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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outlineHappy 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 good in ourselves and in our relationships, it changes the energy around everything else. And whether we’re thinking about moments that made us laugh, the qualities we’re proud of, or the people who show up for us when it matters, there is so much to be thankful for.
So for today’s Wise Walk, we’re going to slow down, check our reality, and explore what gratitude looks like in our own lives including what we’re grateful for about ourselves, the memories that bring us joy, and the people who support us and inspire us. Let’s take this time to honor those blessings together.
- What does a consistent gratitude practice look like in your life right now, and how can you honor this Thanksgiving by acknowledging the blessings you’ve experienced?
- What are you personally grateful for about who you are and how you show up in the world?
- How can you count your blessings in relationship to others and appreciate the people who support you or whom you’ve supported?
- What recent moment made you laugh so hard your abs hurt, and how can you give gratitude for the joy, the courage, and the people who shared it with you?
- How did that memory make you feel, and how can you recreate more moments that spark that kind of joy?
- What is one physical quality you love about yourself, and why does it matter to you?
- What is one emotional or spiritual quality you are grateful for, and how has it blessed your life?
- What challenging experience are you moving through, and what unexpected blessings have surfaced because of it?
- How is that experience preparing you for your hopes and dreams and helping you connect more intentionally with the people in your life?
- How can you give yourself gratitude for how you’re showing up through difficulty with strength, grace, and growth?
- Who in your life needs to hear that you appreciate them, and how can you let them know in a meaningful way this Thanksgiving?
- How can you express gratitude for both giving and receiving support, and appreciate the love that surrounds you right now?
Thank you for spending this time with me today. I’m grateful for you and for this True Stride community, and I hope you carry a spirit of appreciation into the days ahead. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful, and very Happy Thanksgiving, and until next Thursday, please remember to prioritize fun, read the signs, and get your stride on.
In this episode:
- [02:11] "Acknowledging the good that you already have in life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle
- [03:04] When we see the good in others, it becomes the overarching theme of our lives, and that's what we put out.
- [04:03] The joy of laughter and how fun and playful it is. I'm grateful that laughter is contagious.
- [07:19] What do you love about yourself? I love how I take chances and do things that are scary. I'm okay with failure.
- [10:30] In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm giving gratitude to count my blessings in these areas.
- [11:18] Reflect on areas of your life that have been hard, but that you've done it anyway. What have you gained?
- [15:09] I also want to acknowledge thankfulness and gratefulness for the relationships in my life.
- [16:52] I feel blessed by my supporters near and far. I give gratitude for those who allow me to express myself and give me support.
- [18:07] Happy Happy Thanksgiving! Take some time to reflect on when you've laughed so hard your abs hurt, attributes you love about yourself, and gratitude for the relationships in your life.
Memorable Quotes:
-
- “Gratitude shifts everything. The moment we acknowledge what’s already good in our lives, we invite more of that goodness in.” - Mary Tess
- “We all have qualities worth celebrating. When we recognize what we love about ourselves, we stand a little taller.” - Mary Tess
- “Giving thanks for the people who support us is a beautiful way to strengthen connections and deepen relationships.” - Mary Tess
Links and Resources: