The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast: How To Stop Playing Small And Start Designing The Life Of Your Dreams Featuring Les Alfred of The Balanced Black Girl Podcast Release Date: November 27, 2024

Introduction

In this empowering episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, hosts Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bostick sit down with Les Alfred, the dynamic force behind The Balanced Black Girl Podcast. Les shares her transformative journey from a corporate environment to becoming a renowned wellness influencer and podcaster, offering invaluable insights into designing a life filled with purpose, confidence, and well-being.

Les Alfred's Journey into Wellness and Entrepreneurship

Les Alfred opens up about her initial foray into the wellness space, driven by a need to combat daily exhaustion and dissatisfaction in her first corporate internship. She describes how simple lifestyle changes—regular exercise, improved diet, and increased water intake—had a profound impact on her energy levels and overall happiness.

Les Alfred [04:16]: "Maybe if I go to the gym, I'll have a little bit of energy to stay awake throughout the day...I felt stronger, I felt more confident, and it was just like a snowball effect."

Transitioning into a personal trainer and wellness coach, Les leveraged her experiences to help others, eventually launching her own podcast. Her commitment to sharing authentic wellness content has made her a respected voice in the industry.

The Role of Fitness in Building Confidence

A significant portion of the conversation delves into the relationship between physical fitness and mental well-being. Les emphasizes how lifting weights not only transforms the body but also rewires the brain to foster self-belief and resilience.

Les Alfred [06:08]: "It teaches you how to believe in yourself... what else can I do?"

Lauryn echoes this sentiment, sharing her personal experience of overcoming anxiety and depression through regular workouts, highlighting the universal benefits of physical activity.

Lauryn Bosstick [06:55]: "Just get in the gym and do hard things, and so many things in your life will improve 100%."

Embracing Discomfort for Growth

Both hosts and Les agree on the importance of seeking discomfort to foster personal growth. They discuss how intentionally pushing boundaries—whether through intense workouts, new challenges, or stepping outside comfort zones—prepares individuals to handle life's uncertainties with greater ease.

Les Alfred [07:13]: "It increases your tolerance for discomfort... forcing yourself to do hard things at the beginning sets you up to be able to do that all day."

Navigating Life Changes: From 20s to 30s

Les contrasts her experiences in her 20s with her current mindset in her 30s. While her younger self was risk-averse, prioritizing stability over happiness, her mature perspective embraces uncertainty and the willingness to step into the unknown.

Les Alfred [11:22]: "In my 30s, probably the biggest change I've made is being willing to step into things that are unknown."

Lauryn adds that responsibilities often increase with age, making risk-taking more daunting, but she urges younger listeners to seize their youth's lower stakes to embrace opportunities.

Lauryn Bosstick [12:43]: "The more risky things you can do, the younger the better because you're going to be like, I am now more risk averse as I've gotten older."

Wellness Routines: Morning and Night

Les shares her meticulously crafted daily routines, emphasizing the importance of morning habits in setting a positive tone for the day. Her routines include workout attire readiness, skincare, reading, meditation, and best-case scenario journaling to foster a proactive and positive mindset.

Les Alfred [15:20]: "I like to think of exercise as like a daily deposit in becoming the person that I want to be."

Her nighttime routine mirrors her morning practices, incorporating tidying, relaxation techniques like using an acupressure mat, and dedicated reading time to ensure restful sleep and mental clarity.

Investing in Yourself: Time, Money, and Energy

The conversation shifts to the significance of investing in oneself to unlock potential. Les recounts her phased approach to personal and professional investments, from paying off student loans to dedicating resources towards personal development and self-care.

Les Alfred [30:25]: "It's about becoming the version of myself that I feel like I've always been."

Lauryn highlights the sacrifices involved in this journey, such as reduced social time and balancing multiple jobs, underscoring that success is seldom instant and often requires enduring initial hardships.

Lauryn Bosstick [46:01]: "Even when we started this show, we were both working completely different companies and jobs and commuting... doing this show for free."

Balancing Work and Entrepreneurship

Balancing a full-time job while nurturing a budding business is a recurring theme. Les details her disciplined approach, carving out early morning hours and dedicating specific days to podcasting, social media, and admin tasks to maintain productivity without burnout.

Les Alfred [37:40]: "I have different days of the week where I focus on different things... Mondays are podcast days... Fridays are admin and personal time."

The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation

Authenticity emerges as a cornerstone of Les's and the hosts' approach to content creation. They discuss the pitfalls of trying to appear universally relatable versus embracing one's unique journey and personality, advocating for genuine expression over curated personas.

Lauryn Bosstick [48:35]: "The only responsibility that I feel as somebody who does this kind of thing publicly is to authentically tell my truth."

Les adds that striving for authenticity fosters deeper connections with the audience, rather than adopting a facade to gain wider appeal.

Common Questions and Rapid-Fire Segment

In a rapid-fire segment, Les addresses frequently asked questions from her audience, offering practical skincare tips, her favorite products, and insights into maintaining hair health while working out. She also shares her organizational strategies, emphasizing detailed planning and calendar management.

Les Alfred [37:23]: "My morning looks like... I will spend a bit of time reading... meditating... journaling."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Les reflecting on her decade-long transformation and urging listeners to take actionable steps towards designing their dream lives. Lauryn and Michael reinforce the episode's key messages: embrace wellness, seek growth through discomfort, invest in yourself, and maintain authenticity in all endeavors.

Lauryn Bosstick [39:13]: "Things that you need to do if you want to do that and recognize that it's not easy."

Listeners are left inspired by Les Alfred's journey and equipped with practical strategies to stop playing small and start crafting a life of their dreams.

Notable Quotes

• Les Alfred [04:16]: "Maybe if I go to the gym, I'll have a little bit of energy to stay awake throughout the day...I felt stronger, I felt more confident, and it was just like a snowball effect."
• Les Alfred [06:08]: "It teaches you how to believe in yourself... what else can I do?"
• Les Alfred [07:13]: "It increases your tolerance for discomfort... forcing yourself to do hard things at the beginning sets you up to be able to do that all day."
• Lauryn Bosstick [12:43]: "The more risky things you can do, the younger the better because you're going to be like, I am now more risk averse as I've gotten older."
• Les Alfred [30:25]: "It's about becoming the version of myself that I feel like I've always been."
• Lauryn Bosstick [39:13]: "Things that you need to do if you want to do that and recognize that it's not easy."

This episode serves as a beacon for listeners aspiring to break free from limitations and design a fulfilling, authentic life. Les Alfred's candid dialogue provides not only inspiration but also a roadmap for personal and professional growth.