Pursuit of Wellness Podcast: Olivia Adriance – Making Healthy Food Fun, Navigating Pregnancy, and Handling Unsolicited Advice

Released on June 16, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, host Mari Llewellyn welcomes Olivia Adriance, a renowned food content creator with over 1.6 million followers. Olivia shares her journey through pregnancy, the challenges of maintaining a healthy and fun food content platform, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with unsolicited advice during this transformative period.

1. Olivia’s Pregnancy Journey and Routine Adjustments

Olivia begins the conversation by revealing that she is two days away from giving birth, highlighting her remarkable ability to participate in the podcast despite her advanced pregnancy ([00:00]-[01:27]). She discusses how her routine has shifted dramatically from a rigid, systematized schedule to a more flexible approach, emphasizing the importance of rest and adaptability during pregnancy.

Olivia Adriance ([01:06]): "I just committed to... you need to sleep as much as you can now before this baby comes out and completely wrecks your schedule."

Mari resonates with Olivia’s experience, reflecting on her own transformation after going through IVF and pregnancy, shifting from a "fight or flight" mode to embracing a more balanced perspective ([02:03]-[02:25]).

2. Content Creation: Balancing Health and Creativity

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Olivia’s passion for creating healthy, visually appealing food content. She explains the origins of her gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free food pages, driven by her personal battle with acne and the need to reduce inflammatory foods without sacrificing enjoyment in eating ([03:35]-[05:26]).

Olivia Adriance ([04:38]): "It started because... I have very acne-prone skin and I battled it from the time I was 10 years old... Switching to a gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free diet really helped."

Despite the success, Olivia candidly shares the difficulties of producing recipe content, including the extensive process of recipe testing, food styling, and photography. She mentions hiring assistance to manage the demanding aspects of content creation, highlighting the dedication required to maintain a high-quality food platform ([06:50]-[10:47]).

3. Navigating Social Media During Pregnancy

Olivia discusses the mixed reactions to her pregnancy announcement, including both supportive messages and the unfortunate loss of 7,000 followers. She emphasizes the challenge of balancing personal revelations with audience expectations, particularly when her platform is predominantly food-focused ([19:36]-[24:46]).

Olivia Adriance ([23:35]): "I held it in for a long time... It felt so sacred to me that I wanted to keep it just close to my heart for a while."

Mari and Olivia explore the impact of social media algorithms on audience engagement, noting how pregnancy-related posts can sometimes lead to negative or unexpected feedback. Olivia shares her strategy of limiting interactions with unsolicited advice and negative comments to protect her emotional well-being ([28:51]-[31:23]).

4. Emotional Well-being and Handling Unsolicited Advice

The conversation delves into the emotional challenges Olivia faces during pregnancy, including heightened sensitivity and moments of "pregnancy rage." She describes the emotional toll of unsolicited advice and mom-shaming comments, which led her to become more intentional about managing her social media interactions ([28:51]-[32:24]).

Olivia Adriance ([31:35]): "I was like... sometimes that gets me too."

Mari relates to Olivia's experiences, sharing her own emotional fluctuations and the difficulty of navigating changing dynamics within a partnership during pregnancy ([32:24]-[33:35]).

5. Workouts and Physical Activity During Pregnancy

Olivia provides an insightful account of adjusting her fitness routine in response to pregnancy-related physical changes. She transitioned from running to Legree and eventually to Shannon Richie’s Evlo prenatal program after developing Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD), which made walking painful ([33:54]-[39:28]).

Olivia Adriance ([36:07]): "Basically, the relaxin that's flooding your system makes your pelvic area very loose... I was so incredibly sore in that area."

Olivia highlights the empowering benefits of staying active during pregnancy, emphasizing strength training as a means to feel strong and prepared for childbirth. Mari expresses interest in prenatal programs to safely maintain her fitness routine ([38:19]-[40:44]).

6. Pregnancy and Postpartum Nutrition

Cravings and nutritional adjustments are a key topic, with Olivia sharing her intense desire for herb salads, citrus fruits, and later, sardines. She discusses the myths surrounding certain foods during pregnancy and postpartum, such as the misconception that butterfly pea powder can induce labor or that specific herbs might affect milk supply ([44:08]-[55:07]).

Olivia Adriance ([49:31]): "Cravings are always, like, such a fun one to talk about... I made that literally every day."

Olivia introduces her audience to lactation support cookies and shares strategies for maintaining a balanced diet that supports both pregnancy and breastfeeding needs.

7. Future Plans and Support Systems

As Olivia approaches motherhood, she outlines her plans to take a break from content creation to focus on bonding with her newborn. She expresses gratitude for the support systems in place, including her husband Kyle and her assistant Chelsea, who help manage the demands of her platform ([16:16]-[17:46]). Olivia also mentions her upcoming cookbook, set to release on March 27, and the collaboration with her friend Taylor for postpartum meal preparations ([48:15]-[56:05]).

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Olivia expressing excitement for the next phases of her journey, both as a new mother and as a content creator with a forthcoming cookbook. Mari and Olivia share heartfelt goodbyes, emphasizing the importance of community and support during such transformative times.

Olivia Adriance ([55:40]): "I can't wait to see what you feed your child."

Key Takeaways

• Flexibility Over Rigidity: Pregnancy necessitates a more adaptable routine, prioritizing rest and well-being over strict schedules.

• Balancing Content Creation and Personal Life: Olivia's experience highlights the challenges of maintaining high-quality content while navigating significant life changes.

• Emotional Resilience: Handling unsolicited advice and negative feedback requires intentional strategies to protect mental health.

• Empowering Fitness: Staying active through tailored prenatal programs can enhance physical strength and emotional well-being during pregnancy.

• Informed Nutrition Choices: Understanding the myths and facts about pregnancy and postpartum nutrition empowers women to make healthier decisions.

Notable Quotes

• Olivia Adriance ([01:06]): "You need to sleep as much as you can now before this baby comes out and completely wrecks your schedule."

• Olivia Adriance ([04:38]): "Switching to a gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free diet really helped."

• Olivia Adriance ([23:35]): "I held it in for a long time... It felt so sacred to me that I wanted to keep it just close to my heart for a while."

• Olivia Adriance ([36:07]): "Basically, the relaxin that's flooding your system makes your pelvic area very loose... I was so incredibly sore in that area."

• Olivia Adriance ([49:31]): "Cravings are always, like, such a fun one to talk about... I made that literally every day."

For more insights and updates, follow Olivia Adriance on Instagram @oliviaadrians and subscribe to her Substack newsletter, Extra Scoop.

Note: This summary is intended for informational purposes and reflects the discussions held in the podcast episode. For personalized medical advice, please consult a healthcare professional.