Welcome to Still Standing.

Welcome to the very first episode of Still Standing.
In this episode, I'm sharing the heart behind this podcast, the story of how it began, and why I believe honest conversations have the power to help us heal.
We'll talk about identity, motherhood, growth, and what it means to keep showing up through every season of life even when it's hard.
If you've ever wondered who you are beyond your titles or needed a reminder that you're not walking through life alone, this episode is for you.
Thank you for being here at the very beginning.
Come as you are. Leave a little lighter.
If nobody's told you this today...
I'm really glad you're here

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:17

If nobody's told you this today, I'm really glad you're here. Welcome to Still Standing. I'm Adrian, and whether you're listening while you're driving, folding laundry, watering your garden, or maybe you're hiding in the bathroom because it's the only quiet place in the house, I'm really happy you're here. Seriously. Thank you. This podcast has been on my heart for a while now. And the fact you're spending part of your day with me means more than you probably realize. Before we dive in, all the conversations we're going to have, I thought it was only fair that I introduce myself. Not just tell you what I do, but tell you who I am, or maybe who I'm becoming. Because if I'm being completely honest, I don't think that I've had it all figured out yet. I'm a mom of six. I'm an entrepreneur. I'm a gardener. I'm someone who's always has something going on. I love creating things. I love hosting people. I love watching people feel like they belong. And I love growing food. I love building businesses. I love family dinners. I love sitting outside early in the morning before everyone wakes up when I'm not glued in the bed. I love the smell of tomatoes growing on the vine. I love pressing fresh juice. I love seeing people become healthier. I love making things with my hands. And if you've known me more than five minutes, you probably know I always have another idea. And sometimes it's too many ideas, but that's okay. For most of my life, that's how I've introduced myself by what I do. Mom, business owner, partner, friend, daughter, the planner, the helper, the one everybody calls. But recently, life asks me a question I wasn't prepared to answer. Who is Adrian when all those titles get quiet? Not disappear, just get quiet. Who am I when nobody needs anything from me? Who am I when I'm not solving a problem? Who am I when I'm not packing lunches, answering emails, watering the garden, running to softball, dance, or trying to make sure everyone else is okay? And the answer surprised me. I don't know. Honestly, I don't know. And for a little while, that scared me. But somewhere along the way, that fear became curiosity. Because maybe I'm not lost, maybe I'm becoming. Therapy is great, but how can my experience help others? So instead of picking a therapist, I started working on this podcast. That's when I realized every single person I know is carrying something. Some people carry grief, some people carry anxiety, some carry disappointment, some carry dreams they've been too afraid to chase. Some carry loneliness while smiling in every family picture. We all carry something, and I wanted to build a place where people didn't have to pretend anymore. A place where healing wasn't something we talked about after we finished, but while we were still in it. Because that's where I am. I'm still healing, I'm still growing, and I'm still learning. And maybe you are too. Not because I'm stronger than everyone else, not because I have all the answers, definitely not. But because God has carried me through every single season. I don't expect everyone listening to believe exactly what I believe, but I can't tell my story without telling his faithfulness. Because when I couldn't carry myself anymore, he carried me. Because motherhood has taught me something I never expected. Our children aren't the only ones growing. We are too. Sometimes they're watching us become, sometimes they're teaching us, sometimes they're healing us, sometimes they're showing us parts of ourselves we didn't even know were still hurting. And I think that's beautiful. So over the next several weeks, we're gonna talk about motherhood, grief, relationships, faith, gardening, business, mental health, identity, healing, and whatever else life puts on in front of us. So some episodes will make us laugh, some might make us cry, some might be messy, but every single one will be honest. But before I let you go, I want to leave you with our very first still-standing reflection. What are you still standing through? Take that question with you this week, journal about it, pray about it, talk to someone you trust, or simply sit with it. You don't have to have the answer today. Sometimes healing begins the moment we ask the question. Oh, and one more thing. You don't have to have your whole life figured out to begin. Thank you for trusting me with your time. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your journey. If today's episode spoke to your heart, I'd love for you to follow the podcast, leave a review, or share it with someone who might need to hear it. Until next time, give yourself some grace, keep growing through whatever season you're in. No matter what you're carrying today, keep growing, keep healing, and remember you're still standing.