How do you teach your children structure and resilience—while also recognizing when your own life needs to change?

In this episode of the Sendy Mom Podcast, host Becky Brouwer sits down with Rachel Lark, a former ICU and ER nurse turned medical aesthetics entrepreneur, to talk about parenting, courage, identity, and choosing growth even when the path isn’t clear. Rachel shares how structure and empathy shape her parenting, how she knew it was time to pivot professionally, and why medical aesthetics can enhance natural beauty without compromising who you are.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or quietly longing for more—this conversation will help normalize the risk of making a change.

New to Sendy Mom? Start here:

• Episode Trailer: What Is a Sendy Mom?
• Episode #028: The Truth About Parenting Neurodivergent Kids (And Why You’re Not Alone)
• Episode #036: Normalize the Risk: 7 Lessons from Jenn Drummond on Setting Impossible Goals

About the Podcast:
Sendy Mom helps women build courage, resilience, and connection by learning from women who do hard things. If she can do this, so can you. It’s not too late.

Meet the Guest: Rachel Lark
Rachel Lark grew up learning the value of hard work and high standards. Alongside her husband, James Lark (former BYU quarterback), she focuses on teaching her children structure, empathy, and joy. After years working in the ICU and Emergency Room, Rachel courageously pivoted into aesthetic nursing and now runs a successful medical spa from her home. Her story is a reminder that change is often “figuroutable”—even when you don’t know where to start.

Key Takeaways:

• Teaching children structure prepares them for real life
• Empathy grows when kids interact with diverse and neurodivergent peers
• Recognizing dissatisfaction is the first step toward change
• Courage often comes after action
• Medical aesthetics can enhance beauty without erasing identity
• Self-love matters in a culture of comparison

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Rachel Lark

03:14 Creating Family Values

08:07 Love and Marriage: Building 1 from 2

16:54 Teaching Resilience and Problem-Solving

22:06 Career Path as a Nurse Identified at HXP

24:02 Soccer Dreams Derailed

30:58 Working in a Mental Hospital

34:09 Teaching Empathy

38:21 Midway

40:33 Working in the ICU and Emergency Room

47:05 COVID for Nurses

48:37 Opening a Med Spa

54:09 Botox Stigma

55:25 Collagen Filler Benefits

01:00:37 Rheumatic Fever

01:02:39 Rapid Fire Questions

Mentioned in the Show:

Find links at sendymom.com

Skylight Calendar

52 Modern Manners for Kids

The Truth About Parenting Neurodivergent Kids (And Why You’re Not Alone) with Marci Morrison

Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner

Eternity

Stocking Stuffers for the Soldiers

Kamut Bread Recipe from The Food Nanny

Join me for a hike! 2026 Sendy Mom Mountain Ascent Form

In this episode of the Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky Brouwer explores the life and legacy of Fanny Bullock Workman, a pioneering woman mountaineer who defied societal norms in the early 1900s. Through her adventures and achievements, Fanny challenged the perception of women in sports and showcased the importance of courage, privilege, and intentional living. The conversation delves into themes of gender equality, the balance between motherhood and adventure, and the significance of physical activity in personal growth. Becky emphasizes the need for self-definition and the courage to pursue one's dreams, regardless of societal expectations.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Courage and Exploration

02:34 Fanny Bullock Workman: A Trailblazer in Mountaineering

05:24 The Importance of Intentional Courage

08:25 Equality and Privilege: A Personal Reflection

11:07 The Balance of Adventure and Parenting

14:08 Understanding Altitude and Climbing Safety

16:47 The Legacy of Fanny Bullock Workman

19:42 Documenting Life: The Power of Journaling

22:26 Conclusion: Embracing Courage in Everyday Life

Find everything mentioned in the show at sendymom.com

What is your Sendy goal for this year? Whatever mountain you are climbing in your life, Jenn Drummond will inspire you to keep moving.

You don’t need to have a traumatic event to change. Small changes can be significant.

Jenn and I talk about hiring a coach, world records, raising children to be resilient, and bouncing back after setbacks or road blocks. Most importantly, we talk about the courage to try, to fail, and to try again.

Jenn Drummond holds the Guiness Book of world records as the first woman to summit the second highest summits on each continent. This year, she will be the first female to summit all first and second highest summits. She started all of this in her 40s having never slept outside in a tent before.

Jenn is a sought-after speaker, bestselling author, podcast host, and high-performance coach, inspiring others to conquer their mountains.

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Jenn Drummond

05:31 Finding Mentors for Your Children

07:21 Normalize Risk-Taking

09:32 Steps to Climbing Everest

13:28 Thriving with Children

14:49 How to Find a Coach

17:50 Clarifying Your Priorities

22:45 The Things That Move Your World

26:21 Midway

28:33 Mount Logan: Most Challenging Climb

31:23 Climbing Dykh-Tau in Russia

34:09 Sickness and Setbacks

36:30 Building a Team with Skills

38:31 World Records

41:53 Homeschooling and Education Philosophy

43:57 Jenn's Motivational Coaching

45:39 Rapid Fire Questions

Mentioned in the Show:

Check out all of the links mentioned at Sendymom.com

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What happens when you willingly choose to run 100 miles through the night—and why would any mother do it?
In this episode of The Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky sits down with ultra-marathoner Allison Stratton, a woman whose life has been shaped by grit, heartbreak, community, and the relentless pursuit of “hard things.”

Allison opens up about infertility, identity beyond motherhood, and the moment an ultra-race ended in rhabdomyolysis and an ICU stay—but also how that terrifying experience reshaped her perspective on miracles, resilience, and what really matters.

Together, Becky and Allison explore:

• What happens mentally during an ultra when your body shuts down
• Why shared hardship deepens relationships
• How finding something just for you strengthens motherhood, not competes with it
• The power of pacing, partnership, and community
• Why choosing hard things makes everyday life feel lighter

If you’ve ever wondered why people push to their physical and emotional limits—or how adversity can become one of life’s greatest teachers—this episode will change how you see your own capacity for bravery.

Allison Stratton is a mother of two, an ultra-marathon champion, and one of the grittiest women you’ll ever meet. Backpacking with her husband turned into years of trail racing, including a first-place win at the Bear 100 with a sub-24-hour finish. Allison has faced infertility, endometriosis, medical crises, and the mental battles of ultra-endurance running—but she continues to choose courage, community, and joy along the way.

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Allison Stratton

02:40 First Marathon with Mom

05:20 Infertility and Endometriosis

06:13 Parenting: The Struggle is Real or Is It?

09:47 Develop Your Relationship with Your Spouse

11:30 Ultra-Marathons: Everyone Needs a Pacer

13:13 The Impact of COVID on Healthcare Professionals

16:57 First Ultra-Marathon: The Bear 100

20:03 Managing the Hard Things

24:13 Training for an Ultramarathon

27:02 Personal Stories from the Bear 100 Races

31:06 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Goals

34:04 Midway

37:18 The Third Bear 100

38:31 The Reality of Rhabdomyolysis

41:56 Recovering from Rhabdo

47:57 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies

49:50 Injuries and Setbacks

53:34 Runner's Lean for KC and Rhabdo Our Old Friend

01:01:10 Life Lessons from Choosing Hard

01:13:51 Rapid Fire Questions

Mentioned:

The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter

Ocean with David Attenborough

Bear 100

Wasatch 100

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If you want to give to a good cause but aren’t sure where your money really goes, this episode is for you.
Becky shares the inspiring story of Clara “Mother” Hale—a Harlem grandmother who cared for more than 1,000 drug-exposed babies—and uses her legacy to teach you five essential steps for choosing a trustworthy charity.

Learn how to:

• Verify a nonprofit’s legitimacy
• Check financial health
• Spot red flags
• Evaluate real impact
• Ask the right questions before you give

Whether you’re preparing for Giving Tuesday or simply want to donate with confidence, this episode will help you make sure your generosity truly makes a difference.

Chapters:

00:00 Mother Hale and Mother Teresa

03:31 How Hale House Came to Be

04:51 The Secret Ingredient

10:03 Real Change is Possible: Chloe and Mrs. King

12:19 Overcoming Addiction and Mental Illness

15:30 Promote Human Potential

19:13 The Charities that Fail Us

21:25 5 Steps to Wise Giving

23:58 Some of My Favorite Charities

27:48 Giving Your Drop in the Ocean

Mentioned in the Show:

Visit sendymom.com for links to everything mentioned in the show.

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If you’ve ever wondered how to stay patient in chaos, advocate for a child with complex needs, or rebuild after heartbreak, this conversation is a grounded, generous look at resilience from a mother who has lived it.

In this episode, Becky talks with Candace Bergquist—an identical mirror twin, mother of three, grandmother of six, and a woman who has faced extraordinary challenges with humility, humor, and faith. Candace has lived with fibromyalgia, hearing loss, and a traumatic brain injury while parenting children with complex medical and emotional needs, including cerebral palsy, daily seizures, addiction, and developmental disabilities. She has also endured the heartbreak of losing a child and continues to show up for her family with love and steadiness.

Candace’s personal story and professional background—as a teacher, reading program director, medical assistant, and leader in nonprofit work—have shaped her into a powerful advocate for children and families. In this conversation, she and Becky explore empathy, special-needs parenting, thoughtful communication, and how community support becomes a lifeline through grief and recovery.

If you're navigating disability, emotional upheaval, chronic illness, loss, or simply trying to raise kinder children, this episode offers hope, practical wisdom, and encouragement.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background of Candice Berquist

01:10 Mirror Twins: Learning to Adapt

04:24 Family Drama: Learning Responsibility

09:42 Lessons on Prejudice and Acceptance

15:10 The Importance of Thoughtful Communication

18:11 Car Accident and Dealing with a Traumatic Brain Injury

27:01 Bad Baby

36:48 Midway

41:02 Child Struggling with Drug Addictions

46:48 Grieving and Support from Community

50:54 Create and Teach Empathy

53:45 Caring for Alicia: Babies with Seizures

01:00:24 Finding Hope: Alicia's Success Story

01:05:42 Advocating with Kindness

01:12:32 Rapid Fire Questions

Mentioned in the Show:

Find links at: SendyMom.com

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What Would You Do If You Knew You Were Dying?

In this week’s Sendy Mom episode, I talk with Rachel Farnsworth, founder of The Stay at Home Chef, about her extraordinary journey through severe health challenges and her rise as one of the most beloved online food creators in the world.

Rachel has faced Addison’s Disease, an atypical form of Stiff Person Syndrome, and even a brain tumor. She shares what it’s like to prepare your family for decline—and how to find life again when miracles happen.

With over 12 million followers across social media, Rachel has built a community around good food and genuine connection. In this conversation, she opens up about:

• Overcoming self-doubt and learning to value her own contribution
• The lessons chronic illness has taught her about joy, grief, and resilience
• The courage it takes to share your voice and keep creating when life feels uncertain

This is one of those conversations that will leave you both inspired and grounded in gratitude. You might even need a tissue or two.

👉 Share this episode with someone who needs hope, encouragement, or a reason to start something new—even in the face of fear

Meet my Guest:

Rachel Farnsworth began exploring the art of cooking at age 12. In 2008, she started sharing her recipes online as Rach’s Kitchen, later rebranding to The Stay at Home Chef in 2012. Her approachable, restaurant-quality recipes have made her a trusted voice for millions of home cooks.

Beyond her viral videos and best-selling cookbooks, Rachel’s story is one of resilience, faith, and creativity. She’s a devoted mother of two and a Sendy Mom who continues to live courageously while facing serious health challenges.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Rachel Farnsworth

04:29 Learning to Cook

07:04 Supportive Family Background

11:10 The Start of Something Truly Awful

16:58 Atypical Presentation of Stiff Person Syndrome

26:37 Preparing for Death

31:31 Donating Plasma Actually Saves Lives!

34:57 Grieving the Life that Could Have Been

39:36 Midway

41:47 Becoming a Successful Influencer

47:46 Behind the Scenes of a Successful Influencer

51:00 Valuing Your Contribution as a Woman

59:30 Learning to Self Promote

01:04:07 Rapid Fire Questions

Key Takeaways:

🍎 Rachel began her culinary journey simply trying to cover grocery costs—and built a global community instead.

🍎 Culinary school isn’t always the path; experience and curiosity can teach just as much.

🍎 Cooking is chemistry—don’t be afraid to experiment.

🍎 Lifelong learning keeps us creative and resilient.

🍎 Health challenges can reshape how we see life, family, and purpose.

🍎 Grief and joy are two sides of the same coin.

🍎 Women often undervalue their contributions, but sharing our voices matters.

🍎 Community and vulnerability can transform pain into purpose.

🍎 Immunoglobulin therapy saved Rachel’s life and gives hope to others with rare diseases.

🍎 Being “Sendy” means daring to live fully, even in uncertain seasons.

Mentioned in the Show:

The Stay at Home Chef

Why My Gray Hair Makes Me Happy***Be That Person***

Call the Midwife

The Craft Patch Blog

Feeding America

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What does it really mean to find your flow? In this episode of the Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky Brouwer dives into the story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel — and the woman who taught the world what it means to be in sync with your body, your purpose, and your potential.

Discover how to break big goals into smaller, manageable steps, use visualization to improve performance, and find that peaceful, powerful state where effort feels effortless.

Becky also shares her own story about overcoming performance anxiety at the piano and how neuroscience, practice, and faith all combine to help us get into that magical state of “flow.”

Whether you’re learning a new skill, building a business, or simply trying to keep your head above water in a busy season — this episode will inspire you to keep swimming.

Takeaways:

🏊‍♀️ Big goals become possible when you break them into smaller steps.

🏊‍♀️ Visualization trains your brain for success — even before you begin.

🏊‍♀️ Flow happens when challenge and skill meet in perfect balance.

🏊‍♀️ You can rewire your brain through practice and intentional repetition.

🏊‍♀️ Support and encouragement amplify courage — no one swims alone.

🏊‍♀️ True mastery comes from love of the process, not just the result.

🏊‍♀️ Our brains are efficient: what we focus on, we strengthen.

🏊‍♀️ Finding flow requires focus, preparation, and faith in yourself.

🏊‍♀️ Failure is feedback — part of the path to mastery.

🏊‍♀️ Courage isn’t loud; it’s consistent, quiet motion in the right direction.

Chapters:

00:00 The Early 20th Century Woman

03:01 Louis Handley Develops the American Crawl

04:15 Break it Down

06:52 Do it Because You Love It!

07:38 Visualization

11:49 Swimming the English Channel

15:59 Getting Into Flow: How Your Brain Works

18:01 Trudy's Secret Weapon

20:18 Sendy Mom Tea Party and Thank You!

Mentioned in the Show:

Visualization: The Power of the Movie Theater in your Mind by Ballispsych

The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle

Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout

Young Woman and the Sea on Disney Plus
Becky's performance of Haydn's Concerto No. 11, 1st Movement

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