Pursuit of Wellness

In this special solo episode, I’m recording from home (comfy in bed, laptop in hand!) to catch you up on everything happening in my life right now. At 26 weeks pregnant, I’m reflecting on how my journey is unfolding, the emotional and spiritual connection I feel with my baby, and how this sacred season is shifting my approach to health, career, and even this podcast.

I share the highs and lows of pregnancy so far, from nesting mode and hypnobirthing classes to my first pelvic floor therapy session (and the wild stats I learned about strength training while pregnant). I also talk about why I’m making some changes to Pursuit of Wellness during this time, how I’m thinking about maternity leave, and what you can expect from the show moving forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to balance wellness, work, and life while preparing for motherhood, this one’s for you.

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Topics Discussed

00:00 – Recording from home & reconnecting with the POW community

01:00 – Pregnancy updates: 26 weeks, Aspen trip, and feeling good

02:30 – Nesting season: nursery prep, learning, and baby anticipation

03:30 – Career reflections: stepping back from Bloom & redefining success

05:00 – The future of POW: shifting to solo episodes and slowing down

07:00 – Lessons from IVF, gratitude, and mindset growth

08:30 – Birth prep: hypnobirthing, pelvic floor therapy & what she’s learned

10:30 – The benefits of strength training during pregnancy

11:15 – Embracing quiet routines, rest, and the joy of slowing down

11:50 – Final thoughts: gratitude, flexibility, and what’s next

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Ep. 199 - Motivation fades, but discipline lasts. In this mash-up, Mari, Sami Spalter, Tom McCarthy and Michael Chernow dive into one of the most important questions for anyone chasing growth: how do you stay consistent when motivation runs out? This episode blends real stories, practical strategies, and inspiring lessons around the theme of discipline as self-love. From the power of small wins to the “Three C’s” of transformation—Commitment, Confidence, and Courage—this episode gives you the tools to create lasting change in fitness, mindset, and life.

This episode is packed with encouragement, actionable steps, and wisdom to help you recommit to your goals, show up for yourself, and keep going—even when it’s hard. Whether you’re working on your health, your career, or your mindset, you’ll walk away with tools to create wins every day and become the person you want to be.

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Sponsored By:


Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway’s non-toxic cookware. Visit http://carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 or use code WELLNESS10 for 10% off your next purchase.


Hungryroot makes healthy eating easy! Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at hungryroot.com/POW with code POW.


The first 1,000 to join at http://functionhealth.com/POW or use gift code POW at sign-up get a $100 credit toward their membership.


Blissy is offering 60-nights risk-free PLUS an additional 30% off when you shop at Blissy.com/POWPOD.


Experience skincare that targets acne and aging—without clogging your pores. Get 20% off your first order at clearstem.com/POW with code POW.

Topics Discussed


00:00:08: Motivation vs. Discipline - building habits that stick (Solo)


00:03:40: CrossFit, accountability, and discipline as self-love (Sami Spalter)


00:11:06: Fitness teaching work ethic & pandemic walking


00:15:34: Mindset shift – leaving victim mentality behind (Tom McCarthy)


00:18:08: Visualization & subconscious reprogramming


00:22:42: Steps after visualization – focus, story, action


00:25:43: Identity shift – becoming an “athlete” & sobriety story


00:29:29: Discipline & asking for help – structured daily plan


00:38:27: Fitness in sobriety – daily wins, 3 C’s: Commitment, Confidence, Courage (Michael Chernow)

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Ep. 198: This week’s mashup brings together powerful insights from Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, Dr. Andy Galpin, and JJ Virgin on one of the most talked-about topics in fitness: creatine for strength training. We’ll unpack why muscle is your most important organ for longevity, clear up the biggest myths holding women back from using creatine, and explore how building strength can transform your body, mind, and confidence. You’ll hear practical strategies for getting started at any age, from first squats to advanced lifting, along with surprising benefits for mood, bone health, and aging powerfully. Tune in for expert advice that will leave you inspired to get stronger and feel unstoppable.

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Sponsored By:


Experience skincare that targets acne and aging—without clogging your pores. Get 20% off your first order at http://clearstem.com/POW with code POW.


Supportive, flattering & unbelievably comfortable — find your perfect SKIMS bras and underwear at http://skims.com/pow.


Enjoy pure, great-tasting water with AquaTru’s reverse osmosis purifiers. Get 20% off at http://aquatru.com with code POW.


Save 15% on the BON CHARGE Red Light Face Mask and more at http://boncharge.com with code PURSUIT at checkout.


Upgrade your morning brew with Lifeboost—clean, low-acid, organic coffee. Get 10% off at http://lifeboostcoffee.com/POW with code POW.


Breathe easier with Jaspr, the commercial-grade air scrubber that’s quiet, powerful, and sleek. Get $400 off with code POW at http://jaspr.co/pow.

Show Links:


Boost muscle, strength, and focus with Bloom Creatine—formulated to support women’s wellness, workouts, recovery, and daily energy.


Strength Training Secrets for Women: Protein, Ozempic, and Aging Powerfully with Celebrity Nutrition Expert & Fitness Hall of Famer JJ Virgin


Dr. Gabrielle Lyon on Muscle, Creatine & the Links between H. Pylori & Acne | Part 2


Why Women Are Training Wrong: Fix Hormones, Build Strength & Recover Smarter w/ Dr. Andy Galpin Part 1

Topics Discussed


00:08 - Welcome & episode overview


00:58 - Why creatine matters for women (Ep. 133: JJ Virgin)


02:20 - Water retention concerns explained


04:30 - Finding the right creatine dosage


06:15 - Creatine & strength training for pregnancy and healthy aging


08:40 - Encouraging parents to lift weights


12:26 - Beginner strength training progression & foundational exercises


14:30 - Muscle quality vs. muscle size


18:24 - “Muscle mommy” movement & cultural shifts in women’s strength training (Ep. 165: Dr. Andy Galpin)


26:19 - “Strengthspan”, muscle mass benefits & brain health


30:15 - Creatine safety & performance vs. health


34:55 - Debunking bloating concerns for women


38:36 - Creatine for women: cycle, pregnancy & brain health (Ep. 163: Dr. Gabrielle Lyon)


42:30 - When to start & who benefits most from creatine


44:20 - Protein and training as muscle foundations


45:27 - Muscle’s metabolic role & chronic disease prevention

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Ep. 197: On this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, I’m joined by Samantha Christine (SAMCFIT), a certified nutrition coach and the host of The Empower Podcast. We talk through her journey from a hospital birth that didn’t go as planned to a powerful, peaceful home birth years later. Sam shares what it took to rebuild her life after divorce, how she learned to advocate for herself in pregnancy, and the silent struggle she faced in those first weeks as a new mom. This episode is raw and full of wisdom for anyone navigating motherhood or major life transitions.

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Sponsored By:
Transform your bedtime routine with Cozy Earth. Get 40% off at http://cozyearth.com using code PURSUIT at checkout.
Hungryroot makes healthy eating easy! Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at http://hungryroot.com/POW with code POW.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at http://betterhelp.com/POW and get on your way to being your best self.
Build your dream brand with Shopify. Start selling today at http://shopify.com/mari. It’s never been easier to get started.
Bake-from-frozen sourdough, pasta & pastries — ready in 25 minutes. Visit http://wildgrain.com/POW for $30 off your first box + free croissants in every box.
Sleep smarter with Autopilot by Eight Sleep. Get $350 off Pod 4 Ultra at http://eightsleep.com/pow with code POW.

Show Links:
Train with Sam & explore her programs at https://samcfit.com/
Support gut health, immunity & glowing skin with Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, Bloom’s 3-in-1 formula with probiotics.

Topics Discussed
00:10 - Welcome & guest introduction
02:10 - Balancing motherhood, career & fitness
03:48 - Experience of her first (hospital) birth
05:11 - Why she chose home birth for her second
06:45 - How doulas support & empower birth choices
09:30 - Switching from birth center to home birth & choosing a midwife
12:07 - Preparing for unmedicated birth
16:04 - Sam’s experience of home birth
19:28 - Pain vs pressure & intuitive delivery
23:00 - Handling judgment around home birth
24:01 - Mari’s birth planning: holistic vs hospital
25:19 - Postpartum anxiety, support & communicating needs
33:55 - Prenatal perineal massage
35:35 - Pressure to “bounce back”
37:20 - Breastfeeding & body changes
38:11 - Working out after birth: realistic timelines
40:25 - High Rocks & endurance sports
47:14 - Building a blended family with Ian
52:38 - Time-blocking & daily structure
52:50 - Fitness for kids
55:39 - Healthy eating for kids
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Ep. 196:  Welcome back to POW. Today we have an amazing episode all about non-toxic living. You’ll hear from top experts sharing practical advice on addressing mold exposure, microplastics, and hidden household dangers that can affect your health. Having this podcast and speaking to incredible experts like Allison Evans, Mike Feldstein, and Dave Asprey has truly helped me embrace non-toxic living in a balanced way. Whether you’re curious about improving air quality, balancing hormones naturally, or seeking clearer skin, this episode is packed with insights to help you create a healthier sanctuary at home. Tune in for inspiration and actionable tips to enhance your non-toxic journey!

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For Dave’s Instagram click here!

Sponsored By:


Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway’s non-toxic cookware. Visit http://carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 or use code WELLNESS10 for 10% off your next purchase.


Get better sleep, hair and skin with Blissy and use POWPOD to get an additional 30% off at http://blissy.com/POWPOD


The first 1,000 to join at http://functionhealth.com/POW or use gift code POW at sign-up get a $100 credit toward their membership.


Maui Nui delivers wild-harvested, nutrient-rich venison straight to your door. Order now at http://mauinuivenison.com/POW. Supply is limited so don’t wait!


Breathe easier with Jaspr, the commercial-grade air scrubber that’s quiet, powerful, and sleek. Get $400 off with code POW at http://jaspr.co/pow.

Show Links:


Support your gut, skin & immunity with Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, a 3-in-1 formula featuring probiotics and grass-fed collagen.

Topics Discussed


00:08 - Introduction


02:20 Understanding preservatives in baby products (Ep. 110: Allison Evans)


04:03 What’s in Branch Basics & how to use it


06:50 Pregnancy, mold exposure & candida


10:32 Coffee enemas


12:40 Clean eating


17:24 Clean living for kids: eczema, epigenetics & detox tools


21:07 Where to start with Branch Basics & removing hidden toxins


22:37 Getting sick from toxic air: respiratory & autoimmune flare-ups (Ep. 145 Mike Feldstein)


23:39 Mold exposure & mycotoxin testing


25:35 Air awareness: indoor & outdoor pollution


28:30 Ventilation tips & how cooking pollutes indoor air


34:35 Pets as a source of indoor toxins


38:15 How bad air quality affects people differently


40:32 The rise of mold awareness


47:48 Early mold exposure, food mycotoxins & the mold–Lyme connection (Ep. 100: Dave Asprey)


51:30 Coffee mold toxins & how to find mold-free beans


56:26 How mold exposure disrupts hormones & weight


59:30 Animal protein & why quality matters

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