Make the Strawberry Bunny Then Eat It with Kathy Mahal

Caregiving can look heroic on the outside while you’re shaking behind the safety gate on the inside. We name that gap and get honest about the cost of trying to be endlessly patient, present, and “fine” while managing chronic illness, mental illness, appointments, meds, and the constant emotional load. For us, the real breakthrough is accepting a truth most caregivers were never taught: self-care is not self-indulgence, it’s the fuel that makes you competent, steady, and able to lead your family through chaos. I’m joined by coach Kathy Mahal, founder of Today Forward Consulting, whose approach blends health, life, business, and genealogy into one connected roadmap. We talk about building real bandwidth through the basics that actually move the needle: nutrition, movement, water, sunshine, and sleep. Kathy shares a simple campfire metaphor for keeping your energy from crashing, plus practical ways to create “white space” and add small moments of fun when you feel like you have no time at all. We also touch on why baselines matter in healthcare, what your body is trying to tell you, and how tiny daily choices stack into better sleep and clearer thinking. Then we go somewhere unexpected: legacy. Kathy explains how family stories, meaningful photos, and shared meals can help caregivers remember who they are, not just what they do. We also explore when heritage turns into “head trash,” and how to keep what strengthens you while forging your own way forward. If you’re carrying a lot right now, this one is a reset for your mind, your body, and your sense of self. Subscribe, share this with a fellow caregiver, and leave a review with the one habit you’re ready to protect starting today. To connect with Kathy and gain access to caregiver support tools, resources, and upcoming events, visit https://TodayForwardConsulting.com. As a special resource for listeners, her Holding It Together (Kinda) Podcast Bullet Point PDF is available at: https://TodayForwardConsulting.com/Ho... Kathy also hosts a Virtual Caregiver Retreat, designed to help you rest your mind, body, and soul, so you can reset, refocus, and step into your next season with intention. Every 90 days, you will feel a shift. If you’re ready to take your next step, schedule a complimentary 15-minute call at: https://todayforwardconsulting.com/bo... Her mission is simple: to help you honor where you’ve been, embrace where you are, and confidently step into what’s next. To go deeper into Kathy’s reflections and hear more in response to Michael’s questions, connect with Kathy at: https://TodayForwardConsulting.com/Ho... Get the Journal https://guardian-academy.thinkific.co... Join Our Group: Mental Health Resource Network: Mental Health Resource Network | CARE Coalition | Facebook And become part of the Care Colaition: Serious Mental Illness Support | Care Coalition Homepage On lIne Course https://guardian-academy.thinkific.com/ Featured Books by Michael Saving Melissa: 7Cs to Cure the Mental Health System https://www.amazon.com/Saving-Melissa... Character: Become the Person Your Social Media “Friends” Already Think You Are https://www.amazon.com/Character-Beco...