In this candid episode, host Shelbi Jones is joined by her sister, Sydney Jones, to discuss their recent breakthrough diagnoses of COVID-19. As the Delta variant spreads, the two share their personal experiences with the virus, including their symptoms, what they were doing before testing positive, and how they’re navigating recovery. They also dive into their thoughts on the anti-vaccine movement and what they each have in their COVID-19 survival kits.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Shelbi and Sydney’s personal experiences with COVID-19 breakthrough cases
• Symptoms, recovery process, and how the Delta variant has affected their experience
• Their thoughts on anti-vaxxers and navigating the current pandemic climate
• What’s in their COVID survival kits: essentials for staying safe and comfortable during illness
• How they’ve stayed positive during this challenging time and supported each other through recovery

This episode is a raw and honest look at the challenges of dealing with COVID-19 in the age of breakthrough cases, the importance of staying informed, and how family support plays a crucial role in navigating such an experience.

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, host Shelbi Jones opens up about deciding to leave her job and embark on a new chapter in her career. While she’s not revealing the details just yet, Lena dives into the emotional journey of quitting her 9-to-5, the challenges of navigating uncertainty, and the excitement of stepping into the unknown. She reflects on what this transition means for her personal growth and how she's preparing for what’s next.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Shelbi's decision to leave her job and take the leap toward something new
• The process of stepping away from the comfort of a stable job and navigating uncertainty
• What quitting her job symbolizes in terms of personal growth and future opportunities
• The excitement and challenges of not yet knowing what the future holds
• Managing the emotional aspects of making such a significant change

This episode offers a raw and honest look at the transition between chapters in life and the leap of faith it takes to leave a job and pursue something new. Stay tuned for the big reveal soon!

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Shelbi Jones sits down with Sam Kraus to discuss his Ulcerative Colitis (UC) journey. Sam opens up about his experience from the initial diagnosis to the difficult decision to get an Ileostomy, sharing the emotional and physical challenges that came with it. Together, they discuss his recovery process, how his relationship with food has changed post-surgery and the isolation that can come with living with a chronic illness.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Sam’s experience with Ulcerative Colitis and how it affected his daily life
• The decision-making process and emotional journey behind getting an Ileostomy
• Post-surgery recovery and how Sam adjusted to his new lifestyle
• Navigating the relationship with food after surgery and how it’s impacted his health
• The loneliness and isolation that can accompany living with a chronic illness
• Advice for others facing similar health challenges

Sam's story is one of resilience and strength, offering valuable insight into life with a chronic illness and how to find a sense of normalcy and healing post-surgery.

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Shelbi Jones virtually sits down with her friend and college roommate, Michelle Botomogno, to discuss Michelle's experience growing up biracial in Upper Arlington, a predominantly white, affluent suburb of Columbus, OH. Together, they explore the complexities of identity, race, and self-perception, diving into how Michelle navigates her Blackness and body image in a world that often categorizes people based on appearance.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Michelle’s experience growing up biracial in a predominantly white community
• Navigating the complexities of identity and how Michelle feels about her Blackness
• The impact of body image and societal expectations on self-esteem
• The importance of speaking up about race-related issues and how Michelle has immersed herself in Black Culture
• Conversations about embracing all aspects of one's identity and rejecting labels

This episode offers valuable insights into the intersection of race, identity, and self-acceptance as Michelle shares her journey and the lessons she’s learned.

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, host Shelbi Jones dives deep into the challenges of work and social burnout that many of us face now that the world is "open again." Our mental and physical well-being can take a hit as we rush to make up for lost time—attending weddings, going on vacations, visiting friends, and juggling an ongoing virtual work life. Shelbi opens up about her relationship with burnout and why we need to get more comfortable saying "no."

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The effects of trying to make up for lost time in a post-pandemic world
• The impact of social and work-related pressure on our mental health
• Shelbi's personal experience with burnout and coping strategies
• The importance of boundaries and learning to say "no."
• Insights from the Harvard Business Review article Time Management Won't Save You

Read the Harvard Business Review article mentioned in the episode:

Time Management Won't Save You

Tune in to reflect on your burnout and learn how to prioritize self-care and boundaries in our busy, reopened world.

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shelbi Jones virtually sits down with Aurea Sanabria Molaei, the Founder and Creative Director of Flower Bodega, a modern floral design & content studio. Specializing in events, installations, editorial, and experiences, Flower Bodega has made a name for itself in the world of creative floral design.

Aurea shares her inspiring journey, from working as a producer for significant experiential events to discovering her passion for floral arrangements and eventually launching her own business. She also opens up about the challenges of being a small business owner, particularly during the pandemic, and how she pivoted to make Flower Bodega thrive despite the hurdles.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The transition from a career in event production to starting a floral design business.
• The challenges and rewards of being a small business owner, especially during uncertain times.
• How Aurea managed to pivot Flower Bodega to continue flourishing throughout the pandemic.
• The intersection of creativity and business in the floral industry.
• The role of artistic passion in entrepreneurship.

✨ Connect with Aurea Sanabria Molaei and Flower Bodgea:

Follow Flower Bodgea on Instagram at @flowerbodega

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this solo episode, Shelbi Jones reflects on the lessons she has learned over the past 28 years, sharing insights that have shaped her journey. From navigating personal growth to understanding the importance of self-compassion, this episode dives deep into the transformative experiences that have made a lasting impact.

As Shelbi celebrates another year of life, she offers listeners valuable wisdom on authenticity, embracing change, finding purpose, and overcoming challenges. Whether it’s about relationships, career decisions, or mental well-being, these lessons aim to inspire others to reflect on their paths and cultivate a fulfilling life.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The importance of self-compassion and embracing vulnerability
• How to navigate career shifts and the lessons learned along the way
• The power of authenticity in both personal and professional life
• The role of mental health and self-care in maintaining balance
• Embracing change and growth at every stage of life

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Shelbi Jones virtually sits down with Amanda Taylor, CEO and founder of The Unplug Collective, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black women and gender-expansive people in their journeys with mental health and body discrimination.

Major publications like Vogue, Forbes, and InStyle have recognized Unplug as more than just a platform—it’s a movement that provides stories and educational resources to inspire deeper engagement with these crucial issues.

In this conversation, Amanda and Shelbi explore perfectionism and its various manifestations. They discuss how perfectionism influences everything from body image to eating habits, how we communicate, and the societal pressures that shape our understanding of what is "perfect." The episode offers valuable insights into how perfectionism can be limiting and the steps we can take toward embracing imperfection and self-compassion.

Key Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• The Unplug Collective: Empowering Black women and gender-expansive people through mental health advocacy
• Perfectionism and its Impact: From eating habits to how we speak and the societal pressures defining "perfection."
• Body Discrimination: The intersection of body image and societal standards of beauty
• Mental Health Narratives: Breaking the stigma around mental health and encouraging open conversations
• Educational Resources: How Unplug Collective creates resources for its community to deepen understanding and spark change

✨ Connect with Amanda Taylor and The Unplug Collective:

Follow The Unplug Collective on Instagram at @theunplugcollective.

Join the Define Normal community:

Follow Shelbi on Substack for weekly reflections and updates during the off-season.

Stay connected with Define Normal on Instagram.

Get in touch! Email us at [email protected] or leave a voice memo here. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the show—your support means everything!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.