Today I’m doing something I don’t often do on Your Cup Of Joy, recording solo! I’m opening up about something I’ve never fully shared before: how I found my way back to myself. For years, I believed that being a good mom meant putting myself last. That selflessness somehow made me better. But what I learned the hard way is that losing yourself in motherhood isn’t noble,it’s painful.

I’m sharing what postpartum really looked like for me and how, in the midst of all the rage and anxiety, I lost sight of who I was outside of motherhood. When I finally took a good look in the mirror, I barely recognized the person staring back at me. That moment became a turning point and the start of an intentional journey to reclaim my joy.

I’ll be getting into the shifts and mindset changes that slowly brought me back and helped me move out of survival mode. I’ll touch on how through movement, food, community and choice, I started filling my own cup—not just for me, but for the people I love most. This episode isn’t a weight loss guide (although I will be discussing my weight loss), but it’s a reminder that self-care isn’t selfish. That joy doesn’t arrive all at once, and that even when it feels impossible, you can begin again.

If this episode resonates, I’d love to hear from you. Message me, share your story, or tell me what you’re doing today to fill your own cup. If you’ve been listening to Your Cup of Joy and finding pieces of yourself in these stories, please take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. It truly means so much. Until next time, keep showing up for you. You’re worth it!

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

What happens when a mother of two decides to follow her heart, take a risk, and build a business rooted in connection? In this episode of Your Cup of Joy, I sit down with Pauline Caballero—co-founder of Power Yoga Canada and Power Yoga Collective, author of Pivot: Change Isn't Coming, It's Here, and a woman who has built her life and business around community, discipline, and unapologetic authenticity. From painting studio walls before ever teaching a class, to leading an international yoga collective, Pauline shares how a desire for belonging sparked a movement.

We talk about the tension between ambition and motherhood, the myth of balance, and the power of movement as medicine. Pauline opens up about moments of imposter syndrome, entrepreneurial failures, and the very real work of rebuilding her marriage after stepping away to stay true to herself. She shares the radical self-care practices that anchor her amidst chaos, and how building a business has been one breath, one mistake, and one bold step at a time.

This conversation is an honest reminder that growth is messy, values matter more than the polish, and authenticity isn't a trend—it's a commitment. If your cup feels a little empty lately, consider this your refill!

Connect with Pauline:
Find Pauline’s book: Pivot: Change Isn’t Coming, It’s Here
Instagram: @paulinecaballero
Linkedin
Power Yoga Canada
Power Yoga Collective

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie

In this heartfelt episode of Your Cup of Joy, I’m joined by the incredible Catalina Margulis: book coach, publishing consultant, entrepreneur, and now debut author of the novel Again, Only More Like You. Catalina is also a mother of four and someone who, like many of us, is navigating the tangled beauty of motherhood, self-discovery, and creative ambition all at once. Her new book explores the messy middle of life: two best friends, approaching 40, both wondering if it’s too late to rewrite their stories. It’s a story about falling apart and finding yourself again, with heart, humor, and hope. It’s also one that Catalina wrote in the middle of her own transformation.

Our conversation goes far beyond the book, delving into the real-life struggles that inspired it. We talk about the emotional terrain of raising kids while chasing creative dreams, the guilt that creeps in when you dare to prioritize yourself, and how Catalina found her footing by making peace with imperfection. She shares how small rituals—like morning writing sessions, movement, and prayer—became non-negotiables, not just for her sanity, but as a way to show her kids what it looks like to live with intention.

For anyone wondering if it's too late to begin again, Catalina has a message for you: it’s not. Our timing isn’t wrong, and there’s still room for the dreams we’ve buried under diapers, deadlines, or doubt.

If your cup feels a little fuller after this episode, I’d so appreciate a rating, review, or share as it really supports the show. You can find Catalina and her beautiful new book through the links below. Until next time!

Catalina’s Links:
Website: https://catmargulis.com
Instagram: @catmargulis
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/passion-project-with-cat-margulis/id1507496575

Check out Catalina’s new book: Again, Only More Like You: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Again-Only-More-Like-You/Catalina-Margulis/9781998076536

Ariana's Links:
Website
Instagram: @‌ArianaJoyChristie
@YourCupofJoyPodcast
TikTok: @‌ArianaChristie