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In this episode, we discuss the pervasive issue of mom guilt, particularly in the context of running and personal pursuits. We share personal experiences and insights on how to navigate feelings of guilt, the importance of communication with partners, and the need for self-care. This discussion emphasizes the significance of breaking generational cycles of self-sacrifice and the necessity of recognizing one's own needs as a mother. The conversation concludes with positive affirmations and reminders that mothers deserve time for themselves.

Takeaways

• Mom guilt is a common experience.
• It's important to thrive in motherhood, not just survive.
• Running can provide a sense of identity outside of motherhood.
• Communication with partners is crucial to managing guilt.
• Mothers often feel societal pressure to be selfless.
• Self-care is essential for overall well-being.
• Breaking generational cycles of self-sacrifice is important.
• Mothers should recognize their own needs and passions.
• Positive affirmations can help combat feelings of guilt.
• Creating a supportive environment can alleviate guilt.
• Mom Guilt: A Shared Experience
• Self-Care for Moms: Filling Your Cup

Sound Bites

• "Mom guilt is a huge topic for mothers."
• "We want to thrive, not just survive motherhood."
• "It's okay to need your cup filled by something else."

Chapters

04:25
Personal Experiences with Mom Guilt

07:30
The Impact of Running on Motherhood

10:22
Navigating Spousal Guilt

13:26
The Role of Communication in Relationships

16:15
The Pressure of Societal Expectations

19:21
Finding Balance in Motherhood

22:22
Breaking Generational Cycles

25:29
The Importance of Self-Care

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]