Pursuit of Wellness

Being a new mom is beautiful and messy and sometimes completely overwhelming.
In this episode, I'm getting real about the mental side of early motherhood. From the fear of driving Cai alone for the first time to pulling over on the side of the road in downtown Austin while he screamed, I'm sharing the moments that knocked my confidence and the small wins that slowly built it back up.
I talk about the pressure I put on myself to get out of the house, the guilt I feel when I take time for myself, and how hard it is not to compare my experience to what I see other moms doing on social media. I also open up about the resentment I didn't expect to feel toward Greg, the biological differences that hit you like a truck postpartum, and why I had to learn to accept that our roles just aren't the same.
We're also diving into the little things that are helping me feel more like myself again, working out three times a week, going to baby music class, saying yes to outings even when they scare me, and reminding myself that every rep counts.
I answer your questions about formula, sleep routines, guilt, and how I'm handling Cai's fussy moments without losing my mind. This episode is honest, unfiltered, and full of the stuff I wish someone had told me before becoming a mom.
If you're postpartum, struggling, or just trying to find your footing in this new identity, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not alone and that it's okay to still be figuring it all out.
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Breastfeeding has been such a meaningful part of this season for me and it also challenged me in ways I did not expect.
In this episode, I’m opening up about my breastfeeding journey and the mental load that came with it. From the early days of colostrum, cluster feeding, and pumping to navigating oversupply and constant feeding schedules, I quickly realized how much of my life started to revolve around breastfeeding.
I talk about the anxiety of leaving the house, planning everything around feeds, and the pressure I put on myself to keep up. Even simple things like driving alone with Cai or going to a class felt overwhelming when I was constantly thinking about milk, timing, and whether he had enough.
We also get into the emotional side of it all the guilt, the comparison, and how breastfeeding impacted my mental health more than I expected. I share what led me to introduce formula, start weaning, and how that decision helped me feel more present, balanced, and like myself again.
I also touch on real-life moments, navigating outings, and the confidence that slowly comes with doing hard things for the first time as a new mom.
If you’re breastfeeding, combo feeding, weaning, or just trying to figure out what works for you, I hope this episode makes you feel less alone.
You’re allowed to choose what’s best for you.

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Leave Me a Message click here! (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
For Mari's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn/?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU%3D)
For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofwellnesspodcast/)
For Mari's Newsletter click here! (https://marillewellyn.com/)
For Mari's TikTok click here! (https://www.tiktok.com/@marillewellyn?lang=en)

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I'm back and so excited to reconnect with you all! In this episode, I'm answering your questions about motherhood, postpartum life, and everything in between. From the chaos of breastfeeding and pumping to the reality of finding help, managing relationships, and navigating the fourth trimester, I'm getting real about what these first three months with Cai have actually been like.
I talk about the mental load of exclusive breastfeeding, why I decided to start combo feeding, and how that choice gave me my life back. I also open up about the guilt, the fog, the anxiety around leaving the house, and the pressure to bounce back while your body is literally feeding another human.
We also dive into building a village when you don't have family nearby, the importance of finding the right help, how my relationship with Greg has shifted, and why I'm finally stepping back into my fitness routine without the rush.
This episode is unfiltered, honest, and full of the things I wish someone had told me before becoming a mom. If you're postpartum, pregnant, or just curious about what this season really looks like, I hope this brings you comfort, clarity, or at least a little solidarity.
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Leave Me a Message click here! (https://sayhi.chat/pursuitofwellness)
For Mari's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn/?igshid=MDM4ZDc5MmU%3D)
For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast's Instagram click here! (https://www.instagram.com/pursuitofwellnesspodcast/)
For Mari's Newsletter click here! (https://marillewellyn.com/)
For Mari's TikTok click here! (https://www.tiktok.com/@marillewellyn?lang=en)

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I honestly cannot believe I’m sitting here recording this episode as a mom.

In this episode, I’m sharing the full story of Cai’s birth from start to finish. The anxiety leading up to labor, the moment the hospital told me not to come because they were at capacity, the induction process, contractions, getting the epidural, and the unexpected turn that led to an emergency C-section.

This experience changed my perspective on birth, control, and motherhood in ways I never could have predicted.

After going through IVF and everything it took to get pregnant, I thought I had an idea of how birth would go. But labor has a way of reminding you that some things are simply out of your control.

I talk about the mental side of preparing for labor, the pain and intensity of contractions, the moment I realized something wasn’t right, and the emotional second I heard Cai cry for the first time.

Even though things didn’t go according to my original plan, the moment I saw him made every single part of the experience worth it.

If you’re pregnant, thinking about becoming a mom, or just curious about what birth is actually like, this episode is the full, honest story.

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Leave Me a Message -⁠ click here!⁠

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In this special solo episode, I’m recording from home (comfy in bed, laptop in hand!) to catch you up on everything happening in my life right now. At 26 weeks pregnant, I’m reflecting on how my journey is unfolding, the emotional and spiritual connection I feel with my baby, and how this sacred season is shifting my approach to health, career, and even this podcast.

I share the highs and lows of pregnancy so far, from nesting mode and hypnobirthing classes to my first pelvic floor therapy session (and the wild stats I learned about strength training while pregnant). I also talk about why I’m making some changes to Pursuit of Wellness during this time, how I’m thinking about maternity leave, and what you can expect from the show moving forward.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to balance wellness, work, and life while preparing for motherhood, this one’s for you.

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Topics Discussed

00:00 – Recording from home & reconnecting with the POW community

01:00 – Pregnancy updates: 26 weeks, Aspen trip, and feeling good

02:30 – Nesting season: nursery prep, learning, and baby anticipation

03:30 – Career reflections: stepping back from Bloom & redefining success

05:00 – The future of POW: shifting to solo episodes and slowing down

07:00 – Lessons from IVF, gratitude, and mindset growth

08:30 – Birth prep: hypnobirthing, pelvic floor therapy & what she’s learned

10:30 – The benefits of strength training during pregnancy

11:15 – Embracing quiet routines, rest, and the joy of slowing down

11:50 – Final thoughts: gratitude, flexibility, and what’s next

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