From Grief to Grit, how one mom ran her way back to herself and lost 117 lbs

So many of us have a version of ourselves we dream of becoming. 

We want more energy, more patience, more joy. But in the whirlwind of motherhood, taking the first step can feel impossible.

In this powerful episode, Cara sits down with her friend Chevaunne Macpherson, a mother of two who shares her deeply personal story of moving from being stuck to becoming unstoppable.

Chevaunne’s journey was born from tragedy. Following the death of her brother, she found herself in a spiral of unhealthy coping mechanisms.

The breaking point came when a friend suffered a heart attack in her presence, making her confront her own health and the legacy she wanted to leave for her children.

It was a moment of decision: she could continue down a dangerous path or choose to rise up and listen to the small voice telling her to try something new.

Instead of overwhelming herself with a massive overhaul, Chevaunne committed to one small change a week, one tweak to her diet, one new fitness goal. 

That simple, sustainable approach began with a walking challenge and grew into a passion for running, fitness classes, and nutrition, ultimately leading to a 117-pound weight loss and a new identity as an athlete.

But the results go far beyond the physical. 

Chevaunne speaks with Cara about how this journey transformed her from the inside out.

By processing her grief and prioritizing her well-being, she found she became a calmer, less reactive mother, able to navigate the daily chaos with more grace and presence.

It allowed her to connect with her daughters on a new level, modeling the power of doing hard things and showing them what it means to truly take care of yourself.

TLFMTR (Too LONG for Mom to read):

• You don’t have to do everything at once. Chevaunne’s advice is to make just one small, manageable change to your diet and one to your fitness each week to build sustainable habits without feeling overwhelmed.
  
  
  

• True transformation starts with a mindset shift. For Chevaunne, it was learning to live
  with her grief instead of in her grief, turning it into motivation for positive change.
  
  
  

• Prioritizing your own health is a gift to your children. By taking time for herself, Chevaunne found she was a calmer, less reactive parent and could model for her daughters what it looks like to do hard things for a beautiful result.
  
  
  

• Taking care of your body has unexpected mental benefits. Beyond having more energy, Chevaunne found that running and fitness helped her manage the stress of a demanding job and the overstimulation of motherhood.
  
  
  

• Your partnership needs to be nurtured separately from your parenting. Chevaunne emphasizes the importance of making time for your marriage, separate from the kids, to maintain that essential connection.

What is one small, gentle step you can take this week to move toward the version of yourself you want to become?

Remember, you are a great mom, and you're not alone in this.

Want to continue the conversation with a group of moms who get it?

See you there!

Shawna & Cara