In this episode of Un-Shuck Yourself, I talk about something I didn’t plan on learning the hard way — the real cost of ignoring your health.

After dealing with a lingering sickness for over a month, I was forced to slow down and confront how physical health, mental health, and overall capacity are deeply connected. When your body isn’t well, it doesn’t just affect you — it ripples into your work, your relationships, and the way you show up in the world.

This episode is a reminder that health isn’t a side priority or something you “get to later.” It’s the foundation everything else is built on. We talk about burnout, pushing through exhaustion, redefining strength, and why listening to your body before it breaks is one of the most important forms of self-respect.

If you’ve been running on empty, ignoring the signals, or telling yourself you’ll slow down “after this season,” this one’s for you.

Because you don’t rise to your ambitions —
you fall to the level of your health.

Un-Shuck Yourself.

December is more than a holiday — it’s a teacher.
In this finale, Ben DeLeon wraps up the December series by breaking down the real lessons of the season: slowing down, appreciating small moments, choosing presence over perfection, and carrying light into the new year.
If you’re ready for a meaningful transition into January, this episode is the perfect finish.

December looks magical on the outside — but for many people, it’s also heavy.
In this episode, Ben DeLeon talks about the pressure, expectations, grief, and emotional weight we quietly carry during the holidays, and how to lighten it without losing the meaning of the season.
If the holidays feel complicated this year, this episode will help you breathe again.