The Blush Pod’s Hiwa Alaghebandian Is Helping Her Followers Live Their Best Lives

For her TikTok following of over 34K, Hiwa Alaghebandian (@blushpod) is more than just a content creator — she’s a beacon of hope. Through her platform, The Blush Pod, Hiwa provides guidance for those seeking holistic wellness and personal growth, promising to help her audience “look [their] best, feel [their] best, and be the best [versions of themselves.]”

Drawing from her own journey of overcoming severe gut issues, chronic constipation, and emotional turmoil, Hiwa embarked on a mission to provide the support and resources she wished she had during some of the darkest periods of her life. 

Through The Blush Pod, Hiwa offers a diverse range of content, covering everything from personal development to nutrition, with a keen focus on the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and emotional well-being. 

In this interview, Hiwa shares her insights on community engagement, digital product creation, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship in the online space. Keep reading to learn more about Hiwa’s journey, her aspirations for The Blush Pod, and the profound impact she aims to make on her audience and the creator community as a whole. 

@blushpod

If you struggle with your gut health, check in with your nervous system I used to have severe chronic constipation, and even though I ate veggies & drank lots of water, it still persisted. I never understood why until I learned more about the nervous system It didn’t occur to me that my nervous system could be affecting my gut health, in part because I didn’t THINK I was stressed. But it turns out that how you experience stress has less to do with how much is on your plate, and more to do with how you react to it Training my nervous system to be more resilient & stress adapted was a HUGE game changer for me in my gut health To hear more about this, and how I healed my chronic constipation… listen to ep 185, “My 7 Step Protocol For Quitting Laxatives & Fixing Your Gut Health, Pt. II” available everywhere you listen to podcasts, and you can WATCH the whole thing on @spotifypodcasts 🤍 #microbiome #gutbrainaxis #nervoussystem #anxiety #nervoussystemregulation #vagusnerve #nervoussystemreset #mindbodyconnection #constipation #bloatingremedy #innerchildwork #ifs #internalfamilysystems #partswork

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Why did you start The Blush Pod? 

My entire online presence stems from my personal struggles and the lack of resources available when I needed them most. In my 20s, I faced severe gut issues, chronic constipation, depression, loneliness, and relationship challenges. I felt lost, and desperate for a diagnosis and a cure, but it seemed like no one could help me. Despite consulting various doctors, specialists, practitioners, coaches, and therapists, I found no relief. 

Through my own independent research and experimentation, I managed to heal myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. I launched The Blush Pod, along with my Instagram page and other online platforms, to offer support to others facing similar challenges. I aim to provide the resources and guidance I wish I’d had, so others don’t have to navigate their journey alone. 

Whether you’re dealing with chronic constipation and bloating, struggling to regulate your emotions or behavior, finding it hard to maintain relationships, or simply seeking the mindset and motivation to become the best version of yourself — I’ve got you covered. I’ve been there, I’ve done it, and I’ve created a blueprint to help you get there much faster than I did.

Creating online courses and ebooks requires a deep understanding of your audience’s needs. How do you ensure that your content resonates with your audience and provides value? 

Community engagement and connecting with my audience are paramount to me. I prioritize being active in my DMs, hosting weekly Q&A sessions on my Instagram Stories to provide hands-on support, and conducting monthly Q&A episodes on the podcast.

I also offer a concierge Q&A service exclusively for Blush Academy members. This service provides them with timely support and allows me to stay closely connected with the community’s needs and concerns.

@blushpod

I used to have the most SEVERE constipation, and these are some things that contributed to it: 1. LOW CARB • my freshman year of college I gained a lot of weight, and someone suggested I try eating low carb. I started obsessing over lean protein & counting macros and my gut health got REALLY bad. fiber is a type of carb, and cutting carbs often leads to not enough fiber. I can’t tell you how many DMs I get daily from keto or carnivore diet people who were constipated, found my page, started eating fruit, and the problem went away. you can still hit your protein goals AND eat fruit & legumes that will give you the fiber necessary to stay regular 2. PLAIN WATER • plain drinking water does *not* penetrate the cells nor hydrate the colon. when I started adding trace minerals to my water, making overnight mineral-rich herbal infusions, drinking lemon water & fresh coconut water, things started running way better 3. IRRITABILITY • irritability comes from activation of the sympathetic nervous system, where your body shuts off your digestion to redirect energy towards more vital organs. to be able to digest & eliminate properly, you have to be in your parasympathetic nervous system. incorporating breathwork, mindfulness, and NS-supporting foods has been incredibly helpful 4. TRAUMA • chronic constipation– especially if you’re doing everything right food-wise– is often linked with a lack of feelings of safety & security. inner child work helped me gain that sense of safety in my body so that everything could flow properly 5. SUPPLEMENTS • I used to take supplements & even herbs that I didn’t realize were making my colon “lazy,” it became dependent on outside aids. these supplements & herbs can be really habit forming: stimulant laxatives, stool softeners, senna, aloe latex, cascara sagrada, magnesium oxide do you struggle with bloating & constipation too? pass this on to your friends who struggles with bloating or constipation and join my community for more actionable advice & recipes that will help you look your best, feel your best, and BE the best version of yourself ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #bloating #plantbased #eattherainbow #fitnessfood #livingfoods #alkalinediet #highvibe #wholefoodsplantbased #guthealth #gutbrainaxis #bloatingremedy #bloatingtips

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The Leap focuses on helping creators monetize their expertise. How have you found success in turning your knowledge and passion into profitable digital products? 

While I’ve found some success, I feel like I’m just beginning to tap into this area. To be candid, my primary focus has been on content creation and I’ve only started to explore the marketing aspect. That’s the next area I plan to delve into to further monetize my expertise and passion.

The Blush Pod seems to prioritize holistic well-being. How do you approach the balance between personal development, mental health, and productivity in your content?

This is a great question and something that I’m constantly thinking about, titrating, and finessing. I worry that the people who found me through my constipation content are confused by and uninterested in the relationship content; the people who found me through my attachment theory content are bored and uninterested by the gut health content; and so on. 

One of my biggest focuses over the past few months was to communicate the importance of this holistic picture more effectively. 

What we eat affects our gut health, but also affects our mood, our mindset, our productivity, and our relationships. Our relationships affect our happiness levels, our gut health, and even our skin. There is no separating mental health, physical health, and emotional health. 

The past few months, I’ve made a few changes to make this connection more clear. For example, I used to talk about relationships and mental health on the podcast, and my Instagram was more nutrition-focused. Lately, I’ve been more intentional with bringing in the nutrition piece to the podcast. I have a “Foods That Make You Blush” segment in every podcast episode, where I list foods with nutrients that support whatever the topic of that week’s episode is. 

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A post shared by Hiwa Alaghebandian (@hiwaaaaaaaa)

As an entrepreneur in the digital space, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them while building The Blush Pod? 

One of my biggest challenges is definitely wanting to do too much at once. I currently have five new courses under way for the Blush Academy; I test 10 or so new recipes every week; I have 15 recipe Reels filmed that need to be edited and posted. I have constant ideas that I get so excited about, but it feels like I don’t have enough time to implement them. 

I’m really working on my time-management skills. I have found that batching my tasks, mono-tasking, and focusing on my nervous system and brain health has been incredibly helpful. 

But honestly, my biggest asset is my own work. I actually follow my own recipes, do my own breathworks, and use the practices in the Nervous System Regulation course to do and feel my best.

Many creators struggle with imposter syndrome or self-doubt. Have you encountered these feelings in your journey, and if so, how do you navigate them? 

100%. And I actually think it’s normal and healthy. When you first start doing something, you technically are an imposter. Unless you tattoo on your forehead that it’s your first time, you are technically a novice LARPing as someone who knows what they’re doing. Of course you’re going to feel some kind of way. It would be weird if you didn’t. 

Again, I really drink my own Kool-Aid here. Along with my recipes and breathworks, I use the Neural Rewiring Practices from the Blush Academy to work through any deeper wounds that come up from having a public-facing career.

I attribute my growth and any success I’ve had to NRPs. When I have self-doubt or limiting beliefs, I address them in an NRP. When I’m triggered by something, like a troll comment for example, I take it through an NRP. The NRPs really, really work.

@blushpod

Here is a concrete example: last week, I wasn’t sure what angle to take for a video I was working on, I wrote the question down in my journal, and then I got the answer in my sleep Another time, I was trying to figure out the root of a trigger, and in my sleep the answer came to me This is one of my latest new habits. I’ve had some amazing breakthroughs and gotten some huge answers implementing this tool Try it out for yourself & see if anything comes up! and if you are looking for some tips to help you improve your gut health… listen to ep 183, “Your Questions Answered: Gut Microbiome & Lower Abdomen Bloating” available everywhere you listen to podcasts, and you can WATCH the whole thing on @spotifypodcasts 🤍 #mindset #guthealth #bloating #microbiome #gutbrainaxis #nervoussystem #nervoussystemregulation #vagusnerve #nervoussystemreset #mindbodyconnection #manifestation #magick #neuroscience #neuroplasticity #nlp #subconscious #subconsciousmind

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Continuous learning is crucial for growth. What resources or strategies do you employ to stay informed and continually improve your skills as a creator and entrepreneur? 

This is so important to me. I spend hours every day reading the latest studies and results from research experiments. 

But I would say my personal life is the biggest fodder for continuous learning. When I experience things, whether physical or emotional, I use them as opportunities to dig deeper and then be able to help others based on my experience. For example, a few months ago, my dog got really sick. It has been incredibly physically and emotionally draining for me. I began sleeping a lot less, and the sleep deprivation caused a lot of emotional eating, a lot of bloating, irritability, and more. 

Because of this experience, I started researching more nervous system strengthening tools; I started learning more about sleep, circadian rhythms, and how to adapt when more sleep is not an option; I read more studies on the effects of stress on digestion; and I started developing recipes geared towards busy people going through periods of extreme stress.

That’s one cool thing about this job — every time I go through something rough, it becomes an opportunity to learn things and pass on teachings to others. 

@blushpod

RECIPE & HEALTH BENEFITS 👇 WASA AVO TOASTS • @wasacrispbread topped with miso-tahini, cucumber, avocado, my spring pea guac, chive blossoms, pansies, and dame-rocket flowers HOW IT MAKES YOU BLUSH • designed to move your bowels & support overall gut health. specifically: -the combination of the high insoluble fiber from the Wasa, the soluble fiber in avos & green peas, the healthy fats from avo & tahini, the probiotics from miso, and the hydration from cucumber & lemons create a perfect laxative effect -the primary type of fiber in Wasa crackers is insoluble fiber, which remains intact as it passes through the digestive system. it adds bulk to the stool and speeds up the movement of waste through the intestines -the fiber in avocados, onions, and garlic acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and promoting a healthy gut microbiome -probiotics in miso improve gut flora balance, enhancing bowel regularity; and support a healthy gut microbiome, improving digestion and nutrient absorption -the citric acid in lemons helps stimulate gastric juices, improving digestion -jalapeños contain capsaicin, which has anti-inflammatory properties & can stimulate digestion by increasing digestive enzyme production -cilantro has traditionally been used to aid digestion and reduce bloating -whole grains, such as those found in Wasa crackers, retain all parts of the grain kernel (the bran, germ, and endosperm), which means they are more nutritious compared to refined grains. the bran component of whole grains is particularly high in fiber, contributing to the bulk and water content of stool. this helps in promoting regular bowel movements and preventing constipation SHARE this with someone who is on a gut health journey COMMENT if you are looking for more info on lower abdomen bloating, and/or if you want the recipe! FOLLOW ME for more actionable advice & recipes that will help you look your best, feel your best, and BE the best version of yourself ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #debloat #bloating #guthealth #nervoussystemregulation #gutbrainaxis #vagusnerve #guthealthrecipes #antiinflammatorydiet #inflammation #digestionsupport #constipation #digestiontips #nervoussystem #nervoussystemreset #gutcleanse #guthealing #constipationrelief #laxatives #avocadotoast #avotoast #highfiber #wasa #guthealthdiet #gutmicrobiome #microbiome

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Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for The Blush Pod, and how do you envision its impact on your audience and the creator community as a whole?

My favorite thing about my job is seeing feedback from people on how their lives have improved. Every day, I wake up to DMs from women who say they were so stressed but can finally relax, from people who say they found their life partner via my work, people whose relationships were saved, from people who got the courage and confidence to leave their relationships, and more. These things make me so happy. 

I think we just become used to modern life and forget that things could be different. We accept our circumstances — jobs we feel unfilled in, relationships with lukewarm feelings, and chronic health problems that we accept as normal. I want to help people see that it doesn’t have to be like this. You can truly live the life that you always dreamt of, not just settle for your circumstances.

I think what separates Blush from other shows and platforms is the concrete, actionable, advice. When you finish an episode of Blush, you have a literal to-do list, you know exactly how to implement it. 

My aspiration is for my platform to reach more people so that we can start a revolution. Our society is too sick, too lonely, too sad. We just went through one pandemic, but the arguably bigger one that we’ve been ignoring is the loneliness pandemic. The sadness pandemic. The stress pandemic. The gut issues pandemic. 

Imagine how different the world would look if everyone was healthier, happier, and living their true potentials? I think Blush could get us there.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Photo: Courtesy of Hiwa Alaghebandian

Follow The Leap on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for more creator stories. We also make a newsletter.

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Further reading

• What Is a Creator Educator? (And How To Become One)
• Beyond Influencing: Why Creator Educators Are Making Bank
• How To Create a Podcast Business Plan (+ Free Template)
• How To Make Passive Income Selling Digital Products
• 9 Best Examples of Digital Products Created on The Leap