Growth can be fun.
Starre Vartan on the Brave New Girls Podcast: Growth Starts Where You Are
Science journalist, environmental writer, sustainable living expert, and author of The Stronger Sex, Starre Vartan might seem like she has it all figured out, but as she shared on the Brave New Girls podcast, wellbeing is not something you arrive at. It’s something you return to, daily, with gentleness and grit.
Despite her powerful voice in redefining strength, especially in female bodies, Starre speaks candidly about her own struggles with anxiety, the impact of childhood trauma, and the pressure of modern life. Growth is about learning how to support yourself through the tough moments, and building joy into the journey.
For Starre, wellbeing is a patchwork of practices that keep her grounded, energised, and connected. She talks about how dance, wild swimming, ceramics, and nature have become essential pillars of her life. And crucially, she reminds us that fun is a valid form of medicine.
“I need my exercise to be fun, otherwise, it’s not going to happen.”
That simple truth holds a deeper wisdom: the most sustainable practices are the ones we actually want to do. Starre doesn’t push through punishing routines. She chooses movement that feels playful, like ecstatic dancing, barefoot trail runs, or swimming in natural bodies of water. These are homecomings to herself.
She also embraces imperfection. Her ceramics practice, for instance, is less about the outcome and more about the process.
“Half of them are so ugly, it’s ridiculous, but that’s the point. It’s good to do hard things and not be great at them, especially as an adult.”
And perhaps most importantly, Starre doesn’t shy away from the emotional side of wellness. She openly discusses her breathwork practice, her connection to nature, and the importance of rest and regulation in managing anxiety. Wellbeing, she reminds us, isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, relational, spiritual, and seasonal. It changes with us.
So what can we learn from Starre’s very human, very hopeful approach to growth?
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Ten Actionable Steps for Building Wellbeing
1. Start where you are
You don’t need to “fix” yourself first. Growth begins with radical acceptance of what’s real right now.2. Make wellbeing joyful
Choose activities you love- dancing, walking, drawing. If it feels good, you’ll stick with it.3. Connect with nature
Swim wild, walk barefoot, watch the birds. Nature is a nervous system healer- and it's free.4. Move for strength, not punishment
Strength training isn’t about shrinking. It’s about feeling powerful, especially as we age.5. Create without pressure
Take up a creative hobby with zero expectation. Enjoy the process, not just the product.6. Make space for rest
Recovery isn’t laziness. It’s resilience in action. Build in downtime like you would workouts.7. Breathe through the overwhelm
Breathwork, meditation, or even a moment of stillness can help regulate anxiety and reconnect you to now.8. Laugh at yourself often
A sense of humour helps soften the inner critic and keeps the journey light.9. Choose progress over perfection
You don’t have to get it all right. Just keep moving, learning, adjusting, and growing.10. Let others in
Growth doesn’t happen in isolation. Share your story. Ask for support. You’re not alone.
Starre Vartan reminds us that growth is messy, joyful, human and that fun might just be the most underrated wellness tool of all.
Lou Hamilton has partnered with a global wellbeing brand on a mission to help humans lead healthy, happy lives, safer from harmful toxins, and reaching for their highest potential through the healing power of plants & personal development.
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