Invincible You with Dr. Alex Avila

HOW TO LIVE LIKE A CHAMPION —DR. AVILA SHARES THREE POWERFUL STEPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR GREATNESS

Would you like to live like a champion—someone who consistently wins in life, not just occasionally, but day after day, in every area that matters most?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we explore three key principles that can help you step into your greatness—starting now. Whether you want more success in your relationships, career, finances, health, or mindset, these three simple steps can help you live with more confidence, power, and joy:

• Step 1: Turn “Little Bads” into “Little Goods”
  Many people are weighed down by self-defeating thoughts: “I don’t have enough time,” “Life is difficult,” or “I can’t find someone to love.” These are the little bads—small, self-defeating messages that accumulate in your thinking and drain your emotional and psychological energy. The key to living like a champion is to notice these patterns and change them for little goods: positive, believable affirmations like “There’s plenty of love and opportunity for me,” or “I have all the time I need.” At first, the negative voices will resist—after all, they’ve lived in your head for years. But, with daily repetition, you will crowd them out and replace them with encouraging, life-affirming thoughts that fuel your actions and elevate your mood.
• Step 2: Start with the Easy.
  Champions don’t wait for the perfect moment. They begin with what they can do right now. This might mean reading a short article about a new career path, writing the first sentence of a book, or spending just 20 minutes at the gym. Psychologists call these early actions successive approximations to the goal—small steps that build confidence and momentum as you reach your larger objectives. With each completed action, you develop a rhythm of success. As you go from short walks to longer ones, from brief study sessions to deep dives, and from quality conversations to meaningful relationships, you prove to yourself that growth is possible—and that you’re the kind of person who follows through to achieve what you desire.
• Step 3: Practice the Power of Discard.
  Living like a champion isn’t just about doing more—it’s about letting go of what holds you back. That includes old clothes that don’t fit, obsolete equipment, and cluttered paperwork. Discarding isn’t just physical; it’s psychological. When you clear your external space, you begin to free your internal space. As you throw away objects that no longer serve you, you create mental clarity, self-respect, and room for new, empowering beliefs to take root. The more you let go of what you don’t need, the more power you have to attract what truly matters.

CAN MUSHROOMS SAVE YOUR LIFE? PSYCHADELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY WITH SPECIAL GUEST, DR. STACEY SIMMONS, “THE PHARMACY QUEEN”

Have you ever wondered if something as natural—and as ancient—as a mushroom could help you resolve trauma, reduce depression, or even diminish the fear of death?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we met Dr. Stacey Simmons—psychotherapist and certified psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioner (staceysimmonsphd.com). Her work brings together neuroscience and and plant-medicine research. As the author of Mushroom Pharmacy, Dr. Simmons explores how psilocybin and other psychedelics may support emotional healing, spiritual awakening, and brain transformation.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

• What is psilocybin therapy?
  Dr. Simmons explained that psilocybin—the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms”—has been used for thousands of years in sacred ritual. Today, it’s being clinically studied for depression, trauma, and end-of-life anxiety. Several U.S. states, including Oregon and Colorado, have already approved regulated use in therapeutic settings.
• Microdosing vs. full-dose journeys.
  We talked about the difference between microdosing (small, sub-perceptual doses taken regularly) and higher-dose “journey” sessions, which can open people to profound experiences of unity, inner clarity, or even a rehearsal of death—helping some individuals release long-held fear or emotional pain.
• The healing comes from preparation and integration.
  Dr. Simmons emphasized that psychedelics aren’t miracle pills. Safety, psychological screening, and careful integration afterward are essential—especially for those with conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, where use is contraindicated.
• Beyond chemicals: spiritual repair.
  According to Dr. Simmons, psilocybin can temporarily silence the inner chatter of the “monkey mind,” opening space for deep insight, connection, and awe. She believes these moments remind us that we’re more than our bodies—and can reconnect us with a sense of mystery in an increasingly mechanized world.
• A new kind of medicine.
  With her clinical practice and book, Mushroom Pharmacy, Dr. Simmons invites us to rethink how healing happens—not just with prescriptions, but with purpose, intention, and reconnection to self and nature.

Dr. Simmons left us with a simple reminder: Mushrooms alone may not save your life—but when used with wisdom, they can help you remember how to live it more fully.

🎧 Catch the full interview now on Love University to explore the intersection of brain science, plant medicine, and personal transformation—with one of the most grounded and inspiring voices in the psychedelic wellness space. Also make sure to follow Dr. Avila on Instagram at @dralexavila

 

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH—WITH SPECIAL GUEST RICHARD K. LOWY, INTERNATIONAL EVENT PRODUCER AND AUTHOR OF KALMAN & LEOPOLD: SURVIVING MENGELE’S AUSCHWITZ

Have you ever carried a family secret so heavy that the only way to heal was to bring it into the open?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we sat down with Richard K. Lowy—international event producer, creative director, and now author of Kalman & Leopold: Surviving Mengele’s Auschwitz (Jan 2025). Through deep, painstaking interviews with his father, Leopold, and his father’s childhood friend, Kalman, Richard uncovers how two Hungarian-Jewish boys—friends by circumstance—survived Josef Mengele’s experiments, served SS guards, endured unspeakable horror, and ultimately reunited more than five decades later.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

• From stages to testimony. Richard had a successful career producing events for icons like Van Morrison and thought leaders such as Malcolm Gladwell, but says he reached a tipping point: the weight of his father’s unwritten history was greater than the draw of any concert or summit.
• The bridge between film and book. His documentary, Leo’s Journey, became the foundation for deeper psychological layers in the memoir—exploring post-traumatic growth, social support as a buffer, gallows humor, and how friendship can serve as a lifeline in extreme trauma.
• Friendship as survival, and the science behind it. In the camps, Kalman and Leopold became a “protective pair.” Psychological research supports the concept that in trauma zones, strong dyadic bonds (pairs) lower mortality risk. Richard also explores reciprocal altruism (mutual giving and protection between two people) and how it plays out in survival—each risking for the other, not out of obligation, but from shared trust.
• Humor, grief, and truth. The memoir includes moments of gallows humor—dark laughter amid horror. Richard says that while the book risks jarring readers, it was essential to preserve the emotional authenticity of his father’s voice.
• Tragedy as a platform for inspiration. With his media appearances and public speaking, Richard’s mission is to turn sacred memory into living purpose—raising witnesses, protectors, and storytellers to resist forgetting the unforgettable.

 

Always remember Richard’s lesson we need to learn: suffering doesn’t just require remembrance—it demands witness, action, and connection.

 

SPARKS, SONGS, AND SOUL—WITH SPECIAL GUEST ASPEN JACOBSEN, AWARD-WINNING RECORDING ARTIST

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to busk with a red ukulele at nine years old—and end up headlining festivals before even finishing high school?

On this week’s episode of Love University, we sat down with Aspen Jacobsen—an 18-year-old Americana-folk prodigy and award-winning recording artist. With her finger-style guitar, mandolin, and raw vocals, Aspen’s debut LP Arsonist Daughter is turning heads with its fearless lyrics on relationships, mental health, and social justice.

Here are a few highlights from our conversation:

• Origins of a prodigy. Aspen shared what she sang for tips as a 9-year-old busker—and why music called her even without a family influence. She described herself as an “old soul” drawn to lyrics that spark reflection and change.

• Why fire? We asked why her debut album carries the title Arsonist Daughter. For Aspen, fire symbolizes transformation—controlled destruction that clears the way for rebirth. She even pointed out the lyric that burns hottest for her personally.

• Music as medicine. Anxiety often threads through Aspen’s lyrics. She opened up about whether performing soothes or stirs it—and how songwriting itself gives her a tool for healing that therapy alone could not.

• Staying grounded. From sold-out shows to industry recognition, Aspen stays centered by leaning on close friends, mindfulness practices, and remembering why she writes: to spark thought, ignite conversations, and inspire change.

• Takeaway from Arsonist Daughter. Each track, Aspen says, is a spark meant to ignite reflection—on faith, climate grief, mental health, or identity. Her goal is for listeners not only to hear her music but to feel compelled toward empathy and action.

Aspen left us with one lasting truth: songs aren’t just melodies—they’re matches. When you strike them, they can light up the dark corners of your heart.

Catch the full interview now on Love University to hear Aspen’s remarkable journey—from street corners to festival stages—and why she believes music can still change the world, one lyric at a time.

 

ARE YOU THE TRADITIONALIST? FINDING AND KEEPING LOVE THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY AS AN ESTJ (TRADITIONALIST)

Do you long for a relationship built on trust, responsibility, and doing things the “right” way—where roles are clear, effort is mutual, and loyalty is everything? If so, you may be the Traditionalist LoveType (ESTJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test)—the grounded, dependable partner who leads with action and honors commitment above all else. On our Love University podcast, we explored the romantic strengths and potential blind spots of the Traditionalist—one of the most reliable and enduring LoveTypes from my book LoveTypes (lovetype.com). Here’s what we discovered:

As a Traditionalist, you take relationships seriously. You’re likely the one who plans the future, keeps things running smoothly, and makes sure that promises are kept. You believe in hard work, structure, and showing love through consistent, tangible actions. When you care about someone, they know it—because you prove it through responsibility, protection, and follow-through.

It’s true that your practical, rule-based nature can sometimes clash with more emotionally expressive or free-spirited types. If your partner is looking for spontaneous romance or lots of emotional nuance, they might misunderstand your love style. You may get frustrated when others don’t “just do what they say they would do,” or when your deep feelings go unnoticed beneath your outer strength.

The good news is that you can build a rock-solid, lasting love when you pair up with someone who shares your values and appreciates your loyal, steady presence.

Here are a few tips to help your traditional heart thrive in today’s topsy-turvy love world:

• Choose a Partner Who Respects Duty and Dependability: Because you’re not into flaky, chaotic relationships, you need someone who is as serious about commitment and follow-through as you are—ideally someone who sees strength in your stability.
• Let a Little Flexibility In: Love doesn’t always follow a blueprint. Practice softening your grip on control now and then. Small moments of vulnerability and spontaneity can go a long way.
• Express, Don’t Just Execute: While actions speak loudly, your partner may also need to hear that you love them. Try verbal affirmations and affectionate gestures in addition to your usual responsible deeds.

At the end of the day, your greatest romantic power lies in your ability to build a life of integrity, structure, and trust. When you find a partner who respects your old-fashioned values and meets you in your strong, steady rhythm, love becomes not just a feeling—but a legacy. That’s when tradition becomes timeless.

ARE YOU THE DUTIFUL HOST? HOW TO FIND AND KEEP YOUR LIFE-LONG LOVE PARTNER AS AN ESFJ (DUTIFUL HOST)

Do you yearn for a love that’s joyful, socially connected, and filled with shared experiences—one where you feel appreciated for the warmth, effort, and devotion you bring? If so, you may be the Dutiful Host LoveType (ESFJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test)—the gracious, relationship-focused partner who thrives on bringing people together and making them feel cared for. On our Love University podcast, we dove into the romantic strengths and challenges of the Dutiful Host—one of the most generous and loving personality types from my book LoveTypes (lovetype.com). Here’s what we uncovered:

As a Dutiful Host, you radiate friendliness, loyalty, and an almost unmatched desire to please and serve the people you love. You’re the one who remembers birthdays, plans special dinners, and makes everyone feel welcome. Your ideal relationship is one where emotional connection, shared traditions, and active involvement in each other’s lives are front and center. You often go the extra mile to ensure harmony—offering affection, support, and thoughtful gestures to keep love alive and thriving.

Yet, your strong focus on others’ needs can sometimes leave you feeling overlooked or taken for granted. When you can’t take it any longer, you may strongly express your deeper emotional concerns, which may result in conflicts or arguments. The good news is that with the right partner—someone who values your giving heart and reciprocates your care—you can build a lifelong relationship that’s as emotionally rich as it is socially vibrant.

To help you attract and sustain this kind of enduring love, keep these pointers in mind:

• Choose a Partner Who Values Tradition and Togetherness: You thrive in relationships where family, loyalty, and shared rituals matter. Look for someone who appreciates your efforts and enjoys being part of your social world.
• Beware of People-Pleasing Traps: Sometimes you may say “yes” when you mean “no.” Practice setting gentle boundaries—it will strengthen both your self-respect and your relationship.
• Celebrate Your Role as a Connector: Whether you're hosting a dinner party or supporting your partner through tough times, your gift for connection is a powerful love language. Just remember: love flows best when it flows both ways.

Ultimately, your path to romantic fulfillment lies in embracing your extraordinary capacity for warmth and connection—while making space for your own emotional truth. When you find someone who honors your loyalty and shares your joy in togetherness, love becomes not just a beautiful experience—but a lifelong celebration. With that kind of partnership, you

won’t just host love—you’ll live in it.

ARE YOU THE ADMINISTRATOR? HOW TO FIND AND BUILD A STABLE AND HAPPY MARRIAGE WITH THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE AS AN ISTJ (ADMINISTRATOR)

Do you long for a love that’s grounded, reliable, and built on mutual respect—one that thrives on shared responsibilities, long-term vision, and practical support? If so, you may be the Administrator LoveType (ISTJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test)—the steady, dependable planner who values duty, loyalty, and a well-ordered life. On our Love University podcast, we explored the essential relationship strengths and romantic needs of the Administrator—one of the most grounded and responsible love personality styles from my classic book, LoveTypes (lovetype.com). Here’s what we discovered:

As an Administrator, you bring a strong sense of purpose and integrity to your relationships. You are the builder of love’s foundation—someone who creates trust by doing what you say, showing up consistently, and working hard for the people you care about. You thrive in partnerships that honor tradition, shared goals, and clear expectations. For you, love is a well-structured home built with mutual respect, consistent effort, and a deep commitment to a shared future.

However, your strong sense of duty can sometimes make romance feel like just another task on the to-do list. You may find it hard to relax emotionally or express affection spontaneously. Fortunately, your partner will come to see your care in your actions—how you protect, provide, and plan for the future. With time and trust, your affection blossoms in deeply meaningful ways.

To attract and maintain a strong, lasting love, consider these practical tips:

• Prioritize Emotional Presence: Even though you're more comfortable with logistics than emotions, try to be present emotionally. A listening ear or a reassuring word can go a long way in connecting with your partner on a deeper level.
• Look for a Partner Who Respects Structure: You flourish with someone who values routines, shared responsibilities, and long-term planning. Together, you can build a life of peace, purpose, and partnership.
• Make Space for Playfulness: Love doesn’t always have to follow a plan. Leave room for surprise, spontaneity, and affection beyond your comfort zone. It can recharge your relationship and deepen emotional intimacy.
• Recognize Your Love Language: You show love through acts of service, protection, and reliability. Helping your partner understand this—and learning theirs—can help both of you feel more seen and appreciated.

Ultimately, the key to a fulfilling relationship as an Administrator is honoring your gift for commitment while learning to connect emotionally in ways that may not come naturally. When you find a partner who values your stability and depth—and who encourages your emotional expression—you’ll discover that love is not only built, but also deeply felt. Together, you’ll construct a partnership that’s enduring, loving, and unshakably real

ARE YOU THE CARETAKER? HOW TO FIND YOUR LIFE PARTNER AND BUILD YOUR COSY HOME AS AN ISFJ (MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE)

Do you dream of a love that feels warm, secure, and deeply caring—one that’s rooted in loyalty, kindness, and the quiet joys of everyday life? If so, you may be the Caretaker LoveType (ISFJ on the Myers-Briggs personality test), the devoted nurturer who cherishes emotional intimacy and harmonious relationships. On our Love University podcast, we explored the distinctive romantic needs and strengths of the Caretaker—one of the most caring love personality styles from my classic book, LoveTypes (lovetype.com). Here's what we discovered:

As a Caretaker, you approach life with a generous heart, exceptional empathy, and strong devotion, making you a compassionate and dependable partner. You thrive in relationships that offer emotional closeness, stability, and a shared appreciation for cozy routines. For you, love means building a sanctuary—a warm, comforting home filled with thoughtful gestures, heartfelt conversations, and small acts of kindness that deepen bonds over time. Whether preparing a favorite meal, remembering special occasions, or creating welcoming traditions, you find immense joy in giving love through steady and practical care.

However, your giving nature may sometimes lead you to put your own needs last, causing you to feel emotionally drained or underappreciated. Fortunately, your innate sensitivity often help you gently communicate your needs, restoring balance and nurturing mutual respect. Your ability to tune into your partner’s emotional landscape and offer unwavering support creates lasting bonds of trust and affection.

To attract and cultivate your ideal partnership, consider these helpful pointers:

• Express Your Needs Clearly: Because you naturally focus on others’ happiness, you might downplay your own emotional desires. Openly sharing your feelings and needs helps your partner recognize how best to care for you in return, creating a balanced and fulfilling relationship.
• Find a Partner Who Appreciates Stability: Seek someone who values consistency, loyalty, and heartfelt connection as much as you do. Together, you'll create a harmonious home that honors both your emotional depth and shared values.
• Balance Giving and Receiving: Though giving nurtures your soul, it's equally important to graciously accept love, appreciation, and support from your partner. Learning to comfortably receive strengthens intimacy and mutual understanding.
• Honor Your Quiet Strength: Celebrate your natural talents—such as organizing, empathizing, and quietly supporting—without feeling pressure to become someone else. Your gentle strength is deeply attractive to partners who seek genuine, lasting love.

Ultimately, the key to finding lasting happiness as a Caretaker is recognizing your remarkable capacity for nurturing love, while ensuring that your own emotional well-being is also prioritized. When you build your cozy home with someone who honors your warmth and devotion, you'll experience the quiet joy and deep connection you've always desired. With the right partner, you'll find that love isn’t merely about caring for each other—it's about feeling equally cherished, supported, and at home together.

 

INVINCIBLE YOU: FOCUS, TRANSFORM, AND MANIFEST YOUR GREATEST LIFE

Do you ever sense that you’re moving fast yet, somehow, standing still?  You’re busy but you’re not making progress in your important goals—finances, career, relationships, health, or happiness. On our latest Love University Podcast, we explored that turning-point moment when scattered effort condenses into laser focus, self-doubt thins out, and your boldest vision starts taking physical form. Here’s what we learned:

Direct Your Spirit Flow: Master the Energy Within

Most of us leak power in a hundred ways—notifications, half-finished projects, stray worries. Energy diffused is energy diminished. When you choose one meaningful target and give it your undivided attention, everything changes: tasks line up, distractions fall away, and progress compounds. Think of sunlight: it’s pleasant when spread across a porch, but astonishing when it’s focused through a lens strong enough to weld steel. Your attention is that lens.

Transform, Don’t Erase, Yourself

Real change isn’t a demolition job; it’s a patient revelation of what you have inside you. The great artist Michelangelo said the statue already lived inside the marble—his task was to remove what didn’t belong. In the same way, your confidence, creativity, and resolve are already present. Strip away outdated labels, inherited fears, and second-hand expectations, and your genuine strengths stand in full power. Transformation is less about becoming someone new and more about allowing the best of you to step forward.

Materialize Your Desires Through Perfect Conception

Invention always begins as a clear imagination. Visionaries from Beyoncé to Whitney Wolfe Herd (founder of Bumble dating app) saw vivid mental movies of their future long before anyone else believed in them. They didn’t wish vaguely for success; they rehearsed every detail until the outcome felt inevitable. When your picture of the future sharpens into a high definition, resources and opportunities organize themselves around that certainty.

If you’re ready to shift from hoping to happening, practice these four essential keys:

• Keep a Daily Time of Focus
  Reserve an uninterrupted slice of time—no alerts, no multitasking—to clear your mind and advance your most important objective. Meditate, think, journal, exercise, engage in a spiritual practice, plan your next step. It’s true that momentum loves consistency. When you focus on what truly matters, your energy and motivation mutlipy.
• Eliminate the Nonessential
  Identify one commitment, habit, or belief that drains your energy without bringing you closer to your goal. Now, whatever it is, stop doing it; eliminate what is not moving you toward your dreams. Each distraction and nongoal you let go of gives you strength and encouragement to keep pushing for your true aims.
• Draft a Vision Script
  Write a one-page snapshot of your ideal day.  Imagine that you wake up to work that excites you, relationships that nourish you, and activities that energize you. Study your script and visualize your brilliant future—morning, noon, and night—until it feels real to you. It will be.
• Act in Alignment to Your Dream
  Take one step—however small—that matches your script: Send the proposal, enroll in the course, introduce yourself to a future collaborator or prospective soul mate. Action signals to the mind that your vision is underway.

Remember, the life you want isn’t waiting somewhere outside you; it’s pressing from within, eager to emerge. When you direct your spirit flow, you hold a vivid vision that feels familiar, and you transform potential into power.

Let today be the day that you close the gap between knowing and doing. Aim your attention like a beam, bring your authentic strengths to center stage, and watch the world rearrange itself around a picture you have created of your future. Above all, keep loving yourself, others, and a Higher Nature—when love fuels focus, the results are limitless.

AWAKEN YOUR LION’S ROAR: UNLEASH YOUR HIDDEN POWER

Have you ever heard an inner voice whispering you were a lion and meant for something greater? If you’re not where you want to be in life, then it’s time for a change; you need to tap into your hidden lion’s roar—your self-love, confidence, and talents.

On our latest episode of Love University, we explored the instant of awakening—that split-second when you suddenly realize the life you’re living is too small for you—you’re not fulfilling your true potential. Our story begins with a lion cub who is raised among sheep. Just like other sheep, he grazed, was startled at shadows, and obediently followed the flock—until one day a stream mirrored back amber-gold eyes and the first hint of a mane. A roar he had never heard before burst from his throat, and in that moment he realized he wasn’t a sheep, but a powerful lion, the King of the Jungle.

How about you? Perhaps, you have experienced a similar jolt of understanding: a stubborn dream that won’t stay quiet, a Sunday night restlessness, a flash of unfulfilled desire when you see someone succeed by thinking big. You hear a faint roar of power and need, and you ask yourself, “Is it coming from outside, from somewhere else, or is it inside me?” Yes, it is inside you.   

Following your roar, your inner authentic power, means tapping into your immortal capital—the reservoir of talent, curiosity, resilience, and intuition lying unused in your mental vault. Chances are, you have let this fortune sit idle, convinced you need outside permission, more resources or credentials. In your own life,  think about the novel still unwritten, the venture unlaunched, the kindness unsaid—each one representing a stack of coins unused; greatness unfulfilled. In reality, your mental vault is unlocked. You can access your inner potential—all you have to do is step inside and gather your treasure—gifts, talents, and wisdom.  

Consider how Oprah Winfrey lost her first high-profile news role, and Steve Jobs, was ousted from Apple, yet both of them turned rejection into reinvention because they interpreted restlessness as a call, not a curse. If you feel a similar tension, take it as proof that you’re being summoned to evolve and accomplish something meaningful and powerful with your life.

Turning that calling into momentum requires the following steps:

• Catch the voice. Notice moments when you feel vividly alive or painfully confined—decide to increase the moments of empowerment and decrease those activities that leave you feeling tired, down, or frustrated.
• Withdraw a coin of immortal capital within 24 hours. Do something that fills your soul: Sketch, pitch, rehearse, research, help, share, communicate, exercise, pray, or meditate.  Always remember that even small actions remove doubt and increase your resilience and inner power.
• Treat temporary discomfort as a guide, not something to avoid.  There will be some “growing pains” when you heed your inner roar—when you start that new relationship or job; travel or make a lifestyle change; expand your horizons. But the momentary discomfort is like when you first lift weights—the sensation of soreness means your muscles are growing and you are getting stronger. In the same way, stretching out of your comfort zone will eventually bring you to the place of lionhood—self-mastery and confidence.

Here’s the truth: Once a lion or lioness discovers their roar, grazing quietly like a timid sheep will never satisfy them again. Your roar is both a warning and a promise. It is a warning that you can no longer live like a sheep; you must claim your true power, and you can—that is the promise. It’s your time now, let your lion roar and you will transform yourself and the world.