EP278: Release, Readiness, and What Comes Next
True Stride
I feel like there’s been a lot of conversation lately about the Chinese zodiac and the year we’re moving out of, which is the Year of the Wood Snake. That year comes to an end on February 16, and then on February 17, according to the Chinese zodiac, we move into the Year of the Fire Horse. Even if you don’t follow the Chinese New Year, I’ve really appreciated how this way of marking time gives us an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and check our own reality. In this episode, I share why the energy of the Wood Snake has felt so accurate for this past year, with its focus on shedding,...
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EP277: Shape Your Vision with Creativity and Intention
True Stride
I’ve been thinking a lot about intention setting lately and how many different ways there are to get clear on what we want to attract. Some people love choosing a word for the year, others don’t resonate with that at all, and that reflection led me to revisit the tools I’ve used over time to stay grounded and inspired. What matters most isn’t the method itself, but whether we’re carving out space to reflect, get creative, and really listen to what’s calling us forward. Today, we’ll dive into how vision boarding has supported me in the past and how a simple, pen-and-paper practice...
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EP276: Looking Back Through Pleasure and Expansion
True Stride
At the start of a new year, I always notice a shift. It’s subtle, but it’s there. A little lightness. A sense that I can pause, take stock, and step into something new. Even though it’s just one calendar year turning into the next, it still feels like permission to begin again. To set new intentions. To let the past be the past. I don’t overthink it. I just pay attention to that sense of possibility. As I look back on the year behind me, it wasn’t especially easy. There were moments that felt heavy, uncertain, and stretching in ways I didn’t expect. Yet, when I slow down and really...
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EP275: A Word to Ground, Guide, and Inspire You
True Stride
I can’t quite believe that yet another year of us going on Wise Walks together has come and gone. In our last episode, I invited you to reflect on your previous Word of the Year, and I’ve been doing that too. Looking back, I can see how my word, Co-create, supported me in ways I couldn’t have fully anticipated at the time. Sometimes we choose a word with a clear sense of direction or intuition about what will help us feel more aligned and in our True Stride. When I think about why this practice matters to me, I always come back to the idea of choosing a word for the year not as something...
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EP274: Reflecting on the Year Through One Word
True Stride
As this year comes to a close, I wanted to slow things down and really look at how my word for 2025 actually showed up in my life. I’ve shared before that I no longer set New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I choose a word that helps ground me in how I want to show up and what I want to experience. This year, that word was co-create. As someone who has always relied on planning, structure, and execution, this word challenged me to loosen my grip and trust timing instead of forcing outcomes. It became a way to check myself when things felt rushed, heavy, or resistant, and to ask whether I was...
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EP273: Leaning Into Your Inner Athlete
True Stride
It’s funny how aging has a way of quietly changing the conversation we have with our bodies. I notice it when I’m moving or when a familiar pose needs more support, or when strength and flexibility show up differently than they used to. For a long time, I thought that meant I was losing something. What I’m realizing now is that it simply means that I’m being asked to listen more closely. There’s still a part of me that loves a challenge, that enjoys feeling capable and engaged, even if the expression of that looks different than it once did. Lately, I’ve been paying attention to...
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EP272: Freedom Waiting Beyond Your Limits
True Stride
Lately I have been spending time out on my Aunt’s ranch in Joshua Tree, California, and the rhythm of the animals has offered me a new perspective on how we respond to the boundaries in our lives. Watching the horses move through their space, communicate their needs, and express their energy reminded me how easy it is to accept certain limits without ever pausing to ask whether they still feel aligned. Their behavior became an unexpected mirror, showing me where I have honored barriers that were never truly mine or that no longer support who I am becoming. Their exuberance and clarity...
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EP271: Honoring Your Rites of Passage
True Stride
A conversation on a recent hike surprised me in the best way. My friend and I wandered into a chat about how we grew up and what shaped us, and it pulled up old memories I had not thought about in a long time. I shared a bit about my upbringing and the sense of community that came with it, but what really landed for me was how many different ways people mark the big moments in their lives. It does not matter if it comes from a formal tradition or something more personal. We all have these turning points that nudge us forward and help us understand who we are right now. Lately I have been...
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EP270: What Gratitude Makes Possible
True Stride
Happy Thanksgiving, fellow Striders. If you’re celebrating here in the U.S., I hope you’re surrounded by loved ones, friends, or even your fur babies, and that you’re feeling a sense of appreciation for the blessings in your life, the ones you’re experiencing now and the ones that have shaped you along the way. This time of year is a good reminder to pause, take a breath, and really acknowledge the good that is already present. As I’ve been reflecting on gratitude, I keep coming back to how much shifts when we look at what’s working instead of what’s missing. When we notice the...
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EP269: Marathon Lessons to Finish Strong
True Stride
I was really moved recently when a Strider reached out to share that they had just completed the New York City Marathon and were reflecting on what that experience meant for them. They realized after crossing the finish line that they wished they had celebrated more and invited others to cheer them on, because training for something so big ends up being a rite of passage. Their honesty stirred up memories from my own marathon experiences and reminded me just how powerful those transitions are when we separate from who we were and stretch ourselves into something new. It got me thinking about...
info_outlineHave you ever felt like your whole being was craving stillness, but life just kept charging ahead? That’s exactly where I’m at right now. I am so excited because it’s the night before I get to go on vacation and not just any trip. I’ve secured a whole week off where I’m going inward to retreat. No plans, no agendas, no schedules. I may sleep in. I don’t know what I’m going to do, and honestly, that’s the whole point.
This retreat is all about giving myself space to go with the flow. I’m bringing along a few intentional self-care rituals that nourish me mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and creatively, but beyond that, I’m releasing expectations. I just feel very called to embrace my own experience and be fully present with myself. After a long stretch of pushing through deadlines and showing up for others, it feels really good to show up for me.
So in today’s Wise Walk, we’re slowing down together. We’re going to check our reality and ask ourselves these questions.
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Are you willing to commit to retreating, even if you don’t leave your home?
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What helps you recharge, restore balance, and reconnect with yourself?
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How can you reignite the parts of you that feel dimmed or suppressed?
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What will you commit to now to prevent burnout later?
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What absolutely must get done right now, and what can wait?
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Where can you give yourself breathing room to approach tasks with more energy?
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How can you structure your days to match what you realistically have energy for?
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What can you postpone guilt-free, knowing it’s still on your list but not urgent?
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How can you set yourself up for success by prioritizing balance over busyness?
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Where can you celebrate yourself for choosing harmony and self-care alongside productivity?
I can’t wait to hear how you’re creating space to retreat and realign in your own way. Until next time, keep prioritizing fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on.
In this episode:
[03:04] My sister and I booked a trip to Nantucket to go on a retreat. I love the coastal sea immersion and the charm of the town.
[04:47] We've had a lot going on and questioned whether this was the right time.
[05:08] A good thing about booking in advance is that there is a financial loss if you cancel. I also really need this trip on an energetic and emotional level.
[06:18] We should be able to take a week off and retreat without feeling stress.
[08:05] When it comes to deadlines, I'll do whatever I need to do to hit it. Having the retreat scheduled, helps me focus on what I need to accomplish even if I have to do a little extra before leaving.
[09:40] I also had to make strategic decisions to put some things on the back burner.
[12:16] Another great thing about scheduling a retreat in your life is you get to design it however you see fit.
[13:08] I also want to wear an eye mask and earplugs and sleep in and tune out.
[14:11] I look forward to sharing whatever awakenings and impressions come out of this retreat. I'd also like to hear what you have planned.
Memorable Quotes:
- “I just feel very called to embrace my own experience and be very, very present with myself.” - Mary Tess
- “We all benefit from retreating from the norm. It helps us open our eyes, gain a different perspective, and connect with our bodies without expectations.” - Mary Tess
- “You are the only one that knows what is best for you.” - Mary Tess
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