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Welcome back to Navigating Joy Together. In this episode, Mark and I discuss what life is like two months into our daughter being away at college. How do we feel about it? What is our normal family life like now?

We also discuss our first couple visits to her college. The first was for her first race and the other for family weekend. How did it go? What did we notice about her?

Finally we share some great tips on letting go from the book, Letting Go A Parents Guide to Understanding the College Years by Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treeger.

Some tips I have learned is do not burst your child´s bubble. Be a good listener without judgement, do not insert opinions unless asked, do not bombard with questions every time you talk with your child and let them problem solve on their own using resources at the college.

We hope you find value in our experience and from this conversation. We would love to hear your take away(s) and/or your experiences. You can reach us at the links below.

Please share this episode with one person whom you know will find value in this conversation.

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
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This episode continues the conversation of how to find joy when preparing and/or sending your child off to college. I sit down with 3 friends who all have experience, yet different perspectives. One mom has only one child, her daughter who is sophomore in college. Another friend is a single mom who has 2 children, one a sophomore in college and the other one in high school. The third friend has 2 children, one a senior and the other a sophomore, both in college.

They each have wonderful perspectives on their experiences they have gone through and are currently going through.

Take a listen and share what resonated with you.

Share this with one person who you know will find value in this.

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

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We are back!!!

It has been a year since we released a new episode. This past year was busy and I wanted to focus my time and be 100% present with my family and for my daughter who was as high school senior last year.

She is heading to college now, this weekend, and I had to ask other parents, How do you find JOY as your child prepares and leaves for college?

I received wonderful ideas and thoughts. Take a listen and enjoy what you hear! I know you can find value in this whether you have already sent kids out on their own after high school or you will be in the future.

I would love to hear your thoughts so email me or message me on IG or FB and tell me how you find JOY during this time.

And PLEASE, share this episode with one person you know would find value.

Thanks for listening!

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

Send us Fan Mail

During this episode, you may notice that Becky is struggle with her speech. This is one of the side effects of Dystonia and some days are better than others. But she continued through and shared her incredible story on this episode!

In this episode I chat with Becky Johnson again! This time we chat about her duathlon while dealing with Dystonia. She did it!! She completed the swim and the bike in Boulder, Colorado. But it was NOT easy.

Becky shares the many different challenges she had during the swim and bike portion. The challenges most people face during a dualthon might be fatigue, soreness, low energy. Becky faced so much more. Not only with Dystonia but other effects that presented themselves during the event. Some while swimming causing this to be very dangerous. She felt she was going to drown and even had a kayaker following her to make sure she was ok. Other challenges were on the bike such as, bike parts jamming up. Yet, not only did her competitiveness keep her in it, her fight did as well! Her fight was not just for her, but for her family and friends who were there to support her and cheer her on, and for others facing Dystonia.

Becky has most recently been diagnosed with seizures. During this fight it seems she takes one step forward, then several steps back but again, she proves that no matter what one is dealing with, you can keep moving forward and finding the JOY.

She continues to use her meditation and her guiding light to keep her focused, sane, JOYFUL, and moving forward. She also uses her healing and therapeutic modalities she has been trained in.

I know you will enjoy the conversation with Becky. I took so much of it to value, especially what she says near the end....(You have to listen).

Please share this episode with one person you know who needs this sort of inspiration. Plus you will be providing them with a gift if they decide to connect with Becky.

Here is Becky's Bio.

In 1997, she had to make the heart-wrenching decision to quit her senior year as a college swimmer due to a debilitating condition that caused her neck to involuntarily pull to the right. Despite intensive therapy and support from trainers, her performance declined, and she ultimately left the sport. This issue persisted even after transitioning to triathlons, where she continued to struggle with her condition.

In August 2022, after starting her role as a social-emotional teacher, she faced a severe migraine that led her to the ER, where she learned she had Cervical Dystonia, a condition that runs in her family. Following a series of treatments, including Botox and consultations with specialists, she prioritized her mental health and began exploring cognitive therapies and nutrition, which significantly improved her well-being. The support from her current medical team of holistic and medical doctors has been invaluable in managing her condition.

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

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Listen in as I share why we didn't publish any new episodes this summer and what the future holds.

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

Send us Fan Mail

Jenna B is a wife, mother, and spiritually intuitive. Jenna has worn many hats in life trying to find her own purpose outside of the home. With a very supportive husband, Jenna had the time to sit and pray to find what she was meant to do. Jenna feels her purpose is to help, heal and spread love to others.

Jenna and I discuss what transpired in her life to lead her to consciously choose joy every single day. She shares that she asks for ease, flow, and grace every single morning and with this, JOY naturally comes. However, there are times that she gets thrown off, as we all do, and she has to start over again. This is what living consciously to choose JOY is all about!

Some of her go-to tools to get her back into JOY are playing some "fierce" Beyonce and dancing the negativity out of her. She also spends time working out. Moving her body is essential to keeping JOY at the forefront. She suggests if you are just starting out, go for a walk and listen to the birds.


Jenna also shares where and how her family fits into this focus of consciously living in JOY. As a family, they communicate all of their feelings all the time. She has her son tell his emotions, goes to a chart, and figure out how to work through it.

We also bring in our children to answer a few questions:

• What does Joy mean to you?
• Are you aware when you are not feeling happiness or joy?
• What is something that you do when you feel mad or sad to help you get happy again?
• What would you do if you saw a friend who was sad, mad, etc
• What is something you would tell your friends to help them be in a more joyful place?

Hear their perspectives on what JOY means and looks like to them.

One of the biggest takeaways I got from Jenna is what she says at the end. "The world is for you, not against you." What a great thought to focus on. This is when you can focus more on the little positives and find JOY daily.

How to connect with Jenna:

Prayer Cards with a Positive Intention:
Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JennaBSpiritual?listing_id=1083647482&ref=simple-shop-header-name

Website: https://www.jennabspiritual.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennab_spiritual

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

Send us Fan Mail

This week I have a very transparent and real conversation with Becky Johnson.

In 1997, she had to make the heart-wrenching decision to quit her senior year as a college swimmer due to a debilitating condition that caused her neck to involuntarily pull to the right. Despite intensive therapy and support from trainers, her performance declined, and she ultimately left the sport. This issue persisted even after transitioning to triathlons, where she continued to struggle with her condition.

In August 2022, after starting her role as a social-emotional teacher, she faced a severe migraine that led her to the ER, where she learned she had Cervical Dystonia, a condition that runs in her family. Following a series of treatments, including Botox and consultations with specialists, she prioritized her mental health and began exploring cognitive therapies and nutrition, which significantly improved her well-being. The support from her current medical team of holistic and medical doctors has been invaluable in managing her condition.

Now, she is preparing for an Olympic distance swim/bike duathlon in July to raise awareness for dystonia, motivated by her desire to connect with others and support those facing similar challenges. She is collaborating with ‘Beat Dystonia,’ a non-profit organization, to gather donations and share her journey, aiming to foster understanding and compassion for those living with this condition.

Listen in on the wonderful conversation where Becky discusses her symptoms, how she was diagnosed with Dystonia and what life has been like for her. She shares how she has focused on her mental health and the importance of finding the right people who are in your corner. That makes all the difference.

She even shares how she feels she lives in more JOY now then she did before.

Contact information for Becky Johnson:

Email: 813therapiesllc@gmail.com

If anybody is looking for care from a chronic illness or anxiety from a high school or collegiate sport, please check out my website, https://www.813therapies.com/ I'd love to have a brief conversation with you.

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond

Send us Fan Mail

My guest today is Michelle Ruddell. Michelle is a speaker, author, and semi-retired teacher who lives in Central Texas. She speaks to women's groups about how to find joy in the middle of tough circumstances. her book, "Welcome to the Club, I'm Sorry You're Here", was written to offer hope to grieving parents.

Michelle shares with us the story of losing her 5-year-old child over 30 years ago, how a neighbor told her she would never be happy again, and how she has consciously learned to find and choose joy in the midst of grief and hardship. This is an inspiring story to offer hope to parents out there who have lost a child.

We also hear tools she uses personally to tap into JOY; gratitude, taking care of yourself and serving others. Listen to how she serves others by helping them find joy during difficult life events.

Connect with Michelle:

Email: michelle@michelleruddell.com
Website: michelleruddell.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071241318194

IG: https://www.instagram.com/michelleruddell_speaker/

Lauren's Book, My Dad Died From ALS and How I Found Joy 30 Years Later
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2J15M3Z

CONNECT WITH LAUREN AND HER FAMILY

Email: rebalancedbody@gmail.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laurensdailyjoy/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lauren.g.raymond