Season 2 of the pod is here! The fall is such a transitional time for all of us, whether we are starting a new job, moving to a new place, or starting school. It can be difficult to get back into a routine and find a balance in all aspects of our lives. In this episode I talk about my own experience as a transfer student and the struggles I’ve faced so far and how I’m beginning to overcome them. Balancing school/work with having a social life, while eating healthy, and staying on track with your fitness goals can be a constant battle, here’s a little bit of insight on how I try to achieve this!

Body Image and struggling with body confidence is something we all deal with. It can lead to restricting and missing out on life experiences because our minds become so wrapped up in wanting to look a certain way and never feeling good enough. Society creates beauty standards and diet culture to profit off of people hating themselves. Your worth is not dependent on looks. Creating a healthy relationship with food and exercise will allow you to feel your best and be much more fulfilled. I have struggled with this throughout my life, but I am confident that all of you as well as myself will get to a place of pure self-love. IG: @macileejones & @piecesofpassion.thepod

Wellness has come with such incredible pros and positive changes in so many people’s lives. Trends and stigmas have created an image of wellness that can cause toxic habits and ideologies ultimately defeating the purpose of creating a holistic healthy lifestyle. This rabbit hole is tricky to get out of once you’re in it. Unhealthy relationships with food, exercise, and even your self worth can develop if you get in too deep. Wellness is meant to represent a balanced life where you can truly become the best version of yourself, so don’t fall in to the toxic traps. IG: @macileejones & @piecesofpassion.thepod

Your environment affects everything, and admitting that it may no longer be serving you is difficult. Taking a leap of faith to change your path can be one of the scariest, yet most rewarding experiences in life. I have decided to move on from College Soccer and Bentley University and carve a new path that feels more aligned with where I’m at in my life. I took a risk and followed my gut. I was losing myself on my current path and knew it was time for me to take ownership over my own happiness. I hope this helps you feel inspired to make needed changes in your own life and let go of things that may no longer be serving you.

Hustle culture is intense and is taking a toll on our mental and physical well-being as a society. Balance isn’t black and white, it shifts throughout the different phases of life. Food, sleep, work, and movement are all battling to take the top priority in our lives so let’s talk about how to make room for all of it without being overwhelmed. Instagram: @macileejones & @piecesofpassion.thepod

Today we are looking at all the different aspects of College life through two different lenses, I am a College Soccer Player at Bentley University while Lilly attends The University of Tennessee where she is pursuing Journalism. We dive in to friendships, sports, culture, and fitness from two perspectives and find common overlaps. Going to University has its challenges as it is a huge time for self-growth and discovery. We hope this resonates with you or helps you prepare for changes you may come across on any part of your life journey! Follow @macileejones, @lilly.vanalsburg, and @piecesofpassion.thepod on IG for more!

Burnout and chronic stress is a problem that runs rampant within people in today’s world. This shouldn’t be normalized, we have the ability to take control over these thoughts and feelings in order to slow down our lives and properly take care of our physical, mental, and emotional health. I hope this episode gives you some helpful tools that you can use in your everyday life.

We all suffer from comparison, jealousy, and self-sabotage but we don’t have to. Make a few small changes and recognize your thought process and just focus on being you. Our egos protect ourselves from feeling bad about ourself and we often tear others down as a form of self defense. Real growth happens when we let go of trying to be like someone else and we step in to our own power while empowering those around us. Follow me @macileejones on Instagram & TikTok and follow the podcast account @piecesofpassion.the pod on Instagram for more!

Society tells us we have to fit into a mold and follow a cookie cutter path. All this does is set us back from discovering our true passions and purpose in life. Be yourself and go after what you want, don’t stay in places or relationships that are no longer serving you. You are destined for so much more. ig: @macileejones @piecesofpassion.the pod

To whom ever is listening, this is a place of learning and growing in a positive and safe place. I hope you feel less alone and more understood after listening and realize you are right where you should be and you have so much more control over your own happiness than you think you do:) Find me on Instagram and TikTok: @macileejones