Hey friend. Today I'm sharing an update on where the Lord has been leading me, what I’ve been “giving birth to” 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 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. 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!

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.

Are you ready for a simple, yet transformational mindset shift to help you feel more empowered and less defeated in managing your never-ending to-do list and home responsibilities?

So many of us, on a daily basis, feel alone in the struggle of keeping up with the home, all the ways we’re needed by our family, and everything else on our plate. It feels like we never have a second for ourselves, with all the directions we’re pulled in and the expectations and pressures on us.

We’re balancing so much as mamas and busy women. And so many of us are carrying around this constant guilt, like we’re always failing, or as soon as we catch up or finally get ahead or feel at peace with checking things off our to-do-list & getting into a rhythm, we fall behind again.

I first want to reassure you the truth that You. Are. Not. Alone.

I shared this mindset shift with the incredible women I’m blessed to be walking with in my group coaching community, Renew, this past weekend on our Zoom call and they each expressed how helpful it was to think about our mile long to-do list and endless home tasks differently. As I nursed William and we shared this heart to heart in that moment, I could immediately see a burden was lifted off their shoulders. They felt renewed peace & confidence in their calling.

Give this short episode a listen, friend. I pray it brings you a breakthrough, and more peace and consolation in the juggling act, like it did for us last Sunday.

***JOIN ME in community in Prepare Him Room, my upcoming 5-Day Live Virtual Retreat to Ditch the Holiday Stress & Hustle to Focus on What Matters Most. to feel more empowered to reduce the stress, overwhelm & pressure that we can often feel around the holidays, so you can really focus on your beautiful family, faith & find true rest, to experience the peace, joy & blessings God desires for you this Christmas season! 

**And if you’re longing for a longer-term community to surround you who you can be real with and who lift each other up in the joys & struggles and help each other stay rooted in Christ…you want to build your village, whenever you’re ready, come join us in RENEW! You can learn more & register right away HERE for access to our weekly calls and resources in the program, or reach out to me to just come and see what it’s like first, or ask any questions before making your decision. I want to make sure it’s the right mutual fit! :)

MORE RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:

Join me in my 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, 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

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Hey sister! If you’re ready for some simple ways to reduce stress, you’re in the right place!

We’re in the thick of our next military move as a family, and God has been teaching me so much through the challenges and opportunities in this transition.

So for anyone who’s in a demanding, high stress season of motherhood, life, or in a stage full of big changes too, I’m sharing some things that have been making life a bit easier & more joyful, as practical steps to help you feel more balanced & grounded when life is plain crazy busy, hard, or feels overwhelming.

I hope these tips bless you, if you’re in the trenches like me.

May God continue to equip you to grow stronger & more grace-filled through each of the battles you’re fighting. I pray this lightens the load you’re carrying!

RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women. Join us inside our intimate small group today, for as low as $30, or reach out to me to just come and see what it's like inside to see if it's a good fit!)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:

Join me in my 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, 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

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Friend, today I'm gonna share with you 9 lessons learned about building physical, mental, & spiritual strength as a military mama. This came from the fitness tests and graded physical events I recently went through in our training course, to include both the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) as well as a 14 mile Ruck.

I felt called to share this, especially to help those who are also on their postpartum journey like I am.

As military women navigating pregnancy & postpartum, the emphasis on physical fitness in our profession can be a source of pride & empowerment, but also a source of stress & anxiety for us.

Because the truth is, we have to put our bodies through a lot pretty quickly after having a baby to meet the timelines, return to the standards, & get back to everything we need to do. And many of us have high expectations of ourselves to perform well & lead by example.

So if you're in the trenches of either postpartum recovery, or the rollercoaster of military life or mom life, and you're trying to make progress in your fitness or prepare for what’s up ahead...if you’re looking for some encouragement, this is for you.

We’re gonna talk about what physical, mental, emotional, & spiritual strength can look like in an integrated, practical way.

Let’s dive deep into how we can allow God to work through everything, big & small — even our physical fitness tests and the physical challenges of our everyday lives as mamas, & women who serve.

Join me in my 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, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women. Join us inside our intimate small group today, for as low as $30!)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Whether you're in the thick of it or preparing for it...Do you feel like postpartum is just about trying to survive?

What if there's another way?

Today I'm sharing the Top 10 Pitfalls I see postpartum women falling into, that I experienced too.

Whether this is your first baby or you want a better postpartum experience this time, I see you.

I don't want other mamas to have to go through so much of what I've since discovered (through a lot of HARD lessons) is avoidable pain.

What's most heartbreaking is that each of these amplify the risk of postpartum depression & anxiety, heighten mom guilt, shame, & feelings of inadequacy, impact bonding with baby, the breastfeeding journey, make navigating our return to work & work-life balance more complicated, and bring a lot of unnecessary self-doubt & guilt into motherhood. But no one really prepares us for these aspects.

Our postpartum recovery, adjusting to life with a newborn, and mom life and the juggling act of all the things on our plates is tough enough...especially in today's world & society that doesn't structurally support mothers, or in the military where we're still fighting a lot of uphill battles. We don't need it to be even harder!

I personally went through every single one of these. They almost BROKE me. And for too long, we've been told debilitating conditions physically, mentally & emotionally following pregnancy are just things we have to put up with. So you are not alone, and THAT is why I do what I do.

Because you can write a different story my friend! You are made for more. You don't have to accept this. God has greater plans for you to not just SURVIVE, but THRIVE through postpartum. It IS possible.

So take a deep breath mama. You were never meant to do this alone.

You deserve to be whole.

Your family deserves a mama who is whole.

I'm here to walk with you through this so you can experience the true peace & joy of the beautiful, and sanctifying postpartum experience that you're meant to receive.

Join me in my 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, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women. Join us inside our intimate small group today, for as low as $30!)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

In the busyness of life & motherhood do you feel like there’s a bit more distance between you & your husband than you’d like?

Do you long for deeper physical, mental, emotional, & spiritual intimacy but not know where to start, how to communicate how you’re really feeling, or struggle finding time to deeply connect with each other?

-Maybe you’re finding yourself disappointed your husband isn’t really seeing you, meeting your needs, or appreciating all that you do.

-Maybe you wish he’d step up more around the house so you don’t have to feel the pressure to do it all or carry so much of the load.

-Maybe your crazy schedules & the emotional disconnect, or the physical changes through pregnancy & postpartum are impacting your physical intimacy.

The transitions into and through parenthood bring HUGE changes into our marriage relationship and all of a sudden it's easy to miss the WE that we had before, and how easy it used to be to feel more connected.

And whenever we’re tired, stressed, overworked or overwhelmed from caring for kids, managing work, the home, & life, it’s natural to feel the strain. Like there's less deep connection & more tension.

You are not alone. This was us too. This can be a big struggle but there is so much hope. This is one of the topics that comes up most often in my coaching.

Even if things are going fairly well and you're great teammates, God doesn’t want you to settle for feeling like passing ships or roommates.

It’s possible to reconnect, grow in intimacy, & experience transformation in your marriage so your marriage feels alive again!

Give this short episode a listen to learn 6 powerful questions to spark deeper connection with the heart of your spouse — this is an easy way to find the time to nurture your marriage & stay more connected, even with little babies & busy work-lives.

I pray this blesses your relationship as it has ours.

----

*If you want to work through these struggles & take your marriage & teamwork to the next level with Christ at the center, I can help you.🙏

Every marriage has hard seasons. There’s no shame if you’re in one.

It’s an immense honor to hold space for my clients & help their relationships become more full of life, love, & grace.

You are worthy of this, & God wants to lead you to these breakthroughs! 

Let’s have a heart to heart. Message or email me to schedule a free 30 min Discovery Call.

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women. You can get started & join us for as low as $30!)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Sister, do you feel torn between your family & work?

So many of us want to be able to give 100% both at home & in our work.

But often as working moms - especially in the military - we can feel weighed down by guilt, or feel conflicted & like we're falling short, no matter what we do.

Guilt in either putting our family first in a professional environment that expects us to always put the "mission first", or worrying we're not giving enough to our family & that they deserve more.

In the first couple years of being a mom in the military, I felt like in order to be successful in the Army, I'd have to neglect my family. And I wasn't going to accept that cost.

I didn't want my husband or children to get the leftovers of me.

Does this weigh heavily on your heart too?

How can you honor your priorities in the midst of your circumstances, even if you can't change those things?

Even if/when you feel forced to choose between the things that are most important to you? 

In this episode, this is what we're diving into.

I give you 7 tips on how to reduce the guilt and tension you're feeling when trying to balance work and home life.

I want to empower you with these steps to feel more peace and balance in your life, to show up as you desire to in each area - as a mom, as a wife, and in your work.

The Lord doesn’t want us to feel completely overwhelmed within our circumstances. He wants to give us the grac to do all that He calls us to, and to do it well, when we lean on Him.

Join me in inviting more peace and balance into our daily lives.

If you haven't yet, I invite you to enter to win the GIVEAWAY that goes through Sunday Oct 23! Take a second to leave a review on Apple Podcasts with how this show has impacted you, and share your favorite episode on your Instagram stories and tag me @armedtotheheart Can't wait to see who will win 50% off my Postpartum Program or a free 1:1 Coaching call! :)

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

So grateful you're here, friend! In honor of the first 10 Episodes, I decided to do something fun -- a GIVEAWAY!

Give this a listen, and see how you can enter to win some amazing prizes! Can't wait to celebrate with you, hear from you, and help this Podcast reach more women in the military & beyond who are looking for encouragement too as they balance family, work & fitness, while living out their faith amidst the challenges of everyday life.

This has been such a joy serving you, and can't wait to see how God continues to work through this to move in your heart and bring transformation in your life and motherhood.

Praying for you!

All my love,

Megan Gephart

Today we’re uncovering the 10 greatest roadblocks that hinder us from both discovering and living out our calling.

In the last podcast episode, we journeyed through 6 steps for how to identify what God is calling you to, so you can discover your unique God-given purpose. The mission He has prepared uniquely for YOU!

But even when we receive & gain clarity on our call, let's be honest...it’s NOT easy actually living it out. We can feel stuck, discouraged, and experience a lot of fear, doubts, insecurities, guilt, or weariness. 

There are layers of limiting beliefs and barriers that may be holding you back from the fullness of what you're meant to receive and give to your family, work, & beyond. When God invites us into His plan, the truth is the enemy will try to keep us down.

These 10 are the ones that come up most frequently in my life, for women that I coach, and for those I am in community with.

Together, let’s begin to let go of these things that are holding you back.

You are worthy of more freedom, joy, peace & purpose, and it IS possible for you friend!

I pray this equips & empowers you to step more confidently & courageously into who God has created you to be, and all that he calls you to do.

Grab your journal & favorite drink, and let’s dig in sister!

Are you craving a community of like-minded, growth-minded women to walk with in this?

If so, I invite you to join my Renew Group Coaching Program + Community — my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center. It is such a gift journeying with each of these amazing ladies and lifting one another up, as we grow into who God is calling us to be. Now is the best time to surround yourself with a community of women who are breaking free from these roadblocks together. I just opened a new way of getting started, for as low as $30!

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Strong & Resilient Postpartum Program - (18 week+ Fitness 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 & be equipped with the tools to thrive through the postpartum chapter as a mother, instead of just surviving)

Have you ever felt like you're not quite living in your calling & purpose, or not feeling the fulfillment you desire in your life?

Today I'm taking you on a journey to discover and clarify YOUR unique, God-given mission.

I know very intimately what it feels like to wonder who you are, why God has you where He has you, to pour yourself out and give your all to all that you do, but still not feel fulfilled or enough in all of it.

Many of us feel burnt out, exhausted, our days governed by stress, overwhelm, and the urgency & chaos of all that's demanded & expected of us. We feel trapped & guilty because of how hard the balancing act is or how torn we are between our work & family.

This episode is for you if you're feeling like:

• You're meant for something more or something different
• If you're weighing the decision of should I change paths
• If you're tired of spinning in circles wondering what you were created to do
• You're sick of doing something that doesn't light you up & want to find & do what you love instead
• Your work or daily life feels too draining or doesn't feel meaningful enough to you
• You feel stifled by the demands of your current situation or job
• You're exhausted or frustrated & like it's not worth it or may not be possible, because you feel forced to compromise your family, your values, or what matters most for your work
• If you want your work & contribution to be a CALLING, and not just a job, this is for you.

I believe that uncovering our God-given calling is about where our gifts, passions, needs of the world intersect. I also believe our unique story is a window into our purpose & the mission we're meant to fulfill as part of God's plan.

So many of us find ourselves a bit lost in motherhood. The priority, identity shifts, time & freedom we lose, all the massive changes can feel overwhelming and be really hard. In some ways we're mourning the loss of our old lives, marriages, relationships, fitness, body, careers, our sense of self.

We wonder, Who am I now? How can I pursue my dreams now that I'm a mother? Is that even possible or do I have to give up on these dreams to be the mom I want to be?

I can't want for you to discover where & how God is calling & equipping you to serve.

God has BIG plans for you and your family. It IS possible to build God's kingdom while building your family, and today I can't wait for you to bring more clarity to who He's calling you to be so you can live out those dreams as a vessel for Christ.

**P&PA Coach Course Sale! Have you ever felt called to serve, support, & make a difference for pregnant & postpartum mamas in the military or beyond? The Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification Course (THE gold standard!) is on sale through MIDNIGHT TONIGHT (OCT 14!) for $300 off.

DETAILS & ENROLL HERE by Friday at midnight to take advantage of the lowest price the course will ever be offered at. This was the catalyst for finding my own calling & purpose, within the military. Come fight the good fight alongside us!

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women. Join today for as low as $30!)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

We all know how hard it can be finding the time & energy to fit in our workouts, or figure out how to exercise consistently to get closer to our goals, especially as busy postpartum mamas.

It can be easy to feel discouraged, guilty, or even defeated in the juggling act of trying to figure out how to make it work, even when we really want to. It can be so hard to find the time to take care of ourselves or even take a shower, because our children's needs are so urgent. Between being so sleep deprived, fussy days where baby won't let us set them down, constant nursing, toddlers hanging on us, or the million interruptions, it can feel impossible to get a good workout in.

But it is possible and I want to encourage you in some practical ways to make it easier, in spite of these realities of our busy, sometimes overwhelming, exhausting, & chaotic mom life!

So in this episode, I dive into my Top 10 Tips for How to Find the Time, Motivation & Energy to Exercise Postpartum with a Baby At Home (or multiple little ones you're wrangling!). I hope this helps you overcome some of the biggest challenges you're facing too.

Sending you love & lifting you up my friend! If you're loving the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share this with a friend! It's the best way to help more mamas who would benefit from it too. :)

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

OTHER RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded community of women)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

armedtotheheart@gmail.com

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.

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.

Hey mama! Are you pregnant and wondering how to exercise safely and maintain your fitness through pregnancy? If you’re a busy, active mom who hopes to stay healthy & fit through pregnancy, you’re in the right place!

Many of us end up googling things like,

What's pregnancy safe, what’s not, what can I keep doing, how much weight can I lift, how much can I push myself, how should I adjust my workouts as my pregnancy progresses, how can I get rid of this pelvic pain or stop peeing my pants while running?

If we’re in the military, or if fitness is an important part of our life, we can feel a lot of pressure to have strong, fit pregnancies. We have standards to meet & fitness tests to train for on set timelines, and it can be hard to see our bodies changing or scale back when we've worked so hard for the gains we've made. We need to successfully return to fitness & get back to performing at a high level after having a baby.

But unfortunately most of the info out there is still super outdated! I’m here to change that because you deserve better.

Together, let’s reduce the stress, anxiety, & overwhelm that can come from trying to navigate pregnancy & postpartum in an environment where there's not often a lot of other women - let alone moms - or quality guidance & support available.

You deserve to feel confident in how to strategically adjust your exercise, empowered to have a healthy pregnancy, and get back to everything you love and need to do after birth.

***Interested in becoming a certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach too so you can be who your community needs? Stay tuned for the enrollment opening soon at the sale price of $300 off!

FURTHER RESOURCES ON PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

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

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL: Feel more confident in your training strategy, how to adjust given your specific goals & considerations, build a mindset to support you through the hardest parts like body image, or get you unstuck given any physical symptoms or challenges you're facing!

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)

OTHER RESOURCES & SERVICES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

armedtotheheart@gmail.com

Hey friend, have you ever experienced an unexpected pregnancy?

Have you ever felt pressure to wait to have a baby until you achieve a certain level of career success, are more established in your job, farther along in your marriage, to time your pregnancies "perfectly" around your life & job, or try to figure out the most "ideal" time to start or grow your family? 

Have you ever felt like it's hard to trust God in the unknown, in uncertainty, or understand why certain things happen in our lives that are SO different from our own plans?

In our society, the military, & many job environments there are so many stigmas against motherhood, situations, cultural realities, and even policies that make us sometimes feel forced to choose between our family and our career.

I know especially in the military and in other demanding jobs, it's easy to fear whether pregnancy will take away from our professional success, opportunities, time, marriage, fitness, bodies, or other freedoms. To be afraid of or feel guilt around what it might cost, judgment, or negative perceptions from others if we were to become pregnant -- regardless of whether it's hoped, prayed for or planned, or a huge shock & change of plans, like our son Matthew was too.

You are not alone in any of this, sister.

In this episode I get VERY vulnerable with you and share the range of emotions & fears I felt when I found out I was pregnant in the beginning of my Army career. My unexpected pregnancy seemed like THE worst possible timing because it meant I'd have to give up a global graduate scholarship I'd earned & worked so hard for, but our son ended up being THE greatest blessing we never knew we needed.

I pray my story gives you encouragement if you're feeling the urge to be open to starting or growing your family but also feel weighed down by fear. I pray it gives you renewed hope and faith in God's plans, which are always FAR greater than our own.

“'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. '” — Jeremiah 29:11

Birthday SALE through Oct 10th! Save $75 or over on my two signature programs below with the discount code BIRTHDAY27 

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

armedtotheheart@gmail.com

Many of us mamas find ourselves feeling lost or alone in the midst of our postpartum journey.

Especially for those of us who take a lot of pride in our fitness, or who have to return to military fitness demands, we need specific guidance on how to heal and get back to all we need to do. Yet there's a lot of confusing, conflicting messaging out there. And it can be lonely if we're not surrounded by a lot of others going through the same thing.

In this episode, we dive into Part 3 of the Postpartum Fitness series where I give you my Top 5 Tips when returning to fitness postpartum.

It’s gonna get REAL as I encourage you to shift your mindset from the toxic pressures our culture puts on us to “bounce back” after having a baby, to a mindset that will serve you better, even if you DO have to get back to fitness on a faster timeline because of your job, or because you're dying to feel normal again.

I’ll give you practical, actionable steps to build a solid, strong foundation that will carry you through the rest of your life. Because it’s great to have some big goals! It’s awesome to want to perform even better than we did before pregnancy! AND, it’s okay if you're not yet feeling comfortable or confident in your postpartum body. But we don’t want to stay there. Your worth does not lie in your outward appearance. You do not have to “fix” your body to be worthy.

You’ve done amazing things and your body has served you well. Let us reflect the love of Christ outwardly and be an example to those around us in our health & fitness, & relationships with our bodies, especially for our children.

By being intentional around these five areas of your journey, you’ll be on the right path to regaining your strength and succeeding in the goals you’ve set for yourself, without compromising what matters most.

Let's go! 

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)

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

OTHER RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded community of women)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

In this Part 2 of the Postpartum Fitness series, I cover the rest of the recommended postpartum fitness timeline for what to expect & how to optimize your recovery, and how to navigate common roadblocks or feelings of discouragement or internal pressures to bounce back.

If you want to confidently return to running, lifting or CrossFit, training for the military fitness test, rucking, other tactical demands, or physically & mentally build up to performance & competitions like marathons or Ironmans, to know how & when to push yourself to get stronger postpartum, & to also be encouraged to give yourself more grace as you're adjusting to this new season of fitness & motherhood, this episode is for you.

I give 4 tips for what to do if you’re dealing with symptoms like leaking pee when running, jumping or lifting, or complications like a feeling of heaviness in your pelvic floor during exercise.

It’s not easy getting back to where we want to be Postpartum. But I believe our Athleticism, our fitness, our potential…doesn’t have to end when motherhood begins.

You deserve to get back to whatever you enjoy, or need to do, WITHOUT frustrating symptoms mama!

We can do this together.

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (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)

BOOK A COACHING CALL 

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

OTHER RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded community of women)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

armedtotheheart@gmail.com

In this series, I guide you through a recommended postpartum recovery timeline & the most essential things you need to know to safely & successfully get back to exercise after having a baby.

In Part 1, I provide my top tips for physical recovery after birth, & how to ease back into exercise during the first 12 weeks postpartum.

I'm here to help you restore your core & pelvic floor, and rebuild a strong foundation for lifting, running, & more.

After we give birth, when it comes to getting back into shape, so many of us are thinking,

"I just had a baby, now what?"

"Where do I begin?"

We’re far from where we want to be, & where we once were. We just want to feel more like ourselves again.

So if you too are anxious to get back to your routine, & want to get stronger and feel more confident in your body again, if you’re ready to reclaim fitness for physical and mental health, I got you sister!

Let’s help you overcome any pressure, stress, confusion, or overwhelm in how to approach returning to exercise, and/or preparing for your military fitness test.

18 Week Postpartum Program (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, and learn to not just survive but THRIVE through postpartum!)

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING CALL 

Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

OTHER RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded community of women)

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

armedtotheheart@gmail.com

Sister, I see the burdens you’re carrying.

In this episode we discuss the challenges of trying to keep our family + faith first while serving in uniform. We dive deeply into mom guilt and the high expectations we feel in both work and at home, and our torn, conflicted hearts as working moms who desire to be the best we can be for our families, and also be the best we can be in military service or the impact we feel called to make...the fears of failing our families, falling short in our work, of letting others down, of not doing enough in either areas of our life, or living up to what God is calling us to do.

We take an honest look at how motherhood is not yet normalized in the military, and the pressures and realities of the job that cause many military women to leave the service because we feel forced to choose between our family, career, or health. We often don’t feel comfortable with the “cost” of success, and often feel like we’re losing ourselves & what matters most, or our children & marriages are bearing the cost of our service. We don’t want to sacrifice our presence with our family for the sake of our career, but also don’t know any other way, or feel we have a choice.

Join me on this journey sister, and take heart that you are not alone in the burdens you’re carrying. Together, with God’s grace, we can overcome these struggles.

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Hey friend! In balancing taking care of our children, performing & producing in our work, managing the home, nurturing our marriages, maintaining our own health & fitness, the juggle is real, am I right? And the struggle is REALLY real as mothers in uniform.

If you’re in the trenches navigating pregnancy, postpartum, big transitions, identity shifts, or are simply feeling stressed, torn, exhausted, pulled in a million directions, guilty, always pressured to prove yourself by doing it all and doing it all perfectly, or feel like you’ve lost yourself, your joy, or what matters most somewhere in the thick of trying to survive it all, I see you.

We are all giving & sacrificing so much of ourselves, carrying such an invisible load.

We’re pushing through, trying to keep it all together but it’s easy to feel like a failure and like we can’t give 100% at work or at home. It’s easy to feel like we’re forced to choose between being a great wife & mom or a great leader, or like we can’t be as present as we want to be in either.

It’s easy to feel isolated as a Christian woman in the military, or a mother who truly wants to put your faith and family first in an environment where that doesn’t feel truly valued.

In this episode, we dive into these shared struggles in building our family while building God’s kingdom through the military or other forms of service.

We cover why we often feel stuck, trapped, or lose our way, we debunk some myths & narratives society wants us to believe that make it much harder to find a sustainable balance, and discuss how God wants to lead us toward greater fulfillment in all He calls us to do.

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

Are you tired of always feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, pulled in a million directions, or guilty juggling everything on your plate? Do you give your all to everything that you do, but wish you could have less stress and deeper joy, peace, and true rest in the day to day craziness of military life and mom life?

Take heart my friend. You are not alone. 

Here at Armed to the Heart I believe life and motherhood is a gift. I believe each of us is born with a unique mission we are meant to fulfill. I believe babies and dreams can and DO go together. I believe it is possible to pursue the dreams in our hearts and also be a great mom at the same time, WITHOUT compromising our health (mental/emotional/spiritual or physical health) when we let God lead us.

But it looks a bit different than the world (and maybe our profession) tells us success looks like.

And that's why we're here.

In this space, we’re gonna dive into the real, raw challenges of being a woman in the military who wants to keep our family first, or balancing our calling to motherhood with any other work God is calling us toward in our jobs or communities.

I’ll share tips on health & fitness through pregnancy & postpartum, practical strategies and Christ-centered approaches to balancing motherhood & work, and I’ll give encouragement in living our faith in everyday life as busy women who carry a lot, and do hard things. 

I am so grateful to be able to share this hard, but beautiful & rewarding journey of motherhood and military life together.

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

If your load feels heavy in this season, I see you. Whether you're in the military or beyond, we’re all here as busy women who carry a lot, and do hard things.

We're pouring ourselves out without end, giving our best in everything we do for our family, work, fitness, & more. We’re pulled in a million directions, always on duty, fighting invisible battles, & trying to hold it all together the best we can. We push through, but amidst all the demands in our lives we’re often weighed down by stress & guilt. No matter what, it’s hard to feel like we’re ever enough.

We long for more time for what matters most, and for more balance, joy, & freedom in our lives. 

Welcome to Armed to the Heart. I’m Megan Gephart.

Learn more about what I believe about balancing motherhood, military life, and our dreams in this quick trailer episode.

Can't wait to build this community and see how God works through it.

RESOURCES:

Overcome the Overwhelm (FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)

Renew Group Coaching Program + Community (my signature coaching experience for dream-chasing women who want to balance family + career with Christ at the center, overcome burnout & exhaustion while making the impact they're called to, pursue integrated health & be supported by a likeminded, growth-oriented community of women)

PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS:

Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond

BOOK A 1:1 COACHING 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)

Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL OR CONNECT:

Instagram @armedtotheheart

megan@armedtotheheart.com

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.

Grab a Power Hour! 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!! :)

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 do everything we do in, with, through, and for God.

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!! :)

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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.

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**Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program for high-achieving Christian women in the military & beyond 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)

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.

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***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.

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**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!! :)

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)

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

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**Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program for high-achieving Christian women / working mamas in the military & beyond 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 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)

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.

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.

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Whenever you're ready, here’s a few ways we can work together:

**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!! :)

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

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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!

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Whenever you're ready, here’s a few ways we can work together:

**Break Free from Burnout Work-Life Balance Program for high-achieving Christian women in the military & beyond coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLIST to be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :)

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, flatten your stomach & 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