16th february 2026

What happens when the smile you show the world becomes the mask that’s slowly suffocating you? In this powerful two-part conversation, Ash Butterss opens up with raw honesty about the journey so many people live in silence—carrying pain behind a polished exterior, trying to stay “fine” for everyone else, while slowly losing touch with who they really are. Ash shares how addiction can begin as a coping mechanism, a way to numb what feels too heavy to hold, and how the quiet build-up of pressure, expectation, and unresolved hurt can shape choices long before we realise we’re trapped in them.

Together, we explore the difference between chasing happiness and finding contentment—the kind that isn’t dependent on applause, perfection, or keeping it all together. Ash speaks to the weight of societal pressure and the exhausting performance of being okay, and how easily identity can slip away when you’re living for what others need you to be. But woven through her story is something even stronger than what she’s survived: the moment she knew something had to change, and the courage it took to reach out for help. Not a dramatic movie scene—just a real, human turning point where honesty finally became louder than fear.

This conversation is also a reminder that healing isn’t about reinventing yourself into someone more acceptable. It’s about returning—piece by piece—to the person you were before the world taught you to hide. Ash shares why authentic connection can be the turning point, how being truly seen (even in the messy parts) can crack open the door to recovery, and why meaningful relationships—ones that don’t require you to pretend—can become a lifeline. We also dive into breathwork, emotional release, and the way the body holds what the mind tries to bury, showing how healing can be felt as much as it’s understood.

Ash speaks beautifully about the power of morning routines, not as a “perfect life” checklist, but as a daily return to self—choosing alignment over avoidance, meeting discomfort with courage, and showing up even when growth feels uncomfortable. We also talk about the mission behind her podcast Behind the Smile, and what she’s building next: retreats designed for deep restoration, and a memoir that promises to tell the truth many people are still too afraid to say out loud.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past, ashamed of your story, or unsure if change is possible, let Ash’s journey meet you where you are and gently remind you: you are not broken, and you are not alone. Change is possible. For anyone. Even now.

This is what leading your own way looks like. Raw. Real. Unfiltered.

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