Yes , there are two of us :-)

In this episode, Michelle discusses the complexities of motherhood, particularly in the context of burnout and special needs. She shares her personal journey, the challenges of balancing identity and responsibilities, and the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, self-care, and recognizing the signs of burnout, while also exploring the value of relationships and support systems in navigating these challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Burnout and Motherhood

02:55 The Journey of Motherhood and Identity Loss

05:32 Finding Interests Beyond Motherhood

08:08 Moments of Burnout and Realization

10:52 The Impact of COVID on Mental Health

13:28 Recognizing Signs of Burnout

15:57 The Importance of Self-Care and Permission

18:24 Balancing Roles and Responsibilities

21:08 The Role of Partners in Parenting

23:34 Understanding Personality Types and Relationships

26:26 The Value of Community and Connection

29:10 Lessons Learned from Burnout

31:36 Final Thoughts and Advice for Moms

43:28 Connecting with the Community

43:33 Exploring the Role of Mothers in Society

What do you do, when you have been given a life expectancy of 5 years?

For most people the answer is give up, but our guest today is turning 28 in October and continues to overcome adversity.

She has shared her Inspirational life story in her book , Finding my Feet by Kerry Walsh check out her book below:

https://www.kerrywalshtrust.co.za/finding-my-feet/

Join us in celebrating Kerry, a true-life expectancy miracle story and her quest for accessibility, connection and support for individuals with rare diseases in South Africa

Kerry’s Instagram link is below

hhttps://www.instagram.com/kmotivationsa?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==ttps://www.instagram.com/kmotivationsa?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

This conversation explores the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly focusing on spinal muscular atrophy. Kerry shares her personal journey, the importance of awareness and education regarding accessibility, and the need for better communication in healthcare. The discussion also touches on the significance of community support, the process of writing a book, and finding joy amidst challenges. Ultimately, it emphasizes living in the present and embracing opportunities for growth and learning.

Takeaways.

• Kerry lives with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder.
• Awareness and knowledge about disabilities are lacking in society.
• Moaning about challenges does not lead to solutions.
• People are often scared of change regarding accessibility.
• Living with a disability requires extra steps in daily life.
• Open communication is essential in healthcare settings.
• Advocacy creates a sense of community and support.
• Writing can be a cathartic experience and a way to share one's story.
• Living in the present and embracing opportunities is crucial for personal growth.

• Navigating Burnout and Disability
• The Journey of a Disability Advocate

• "People are scared of change."
• "Moaning about it gets you nowhere."
• "Be less in a hurry."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kerri's Journey

01:36 Understanding Spinal Muscular Atrophy

03:32 Challenges of Accessibility in South Africa

05:43 Navigating Social Interactions and Awareness

09:20 Experiencing Life from a Different Perspective

10:53 Improving Communication in Healthcare

14:05 Advocacy and Community Support for Rare Diseases

15:05 Finding Joy in Daily Life

16:19 The Journey of Writing a Book

18:30 Lessons Learned from Adversity

20:08 The Importance of Rest and Self-Care

22:34 The Value of Sharing Experiences

25:27 Reflections on Personal Growth

26:49 Advice to Younger Self

27:45 Embracing Opportunities for Growth

28:32 lifestyle-intro-low-short.wav

28:42 Welcome to the Burnout Recovery Club

28:56 Connecting with the Community

29:01 Exploring the Role of Mothers in Society

Kids are born listening to their bodies. Think about babies, they eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full. When does that change? How can we encourage our kids to grow up with a happy and and healthy relationship with food and their bodies? Check out our recomended expert Crystal Karges Nutrition https://tap.bio/@crystalkarges/cards/30720 and the Intuitive Eating book here https://www.intuitiveeating.org/

Sometimes, success to a mom is just getting through the day. Ok, this might seem a little extreme, but we have all had those days. Lack of sleep, then finding vomit in your hair and of course your cold peanut butter toast ends up being eaten by the dog. Find out how to find success as a busy , overwhelmed mom in this episode. Join our mom tribe today ! We would love to be part of your ‘village’ https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

We have all heard the phrase ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ Why? Because it is damn hard doing it on your own. There is a Reason why a typical family involves 2 parents. So that when parent A reaches breaking point, parent B is there to take over. Believe me, there are loads of times when it is best for everyone if you just tag out. Learn more about how to share parenting responsibilities in this episode . Please share , rate and subscribe if you enjoyed this episode. https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

Are you a creative? Solopreupenur? a mom? Did Leave your corporate job to have freedom and flexibility but instead, the hustle is causing you even more anxiety. Are there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done? Burning out from burning the candle at both ends. Check out these 4 tips to boost your productivity without burning out . Join our mom tribe today https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

What ever type it is, you are perfect in your own unique way. Life is too short to constantly compare yourself to others . Check out these awesome books for more living more of a body positive life. Health at every size by Linda bacon and Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison. Sign up for my freebie in 5 apps I use to manage my burnout here https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

What is the one thing you need to know as a mom today ? The answer might surprise you . Join our mom tribe here: www.facebook.com/groups/Lifehacksformillennialmoms/?ref=share_group_link FB: www.facebook.com/Michellepittco?mibextid=LQQJ4d Insta: www.instagram.com/michelle_pitt_co/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D

My sister has changed my life. She inspires me everyday. Want to help Kerry change the world? Find out more here https://www.kerrywalshtrust.co.za/

Want to know more about pregnancy hormones? What do they do to our body? How to set realistic expectations after birth. Resources: Intuitive Eating https://www.amazon.com/Intuitive-Eating-4th-Anti-Diet-Revolutionary/dp/1250255198?nodl=1&dplnkId=11e877bb-c6ce-4542-8cd3-632936c06b5c Get in touch: https://michellepitt.co.za/ Join our mom tribe here https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

Are you an exhausted and overwhelmed mom? The Burnout Recovery club helps moms recover and manage burnout so that we can ditch the mom guilt and start making time for self-care routines that actually work . Website: https://michellepitt.co.za/

Podcast Description:

Welcome to the Burnout Recovery Club podcast, In this episode we dive into the heart of building stronger, healthier relationships. Whether you’re navigating the challenges of marriage, exploring emotional intimacy, or working on effective communication, this podcast is for you. We’ll explore essential topics like self-awareness , attachment styles and love languages, helping you create lasting emotional connection and mutual support with your partner.

From reigniting passion and appreciation to understanding the importance of empathy and forgiveness, we provide tools and insights for improving communication and strengthening your partnership.

If you’re ready to prioritize your relationship’s well-being, join us for conversations on emotional health, quality time, and teamwork—because love and connection take work, but with the right tools, you can create the relationship you’ve always dreamed of.

You don’t need to do this alone. Join our tribe here and sign up for your Burnout Recovery Guide

Health is just as important as making peace with your body. You heard it! Exercise, sleep, controlling our stress levels, these are all things that are just as important for our mind as they are for our body but learning to be kind to ourselves is essential in finding peace with your body.

Exercise. Love it or hate it, it is necessary for a healthy lifestyle.

For too long society has been way to focused on exercise being a weight/ fat loss tool instead of a wellness tool. We need to change our mindset and include it into our everyday lives. As a Burnout Recovery coach for moms, I constantly hear moms complaining about not having enough time to exercise. Here is the thing though, by saying that we do not have time, we are saying it is not important enough. Instead, we could look at movement as a form of self-care.

Join our tribe today

https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co?

Having a baby is tough! The long nights, the toll it takes on your body.

But the toughest thing (In my opinion ) is the mental load, the baby blues and the depression that is often linked to our hormones being all over the place.

How do we find happiness after a pandemic?

What is the first step in finding happiness?

What do the experts say?

Join our mom tribe today and learn how to manage and recover from mom burnout together.

Who knew that becoming a mom meant that you would officially be judged for every decision you made? I didn’t! I expected my all-access, full acceptance ticket to the mom club. We get judged about how we deliver our babies, what we name our babies, how we feed our babies and so much more. Let’s rather support other moms ! Join our mom tribe today 💜 https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

In the past, sleep deprivation has been used as a form of torture. I am not even joking. There are also warnings on most medication that make you drowsy. They warn us not to operate heavy machinery yet what do we do for new parents that are sleep deprived? Very little in my option. It was one of those things I was most afraid about when I was pregnant and for a significant reason. I know that I don’t function very well after a later night. Never mind many, many late nights, early mornings and almost no sleep. Join us on the group ! Tell us about your bad night! Let us be your village https://linktr.ee/michelle_pitt_co

Have you lost your mom mojo? Having a baby means our body will change – Fact!. What we often disregard is the fact that our minds and specifically our brains are changing too. Nature Neuroscience recently spoke of a study published that reveals that during pregnancy women undergo significant brain remodelling that persists at least two years after birth. Our brain physically changes in order to help us transition into motherhood. No wonder we feel like different people after having a baby. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/01/what-happens-to-a-womans-brain-when-she-becomes-a-mother/384179/ Join our tribe here https://www.facebook.com/groups/Lifehacksformillennialmoms/?ref=share_group_link

Summary

In this conversation, Michelle discusses the challenges of burnout, especially for parents during the summer. She shares practical tips for managing stress, planning activities, and ensuring self-care. The conversation emphasizes the importance of flexibility, realistic goal-setting, and the need for solitude and reflection to maintain mental well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Summer Break: Understanding Burnout

05:19 Practical Tips to Reduce Burnout

05:40 Creating a Supportive Environment for Families

06:07 Welcome to the Burnout Recovery Club

06:14 Connecting with the Community

06:20 lifestyle-intro-low-short.wav

06:30 Exploring the Role of Mothers in Society

What the Health?

n this episode, we dive into the often misunderstood concept of health — exploring why it’s so much more than a number on a scale.

Wherever you are , on your own wellness journey, this episode is for you.

This conversation delves into the complexities of eating disorders and disordered eating, exploring the societal pressures that contribute to these issues. Michelle emphasizes the importance of mental health, self-acceptance, and mindful eating practices as pathways to recovery. Listeners are encouraged to reject diet culture, honour their bodies, and seek help when needed.

Takeaways

• ​Eating disorders affect your mental health and require professional help.
• ​Society's obsession with weight loss can harm mental health.
• ​Disordered eating can affect anyone, not just those with eating disorders.
• ​Mindful eating is essential for nourishing both body and mind.
• ​Rejecting diet culture is a crucial step towards recovery.
• ​It's important to honor your feelings about food.
• ​Exercise should be for health, not for changing your body.
• ​Body positivity can evolve into body neutrality.
• ​Comparing yourself to others is detrimental to self-acceptance.
• ​Throwing out the scale can help reduce obsession with weight.

Intuitive Eating Book

Health at Every Size

Stefanie Reinold

In this episode, Michelle discusses the multifaceted nature of self-care, emphasizing that it is a conscious choice that involves prioritizing various aspects of well-being. She outlines the importance of physiological needs, creating a safe environment, fostering love and belonging, building self-esteem, and ultimately achieving self-actualization. Through practical advice and personal anecdotes, Michelle encourages listeners to embrace their journey of self-discovery and growth.

Takeaways

• Real self-care is a choice.
• We need to focus on all areas of self-care simultaneously.
• Hydration is crucial for brain function.
• Sleep is essential; it's not a badge of honor.
• Meditation and mindfulness enhance our mental clarity.
• Creating a safe environment reduces stress levels.
• Trust is a verb that requires action.
• Love and belonging are vital for mental health.
• Negative thoughts can spread quickly; be mindful.
• Self-actualization involves understanding our true potential.

In this conversation, Rachel Coons shares her journey through burnout, redefining her self-worth beyond financial contributions, and the emotional complexities surrounding money. She discusses practical budgeting strategies, the importance of mindful eating, and how to manage family dynamics, especially during summer. Rachel emphasizes the significance of vulnerability and personal growth, and how intuitive eating has transformed her relationship with food and self-awareness.

Takeaways

• ​Burnout can lead to new clarity and direction.
• ​Self-worth is not tied to income or financial contributions.
• ​Money carries emotional weight that affects well-being.
• ​Budgeting can empower families to take control of finances.
• ​Tracking spending is essential for financial awareness.
• ​Reducing food waste can significantly lower grocery costs.
• ​Meal planning can help manage family nutrition and budget.
• ​Summer snacking requires structured meal times to control costs.
• ​Vulnerability fosters deeper connections with others.
• ​Intuitive eating promotes a healthier relationship with food.

Rachel Coons insta

Money mindset

In this conversation, Michelle shares her personal journey navigating the complexities of ADHD, both for her son and herself. She discusses the spectrum of attention skills, the challenges of diagnosis, and the importance of community support. Michelle emphasizes reframing ADHD as a unique aspect of neurodiversity rather than a deficit, advocating for understanding and empowerment for families dealing with similar situations.

Takeaways:

• ​No two kids or adults with ADHD are exactly alike.
• ​The diagnosis can become a superpower for families.
• ​Community support is crucial for navigating ADHD challenges.
• ​ADHD is often misunderstood and carries stigma.
• ​Neurodivergent children need love and patience.
• ​ADHD does not equate to a lack of intelligence or motivation.
• ​Finding the right healthcare professional is essential.
• ​Cognitive behavioral therapy can be a starting point.
• ​Reframing ADHD can lead to empowerment and acceptance.
• ​Sharing experiences can help others in similar situations.

In this conversation, Michelle and Ruth Esterhuysen explore the complexities of ADHD, particularly in women, and the journey towards diagnosis and self-acceptance. They discuss the importance of community support, the emotional challenges of motherhood, and the impact of therapy and time management on mental health. Ruth shares her personal experiences with burnout and the tools she has developed to navigate her neurodiverse brain, emphasizing the significance of self-compassion and understanding in the process of growth and parenting.

02:40 Ruth's Journey with ADHD Diagnosis

05:26 The Impact of ADHD on Daily Life

08:07 Understanding the Emotional Load of Motherhood

10:49 Navigating Burnout and Mental Health

13:29 The Role of Support Systems

15:44 COVID-19 and Its Effects on Family Dynamics

17:30 Finding Balance in Parenting and Work

19:17 Tools for Managing Time Blindness

21:34 Strategies for ADHD and Daily Life

23:11 Conclusion and Reflections on Progress

26:44 The Importance of Self-Respect

28:50 Navigating Negative Self-Talk

30:49 Occupational Therapy's Role in Neurodiversity

33:20 Sensory Integration and Emotional Regulation

36:29 Understanding and Managing Sensory Overload

39:40 Finding Balance in a Busy World

44:26 The Struggle with People-Pleasing and Self-Acceptance

Check out Ruth here

Boundaries and Burnout

Signs your boundaries need attention

• You feel resentful after helping

• You’re exhausted but still pushing

• You feel guilty resting or saying no

• Your identity is mostly “what I do for others”

• Small requests feel overwhelming

Burnout isn’t a personal failure—it’s often a systemic boundary problem.

In this engaging conversation, Michelle and Candice explore a variety of topics ranging from the cultural significance of Marmite and Vegemite to the complexities of trauma, mental health, and motherhood. They discuss the impact of burnout on personal identity and the importance of self-love and emotional intelligence in parenting. The conversation also touches on work-life balance, the evolving nature of work environments, and the need for educational systems to adapt to neurodiversity. Throughout, they share personal anecdotes and insights, emphasizing the importance of understanding one's own journey and the value of community support.