Courage to keep going.

The Courage to Think Beyond Ourselves: Dr Aly Cohen’s Call to Detoxify.

Every week I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. My guest this week is Dr. Aly Cohen, integrative rheumatologist and author of the new revolutionary book and 21-day program DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them.

This is how Dr. Aly Cohen thinks of it:

"I'm searching for courage sometimes. I'm doing a lot of work against chemicals, and... I won't share everything here, but it's a battle. A lot of researchers in this area—or communicators—have been hacked. I did a podcast where it was a hit job from the toxicology and chemical industry.
I didn’t know that going in. It weighs you down, in terms of the mission and keeping going. But then it washes away when you feel other people’s support for the science. Again, it’s all about the science—what we know and what we can do.

So courage has been an interesting thing recently, I’ll be honest with you. And I thought—do I really want to carry this torch? Is it worth it, when I’m a David and Goliath picture, and I’m certainly not Goliath?

Surrounding yourself with people who are on the same mission, who appreciate you, or just know that you’re doing right by them—that matters. I feel like I’m gathering that back.

So courage, to me, is getting back up and keeping going. Despite outside forces that want to silence this work, no one’s going to. I’ve worked too hard.

But it’s one of those things—we all have moments like this. Whether it’s illness, disability, divorce, financial stress, moving… we have to rally courage.

And I wish everyone courage. Because having perspective—stepping back from the overwhelm—is one of the greatest gifts we can have and share with our families."

Courage, in Aly’s words, is not the absence of fear or challenge. It’s that grounded decision to keep going, especially when the odds seem stacked against you. And that speaks to all of us—whether we’re trying to live more healthily, speak truth to power, or simply hold steady through life’s curveballs.

So how do we grow that kind of courage in our own lives?

We don’t have to wait for a crisis. We can strengthen courage like a muscle—gently, intentionally, every day.

If you’d like support creating a healthier, happier, impactful life, go to our Life Lab services HERE

Dare to do things differently, for a happier, healthier, impactful life.

Here are practical ways to embrace courage & support a healthier, more sustainable world:

10 Actionable Steps to Build Courage:

1. Connect with your ‘why’ – Remind yourself regularly why what you’re doing matters.

2. Surround yourself with support – Seek out people who see and celebrate your mission.

3. Speak up, even when your voice shakes – Use your voice for yourself or others. Courage builds from practice.

4. Stay informed – Learn from trusted sources. Knowledge turns fear into action.

5. Rest without guilt – True courage also knows when to restore and regroup.

6. Celebrate small wins – Every step forward counts. Acknowledge your effort.

7. Limit comparison – Your path is yours. Comparison clouds clarity.

8. Let truth be your compass – Be guided by what you know to be right and real.

9. Practice resilience rituals – Whether it's journaling, meditating, or walking—ground yourself daily.

10. Visualise your brave self – Imagine the version of you who made it through. Let them cheer you on.

Courage isn't something you either have or don’t—it’s something you nurture, in every choice you make to show up, speak truth, and keep going.

Because the world doesn’t just need big acts of bravery. It needs your daily quiet courage too.

PS. As your Wellbeing Coach, I give you the tools to heal, grow & create the life you want. 

If you’d like support in growing your inner Brave New Girl for a healthier, happier, impactful life, book in for a free chat and we can take it from there: BOOK A CHAT

PPS Join our one-day Brave New Girls Wellbeing Retreat to reset from our crazy lives HERE