A Thousand Tiny Steps

My morning routine will never be full of meditation and yoga. Instead it is currently filled with decluttering my household one bin at a time. This is in an effort to be more of a minimalist and carefully consider why I own the things I do. In this episode, I explore the grief attached to certain items and how I'm working on it.

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] My morning routine does not consist of meditation

[5:06] Watching a documentary on the minimalist lifestyle

[6:39] Struggling to get rid of physical items on my grief journey

[10:57] Getting things professionally organized and making progress

[14:42] I'm taking things one bin of stuff at a time

[20:55] The environmental impact of owning so many things

[23:09] Getting rid of one's things to live out of a suitcase

[24:46] The 30 day challenge in a new light

[26:53] Not being able to let go of items and hoarding

Resources:

• Me+ App

• The Minimalist: Less is Now

• Concord Thrift Shop

• The 30 day challenge

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

I listened to the story of Debbie, a woman who was sexually abused in childhood and I truly resonate with. From the way we were both told to be quiet about our abuse, our journeys of healing, and our coping mechanisms. In this episode, I look at common things things that go through the minds of children who suffer from sexual abuse.

Key Takeaways:

[3:19] Debbie works with a non-profit to help people that are sexually abused

[4:47] Debbie's story of being sexually abused by her stepfather

[7:14] Debbie's journey with therapy and processing emotions

[9:04] The similarities between Debbie and I's story

[15:21] Everyone told me to be quiet about the abuse and he never got punished

[18:59] I wondered how I could change my behavior so I wouldn't be abused

[20:47] How did Debbie's mom not know it was happening?

[22:32] Sexual abuse seems high in athletics

[24:04] My coping mechanisms have followed me in adulthood

[26:00] My healing journey with abuse is not linear

[27:03] January has not gone well

[28:51] Asking for help as people who have suffered from abuse

Resources:

• Family Secrets podcast

• The Joyful Heart episode

• Joyful Heart Foundation

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

Rosie came on with her partner Lauren to tell her story of getting POTS after having COVID and how it's affecting her life now. She's currently in the process of trying to get a service dog which will hopefully help give her more independence. In this episode, we chat about what it's like to have your partner be your caregiver and rethinking your life plans.

Key Takeaways:

[2:35] Getting COVID and then a high heart rate

[8:30] Getting diagnosed with POTS early, but having to leave rugby

[10:26] Realizing that this was going to be a life altering condition

[13:05] How POTS effects Rosie in her everyday life

[17:31] There's no official treatment for POTS

[21:32] How life has changed and not being able to drink alcohol

[25:32] Why Rosie wants a service dog

[29:49] Applying to get a service dog, getting rejected, and finally being accepted

[35:43] Rosie's fundraising efforts and how you can help

[38:46] Her family struggled to understand her illness, but are supportive

[42:08] Living with POTS has been compared to heart failure

[43:49] Learning how to ask for help

[45:01] Where you can donate money and learn more about POTS

[45:51] POTS is an invisible illness, but it's valid

[46:31] Growing up much quicker because of chronic illness

Resources:

• Rosie's campaign page

• Rosie's facebook

• ECAD

• Info about POTS

• Info on COVID and POTS

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

When I talk to my friends about aging we're all in this spot where we feel somewhat unfulfilled by life, like somethings missing. It makes me wonder what's wrong and where in my life I need to improve. In this episode, I look at where I am in Erickson's stages of development and how I don't always fit into my age group because I'm an older mom.

Key Takeaways:

[1:59] I've lost my social life

[3:56] Being an older mom is isolating

[6:06] This phenomenon of being like we're lost in older age

[10:55] Eric Erickson's stages of development and where I'm at

[14:38] Stagnation in this period of life

[17:09] Just having my family and not many relationships outside of that

[19:08] Can I make my life count?

[21:55] Taking care of my family and aging parents

[23:01] I'm wondering if CrossFit coaching fits into my life right now

[25:00] Feeling powerless and unappreciated in school board

[26:14] I'm working on my strength and nutrition

[28:12] Working on my social relationships

Resources:

• Crossfit Lady podcast episode

• More Milk Please podcast episode

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

As January ends, I realize I need to reevaluate when I make goals and what a routine looks like for me. I also take time off coaching, slow down, and try to enjoy the moment which is difficult for me. But through it all I am working on creating the life I want.

Key Takeaways:

[1:17] New Year's goals don't work for me and letting go of 75 Hard

[4:15] Taking time off from coaching

[5:58] Why slowing down is hard for me

[7:53] Kenny and I's different views on alcohol consumption

[14:03] Jack truly notices my emotions

[15:31] You can't expedite growth and struggling with staying in the moment

[18:18] I've been slowly cutting things out that aren't helpful

[19:19] Finding peace in just being alive

[23:20] Making my stop list bigger than my to do list

[25:41] Getting better at stillness and creating a routine that works

[31:03] I always have something to be angry at

[32:26] Creating the lifestyle I want

Resources:

• Crossfit Lady podcast episode

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

Thrifting clothes is such an important way to be both sustainable and give back to the community. I talked to students and teachers at my local high school to discuss their on site thrift shop, the change it's making in their community, and the conversations around social impact it brings about.

Key Takeaways:

[1:29] Concord's sustainable thrift shop and how it came to be

[8:16] Using thrifted fabric to sew plus sized clothes

[12:20] How the concept of sustainability has changed

[14:04] Running a thrift shop gives kids life skills

[18:21] Behind the scenes of running the shop

[21:35] The most donated items and gaining more financial support

[26:39] Students get clothing for their parents and siblings as well

[27:17] How to donate new items and what's most needed

[31:43] How the kids are going to use these life skills

[33:43] The ultimate dream of the thrift store

[35:58] Please donate if you can

Resources:

• The MollyB Foundation

• The CrossFit Lady podcast

• CHS Thrift Shop

• You can contact CHS by email: [email protected]

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

I feel a lot of anger in my life and I'm diving deep to see what I'm holding on to. Along the way I discover my healing crisis and how anger fits into the 5 stages of grief. In this episode, I'll find strategies to deal with my anger and what I need to focus on in the new year.

Key Takeaways:

[1:58] Starting the new year angry

[5:00] Chronic anger is more resentment

[6:32] Why I'm angry at home

[9:38] Being iced out of the school board

[15:35] Asserting aggression to avoid helpless feelings

[20:39] Strategies to deal with anger and how I'm doing it

[24:22] What anger am I holding on to and what triggers me?

[29:27] I feel like I constantly have to defend myself

[30:31] Having a healing crisis

[35:21] Realizing the 75 Hard is not what I want to be doing

[37:32] Here's my summary on anger

Resources:

• My book Motherland

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

As we do the kitchen renovation, we've found layers upon layers of wallpaper and flooring. This is much like the multitude of layers of my person. I keep saying I'm going to change things and instead I rush around. So now I'm finding new ways to cope and be a better parent for Jack and Gracie.

Key Takeaways:

[1:00] The walls of my house hold stories

[2:28] The layers of flooring throughout the years

[5:51] I make these goals and I don't follow through year after year

[8:41] Water damage in the floor

[11:38] I have to stop rushing around 24/7 and be present

[13:32] Doing 75 Hard again

[15:28] Thinking about taking time off

[17:00] Struggling emotionally with recording Motherland

[19:29] My house is in chaos

[22:19] We don't have a social circle and motherless daughters

[25:01] Feeling like a distant mother

[28:51] I got journals for both Gracie and I

[34:05] The song that makes me cry, but brings Jack joy

[36:21] The afterword of my book

Resources:

• My book Motherland

• Voice Over Vermont

• Motherless Daughters

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

While doing our home renovation we discovered a whole treasure trove of things in the walls. One of those things was a book on humane education by an amazing woman, Irene Hart who changed the history of education for New Hampshire and helped to advance women's rights.

Key Takeaways:

[1:02] I'm still making edits to my book

[5:14] The things in the walls of out house and the amazing Irene Hart

[10:16] The book on humane education for being kind to animals

[17:16] What incredible stuff I've done this year

[18:36] What humanity is about

[19:59] My New Year's resolutions for the year

[22:35] The language we use to describe other people

[24:19] This book reminds me of Molly

[24:48] My past New Year's experiences

[26:22] How Molly's kindness and sense of justice helped others

[31:31] What I need to work on in my life

Resources:

• My book Motherland

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation

I recently watched a documentary on living to 100 and what special things people did in certain communities to allow them to live that long. Some of it was not surprising and other parts were. There was so much information that I took from this documentary and I made a plan to make improvements to my own life.

Key Takeaways:

[1:46] The premise of the documentary

[4:31] Looking at four things: movement, outlook, connection, and eating

[10:03] The power 9: nine things that go into living to 100

[17:18] How Okinawa is such a healthy society

[20:20] Sardina, a little island in Italy that keeps moving

[22:27] The high stress levels in American society

[25:39] Ikaria, Greece and their resilient community

[30:40] The blue zones in America

[34:55] Costa Rica's sense of purpose

[36:47] Singapore's subsidized food and housing

[41:57] Trying to create blue zones in America

[43:58] What I'm doing in my life to incorporate healthy habits

[49:40] Taking care of the body, mind, and spirit

Resources:

• Living to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zone

Connect with Barb:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Be a guest on the podcast

YouTube

The Molly B Foundation