WELLTHY Generation Podcast!

85. You Deserve to Feel Good: Pregnancy, Health, & Relationships with Samantha (So_Manti)

• Naihomy Jerez • Episode 85

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Samantha Ortiz Young, a Latina entrepreneur and Nike trainer, shares her journey in wellness, revealing how her father's kidney disease taught her to view movement as a privilege and shaped her approach to fitness, pregnancy, and life.

• Witnessing her father's health struggles from a young age gave Samantha a unique perspective on wellness as a privilege
• The mindset shift required for wellness involves daily affirmations, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and celebrating small wins
• Samantha shares her surprisingly positive pregnancy experience at age 36 and why she initially hesitated to talk about it
• The three pillars that supported her healthy pregnancy: nutrition, fitness, and mental wellness
• How partners can influence each other's wellness journeys and why male partners are equally important in pregnancy preparation
• Weight loss happens automatically when you focus on building sustainable habits and routines
• Motivation is temporary, but discipline is what keeps you consistent in your wellness journey
• You are worthy and deserving of feeling good in your body - this mindset is fundamental to success

Find Samantha on Instagram and TikTok @so_manti where she shares resources, products she trusts, and offers support to women prioritizing their wellness journeys.

Thank you so much for listening!


Speaker 1:

Hello friends, welcome back to Wealthy Generation Podcast, that's W-E-L-L-T-H-Y. Today is going to be a fun one because I have a fellow Latina, rooted in wellness, here to talk about a topic that deserves so much sunshine and light. We'll see once we get into it. But I have the amazing Samantha Ortiz Young here. Latina entrepreneur, Nike trainer, wellness educator. I'm going into her bio, but I'm going to let her introduce herself. You might know her as SoManti on the social interwebs. So welcome, samantha. Thank you so much.

Speaker 2:

Samantha, thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here. Thank you for inviting me, and I'm I'm ready to dive into this amazing chat. A little bit about me. I mean, you basically pretty much said it, but entrepreneur, I'm in the fitness and wellness industry, been in it for over 15 years at this point, and it's something that I love and thrive off. I love and enjoy educating women, helping women see their true potential and prioritizing themselves when it comes to fitness and wellness. I am also a Nike trainer. I own my own business in terms of wellness, nutrition and I actually have my own fitness app. So, again, diving into fitness and wellness, I feel like those two combined give an amazing story and give an amazing resource for women to feel truly their best. So that's me. That's a little spiel about me, sorry, latina. I'm Puerto Rican, proud of born and raised in New York City, in Brooklyn specifically.

Speaker 2:

So yeah, that's a little bit about me.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, as soon as you're like Puerto Rican, I'm like saluda mi vecino. You know, fat bunny, oh yes.

Speaker 2:

Oh yes, girl, he's always shouting out.

Speaker 1:

I mean he's shouting out DR, but still I'm like, hey neighbor, exactly Exactly Cool. Hey neighbor, exactly Exactly Cool. So thank you for being here. I feel like there's a small but mighty group of us in the wellness industry as Latinas, catering to our people and just making things super culturally relevant on top of that. So I appreciate that All right. So usually everybody comes with a story. I feel like in our community they were not just participating in health and wellness their entire lives. So if you don't mind sharing with us what was your experience with health and wellness growing up? How did you get into this lifestyle in particular and career?

Speaker 2:

Sure. So it started when I was very young. My parents my dad was a he had a kidney disease and since I've been since before I was born he had that disease. He got it when he was 16 years old and from his experiences throughout his life I learned to really appreciate and think of movement and wellness and health as a privilege. Through his experiences throughout his life Because he had three kidney transplants, open heart surgery, years of dialysis.

Speaker 2:

So, being a child of someone who has this disease, you just learn different things and you're more sensitive to certain things. So I feel like that kind of gave me a step up into understanding the importance of nutrition. And my mom changed a lot of what we ate, how we approach life, because of my dad's situation. So we changed a lot of the way that we ate and the mindset that we took in terms of, like what I mentioned, having privilege around these things that a lot of people take for granted, to be honest, just getting up every day, walking, moving, having the ability to work, having the ability to smile, having all these different abilities we didn't take for granted. So through that I really learned and wanted to kind of extend that feeling of privilege and remind people of what we have and a lot of the times people don't take advantage of it because there's mental blocks, there's other things that go on in life and for me I wanted to help people through those situations. So I felt the only way that I could do that was to dive into the nutrition and fitness space. It's something I loved.

Speaker 2:

I was also a very active child, so I played sports since the age of eight, all the way till I graduated college. I played softball and volleyball, got scholarships to play in college as well, so always been a very active child. And again, my parents were also entrepreneurs. So I kind of just fell into that feeling of this is the way that I want to go about my life being my own boss, understanding that that comes with highs and lows, but still being able to have my vision shine and the mission behind what I wanted to achieve.

Speaker 2:

So that's kind of how I got into that realm and career was because of my dad and my parents both of them, because they decided to make different changes and through, again, my dad experiences, I was able to really appreciate movement. So my tagline is always moving your body is a privilege and I don't take that lightly and I share that a lot with my social media following and with clients like just a reminder, because a lot of times we're like so busy in life and we just you know, things happen, you take advantage of things, or you're just just like, oh, I forgot how privileged I am. So just having that little reminder kind of gives you like, brings you back into the moment. So that's kind of how I started basically yeah, thank you for sharing that.

Speaker 1:

That must have been a lot growing up it was.

Speaker 2:

It was a lot um, a lot of hospitals, a lot of just that type of environment.

Speaker 2:

But I think my my mother in particular did a really good job of reminding us how privileged we were and that everything was going to be okay and they stayed in a very positive mindset and I feel like I've pretty much transitioned into that mindset throughout my whole life and I've been a very positive person.

Speaker 2:

I always say I can control what I can control and I think a lot of people get stuck in the oh, I'm trying to do this, I'm trying to do that. They're trying to control a lot of things that they just don't have control over. So for me, I'm a very laid-back, positive person, like if I can control this, I'm gonna control this, but if I can't, it's okay, like it's not meant for me or whatever may have you. So I think, with the experiences my parents really changing our mindset to be as positive as possible, even though all these things were going on, we took out like the small positive moments out of those situations. So that has molded me into the adult that I am today and I get to share my gifts, my experiences with others and that's just to me, that's just a beautiful thing, yeah yeah, it is a beautiful thing.

Speaker 1:

I was actually gonna ask you. I know you mentioned it in sharing your story but to really highlight the part of you mentioned mindset shift and I know that when it comes to health and wellness, there's a lot of strategy given.

Speaker 1:

It's like eat like this and move like that, and really anybody could pretty much execute on something like that on a set of directions or on a to do list. And I find that one of the most difficult parts is the mind, and that's what gets in the way of the execution of whatever it is that you have to do. So can you please expand a little bit more on that, on how you really had to kind of mold your mind, or how maybe your parents helped you do that to kind of really embody this lifestyle?

Speaker 2:

Yeah for sure. For me, it was a lot of affirmations. I am an affirmation girly, so I think, just reminding yourself daily, because we could have so much noise in the world and we could get distracted very easily. So I think really honing in on your values, what you're trying to achieve in your life, should be front and center. So for me, anything that has to do with personal development in terms of different podcasts, who you're following on social media, is also a very huge thing, because we're on social media many hours of the day and what we consume is what we think and believe. So, really honing in on who you're following, why you're following these people, are they motivating you? Are they reminding you of your goal? That also accounts for the people that who are around you. Who are those five main people who are around you? Are they on your level? Are they giving you positive energy? Are they sharing things that make sense for your life right now, in this journey, in this chapter? So those things are very important. I think we surpass that and we're just like oh, like, whatever. I have it on my right by my bedside. I also have it in my bathroom. I have sticky notes, I have it on my phone, constant reminder of what I'm trying to achieve mentally is really important. That shift, but again, having the surroundings around me that also are reflective of what I'm looking for in my life, I think is really important. Reflective of what I'm looking for in my life, I think is really important.

Speaker 2:

And then when I was younger, I was just like you know. Let's say, my dad was in the hospital. He got a surgery, just like. Again, that is a big situation but we took OK, the surgery went well, he is able to walk today, like, just taking those small, like wins, especially in your fitness journey, is to reflect back to that. People always want to see the end result and they don't want to go through those small wins or those, those challenges or hurdles. They only see the end results. Um, so I think, really understanding that you have to take it day by day, not throwing yourself into something.

Speaker 2:

Some people are like, oh, I'm going to start working out and they want to work out five times a week and let's be more realistic about that because this is something new for you and something you really want to achieve. So let's take it a little slower. Let's go two times a week for 30 minutes and then we can ramp it up a little. You know, week for 30 minutes and then we can ramp it up a little. You know, little by little, but trust your body to understand that movement is going to get you there. But your mental capacity also needs to understand that as well. So, like thinking I just want to lose 20, 30 pounds, okay, but this is going to, this is how we're going to achieve it.

Speaker 2:

So I think understanding like small wins, small victories, everything is not about the scale. It's about how you feel. Are you able to walk up the stairs? Are you able to play with your kids? Are you able to grab those groceries without feeling tired? Those are the, those are the small things that you have to start noticing in order to propel you to move forward, because if we don't notice that, we're going to get discouraged and we're just going to stop and then try and start over again. It's going to be the same thing. So I think acknowledging those small steps will get you to your main goal, but you have to acknowledge that first the end goal, and sometimes people don't even know why that's the end goal.

Speaker 1:

It's kind of, I feel like imposed by society or something that's outdated or things like that. What have you seen in your experience as a trainer and doing nutrition have been such huge small wins that the client doesn't see and you have to bring it up for them. What have been some?

Speaker 2:

of those. For me it's mental block, like they block out, they don't think they can do it, they think it's too hard. Oh, I need this, I need that. So I think for me, like just even jumping up a plyo box is like they're like, oh, they get so nervous about jumping up a plyo box is like they're like, oh, they get so nervous about jumping up a plyo box and I'm like you can do it and that's just a mental you know block that you have not only in your physical fitness but in an overall, in your career and your family. There's so many things that block people. So I think when you start learning how to move past that mental block, it, it transitions not only physically but just overall.

Speaker 2:

So my clients thinking they can't, they don't have time, the time, the time is the thing. But my thing is like, well, if you have time to scroll on your phone which we all do you have time to go outside and walk. Let's walk. If you want to still scroll, that's great, let's walk and scroll. You know, let's utilize the time to the best of our abilities. I think utilizing that is key and in terms of workout, same thing I don't have time, but learning to utilize your time Like I I I keep saying that, that, but it's the truth. Like people always put that and sometimes that happens to me too, you know like it's just like, oh, I don't have time, and then I'm like, samantha, come on now, let's. Let's dive in a little bit some more. What? What does that mean? So it's kind of being more like hesitant about something or like really like I want to dive into this. So maybe getting up 30 minutes earlier, figuring out a better routine for yourself, like I'm going to be a mother, god willing, in the next less than a month actually. So just like really finding a new routine. I know that's going to take some time, but just understanding that my health, my mental wellness, my physical health, is really important, not only for me but for my family and for my daughter, and I have to find that routine. I will find it as of right now. I'm focused, I prioritize my wellness, my fitness, so that I have a foundation to go off when I get to that point. So same thing for everyone else.

Speaker 2:

Like those excuses, they're just excuses. Maybe you're scared, maybe you're nervous, you don't want to fail these are different things that happen for people but it's like you're never going to know until you try. And failing doesn't mean you're a failure. Failure means that you actually try to do something, learn from the experience, positive mindset, switching how you take that opportunity or that experience Instead of saying I just failed.

Speaker 2:

Let's think about it in a different way. What did you learn out of that experience? I'm sure there's a few things you can list and then, when you do it again, you can learn and take those moments that you felt like, okay, I learned this, take that with you and you just get better and better. I think we have like this thought of like oh, I failed, I can't do it again. The biggest businesses they fail, people fail all the time. It happens to everyone. Trust me, you are not alone, we. Just the difference between them and you is that they're taking that experience. They're taking some positive moments, topics, experiences within that, and they're then trying it again with that new mindset in in mind. So I think just changing that or understanding that a little bit better makes you be like oh, okay, I could see that, I could understand that, you know, yeah yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 1:

I'm glad you mentioned that, because there are so many different ways to do things. There are so many different ways to do things. There are so many different seasons that we go through, and I think that's something that I feel like is not understood is that there's flexibility and there's pivot and that's really at the forefront of wellness. It doesn't look a specific way, that rigid forever for a very long time. So, given flexibility or let's say, quote-unquote the failure, but it's really maybe you need to switch up your schedule or what you're doing or the time. Then it gives us permission to just keep going and it looked different than what it did before exactly so.

Speaker 2:

It's like, if you're, you have to make a. So it's like, if you're you have to make a change, like clearly, the way that you're doing it is not working, so there has to be some type of change there. And I think people still try to go about it in the same way. And then they hit that wall and it's just like that's not working because in order to change, you have to change. So you know, it's like pretty simple, right. But then it's like you're in that situation. You're like, why is this not working? It's like, well, you're, you're in the same situation, you're doing the same thing. You have a routine. People think they don't have a routine. They feel like they're a little things. No, you have a routine. It's just not the routine that's going to get you to where you want to go.

Speaker 1:

So that's where we got to change it Exactly. Ooh, yes. Sometimes what you're doing is not in line with the goal you want.

Speaker 2:

Exactly.

Speaker 1:

Oh my God, there's so much noise in this industry. Okay, I'm like not trying to pivot a gazillion ways because I'm like, oh, there's so much.

Speaker 1:

I know it's like so much, but I feel like something else I want to touch on is what happens when because you also brought up those people who are around you to, and your circle of influence what happens when you're trying to adopt this lifestyle and you do want to take care of yourself, but everybody around you is on a different journey? How do you let that not discourage you and you to keep going on your path, because for some reason, you chose it, it came to you. You want to do this, but now you're feeling the tug and pull of influences around you.

Speaker 2:

Mm-hmm for me, I would say that then you need to be the leader in your team. You need to be that person, because sometimes you don't want to let those people go, and it doesn't mean that they're bad people or anything along those lines. Everybody has their own journey. They're going through their own things at different times, but I feel like reducing the noise is also letting people know, just truly being transparent with everyone and saying listen, I really want to dive into my health, like I've been slacking on it. Just be open about it. You don't. If they come back with some negativity or pushback, that's fine, but you just want to let them know that this is your. This is going to be what you're focusing on. So if you're not, you're not with them 24 seven, like you used to be what you're focusing on. So if you're not with them 24-7, like you used to be this is why and that's it, like there's that you can explain that and that's it. After that, you don't have to keep explaining yourself.

Speaker 2:

And then, for I would say, try to surround yourself with other people, like people at the gym, if you're going to the gym or if you're on an online fitness platform.

Speaker 2:

There's so much community and there's so much.

Speaker 2:

There's people in your same situation that you can really connect with.

Speaker 2:

Utilizing social media in that way is beautiful, because there's so much online community and I would dive into that a little bit more. And also, probably, if you are on social media really sharing your story and sharing where you want to go and what you're trying to do, and there can be people that are saying, oh, I'm trying to do the same thing and you might meet a new friend or you might meet a new, you know, support buddy. That is just like let's do this together. So it might not necessarily be the people around you, even though you did share. This is the direction I'm trying to go in. They might want to join you, they might not want to, and that's okay, but I think making it clear that this is what I'm looking to do and I don't want distraction and I don't want that negativity, let that be known, let that be stated and then find yourself trying to find different community, different people around you that can really continue to support you and you could support them at the same time.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, yeah, I like that and it's true.

Speaker 1:

I find that a lot of times, people want to bring a buddy with them, or the best friend or their cousin and they might not be ready, but you have done a lot of things together before and not given an opportunity for the new spaces that you might be joining. I think it's so scary to show up to new spaces, but you can get a lot out of it and most of the time there's just a lot of people that want the same thing you do and you get to at least have like gym friends, is sometimes you get really close and sometimes it's just that hello, like we're here together every Thursday at eight and this is what we do and then we go home.

Speaker 1:

But it's still also providing that human connection if you're in person. And there's also the social the, the online communities, too Cool. So one of the main reasons even though I've been thinking about asking you to come here for a long time but something and we spoke about this a little bit before we hopped on that I was like Ooh, I really want to talk to Samantha about this is sharing about your pregnancy and your pregnancy experience. You mentioned something like you were hesitant to share more because you've been feeling so well and that's generally not the experience that other people share about. So can you talk to us a little bit about that before we dive?

Speaker 2:

in. So I'm currently in and have months pregnant. She's down here, she's over here and I have had an amazing pregnancy, honestly, from the beginning all the way till now. God willing, everything will continue that way as I deliver and beyond.

Speaker 2:

But I feel like on social media I didn't get stories like that. I didn't get stories where women were having these type of experiences. Women were having these type of experiences. It was more of you know, they're having difficulty or they're pregnant and it's just like they're having all these different symptoms, and I personally thought that that was something that I was going to experience, because I thought that that was just normal, not discrediting how women, you know, go throughout this journey. Everyone has a story, everyone experiences things differently and everyone's story is valid.

Speaker 2:

But I felt like I didn't hear much about such positive pregnancy stories and I was very hesitant to share about that because I didn't want to offend anyone. I didn't want to make it seem like, oh, I'm better than someone. That's not the case. It was just more like this is what I'm experiencing and maybe I can impact someone who is trying to get pregnant or who is pregnant and is in the same situation as me. So from the first trimester, I mean, I had no symptoms. Literally I didn't. I was like am I pregnant? I'm not sure.

Speaker 1:

The scary. Yes, yes.

Speaker 2:

And as women who have been pregnant, for you know that we don't get to have an ultrasound until like eight between eight and 10 weeks, you know, into our pregnancy. So it's kind of just like I hope I'm pregnant, Like I don't feel anything, that type of situation. And you know, I was fortunate enough in my fitness business. I was creating challenges and I was doing workouts like I normally. So I was really in a mindset where I was like, OK, I hope I'm, you know, pregnant, I'm doing all the things, but I just don't feel any morning sickness, nausea, food aversions, nothing. I was perfectly fine.

Speaker 2:

So I didn't share my story early on, kept it to myself. But I think, as, like two trimesters, I continued throughout the trimesters and weeks I was like you know what my story should be heard and I shouldn't feel some type of way, you know, sharing it. If people take it a different way, that's how they take it. I will continue to say that everybody's story is different and everybody's story is valid, but mine is too. So I was able to then share my story and a lot of women resonated with me which was really beautiful, you know, and they also said they were kind of nervous sharing their story because it was so good. So, yeah, that's kind of how the pregnancy experience, in terms of sharing, went about.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, Thank you for sharing that. I actually felt really seen in your post too. I had my last kid like almost nine years ago but, I know time flies, girl.

Speaker 1:

It really does fly. It really really does fly. Um. So it was very refreshing when you posted that and, and me being pregnant such a long time ago, I still resonated with that because I also did not have such volatile symptoms. I felt pretty well. I actually was very shy to talk about how I was feeling because I feel that people expected to hear how much I was throwing up and how bad I was feeling and the back pain and all this, and the most I can remember was just being very sleepy in the beginning and that was it Like.

Speaker 2:

I just needed a little bit more rest.

Speaker 1:

So I do think that stories like yours deserve attention and praise, and I feel like sometimes we're so used to hearing hardship and how things are so hard that when we're feeling well is not equally celebrated or is not validated in the same way and yeah.

Speaker 2:

So I commend you for just coming out and sharing, even if it was difficult at first, because now we see that there's a whole community out there of women who really felt similar yeah, yeah, and I do want to add this is my first pregnancy, so I got pregnant at 35, I'm now 36, I'm gonna give birth at 36, so I think also talking about having children in your like mid 30s is another you know, as another story behind that yeah but just really sharing, like it can happen at this age and you can still feel great, like it's just.

Speaker 2:

You know, it's just depending on different things, lifestyle, different things along those lines, but it's possible. It's possible and you can have a positive experience yeah, did they call you a geriatric person? They did not. They did not, honestly, I didn't.

Speaker 2:

I haven't heard any of that which I was again thinking they were going to tell me that. But no, they did not. They just they just said like women over 35 and that's it. Like that's the kind of how they approached my, my pregnancy and just saying like we just, you know, women over 35, we're just adding these, maybe different testing or whatnot. But they never said geriatric, Like that's not a term. I've heard my whole pregnancy, throughout my medical staff, so that's a that's a positive too. So that was just like I'm not. I'm not geriatric, honey, OK yeah.

Speaker 1:

I'm not geriatric, honey, okay. Yeah, I'm glad that language is changing, because I feel like language is so important and it makes women feel some sort of way. You absolutely can have healthy pregnancies later on or like in your mid thirties, late thirties it depends on a lot of things, like you said, which I hope to get into right now.

Speaker 1:

How do you think your lifestyle supported you in having a healthy pregnancy? I don't want to say symptom free because, as you very well mentioned, everybody's experience is different and it's not fair to like put symptoms up against each other. I think that is ill. But how do you think, for you, personally speaking, your lifestyle uh influence the kind of pregnancy you're having?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, absolutely. Um. So, like I mentioned, I've been in fitness for quite a while now and I just really prioritize. Since before I was pregnant, I've been like in high school I'm talking, uh, I've been taking supplementation. I've been very active. I have really focused on my mental health. I think it's something that kind of people pass through and just like, oh yeah, I work out and I eat right, but there's just so much more to it and I've been able to really practice this routine for years.

Speaker 2:

Not saying that because you haven't you, you won't have this experience, that's not what I'm saying. It can very well happen. But I think really honing in and taking control of your nutrition, of your mental wellness, of your physical health, is so important, not just for pregnancy, but just for overall health. And but when you mix in, pregnancy is so much more complex. And for me, I've been able to really hone in on those three things. So nutrition, fitness and mental wellness and those three things have been the pillars for me to be where I am right now, and including my husband.

Speaker 2:

So I've, my husband and I have been together since college. So we you know we're, our lifestyles are not perfect. I always say like 80 20 rule when it comes to lifestyle 80 percent of the time we're doing what we have to do, we're in a routine, and then 20 percent of the time we're doing what we have to do, we're in a routine, and then 20 percent of the time we go out, we'll have this, we'll eat that, like we have a balance. I never want to be feel restricted, but for the most part, my husband and I, we live a very similar lifestyle. So, again, his priorities are nutrition, wellness in terms of mental wellness and then also his physical health. So for him it's taking his vitamins in the morning with a shake and then having sufficient amount of protein throughout the day, and it's very similar for me focusing on those key notes in general, like is important in our routine.

Speaker 2:

So, again, what has made the difference I feel for me in my journey so far has been that prioritization of a routine that reflects how I want to live my life. I want to live my life feeling amazing. I want to live my life mentally feeling great. I don't want to have any type of unnecessary diseases or what have you, like things that could be prevented. I don't want that and I feel like being Latina, our families eat a certain way, do certain things, and not that I don't enjoy our typical food, because I sure do, but it's not something that I have on a daily basis. So just having that balance and making sure that those three pillars are essential have definitely shaped the way my pregnancy has been. And again, for myself and for my husband, because it takes two.

Speaker 2:

And I think more research has come out that men are just as important as women when it comes to pregnancy, and the way that they approach their health is very important. So poor nutrition, excessive drinking or drug use or whatever may have you low in terms of energy levels and physical fitness is just as important. So they have an impact. So do the women, and I think understanding that we were able to be like, okay, we'll continue what we're doing and we'll just ramp it up a little bit more. So in terms of like before we got pregnant, just taking different tests, understanding like genetic testing, my egg fertility, his fertility, like really understanding those things Because, again, we are older but this can impact anyone.

Speaker 2:

This is people are being impacted in their 20s, unfortunately, with having difficulty getting pregnant, so it can happen at any age, and I think preparing yourself to the best of your ability is important and understanding that it could be reversed. You just really need to stick to those pillars and understand that you're not only doing it for your pregnancy, but you're doing it for you and you deserve to feel good, like you deserve that, and I think a lot of people like stay in this realm where it's just like this is, this is how I'm supposed to feel. I'm just like, no, you're not, just, it can change. So, again, those are the three pillars that I've focused on since a very young, and it has brought me to this moment now.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, thank you for sharing what how your lifestyle has contributed to pregnancy and also bringing up your husband, what how your lifestyle has contributed to pregnancy and also bringing up your husband I really also. I love to bring into the conversation the male partner when I'm talking about pregnancy and having a discussion around pregnancy, because so much pressure is put on the female.

Speaker 1:

And it's like with whatever's happening with the pregnancy whether it's not being able to get pregnant or not being able to sustain a pregnancy or what have you the eyes are always on the female especially. I feel like in our communities um or maybe maybe not so much in the doctor's office, but, if you like, have your ears open around this kind of conversation, no one ever talks about what the what the male partner's doing or how they contribute to this, and yes there are so much research coming out, like with the quality of sperm, the like how it's shaped, how fast does it go?

Speaker 1:

Like there's just so many things. And in the male population, testosterone is rapidly declining because of our lifestyle and what we do. So thank you for really painting a well-rounded picture about not just what you're doing, but what you're doing together as a couple to ensure to have a healthy pregnancy, and how the husband's part starts supporting like is important from the very start. Now question for you was your husband always into this lifestyle or did you influence him a little bit?

Speaker 2:

Definitely influenced him a little bit.

Speaker 2:

He was he was an athlete, so always active, but I think my husband is African-American, so their eating habits are very similar to the Latino community. Yeah, and I think really changing the way that he saw like food and and it took some time but I think now, like he's more like oh no, we don't, I don't cook anything fry. Like he's just like, no, we don't need that we. So it's been a transition for him in terms of the nutrition standpoint which, again, I've had since I was very young, you know, because of my experience with my father. So I've been exposed to that at a very young age. Like we need we're eating healthier.

Speaker 2:

And my mom made a lot of different changes, even though we did enjoy still the typical Puerto Rican foods, but there were so many different changes in terms of different milks or different butters or different we're not eating like that all the time and no fried food. And there was just so much different changes that we went through that at a already, at a teenager, I was just like, oh, I don't eat like that, like I never had this. Or even cleaning products, to be honest, yeah, very non-toxic products. We started early in the game. So I don't really know what Fabuloso or Clorox, like I don't, I don't, I've never used that Fabuloso too, you know.

Speaker 2:

So I mean that's a whole nother story, you know, in terms of toxic products in the house, I won't get into that. Um, just changing those different things made such a difference. So, and then, speaking with my husband, who had like eczema when we were in college and just like, okay, in my mind I'm like, okay, you just need to change your cleaning, like your laundry detergent. He's like what? I'm like the clothes is touching your skin. That's why you're getting irritated and has toxins. I'm not going. He's like what? And now he's just like, oh no, we can't use that, we can't use this.

Speaker 2:

So I think I he learned a lot from me, but he was already on the right track in terms of he's a very physical person. So, yeah, that was great, that's a leg up, and I was just helping him along the lines and understanding the importance of still enjoying our typical foods. But we can't eat like that all the time because of these certain things that can happen, and it's just been great. Ever since college, honestly, we've made so many changes together as a couple and now we get to bring in our daughter and she gets to really be in that realm already, which is beautiful. She doesn't really have to make that many changes, but yeah generational health, baby yes yes, yes, yes, so yeah.

Speaker 2:

So it was like physical fitness he had. But everything else that kind of helped him through and and this is where we are now. So just to let anyone listening listen.

Speaker 1:

Sometimes you gotta be, you gotta push them a gotta be, you gotta push them a little bit.

Speaker 2:

Yes, you gotta push them a little bit. Trust me, it'll be worth it. But yeah, that's that's kind of how it started.

Speaker 1:

I I specifically asked that question because a lot of my clients this is where they like they have a lot of questions about that, because it's usually typically the female who starts like I need to take care of myself, you know. I need to look whether it's for aesthetic purposes or hormonal changes happening. They're not feeling well. Something influences them to start making some sort of changes.

Speaker 1:

And then they start to notice how well they're feeling, like I'm so happy you've emphasized so many times that you can actually feel well in your body and it's not all this doom and gloom that's presented to us, especially from older individuals in our community where it's like I get all the diabetes and, oh my God, my back and my knees and my head and all these things Like, yeah, we will go there if we're not paying attention to our lifestyle. But it is also possible to feel really good in our bodies.

Speaker 2:

So how, that doesn't have to be the normal, yeah, it doesn't have to be the normal.

Speaker 1:

You can have energy, you can have mental clarity, you don't have to have migraines all the time and bloating and pain. So all that to say that they start to experience this and then they're like oh my gosh my husband, oh my gosh my partner how can I?

Speaker 2:

because you get excited, right, yeah, you get excited like oh wow I don't have to have back chain I thought I did you know, like I thought that's what getting older meant. But it's like no, you know, it's like no, you didn't have to feel that way and that started not just now, like that started because of before, so years and years and years before yes, yes, yes. So they get excited. They're like, oh no, I want you to feel this way and you just have all this fucking energy.

Speaker 1:

And then they're just like, whoa, slow down, yeah yeah, yeah, and you know they're going through that and I try and share my experience and I'm happy you're sharing your experience because it was the same thing, like my husband wasn't all excited about these kinds of things and I always tell them and you know it was a big transition because I started my journey at 30 years old, after having my two kids.

Speaker 1:

So he's like what, what's, what are you doing, what's happening, kids? So he's like what, what's, what are you doing, what's happening? But he's just like you're describing your husband now, too, where he's looking at things that he's like oh no, this has too much sugar and no, we're not going to order fries and fried tenders. Like he's also like where are your vegetables? You have to pick one.

Speaker 1:

But it wasn't always like that, and he's learned a lot too in our relationship, and something I like to tell my clients and I want to know if you have some other sort of advice too is just to keep going at your journey. Everybody doesn't have to come along with you immediately.

Speaker 1:

Even if it's a person who's always living with you like a husband right they'll start to notice, and I remember one time he was like because, because we're 39, right, and he was like, uh, you're not gonna look that good and then I'm gonna look like this as we're aging, like. So if that's the motivator, then I'm like baby, I'm going to keep going, I'm going to be just, you know, and also understanding where they come from too. Like you had a very impactful life, like life experience, very young. But sometimes also, I like to remind them, you know, think about what their family dynamic is, think about the males in their family and what they did. So holding space and grace for them to to understand that it's a big change and maybe it was not modeled for them. Um, can can help the process along. It doesn't have to happen very fast, so I'm curious what you have to share on this.

Speaker 2:

No, yeah, I agree with you. I think we, once we start feeling better or we want our partner to start the journey with us. They might not be there with with you at that moment doesn't mean that they don't love you, doesn't mean that they don't support you, it's just they're at a different space or anything.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, yeah, it's true. Um, those are the top three things usually. So I think you going on your journey and showing consistency and showing that you care about yourself, I think starts to change their mindset slowly but surely. Or, you know, I'm doing this not being so pushy, but just kind of trying to involve them here and there is great, and then when they're ready, they will join you and at the end of the day, if it's a long time I'm talking like over a year and they still haven't done something they're really sitting down with them and making them understand like I'm trying to live long with you, I love you and you know really breaking down the benefits of these things because at the end of the day, you want a partner that is on your level. You know you want to share these moments.

Speaker 2:

Not only is it just a physical change, but it's a change between you and your partner, Like intimately. You're having these moments together, you working out together, you're feeling better together there. It changes the dynamic of your relationship in such a positive way. You know, I've worked out with my husband many times and it's just like you fall in love even a little bit more because you're motivating one another. You're getting touchy-feely during the workout. You know you're just like you.

Speaker 2:

Those things are important, especially when you're with someone for a longer period of time. You're re-sparking that, that intimacy, that love, and so not only thinking of it in that way, but also in just a physical, you know achievement, but also you know you're, you're helping each other in your, your relationship. The communication is better, you're understanding each other better, you're motivating and inspiring one another. That is exciting. So I think, thinking of it like that and really having a sit down, talk with if, with your partner, if you feel like they're just not moving forward and they might need a little bit more help, so and you're that person, you're that support system.

Speaker 1:

So I think, yeah, just understanding it, not only physical, but even more in depth on your relationship yeah, I can impact you yeah, I think the sit-down is sometimes necessary in a way that's hard, but it is hard yeah in a way that fits your relationship right, like that's. That's up to you, but we don't think about these things right, like the quality of life as we get older together and how someone's illness or physical ability impacts the partner Right.

Speaker 1:

And I don't think that that's thought of in the long term and how beautiful it is that most of the time, couples are working very diligently together. Most of the time, I'm assuming, and you know, speculating on financials right, like how can we retire together, how can we grow in our careers, or but never, not never, but I think it's rarely health is brought into the conversation with the same respect and regard and how it might affect the couple long-term. Uh, if their goal is to grow old together.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, which I feel like should be a goal that they have right and also if they have children. It's just like how do you really want to live your life for your children, you know, do you, do you want to be out of breath with your child? Do you want to feel like you want to play with your child, but you just have no energy. Like these things are very important. How do you want to be present for your children and for your, your partner?

Speaker 1:

I think that's another moving.

Speaker 2:

Yes, absolutely.

Speaker 2:

And then at the end of the day day, it'll just be you and your partner, because your children will go on and live their lives and it's like what happened to your foundation, you know.

Speaker 2:

And again, physical fitness and having these motivators and inspiration moments with your partner are important, because then you just go back to you too and then a lot of the times, you don't even know each other. So so I think understanding, like respecting one another in these different spaces in terms of I'm going to work out, I'm eating healthier you see the effort between the both of you Then it's like okay, he's really focused on his nutrition. Maybe I fell back a little bit for a few days, let me get back into it. So, just like those reminders of like it's gonna be you and you and I, at the end, let's continue to work on each other and enjoy each other as much as we enjoy our children, if that is, you know, people are having, if they involve children in their lives. So, again, so much more than just like working out is so much more in depth and has so much more meaning to it.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I agree. I think I love how you brought up the connection that you get when you guys work out together. And that being something that you do. I think that it can even start off with walks, like going on walks together or whatever physical activity movement you guys can think of, even as a family, like if we go out to dinner, everybody already knows we're going for a walk, and sometimes that walk happens in Costco because we have other errands to run but the point is that we're going and being some sort of physically active after we're doing things and like for us, we can't work out together in this season of our lives because somebody has to stay home with the kids.

Speaker 1:

So even planning together, how do you're going to give yourself that space? So he goes on certain days, I go certain days. There was a period of time where we were able to do it together, but still, I think it's so fun to come back and share what you're doing or share your gains or feeling powerful and strong together.

Speaker 1:

Also like getting your hormones back, like that helps your hormones. It helps intimacy like you're building muscle you're feeling strong, you're not as tired. So I brought this up just to show how maybe different seasons look differently and how you execute, but you can still find how to support each other along your journey together absolutely.

Speaker 2:

I agree with you and a lot of the times I don't work out with my husband.

Speaker 2:

So yeah he goes to work excuse me, he goes to work and he rides his bike all the way to work about 45 minutes and then 45 minutes back. But we do those walks. We make sure that we intentionally say, ok, we're going to go grab Whatever it may be a smoothie or bagel, whatever it is and we enjoy that walk and we're in the moment. So, yes, absolutely, if you're not working out together, but you come back and you share those stories of how your workout was, that's just as important. But you're also blocking out time where you can have a moment together and just talk, and a walk is more than enough. I love a walk. I'm a walk girl too. So, yeah, that was great that you brought that up too.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, can you tell we're from new york city yeah, I know a totally off topic.

Speaker 2:

I met a girl. She was on the train and she was just like she was pregnant too. She's looking at me, she's like, she's like you guys walk a lot here. I'm from florida and I'm like, oh yeah, she was out of breath honey she was out of breath and I just came down I was like super, like chill. I was just sitting there and she was just like you guys walk so much. I'm like, yeah, we do, we walk a lot which is great, I can't complain.

Speaker 2:

And she was just like I was out of breath. I don't know how you guys do it.

Speaker 1:

I was cracking up and I was like I had both my pregnancies riding the subways in the MTA. I was working full time, so I was going up and down those stairs. I was doing the work like you just get, you just yeah, New York is a different beast.

Speaker 2:

It keeps you active, that's for sure.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I do remember at the end, you know, like the crosswalk started to count down and I was with one of my friends and he was like, come on, let's go, and I was like, oh no, I'm not going to make. I was literally like nine months already and I was like, oh no, I'm not gonna make.

Speaker 2:

I was literally like nine months already and I was like I'm not gonna make it we're just gonna have to wait for the light like oh yeah, because you know, once that light turn, green honey. They don't play games they don't like, and it was a super long street and I was just like, not at this point, like.

Speaker 1:

I can't wobble all the way across the street um, oh, this has been so much fun. Yeah, girl, the end of nine months. I was like, oh my god.

Speaker 2:

I'm gonna catch a cramp if I walk too fast.

Speaker 1:

Oh my gosh, if y'all are not inspired by I don't know what else.

Speaker 1:

Samantha has to say, but I'll ask her because she's worked with so so, so many women and I'm sure she's kind of heard it all. So, if, if somebody has to hear one thing and I feel almost silly asking this because there's so much information out there about, like motivation and just start here and just do this but really talking from your personal experience, what is the one thing that usually someone has to hear to be like, okay, at least give this another try, let me, let me just try this one thing. Let me I don't know if it's start over or like pick up the wellness inspiration again, like what's that one thing you think?

Speaker 2:

that they are deserving that they are worthy. I feel like we just feel like we should feel this way, or it's just not for us. Like oh, she started a thing for me. Like oh, she started so long ago, that's why she feels great, I didn't. I'm not gonna have the same experience. Like don't put yourself in that box.

Speaker 2:

Like know, that you are worthy, you are deserving and you are capable of anything. And I think people forget and they just kind of feel like the norm should be them in pain or not getting the achievements or the goals that they're trying to reach. No, you are deserving of everything and I think just remind yourself of that constantly. For me that's the beginning and your why is so important Like I know everyone says that. And your why is so important Like I know everyone says that but just really writing it down and understanding, like psyching yourself out, because a lot of times we doubt ourselves, but it's just like you got to talk, like you already have achieved this, like you are that girl, you are that person. That is like I'm going to get it, I'm deserving of it, I'm worthy of it.

Speaker 2:

Like talking in that way will help you move forward and again being around the right people and seeing the positives out of your experiences, because a lot of times we don't do that. We just see like, oh, I failed, that's it. Take some. There's something that came out of that experience. I know it's hard to find, but find it, even if it's one thing, take it with you.

Speaker 2:

Remind yourself that you're worthy, that you are deserving of this lifestyle, of feeling this way, of living this way, Um, cause we don't remind ourselves enough of those things. So I think there's really starting there, cause I feel like, yes, you can start working out and all this and it's just like, but once you get discouraged or once you miss one workout, you like go down this rabbit hole of like, oh, but I think again, reminding yourself of these things and just starting slow, like if someone's getting back into fitness, like, don't kill yourself, go for that 20 minute walk first, 15 minutes of sunlight can do tremendous work on your mental wellness. So not overdoing it, start there. Then do an at-home workout, go to a class like start slow. Walking is free, the summer's here, take your butt outside get some sun into your beautiful face.

Speaker 2:

Listen to a podcast or a song that makes you happy, like, start right there, start there. Also, add in some journaling, write down things, see things. Those are the small steps I would say, because I'm a person I've been working out for 15 years or more and sometimes I'm like I don't want to do this right now. I said that yesterday, I don't want to do this right now, but the point is is that I already have discipline. Motivation is not is non-existent. It was non-existent.

Speaker 1:

Yes, yeah, so that's really the time.

Speaker 2:

It's not. It's just like. I know what it's going to do for me Doesn't mean I still want to do it, but I'm going to do it anyway because I've disciplined myself enough to understand that it's a priority for me and I need it. You will get there. Some people just work on motivation. For me, it's literally discipline at this point. So, but you have to get there and that's okay. You will get there. It's going to take time.

Speaker 2:

Don't bash yourself throughout the journey. Listen to those small moments. Celebrate those small victories that I didn't show up for myself today, that I did write in my journal, that I did say I'm deserving Like. Those things are important. Those small things motivate you and push you into a routine that will take you to your end goal. But I think, just trying to dive into it, I'm going to work out five days a week. I'm going to listen podcast. I'm gonna like, slowly but surely, move yourself in that direction. That's what I tell my clients and that's for me.

Speaker 2:

It's not about I want to lose 20 pounds. It's what type of lifestyle you're trying to live, what happens after you lose the 20 pounds. You know what, what I mean. So this is not just like, oh, I just want to lose 20 pounds and that's it. No, you're learning a routine, a lifestyle that you're trying to involve into yourself. Like this is not. Like oh yeah, okay, that's it. Let me go back to my old self. Like this is something you want to have for the rest of your life. So how do I implement that? Little by little. This is not like 20 pounds, that's it. No, I want this as my lifestyle and I've created that throughout the years. It didn't take me two months to do that. It took me a while to do that, and that's why I'm here right now. So I think, remembering that it's just not 20 pounds, that's it. Like no, there's so much more than that and you're going to learn that throughout your journey.

Speaker 1:

So beautiful. I'm laughing because I was like two wellness girlies never even touched on weight loss.

Speaker 2:

And like you bring it up.

Speaker 1:

And it's because of this same reason that Samantha has said and not, that weight loss is not important. That's not what I'm trying to say here. It's so much deeper than that. So when you figure out your why I I'm all for a good physical goal like, yes, I want a perky bubbly, but um sure.

Speaker 2:

And that's part of it.

Speaker 1:

Everybody does and I work hard towards that, but at the same time, the why is so much deeper. That's like for fun. So I invite you to look for that deeper goal that will keep you motivated and interested in this lifestyle when you meet whatever physical goal it is that you want when you see that number on the scale. If that's what you're going for, or your clothes, or whatever it is, it has to be deeper than that and I hope that you saw that in this conversation, where it was a lot of talk about mindset and building habits and taking it slow and looking at your small wins, and that is what's going to keep you here, because it's not always exciting.

Speaker 1:

It's not always fun, you're not always super motivated, but that bigger why will help you keep moving? Maybe not as fast as you want to, but it'll let you continue to go up one more step to put one more foot in front of that other foot.

Speaker 2:

Absolutely, totally agree with you. And again, that weight loss, all that happens, it happens automatically. You know what I mean. That's why I don't even brush on it, because if you are doing what you need to do for yourself, it will automatically happen. That's not that's for me. That's always like, yeah, okay, that's going to happen, but how do I keep you on this? As for a lifestyle for yourself, that's, that's the main goal that I have for my clients and for the people that are on in my social channels, like I want you to have this as a lifestyle. Um, so I yeah, we didn't even talk about it.

Speaker 1:

I thought it was so funny. Um, samantha, thank you so much for being here. Thank you for your time, of course, Best of luck with delivery and baby girl. Thank you, yay. How can we support you in the meantime? How can we support you now, after you're back from maternity leave? How can people get in contact with you?

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely. I mean, how can I help you guys? It really is my question. So, in terms of physical fitness nutrition, you're not sure where to start. You feel like there's just so much noise in terms of supplementation or different foods. Like, feel free to reach out to me.

Speaker 2:

I love helping my community and I will give you as many resources as you need. I always love to talk about the products that I use, that I community and I will give you as many resources as you need. I always love to talk about the products that I use, that I trust that I only use because a lot of the times in our spaces you'll see people using different things all the time and I feel like consistency is key and you showing the trust that you have on certain products and certain services that you use is really important. So if anyone has questions about that, they can follow me on social media. So my Instagram and TikTok is the same handle, so so S-O underscore Manti, M-A-N-T-I. Again, shoot me a DM.

Speaker 2:

I also have different things on my bio, so if you guys want to just check out that, I also have an email list where I will be sending more information and resources and different events. I do. I love to do different events. I'm seeing as I'm going through this journey. It could be lonely sometimes for women, especially after and postpartum not understanding their bodies, not understanding there's a lot of routine that is being disrupted. So I just feel like really shedding light on that and having community where you can talk and get resources is really important. So I have an email list. I have different links that they can choose from. I love to answer DMs, so just those are the ways you can contact me and, of course, I have my fitness platform that is also available on my page, which you get seven days for free If you guys want to try it out. It's very focused on strength training and HIIT style, so high intensity interval training.

Speaker 1:

Fun and all this information is going to be in the show notes, so it's easy and clickable. Yeah, perfect. Thank you so much again. Yes, of course. This was so fun. Yes, of course.

Speaker 2:

I'm sure we impacted someone. Even if it was one person, I hope we did so.

Speaker 1:

Let's just show up for themselves and let them know. Thank you so much samantha.