Podcast Summary: Pursuit of Wellness - "Wrapping Up 2024: Reflections, Gratitude, and What’s Next for 2025"

Release Date: December 19, 2024
Host: Mari Llewellyn

Introduction and Gratitude

In this heartfelt solo episode of Pursuit of Wellness, Mari Llewellyn sets a cozy atmosphere to reflect on her personal and professional journey throughout 2024. She expresses immense gratitude towards her listeners, highlighting the transformative impact the podcast has had on her life.

"This show is such a ginormous part of my life, and it has completely changed my life in so many ways." [02:15]

Mari acknowledges the podcast's role in expanding her network, enhancing her empathy, and deepening her self-awareness. She teases exciting announcements for 2025, building anticipation among her audience.

2024 Year in Review

Personal Achievements and Milestones

Mari outlines significant milestones achieved in 2024, emphasizing the balance between personal fulfillment and professional success. Key highlights include:

• Move to Austin: A strategic relocation aimed at combating burnout and fostering meaningful relationships.

  "Moving to Austin was a very intentional time for me where I was like, I feel the burnout... I really want to go to Austin and... build relationships that are for a lifetime." [12:30]

• Business Growth: Launching Bloom Energy Drinks, securing a partnership at Nutribolt, and marking three years of marriage.

  "Bloom energy drinks... they're at Target. They're like one of the top sellers. Like, it's insane to see." [15:45]

• Personal Celebrations: Turning 30, celebrating in Cabo, and hosting a launch party in London where she connected with fans and old friends.

  "I turned 30 this year, celebrated it in Cabo... I got to meet tons of London Bloom fans. It was really incredible." [20:10]

• Professional Highlights: Speaking at Harvard, a pinnacle moment showcasing her influence in the wellness industry.

  "I spoke at Harvard, which was a huge highlight for me in my career and was a really special moment." [22:50]

Fertility Journey

Mari delves deeply into her fertility struggles, candidly sharing the emotional toll it has taken over the year. She reflects on the obsessive nature of her journey and the breakthroughs she has achieved in managing her mental well-being.

"I really thought losing 90 pounds would be the hardest thing I've ever been through. Turns out maybe not. Fertility really messes with you, messes with your head." [28:20]

She emphasizes the importance of letting go of obsessive thoughts and maintaining hope, highlighting the support systems and strategies that have helped her navigate this challenging period.

"I feel more in control than I have felt in over a year. And, um, not that there's really much control ever with fertility, but I feel supported and I feel in control, so that's a good thing." [35:05]

Mari also touches upon the sensitive nature of discussing fertility openly, aiming to provide a supportive environment for listeners facing similar issues.

Business and Podcast Success

Mari celebrates the podcast's remarkable achievements in 2024, including:

• Chart Rankings: Achieving top positions in Apple’s mental health and health and fitness charts, as well as Spotify charts, culminating in over 10 million downloads.

  "We held top positions in the charts closing out the year with over 10 million downloads, which is absolutely insane." [45:30]

• Listener Impact: Acknowledging the role of her listeners in shaping the podcast, from generating ideas to bringing on expert guests. She takes pride in representing women in the health and wellness space, a field predominantly led by men.

  "I really, really hope to see more up there because I love seeing that women in male fields." [50:15]

Mari underscores the importance of addressing women's health topics that are often overlooked, such as PCOS, fertility, and the impact of processed foods on health.

Reflections on Personal Growth

Mari contrasts her earlier, highly disciplined "overdrive" mode with her current focus on balance and well-being. She discusses the challenges of scaling back intense productivity while maintaining her well-being.

"I have been struggling a lot more because I'm not... an insane, like, robot person that just sat at a desk the entire day." [55:40]

She reflects on the shift from a rigid, work-centric lifestyle to embracing creativity and personal happiness, particularly through activities like farming and horseback riding.

"At the core of my soul, all I really want to do is farm and be around horse. Like, this morning, I had a photo shoot with my horse, Red, for a magazine." [60:05]

Listener Q&A

Mari addresses various listener questions, offering insights into her personal experiences and professional advice.

Comparing January and December 2024

Mari contrasts her state of mind at the beginning and end of the year, highlighting personal growth and increased contentment.

"January 2024, I was still in LA... I have my dream house. I love what I do every day. I feel very content now." [65:20]

Maintaining Normalcy Amid Fertility Struggles

She shares coping mechanisms, emphasizing the therapeutic value of sharing her journey and helping others.

"Whenever I share and I get feedback that other people are dealing with it too, I just feel supported and I feel like at least I am helping someone else." [70:15]

Mari discusses the emotional challenges of dealing with unsupportive conversations about fertility, ensuring that she prioritizes her mental health by being selective about the content she shares.

"I am very, very cautious of what I put on this show... I don't put out every single conversation I have." [72:50]

Regrets About Living Far from Family

Mari reflects on her international family dynamics, expressing contentment with her independence and strong local relationships in Austin.

"Everyone's just very independent in my family. So like for me, it's not that difficult. I feel like we have a lot of people in our lives here." [80:30]

Balancing Personal Success with Public Perception

She discusses building resilience against criticism and maintaining self-respect, advocating for pursuing worthwhile endeavors despite external negativity.

"If you are doing anything worthwhile, you will upset people... If you're doing something worthwhile and people are upset about it, go do it yourself." [88:20]

Advice for New Entrepreneurs Feeling Lonely and Scared

Mari offers compassionate advice, highlighting the importance of perseverance and embracing the solitary phases of entrepreneurship.

"If you can get through this, there is something waiting for me on the other side that I can't even imagine right now." [92:45]

Looking Ahead to 2025

Mari outlines her aspirations for the upcoming year, focusing on personal goals and expanding her creative endeavors.

• Pregnancy: Expressing hope and excitement about finally becoming pregnant.

  "Finally being pregnant and being able to stop talking about this topic, hopefully having a baby." [100:30]

• Creative Projects: Embracing her creative side with plans for more farming activities and integrating her love for animals into her lifestyle.

  "I feel like I'm ready to rage every now and again... I really like music and dancing." [105:15]

• Live Tours: Dreaming of a Pursuit of Wellness live tour, contemplating the logistical challenges due to her fertility journey.

  "I am dying to do... I want to be like traveling around doing live tours." [110:50]

Mari emphasizes the potential of her creative and entrepreneurial spirit to further impact her audience positively in the new year.

Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Mari concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to reflect on their own year, set intentions, and strive for balance in their wellness journeys. She shares journal prompts to aid in personal reflection and emphasizes the importance of resting and recharging during the holiday season.

"Think about what you're most proud of for 2024, challenges that shaped you, what did you learn, what habits or mindsets you want to leave behind." [120:10]

She reiterates her gratitude towards her audience, reaffirming the podcast's mission to inspire and support listeners in their pursuit of wellness.

"I want to express my gratitude for all of the support for the Pursuit of Wellness this year. It's been absolutely incredible and I love you guys so much." [125:45]

Mari hints at exciting content and major announcements slated for 2025, encouraging listeners to subscribe and stay tuned for the upcoming year's offerings.

Conclusion

In "Wrapping Up 2024: Reflections, Gratitude, and What’s Next for 2025," Mari Llewellyn offers a candid and comprehensive overview of her year's journey, blending personal anecdotes with professional insights. Her vulnerability about her fertility struggles, combined with celebrating significant achievements, provides a balanced narrative that resonates deeply with listeners. As she looks forward to 2025, Mari's focus on creativity, personal growth, and expanding her influence underscores her commitment to fostering a holistic wellness community.