The Cost of Caregiving with Mia Mends

Burnout and Taking Back Control, with Ashly Balding

What happens when your drive and discipline push you to the very brink—physically, emotionally, and spiritually? In this powerful episode of Get Real, Get Results, host Speaker B welcomes Ashley Balding, Executive Vice President and Chief Sales Officer at Associated Luxury Hotels International, for an intimate conversation that cuts through the noise of perfectionism and reveals what it means to truly take care of yourself. Ashley’s story is a wake-up call for every woman who’s ever put her own health last. Battling career challenges, family upheaval, and overwhelming stress, Ashley ignored her body’s warnings—until a near-fatal heart crisis forced her to stop, surrender, and reset everything. She shares how pushing through pain and normalizing exhaustion nearly cost her life, and how open-heart surgery became an unexpected gift that transformed her mindset and sense of purpose. Discover the essential lessons Ashley learned about the hidden dangers of high achievement: Why do so many women equate exhaustion with leadership? How can you recognize the signals your body—and your spirit—are sending before it’s too late? Ashley opens up about finding strength in vulnerability, setting boundaries without guilt, seeking wisdom in community, and redefining success by prioritizing faith, family, and intentional living. Packed with raw honesty, practical strategies, and hope, this episode is your permission slip to pause, ask for help, and finally put yourself first. Subscribe for more real conversations that inspire transformation—or share this episode with someone who needs the reminder: you can’t pour from an empty cup. CHAPTERS 00:00 A Miracle Warning Saves My Life 02:13 High-Performing Women Neglecting Their Health 05:12 Coping With Crisis: Career, Family, and Personal Loss 07:29 Ignoring Medical Red Flags Until It’s Almost Too Late 08:23 Surviving Open Heart Surgery and the Aftermath 10:09 The Long Road to Becoming Pacemaker Free 11:07 Mistaking Exhaustion for Leadership 12:18 Redefining Worth: Output Isn’t Everything 16:01 Letting Go of Control: Facing Mortality 19:44 The Power of Gratitude After Trauma 21:17 Crystal Balls vs. Rubber Balls: Prioritizing What Matters 25:43 Lean In—Why Asking for Help Heals 29:08 Setting Boundaries With People Who Drain You 31:13 Leading With Compassion, Not Overextension 33:14 Moving Beyond Anger: Forgiveness as Superpower 37:37 Modeling Purpose and Meaning For the Next Generation 40:32 The Simple Power of Sleep and Breathwork 42:47 The Real Cost of Ignoring Your Body’s Warnings The Success Lie is available now for pre-sale! Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston Join host Chantell Preston, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, project management, and consulting, as she shares invaluable insights and lessons learned from navigating the complexities of career advancement and personal satisfaction.  Through candid conversations and expert advice, "Get Real, Get Results" serves as your go-to resource for achieving harmony between work and life without sacrificing well-being.  Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com

The Cost of Caregiving with Mia Mends

Caregiving, career pressure, marriage, motherhood, aging parents, and the quiet question so many women carry: how is anyone supposed to hold all of this at once? Chantell Preston sits down with Mia Mends for a deeply honest conversation about life in the sandwich generation and the invisible emotional load that often falls on women. This episode is for anyone navigating the pull between ambition and responsibility, especially women carrying multiple generations at once. It is a reminder that you are not failing because life feels heavy. You may simply be living a very full life, and there are wiser, kinder ways to move through it. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Integration Over Balance 01:19 Entering the Sandwich Generation 03:15 Her Father’s Parkinson’s Diagnosis 05:47 When Her Mother Moved In 07:44 Marriage, Grace, and Shared Sacrifice 09:59 Making the Hard Call for More Help 11:54 The Hidden Cost of Caregiving 13:42 Why Systems and Benefits Fall Short 15:49 Grounding in Joy and Gratitude 17:52 Legacy, Purpose, and What Really Matters 19:55 Using Your Life to Make Things Better 21:33 Dignity in Frontline Work 23:57 Immigration, Loss, and Resilience 25:43 Staying Present With Her Children 27:40 What Kids Learn by Watching Us 29:42 Letting Children See Your Work 30:42 Nerves, Courage, and Doing It Anyway 31:42 Finding Work That Makes Your Heart Sing 33:48 Boundaries, Resentment, and Asking for Help 35:18 Taking Care of Yourself Without Guilt 37:23 Midlife Freedom and New Perspective 39:39 Small Ways to Give Caregivers Relief 41:47 Vulnerability, Recognition, and Closing Reflections The Success Lie [https://thesuccessliebook.com/]is available now for pre-sale! Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com [https://www.chantellpreston.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston] YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston [http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston] Join host Chantell Preston, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, project management, and consulting, as she shares invaluable insights and lessons learned from navigating the complexities of career advancement and personal satisfaction.  Through candid conversations and expert advice, "Get Real, Get Results" serves as your go-to resource for achieving harmony between work and life without sacrificing well-being.  Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com

From Corporate to Entrepreneur: Stephanie Cartin’s Real Advice on Building, Balancing, & Belonging

What does it really take to leap from a stable corporate job to building a thriving business, all while balancing life’s toughest challenges? In this empowering new episode of Get Real, Get Results, Chantell is joined by Stephanie Cartin—serial entrepreneur, co-founder of Socialfly, and leader of the Entrepreneista League—for a candid conversation about embracing risk, building community, and redefining success on your own terms. Stephanie shares her journey from childhood side hustler to running a top social media agency, highlighting the pivotal moment she left the corporate world to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. She’s transparent about the realities of juggling multiple roles—business owner, mother, and advocate—and opens up about her difficult fertility journey and the power of self-advocacy in health and business. If you’ve ever wondered how successful women really juggle it all—or if you’re ready to join a network that supports your next big leap—this episode is for you!  Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston CHAPTERS 00:00 The Power of Starting—Why Plans Matter, Even If They Change 01:30 From Corporate Climber to Serial Entrepreneur 04:48 Balancing a Side Hustle with a Full-Time Job 06:32 Advice for Women Starting Businesses Later in Life 08:39 How to Choose the Right Community for You 10:59 The Truth About “Just Jump”—Evaluating Timing and Readiness 12:17 Redefining Success: Not Everyone Wants a Billion-Dollar Exit 13:57 Unlearning Corporate Values to Build a Better Business 16:22 Mentorship, Networking, and the “Built to Sell” Moment 19:45 How Long-Term Relationships Lead to Trusted Advisors 22:20 Setting Boundaries: Giving, Receiving, and Protecting Your Time 23:45 Behind the Highlights: Stephanie’s Emotional Fertility Journey 26:03 How Self-Advocacy Can Save Your Life 29:58 You’re Not Alone—Why Asking for Help Is Essential 31:54 Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable—Just Start Asking 33:37 Founders Weekend Announcement—Building Community for Women Leaders

5 Back-to-School Survival Hacks for Working Moms: Stay Sane & Get Results!

Juggling back-to-school chaos while managing a career is no small feat. On today’s episode of Get Real, Get Results, Chantell opens up about the overwhelm many working moms face during this season—offering five practical strategies to maintain sanity, including:  Creating a Sunday night routine to plan the week ahead - Building in a 30-minute morning buffer for calm and clarity - Delegating tasks at home to kids, partners, and caregivers - Using AI for grocery lists, meal planning, and even homework support - Letting go of unrealistic expectations Emphasizing  grace over guilt, Chantell reminds listeners that perfection isn’t the goal—confidence, presence, and connection are. This episode is packed with relatable insights and tactical tips to help moms feel more in control, supported, and calm as the school year begins. Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston CHAPTERS: 00:00 Grace Over Guilt: The Reality of Working Mom Life 01:02 Why Back-to-School Triggers Overwhelm 02:16 Strategy #1: Sunday Night Routines 04:20 Creating a Home Command Center 04:44 Strategy #2: 30-Minute Morning Buffer 06:30 Strategy #3: Delegating Like a Boss 08:18 Strategy #4: AI as a Mom Hack 11:10 Calendaring Tools That Save Sanity 13:19 Strategy #5: Letting Go of Perfection 14:36 Recap of All Five Strategies 16:02 Why Motherhood and Leadership Are Deeply Connected 16:37 Final Thoughts & Listener Call to Action

Motivating Your Team When You’re Not Motivated Yourself

How do you motivate your team when you're barely holding it together yourself? In this solo episode of Get Real, Get Results Chantell delivers a candid, no-BS talk about leadership during times of low motivation. Drawing from her own experiences—including grief, burnout, and the never-ending pressure to "be on"—Chantell shares five powerful strategies leaders can use to keep their teams inspired without sacrificing their own well-being. You’ll hear how Chantell uses simple systems like setting out clothes the night before, carving out morning energy for high-priority tasks, and scheduling mental resets to keep her leadership steady. Most importantly, she emphasizes that vulnerability isn't a weakness—it's a leadership strength that fosters connection and resilience. Whether you're running a business, leading a team, or simply trying to show up for your people, this episode offers real-world insight for women in leadership navigating the hard days with grit, grace, and strategy. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Burnout Is Real—Especially for Women 00:32 The Hidden Struggle Behind the Smile 01:37 What to Do When You’re Just Not Feeling It 02:00 Lead with Transparency and Build Trust 03:00 Why Burnout Statistics Should Wake Us Up 04:00 Honesty Creates Connection 05:17 Empower Your Team by Delegating 06:25 How Leaders Can Recharge Personally 06:51 The Power of Micro-Routines 07:54 Managing Energy Throughout the Day 08:19 Your Mood Impacts the Whole Team 09:05 Ask for Support—Strategically 10:24 Self-Awareness Is the First Step 12:42 5 Tactics to Lead Through Low Motivation 14:18 Closing Thoughts & Takeaways About Chantell Preston Join host Chantell Preston, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in healthcare operations, project management, and consulting, as she shares invaluable insights and lessons learned from navigating the complexities of career advancement and personal satisfaction. Through candid conversations and expert advice, "Get Real, Get Results" serves as your go-to resource for achieving harmony between work and life without sacrificing well-being.  Learn more at: https://chantellpreston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantellpreston YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ChantellPreston