Pursuit of Wellness

Breastfeeding has been such a meaningful part of this season for me and it also challenged me in ways I did not expect.
In this episode, I’m opening up about my breastfeeding journey and the mental load that came with it. From the early days of colostrum, cluster feeding, and pumping to navigating oversupply and constant feeding schedules, I quickly realized how much of my life started to revolve around breastfeeding.
I talk about the anxiety of leaving the house, planning everything around feeds, and the pressure I put on myself to keep up. Even simple things like driving alone with Cai or going to a class felt overwhelming when I was constantly thinking about milk, timing, and whether he had enough.
We also get into the emotional side of it all the guilt, the comparison, and how breastfeeding impacted my mental health more than I expected. I share what led me to introduce formula, start weaning, and how that decision helped me feel more present, balanced, and like myself again.
I also touch on real-life moments, navigating outings, and the confidence that slowly comes with doing hard things for the first time as a new mom.
If you’re breastfeeding, combo feeding, weaning, or just trying to figure out what works for you, I hope this episode makes you feel less alone.
You’re allowed to choose what’s best for you.

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I'm back and so excited to reconnect with you all! In this episode, I'm answering your questions about motherhood, postpartum life, and everything in between. From the chaos of breastfeeding and pumping to the reality of finding help, managing relationships, and navigating the fourth trimester, I'm getting real about what these first three months with Cai have actually been like.
I talk about the mental load of exclusive breastfeeding, why I decided to start combo feeding, and how that choice gave me my life back. I also open up about the guilt, the fog, the anxiety around leaving the house, and the pressure to bounce back while your body is literally feeding another human.
We also dive into building a village when you don't have family nearby, the importance of finding the right help, how my relationship with Greg has shifted, and why I'm finally stepping back into my fitness routine without the rush.
This episode is unfiltered, honest, and full of the things I wish someone had told me before becoming a mom. If you're postpartum, pregnant, or just curious about what this season really looks like, I hope this brings you comfort, clarity, or at least a little solidarity.
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Leave Me a Message click here! (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
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I honestly cannot believe I’m sitting here recording this episode as a mom.

In this episode, I’m sharing the full story of Cai’s birth from start to finish. The anxiety leading up to labor, the moment the hospital told me not to come because they were at capacity, the induction process, contractions, getting the epidural, and the unexpected turn that led to an emergency C-section.

This experience changed my perspective on birth, control, and motherhood in ways I never could have predicted.

After going through IVF and everything it took to get pregnant, I thought I had an idea of how birth would go. But labor has a way of reminding you that some things are simply out of your control.

I talk about the mental side of preparing for labor, the pain and intensity of contractions, the moment I realized something wasn’t right, and the emotional second I heard Cai cry for the first time.

Even though things didn’t go according to my original plan, the moment I saw him made every single part of the experience worth it.

If you’re pregnant, thinking about becoming a mom, or just curious about what birth is actually like, this episode is the full, honest story.

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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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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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