In this episode of the Wild Wonderful Life Podcast, host Heather Pugh shares a comforting and eye-opening parallel from the natural world: the "pale feather season" of the pink flamingo. We often feel immense pressure to look flawless and maintain endless energy, but nature shows us that deep devotion requires a temporary sacrifice of our own resources. Whether you are navigating the physical toll of breastfeeding or giving your all to a career milestone, creative project, or relationship, this episode is your reminder to honor your boundaries, protect your light and trust that your vibrancy will return.

In this episode, she shares:

• The White Flamingo Metaphor: The biological reality behind why brilliant pink flamingos turn stark white when making crop milk to feed their young.

• The Prolactin Connection: How the exact same hormone drives both avian crop milk and the human breast milk supply.

• The Human Nutritional Footprint: A low-jargon look at what long-term lactation siphons from a mother's body—including temporary bone density loss and essential fatty acid redistribution (yes, "mom brain" is real science!).

• The Universal Pivot: Why "turning white" isn't exclusive to parenting and how to recognize burnout in your career or personal life.

• Yogi Tools for Energy Conservation: Shifting from traditional boundaries to "nest boundaries," practicing radical delegation and holding space without absorbing external chaos.

• A Grounding Closing Meditation: A 2-minute guided breath practice to help you release expectations and honor your current season.

Connect with Heather:

• Subscribe to the Wild Wonderful Life Newsletter on Substack.

• Follow @WildWonderfulLifePodcast and @HeatherMariePugh on Instagram for more mindfulness, yoga and modern motherhood tips.

• Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

What if the quiet moments before a major life change aren't something to fear—but an opportunity to mindfully prepare?

In this episode, Heather explores the often-overlooked "calm before the storm"—that space between where you are and where you're about to be. Whether you're preparing for a move, a new job, a relationship shift, or another significant life transition, this episode will help you navigate uncertainty with greater peace and intention.

Heather shares the mindset practices that are helping her prepare for a big move, including a simple Law of Attraction exercise to gain clarity by writing down exactly what you desire and getting your thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

You'll also hear reflections on:

• Why big changes can stir up anxiety, pressure and unexpected emotions.
• How to shift your imagination away from worry and toward possibility.
• Finding peace when change wasn't your choice.
• Why slowing down can feel uncomfortable—and why it may be exactly what you need.
• How calming your nervous system helps you make clearer decisions and move through change with more ease.
• Why movement can actually be the key to finding calm.
• The power of looking back at past challenges as proof that you've made it through difficult seasons before.
• Simple body awareness practices that can help rewire your response to stress.

Heather also shares a few meaningful quotes that have guided her through seasons of change, including the reminder:

"When we choose to settle in the calm rather than focus on the frenzy of the change and everything that needs to be done, everything just goes more smoothly."

Plus, don't miss this episode's Wild Wonderful Moment, where Heather shares the joy of dancing at sunset with friends during a summer beach concert—a beautiful reminder to embrace the present, even in the midst of transition.

If you're standing on the edge of something new, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, trust yourself, and find peace before the next chapter begins.

Heather Pugh is back and with a podcast refresh: introducing the Wild Wonderful Life Podcast.

Learn what inspired her to start recording again and what you have to look forward to in her new episodes.

In this episode:

- Heather explains why she named the podcast: "Wild and Wonderful?"

- Topics she'll cover in the podcast will include everything from modern day motherhood, wellness and yoga, lifestyle, hobbies and tapping into expert knowledge on other topics through interviews.

- Heather walks you through her background and what brought her to this moment (from her Journalism roots to agency work and strategic communications for major health care organizations to teaching yoga full time).

- Other hobbies and lifestyle areas she'll be diving into: 5 years of pregnancy, postpartum and breastfeeding; activities that make her feel grounded and strong; making her house a sanctuary; family values; motherhood; cooking; baking; crafts; travel and adventure.

Thank you for listening!

In this solo episode, Heather Pugh shares an update on what's been happening behind the scenes. Not only is she preparing to welcome her second baby boy into the World, but she and her family recently relocated to Austin, Texas.

Find out how yoga has supported her throughout these transitions.

In this conversation, you can look forward to:

- A quick life update: Heather relocated with her family from San Diego, CA to Austin, TX at the end of the summer. She's currently taking a break from teaching in-person classes until they have their baby in November and will return to teaching early next year. In the meantime, you can look forward to updates here and on the Yoga for Balance YouTube channel.

- All about yoga for pregnancy:

— Heather completed her first prenatal yoga training while pregnant with her son Ajja in 2021 (in addition to my 500+ YTT certifications). Previously, she had taken a couple of prenatal workshops and had limited information, but this gave her a deep dive into how I could adapt my personal practice and teaching.

– She also touches on her own personal experiences through each of her pregnancies so far and how yoga has supported her along the way: pre, during and post pregnancy.

— Considerations by trimester.

— How you can adapt any yoga practice online or in person to your pregnancy.

I hope you enjoyed this update! Thank you for listening and until next time.

In this episode, Yoga for Balance podcast host Heather Pugh interviews Danna Yunis of Yoga Church in San Diego, California.

In this conversation, you can look forward to:

• A box breath pranayama practice led by Danna.
• Learning about her surprising path to teaching yoga.
• Discovering Yoga Church.
• Danna's advice for creating a yoga business or opening a yoga studio.
• And why a little dancing might be the medicine for your soul you need.

In this episode of the Yoga for Balance podcast, Heather speaks with Actress and yoga teacher Anna Heffington on becoming a yoga teacher during the pandemic and how her journey led her to teaching virtual yoga classes. Plus, her top tips to meditate.

In this episode of the Yoga for Balance podcast, Heather Gjerde speaks to Kellie Livingstone on topics ranging from yoga for anxiety to duality, breath work, her approach to the practice and much more. Kellie also discusses the use of Instagram Reels.