The Yoga Pants Podcast

38 - Playing Bigger with Sara Dean

Sara Dean is mindset, business, and leadership coach for moms.  She is also the creator and host of the Shameless Mom Academy Podcast, a top rated podcast with over 3 million downloads. Her biggest passion is helping women own their space. 
After enduring a long infertility journey, and then a full blown identity crises following the birth of her son, Sara took her background in psychology/health/ wellness and rebuilt her identity – one step at a time. Today, Sara motivates and inspires women to stop shrinking and start growing in every aspect of their lives.  She is on a mission to inspire women and moms, in particular, to live bigger, bolder, braver #everydamnday.
Sara has built 3 successful businesses in the last 18 years.  She built and recently sold an award winning gym in Seattle.  Her podcast is a top rated show in iTunes, with listeners in over 140 countries.  She leads a private online community of thousands of Shameless Moms.  In addition to leading her international army of Shameless Moms, Sara coaches other Shameless Mama business owners to build thriving business they truly love.  
Today we talk about what it means to Play Bigger Without Asking for Permission. It's an important topic especially in light of last week's conversation about imposter syndrome. 
Notables:
Women have historically tried to shrink their bodies which carries over to their minds. 
Sara's goal is the opposite; to help women take up space
We ask for permission partly because it has been modeled that way - women have been trained to ask for permission before we allow ourselves to do things
Own your superpower: Be really clear about what we're good at. Say it out loud.
How do you identify your superpower? It's often what we're naturally good at, what feels easy to us. It's okay to pick the easy thing,
Give yourself permission to not be good at everything.
For moms who are raising boys: What do we do to help them support strong girls and women? Sara says, "Model the behavior we want them to see. Help them make space for others' experiences."
To find more Sara Dean, go to Shameless Mom Academy, check out her 4.5 million downloads & going podcast, and join her free Shameless Mom facebook group. 
 

37 - Imposter Syndrome: Stop Feeling Like a Fraud

Skirt Sports deal: Use code POD20 for 20% off
Today we talk about imposter syndrome: What it is, why we suffer from it, how to stop feeling like a fraud and own our true power. 
Notables:
Imposter syndrome is when you doubt your abiities and feel like a fraud
Sarah felt it throughout her career, possibly stemming from the fact that she was told not to shine her light so bright
Nicole did not feel it very often throughout her career: She felt confident and owned her accomplishments. Possibly due to her early sports background instilling confidence and creating a sizable ego :)
When we are in male-dominated worlds, we're breaking barriers, it makes sense that we feel like outsiders
Overcoming imposter syndrome: vulnerability, stop hiding who you are, open the conversation - admit that you feel out of place and own it
Tell us if you have ever experienced imposter syndrome. If yes, how? If no, what do you do to avoid it? 

36 - Face it: Your Expression Has More Power Than You Think

One day Nicole was writing a long text, and her daughter looked up and said, "What's wrong mom? Are you crying?" It turns out Nicole's texting face looks like she's either super sad or has to go to the bathroom! 
Our expressions speak a thousand words - the key is to make sure they're speaking the words you want. Today we talk about how our expressions matter, and how sometimes we have no idea what expression we're actually conveying to others. 
Notables:
Be aware: Think about how the expression on your face may affect others around you.
Listen to feedback: if a theme continues to present itself, it's worth exploring
Check yourself out in the mirror
Put a smile into it: See how smiling changes the energy in the room
And of course Resting Bitch Face was discussed!
Tell us your facial expression stories!
 

35 - Clear Your Life’s Clutter - Tips for Staying Organized

Today we cover one of Sarah's favorite subjects: ORGANIZATION 💪
Organization is a very personal process, but there are some universal tips and tricks that can help everyone. 
Observe yourself and your natural tendencies. If something is collecting clutter, it's not working. When you identify a clutter-collector (I.e. the treadmill, the middle of the counter, a corner of the room), transfer the clutter to the junk drawer. Yes, everyone needs a junk drawer!
Your calendar is your bible. "If it's not on my calendar, I won't be there." If you need multiple calendars, figure out a calendar system that works for you, then use it relentlessly!
Rewrite your to-do lists often. Priorities change, so lists need to reflect those changes. 
What not to do? The sticky-note method of organizing your life. Nicole's tried it. Doesn't work. 
We want to hear from you! What organizational hacks work for you? Please share here, on social or email us at info@skirtsports.com 

34 - Honesty, Imperfection & Connection: The Keys to Your Most Fulfilling Life

Honesty - Imperfection - Connection
How do they fit together and why is it important to nurture and embrace them?
Honesty: Honesty builds trust. Honesty and transparency are friends. Being transparent is important even while you protect yourself and your privacy. 
Imperfection: There is no perfect, yet most of us want to portray an image of perfection, even as we are built on imperfections! When we allow others to see us as the imperfect humans we are, we grant ourselves freedom to be exactly who we are, to stop apologizing and to stop spending time and energy trying to seem perfect. Being imperfect is relatable. Being imperfect is endearing. Let's be clear that by sharing our imperfections we want to make sure that it doesn't tear down our self-esteem.  
Connection: This is what makes the world go round!
Notables:
Sarah shares that she has always struggled with connection because she's so afraid of sharing her imperfections. 
The Bullshit Factor: Everyone has it, it's just a matter of how much. 
How much do we share? Is there a line between being honest and too honest with our imperfections?
Part of the beauty of sharing vulnerable things is to gain comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
If we are perfect, or appear to be perfect, we can avoid criticism. This is valid because criticism is hard to hear!
So our ask for you today is this - Share something that you perceive as an imperfection & see what happens. ❤️
 

33 - Bonks & Burnout: Why Breaks are Non-Negotiable

When do you need a break?
Sometimes the signs are subtle or not even existent until suddenly, without warning you have hit the wall. Unable to function to your full capacity, in work, home or sports, you are now in a position of pulling yourself out of a hole rather than avoiding it in the first place. We call it bonking or burnout, two similar ways to say that you didn't pace yourself properly! In life as in sport, by the time you realize you're thirsty (tired, overworked, etc), you're already dehydrated. 
Today we riff on all things break-related including the below and more:
Give yourself permission: Taking breaks is not lazy or unproductive!
Take small breaks daily
Fitness/workouts/walks count as breaks from work & home
Plan larger breaks to truly "get away" even when you know beforehand that coming back might suck
Introverts & Extroverts handle breaks differently (future topic alert!)
Try to turn your rest into a celebration: do something during rest time that makes you happy 
Our question to you: 
How do you know when it's time for a break & what do you do in your downtime? 
Email us at info@skirtsports.com, post on social media and tag @skirtsports or comment as a review on your podcast app!
 

32 - How do I Know if my Idea is Good?

We all have ideas all the time. Some are worthy of pursuing. Some are worthy of building a business on! But how do we know which ones? Listen to Sarah and Nicole discuss all things IDEA!
Start with your own gut: Does this idea include your passion, your expertise? Is it something you could wake up and do everyday? Does it inspire you?
Having ideas is scary mainly due to the fact that we worry about what other people think, namely that they may think our idea is stupid. 
Take baby steps to put it out in the universe:
Say it out loud to yourself.
Say it out loud to people you trust. 
Say it out loud to people you don't know.
Be open to feedback - this may require developing a thick skin.
Try to remove an emotional attachment to the outcome. 
The true key to knowing if your idea is worth pursuing: TEST AND ADJUST. TEST AND ADJUST. TEST AND ADJUST. 
Finally, it's not really whether your idea is good or not, it's whether the market responds. 
Tell us your idea! Use this podcast as one your first public (or private - email us at info@skirtsports.com) pronouncement of your idea. Get it out into the universe and see what happens!

31 - Building Your Girl Gang - The Importance of Relationships in Biz & Life

It's time to build your girl gang! 
What exactly is a girl gang? It's that network of women who support you, guide you and help you as you move through your career trajectory. 
Today we cover:
Peers: How to find and nurture a peer network as well as the power of connecting with women who do what you do in different organizations
Mentors: These are women who have most likely "gone before you" and have valuable experience and wisdom to impart
Advocates/Champions/Sponsors: Advocates actually help you open doors, get jobs, gain clients, etc. We need to bring other women along with us on our paths to success!
Here's what we want to know: Where are you going to look for the next member of your girl gang? And please - tag some current members when you share this episode & tell them why they are amazing. 
 
 

30 - ”Put it out into the Universe” with Maria Solis Belizaire

Today we hear from community-builder & movement-maker Maria Solis Belizaire. Activist, Speaker and Marathoner, Maria is the Founder and CEO of Latinos Run & Latinas Run, two national organizations that promote running as way to improve physical and mental health of the Latino community.
As a child, Maria was actively involved in athletics, but as she entered her teens, life would take a turn for the worse when her mother became incarcerated. As a way to deal with adversity, Maria turned to running and became a member of her high school track team. Years later, her twin sister invited her to take part in a local fun run which became the first organized race she would enter. Soon after Maria would be introduced to an Ultra Marathoner who encouraged her to join their local NYRR’s club with a goal of completing her 1st NYC Marathon.
From that day on, running became a life changing experience for her. After participating in countless races across the United Sates including six marathons with family and friends, Maria began to think about the impact health had not only on herself but others in her community. Having lost her mother and friends from cancer and other heath issues including obesity and heart disease, she knew she had to do more.
In 2016, unable to find a group that catered specifically to Latinos, she decided to take action and form the running group Latinos Run in honor of her late mother Miriam Calderon Solis. Soon after she would form a sister group Latinas Run which focuses on Latina Women.
Throughout the year, Maria travels extensively throughout the United States to meet other Runners and empower Latinos to lace up and get Running. She is also a frequent lecturer and a powerful voice for the underserved in her community.
Today we talk about the power of finding purpose in your passion, and harnessing that passion into a business that helps others.
Things we talk about:
When work is your passion, it doesn't feel like work.
Collaboration is key - "I don't know everything."
Have a vision. Write it down. Don't be afraid to do it. 
Why safe spaces are important.
The concept of Unity runs
Where to find Maria:
LatinasRunClub.comInstagram: @LatinasRunOfficialFacebook.com/LatinasRunOfficialTwitter: @LatinasRun_Check out our other club https://www.latinosrun.com
FINALLY - leave us a note about something you want to put out into the universe or something you did put out into the universe and how that turned out for you!

28 - What the Heck is Human Design with Joy Instigator Kelsey Abbott

Join us with special guest Kelsey Abbott. Kelsey is a Human Design reader. What the Heck is Human Design? It's a special blueprint unique to each of us, based on the moment and location that our body was born into this world. It provides insights into our greater purpose, the things that we were meant to do. And it provides even more insights into why certain things are so darn hard for us! Listen to Kelsey share insights into Sarah's unique Human Design as we go down lots of detours and rabbit holes.
You can find Kelsey at kelseyabbott.com & her Find Your Awesome Podcast!
You can also hang with Kelsey at the upcoming beYOUtiful Summit on Sat, Oct 23rd. Her talk is titled "How to transform your inner critic from a cranky bodyguard into your biggest cheerleader." Don't miss it! Use code KELSEY20 for $20 off here.