Episode #27: Finding Freedom in Fitness & Hair: A Personal Journey

In this episode of "A Soulful Mom's Wisdom," Africa shares her personal journey of balancing fitness and hair care as a Black woman. Reflecting on her early college days, she opens up about the challenges she faced in maintaining her hair while pursuing a consistent workout routine. Africa discusses how traditional hair care routines like perms, blow-drying, and straightening became unsustainable, pushing her to make the switch to wearing her hair natural. She shares insights on how this shift has not only simplified her hair care routine but also empowered her fitness journey.

Tune in to hear about the intersection of fitness, wellness, and hair care, and how embracing her natural hair has allowed Africa to fully step into her wellness journey with confidence.

Highlights:

• The intersection of hair care and fitness for Black women.
• Why Africa’s decision to go natural transformed both her fitness and hair routine.
• How embracing natural hair can create more space for self-care and fitness.
• Encouragement for Black women to wear their hair however they choose without fear of societal expectations.

Make sure you explore more health & wellness tips, as well sign up for personal coaching, by visiting my website liveafricao.com!

You can also visit me on Instagram!

Please, be sure to rate and review this podcast today.
You are greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Episode #26: Empowering Through Fitness - Uncovering the Truth Behind Body Goals

Welcome to another episode of A Soulful Mom’s Wisdom!
This is episode 26, and we're diving into empowering through fitness and uncovering the truth behind body goals.

Special Announcements/Promotions:
We are in a new season, season 4!

• I have some exciting freebies coming up that will help reset your mindset and empower you to make healthier choices for your well-being.
  • Free workout video featuring some of my favorite moves, including abs and glutes.
• Stay tuned this season to learn more about these freebies and how they can support you!

Something Nourishing My Body and Soul Lately: My Kindle
Here’s why:
It’s small, lightweight, and slim, making it easy to carry around.

• It has an adjustable reading light for any environment.
• I can easily look up definitions, highlight passages, and take notes right on the device.
• It tracks your reading progress and auto-bookmarks where you left off, which has made it a perfect companion for winding down before sleep.
  Books are truly great for many reasons, and I’ll share more in a future episode, but for now, my Kindle has been the perfect transition into a deep sleep.
  
  

Main Segment of the Show

Theme for the Month:
Empowering Through Fitness

Each season consists of two months, and each month has its own theme. For this episode, we’re discussing body goals and the truth behind them, especially as it relates to holistic wellness.

Key Quote of the Month:
"There's nothing wrong with desiring certain external physical goals, but the primary focus when exercising should be to improve your internal health."
— AfricaO

I’ll share how this has positively impacted my life and how shifting my mindset from aesthetic goals to internal health made all the difference.

My Fitness Journey:
I started my fitness journey back in high school, initially motivated by societal pressures and the desire to meet specific beauty standards. Growing up, I felt the influence of body image perceptions, especially within the Black community, where certain body types—like curvy or pear-shaped frames—were emphasized.

Early Fitness Experiences:

• I admired fit, sculpted physiques but didn’t quite understand how to achieve my goals.
• Eventually, I realized I was falling for the spot-reduction myth and unhealthy fast food habits. I was exercising inconsistently, and my mindset wasn’t in the right place.

College Struggles:

• I faced the “Freshman 15” and struggled to balance school, work, and fitness.

The Turning Point:

Things changed when I dove deeper into my education in Health Science and Nutrition. I learned about the importance of eating whole, unprocessed foods and exercising for my internal health rather than for external goals.

Mindset Shift:
My approach to fitness transformed when I stopped focusing on aesthetics and started thinking about long-term health. My dad’s health journey was also a significant inspiration.

Truth About Body Goals:
There’s no quick fix when it comes to fitness. Fad diets, boot camps, and extreme workout plans aren’t sustainable.

Key Takeaways:
If yo

Make sure you explore more health & wellness tips, as well sign up for personal coaching, by visiting my website liveafricao.com!

You can also visit me on Instagram!

Please, be sure to rate and review this podcast today.
You are greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

Episode Summary:

Welcome to another inspiring episode of A Soulful Mom’s Wisdom! We’re kicking off Season 4 with a focus on empowerment through fitness and wellness. In this episode, Africa O. dives deep into the importance of staying true to your core values and how movement plays a pivotal role in mental and physical well-being. From childhood memories of dance to the present-day joy of running, Africa shares her personal journey of how staying connected to her values enriches her life.

Special Announcements & Promotions:

• Season 4 Launch: We are officially in Season 4! 🎉
• Freebies Coming Soon:
  • Mindset Reset Guide: Empower yourself to make better choices for your health and well-being by joining my upcoming webinar, ‘Building Lifelong Wellness Habits’.
  • Free Workout: A special anouncement will be made on how to get access to some of Africa's favorite workout moves to keep you motivated and energized!

Main Segment:

Theme of the Month: Empowering Through Fitness

• This Week’s Focus:
  • Who Are You at the Core? Explore what you pay the most attention to, when you feel most fulfilled, and what makes you feel alive. Africa guides you in identifying your top 3 values.
  • Quote of the Day: "Staying true to your values enriches your life." - Africa O.
  • Why Values Matter: Africa explains how well-being is among her top values and how movement directly supports this.
  • Personal Journey: From dancing as a child to running today, Africa shares how movement has always been central to her life and well-being.
  • Science-Backed Benefits: According to the NIH, movement has a significant impact on physical and mental health, body image, sleep, resilience, and social connections.

Key Takeaways:

• Movement as a Value: Learn how movement can be a core value that supports your overall well-being.
• Intentional Living: Prioritize activities that align with your values to enhance your daily life.
• Benefits of Movement: Discover the holistic benefits of regular physical activity, from mental clarity to improved confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

• American Dance Therapy Association: Learn more about how movement therapies can aid in treating depression and anxiety.
  • What is Dance/Movement Therapy?

Closing Thoughts:

• Thank You: A heartfelt thanks to all the listeners for tuning in.
• Upcoming Episodes: Have you ever had a “body goal” or admired someone’s shape? Next week, we’ll explore this topic in depth and much more—you won’t want to miss it!

Connect with Us:

• Website: LiveAfricaO.com
• Instagram: @LiveAfricaO

Make sure you explore more health & wellness tips, as well sign up for personal coaching, by visiting my website liveafricao.com!

You can also visit me on Instagram!

Please, be sure to rate and review this podcast today.
You are greatly appreciated.
Thank you!