Not Alone

This episode is brought to you by Eight Sleep, the leader in sleep fit technology. Their award-winning Pod 5 sleep system helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed by automatically adjusting to your ideal temperature, elevation, and sound throughout the night. Upgrade your rest and your recovery: use code VALERIA for $350 off at http://eightsleep.com/valeria  In this insightful and inspiring episode, Valeria sits down with Alex Zatarain, co-founder of Eight Sleep, to discuss how she’s transforming the way we think about rest, recovery, and performance. Alex shares the story of building one of the most innovative sleep technology companies in the world, from identifying the gap in the market to creating the Pod - a smart mattress designed to personalize and optimize your sleep. Together, they explore the science behind quality rest, the connection between sleep and mental health, and how technology can help us live longer, healthier lives. Alex also opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, balancing ambition with self-care, and the habits that keep her grounded. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone who wants to sleep better, this episode offers actionable takeaways and a behind-the-scenes look at a brand changing the future of sleep. Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/2101362?tab=collections   📱Follow Alex & Eight Sleep  Instagram: @alexzatarainj https://www.instagram.com/alexzatarainj/?hl=en  Eight Sleep: https://www.instagram.com/eightsleep/?hl=en  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrazatarain/?locale=en_US X / Twitter: https://x.com/a_zatarain Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:35 - Valeria Recap Toronto Team Retreat  2:54 - Introducing Alexandra Zatarain 5:43 - Start of Interview 6:35 - Growing up in Mexico 7:18 - Learning what opportunity really means 12:22 - The college assignment that changed the game 14:04 - Meeting her husband and future co-founder 15:37 - Opening her world to tech in the “Silicon Alley” 18:32 - Working with her husband 21:08 - Trying to building something in 3D printing 22:15 - Coming up with the idea of Eight Sleep  25:30 - Leaving her job and forming the company 27:00 - How the technology works 30:55 - Temperature is crucial for good sleep 32:06 - Changing the conversation on sleep 34:09 - Sleep Fitness 38:20 - Mitigating women’s sleep issues 41:37 - Keeping it simple with sleep products 43:10 - Being a female Latina founder 46:51 - Building a company with her husband 49:58 - Valeria triggering people with Gary work dynamic 51:41 - “The team you build is the company you build” 52:32 - Balance and keeping herself in check 58:20 - Alexandra’s book recommendation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode, Valeria sits down with Natasha Oakley and Devin Brugman, best friends and co-founders of Monday Swimwear, for an honest and energizing conversation about building a business, growing through friendship, and redefining leadership. Natasha and Devin open up about the rare bond that has held them together for over a decade, one built on unwavering trust, shared values, and deep emotional loyalty. They reveal how they’ve come to trust each other even more than their romantic partners, and why that unshakable connection is the foundation for everything they’ve built. The trio also explores how they launched a globally recognized brand without formal fashion training, what it means to lead as women, manage teams with heart, and stay grounded while scaling a company. From navigating dating in your 30s and freezing eggs to staying obsessed with work and each other, this episode is a love letter to ambition, authenticity, and choosing the people who lift you higher. Follow Tash: https://www.instagram.com/tashoakley/  Follow Devin: https://www.instagram.com/devinbrugman/  Follow Monday Swimwear: https://www.instagram.com/mondayswimwear/   Shop Monday Swimwear: https://mondayswimwear.com/  Book Recommendations:  Excessively Obsessed by Tash Oakley https://a.co/d/aski91P  The Power of Now by Ekchart Tolle https://a.co/d/8DeuoAV  Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan https://a.co/d/2ZiptCN  Good Morning, Monster by Catherine Gildiner https://a.co/d/3ud8vUW  Attached by  Amir Levine and Rachel Heller https://a.co/d/ivLtVkS  Only Love Is Real: A Story of Soulmates Reunited by Dr. Brian Weiss https://a.co/d/4nVFYrT The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan https://a.co/d/4LEoWHX The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett https://a.co/d/iS1jwER Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1898265  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  01:00: Swim Week in Miami04:00: How Tash and Devin first met 07:00: Building a business on friendship and trust 12:00: The secret to their communication style 14:00: Managing team dynamics with empathy 20:00: The Bikini A Day origin story 24:00: Designing swimwear that actually fits 31:00: Choosing partners 34:00: How Monday Swimwear became the standard 38:00: Dating in your 30s with clarity 41:00: Freezing eggs and taking the pressure off 47:00: Opening a store and staying playful 51:30: Wellness habits that keep them grounded 54:00: Advice for aspiring influencers 56:00: Running a brand that lasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by CLEARSTEM! If you’re looking for skincare that’s both anti-acne and anti-aging, CLEARSTEM has you covered. Their science-backed formulas help you achieve clear, glowing skin without pore-clogging ingredients. And we have a special deal for you get 15% off your order when you visit https://www.clearstem.com/valeria and use the code VALERIA at checkout! In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with entrepreneur, investor, and best-selling author Kim Perell to talk about the failures, risks, and mindset shifts that helped her build a multimillion-dollar business empire. Kim opens up about losing everything in her 20s and the lessons that came from hitting rock bottom. They go deep on the pressures to prove yourself, how to tune out the noise, trust your gut, and why your biggest mistakes might be your greatest assets. If you’ve ever questioned your path, feared failure, or felt alone in the hustle - this episode will remind you that success often starts where the plan falls apart.  Shop my looks from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1952399  https://shopmy.us/collections/1983683  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  📘 Kim's New Book Pre-Order 👉 KimPerell.com/mistakes Her new book Mistakes That Made Me a Millionaire is available now for pre-order — and comes with $300 in free bonuses, including her Fast Action Millionaire Playbook to go alongside the book! 🎟 Upcoming Event: Meet Kim in Vegas at Entrepreneur's Level Up Event! Attendees will have the opportunity to pitch their business live to investors and industry leaders. 👉 https://entrepreneurlevelup.com/get-your-tickets  🌐 Website: KimPerell.com 📱 Social Media Instagram: @KimPerell Facebook: facebook.com/KimPerell LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/KimPerell TikTok: @KimPerell X / Twitter: @KimPerell What we talked about:  0:35 - Valeria’s Story about her son, Benjamin 4:38 - Introducing Kim Perell 5:48 - Why failure is a necessary part of success 7:28 - Parents normalizing failure 9:35 - Getting laid off at 23 and hitting rock bottom 12:40 - Clearstem Ad 16:08 - Valeria on losing herself in ambition and external pressure17:01 - Building her business from the kitchen with no money 19:37 - “No one is successful alone” 20:54 - Why asking for help is necessary 22:52 - “Let’s have coffee”24:02 - Selling her first business 26:32 - You don’t know what’s possible unless you try 28:12 - The $235-million-dollar sale 30:11 - Nobody knows what they’re doing 33:15 - Lessons in leadership from building multiple companies37:49 - The power of being underestimated  41:14 - Why you need to start small and start now 45:11 - Kim’s advice for entrepreneurs 48:08 - Going for the “no” 49:28 - Finding balance at home 53:35 - 100.co  54:58 - Creators and founders using AI 57:26 - How to be an industry disruptor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by CLEARSTEM! If you’re looking for skincare that’s both anti-acne and anti-aging, CLEARSTEM has you covered. Their science-backed formulas help you achieve clear, glowing skin without pore-clogging ingredients. And we have a special deal for you—get 15% off your order when you visit https://www.clearstem.com/valeria and use the code VALERIA at checkout! In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with wellness expert, author, and content creator Aggie Lal for a refreshingly honest conversation about the current state of modern health culture for women, and what it really means to feel well in today’s world. Aggie shares her personal journey from rigid routines, veganism, and biohacking for good labs to finding balance by reconnecting with her intuition, hormones, and overall purpose. Together, she and Valeria dive deep into the pressure to be “healthy” at the expense of joy, the shame around beauty choices like Botox, and why women are often left out of mainstream health narratives. Plus, a powerful discussion on how to separate your roles from your identity - so you can thrive, not just survive. Whether you’re burnt out by wellness trends or looking to redefine your relationship with health and womanhood, this episode is a must-listen. Follow Aggie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aggie Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  Shop my looks from this episode: intro/ads: https://shopmy.us/collections/1952399  aggie: https://shopmy.us/collections/1983674  What we talked about:  0:55 - Valeria’s Family trip to Spain 3:29 - Introducing Aggie Lal 5:40 - Aggie’s First Impressions of Valeria 7:13 - The World of Biohacking 9:35 - Being Vegan 10:30 - Body Trends 11:59 - Clearstem Ad 13:50 - Pillars of Biohacking  15:25 - What is Different for Females 18:00 - Aggie’s Favorite Health Rituals 19:08 - Hypnotheray  23:45 - 4 Pillars of Health 24:10 - The Importance of Purpose 27:20 - Valeria’s POV on Motherhood 29:55 - The Role of Mothers 31:57 - Best Methods of Recovery 38:04 - Ways to Connect with your Partner 40:32 - Pushing the Definition of Wellness 42:33 - Health Habits that Don’t Work 45:52 - Aggie’s Pregnancy 49:15 - Everything Women Must Juggle 51:30 - The Importance of Rest 53:50 - The Beauty of Feeling Free 56:25 - What’s Next for Aggie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down with journalist, content creator, and “queen of questions” Danielle Robay for a thought-provoking conversation about identity, ambition, and the pressure to have it all figured out. Together, they unpack what it means to chase your dreams, navigate career pivots, and show up authentically - both professionally & personally. From quitting her “dream job” to manifesting a show at Hello Sunshine, Danielle opens up about what it took to get where she is today & her super power - asking good questions! She shares stories about her childhood dinner table, dating in the modern world, and freezing her eggs. Together, she and Valeria explore the fear of not living up to your potential, the vulnerability of putting yourself first, and the courage it takes to say ‘I don’t know.’  Danielle is the host and co-executive producer (alongside Reese Witherspoon) of ‘Bookmarked’ from Hello Sunshine, the podcast ‘Question Everything,’ and E!’s ‘While You Were Streaming.’  Follow Danielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellerobay/  Follow Danielle on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daniellerobay  Subscribe to Danielle’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/question-everything/id1550883345  Shop the QUESTION EVERYTHING Card Game: https://questioneverythingshop.com/collections/shop Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1972268https://shopmy.us/collections/1972338 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  0:40 Valeria’s Realization 2:35 Introducing Danielle Robay 5:43 Interview Begins 6:28 Why the Beginning of Podcasts are Awkward 7:00 Valeria’s Mom’s Resilience 8:01 How to Successfully Manifest 9:02 Danielle Manifesting a Job at E! & Hello Sunshine 11:30 How Valeria Manifested Her Career 17:45 Feeling Embarassed on the Internet 18:55 Living Up to Your Potential 22:56 Gary Predicting Their Career 25:07 The Power of Being Selfish  26:50 The Big Piece of Chicken 29:49 Danielle’s Career & the Power of Questions 35:40 The Importance of Being in the Room 37:55 Not Asking for Advice & Not Going to Therapy  40:00 Danielle’s Love Life & Going Deep 43:27 Courage is a Big Word 44:38 Danielle’s Egg Freezing Journey 47:55 Pros & Cons of Being a Young Mom  50:33 The Part of Feminism We’re Still Figuring Out 51:19 Do Married Couples Still Have Sex? 55:30 Why Gary Triggers Women 57:49 The Message vs The Delivery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week’s very special 100th episode of Not Alone, Valeria sits down for a powerful and deeply honest conversation with writer and creator, Heidi Clements. Known for her unfiltered storytelling and viral presence online, Heidi opens up about aging, sobriety, 25 years without sex, surviving trauma, and what it means to live life on her own terms. The two explore the emotional realities behind choosing a nontraditional path, including living single, redefining intimacy, and navigating the invisibility many women feel after 50. They discuss how society conditions women to seek validation, how the male gaze has shaped generations, and why self-approval is the ultimate freedom. With humor, heart, and vulnerability, this episode is a candid look at healing, wholeness, and the courage to tell your story out loud. Follow Heidi: https://www.instagram.com/welcometoheidi/  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1909988  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  00:00 Not Alone’s 100th Episode! 00:14 The Humbling Journey of Podcasting 01:38 Overcoming Perfectionism and COVID Challenges 02:28 The Birth of 'Not Alone' 02:58 Finding My Groove in Podcasting 04:07 Introducing Heidi Clements 06:12 Heidi's Journey to Internet Fame 07:43 Navigating Social Media and Personal Growth 13:11 The Impact of Sobriety and Personal Trauma 16:06 Empowering Women and Challenging the Patriarchy 20:07 Generational Shifts and Future Hopes 36:00 Gen X and Menopause: A New Conversation 37:02 Cultural Silence and Women's Health 38:52 Living Shamelessly and Embracing Authenticity 41:57 Intimacy and Sobriety: A Personal Journey 45:43 Redefining Intimacy and Relationships 52:47 The Evolution of Self-Love and Acceptance 01:01:47 Visibility and Aging: Embracing Change 01:05:07 Final Thoughts and Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m back for another solo episode! In this one, I’m catching you up on everything: life lately, parenting epiphanies, personal shifts, and a few hot takes I had to get off my chest. From summer travel plans and raising pre-teens to why I’m not falling for every wellness trend online, this one's a mix of honest reflections and playful rants (yes, we’re talking about fantasy books, healing culture, and capri pants). I also open up about feeling disconnected from social media, the emotional weight of parenting older kids, and the importance of building real community. If you’re navigating your own in-between season or need some camaraderie in the messy, beautiful chaos of life, this one's for you. Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1825890  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What I talked about:  00:26 Life Updates 01:32 Puppy Adventures and Parenting Reflections 03:08 Navigating Parenting Challenges 13:30 Father's Day Reflections 15:47 Summer Plans and Travel Excitement 19:40 Social Media Presence and Personal Growth 21:45 Rediscovering Myself 22:03 Current Projects and Redirections 23:07 Book Recommendations and Reading Journey 24:39 Motherhood and Community 25:18 Propaganda I’m NOT Falling For  25:54 Supplements and Personalized Health 30:05 I read ACOTAR… 31:45 50/50 Relationships and Equity 32:55 Political Views and Social Media 34:20 Fashion and Overdressing 37:02 Healing and Self-Improvement 40:10 Contradictions and Personal Growth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is brought to you by Natural Cycles: The company changing the contraception game with the world’s first FDA-cleared birth control app. Whether you're looking to prevent pregnancy or plan for it, the Natural Cycles app offers a non-hormonal, non-invasive alternative to traditional birth control. Right now, you can get 15% off an annual subscription plus a free Bluetooth thermometer when you visit https://www.naturalcycles.com and use promo code VALERIA at checkout. Natural Cycles is for 18+ and does not protect against STIs. Always read and follow the instructions for use. In this episode, Valeria sits down with digital pioneer, designer, and mom of two Aimee Song for an intimate and honest conversation about identity, motherhood, and the evolution of personal ambition. Aimee opens up about building her career before the influencer industry even existed, the highs and hidden lows of success, and why her definition of fulfillment has completely shifted in recent years. They talk postpartum depression, therapy breakthroughs, creative burnout, and the magic of slowing down to reconnect with what really matters. Aimee also shares what inspired her return to interior design and the intention behind her new fashion brand, Amiya. It's a raw, funny, and deeply personal look at what happens when you let go of the hustle and finally come home to yourself. Follow Aimee: https://www.instagram.com/aimeesong/  Shop Lulu + Georgia Collab: http://bit.ly/43PbQUQ  Shop Amiya: http://bit.ly/3HOWRl8  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1811792  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  00:55 Navigating Early Career Challenges 01:48 Reflecting on Industry Changes 05:52 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 08:12 Therapy and Self-Discovery 15:54 The Hoffman Process 24:18 Redefining Success and Happiness 35:26 Diving into New Ventures 35:46 Reflecting on Career Choices 37:05 The Importance of a Strong Foundation 38:32 Embracing Cringe Moments 39:06 Returning to Interior Design 40:31 Feng Shui and Home Harmony 47:04 Launching a New Brand: Amiya 56:19 Lessons from Motherhood 59:12 Embracing Aging and Redefining Milestones 01:04:28 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Valeria sits down with Stefanie Broes, the co-founder of Moonbird, for a refreshing conversation about something we all need more of: calm. They explore how breathwork can help us manage stress, sleep better, and feel more grounded in our daily lives. Stefanie opens up about her own journey, from battling burnout during her PhD to discovering the power of the breath as a healing tool. They unpack the science in a super accessible way, talk through the differences between breathwork and meditation, and share simple ways to bring these practices into your routine. Plus, Stefanie gives us a look into Moonbird’s mission and why she believes teaching breathwork to kids and adults alike could change lives. This episode is brought to you by moonbird: Tired of stress hijacking your day or struggling to fall asleep at night? Meet moonbird, your handheld breathing coach, designed to help you slow down and reconnect with your breath. Born from personal need and backed by science, moonbird merges biometric intelligence with guided breathwork to help you calm your mind, ease anxiety, and sleep better. It gently expands and contracts in your hand, guiding your breathing rhythm in real time — no screens, no noise, just you and your breath. Go to moonbird.life/VALERIA and use code VALERIA for $25 off. Follow Stefanie: https://www.instagram.com/stefaniebroes/  Follow moonbird: https://www.instagram.com/moonbird.life/  Shop moonbird: https://www.moonbird.life/VALERIA  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1791757  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What we talked about:  00:00 Intro 01:11 Discovering Breathwork: A Personal Journey 02:52 The Science Behind Breathwork and Meditation 04:41 Practical Applications and Benefits of Breathwork 10:09 The Nervous System and Stress Response 18:18 The Importance of Sleep and Personal Well-being 19:55 Heart Rate Variability and Breathwork 22:35 Guided Breathwork Exercise 25:49 Balancing Health and Wellness Practices 27:00 Exploring Women's Unique Health Challenges 29:02 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction 30:58 The Impact of Shallow Breathing and Modern Posture 31:26 Proper Breathing Techniques 36:10 Incorporating Breath Work into Daily Life 46:40 Breathwork and Digestion 50:05 A Personal Story and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today’s episode, Valeria sits down with powerhouse content creator Rebecca Zamolo. Rebecca discusses her journey to 18.9 million YouTube Subscribers, 18 million TikTok followers, and over 8 billion views: from pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles to becoming a predominant figure in the family-friendly content space.  Rebecca opens up about her struggles with ulcerative colitis, enduring surgeries, and how these experiences led her to start her YouTube channel. She shares her strategies for creating engaging content, the importance of authenticity, and how she balances her career with motherhood. Rebecca also talks about her IVF journey, the challenges of working with a surrogate for her second child, and her new supplement brand Molo aimed at supporting women's fertility. This candid conversation highlights Rebecca's resilience, her commitment to empowering women, and her vision for the future. Follow Rebecca: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccazamolo/  https://www.youtube.com/@rebeccazamolo  https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccazamolo  Shop Molo Fertility: https://bit.ly/3FOMZXY  Shop my look from this episode: https://shopmy.us/collections/1780505  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/valerialipovetsky/  What We talked About: 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 01:36 Health Struggles and Career Shift 04:00 Building a YouTube Empire 08:21 Navigating Family and Content Creation 10:35 Balancing Family Life and YouTube 28:03 The Role of a Nurturer 29:19 Parenting Challenges and Emotional Growth 35:54 Balancing Work and Motherhood 36:38 Sharing Miscarriage & Fertility Struggles Publicly  40:07 The IVF Journey 43:11 Creating Molo: A Mission to Help Women 49:27 The Surrogacy Experience 51:44 Daily Practices and Personal Growth 54:20 Hopes for the Future Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices