Ep 38 - Maintaining Your Sense of Self Alongside Motherhood with Samantha Gash

In this episode, Jen talks to Samantha Gash, Samantha is known for her outstanding accomplishments, including running across India, completing the 4 Deserts Grand Slam, and undertaking a self-supported 50-day traverse of Nepal's Great Himalaya Trail, raising much-needed funds for World Vision to support women and girls in Nepal. 

Sam is also the owner and creator of Her Trails; a vibrant global community that celebrates and empowers women in their pursuit of adventure and self-discovery. It is a place where women come together, in person or online, to embrace the freedom of the trail, connect with nature, and unlock their true potential.

Jen invited Sam onto The MumSafe Movement Podcast because she is a mum herself and is always navigating the world of motherhood alongside her business and personal endeavours.  She is a huge advocate for women showing up as themselves, understanding their self worth and being bold enough to both take up space and take time out to nurture and grow as an individual as well as being a mother - knowing this can look different depending on the season of mother hood you are in.

In this episode Jen and Samantha discuss the following key topics:

• Challenges women have in business amplified by gender biases.
• The seasons of life; motherhood and personal growth. Honour the season you are in
• Letting go of comparison
• Endurance sports can teach valuable lessons about resilience, pushing through limitations, and redefining what is possible.
• Being a mother is just one aspect of a woman's identity, and the importance of having other passions and goals.
• The value of a supportive community of like-minded women
• Traveling for work with a child can be challenging, but it is possible with proper planning and support.
• The need for more flexibility and understanding in the workplace to accommodate working mums.
• Being authentic and true to oneself is liberating and allows for more meaningful connections with others.
• Open conversations about pregnancy, postpartum, peri menopause, and menopause are essential in creating supportive work environments.
• Self-care is crucial for mums and should be prioritised to maintain physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 
• Don't let external and internal pressures hold you back from pursuing your goals.
• Self-care is crucial, and it's important to advocate for your own well-being.
• Women need to support and uplift each other in order to create more opportunities and equality.
• Adventures and bonding experiences with children can be transformative and empowering for both mothers and children.

To connect with Samantha further you can find her here on Instagram and via her website here.

At the start of this episode we mentioned our on-demand masterclass - Beyond her 6-week check-up which you can grab right here.

If you are a mum listening to this episode and want to work with a mum-specific Personal Trainer or in a mum group fitness environment head to www.mumsafemovement.com 

If you are a coach, trainer or instructor who would like to learn more about becoming a MumSafe Trainer visit www.jendugard.com/mumsafetrainer

And if you would like to complete your pre and postnatal certification go to https://www.preandpostnatalexerciseacademy.com/safereturntoexercise

Please direct all questions either to jen@mumsafe.com.au or into Jen's DM's over on Instagram