In this episode of The ExtraOrdinary Self Podcast, we explore the wild, winding path of your 20s and 30s—a time often filled with pressure, comparison, chaos, and deep transformation. Maria reflects on why she calls everything before 40 “research” and unpacks the real work of early adulthood: detaching from who you were told to be, experimenting with identity, healing in relationships, navigating careers, and embracing divine detours. If you’ve ever felt behind, lost, or unsure in this season, this episode reminds you that you’re exactly where you need to be—and that becoming is messy, beautiful work.

In this episode of the Extraordinary Self podcast, Maria interviews Kevin Harris about his teenage years, exploring the challenges he faced growing up in a rough neighborhood, the influence of family and community, and the role of sports and faith in shaping his identity. Kevin shares his experiences with gang life, the importance of acceptance, and the consequences of his choices, including a traumatic event that changed his life forever. The conversation delves into the lessons learned from these experiences and how they have shaped Kevin's perspective on parenting and personal growth. In this conversation, Kevin Harris shares profound insights on life, resilience, and the importance of forgiveness. He reflects on how personal experiences, including near-death encounters and the loss of loved ones, have shaped his perspective on relationships and living life to the fullest. The discussion delves into parenting, the challenges teenagers face, and the significance of teaching them to embrace their experiences while understanding their worth beyond accomplishments. The conversation emphasizes the power of forgiveness, the journey of self-discovery, and the importance of chasing peace over fleeting happiness.

In this introspective episode, we journey back to the earliest chapter of our lives—childhood. Far from mere nostalgia, this reflection offers vital clues to who we truly are underneath the layers of societal conditioning. We explore how our earliest environments shaped our subconscious beliefs, the impact of family dynamics, and how even subtle childhood experiences leave lasting scripts. Whether you felt you belonged or struggled to fit in, this episode invites you to reparent your inner child, reclaim your original vibrancy, and bring fresh eyes to your past so you can walk freely into your future.We also touch on the cyclical nature of life, parenting as an opportunity for redemption and growth, and why memory without emotional charge becomes wisdom. A powerful prelude to our next episode on adolescence—the turbulent forest between childhood and adulthood.

In this deeply personal and mind-expanding episode, we explore the difference between Chronos and Kairos—clock time and divine timing—and how understanding this can radically shift your relationship with the present moment. Through spiritual insight, personal story, and a touch of physics and psychology, you'll discover how to harmonize hustle with holy rest, and learn to recognize the sacred invitations hidden in everyday life.

Takeaways

* Sacred time transcends the conventional understanding of time.

* Kronos represents measured, linear time; Kairos represents divine timing.

* Experiences of Kairos can change our perception of reality.

* Flow is a state where time disappears, aligning with Kairos.

* We often feel pressured by Kronos, leading to anxiety about time.

* Recognizing Kairos can help us understand that we are never behind.

* Divine moments are revealed to us when we are ready.

* Living in the present allows us to touch eternity.

* We need both Kronos for structure and Kairos for meaning.

* Time is a dance between the hustle of Kronos and the alignment of Kairos.

Episode Summary:

In this soul-stirring episode, we explore what it means to alchemize your past—to transform pain, disappointment, and trauma into personal power, purpose, and peace.

We journey through the emotional, spiritual, and even scientific dimensions of healing, connecting quantum physics, faith in Christ, and nervous system regulation as allies in the process. This isn’t about pretending things didn’t hurt—it’s about choosing a new meaning for them.

You’ll hear the powerful symbolism of the phoenix as a metaphor for rebirth after fire, and be reminded that even when the past feels heavy, it can become a sacred ingredient in your rising.

From heartbreak to healing, numbness to aliveness, this episode invites you to see your story through a new lens—and rewrite the future with intention, compassion, and courage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

* What “alchemizing” the past really means and how to begin

* How quantum physics supports emotional healing and perspective shifts

* How Christ, the Great Healer, meets you in your pain—not to fix, but to walk with you

* The role of the nervous system in storing trauma—and how to create safety again

* Why the phoenix became a personal symbol of transformation

* How to reframe painful relationships and events as part of your becoming

* A gentle reminder: healing isn’t a race—it’s a rebirth

📝 JOURNAL PROMPTS

Use these to integrate what you’ve heard and deepen your healing process:

* What memory from my past still holds emotional weight in my body or self-image?

* What meaning have I given to that pain—and is there a more healing interpretation I can choose today?

* What would Christ say to me about that moment? How might He sit with me in it?

* What does my nervous system still believe is unsafe? What helps me feel grounded and safe now?

* If I imagined myself as the phoenix—what part of me is ready to rise from the ashes?

Do you ever feel inexplicably drained, like your energy is slipping away—but you don’t know why? In this episode, we explore the hidden energy leaks that silently siphon your strength, joy, and creativity: from seeking validation, to ruminating on the past, gossiping, waiting to be happy “when,” and more. I’ll share a deeply personal story about our home being broken into—and how I turned potential trauma into transformation. Plus, I’ll walk you through how to reclaim your power through presence, gratitude, and aligned creation. These leaks aren’t always loud—but they are powerful. Let’s call your energy back, starting today.

If you love this message, my book An Ordinary Girl’s Journey to Self-Love dives even deeper.→ Available now on Amazon.

In this powerful episode of The ExtraOrdinary Self Podcast, we explore the misunderstood but life-changing concept of detachment—what it really means to let go, love without control, and live with outcome-independent motivation.

You’ll hear a personal story from motherhood that reveals the sacred practice of releasing expectations. We unpack the paradox of detachment: how you can care deeply without needing to control, and how loosening your grip often brings more peace, joy, and results.

You’ll learn:

* What detachment really is (and isn’t)

* How high achievers often confuse control with care

* A simple 3-step framework to practice detachment in daily life

* Practical tools to shift from performance to presence

* Real-life examples of where people struggle to let go—and how to begin

Whether you’re a parent, a dreamer, or someone craving more peace and freedom, this episode is your reminder:✨ Let go—not to disconnect, but to drop in more deeply.✨ Expect nothing, receive everything.

In this deeply personal and powerful episode, we explore one of the most important relationships you’ll ever have: your relationship with food. I share how my lifelong curiosity about food, health, and healing led me to become a certified nutrition coach — and why true transformation goes far beyond dieting.

We dive into three key layers:

* Conceptual: How our first experience with food (even in the womb!) shapes our sense of safety, comfort, and connection.

* Theoretical: Why our food relationships often go wrong — from biological hunger cues, emotional eating patterns, fast food culture, to the confusing messages of diet culture.

* Practical: How you can begin healing your relationship with food by reconnecting to your body’s needs, reframing food without shame, cooking more at home, and honoring food as sacred.

At the end, I share a bonus rapid-fire segment with my top real-world tips for transforming your body and loving what you see in the mirror — from learning basic nutrition, cleaning up your environment, ditching perfectionism, to having freaking fun along the way.

This episode is your invitation to get off the hamster wheel of dieting, deepen your self-trust, and finally make peace with food — for good.

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to build a new habit and thought, “Maybe I’m just not disciplined enough,” this episode is for you. What if the problem isn’t your willpower—but your self-identity?

In this powerful conversation, we bust 7 of the most common (and damaging) myths about habits—from relying on willpower and mindset hacks to chasing goals that don’t align with who you really are. Drawing from the teachings of Jim Fortin and personal insights from my book An Ordinary Girl’s Journey to Self-Love, we explore why your subconscious programming—not your effort—is what truly shapes your habits.

If you’re ready to finally break free from self-sabotage and start living in alignment with who you want to be, this episode will shift everything.

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we explore the female body image journey across the decades — from childhood to motherhood and beyond. Host Maria shares her own evolving relationship with her body, tracing the subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages that shaped how she saw herself.

We dive into the early impact of family comments, the toxic beauty ideals of the ‘90s, the challenges of postpartum identity, and the empowering shift that came with CrossFit and bodybuilding. With honesty, heart, and hope, this episode shines a light on the cognitive distortions, cultural pressures, and internal battles many women face — while offering a new perspective: one rooted in strength, self-compassion, and freedom.

Whether you’ve struggled with comparison, perfectionism, or self-worth tied to appearance, this conversation is an invitation to remember: you are more than a mirror.

Takeaways

* Body image is shaped by our experiences and environments.

* Comparison culture can lead to negative self-perception.

* Motherhood brings significant changes to body image.

* Finding strength in fitness can shift body image perspectives.

* Healing is a continuous journey, not a destination.

* Many women struggle with body dissatisfaction.

* Self-worth should not be tied to physical appearance.

* Embracing complexity is key to self-acceptance.

* It's possible to love your body and still desire growth.

* Living freely means not letting body image issues hold you back.