Ep 53: Movement, Mantras and Motherhood with Erin Stutland

I’m thrilled to share this episode of the Mother’s Quest Podcast with mother, coach, entrepreneur and mind-body wellness expert Erin Stutland. Through her signature Shrink Session workouts and Soul Strolls, which combine principles from dance, yoga, meditation and more, Erin helps over 70,000 people in 155 countries to transform negative thinking into possibility and tap into their own inner strength. 

I bring this episode to you as I participate in Erin’s free five day movement and mantra challenge. I first discovered this challenge three years ago, and ever since, her inspiring videos have become a key part of my morning practice. So, it was surreal in the best way, when I had the opportunity to talk live with Erin about movement, motherhood and her own E.P.I.C. life. 

The ability to embody leadership, to create movement in our bodies and our lives, is the gift that Erin brings to all those she reaches through her products, programs, and soon-to-be-published book Mantras in Motion.

In this conversation, I loved learning about how Erin developed these gifts from an early age, growing up in Chicago where her own mother allowed her the freedom and permission to move, play and pursue her passion for dance. Recently a mother herself, Erin brings this awareness and the gift of movement to her own baby daughter. 

There was a lightness and grounding quality in talking with Erin that I so appreciated, as we explored everything from the lesson she learned about leadership while shepherding goats in Israel to how she brought her whole self and integrity to hosting a reality television show. 

I was grateful to be immersed in Erin’s perspective and challenge this week, which coincided with our mid-term elections in the United States. On election day in particular, I noticed my anxiety rising, and was able to consciously transform Erin’s movement mantra of the morning “This is my time,” to “This is our time,” envisioning the progressive leaders I supported successfully winning their elections. 

That invitation to change my “inner landscape” as Erin calls it, through mantra and movement, made a huge difference in my outlook. A day later as I record this, I’m sitting with mixed feelings about the outcome of the election, but also a determination to move into action. 

I hope after listening today, that you, like me, are inspired by the lessons Erin has shared with us and the gift of her Soul Stroll, to get moving and stay moving toward the change in our lives and in our country that we seek. 

Much appreciation, 

P.S. Know someone who you think would appreciate this episode? Push forward and share this conversation!

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Favorite mantras that Erin and I brought to this episode as our intentions for the conversation.
• The importance of guiding from behind and moving our own egos out of the way when we parent (and what this has to do with goats!)
• The power of MOVEMENT in our lives and the impact of shifting our inner landscapes.
• How using movement can help us be more present for our children.
• Why a body at rest stays at rest, and moving is often the last thing we want to do. But, our lack of desire to get moving is not a reflection of how we’ll feel once we get going.  
• Bringing consciousness to how we invest and care for ourselves and why it’s natural to make different kinds of investments at different times in our lives.
• Erin’s soon to be published book – “Mantras in Motion”
• What to do when you’re feeling stuck, anxious, or depressed
• Erin’s challenge and gift to us to make time for a “Soul Stroll”
• The story I shared with Erin about Jacob and Taekwondo that she says she’ll remember

Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Ep 52: Third Chapters, Raising Adults, and Loving Ourselves with Julie Lythcott-Haims
• Ep 38: Making Space and Finding Rhythm with “Kindie Rock” Star Laurie Berkner
• Ep 51: Equanimity & The Calm In the Storm with Mindful Parent Michelle Gale
• Say It. Sweat It. Get It. Free Five Day Challenge
• The Jacob and Taekwondo Video

This Episode is Dedicated by:

Kari Azuma supports mothers to powerfully design their lives. Check out Kari’s new program – THRESHOLD, an immersive retreat into the depths of womanhood and motherhood to reclaim your power and unleash your highest self.

Threshold

Website

Facebook Business Page

Personal Facebook Page

Instagram

This Week’s Challenge:

For this weeks’ challenge, Erin encourages us to take a Soul Stroll and discover what a 20-minute walk can do to reduce your stress and renew your perspective. You can use this free link to access your special Soul Stroll, led by Erin, with inspiring music and mantras to accompany you.

When you feel like you don’t want to move, just put on your shoes, flip-flops or slippers and take a walk outside your house with no intended destination in mind, only the thought “I’m just gonna go out for a walk”.

Learn More About Erin Stutland:

Erin is a mind-body wellness and fitness expert. She is the host and life-style coach of Z Living’s cable series, Altar’d. Nominated for a Real Screen award alongside Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday, the show returns for its second season this fall.

In January 2019, she is publishing her first book, Mantras in Motion: Manifesting What You Want through Mindful Movement, which explores her proprietary approach to creating meaningful change by harnessing the body’s mental, physical, and spiritual energy through stories, journaling exercises, meditations and movement.

Erin is the creator of several mind-body fitness programs including her signature Shrink Session workout and Soul Strolls and has appeared on The Rachael Ray Show, People.com, Fox News, Glamour Magazine and more.

She currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband Lance and daughter, Kwynn.

Learn more about Erin by visiting these links:

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube Pre-order her new book here

Announcements: Women Podcasters in Solidarity

Tragically, I have now lost count of the number of mass shootings have taken place just in the time since the Women Podcasters in Solidarity selected “gun safety” as the issue we want to shine a light on this season.

Grateful to partner with Cristin Marie and Elsie Escobar on bringing this season of the Initiative to life. It is my deepest hope that through the power of podcasting: the episodes we will record, the conversations we will share with our listeners, and the dollars we will collectively raise toward gun safety causes, will save lives.

Please take a look at Cristin’s post here and say “yes” to the Initiative yourself or help spread the word to reach other podcasters who would want to join.

Mother’s Quest Circle

If you’re on a quest to live an E.P.I.C. life, but you’ve been feeling challenged, isolated, or unsure of the path ahead, the Mother’s Quest Circle may be the source of connection you’re looking for.

The Mother’s Quest Circle provides inspiration, coaching and community for an intimate group of no more than 10 women who are ready to say “yes” to:

Reflect together, in a community of like-minded mothers, on what matters most To consciously live their version (not someone else’s) of an E.P.I.C. life To take bold action toward one of the E.P.I.C. life guideposts before the end of the sessions To hold space for sharing, coaching, and championing one another so we are “in community” on our journey

If you’re looking to end the year strong, now is a great time to make an investment in yourself and what matters most to you. Apply here. Application closes tomorrow!

Say It. Sweat It. Get It. Challenge

Sign up today to come along with me on Erin’s week-long challenge where she will give you super short, easy to follow workouts, that combine movement and mantras, to inspire you, physically, mentally and spiritually. During the challenge, I’ll release an episode on the podcast with Erin to give you insight into her journey and why movement plays such a powerful role in her life.

Acknowledgements:

A big THANK YOU to our “patrons” for helping to bring these conversations to myself and other mothers through financial and/or in-kind support:

Kari Azuma Tamara Sobomehin Katie Krimitsos Carrie Caulfield Arick Rachel Rosen Chandra Brooks Jen Simon Monisha Vasa Celia Ward-Wallace Vanessa Couto Desiree Adaway Rachel Steinman Katie Hanus Denise Barreto  Sage B. Hobbs  Samantha Nolan-Smith Jody Smith Emily Cretella Collette Flanagan Titilayo Tinubu Ali  Carly Magnus Hurt Lizzy Russinko  Suzanne Brown Mara Berns Langer Mallory Schlabach  Katharine Earhart Jessica Kupferman Jen Jenkins Dohner Genese Harris Tonya Rineer Liane Louie-Badua Cristin Downs  Erin Kendall  Niko Osoteo  Erik Newton  Claire Fry Divya Silbermann Rachel Winter Caren and Debbie Lieberman Cameron Miranda Fran and David Lieberman Debbie and Alan Goore The Sustainable Living Podcast

Support the Podcast

If you’d like to make a contribution to Mother’s Quest to support Season Three of the Podcast and/or help provide coaching scholarships for mothers, follow this link to make a contribution.

If you would like to “dedicate” an upcoming episode to a special mother in your life, email me at [email protected]

Mother’s Quest is a podcast for moms who are ready to live a truly E.P.I.C. life.

Join in for intimate conversations with a diverse group of inspiring mothers as they share how they are living an E.P.I.C. life, Engaging mindfully with their children (E), Passionately and Purposefully making a difference beyond their family (P), Investing in themselves (I), and Connecting to a strong support network (C).

Join our community of mothers to light the way and sustain you on your quest at https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersquest/