BWell Saginaw ”Healthier Me” Podcast

While most of her life is dedicated to empowering youth and raising two sons -- Arshen battled with her mental and physical health for over a decade. After hitting a depressive time in her life, she reached out to the people around her, found a village and lost close to 100 pounds.  

Growing up, Austin experienced disordered eating -- tracking everything he ate from the number of M&Ms to every French fry. With the help of college-based training, paired with his wife and friends, Austin has redefined what health means to him.

After a troubling relationship, Mariette MacArthur decided to act and work towards healing. The mom of two beautiful daughters -- she transformed her mind, body and her spirit after making one decision.

Coming from a family of 10 children, Jase was not brought up with your typical home life. At a young age, she entered the foster care system where her body took on a series of overwhelming illnesses. From being underweight, to drinking nutritional shakes and being on mental health medications since she was 9 – Jase’s health transitioned to being overweight reaching almost 500 pounds. After undergoing a health operation in 2023– she has lost over 250 pounds and is on a journey to keep it off.  

As someone who has always been athletic and strong, Abraham has undergone multiple surgeries -- including being in an induced coma -- yet somehow, he finds his way back to doing what he loves. And that's training others in their health journey.

As a wife and mom to three beautiful boys, Katy went from surviving some challenging moment to inspiring other moms in their health and wellness journeys. 

Hosted by Alexandria Jones, Beyond the Hoodie dives deep into the inspiring story of 19-year-old Lionel Baldwin, who was bullied for his weight from the age of six—before he even realized he was “fat.” Despite being one of the biggest kids in his class, Lionel found ways to cope, excelling in sports, academics, and social circles. Now a sophomore at the University of Michigan, he opens up about his transformation—from never taking off his hoodie to embracing a healthier lifestyle and a bright future. Tune in for a raw, honest conversation about resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of personal growth.

In this inspiring episode of BWell Saginaw Healthier Me with Alexandria Rene, we sit down with Jessica Larsen, a Saginaw County working mom who has spent decades battling weight-related health challenges, including PCOS and fertility struggles. Jessica shares her raw and deeply personal story of finding hope through bariatric surgery, and shedding over 100 pounds—not just of weight, but of fear and self-doubt.
Today, Jessica has a renewed outlook on life and a beautiful perspective to share with friends and neighbors. She opens up about the physical and mental transformations that have empowered her to reclaim her health. Her journey is a testament to persistence, courage, and the belief that it’s never too late to change your story.
Whether you’re struggling with similar challenges or need a reminder that hope is always within reach, this episode will uplift and inspire you. Tune in to hear Jessica’s journey of self-love, wellness, and a life she never thought possible.