Amanda Thomas thought she had a plan.

She left her 9-to-5, ready for the next chapter, then found out she was pregnant that same month. What followed wasn’t what she expected: a birth that didn’t go to plan, postpartum depression, and a hard lesson in surrendering control.

In this episode, Amanda, creative consultant, entrepreneur, and mom, gets honest about what it actually looks like to balance motherhood and career. We talk about the struggles: feeling disconnected from your baby, the guilt no one warns you about, and the power of finding your people. Amanda didn’t find her footing by figuring it all out. She found it by letting go of the idea that she had to.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The reality of dealing with postpartum depression
• Finding strength in vulnerability
• Why building community matters

Highlights:

(00:00) Meet Amanda Thomas

(01:35) Starting a family unexpectedly

(06:23) Stop resisting and surrender to life

(9:50) Why finding your “village” changes everything

(16:01) How Amanda’s second pregnancy feels different

(19:07) Accepting all parts of yourself

(24:38) The truth about sacrifice

Resources:

Amanda’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandathomascreative/

Amanda’s website: amandathomascreative.com

Gayle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaylekalvert/