Beyond Beauty with Bridgett Burrick Brown

[00:00:00] The shame keeps that in. The guilt keeps that in. If anyone can imagine, I’m a parent and I’m thinking about killing myself and I have been there. Welcome to Behind the Armor, where we deep dive into the heart of what matters. I’m your host, Judd Shaw, adventurer, storyteller, agent of change, and speaker on authenticity and human connection.

Join me as we explore the complexities of human connection, featuring theorists, scientists, Scientists and speakers, our mission is simple, to inspire you to reclaim your true self and create genuine connections with others. Join me as we lay down our armor and live authentically. Hello you beautiful people and thanks for tuning in.

Today we’re speaking with Bridget Burrick Brown, the founder of Beyond Beauty Project, a movement and multimedia platform that focuses on inspiring confidence and acceptance surrounding beauty body image, and mental health. Using her two decades of experience in the modeling industry, [00:01:00] Bridget strives to change the narrative of beauty by redefining its meaning from the inside out.

Let’s uncover what’s behind the armor with Bridget. So, all of your life, growing up, you’ve been told you should be a model. And you’re learning that, quickly. That, that validation is coming from the outside. You’re 19. You sign an international with an international modeling agency. You’re in Paris and Miami and all this while you’re struggling on the inside, Bridget, welcome to the show.

Oh, thank you for having me. That’s a good one. Nice to have you here. Oh, I’m so excited to chat today. You know, I really want to understand. What the dynamic and the effect it had, you know, on, [00:02:00] on you when you are quickly learning and recognizing that what matters is on the outside. I think I, it never sat right with me.

I think from a very young age, I think sometimes, you know, there’s like nature and nurture in life and like my kind of innate self always rebelled against it. Didn’t really like it. I think maybe that’s why I initially never wanted to. Be a model. Um, I just always felt like there’s so much more to us.

Like, we’re drawn to people that are funny or have things to say. I wanted to say things. I wanted to use my intelligent and intelligence and help people. So, I think it never now is, you know, I have my project. I’ve dove into really [00:03:00] understanding parts of that more. So I don’t know if I actually understood it when I was 19, but I knew something didn’t sit right.

So right away in the industry, I felt it. That so resonates with me because it’s sort of like being Aligned or not aligned with your own core values. A lot of times the business and the industry that I’m in people applauding this mask, this veneer, you know, they’re, they’re, they’re, they’re rooting on the success of my shell.

Yeah, not caring what’s actually going on the inside. And so for me, that also disrupted my value system. It’s like, right. It’s like, wow. They, they so care about my success, not how I’m feeling. Yeah. And I think that like, for me personally, I’m just a very [00:04:00] deep person. Like I came out of the womb like that.

Like, I am like, emotional. I’m wrong. Like, let’s go deep. Like right when I first meet someone, if we vibe, like, so I wanted the people in my life to care how I was feeling. I cared about how they were feeling. You know, I saw people for who they were past their appearance and I wanted them to see me for that.

So I think that would bother me, you know? Yeah. You know, uh, when, when, when we are aware of wanting others to be heard and seen and feel valued from an early age, I think it’s because it’s a hyper vigilance and awareness. of how we don’t feel. Like, I don’t want someone to feel the way I’m feeling. And, right?

And so for you, what was really interesting, and I’m wondering, you know, a lot of times to move from a [00:05:00] transformation, like a, a 1. 0 to a 2. 0 version. There’s a lot of times like a dark night of the soul or something the momentum that changes, that puts that wind and changes the course of that universe.

And I’m wondering for you, because I know that while you’re now modeling, your, your tribe, your support system, the people you cared about are in your industry. And yet you’re going through a lot of serious loss in your life, right? And when you’re turning to that same support system, what you’re hearing in, in return is lose more weight.

Wow. Yeah. And, um, I know you know my story, but for the people that listening that don’t, that moment that I needed, I needed humanity because I’ve, I’ve talked about this moment a lot and I’ve really [00:06:00] journaled about it. I. It was a big pivotal moment in my life. Um, in a great way at the ending, you know, super painful at the time.

The thing that was missing for me is I needed these people that I knew for so long and I worked with for so long to have humanity for me and I don’t blame them. I love them. And like, I think it’s just, we get, can get really wrapped up in our worlds and. My world is, is a world that really folk or the modeling industry world is a world that focuses on external appearance first, most of the time.

Um, so yeah, that time it crushed me a little bit because I had came off of a string of just getting crushed with losses and I was. Pretty rock bottom and I also saw the industry in the world changing with diversity and [00:07:00] inclusivity and I didn’t, I really didn’t understand. And it was almost like, you know, I had my little girl already at the time and I had been thinking of my project.

And, you know, I had now I had, uh, my brother was married to, um, a Filipino woman and they had a baby. So I had this, you know, mixed niece who was seeing me in advertising. And so like, by the time this happened and they asked me to lose weight at A size six and I’m 41 and you know, I’m a woman. I didn’t understand it.

It really, really then didn’t align with my values where my body like just rejected it. I was like, there’s no part of me that can be a part of this for myself or for anybody in my life. I didn’t even know exactly why I did know why. But I know why more now, you know, I’ve unpacked it, [00:08:00] you know, while you’re modeling though, and you’re going through all of this on the inside.

I’m curious how authentic, how genuine, how open did you feel with the people closely working with you? I would say that my deeper self is genuine. She wants to be genuine. I think that when you are really inundated and An industry or whatever environment you’re in and your being, your values don’t necessarily line up with that structure.

You lose, you lose some of your, your genuine, you know, so [00:09:00] I tried to stay true to it, but yeah, like, I was definitely putting on the mask like you refer to. I was showing up. I was being who they wanted to be. I really silenced my voice. Like, that’s one thing that I love about my project now is I’m really getting my voice back.

Cause in that industry, you’re kind of told quiet. Oh, that photographer was sleazy. Oh yeah. It’s the way he is. That’s just the way it goes. And now I’m like, uh, uh, that is not the way it goes. No. So I did like lose some of that genuine part of me that wanted to authentically be here and show up fully.

Absolutely. What do you think the fear was? Not being accepted, not being valued, not being successful in my career. [00:10:00] It’s a industry that is like, get in line, follow the rules. You know, they’re I, uh, I don’t know if you know of Katie Wilcox, but she’s a model and she started an agency. Um, and she’s really changing the game when it comes to size diversity and all diversity, but like size is something that’s really cool that she’s doing.

And, um, she, she’s now a booker. So she’s on both sides. And we really dove into how this like agent model relationship is so off balance. It’s very much like the booker has the power and the model is just like, you know, did I get the booking? Did they like me? Like we have, we don’t have a lot of say in our careers.

It’s kind of like, you, you got booked, like be grateful. And now just like go to the gym, lose weight and like. We want you to cut your hair because it’s getting a little too long or [00:11:00] like whatever they and you’re like, okay, you’re like, you are like, literally the definition of like, the good girl, like, you are the good girl that shows up and you look perfect and you have a perfect personality.

Everybody on set must like you. And you do what they ask you to do, and you shut up and you do it kind of in the booking validates it. And the more you book, the more you get validated. And then that gives you your 6 significance. It gives you your success and listen, there are a lot of. Situations where you do show up authentically, like we’re obviously talking about, you know, there were times I could really show up on a set and like, those are some of my favorite memories where I showed up my size.

They loves me, you know, um, But a lot of the industry is like fall into line, be the good girl, follow the rules. [00:12:00] So out from this 1. 0 in which you are, you’re really struggling. You have, I mean, you’re fighting an eating disorder, a lot of loss. So a lot of disconnection from a lack of support that cares about the inside and not the shell of that human being.

And yet something sparked this Beyond Beauty project that you start where you begin to inspire and teach acceptance, you know, to young women about body images and mental health and beauty and. What, what was the fire behind that launch? So I think the fire was my life really, really, it was my life. It was, I have a [00:13:00] moment that was the moment I said, that’s it.

I’m like fucking doing this. Like I’m doing this, like no more playing small. No more not using my voice. No more saying like, that’s not okay what you’re doing to us. But I think it really is this story of my life. It started with having a mom who had multiple sclerosis and I really saw the. this like body image, beauty, ideal and mental health connection because she was really beautiful and she was tall and she was glamorous and she was funny and people liked her.

And, um, as she got sick and she got sick when I was five. So it was like most of my childhood and I was the only other girl in the house. I spent a lot of time with her, like, you know, Seeing her cry about, you know, not fitting into clothes or her body just really [00:14:00] debilitate, you know, like she was bedridden at the end of her life.

So I think it’s that it was like, I was in the dance world and then I spent a lot of time in this modeling industry. Um, and throughout the, this time in the industry, and I have over 25 years in it, so it’s been for more than more than half my life, but I, I was always a bit of a rebel, and I was always a bit of like, a seeker of knowledge.

So I started educating myself in like this body mind connection and studied holistic nutrition and personal training and area Veda. And so I wouldn’t say I ever had like an eating disorder. I would say I had a lot of disordered eating that I worked through, but there were so, there were so much. Like severe eating disorders around me.

So it was just this, and it was, it’s some of my best friends that I still have today. [00:15:00] Um, so I think by the time I had went through all these losses with losing my mom, my dad, my brother, the miscarriages, the twins at, uh, five and a half months and then going back and hearing like, no, no, no, but you’re Sorry, but you got to lose a couple pounds.

I was like, I was like, so it was kind of like, that was the fire. And the fire came really, I would say from, I needed a reason to be here. I had my daughter, but I was, I was suicidal. It was legit suicidal. I was having thoughts. I was. You know, I had, I think I had these multiple pregnancies in a row coupled with these losses.

I probably had severe postpartum that I didn’t really understand. And, um, so I just started sharing it. It was like, once I [00:16:00] said it out loud, I was like, I just. And I would, I started sharing it on social media and then people would write me and say, like, I felt the same way. Like, thank you so much. It’s, it’s so beautiful because it goes to show you the importance of human authentic connection.

It’s really life saving because the entire time. When you’re getting there, that loneliness gets louder, and you know, your world gets smaller in which you live, love, work, and play, and the isolation between the two ears, it’s as if, who can I tell this to? The shame keeps that in, the guilt keeps that in. If anyone can imagine, I’m a parent and I’m thinking about killing myself, and I have been there.

And it is some of the scariest, [00:17:00] uh, loneliest times. And you know, and that’s the thing. So you’re going, here’s what’s going on in my life, I mean you’re losing everyone around you. Where’s the empathy? Where is the humanity in that? I loved that your project flips the perspective on your narrative, and this is what I notice watching you and you know, your keynote.

I mean, you really are incredible. And the story about how you can change that. I grew up believing that what was on the outside was important. Mm-Hmm. , what you saw. Valued me and here comes out the BBP and you flip that perspective and say, [00:18:00] beauty. is on the inside. And I have seen so many people on social media scrolling, uh, my nose is too big, my chin is too this, they’re comparing these curated versions.

And so I’m wondering, is one of the real, I mean, you’re really a lightning rod on this subject. Help me understand how you can help others change from hearing the narrative to actually believing what you believe. I love that question. You know, I think this is a little bit of an important part of my story is that when I got asked to lose weight, I was a little bigger.

Than I had been working for the last 15 years, you know, I was like a size four ish and I was a six ish, you know, so in [00:19:00] my mind, I’m like, I lost my mom, my dad, my brother, my best friend, all these babies. And now I lost my body, like, what the hell? And that’s why I kind of said, like, I never had an eating disorder, but I had disordered eating.

I was like an athlete with my body. I knew how to control this external thing. That gave me so much success in my life, not just in the modeling world, but in life, you know? So I think I learned it so deeply that message because I didn’t have that anymore. And even if, you know, my husband or my friends could say, but you’re so beautiful.

Like, what do you mean? I didn’t feel it. I didn’t feel it. I was so broken. I just looked in the mirror. I had full body. This Marvia just felt. So I think if you’re feeling [00:20:00] like if I could make how I looked better, if I could lose five pounds, then I would be a little bit happier. I would tell you, I don’t necessarily Or I know that’s not true because I started getting my physical body back, maybe looking in the way it was, but like my mental health was still gone.

So I needed to, that’s why I always say like our beauty comes from within, comes from our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Um, I think that. There’s a lot of things you can do to start that journey. I’ll just throw out a couple. Like one, one is really, so I was healing. I was healing a lot. Like losing the twins specifically five and a half months was really hard on my body.

Um, so I started writing these dear body love letters. I would [00:21:00] wake up every morning and I would journal. I would try to wake up before anyone was awake. I’d grab my coffee. Um, I kind of started this like, like half sleeping journaling, um, from The Artist’s Way. If anybody’s read that, it’s a really cool book.

And I would just write like, dear body, like, thank you for healing. Like thank you for healing. On your own. Like you do that for me. Like I, I went back to, I have legs that work. My mom didn’t like I can, I can still dance, which is one of my biggest passions. Like I get to do that because my legs work, you know, I guess I’ll hold my baby.

Cause my arms work. So I kind of went back to this, like basics with like, what does my body do for me that doesn’t have to do with what it looks like? And then I started really like praising myself, like praising, [00:22:00] like my intelligence, my voice. Like I found these other places, like where else can I cultivate confidence has nothing to do with the way I look.

And then I think a big way just for. Just anybody is like social media is a big part of our life right now and just take a real honest look at like what you scroll through. And see what you’re looking at. Cause that’s really subconsciously guiding you. It’s like these little tiny messages when you slide through, like someone really, Oh, I wish I had their body.

Ooh, I wish I had their clothes. Ooh. I wish, you know, a lot of it is this external, you know, thing. So really expanding my world. And this project has a. been a huge blessing for that. It’s like expanding your world and traveling really did that for me. Just there’s so much beauty out there and we can get really stuck in our little box, our little box of [00:23:00] perfectionism, and we can really see the same people in our world.

So follow bigger bodies, follow different skins, follow different ages. and really start to see. At first it might not be that easy for you. You might be like, but I don’t want to see bigger bodies on my scroll. Follow it and you will slowly, I promise, start to expand The self acceptance that you have for yourself.

It, it happens. Wow. That is so interesting. And I want to unpack a lot of that. You know, for me, uh, you know, I have this framework called the connection cure and C U R E standing for conscious awareness of how are you showing up in the world, understanding. What that’s doing, maybe it’s blocking you from thriving, renewing those connections, and then expanding them out in the world.

And part of that renewing means you have to establish that [00:24:00] connection with yourself, just as much, if not more, with connection with others. And I believe you have to have that connection with self first, before you can really connect deeply with others. And what I noticed was that Part of your action plan, it was like my re parenting myself, was that when I learned for so long that the external validation was what was being applauded, and that’s what I was then thriving or seeking from, I had to learn self love, I had to learn self actualization, I had to put notes on the mirror that said, I love you Judd, you know, and so I had to dig in to build that up myself.

Because I realized that. So part of that disconnection was not disconnected from others. I had a lot of people that I knew I was disconnected from my core self and you’re so cool. Like, we’re so cool. Like, why are we disconnecting from ourselves? Absolutely. I do a [00:25:00] lot of work around like, Like, let’s get back in tune with ourselves, right?

Like we, a lot of us are living outside of our bodies almost. We’re objectifying ourselves in the mirror and the selfies and the social media. It’s like, get back inside of you, like reclaim your body, reclaim your self worth. And it’s really, I know it’s that, that whole, like you got to love yourself first.

cheesy line that people are like, I’ve heard it. It’s so true though. Well, part of loving yourself first is using this sort of actionable tip to hack. I love this hack that you have, which is if I wanted to feel good at myself, am I going to look at all the pros, all the experts, all the biggest, like, All the people that I am not, we’re comparing myself to, as opposed to what does the real world look like across the board?

There’s a lot of, you [00:26:00] know, speakers that are struggling. There’s a lot of people who still trying to make a brand is still trying to, they failed at a company. You know, there’s a lot of, a lot of ways to look at it. And, and part of that is the gratitude. But the other part is recognizing that what you’re seeing is allowing yourself to have this low self worth.

You’re, you’re, you’re your worst enemy. You’re putting the best curated stuff in front of you and comparing yourself to it. Yup. And it’s having the like wherewithal to say like, what’s driving me? Like what’s giving me value? Is it because my parents need me to be perfect? Is it because social media is kind of telling me to be perfect?

Is it my friends and having the guts and the intentionality to say. I’m okay. I’m pretty cool. I’m going to try to show up as authentic as I can, even if it’s little by little, nobody has your story. Nobody can do what you can [00:27:00] do. Like nobody is us. And just that, if you really start to embody that. That is so fucking cool.

Like, it’s just cool. I think being you and being unique and being your own storyteller and owning your narrative is awesome. And I don’t know if you felt like this, but like when I had my rock bottom moment and I started sharing that. I was like, who am I? What do I stand for? Who do I want to be in this world?

What do I want? How do I want things to look? Because I was so used to putting on the stuff, looking perfect and then being like, what do you need? Oh, I can help you. Yes. Oh, okay. Yes. You know? And I’m like, no, no, no, no, no. I can still be super kind and helpful. Let’s make my life really important, too. I forgot about that part.

You know, I’m working with a lot of men. [00:28:00] And, um, I think there’s a real trouble about how Men look at masculinity today. Yeah, and I want to dive into that and show them that you can be vulnerable and successful And there’s a power in vulnerability is not a weakness, right? And so In that that’s trying to help men connect Authentically with other men, right?

What is a modern man? Friendship should look like and I’m wondering with you. What are some of the things that Young girls, young women can do to help find their beauty on the inside.

I love that you’re helping men, by the way. I love that so much. Sorry. I’ll answer your question, but it’s so needed. And, um, as I do more research. There’s so much sort of research done now [00:29:00] on girls and women and men are really starting to struggle with this. And young boys, we have the same problem, only a little bit different, right?

It’s like, if I’m going to stereotype it, it’s like women are told to be good girls and to look perfect, but men are sort of, they’re starting to get more pressure on the way they look, but they’re. They’re told be really successful know what to do, you know, be this strong outspoken confident person and like some people are introverted or they’re shy.

And, like, I think in that you guys lose that’s like, beautiful, vulnerable, like, sensitivity, you know, um. I think for any right. So I love, I love that you’re doing that. We need to be like a boy, girl, like partner in this because I get asked a lot. Can you help my sons? I’m like, yes, like I want to help everybody.

That’s so great. Yes. [00:30:00] We’re going to work that way because you know, for me, I’m trying to show men that that provider value is equal or less Your emotional value. Absolutely. Absolutely. That can’t be the thing at the end. That’s why we’re that saying at the end of your life, I wish I wouldn’t have worked so much comes from because they put all their significance into that and like.

They’re so much more than that, you know, um, I think going back to little girls and like how they can find their, was it their inner self love? Yeah. Their inner beauty. Like their inner beauty. Yeah. I think. Okay. I’ll give you a couple like simple little tips. I think journaling is great. It’s a great way to connect with yourself.

I think you can start with the journaling of like, what does my [00:31:00] body do for me? That has nothing to do with my appearance. Right? So you kind of get this appreciation for your body, take it further, you know, like what are the, What are the things I really like about myself that have nothing to do with my appearance?

You know, um, I like that. I’m fun. I always like to have fun. And I like that about myself. You know, so what are the things that you can think of that? You’re like, I really like that about myself and I’m in a trying to cherish that and and honor it a little bit more when someone gives you a compliment.

Take the compliment, write it down in your notebook so you can read it. I did that a lot right after I was really just at the depths of, you know, hell and, um, you know, if somebody says something nice to you, accept it, even if it’s hard, but make a promise yourself, I’m going to try to start [00:32:00] accepting.

Compliments and say, thank you so much. And then if you don’t believe it, write it down and read it until you believe it. Um, I think self care and I think of self care in a, maybe a little bit of a different way than like the generic self care, but it’s like when you intentionally set time to care for yourself or love yourself, you are showing yourself love.

So in my subscription this month, we’re doing a whole, it’s going to be February and. the month of love. So, um, it’s all about how can you love yourself more? Cause we, a lot of us are really good at loving the people around us, but how can you implement just a little more self love? And it can be anything from, you know what, I’m going to take an extra long shower [00:33:00] today.

I’m going to put some music on, I’m going to shave, I’m going to exfoliate, I’m going to put lotion on when I get out of the shower to like meditating or, you know, making a doctor’s appointment that you need to make, like, how can you make a little bit more time to show yourself self love because it’s just like when you’re in a relationship with other, another person, you know, if we’re in a relationship, But I don’t show you any love.

I’m like always busy for you. Oh yeah. No tomorrow. Tomorrow we can hang out really busy. Maybe next week you don’t feel loved, you know? So how are you being in the relationship with yourself? So take a moment to just think about that and add a little bit more and it can be big things or little things like taking the longer shower, you know?

Yeah. You know, with the guys, I tell them date yourself for a week. Paint yourself. Like the amount of time [00:34:00] that you’re thinking about what restaurant, the flowers, what should, like, Go get yourself that like, go instead of the flowers, go, go, like, pick out the new pair of socks you wanted, like, go do something for yourself the same way you would have done to putting that energy into, you know, someone else, other someone else.

Well, and I think 1 thing that men do maybe a little bit better than women just sticking to men and women now, but like, everybody, um, is they have, they’re really good at their hobbies. You know, like still continuing to, like, play basketball, where I find moms in particular kind of forget to do that. So I think that’s another way to love on yourself.

Like, like, I love to write, so I really have, like, intentionally set time aside to write now again. I’m like, I need to do some of the things or do a dance class, you know, do the things that you, that [00:35:00] light you up. You know what it sounds like is digging with beauty on the inside. Yes, you’ll get compliments where it says that was so nice or you’re so gracious or compassionate or forgiving that real love.

The beauty that’s on the inside that comes from the inside. It’s like almost getting aligned with your own core values. Not only do you want to be a good person, you feel like a good person. You’re walking your talk. So it’s like, it is part of that is like getting really in tune with your values. That’s what’s like getting back inside of yourself.

Like, who am I, like, what do I stand for? Who do I want to be? And then am I doing the things in my life to support that? If I want to be. you know, someone that is kind and has good boundaries and can give love, but I’m not doing that for [00:36:00] myself. Right. It’s never going to come across authentic and it just feels really good when you, and I also think like, it’s really important to remember it’s not a destination.

This is such a journey. Like once I realized, and I think I also realized that in my rock bottom, Is like life is a journey. Like, I don’t believe healing ends. I think we’re healing forever because once we heal from something, we have something else under there. But like, if you can really embrace that, I think it’s fun and it’s.

It’s beautiful. It’s really this fun journey. And when you have people you can go on the journey with, it’s, it’s better. Right. And, and, and I think at the core of that was finding grace and compassion for myself. Yeah. You know, it was like being easy on myself. It was like, all right, it’s not exactly how you wanted to show up today.

But you [00:37:00] know, but we can get it to like, not like, like, Oh, I did this and thus you’re right. I am a bad person and I might as well F all the effort that I tried to be a good person because they’re, it’s, it’s like, yeah, well I think we just from knowing some of your story. I think we have perfectionism in common.

And, um, so any mess up big or small, it’s like, whoo, that shame and that guilt. And it’s like, how can you, or how can we live this life of saying like, It’s okay. Like talking to that little Judd or that little Bridget and saying like, okay, like maybe, you know, it’s okay. Like you’re okay. And you’re showing up and you’re trying your best, you know, it’s like taking the judgment away too [00:38:00] from other people and ourselves.

You know, you are a proud mom, a health coach, still modeling, an amazing keynote speaker, podcast host, you know, uh, but I really see you. As as an activist and really a driver of change. But I’m curious with all of these canisters, these sort of identities or roles in your life, how does Bridget today see herself?

Oh, definitely as an activist and an advocate, I sort of blend now. Like When I modeled, I don’t model that much anymore. It has to really align with my values. So I won’t do like anti aging and that sort of stuff. So I sort of have taken my experience in the modeling industry, fashion industry with all of these like health coaching trainees and [00:39:00] blended it into like My project.

And so in, and helping people get back to who are you, what do you want to do? How do you want to live? Like let’s redefine beauty. Let’s reclaim our bodies. Let’s rediscover our self worth. So I see myself as a change maker for sure. And an advocate and a feisty little advocate or advocate activists. Um, so I just want to help people, you know, Likewise, I, I found that when I got You know, after 30 days of my luxury car, like I’m taking big sniffs of the seat on, you know, like, well, I didn’t smell that lead.

I don’t smell that new car leather scent anymore. Right. And now like wore off or like, I got to watch it and I’m like, you know, making, I’m like swinging around and then it’s in the closet because whatever, but purpose and [00:40:00] meaning. In that helping others that impact boy, what deep sustainable joy. Totally.

It’s like when you can get that, I think a lot of people say when you reach that, and it’s something you actually genuinely want to do. It’s like you’ve reached the highest form of fulfillment. And I feel that I definitely feel that. And listen, I think when you find that thing that lights you up, like I wake up at four in the morning and I’m like, Oh, it’s not time to get up yet, but I want to get up and work.

Like, I am so excited about what I do. I have so much passion about it. Um, But it’s because I’m healing too. And I always say that like to my community, like I’m healing with you. I’m learning and I want to be the advocate and the activist for us and like, give the voice to people that don’t have the voice, but I’m learning, I’m educating, [00:41:00] I am healing, you know, some days I feel alive and great and I’m, fully embodied in my body.

And some weeks I’m like, Oh, I need to lose five pounds. Like, you know, that voice doesn’t go away. It’s a journey. It’s there a lot less than it used to be, you know? So you have the opportunity to pass that on now to your daughter in such a incredibly meaningful way. Uh, we have a mutual friend, Frankie Russo.

He’s designed, he says he’s designing a time machine. It’s going to take us back to our five or six year old version. I want to use it. When you go back, Bridget, what would you tell your inner child? What do you tell your inner child with what you know now? What do you tell your daughter and, and, and my daughter and my daughters and, and, you know, any other young girls who are struggling with what beauty on the inside.[00:42:00]

If I could go back and talk to like little Bridget, I think I would tell her you’re enough. You’re already enough. You don’t have to work on your appearance. You don’t have to stand on your head for people to like you. You don’t have to be or act a different way. Like you’re already enough. And, To, uh, I would have taught her to check in with herself to really get to know herself.

I looked for answers that were for myself from everybody around me to the point where it’s debilitating. Like, Oh my God, I can’t get a hold of my therapist. Like, what am I supposed to do? Like, we have so many answers. Inside of us. That’s why I’m really helping girls and women get [00:43:00] back into their bodies.

Like let’s reclaim our bodies. We have all this noise around us telling us. How to eat, um, what to do with when it comes to fertility. Like we know a lot. So to trust, I would tell her like, learn yourself, learn your inner voice. You can trust her. You know, she knows, she knows what’s up. That is so helpful.

Even, even, you know, for me. When I was hearing that, I was like, Oh, that’s why in like fourth or fifth grade when I went home and I told my parents that I scored three goals and I was picked first and all that was bullshit. I was like playing an astronaut in the slide tube all by myself with all the before.

First of all, I wasn’t even going to be picked because I couldn’t even play very well. I wasn’t a great athlete. So I’m, I recognize that early on. I’m going over the jungle gym and I’m using my imagination, but boy, if I had [00:44:00] learned. That, that was enough that like, what did you do? I went to the moon in my mind.

That’s amazing. What did you see? You know, instead I had to make up this other story because I didn’t know I was enough. And you know, that’s why I always say authenticity is your superpower and we all want to be heard and seen and feel valued. But I realize, thank you so much that the feeling valued component.

It’s also meaning you’re feeling enough. And most of what we get in advertising is telling us we’re not enough. So it’s really having that foundation and it’s starting young. Like my daughter came home the other day and she said, mom. Everybody’s on Tik Tok and they know all these Tik Tok dancers. So I’ve been pretending like I’m also on Tik Tok and I just thought, Oh no, no, [00:45:00] you don’t have to pretend, you know?

So I hope we can, I love what Frankie Russo is doing. Cause I hope we can together, all of us that are doing this work, we can help these younger generations. feel so cool, right? And to be not, I always tell my daughter, I’m like, when she’s like, but they get to do a night donor, you know, like I have to be different.

I’m like, make it cool to be different. You’re, you’re liked, you’re well, like, do you have a good peer group? Be the one that says TikTok’s not safe. So I’m not going to go on it. Like be the one that can stand, you know, but there’s a lot like social pressure is strong and it starts young. So I would also tell little Bridget to like, Try to ignore social pressure.

It’s just really hard, but oh, but I think it starts with her [00:46:00] hearing seen value But that mattered like that that I’m enough that would have helped. Yes Totally, I’m enough. Yeah, and you’re enough like that. You were going down the slide you were going down Oh my god, that was so cool Like you said like tell me about that that must have been so fun like really acknowledging the things That you were, you know, you don’t have to be, yeah, yeah, you don’t have to be more, yeah, are you happy?

Are you happy? When you are doing all of this for so many others, I mean, at the heart of it is this activism that I, I, I know is like pop through your brain. Your, your DNA and your blood, right? Yeah. How do you, how does Bridget find time? And how do you most authentically connect with yourself? So [00:47:00] I would say I most authentically connect, hmm, I think I connect with myself when I’m just being myself.

So that can be any moments in the day. But if I’m feeling a little like, Ooh, you know, a little scattered or maybe a little overworked or meditating, I know everyone says it, but I do like meditating one on one where I lay in my bed, I close my eyes and I just, just do nothing. I don’t have a mantra. I don’t put on a meditation.

I just. Take a moment to like, sometimes I’ll put my hand on my heart, one hand on my belly. Mm-Hmm. . And I just sort of like, check in with me. And then yoga. Yoga for me is like my church. Like, I’m just like, I leave yoga and I’m like, that’s my jam. That is my jam. I’m grounded. I am like, what should we do [00:48:00] today?

You know? And it really, that’s much, yeah. Is like. Don’t know who anybody is in the room. I don’t, I like I’m on my mat and I ignore, I’m in my own little world, you know, what I also love about yoga is the grace and the compassion it gives you. Like I could be on the, I’m rolling around like a two year old, everybody else’s in some kind of prehistoric motion of like Fort, like Pretzels and all, I’m just rolling around, but nobody cares.

And it’s like, that’s what my body wants. It feels good at this time. And I’m doing it. I, you know, I absolutely love that. Yeah. That’s part of like getting, starting to really love ourselves too, is like when you’re in a yoga class. Just do what you want to do, what your body wants to do and what’s good for you.

Otherwise you’re again, trying to almost like, it’s like keeping up with the Joneses a little bit. Like, how can I impress? How can I keep up? Like, keep up with yourself. I am like, I am like a three year [00:49:00] old in yoga sometimes. I’m like, I need to do child pose the entire time and I don’t care. And I leave feeling great because I took care of myself, you know?

Yeah. You know, uh, and what I also. Um, loved about your style of meditation is that so many people, you’re right when they hear it, they’re like, Oh, woof, mantras and chairs and, and headsets and blinds folds and, and certain smoke and things. And a lot of people that I, that have even, you know, I, I’m a, I’m a big believer in meditation.

Throughout the day. And, and that’s how I start my day. But you know, I do like deep meditations and four meditations and a lot of people also want to hear that it’s like, okay, I’m not meditating, right. That sounds like, but I love, but what you’re doing. Which I think is so interesting is it’s it’s really about creating the space the breath quietness So, you know, you’re showing [00:50:00] others.

You don’t have to have Instructors and gurus and mantras and things you can simply quiet your your your head Yeah, and let yourself be Get embodied and just hear what your body is telling you because otherwise you’re moving too fast to hear it. Yeah. Yes. Yes. It’s like you need to create that space, connect your mind and your body again, or mind, body and spirit.

However you believe. But like, it’s like taking a moment to just take a moment, like give ourselves a little bit of space and it’s really self loving. It’s so self loving. My therapist, I learned this from her, but she always says like, What’s is that self loving does that feel self loving? And it’s a good way to check in even throughout the day, or if you get asked to do something like, and you’re kind of like, I don’t know if I want to do it.

Does it feel self loving to do it like [00:51:00] that? Was I self loving to myself today? Could I add in a little bit more tomorrow? And it can be the laying down for five minutes. I work at home and my bedroom’s right there. So I can just be like, I’m going to just lay down and take a moment for five minutes.

Super self loving and I it’s good for my mental health. Otherwise, I’d be crazy So people out there Who are looking for help some guidance mentorship? There’s workshops. There’s coaching What is the best way for anybody to reach you? You can email me or email us but really Start following our Instagram page, it’s beyond that beauty dot project, um, and subscribe to our newsletter and you will hear everything, but I do one on one coaching, workshops, keynotes.

I have a subscription that’s like just beautiful journal prompts and some other goodies. And I have my podcast [00:52:00] and I do have a lot of things. I love your newsletter. I love you. Thank you. But you know, it, it, it’s important to follow the social part port for program because that’s like almost when I see it, it’s like a daily message.

And I would imagine for, you know, the, the, the direct audience member who’s there who can really either use the support or want to hear from you. Those are those daily, like. Little, yeah, they’re like, yeah, that’s a good mind from your experience and you’re sharing them and putting them out in the universe.

Yeah, our Instagram is very thoughtful. Um, so it depends like how involved you want to get, you know, do you want to just join the Instagram page? And maybe subscribe to the newsletter and get these little bits that like, help you heal a little bit. Or do you want to come and do coaching with me? Or do you want to come to our workshops?

You know, do you want your preteen to come? I do preteen teen college. I do all of it. Sorority. [00:53:00] So I think there’s different levels of getting involved. And then the podcast I have great experts on and journalists and authors. And so we dive into everything from eating disorders to social media and the impacts on body image.

And what’s the podcast? All this stuff? Podcast, the Beyond Beauty Projects and the podcast. What’s that? What’s that email address? Um, you can email us at hello@beyondbeautyproject.com. Dot com. Do you have the.com? You do. Yeah. Bridget. It has been an absolute pleasure, but more importantly, such a great, important conversation.

I love that. Thank you. I loved our conversation. I love what you’re doing. I think we have so many relatable points and it’s just, it’s great when you can have authentic conversations. So thank you. Keep doing what you’re doing. I know so [00:54:00] many people. Who really could use it. Thanks for coming on. Thank you.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to you. If you’ve enjoyed this episode Please follow us on your favorite platform or share this episode with a friend You can also follow me on instagram at judge shaw official a special Thank you to personal injury law firm judge shaw injury law for their support

It’s about being real. It’s about embracing our vulnerabilities, celebrating our strengths, and owning our stories. Until next time.