It’s Mental Health Awareness Month! So, let’s take a moment to check in with our mental health, but also shed light on how you can support loved ones who struggle with mental illness.  In this episode of Studio Within, I share tips and advice for supporting people who are suffering. Whether it’s your friend, your partner, a family member, or a stranger who happens to be pouring their heart out to you, these insights will help you be present with someone when they are hurting. [Disclaimer: This information is not meant to treat mental illness or substitute professional medical advice, coun ..read more

Are you curious about what it’s like to have a coach or what it's like to be in a coaching session?  This episode will give you major insights into both! In this episode of Studio Within, I welcome Samantha Chesler, a coach, mentor, and teacher who’s passionate about helping people discover their inner leader and realize that they are not dictated by their inner critic. Tune in as we talk about why Samantha became a coach after 16 years of teaching, how she supports her clients through coaching, and what she’s learned from teaching in 12 different countries. You'll also get to hear a quic ..read more

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about what coaching is, the benefits of working with a coach, and why coaching is so transformational. What is the difference between therapy and coaching? Is coaching right for me? How does a coach/client relationship work? I address all these questions and more, so get cozy and tune in! “Coaching will challenge you in very unexpected ways. It will make you question some of your own biases, thoughts and habits. It will literally provoke your thinking.” - Saara Sihvonen Now more than ever, people are signing up for coaching programs and hiring coaches t ..read more

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about why and how positive psychology can holistically transform talent development and the fashion industry. Positive psychology provides evidence-based information, tools, and practices that models and talents can benefit from… so why aren’t they more prevalent in the fashion industry? This is the problem that inspired Studio Within, WITHSAARA Wellbeing Platform, and the Thriving Talent Training. Listen in to learn about my own experience working with positive psychology as a model and practices I’ve used to feel more empowered, happier, and even im ..read more

Positive psychology isn’t about being positive all the time. We’re all human, we still have struggles… but we can live well despite the struggles if we know how to best think about and approach the good and bad parts of life. Get cozy and listen to this beautiful conversation with social entrepreneur and champion of change, the Co-Founder of The Change Lab, Louis Alloro. Louis is here to discuss the power of positive psychology and the science of wellbeing and to provide practical tools you can use to integrate positive psychology into your daily life to nurture wellness.  Tune in to lear ..read more

In this episode of Studio Within, I talk about 3 useful questions for fashion models and talents working in fashion.  Using these questions, you’ll be able to get clear on your goals, your boundaries, what success looks like to YOU, and most importantly what gives you meaning in life. After some reflection, you’ll feel more resilient, driven, and empowered in your career. As Fashion Week takes place all over the world this month, I wanted to share the specific, important insights I’ve learned throughout my career as a fashion model by sharing my personal answers to these 3 questions. Rea ..read more

How do actors take care of their mental health? In this episode of Studio Within, I welcome Alina Tomnikov, an internationally recognized Finnish-Russian actress based in Helsinki, Finland. Listen in as we talk about how Alina stays mentally sane and healthy as an actress. She speaks on the power of letting go, finding and listening to your own voice, and asking for help when you’re struggling. We also discuss the importance of recognizing your worth and figuring out what mental health tools work best for you. Read show notes here:  https://www.onlinestudiobywithsaara.com/blog/how-to-st ..read more

This is a special week here at Studio Within! We are intentionally celebrating the first year of podcasting. And what better way to celebrate the first birthday of Studio Within than reflecting on the past episodes and answering the question: How can each episode of Studio Within podcast make your life better? If you are a new listener this is a great episode to start with or if you are a seasoned Studio Within listener but you have missed a few episodes here and there this episode will give you a good summary of all the past episodes so you will know which ones to add on your podcast list!&n ..read more

Happy 1st Birthday to the Studio Within Podcast! We’re switching things up for this special anniversary episode… Today, I’m in the hot seat as a guest on my own show! I welcome Daniel "Dan" Lim, Co-Host of The LITO Podcast and Co-founder of LITO Academy, a membership group for visionary entrepreneurs to celebrate this special anniversary with me. I can guarantee you one thing from this episode: loads of laughter! We laughed, celebrated, and covered some of my most important takeaways from the first year of podcasting.   And to you my loyal listener, I want to say thank you from the ..read more

Happy New Year to you all! Do you want to know a more powerful way to boost your success, achievement, well-being, and joy in 2022? Hint: It’s not New Year’s resolutions! In this first 2022 episode of Studio Within, I welcome Netta Lehtonen, a coach, positive psychology expert, and Founder of Joylla, Finland’s leading positive psychology training company. Tune in as we talk about the importance of character strengths, what they are, and how you can start to develop your own signature character strengths to create well-being in 2022.  Go to episode show notes here  Follow Netta on ..read more