In this episode of Reinvent Yourself, Lesley Jane Seymour engages in an inspiring conversation with Dr. Priyanka Venugoipal, a board-certified OBGYN turned stress and health coach for professional working moms. After years of fulfilling her role in medicine, Venugoipal realized it was time to pivot towards life coaching, a transformative journey that not only helped her lose weight but also redefined her purpose. She shares her personal struggles with weight gain during her medical career and the pivotal moment that led her to discover the power of coaching. Listeners will learn about the intricate connection between stress, hormones, and weight management, along with practical strategies for overcoming the challenges of perfectionism and self-criticism.

About the Guest:

Priyanka Venugopal is a board certified ObGyn physician turned Stress and Health coach for professional working moms. Priyanka is the host of The Burn Stress, Lose Weight Podcast and founder of The Unstoppable Mom Group, an intimate small group coaching program, where she has cultivated a holistic experience for professional working moms who want to experience a change from the inside out.

Connect:

Website

Instagram

Connect with Lesley Jane Seymour:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Substack

If you found this episode insightful, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join me on Substack. Until next time, keep reinventing!

“Living with intention and having something that you’re working towards is crucial,” says Palak Dave, founder of In the Room (formerly Emberia), a sanctuary for women seeking to elevate their lives through meaningful connections. With a background in marketing and extensive experience hosting over 300 curated events, she emphasizes the importance of community and the health benefits of coming together, especially in a post-pandemic world. In this conversation with CoveyClub founder Lesley Jane Seymour, Dave shares her journey from corporate marketing to creating spaces that foster genuine connections among women, urging listeners to prioritize real-life experiences over digital distractions. Discover how to navigate the challenges of building community, the power of intentional living, and the significance of investing in oneself.

About the Guest:

Formerly an award-winning marketer with senior-level positions at companies including the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Indigo Books and Music Inc., Palak embarked on a new journey in 2017, founding Embiria, a sanctuary for women who want to elevate their life. Through Embiria, she inspires a shift away from digital distractions toward embracing the beauty of the present moment. With having hosted over 300 curated events, Palak champions intentional living, urging us to prioritize real-life experiences and connection over digital noise.

Connect:

Website

Instagram

Connect with Lesley Jane Seymour:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Substack

If you found this episode insightful, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join me on Substack. Until next time, keep reinventing!

"I learned about who my mother is by tracking down the plastic surgeon who killed [her]." In this episode, Lesley Jane Seymour talks with Susan Lieu, Vietnamese American author and performer, about her journey from corporate life to the creative stage. After losing her mother young, Lieu pursued success in academia and international development—until she found her calling in storytelling. Through her memoir The Manicurist’s Daughterand solo show 140lbs: How Beauty Killed My Mother, she explores identity, intergenerational trauma, and healing. With warmth and humor, Lieu shares how to reinvent yourself with reflection, community, and bold action.

About the Guest:

Susan Lieu is a Vietnamese-American author, playwright, and performer who tells stories that refuse to be forgotten. Her solo show "140 LBS: How Beauty Killed My Mother” evolved into her memoir, The Manicurist’s Daughter (Celadon), which has been featured in The New York Times, NPR Books, Elle Magazine, LA Times, and The Washington Post.

Connect:

Website

Instagram

Connect with Lesley Jane Seymour:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Substack

If you found this episode insightful, please follow the podcast and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. For more resources and community support, join me on Substack. Until next time, keep reinventing!