Welcome to this week’s episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today we’re joined by Alison Beder Solway, an inspiring debut author, fitness expert, and founder of ABS Fitness.

Alison's work is built on the idea that hope is a conscious choice, one rooted in strength and resilience. With a background in environmental policy, teaching, and fitness, Alison brings a unique perspective to empowering women in both body and mind. Her debut memoir, The Miles We Run, offers readers a deeply personal look at her journey navigating surrogacy, fertility, and marathon training—all experiences that underscored her belief in the strength of hope and perseverance.

We talk about:

1. Holding Gratitude: Finding resilience and doing what we need to do during the hardest motherhood moments.
2. How Alison’s experiences with surrogacy and fertility have shaped her understanding of endurance and strength.
3. Her unique philosophy of hope as a “brave and deliberate decision,” and how this outlook has guided her work and personal life.
4. The mental and physical preparation involved in training for the New York City Marathon and the life lessons she’s drawn from it.
5. Insights from her upcoming memoir, The Miles We Run, exploring the relationship between physical strength, mental endurance, and overcoming life’s biggest challenges.

I hope Alison’s story offers you new insights and motivation. If it resonates with you, please share this episode with others so that mothers everywhere can gain the support and encouragement they need.

ABOUT ALISON BEDER SOLWAY:

Alison Beder Solway is an author, fitness expert, and founder of ABS Fitness, an online platform dedicated to supporting women’s health and empowerment. With a Master’s degree in Environmental Management and a background in policy and teaching, Alison has continually dedicated herself to helping others, especially through her focus on the mental and physical connection in her fitness programs. Her memoir, The Miles We Run, recounts her journey with surrogacy, fertility, and marathon training, all of which taught her profound lessons about hope, resilience, and personal strength.

RESOURCES:

• Website: The Miles We Run
• Instagram: @themileswerun
• Twitter: @arianebeeston
• The Miles We Run Blog: Sign up here

If you’re interested in exploring Alison’s fitness work, visit ABS Fitness and follow along on social media at @absfitnessca.

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Welcome to The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today’s episode brings a truly insightful conversation with Shradha Biyani, an editor, book writing coach, and the visionary founder of Tashi Press. With her unique blend of journalism training and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University, Shradha helps writers articulate impactful narratives. She has worked with numerous publishing houses, including Pan Macmillan, Westland Books, and Penguin Random House, and her workshops and coaching embody her passion for storytelling, language, and the power of shared human experiences.

We talk about:

1. A Pyramid of Mothers: Early life in India and the strong support for new mothers, from the many mothers in the community.
2. New Mothers need to heal: The essential focus on healing and well-being during the first period of motherhood.
3. The "Great Loss" in Modernity: How New Mothers are surviving without strong support and community care, and how this has affected modern motherhood.
4. Community Strength: Building strong relationships and creating a community of support available to everyone.
5. Passing down values: Being a good role model and educating the next generation about the power of community

I hope today’s episode gives you practical insights and inspiration, and if you find it valuable, please share it to help other mothers access the support and wisdom they need.

ABOUT SHRADHA BIYANI:

Shradha Biyani is an editor, book writing coach, and founder of Tashi Press. Trained as a journalist with a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from Harvard University, Shradha’s career bridges the worlds of narrative and urban studies. She has collaborated with major publishers like Pan Macmillan, Westland Books, and Penguin Random House to guide authors through every step of their creative journey. Her workshops combine her love for urban anthropology and her understanding of migration stories, creating a space where emerging and seasoned writers alike can flourish. Shradha is dedicated to helping storytellers connect with readers in impactful, lasting ways.

RESOURCES:

• Website: Tashi Press
• LinkedIn: Shradha Biyani
• Instagram: @tashipress
• Offers: If you’ve been considering writing a book and could use some guidance, feel free to book a free connect call with Shradha at tashipress.com/contact.

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Welcome back, Mamas, to this week's episode of The Happy Mama Movement Podcast!

Today, we're joined by Rachel Somerstein, a powerhouse in maternal health journalism and the author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. Combining personal stories, investigative research, and historical insights, Rachel’s work seeks to drive essential conversations around c-sections and maternal health.

We in-depth on:

• The ups and downs: in her motherhood journey
• The Unseen Side of C-Sections: Rachel shares the profound and often overlooked realities surrounding cesarean sections, which are the most frequently performed operation worldwide.
• Changing the narrative: The societal and medical structures that impact maternal well-being and how storytelling can influence systemic change.

I hope this conversation leaves you feeling informed and empowered. If you found it valuable, please share it to help mothers everywhere access the support and information they deserve.

ABOUT RACHEL SOMERSTEIN:

Rachel Somerstein is the author of Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section (Ecco 2024), a groundbreaking book that investigates the history and nuances of c-sections through a unique blend of memoir, research, and reporting. Her work has appeared in The Boston Globe, The Guardian, Longreads, The Washington Post, Women’s Health, and more, and she has been featured on NPR. With a PhD in mass communications and an MFA in creative writing, Rachel is committed to using narrative and rigorous research to elevate critical discussions on maternal health. She is currently an associate professor of journalism at SUNY New Paltz.

RESOURCES:

Website: www.rachelsomerstein.com

LinkedIn: Rachel Somerstein

Instagram: @rachelesomerstein

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