Meet Ariel Pasion

We were lucky to catch up with Ariel Pasion recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ariel , so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Honestly, this one hits my soul.

Growing up I went to a school that did not have *as much* diversity. I was probably 1 out of 10 Filipinos in my school of over 1,000 students. I remember feeling alone and confused, and not only did I think this way – I was bullied for looking and being the way that I was. They told me that “I’d grow up being nothing.”That “My mother should be ashamed to have me as her daughter.”

It was challenging at the time to step into my power but here are the two important lessons I learned as I moved through the adversity and isolation anyway-

One – Focus Within, self-love and self-validation. Give YOURSELF permission to TAKE UP SPACE. Easier said than done but you are worthy the moment you are born. Would you ever go up to a child who just came out of their mother’s womb and say “You are a disgrace!” (I mean, I hope you wouldn’t say this…) But remember that you are ALREADY enough, captivating, strong, and knowledgeable. Stand tall, and hold your frame because you have your unique colors to shine bright and succeed.

Two – Absolutely we need that self-validation and determination to be a lone wolf – but, it’s also important to find your pack that uplifts you regardless of your skin, appearance, background or personality. It took me some time to truly understand this concept and there were many moments of growth along the way – but when you surround yourself with those who cheer you on and want you to succeed, it makes a difference.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Ariel Pasion, and I’m a Women’s Health Coaching Specialist in Los Angeles, CA.

With my company and services, I’m dedicated to empowering women to transform their bodies through fat loss while building muscle, learn to turn their breakdowns into breakthroughs, and live the lifestyle they desire to achieve.

My journey has been fueled by a deep desire to help others find their confidence through movement, health, and self-awareness. Why? Because I suffered from debilitating self-doubt that hindered me from stepping into my highest potential for YEARS.

I bring a comprehensive approach to wellness that’s rooted in both science and personal experience. In 2018, I went through ovarian cyst surgery, healing from sexual assault cases, and several challenges. But, it was a pivotal time that changed how I understood myself, my resilience, and my body. It was the time I realized I stand to empower women.

It deepened my connection and understanding of the STRENGTH of the female body.
Women’s bodies are complex; Our hormones, Menstrual Cycles, Pregnancy, Pre-menopause, Menopause … and all the different phases. But – when we learn to appreciate the dualities and understand how to work with ourselves instead of against our natural waves, there is magic.

Doctors put me on birth control after my surgery… It made everything worse. I went from consistently being 130 pounds most of my adult life to jumping to 185-190 pounds.

But once I found my tribe, gained control of my body, and stepped into my power –
I’ve lost over 50 pounds of fat and, more importantly, freed myself from years of negative self-talk. This transformation taught me that true wellness is about aligning with our bodies, not fighting against them.

In my coaching, I focus on helping women build consistent, sustainable health habits. I know how it feels to struggle with motivation, self-doubt, and setbacks.

That’s why I’ve made it my mission to guide women every step of the way, turning their aspirations into achievable routines. One of the things that excite me most about my work is witnessing my clients unlock their full potential and find their inner strength.

Currently, I’m hyped to share new offerings through FocusWithin Health!

I’ve recently launched two signature 1-1 personalized coaching programs:

My 8-Week FocusWithin Health Momentum is designed to help women kickstart their health journey with a fully customized exercise program, macros, and routines, and my 16-Week FocusWithin Health Mastery is for those ready to take a deep dive into personal transformation and sustainable wellness. Each program is tailored to meet women where they are, helping them establish strong foundations, overcome mental barriers, and make lasting lifestyle changes.

I also have my free weekly wellness newsletter packed with mindset tips, motivational insights, and practical advice that I’ve learned from both my personal and professional experiences.

Lastly, a fun one that a lot of my community gravitated towards even though it was supposed to be my personal challenge is “No-Snooze, November.” It will be available to all as the ‘FocusWithin No Snooze 30-Day Challenge,’ a free program designed to help participants build consistency in their mornings by avoiding the snooze button and setting intentions for each day. This challenge is all about creating routines that empower women to show up for their lives with purpose.

I believe that when women support each other, amazing things happen. I look forward to continuing this journey, helping more women reclaim their confidence and embrace their wellness goals—because we all deserve to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, three qualities and areas of knowledge have been most impactful in helping me grow, overcome challenges, and ultimately succeed:

1. Mental Awareness and Understanding Cognitive Distortions
Learning to recognize and address cognitive distortions has been transformative. Cognitive distortions are mental traps that can lead to self-doubt, negative thinking, and feeling stuck. Being aware of these patterns—like all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, or overgeneralizing—has helped me reframe setbacks and approach challenges with a healthier mindset.

Advice for Those Starting: Start by building self-awareness and taking note of your internal dialogue. Journaling can be a powerful tool to track these thought patterns. I even used to record videos of myself just expressing myself without a filter when I was in a lull. It allowed me to truly feel those moments and then recognize what felt unlikely. Learning about common cognitive distortions and practicing reframing techniques can help you build a more resilient and balanced mindset over time.

2. Having an Intentional Strategy and Moving with Purpose
There was a time when I would “wing it” and hope for the best, which led to inconsistent results and unnecessary stress. I’ve since realized the value of moving with purpose, even if it means taking a little extra time to plan. A clear strategy provides guidance and structure, making it easier to pivot and adapt as needed, rather than feeling lost or overwhelmed.

Advice for Those Starting: Develop a plan with small, achievable steps that align with your goals, but don’t become too rigid. Life happens, and things may change along the way, but with an intentional strategy, you’ll be better equipped to handle those moments and make adjustments without feeling like you’re starting from scratch. Remember, even a loose plan is better than none at all.

3. Letting Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism used to hold me back in significant ways. This ties back into number 2 – yes you have a plan but remember things will change and we need to surrender and adapt to that change. So, progress over perfection. How can I adapt?

Advice for Those Starting: Recognize that perfectionism can become a barrier for your growth. Remember that taking messy action is often better than doing nothing at all. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and learn from them; it’s through those experiences that you’ll grow.

These three skills—mental awareness, purposeful planning, and letting go of perfectionism—have been crucial in my personal and professional growth. For anyone early in their journey, focusing on these areas will help you build consistency and confidence – which are key ingredients for success.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to a personal strategy I’ve developed over the years—what I call the Embodiment Method, which revolves around my 3 E’s: Express, Evaluate, and Evolve.

It’s my go-to tool for grounding myself and finding clarity when things feel chaotic. While variations of this approach exist, I’ve shaped this version to work specifically for me, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing with others.

Express: I let my emotions out with no filter, no reframing—just raw and honest. Whether it’s journaling, recording a voice memo, or taking a video of myself, I give myself permission to feel and release everything without judgment.

Evaluate: Once everything is expressed, I step back and analyze. What’s fact, and what’s fiction? Are there cognitive distortions at play? I focus on identifying the truth and figuring out the next action I need to take to move forward.

Evolve: Finally, I take that action. It might be a small step or a big decision, but it’s always intentional and aimed at achieving my desired outcome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arielpasion.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apasionlifestyle

Image Credits

Paul Khoury