Last updated on September 23, 2020
This mother is bold, joyful and has learned through her share of dark moments that ‘through following her heart’s nudges, she got out of her own way and became fully alive.
I don’t have the option to quit, I don’t have the option to not show up.
Jessica Janzen
Joy is not a feeling, it’s a mindset.
Jessica radiates joy in every sense of the word, for her there is more to just saying I want to live joyfully and happily, it’s a mindset. She shares how she turned her mindset by changing her perception of what was happening around her and to family. This mama is not alone, if you feel like you feel stuck or could benefit from living a little more boldly, unapolegically and with fun then today’s guest has got some ….stop being a people pleaser and just follow those heart nudges that you feel but are sometimes ignoring out of embarassement, fear or insecurity.
Move Your Body Everyday
Can you lift your arm? Do it. Can you walk to the fridge…yes? Well, you are damn amazing today and better appreciate what your body can do and still does today. Jessica has seen and knows her share of kids and some adults that don’t have this luxury. So she states it loud and clear that you should be moving your body and moving it (not just to get to work or the grocery store) but moving it in ways that makes you joyful and excited and laugh and just truly happy to get to feel it moving.
Why you should be thrilled that you’re kids are loud and messy
What? Yes, I get it mom…well if you’re a mom you must have rolled your eyes and thought….oh the mess my kids can do in less than 5 minutes…yep, you didn’t know ‘home tornadoes’ was a thing until you had toddlers right…hehe
Well, let’s get emotional for a second…what’s the worst thing that could happen being a mom….if you’re like most of us then probably losing/death of a child is one of the top ‘i pray it never happens’ mom life moment. So not everyone get’s that golden ticket while they are moms, and life gets real challenging for some of us moms. Jessica is one of them, her son Lewiston died in 2016, just shy of turning 6 months old, from a rare form of disease called SMA ….aka Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Clearly, that put everything in perspective for her and unlike going down the deep dark hole one can easily choose after losing a family member/child, she choose to use this to catapult her on a path to save other babies and children since she couldn’t save her own (there was no cure at the time for this disease). Hence, the Lewiston Foundation was born and since then her message has been strong and joyful and purpose-driven….help advance research for this type of disease through her philanthropic efforts and awareness to the cause.
So stop feeling bad for yourself …if you are.
So complaining about your kids…if you are.
Stop ignoring what your heart itches you forward…there is and never will a right time to do what you want to do. Just do it. Start taking baby steps daily. …and move that beautiful body of yours however you choose to describe it…it doesn’t matter at all.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE!
Apple Podcasts (leave a review HERE) / Spotify / Stitcher / Soundcloud
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
0-4:50 Intro
4:50 A glimpse into Jessica Janzen’s Story
8:15 Joy as a mindset
10:50 Habits that helped her cultivate a joyful mindset
12:20 Learning to use ‘joy starters’
14:00 How following those nudges can change your life.
16:40 How to be confident in following those nudges
18:50 Tips on keeping your relationship strong after having kids
23:23 Body Love, Body Positivity for Mothers & Not caring about other people’s opinions
27:30 Celebrate your body & celebrate movement
29:55 How she is giving back to the cause which took her son’s life – SMA Disease
33:00 The Lewiston Foundation
35:30 Pushing to get newborns tested in Canada for the SMA disease
37:50 Being parents carriers of the SMA gene & should every couple get tested for genetic compatibility.
40:40 raising compassionate kids
43:40 How she found the strength during her son’s diagnosis & hospital stay
47:10 One thing to do after someone you know experiences loss.
49:45 Jessica’s message to ALL mothers and parents.
52:55 What you can say to a mother that has lost her child or has a child that’s terminally ill.
53:45 Get to know Jessica through this fun Freshly Squeezed Questionnaire!
57:15 You can connect with Jessica this way…
58:15 The LAST Question how to keep her mom journey inspired
Connect With Our Guest:
Ressources Mentioned In This Episode:
- Book: Jessica Janzen ‘bring the joy’
- DONATE – Lewiston Foundation to help babies & kids with SMA Disease
- Dr. Caroline Leaf
***Show your support. Sharing Is Caring. Send this episode or website page to a mother or a mother to be you know.***
It’s important to share your thoughts and ideas directly in the comments. We all need each other to thrive as mothers and parents in this lifelong journey. Share your love, frustrations, favorite takeaways and stories in a respectful way.
Christiane xxx
