The Executive Coach for Moms Podcast

In observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Leanna welcomes back Kami Wernimont, founder and president of Let the Light In, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and families through loss. Kami shares how her organization has grown and evolved over the past two years, offering one-on-one companion support, community events, and new initiatives for siblings and families. Together, Leanna and Kami explore what it truly means to take care of yourself in grief, how to find comfort in the uncomfortable, and why strength often looks more like gentleness, rest, and honesty than pushing through pain. This episode is a tender reminder that healing isn't about moving on – it's about learning to walk with grief – and that none of us have to walk it alone. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/123]. Re-visit episode 17 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/let-the-light-in-with-kami-wernimont/] to hear Kami's story. Re-visit episode 62 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/62] for last year's update and to hear the lessons Kami shared about supporting others while maintaining her own self-care and quality time with her children. If you're moved to support the important work of Let the Light In, please donate here [https://www.ltli.org/donate]. Connect with Kami and learn more about Let the Light In here [https://www.ltli.org/]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/].

In this episode, Leanna shares one of the simplest yet most transformative practices she recommends to every client: journaling. If your mind feels constantly full and your days seem to blur together, this episode will help you reclaim a sense of calm, clarity, and intention. Leanna walks through the top five journaling prompts she personally uses and teaches and explains how each one can help you feel more grounded, confident, and present in both your work and home life. Whether you've never journaled before or you've fallen out of the habit, this conversation will inspire you to take just a few minutes a day to connect with yourself and lead your life more intentionally. For a client's testimonial of the value of journaling, re-visit Episode 99 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/99], How Executive Coaching Helped Me Rebuild Confidence and Redefine Success After Motherhood: Angela's Story. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/122]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 2025. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

In this sixth episode of the Taking Care of Yourself series, Leanna gets personal about the resistance so many working and executive moms feel when it comes to making positive changes in their lives. Even when we know what we need to do to feel better, our brains often keep us stuck in old patterns, convincing us it's too hard, won't make a difference, or that we'll fail if we can't do it perfectly. Leanna explores why that happens, how to recognize the thought errors that hold us back, and what it looks like to move forward with small, meaningful steps instead of waiting for the "perfect" moment. If you've ever felt like taking care of yourself is just one more impossible thing on your to-do list, this episode will remind you that change doesn't have to be all-or-nothing, and that even 1% shifts can create lasting transformation. Catch up on the Taking Care of Yourself series [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/taking-care-of-yourself-series/]: #1 The Mindset Shifts Every Executive Mom Needs to Balance Ambition and Well-Being [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/116] #2 Empowering Executive Moms to Recognize Your Own Needs Without Guilt [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/117] #3 Burnout as Betrayal: Breaking Free from People Pleasing and Perfectionism to Reclaim Your Energy - with Lora Cheadle [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/118] #4 Advocating for Your Needs at Work and at Home  [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/119] #5 Reclaiming Your Energy and Connection Through Science-Based Nervous System Healing - with Melissa Romano [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/120] Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/121]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 2025. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

In this episode, Leanna sits down with licensed social worker and integrative somatic therapist Melissa Romano, author of the Vagus Nerve Deck, and creator of Connected Healing. Together they explore how high-achieving women can break free from living in constant "protection mode" and step into intentional, empowered living. Melissa shares her journey from chronic pain and stress to nervous system healing, and offers practical tools to help working mothers regulate emotions, increase resilience, and feel more connected to themselves and their families. If you've ever felt like you're doing it all but running on empty, this conversation will give you a grounded, science-backed approach to redefining self-care, so you can lead with presence, balance, and energy both at work and at home. Follow @reclaimingmelissa on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@reclaimingmelissa?lang=en], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/reclaimingmelissa/?hl=en], Facebook [https://m.facebook.com/reclaimingmelissa/mentions/], and YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzewlp3k0y4fJogGr_t9zgw]. Find her Vagus Nerve Deck on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Vagus-Nerve-Deck-Exercises-Nervous/dp/059368995X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=TJWJY008W89F&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Gjjy006sXVytHKN_2d3M9HOsBnDq4Fr272yZJuzBqFqIPXfdxfDvecyOD0JgFOt6okUsrvp1kSqWBA-WfA9Z_XcwMR-yuOg8lxRSwAZUteV2hTDdPCO0DmkEYykGeHU26GR0NJvGO8aA9c5p4Ri6reIPfFdheSaB40LMGri0XpDN_E1P_tOjr1LuSyshAzNzzNdP0DwZy1nNBCiAU5I7NvDPc2Mm51QilV77vodCTBA.Fhoa7qNDyqhRKpmLW1I-XF_gJdblJKz9Xc26y9-CM-s&dib_tag=se&keywords=vagus+nerve+deck&qid=1757428459&sprefix=vagus+nerve%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-1]. Visit her website at reclaiminghealthy.com [http://reclaiminghealthy.com/] to find more about her signature program, Connected Healing [https://www.reclaiminghealthy.com/connected-healing-somatic-self], as well as her other offerings such as one-on-one and live group coaching, retreats, live workshops, and more. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/120]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset: Foundations course begins October 21. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

In the fourth episode of the Taking Care of Yourself series, Leanna continues with a focus on how executive moms can confidently advocate for their own needs, both at work and at home. High-achieving leaders often excel at championing others, yet find it difficult to speak up for themselves. Leanna explores the mindset shifts and strategies that make it possible to identify, communicate, and honor personal needs without guilt. She highlights why meeting those needs is not selfish but essential for effective leadership, sustainable success, and thriving both professionally and personally. If asking for more support, flexibility, or space feels uncomfortable, this episode offers practical tools to start building that confidence. Catch up on the Taking Care of Yourself series [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/taking-care-of-yourself-series/]: #1 The Mindset Shifts Every Executive Mom Needs to Balance Ambition and Well-Being [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/116] #2 Empowering Executive Moms to Recognize Your Own Needs Without Guilt [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/117] #3 Burnout as Betrayal: Breaking Free from People Pleasing and Perfectionism to Reclaim Your Energy - with Lora Cheadle [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/118] Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/119]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 21. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

What if burnout isn't just exhaustion, but a form of betrayal? In this episode, attorney-turned-coach and TEDx speaker, Lora Cheadle, shares how years of people pleasing, perfectionism, and prioritizing everyone else's needs over her own left her depleted, and how she discovered that the deepest betrayal wasn't her husband's long-term infidelity, but the ways she had abandoned her own needs. Lora reframes burnout as a wake-up call to stop self-sacrificing and start honoring your worth. She offers a powerful framework for identifying unmet needs, moving beyond resentment, and building resilience. This conversation will challenge how you see burnout, and it will inspire you to reclaim your authenticity and self-trust. Get Lora's Betrayal Recovery Guide [http://betrayalrecoveryguide.com/] and learn more about her Betrayal Recovery method on her website [http://www.loracheadle.com/]. Start at the beginning of the journey. Listen to The Mindset Shifts Every Executive Mom Needs to Balance Ambition and Well-Being [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/116], and Empowering Executive Moms to Recognize Your Own Needs Without Guilt [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/117], the first and second episodes of the Taking Care of Yourself series [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/taking-care-of-yourself-series/]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/118]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 21. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

High-achieving working mothers are so attuned to recognizing everyone else's needs at work, at home, and everywhere in between, that we often overlook our own. In this episode of the Taking Care of Yourself series, Leanna explores why tuning into your own needs matters, how ignoring them eventually leads to burnout or resentment, and why recognizing them is the very first step toward balance. She introduces Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a practical framework, shares everyday examples of how unmet needs show up in our behavior, and walks through the RAIN method (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) to help you build awareness without judgment. You'll leave this episode with clarity on how to start small, meet one need at a time, and begin shifting from putting yourself last to honoring your needs with confidence and without guilt. Whether you're leading a team at work, caring for your family, or both, this conversation is a compassionate reminder that meeting your own needs is not selfish; it's the foundation for lasting success and joy, as well as the model we want to be for those who look up to us. Start at the beginning of the journey. Listen to The Mindset Shifts Every Executive Mom Needs to Balance Ambition and Well-Being [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/116], the first episode of the Taking Care of Yourself series [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/taking-care-of-yourself-series/] to uncover why we so often ignore our own needs and how to begin rewriting that story. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/117]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 21. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

In this episode, Leanna kicks off the fall series with the theme Taking Care of Yourself, a deeper, more practical alternative to what's often labeled as "self-care." She explores why so many high-achieving women and busy moms put their own needs last by unpacking five key barriers that keep working mothers from prioritizing their well-being. Leanna reframes each barrier with empowering shifts, reminding working mothers that caring for themselves isn't selfish; it's essential for longevity, resilience, and showing up fully in every area of life. This conversation invites women to recognize their worthiness, challenge old narratives, and begin building a more sustainable rhythm of care to support themselves in order to better support others. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/116]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. Strong leadership starts with strong foundations. The Executive Mom Reset Foundations begins October 21. Join us [https://www.coachleanna.com/foundations] to gain the tools, strategies, and support you need to thrive at work and at home without burning out.

We're closing out the 2025 Summer Series by weaving together the most powerful lessons from the six remarkable women who shared their journeys of leadership, resilience, and motherhood. Their stories highlight that success has many definitions, that motherhood can sharpen rather than limit leadership, and that true strength comes from adaptability, reflection, and alignment with values. Together, their insights remind executive mothers that intentional choices and resilience not only shape careers but also create space for balance and purpose at home. Leanna offers key takeaways designed to inspire professional women to embrace clarity, redefine success, and lead with confidence. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/115]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/] and share your takeaways from the 2025 Summer Series! If you missed any of the conversations in the Summer Series [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/categories/2025-summer-series/], now is the perfect time to revisit them. Each episode offers unique strategies and inspiration that build toward the takeaways Leanna shared here. Dr. Lesley Robinson Ep 102 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/102]: Leading with Purpose: Charting Your Own Course as a High-Achieving Woman Ep 103 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/103]: Leading with Impact: Values Based Leadership and Growth Mindset for Working Mothers Dina Silver Pokedoff Ep 104 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/104]: Navigating the Unexpected: Career Pivoting, Fertility Journeys, and Redefining Success Ep 105 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/105]: Navigating Working Motherhood: Leadership, Self-Care, and Sustainable Ambition Sarah Brelowski Ep 107 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/107]: Becoming Strong: From Career Burnout to Alignment, Fulfillment, and Self-Defined Success Ep 108 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/108]: Sustaining Strong: How Strength Training Empowers Women with Self Confidence, Resilience, and Mental Wellbeing Erica Willie Ep 109 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/109]: The High Achiever's First Superpower: Outwork Everyone and Succeed Through Work Ethic Ep 110 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/110]: Embracing Motherhood as a Superpower and Building a Values Aligned Legacy Ashley Chang Ep 111 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/111]: From Doing It All to Doing What Matters: Redefining Work-Life Balance in Working Motherhood Ep 112 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/112]: You Don't Have to Do It All: Delegation Strategies and Support Systems for Working Moms Kiran Reddy Ep 113 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/113]: Grounded in Purpose: Aligning Career, Service, and Becoming a Mother Ep 114 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/114]: Grounded in Resilience: Growing Through Adversity and Change in Relationships, Career, and Motherhood If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In the final episode of the summer series, Leanna continues her conversation with Kiran Reddy, entrepreneur, attorney, mom, and founder of Reddy Consulting, as she reflects on four transformative years marked by motherhood, turning 40, separation and divorce, two layoffs, and the challenges and lessons of rebuilding her identity. Kiran shares candidly about the shift from survival mode to redefining balance, and how motherhood taught her the importance of putting her own needs first in order to care for her son. She opens up about navigating the grief and uncertainty of uncoupling after an 18-year relationship, the role of therapy and solitude in her personal growth, and the practical tools like her "four buckets" framework that helped her stay grounded through constant change. The conversation also touches on the realities of layoffs, resilience in career transitions, and learning to live more in the present rather than clinging to rigid long-term goals. Kiran offers wisdom on co-parenting with compassion and intention, and how she has found new strength and purpose through adversity. Her story is a powerful reminder that growth, clarity, and self-discovery are possible even in our toughest seasons. If you missed Part 1 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/113], listen now for the full arc of Kiran's inspiring journey. Connect with Kiran here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-reddy-huggins/]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/114]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

If you're navigating the transition to preschool with a little one, this is the episode to listen to! In it, I interview my daughter about why it was hard for her and what helped the most, and I share our process for making the preschool transition work. This episode will give you some ideas and approaches to try out and find what works for your kiddo.

In part one of this inspiring two part episode, Leanna is joined by Kiran Reddy, attorney, mom, volunteer, and founder of Reddy Consulting. Kiran shares how she built a thriving consulting business, found meaning through volunteer work in prison reform, and embraced the lessons of saying no, prioritizing, and creating space for what matters most. She also opens up about her fertility journey and the powerful experience (and fun story!) that brought her son into the world. Through it all, Kiran's story highlights the power of resilience, service, and staying rooted in purpose while balancing the many layers of work and family life. Kiran's story is a reminder that purpose and growth often come from unexpected places. Tune in to Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/114], available August 28, to hear how Kiran navigated uncoupling, coparenting, career shifts, and the ongoing work of redefining her life. Connect with Kiran here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-reddy-huggins/]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/113]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In Part 2 of Leanna's conversation with Ashley Chang, CEO of Sundays, Ashley shares how she channeled what she learned about women in the workplace into action by founding Sundays, a company designed to meet the needs of high achieving moms. For executive moms considering what's next, whether a new role, a new rhythm, or a bigger leap, this conversation is full of practical wisdom. Ashley shares how motherhood pushed her to make more deliberate decisions about her time, her values, and the kind of support she wanted to create through Sundays. For working moms used to running on autopilot, Ashley's story offers the powerful reminder that alignment and ambition don't have to be at odds. This episode invites you to pause, reflect on your priorities, and make intentional choices that align your time with what matters most. Learn more about Sundays [https://withsundays.com/about-us] and their mission to accelerate parents in their careers, while creating more quality family time, by following on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-sundays/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/with_sundays/]. To hear more about Ashley's inspiring journey and the leadership lessons that shaped her, go back and listen to Part 1 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/111]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/112]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In part 1 of this two-part conversation, Leanna sits down with Ashley Chang, Founder & CEO of Sundays and new mom, to explore how the experience of Ashley's own mom inspired her mission to support working mothers. They reflect on how their similar upbringings, from being the eldest of three daughters to growing up with stay-at-home moms and entrepreneur dads, may have shaped their drive as high achievers. Long before becoming a mom herself, Ashley was already focused on the unique challenges working mothers face. As a former product leader in tech, Ashley is skilled at solving problems at scale, yet motherhood brought new questions around balance, capacity, and meaningful support. Leanna and Ashley discuss the challenges of living up to high expectations set by their parents, and Ashley reflects on how she's learning to set realistic goals, delegate effectively, and prioritize quality time with her baby while staying focused at work. Learn more about Sundays [https://withsundays.com/about-us] and their mission to accelerate parents in their careers, while creating more quality family time, by following on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/with-sundays/] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/with_sundays/]. Don't miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/112], available August 14, where Ashley shares more about her inspiring journey and the leadership lessons that shaped her. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/111]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In Part 2 of this two-part conversation, Leanna continues the discussion with Erica Willie, founder of The ScienceSIS Foundation, sales leader, tech strategist, and mom of three, to explore what it means to fully embrace motherhood, not as a detour from ambition, but as a superpower. Erica shares how she chose to lean into her evolving identity, let go of outdated definitions of success, and ask the deeper question: What is the legacy I want to leave? This episode offers practical insight and encouragement for high-achieving women redefining their impact in both career and life. If you haven't yet, go back to episode 109 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/109] to hear Part 1 of Erica's powerful journey from her early interest in STEAM to a career in tech, then enterprise sales, and into the early challenges of motherhood. Connect with Erica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericawillie/], and find out more about her nonprofit, The ScienceSIS Foundation [http://www.thesciencesisfoundation.org/], on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thesciencesis/reels/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theScienceSIS/]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/110]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Leanna is joined by Erica Willie, a lifelong high achiever whose path spans tech strategy, corporate sales at firms like IBM and HubSpot, and nonprofit leadership, all while raising three children. With degrees in computer science and instructional design, Erica reflects on how her identity as a competitive student and driven professional shaped her early success, and how motherhood challenged her to reconsider her pace, purpose, and definition of achievement. This candid conversation explores the tension many ambitious women face when their career trajectory intersects with parenthood, and how they can sustain high performance while embracing personal transformation. Don't miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/110], available July 31, where Erica reveals how she reframed motherhood as a superpower and began building a legacy aligned with her evolving purpose. Connect with Erica on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericawillie/], and find out more about her nonprofit, The ScienceSIS Foundation [http://www.thesciencesisfoundation.org/], on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thesciencesis/reels/] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/theScienceSIS/]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/109]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In Part 2 of Leanna's conversation with certified personal trainer, consultant, and mom Sarah Brelowski, they dive into the transformative power of strength training for women, especially women over 40. Sarah's goal is clear: to help women feel empowered, confident, and strong in the gym and in life. Sarah breaks down the science and mindset behind strength training, and why it's especially important for women navigating busy lives, hormonal changes, and shifting definitions of health. From lifting heavy to prevent bone loss, to building functional strength that makes everyday life easier, Sarah makes a compelling case that the weight room isn't just for bodybuilders, it's for all of us. More than a conversation about fitness, this episode is about empowering women and moms to take up space, prioritize their health, and reframe strength as a tool for lifelong resilience. If you missed Part 1, be sure to catch Sarah's inspiring career journey and how she redefined success on her path to personal and professional fulfillment in episode 107 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/107]. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/108]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

In Part 1 of this powerful two-part series, Leanna sits down with Sarah Brelowski, personal trainer, consultant, mom, and former corporate professional, for an honest conversation about personal transformation. Sarah opens up about her path from collegiate athlete to Big Four auditor, and how a high-pressure corporate career left her burned out, stressed, and out of alignment with herself. She shares how leaving her job and letting go of others' definitions of success ultimately helped her heal, find joy, and become a mother after a long fertility struggle. This episode is a deep dive into self-discovery, self-love, and the courage to rewrite the script that's often written for us by others. Sarah reflects on the journey of rebuilding her life by her own rules, the lessons she learned from divorce, and how strength training became her anchor through it all. Don't miss Part 2 [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/108], available July 17, where Sarah dives deeper into her fitness philosophy and how strength training can transform more than just your body. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/107]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review the show to help more women find these empowering stories!

It's July already! How did that happen? In this mid-summer episode, Leanna's taking a break from the summer interview series to check in and reflect on what this season has looked and felt like so far. She shares how she intentionally restructured her summer to allow more time with her daughter (while still studying for a major coaching exam, taking an online course, training for a triathlon, and taking an improv class for fun!), and why presence has become a central theme lately. You'll hear about: * Why summer can feel especially hard for working moms * The myth of being "100% present, 100% of the time" * What she learned about presence from improv * How Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps explain the inner pressure to always be doing more * Simple ways to ground yourself and come back to the moment This is your gentle mid-summer reminder that presence is a gift, perfection isn't the goal, and it's okay to take a breath and just be where you are.

In Part 2 of this inspiring conversation, Leanna continues the heartfelt exchange with senior communications executive, mom, and stepmom, Dina Silver Pokedoff. Dina shares how she's learned to navigate the complex realities of career and motherhood, offering an honest, empowering look at what it means to lead with authenticity—both at work and at home. From delegating household tasks to prioritizing health and wellness, Dina opens up about what it takes to stay grounded, resilient, and present for what matters most: * How to shift from perfectionism to presence, while giving yourself grace along the way * Why delegating isn't a weakness, but a leadership skill both at home and in the office * The importance of prioritizing self-care as a foundation for long-term success and modeling it for your children * Strategies for managing the mental load and staying focused on high-value tasks * How setbacks, like a layoff or injury, can be powerful opportunities to reframe goals and priorities A must-listen for any executive mom seeking sustainable success, clarity, and fulfillment in life through intentional leadership and self-compassion. If you missed Part 1, start with Episode 104 to hear Dina's powerful three decade journey of career pivots, fertility challenges, and how she redefined success on her own terms. Then come back for this practical, honest look at how she balances executive leadership, motherhood, and personal well-being with grace and grit. Full transcript available here [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/105]. Connect with Leanna here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannalaskey/]. If you're ready for deeper transformation, check out The Executive Mom Reset [https://podcast.coachleanna.com/introducing-the-executive-mom-reset/]; Leanna's six-month coaching program designed to help ambitious moms stop merely surviving and start thriving. Book a consult now! [https://calendly.com/coachleanna/exploratory-session-with-leanna-laskey-mcgrath?month=2025-03] Be sure to follow, rate, and review the show. It helps more working moms and women leaders find this conversation!