We Call B.S.

Have you ever felt a bit of disconnection when you see images of perfectly decorated bathrooms prepared for a spa night at home or a bikini-clad 20 something holding a green smoothie on the beach proposing that this is the version of self-care you need? Us too-which is why today we are discussing the explosion of the self-care industry and how we are often too easily influenced by other definitions of self-care rather than paying attention to what truly energizes us and reminds us that we are worth prioritizing. 

The truth is that only YOU can define what self-care is. And self-care isn’t be defined by what you buy. Sometimes self-care is as simple as saying no to another commitment or invitation and choosing to go to bed two hours earlier. Sometimes it’s not feeling guilty when you get to attend a kid free event. Sometimes it’s goat yoga. Or avocado toast. Even though we continue to explore the practice of self-care in our own lives, the practice of it reminds us that we are valuable. And when we practice self-care regularly, we are able to be more intentional and present with everyone else around us. 

We call B.S. on letting someone else tell you what self-care looks like. 

In this episode we’ll explore:

• How the media and the self-care industry seek to define self-care for us
• How you can start to explore your own experience of self-care
• What self-care is and how the practice of it impacts all your other relationships

“It’s a practice and not what we need to purchase. So are we pushing people towards products that are promising happiness? Or are we pushing them towards self-worthiness, self-care, and having enough respect for themselves that make them better?” 

-Brittany Bollard

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Raising kids is no walk in the park. Actually sometimes it’s leaving them on the sidewalk so you can catch the other one as they run into traffic (before you judge, just listen, and you'll understand). Listen as we celebrate the magical, messy, most difficult joys of parenting and question the rose colored filter on the curated Instagram accounts of motherhood. If you are (or have, or will be) raising small children, special needs children, or you love someone who does, this episode is for you.

We call B.S. on the perfectly curated portrayal of life and family. 

In this episode we’ll explore:

• The pressure and guilt that comes with comparison
• The need to grieve and celebrate at different parts of parenting
• The power of being seen and heard on this journey
• How we can learn to stand in our truth so others are empowered to do the same. 

“I think what’s being skipped with the celebration is the grief behind these perfect images.” -Sinead Quinn

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Loving yourself and your body can be difficult. Today we are sharing a few things hitting close to home with our review of a new app launch that is geared towards children's weight loss (spoiler: we don't love it), as well as a few of our own struggles in empowering ourselves and our children through healthy habits. If you have ever struggled with body image or communicating with your children around self love, this episode is for you.

We call B.S. on childhood dieting. 

In this episode we’ll explore:

• The challenge of not conforming to one particular body type or ideal weight
• The impact of messages we receive about our bodies in early childhood
• The effects of labeling foods “good” or “bad”
• What it means to “lead by example” in projecting positive body image

“I remember that was the very first time that I was looking at someone in the mirror that didn’t add up to the image I had in my head.” 

-Brittany Bollard

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram

Meet Sinead Quinn. In addition to being a mom and wife, she is a health coach for special needs moms  She has three amazing kids (ages 11, 9, and 7) and her oldest child has Down Syndrome and severe Speech Apraxia. Being a special needs mom has impacted and inspired her work in phenomenal ways. She and her family moved from Australia to America 4.5 years ago and recently moved from The Bay Area CA to the Seattle area WA. Sinead’s biggest passion is health & wellness coaching and speaking at events to advocate and encourage the mind and body health and wellness of special needs moms. 

Meet Brittany Bollard. Brittany is a mom, wife, and wellness enthusiast. Her kids are now 7,5, and 2 years old. She loves them to the moon and back but she would venture to say this has been an especially hard season of parenting and is grateful for anyone willing to share the road with her. Brittany was inspired to become an empowerment coach through taking her own journey from a very dark place and moving into an empowered state where she could take control of her health and happiness. She lives by “if you aren’t changing it- you’re choosing it,” and she loves celebrating the wins no matter how small. 

These two firecrackers met at a health retreat after Brittany took note of Sinead’s high top sneakers and crystal necklace. When Sinead spilled her heart for advocating for special needs moms, Brittany demanded that Sinead start a podcast to shed light on this very important and underrepresented subject. As their friendship continued, Sinead was able to help Brittany work through a hard season and new auto-immune disease diagnosis. The health coaching sessions honestly felt like a podcast, so they just decided to go in on it together and invite you into their conversation, tears, and laughter. Prepare to engage in some subjects that make you squirm but also bring relief as they bring normalcy to a ton of shame-filled subjects around what it means to be a woman in today’s world. 

Resources and Links Mentioned in this episode: 

The Official Podcast Instagram

Sinead’s Instagram

Brittany’s Instagram