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_outlineThis week, I wanted to dive deeper into something that came up from our last conversation about unburdening ourselves as we head toward the end of the year. One of our Striders reached out and said, “I love that word discernment, but sometimes I struggle with knowing when I’m releasing something for my own good and when I’m just isolating.” That question really resonated with me because I’ve been there too with trying to figure out if I’m stepping back for clarity or pulling away out of self-protection.
So in this episode, we’re exploring what it means to practice discernment versus isolation, and how both can show up in our lives. There have been times when I’ve had to hit pause and really tune in to what my own voice was saying. These are moments when I needed quiet to think, to breathe, to just be with myself. There have also been times when pulling back for a bit was the kindest thing I could do. That space wasn’t about pushing people away. It was about giving myself room to reset. When we bring a little more awareness, intention, and compassion to those moments, it changes everything. It helps us reflect instead of react.
Since the holidays are coming, with all the emotions they tend to stir up, it feels like the perfect time to notice what we’re running toward and what we might be running from. The pauses we take can either drain us or refuel us, so let’s be mindful of which kind we’re choosing. On today’s Wise Walk we’ll see how discernment can help us reemerge stronger, clearer, and more connected than before.
- As you reflect on your life, are there times when you know you need to take a step back, step aside, or release something, and you feel that discernment guiding you?
- Do you recognize moments when you react, withdraw without reflection, or feel too overwhelmed to process what’s happening?
- How can you hold space for both discernment and isolation and understand when each is serving you?
- Can you feel good about applying them when necessary, with the hope that both lead to deeper connection?
- Are you withdrawing without reflection, reacting out of hurt or defensiveness, or intentionally isolating to heal and protect yourself?
- Can you be aware of what’s motivating your choice and what outcome you truly want?
- Are you stepping back to foster connection or pushing others away out of fear or exhaustion?
- Where in your life are you practicing healthy discernment that supports connection?
- Where might you be isolating without a plan for how to reemerge better?
- Are you running toward something that aligns with your growth or running away from something that feels hard to face?
- With that awareness, can you make new choices that bring you the support you need?
- Can you focus on what you’re running toward and what you’re running away from, and take action that helps you reemerge stronger?
- Do you sense when it’s time to immerse yourself in community and when it’s time to rest and recharge in solitude, knowing both can help you reemerge stronger?
I want to thank the Strider who reached out with that thoughtful question. It reminded me how powerful it is to pause, reflect, and check in with ourselves.
The holidays can stir up so much joy, nostalgia, and even heaviness. It’s okay to take a step back when you need to. Until next week, please remember to listen to your heart, honor your energy, and always make space for fun along the way.
In this episode:
- [03:05] I share Google's definition of discernment being the ability to make sound judgments through perception and wisdom. Isolation is the state of being alone or separate from others.
- [04:04] Sometimes when making a big decision, I would isolate myself from others, so I could reflect on my own voice.
- [05:26] Language can have different meanings, but when I was judged for isolation I was actually using discernment to look into my heart and find what's best for me.
- [06:08] The temporary timeout we give ourselves is good, because it allows us to re-emerge better. Discernment can foster connection when we find what's true to ourselves.
- [07:24] It's important for us to know the difference between isolating and searching for discernment.
- [08:04] We should also be aware of when our isolation is reactive.
- [09:22] The other day my aunt's horse, Blue, needed dental work. I had to take a step back because I have some trauma around dental work.
- [11:20] It's important for us to have discernment to navigate and flow with things that come up in life.
- [12:59] My goal is to emerge stronger and clearer.
- [13:32] Holidays can be hard emotionally for many different reasons.
- [16:03] Thank you to The Strider who asked this question. It was really helpful for me to self reflect on the differences between isolation and discernment.
Memorable Quotes:
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- “Discernment is that pause we take to hear our own voice again.” - Mary Tess
- “Sometimes that step back is the most loving thing you can do for yourself and others.” - Mary Tess
- “Awareness helps us know whether we’re protecting our peace or avoiding our growth.” - Mary Tess
Links and Resources: