Armed to the Heart

Hey friend. Today I'm sharing an update on where the Lord has been leading me, and the humbling growth journey I've been on in this season. We're talking about big life transitions, leaving the military, learning to trust God more and the internal wrestling we often experience mentally, emotionally and spiritually amidst uncertainty and change. I share an update on this pregnancy, entrepreneurship, and the exciting things my best friend Anna Saucier and I have been cooking up behind the scenes that you won't wanna miss ;) I want to invite you to reach out to connect if any of the coaching or team/organizational consulting work we're doing resonates with you! Email me at megan@armedtotheheart.com JOIN US FOR SHIFT -- a 4-part, virtual retreat-like workshop series for women who want to break the burnout cycle and create a sustainable, successful, and more fruitful work-life, grounded in Christ-centered healing. 1 hr/day, from JUN 25-28th covering work-life balance, integrative healing, trauma-informed leadership, business & ethical marketing, and shifting out of the hustle culture that keeps us exhausted & stuck in stress, pressure, and inadequacy.

I felt called to speak to the pressure many of us feel at this time of the year to finish Lent strong and prepare for Easter. Today we'll dive into 3 tips and invitations if you're feeling like you're just trying to keep up and have very little breathing room or time to rest, in the midst of everything you're carrying and doing. Whether you've stuck with what you set out to do for Lent, or feel like you're failing in it…I invite you to come as you are today. I know you want to give your best to your family, to your work, to glorify God in all that you do, but it's hard to feel like you're doing enough. Let's find some relief together, by creating space to receive Jesus more fully, along with the peace and rest he desires to give us in this hard, busy, messy, and beautiful everyday life. **Want to journey deeper in this with other like-minded women of faith? My incredible friend Anna Saucier is leading a Virtual Retreat on Thurs, March 21st called Release: a last-week-of-lent-internal-spring-cleaning Virtual Retreat that'll be practical, prayerful, and playful. It's $55 and will go from 10am-3pm CST, with a lunch break in the middle. She is so gifted at creating welcoming, connective, loving, supportive, life-giving spaces for meaningful growth in community and with the Lord. Would love to see you there!

Today I'm sharing vulnerably what Jesus has been reinforcing to me this week. A simple, but profound invitation of "let me be with you." It's so easy to compartmentalize our faith, to keep pushing through and doing the best we can to manage all that life is throwing at us from every direction...but how can we let him into everything we do to carry it with us, to be our strength? In our motherhood, our work, our to-do-lists, and everything in between... The truth is, he wants to be with us in all things. He wants to be with us in the joyful, the hard and painful, the monotonous. Nothing is too big or small or insignificant to him. He cares about all the details of your life, because he cares so deeply about you. He sees all the things you do that go unseen, and feel thankless. This is what we're exploring today -- how to expand our openness toward the Lord, and how much more BEAUTIFUL, fulfilling, and meaningful life can be when we aim to orient it all toward God.  

This will be a polar opposite message from what you've most likely been seeing, feeling, and the pressures you've been inundated with at this time of the year about New Years' Resolutions and goals. There are so many voices of the world, environments we're in, and our culture that shame and guilt us, that reinforce these narratives that we're never enough no matter how much we give or how hard we try or how much we do, that we're a failure, and we're so unworthy of love, until we fix all these things that are wrong with us. And only if and when we measure up in each of these ways, we're good enough. My goal today is to help you get more deeply rooted in how the Lord sees you, and your identity in Him. To speak some encouragement and truth into your heart in places you need it most.

Oh sister, we're getting vulnerable & going deep here. The tough truth is that it doesn't matter how fit we are, or how much fitness we're able to maintain, if we're imprisoned by it. For those of us who want to maintain our health & fitness and take pride in it, it can be hard to find the right balance. The holidays are a time when society speaks very harshly & judgmentally about food & exercise. The narratives & opinions out there are filled with a bunch of really harmful messages & associations that can drive a ton of anxiety, guilt, shame, & pressure. Everything from making “healthier versions” of our favorite treats, to avoiding them altogether, indulging in “treats”, saving up for or making up for extra calories, cheating, letting go, being “bad” or “good”, and all the “shoulds” in the air. I was VERY trapped in these painful cycles for years, and in early motherhood before God brought me through so much healing. Both personally, and as a coach in the holistic health & fitness space, I've sought to create more distinction between all these pressures & triggers to protect my peace & help the women I work with find more freedom, joy & appreciation for movement, food, & heal their body image and concept of their self worth. In these last couple years of motherhood and military service, I've come a long way on this journey but the holidays can still reopen some wounds. My prayer is that these 12 Tips are a healing balm for your heart & mind as you navigate these societal messages, so that you can fully enjoy the holidays, and reclaim the joy around your experience of fitness & food to celebrate with your loved ones, but WITHOUT all the guilt & shame. (This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again!) 1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!) Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com

How do we keep up our healthy habits & nutrition during the Thanksgiving & Christmas celebrations? Last episode we dove into 8 simple but powerful ways to find balance in staying on track with your goals while enjoying the holiday celebrations. This Part 2 focuses on the 7 biggest mistakes you may be making when approaching the holiday season, and simple strategies to avoid them. Pop in those headphones as you prep your Thanksgiving meal, and settle in my friend! Today you'll learn the main mistakes that are most likely keeping you stuck, overthinking, and stressed with food — what to release, shift, & what to do/focus on instead so you can find your balance to nourish yourself fully AND enjoy food this Thanksgiving & Christmas season to make lasting memories with the people you love! I'll give you practical steps, strategies, tips & how to ditch the guilt, shame spirals, & anxiety in enjoying the celebrations, while still staying on track — even when your routines, norms, eating, drinking, sleep, & exercise habits are shifting due to travel or so many holiday events. We'll cover how you can have more mental space to enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling out of control, over-restricting then overindulging or binge eating. Peace with food is possible & you don't deserve anything less! You deserve the freedom to actually treasure the memories & moments with your family and pursue those goals & dreams of yours with dedication, with a healthy balance physically AND mentally. (This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again!) 1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!) Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com

How do we keep up our healthy habits & nutrition during the Thanksgiving & Christmas celebrations? This is Part 1, where we focus on 8 simple but powerful ways to find balance in staying on track with your goals while enjoying the holiday celebrations (no, it's not by counting macros or tracking everything you eat) Pop in those headphones as you prep your Thanksgiving meal, and settle into this 2-part Episode, where we'll cover:  The single most harmful message to be aware of around food, nutrition & fitness during the holidays that keeps us stuck in negative shame & guilt spirals The #1 most helpful strategy to combat the tendency toward an all or nothing mindset.  The real reason you tend to overindulge or binge eat during the holidays (spoiler, it's not because you lack willpower, self-control, or motivation), and how to regain your balance when you fall into any extremes  How you can begin to let go of your rigid food rules and enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling out of control or guilty  How to get the nourishment you need while allowing yourself the flexibility to also enjoy your favorite treats  The #1 way to stick with your eating preferences, even when everyone around you is eating differently As we've been shedding light on in the latest episodes, the holidays can cause certain triggers to surface or intensify. If you've been struggling with your relationship with your body image or food in any way, and/or working hard toward your fitness goals, you may be starting to feel stressed as we approach the holiday season, knowing just how challenging this time of year can be with so many social events and family gatherings where food is the center of the celebration. So, how can we realistically & reasonably navigate all of the unique challenges of this season — from holiday gatherings, extra sweets, and even peer pressure from our family or friends?   Today we're gonna lift the shame around these topics - break through feelings of guilt around nutrition, your body, & fitness, and learn how to manage the inevitable triggers that can come up around food & our bodies during the holidays.  Let's help you find your balance to nourish yourself fully AND enjoy food this Thanksgiving & Christmas season to make lasting memories with the people you love! Peace with food is possible & you don't deserve anything less!  You deserve the freedom to actually treasure the memories & moments with your family and pursue those goals & dreams of yours with dedication, with a healthy balance physically AND mentally. Can't wait to hear how you apply these tips, and hope you have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving & Christmas season as you celebrate with family & friends!!! 1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!) Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com

Worried the holidays are going to derail your fitness goals, want to stay on track as much as possible so you don't feel like you have to completely reset in January after falling off the train in the coming weeks? Tune in for 15 simple ways to still prioritize your health & fitness, while fully enjoying the holiday season. This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again! The holidays are a special time of year, but can also bring a ton of extra stress just due to the busyness, all the celebrations, expectations, and travels that pull us in many directions. It can be a challenging time to maintain our fitness & stay consistent, even with all the best intentions to keep up a routine. We can also experience the additional pressures & guilt that can come with indulging more during the holidays than usual, and feel pressure to make up for the way it's throwing a wrench in our normal nutrition & fitness habits, or compensate for the extra calories or sweets we're eating, through our exercise. It can be a struggle, and also a triggering time in body image, our relationship, with food, and fitness. I don't want stress about losing progress in your fitness or an underlying pressure & sense of guilt make it harder to fully enjoy the season and be present with your loved ones. You don't have to give up until New Years, or beat yourself up & be overly rigid & restrictive in your expectations of yourself either. So these tips will empower you to integrate fitness into your busy holiday plans while finding a balance that feels good & right for you! Holiday-proof your fitness by leaning on these 15 Easy, Practical Tips/Hacks for making movement a consistent — and positive — part of your holiday season. Can't wait to hear how you apply these tips, and hope you have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving & Christmas season as you celebrate with family & friends!!! 1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!) Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com

Oh my friend. I just want to invite you to imagine we're sitting across from each other on a comfy sofa with coffee today...get ready for an incredibly deep, honest, and vulnerable heart to heart. This is what my soul was longing to share with you. Exactly how Jesus has been meeting me in the hard, in the mess, in the muck of everyday life and all the transitions of this season. How He's been giving me strength for every battle. How He's been bringing so much restoration, healing, hope, and the profound peace, joy, and freedom that comes from Him, in it all. And how the Lord wants to do exactly the same for you. It's real, it's me. And may God speak to the depths of your heart through these words, today.   And if this speaks to you, I'd love to have a heart to heart for real. Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com Learn more about / see how you can support the Military Academy Pregnancy Support nonprofit here: https://militaryacademypregnancysupport.com/ Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!

Do you struggle to feel like you're measuring up? Do you feel like no matter how much you do, give, and contribute, you're still not doing enough? I see you, and you're so not alone. Today I'm giving you a powerful, simple exercise to release the extra pressures you're carrying -- those high expectations you hold yourself to, the weight of not measuring up and guilt around not getting everything done on your to-do-list...all the ways you're "shoulding" all over yourself, lol. ;) This 5-10 min journaling exercise was so helpful for me this week and opened up so much space in my heart and mind to release the things that were weighing me down that the Lord didn't want me to carry anymore, give myself much more grace, and expand my capacity to experience deeper joy and be more present. I pray this blesses you sister! Download your Free Guide with 10 Must-Ask Questions to Help you Build a More Fulfilling Balance Between Family and Work $37 Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Want to chat about working together or figure out your next right steps? Reach out at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Clarity Call.

Are you running a million miles an hour, pulled in tons of directions responding to one urgent demand after another, trying to constantly be productive with your to-do-list, and never feeling like you have a moment to truly rest, be still, or relax? Today we're diving into 3 tips for how to slow down and start moving out of this place of constant busyness, reaction or survival mode, and constant DOING to learn how to BE, and build more balance. Maybe you're the kind of person who thrives in chaos and high-pressure environments, who does well at a fast pace managing a lot on your plate, holding it all together. You get a lot done, and make a big impact doing it. But when you're really honest with yourself, something doesn't feel quite right. Maybe you're not feeling truly fulfilled. Maybe it's wearing on you and you're just exhausted, or always feeling stressed, and wish you had more to give your family. Maybe you're struggling to experience the depth of joy you really want to because you're always feeling pulled toward something or like things are hanging over your head when you really want to shut it off and just be present -- the next tasks on your to-do-list, checking your phone, work and home responsibilities. You've worked so hard to get where you are, but can't enjoy any of it. This is the silent suffering so many of us experience as women. I remember feeling so stuck and trapped in it, like there was no way out. But there is hope my friend! Today I'm gonna give you 3 simple steps of where to start when you  want to slow down, but you're used to running a million miles an hour. Download your Free Guide with 10 Must-Ask Questions to Help you Build a More Fulfilling Balance Between Family and Work $37 Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Want to chat about working together or figure out your next right steps? Reach out at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Clarity Call.

You're gonna want a journal and pen for this one -- you can Download and print the free PDF that goes with this episode HERE to follow along at your own pace. 10 Must-Ask Questions if you desire greater balance between who you want to be for your family, and the impact you want to make in the world. If you're wishing you had more to give your kids, your marriage, your home, but also have that heart and drive to make a difference in your work and your community, this is for you sister. Maybe you're feeling like work is consuming your whole life, and you're feeling burnt out. Maybe you love what you do, but you also feel like something is missing, or like you're made for more. Maybe you're needing more stability or flexibility, and the freedom to lead a life more aligned with your values and priorities. Maybe you're feeling like your family is sacrificing too much, and you're feeling the weight of guilt for how much time your work is stealing from them, and your heart is telling you it's time for a change. Maybe you're not sure what the next steps are, you're terrified of all the unknowns, or you're navigating the decision of where to go next, or a process of transition and change. Wherever this finds you, grab your favorite drink, settle in and let's dig in together to explore these important questions, and dream together to discover what God is speaking to you, and design your life and contribution with Him. **Get on the Early-Bird WaitList to be the first to know when the 8-week Sisters in Christ Group Coaching Program & Community opens for enrollment soon!! If you haven't downloaded the PDF that goes through these 10 Questions, you can do so HERE. Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Want to chat about working together or figure out your next right steps? Reach out at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Clarity Call.

Do you struggle sometimes with negative self talk, and negative emotions? Today I'm giving you an easy, step-by-step framework you can use to renew your mind, and cultivate mental & emotional command as the Lord calls us to (Romans 12:2). This will transform the way you show up in every area of life and handle challenges with much more grace. Whenever you're struggling with negative emotions -- feeling stressed, overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, discouraged, inadequate, insecure, or anything that's weighing on you, this will help you decrease the harsh inner critic, process how you're feeling, and bring relief. I walk through these 6 simple, yet powerful steps with clients in coaching sessions, and have personally embraced this as muscle memory over the last few years - it's made all the difference in the world. Applying these tips will empower you to break free from a mindset that's keeping you stuck, spiraling thought patterns, or unprocessed emotions that are affecting the way you show up for your family and as a leader. Grab a journal and pen, and let's dig in sister! Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you! Want to chat about working together or figure out your next right steps? Reach out at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Clarity Call. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Power Hour? 1 hr Coaching Call for Mindset, Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond

As we resume the podcast after our summer break, we're going to have a raw, real conversation about how we can navigate seasons of transition, change, and seasons of uncertainty or unknowns. So if you're in the trenches like I am, this is for you sister. Maybe it's a season of major life or career transition, maybe you're trying to figure out, plan, prepare for, and take the next steps. Maybe it's the next chapter in military, a big move, hoping and praying to start or grow your family, an unplanned pregnancy, or the last trimester of pregnancy. Maybe you're staring down a deployment on the horizon for you or your spouse. Maybe it's the pressure you feel to have all the details carefully mapped out, everything planed to a T, and be perfectly prepared for whatever may come. If you're feeling the stress, emotions, overwhelm or the anxiety of wondering, is everything going to be ok? Is my family gonna be ok? How is this all gonna work out? Or as you're undergoing all this change and instability you just want it all to fall in place. I see you -- I'm right here with you. So if you want to remain grounded in the Lord's peace through it all, this is for you. I love you sister. And I encourage you to share this episode with a friend whose heart may need to hear this too. Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. It's a do at your own pace/time resource to serve you in this season and a great starting point for moving out of the constant burnout, overwhelm, and guilt. Get in touch: megan@armedtotheheart.com

Thank you so much for being part of this growing community! As we reach the 100 episode mark, I want to take a moment to celebrate and honor this journey, share a bit more about the behind the scenes of this season, what to expect moving forward, and give all the glory and praise to God. Can't wait to see who wins the giveaway ($97 value!) All my love, Megan Gephart Gain access to my new Work-Life Balance Masterclass for just $37! This is an on-demand video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. It's a do at your own pace/time resource to serve you in this season. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Power Hour? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Want to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together but not sure where to begin? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Discovery Call.  

We live in a world of constant distractions -- noise, input, demands, notifications, all these urgent things bombarding us from every direction. This is one of the most effective tools of the enemy to lead us astray & get us off course from God's will, divert our attention from our priorities, and even pervert the good things we're doing. Distraction steals our time, presence, productivity, and ability to live out God's purpose for us at home, in our work, & every area of life. So grab that notebook and pen -- today we're talking about what it looks like in the battleground of our lives, hearts and minds, and what we can do about it. The enemy wants us to be distracted all day long: To be pulled from where God wants us to focus, & get bogged down in things that don't matter. To be too spread thin in our time and energy. To steal our capacity to focus on our family & the people right in front of us. To fall victim to lies & deception To be distracted by shiny objects, or overly swayed by what the world tells us we "should" be doing, or other people's expectations & opinions of what we should pursue / what "success" looks like To constantly be stressed and anxious, reactive, dwelling on mistakes, beating ourself up or ruminating on the past, or worried about the future. For our minds to be stuck on all the things we don't have or are overwhelmed with. The devil wants so many things to be swirling around our heads -- our to-do lists, incessant phone notifications, social media or even the news to pull us from the blessings and joys of the moment, our families, where we're uniquely called to serve, and what we're meant to give. So let's walk through practical tips to combat this form of spiritual warfare. Let's do this together sister. Gain access to my new Work-Life Balance Masterclass for just $37! This is an on-demand video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. It's a do at your own pace/time resource to serve you in this season. Want to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Discovery Call. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Power Hour? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond

In this episode, I'm getting really vulnerable with you to share 5 Lessons Learned when I was away from my family the last 2 months for my Army training course. Whether you're in a crazy busy, hard season juggling work and family life, in a time of transition like pregnancy, postpartum, military moves, long distance in marriage / time apart from or as a family, discerning or preparing for change, especially in leaving the military or your job, or dealing with any uncertainty, unpredictability, or instability, this will resonate deeply with you. This episode also includes: An announcement of an exciting new offer for how I can serve & support you in work-life balance I share a really hard decision we recently made in military/family life My plans to take most of July off to focus on reintegrating back together with my family before this next season of the Podcast Some exciting news to stay tuned for, about the Army Women's Initiative Team (I want to hear from you so I can be a voice for any ideas on continued change to support women who serve!) Gain access to my new Work-Life Balance Masterclass for $37! This is an on-demand video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. It's a do at your own pace/time resource to serve you in this season. Want to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Discovery Call. Grab a Power Hour: 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond

If you feel like you've gotta have your 3rd cup of coffee just to get through the day, I get it. Being pulled in so many directions every day is exhausting, and carrying everything that's on our plates can feel really heavy. So today we're gonna dive into 15 hacks to find more energy, even in demanding seasons. Especially if you're up all night with your babies, EVEN when you're not getting that much sleep given mom life, busy work schedules, keeping up with the home, and managing all the things. Over the last few years of being woken up throughout the night by my babies, and the craziness of solo parenting often, managing the home, balancing active duty Army life with my small business and advocacy work, these practical tips are what's enabled me to maintain optimal energy to do what God is calling me to do -- and I know it'll help you do the same. Grab your favorite notebook and pen, and let's dig in together! --- Want to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Discovery Call. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond

So honored to bring an amazing guest to you today — Lissa Figgins is a military spouse of 27 years, mom of 3 (2 boys who are now serving on active duty themselves), a leader in her community, and a Christian time management coach. Join us for honest conversations about navigating the challenges of marriage, motherhood, military life, mental health and PTSD, how we can live out our faith and calling within our homes & beyond, as busy Christian women. Lissa shares so many beautiful, practical tips for how we can be more intentional in our relationship and improve our connection with our spouse, how to discern where God is calling us in this season, how to find more time for the things that matter most to us, and how to keep our priorities in order in the busyness of our daily lives. Learn more about & support the FIGHT OAR DIE cause to provide community-centered mental health resources for military veterans and service members. Connect with Lissa on her Podcast, Redeem Her Time Lissa's Free REDEEM Her Time Life Roadmap Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond  

Today we're gonna talk about perfectionism, and give you 5 practical strategies to combat it in daily life. Maybe you've got impossibly high standards for yourself and are very critical with your failures and mistakes. You expect a lot of yourself. You want to do everything right, and give 100% to all that you do. You feel that pressure to do it all, and do it all perfectly. You're not alone. I struggle with this. My clients struggle with this. My friends struggle with this. It's quite the double-edged sword. On one hand, it motivates us to perform at a high level. It can help us achieve a lot of meaningful things, and make a big impact. To be someone others can count on to do great quality work. But on the other hand, it can make us feel stuck in insecurities, stress, anxiety, and be harmful internally. We can have this pervasive sense of pressure & never being good enough. And it can really deeply impact every area of our life. So today let's help you know what you can do to combat and manage your perfectionism & negative self-talk, so it's not managing you. *REGISTER HERE for my Free Time Management & Stress Management Workshop Thurs JUN 8 at 8pm EST! (Recording will be made available for those who register) You'll learn: 1.  The 3 KEYS to Effective Time Management 2.  The Secret to What Time Management is ACTUALLY all about (realizing & embracing this will make ALL the difference in the world in your ability to be more productive & present) 3.  The SINGLE most powerful exercise you can do in just 10 minutes to free up HOURS of your time & energy 4.  2 quick, easy techniques you can use to relieve stress whenever you're feeling anxious about all the things that need to be done Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :)  

When we're working full time, part time, or building a business in the margins of motherhood, as working moms we often worry about not giving our family enough. We wish we could be more present, and give more time to our babies, marriage, and home. So what do we do, if we feel like there's just never enough time for our kids and marriage, and we're struggling to balance the time we really want to spend with them & give them, with our demanding work schedule and workload. If you have a strong drive to make an impact in the world, but don't want it to come at the expense of your family, I see you. Here are 3 simple, but powerful shifts you can make. EVEN if your work schedule or circumstances can't change, these practical tips will truly empower you to find more time, make the most of the time you DO have, and help you give your family your best. *REGISTER HERE for my Free Time Management Workshop Thurs JUN 8 at 8pm EST! (Recording will be made available for those who register) You'll learn: 1.  The 3 KEYS to Effective Time Management 2.  The Secret to What Time Management is ACTUALLY all about (realizing & embracing this will make ALL the difference in the world in your ability to be more productive & present) 3.  The SINGLE most powerful exercise you can do in just 10 minutes to free up HOURS of your time & energy 4.  2 quick, easy techniques you can use to relieve stress whenever you're feeling anxious about all the things that need to be done Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :)  

Grab your notebook & pen, and get ready for 3 things that are wasting your time and practical tips on what you can do about it to immediately start gaining back time that's being lost. Do you feel like there's never enough time for everything you need to do? Do you wish you had more time for your family? Does your mile long to-do list weigh on you often & prevent you from feeling like you can be TRULY present? Do you feel like - between all the directions you're pulled in - there's ZERO time left for yourself? Or your husband? Are you just too dang busy... To deeply connect with God in prayer? To pour into your family & marriage in the ways you want to? To do the things that truly bring you joy? To even have a moment to rest? To exercise in the ways you'd like to? To take care of your physical & mental health? To nurture your friendships? I see you friend. Let's help you find more time for the people and things that matter most to you. *REGISTER HERE for my Free Time Management Workshop Thurs JUN 8 at 8pm EST! (Recording will be made available for those who register) You'll learn: 1.  The 3 KEYS to Effective Time Management 2.  The Secret to What Time Management is ACTUALLY all about (realizing & embracing this will make ALL the difference in the world in your ability to be more productive & present) 3.  The SINGLE most powerful exercise you can do in just 10 minutes to free up HOURS of your time & energy 4.  2 quick, easy techniques you can use to relieve stress whenever you're feeling anxious about all the things that need to be done Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :)      

If you're driven to make a difference & have high standards for yourself and others, if you have a strong work ethic and are a high-performer who gives so much of yourself to your work to make the organization, team, and the world better, but struggle with exhausted, feeling burnt out or frustrated in it, this is for you. This - like the last episode - is part of a recent coaching call with Carlie, one of my clients who is a college professor. Maybe your heart to make a difference causes you to overcommit or overextend yourself too. You tend to take on more than you're asked. You have high expectations of yourself to always give 100%. You tend toward perfectionism. You want to help lead change, and may be super passionate about what you do, and willing to sacrifice for it, but it's easy to run yourself into the ground continuously in the process. I experienced this a lot in my first few years in the military, in the advocacy work I've done for mothers who serve, entrepreneurship, and ministry, until God started showing me that I don't have to stay stuck in these cycles. I see burnout often in the women that I coach. But I want to encourage you that you don't have to sacrifice what's most important -- your family, your marriage, your faith, or your sanity to make the impact you're called to make in the world. So let's go behind the scenes today and hear how Carlie and I worked through some of these challenges that come with fighting these battles -- internally & externally. Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Ready to Jump into a 1:1 Coaching Session? 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :) Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)    

Bringing a special episode to you today -- a coaching call with one of my clients! In this call we help Carlie work through some guilt around taking time to exercise when there's still so much work and things that need to be done. Carlie and I have been working together for a little over a year to help her heal from burnout and build a more sustainable work-life balance, with Jesus at the center, and I felt so compelled to ask her if she would be open to me sharing the recording of this coaching call on the Podcast. Because as high-achieving Christian women with huge hearts to make a difference, who want to give our family and everyone around us our best, it can be so hard to find time to take care of ourselves too. She was so happy to share this call, to help other women feel less alone. So if you too have a demanding job and mile-long to-do list but have a hard time (or feel guilty for!) finding the time to take care of yourself too amidst everything on your plate, grab a notebook and let's do this together. I pray this blesses you big! **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program doors will be opening soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :) Want to schedule a Discovery Call to explore if it'd be a good fit to work together? You don't have to stay stuck! Send me an email at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time. Book a 1:1 Coaching Session : 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)    

Take just a few minutes with me to pause and explore what your hopes, dreams, expectations, and needs are for Mother's Day. It can be really common to have high hopes for holidays like Mother's Day then feel disappointed, under-appreciated, and hurt if it didn't live up to our ideals, and expectations. So let's walk through a process that'll help you have a more beautiful, meaningful Mother's Day, and feel deeply seen, known, loved, and valued this weekend, and always. In this episode I help you bring to awareness what's beneath the surface, and give you some tips for communicating more easily and openly with your husband to avoid getting stuck in unmet, unspoken expectations, comparison, disappointment, resentment, and emotional disconnect. I share the #1 most important thing you can do to feel like your cup is full, and overflowing, even if your relationship is struggling, motherhood is feeling really dang hard and discouraging, and you're not receiving as much love and affirmation as you would have liked to. Let's dive in and have a heart to heart.

Do you feel like work is taking over your life? Are you burnt out & tired of giving all you've got in your work, but feeling like it leaves just the leftovers for your family and marriage, and barely any time for the rest of your life? With a demanding job, and all it takes to care for your little ones & keep the home running, you're really struggling to find time to maintain your own mental & physical health because there's never enough time leftover for yourself (and when you do try to take a moment, you feel guilty because there's still more on that to-do-list or you get interrupted because someone needs you again!) Do you wish you actually had time to rest and decompress or do more of what brings you true joy, but the workweeks feel like there's no time to breathe as you're trying to keep up, then the weekends are nonstop too, between getting as much quality time together as you can with your family, but also catching up on all the housework and prepping everything for the next week? If you're anything like me, you dream of waking up every day full of energy and passion because you know you're living out God's call for you, fully present to & serving your family in the ways that are most important, and making a real impact through your work. But in reality? You're caught somewhere between always feeling guilty, torn, stressed, overworked, like you're failing somewhere, or like no matter how much you give, it's never enough. You're tired of giving so much of yourself to your family & work and caring so much, yet feeling so depleted, frustrated, and isolated in the struggles. You may even wonder deep down,  "Is this really even worth it?" "Something's gotta give." "Is this what God is asking of me?" "What am I doing wrong? Why can't I get it together?" Sister, I just want to pause and wrap my arms around you for a moment.  I see you. You are not alone. I was you. I trust that God has brought you here for a reason. I'm here to give you some hope that you don't have to stay stuck. He has an amazing plan for you. Your family needs what you alone can give them. And the world needs what you have to offer. So let's help you to heal from this burnout and find more balance, so you can do the work the Lord has made you for, but WITHOUT sacrificing what matters most. Grab a notebook & pen or get ready to write these into the notes of your phone! I'm guiding you through 10 Key Reflection Questions that'll bring you immense clarity, and show you the next steps toward the balance your heart is longing for. **Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program for High-Achieving Christian women in the military & other male-dominated environments coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :) ----- Book a 1:1 Coaching Session : 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Do you feel like you're too busy to pray? Are you longing for more consistent, intentional time with the Lord? Does prayer sometimes feel like just another thing to keep up with, or another thing on the to-do-list that you feel guilty if you don't get to? Or do you feel a sense of guilt when you DO take time to slow down & pray, because you're not being more "productive" with that time given how much there is to do? Maybe you have a pretty good prayer life, but know you could be more intentional and disciplined with it. I see you sister. We're gonna chat today about how to fit prayer into the busyness of life and motherhood. If you struggle to find time for prayer, you're not alone. Maybe you constantly feel like with all the directions you're pulled in, you're trying to keep up with everything, but prayer is one of those things that tends to fall to the wayside. Maybe you want to be more intentional with your prayer routine and faith life but don't quite know where to start and how to fit it into your busy schedule when you barely have a moment to breathe and are already so dang short on time. Maybe you wish you could sit down with your Bible or prayer journal for some quiet time with a cup of coffee or tea and a nice candle, but you're constantly getting interrupted by your little ones and it feels impossible to find the time to deeply, meaningfully connect with God. Today we're covering 7 simple ways to find more time for prayer in our busy lives. I hope this blesses you today, and gives you the encouragement you need to live out your faith in everyday life. ----- ***I'm holding a Mother's Day SALE for the next 2 weeks! Grab 25% off either a 1:1 session or my Postpartum Program with the Discount Code: MOTHERSDAY23 Book a 1:1 Coaching Session : 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) **Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :) Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Hey mama. Have you experienced pain or discomfort with intimacy postpartum? I know I have, and many of the women I coach have too. It's common, but doesn't have to be your normal. No matter how long ago you had your baby, or if you're pregnant & preparing for postpartum, or newly postpartum but haven't yet resumed intimacy, this episode will de-stigmatize this and give you practical tips to navigate & improve any pain you feel. It's something so many of us go through, yet we feel so alone in, because it's not really talked about. Painful or uncomfortable sex after baby (both early postpartum, but also for extended periods of time) is one of those things that's common, but it doesn't have to be normal. I suffered through this for nearly 2 years silently before I learned the factors that were contributing to it, and that it didn't have to be that way. I thought it was just part of the sacrifices that come with motherhood, & something I was gonna have to live & deal with for the rest of my life. I felt so much shame around it, and thought there was something wrong with me. I don't want any other mama to feel like you just have to push through, or feel so alone like I did. So today we're gonna go there -- we're talking through 6 Simple Strategies to Reduce Pelvic Pain with Sex after Baby. I pray this gives you hope, encouragement, and a way forward if you've been struggling with this too. All my love sweet friend. Praying for you in this. ----- ***I'm holding a Mother's Day SALE for the next 2 weeks! Grab 25% off either a 1:1 session or my Postpartum Program with the Discount Code: MOTHERSDAY23 Book a 1:1 Coaching Session : 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Health & Fitness, for military women & beyond Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) **Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! Stay tuned. :) Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)

What makes a good mom? What makes a great mom? When you think of a perfect mom, what do you think of? What makes you feel like you're doing it all right, or makes you feel put together? What makes you feel like enough? What makes you feel like you're doing enough?   There is so much pressure to be a perfect mom. Many of us feel like no matter how hard we try, it's never enough. The guilt of not spending more time with our kids. The thought “my child deserves better” on repeat in our minds. Trying to hold it all together, keeping a smile on our face on the outside, but just feeling like a hot mess. Feeling ashamed if we're having a hard time keeping up with everything. If our home isn't as spotless as everyone else's seems to be. Beating ourselves up about anytime we lose our cool and aren't as calm & patient as we want to be with our kids. Wondering how other moms are managing it all so much better than us. Stretched thin in the juggling act, but feeling like you're failing in all of it. In survival mode trying to keep everyone alive. Feeling so guilty, because we're not as present & loving as we want to be for our kids. Worried we're not giving them enough, wishing we could do more for them. Today we're walking through 5 steps to help you identify and release the unrealistic standards of perfection that are keeping you stuck in vicious cycles of guilt, shame, overwhelm, & discouragement as a mom, and clarify EXACTLY where God is calling you to focus in this season, to be the mom you want to be. Let's help you let go of the burdens you're not meant to carry. ----- ***I'm holding a Mother's Day SALE for the next 2 weeks! Grab 25% off either a 1:1 session or my Postpartum Program with the Discount Code: MOTHERSDAY23 Book a 1:1 Coaching Session : 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) **Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :) Free Guide: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Who's dying for some RELIEF in parenting? I see you mama. :) CAN'T WAIT to share this incredible guest interview with you today, where we dive into so many practical parenting tips that have empowered me so much through motherhood & fostered a much more connected, peaceful relationship, without the constant yelling, power struggles, exhaustion & overwhelm. Kelly Shoup is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist & Parenting Coach who has 20+ years of experience helping parents wrangle little ones, plus parenting her own kids, with a long record of success. She has supported our family in the most difficult seasons of military life to help us not just survive but truly thrive together. I know you will learn so much from her too, and be so blessed by this episode. We cover: How to help our kids through transitions & constant changes of military life How to reduce power struggles & meltdowns & make everyday routines smoother with our kids Tips for how to stay calm & feel less overwhelmed as parents to help our kids better regulate, and so we don't lose our cool when they're having a tantrum, being violent or not listening, when they're just breaking down in the evenings after everyone has had a long day at work & daycare/school, or we're frustrated and exhausted by their behavior on top of everything else we're juggling How to understand what our children's behavior is communicating, what is developmentally normal & healthy for them & how to support them through it How to move from harsher obedience, control & compliance-based parenting to a more gentle, connection-oriented, present and playful approach that dissolves so much of the power struggles before they even happen and allows for such deep connection with our children How to support your kids in developing their self-confidence & self worth Leaning on God & His grace through it all, to be the best mamas we can be ...and more This episode is full of GOLD that will make all the difference in your relationship with your children -- especially if they're strong-willed like mine! Be sure to share this with a friend who will benefit from all these amazing tips too. We're not meant to do this alone. **Tired of Meltdowns & Constant Power Struggles? Take Kelly Shoup's free Sensory Profile Quiz and discover what your child's behavior is communicating. Learn more from Kelly on her Podcast, Making Sense of Parenting ---- Book a 1:1 Coaching Session with Megan: 1 hr Strategy & Mindset Coaching Call for Work-Life Balance or Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness, for military women & beyond Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Are you going through some big military life transitions too? Or maybe in the trenches of all the changes & demands that come with the different seasons of motherhood? It can feel like we're constantly drowning in the stress & anxiety of it all. It can easily overwhelm us. Especially in the military, with so much constant change, instability, uncertainty, and how much stress that can bring on top of the heavy loads we're already carrying as busy mamas or busy women, it is a LOT. So how do we deal with this and get through it, to come out stronger on the other side? This episode was born of where I am currently -- in the thick of some big transitions & being away from my babies...just having finished 6 months of solo parenting being stationed apart from my husband, and now he moved home to us but I had to leave and I'm the one apart from my family because of a 2 month training course. So today I'm sharing the #1 thing you need to focus on when you're going through change. And this will make ALL the difference in the world. ----- Whenever you're ready, here's a few ways we can work together: Schedule a Coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) **Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! Stay tuned. :) PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

Sadly, after the incredible feat of pregnancy & giving birth, the majority of us are left hanging until we get to the 6-week postpartum check-up with little to no guidance on what we can do physically, or how to start easing back into exercise, if anything. So we wait, what feels like FOREVER, for this 6 week appointment with our OB or midwife. Often anxious about what's safe or unsafe, some symptoms we might be experiencing, OR feeling really good and starting to grow impatient, maybe even feeling like we're exempt from having to wait for the clearance because our recovery has been smooth so far, we were able to maintain a lot of fitness through pregnancy, we're a strong athlete and we had a fairly "easy" birth experience. Regardless, by this point we're usually dying to get back to the gym or running so we can start to feel more like ourselves again -- in our identity, routine, and body. Then the appointment comes, we get the "all clear," & we're like, that's it? Am I really good to go? You likely didn't receive any more specific guidance on what your return to exercise should look like than the vague advice to "Just ease back in," or "You're cleared for exercise," "Just listen to your body." But how do we return to fitness and all the things we want to do safely? Are we good to go back to everything we were doing before? Lifting heavy? Running? That CrossFit class? The fitness test? Unit PT? That half marathon or triathlon coming up? What if we have a Diastasis? Or what if we've been experiencing leaking, or pelvic pressure, pain, or discomfort, hip, or low back pain? This appointment may not even evaluate any of those things -- it can feel woefully inadequate. You deserve more care, support, and information than this. I'm here to share all the things we aren't taught, that we should be given at this point in our recovery process. We're covering all of this and: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Moms Make after the 6 Week Postpartum Clearance (I made these too!) and how to avoid them What the 6 week clearance ACTUALLY means vs. what we often interpret it to mean What to Expect & What I Wish I Knew What your doctor most likely didn't tell you, that's CRITICAL to know as you're getting back into exercise ---- Are you a mama who wants to get back to Lifting, Running, and the Military Fitness Test quickly after baby so you can feel stronger & more like yourself again? Looking for a step by step plan to help you get there? My signature 18 week Postpartum Program is for you! Just need a quick Coaching session to help you form a personalized strategy for your fitness goals through pregnancy or postpartum? Let's do a Power Hour so we can help you overcome anything you're struggling with, and you can walk away with a clear plan & more confidence! Schedule a 1 hr, 1:1 Call HERE FREE PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum (for Military Mamas + Beyond)  

SO honored to welcome Brianna Battles, the founder & CEO of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism, an incredible coach, mentor, and leading expert in pre and postnatal fitness onto the Podcast! I cannot imagine a more meaningful individual to bring on for you as the first guest interview because she inspired everything that I do, and the mission I hold dear to support military women navigating motherhood and fitness through those seasons. In this conversation we covered: Our personal shared struggles finding our identity again as a mother and athlete, and the intersection between our and many mothers' experiences of anxiety, depression, and our changing bodies & fitness abilities How to navigate the pressures we feel to get back to fitness & get our bodies back quickly -- especially in the military or as driven athletes The red flags you should look for to filter out negative or toxic influences, and how to find trustworthy pre & postnatal fitness information How to channel your drive & competitiveness in a positive direction through pregnancy & postpartum so you have a balanced approach to your goals & performance in fitness, work & motherhood Tips for how to be part of the change you want to see for pregnant & postpartum women in your community as coaches, leaders, & professionals  ANNOUNCEMENT! The Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification Course is on SALE NOW!! Learn more and get started HERE if you feel called to be part of this movement. ***SAVE $300 off the normal price by enrolling by APRIL 21! If you enroll through my affiliate link above, I will gift you a free 1:1 coaching call to help you make a plan for how you can get started toward your goals. Email me at megan@armedtotheheart.com if you have any questions! This is an AMAZING opportunity to join our international team of coaches & professionals who are making a difference in the military community and beyond. Are you a mama who wants to get back to Lifting, Running, and the Military Fitness Test quickly after baby so you can feel stronger & more like yourself again? My signature 18 week Postpartum Program is for you! FREE PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum (for Military Mamas + Beyond)

Today I'm sharing something that has completely changed my life, and so many of the women I've coached -- understanding how to hear and distinguish between God's voice and the enemy's voice. Our minds are spiritual battlegrounds. So many of us struggle with crippling negative self talk. The harsh inner critic that makes us never feel like enough, that drives shame, insecurity, self-doubt, anxiety, fear & overwhelm. We want to hear God's voice more clearly, to feel more at peace, more joy, and to feel less discouraged & defeated in the challenges & demands of daily life. What you'll learn today will help you see more clearly what is a spiritual battle, so you can empower yourself with the tools you need to fight it well. So you can use the right tools, for the battle at hand. I pray this blesses you big today. All my love sister! ----- Whenever you're ready, here's a few ways we can work together: Schedule a Coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) **Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! Stay tuned. :) PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

Today we're having a heart to heart about body image. This can be one of the hardest things to wrestle with postpartum — I know it was for me.   I'm sharing a vulnerable personal story with you, and 6 tips to help you through this struggle. I pray it blesses you mama!   Wanna get back to Lifting, Running, and the Military Fitness Test quickly after baby so you can feel stronger & more like yourself again? My signature 18 week Postpartum Program is for you! Learn more HERE. You can get started whenever you're ready. FREE PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum (for Military Mamas + Beyond)

Are you dealing with Diastasis Recti or wanting to strengthen your core postpartum? You want your stomach to look and feel like it did pre-pregnancy, you want to close your ab gap & see those changes in your body that will help you gain more confidence in it again. Maybe all the info out there about Diastasis makes you nervous about what you should or shouldn't do postpartum, but you're also staring down the PT test which may require some of those things that are supposedly not 'Diastasis safe', like Pushups, Sit ups, Planks, and Pull ups, so it leaves you feeling even more stressed about how to get back to everything you want to do in fitness. Today we're covering the most important things you need to know about Diastasis Recti, and also help you filter out some misinformation about it too: What is Diastasis Recti? The main factors that contribute toward and affect the 'mommy pooch' The 3 main elements that influence the healing process for Diastasis & the postpartum core & exactly what you should focus on to close your gap and restore the strength & function of your core to stimulate the most change the fastest What you DON'T need to worry as much about or fixate on, that the messaging out there is telling you  The Do's and Don'ts: how to know whether the exercises you're doing are Diastasis safe, & if your body is ready for them If you want to feel more confident in your body again, & train strategically to get more results in your core and overall strength & fitness, you're in the right place! ****Looking for a roadmap, a step by step plan to heal your Diastasis Recti & get back to Fitness Postpartum? Wanna get back to Lifting, Running, and the Military Fitness Test quickly after baby so you can feel stronger & more like yourself again? My signature 18 week Postpartum Program is for you! Learn more HERE. You can get started whenever you're ready. FREE PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum (for Military Mamas + Beyond)  

Peeling back the curtain today for you with this totally unplanned real-time behind the scenes episode on how to find & maintain your balance and protect your time & presence for what matters most... I felt called to just share what's been on my heart personally over the last couple days. This is a raw, real conversation that'll give you a window into what's helping me find balance in this season, manage my time, and stay focused on what's most important. I share how I'm navigating working mom life, solo parenting during this time of long distance, and preparing for our upcoming dual military life transitions as I gear up for time apart from my family with an upcoming training course, and my husband's PCS, and juggling this with my small business and this ministry too. I'm sharing the real-time struggles vulnerably and EXACTLY what's helping me overcome them because I want you to see what this process to find more balance can look like for you right now, and what is possible for you too -- no matter how much is on your plate. ----- Whenever you're ready, here's a few ways we can work together: Schedule a Coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

Today we're talking about how to be a more present mom.   Many of us struggle with this. We wanna be more present. We want to have more time with our little ones. We wanna have more time FOR our families.   Working full time, we often don't feel like we're giving them enough, or able to be the mom we want to be because work takes so much of our time & we're exhausted & drained by the time we come home from our long days.   Even when we are with our babies, playing with them, our minds can be elsewhere, stressed & anxious about our to-do-list, or all the things that need to get done around the house to keep up.   We're often left with mom guilt, wishing we could have more time to spend with our kids, and not feel like we're behind in everything else.   So today we're going to go dive into 15 different ways we can be more present.   I hope these lessons learned the hard way, bless you & your family.

For many of you, like me, your natural drive to push yourself, work hard, and excel in your performance is strong. This may be the case for you in fitness, as well as every area of your life. You want to give 100% to all you do, and have incredibly high expectations of yourself. You've always taken a lot of pride in your fitness and want to keep that part of you even through pregnancy & postpartum.   This is a beautiful thing. But sometimes it can accidentally turn self-sabotaging, and become dangerous or not really serve us as much during these uniquely challenging seasons when our bodies, lives, & identities are changing. The hard reality is that there is a lot outside of our control, and we might feel like we're losing the athlete we once were, or all we've worked so hard for. We may feel like we're losing ourselves in motherhood. Or the frustration that can come with starting from ground zero postpartum and feeling that intense urge to just get back to everything so we can feel more like ourselves again and feel more comfortable in our bodies again when we look in the mirror. You're not alone mama. So in this episode I reveal the 3 ways I see this drive being harmful, and how you can avoid that to really set yourself up for success in your pregnancy and postpartum fitness journeys. Let's instead learn to leverage this natural drive FOR you & your goals, rather than compromising them. Just need a quick Breakthrough Coaching session to help you get clear on your approach to exercise through pregnancy or postpartum? Let's do a Power Hour so you can walk away with a clear plan & more confidence in your strategy to get after your goals! Schedule a 1 hr, 1:1 Call HERE ***Looking for a Postpartum Program you can trust, that'll help you rebuild to get you back into running & where you want to / need to be? Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) BOOK A FREE 15 min DISCOVERY CALL: Email: megan@armedtotheheart.com PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond   RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance so they can lead a life aligned with their priorities, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to help you in your holistic health & fitness, and accountability so you can live out your calling more fully.  

In this 2-part episode, we're diving into what to do when we're burnt out -- 5 Tips to help you find more time to take care of yourself too, amidst all the ways you're pouring yourself out. It's easy for our own mental or physical health to get put on the back burner while we're taking care of everyone else. Our kids demand so much. Work (especially in the military) can feel like it's taking over our whole life. If you feel like you're struggling to, or even feeling guilty about taking time to exercise, or having a hard time figuring out how to fit other forms of self care in, if you're like, I've got ZERO time for myself, and the idea of self-care leads to even more overwhelm, guilt, or frustration... If you've ever thought to yourself, it feels selfish taking time for my own needs because it steals from my family or others who are depending on me, this is for you. There have been many seasons where I've felt constantly exhausted & burnt out in motherhood. During pregnancy, postpartum, with all our military life demands, solo parenting, really busy work schedules, seasons of frequent field training, it's easy for burnout to be our norm as military moms. We're often trying so hard, giving all we've got, but it often can still never feel like enough. So if you're feeling stretched thin in every way, physically drained, and emotionally exhausted, these 5 tips for shifting out of burnout will help you know where to start, so you can feel more like yourself again, and ultimately have more balance and time for what matters most. Whenever you're ready to work together: Schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

In this 2-part episode, we're diving into what to do when we're burnt out -- 5 Tips to help you find more time to take care of yourself too, amidst all the ways you're pouring yourself out. It's so hard to find time for ourselves as busy moms. It's easy for our own mental or physical health to get put on the back burner while we're taking care of everyone else. Our kids demand so much. Work (especially in the military) can feel like it's taking over our whole life. If you feel like you're struggling to, or even feeling guilty about taking time to exercise, or having a hard time figuring out how to fit other forms of self care in, if you're like, I've got ZERO time for myself, and the idea of self-care leads to even more overwhelm, guilt, or frustration... There have been many seasons where I've been burnt out in motherhood. During pregnancy, postpartum, with all our military life demands, solo parenting, really busy work schedules, seasons of frequent field training, it's easy for burnout to be our norm as military moms. We're often trying so hard, giving all we've got, but it often can still never feel like enough. So if you're feeling stretched thin in every way, physically drained, and emotionally exhausted, these 5 tips for shifting out of burnout will help you know where to start, so you can get a little time for yourself, feel refreshed again, and ultimately have more balance and time for what matters most. Whenever you're ready to work together: Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

How can & should we live out our faith in our everyday life as military or working moms? This is something that's been on my heart through every season of motherhood. For the first couple years in the Army, I felt extremely stifled in my ability to do this and questioned whether it was possible to keep my priorities in order while still serving... I felt like I was failing as a wife and mom, and couldn't be who I wanted to (or that God was calling me to) be for my family because of all that the military demanded. I felt like there was this huge misalignment and I was so afraid I couldn't actually live out my faith in uniform. I felt so off balance. Not only was I drowning in stress & overwhelmed by everything that was demanded of me in managing motherhood and military service together. I felt stuck and trapped in the Army. I was worried my husband, baby, and home were getting the leftovers of me and that wasn't ok to me. But God answered my prayers, revealing the purpose of where He had me then, as He's still doing today. He showed me that whether we're in the military or beyond, we CAN live out our faith in an integrated way, leaning on His grace to find more balance & be the wife, mom, & leader He is calling us to be, if we keep Christ at the center of all that we do. So today you'll learn: A 3-Part Framework to doing God's will and keep Jesus at the center of your life 3 Signs to clarify if you're on the right path or if your priorities or balance is off 3 Steps to Apply right away to help you get on track to become more aligned and live out your faith in daily life   WANT TO EXPLORE WORKING TOGETHER? Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Whenever you're ready to schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy  

If you feel like you're drowning just trying to keep up with everything, I see you. You are not alone. In this 2-part episode I walk you through a Blueprint to find more Balance: 6 tips & strategies that you can implement right away to give you some relief from the stress & overwhelm of being pulled in so many directions. If you're feeling like you're working so hard to hold it all together and juggle everything on your plate but just always feeling exhausted or spread thin... If you feel like your to-do-list is constantly hanging over your head, and it feels really hard to be present and give 100% to everything... If you feel like there's never enough time for everyone that needs you & all that needs to be done... If you're doing so much, but feel like you're doing none of it really well... I want to give you hope that there's a way out of this place. You can manage your time, manage your mind, and manage your stress, instead of letting it managing you. So let's help you move closer to the balance you are searching for today. This framework is one you can use over and over again, whenever you feel off balance or need to recalibrate given the new demands that come in different seasons of life. I pray it blesses you! Whenever you're ready to work together: Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

If you feel like you're drowning just trying to keep up with everything, I see you. You are not alone. In this 2-part episode I walk you through a Blueprint to find more Balance: 6 tips & strategies that you can implement right away to give you some relief from the stress & overwhelm of being pulled in so many directions. If you're feeling like you're working so hard to hold it all together and juggle everything on your plate but just always feeling exhausted or spread thin... If you feel like your to-do-list is constantly hanging over your head, and it feels really hard to be present and give 100% to everything... If you feel like there's never enough time for everyone that needs you & all that needs to be done... If you're doing so much, but feel like you're doing none of it really well... I want to give you hope that there's a way out of this place. You can manage your time, manage your mind, and manage your stress, instead of letting it managing you. So let's help you move closer to the balance you are searching for today. This framework is one you can use over and over again, whenever you feel off balance or need to recalibrate given the new demands that come in different seasons of life. I pray it blesses you! Whenever you're ready to work together: Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

Hey mama! Maybe you're wondering, is it safe to run through my whole pregnancy? How long can I, or should I keep running? Running is a big part of my lifestyle, something I love, or something I need to maintain for my military fitness...how much can I keep pushing myself? What should I know & be mindful of as my pregnancy progresses through each trimester? When exercising pregnant it can be hard to know when to adjust, when most of the advice we hear is to just keep doing what you were doing, or listen to your body without any specifics -- or it's all conflicting messages. So in this episode you'll learn: 12 Red flags / Warning Signs to keep an eye out for your/baby's health & safety 8 Key Yellow Lights that will help you know what is too much for your body & pelvic floor 15 Ideas of Alternative Types of Cardio other than Running if you want to explore different options to maintain fitness that give you the conditioning benefits of running, but without as much impact on your core & pelvic floor The most important things you need to know about your Core & Pelvic Floor with running through pregnancy (that will also set you up for a smoother postpartum recovery!) How to Adjust your Running Routine through each Trimester. A process I coach women through on how to make the right decisions for you in your training approach/strategy through pregnancy & postpartum When I learned all of this through my certification as a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach it was so eye opening. It gave me an immense peace of mind. With my first pregnancy, even though I wanted to keep pushing & challenging myself in fitness I had so much anxiety about what's safe & what's not, because there's so much conflicting information out there on google and everyone says different things and gives you different opinions...so I just erred on the side of caution. But let's help you confidently continue exercising so you can have the healthy, fit pregnancy you're hoping for, and set you up for a successful comeback postpartum (and lifelong fitness!) *Just need a quick Breakthrough Coaching session to help you get clear on your approach to exercise through pregnancy or postpartum? Let's do a Power Hour so you can walk away with a clear plan & more confidence in your strategy to get after your goals! Schedule a 1 hr, 1:1 Call HERE ***Looking for a Postpartum Program you can trust, that'll help you rebuild to get you back into running & where you want to / need to be? Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) BOOK A FREE 15 min DISCOVERY CALL: Email: megan@armedtotheheart.com PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond   RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance so they can lead a life aligned with their priorities, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to help you in your holistic health & fitness, and accountability so you can live out your calling more fully.  

We're gonna have a conversation about the stigmas against motherhood in the military. I reflect on the moment when we have to transition to the maternity uniform, and all the emotions that come with this, and deep dive into the challenges of being a mom in uniform. It's hard to go through pregnancy & postpartum in the male-dominated environments we're in, often surrounded by an organizational culture where motherhood isn't necessarily welcomed, valued, or normalized. Many of us are wrestling with how to be a great mom AND leader at the same time, how to reconcile our dreams & goals with who we want to be for our family. There are so many pressures we feel & fears we may be navigating, internally & externally. We're not only navigating the challenges to find balance, but many of us are also feeling those pressures to prove we're still valuable, even through pregnancy, that we can come back strong & still perform postpartum. You may be experiencing anxiety around other people's opinions & perceptions of you when/if you become pregnant, or be worried about the potential career impacts of pregnancy.  If you're feeling this too, or maybe feeling torn or afraid of starting or growing your family because of timing or other reasons, feeling shame or guilt around putting your family first, or just feel a bit alone as a mom in your work environment, listen into this episode. I pray that you feel seen, loved, and encouraged today on your journey sister. WANT TO WORK TOGETHER? Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Whenever you're ready to schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy    

Do you get anxious thinking about your to-do-list? Do you feel like there's always an underlying stress in your mind about how you're going to get everything done, because there's never enough time? Are you exhausted & burnt out, feeling like it's your job to take care of everyone and everything but having no time to rest & recharge? You're so spread thin between the demands & obligations pulling you in every direction, that you worry you can't truly live out your priorities, and give your family what they deserve or be the mom you really want to be. It leads to near-constant frustration, discouragement, and guilt. You're striving to find that sense of calm while trying to juggle everything on your plate, take care of your family, perform well & make an impact at work, and give your best to all that you do, but wondering if balance is even possible. Because you're running a million miles an hour, and it's hard to see a way out. Oh man, do I see & understand you friend. Let's talk about where to start. I believe this is THE most important place to begin when it comes to managing our time, and living out God's calling for us. WHENEVER YOU'RE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP: Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Whenever you're ready to schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

We can read all the "what to expect when you're expecting" type books, but nothing can truly prepare us for how hard motherhood is. There is SO much joy and meaning in it, but man it often feels a LOT harder than we thought it'd be. I know when in the trenches of the hard, the exhaustion, the sacrifices, when our time, our body, our lives are not really our own anymore...it's hard to truly enjoy motherhood because we're just trying to survive how demanding it is. Though we have so much love for our children, we may even start to feel resentment building over the sacrifices, the disproportionate burdens we're carrying as moms, then feel guilt & shame on top of this. When everything changes so quickly, and our priorities & lives shift to focus on our babies...many of us may feel like we've lost ourselves, our identity, and who we once were, somewhere in the process of becoming a mother. Or we've lost our joy, our spark. Our sense of purpose, both within or outside of being a mom. I know I felt this way in my first couple years of motherhood, & I felt so alone in it. So let's talk about it today, and how we can reclaim it, while embracing the noble call motherhood is -- and how God is shaping you into who you're meant to be through it. WANT TO WORK TOGETHER? Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Whenever you're ready to schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy    

Today we're covering the #1 Secret to getting more results from your workouts. When we're not seeing the progress we want to in our fitness or those body composition changes, or getting there as fast as we want to, it can be frustrating & discouraging. Especially postpartum when we're just trying to feel more like ourselves again and regain the strength & confidence in our bodies as we return to our normal exercise routine, performing on the military PT test, passing the height & weight standards, etc. And when we're short on time, we have to optimize the time we DO spend working out, to see those gains we're after. Today I'm giving you the ONE principle you NEED to know, and walk you through 12 different, easy ways to apply this in your exercise sessions so you can crush those goals, and BUST through any plateaus, walls you're experiencing, or improve any core & pelvic floor symptoms you're managing like Diastasis Recti, leaking pee when running or jumping, pelvic pain or discomfort, etc. This is a framework you'll want to know to level UP your fitness, but also options for how to scale back and adjust or modify your exercise through the stages of pregnancy & postpartum, or even as you improve after injuries. Be sure to share this with a friend who you want to encourage in their fitness too! Strong women lift each other up. :) *Just need a quick Breakthrough Coaching session to get you UNSTUCK? Let's do a Power Hour so you can walk away with a clear plan & more confidence in your training strategy based on your goals! Schedule a 1 hr, 1:1 Call HERE ***Looking for a Postpartum Program you can trust, that'll get you to where you want to / need to be? Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) BOOK A FREE 15 min DISCOVERY CALL: Email: megan@armedtotheheart.com PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy   RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance so they can lead a life aligned with their priorities, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to help you in your holistic health & fitness, and accountability so you can live out your calling more fully.  

We're getting raw and real, with some tough love today. We're taking an honest look at the main culprit of our unmanaged stress & overwhelm. This is preventing us from finding more balance -- it's draining our time, energy ability to be present with our family, our health & well-being, & capacity to pursue our goals & calling. I'm shedding light on what this is costing you, and the practical action steps you can take & simple shifts you can make to break free to reclaim your time, peace, and sense of fulfillment. This has been life-changing on my own growth journey as a working mom, amidst all the challenges that come with dual military life and the juggling act, and for my clients, and I can't wait to hear how it impacts you too. WANT TO CONTINUE THE JOURNEY OR WORK TOGETHER? Send me a quick email at megan@armedtotheheart.com to schedule a FREE Discovery call! Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Coaching Call RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together in our calling. PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy    

Welcome to Part 2 of this 2-part Episode where we're busting the 20 most common myths & outdated (even harmful) pieces of advice I see out there on postpartum fitness. The painful truth is that these are many of the most common things we see -- all over Google, Facebook groups, our standard issued Military Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness resources, in the general Health & Fitness space (especially the Fit Influencer realm) and in daily conversations between moms...I believed all these things too before I went through my training as a certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach and continued pursuing continuing education from there. We have to keep getting better, more updated guidance out there for moms everywhere, but ESPECIALLY for women who serve because our careers depend on our ability to recover quickly, and get back to rigorous fitness standards postpartum. If you're pregnant or postpartum, you don't want to miss these episodes. Be sure to share this with a friend who deserves this quality info too! ***Looking for a Postpartum Program you can trust, that'll get you to where you want to / need to be? Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive) BOOK A FREE DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT: Email: megan@armedtotheheart.com 1:1 Coaching Call PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES: Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy   RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE: Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center) Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to find much more balance, and accountability.