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.
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Episodes
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
Wednesday Apr 26, 2023
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
Friday Apr 21, 2023
Friday Apr 21, 2023
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)
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
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)
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
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
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
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)
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
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)
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
Thursday Mar 30, 2023
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.
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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
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Monday Mar 27, 2023
Today we’re talking about how to be a more present mom.
Many of us struggle with this. We wanna be more present. We want to have more time with our little ones. We wanna have more time FOR our families.
Working full time, we often don’t feel like we’re giving them enough, or able to be the mom we want to be because work takes so much of our time & we’re exhausted & drained by the time we come home from our long days.
Even when we are with our babies, playing with them, our minds can be elsewhere, stressed & anxious about our to-do-list, or all the things that need to get done around the house to keep up.
We’re often left with mom guilt, wishing we could have more time to spend with our kids, and not feel like we’re behind in everything else.
So today we’re going to go dive into 15 different ways we can be more present.
I hope these lessons learned the hard way, bless you & your family. 🤍
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
RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:
Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)
Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together.
PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:
Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond
Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
Thursday Mar 23, 2023
For many of you, like me, your natural drive to push yourself, work hard, and excel in your performance is strong. This may be the case for you in fitness, as well as every area of your life.
You want to give 100% to all you do, and have incredibly high expectations of yourself.
You've always taken a lot of pride in your fitness and want to keep that part of you even through pregnancy & postpartum.
This is a beautiful thing. But sometimes it can accidentally turn self-sabotaging, and become dangerous or not really serve us as much during these uniquely challenging seasons when our bodies, lives, & identities are changing. The hard reality is that there is a lot outside of our control, and we might feel like we're losing the athlete we once were, or all we've worked so hard for. We may feel like we're losing ourselves in motherhood.
Or the frustration that can come with starting from ground zero postpartum and feeling that intense urge to just get back to everything so we can feel more like ourselves again and feel more comfortable in our bodies again when we look in the mirror.
You're not alone mama.
So in this episode I reveal the 3 ways I see this drive being harmful, and how you can avoid that to really set yourself up for success in your pregnancy and postpartum fitness journeys. Let's instead learn to leverage this natural drive FOR you & your goals, rather than compromising them.
Just need a quick Breakthrough Coaching session to help you get clear on your approach to exercise through pregnancy or postpartum? Let's do a Power Hour so you can walk away with a clear plan & more confidence in your strategy to get after your goals! Schedule a 1 hr, 1:1 Call HERE
***Looking for a Postpartum Program you can trust, that'll help you rebuild to get you back into running & where you want to / need to be?
Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
BOOK A FREE 15 min DISCOVERY CALL:
Email: megan@armedtotheheart.com
PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:
Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy
Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond
RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:
Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)
Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance so they can lead a life aligned with their priorities, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to help you in your holistic health & fitness, and accountability so you can live out your calling more fully.
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
Tuesday Mar 21, 2023
In this 2-part episode, we're diving into what to do when we're burnt out -- 5 Tips to help you find more time to take care of yourself too, amidst all the ways you're pouring yourself out.
It's easy for our own mental or physical health to get put on the back burner while we're taking care of everyone else.
Our kids demand so much.
Work (especially in the military) can feel like it's taking over our whole life.
If you feel like you're struggling to, or even feeling guilty about taking time to exercise, or having a hard time figuring out how to fit other forms of self care in, if you're like, I've got ZERO time for myself, and the idea of self-care leads to even more overwhelm, guilt, or frustration...
If you've ever thought to yourself, it feels selfish taking time for my own needs because it steals from my family or others who are depending on me, this is for you.
There have been many seasons where I've felt constantly exhausted & burnt out in motherhood. During pregnancy, postpartum, with all our military life demands, solo parenting, really busy work schedules, seasons of frequent field training, it's easy for burnout to be our norm as military moms.
We're often trying so hard, giving all we've got, but it often can still never feel like enough. So if you're feeling stretched thin in every way, physically drained, and emotionally exhausted, these 5 tips for shifting out of burnout will help you know where to start, so you can feel more like yourself again, and ultimately have more balance and time for what matters most.
**Balance Blueprint Course coming soon!! JOIN THE WAITLISTto be the first to know and get an exclusive discount and bonus offer when it's released!! :)
Whenever you're ready to work together:
Schedule a coaching session: Book a full 1 hour 1:1 Call
RESOURCES FOR MORE BALANCE IN FAMILY & WORK-LIFE:
Overcome the Overwhelm (Feel like your to-do-list is never-ending, and pulled in a million directions? Grab my FREE guide to help you balance work + mom life with less guilt + more peace, with God at the center)
Renew: My LIVE Group Coaching Mastermind of like-minded women pursuing more balance, with Jesus at the center. It is an amazing community of support, tools to manage & reduce stress & burnout, and accountability as we grow together.
PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM FITNESS RESOURCES:
Strong + Resilient Postpartum Fitness Program (18 week+ Plan for Busy, Active Mamas in the military + beyond who want to get stronger, heal their core + pelvic floor + regain confidence in their bodies again after giving birth, get back to the military fitness test & fitness goals, and have an empowering postpartum experience where you & your family can truly thrive)
Free Postpartum Fitness Guide: How to Return to Fitness Postpartum for Military Mamas + Beyond
Free Pregnancy Exercise Guide: How to Safely Exercise + Maintain Fitness Through Pregnancy