The SuperMum Podcast

Being a mum doesn't mean you can't be strong, fit and healthy. It just means you achieve the goal in a different way by carving out the time and resources around the demands of your family.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday we'll be talking about how to be a fit and healthy mum. And how taking a holistic approach to nutrition, mindset and exercise can lead you to having a better body, a healthier life and a calmer mind.

My guest today is SuperMum, Kimmy Smith.

Kimmy has two daughters, Allegra and Samara, who are 4 and 2. She is married to Ryan and they live in the beautiful Sydney Beaches in Australia. Kimmy's work is inspired by the natural environment where she helps pre and post natal mums to achieve a body to be proud of as part of a holistic approach to exercise, nutrition and mindfulness.

Before having children, Kimmy lived life in the fast lane. She left the house at 5am to work as a corporate lawyer, followed by 3 hours of daily training to realise her dream of playing netball professionally. Having a super fit body and a healthy pregnancy left Kimmy believing that nothing would change after having her children. But she wasn't prepared for the frustration of living in a body which to her felt floppy and frumpy.

Recognising that her pre-pregnancy aspirations were unrealistic, Kimmy trained as a yoga teacher, barre instructor and postnatal fitness expert. She focused all her exercise knowledge and experience to help mothers regain physical and mental fitness though her online program, The Fit Mummy Project.

In today's episode, you'll learn the 3 fundamental factors to Kimmy's holistic approach; fitness, nutrition and mindfulness, as well as how to incorporate these qualities into your everyday life.

I'm delighted to welcome Kimmy to my show today. She's turned her talents as a professional athlete into a business and lifestyle which helps mums gain a body that they can fall in love with.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/073

Go Conquer Motherhood!

Every week, twice a week, I bring you bursts of mummy wisdom. I love that you go away feeling inspired and renewed and full of hope that your life as a mum will be improved.

But how long does that inspiration last?

Until the kids start squabbling again? Until you're frantically trying to get dinner on the table before everyones blood sugar crashes? Until you fall over the line at the end of another hectic day with a heavy heart knowing that you get to do it all again tomorrow?

But you know me, ever practical, ever actionable, ever realistic.

That's why I have an exciting new project that's just starting to bubble away under the surface.

The SuperMum App.

Today on High Five Friday, I give you the background to my idea, and how my experience in the school of life makes me perfectly placed to develop something with me beside you, in your pocket, on your journey through motherhood.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/072

Go Conquer Motherhood!

Mums are busy. With never-ending days and constant demands on your time it can be easy to wade into the territory of overwhelm. Finding your 'Sweet Spot' can be tricky, but the scientific evidence is out there. That's right, it's possible to find a place of ease and flow, where your daily life feels natural and free.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday we'll be talking about how to find the illusive 'Sweet Spot'. Taken from sports terminology, The Sweet Spot took over 3 years of research, studying the neuroscience, psychology, and sociology of productivity, performance, and positive emotions. It was then applied to our every day lives as mothers.

My guest today is SuperMum, Dr. Christine Carter.

Christine, who has two step-kids and two natural kids aged 13, 14, 15 and 16, lives in Marin County, California. She is a Happiness and Productivity expert, speaker and writer and the author of The Sweet Spot: How to Find Your Groove at Home and Work. Christine's spent the last 14 years at at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center. Having a family of six with four teenagers in the house makes her an expert in motherhood too!

Like most mums, Christine found herself exasperated by the busyness of modern life: too many conflicting obligations and not enough time, energy, or patience to get everything done. She tried all the standard techniques: prioritizing, multitasking, delegating - even napping - but none really worked.

Determined to create a less stressful life for herself without giving up her hard-won career success or happiness at home, she road-tested every research-based tactic that promised to bring more ease into her life. Drawing on her vast knowledge of the latest research related to happiness, productivity, and elite performance, she followed every strategy that promised to give her more energy or that could make her more efficient, creative, or intelligent.

After years of research, Christine's dedication to finding answers is our reward. You just need to listen and take action. Being busy is often seen as a badge of honour, but slowing down can make you much more productive. And today, Christine will teach you how to find your groove at home and work. This will allow more ease and flow in your life and help banish busyness and chaos.

In today's episode, we explore what the 'Sweet Spot' really is and how to achieve it. This will help you enjoy your children, be more dynamic in your work, and more productive in your everyday life.

I'm delighted to welcome Christine to my show today. She shares her own story of challenging limiting beliefs; how she dealt with the pressure of having to be happy after writing a book about it; and how she tirelessly worked to find the 'Sweet Spot' in her own life.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/071

Go Conquer Motherhood!

Sometimes in life, you meet someone whose philosophy to life you immediately resonate with.

Olivia Horne was one of those people. When I spoke with her in Episode 45, she talked with such passion, truth and insight that I found myself swallowing hard.

That was before I listened to her guided meditations on YouTube, which completely blew me away.

You'll hear about my emotional reaction to Olivia's meditations on today's episode, but off the back of our conversation, Olivia agreed to record a mummy meditation, especially for SuperMum listeners.

You can grab this free goodie by clicking the link below.

Today on High Five Friday, Olivia Horne talks about the importance of mums taking time out for themselves and the practicalities of doing it.

I hope you make sure you give yourself the gift of time to enjoy the meditation.

You deserve it.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/070

Go Conquer Motherhood!

Admit it. Before you set out on your parenting journey, you had a firm idea of the type of parent you'd be. But there are times that, with crying babies, wilful toddlers and argumentative schoolies, living up to that dream makes you feel like you've failed the 'perfect parent' test. Big time.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday we'll be addressing what it means to be a mindful parent, how to include your children in your everyday thoughts and tasks, and the way to enjoy the experience of these intense years alongside your kids.

My guest today is SuperMum, Ruby Gwen.

Ruby, who lives in the UK, is the mother of two-and-a-half year old Christian; a proud wife; and a lover of all things creative and inspiring. She's a the founder of Nurture with Love; as well as a "story-preneur" who helps passionate women turn their awesome story & life lessons into profitable and impactful story-based products.

Ruby lives, breathes, and teaches her motherhood philosophy of gentle, mindful parenting. Through her programs she teaches the 3 cornerstones of her own mothering philosophy; acceptance, empathy and inspiration. This helps both parents and their children to feel more connected and heard.

In her own life, Ruby successfully combines mindful parenting with running a business so nothing and no-one feels left out in the cold.

Ruby also believes there is a unique story inside us all, just waiting to come out. A story that, with the right cultivation, can become your most powerful asset. In this episode Ruby helps you explore the significance of your own story and teaches you how to align it with your own personal and professional needs.

I'm delighted to welcome Ruby to my show today. She brings with her kindness, compassion and nurturing, and shares experiences of raising her own child whilst running a business. In doing so, you'll learn how to Nurture with Love and appreciate your own significant story.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/069

Go Conquer Motherhood!

A few weeks after my first child was born, my sister-in-law told me to savour these newborn moments because they won't last forever

I distinctly remember looking down at my crying baby and through bloodshot eyes, thinking, GOOD!

I wanted this phase to be over.

But she was right. In the blink of an eye, that screaming baby is now almost half way through his childhood. Yikes.

I quickly came to realise that motherhood will inevitably be full of hills and valleys. I didn't want to wish the whole flippin' lot away so instead, I figured out a way to combat it.

Today on High Five Friday, Lisa York talks about how to change your thinking so you don't end up wishing their entire childhood away.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/068

Go Conquer Motherhood!

Minimalism can seem like a ridiculous dream when you're up to your eyes in kiddy paraphernalia. But Editing Your Life doesn't mean having a spartan home or a frugal lifestyle. It's about understanding your family's core values and priorities so you can make wise choices about what gets to stay, and what has to go.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday you'll find out how to pare down your life to create space for the things that really matter. The activities you actually want to do, the information you want to consume, and the people who you truly want to spend time with.

My guest today is SuperMum, Christine Koh.

Christine's the co-author of Minimalist Parenting, a book designed to help you enjoy modern family life more, by doing less. So popular was the book, that she and her fellow author Asha Dornfest went on to create and co-host their own show. Edit Your Life is a weekly podcast that 'helps you edit the unnecessary from your life so you have more room to enjoy the awesome'.

Christine's also the founder and editor of the award-winning Boston Mamas; founder of Brave New World Designs; and serves as the creative director at Women Online and The Mission List.

Christine lives in Boston, Massachusetts with her husband Jonathan and two daughters, Laurel and Violet who are 12 and 6.

In todays show, you'll learn that editing your life isn't simply about decluttering (although we do talk about that too). We discuss practical strategies for managing your time; simplifying and therefore really starting to enjoy mealtimes; streamlining the school year and controlling extra curricular activities so they don't control you.

Oh, and of course my personal favourite, prioritising your own self-care.

I am so happy to have Christine on my show today. She's an organisational queen, and a girl after my own heart. We have a good old chin-wag about streamlining and systematising your busy life so you can make space for the things you truly love and value.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/067

Go Conquer Motherhood!

I love the term 'hanging out'. I'd not really heard it much before I moved to Australia ten years ago. But here it's part of the everyday language.

Hanging out means just 'being'. Spending time doing whatever takes your fancy. No agenda, no plans, nowhere to be. Just hanging out.

I love it because when someone in Australia asks what you've been up to, you can answer, 'hanging out'. Which is much more socially acceptable than saying I've been idling around the house in my pyjamas, drinking tea and watching kids TV.

Because in our minds, 'being' can often be construed as being unproductive or lazy.

Today on High Five Friday, Michelle Dawson talks about the importance of 'being' rather than 'doing' all the time.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/066

Go Conquer Motherhood!

I divorced my first husband in my late twenties. My parents 'stuck it out' for 28 long and painful years for the sake of us kids. And now I'm blissfully happy in an extremely loving and fulfilling marriage with a man who feels the same way. So when it comes to the question of 'should I stay or should I go', I'm torn.

In today's episode of Mum-to-Mum Monday we'll be discussing the huge decision of stepping away from a broken marriage and becoming a solo parent.

My guest today is SuperMum, Holly Christie.

Just a few short months ago Holly and her husband were living the 'married with 2.4 children' life. She now shares the time she spends with her two young sons who are 3 and 7, with her ex. Holly has tried to keep her life as normal as possible and continues to work around her children's schedule as a self-employed Social Media expert. Her office is her own front room in London, UK.

Holly says that you never go into a marriage expecting that one day it will all be over, but sometimes you find yourself there. She and her husband had both grown up knowing marriage was expected of them. Having tried repeatedly to make the relationship work, she realised it was time to throw the jigsaw pieces in the air and lay down a new life with new rules for their family.

The attitude you have towards separation, she says, can influence every area of yours and your childrens' lives. Neither Holly or her husband wished to relive the acrimony of their own parents' divorces. So they worked out a way to be solo parents, and co-parent their boys to ensure they experience the best childhood possible.

During this episode we explore living up to the expectations of our parents' generation but at the same time fitting in with modern demands. We talk about the realities of mothering today, and how social media has led us to different possibilities. We explore how the rise of the 'mummy power bloggers' have opened up new channels and support for mums in all stages of parenthood.

I am so happy to have Holly on my show today. She'll explain how bucking the trend and living the best life for you and your family is not only possible, but in everyone's best interests.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/065

Go Conquer Motherhood!

I don't think I've ever reflected on my own childhood as much as I have since becoming a mum myself. I expect you feel the same.

Your childhood experiences shape and mould the things you do as a mum. You've bought your rituals from a time when you were a kid yourself into your own family today.

All the fun stuff. Like having pizza and a movie on a Friday night.

But there are also the things that you've decided never to do with your own brood. Because you don't want them to feel the way you did growing up.

I hadn't realised until I became a mum why I'm so pro change. Why I'm all for taking control of your life. And why I'm a firm believer that you have the power to shape your own future.

Turns out, it stems from my own childhood.

This week on High Five Friday, I talk about the importance of embracing change. Because if you don't, it can cause a whole heap of problems that you didn't bargain for.

You can find the full write up from this episode including the Show Notes at www.Lisa-York.com/064

Go Conquer Motherhood!