Armed to the Heart - Military Women, Work-life Balance, Female Veterans, Christian Moms, Pregnancy and Postpartum
Live out God’s calling in work & family life, within and beyond the uniform — Are you feeling alone as a woman of Christian faith in the military or another male-dominated environment? Are you driven to make a big impact, but wish you could be more present, and give more time to your family? Are you working to lead change, struggling to find your voice or courage as you swim against the current? Are you a high-achiever pouring yourself out for everyone else but burnt out, stressed, and struggling to find time for your own physical & mental health because there’s always so much that needs to be done? Does your harsh inner critic make you feel like no matter how much you do, it’s never enough? You know you’re called to be a leader and change-maker, but it’s hard to find others like you who also share your faith & values. Maybe you’re feeling forced to choose between. Every day is a battle, trying to give 100% in all the hats you wear. You’re performing well but your load is heavy, you’re weighed down by guilt, and exhausted from pushing through but never having a moment to rest. It’s hard to know what to say yes to, and scary considering a different course than the traditional path of success everyone is pushing you toward, or what you’ve always known. Maybe you’ve recently made the transition or are thinking about leaving the military. You don’t want your work to come at the expense of your family; they come first. Amidst it all, you just want to do God’s will. I see you sister. I’m on this journey with you. In this Podcast, you’ll find heart to heart conversations about motherhood and military life, work-life balance and leadership, all grounded in Biblical truths, my education & experience as a professionally-trained Catholic Mindset Coach, certified Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach, and lessons I’ve learned the hard way in the last 5 years of high level advocacy work fighting for mothers, families, and life in the military. I believe strongly that no one should have to choose between their family and their call to serve. That motherhood should never be the death of our dreams. That motherhood is not a limiting factor in what a woman can achieve, but lack of support can be. I started Armed to the Heart to be who I needed when I was in the trenches, overwhelmed by motherhood in the military, struggling in my mental health & postpartum recovery, drowning in my home, carrying so much guilt for the time I had to spend away from my baby, feeling so much pressure to prove myself in a combat arms unit and feeling like a failure in all of it. My family was getting the leftovers of me. I felt stifled in my faith. Trapped in the military. It felt impossible to actually live out my priorities. I felt so far from the superwoman others saw in me. As a dual military, active duty Army officer raising 2 sweet (and wild!) boys in the Catholic faith, a fierce advocate for my sisters in arms going through pregnancy & postpartum, a recovering perfectionist and people pleaser, & big dreamer with a heart to make a difference, I know the struggle that comes with wearing so many hats & trying to fulfill God’s call for us. Through so many answered prayers, the Lord has allowed me to be part of the change I want to see. To bridge the gaps I’ve experienced and seen in thousands of women’s experience in the military, through policy advocacy work, mentorship & coaching. To fight for motherhood, for life, and for freedom to live out our faith in the military. He taught me that our minds are the true spiritual battlegrounds, and that by learning to manage our mind, emotions, & time, we don’t have to be a victim to our circumstances. He showed me that by discerning His will in every season, it is possible to keep my faith and family first while making a meaningful impact. So if you’re ready to do the same, for the glory of God, this Podcast is for you! Lace up those boots sister, it’s time to jump in. We can do this together.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
Tuesday Mar 19, 2024
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!
Monday Jan 29, 2024
Monday Jan 29, 2024
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.
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
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.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Oh sister, we’re getting vulnerable & going deep here.
The tough truth is that it doesn't matter how fit we are, or how much fitness we're able to maintain, if we're imprisoned by it.
For those of us who want to maintain our health & fitness and take pride in it, it can be hard to find the right balance.
The holidays are a time when society speaks very harshly & judgmentally about food & exercise. The narratives & opinions out there are filled with a bunch of really harmful messages & associations that can drive a ton of anxiety, guilt, shame, & pressure. Everything from making “healthier versions” of our favorite treats, to avoiding them altogether, indulging in “treats”, saving up for or making up for extra calories, cheating, letting go, being “bad” or “good”, and all the “shoulds” in the air.
I was VERY trapped in these painful cycles for years, and in early motherhood before God brought me through so much healing. Both personally, and as a coach in the holistic health & fitness space, I’ve sought to create more distinction between all these pressures & triggers to protect my peace & help the women I work with find more freedom, joy & appreciation for movement, food, & heal their body image and concept of their self worth. In these last couple years of motherhood and military service, I’ve come a long way on this journey but the holidays can still reopen some wounds.
My prayer is that these 12 Tips are a healing balm for your heart & mind as you navigate these societal messages, so that you can fully enjoy the holidays, and reclaim the joy around your experience of fitness & food to celebrate with your loved ones, but WITHOUT all the guilt & shame.
(This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again!)
1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!)
Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
How do we keep up our healthy habits & nutrition during the Thanksgiving & Christmas celebrations?
Last episode we dove into 8 simple but powerful ways to find balance in staying on track with your goals while enjoying the holiday celebrations.
This Part 2 focuses on the 7 biggest mistakes you may be making when approaching the holiday season, and simple strategies to avoid them.
Pop in those headphones as you prep your Thanksgiving meal, and settle in my friend!
Today you’ll learn the main mistakes that are most likely keeping you stuck, overthinking, and stressed with food — what to release, shift, & what to do/focus on instead so you can find your balance to nourish yourself fully AND enjoy food this Thanksgiving & Christmas season to make lasting memories with the people you love!
I'll give you practical steps, strategies, tips & how to ditch the guilt, shame spirals, & anxiety in enjoying the celebrations, while still staying on track — even when your routines, norms, eating, drinking, sleep, & exercise habits are shifting due to travel or so many holiday events.
We’ll cover how you can have more mental space to enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling out of control, over-restricting then overindulging or binge eating.
Peace with food is possible & you don't deserve anything less!
You deserve the freedom to actually treasure the memories & moments with your family and pursue those goals & dreams of yours with dedication, with a healthy balance physically AND mentally.
(This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again!)
1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!)
Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
How do we keep up our healthy habits & nutrition during the Thanksgiving & Christmas celebrations?
This is Part 1, where we focus on 8 simple but powerful ways to find balance in staying on track with your goals while enjoying the holiday celebrations (no, it’s not by counting macros or tracking everything you eat)
Pop in those headphones as you prep your Thanksgiving meal, and settle into this 2-part Episode, where we’ll cover:
The single most harmful message to be aware of around food, nutrition & fitness during the holidays that keeps us stuck in negative shame & guilt spirals
The #1 most helpful strategy to combat the tendency toward an all or nothing mindset.
The real reason you tend to overindulge or binge eat during the holidays (spoiler, it’s not because you lack willpower, self-control, or motivation), and how to regain your balance when you fall into any extremes
How you can begin to let go of your rigid food rules and enjoy the holiday celebrations without feeling out of control or guilty
How to get the nourishment you need while allowing yourself the flexibility to also enjoy your favorite treats
The #1 way to stick with your eating preferences, even when everyone around you is eating differently
As we’ve been shedding light on in the latest episodes, the holidays can cause certain triggers to surface or intensify. If you’ve been struggling with your relationship with your body image or food in any way, and/or working hard toward your fitness goals, you may be starting to feel stressed as we approach the holiday season, knowing just how challenging this time of year can be with so many social events and family gatherings where food is the center of the celebration.
So, how can we realistically & reasonably navigate all of the unique challenges of this season — from holiday gatherings, extra sweets, and even peer pressure from our family or friends?
Today we’re gonna lift the shame around these topics - break through feelings of guilt around nutrition, your body, & fitness, and learn how to manage the inevitable triggers that can come up around food & our bodies during the holidays.
Let’s help you find your balance to nourish yourself fully AND enjoy food this Thanksgiving & Christmas season to make lasting memories with the people you love!
Peace with food is possible & you don't deserve anything less!
You deserve the freedom to actually treasure the memories & moments with your family and pursue those goals & dreams of yours with dedication, with a healthy balance physically AND mentally.
Can't wait to hear how you apply these tips, and hope you have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving & Christmas season as you celebrate with family & friends!!!
1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!)
Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Worried the holidays are going to derail your fitness goals, want to stay on track as much as possible so you don't feel like you have to completely reset in January after falling off the train in the coming weeks?
Tune in for 15 simple ways to still prioritize your health & fitness, while fully enjoying the holiday season.
This series on fitness and food was recorded last year. So many of you loved these and found them really helpful, so I wanted to share them again!
The holidays are a special time of year, but can also bring a ton of extra stress just due to the busyness, all the celebrations, expectations, and travels that pull us in many directions.
It can be a challenging time to maintain our fitness & stay consistent, even with all the best intentions to keep up a routine. We can also experience the additional pressures & guilt that can come with indulging more during the holidays than usual, and feel pressure to make up for the way it's throwing a wrench in our normal nutrition & fitness habits, or compensate for the extra calories or sweets we're eating, through our exercise.
It can be a struggle, and also a triggering time in body image, our relationship, with food, and fitness.
I don't want stress about losing progress in your fitness or an underlying pressure & sense of guilt make it harder to fully enjoy the season and be present with your loved ones. You don't have to give up until New Years, or beat yourself up & be overly rigid & restrictive in your expectations of yourself either. So these tips will empower you to integrate fitness into your busy holiday plans while finding a balance that feels good & right for you!
Holiday-proof your fitness by leaning on these 15 Easy, Practical Tips/Hacks for making movement a consistent — and positive — part of your holiday season.
Can't wait to hear how you apply these tips, and hope you have a happy, healthy Thanksgiving & Christmas season as you celebrate with family & friends!!!
1:1 Coaching Call (I can support you through fitness, pregnancy, postpartum, or anything you may be struggling with in motherhood or military life!)
Postpartum Fitness Program (4 month Training Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Friday Nov 17, 2023
Oh my friend. I just want to invite you to imagine we're sitting across from each other on a comfy sofa with coffee today...get ready for an incredibly deep, honest, and vulnerable heart to heart.
This is what my soul was longing to share with you.
Exactly how Jesus has been meeting me in the hard, in the mess, in the muck of everyday life and all the transitions of this season. How He's been giving me strength for every battle. How He's been bringing so much restoration, healing, hope, and the profound peace, joy, and freedom that comes from Him, in it all.
And how the Lord wants to do exactly the same for you.
It's real, it's me. And may God speak to the depths of your heart through these words, today.
And if this speaks to you, I'd love to have a heart to heart for real. Let's connect at megan@armedtotheheart.com
Learn more about / see how you can support the Military Academy Pregnancy Support nonprofit here: https://militaryacademypregnancysupport.com/
Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An $37 on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Sunday Oct 08, 2023
Do you struggle to feel like you're measuring up? Do you feel like no matter how much you do, give, and contribute, you're still not doing enough? I see you, and you're so not alone.
Today I'm giving you a powerful, simple exercise to release the extra pressures you're carrying -- those high expectations you hold yourself to, the weight of not measuring up and guilt around not getting everything done on your to-do-list...all the ways you're "shoulding" all over yourself, lol. ;)
This 5-10 min journaling exercise was so helpful for me this week and opened up so much space in my heart and mind to release the things that were weighing me down that the Lord didn't want me to carry anymore, give myself much more grace, and expand my capacity to experience deeper joy and be more present.
I pray this blesses you sister!
Download your Free Guide with 10 Must-Ask Questions to Help you Build a More Fulfilling Balance Between Family and Work
$37 Work-Life Balance Masterclass: An on-demand, self-paced video training series & workbook that'll help you lighten your load -- reduce stress, overwhelm, & build more balance even in the most demanding seasons of work & family life. If you need somewhere to start to give you more breathing room and help you move out of the constant burnout, exhaustion, and guilt, I've got you!
Want to chat about working together or figure out your next right steps? Reach out at megan@armedtotheheart.com and we'll set up a 30 min time for a Clarity Call.
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
Thursday Oct 05, 2023
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.
Your Title
This is the description area. You can write an introduction or add anything you want to tell your audience. This can help potential listeners better understand and become interested in your podcast. Think about what will motivate them to hit the play button. What is your podcast about? What makes it unique? This is your chance to introduce your podcast and grab their attention.