The Lulu Essey Podcast

In this heartfelt episode, Lulu Essey honors the unsung heroes who walk beside those facing mental health challenges — often carrying an invisible weight of their own. You’ll learn practical tools like The Permission Question, the 30-second Daily Check-In Method, and boundary-setting strategies that build sustainable support sytems — in relationships, at work, and in everyday life. 
 
Who This Episode Is For:

In this vulnerable episode, I share my recent relapse and return to medication after 30 years of managing bipolar disorder. But this isn’t just a story about medication — it’s about what real mental fitness looks like beyond the pills.

I introduce the Whole Self Approach to Mental Fitness: a framework that integrates physical wellbeing, emotional regulation, connection, mental practices, and environment care. It’s holistic, honest, and deeply human.

You’ll also hear why medication alone isn’t enough, why relapse isn’t failure, and how tiny daily “deposits” can help rebuild even...

This isn’t a comeback story. It’s what healing actually looks like when you’re not okay… but trying anyway.

This week, I’m offering a quiet, honest look at what it means to rebuild from rock bottom—through what I call The Gentle Return. This episode continues from Episode 22, where I opened up about my experience with depression. Today, I speak about what happened next: returning to medication, embracing imperfection, and challenging the myth that simplicity equals ease.

If you're navigating the fragile space between darkness and light, t...

In this raw and deeply vulnerable episode, I share what happened when I found myself in a dark place, unable to access the very tools I teach others to use. After recording an episode about confidence, clarity, and calm, I realized I was feeling none of those things – could I be completely honest with you about my struggles.

I reveal my journey through a mental health challenge, why accepting darkness instead of fighting it was the key that began to shift things, and how we can embrace the messy reality of being human. This unfiltered conversation explores wh...

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. Clarity doesn’t come from overthinking. And calm isn’t waiting on the world to settle down. In this episode, Lulu flips the script on three traits we often think are fixed and unreachable. She reveals how Tiny actions are the true key to building unshakable confidence, deep clarity, and a grounded sense of calm—starting exactly where you are. Whether you’re stuck in self-doubt, overwhelmed by indecision, or just longing for some peace, this episode will show you how to step into more of your power with tools that a...

Feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, sadness, guilt, or not knowing how to help someone you love? In this powerful episode, Lulu shares four real-life mental fitness tools designed for the messy, not-so-Instagrammable moments. These are not quick fixes or fake positivity tricks. They're grounded, practical practices you can use in real time to anchor yourself and take the next small step forward. Discover the "Tiny Tools" that help you navigate emotional intensity with awareness, presence and grace.

Key Takeaways

Ever been told to "just be positive" or “you have so much to be thankful for” when you're struggling? In this eye-opening episode, Lulu dismantles the myth that mental fitness means avoiding or denying negative emotions. True resilience isn’t about forcing a smile—it’s about expanding your capacity to feel everything, from bliss to those "what the actual f*ck" moments, without being consumed by them. Learn how mental fitness helps you navigate life’s toughest moments with strength, self-awareness, and compassion. Discover the three foundational pillars of resilience: Emotional Awareness & Acceptance, Deliberate Discomfort, and Self-Compassion. If you’v...

Ever wonder why your initial excitement for a new project or habit fades? In this episode, Lulu reveals why the fading spark isn’t failure—it’s a natural part of growth. Discover the "Motivation Mirage" and why waiting to feel motivated is a trap. Learn three powerful tools to keep moving forward when inspiration vanishes: Momentum Loops, the Future-Self Check-In, and the Space Shift. Stop waiting for motivation to return and create systems that generate their own energy, no matter how you feel. Sustainable transformation isn’t about non-stop motivation—it’s about something much more powerful.

What happens the day after you break your streak? In this powerful follow-up to Episode 16, Lulu reveals the critical bridge between consistency and habits—and why understanding this distinction can save you months of frustration. Learn why habits take much longer to form than the popular "21 days" myth suggests (the science says 18-254 days!), and discover a practical 3-step comeback formula for those inevitable moments when you fall off track. Whether your meditation practice has stalled, your creative project is gathering dust, or your exercise routine has faltered, this episode gives you both the neuroscience and practical tools to re...

Why do we struggle to stay consistent, even with the things that matter most? In this transformative episode, Lulu breaks down the neuroscience of consistency and reveals the "Tiny 15-Minute Promise"—a simple yet powerful approach that changed everything for her. Discover why traditional all-or-nothing approaches set you up for failure, how to work with your brain instead of against it and why tracking your wins (instead of your misses) rewires your neural pathways for success. Whether you're building a business, improving your health, or pursuing a creative dream, this episode gives you the science-backed tools to break the fr...