Some days, I honestly just wanna give up. I know being busy is a part of life and things will get done. But it still sucks.

I’ve been looking for a bit of inspiration to get through all the things on my plate lately.

That’s why I asked my good friend, Ivory, to share about what gets her through her day-to-day especially when all we want to do is be a couch potato.

A university instructor, private dietitian, personal trainer, competitive power lifter, podcast host, and daughter, sister, wife, and friend above all else… how does this girl manage it all, and what can we all learn from her?

If you’re in a rut and need a little boost like me, this episode is for you.

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Connect with Ivory, MPH, RDN, cPT!

Website: www.ivoryloh.com

Instagram: @ivorytherd

Hear more from Ivory and other AAPI mental health providers to learn more about eating disorders and continued wellness on her podcast, The Potluck Club.

Instagram: @thepotluckclubpodcast

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Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow.

Music by Jonathan Fu

How long have you been friends with your friends? I didn’t know growing your circle as an adult was possible… or even necessary.

In my 20s, I thought the friends I had were going to be with me forever. I learned otherwise. In my 30s, I realized that I needed to expand my circle because I was having a hard time relating to the friends I currently had.

So today, I’m bringing on three friends who have stuck with me for the past 20 years to discuss the friendships we’ve kept, the ones we said goodbye to, and the ones we don’t see everyday but still linger for the better.

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Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow.

Music by Jonathan Fu

This isn’t just a diary entry about the classroom. In thisepisode, I’m sharing an unfiltered recap of my first year as a specialeducation assistant. Whether you work in an office, run a business, or manage a household, my biggest takeaway from this year is a fundamental life lesson that applies directly to you too.

Here’s a snapshot of the highs and lows of working in the classroom and how it informs how you go about your own day-to-day.

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Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow⁠.

Music by Jonathan Fu

If marriage is romantic and exciting, why am I feeling anxious? I dated with the intention of finding my person. Now that they’re here and we’re locking things in… why am I left wondering if this is the right move?

The thought of entering a new phase of life is both exciting and nerve-wracking. If you have any advice or thoughts I should consider as you listen to this episode, collect your thoughts and send help!

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Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow⁠.

Music by Jonathan Fu

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode covers the topic of death from 15:15-17:55. Feel free to skip ahead.

They say 2026 is the new 2016. Why? There’s a significant-rise in AI, Trump is back in office, and apparently, skinny jeans are back in style. These are just a few historical events and trends of many, but the idea is that people are feeling a similar vibe when comparing the two years. Hence, the latest trend to look back at how things have changed in their personal lives between now and then.

Here’s my lookback and what I’ve learned – for better or worse – on school, career, dating, family, friends, health, identity, and all the unexpected along the way.

How does your 2026 compare to your 2016?

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Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow⁠.

Music by Jonathan Fu

Take a moment to think about a time in life when you were experiencing a peak. Maybe you were doing really well at work, or you had accomplished a long-time goal, maybe finances were strong and you were just ballin out on everything just because you could. Then suddenly… things just became different.

Whatever experiences you had, it might have been followed by this sudden lull, or maybe even a wakeup call. In my case, my peak was followed by feelings of sadness, regret, and overall surprise.

Though I know these feelings are temporary, I wasn’t expecting this one to hit me so hard, feeling lost in direction not know how to feel about what was coming next.

It’s out with the old and in with the new. Goodbye clouds grey, hello skies of blue… I hope.

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Listen to my last and final blog episode here.

Let’s connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow⁠.

Music by Jonathan Fu

I'm Marissa, a 30-something-year-old from America. I believe stories deserve to be shared and heard through any walk of life.

My previous episodes are audible versions of my blog that documented my experience as an English teacher abroad. Though I am not currently teaching abroad, travel and education very much remain a part of my identity - the journey that has gotten me to where I am and where I'm heading. There is still so much more to be said.

I'm excited to dive into a variety of topics with you like travel, health, career, family, friends, love, and all of life's milestones.

I hope you'll join me on this journey as I explore the world of podcasting and share personal stories with you. My goal is that you may take what resonates with you and apply it to your own story to do something great and encourage others to do the same.

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Let's connect! Find me on Instagram @forgoodfornow⁠.

Music by Jonathan Fu

Just when you think you’ve planned enough, there’s always something that unexpectedly comes up. Here are three things that caught me by surprise with my move to Spain that can help you prepare for yours.

If you're in a similar situation, have questions, or would like to connect, you can find me on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@travelwithmiv⁠⁠⁠.

This episode is an audible version of a three-part blog . Read along at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.ciee.org/author/marissav⁠⁠⁠.

Ready to start your journey abroad with ⁠⁠⁠CIEE⁠⁠⁠? ⁠⁠⁠Take $200 off your program fee using my referral link⁠⁠⁠. Discount applies to all of CIEE's programs for Teaching English Abroad, in-person college and high school study abroad programs, and 150-hour TEFL Certification course.

I wasn’t a teacher before teaching in Madrid. In fact, a lot of us weren’t. If you haven’t taught before, here’s exactly why you should do it abroad.

If you're in a similar situation, have questions, or would like to connect, you can find me on Instagram ⁠⁠@travelwithmiv⁠⁠.

This episode is an audible version of my blog. Read along at ⁠⁠https://www.ciee.org/author/marissav⁠⁠.

Ready to start your journey abroad with ⁠⁠CIEE⁠⁠? ⁠⁠Take $200 off your program fee using my referral link⁠⁠. Discount applies to all of CIEE's programs for Teaching English Abroad, in-person college and high school study abroad programs, and 150-hour TEFL Certification course.

What’s the cost of living in Madrid? How much should I save before moving? Learn from my financial experiences so you can feel prepared for your move abroad.

If you're in a similar situation, have questions, or would like to connect, you can find me on Instagram ⁠@travelwithmiv⁠.

This episode is an audible version of my blog. Read along at ⁠https://www.ciee.org/author/marissav⁠.

Ready to start your journey abroad with ⁠CIEE⁠? ⁠Take $200 off your program fee using my referral link⁠. Discount applies to all of CIEE's programs for Teaching English Abroad, in-person college and high school study abroad programs, and 150-hour TEFL Certification course.