How Two Women Built a Wellness Model That Refuses to Shrink
Before it was a brand, a collaboration, or a podcast—it was a truth. A truth Bethany Busch and Auria Zahed refused to edit out: that most women have been hurt by the very systems built to “help” them. Medical dismissal. Fitness culture pressure. Emotional silencing. Racial invalidation. Insurance gatekeeping.
They didn’t want to recreate that. They wanted to burn it down—and build something better.
Welcome to Head 2 Toe Strength. This is the story of how it came to life.
🧠 Bethany’s Side: Strength, Not Shame
When Bethany founded Head 2 Toe Strength, she wasn’t trying to be digestible. She was trying to be accurate. As an exercise physiologist, certified strength specialist, and trauma-informed coach, she knew her scope—and she knew the harm being done by providers who didn't.
Bethany’s work is for women who’ve been made to feel “too much,” “too broken,” or “too complicated.” Her approach is rooted in science, accessibility, and deeply client-centered care, with a coaching philosophy that rebuilds trust one rep at a time.
“Whether you’re starting for the first time, returning after illness or injury, or trying to reconnect after trauma—this space is built for you. No pressure. No judgment. Just movement that feels good, in a way that feels right.”
Clients come to Bethany exhausted by unrealistic expectations and leave feeling regulated, resilient, and safe. Every credential, program, and offering reflects her mission to redefine what strength looks like—and who gets to claim it.
💬 Auria’s Side: Therapy Without Apology
Auria is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who leads with empathy, cultural competence, and a gift for helping women unpack the invisible load they’ve carried for too long. Her sessions are a judgment-free haven for anyone navigating anxiety, perfectionism, people-pleasing, or identity wounds.
She’s especially skilled at supporting women of color, LGBTQ+ clients, and those healing from societal and familial invalidation. From her early career at the LGBTQ Center OC to her present-day partnership with Bethany, Auria’s work is grounded in real listening—and clear goals.
“Together, we’ll name the root of what hurts, build the skills to process it, and claim new ways of thinking, feeling, and responding. My clients leave with higher self-esteem, emotional clarity, and a strong sense of self.”
She doesn’t just treat symptoms—she honors systems, context, and the right to be exactly who you are.
🧩 The Partnership That Changed Everything
What began as a simple trainer-client connection transformed into a values-driven model that challenges the status quo. At Head 2 Toe Strength, coaching and therapy don’t compete—they collaborate. Bethany and Auria cross-refer, co-create content, and protect each other’s scope with unmatched integrity.
They don’t offer watered-down “wellness.” They offer precision, resonance, and a place for women to rebuild what was taken from them.
Their podcast, UpLift Women’s Wellness, brings this mission to life with real conversations on boundaries, recovery, self-worth, and systemic healing.
🎧 UpLift Women’s Wellness is available on WDJY FM, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and iHeart. Share this with someone who’s ready to reclaim their strength—on their own terms.
