019 SHEro Heather Ash - From trying to balance a stressful job and motherhood to launching her own business

Welcome!  Today’s SHEro is Heather Ash, who chose to go against the norm and listen to her inner voice regarding having a home birth, which was not a common thing to do in her area.  In fact, in her home state of Georgia, it’s not even legal for midwives to attend home births.  

Heather, however, followed her heart.  

She says the best thing about her life is being a mum to her two daughters, ages 3 and 7.  Heather encourages other mums through her blog and podcast, Happiness Mama, and works in her own coaching business. 

Join me for an inspiring conversation with Heather!

 

Heather shares how she assumed a hospital birth would be sufficient until she read a book about midwives and doulas, and her mind was changed.  Home births were not common where she lived, and her doctor actually dropped her and other home birth patients as a result of pressure from the medical community.  She chose another Ob-Gyn but never disclosed her desire to have a home birth! 

In this episode, Heather discusses:

• How Heather’s home birth turned out, even though the midwife arrived only a few minutes before the baby!
  
  
• How Heather battled post-partum depression and anxiety but didn’t even realize it until much later.
  
  
• How breastfeeding issues presented a huge challenge that took determination and perseverance to overcome.
  
  
• How Heather was able to spend time at home with both of her daughters after they were born before she had to return to work.
  
  
• How Heather has used her blog to encourage other mums to live their happiest lives.
  
  
• How Heather’s biggest success is to “be here” for her children and spend time with them.
  
  
• How she has grown stronger through her experiences, and she desires to coach other women through their own challenging life experiences.

Biggest Learning:

"I realised how strong I am, and how strong women are"

Favourite Quote:

“The most important thing one woman can do for another is to illuminate and expand her sense of actual possibilities.” Adrienne Rich

Theme Song:

Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

SuperShero Name:

Happiness Mama

 

About Heather:

Heather is a passionate mama of two young daughters, ages 7 and 3, who believes that being a mother is the best thing in the world. For over eight years she taught high school ESL, but these days she enjoys encouraging other moms through her blog, HappinessMama, and working on her new coaching business and podcast.

She also loves to drink good coffee, take long walks, listen to podcasts, play with art supplies, and read good books. Outlander is her favorite book series by far, but she also enjoys reading all sorts of books, including personal growth, business, and parenting books.

As a coach and blogger at HappinessMama, she loves helping other mamas live their happiest lives and achieve their creative dreams and goals. A recent graduate of Mama Bliss Coaching School, she is happily creating a coaching business and also starting a podcast, which will launch in September.

 

Connect with Heather:

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

 

Interview Links And Resources:

Heather's Website

Free Gift - Quick Guide to Meditation for Mamas

Heather's Podcast - Happiness Mama