In this episode of 'Embodied', Kathy Covington and Danielle Buckley discuss the intersection of intelligent fitness, leadership, and personal growth within the wellness industry. They explore the evolution of their business, the importance of community and culture, and the mindfulness required in training and teaching. The conversation emphasizes the significance of hiring for a growth mindset, balancing personal health with leadership responsibilities, and the challenges faced in maintaining accountability and structure within a team. They also share insights on long-term vision, the role of personal experience in leadership, and offer advice for aspiring female entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

The journey of growth is continuous and requires reflection.

Building a supportive community is essential for success.

Mindfulness in training enhances the overall experience for both trainers and clients.

Hiring for culture fit is crucial for team cohesion.

Personal health and wellness must be prioritized in leadership roles.

Accountability and structure are key to effective team management.

Long-term vision is necessary for sustainable growth.

Embodied leadership connects personal experience with client engagement.

Challenges in leadership require resilience and adaptability.

Time management is vital for balancing business and personal life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Intelligent Fitness and Leadership

02:33 The Journey of Growth and Community Building

05:12 Mind-Body Awareness in Fitness Training

08:01 Leadership and Team Dynamics in Wellness

10:26 Hiring for Culture and Growth Mindset

11:55 Managing Energy and Nervous System in Leadership

13:14 Navigating Challenges in Staff Management

15:08 The Importance of Systems and Processes

16:44 Long-Term Growth and Resilience

18:43 Personal Health and Wellness Journey

20:27 Balancing Work and Personal Life

25:29 Listening to Our Bodies

26:58 The Mantra Method and Mindful Breathing

28:10 Building a Supportive Community

28:39 Team Dynamics and Accountability

29:42 Advice for Aspiring Business Owners

How Your Brain Reads Beauty Before You’re Aware of It

A conversation with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee on neuroaesthetics

In this episode of Embodied, Kathy Covington sits down with Dr. Anjan Chatterjee, neurologist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and founding director of the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, to explore how beauty, design, art, and environment shape the brain long before we’re consciously aware of it .

Recorded during the Global Wellness Summit in Dubai, this conversation dives deep into neuroaesthetics — the emerging science that explains how our brains continuously decode light, color, shape, texture, movement, and imagery as signals of safety, interest, calm, or activation.

Dr. Chatterjee shares how the field of neuroaesthetics emerged, why beauty was historically overlooked in neuroscience, and how research over the past decade has revealed that aesthetic experiences — including our engagement with art — are not superficial preferences, but central to how humans regulate emotion, stress, and meaning in everyday life .

Together, Kathy and Dr. Chatterjee explore the aesthetic triad — coherence, fascination, and hominess — and how these three elements determine whether a space or experience feels grounding, stimulating, or overwhelming. They discuss why rounded shapes often feel safer than sharp angles, why nature and biophilic design support nervous system regulation, and how thoughtfully designed environments can influence whether we feel at ease, energized, or on guard.

A key part of the conversation turns toward art and presence. Dr. Chatterjee explains how engaging with art can be a practice in awareness and self-discovery — not about knowing art history or “getting it right,” but about noticing sensory qualities, emotional responses, and personal associations. Kathy and Dr. Chatterjee unpack a simple three-step framework for experiencing art: focusing on sensory details, observing emotional responses, and allowing the mind to make meaning through association. This process, they explain, can help reduce stress, deepen presence, and reconnect people with themselves .

The episode also explores how beauty and art intersect with identity, safety, and meaning — and why aesthetic experiences often help us feel more like ourselves. Dr. Chatterjee reflects on how beauty can support healing in clinical settings, why images of nature tend to be calming in high-stress environments, and how biophilic and fractal patterns subtly activate the brain’s reward systems.

As the conversation widens, they examine how culture shapes aesthetic response, how modern environments create mismatches with what our brains evolved to handle, and why awareness of our surroundings — from light and noise to digital overload — is one of the most underused tools for wellbeing today.

The episode closes with a powerful invitation: to pause, pay attention, and begin designing life with intention rather than defaults — whether through spaces, movement, art, or everyday rituals.

In this episode we explore:

• What neuroaesthetics is and why the field has accelerated in recent years
• Why beauty is not a luxury, but part of human biology
• How the brain processes aesthetics before conscious awareness
• The aesthetic triad: coherence, fascination, and hominess
• Why safety and “feeling at home” matter to the nervous system
• How rounded shapes, light, and nature influence mood and stress
• The role of art in presence, self-awareness, and emotional regulation
• A simple framework for engaging with art without intimidation
• How aesthetic experiences connect to identity and meaning
• The difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic activation
• Why awareness of environment is foundational to living...

If you’ve ever looked at an organic label and wondered, Is it really worth it? — this conversation will open your eyes, sharpen your choices, and remind you that every bite is a chance to shape your health and your world.

In this episode of Embodied, Kathy Covington sits down with Joseph Stern, one of the pioneers who helped build the organic food movement from the ground up. Together, they unpack the truth behind the word organic — how it began, what it really means today, and why our choices in the grocery aisle matter more than we think.

Joseph shares his extraordinary 50-year journey — from hand-tilling virgin soil in the 1970s to sourcing organic ingredients from over 60 countries. Along the way, he reveals how the organic movement became a global force for health, integrity, and environmental healing — and where it’s heading next.

You’ll discover:

• The real meaning behind the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) — and why that label actually matters

• How to spot the difference between marketing buzzwords and true organic integrity

• Why organic farming restores soil health and helps reverse climate change

• The truth about GMOs, pesticides, and “natural” foods

• What foods are worth buying organic — and where you can safely save

• How conscious eating connects your body, your values, and the planet

If you’ve ever looked at an organic label and wondered, Is it really worth it? — this conversation will open your eyes, sharpen your choices, and remind you that every bite is a chance to shape your health and your world.

In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, Kathy Covington sits down with Benjamin Forest, a retired military officer turned author, healer, and advocate for psychedelic therapy. After 25 years of service and decades of treatment-resistant depression, Benjamin found a profound sense of healing and purpose through a guided psilocybin journey — an experience that inspired his book Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living.

Together, Kathy and Benjamin explore the intersection of trauma, spirituality, and transformation. They unpack what it means to truly surrender, to heal in community, and to live your elixir — integrating the lessons of profound experiences into everyday life.

This episode isn’t just about psychedelics — it’s about awakening, courage, and embodiment. Whether or not these medicines are part of your path, the principles Benjamin shares — from self-love and creativity to radical honesty — are timeless tools for a more conscious and connected life.

In This Episode

The military to mystic: how trauma led Benjamin to the path of healing

Why psilocybin became his emotional “reset” and the medicine that changed everything

The 10 principles of psychedelia — and how they apply to everyday life

The power of surrender and what it means to truly let go

Healing through community and connection (and the loneliness epidemic)

Living your elixir — how to bring the wisdom of big experiences into your daily existence

Why creativity and play are sacred acts of integration.

Guest Links

Benjamin Forest

Website: www.benjaminforest.com

Instagram: @benjamin.forest.bliss

Book: Trip of a Lifetime: The Psychedelic Guide to Healing, Loving, and Living - on Amazon

Favorite Quote

“Psychedelics didn’t change me — they revealed me.” — Benjamin Forest

Connect with Kathy

Website: www.kathycovington.com

Instagram: @embodiedwithKathyCovington

Subscribe & share Embodied with someone ready to live more fully body, mind, and spirit.

Kathy Covington shares how heartbreak led her to solo travel and self-discovery. She reflects on her week at the Esalen Institute with Amy Chan’s Breakup Bootcamp, the healing power of community, and the deeper meaning of traveling alone.

Heartbreak can be a catalyst for growth. Kathy discusses lessons from Breakup Bootcamp, community healing, and attachment theory. She explains how solo travel is not about being alone, but about realizing you are enough, and offers practical wisdom on traveling with safety, budgeting, connection, and openness.

“Solo travel isn’t about being alone—it’s about learning you are enough.”

“Healing is not just time—it’s about rewiring.”

“Bravery is born in the act itself. You don’t feel ready before you go—you feel ready because you went.”

Trust your intuition when choosing destinations. Budget realistically and plan ahead. Prioritize safety with reviews and connectivity. Lean on your network and communities. Leave space for spontaneity.

In this episode of Embodied with Kathy Covington, I sit down with Danielle Wallace, a longtime member of the Mantra Fitness family whose path from client to trainer to manager—and now area leader—embodies what transformation truly looks like. Danielle shares her personal evolution, the challenges and triumphs of leadership, and how she balances her roles as a mother, entrepreneur, and community builder.

Her story is one of grit, growth, and inspiration—a reminder that leadership isn’t about a title, it’s about how you show up for yourself and others. Whether you’re building a career, raising a family, or seeking deeper alignment in your own life, this conversation will spark reflection and remind you of what’s possible when you commit to your path.

In this conversation, Isabelle shares her journey as an entrepreneur and the owner of Isabelle's Boutique, discussing the importance of balancing fitness and business. She emphasizes the significance of planning, time management, and creating a comfortable shopping experience for clients. The discussion also covers personalized styling, packing tips for travel, and the joy of helping women feel confident through fashion. Isabelle highlights the importance of tailoring and the impact of the Mantra method on mental well-being, concluding with insights on the joy of entrepreneurship and the passion for helping others.

Takeaways

• Planning is essential for balancing business and fitness.
• Creating a comfortable shopping experience is key.
• Personalized styling helps clients feel confident.
• Packing smartly can simplify travel.
• Time management tools can enhance productivity.
• Building a community around your business is important.
• Tailoring can transform your wardrobe essentials.
• Fashion should be about feeling good and confident.
• The Mantra method focuses on mental well-being.
• Entrepreneurship should be driven by passion.

Visit the following websites to get more information about today’s podcast

https://www.isabelsarasota.co/

https://www.instagram.com/isabelsarasotaa/

https://www.instagram.com/mantra_fitness/

http://www.mantrafitness.com/

In this episode of the Kathy Covington podcast, Rebecca Paris shares her inspiring journey of transformation through Mantra Fitness and The Mantra Method. As a massage therapist and healer, Rebecca discusses how her physical, mental, and emotional health has improved significantly in just three months. She highlights the importance of community support, the holistic approach of the Mantra method, and how it has positively impacted her relationships and overall wellbeing. This conversation serves as a reminder that true transformation encompasses more than just physical changes; it involves a deeper connection to oneself and to others. Transformation can happen at any age in life.

To start your own personal transformation and book class visit:

https://mantrafitness.com/

For the latest news follow:

https://www.instagram.com/embodiedwithkathycovington/

https://www.youtube.com/@EmbodiedWithKathyCovington