You First- A Journey to Self

Hey there, my beautiful Muses! Welcome back to this week’s episode. Today, I have a very special guest—my fiancé! Yep, it’s pre-date night, and we’re recording this before heading out, so it’s a fun, relaxed vibe. We’ve been through some challenges lately—not bad stuff, just life’s ups and downs—but I’ve realized that it’s in those moments that we’ve gotten closer. Our communication, our intimacy—...

Hey, my beautiful muses! Welcome back to another episode of You First: A Journey to Self . Today, I’m diving into something near and dear to my heart – how to lead yourself in your relationship and communicate your needs and desires in a way that fosters true connection. I’ll walk you through the process I use to really check in with myself, filter through past triggers, and communicate in a way t...

Hey beautiful Muses! Welcome back to another episode of You First: A Journey to Self . This week, I’m answering some of YOUR questions, and let me tell you – it's extra juicy! I asked over on Instagram what you wanted to know about my personal life, past, and the challenges I'm facing. You guys always ask the best questions, and I love how we can find pieces of ourselves in each other&ap...

Hello, my beautiful muses! 🌸 In this episode, we’re diving into the art of staying consistent in a way that feels aligned with our natural cycles as women. Life throws us highs and lows, and we’re not designed to be the same every day—but that doesn’t mean we can’t show up for ourselves consistently. We’ll explore: ✨ Why women struggle with traditional ideas of consistency. ✨ How to honor your...

Welcome to My First Visual Podcast Episode! Hello, my beautiful muses! 🌟 I am so excited to welcome you to this special, first-ever visual episode of the podcast! This is something I’ve been dreaming of bringing to life in the new year as a way to connect with you all on a deeper level. Setting up this cozy little studio space in my office was such a vibe, and it feels like inviting you right int...

In this empowering and heartfelt episode of You First: A Journey to Self , we dive deep into the transformative power of energy, gratitude, and intention. We explore how the energy behind your choices shapes your life. Maria shares personal stories of resilience, self-discovery, and the lessons learned through embracing gratitude, tapping into the energy of abundance, and letting go of misaligned...

I share my deeply personal journey through hormonal imbalances and the mental health challenges they brought into my life. From debilitating anxiety, extreme fatigue, and mood swings to discovering the intricate connections within our endocrine system, I’ve learned just how much our thyroid, blood sugar, cortisol, and sex hormones influence our well-being. Joined by Erin K. Trier, a health advocat...

In this week’s short and sweet episode, I’m sharing a heartfelt reminder to work with yourself, not against yourself. Inspired by my own journey of losing touch with my body’s rhythm, I’m diving into practical, tactical ways to honor your energy, embrace your emotions, and set boundaries that empower you. We’ll explore: ✨ The cyclical nature of women’s energy (and how to plan around it). ✨ Why s...

In Part 2 of our two-part series on setting the foundation and habits for a healthy lasting relationship we dive into the habits that can transform your partnership and personal life. We talk about the small actions and routines that make a big difference, like setting priorities and intentionally spending time together. From putting date nights on the calendar to sharing morning routines that dee...

In this episode of You First: A Journey to Self, we're kicking off a special two-part series on building a loving, healthy relationship—and I’ve brought my fiancé, TJ, along for this one! We’re talking about the foundational habits and early conversations that have helped us create a strong, connected partnership. From setting intentions together to navigating those tough discussions with hon...

In this week's episode, we discover practical, life-changing habits to help you show up fully for yourself in body, mind, and spirit every day. Tune in as we dive into simple, powerful routines for grounding spiritually, moving your body, and nurturing your mind. Learn how to create balance and growth without overloading your nervous system, and start planting seeds for a sustainable, healthi...

In this episode, I’m sharing the five things I DON'T do to keep my relationship healthy and strong. We dive into why I never speak negatively about my partner to others and how protecting that energy is essential. I also discuss the importance of giving your partner a sense of purpose instead of emotionally dumping, fostering communication, vulnerability, and boundaries that help deepen your...

In this episode, Karenna Soto and I dive even deeper into the complexities of balancing hustle culture with emotional mastery. We explore how the rise of "boss babe" culture led to burnout, and how to find harmony between ambition and well-being. Karina shares her experiences with somatic work, nervous system regulation, and how building a bigger "window of tolerance" can help...

Hey there, beautiful muses! Welcome back to another episode. This week's show is short and sweet, but it's packed with love and purpose, just for you. I’m sharing something that’s been heavy on my heart, inspired by my own journey. Life can get overwhelming, especially when we start to understand ourselves on a deeper level and expect things to be perfect. But healing isn't a straig...

In this episode of *You First: A Journey to Self*, we’re getting real about one of the biggest relationship traps—trying to change our partners. As women, it’s common to fall for someone’s potential and believe that with time, we can mold them into the ideal partner. But the truth? You cannot change them. And more importantly, you shouldn’t want to. We’ll explore why it’s impossible to change some...

In this episode of *You First: A Journey to Self*, Christina Acker and I continue our exploration of feminine energy. We dive into how embracing pleasure and understanding our sexual energy can lead to profound self-discovery and healing. Christina shares insights on how societal expectations and early messages shape our relationship with sensuality. We discuss the impact of holding onto or releas...

In this episode of You First: A Journey to Self, we kick off part one of a two-part series with Christina Acker, a feminine reawakening expansion coach. Christina, also known as "The Effortless Feminine" on Instagram, shares her insights on feminine and masculine energies, how they shape our relationships, and what it means to truly hold space for one another. We discuss the common strug...

Ever feel like you’re constantly chasing the next big thing—whether it's in your business, your love life, or just trying to keep up with what you see on Instagram? You’re not alone. In this episode, I dive deep into how I got caught up in the hustle, trying to force success and validation from all the wrong places. Spoiler alert: it didn’t make me any happier.  I share my personal journey of...

Hey Muses! This week, we’re diving into the world of female friendships and how they change over time. Join me, Maria Fuentes, as we chat about how some friendships are meant for certain chapters of your life and why it’s okay to let them go when they’re no longer serving you.  I’ll share some personal stories from my twenties, where I dealt with one-sided, toxic friendships and how those experien...

In this episode of "You First: A Journey to Self," join Maria Fuentes dives into the power of self-care and consistency, especially as we transition into the cozy, reflective season of fall. Discover how small daily habits in mind, body, and spirit can create a strong foundation for sustainable growth and fulfillment. This episode is all about setting yourself up for success in the last...

In this deeply reflective episode of You First: A Journey to Self , we dive into the heavy but crucial topic of regret. Join me, Maria Fuentes, as I explore how regret can shape our lives and how we can mindfully shift our actions and thoughts to live an unregrettable life. Drawing from my personal experience of loss, I share intimate reflections on the pain of missed opportunities and the importa...

In this heartfelt and raw episode of "You First: A Journey to Self," Maria opens up about the challenging emotions she's been facing after the recent loss of her beloved cat, Dusty, who has been her steadfast companion through many life transitions. As she grapples with feelings of loss, guilt, and the desire for control, Maria shares her journey of learning to surrender to the unkn...

In this episode, Maria reflects on the powerful impact of energy and self-respect. She emphasizes the importance of how we show up in the world, the energy we bring, and how these influence our lives and the people around us. Maria dives into the concept of self-respect, urging listeners to be consistent in their commitments and honest with themselves about where they might be falling short. She e...

Hello, my beautiful muses. This week, I’m inviting you into a more intimate and vulnerable space. Typically, I come to you full of energy and ready to share those big, lightbulb moments, but today, my journey is different—and I want to bring you along with me. In this episode, I’m processing some deep, heavy emotions that surfaced during my menstrual cycle—a time that I now embrace as a moment for...

Welcome Back! In this debut episode of the rebranded podcast, Maria Fuentes is thrilled to reconnect with her listeners after a three-month hiatus. If you’re new here, welcome! If you’re returning, thank you for your patience and continued support. What to Expect: Empowerment for Women: This podcast is dedicated to women who are navigating overwhelming emotions, seeking self-love, and striving for...