The Successful Mama Podcast

74 - growing at your own pace: childhood cancer, milestones, and finding balance with food and fitness

In this week’s episode of the Successful Mama Podcast, we sit down with Sally Ham, a mama of 2, wife, foodie, and Lego and puzzle enthusiast. September is Childhood Cancer Awareness month, and Sally is also a childhood cancer survivor. While she doesn’t remember much from the time of her diagnosis, we dive into how her experience shaped her journey as a mother and impacts her outlook on life today.
We also discuss the pressure of milestones and how hitting them “late” doesn’t define your child’s future. It’s a reminder that we all grow at our own pace, and that's perfectly okay. Whether you're a mom feeling overwhelmed by timelines or someone who’s ever felt “behind,” this episode will encourage you to embrace your unique journey.
Finally, we tackle something every mom can relate to—finding a healthy relationship with food and fitness. Sally shares her personal transformation from struggling with disordered eating back in high school and college to discovering balance, self-acceptance, and joy in her wellness routine.
Tune in for inspiration, real talk, and practical takeaways.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media (@successfulmamapodcast).

73 - ballet, bravery, and figuring it out: a dancer's journey through life and motherhood

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rachel Butler-Otto, the now Huntsville Ballet School Director* who has spent her life learning to figure it out as she goes—both in the world of dance and in motherhood. Leaving home at 16 to pursue a professional ballet career, she faced challenges from a surprise pregnancy to balancing the demands of family and dance.
I often talk about the fact that we can learn from one another, no matter how different our stories may look. As a little girl, my closet was full of jerseys and cleats, rather than tutus and pointe shoes, so my exposure to ballet was minimal. And yet, I took away so much wisdom from this conversation that resonates with any mama out there. We discuss the bravery it takes to navigate unexpected challenges, the importance of showing our kids that it's okay to figure things out along the way, and the reassuring truth that we’re all doing fine—even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Whether you're a dancer or not, I think you'll find this conversation both comforting and inspiring. Grab your coffee and push play!And don't forget to follow us over on Instagram- @successfulmamapodcast*In the intro for the episode, I share that Rachel is the Ballet Mistress for the Huntsville Ballet School. After finishing the episode, I realized that I misread, as this is her title associated with the Huntsville Ballet Company, and she is the Director for the school. I did mention in the episode that I had no idea what a Ballet Mistress was... I'll get Rachel to explain it to me next time.

72 - prioritizing your marriage: leaning on community for support

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Courtney Joy Willoughby, who shares her journey of getting married at just 18, navigating the challenges of endometriosis, and experiencing the heartbreak of a miscarriage. Through these trials and the example originally set by her parents, she learned the importance of prioritizing her marriage and how essential it is to build and lean on a supportive community. We dive into the practical ways you can strengthen your relationship and find time together even in a busy schedule. We also talk about the importance of creating a network of people you can rely on—whether it’s family, friends, or neighbors. This episode is packed with insights on how to balance the demands of life while ensuring your marriage remains strong and how to create the community support you need to thrive. Tune in for a heartfelt discussion that offers real-world advice for every stage of your relationship.Make sure to connect with us on Instagram- @successfulmamapodcast

71 - refocusing priorities: from career grind to family time

In this episode, I sit down with one of my dearest friends, Bethany McLemore. In the time we have been friends, she has navigated significant shifts in both her career and personal life. After years of working as a preschool director (where she had the benefit of bringing her babies to work) she made the brave decision to step out of a high-stress management role and return to public school teaching. While this move brought some relief, it also introduced new challenges, like being away from her new baby during the day.
We discuss how her definition of success has evolved—from focusing on career-driven goals to prioritizing her family and finding a healthier work-life balance. We also explore the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone, even when it feels safer to stay put, and how to navigate the toughest days with grace and resilience.
Whether you're a mom struggling with work-life balance, facing tough decisions, or simply needing some encouragement to push through the hardest moments, this conversation is packed with wisdom, relatable stories, and practical advice.By the way, you will rarely find a day when Bethany and I get together without having coffee together, so I hope you'll grab yours (or something else delicious!) and imagine us sitting across the table sharing this conversation with you.

70 - flourishing after the drought: self-care and growth in a new season

As we transition from summer into the routine of back-to-school, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything on our plates. In this episode, I reflect on the importance of self-care, using a story from my garden to explore how we can bounce back and thrive, even after tough times and seasons that are a little more chaotic. We’ll also talk a little on the science of stress and resilience, with practical tips to help you flourish in this new season.
Tune in for a blend of personal insights and actionable advice that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to nurture yourself.

69 - evolving through motherhood: navigating transitions and life with hector

In a bit of a twist this week, we asked for a mom from our Instagram community (@successfulmamapodcast) to come on and tell her story. Amy Mayfield stepped up as our very first Wild Card Guest, and her interview was such a treat!
Given Amy's daughter Abby is a young adult, we were able to spend time chatting about the full spectrum of motherhood and all the transitions along the way, to now dedicating much of her time to training Hector, her beloved English Mastiff.
Some topics that come up? Spontaneous trips and a lack of direction. Being best friends with your kids, while also being the parent. Changing relationships, not only with your children, but also with your friends. Navigating depression. Learning more about who you are apart from your child. Lessons that correlate in training dogs and raising children. And of course, Hector. He's a service dog who brings joy to some special kiddos each month, and he is cool enough to have his own Instagram. (@hectortheenglishmastiff)I hope you love our first Wild Card Guest as much as I did! From the feedback I've gotten so far, we may just have to do this again.

68 - finding your balance: stepping out of comfort zones and experiencing new things

This week, I chat with an inspiring mama named Katiya McKinney who says one of the most important things in her day-to-day life is finding her balance. We chat about how this looks different for us all, but for her, it means staying busy, taking on new projects, and always trying something new.
Katiya shares about a lesson she learned when she was 16 that has truly helped shape who she is today. She also opens up about getting out of her comfort zone, like when she spoke at her alma mater, and how important it is to set an example for her kids by embracing new experiences and showing them that the world doesn't revolve around them. We also dive into the challenges of being in the sandwich generation, juggling the care of aging parents and young kids.
This episode is full of wisdom and practical tips for any mom trying to find her balance. Tune in for some great insights and inspiration!

67 - navigating motherhood later: intentional parenting and self-compassion

When this week's guest, Valerie Grabowski, shared how being an "older parent" (her words) has led her to be more intentional in her parenting style, I knew it was a topic we had to dive into. While becoming a parent at a younger age used to be the norm, more and more adults are choosing to have kids later in life. Valerie gives us a glimpse into her journey, from meeting her husband (long before the days of Instagram, Facebook, and even Myspace!) to traveling and living in various places before welcoming their children. This episode is packed with valuable insights and nuggets of wisdom, so be sure to listen all the way to the end!Follow us on Instagram- @successfulmamapodcast

66 - embracing seasons: fitness, family, and entrepreneurial spirit

In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of a mom who has worn many hats over the years. Meet our guest, Natalee Jean: a wife and dedicated mama of four boys, fitness enthusiast, podcaster, entrepreneur, teacher, and so much more. Natalee shares how her definition of success has evolved through different stages— from working in the corporate world, to owning and running a gym, to now focusing on her role as a stay-at-home mom and president of the PTSO (parent, teacher, student organization).
Join us as we explore her transition through various seasons, and how she is carrying lessons she learned forward to her next endeavors. A topic you won't want to miss- Natalee and her husband's creative way to bond and spend one-on-one time with their kids, . We'll also discuss how she's using her entrepreneurial background to teach and inspire young minds, helping them launch their own businesses through a unique vendor day event.
Whether you're balancing a career, family, or personal aspirations, this episode offers valuable insights into embracing the seasons of life and defining your success wherever you are right now.

65 - finishing summer strong: catching up, reflections, and what's to come

We're back!! I have missed you over these last few weeks, but this break has been good for my soul. Join me as I share some life updates and what we've been up to this summer, reflections from my time off (including on the podcast and on what I've deemed as stage 2 of motherhood), and some discussion on getting ready for fall.What have you been up to this summer? Are you in stage 2 of motherhood? I'd love to hear from you over on Instagram!  @successfulmamapodcast