This is a monumental milestone—episode 200 of the True Stride podcast! Can you believe it? Two hundred episodes of taking wise walks on this path together, sharing stories, insights, and personal growth. When this journey began, I was in a period of major life transition, having left corporate America and embarking on the adventure of writing my book, Heart Value. In planning to publish a book, I received feedback to voice my message and beliefs in a more public and accessible way. Thus, this podcast was born. In the early days, I had no idea how long I’d keep the podcast going. I started with the intention to feel my way forward. And here we are, four years later, still walking together. Through these episodes, I've embraced this theme of going with the flow and stepping into a more aligned, self-guided journey. It's been a blessing to connect with you, to receive your feedback, and to hear how you are making positive changes in your lives. As we reflect on the past four years, I invite you to ponder: How have you evolved? What are you most proud of? What new practices or beliefs have you adopted? Your stories of career transitions, setting healthy boundaries in relationships, and practicing self-love have been a source of joy and inspiration for me. We've shared in each other's struggles and triumphs, and I am deeply grateful for your vulnerability and trust. As I look ahead, I see no end in sight for the True Stride podcast. We will continue to feel our way forward, giving ourselves permission to reinvent and align with our highest selves at every juncture. So, as we embark on our 200th Wise Walk, let's celebrate our journey, our growth, and the beautiful connections we've made. Thank you for being part of this incredible path. Please share your thoughts on what has been most meaningful, surprising, and what you are most proud of. Until next time, Striders, prioritize fun as you read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride on! As you reflect back on the past four years that we've been on this journey together, how have you evolved? What are you most proud of? What's something that stands out to you, a new muscle or a new belief or new self-love practice that you incorporate now? How does that make you feel? As you think about all of the Wise Walks that we've gone on together, what has been surprising to you? What's something you took away that you didn't even know you needed at the time? What has been illuminated that has become meaningful to you? As you reflect back on your 200 episodes or the past four years, how have you evolved as a human? What crossroads or unique paths that presented themselves made you pivot? What made you reinvent yourself? Are you enjoying that new version of you as much as I am? Are you giving yourself the freedom to choose again? Are you loving who you were exactly as you were back then, because you needed to be that person to get to where you are today? As you look back and you appreciate where you are, are you doing it from this mindset of self-love and self-appreciation for who you are at all phases of your life and who you are stepping into more and more with each Wise Walk that you take with yourself? Join this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow and review the True Stride podcast as we continue to exchange our light and Heart Value with each other. In this episode: [00:29] - Mary Tess expresses surprise at reaching 200 episodes, reflecting on the uncertainty and growth experienced since the podcast began. [01:08] - Mary Tess discusses leaving corporate America in 2018 and the transition period that followed, including writing her book, Heart Value. [03:23] - The concept of "feeling my way forward" is introduced, highlighting the shift from structured goals to a more intuitive approach. [04:18] - Reflecting on the past four years, Mary Tess invites listeners to think about their own evolution and the practices they've adopted. [06:03] - Stories from listeners about career transitions and setting healthy boundaries are shared, showcasing the impact of the podcast. [09:12] - Mary Tess acknowledges the challenges faced, including COVID-19, and the resilience of the podcast community in continuing despite these obstacles. [11:26] - Emphasis on the freedom to reinvent oneself at every juncture and the importance of self-love and self-appreciation. [14:06] - Mary Tess reflects on her move to St. Augustine, Florida, and how it has been pivotal for her personal and professional growth. [16:02] - Being surrounded by love, because at the end of the day that's what really matters. Memorable Quotes: “Thank you for showing me what I'm capable of, showing me that I love this connection with you so much that I kept coming back. Regardless of what happened, I knew that we would continue to get stronger.” - Mary Tess“We've faced many challenges together, from personal losses to the global ...
