Answers With: Coach, author, founder, and podcast host Simi Botic

"Now that I read much more, I feel like I'm in completely different parts of my brain when I'm soaking in someone else's story versus when I'm going deep into my own imagination to tell one of my own.

Jan 21, 2025

Answers With is a monthly series featuring the best kind of people, book people! I’ll be talking with readers I admire, from authors to booksellers and bookstagramers, all about where they find answers — in the pages, a movie, song, comfort watch, or dessert. This series is free for now, but if you like, consider pledging a subscription — and supporting the interviewees work!

It feels so fitting for January, a time of fresh starts, goals, and intention setting to have Simi Botic as this month’s guest. Simi truly feels like a breath of fresh air when it comes to thinking about these things.

Since 2020, I’ve enjoyed including her Unmeasured barre classes in my regular movement practice. When I settle in to take a class, I know I’ll feel more grounded and stronger at the end. The classes feel cozy, like grabbing a cup of coffee with a friend. Yes, I’m talking about movement! Her approach in coaching is rooted in self-compassion and releasing perfectionism, two things I’m definitely trying to expand in my life.

Last January, I shared this quote from Simi during an episode of her Unmeasured podcast:

“I don't think, as adults, we should spend our energy trying to figure out how to be someone we don't even want to be.”

Yes! Hearing this was a helpful nudge to spend time in 2024 revisiting my values and priorities.

Recently, I’ve enjoyed following along with Simi in two new adventures, her fiction writing, and finding romantasy. I appreciated her reflections in this post, including:

“It turns out, I needed to read books I actually enjoy! And, to my surprise and delight, I actually ENJOY reading about dragons, magical lands, and faerie lords.”

Read on for her go-to comfort watch, what’s surprised her the most diving into the romantasy genre, and the soup she’s been making for over a decade.

Where do you turn to most for answers? Books, movement, cooking?

I like to do things that allow me to go inward -- walks outside, my movement practice, prayer, and conversations with people who know me really well!

What’s your go-to comfort watch?

It's a tie between Dawson's Creek and Felicity. I've watched both series more times than I can count!

Is there a particular lyric, or a quote from a movie, TV or book quote that runs through your mind often or has become part of your unique Simi language?

"Help is on the way!" and "we have to go right now" -- both from Mrs. Doubtfire! Not a week goes by without saying these at least once.

How did writing Letting Go of Leo change you as a reader? How about now with your fiction writing?

To be honest, it didn't change me much as a reader. At the time I wrote it, I wasn't reading much at all. I actually think that helped my writing process because I wasn't swayed by others' voices and I really got to write Letting Go of Leo (which is a teaching memoir) in my most authentic voice.

With my fiction writing, I would say the same! It hasn't changed me as a reader. Now that I read much more, I feel like I'm in completely different parts of my brain when I'm soaking in someone else's story versus when I'm going deep into my own imagination to tell one of my own.

You've shared how you've found reading again thanks to romantasy, what's surprised you most about the genre?

The absolutely amazing friendships were the most surprising. The friendships in all the books I've read are easily my favorite parts of these stories!

What’s your reading routine or some of your reading habits?

I like to read when I'm with my kids on the couch and they are watching something together. I will also read next to my kids when they are playing independently of me but they want me close by to show me their finished art project or tell me a dinosaur fact. I love to read before bed but I also love to watch TV before bed, so it depends on my mood! Plane travel or a beach day are the ultimate reading times for me.

What’s the book you recommend the most?

Currently, Fourth Wing. I felt like it was the best entry into Romantasy. Since there are only two books (a third coming soon!) it's much less intimidating than a series like ACOTAR (which I absolutely loved).

Favorite book last year? Or, what's next on your list?

My favorite books last year were book two and three in the ACOTAR series. I couldn't choose just one of them! I'm currently reading book two in the Crescent City series and loving it -- up next is book three!

What’s your dream theme party? The food? The decorations? The costumes?

Definitely a small, intimate dinner party with some of our best friends -- I don't love big crowds! A great charcuterie spread with dirty martinis to start! After apps, we would sit outside at a long table for a delicious pasta under the stars. Some good music and funny stories while we eat. Ending the night with a multi-layered vanilla cake and buttercream frosting. Ending by 9pm because I love to go to bed early!

Do you have a favorite winter recipe?

My most made winter recipe is Almond Chicken Soup with Sweet Potato, Collards, and Chicken from Martha Stewart! I've been making it for more than a decade.

Simi Botic is a coach, attorney, author of Letting Go of Leo: How I Broke Up With Perfection, founder of UnMeasured virtual barre studio, and host of the UnMeasured podcast. She's had the honor of supporting thousands of clients all over the world to tap into their wisdom, align with their values, heal their relationships with food/movement, embrace their bodies, release perfectionism, cultivate deep self trust, turn up the self-compassion, and live their beautifully imperfect lives fully. It's her mission to help women come home to themselves.

Connect with Simi: On Instagram, her coaching Substack, her fiction writing, and website.

I hope you enjoyed this interview and a big thank you to Simi for sharing her answers!

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