Ep. 197: On this episode of Pursuit of Wellness, I’m joined by Samantha Christine (SAMCFIT), a certified nutrition coach and the host of The Empower Podcast. We talk through her journey from a hospital birth that didn’t go as planned to a powerful, peaceful home birth years later. Sam shares what it took to rebuild her life after divorce, how she learned to advocate for herself in pregnancy, and the silent struggle she faced in those first weeks as a new mom. This episode is raw and full of wisdom for anyone navigating motherhood or major life transitions. Leave Me a Message - click here! For Mari’s Instagram click here! For Pursuit of Wellness Podcast’s Instagram click here! For Mari’s Newsletter click here! For Sam’s Instagram click here! Sponsored By: Transform your bedtime routine with Cozy Earth. Get 40% off at http://cozyearth.com using code PURSUIT at checkout. Hungryroot makes healthy eating easy! Get 40% off your first box + a free item for life at hungryroot.com/POW with code POW. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at http://betterhelp.com/POW and get on your way to being your best self. Build your dream brand with Shopify. Start selling today at http://shopify.com/mari. It’s never been easier to get started. Bake-from-frozen sourdough, pasta & pastries — ready in 25 minutes. Visit http://wildgrain.com/POW for $30 off your first box + free croissants in every box. Sleep smarter with Autopilot by Eight Sleep. Get $350 off Pod 4 Ultra at http://eightsleep.com/pow with code POW. Show Links: Train with Sam & explore her programs at https://samcfit.com/ Support gut health, immunity & glowing skin with Colostrum & Collagen Peptides, Bloom’s 3-in-1 formula with probiotics. Topics Discussed 00:10 - Welcome & guest introduction 02:10 - Balancing motherhood, career & fitness 03:48 - Experience of her first (hospital) birth 05:11 - Why she chose home birth for her second 06:45 - How doulas support & empower birth choices 09:30 - Switching from birth center to home birth & choosing a midwife 12:07 - Preparing for unmedicated birth 16:04 - Sam’s experience of home birth 19:28 - Pain vs pressure & intuitive delivery 23:00 - Handling judgment around home birth 24:01 - Mari’s birth planning: holistic vs hospital 25:19 - Postpartum anxiety, support & communicating needs 33:55 - Prenatal perineal massage 35:35 - Pressure to “bounce back” 37:20 - Breastfeeding & body changes 38:11 - Working out after birth: realistic timelines 40:25 - High Rocks & endurance sports 47:14 - Building a blended family with Ian 52:38 - Time-blocking & daily structure 52:50 - Fitness for kids 55:39 - Healthy eating for kids