We’re back at The Combine—sweaty, sore, and a little more self-aware—after taking a class together that kicked off a big conversation about fear, failure, and regret (you know, just the light stuff). We start with our usual check-in and slowly realize maybe it’s time to shift what that even means. Ashley offers her go-to grounding question: "What does support look like for you right now?" Alex shares about his upcoming men’s group camping trip and the power of nature and intentional gathering. Hannah reflects on feeling ready to create more—and get out of her own way. From there, we spiral (in a good way) into the episode’s real heart: the messy blur between fear of failure and fear of regret. Is it the fall we fear—or the what if of never jumping? We talk about: The inner monologue that keeps us from complimenting strangers The stakes of social vulnerability (talking to your crush, anyone?) The pressure of hindsight and how it clouds presence Whether we’re playing smaller as we get older—and if that’s a form of self-protection We also dive into a community question about how working in hospitality has shaped our wellness journeys—spoiler alert: it’s complicated. This one’s for anyone standing at the edge of something scary and wondering if it’s worth the risk.
We recorded this week’s Monday Pod back at The Combine in downtown Oakland (big thanks to Alex Hooper for the space, the sweat, and the vibes). After taking a movement class together, we settle in for a slower check-in—one that gently shifts what our check-ins might even look like moving forward. Ashley brings the grounding question: “What does support look like for you right now?” Alex shares about his upcoming men’s retreat in the woods, and Hannah names her craving to create more and stop holding herself back.
That conversation leads us right into this week’s theme: the fear of failure and the fear of regret—and all the spirals in between. We explore what’s really underneath our hesitation, the “what if” loops we get stuck in, and how hindsight can sometimes steal us from the present moment.
We talk about:
We wrap with a thoughtful listener question about how our time in hospitality has shaped our wellness journeys—what we’ve learned, unlearned, and how we’ve navigated the push and pull of care, burnout, and showing up for ourselves.