EP279: How Love and Impact Live On
True Stride
Over the past eight months, I’ve lost two dear loved ones who had a profound impact on my life. They lived fully, with vibrant energy, wisdom, kindness, and deep care for others. While I’m heartbroken that I no longer get to experience their physical presence here on earth, I also feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the love I was able to receive from them, love that was unconditional and deeply shaping. One of them passed just yesterday, so forgive me if my emotions rise as I share, but in the midst of the sadness, I find comfort in knowing that even though I can no longer see...
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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...
info_outlineI’m in Palm Springs spending a few days with my dear friend Alison. This reminded me how much joy comes from the people we share life with. We met decades ago at NYU and bonded over what we jokingly called “compost,” a random mix from the dining hall salad bar that became our little tradition. This weekend we brought it back, laughed about those old days, and realized how something so simple still makes us smile.
Being with Alison also reminded me how much relationships grow when we show up for each other. Sometimes that looks like cooking, sometimes it’s running errands, and sometimes it’s just sitting together while talking through what’s next in life. None of it has to be perfect. It’s just about being present and leaning into each other’s strengths. On this week’s Wise Walk, I’m inviting you to think about the people who make your to-dos feel lighter and your memories a little sweeter, and how you can bring more of that into your days right now.
- As you think about the week to come, who are the people you want to be surrounded by?
- How can you take the things on your to-do list and make them more fun by sharing them with someone that makes your heart happy?
- Is there someone from your past you can reconnect with by recreating a silly but memorable moment you shared together?
- What inside jokes, traditions, or meet-cute memories can you bring back to life because they still spark joy?
- How can you share those memories with friends or family so they understand where your bonds began?
- Who do you want to reach out to and thank for showing up in your life in such a meaningful way?
- Is there someone you want to catch up with over errands or simple moments so you can co-create the day together?
- What everyday tasks would feel more delightful if you shared them with someone you care about?
- Who in your life can be a great sounding board because their strengths complement yours?
- How can you ask for help in a way that feels vulnerable but also opens new possibilities?
- Who is the person you co-create with in such a vibrant way that even the mundane feels fluid and fun?
- How can you carve out time to nourish each other in ways that support both your present and your future?
Give yourself permission to get creative, embrace the relationships that feel aligned right now, and have fun being present while sharing your gifts with others.
I’d love to hear what you took away from today’s episode, so feel free to reach out and share your feedback. Please tune in next Thursday for another Wise Walk.
In this episode:
- [01:01] I'm in Palm Springs visiting my dear friend Alison. I'm realizing that much of life isn't what we do, but who we do it with.
- [02:01] We've known each other since NYU, and we met at the Weinstein Dining Hall.
- [02:55] I share the origin of our "compost" salad bar, which was whatever we could find that would be healthy and fresh in the dining hall.
- [03:59] We went shopping and created "compost". Reliving this memory from the past brought us joy.
- [05:05] Do you have an absolute sweet memory from your past that you would like to create, because it brings you joy?
- [06:22] I've also bonded over dancing with another friend.
- [07:27] Thank you for prioritizing relationships, because nothing can grow without effort, time, and understanding.
- [08:46] The other big takeaway from this weekend with Alison was the idea of being present. We are connected and get caught up when it matters.
- [10:07] I love that when you're in a relationship that's been around for a while, you can be present no matter what you're doing.
- [11:57] Another thing that surfaced is how Alison and I were talking about acknowledging each other's strengths. We share in ways that we can nourish each other.
- [13:30] We also did some planning about where I'm going and what my financial possibilities may be. She helped me create a spreadsheet and scenario plan.
- [14:24] Knowing what's possible will help me plan better.
- [16:27] When we ask for help and tap into each other's strengths and gifts, we can be thoughtful and productive.
- [18:41] You can also do this with yourself.
Memorable Quotes:
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- “That first initial meeting and that energetic vibe that you felt, that understanding where you feel seen or heard, it has just carried you through the ages.” - Mary Tess
- “Self-awareness is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger your relationships become.” - Mary Tess
- “Look at what you can do and look at the different ways you can feel empowered when you feel a bit more supported.” - Mary Tess
Links and Resources: