the own it podcast

It’s my 37th birthday today, and instead of talking about achievements or goals, I wanted to reflect on who I’ve become — what I’ve learned, what I’m still learning, and how each season has shaped me. Every year brings both a shedding and a deepening, and 37 feels like both. My 20s were about striving and searching for purpose, while my 30s have been about rooting, aligning, and choosing myself. With three years left in this decade, I want to soak them up and embrace what’s next with gratitude.

In this episode, I’m sharing seven core lessons I’m taking into this new year: you can’t rush becoming; healing is about integration, not fixing; there’s power in small, faithful steps; purpose is discovered, not created; my body is a messenger, not an enemy; motherhood has been my greatest refining; and aging is a gift, not a curse. If you’re in your own season of becoming, my hope is that these reflections remind you to be where your feet are and trust that slow, unseen growth is still growth. Here’s to becoming — not the perfect version, but the present one.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

This week, I’m sharing from my heart about what I’ve come to call The Cave of Motherhood.

When I first entered this cave, it felt dark and overwhelming—like I had lost myself. Motherhood can feel isolating, exhausting, and honestly, nothing like the “glowing” image we’re often sold. From sleep deprivation to mom guilt, from survival mode to endless days that all look the same—it can feel like you’re stuck in the shadows.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: the cave isn’t just a place of loss. It’s also a place of transformation. In this hidden space, something in us shifts. Yes, parts of who we were die, but new parts are born. Our values, our identity, our love—everything gets reshaped here.

And slowly, if we let it, the cave reveals its hidden beauty. There are sacred, unseen moments—rocking a baby at 2 a.m., watching little milestones, realizing growth is happening in the dark long before the fruit shows up.

Now, I feel like I’m in the emerging stage. I’m rediscovering my creativity, my ambition, and myself—not just as a mom, but as a whole woman. The cave has been both the hardest and most beautiful place I’ve ever walked through, and I want you to know you’re not alone in it.

Motherhood may feel like a cave, but it’s also the birthplace of transformation. Who you walk in as is not the same as who you walk out as.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

Have you ever felt a shift in your life and thought, ‘This doesn’t feel exciting… this just feels uncomfortable’? That’s where I’ve been, and I think a lot of us know what that in-between space feels like.

Some seasons feel fun — new school years, dating, getting married, having babies. You know what’s coming, and there’s something to look forward to. But other seasons feel… murky. You can’t see the whole picture, and it feels a little unsettling.

I’ve been looking at Abraham’s story in Genesis, and wow — talk about living in the unknown. He’s moving from place to place, not really knowing what’s next. God gives him wild promises and asks him to do things that feel impossible or even contradictory. And yet, Abraham chooses to trust and obey — and God blesses him in every way.

 I think the most vulnerable place isn’t the old season or even the new one — it’s that awkward in-between. It’s like when you repot a plant. The most fragile moment is when the roots are dangling in the air between the two pots. That’s where trust in the Gardener really matters. And it’s often in those moments that old fears, anxieties, or coping patterns pop back up, tempting us to run back to what’s familiar.

Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith is the evidence of what we can’t see yet. It’s not vague or fluffy — it’s real and solid. And it even says without faith, it’s impossible to please God. Which means the not-knowing isn’t failure — it’s actually part of the plan.

So here's what we're unpacking today:

Maybe this is a reminder for you, like it is for me: if you feel shaky or uncertain, if you’re tempted to run back to old patterns, if you’re hanging in that uncomfortable middle space, this is your invitation to trust God. Faith isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s trusting that even here, dangling between the old and the new, God knows exactly what He’s doing.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

Have you ever felt angry and wondered why? In today’s episode of The Own It Podcast, I’m breaking down how unmet needs fuel anger and what you can do to get to the root of it. This is what we’re going after in this episode:

Anger isn’t the end of the story. It’s a signal pointing you to a deeper feeling and a real need. When you start naming those needs, you’ll find clarity, connection, and a way to thrive in every season and every relationship!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

Today I’m sharing PART 3 of my 3-part series on maturity. I'm talking about what it really means to grow in maturity—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Maturity is what creates rich soil in our lives, where God can sow seeds that actually take root and bear lasting fruit.

Jesus’ parable of the sower reminds us that shallow soil can’t sustain growth. If we stay immature—quick to anger, undisciplined, neglecting our quiet time with God—we simply won’t be able to handle the weight of promotion or blessing. God is a good Father, and He won’t give us more than our soil can hold.

Unfortunately, there are so many things that can delay our development: unhealed trauma, lack of discipline, chronic stress, neglected emotional needs, fear of vulnerability, lack of self-awareness, unhealthy relationships, pride, and neglecting spiritual disciplines. I'm going to unpack each one, but wherever there is underdevelopment, immaturity will show up.

 The truth is—cycles won’t break if we keep running to the same habits and comforts. But when we start exercising our will over our emotions, we build authority and maturity. We build trust with ourselves. And that’s when we position ourselves for breakthrough instead of staying stuck in the wilderness. It's time to grow up so you can step into the fullness of what God has for you! That's what we all want right?!

 ✨ Final Reminder: The doors to Thrive Collective close TODAY! This is your last chance to join us for this semester. Go to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive and use code THRIVETODAY at checkout to get your first month free.

Enjoy the episode + I hope to see you inside Thrive!

In part two of this series, I’m continuing the conversation on what it looks like to grow up in every area of our lives. A healthy, mature believer doesn’t just know about God—they live it out daily.

Here are some indicators of maturity that I share in this episode:

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about growth. Each one of these is an invitation to keep maturing in Christ and living out His character in a deeper way.

And if you’re ready to walk this out with other like-minded women, Thrive Collective is officially open! Our fall/winter semester theme is Deep Roots, Steady Growth: Building a Life That Flourishes in Every Season. Inside, you’ll find teaching, coaching, guest stories, and breakout rooms that will encourage and equip you in your season.

👉 Join us at www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive and use the code THRIVETODAY at checkout to get your first month free!

In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new series called It’s Time to Grow Up. Development—mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually—exists on a spectrum. Just like children hit benchmarks, we do too. And when we don’t, we feel the weight of that gap.

I talk about what it means to mature in every area of life:

Emotionally: learning to regulate emotions, show empathy, and process pain.

Mentally: developing memory, focus, decision-making, and problem-solving.

Physically: understanding and caring for our bodies as they change.

Spiritually: knowing who God is, who we are to Him, and growing in disciplines of faith.

The truth is, we can grow older without growing healthier or stronger in these areas—and that’s when life feels chaotic, out of control, or even painful. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 5 that some believers were still like babies needing milk, not ready for solid food. And in Ephesians 4, he calls us to “grow up in every way into Christ.”

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about maturity. We all have areas where God is inviting us deeper, and we don’t have to carry shame about that. Instead, we get to lean into growth.

In this series, I'm unpacking 20 indicators that describe an emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually healthy person!

And if you want to walk this out with other women on the same journey, the doors to Thrive Collective are officially open! This semester we’re focusing on Deep Roots, Steady Growth: Building a Life That Flourishes in Every Season. You’ll get access to teaching, coaching, guest stories, and breakout rooms that will encourage and empower you in your season. 

👉 Go to www.comealivelifecoaching.com/thrive and use the code THRIVETODAY at checkout to get your first month free.

In this episode of The Own It Podcast, I share what it’s been like to lean into a slower winter season—being present with my kids, pulling back from external opportunities, and learning to embrace the tension of saying no in order to say yes to what matters most.

I talk about how God met me in spring and invited me into deeper rhythms of peace, how vulnerability has been both a challenge and a pillar in my life, and why I’m choosing to show up more authentically in this next season.

You’ll also hear what’s ahead for me personally, for this podcast, and for Thrive Collective as we step into our new theme: Deep Roots, Steady Growth. STAY TUNED!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching. 

** Sign up for my Overcoming Overwhelm workshop on Tuesday June 24! Join us live online from 11am-1pm or watch the replay. Register for the 2-hour online workshop here. Use code WORKSHOP10 for $10 off!

In this final episode before I take a summer break, I’m diving into a question so many of us wrestle with: How do you balance being a mom, a wife, and still pursue the dreams God has placed in your heart? It can feel impossible at times, but I’m sharing the rhythms, decisions, and spiritual anchors that have helped me navigate these roles with intention. From discerning seasons through the Word of God to practically mapping out our family calendar and making space for marriage, dreams, and parenting—I unpack how I’ve learned to honor the season I’m in without losing the fire for what’s ahead. This episode is a permission slip to live led by the Spirit, rooted in your values, and confident that with God, you can actually have everything your heart desires.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

I hope you enjoy the episode and I hope you have an incredible rest of your summer and I’ll be back in the fall!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.

If your to-do list feels never-ending and motivation is hard to find, this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into real-life, grace-filled strategies to help you stay motivated when you’re overwhelmed, tired, or just over it. You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, simplify your routines, and work with your energy instead of against it.

We talk about:

Whether you’re driven by outcomes, rewards, or rhythms, you’ll walk away with fresh perspective, practical tips, and permission to do it differently this season. Remember: less is more, and you don’t have to do it all. Let’s figure out what actually works for you.

Sign up for my Overcoming Overwhelm workshop on Tuesday June 24! Join us live online from 11am-1pm or watch the replay. Register for the 2-hour online workshop here. Use code WORKSHOP10 for $10 off!

HOW TO CONNECT WITH ME:

Find me on social media @chantelleenelson for more engaging and practical content on how to show up to your life! And don't forget to visit comealivelifecoaching.com for more information on my offers and coaching.