From Surviving to Thriving: 

Resilient Entrepreneurs Share Their Stories

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains candid discussion of mental illness, suicidal ideation, and emotional trauma. Please listen with care and step away if you need to. Resources and support are available in the episode description.This week on Bare & Brutal, I sit down with Ally Loyns, certified peer supporter and advocate for mental health awareness, to challenge the dangerous misconceptions around Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) — and what it actually means to live, feel, and thrive with this diagnosis.If you Google “BPD life expectancy,” the internet paints a bleak picture. But Ally? She’s living proof that the story doesn’t have to end at 27.We talk about:The horrifying narrative surrounding BPD and suicide ratesWhy shame, stigma, and silence keep us from seeking supportThe role of community, creativity, and advocacy in healingWhat recovery actually looks like when you’re ready to feel againWhether you live with BPD or love s

TW: Abuse, Trauma, Justice SystemThis conversation contains discussions around emotional and psychological abuse, patterns of manipulation, and systemic injustice toward survivors. We encourage you to prioritize your mental well-being and pause if needed.This week on Bare and Brutal, Michelle sits down with Noelle Cope, writer and founder of Notes from the In-Between, to talk about what survivor advocacy really looks like. Noelle shares her story and unpacks the complexity of abusive dynamics—like future faking, financial manipulation, and emotional coercion—that the justice system still doesn’t know how to hold.They explore what it means to be believed, how creative outlets support healing, and how first-gen survivors often carry the weight of both survival and visibility.If you’re a first-gen founder or creative trying to build something powerful while healing from something painful, this episode will speak directly to you.FOLLOW NOELLE COPE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

What if the key to healing your deepest wounds was already within you—just waiting for you to breathe?This week on Bare & Brutal, breathwork coach and trauma survivor Robyn Gutierrez shares how her journey through domestic violence and emotional pain led her to discover the transformative power of breath.We explore self-love, nervous system healing, inner child work, and how science-backed somatic practices can unlock clarity, peace, and purpose.FOLLOW ROBYN: ⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠FOLLOW THE BARE AND BRUTAL PODCAST: ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠BUSINESS INQUIRIES: bareandbrutalpodcast@gmail.com