In this week's episode Colette sits down with Valerie Probstfeld, RN, MSN, FNP-BC who is an advocate for moms.
Becoming a mother is a transformative experience, but for Valerie, it was also a profound paradigm shift. In this episode, she shares how her journey into motherhood took an unexpected turn when her first baby had to go to the NICU. Despite preparing and envisioning the motherhood experience, she quickly realized that control was an illusion.
Valerie reflects on the emotional and mental toll of that period, how being referred to as "mom" in the hospital felt both beautiful and identity-altering. She explores the verb "to mom" and how, for her, it became synonymous with love. Through writing and deep reflection, she navigated feelings of trauma, OCD, and the weight of responsibility, eventually finding empowerment in spreading awareness and advocating for other mothers facing similar challenges.
Inspired by her own experiences, Valerie founded To Mom Is to Love (www.tomomistolove.com), a platform dedicated to redefining what it means to be a mother. She emphasizes that mothering is not just a role but an active expression of love, care, and resilience. Through her writing and advocacy, she encourages mothers to embrace both the joys and challenges of motherhood.
As she continues to process her journey, Valerie shares the biggest lesson she learned, while we can't control everything in life, we can always choose love over fear.
Episode Highlights:
03:03 Valerie's Grandmother's smile: the powerful impact it had on her mindset
12:56 Valerie's insight to her performance as a mom and her intentional choice to change generational patterns
18:03 Valerie's to-be-published book: coming together as a community with a growth mindset
22:46 Leading with more love and less fear
Key Takeaways:
- The illusion of control in motherhood and the importance of surrender
- The emotional impact of the NICU experience and identity shifts
- Defining "to mom" as an act of love and resilience
- How advocacy and awareness can help other mothers feel less alone
Connect & Share:
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a fellow mom or someone who needs to hear this message. Let's continue the conversation about the emotional journey of motherhood, advocacy, and choosing love over fear.
Get to Know Valerie:
Valerie Probstfeld, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner, writer, flutist, and podcaster. She is the founder of “To Mom is To Love” (tomomistolove.com) a community that encourages mothers to live their verb and promote love as an action. Valerie graduated from Bradley University with degrees in nursing and music. She also received her masters in nursing from Yale University. Valerie has experience in a variety of medical settings including pediatric neurology and primary care.
Website: https://www.tomomistolove.com/
Podcast: https://www.tomomistolove.com/podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQhKAdlZP8_tq2-zv3CqhrQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerie_probstfeld/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-probstfeld-23022448/
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Connect with Colette:
Instagram: @wellnessbycolette
Website: love-colette.com
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In Health,
Colette
