In this episode of ROCK BOTTOM, host Mayssa Chehata sits down with Kendra Austin: writer, model, and creator behind The Realest Oracle deck and The Eldest Daughter podcast.
Known for her wit, depth, and spiritual clarity, Kendra opens up about the journey that led her to rock bottom — and how burning her old life to the ground became the beginning of her rebirth.
Together, they explore Kendra’s path through emotional abuse, overachievement, and the perfectionism that masked deep pain. She shares how stillness, solitude, and plant medicine became portals to healing — and how she transformed her defensiveness into self-trust, her anger into art, and her chaos into clarity.
This intimate conversation dives into themes of nervous system regulation, emotional reprogramming, inner child healing, and reclaiming creative power. It’s a raw and revelatory story of how rock bottom can be the clean slate you never knew you needed and a reminder that transformation begins when we stop running from ourselves.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in survival mode or trapped in cycles of chaos, Kendra’s story will remind you that you are never broken, only becoming.
Show Notes:
(00:00) Introduction — What is Rock Bottom?
(02:00) Kendra’s childhood: chaos, old souls, and survival through imagination
(06:00) Growing up in emotional volatility and learning self-protection
(13:00) The “little lawyer” — how defensiveness becomes identity
(19:00) Learning that no one is coming to save you
(22:00) Kendra’s 2020 rock bottom: an abusive relationship and financial collapse
(31:00) The psychic metaphor — cleaning the house within
(34:00) The “scorched earth” chapter — anger as liberation
(43:00) Healing through psilocybin, journaling, meditation, and walking
(52:00) From victimhood to responsibility — taking ownership of your healing
(1:05:00) Creating The Realest Oracle deck and redefining spirituality
(1:14:00) Rewiring the nervous system and rebuilding self-trust
(1:25:00) Discipline without self-hate — the power of joyful choice
(1:31:00) Curiosity, evolution, and embracing the next rock bottom
Resources:
This episode is sponsored by GEM — the real food daily bite delivering 20+ essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in one delicious chew.
Use code ROCKBOTTOM or visit dailygem.com/ROCKBOTTOM for 15% off your order.
Kendra Austin | Instagram
The Realest Oracle | Website
GEM | Website
BEHAVE Candy | Website
Credits:
Created by Mayssa Chehata
Produced by Desta Wondirad and Wondir Studios
Production Support and Audio Engineering by Johnny Simon
Recorded in New York City by Wondir Studios
In this episode of ROCK BOTTOM, host Mayssa Chehata sits down with her close friend Babba Rivera — award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Ceremonia, the clean hair care brand rooted in Latinx heritage. Together, they explore Babba’s journey through unimaginable loss, healing, and spiritual transformation.
Babba opens up about growing up as a Chilean immigrant in Sweden, redefining success, learning to reconnect with her body, and how grief ultimately became the foundation for the most meaningful chapters of her life — including motherhood, spirituality, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.
This intimate conversation dives into topics like mental health, emotional resilience, ancestral healing, and the power of gratitude. It’s a story of rebirth, faith, and finding light when all seems lost.
If you’ve ever hit a low point and wondered how to climb out, Babba’s story reminds us that the only way out is through — and that something beautiful always lies on the other side of rock bottom.
Show Notes:
• (00:00) Introduction — What is Rock Bottom?
• (02:00) Growing up in Sweden as a first-generation Chilean immigrant
• (10:30) Family patterns, cultural expectations, and self-worth
• (25:00) The moment that changed everything — losing her brother
• (40:00) Learning to live with grief and finding new meaning
• (50:00) How therapy, acupuncture, and daily rituals became healing anchors
• (1:05:00) Reconnecting with the body and finding joy again
• (1:20:00) Spiritual awakening, clairvoyance, and trusting the universe
• (1:35:00) Building Ceremonia and motherhood as acts of rebirth
• (1:50:00) Rapid-fire reflections and advice for those at rock bottom
Resources:
This podcast is sponsored by GEM. Gem’s Daily Bite delivers 20+ whole-food vitamins, minerals, nutrients, probiotics and prebiotics for fun final health in one delicious bite.
Use the code ROCKBOTTOM, or visit www.dailygem.com/ROCKBOTTOM for 15% off your order.
Babba Rivera | Instagram
Ceremonia | Website
GEM | Website
BEHAVE Candy | Website
If you or someone you know is in crisis or having through of suicide, please reach out to the 988 Suicide and crisis lifeline | Website (link to 988lifeline.org/) or call or text 988
Credits:
Created by Mayssa Chehata
Produced by Desta Wondirad and Wondir Studios
Production Support and Audio Recording by Johnny Simon
Welcome to ROCK BOTTOM 💫 Launching October 14, 2025
