Unleash the Cringe

S3 E3 | What If the Future of Fitness Isn't About Working Out Harder—but Recovering Smarter? What if getting stronger isn't about doing more—but recovering better? This week on Unleash the Cringe, we sit down with Carly Hodson, Owner and Operator of FITSI, a boutique fitness club in Escondido, California, that's rethinking the traditional gym model. With 24/7 access to strength training and intent...

S3 E2 This episode of Unleash the Cringe features Adela Geissen, founder of Petals of Hope and Where 2 or More Gather, and her story reads like purpose being built out of both pain and grit. Adela starts with her early life and entry into law enforcement, where everything shifted during her work in community policing at high schools. She was working with 20 at-risk girls—many impacted by cycles of...

S3 E1 Get ready to Unleash the Cringe—because in 2026, we’re elevating every area of our lives: faith, health, mindset, and everything in between. In this Season 3 kickoff, Laura and Hitomi reconnect after the holidays and dive into real conversations around Christianity, personal growth, and what it actually looks like to evolve in your everyday life. Laura opens up about her 25 lb weight loss jo...

S2 E7 This week, we’re joined by Chahinez Tabet Aoul, the powerhouse food blogger behind Lifestyle of a Foodie and Simple Copycat Recipes. Born in Algeria and raised on rich cultural flavors, Chahinez shares how her dream of becoming a pastry chef evolved into full-time food blogging after going viral for her Crumbl cookie dupes. But her story isn’t just about butter and sugar—it’s about boldness....

S2 E6 In today’s episode, we go deep with Dr. Ernest Kim—a chiropractor, transformation coach, acupuncturist, and healer who’s rewriting the rules of wellness. From his beginnings as a self-described troublemaker and deviant to finding purpose through mind-body-spirit alignment, Dr. Kim shares how observing our thoughts through meditation can shift us from beta to alpha, stress to calm--in order t...

S2 E5 In this episode of Unleash the Cringe, we chat with Crystal Brambila, co-founder of the clean skincare brand Dhaerma, about her bold journey as a creator and entrepreneur. She opens up about launching a podcast on sex and relationships at 22 leading into challenges in interracial relationships. She candidly leads how that experience sparked her drive to build businesses from scratch. From ag...

S2 E4 This week, we’re joined by LA-based photographer, curve model, illustrator, designer, and all-around creative force—Rae Bell. From post-grad pivots to powerhouse moves, Rae shares how she’s building her own lane as a business owner, content creator, and visual storyteller. We dive into her journey of rebranding to Rae’s Rays, the lessons from being on a TV dating show, All the Single Ladies...

S2 E3 In this episode, we’re joined by Guinness World Record Holder Chad Phillips—a VERT coach, online trainer, men's physique athlete, and dad modeling what it looks like to lead by example. From breaking records (literally) to breaking generational patterns around health, Chad shares how fitness, nutrition, and mindset all play a role in living with purpose. We talk vertical training, body build...

S2 E2 Buckle up and get ready to hear some of the best health benefits of sugar cane juice, and honey! Both of which our very special guest Ahmed Bibi has businesses in. Ahmed takes us on his humble entrepreneurial journey starting Sheefa Honey and Drink Coastal Cane. Ahmed shares his excitement in his products and all the benefits that come with consuming them. You might want a pen and paper to w...

We’re BACK, and Season 2 kicks off with a catch-up on all the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the past year. From business wins to those cringe-worthy growth moments (because let’s be real, we all have them), we’re here to embrace it all. This season, we’re bringing you conversations with wellness experts, business owners, influencers, and bloggers who are keeping it real about their journeys. Plu...

#21 Today wraps up Season 1 of Unleash the Cringe! Hitomi & Laura Gonzalez(s) candidly share their cringey moments. They talk about awkward experiences talking with strangers about their podcast, sourcing guests, and reflecting back to their communication styles. This episode is all about the nuances of being first-time podcasters. Thank you to our podcast sound engineer, "Chobby" Tolentino for ma...

#20 On today's episode our very special friend Mahbubeh Arezomandi and her beautiful pet Cockatail "Melody" take us on a journey as she tells her story as a refugee from Iran. From a very young age Mahi became the leader of her family making decisions to get up and go to a new country THREE times, seeking opportunities for herself and brothers. Mahi learned various languages quickly having to adap...

#19 Join us for a fun episode where Hitomi and Laura talk about the juiciest topics from politics to animal rights, to Shawty Bae. We discuss cancel culture and how harmful it can be to someone's career. Hitomi and Laura believe society needs to be more forgiving. Make sure to follow us on instagram @unleashthecringe to keep up with us our guest!

#18 Today Sarah takes us on her journey from Iraq to the United States, Sarah shares the most fearful moments living in a country during a war and what her mindset was during those moments. Sarah always had one thing straight, and that was her goals to pursue higher education and get out of there. With the support of her loving family she left for a safer home and to continue her studies. She went...

#17 In today’s episode we welcome Erika Naimi, founder of Studio Olive, a personalized sunglass wear for kids. Before she honed in on her craft, she went through many trials and tribulations. Her story begins with an inside look as an event manager at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and despite being owned by the state of California, Erika was laid off 6-weeks postpartum during COVID-19. Then at 8 months,...

#16 On today's episode Rocky shares how she managed to self publish not only one but two books all on her. Her books contain poems that tell her life stories and events, she expresses her true vulnerable self through dating and the most intimate moments. Rocky also tells us how she struggled with identity not only because of her sexuality but because of her white presenting physical appearance in...

#15 In today's episode, we delve deeper into Taheirah Kalahiki's life in Hawaii. She humbly shares how much she continues to learn about their culture and educates us to buy from Kanaka-owned businesses. Taheirah also touches on parenting, discussing their decision to homeschool their children, and delves into the intricacies of communication within their marriage--revealing how her husband develo...

#14 In today's episode Taheirah Kalahiki tells her story as an Asian immigrant to the United States and navigating difficult cultural family conflicts. Taheirah wanted something more than to be restricted to what was expected of her in her cultural community. She explains how she took tough decisions to distance herself from her relatives and go off to live life on her own terms. Taheirah gives gr...

#13 In today’s episode, we welcome Hannah Reader on Unleash the Cringe! If you have considered or have been curious about careers in event planning, Hannah offers a different take as an Experiential Marketing Producer. Hannah dishes on her exciting journey, starting from her days as a personal assistant to a client with Condé Nast ties, to her adventures in San Diego working on Kaaboo and the Bree...

#12 *Disclaimer* The following episode contains sensitive topics of suicide that could potentially trigger emotional distress or discomfort. On this episode our dear friend Salvador Barajas shares his personal health journey. From following a typical college student diet, including late night food runs and binge drinking, to becoming vegan and falling in love with it. Salvador made drastic changes...

#11 Today we are joined by master trainer, Jennifer Ashley. An entrepreneur with a degree in gerontology, Jennifer specializes in martial arts and personal protection training for women in real estate, plastic surgeons, and trainers. In this episode, Jennifer walks us through her fascinating journey in competitive ballroom dancing, talks us through distinctions between Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu, off...

#10 Today we learn all things almonds with Melissa Finestone, founder of theMULKco. She takes us on a journey from South Africa , to USA, to the birth of theMULKco. Melissa shares her cringiest moments and piecing together skills and equipments she learned from Bitchin Sauce and ambassadorship. Melissa dives deep into the almond industry and educates us all on common misconceptions with top brand...

#9 Join us and listen to Jazmin Romo tell her story as a first time mom and her struggles with postpartum depression on this mothers day special. Hear how she sets boundaries with family members and gives tips on how to have those difficult conversations. Jazmin walks through how she makes time for her self in order to give her best self to her son.

#7 Today our very own co-host Laura Gonzalez walks us through her childhood, and learning to have compassion and empathy for our immigrant parents parenting styles. Laura opens up about how taboo it was for her to be a virgin through her twenties, in our sex driven society. She gives dating advice and navigating dating apps. Laura shares how she met her now husband, and her experience being immers...

#8 On today’s episode, our very own co-host Hitomi Gonzales shares how Eats All or Nothing came about from a restaurant foodie to an allergen-friendly home cook. She walks us through lessons she learned from misusing birth control, hormonal challenges, the power of food as medicine through elimination and reversing symptoms of prediabetes, fatty liver, joint pain, mood swings, and inflammation ove...