On this very positive episode of the Gotcha Mama Podcast, I chat with my guest Elle Benson. Elle is the mom of a toddler, an author, and a nonprofit director in Tennessee. She is what many would describe as a typical working mother. She’s the one on mute during the conference call, balancing her phone on one shoulder and her toddler in the other arm.

Elle doesn’t believe there’s a science to motherhood but does believe that women need to stop judging others. And, more importantly, stop judging themselves. YES, Mama!

She began studying positive psychology to help people finish the phrase, “I’ll be happy when...” Her desire to assist other moms and women with being happy in the present moment is contagious.

She recently launched an amazing business and workbook for moms-to-be called Cultivate Your Happiness, which we dig into a lot during our conversation.

She is funny, positive, honest, and she has a passion for supporting other moms. So basically, she’s my kind of people!!

We talk about:

• What is happiness and why it's important for people
• The various factors that determine happiness in your life
• Why she decided to launch Cultivate Your Happiness 
• How the "Cultivate Your Happiness" book she authored and the vision for her business benefits moms at every stage
• How to pass down happiness to your children
• And much more amazing conversation about happiness, positive psychology, and how it all relates to motherhood!

Elle's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CultivateYourHappiness923/

For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

Have you ever had to choose between career aspirations and being a parent? Or felt like you were burning the candle at both ends to be the superstar career-woman and also superstar mom?

Unfortunately, overwhelm and burnout is a life-crushing epidemic for working parents in the U.S. And it's time someone came up with a better way.

Enter today's guest, Sarah Argenal! Sarah is a mom of two boys on a mission to eradicate the burnout epidemic that's crushing working parents so they can finally enjoy these precious years of their life. 

With over two decades of experience in areas such as psychotherapy, professional coaching, and complex project management in global law firms, Sarah offers a sustainable and long-term approach to personal fulfillment for working parents. 

She's the founder of The Argenal Institute, host of the popular Working Parent Resource Podcast, and creator of the Whole SELF Lifestyle™ framework.

We talk about:

• How she went from working full-time in corporate litigation support to working as an entrepreneur and homeschooling her boys
• Why she believes burnout is so common now and what she proposes as a solution
• Life balance and if it is actually attainable for moms who work
• The real underlying issues that we blame on poor time management or other surface-level symptoms
• She also shares why the Whole SELF Lifestyle framework she's developed is different from the other personal development tools available

For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

Argenal Institute: https://argenalinstitute.com/

Sarah on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/argenalinstitute/

In today's episode, I’m talking with a mom I know well, Tricia Baumhardt.

Tricia is a continual source of wisdom and spiritual encouragement for women and moms. And I'm inspired by how honest and candid Tricia is when she talks about how she navigates unpredictable and sometimes uncomfortable parenting situations. 

I appreciate, and I know you will too, how honestly and transparently she shares her family's journey loving and growing with a child who has special needs.

Tricia's oldest child, daughter Ava, was diagnosed as having Autism when she was just three years old.

We talk about:

• What it was like for her and her husband when they got the diagnosis that Ava has Autism
• The range of reactions she's experienced from other parents when she's out in public with Ava
• What she's learned about herself and other people since Ava's diagnosis
• How she and her husband talk to her youngest child about Ava's behavior and Autism
• Her advice to other parents who've received a diagnosis that their child has Autism

For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

Almost twenty years ago, I was 20 years old and it was the year 2000! Wha?! With my 40th birthday coming up in December, it seems appropriate to take a look at this milestone and appreciate the journey that’s gotten me here.

So as I reach the big 4-0 as a mom of a three-year-old daughter, I'm reflecting on some things that would've served me well in my 20s, had I really let them sink in.

These things also happen to be things I strive to remember now, as well as things I'd like to pass down to my daughter too.

In essence, this episode is a list of the "top 5 things I would tell my 20-year-old self". Some of these are things I learned before becoming a mom, but they didn’t really sink in good until after I had my daughter.

Motherhood changes you. I would argue that it changes you for the better. I have no scientific proof to back that up. But I DO know lots of really awesome, talented, resilient, strong, wise, loving, and resourceful moms!!

I talk about the FIVE things I would tell my twenty-year-old self. And consequently, things I actually tell myself often now too.

Failure is a normal part of life and a necessary part of success.

You can't control what other people think about you.

Work on YOU first.

Plan that things won't go as planned.

It's never too late to start something new.

And bonus*- Especially when it comes to people, there’s always more going on than what you can see on the outside.

For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

This is the second part of my conversation with my guest and Physical Therapist, Katherine Sylvester. We get to some REAL real talk today about our post-baby bodies. And you don't want to miss it!

We get into so much good stuff in our conversation that I could NOT cut anything out for you. So I had to make the Q&A a Part 2 that you'll hear in this episode.

Katherine answers listener-submitted questions like:

What can I do to prevent vaginal tearing during childbirth?

How can I get rid of the "pooch" above my c-section scar?

And more. . .

She shares some super practical tips to help before, during, and immediately after you give birth, as well as tips to help with a smooth recovery during the months after you've given birth.  You'll get your strength and energy up and your confidence maxed out with her guidance!

Katherine has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology from Mercer University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She lives in Macon, GA with her husband and her five-year-old son.  

Through education, encouragement, and accountability, she gives women permission to redefine motherhood and debunk the myth that childbirth means wearing pads, losing your abs, having energy deprivation and not feeling sexy anymore. 

Katherine works with moms to help them rediscover their muscle flexibility, urinary continence, sexual fulfillment, internal confidence, and core stability.

For show notes and resources mentioned: http://www.gotchamama.com

Katherine on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rediscoveryourmusic

Katherine on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/rediscoveryourMUSIC

www.rediscoveryourmusic.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

On today's episode, I’m talking with my guest and Physical Therapist, Katherine Sylvester. We get to the REAL real talk today.

Katherine has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and psychology from Mercer University and her doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Medical College of Georgia. She lives in Macon, GA with her husband and her five-year-old son. 

We talk about why she’s so passionate about helping moms, some common misconceptions about postpartum recovery, and some surprisingly easy ways to tackle those physical challenges of pregnancy and postpartum recovery that will make you feel more confident. 

Through education, encouragement, and accountability, she gives women permission to redefine motherhood and debunk the myth that childbirth means wearing pads, losing your abs, having energy deprivation and not feeling sexy anymore. 

Katherine works with moms to help them rediscover their muscle flexibility, urinary continence, sexual fulfillment, internal confidence, and core stability.

If you don’t walk away from this episode having learned something new, you weren’t listening!

We got into so much good stuff that I had to make a  part 2 that will be a Q&A with Katherine next week. 

Katherine on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rediscoveryourmusic

Katherine on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/rediscoveryourMUSIC

www.rediscoveryourmusic.com

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

Ten years ago, my guest, Mamie Simmons, would've considered it a joke if someone said that she would own and operate an exercise group for moms. The thought was so far removed from her everyday life.

Funny enough, Mamie is now a self-proclaimed fitness lover! Not only is she is a wife and mom to two young kids, but she is also the owner and an instructor at iStroll Macon. iStroll is a national franchise fitness group for parents.

She proudly shares that the practices, lessons, and friends she gained from iStroll influence her every day.

We talk about what kept her from consistent workouts, the unexpected way she got involved with iStroll, what iStroll is, what she's learned as a business owner and mom of two, and some very practical ways you can get out of your own way and get started with your health and fitness goals.

Mamie and her husband live in Macon, Georgia with their 5-year-old daughter, 4-month-old son, and Goldendoodle.

iStroll Macon Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/istroll.macon  

Main franchise iStroll Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/istroll.fitness 

More about iStroll: www.istroll.co

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

It's Season 2 of the Gotcha Mama Podcast! So awesome to be back with you.

It's a new season of the podcast, a new season of school, and Summer will be transitioning to Fall soon (my favorite season ever!). So I want to take a minute and recognize all the new.

It's so easy to rush into new things because we're excited or anxious about getting it started. The beginning of something new is exciting and can be a little scary. But I don't want to blow past this.

There is as much transition and new in the seasons for moms as for kids and if we don't acknowledge it, process it, and maybe grieve the old season a little, I think we miss out on some of the beautiful parts of motherhood.

In this episode, I'll talk about how we can overlook new phases and seasons of being a mom, what you can do to work through uncomfortable changes and new seasons, the beauty of new opportunities, and how change is the only thing that is constant.

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/

For show notes and links to resources: https://www.gotchamama.com

How did you feel about moving to a new place and being the "new mom"? Maybe uncertain, or uncomfortable. It can be scary to put yourself out there. My guest today knows ALL about being the new mama on the block and finding a community of support, again and again, and again.

Today, I’m talking with Meagan Riggs.  Meagan is a military spouse and mama to five beautiful young children, currently living on her adorable farm in North Carolina.

As a military spouse, she has moved many times, so she is no newbie to finding community and wanting to belong. We talk about her experience finding and creating authentic community anywhere, things we can do to help moms feel less alone, the ups and downs of moving over and over as a military mama, and of course her goats!!

Megan is a passionate lover of sunshine and open spaces as well as homeschooling and homesteading. Making her home fills not just her days, but her heart to overflowing. She finds joy in gathering with friends and loved ones, studying the enneagram (she's a 3), and that entire 30 seconds when all the laundry is done.

While she says that she’s far from perfect, she's found the beauty of true belonging in her faith and in grace that never fails.

This wraps up Season 1 of the Gotcha Mama podcast so beautifully! Meagan is an absolute delight and I have some fantastic takeaways from this conversation. I know you will too! 

Did you know that only 2% of teen mothers graduate from college?! That's a staggering statistic that my guest today is included in.

On today's episode, I talk with single mom Sara Starr Huth. Sara lives in Denver, Colorado with her now 17-year-old son. Although she doesn’t have little kids anymore, she has a powerful story that any mom can learn something from. 

For close to 10 years Sara has dedicated her professional life to teaching teen parents about healthy relationships, parenting skills, and practical sexual health in her local school district. 

Her motivation for her work with teen parents came from her own very personal experiences as a teen mom. Sara got pregnant at 17-years-old and gave birth to her son soon after her 18th birthday. 

She has walked the path of both a teen mom and a single parent and knows first hand many of the challenges that moms face when the odds are stacked against them. 

It was during her most challenging times, that she knew she wanted to be a source of support and strength for other moms. 

She recently established "Momma, You Got This" with the mission to build an online community for women who are parenting under challenging circumstances. "Momma, You Got This" is dedicated to providing support, resources, and community to young mommas, single mommas, divorced or widowed mommas and any momma who needs the help and resources.     

We talk about what it was really like to be a teen mom, where she went for support as a new mom and now that her son is a teenager, effective co-parenting tips she’s learned, and how being a young, single mom shaped her view of herself, her dreams, and her son’s future. 

I really hope you enjoy Sara’s full-circle story!

Momma, You Got This Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mommayougotthis/

Learn More: https://www.mommayougotthis.com/

GOTCHA MAMA INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/gotchamama/

GOTCHA MAMA FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/gotchamama/