Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

03: Evolving as a Doula: Building a Sustainable Birth Practice with Alyssa Leon


Listen Later

In this episode of The Midwife Life, host Diane Ortega is joined by Alyssa Leon, founder and CEO of Cherry Blossom Doula Services. Together, they discuss Alyssa’s unexpected journey into the doula profession and the evolution of her solo practice into a thriving doula team. Alyssa opens up about the joys and challenges of supporting families through birth and postpartum care, and how her work has shaped both her career and her life. From establishing a successful practice to creating a sustainable work-life balance, Alyssa shares invaluable insights and experiences that will resonate with anyone passionate about birthwork and supporting women.


Listeners will gain an in-depth look at how Alyssa has expanded her offerings, founded Root & Rice Collective, and how she’s now empowering other birth professionals through mentorship and community collaboration. This candid conversation highlights the importance of aligning integrity and sustainability within the doula community while emphasizing the need for self-care and balance.


Key Takeaways:

  • A Doula’s Origin Story: Discover how Alyssa’s love for birthwork began, from early childhood inspiration to becoming a childbirth educator and, ultimately, a sought-after doula.
  • Creating a Sustainable Practice: Learn how Alyssa built and expanded Cherry Blossom Doula Services, navigating challenges in finding like-minded team members and creating a supportive, collaborative environment for doulas.
  • Root & Rice Collective: Explore Alyssa’s philanthropic venture dedicated to accessible community support and education in Mesa, Arizona, emphasizing equity in birth and postpartum care.
  • Work-Life Balance in Birthwork: Alyssa candidly shares how she manages the emotional, physical, and psychological demands of running a doula agency, with practical tips on maintaining boundaries, self-care, and resilience.
  • Empowering Women Through Advocacy: Hear how Alyssa empowers families to make informed decisions and why advocating for oneself and others is crucial in the birth space.


    Did you enjoy this episode? 

    Subscribe to The Midwife Life for more empowering conversations about birth, postpartum care, and women’s health. Leave a review and share with friends who would benefit from these inspiring stories and expert insights. Your story matters—reach out and share it with us!


    Resources Mentioned:

    • Cherry Blossom Doula Services: https://cbdoulaservices.com
    • Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima: https://amzn.to/3YDUC91
    • What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter: https://amzn.to/4fclDrg
    • Be Her Village
    • Connect with us:

      • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.midwife.life.co/
      • Website: themidwifelife.co
      • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Midwife-LifeCo/61559303575840/
      • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/themidwifelife/
      • ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane OrtegaBy Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center

        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5
        • 5

        5

        7 ratings


        More shows like Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

        View all
        Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman by Missy Helderman

        Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman

        12 Listeners

        Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love by Kim Box from the Motherhood Anthology

        Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

        46 Listeners

        The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals by Dr. Cherie

        The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals

        2 Listeners

        Big Brave Business:  Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter by Sarah Heeter

        Big Brave Business: Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter

        65 Listeners

        Heart-Centered Therapist Podcast: Elevating Practice in Mental Health, Relationships, Self-Care and Personal Growth by Sindee Gozansky

        Heart-Centered Therapist Podcast: Elevating Practice in Mental Health, Relationships, Self-Care and Personal Growth

        21 Listeners

        Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life by Katy Schlegel

        Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life

        8 Listeners

        Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving by Kathy Werking

        Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving

        3 Listeners

        Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope by Kasey Hope

        Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope

        115 Listeners

        Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life by Becky Aste

        Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life

        33 Listeners

        Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org by Doreen Korba of StillMama.org

        Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org

        40 Listeners

        Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education by Ricardo Sierra

        Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

        23 Listeners

        Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business! by Jonica Thompson

        Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business!

        12 Listeners

        Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women by Katie Carson

        Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women

        12 Listeners

        Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros by The Pet Shop Girls

        Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros

        8 Listeners

        Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne by Casey Thorne

        Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne

        0 Listeners

        Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane by Whitney Surane

        Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

        10 Listeners

        Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets by The Pet Shop Girls: Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets and Carly Patryluk of House of Paws

        Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets

        12 Listeners

        AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley by Erika Stanley

        AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley

        12 Listeners

        Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation by Mara Ervin & Val Crafton

        Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

        0 Listeners