Ep 41. Pack the Diaper Bag Anyway: Navigating Setbacks, Injured Hands & Motherhood with Grace, Grit, and One Thumb | Paddle Forward Podcast

What do you do when life sideswipes your plans with a financial curveball and a freak playground accident? You breathe, you cry, and you paddle forward—one thumb at a time.

In this raw, car-recorded episode of Paddle Forward, host Anacani Walters shares how losing a major contract and nearly breaking both hands on a rainy day slide with her toddler became a crash course in presence over perfection. From adrenal fatigue awareness to the metaphor of the “diaper bag mindset,” Anacani unpacks how emotional preparedness, softness, and backup plans can shift how we mother, move, and lead.

This is for every woman navigating uncertainty with grace, grit, and love. Especially if you’ve ever felt like you had to hold it all together—with one working hand and a full heart.

💫 Listen in for:

• A permission slip to rest

• Oceanic metaphors for resilience

• A gentle nudge to “pack your diaper bag anyway”

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Introduction and Life's Unexpected Storms

00:23 Recording from the Car: Embracing Imperfection

00:48 Life's Recent Challenges and Adjustments

02:10 The Park Incident: A Painful Lesson

06:04 Coping Mechanisms and Personal Growth

08:28 Metaphorical Diaper Bag: Preparing for the Unexpected

10:44 Embracing Transitions and Moving Forward

12:18 Conclusion and Encouragement

Because even when your hands are bruised, your spirit can still rise.

🧜🏽‍♀️ Let’s Stay Connected & Keep Paddling Forward Together

Thanks for joining me today on Paddle Forward: Navigating Life’s Currents. If this episode stirred something in your heart or reminded you of your own strength, don’t paddle alone.

✨ Visit anacaniwalters.com to explore holistic wellness support, yoga flows for motherhood, and free guides like "Top 12 Poses for Motherhood."

🌊 Dive into the ocean-inspired sisterhood at PHAT Mermaids for SUP classes, retreats, and confidence coaching: phatmermaids.com

🧡 Stay in the flow with us:

• Instagram: @anacaniwalters | @phatmermaids

• Facebook Groups: Thriving Moms Over 30 + PHAT Mermaids Lagoon

• Mindful Roots Hub: Stress support, oils, and mindful parenting tools

💌 Want more self-love, stories, and strength? Sign up for my private member area and weekly love notes at anacaniwalters.com.

📣 Ready to bring oceanic empowerment to your next event or retreat? Invite me to speak.

We rise, we fall, we float, we paddle again. I’m so glad you’re here. Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share the episode with another mermaid who needs this wave of support.

#PaddleForward #PHATMermaids #MatrescenceMagic #OceanHealing #MotherhoodUnfiltered