Being Human with Leana Deeb

In this episode, Leana sits down with entrepreneur, dancer, and former reality TV star Raven Ross for a conversation that is raw, real, and completely unfiltered. They go deep on what it means to stay true to yourself when the world is watching, why we stop shrinking for men, and how pouring into your purpose is the ultimate cure for loneliness. Raven and Leana get into: What it was really like filming Love Is Blind — the mental prep, the villain arc, and coming out the other side Why Raven tried the 50/50 relationship model and why she will never do it again The trap independent women fall into when they start compromising piece by piece for a man Growing up mixed in New Orleans and what it taught Raven about identity and belonging How a single-parent household shaped the way both women think about money, relationships, and men Why Raven started making free Pilates on YouTube — and how she set out to diversify a space that wasn't built for women like her The difference between Pilates, sculpt, Lagree, and what actually works for longevity vs aesthetics How to build a life so full you stop obsessing over romantic love Why women feel guilty about wanting money — and why that has to stop What success actually means: habits, discipline, and keeping the promises you make to yourself "The more that you just pour into yourself and go above and beyond to be the best you can be — that is what is going to attract the right things into your life." — Raven Ross _____ Topics Discussed (00:00) Intro — Becoming the Best Version of Yourself (00:30) Welcome to Being Human with Raven (01:03) Love Is Blind + Rebranding After Reality TV (04:35) Independence + Not Making Yourself Smaller for Men (05:35) Evolving Views on Relationships + The 50/50 Trap (08:03) Faith, Prayer + Building Your Spiritual Practice (27:14) Growing Up in a Single Parent Household (32:08) Living in Barbie's Dreamhouse + Nighttime Routines (35:11) Friendship, Community + Putting Yourself Out There (19:23) Making Pilates Accessible + Breaking Down Barriers (44:46) Pilates vs Lagree vs Sculpt — What's the Difference? (43:15) Movement for Longevity, Not Just Aesthetics (48:04) Body Image, Pressure + The Dance Body Standard (51:37) Money, Ambition + Overcoming Guilt as a Woman (58:05) Success, Discipline + Keeping Promises to Yourself _____ Stay connected with Leana Deeb: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpod TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod Stay connected with Raven Tracy: Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @PilatesBodyRaven Website: pilatesbodyraven.com _____ Thank you to our Sponsors! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BEINGHUMAN for an exclusive 20% off Visit Carawayhome.com/LEANA to take an additional 10% off your next purchase or use code LEANA at checkout. _____ Leana Deeb, Being Human podcast, Being Human with Leana Deeb, lonely chapter, lowering your standards, societal pressure on women, hijab journey, trusting God's timing, finding your purpose, women and relationships Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I used to think longevity was about biohacking, supplements, and expensive technology. But after this conversation, I see it differently. In this episode, I sit down with Gary Brecka—human biologist, longevity expert, and founder of The Ultimate Human. Gary spent 20 years in the mortality research space predicting life expectancy for insurance companies. He could tell to the month how long someone had left to live. What he saw changed everything. We get into: - Why contentment, purpose, and passion don't happen to you—they happen within you - How disconnection from yourself is one of the biggest threats to your health span - The role of faith, silence, and radical responsibility in actually living longer - What "being human" really means and why most of us are living far below that "Satisfaction and contentment don't come from outside of you. They happen within you. When you learn to be comfortable with silence, you can start an inner monologue that really uncovers what your purpose here is on Earth." - Gary Brecka _____ TOPICS DISCUSSED (0:00) Intro (1:40) The Truth About Longevity (6:20) Why Isolation Is Shortening Our Lives (10:05) How Pain Becomes Purpose (11:03) Finding Purpose Through Pain (18:05) Gary's Life Pivot and Career Shift (34:05) Gary's Morning Routine for Longevity (43:40) Dopamine, Addiction and Social Media (49:15) Gut Health and Depression (57:20) Pregnancy, Folic Acid and Supplements (1:05:35) Blood Sugar and Hunger Explained (1:10:30) Fasting and Addiction (1:14:30) Staying Calm and Perspective _____ Gary Brecka is a human biologist and founder of The Ultimate Human. After two decades predicting life expectancy for insurance institutions, he shifted his mission to helping people extend their health span through practical, science-backed lifestyle changes–focused on whole foods, sleep, mobility, faith, and radical responsibility. Follow Gary Brecka: Instagram: @garybrecka Website: theultimatehuman.com Podcast: The Ultimate Human _____ Stay connected with Leana: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod YouTube: youtube.com/@leanadeeb _____ Thank you to our sponsors! Head to cozyearth.com and use my code BEINGHUMAN for an exclusive 20% off Visit Carawayhome.com/LEANA to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Being Human, I’m Leana Deeb and I am so happy you’re here. I built this podcast because I myself was looking for a space where people of all walks of life can connect, let down their guards and be their most authentic selves and find their similarities even when the world tells you you’re different. I couldn’t find that space, so I built it. I hope you are able to join this journey with me where we can grow together, have open minds and dive into all the topics that we are sometimes scared to …. Faith, identity, discipline and so much more. _____ Stay connected with Leana and follow along on her journey: Instagram: @leanadeebb / @beinghumannpodcast TikTok: @leanadeeb / @beinghumannpod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@leanadeeb Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices