In this episode of The Bring Your Big Energy Podcast, Stacey K sits down with Mandy Merrifield — transformational coach, founder of The Confidence Hour, and author of F*ck the Fairytale: Find Your Own Magic — for a raw, powerful conversation about identity, recovery, and rewriting the “should” life.

Mandy takes us back to her biggest Intensity Point: the day she stopped drinking after years of alcoholism that escalated to a breaking point.

She shares what it was like to lose everything — career, stability, identity — and how she rebuilt her life from the ground up with radical honesty, support, and one foot in front of the other.

Together, Stacey and Mandy explore:

• The moment Mandy knew: “I can’t do this anymore.”

• How perfectionism and the “good girl” identity can quietly destroy us

• Why “alcohol is not just accepted — it’s expected” (and how to navigate that culture)

• The power of telling the truth and “owning the narrative”

• Letting go of pride and ego during the rebuild

• Depression, nervous system support, and the real tools that helped her keep going

• Where the “fairytale” conditioning starts — and how to question the shoulds

If you’ve ever felt like your life looks “right” but feels wrong… if you’re exhausted by expectations… or you’re standing at an Intensity Point and don’t know what comes next — this episode will meet you there with honesty, hope, and momentum.

📚 Mandy’s book: F*ck the Fairytale: Find Your Own Magic 🎧 Listen in — and let this one ignite your next brave step.

Want exclusive insights and behind the scenes with Bring Your Big Energy and Stacey K, sign up for the Exclusive Energy Hype Squad newsletter at www.bringyourbigenergy.com.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of addiction/alcoholism and depression.

Coherence Over Force + Body-Led Big Energy

In this episode, Stacey sits down with Dr. Z (Danielle “Dr. Dee” Zanzarov), Executive Health Strategist, founder of South Bay Wellness, and creator of the Coherent Longevity™ and Body-Led™ approaches.

Dr. Z works with high-performing women who look successful on the outside, but inside feel exhausted, inflamed, anxious, or disconnected. Her message is a game-changer: symptoms aren’t failures, they’re intelligent signals your body is out of coherence. And real energy doesn’t come from pushing harder. It comes from coherence, not force.

We cover:

• Dr. Z’s Intensity Point and what forced her to stop “pushing through”

• What coherence actually means (and why it matters for leadership)

• Why nervous system regulation is the foundation for energy + health

• Micro-tools you can use fast (no hour-long meditation required)

• Why you are an “experiment of one” and curiosity changes everything

• Her upcoming Pocket Coherence Coach app

Find Dr. Z:

• www.SouthBayWellness.com⁠

• ⁠www.DrDee.com⁠

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In this episode of the Bring Your Big Energy Podcast, Stacey sits down with Toby Brazwell — sales leader, speaker, community advocate, and author of The Empowerment Chords — for a powerful conversation on connection, confidence, and authentic leadership.

With more than 15 years of experience building high-performing teams and mentoring leaders, Toby shares how confidence is not something you’re born with, but something built over time through preparation, listening, and genuine connection.

Drawing from his journey in music, sales leadership, and even a City Council campaign, Toby reveals why confidence is truly a team sport — and how investing in yourself and others creates stronger relationships, deeper trust, and lasting growth.

Together, Stacey and Toby explore:

• Why connection is the foundation of leadership and success

• How preparation and listening strengthen confidence

• The role of community in personal and professional growth

• How to build authentic confidence over time

• Why helping others strengthens your own resilience

If you want to lead with greater confidence, communicate more authentically, and deepen your connection with others, this conversation will inspire and equip you.

Key reminders from Toby:* Confidence is built over time.* Confidence is a team sport.* Why you? Why not you?

Connect & Continue the Growth:
Find Toby Brazwell on Facebook to follow his work, insights, and community impact.
And if you want more tools, inspiration, and leadership energy delivered straight to you, sign up for Stacey’s Energy Hype Squad Newsletter at:
👉 www.bringyourbigenergy.com