060. Hold onto your seats, because in today's episode of the Marijanel Show I spill the tea on my decision to join Weight Watchers and share some heart-pumping details of a recent trip to the emergency room. Don't worry, everyone's safe now, but you won't believe the lessons I learned from this experience.

But that's not all, we dive deep into a thought-provoking conversation on mustering up the courage to take on life's challenges. I draw inspiration from none other than Amelia Shepherd of Grey's Anatomy and her powerful power pose. Get ready to reframe your mindset and gather the confidence you need to tackle your goals head-on!

We'll  also have some laughs along the way too (at my expense, of course). But, I promise you'll leave today's episode feeling inspired and ready to take on the world. As a bonus, I'll even provide free journaling prompts to help you evaluate your confidence levels and take those small steps towards achieving your dreams. So buckle up, it's going to be one heck of a ride!


00:00:00 Intro 00:03:59 Change is Not Bad. 00:06:32 Importance of Support System 00:09:37 Getting the Mindset to Commit 00:11:51 Stinky Stinky Tea, Breaking My Habit 00:15:39 Trip to Emergency Room 00:16:19 Intuition Keeping Us Safe 00:18:41 The Harmony of Everything In Place 00:21:36 Pay Attention to Your Confidence Levels 00:22:50 Challenge Your Skills 00:24:56 What I Learned from Grey's Anatomy 00:27:10 Journaling Prompts 00:29:51 Closing

Companion YouTube Video to this podcast episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJwW7w08H5A&t=94s

056. I'm generally a patient person. I believe in slow changes and working towards long-term goals. But when it comes to losing weight, I would really appreciate some speedier results. Today I talk about it.

You're about to hear the health changes I'm making without sacrificing my health or sanity, but I'll also reveal how tracking my lifestyle rhythms showed me that I have a daily snack trap time zone.  I'd been unaware of a time of day I stuff my face without caring. This will be a lightbulb moment to help you detect your own snack traps.

You'll be interested to hear what I got out of a recent episode of The Phycology of Eating Podcast by Marc David, about ending the cycle of self-punishment when it comes to eating.

Later in the show things will get serious as I open up about a recent body shaming experience. I'll tell you all about it and my stupid, shocked reaction. The experience has gotten me riled up, not because I'm offended but because I want to see you and I live our fullest purposes in life without being ashamed of who we are. I'll tell you all about it.

Get ready to relate to a slice of my life as I make efforts to lose the 15 pounds I gained last year. It's ok to laugh and cry with me. Welcome to the Marijanel Show!

00:00:00 Intro 00:02:24 No More Sugar in my Tea 00:05:16 How I Learned to Be Patient 00:10:55 The Snack Trap 00:13:37 End The Cycle of Self Punishment 00:17:43 Why I Waited Before Publishing 00:20:20 Getting Called Fat 00:22:56 My Stupid, Shocked Reaction 00:28:04 Getting Rid of Body Shaming 00:31:20 What I'm Doing With My Chubby Cheeks 00:34:08 Closing

Episode 052. That delicious holiday food and drink has tipped my scale and today I reveal how much weight I gained over Christmas. What I didn't expect was to be overcome with shame and embarrassment and that's exactly why I've brought this topic to my podcast.

Why are we ashamed of weight gain? How can we lose weight in a healthy, non-extreme way, embracing that all good things take time?

Today I explore just that, as I share with you a little bit of my past when I first was slapped with what I call "fat and skinny standards", and that first time I realized people look and judge each others bodies. (why do we do that?)

I didn't expect my memoircast to go in the direction of body-positivity, but I'm riding the wave of what's current for me and I'm also seeing more and more it's an area of womenhood that I want to unify and speak hope.

I'd love for you to message me on Instagram @marijanel and tell me why you think people carry shame to talk about our weight gain.

Enjoy the show!

00:00:00 Intro 00:00:59 What I gained over Christmas 00:02:08 I beat myself up about a number 00:04:13 I threw it to the wind 00:06:56 the beautiful reaction of the body 00:09:32 old triggers 00:10:25 I'm going to burn it 00:12:13 not fat or skinny mindset 00:14:06 I was called Chicken Legs 00:15:34 quite a rude awakening 00:16:00 the Oprah show 00:18:16 making slight adjustments 00:19:06 examples we're setting 00:20:10 willing to make sacrifices 00:21:06 Daring Greatly 00:22:06 Closing

Episode 048. This one is both funny and serious. It'll leave you with a sense of hope and renewed   appreciation for your holiday season, but I get real about the times I was Mama Grinch and we even had to "take a break" from decorating the tree because I was so stressed out with the kids. The holiday blues are real. Despite the general atmosphere of joyousness and celebration, many people experience the holidays as a time to “get through” rather than a time to enjoy. Family dynamics, full event calendars, and the pressure to “be merry” can make the holiday season particularly stressful. But sadness often creeps in, too, and people deal with some of the following challenges

1. Deep emotional isolation
2. Traumatic Memories
3. Demands of Overscheduling
4. Unrealistic Expectations

I've personally experienced all of the above at the holiday season. Especially number four...unrealistic expectations. I tell you all about being a "Martha wannabe" (trying to be picture perfect like a Martha Stewart magazine) and how living at the farm with Charlie Brown Christmas trees were the perfect medicine for my perfectionism.

If you're struggling in any way to feel joy this holiday season...if you're feeling anxiety, the lack of hope, the pressure of Christmas...you'll find this episode relatable and made just for you. This mama has been there, and I can say you'll make it to the other side..

"If you're having some Christmas fails, the only thing that we can do is the best we can just do the best that you can in this season with what you've been given. And one minute at a time. Try and do the simple things, simplify the expectations and come back to what we're thankful for."

00:00:00 Intro 00:01:10 happy to receive the stories 00:02:51 the hair on my cheeks 00:04:38 pretty traditional Christmas 00:05:38 do something new 00:07:11 the most deceptive times of year 00:09:20 holidays sucked 00:10:49 Being Mama Grinch 00:13:04 holiday blues are real 00:14:51 the "Martha standard" 00:17:07 accepting what it is 00:19:08 I just wanted an adult tree 00:21:13 your mom needs her space 00:22:38 It wasn't really about the tree 00:24:22 transform and morph and grow 00:27:31 tree in the downstairs 00:29:04 pick a pine tree in the wild 00:31:08 girl and the tree holding hands 00:34:21 blasting Morgan Wallen 00:36:47 three big minions on my lawn 00:39:56 a story to learn from 00:40:36 laugh at yourself 00:43:16 you are accepted 00:43:34 Closing

Episode 047. Do you wish you could rewrite the narrative? Especially when it comes to all your fears and worries? In today's memoircast I'm going to share with you a couple tricks I have up my sleeve for literally turning the page on my fear.

Journals can create for us these milestone markers, where when we begin to flip through, I always do an exercise that I call the backflip. I'll tell you all about the backflip journaling technique and how in conjures up an incredible sense of gratitude and ability to see our own personal growth.
 
I also do an exercise that I call the fear flip.

In this episode I'll also read to you from my hidden diaries, deciphering my journaling code. You'll hear about my big regret from a trip to Mexico, what I denied my husband, why my son fainted in a horse barn, what got me unraveling through postpartum depression, and what my teacher yelled at me while I was shaving a mans face for the first time in barber school. You're going to be fully entertained by this episode PLUS gain precious tools for saving the stories of your life so you can create legacy.

Today you'll hear a few journal entries where I came face to face with my need for courage.  I found that part of the way I did that was by really recognizing my fears, and then changing the narrative to them.

Intro 00:01:37 what was I actually doing 00:03:43 Backflip 00:04:21 fear flip 00:05:33 change the narrative 00:06:22 I was in a dither 00:07:26 chickened out 00:09:16 digital minimalism 00:10:38 transition of bringing a newborn home 00:12:11 Postpartum 00:15:34 quilting and surprisingly emotionally stable 00:19:40 shave with a straight razor 00:21:54 chemicals and cranky women 00:23:50 odd lump on his neck 00:24:53 bigger bites than I can chew 00:27:30 amazing journal exercise 00:29:26 kicked in the gut 00:34:13 Nelson Mandela quote 00:35:06 closing

Episode 046.  Emergency CPR, defibrillators, jaws of life, the right prescription, heroes who risk their lives...these are literal lifesavers... but there's a simple habit I've had for 35 years that has saved my life in the figurative sense. It’s not only been a hobby, but it’s been like a friend. A constant, a compass. A relief. A joy.

This episode is about the power of journaling and how it's saved my life.

I believe that what you hear me talk about today could lead to a way you could be 100% yourself.  The real you.100%. No airs. No personas. No lies. No masks. No bars. Fully, and wholeheartedly transparent. This could be the answer to you finding you.

I will also answer to a list of blockages and excuses that people give me of why they can't journal and if you've ever felt the guilt of stopping and starting or not knowing what to say, hating the look of your own handwriting, or scared someone will read it...this episode is for YOU!

 I'm also going to share with you my secret code that only I understand and why you should develop your own. Tune in to hear my secrets. Grab a hot drink, curl on the couch for this one, you may also want to have your favorite journal and pen handy.

00:00:00 Intro 00:01:10 conscious flow thoughts 00:01:58 where I could be 100% myself 00:04:48 clarity in foggy times 00:06:17 morning pages 00:08:15 weird little thoughts 00:09:42 reflect further back 00:10:34 reading my own legacy 00:12:09 blockages 00:12:49 sticky note journal 00:14:47 legacy of who you are 00:15:13 blockages or excuses? 00:17:06 your handwriting 00:18:35 what if someone reads my journal? 00:19:38 my own kind of code 00:21:37 under your bed 00:22:57 low concentration 00:24:47 attainable goals 00:26:48 gibberish feelings 00:28:17 sporadic journaling 00:30:24 no shame in whatever 00:32:16 sanity as a mom 00:33:37 scared the living daylights 00:34:40 closing

Episode 045. Are you sick and tired of Mr. Should sitting on your shoulder telling you all the things you should do? Yeah, me too.

I've imagined this character who is constantly giving me orders and telling me all the things I'm not doing right and what I should do.  He's overwhelmingly nagging and constant, and as soon as a new opportunity pops up he's right there saying "You should, You should".

I'm sure you can relate, there's just so much pressure to live up to so much these days and our to do lists just get longer and longer. So how do we stop giving so much weight to Mr. Should? I talk about how to recognize when he shows up—and what I do about it There are  ways to tune out all the shoulds and in today's podcast I share my strategy. As well, I have a blog about it too... The Pressure of All the Shoulds.

Also! Today in my show I go down a fun and entertaining rabbit trail of catching you up to speed with everything from my broken plumbing, and having to use a spooky theatre washroom, to my YouTube obsession, new vlogs, why I'll never dance on Tik Tok reels, how I'm controlling my eggnog intake and how my kids book is coming along.

After the last three shows (episode 42-44) where I dove deep into my Intuitive Living Series, this episode is a little lighter and refreshing. Enjoy the show!


00:00:00 Intro 00:00:58 My Studio Washroom 00:02:46 My YouTube Obsession 00:04:29 Setting Intentions for 2023 00:06:10 Gaining Weight from Eggnog 00:08:10 Naming Non Negotiables 00:10:07 Almost Done My Goal 00:11:53 My Dark Project Tunnel 00:17:12 The Hours Won't Pay Me 00:21:03 Celebrate With Me 00:21:52 I Imagine Mr. Should 00:27:04 I Should Do Tik Tok 00:28:19 Bathroom is Messy 00:29:44 Shooshing Mr. Should 00:30:46 Closing

Episode 044. Brain fog. It's when we get overwhelmed with too many thoughts and ideas at once. Sometimes it's anxious feelings, other times it's exhaustion.  

I've been working hard to boil down the secret sauce for beating brain fog, and I think I've finally gotten it down to its finest reduction for me. This show reveals what I've learned in this part three of my Intuitive Living Series (Episodes 42-44) about beating brain fog through using intuition.

I talk about:

• how using intuition helps us make clearer decisions
• the impact that good opportunity has on our intuition
• stories of people using their intuition
• how intuition connects us to the truth

Intuition is the start of curiosity. Curiosity is the start of creativity. Creativity is the start of all possibilities, and potential—it just goes in a domino effect like that. And so when I boiled it all down, I saw that intuition is my secret sauce here. But I'm not the only one gifted with it—intuition is something that all of us have, and I believe creativity is something all of us have, too. It's something we don't always want to embrace just like intuition is something we want to put in a closet because we don't know how to use it.

And here's where you come in! You can use your intuition as a compass instead of an airy-fairy mystical magic wand—it's not elusive; it's not some thing you have to figure out by yourself, but this series will help you in practical ways as you begin to listen to the quiet signals of your intuition.

My friend Carlie can be found on Instagram @claritywithcarlie and here: https://bit.ly/carliezak

00:00:00 Intro 00:00:47 Boil It Down 00:01:45 It's Not Elusive 00:03:51 Mind Blowing Visuals 00:05:32 What's the Best Path 00:07:12 This Job or That Job? 00:08:43 headed for an accident 00:11:31 Disappointed 00:13:05 Red Flags in Parking Lot 00:16:43 Stories of Intuition 00:18:32 Connecting Us to the Truth 00:22:18 Being Rock Climbers 00:24:34 discern the truth 00:28:05 foundation of my life 00:29:51 Closing