Mom Halo

Coach Chris Smits has spent more than 30 years in high-performance training, working with over 200 NHL players and Olympic athletes. Elle Daftarian came to fitness in her forties, after careers in events, beauty and desserts. When COVID closed their Toronto gym, they took their community online with an eight-week challenge that grew from 18 people to 150 in three months. Today it's Forty Forward, coaching for busy women through perimenopause. Alana is seven weeks into their eight-week 35+ Metabolic Reset Method, and she brings Chris and Elle into the studio to unpack why it works. They explain why nutrition is the biggest lever, why structured training beats random workouts, and how dumbbells, bodyweight and progressive overload at home can outperform a fancy gym. Plus: what gym businesses don't want you to hear, the mind-muscle connection, why they keep clients off the scale, and Elle On-Demand, their custom AI nutrition coach built on 500+ of Elle's recipes. Their message: you're not broken. Perimenopause changed the rules, so your strategy has to change too. ────────────────────────────── MOM HALO LISTENER OFFER ────────────────────────────── Apply for a free discovery call with Coach Chris and mention Mom Halo to get a free recipe book with 100 high-protein recipes.  → https://fortyforwardcoaching.com/coaching-application-9481 ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 Welcome, and meet Coach Chris and Elle 02:14 From a COVID workout challenge to Forty Forward 04:05 Why they focused on women and perimenopause 06:07 Inside the 35+ Metabolic Reset Method 08:23 Trained, not entertained 09:38 Accountability: the support most programs skip 11:22 Alana's experience, seven weeks in 13:15 Their superpower: keeping it real 16:24 1,000+ transformations, and why home beats the gym 18:01 Simple equipment and progressive overload 20:54 What gym businesses don't want you to hear 22:04 The mind-muscle connection 25:19 Small wins, peak weeks and planned recovery 28:48 No injuries, and being coachable 30:55 The power of community 33:31 Why people keep their fitness private 36:43 Why they keep you off the scale 38:31 Body composition, muscle and "I don't want to get bulky" 42:38 Elle On-Demand, their AI nutrition coach 48:45 Final advice: you're not broken 50:22 Where to find Chris and Elle ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH FORTY FORWARD ────────────────────────────── Website → https://fortyfwd.com Apply for a discovery call → https://fortyforwardcoaching.com/coaching-application-9481 Elle's free recipes → https://fortyfwd.com/blogs/elles-recipes-1 Coach Chris on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/coachchrissmits TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@coachchrissmits Elle on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/elledaftarian ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/ #Perimenopause #WomensFitness #StrengthTraining #MetabolicHealth #Nutrition #ProgressiveOverload #FitnessOver40 #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Why do some kids pick up reading on their own while others struggle for years? Ruth Rumack, founder of Ruth Rumack's Learning Space and creator of The Yak Pack decodable comics, has spent three decades working one-on-one with kids who learn differently. She joins Alana to explain why reading is so hard for the brain, what phonological awareness is and why it predicts reading success, and why knowing the alphabet song isn't the same as knowing the sounds. Ruth walks parents through the Ontario path from psychoeducational assessments to IEPs and IPRCs, the early signs worth watching for, and why behaviour is the tip of the iceberg. Plus: why what looks like lazy is often anxiety, executive functioning and the "neurospicy" kids who think differently, the shame and comparison kids carry, and why learning needs a safe space. Her message for parents: drop the guilt, find the right support, and don't count your kid out. ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 Introducing Ruth Rumack 01:03 From teachers college to her own learning space 03:11 Thousands of students, and now their kids 04:47 Why Ruth created The Yak Pack comics 09:04 Why is reading so hard? 11:18 Phonological awareness: the early predictor 13:03 Letter names vs. letter sounds 15:15 Learning differences: more of it, or better at naming it? 18:43 Psychoeducational assessments, IEPs and IPRCs 23:47 Quiet girls, masking and stigma 24:38 Shame and comparison 25:41 What Ruth sees when a struggling student walks in 29:42 Early signs to watch for 33:07 Behaviour is the tip of the iceberg 34:45 Tips for teachers: what looks like lazy is often anxiety 38:03 What is executive functioning? 41:34 Is executive function weakness genetic? 44:05 Celebrating neurospicy kids 46:19 Creating a safe learning space 49:30 Parent guilt, and never counting kids out 50:41 Where to find Ruth and The Yak Pack 54:17 Outro ────────────────────────────── MOM HALO LISTENER OFFER ────────────────────────────── 30% off Academic Assessments at Ruth Rumack's Learning Space for the Mom Halo community. Enter code MOMHALO in the referral box on the intake form. → https://ruthrumack.com ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH RUTH RUMACK ────────────────────────────── Ruth Rumack's Learning Space → https://ruthrumack.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rrlstoronto/ The Yak Pack Comics → https://yakpack.rumackresources.com Free sample → https://rumackresources.com/product/yak-pack-comics-free-sample/ Amazon.ca → https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=yak+pack+comics Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theyakpackcomics/ ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/ #Literacy #LearningToRead #LearningDifferences #Dyslexia #ADHD #ExecutiveFunctioning #Phonics #Neurodiversity #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Parenting

Why do so many moms feel overwhelmed, even when everything looks fine from the outside? Amber Sperling, registered social worker and founder of Marsha Care, joins Alana to talk about the overwhelm, disconnection and birth trauma she sees every day in her practice, and why some women only realize years later how deeply their birth experience shaped them. Amber shares her own two very different births, what social media gets right and wrong about motherhood, and small things that make a real difference: putting a timer on your scroll, texting a real friend instead of sending a reel, a 10,000 lux light for the dark months, and asking your doctor about iron, thyroid and vitamin D. Plus, a look at Marsha Care's upcoming workshops and Connected Beginnings, a six-week virtual program for moms in their third trimester. ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 Introducing Amber Sperling and Marsha Care 01:19 Why moms are reaching out: overwhelm and disconnection 02:52 Social media: a snapshot, not the whole story 05:55 Strategies for overwhelm: timers, intention, real connection 08:27 What is birth trauma? 14:43 When birth trauma surfaces years later 19:11 Matrescence and the rose-coloured picture of motherhood 22:10 Breastfeeding: the part nobody prepares you for 26:23 Capital T trauma and finding perspective 29:12 You decide how long each chapter is 30:19 Adding something in: mom groups, movement, light therapy 32:15 Iron, thyroid and vitamin D: ask for the bloodwork 34:49 Upcoming Marsha Care workshops and Connected Beginnings 40:38 How to reach Amber and Marsha Care's accessible care model 41:50 Final message: you are a good enough mom 42:39 Outro ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH AMBER SPERLING ────────────────────────────── Website → https://marshacare.ca Email → [email protected] Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/amber.sperling.rsw/ ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood: the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/ #MaternalMentalHealth #BirthTrauma #PostpartumSupport #PerinatalMentalHealth #Matrescence #MomOverwhelm #PostpartumMentalHealth #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten? Independence Skills That Matter, with Melissa Markus Melissa Markus has taught kindergarten in the public school system for over 14 years. She is a mom of three, the creator of The Kindergarten Mom on social media, and the author of the new children's book Confidence in Kindergarten. In this episode she explains how to get kids ready for the big first day, and why self-help skills matter more than knowing letters and shapes. We talk about what parents struggle with most, from toileting to separation anxiety, how Melissa wrote her book in the notes app on her phone and found her illustrator on Fiverr, and what she learned teaching an integrated kindergarten program in a children's hospital. She also shares how she grew her account, why being silly is the best classroom management tool, and the backpacks, markers, and lunch containers she recommends. Key takeaways: - Independence and self-help skills come before academics: shoes, backpack, lunch containers, toileting, sitting through a story. - Practice these skills at home, at a calm time, not while rushing out the door. - Hype up kindergarten: visit the school, talk about friends and the playground, and let your excitement be catching. - Bring learning to life through play, drama, and silliness. That's what kids remember. - Pick gear your child can open and close alone, whatever the price. ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 Introduction to Melissa Markus 01:58 From teacher to children's book author 04:13 What parents struggle with before kindergarten 06:08 Why independence and self-help skills matter 07:47 Inclusive classrooms and her hospital teaching years 09:55 Growing The Kindergarten Mom on social media 13:02 What's next 14:54 Favourite classroom activities and experiential learning 17:00 The power of silliness and play 18:51 Common parent questions and misconceptions about independence 21:06 Advice for first-time kindergarten parents 23:05 Tools and gear Melissa recommends 31:09 Confidence in Kindergarten and where to buy it 32:57 Closing thoughts ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH MELISSA MARKUS ────────────────────────────── Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/thekindergartenmom/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thekindergartenmom ────────────────────────────── RESOURCES MENTIONED ────────────────────────────── Confidence in Kindergarten (book + skills checklist) → https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1067502033 Also available at Indigo.ca, Barnes & Noble, and Books-A-Million Her gear picks: Pottery Barn backpack (largest size), Crayola washable markers, Sistema and Bee Box lunch containers, Thermos water bottles ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood. The messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #Kindergarten #KindergartenReadiness #ParentingTips #IndependenceSkills #ChildrensBooks #TeacherMom #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Professional home organizer Stephanie Haghani has seen inside more overflowing basements and toy closets than she can count — and her diagnosis is refreshingly simple: most of us don't lack systems, we just have too much stuff. In this episode, Stephanie shares practical strategies for decluttering, managing kids' belongings, and building a home where everything has a place.   We talk about the consumer culture that keeps our homes overflowing, why minimalism is hard but worth it, how to teach kids organizational skills early, and the emotional work of letting go of sentimental items. Plus: the first small step to take if your house feels out of control (hint — grab a timer and one bag).   ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 — Introduction to Stephanie Haghani and Her Expertise 00:36 — Common Household Challenges Faced by Busy Families 02:15 — The Importance of Decluttering and Being Intentional 04:10 — The Cultural Influence of Consumerism and Overbuying 06:12 — The Challenges of Minimalism and How to Approach It 08:43 — Managing Kids' Belongings and Teaching Responsibility 14:00 — Transforming Problem Areas Like Basements 22:11 — The Future of the Home Organization Industry 35:42 — First Steps for Starting Your Decluttering Journey 43:52 — How to Find and Work with a Professional Organizer   ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE HAGHANI ────────────────────────────── Website → https://neatandtidywithstephanie.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/neatandtidywithstephanie/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/neatandtidywithstephanie   ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.   🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.   Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/   #HomeOrganization #Decluttering #Minimalism #ProfessionalOrganizer #MomLife #HouseholdSystems #TidyHome #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Jay Rosenzweig has built a life at the intersection of law, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and advocacy — and in this episode, he brings all of it to the table. From growing up inspired by his family's entrepreneurial spirit to leading a global executive search firm and championing women in leadership, Jay shares hard-won insights on risk, purpose, and what it really means to lead. We talk AI breakthroughs, health innovation, the art of balancing a dynamic career with fatherhood, and why — in Jay's words — the real wealth is learning to cherish life itself. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction to Jay Rosenzweig 03:47 — Navigating Leadership in Uncertain Times 05:29 — The Intersection of Art and Business 08:56 — Entrepreneurial Journey and Influences 12:22 — Taking Risks in Entrepreneurship 17:06 — Supporting Women in Leadership 20:24 — The Evolution of Women's Representation 24:11 — The Role of AI in Business and Health 31:41 — Fatherhood and Parenting Insights 40:48 — Outro CONNECT WITH JAY ROSENZWEIG Website → https://www.jayrosenzweig.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/rosenzweig_company/   ABOUT MOM HALO Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WomenInLeadership #AI #HealthInnovation #Philanthropy #Fatherhood #MomHalo #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Amy and Regan built Hela Nutrition from the ground up — developing a clean, plant-based protein powder and collagen products that actually taste good and deliver results. In this episode, they share how they formulated their products with gut health in mind, navigated retail expansion, and built a brand rooted in trust and transparency.   Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a health-conscious mom, or just tired of supplements that taste like chalk, this conversation is packed with practical insight and inspiration. ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 — Introduction and background 02:03 — Inspiration behind Hela Nutrition 05:19 — Formulation and ingredients 08:17 — Customer feedback and usage 11:22 — Collagen benefits and retail presence 14:22 — The importance of pure ingredients 15:29 — Expanding into the US market 17:33 — Navigating the entrepreneurial journey 20:13 — Building a supportive community 21:33 — The importance of gut health 25:08 — Creating trustworthy products 26:00 — Connecting with customers 30:18 — Outro   ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH HELA NUTRITION ────────────────────────────── Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/hela_nutrition/ Website → https://helanutrition.com/   ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between.   🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one.   #PlantBasedProtein #MomHalo #Helanutrition #GutHealth #CleanLabel #FemaleFoungers #WomenInBusiness #HealthSupplements #MomPodcast #Motherhood

Jessica Baker has planned more bar mitzvahs than she can count, and she's seen it all — from shoestring budgets to six-figure productions. In this episode, Jessica pulls back the curtain on what it actually costs to throw a memorable bar or bat mitzvah, why the industry has exploded, and how to make a celebration feel authentic instead of just expensive. Whether you're deep in mitzvah planning mode or just curious how these events got so elaborate, Jessica's insider perspective is candid, practical, and refreshingly honest.  ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 — Introduction to Event Planning and Jessica's Journey 07:16 — The Evolution of Bar and Bat Mitzvahs 13:25 — Understanding the Costs and Expectations 19:05 — The Special Nature of Events and Overcoming Anxiety 24:06 — Differences in Boys' and Girls' Parties 27:04 — Navigating Bar Mitzvahs: Boys vs. Girls 29:27 — The Evolution of Party Themes 32:05 — The Shift in Party Planning Dynamics 34:46 — Creative Freedom in Event Planning 38:08 — The Role of Trends in Modern Celebrations 42:23 — Cell Phones at Parties: A Double-Edged Sword 46:13 — The Importance of Ethical Planning 51:55 — Outro ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH JESSICA BAKER ────────────────────────────── Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/jessicabakercreative/ ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. Website → https://momhalo.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/momhalo/ #BarMitzvah #EventPlanning #MomHalo #MitzvahPlanning #PartyBudgeting #BatMitzvah #JewishCelebrations #MomPodcast #Motherhood #PartyPlanning

Gabe Diamond is the co-founder of True North Sports Camp, and he's spent years watching sports shape kids into confident, resilient, well-rounded people. In this episode, Gabe breaks down why specializing too early can actually hold kids back, how team sports build life skills no classroom can replicate, and what's driving the surprising resurgence of baseball in Canada. Whether you're a sports parent trying to figure out how much is too much, or just someone who believes in the power of play, this conversation is grounded, practical, and full of heart. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction to True North Sports Camp 02:29 — The importance of sports in child development 05:27 — Parental commitment to sports 07:45 — The case for multi-sport participation 11:12 — Concerns about physical education in schools 14:39 — Encouraging well-rounded athleticism 16:55 — The resurgence of baseball in Canada 21:54 — Cultural differences in youth sports 26:11 — The role of parents in sports participation 28:54 — Closing thoughts on sports and youth development 33:39 — Outro  ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH GABE DIAMOND ────────────────────────────── Website → https://www.truenorthcamps.com Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/gdiamond87/ ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #YouthSports #MultiSport #MomHalo #ChildDevelopment #SportsParenting #PhysicalLiteracy #Baseball #TeamSports #KidsHealth #Motherhood

Geoff Eisfeld went from tinkering in his basement to building immersive XR experiences that blend virtual reality, movement, and education. In this episode, Geoff shares how VR can help kids conquer fears, develop life skills, and transform how families approach health and learning together. Whether you're a parent curious about screen time done right, an educator looking for new tools, or simply wondering how AI and immersive tech fit into family life, this conversation is practical, forward-thinking, and full of possibility.  ────────────────────────────── TIMESTAMPS ────────────────────────────── 00:00 — Introduction to Geoff Eisfeld and XR Fit 06:31 — The immersive experience of virtual reality 11:40 — Exploring the benefits of VR for children 15:47 — Conquering fears through virtual reality 19:28 — Life skills and job training in VR 22:19 — Challenges and misconceptions of VR adoption 26:15 — VR as a learning tool 28:16 — Rediscovering childlike play through VR 31:20 — Empowering children with sports and VR 34:16 — The role of AI in personalized learning 37:15 — Safety and personalization in AI for families 42:13 — Embracing technology for future generations 44:07 — Exploring XR Fit and its offerings 49:17 — Outro ────────────────────────────── CONNECT WITH GEOFF EISFELD ────────────────────────────── Website → https://xrfit.ca Instagram (XR Fit VR) → https://instagram.com/xrfit.vr ────────────────────────────── RESOURCES MENTIONED ────────────────────────────── XR Fit → https://xrfit.ca MetaHus → https://metahus.ca ────────────────────────────── ABOUT MOM HALO ────────────────────────────── Mom Halo is a podcast for real conversations about motherhood — the messy, the meaningful, and everything in between. 🎙️ New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss one. #VirtualReality #MomHalo #XRFit #FamilyHealth #VRForKids #AI #ImmersiveLearning #EdTech #MomPodcast #Motherhood