Kris and I met in the Summer of 2020. She was looking to make some serious changes to her health and fitness journey. Little did I know that this would evolve into a beautiful friendship and that I would help Kris find her faith in Jesus.

In this episode, we talk all about Kris' journey; how she went from using drugs and alcohol as coping mechanisms, to now praying every single day and surrendering her life to be a follower of Jesus.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Bio & childhood upbringing

6:00 - Thoughts about religion growing up

10:00 - Coping with obstacles & getting involved in drugs/addictive

13:00 - Starting her fitness journey

16:00 - Why she kept going back to drugs & alcohol

18:00 - When she made the decision to sell her franchise

22:00 - How motherhood changed her faith

25:00 - Hesitations & expectations of the Alpha course

29:00 - When her heart started to change

30:00 - Baptism & Going Public

35:00 - How her life has been impacted by finding faith

What is the Alpha course? And who is it for?

"Alpha helps create a space for honest conversation around some of life’s biggest questions. It is designed to provide guests an opportunity to connect with one another while providing the opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, and opinions in a safe and caring environment. Alpha helps bring people together while providing the chance to encounter Jesus."

In this episode, I talk about my personal experience with Alpha as well as the key takeaways from several others who have also attended.

Alpha Resources:

• Find an Alpha course in your area
• Sign up for Alpha at Mission Church (Bloomingdale, IL)
• The People of God Sermon (watch the last 10 minutes to hear more about how I encouraged my friend Kris to attend Alpha and how it changed her life)

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

Stefanie McMillin is a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Doula who is certified in Visceral Manipulation (VM). She is the owner of Full Circle Birth & Pelvic Health, Naperville’s trusted pelvic floor therapy and doula service provider. They uniquely support women through the full circle of women’s health, including conception, fertility, pregnancy, labor, recovery, and beyond.

The technique of visceral manipulation works to restore the normal motion that happens around the organs and tissues around it. Simply put, with this therapy Stefanie has healed countless postpartum issues like prolapse, diastasis and incontinence in a matter of a few sessions.

Intrigued to learn more? You have to give this episode a listen!

Time stamps:

• 00:00 - Stefanie's Bio
• 07:00 - What is VM?
• 14:00 - Traditional Pelvic Floor PT vs VM
• 20:00 - Postpartum prolapse prevalence
• 28:00 - Recurrent birth injuries with subsequent pregnancies
• 35:00 - Getting "cleared" at 6 weeks shouldn't be by your OB
• 41:00 - What if my PT isn't certified in VM?
• 45:00 - Tummy tucks and healing diastasis recti
• 47:00 - Is it possible to reverse prolapse?
• 49:00 - How VM can help the menstrual cycle (heavy bleeding, endo, PCOS
• 51:00 - Unexplained fertility
• 55:00 - Physiological birth & why she became a Doula
• 1:00 - VM for Pelvic Floor PTs
• 1:03 - Finding a VM provider

Contact and Resources from Stefanie:

• Follow Stefanie on IG @doctor_stefanie
• Learn About Stefanie's Services
• Find a VM Provider

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

Grief isn't a linear process. There are still days/moments where I cry and feel really sad about no longer being pregnant. At the time of this episode being released, I should be 18 weeks pregnant. Experiencing a pregnancy loss has been one of the hardest things I have been through, and at the same time I believe I am being transformed through my pain. I believe that God wastes nothing and although He never wants to see his children hurting, He will use our pain for a purpose. Part of that purpose is talking about my experience in this podcast. I hope and pray that different methods of coping I discuss in this episode help you along in your journey as well. If you have experienced a pregnancy loss, I am so sorry and I am praying that God comforts and heals your grieving heart.

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

After navigating her own divorce, Ann thought that there had to be a better way to get through such a wildly life-upending experience. She found herself helping others where she could, in between her own full time job and full time single mom life to two sweet little boys. And then in the midst of the 2020 covid chaos, she was laid off from a position that she loved. From there, Forward With Ann was born.

As a Certified Divorce Coach and Certified Career Coach, Ann helps men and women make tough decisions related to their marriage or their career (and sometimes both!) so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. She helps you move forward on your terms. She serves as your objective advocate and your strategy partner, helping you set goals and put your plan into action.

In this conversation, Ann shares her own experience as well as a wealth of resources to help you navigate major life changes. The strategies we discuss in this episode will help you emerge stronger and more certain of yourself, with a clear action plan to build a more authentic life.

Time stamps:

Career changes after becoming a mother

• 06:00 - Navigating returning to work after baby
• 14:00 - Entering the workforce again after babies
• 17:00 - Exploring entrepreneurship
• 21:00 - Social media & the impact of doomscrolling
• 26:00 - When you have to keep working because of finances

Divorce

• 33:00 - Why do >50% of marriages end in divorce especially with kids 0-5?
• 36:00 - Can you prevent divorce from happening to you?
• 40:00 - How do you know when it's time to separate?
• 44:00 - Navigating divorce as a Christian
• 53:00 - The 5F's of Moving Forward

Contact and Resources from Ann:

• Follow Ann on IG @moveforwardwithann
• Book a free consultation with Ann
• Email her letschat@forwardwithann.com

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

TW: Mention of loss, miscarriage, bleeding, blood clots

This is my own personal story and experience with a missed miscarriage. I share all of this in hopes that it can make someone else going through a similar experience feel less alone. If you have experienced a pregnancy loss, please know that there is help out there for you during your time of grief and hope for you to heal. I am always here as a resource if you need someone to talk to. I am praying for you!

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

Katelyn Darkangelo is a Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach and business owner. She owns and operates a boutique fitness studio inside of her own home while raising her 3 year old daughter. In this episode we talk about how she has balanced running her business while being a mom the past 3 years and how it has changed and evolved throughout this time.

Resources Mentioned:

• Fit Is Getting Real Website + Links
• Katelyn on Instagram
• Previous Mama Project Podcast Episode with Katelyn

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist

We're back!! After a brief hiatus, we are back with all new episodes, including a fresh new rebrand! In this episode, I talk all about the "why" behind the rebrand, including a brief look back into my faith journey. I'm excited about the fresh energy and ideas that have been put on my heart and look forward to bringing even more insightful guests with impactful stories of their own!

Connect with Kristine:

• Email - kristine@mamaprojectllc.com
• Instagram - @birth.injury.coach
• YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@kristine.mamaproject
• Subscribe to receive my weekly emails - https://mamaproject.myflodesk.com/mailinglist