Some conversations leave you thinking while others leave you feeling.
Our recent sit-down with Monica Pineda, Licensed Professional Counselor, therapist for 15+ years and founder of Avance, was one of those that did both.
From the moment she started speaking about her approach to mental fitness, something immediately clicked for us. The way Monica described strengthening your mind the way you would a muscle—through consistency, compassion, and small daily reps of honesty—felt so refreshingly simple, yet deeply practical and transformative.
Monica shared how, after 15 years of working with clients, she began noticing a pattern: no matter the background or story, most people were struggling with the same thing—ignoring themselves.
→ Ignoring the exhaustion.
→ Ignoring the quiet voice that says, “this doesn’t feel right.”
→ Ignoring the truth that wants to be acknowledged and recognized.
And then she said something that stayed with us long after the cameras were off:
“Try not to lie to yourself. You can lie to anyone else—but don’t lie to you.”
We both felt that.
Because how many times have we silenced our own knowing just to keep the peace, or kept showing up from habit rather than heart?
What we love about Monica’s work—and what makes Avance so special—is how accessible she’s made this process. Her “mental workouts” guide you through awareness, reflection, and gentle action, so that healing doesn’t feel heavy—it feels doable.
This conversation reminded us that mental fitness isn’t about perfection or control. It’s about creating space for truth. About meeting yourself where you are, even when that truth feels tender.
We left feeling lighter, inspired, and incredibly grateful for Monica’s mission to make emotional wellbeing something we can all practice—without shame, without labels, and without waiting for a breaking point.
→ Learn more about Monica’s work: avanceinarizona.com
🌊 We’re headed to the ocean this week…
As you read this, we’re packing up for our Living in Feminine Flow retreat in Puerto Peñasco (10/16–10/19)—and we’re so excited to bring Monica with us. She’ll be guiding our attendees through her signature mental fitness sessions, helping us all slow down, check in, and reconnect to that inner voice we so often tune out.
It feels like the perfect full-circle moment—to go from having this conversation in the studio to now experiencing it together by the sea. We can’t wait to share glimpses from the weekend with you soon.
✨ Meet Monica inside our Ebb & Flow Magazine
If you haven’t yet grabbed your copy of our first issue of Ebb & Flow Magazine, Monica’s story is featured there too—alongside other women who are redefining what it means to live in harmony with mind, body, and spirit.
This printed issue was created with so much heart, and we’d love for you to have it in your hands. It’s a beautiful way to get to know Monica’s work on a deeper level and to stay inspired by the stories that keep our community grounded and growing.
🩵 Order your copy of Ebb & Flow by clicking below!
Thanks for tuning into this episode & we’ll see you in the Sea of Cortez!!
—The Feminine Ethos
