Get ready for THE TRUE NORTH COLLECTIVE℠ PODCAST: SEASON 4! With co-hosts Rachel Bellotti (she/her) and Jenell Riesner (she/her), this is a gathering of un-sugar-coated conversations celebrating the untold stories of everyday people fearlessly finding and living their true north. 

In our own search to discover and live from our TRUE NORTH, we continue to meet many interesting, courageous people from all walks of life, doing all sorts of amazing things to live life in their own unique way. Stories from all over the world. Stories with heart. Stories with grit. Stories with plot twists. Stories going untold - until now. This season, we continue to celebrate these untold stories of everyday people who are fearlessly living their true north and inspiring each of us to do the same.

Today’s episode needs a trigger warning as it contains references to suicide, drug addiction, postpartum, and other sensitive topics. We share with gentleness and thoughtfulness to normalize these things in the world. Please use your discernment in how to care for yourself as you consume this content. We are honored to speak with Megan Sa, former co-worker of Jenell’s at MindBody, working in human resources. Megan is a Beachbody Coach, a cheer coach, a mother of two, and is such a bold, honest, real person, which can be rare in the corporate world, and she does such an amazing job of inviting those around her to step more into their real, honest selves, both professionally and in the world. We play with making time for yourself to truly be with yourself + not have to think or do anything else, disrupting family gender roles, father roles + influence, anxiety + postpartum depression realities, talking about mental health in the workplace, coping skills vs pills, addiction + identity numbing, invisible disabilities, having a supportive partner + support system, grappling with death, asking for what you need, advocating for your mental health in the workplace, and saving yourself. This episode cuts through to the core of being a humxn with mental struggles + Megan has an innate ability to share her story with grounded acceptance that invites you to embrace your own raw story with kindness + vulnerability. Thank you for sharing your powerful voice with us, Megan. <3

*note: this episode includes explicit language appropriate for those ages 16+

**note: rachel’s wifi is pretty spotty in her RV during this episode so there is time lapses + weird audio at times - thx for your patience + understanding!

***TRIGGER WARNING - the content of this episode includes some reference to drugs, addiction, postpartum, suicide + trauma topics

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• #amplifymelanatedvoices @thelovelandfoundation
• #amplifymelanatedvoices @blackmenheal
• #amplifymelanatedvoices @indigenouscircleofwellness
• Rascal Flatts
• Language of Emotions by Karla McLaren
• Gifts of Imperfection, Braving the Wilderness books by Brene Brown 
• Cottage in San Luis Obispo
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 1.800.273.8255
• Music from: https://www.jukedeck.com/

3 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Where are you agreeing to societally placed roles that aren’t actually what you want? Can you break the blueprint + choose to do what feels right for you vs what is expected of you? Even if people don’t understand, you are probably not the only person who is craving something for yourself that society has said was not “normal”, so be the expander, the influence, the new model that breaks the mold + declares that it IS possible + more than ok. Break the rules + follow your heart.
2. When it comes to your mental health (or anything really), don’t settle. Find the way that DOES work for you, even if it means that you need a different level or type of support than what is traditionally used. You are allowed to ask for what you need to find solutions that work with you vs forcing yourself into a situation that will ultimately not be sustainable for you. Listen to yourself + keep advocating for yourself at all costs.
3. It can be scary to ask for support when we need it - in our friend groups, with our partners, with our families, at work. But no matter how scary it might seem, you must ask for the help that you need. No matter what there is support that does exist out there. And if someone cannot provide it or meet you where you’re at, keep asking other places + people because someone WILL be able to support you. If you lose friends or jobs as a result, there will be others. Your mental health + finding support is more important. Be your own advocate because you are the only one who can truly save yourself, and you deserve to have support while you do that.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [1:09] Rascal Flatts
• [1:30] Twins
• [4:46] AD: We want to welcome you to join THE COLLECTIVE on the third Thursday of each month @7:30-8:30pm CST! It’s a free virtual community gathering of people from all around the world to come together to connect, share, to witness + be witnessed, reflect, listen, and expand the conversations we have in the podcast, but with WAY MORE fellow travelers who are also practicing living their TRUE NORTH. We’d love to see you there. Sign-up here!
• [5:55] Welcome, Megan!
• [10:00] Throwing out the blueprint of family + parental gender roles
• [16:00] Father roles + influence
• [22:20] AD: Check out the Creative Business Accelerator program from our friend Megs Colleen, a life coach + creative consultant. In this program, you can expect support as you break down big business difficulties, shift your mindset, and rise as the powerful humxn you are. To get an extra $100 off this program, use the special promo code: TRUENORTH by May 31st, exclusively for our listeners. Learn more + sign up here!
• [22:40] Anxiety as a kid
• [23:40] Postpartum depression visions, panic attacks, meltdowns 
• [31:00] Coping skills vs pills 
• [36:00] Addiction + identity numbing
• [41:00] Doing the hard things to rewire our brains
• [46:00] Acceptance
• [48:00] Invisible disabilities (mental illness) stole my joy
• [54:00] Having a supportive partner as you struggle with mental health
• [56:30] Grappling with death
• [59:00] We MUST talk about mental illness + mental health
• [1:01:27] AD: The 3rd episode of That Girl Got Ghosted is now live! This is Jenell’s YouTube Series where she takes her Tinder dates to haunted hotels and films them for our viewing pleasure. The idea for this series is a mashup of the Bachelor meets Catfish meets Ghost Adventures. Check it out here!
• [1:02:20] Don’t give up on the support that you need - keep asking for what you need
• [1:11:00] Sharing mental health realities in the workplace
• [1:20:00] Always believe people when they are telling you about their mental health issues + stories 
• [1:21:00] Share your story, no matter how ashamed you may feel - it needs to be shared
• [1:23:20] How do you live your TRUE NORTH in 1 word?
• [1:23:40] Connect with Megan via IG @thecrazysas or via FB @MeganandJonathanSa or email samegan0301@gmail.com