In this inspiring episode of the Vivatude Podcast, Life Coach Anu Arora sits down with Pete Barusic, a physical therapist with over 30 years of experience, endurance athlete, certified life coach, and Heroic Public Speaking graduate. Together, they explore the deep emotional and relational side of caregiving—especially for women over 40 who often carry the physical and emotional load of caring for aging parents. Pete shares how everyone is a caregiver, whether offering emotional support, spiritual presence, or practical help, and how recognizing this truth can ease guilt, create healthier boundaries, and strengthen personal resilience.

Pete offers a refreshingly honest look at caregiving through the lens of his own journey supporting his mother. He explains how he learned to “take off the wetsuit”—his powerful metaphor for the personalities, expectations, and roles we cling to that actually drain our energy. Through active listening, athletic performance strategies, and vulnerability, Pete discovered how releasing these emotional layers allows both the caregiver and the care receiver to feel supported. His insights help women build emotional strength, reduce burnout, and find meaning in the everyday challenges of caregiving.

This conversation also highlights the importance of celebrating small wins, balancing giving and receiving, and shifting from “fixing” to simply being present. Pete shares how acknowledging moments of progress with his mother restored connection and joy, and how women—especially those juggling careers, family, and caregiving—can use this approach to reclaim peace and purpose. If you’re a caregiver searching for encouragement, emotional tools, and a reminder that you are not alone, this episode offers heartfelt guidance and powerful mindset shifts to help you thrive while caring for the people you love.

✨ Connect with Pete Barusic

💠 Website 👉 https://petebarusic.com

💠 His podcast, The Weathered Athlete 👉 https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-weathered-athlete-podcast/id1524859031

💠 On X (formerly Twitter) 👉 https://x.com/petebarusic

💠 YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@InBetweenSeasonsCoaching756

✨ Connect with Anu Arora

💠 Anu's book Ignite Your Light 👉 https://www.amazon.com/Ignite-Your-Light-infinite-potential/dp/1719066582

💠 Website 👉 https://www.anuarora.com/

💠 YouTube 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@speakeranuarora

💠 Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/anuarora21/

✨ Connect with Vivatude

💠 Facebook 👉 https://www.facebook.com/VivatudeOfficial

💠 Vivatude Podcast Playlist 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O2DNFGvKx2uh0rqhA8fWo7F

💠 Meet Our Hosts 👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAaH5P8bm1O0sTSMv6IkG3WThSRouw-2x

Mentioned in this episode:

Mindful Leadership Lab

Music: Unite by tubebackr & Stanty is licensed under a Creative Commons License.