In this episode, Hannah and Jane are joined by therapist and podcaster Joy Parrish to explore the complexities of happiness, mental health, fitness, and body image. They dive into wellness conversations and how they have evolved over time, touching on the pressures of societal expectations and the impact of social media on our perceptions of happiness. Joy shares her personal journey—from struggling with traditional sports to finding her place in the CrossFit community, and eventually making the tough decision to pivot when its values no longer aligned with her own. The conversation highlights the arrival fallacy, where we believe happiness is a destination that can only be reached by achieving certain milestones, and Joy emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, acknowledging that it’s okay to struggle and feel a wide range of emotions.

Through an honest discussion about fitness culture, body image issues, and the societal pressures women face, Joy encourages listeners to let go of the unrealistic expectations tied to happiness. She talks about how aging has shifted her priorities, focusing more on mental well-being and embracing the full spectrum of emotions, including anger. This episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t a constant state, and the goal isn’t to chase it endlessly, but to accept the challenges, growth, and evolution that come with life. It’s a call to normalize struggles and be kinder to ourselves on the journey to self-acceptance.

Links:

The book Joy mentioned, Option B - https://adamgrant.net/book/option-b/

Joy's podcasts-

Laugh Cry Club

Older + Wilder

This month we are donating $5 for each 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and $10 for each written review on Apple Podcasts to ⁠Urban Peak⁠, an organization that supports youth to exit homelessness.

More information about the upcoming couples psychedelic retreat: ⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com/2025retreat⁠

Learn more about the podcasts, and the hosts Jane + Hannah:

⁠arewehappyyetpodcast.com⁠

⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com⁠

⁠grittherapy.com