We have been working behind the scenes on some personal developments but also working on a couple of professional developments. To commemorate these life events, we’ve invited first-time mom, CEO and Founder of HEALING MAMA™ Co. to talk to us about labour, delivery and postpartum care. This episode is bitter sweet for many personal reasons related to my fertility story but also because Healing Mama Co will only be in business for 24 more short hours AND we have a very limited time offer for all of you mamas and partners out there so hear me out! Today’s CEO recognized a lack of care and support for childbirth and postpartum which led her to find ways to raise the standard of care that pregnant mamas and partners receive! She has backpacked through 58 countries and her infant accompanied her in 7 countries which paved the path to revolutionizing the childbirth industry. We do not have a lot of time to make this announcement as the clock is ticking but Healing Mama Co is offering 50% off their entire website for 24 hours from the launch of this episode before they officially close their doors to welcome new opportunities. Tune in to this episode right now, run over over to healingmamaco.com and purchase the best bag for you and/or your birthing partner. Type in promo code CLOSING50 at checkout on their website and off we go. I don’t want to waste anymore time so let’s jump into the most important parts of this episode - Welcome, Rhowena Adolfo Patel! 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of fertility privilege, miscarriage, hemorrhaging, and vaginal references related to pregnancy and child birth. Listener discretion is advised.

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Neuro-Rehab Occupational Therapist (OT), author of Purpose in Paralysis, and new mom to the sweetest little boy, she is an inspiring and intelligent woman suffered from trauma as a result of a motorcycle accident in 2010. The accident left her with a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the waist down. Struggling to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and chronic unworthiness, she discovers the medicines of mindfulness, compassion, emotional energetic work, and shamanism. Alongside two Bachelor degrees in Health & Education, and a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy, she describes her greatest accomplishment as learning to accept and love herself. Her healing also journey also led her to a call towards reconciliation and decolonization. Her experience, knowledge, and personal battle against trauma sheds light on our individual journeys and encourages utmost resilience. Welcome to The Lemon Said, Jaisa Sulit!

As the founder of Horizon Life Coaching, today’s guest brings years of experience in coaching and personal health management to the Horizon Team. As a practicing Social Service Worker, his combined professional and life experience includes working with mental health, addictions, trauma, relationships, leadership, diet/exercise as well as mindfulness and meditation. Also passionate about health and fitness, playing hockey and music, I introduce to you, Cameron Gillingham. Welcome, Cam!

Trigger Warning: This episode contains explicit content and discussions of drug addiction. Listener discretion is advised.

Today, I am honoured to have the chance to sit here with and interview the creator of the Face Healing Method and expert in Lymphatic Drainage. After suffering from Bell's Palsy - commonly known as facial paralysis - at the age of 33, she decided to change her habits and live a balanced and healthy lifestyle to heal her face, mind, body, and soul.

Today, she is 43 years old and the mother of three beautiful children. She is a pharmaceutical chemist and a facial yoga teacher by trade, with a Masters in Paediatric Oncology. Born in Nicaragua, raised in Guatemala and currently living in Toronto, she has witnessed the transformation on the faces of more than 6,000 women who, with real testimonies, have shared their journey in the awakening of facial awareness. Carolina Jarinova's greatest accomplishment is having turned what once caused her great pain into her greatest strength.

Today, we are speaking with the Owner of Life & Family Counselling who has over 25 years of experience in her field. She has a warm, compassionate and no non-sense approach to therapy and she is not afraid to tell you who and what is more of the problem. She has been registered with the College of Registered Psychotherapist of Ontario since 2015. In addition to her practical experience, her competencies include a Masters of Science in Psychology with a Specialist in Mental Health from the University of Liverpool. She is trained in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy from OISE, the University of Toronto and she is Certified in Marriage and Family Counselling from the University of Guelph. In just a matter of a few short weeks, she will also graduate and receive her doctorate in psychology.

As an active participant in her community and a strong advocate for changing the stigma around mental health, she uses her social media influence and platform to promote personal empowerment and how we see relationships. I would like to introduce you to Mary Marano.

In today’s episode, I would like to welcome our very first chat with a Registered Holistic Nutritionist & Strength Coach with over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. Using his expertise in gut and hormonal health, he has taught clients how to heal and transform their bodies! With a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto, he later acquired a multitude of certifications to become a Holistic Nutritionist. Now specializing in Women's Hormonal Issues and Qi Gong Medicine, he helps clients struggling with migraines, stubborn fat loss, constipation/diarrhea, premenstrual issues, sleep issues and more. Helping people understand why they are stuck and how to heal, I would like to welcome the Stress-Reduced Fat Loss expert, Ken Sylvan!

Today, you will hear from a motivating and vitalizing woman who carries herself with modesty and awareness. She managed to complete her undergraduate program in Nursing at Ryerson University (now known as Toronto Metropolitan University) and excel in the corporate world despite burnout, depression, anxiety, and suicide ideations. Currently, she is an outstanding Associate. This role that allows her to live a balanced and healthy life as a loving wife and mother of two kids. So, without further ado, let’s hear from one of the most resilient people I know, Jacqueline Cummings.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of traumatic events, including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. If you feel distressed or require resources, please visit thelemonsaid.com under Resources for 24-hour help lines and please stay safe. 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of traumatic events, including but not limited to sexual exploitation. Listener discretion is advised.

Today, we will hear from an incredible figure competitor and gold medalist in Women’s Figure True Novice and Open Class for the Canadian Physique Alliance King Kong Open Championships. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, she currently works as a building operator and fulfills her passion as a fitness coach for MishFit Lifestyle Coaching. She is not your average fitness coach - she goes deep into understanding your diet, lifestyle, and your mental health with her background in psychology and sociology from York U. During the pandemic, she also completed a course on Mental Health Intervention. After encountering the most horrific childhood experience, she developed a coping strategy that led to a decade of serial dating. Fortunately, her search for love from others turned into a healthy love for herself AND for fitness, all of which stemmed from juggling life’s lemons... Michelle Rose.

Welcome to our fifth episode! Today, we are going to hear from an inspiring woman under 40 with a weight loss story that surfaced from years of trauma and resilience. She is a makeup artist, a loving wife, and a mother of five children (one of which has four fury legs). Following the murder of her father and years of infertility, her greatest accomplishments in life include being a mother of talented children and executing on a memorable photoshoot to mark her weight loss milestone at the age of 36. Welcome to The Lemon Said Podcast, Vans DePass (IG: @_makeupyourlifestyle).

Today, we are going to speak about the stigma around mental health with a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), recognized by the CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario), possessing a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Psychology and Masters in Counselling Psychology. She is focused on being an ally to Black, Indigenous, People of Colour (BIPOC), immigrant, and refugee communities. Welcome, Rhea Bridge!