Home or Hospital Birth? Samantha Christine’s Unfiltered Journey
Ep. 197: On this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, I’m joined by Samantha Christine (SAMCFIT), a certified nutrition coach and the host of The Empower Podcast. We talk through her journey from a hospital birth that didn’t go as planned to a powerful, peaceful home birth years later. Sam shares what it took to rebuild her life after divorce, how she learned to advocate for herself in pregnancy, and the silent struggle she faced in those first weeks as a new mom. This episode is raw and full of wisdom for anyone navigating motherhood or major life transitions.
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Transform your bedtime routine with Cozy Earth. Get 40% off at http://cozyearth.com using code PURSUIT at checkout.
Hungryroot makes healthy eating easy! Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at http://hungryroot.com/POW with code POW.
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at http://betterhelp.com/POW and get on your way to being your best self.
Build your dream brand with Shopify. Start selling today at http://shopify.com/mari. It’s never been easier to get started.
Bake-from-frozen sourdough, pasta & pastries — ready in 25 minutes. Visit http://wildgrain.com/POW for $30 off your first box + free croissants in every box.
Sleep smarter with Autopilot by Eight Sleep. Get $350 off Pod 4 Ultra at http://eightsleep.com/pow with code POW.
Show Links:
Train with Sam & explore her programs at https://samcfit.com/
Support gut health, immunity & glowing skin with Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, Bloom’s 3-in-1 formula with probiotics.
Topics Discussed
00:10 - Welcome & guest introduction
02:10 - Balancing motherhood, career & fitness
03:48 - Experience of her first (hospital) birth
05:11 - Why she chose home birth for her second
06:45 - How doulas support & empower birth choices
09:30 - Switching from birth center to home birth & choosing a midwife
12:07 - Preparing for unmedicated birth
16:04 - Sam’s experience of home birth
19:28 - Pain vs pressure & intuitive delivery
23:00 - Handling judgment around home birth
24:01 - Mari’s birth planning: holistic vs hospital
25:19 - Postpartum anxiety, support & communicating needs
33:55 - Prenatal perineal massage
35:35 - Pressure to “bounce back”
37:20 - Breastfeeding & body changes
38:11 - Working out after birth: realistic timelines
40:25 - High Rocks & endurance sports
47:14 - Building a blended family with Ian
52:38 - Time-blocking & daily structure
52:50 - Fitness for kids
55:39 - Healthy eating for kids
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Toxins Exposed: The Ultimate Expert Mashup
Ep. 196: Welcome back to POW. Today we have an amazing episode all about non-toxic living. You’ll hear from top experts sharing practical advice on addressing mold exposure, microplastics, and hidden household dangers that can affect your health. Having this podcast and speaking to incredible experts like Allison Evans, Mike Feldstein, and Dave Asprey has truly helped me embrace non-toxic living in a balanced way. Whether you’re curious about improving air quality, balancing hormones naturally, or seeking clearer skin, this episode is packed with insights to help you create a healthier sanctuary at home. Tune in for inspiration and actionable tips to enhance your non-toxic journey!
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Sponsored By:
Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway’s non-toxic cookware. Visit http://carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 or use code WELLNESS10 for 10% off your next purchase.
Get better sleep, hair and skin with Blissy and use POWPOD to get an additional 30% off at http://blissy.com/POWPOD
The first 1,000 to join at http://functionhealth.com/POW or use gift code POW at sign-up get a $100 credit toward their membership.
Maui Nui delivers wild-harvested, nutrient-rich venison straight to your door. Order now at http://mauinuivenison.com/POW. Supply is limited so don’t wait!
Breathe easier with Jaspr, the commercial-grade air scrubber that’s quiet, powerful, and sleek. Get $400 off with code POW at http://jaspr.co/pow.
Show Links:
Support your gut, skin & immunity with Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, a 3-in-1 formula featuring probiotics and grass-fed collagen.
Topics Discussed
00:08 - Introduction
02:20 Understanding preservatives in baby products (Ep. 110: Allison Evans)
04:03 What’s in Branch Basics & how to use it
06:50 Pregnancy, mold exposure & candida
10:32 Coffee enemas
12:40 Clean eating
17:24 Clean living for kids: eczema, epigenetics & detox tools
21:07 Where to start with Branch Basics & removing hidden toxins
22:37 Getting sick from toxic air: respiratory & autoimmune flare-ups (Ep. 145 Mike Feldstein)
23:39 Mold exposure & mycotoxin testing
25:35 Air awareness: indoor & outdoor pollution
28:30 Ventilation tips & how cooking pollutes indoor air
34:35 Pets as a source of indoor toxins
38:15 How bad air quality affects people differently
40:32 The rise of mold awareness
47:48 Early mold exposure, food mycotoxins & the mold–Lyme connection (Ep. 100: Dave Asprey)
51:30 Coffee mold toxins & how to find mold-free beans
56:26 How mold exposure disrupts hormones & weight
59:30 Animal protein & why quality matters
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Ep. 195: Planning our babymoon, prepping for Europe, and reflecting on the wild changes pregnancy brings—I cover it all in today’s solo episode. I’m in a more grounded, grateful place than ever, and I’m finally letting myself enjoy it. From recent ultrasound updates to the decision to take a break from social media during our trip, this one feels like a deep exhale. I also talk about how pregnancy is reshaping my body and mind, and how that shift is changing the way I show up for myself. If you’ve been moving through your own shifts lately, I hope this episode reminds you you’re not alone. And don’t forget—Bloom Pop is here!
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Sponsored By:
The first 1,000 to join at functionhealth.com/POW or use gift code POW at sign-up get a $100 credit toward their membership.
Sleep cooler all summer long. Visit cozyearth.com and use code PURSUIT for 40% off sheets, loungewear, and more.
Experience skincare that targets acne and aging—without clogging your pores. Get 20% off your first order at clearstem.com/POW with code POW.
Now at Target! Shop Branch Basics in-store or online, or get 15% off at branchbasics.com/POW15 with code POW15.
Upgrade your morning brew with Lifeboost—clean, low-acid, organic coffee. Get 10% off at lifeboostcoffee.com/POW with code POW.
Show Links:
Girl Chat: Fi’s ER Trip & Her New Man!
Bloom Pop Prebiotic Soda delivers bold flavor and real gut health benefits with clinically-backed prebiotics and no junk ingredients.
Topics Discussed
00:08 Introduction
00:42 Upcoming Europe babymoon & travel prep
03:40 IVF fears, ultrasound relief & early movement
04:30 Baby brain, shifting boundaries & parenting values
12:30 Birth mindset and delivery preferences
13:43 Big Mama TikTok trend and body image / tall girls/women
16:19 Pregnancy body changes, confidence & workout shifts
19:33 Finding a great doula through referrals
21:40 Birth preferences & early parenting values
28:40 Early pregnancy & designing the nursery
31:20 Pregnancy nutrition, raw milk & backyard chickens
37:55 Dog concerns with a new baby
39:15 Stroller and car seat preferences
40:35 Maternity leave & baby names
41:19 Boob size preferences
41:40 Starting the baby registry
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Vaginal Cysts & Ozempic (Part 2 w/ Fi)
Ep. 194: Things get even juicier in part two of this girl chat with Fi. We’re talking everything from painful cysts to coconut lube regrets (yes, really), plus how Fi’s journey with semaglutide has evolved—from tough side effects to finding balance. We also unpack body image, food freedom, and the wild impact of “skinny” culture on social media. On a lighter note, Fi shares how real estate is actually lighting her up, and we reflect on what it means to build a fulfilling life in your thirties. Whether you’re navigating your own transformation or just here for the girl talk, this episode is for you.
Leave Me a Message - click here!
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For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast’s Instagram click here!
For Mari’s Newsletter click here!
For Fi’s Instagram click here!
Sponsored By:
Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway’s non-toxic cookware and get 10% off at carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 with code WELLNESS10—risk-free trial included.
Clear your skin from within with CLEARSTEM. Get 20% off your first order at clearstem.com/POW using code POW.
Experience next-level comfort with SKIMS. Shop now at skims.com/pow & select “podcast” to support Pursuit of Wellness.
Get 20% off your first order of Foria’s all-natural period relief at foriawellness.com/POW or use code POW at checkout.
Clean, safe water starts at home. Take 20% off your first AquaTru purifier at AquaTru.com with code POW.
Experience deeper, smarter sleep with Eight Sleep. Get $350 off the Pod 4 Ultra at eightsleep.com/pow with code POW.
The new normal in health starts here. Visit functionhealth.com/POW and use code POW for a $100 credit.
Show Links:
Girl Chat: Fi’s ER Trip & Her New Man! (Part 1)
Solo: Navigating My First IVF Appointment & Fertility Challenges
Boost focus and energy with Bloom Sparkling Energy—zero sugar, natural caffeine, and feel-good ingredients in a refreshing 10-calorie can.
Topics Discussed
00:08 Introduction
00:44 The Bartholin cyst ordeal
11:59 Q&A
12:23 ACOTAR & fantasy book recs
14:09 Ozempic side effects & mindset shift
26:40 Body image & SkinnyTok
29:38 Wellness journeys & burnout cycles
35:19 Life updates in real estate
36:35 Helping Bloom staff relocate
38:33 Control vs. freedom in new seasons
39:36 European trip logistics chaos
40:30 Liver King’s arrest & POW throwback
42:13 Turning 30 & feeling good
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Girl Chat: Fi’s ER Trip & Her New Man! (Part 1)
Ep. 193: It’s been a season of change, and in this episode, Fi and I are getting into what it really looks like to walk away from what’s comfortable in order to make space for something better. We talk about that weird in-between stage—when you’ve decided to leave, but don’t know what’s next—and how we’ve both been sitting with that uncertainty in our own ways. Fi opens up about her breakup, the emotions that caught her off guard, and how she’s learning to listen to herself more deeply. Whether you’re navigating endings, glow-ups, or something in between, this one’s for you.
Leave Me a Message - click here!
For Mari’s Instagram click here!
For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast’s Instagram click here!
For Mari’s Newsletter click here!
For Fi’s Instagram click here!
Sponsored By:
Upgrade your kitchen with Caraway’s non-toxic cookware. Visit carawayhome.com/WELLNESS10 or use code WELLNESS10 for 10% off your next purchase.
Hungryroot makes healthy eating easy — 40% off your first box + a free item for life at hungryroot.com/POW with code POW.
Visit dreamrecovery.io and use code PURSUIT15 for an exclusive discount on products that support deeper sleep and better recovery.
Maui Nui delivers wild-harvested, nutrient-rich venison straight to your door. Order now at mauinuivenison.com/POW. Supply is limited so don’t wait!
Bake-from-frozen sourdough, pasta & pastries — ready in 25 minutes. Visit wildgrain.com/POW for $30 off your first box + free croissants in every box.
The first 1,000 to join at functionhealth.com/POW or use gift code POW at sign-up get a $100 credit toward their membership.
Whether you’re launching a side hustle or building the next big brand, Shopify makes it simple to start and scale. Visit shopify.com/mari to make it happen.
Show Links:
Bloom Pop delivers bold, bubbly flavor with real gut health benefits—made with clinically-backed prebiotics and no junk.
Topics Discussed
00:52: Fi’s lore
00:23: Life updates since Fi’s last appearance
02:45: New boyfriend reveal
03:49: Personal growth after breakup
05:05: Dating a baseball coach long-distance
09:30: Golfing as a couple
10:05: Golf and real estate networking
12:25: Your partner shouldn't hate you
13:43: Baseball season and relationship logistics
14:21: Pregnancy holidays and birth planning
19:24: Mari’s baby ultrasound and health update
22:30: Gender reveal & cupcake fail
24:50: Ridiculous baby purchases
25:40: Mari’s formula ingredient rabbit hole
31:48: Fi’s Bartholin cyst
34:26: Symptoms and progression
38:20: ER treatment of cysts (to be continued)
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Mari Llewellyn is the transformation queen. Since 2018, Mari has been on an evolving journey with all things health and wellness. Inspired by her own pursuit of wellness, Mari is diving deeper into topics such as optimal living, nutrition, exercise, longevity, mental health, childhood trauma, relationships, and more. Radical honesty, goal-setting, and self-discipline all helped Mari transform and finally feel at home in her body. But Pursuit of Wellness is really about working from the inside out, learning to believe in yourself, and knowing that you are WORTH the time and energy to become your best self. Mari is on a mission to find the best health hacks from experts, as well as tips from her closest friends and family. In addition, you’ll hear solo episodes from Mari herself, discussing her own struggles and triumphs along the way. As a listener you can expect real and raw conversations with Mari that go more than skin deep. Tune in to the Pursuit of Wellness for a weekly dose of inspiration and insight and that is like a little nudge from a friend to keep going, to keep doing the work, and to keep transforming into the best version of you.
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