Mari Life Updates: Food Freedom, Fitness Beginnings & My Fertility Journey
In this episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, host Mari Llewellyn opens up about her fertility journey, sharing her experience with intrauterine insemination and techniques like red light therapy and acupuncture to reduce stress. She also provides insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, crediting platforms like Shopify for helping launch her business and emphasizing the power of social media promotion.
Besides her professional endeavors, Llewellyn discusses embracing food freedom while maintaining nutrient-dense choices, her passion for horses and its role in fostering resilience, and creating a community-oriented environment in her new Austin home—an ideal setting for her family plans.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 12, 2024 episode of the Pursuit of Wellness
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1-Page Summary
Fertility and family planning
Mari Llewellyn shares insights into her fertility journey, undergoing her second round of intrauterine insemination (IUI) with a hopeful outlook. She emphasizes stress reduction techniques like red light therapy and acupuncture. While keeping her top name choices private, Mari offers a glimpse into her favorite monikers like Junie, Indigo, and Milo (although unavailable due to a former pet). For prospective parents, she advises thorough preliminary testing and maintaining emotional resilience.
Entrepreneurship and business advice
Mari credits Shopify as instrumental in launching and growing her business, Bloom. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start simple, like her initial $5 PDF workout guide offering, and leverage social media for promotion.
Health, fitness, and wellness
After overcoming dietary restrictions to manage acne, Mari embraces more food freedom while still prioritizing nutrient-dense choices. She praises colostrum for improving her skin and advocates for Bon Charge's red light therapy, particularly the sleep-friendly face mask during their 25% holiday sale.
Personal life experiences and hobbies
Mari's lifelong passion for horses serves as an emotional anchor; from showing to a serious injury, she's found joy and resilience in equestrian pursuits. Her move to Austin fosters a community-oriented environment suitable for family life, further enriched by hosting holidays in her new home.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Mari emphasizes stress reduction techniques like red light therapy and acupuncture, some may argue that the effectiveness of these methods can vary greatly among individuals, and there is limited scientific evidence supporting their efficacy in improving fertility outcomes.
- The advice to undergo thorough preliminary testing for prospective parents is sound, but it's important to note that excessive testing can also lead to increased stress and financial burden without necessarily improving outcomes.
- Mari's success with Shopify might not be replicable for all entrepreneurs, as success in business often involves a combination of factors including timing, market demand, and individual skill sets that may not be applicable to everyone.
- Starting simple with a product like a $5 PDF workout guide is good advice, but it's important to acknowledge that the digital product market is highly saturated, and success may require significant marketing efforts and unique value propositions.
- Embracing food freedom is a positive message, but it's important to recognize that individual nutritional needs and responses to food can vary greatly, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- The promotion of colostrum for skin improvement may not be supported by robust scientific evidence, and individuals should be cautious about expecting similar results or should consult with a healthcare professional before trying new supplements.
- Advocating for a specific brand's red light therapy product, especially during a sale, could be seen as less of a health recommendation and more of a marketing endorsement, which may not be the most unbiased advice for consumers.
- While Mari's passion for horses is highlighted as an emotional anchor, it's important to acknowledge that equestrian pursuits can be inaccessible to many due to the cost and availability of resources, and other hobbies may serve as equally valid emotional supports.
- The idea that moving to Austin fosters a community-oriented environment suitable for family life is subjective and may not reflect everyone's experience; other locations can also offer rich community life and suitability for raising a family.
- Hosting holidays can enrich one's life, but it's also important to recognize that not everyone has the space, resources, or social connections to do so, and there are many ways to foster a sense of community and belonging.
Actionables
- You can explore alternative stress management practices by trying out a new relaxation hobby, such as pottery or gardening, which can provide a meditative experience and reduce stress levels without the need for specialized therapies.
- Engaging in a hands-on activity like pottery can offer a therapeutic outlet, allowing you to focus on the tactile experience and the creative process, which can be calming and stress-relieving. Similarly, gardening connects you with nature and can be a peaceful, grounding activity that reduces stress through nurturing plants and enjoying the outdoors.
- If you're considering starting a business, create a low-cost digital product based on your expertise or passion, such as a recipe collection or a beginner's guide to a hobby you're skilled in, and share it on online forums or local community boards.
- By packaging your knowledge into a downloadable resource, you can test the waters of entrepreneurship with minimal investment. Sharing your product on platforms where your target audience gathers, like Reddit communities or Facebook groups, can help you gain initial traction and valuable feedback without relying on social media.
- To incorporate more nutrient-dense foods into your diet, start a weekly meal prep routine that includes a variety of colorful vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and experiment with herbs and spices for flavor without added sugars or unhealthy fats.
- Meal prepping ensures that you have healthy options readily available, reducing the temptation to opt for less nutritious choices. Experimenting with different combinations of herbs and spices can make meals exciting and flavorful, encouraging a more nutrient-focused approach to eating without feeling restricted.
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Fertility and family planning
Mari Llewellyn shares her optimistic approach to fertility, baby naming preferences, and advice for others embarking on the journey of conception.
Mari's ongoing fertility experience
Round two of IUI with a hopeful outlook
Mari Llewellyn is in the midst of her fertility journey, currently undergoing her second round of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Despite the previous attempt being unsuccessful, she maintains a positive outlook. Mari is committed to reducing stress and fostering routines conducive to conception, including red light therapy, sauna sessions, acupuncture, and moderated workout intensity. She emphasizes taking the medication Letrasol and feels good about her current cycle.
The value of community support
Openly sharing her fertility journey, Mari has become sensitive to conversations about fertility, recognizing that it can invite overwhelming opinions and questions from others. She expresses tremendous gratitude for the strong support from her community, with special mention of Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. She felt encouraged, particularly after hosting a wellness event in Austin. Mari reveals the importance of taking progesterone between ovulation and menstruation, highlighting the hormone's role in maintaining pregnancy and managing mood and anxiety.
Baby names under consideration
Privacy amidst sharing name favorites
Mari is nearly decided on her chosen names for a girl and a boy but opts to keep these selections private for the time being. She enjoys the names Junie, Nala, and Soleil, though she likely won't choose Soleil. The names Lottie, Indigo (or Indie), Addison (or Addie), Nell (or Nella), and Millie are also on her list of cute options. While she adores the name Milo f ...
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Fertility and family planning
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Mari Llewellyn maintains a positive outlook on her fertility treatments, it's important to acknowledge that optimism alone does not guarantee success, and some individuals may find false hope to be detrimental in the long run.
- The routines Mari has adopted, such as red light therapy, sauna sessions, and acupuncture, may contribute to overall well-being, but there is limited scientific evidence to suggest they directly improve fertility outcomes.
- Community support can be invaluable, but it's also important to recognize that some individuals may prefer privacy during such personal experiences and may not benefit from or appreciate public discussion of their fertility journey.
- Progesterone is indeed used in fertility treatments, but its effectiveness and necessity can vary from person to person, and not all fertility specialists may recommend it in the same way.
- Keeping baby names private is a personal choice, but it's worth considering that sharing names can sometimes lead to useful feedback or insights from others that might influence the final decision.
- The decision to avoid using the name Milo because it was the name of a pet may not be a concern for everyone; some might find it meaningful to name a child after a beloved pet.
- Personal preferences for names like Stetson and Colt are subjective, and while Mari's partn ...
Actionables
- You can create a personalized stress-reduction playlist combining various genres of calming music and nature sounds to play during your daily routines, which may include times when you're practicing relaxation techniques or preparing for bed to foster a conducive environment for conception.
- Listening to a tailored selection of music and sounds can help lower stress levels, which is beneficial for overall well-being and can potentially improve fertility. For example, you might include classical pieces known for their soothing effects, recordings of rain or ocean waves, and even binaural beats designed to promote relaxation.
- Develop a habit of journaling your thoughts and feelings throughout your conception journey to manage emotional well-being and set realistic expectations.
- Keeping a journal allows you to track your emotional landscape, which can be particularly useful in identifying patterns and triggers that affect your mood. This practice can also serve as a form of self-therapy, helping you process your experiences with kindness and grace. For instance, you might write about your reactions to different stages of the fertility process or how you're coping with the waiting periods.
- Engage in a crea ...
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Entrepreneurship and business advice
Mari Llewellyn shares insights into her entrepreneurial journey with her business, Bloom, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Mari credits Shopify as a crucial tool that enabled the launch and growth of her business, Bloom.
Shopify's user-friendly platform and its distinct features played an essential role in supporting Mari's entrepreneurial endeavors. One iconic aspect she highlights is Shopify's "cha-ching" notification sound that alerts business owners to sales. Although no explicit statements were provided about building an online presence or selling products, it's clear that Shopify's infrastructure was a significant aid to Mari's business launch and growth.
Mari shares general advice for those looking to start a business, emphasizing the importance of just starting and taking action.
One key piece of counsel Mari offers to budding entrepreneurs is the notion of starting simple and taking decisive action. She illustrates this with her own experience of launching a $5 PDF workout guide, showing that asp ...
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Entrepreneurship and business advice
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Clarifications
- The "cha-ching" notification sound on Shopify is a distinctive sound that plays whenever a sale is made on a Shopify store. It serves as an auditory cue to alert business owners of a successful transaction. This feature can be motivating and exciting for entrepreneurs as it provides real-time feedback on sales activity. The sound is designed to create a sense of accomplishment and encourage business owners to stay engaged with their store.
- Mari Llewellyn launched a $5 PDF workout guide as one of her initial business offerings. This product served as a starting point for her entrepreneurial journey, demonstrating that a simple and affordable product can be a viable entry into the market. The $5 price point and the digital format of the workout guide made it ...
Counterarguments
- While Shopify is praised for its user-friendly platform, some entrepreneurs might find it limiting in terms of customization and may prefer more flexible or open-source platforms.
- The "cha-ching" notification sound, while iconic, could be seen as a minor feature and not necessarily a significant factor in the success of a business.
- Starting simple and taking decisive action is good advice, but it's also important to conduct market research and have a solid business plan to avoid common pitfalls.
- Social media is a powerful tool for promotion, but it's not the only strategy, and some businesses may benefit more from other marketing channels or a more diversified approach.
- Utilizing platforms like Shopify can streamline business processes, but relying too heavily ...
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Health, fitness, and wellness
Mari opens up about her journey towards a balanced approach to nutrition and skincare, sharing how she has managed to tackle her acne while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Mari discusses her approach to nutrition and managing her acne, noting a shift towards more flexible and balanced eating habits.
Mari's struggle with acne led her to face dietary challenges, especially during her fight against the H. pylori bacteria. After incorporating colostrum following her antibiotic treatment, she noticed an improvement in her skin without acne flare-ups despite it being a dairy product. Bloom Colostrum, her chosen brand, comes from grass-fed cows on family dairy farms in America, ensuring the highest quality.
She has made colostrum a staple in her daily routine by mixing it with electrolytes and glutamine in her drink cup. Although Mari has experimented with various tanning products that, she believes, are safe for her acne-prone skin, she remains cautious about their ingredients.
After a period of strict dietary restrictions, Mari has found more food freedom and is able to incorporate a wider range of foods without triggering breakouts.
Previously, Mari faced paranoia about consuming the wrong foods, which could exacerbate her acne, resulting in a highly restricted diet of mostly meat and vegetables. However, after the successful treatment of H. pylori and gut health reparation, she discovered that she could enjoy a diversified diet without worsening her acne.
Mari continues to prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods but is no longer as restrictive, finding a healthier balance.
Today, Mari savors the liberty of indulging in gluten, wine, or a cheeseburger on occasion, free from the fear of breakouts. She places a high value on nutrition and whole ingredients, avoiding the rigidity of her past orthorexic tendencies. Mari remains mindful of her protein-forward diet and the importance of nutrients, taking pleasure in the wider variety of foods she can now enjoy without feeling constrained.
Mari shares her experience with and recommendations for using red light therapy, specifically the Bon Charge red light face mask.
The Bon Charge red light mask is effective for addressing a variety of skin concerns, including wrinkles, acne, and scarring, while also being designed to not disrupt sleep.
Red light therapy has become a corners ...
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Health, fitness, and wellness
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Colostrum is a form of dairy and may not be suitable for everyone, especially those with dairy intolerances or allergies.
- The benefits of colostrum for skin health are not universally accepted in the scientific community, and more research may be needed to confirm its efficacy.
- While Mari has found a diet that works for her, it's important to note that individual responses to food can vary greatly, and what works for one person may not work for another.
- The claim that certain foods can trigger acne is controversial and may not be supported by strong scientific evidence, as acne can be influenced by a variety of factors including genetics and hormones.
- The effectiveness of red light therapy can vary, and while some studies support its use for certain skin conditions, others may find it less effective or not worth the investment.
- The claim that the Bon Charge red light face mask does not disrupt sleep due to the removal of certain lights from its spectrum may not be substantiated for all users, as sleep disruption can be multifactorial.
- Endorsements of specific brands, like Bon Charge, may not always be based on objective evidence, ...
Actionables
- You can track your skin's reaction to different foods by keeping a food diary and noting any changes in your skin condition. Start by eating a varied diet and then, if you notice breakouts, scale back to simpler meals to identify potential triggers. For example, if you have pizza and notice a breakout the next day, try eating just the base or the toppings separately to see which might be causing the issue.
- Experiment with DIY skincare treatments using whole ingredients to understand what works for your skin. Create face masks using kitchen staples like honey, oatmeal, or turmeric, and observe how your skin responds to these natural remedies. This can help you avoid potentially harmful chemicals and discover nourishing alternatives.
- Explore non-invasive at-h ...
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Personal life experiences and hobbies
Mari's personal life is rich with stories of passion and adaptation, particularly in her love for horses and her journey with equestrian activities. Her recent relocation to Austin, Texas also speaks to her desire for a nurturing, community-oriented environment suitable for family life.
Mari's love for horses and her journey with equestrian activities have been a lifelong passion.
Mari has found solace and joy in her equestrian pursuits since childhood, where caring for and riding horses has served as a grounding experience, often reflecting her emotional state.
Mari has been drawn to horses since childhood and sees the experience of caring for and riding them as grounding and reflective of her own emotional state.
Mari's dedication to equestrian activities has been with her from a young age. She has cherished caring for horses, a responsibility that affords her a deep sense of presence and joy in the moment. After saving her allowance for a horse as a child and riding a bit in England, she returned to riding as an adult, fully appreciating the opportunity to invest in this love herself.
The sense of accomplishment and joy Mari has found in her equestrian pursuits, such as competing and bonding with her horses, has been transformative.
Winning ribbons at shows with her old horse Beau felt like fulfilling a childhood dream for Mari, and this achievement has had a transformative impact on her life. Her connection with her horses goes beyond the sport; she pours love and time into her companions, especially noting how her bond with them brings immense joy.
Despite experiencing a bad fall while barrel racing on a three-year-old horse named Brad—known to be unpredictable—which led to a serious back injury, Mari persevered. She acknowledged the importance of wearing a helmet, a lesson learned after the fear-inducing incident almost left her with hooves in her face unprotected. Despite experiencing pain that worsened over time and admitting to a moment of reckoning, Mari resolved to get back on a horse within a week to conquer her fear, adhering to the rider's adage of "get back on the horse."
Mari's resiliency shone through as she purchased a new horse named Red, who provided a sense of calm with his unfazed demeanor, having worked on a ranch with cows previously. Although she still feels jittery around barrels, she diligently shows up and practices without imposing too much pressure on herself. This balance demonstrates her transformative journey with horses—a source of both challenge and euphoria.
Mari's decision to m ...
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Personal life experiences and hobbies
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Actionables
- You can explore a new hobby that connects with your emotions by choosing an activity that mirrors your feelings, like journaling when you're reflective or running when you're energetic, to understand how your emotional state influences your engagement with the hobby.
- Engaging in activities that align with how you feel can offer insights into your emotional patterns and provide a therapeutic outlet. For instance, if you're feeling contemplative, you might find solace in painting landscapes, which allows for introspection, or if you're feeling adventurous, try rock climbing to channel that energy productively.
- You can enhance your resilience by setting a small, challenging goal and working towards it daily, even if it's uncomfortable, like learning a new language for 10 minutes a day or taking cold showers.
- Building resilience isn't just about bouncing back from major setbacks; it's also about pushing through daily discomforts. By consistently tackling a small challenge, like studying a difficult subject or practicing public speaking, you train yourself to persevere and grow more comfortable with discomfort, which can help you recover from bigger challenges in life.
- You can foster a sense of community by sta ...
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