What if you didn’t have as much time as you think you do? It might be an uncomfortable question, but it can also bring incredible clarity to the way you’re living your life right now.

In this episode of Leading With Heart, I’m joined once again by transformational wellness educator, certified grief coach, retired U.S. Air Force officer, and bestselling author Christina Stiverson for a conversation about mortality, meaning, and what it really means to live with intention. We talk about the identities we build around our roles, accomplishments, military service, and responsibilities, and what can happen when we create enough space to ask ourselves what actually matters. Christina also shares how losing her daughter Addie changed the way she thinks about her own legacy and why your legacy isn’t something you leave behind someday. You’re creating it through the way you live, love, and show up today.

In This Episode:

• Why thinking about mortality can actually help you live with more intention
• How military service can shape your identity, values, and definition of success
• Why grief can show up through transitions, PCS moves, retirement, and changes in identity
• What it means to separate who you are from your roles, rank, and accomplishments
• How Christina uses the five mirrors of meaning, awareness, relationships, preparation, and legacy
• Why your legacy is something you are actively creating every day

Christina will also be joining us inside the Lead Your Life app as our September guest coach for a four-week Live With Intention experience. Together, we’ll move beyond listening and actually create space to examine what matters, where you may be living on autopilot, and how you want to use the life you have right now.

RESOURCES:

Join the Lead Your Life App: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode98

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What if the key to becoming a stronger leader isn't fixing what's wrong with you, but discovering what's already right?

In this episode, Christina sits down with Tiffany Taylor, Gallup Certified CliftonStrengths Coach, yoga teacher, and founder of Hello Strengths LLC, for a conversation about the power of leading from your strengths instead of your perceived weaknesses. Together, they explore how understanding your natural talents can transform the way you lead, care for yourself, navigate career transitions, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're preparing for a military transition, feeling stuck in your current role, or simply longing to understand yourself on a deeper level, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to thrive.

Christina and Tiffany also discuss why so many women can easily list everything they want to change about themselves but struggle to name what they genuinely love about who they are. This conversation is an invitation to shift that narrative, embrace your unique strengths, and begin leading from a place of confidence, self-awareness, and authenticity.

In This Episode:

• Why focusing on your strengths creates more growth than focusing on your weaknesses
• What the CliftonStrengths assessment is and how it differs from traditional personality tests
• How understanding your strengths can help you navigate career transitions and military life
• Why knowing what's right with you leads to stronger relationships, better teamwork, and more authentic leadership
• How strengths-based leadership supports self-care, prevents burnout, and helps you protect your time and energy
• Why every woman deserves to recognize, own, and celebrate what makes her uniquely valuable

This episode is a powerful reminder that your greatest growth doesn't come from constantly trying to fix yourself. It comes from understanding who you already are, leaning into your natural gifts, and allowing those strengths to shape the way you lead yourself and others.

RESOURCES:

Strengths Workshop:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/strengths

https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode97

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode97

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What if the reason you still feel overwhelmed isn’t because you need a better planner… but because your nervous system no longer feels safe?

In this episode, Christina introduces one of the simplest and most practical tools for regulating your nervous system: a sensory menu. Inspired by a recent breakthrough in therapy, she shares why so many high-achieving women try to think, plan, and organize their way into feeling safe, when real regulation starts in the body. If you've ever found yourself powering through stress, ignoring your body's signals, or wondering why rest still feels uncomfortable, this conversation will give you a new perspective and practical tools you can start using today.

Through stories, science, and actionable examples, you'll learn how your five senses can become powerful tools for calming your nervous system before overwhelm takes over. Rather than offering another unrealistic self-care routine, this episode will help you create personalized practices that fit your life and support you in building sustainable habits that actually work.

In This Episode:

• Why planning and productivity can't replace a regulated nervous system
• What a sensory menu is and how it helps signal safety to your brain and body
• The connection between your five senses and nervous system regulation
• Why many high-achieving women stay stuck in "thinking" instead of feeling
• Practical ways to use sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to reduce overwhelm
• How to create simple, personalized self-care practices that support your nervous system every day

Your body is communicating with you all day long. Learning to notice those signals, and respond with curiosity instead of pushing through, may be one of the most powerful leadership skills you can develop.

RESOURCES:

Overwhelm To Reset Kit:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/the-overwhelm-reset-kit

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode96

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Have you ever found yourself saying, "I don't have time for self-care" while continuing to say yes to everyone else?

In this episode, Christina shares a personal story from a recent work trip that challenged her to choose what her body needed over what her ego wanted. It sparked a powerful realization: the biggest barrier to self-care isn't always a lack of time. More often, it's the habit of overriding our own needs. Together, you'll explore why high-achieving women become so practiced at putting themselves last, how those patterns become wired into the brain, and what it takes to interrupt them before burnout becomes the norm.

Rather than asking you to overhaul your life, this episode offers a compassionate invitation to notice your patterns, build awareness, and practice small moments of intervention before you reach the point of exhaustion. If you've ever felt "comfortably miserable"—functioning well on the outside while quietly running on empty, this conversation will help you begin choosing yourself without guilt.

In this episode:

• Why "I don't have time for self-care" is often a story rooted in habit, not reality
• How high-achieving women become conditioned to override their own needs
• The neuroscience behind familiar patterns and why they can be so difficult to change
• Why your brain prefers familiar discomfort over unfamiliar growth
• A personal story about choosing recovery over people-pleasing during a work trip
• How to recognize when you're operating from obligation instead of intention
• Small, practical ways to interrupt the "override" pattern before burnout takes over

You don't have to wait until you're completely depleted to care for yourself. Sometimes the most courageous leadership decision you can make is choosing the thing your body needs, even when it feels uncomfortable.

RESOURCES:

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode95

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

In this episode of the Leading With Heart podcast, Christina Mattison explores the connection between boundaries, communication, and self-respect, and why so many of us struggle to clearly express what we need. From people pleasing and overexplaining to shutting down, fixing, and passive-aggressive communication, Christina breaks down the protective patterns many women develop to stay safe, accepted, or avoid conflict. She shares how these behaviors are often rooted in deeper unmet needs and nervous system responses rather than personal flaws.

Throughout the episode, Christina offers practical tools for healthier communication, including a simple framework for expressing observations, emotions, and needs with more honesty and clarity. She also dives into the discomfort that can come with setting boundaries, the guilt that often follows, and why holding boundaries is an essential part of self-leadership. This conversation is a powerful reminder that healthy communication is not about controlling how others respond, it’s about honoring yourself, advocating for your needs, and building relationships that no longer require self-abandonment.

Key Takeaways:

• Why communication patterns are often learned survival strategies
• How people pleasing, overexplaining, avoiding, and fixing can stem from unmet emotional needs
• The importance of identifying the need underneath your emotions
• A practical communication formula to express yourself more clearly
• Why boundaries are an act of self-respect, not punishment
• How guilt and discomfort can show up when you begin setting boundaries
• The connection between self-leadership, nervous system regulation, and communication
• How growth can shift relationship dynamics and reveal where you’ve been abandoning yourself
• Questions to reflect on when examining your own communication patterns

RESOURCES:

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode94

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What if the thing you’ve been calling “resilience”… is actually what’s burning you out?

In this powerful conversation, Christina and Liz chat about the hidden patterns keeping high-achieving women stuck in exhaustion, from people-pleasing and perfectionism to the belief that pushing through is the only way forward. We talk about my story of burnout and recovery, and I share an honest look at what resilience actually means. This episode goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper work of self-awareness, nervous system regulation, and learning how to meet your needs without guilt. If you’ve been carrying the mental load for everyone else and wondering why you still feel depleted, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air.

In This Episode:

• Why what we call “resilience” is often just people-pleasing and overfunctioning
• The biggest myths that keep women stuck in burnout and exhaustion
• How to shift from survival mode into sustainable energy and recovery
• Why self-care is not indulgent — it’s essential maintenance
• The role of the nervous system in burnout, anxiety, and feeling “on edge”
• How small, consistent habits (not big overhauls) create lasting change

RESOURCES:

Connect with Dr. Liz Moyer

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlizmoyer/videos

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-elizabeth-vaughan-moyer-pmp-558343157

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistylmoreno/

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode93

Thanks for listening! Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

What actually happens when women are given the space to slow down, soften, and truly be seen?

In this deeply personal episode, Christina shares a heartfelt recap of her recent retreat at Milk and Honey Ranch, a powerful experience filled with connection, vulnerability, healing, and growth. From creating intentional space for stillness, to moving through emotional blocks, to practicing one of the most underrated leadership skills, deep listening, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at what transformation really looks like in real time.

You’ll hear stories of women letting their guards down, forming lasting friendships, and reconnecting with themselves in a way that’s often impossible in the day-to-day pace of life.

In This Episode:

• What actually happens inside a transformational retreat experience
• The power of white space and why slowing down is so uncomfortable (and necessary)
• How emotional release, breathwork, and vulnerability create lasting change
• Why deep, meaningful connection is often what we’re truly craving
• The difference between active listening and deep listening, and why it matters in leadership
• How practicing presence (instead of fixing or rescuing) can transform your relationships
• Real reflections and breakthroughs from women who attended the retreat

RESOURCES:

2026 Lead Your Life Asheville Retreat:

https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-retreat-asheville

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode92

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.

Are you getting everything done… but internally you feel fried?

If you’re productive on the outside but operating in survival mode on the inside, snapping more easily, feeling scattered, exhausted, or quietly burned out, this episode is for you. Christina gets real about energy management in the middle of real life (including a week of solo parenting) and unpacks why so many high-functioning women push through their body’s warning signs until they crash.

In this conversation, you’ll learn how to recognize your personal energy patterns, stop overriding your nervous system, and build simple recovery rhythms into your daily life, not just your annual vacation. This isn’t about doing less. It’s about sustaining your performance without sacrificing yourself in the process.

In This Episode:

• The 4 Energy Zones (Performance, Survival, Burnout, and Recovery) and how to identify where you’re living
• Why military and leadership culture conditions us to override our bodies
• The difference between pushing through when it’s necessary vs. when it’s harmful
• How to recognize your personal warning signs before burnout hits
• Why recovery isn’t weakness, it’s part of the performance cycle
• Simple 2–5 minute “downshift rituals” you can start today

If you’ve been operating in high-functioning survival mode for too long, this episode will help you tune back in, rebuild self-trust, and create small, sustainable rhythms that protect your energy.

RESOURCES:

High-Yield Self Care Guide:

https://fabulous-pioneer-9504.kit.com/e83556732b

SIGN UP FOR THE APP:
https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/lead-your-life-app

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themilitaryyogi

Podcast Website: www.leadingwithheartpodcast.com

SHOW NOTES: https://www.christinamattisonyoga.com/blog/episode91

Connect with me in the Strong and Resilient Woman Community on Facebook HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/yogaformilitarywomen), or on Instagram @themilitaryyogi

More about Christina Mattison and the Leading with Heart Podcast
Hey there! I'm Christina Mattison, an Air Force Officer, yoga teacher, dedicated wife, and proud mother of two. But most importantly, I'm here as a wellness and leadership coach for women in the military. I want you to know something: It doesn't have to be this way.

I've walked in your combat boots, and I understand the chaos that often accompanies military life. But I'm here to share a powerful truth with you: You have the innate ability to transform your own life. I've personally experienced this transformation, and I've witnessed it in the lives of countless clients I've had the privilege to guide.

Welcome to the Leading With Heart podcast your ultimate resource for discovering how to infuse joy, peace, and true success into every facet of military life.

**The views and opinions expressed within this podcast episode are those of the individual, and do not necessarily represent those of the Department of Defense or its components.