Dr. Yvonne Wong is a Psychology Professor at the University of Alberta with a rich academic background in Behavioural Neuroscience, having completed her Ph.D. at Western University and her M.Sc. at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience. Despite graduating into the uncertainty of the 2008 recession, she carved out her niche in education—a field she’s always considered a safe haven. Living with both autism and ADHD (AuDHD), Dr. Wong has navigated significant mental health challenges throughout her life, and now uses that lived experience to better connect with and advocate for her students. She’s not just a teacher of psychology—she lives it, breathes it, and continues to grow with it. Whether she’s lecturing on neuropsychology, serving on union council, or engaging in aerial arts and crochet to nourish her well-being, Dr. Wong embodies what it means to be both intellectually rigorous and deeply human. Please welcome, Dr. Yvonne Wong.

As a professor who has taught through different academic eras—before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic—Dr. Wong has observed a significant shift in how mental health is perceived and addressed within university settings. She notes that while past generations, particularly within certain cultural contexts, experienced stigma and shame around discussing mental illness, today's university environments are becoming more supportive and inclusive. Institutions like the University of Alberta now provide resources and accommodations for students. Dr. Wong emphasizes the importance of reducing stigma, both by recognizing that conditions like anxiety and depression are not character flaws but treatable illnesses, and by modeling openness and empathy in the classroom. Drawing from personal and family experiences, she shares how mental health tools—whether it’s medication, therapy, or mindful lifestyle choices—have improved her life and relationships. Her holistic view reminds us that while accommodations matter, it’s also essential to use them as a springboard to grow, contribute, and perform—proving that people with mental health struggles still have immense value to offer.

References

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Gonzalez, O., & Frazier, T. W. (2020). Intellectual functioning and its relationship to anxiety in children with and without autism spectrum disorder. Autism, 24(1), 52–62. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361320953253

Hassan, S. (2015). Combating cult mind control: The #1 bestselling guide to protection, rescue, and recovery from destructive cults (25th anniversary ed.). Freedom of Mind Press.

Hassan, S. (2020). The cult of Trump: A leading cult expert explains how the president uses mind control. Free Press.

Lalich, J. (2004). Bounded choice: True believers and charismatic cults. University of California Press.

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Zimbardo, P. (2008, February). The psychology of evil [Video]. TED Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_the_psychology_of_evil

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Alexa Wall, the Holistic Babe — a certified holistic nutrition consultant and devoted follower of Jesus who blends faith, wellness, and simplicity into every part of her lifestyle. Through her content and coaching, she helps people navigate the noisy world of health advice with grounded, spiritually rooted wisdom. Alexa believes that true health isn’t about perfection, but about living with purpose — aligning your habits with your values and showing up as your best self for God, for others, and for your own well-being.

Alexa’s faith is the foundation of everything she does, including how she approaches health and nutrition. She reminds us that while wellness can easily become self-centered, faith calls us to shift our focus outward — asking how we can better serve others and honor God with our choices. She filters everything through a simple lens: “Did God make this?” and if the answer is no, she doesn’t want it in her body. Whether it’s giving up things she depends on like sugar or caffeine, or taking time throughout the day to pray — even while doing everyday things like driving or washing dishes — Alexa prioritizes spiritual grounding over worldly perfection.

To Alexa, living a healthy lifestyle goes far beyond food and exercise. It’s about managing stress, staying honest about your motivations, and building habits that are both meaningful and sustainable. She emphasizes starting small — not with a complete overhaul, but with simple swaps and slow changes. Health, in her eyes, is not about becoming obsessed with routines but about tuning into your body, embracing flexibility, and knowing when to rest. Her 80/20 approach allows room for grace, especially when life gets hectic or hormones are at play — particularly important advice for women navigating their unique rhythms.

With so much contradictory information out there, Alexa’s approach to nutrition is refreshingly simple: stick to whole foods and avoid processed ingredients. She helps clients find what works for them instead of prescribing one-size-fits-all plans. For busy individuals, she recommends prepping versatile ingredients like chicken or veggies that can be repurposed throughout the week, and emphasizes that meal prep doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s all about mindset — choosing to invest in “future you,” using shortcuts like frozen pre-chopped produce, and giving yourself permission to make things easier without guilt.

Alexa’s message is clear: true health is a holistic, grace-filled journey that honors both the body and the spirit. By anchoring her lifestyle in faith, simplifying her routines, and staying present to her purpose, she shows us that wellness doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It can be joyful, intentional, and deeply personal — a way to live in alignment with both God and the rhythms of everyday life.

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Ireland Parsons returns with a heart full of stories, lessons, and dreams after spending a transformative year abroad. Her time immersed in different cultures has not only reshaped her worldview but also helped her navigate personal growth in ways she never expected. Now preparing for an exciting move to Italy to pursue her passion for fashion, Ireland joins us today to reflect on her journey—how traveling alone challenged her, what she learned about relationships and comparison in her 20s, and the evolving mindset that is guiding her into adulthood.

Traveling abroad opened Ireland’s eyes to the diversity of life’s rhythms—from the vibrant, sometimes overwhelming streets of Athens to the poised quiet of Austria. Navigating these contrasts brought moments of awe, but also challenges like safety concerns and loneliness. Yet through it all, Ireland discovered resilience and strength she didn’t know she had. Confronting her anxiety and pushing herself out of her comfort zone, she found confidence through connection, meaningful friendships, and a deeper appreciation for the comforts and relationships she had taken for granted back home. Her love for Italy, sparked by a teenage visit, now calls her back—not just as a tourist but as a student of fashion, ready to absorb its artistry and elegance where it lives and breathes.

Being away from home taught Ireland hard but valuable lessons about who truly shows up when distance is involved. While time zones and busy lives sometimes strained communication, it became clear which connections were rooted in love and mutual care. Simultaneously, she has faced the quiet struggle of comparison—seeing peers move through traditional milestones while she took a different path. Through conscious mental reframing and the wisdom of thinkers like Mel Robbins, Ireland began to understand that everyone’s path is uniquely timed. Comparison became a tool for empathy rather than self-judgment, and she’s learned to build relationships that are authentic, mutually fulfilling, and supportive of personal growth during this unpredictable phase of life.

Ireland’s twenties have brought a conscious shift in how she views herself and the world. No longer seeing struggles as setbacks, she now embraces them as essential parts of the story that shape her. This growth mindset has helped her let go of people and situations that no longer align, and embrace gratitude even in uncertainty. Daily affirmations, being present, and reminding herself that “everything happens for a reason” help her stay grounded. More than anything, she has begun defining happiness on her own terms—choosing joy, solitude, self-investment, and connection over societal expectations. She now sees her life as a gift, one she gets to shape moment by moment.

Ireland’s journey reminds us that stepping away from the familiar can often lead us back to who we truly are. Through travel, relationships, and a constantly evolving mindset, she’s finding her way—not by following a map, but by trusting the process and staying curious about the road ahead. As she prepares for her next chapter in Italy, she carries with her not only dreams of fashion but the confidence of someone who has learned how to build a life that feels like her own.

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