True Stride

Pressure has a way of getting our attention. I don't always love how it feels in the moment, but I can't deny that it often brings me into sharper focus. When there's a deadline or a real sense of urgency, I start to see what matters most and what I can let go of. The extra noise gets quieter, the mission-critical pieces become clearer, and somehow that pressure can turn into momentum.

Lately, I've been noticing this in my own life as I prepare for friends and family to visit and as I work toward a hiking goal that's coming up in mid-July. Both situations are stretching me, but they're also helping me make decisions, take action, and remember that not all stress is bad when we use it well. On our Wise Walk, we'll look at where pressure may be helping us grow, what nonessentials we can release, and how to build in recovery after an intense season of effort.

• Are you someone who performs better under pressure, and do you know what motivates you or gives you clarity and focus?
• What becomes possible when you lean into the pressure you're feeling, and what kind of beauty surfaces when you accept the situation you're in?
• Where in your life are you feeling pressure right now, whether it's from guests arriving, a fitness goal, a deadline, career projects, or something else on your calendar?
• Are those deadlines helping you perform under pressure and channel your stress into productive energy?
• Are you able to focus on what is mission critical, eliminate the nonessentials, and hit your stride?
• Where in your life are you building in recovery time after periods of pressure or intensity?
• Can you acknowledge when a pressure-filled season is helping you grow, while also recognizing that the intensity may not be sustainable?
• How can you eliminate the nonessentials and build in a recovery period after creating beauty under pressure?
• What tips, techniques, or tricks help you hyper-focus during an intense period while still giving yourself an off switch?
• How do you help yourself feel pride and satisfaction when you cross the finish line or accomplish what you set out to do?
• How do you build in mini wins along the way so you can recognize your progress and give yourself credit?
• When you are finished, do you take time to accept, acknowledge, and appreciate the beauty you created through your pressure strategies?

Thank you for being part of this community and for helping me keep looking at life through a lens of possibility. I'd love to hear what you took away from this episode and what beauty you're creating under pressure.

Whether you're working toward a goal, growing through a challenge, or learning to build in recovery, please reach out and share. I'm grateful for you and this community, and I hope you'll tune in next Thursday.

In this episode:

• [02:28] Diamonds, pearls, and fossils are all beautiful and formed under pressure over time. As well as, espresso and crystals. There are so many examples in nature.
• [03:03] I don't like being under pressure, but I'm mindful about how it can improve my performance.
• [04:11] I have friends and family coming, and it's a motivating deadline. I have a heightened awareness of what I can get done in time.
• [05:18] My deadline for my hiking goal is giving me focus and clarity on my training plan. I enjoy pressure when it comes to the sense of reward, and the sense of relief.
• [06:11] My goal is also forcing me to get out there and join hiking groups and engage with others.
• [07:09] These goals are motivating me and helping me improve my performance and to grow. We have to put the time in now to get the payout.
• [08:34] As I reflected on beauty under pressure, I realized that stress is also involved.
• [09:29] Not all stress is bad. Even though we're not meant to maintain high adrenaline constantly, having deadlines and channeling our productivity isn't bad.
• [10:32] We have to make sure that we decompress after these stressful periods.
• [12:02] One of the strategies I use when I have super intense goals is setting a timer. I can be in high intensity go mode when I have an off switch.
• [13:37] When I was writing my book, I would use the Pomodoro Technique and set mini deadlines as writing sprints.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Stress can have negative effects on us and can be used for good. We need to manage the pressure in our lives and let it help us achieve our goals." - Mary Tess
  • "Recovery time is essential because we can't sustain a high level of intensity for too long." - Mary Tess
  • "Pressure can be uncomfortable, but it can also reveal what we're capable of when we stay focused on the essentials." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I have been feeling waves of exhaustion, waves of energy, and honestly, a little out of rhythm as I settle into my new home. I'm only about 10 days into this move, and even though I'm excited and grateful, I've also had moments where I feel disoriented, tired, and unsure of what needs my attention first. When I shared that with my aunt, she reminded me of the Rule of 3s: three days to decompress, three weeks to build routines, and three months to begin feeling truly at home.

That framework gave me so much perspective because change, even when it's good, still asks us to let go of something familiar. In those first few days, we are not just setting up a new space or stepping into a new chapter. We are also adjusting to what we left behind. I saw that in myself, and I saw it as I brought my dogs into this new environment and began creating routines for all of us, including the goats and chickens that are now part of my daily life.

The more I think about it, the more I realize how much grace we need during any big transition. We cannot expect ourselves, our loved ones, or even our pets to feel settled immediately. We need time to decompress, time to create small grounding habits, and time to integrate into whatever new experience we are stepping into. On today's Wise Walk, we are slowing down to check in with ourselves and ask where we are in the Rule of 3s, whether we need rest, routine, or simply more patience as we find our footing.

• When you experience a major change in your life, are you able to give yourself grace and use the Rule of 3s to help you adjust and pace yourself?
• When someone you love, whether two-legged or four-legged, experiences a major shift like a new home or new job, can you offer them that same grace?
• In the first 72 hours of a transition, when everything can feel overwhelming, are you kind and patient with yourself?
• Can you recognize that even when a new experience is exciting and full of possibility, it may also come with a sense of loss?
• Are you willing to let yourself decompress as you adjust to giving up what you once had?
• Can you honor what you are losing while giving your body, mind, and heart the time they need to adjust and receive the full gains of what is next?

Whatever you are taking on right now, I'm sending so much good energy and positive vibes your way. Change is hard for all of us, so if you feel stuck, frustrated, or unsure, take a moment to ask where you are in the Rule of 3s.

Hopefully, months from now, you will look back and realize you handled the transition with more grace than you thought possible. Until next Thursday's Wise Walk, please be sure to prioritize fun, read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride On.

In this episode:

• [04:27] The first 3 days of my new home experience was disorienting. It has taken some time for me to decompress.
• [05:18] I didn't bring my dogs yet, because I knew they needed space to go through the transition.
• [06:22] We have to pace ourselves and acknowledge that we're going through a decompression period during the first 72 hours.
• [07:12] The best way to manage the first 72 hours is to give yourself permission to do the bare minimum and take the time to decompress. Manage your priorities to the best of your ability without overdoing it.
• [08:14] The second step is starting to establish routines for your new environment. Your first 21 days are about managing and starting small daily habits that help you feel grounded in your environment.
• [11:10] In my new home, I've also acquired goats and chickens.
• [12:44] I've not only been creating routines, I've also been hiking, walking, and exercising.
• [13:57] The three month mark is all about integration. Give yourself at least 3 months of that new activity to feel at ease.
• [15:34] When starting something new it takes a while to build up that muscle memory. It doesn't happen overnight.
• [16:24] Hold on to the habits that support you.
• [17:26] The message behind the rule of threes has really helped me manage the new move.
• [18:48] The rule of threes will also be helpful for my dear friends who just got new puppies.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Sometimes feeling unsettled does not mean something is wrong. It simply means we are still integrating into what is new." - Mary Tess
  • "In the first few days of a transition, we do not have to do everything. We only have to tend to what is essential." - Mary Tess
  • "When we understand the phase we are in, we can stop fighting the process and start caring for ourselves through it." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Sometimes the smallest misplaced thing can stir up the biggest reminder. A set of keys on a walking path, a phone left behind in a restroom, or eight tiny screws tucked away in a "safe place" can all feel like inconveniences at first. But I've been thinking about how these moments also invite us to slow down, pay attention, and notice what life may be trying to show us.

After my recent move, I found myself searching for the antique screws that hold my grandparents' dining room table together. I knew I had put them somewhere special, but of course, that special place escaped me when I needed them most. What started as a frustrating search turned into motivation, resilience, prayer, laughter, and a deeper commitment to organize my life with more intention. In today's Wise Walk, we're looking at what we can gain from what feels misplaced and how we can rewrite the story from loss into growth.

• When you misplace an item in your life, can you chuckle, reframe the narrative, and consider how it might benefit you?
• How might misplacing an item actually be good for you on some level?
• What surfaces for you when you think about misplaced items?
• When you find someone else's misplaced item, how are you able to support that stranger, unknown person, or someone in your life?
• How can we heighten our awareness of the ways misplaced items might serve a greater purpose for us and for others?
• As you take yourself on a Wise Walk and reflect on the misplaced items in your life, what stands out as a hidden gift in the experience?
• How has a misplaced item motivated you or improved your organization for the future?
• How has misplacing something helped you slow down and recognize that you may be tired or carrying too many things at once?
• How can you slow down so the pattern of misplacing things does not repeat itself?
• If you misplace something today or in the future, how can you see it as a lesson, a gift, or an opportunity for growth?
• How can you rewrite the narrative and focus on what you gained, not just what you lost?
• What in your life feels like you gained more than you lost, even though you went through a temporary struggle?
• When you found something you thought was lost, did you feel relieved, giddy, or reassured that it was not gone forever?
• How can you give yourself credit for being resilient, staying motivated, and learning from the experience?
• How can you improve your organization or habits so that the same type of situation does not happen again?

We expand when we misplace things, and we have to rise to the occasion. I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode. I would love to hear what is coming in and out of your life and how you are growing more resilient.

Thank you so much for listening.Thank you for being such a support to this community, the Striders community. I am grateful for each and every Thursday and going on these Wise Walks with you.

In this episode:

• [02:44] I've recently moved, and there are so many things that I've accidentally misplaced from putting them in a "safe place".
• [03:58] I put the screws to my grandparents' table in a "safe place". Not being able to find them became very stressful.
• [04:31] Looking for antique screws gave me motivation to go through everything.
• [05:41] It was just a matter of time, energy, intention, and effort. Knowing this helped me move through and unpack everything.
• [06:03] I benefited from going through boxes and bins much faster than I normally would have, and I've taken a vow to be more organized in the future.
• [07:17] I love how we can reframe the narrative when things happen.
• [09:06] In life, we misplace things, whether we find them again or not, it's still an opportunity to reframe the narrative.
• [10:33] The great news is that I found the screws. Of course, they were in the last bin.
• [11:16] This gift of being highly motivated helped me get through a lot of boxes and bins.
• [13:50] We learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes, because we expand when we misplace things or when things don't go as planned.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "We expand when we misplace things, we expand when we make a mistake, we expand when things don't go the way we hope." - Mary Tess
  • "This theme of misplacing things is connecting me to things that are more meaningful, that are more important for my growth at this moment." - Mary Tess
  • "Hopefully, we gain more than we lost in the moment, and we can reframe the narrative in our life so that we can see that and appreciate it." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Life has a way of reminding us that we are not meant to carry everything alone. This past weekend brought that lesson into focus for me as I coordinated a big move from St. Augustine to Georgia, with belongings spread across storage, family, my van, and the pieces of a life that had been in transition for months. It was exciting, exhausting, emotional, and full of moving parts, which meant there were also a few unexpected curveballs along the way.

In the middle of trying to keep everything organized, I dropped a ball that mattered to me. I accidentally uploaded the wrong podcast file and did not realize it until the podcast team reached out. At first, I was upset with myself. I thought, how did I miss that? But once the panic settled a little, I could also see the reality of the moment. I was in the middle of a major move, my attention was split in too many directions, and sometimes that is when simple mistakes happen.

This episode is about the power of having a village, whether that village is family, friends, coworkers, or even kind strangers who step in at just the right time. As I move through this transition, I am feeling deep gratitude for the people who helped me keep things moving when I could not do it all on my own. On today's Wise Walk, we are looking at what becomes possible when we give ourselves grace, ask for support, and remember that being human does not mean being unsupported.

• When you are juggling too many things in life and you drop a ball, do you have a support system that can rally around you, help you pick it up, and keep moving forward?
• How are you feeling right now?
• Are you feeling overwhelmed, alone, or isolated, like the weight of the world is on your shoulders?
• Can you take a breath, ask for help, or see what can come off your plate so you are not juggling so many things at once?
• What becomes possible when you feel part of a village and supported in those moments when things do not turn out exactly as planned?
• Can you give yourself permission to receive support and allow things to turn out even better because you do not have to do everything alone?
• Can you give yourself grace when you drop a ball or make a mistake?
• When you are juggling a million different balls and there is a missed opportunity or mistake, how do you rebound from it?
• What do you do to release disappointment, frustration, or negative energy?
• How do you pivot from what went wrong to asking, "What can we do to fix it?"
• Can you lean into your support system, especially when the situation is time-sensitive or too big to fix alone?
• Can you appreciate that there are ways to rebound successfully without beating yourself up?

I would love to hear about your village. I would love to hear about how you take on these feats in community with others, how you honor the fact that you are imperfectly perfect, just as you are.

So please send me your shares, send me your feedback. I welcome them. And I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk, so be sure to tune in.

In this episode:

• [03:18] I had to move from St. Augustine, Florida to Georgia this past weekend. It was no small feat with my belongings in different locations because of my nomad adventures.
• [04:15] I was one person trying to coordinate with the movers and consolidate everything. It was extremely draining.
• [05:44] I was being really present with the move, but other issues came up in my life.
• [06:12] This podcast is important for me, but my audio files didn't upload like they were supposed to. I was so busy, I missed the communication from my podcast team, creating a last minute shuffle.
• [07:55] Everything came together and we were able to get the show out on time.
• [09:12] We are human, accidents can happen, that doesn't mean we don't have time to fix it or get the show out on time.
• [10:36] Moving is one of the top stressors in life, and mine was extra complicated with the consolidation of my belongings.
• [11:25] I realized that the team took pride in their work and wanted to get things out on time, and we are better together.
• [12:28] The move went successfully. It's done. The podcast aired successfully. Leaning into the support I have, makes me realize it's okay to juggle balls when needed.
• [13:26] The best gift we can give ourselves is the grace and understanding to know that it's okay to pivot.
• [15:03] A cool story about getting my nephew's bike to school with the help of one of my friends.
• [16:05] I was also juggling the logistics of this event on a crowded elevator going up 30 stories. I was encouraged by the people in the elevator with me.
• [17:51] In general people want us to be set up for success.
• [18:11] It's also important to make sure you say thank you!
• [19:38] A big shout out to Karen, Emma, and Beth. Thank you! I also want to thank Mike Hain for helping inspire this episode and knowing that we are better together.

Memorable Quotes:

• "You do not have to prove your strength by carrying everything alone. Sometimes strength looks like leaning into your village." - Mary Tess
• "A mistake can become a reminder that we are surrounded by people who care, contribute, and help us keep going." - Mary Tess
• "We are better together, especially in the moments when life does not go according to plan." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I was recently reminded how hard it can be for some of us to receive, especially when we are used to being the giver. A young woman I love shared a story about borrowing a dress from her cousin, only to have her cousin offer it to her as a gift. Her first instinct was to say no because it felt like too much, but I could see so clearly that the dress was meant for her, and that accepting it would also allow her cousin the joy of giving.

That conversation brought me back to a lesson that I had to learn in my own life. For many years, I felt most comfortable showing up for others, supporting them, and being of service. What I did not realize at the time was that receiving is its own kind of practice. When we resist help, generosity, or thoughtful gifts, we may be blocking someone else from stepping into their own giving energy.

This episode is about the natural ebb and flow between giving and receiving, and how different seasons of life ask different things of us. As I move through this big transition, I can feel how much easier it becomes when I'm willing to say yes to the people who want to help. On today's Wise Walk, we are looking at what it means to receive with grace and let support come in without guilt, resistance, or the need to explain it away.

• At this moment in time, do you feel that you have mastered the flow of giving and receiving?
• Do you feel weighted in one identity more than the other?
• Is there an opportunity for you to create more balance between giving and receiving?
• If you are in a phase of life where you feel like you are receiving all the time, can you look for opportunities to give?
• If you have been a giver for most of your life, where can you open yourself up to receive more?
• How can you practice being gracious and simply saying thank you when gifts of giving come your way?
• What is something in your life that someone gifted you, but you resisted receiving?
• What was going on in your mind or heart that made you feel it was inappropriate to receive that gift?
• As you surface that awareness within yourself, are there ways you can look at the situation differently?
• As you reflect, do you feel that resisting the gift was the right decision because it was not meant for you to receive?
• Are you resisting because you do not feel worthy?
• Can you recognize that receiving with grace empowers others to step into their role as givers?
• Where can you eliminate the stress of feeling like a gift is too much?
• Are you assigning a monetary value or emotional weight to a gift that the giver is not assigning to it?
• How can you receive a gift in the way it was intended and allow the giver to give in the way they intended?
• Is there an item, gesture, or gift in your life that you can cherish not just for what it is, but for the lesson it represents?
• What gift symbolizes a phase in your life where you witnessed your own growth?
• How can a gift remind you that you are more than what you have been allowing yourself to be?
• What else can you invite into your life by showing up and saying yes?

As we move through our own ebbs and flows, may we keep finding small ways to give, receive, and acknowledge each other right where we are. Please reach out, share what's on your heart, support whoever you can, and stay open to receiving support too. I'm sending good energy your way, and I look forward to connecting with you again on next Thursday's Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [03:56] When you grow up being a giver, you can neglect learning to be a receiver.
• [05:37] The importance of knowing that you are worth a gift.
• [07:13] By not receiving the gifts we are denying the giver the satisfaction of sharing that gift.
• [09:14] We are all better when we balance out the ebb and flow of receiving and giving.
• [10:14] It's beautiful to know that you are worthy of giving and receiving.
• [13:01] I love the awareness of creating this ebb and flow of giving and receiving in my life.
• [14:17] Our life and our needs are going to always ebb and flow. The more we can help out and receive when we need help, the better the ebb and flow of life.
• [15:23] I decided to graciously accept help that will set me up for success with my new home.
• [16:39] I've gone through so many moments where I give. It feels good, but this is my moment to receive.
• [17:35] Honor where you are in the ebbs and flows of life.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Receiving with grace is a beautiful thing when you know that you are deserving to receive as well as to give." - Mary Tess
  • "You are empowering others to be givers when you receive with grace, when you receive with love, with kindness." - Mary Tess
  • "Honor where you are, wherever it is, and know that this cycle of giving and receiving will continue on." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

I am getting closer to closing on my future home, and I feel like I'm being invited into something much bigger than a property transaction. The sellers have cared for this land with so much love, intention, and respect that it feels less like I am buying a home and more like I am being trusted with a living ecosystem. They have tended to the land, the home, the animals, the bees, the hummingbirds, the deer, and all the little systems that help everything move in concert with one another.

It has me thinking about how temporary ownership really is. We do not take our homes, our cars, our belongings, or our land with us when we leave this earth. What we do carry are the memories, the lessons, the awareness, and the energy we create while those things are in our care. I felt this deeply when I sold my camper van, Great Bear. She held so many beautiful memories for me and my dogs, but when I was no longer using her in the way she deserved, it felt right to pass her on to someone who could love her, use her, and create new memories of her own.

That same idea is showing up again as I prepare to become the next steward of this home and land. I feel grateful for what has been created before me, and I feel responsible for continuing that flow of care in whatever way I can. On today's Wise Walk, we are exploring what it means to see ourselves as stewards of the spaces, belongings, and living systems in our care, and how honoring that responsibility can create a more beautiful exchange with the world around us.

• Where in your life do you feel part of an ecosystem and not separate from it?
• Can you feel how your energy flows to everything and everyone around you?
• Are you able to offer peace, belonging, and empowerment through the energy you share?
• Are you also able to receive that same peace, belonging, and empowerment from others?
• Since everything we own is temporary, what is your relationship with your belongings?
• How can you be a caring steward of the things you are responsible for?
• Which belongings still bring you joy?
• Which belongings have become unused in your life?
• Where could you release something so someone else can love, use, and appreciate it?
• Can you honor the memories you created with something, even when it is time to let it go?
• How is that belonging part of a larger ecosystem that continues beyond you?
• Where can something you once loved continue to live on in someone else's life?
• What feeling are you creating through the way you care for yourself, your neighbors, and your belongings?
• What feeling will you leave behind when you move into your next chapter?
• Where can you own your responsibility as a guardian and steward of what is in your care?
• Can you trust when it is time to let go and let something continue its purpose with someone else?

I truly hope that you feel supported and nurtured by all the living energies that are surrounding you and that you are appreciating the memories that you're creating while those elements are in your life.

I would love to hear what living systems are a part of your life and how they are acting as sanctuaries for you, or what different elements surprised you about this episode and what you took away, so please feel free to reach out and share. I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk,

In this episode:

• [05:15] In 2018, I made the decision to be a camper van owner. After selling her, I still get to carry the memories from when the van was still mine.
• [06:29] When we are stewards of something, but not using it, that creates a missed opportunity for someone else to use it and love it.
• [07:31] I know the van gets to live on and create new memories with the amazing new owner.
• [08:27] Nurturing and respecting things we've experienced and nurtured reinforces this positive flow of energy.
• [10:09] Even though I don't still own the van, I can still cherish everything we've experienced in it. I feel this also applies to my purchase of this new property as I become the new steward of the land.
• [12:14] I am also the benefactor of how they have guarded and empowered this land and this ecosystem. I feel empowered to continue what the previous owners have started.
• [15:04] I cared for and loved my past house in the same diligent and meticulous way.
• [17:27] If we all do the right thing for each other, we won't have a fear of being taken advantage of.
• [18:38] The legacy of us taking care of our homes and our things lives on and we get to be beautiful guardians and stewards of that thing.
• [19:25] I feel like everything I've done in my past has led me to find these beautiful sellers.
• [20:02] I look forward to sharing future memories with these sellers.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Everything that we own is temporary, but the memories, lessons, awareness, and energy we create get to live on." - Mary Tess
  • "Being a steward means honoring what is in our care while also trusting when it is time to let it go." - Mary Tess
  • "When we do the right thing for our homes, our belongings, and each other, we help create a world where trust can live." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Thank you, Striders. The response to last week's episode really moved me. The shoutouts and questions that came in reminded me of why these conversations matter so much. Last week we talked about the things in life we are constantly training for, and I used the example of my dogs, because raising them into their best selves has always been an ongoing process of patience and intention.

The other example I shared was my nephew Logan, who is competing in an Ironman this weekend. Watching him prepare for this has been something else entirely. An Ironman is a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, then a full marathon on top of that. He will likely be out there for twelve hours or more. He did not arrive at this start line overnight. He got there through small, steady, intentional steps, building his mileage, learning how to transition between each leg of the race, figuring out how to fuel his body, his mind, and his heart along the way.

The training was never just physical. It was about showing up consistently, managing setbacks, honoring short and long term goals, and knowing what he needed in order to keep going when things got hard. Your excitement about last week's episode inspired me to take this idea even further. So many of us are doing something similar every single day, just without the race bib. On today's Wise Walk, we are slowing down to ask ourselves what our Ironman-like event really is, and what we are doing to prepare our body, mind, and heart to go the full distance.

• What is your Ironman-like event that you have your sights set on, and how are you mentally preparing to take small steps through the planning, the wins, the setbacks, and the short-, medium-, and long-term goals?
• How are you managing your time and stress as you prepare for this event, knowing that stress is part of taking on something meaningful?
• How are you fueling your body, your heart, and your mind so you can stay resilient and keep moving forward when challenges arise?
• As you reflect on this event, how are you rallying support, what are you asking for, who are you asking, and are you clearly expressing why this matters to you?
• Where can you plan and prepare with focus, discipline, and commitment so you are set up for success, and where might you need to make sacrifices?
• What needs to come off your plate right now, and what are you trying to juggle that may be draining your energy before, during, or after this event?
• How are you planning to recover so you can feel aligned and supported once the event is complete?
• How can you pace yourself with everything you have going on so you finish strong and set yourself up to take on what comes next?

I would love to hear what you're preparing for and how you're fueling yourself through it, before, during, and after. Reach out, I'm cheering you on.

Don't forget to rally your support so you can set yourself up for success. I'll see you next Thursday for another Wise Walk, and until then, please remember to prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride on.

In this episode:

• [04:29] One of the Ironman type events I'm taking on is moving. I found a home. I am mentally, emotionally, physically preparing myself for the big moving event.
• [05:50] I also want to prepare for the heaviness of unpacking. My sister Heather is going to be there for me. One of the things we can do when training for an Ironman event is rally support.
• [07:49] One of my loved ones, who will be cheering Logan on, has diabetes. She has been trying to master keeping her blood sugar in check while traveling. She's taking on her own major Ironman challenge.
• [09:42] We have Ironman-like events in our lives everyday, because it is overcoming hardship.
• [11:27] I need to prepare for my move by keeping myself mentally and physically strong. Core strength is critical.
• [12:56] I also cancelled some things that I've signed up for. I won't be settled, so I needed to cancel.
• [15:09] Logan has an awesome community that he trains with. He was given the advice to take his time, and to stop and remove the discomfort when it surfaces.
• [17:18] I'm going to try and slow down during this major move.
• [18:51] Logan also received the advice that you can go further if you go slower.
• [19:08] Pace yourself to avoid burnout. It requires an intentional focus and pace.

Memorable Quotes:

• "You don't arrive at your biggest moments overnight. You build toward them, one small, intentional step at a time." - Mary Tess
• "Whatever you're facing right now might not look like an Ironman to anyone else, but if it stretches you, it counts." - Mary Tess
• "Pacing yourself is not falling behind. It's how you make sure you actually finish strong." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

My dear friend's son, Doston, just got a German Shepherd puppy. She is small, curious, and already testing boundaries in all the ways puppies do. It is that early stage where behavior is still forming, and it would be easy to overlook the habits that are starting to take shape.

I admire how Doston reached out and asked me for advice on how to train her. How to set things up so she grows into a well-behaved, confident dog. That kind of awareness matters. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and assume things will work themselves out, but they do not. Puppies grow quickly, and the behaviors that seem minor in their youth become much more significant over time. When I think about my own dogs today, calm and easy to manage in different environments, I know that outcome came from consistent effort and a clear vision of who I wanted them to become.

That idea has stayed with me, because it extends far beyond dogs. The way we show up today directly influences the person we become over time. It is easy to feel stuck or feel that change is hard and it is too late to shift direction, but I do not see it that way. On today's Wise Walk, we are taking a closer look at the future version of ourselves that we want to grow into and what it means to begin training for that version now.

• Who do you want to become, and is there a future version of yourself you can see or feel within you that you are ready to begin training for now?
• What qualities and experiences define that version of you, and what small steps can you take to begin moving in that direction and embodying those shifts today?
• Are your current actions aligned with the version of yourself you want to become?
• What elements in your environment can you control to better set yourself up for success?
• What steps, however small, do you know you need to take to move forward and begin acting as if you are already becoming that person?
• Are you staying true to those actions because you know they are right for you, regardless of what others may think?
• Can you hold space for your growth and commit to it, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar?
• Is there a past version of yourself you miss or want to reconnect with, and what from that version can you bring into your present and future?
• What small steps are you willing to take right now to grow into that person?
• What distractions or barriers can you remove to better support your progress?
• What actions can you take each day to stay aligned with the version of yourself you are ready to step into?

Each of us has the ability to create the life we are meant for. It starts with staying true to who we are today, while also honoring the version of ourselves we are growing into, and taking actions that align along the way.

I would love to hear what resonated with you, so feel free to reach out and share what you are taking with you from today's episode. I look forward to being with you again next Thursday for another Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [03:54] I had a simple but clear vision for my life with my dogs. It took a lot of work training them to be comfortable with travel and being a car dog.
• [05:08] I had to start with small steps like driving down the street.
• [06:01] Now the car is the happy place for both of my dogs.
• [07:03] I had to see the vision, set us up for success, and control distractions. Controlling the environment can set us all up for success.
• [08:10] I was mindful to condition my puppies to set them up for success. I started the training at a young age, so they could grow into the version I saw for them.
• [10:41] All of my actions were aligned with my vision for them.
• [12:09] One of the visions for my future self is hiking at higher elevations. I'm going to have to work up to that. I have a training plan for my big hike in July.
• [15:19] I'm so proud of my nephew who has the vision to train and do an ironman competition. That's a 2.4 mile swim, 112 bike ride, and a 26.2 mile marathon.
• [17:11] I'm going to show up and support my nieces and nephews when I can.

Memorable Quotes:

• "Growth happens when your actions start to align with the version of yourself you can already see." - Mary Tess
• "If you can see that future version of yourself, then you can start acting in alignment with it today." - Mary Tess
• "The question is not whether change is possible. The question is whether you are ready to begin." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

There are moments when something finds you at just the right time. A quote, a phrase, a random text from someone you love, and it lands in a way that you weren't prepared for. That happened to me this week. A loved one sent me a quote and I couldn't stop thinking about it: "Healing is when you stop telling the story that broke you, and you start telling the story that rebuilt you." Simple words, but they opened up a lot. About the stories we carry, the ones we share with others, the ones we replay in our own heads — and what those stories actually say about where we are.

Because the way we tell our story? It doesn't lie. It reflects where we genuinely are in our healing, not where we wish we were or think we should be. On today's Wise Walk, we're slowing down to explore that shift from the story that broke you to the one that rebuilt you. We're getting curious about the messages we receive and what they might be pointing us toward. Because in that curiosity, there's room for real reflection, a little more compassion for ourselves, and genuine gratitude for how far we've actually come.

• When a message or quote stops you in your tracks and connects on a deep level, do you take time to get curious about why it resonates?
• Do you reflect on why a particular word, phrase, or sentiment has an impact on you at that moment?
• Do you consider how it has shown up in your past, how it applies right now, and how it might support you moving forward?
• What are the stories you are telling right now, to yourself and to others?
• As you tell that story, do you notice an emotional charge, a sense of still feeling hurt, disappointed, or broken?
• Are you handling yourself with compassion and giving yourself grace as you acknowledge where you still are in your healing?
• Are you on the road to healing, and how can you move toward telling your story from a rebuilt perspective?
• Or are you telling a story that was once heavy, but in this moment you realize just how far you have come?
• Can you give yourself credit for rebuilding and for allowing yourself to heal from whatever that experience was?
• What is a message, quote, or phrase you heard on a podcast or radio that deeply connected with you?
• What is it about that phrase that strikes a chord and where do you see it showing up in your own life?
• Can you hold compassion for who you were in the past, who you are today, and who you hope to become?
• Can you give yourself gratitude for prioritizing your healing and for growing into the next version of yourself?

This whole community is stronger together when we can honestly acknowledge where we've been and celebrate the rebuilding that followed.

As always, I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode, so feel free to reach out. I look forward to joining you next Thursday. Until then, prioritize fun, read the signs, direct your path, and get your Stride On.

In this episode:

• [02:32] "Healing is when you stop telling the story that broke you, and you start telling the story that rebuilt you."
• [03:42] When we're in the thick of going through an emotional crisis, we think about how this could be happening to me or why is this happening or what did I do wrong? We tell the story from the emotional state and place of the victim.
• [05:05] I love how the stories we tell are a great framework for whether we've healed from our emotional crisis.
• [08:05] An emotionally charged story that always comes to mind for me is my divorce. It was a difficult, challenging, and complex experience.
• [09:02] The healing process of my divorce took a long time, because there were so many different facets.
• [10:06] When I received the quote, I realized that I have come a long way when it comes to my divorce experience. I am grateful for that.
• [11:17] When you receive a message that deeply resonates with you, take the time to reflect on why that strikes a chord within you.
• [13:23] Messages we receive are also an opportunity to have conversations with those that we love.
• [14:11] You can also discover why these quotes resonate with those you love.
• [16:40] How your loved ones reflect on the quote can tell you if they've healed. You can also see their growth through their reflections.
• [17:21] When you receive messages, get curious about how they may apply in your life or of those you love.
• [18:03] When healing occurs, the way we tell the story changes.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Any time we have growth or a shift, we should give gratitude for just how far we've come." - Mary Tess
  • "We can't get someone to rebuild themselves. We just have to be compassionate listeners." - Mary Tess
  • "When we go through something very challenging and difficult, there could be many layers of disappointment or hurt or brokenness that need to heal. We need to give ourselves compassion in that moment to heal and rebuild." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram

Getting knocked off your feet has a way of bringing everything into focus. Whether it's a physical setback or something deeper on an emotional level, those moments where you feel depleted can leave you wondering how long it's going to take to feel like yourself again. I was recently in that place, recovering from a stomach virus that completely drained my energy, and it got me thinking about what it really means to rebuild not just physically, but in all areas of life.

As I started to feel better, I couldn't help but notice how the body naturally adapts, creating strength and protection behind the scenes. It made me realize that we have that same ability in our emotional and energetic lives, too. We've all been through hard things before, and somewhere along the way, we've built the resilience to move through them again. This episode is about recognizing that process and learning how to trust that as you rebuild, you can come back even stronger.

On today's Wise Walk, we slow down and explore what resilience really looks like in our own lives and how we recognize those low moments. Also, how we support ourselves through them and draw on our own history to remind ourselves that this too shall pass.

• When you hit those low points, where you feel depleted or stuck, what memories can you tap into that remind you you've been resilient before and that this too will pass?
• As you reflect on an area of your life that needs attention right now, can you recognize what's really going on and begin to reframe it into a growth moment instead of a setback?
• As you move through this experience, are you allowing yourself to reach out for support or permit yourself to take things off your plate?
• What can you let go of right now that isn't serving you so you can feel lighter and begin to rebuild from a stronger place?
• Where can you acknowledge the strength and skills you're gaining through this experience and remind yourself that you're stronger than this moment?
• How do you remind yourself that this is temporary and that you've made it through hard things before?
• What does resilience look like for you right now, not in theory, but in how you're actually showing up each day?
• Are you giving yourself enough self-compassion as you move through this, or are you expecting too much from yourself?
• Where might you be holding on to something that's keeping you stuck instead of allowing yourself to move forward?
• Who in your life truly understands what you're going through, and are you leaning into that support?
• What would it look like to trust that you are already rebuilding, even if it doesn't feel like it yet?
• How can you ground yourself in this moment so you feel a little steadier as you move through it?
• What is one small step you can take today that supports your healing or your progress?

As we evolve, we begin to embrace this mindset of adaptive resilience. Whatever you're going through right now, know that you have it within you. You can recognize it, reframe it, reach out for help, rid yourself of what isn't serving you, and rebuild.

I'd love to hear what you're navigating right now, and how you're leaning into your natural resilience. Reach out, share your story, and know that you're not alone. I look forward to next Thursday's Wise Walk.

In this episode:

• [03:12] Our bodies are so miraculous. They have this high-functioning ability to adapt, even though we don't always know how to support it.
• [04:10] As we fight an illness, our bodies adapt. They create antibodies that clear infections and store memory cells to fight future infections and attacks.
• [05:04] Our bodies are constantly learning, growing, and adapting to our environment. Our memory cells are on autopilot, constantly supporting us in the background.
• [06:55] We also rebuild on an emotional level. Our emotions and energy have a natural growth mindset.
• [08:12] Whatever we are managing at this moment will pass. I came up with five elements that will help us restore and overcome physically and emotionally.
• [09:12] I'm looking forward to establishing a home base and creating nesting roots.
• [10:06] 1. We have to recognize when we are in that moment of not feeling our best. What are the threats? How can we reframe this? What am I supposed to learn?
• [11:01] 3. Reach out and ask for help. You don't have to do it alone.
• [12:22] 4. Rid yourself of anything that is not supporting you.
• [13:25] 5. Rebuild and become stronger than before.
• [14:05] If I get sick again, my memory cells will be able to recognize, reframe, reach out, rid, and rebuild.
• [15:13] One thing that has helped me when feeling ungrounded while searching for our home is to reach out to people who can support me.
• [17:09] I also know that I need to rid myself of influences that will make me feel worse about my situation.
• [18:06] This experience will help me rebuild in a stronger framework.
• [20:22] On an emotional and energetic level, where can we apply these five elements so that we can move through periods of transition and being stuck?
• [21:57] On a positive note, I'm feeling much better.
• [22:54] I love that we embrace the mindset of adaptive resilience as we grow and evolve.
• [23:14] Know that you have adaptive resilience and memory cells in your physical, emotional, and energetic body.

Memorable Quotes:

• • "Your body knows how to rebuild. Sometimes the hardest part is trusting that you do too." - Mary Tess
  • "Even when you feel completely depleted, there's something within you already working to restore and strengthen." - Mary Tess
  • "Resilience isn't something you go find. It's something you remember." - Mary Tess
  • "Your body rebuilds automatically. Your mind and heart just need a little more intention." - Mary Tess

Links and Resources:

• Mary Tess Rooney
• Email
• Heart Value

Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram