The Brave Table with Dr. Neeta Bhushan

Are you afraid of “bulking up”? Do you think lifting heavy will make you look masculine? Or maybe you’re exhausted… and can’t imagine adding one more thing to your plate?
In this week’s Brave Table conversation, I sit down with strength expert Holly Perkins to unpack a truth most women have never been taught:
With every passing birthday… you are losing muscle.
If you’ve ever said:
“I’m already tired.”
“I don’t want to get bulky.”
“I just want to feel strong again.”
This episode is your wake-up call. Because muscle isn’t about aesthetics; it’s medicine.

What you'll get out of this episode… 
Why strength training is NOT about bulking

The hidden reason you’re feeling fatigued

How muscle optimizes testosterone and estradiol naturally

The truth about inflammation and nervous system health

Why cardio and Pilates alone won’t get you there

The specific protocol women 30+ should follow

How strength training may even delay menopause

The surprising connection between muscle and visceral belly fat

Connect with Holly
FREE 3-day Workshop “Muscle for Life” / https://www.hollyperkins.com/bravetable 
IG / https://www.instagram.com/hollyperkins 
The Holly Perkins Health Podcast / https://www.hollyperkins.com/podcast 
BOOK / https://www.amazon.com/Womens-Health-Lift-Get-Lean/dp/1623364787 

This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics
🌸 This Women’s History Month, celebrate your circle with the gift of ritual — buy 2 Chai Tonics and get 1 free. Spread the love, share the pause, and sip slow together at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics.
Discover which chai blend matches your vibe with my FREE quiz:⁠ https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz 

Breathe better with JASPR
🌿 Spring cleaning starts with your air. Protect your home with JASPR and get $400 off with code BRAVE at https://jaspr.co/brave, because caring for your people begins with the space that holds them. 

Support your body with REJŪV
My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan 
IG / @thebravetable 
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

If you loved this episode, check out…
Ep. #375: Perimenopause: The Hormonal Rollercoaster We Don’t Talk About Enough with Dr. Mariza Snyder: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/375-perimenopause-the-hormonal-rollercoaster-we-dont/id1608226580?i=1000733702697 
Ep. #381: Your Body Already Knows How to Heal – The Ancient Wisdom We Forgot with Nidhi Pandya: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/381-your-body-already-knows-how-to-heal-the-ancient/id1608226580?i=1000737097354 
Ep. #393: The 6 Most Powerful Health Shifts You Must Embrace in 2026: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/393-6-health-myths-were-finallyletting-go-of-in-2026/id1608226580?i=1000743062229 

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [email protected] 😘

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.

What if the people we fall in love with… aren’t random at all?
In this deeply honest and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with relationship coach, author, and my dear friend Stefanos Sifandos to explore the hidden forces shaping our attraction, intimacy, and emotional safety.
We talk about trauma patterns, nervous-system conditioning, modern masculinity, and why so many of us feel chemistry… but not true connection.
Because the truth is, until we heal what’s unresolved within us, we often recreate the very pain we’re trying to escape. This episode is an invitation to move from survival in love to sacred, conscious intimacy.

What you'll get out of this episode… 
Why love activates your nervous system

How childhood trauma shapes adult attraction

Why do we repeat painful relationship patterns

Rites of passage, parenting, and emotional maturity

The quiet crisis of modern masculinity

Why couples lose connection after kids

Connect with Stefanos
BOOK “Tuned In and Turned On” / http://tunedinandturnedonbook.com 
IG / https://www.instagram.com/stefanossifandos 
YT / https://www.youtube.com/@stefanosssifandos 
WEB / https://stefanossifandos.com 
WEB / http://coachwithstef.com 

This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics
This Galentine’s, give the gift of ritual with Chai Tonics — nourishing Ayurvedic superfood chai blends for calm, focus, and a nervous-system exhale. Get 20% off with code VALENTINE at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics.
Discover which chai blend matches your vibe with my FREE quiz:⁠ https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz 

Breathe better with JASPR
If you’re ready to support your healing from the inside out, start with the air you breathe. Try the JASPR Air Scrubber for a cleaner, safer home environment — get $400 off with code BRAVE at https://jaspr.co/brave.

Support your body with REJŪV
My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan 
IG / @thebravetable 
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

If you loved this episode, check out…
Ep #73: Why People Cheat, Calling In Your Partner, and Healing Through Relationships with Stefanos Sifandos: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-why-people-cheat-calling-in-your-partner-and/id1608226580?i=1000579909346 
Ep. #296: Healing, Reinvention & Finding Love with Christine Hassler: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/296-healing-reinvention-finding-love-with-christine/id1608226580?i=1000685001637 
Ep #337: Is It Love or Addiction? Why We Fall for People Who Recreate Our Wounds with Dr. Sarah Alsawy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/337-is-it-love-or-addiction-why-we-fall-for-people/id1608226580?i=1000713100593 

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [email protected] 😘

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.

What if the weight you’re carrying isn’t just physical… but emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal?
In this Brave Table conversation, I sit down with the fiercely honest Nikita Phulwani. She’s an entrepreneur, creator, and founder of Mumkin, who lost 53 kilograms yet discovered the real transformation had nothing to do with the scale.
Together, we explore body image, trauma, boundaries, feminine energy, addiction to food and approval, and what it truly means to choose yourself. Because this episode isn’t about weight loss; it’s about self-respect, identity, and radical reinvention.
If you’ve ever struggled with your reflection, your habits, or your worth, this conversation is for you.

What you'll get out of this episode… 
Why weight gain can be emotional baggage, not just food

The mindset shift that helped Nikita lose 53kg in 13 months

How people-pleasing, rejection, and loneliness show up in the body

Why self-respect is deeper than beauty rituals

The power of community, environment, and daily discipline in transformation

How to heal your relationship with food, sleep, and self-worth

What true feminine energy and self-trust actually look like

Connect with Nikita 
IG / https://www.instagram.com/niggiphulwani
YT / https://www.youtube.com/@Niggiphulwani 
WEB / https://www.wemakeitmumkin.com 
IG / https://www.instagram.com/wemakeitmumkin 

This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics
This Galentine’s, give the gift of ritual with Chai Tonics — nourishing Ayurvedic superfood chai blends for calm, focus, and a nervous-system exhale. Get 20% off with code VALENTINE at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics.
Discover which chai blend matches your vibe with my FREE quiz:⁠ https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz 

Breathe better with JASPR
If you’re ready to support your healing from the inside out, start with the air you breathe. Try the JASPR Air Scrubber for a cleaner, safer home environment — get $400 off with code BRAVE at https://jaspr.co/brave.

Support your body with REJŪV
My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan 
IG / @thebravetable 
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

If you loved this episode, check out…
Ep. #398: Who You Must Become in 2026 to Manifest the Life You Want (5 Identity Shifts): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/398-who-you-must-become-in-2026-to-manifest-the-life/id1608226580?i=1000745142398 
Ep. #367: Feminine Embodiment: The Healing Practice Every Woman Needs Right Now with Amy Natalie: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/367-feminine-embodiment-the-healing-practice-every/id1608226580?i=1000729118171 
Ep. #314: How to Rebuild Your Life Through Discomfort & Embrace Change with Dr. Neeta Bhushan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/314-how-to-rebuild-your-life-through-discomfort-embrace/id1608226580?i=1000700923213 

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [email protected] 😘

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.

Are you constantly navigating conversations where you feel like you’re walking on eggshells? Or maybe you find yourself questioning your reality after talking to someone who can't seem to take accountability, ever?
In this episode, I dive into the uncomfortable (but necessary) topic of how to talk to emotionally immature people — whether it’s a partner, parent, friend, or colleague.
Through the lens of personal growth, communication skills, and emotional intelligence, I’ll walk you through what emotional immaturity really looks like, how to protect your peace without cutting everyone off, and powerful ways to respond without abandoning yourself.

What you'll get out of this episode… 
Why emotional immaturity is so triggering

Brave phrases to set boundaries from a grounded place

The power of walking away (without guilt)

Why you don’t have to win the argument

How to hold space without abandoning your truth

This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics
This Galentine’s, give the gift of ritual with Chai Tonics — nourishing Ayurvedic superfood chai blends for calm, focus, and a nervous-system exhale. Get 20% off with code VALENTINE at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics.
Discover which chai blend matches your vibe with my FREE quiz:⁠ https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz 

Breathe better with JASPR
If you’re ready to support your healing from the inside out, start with the air you breathe. Try the JASPR Air Scrubber for a cleaner, safer home environment — get $400 off with code BRAVE at https://jaspr.co/brave.

Support your body with REJŪV
My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan 
IG / @thebravetable 
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

If you loved this episode, check out…
Ep. #396: Everyone Says “Cut Them Off” — Here’s What No One Tells You About Family Healing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/396-everyone-says-cut-them-off-heres-what-no-one-tells/id1608226580?i=1000744134535 
Ep. #402: You Cannot Manifest From Exhaustion (Here's What to Do Instead): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/402-you-cannot-manifest-from-exhaustion-heres-what/id1608226580?i=1000747025409 
Ep. #403: Why You’re Already Negotiating Every Day (But Don’t Realize It) with Lousin Mehrabi: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/403-why-youre-already-negotiating-every-day-but-dont/id1608226580?i=1000747708015 

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [email protected] 😘

Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.

What if the future of love (and the fate of AI) depended on you?
In this eye-opening and deeply moving conversation, I sit down with my dear friend Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and bestselling author of Solve for Happy and Scary Smart, to explore the unexpected connection between artificial intelligence, emotional resilience, and human relationships.
Mo reveals how AI is learning from our every move, what dating apps are doing to our brains, and why love might be the only technology that can save us.

What you'll get out of this episode… 
How ChatGPT is impacting our love lives

The brutal truth about dating burnout

Raising ethical AI through human action

Why love is actually easy

The biggest misunderstanding about ChatGPT and AI

Connect with Mo
IG / http://instagram.com/mo_gawdat 
YT / https://www.youtube.com/@MoGawdatOfficial
WEB / https://www.mogawdat.com 
Join Emma Wait List / https://emma.love 
SUBSTACK / https://mogawdat.substack.com 

This Episode is Sponsored by Chai Tonics
Starting the year without pressure? Same. I’m choosing ritual over resolution with Chai Tonics — a calming chai ritual for focus, gentle energy, and nervous-system support when January feels loud. Try it at https://bit.ly/trychaitonics  and use code BRAVETABLE for 15% off.
🌿 Which chai blend matches your vibe? Take my FREE quiz now:⁠ https://chaitonics.com/pages/chai-quiz 

Breathe better with JASPR
As a mama healing from mold toxicity, air quality has become deeply personal for me. JASPR removes 97.1% of mold in just 1 hour. Use code BRAVE for $400 OFF: https://jaspr.co/brave 

Support your body with REJŪV
My go-to science-backed red light therapy for faster recovery, reduced soreness, and deeper repair. Try it today with code BRAVETABLE: Https://werejuv.com/?ref=NEETABHUSHAN

Follow along for more tips, community, and resources to brave a better you!
YOUTUBE / @TheBraveTable
IG / @neetabhushan 
IG / @thebravetable 
TIKTOK / @neeta.bhushan
WEB / https://neetabhushan.com

If you loved this episode, check out…
My episode on Mo’s Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/neeta-bhushan-how-to-cultivate-resilience-and-grit/id1508914142?i=1000647785353 
Mo & Alice on Unstressable Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-52-new-season-mo-gawdat-alice-on-becoming-unstressable/id1496364101?i=1000651774652 
Ep. #337: Is It Love or Addiction? Why We Fall for People Who Recreate Our Wounds with Dr. Sarah Alsawy: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/337-is-it-love-or-addiction-why-we-fall-for-people/id1608226580?i=1000713100593 

To receive a free gift, email a screenshot of your 5-star review of The Brave Table to [email protected] 😘
Dr. Neeta Bhushan is a 5x award-winning author, emotional health advocate, and host of The Brave Table podcast. CEO of Highest Self Institute and author of That Sucked, Now What, she’s been featured in Forbes, ABC, and more. A former dentist turned global speaker, Neeta’s work blends psychology, ancient wisdom, and resilience from her own life experiences. She's also a mom, wellness lover, and chai enthusiast.