complete a Half Ironman. She explores how fear can keep us stuck in our personal lives, careers, and athletic pursuits—and why waiting for everything to be perfect may mean waiting forever. Through personal stories and professional insights, Rachel challenges listeners to identify what's really holding them back and take the first step forward, even when fear is still present. Stay connected with Rachel: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/therachelblogg/], Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/@TheRachelBlogg], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRachelBlogg/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/therachelblogg/], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@rachelwblogg]   ℹ️ The podcast content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice.