We’re Having A…(Gender Reveal!!!)
In this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, Mari shares personal updates about her pregnancy journey at 15 weeks, including her experiences traveling to New York's Hamptons and her upcoming plans for European travel. She discusses the physical challenges of traveling while pregnant and her preparations for long-distance flights, from practical considerations like compression socks to EMF protection.
Mari opens up about navigating body image during pregnancy, reflecting on her previous fitness transformation and her shifted focus toward maintaining strength for childbirth. She also reveals the news of expecting a baby boy, which came through a private gender reveal with bouquets at 11 weeks, and shares how the pregnancy has prompted deeper reflection about her own childhood and future parenting approach.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jun 22, 2025 episode of the Pursuit of Wellness
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1-Page Summary
Mari's Pregnancy-Related Travels and Experiences
Mari's East Coast Trip: Touring Hamptons Homes
Mari recently completed a 10-day trip to New York and Long Island with Greg and their dogs. While staying in a beachside Airbnb near Greg's parents, Mari explored potential properties in Sag Harbor. However, the combination of pregnancy and travel proved challenging, with Mari experiencing increased fatigue and requiring frequent snacks to maintain her energy levels.
Mari Discusses Plans for a Trip to Europe
Looking ahead to her European travels, Mari plans to visit the South of France and her grandmother in the Cotswolds. She's taking precautions for the long flight, including wearing compression socks and bringing plenty of snacks. Mari is also considering wearing an EMF-blocking bodysuit during the flight, an idea she got from another pregnant woman she follows.
Mari's Changing Body Image and Fitness During Pregnancy
At 15 weeks pregnant, Mari opens up about her struggles with body image as her physique changes. Having lost 90 pounds in 2017 and built a brand around her fitness transformation, she admits feeling uncertain about the rapid changes pregnancy brings. Despite these challenges, Mari maintains a positive outlook by focusing on weightlifting and walking, shifting her priorities from aesthetic goals to maintaining strength for childbirth.
Gender Reveal: Mari's Reflections on a Baby Boy
Mari and Greg recently learned they're expecting a boy, news that excited them both despite choosing not to select the gender during IVF. The revelation came through a private gender reveal at 11 weeks using bouquets. Greg, who always wanted a brother, is particularly thrilled about having a son. Mari shares that the pregnancy has prompted deep reflection about her own childhood and parenting approaches, leading to increased self-compassion and excitement about building a relationship with her son.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can prepare for time zone changes by gradually adjusting your sleep schedule before traveling. Start going to bed and waking up an hour earlier or later each day, depending on the direction of your travel, to minimize jet lag and fatigue.
- Create a personalized travel wellness kit that includes items tailored to your health needs, such as hydrating face masks, electrolyte packets, and natural sleep aids like melatonin, to stay comfortable and energized during long flights.
- Reflect on your personal growth and life experiences when anticipating major life changes, like parenthood, by journaling. Write down your thoughts, feelings, and the values you want to impart, which can help you develop a mindful approach to the transitions ahead.
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Mari's Pregnancy-Related Travels and Experiences
Mari shares her recent travels and experiences as a soon-to-be mother, detailing her trips on the East Coast and upcoming European adventure.
Mari's East Coast Trip: Touring Hamptons Homes
Mari recently visited New York and Long Island to see family and explore the idea of acquiring a property on the East Coast.
Mari and Greg's New York and Long Island Visit For Family and Home Exploration
Returning from a 10-day trip, Mari, accompanied by Greg and their dogs, traveled to the North Fork of Long Island. There, they visited Greg's parents and stayed in a beachside Airbnb, where their dogs enjoyed the water. They found the cooler East Coast weather more preferable for the dogs, especially Lulu, who stays with Greg's parents over the summer.
Fatigue, Snacks, and Breaks During Trip Due to Pregnancy
Touring houses in Sag Harbor, Mari considered the possibility of buying property in the Hamptons but doesn't feel ready for such a move. The challenge of traveling from Austin, with its long flights and drives, was compounded by her pregnancy. She experienced increased fatigue, requiring frequent snacking every couple of hours, especially upon landing in New York. She took several days to settle into a routine and found herself needing extra naps in New York City, due in part to her dog Arnold's early morning wake-up calls.
Mari Discusses Plans for a Trip to Europe
Mari plans to visit the South of France and see her grandmother in the Cotswolds, despite the challenges of traveling while pregnant.
Pregnant M ...
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Mari's Pregnancy-Related Travels and Experiences
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore local real estate opportunities by scheduling a weekend getaway to an area of interest, using the trip to both relax and informally meet with real estate agents or attend open houses.
- This combines the enjoyment of a short vacation with the practical task of property hunting. For example, if you're considering a move to a coastal area, book a stay at a local bed and breakfast and arrange viewings with real estate agents during your visit.
- Create a personalized travel comfort kit that includes items tailored to your specific needs, such as healthy snacks, hydration aids, and travel-sized wellness products.
- This ensures you're prepared for any discomfort or specific needs that may arise during travel. For instance, if you have dietary restrictions, pack a selection of snacks that cater to your needs, or if you're prone to swelling during flights, include compression garments in your kit.
- Research and invest in wearable technology that addresses your health a ...
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Mari's Changing Body Image and Fitness During Pregnancy
Mari Llewellyn opens up about the trials of body image during pregnancy, and how she counters negative feelings with positivity and self-care.
Mari Discusses Body Image Struggles During Pregnancy
Mari finds herself grappling with her body's transformation during her 15-week pregnancy journey. As her physique begins to resemble her pre-weight loss state, she encounters familiar insecurities. This emotional response, triggered by her reflection in the gym mirror, makes her feel as though she has reverted to her past self.
Mari's Weight Loss Journey and Its Impact on Her View of Weight Gain
After shedding 90 pounds in 2017 and building a brand around her fitness and transformation, Mari voices uncertainty over the swift bodily changes that come with pregnancy. Her past weight loss and current weight gain seem at odds, deeply influencing her perception of her pregnant body.
Mari Embraces Positivity and Self-Compassion Around Pregnancy Body Changes
Despite experiencing hormonal effects such as irritability and sadness, Mari strives to view her changing body through a lens of self-compassion. Restrictions on her usual exercise routine, like Pilates, initially disheartened her, but Mari has adjusted to the limitations, continuing to engage in weightlifting and walking.
Mari Recognizes Bodily Changes as a Healthy, Natural Part of Pregnancy
In the face of emotional triggers, Mari consoles herself with the knowledge that her weight gain is both nat ...
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Mari's Changing Body Image and Fitness During Pregnancy
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Create a visual pregnancy journey timeline to celebrate body changes, marking each week with a photo and a positive affirmation about the body's capabilities. This can help you appreciate the natural progression of pregnancy and reinforce a positive body image, similar to how Mari acknowledged her weight gain as a healthy part of pregnancy.
- Start a pregnancy journal to document emotional and physical experiences, including moments of self-compassion and any adjustments to your routine. Writing down your feelings can provide an outlet for hormonal effects and help you recognize patterns in your mood or behavior, fostering a mindset of self-care.
- Engage in a new low-impact exercise class or ...
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Gender Reveal: Mari's Reflections on a Baby Boy
Mari and Greg Learn It's a Boy
Mari and Greg have discovered that they’re expecting a baby boy. Mari, who had a strong intuition and belief that it was a boy based on old wives tales and signs she interpreted, was still shocked when the gender was confirmed. After choosing not to select the gender during IVF to keep an element of surprise, they found out at the 11-week mark through a private gender reveal using bouquets.
Mari Was Surprised and Excited by the Reveal
Despite her intuitive feelings that she was having a boy, the confirmation came as a surprise to Mari. She has embraced the idea of having a son and expresses her contentment and eagerness for the new chapter in her life.
Greg Is Thrilled to Have a Son, as He Always Wanted a Brother
Greg's happiness also shines through, as he has always desired a brother. Mari acknowledges that having a son will be special for Greg, and she feels happy for him, recognizing the unique experiences and life lessons he looks forward to sharing with his son.
Mari Shares Hopes for a Bond With Her Son
Upon r ...
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Gender Reveal: Mari's Reflections on a Baby Boy
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can create a personal journal to document your own life reflections and anticipations for future bonding with a child. Start by writing down your thoughts and feelings about your current life stage, just as Mari reflected on her life and self-compassion. This can include your hopes, fears, and the values you wish to pass on. Over time, this journal can become a cherished keepsake or a guide for personal growth.
- Develop a custom "bonding box" for your future child, similar to how Mari hopes to bond with her son. Gather items that represent your childhood, interests, and parenting philosophies. This could be books you loved, a playlist of songs from your youth, letters you write to your future child, or even a list of life lessons you've learned. The box can serve as a starting point for shared experiences and discussions as ...
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