In this episode of "Life is a Circus," host Stacy Yardley shares her compelling journey of recovery after a critical health scare. She dives into the often overlooked power of rest, recovery, and play in building resilience and mastering the art of slowing down. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or simply feeling overwhelmed, discover how taking a step back could be the key to moving forward.

Stacy Yardley is a Certified Life Coach and Transformation Catalyst specializing in guiding women in business to create more joy, self fulfillment, and satisfied life. Her work includes working with high performance women to create better boundaries, release perfectionism and breakthrough imposter syndrome through self mastery. Drawing from her experience as a former professional circus showgirl, Stacy is passionate about empowering individuals to realize their dreams and unlock their inner potential. Through empathy and intuitive guidance, Stacy helps women harness their personal power to achieve greater well-being and thrive in all aspects of their lives. Based in Vancouver, WA, Stacy enjoys exploring hiking trails, preparing fresh vegan meals, and cherishing moments with loved ones in her free time.  

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Have you ever found yourself so deep in the grind that you forgot to come up for air? What if the secret to achieving more isn't about pushing harder, but knowing when to step back and simply breathe? Today, I'm diving into the surprising power of rest, recovery, and, yes, play when it comes to building true resilience and mastering the art of slowing down. But first, I'll share what happened when I was ordered by doctors to rest so that I could recover and return to performing center ring. Ready to uncover how stepping away might be the key to moving forward? Let's get started. Welcome to life as a circus. So let's step into self mastery, where we explore the balancing act of unlocking your inner potential while navigating life's chaos. I'm Stacy Yardley, your host. A former circus showgirl turned transformational life coach. If you're juggling multiple roles or responsibilities and feeling like life is a circus, you are in the right place.

Join me each week for captivating tales from my circus days and insights on realizing your dreams. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or an aspiring leader, this podcast is your guide to self mastery. So grab your top hat, and let's step into the greatest show of all, the circus of life. Ready to embark on this transformative journey together? Let's begin. After spending ten days in the hospital and being diagnosed with hepatitis, I was finally headed home to San Diego to recover. The doctors said it would take four to six weeks, and while that seemed like an eternity, my focus was clear, heal as quickly as possible so that I could rejoin the show. When it arrived in my hometown, the thought of missing the chance to perform in center ring on my own home turf was unbearable.

As the plane touched down in San Diego, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and gratitude. I was home. But beneath that relief was a current of anxiety. My bed, the family dog, and my friends, they were all waiting for me. But so was the uncertainty of my future. After seven months on the road, I had seen and done things that my friends back home couldn't even imagine. I was chasing my dreams. But along the way, I had made choices that left me questioning who I was and where I was headed.

It was the beginning of summer and nearly a year since my original audition. My best friend Lisa, was home from college for the summer, and we were excited to spend time together. Reconnecting with her was a joy, a piece of the old me that felt comforting. But with other friends, there was a lingering sense of disconnection. I had changed, and as much as I wanted to slip back into the comfort of old routines. I knew I couldn't. The road had made me a different person. Reflecting on all of this, I turned to my journal to capture my thoughts.

The doc said today that within a couple of weeks, I should be on the recovered list. So that's cool, because when the show gets here, I'll feel great, look great, and everything will be great. Knock on wood. Right now, it seems like not a whole lot has changed. Yet. In some ways, a lot has. I wonder, is it me who's changed? I somewhat know what I want and who I want to be. And it just seems like I used to let people influence that a lot.

And now I feel like nobody really could. I finally really feel like I'm my own person. And it sort of seems like people don't really know who they are or are a little lost in the game of life. Maybe we all are, though. I mean, we all try to win in the good old game of life, but how does one know when they've actually really won? As the days passed, I tried to find comfort in the familiar relaxing in the southern California sun, lounging by the pool and reconnecting with friends. But even the joy of those simple pleasures was shadowed by a gnawing fear. What if my body didn't recover in time? What if I couldnt get back to the center ring? The doctors had warned me to take it easy and to avoid alcohol so my liver could heal. I followed their advice, but the uncertainty weighed on me.

Even as I attended graduation parties and beach bashes and had a little bit of fun, there was a part of me that felt disconnected, as if I was watching my life from the outside. The mistakes I had made in my search for love still haunted me. And yet, the desire for validation was as strong as ever. It wasn't long before I met a college guy through a mutual friend. He was charming, and the spark was there, but I couldn't shake the feeling that I was falling into old patterns. Still, I clung to the hope that this time would be different. As my recovery progressed, the doctor's report became more encouraging. I was encouraged to start exercising.

So I started swimming to regain my strength. But with each stroke, I felt the pressure building. The show was coming, and I wasn't sure if I was ready. What if I couldn't perform? What if this time I failed? I captured these thoughts in my journal, which had become a place for me to process everything. Okay, now, I've made some major progress here. What I mean is, I feel great people are saying I look great and just life in general is going good. In the past two days, I've seen a lot of people I've graduated with, and it's amazing. I mean, some people have changed a lot and some people have totally stayed the same.

I'm beginning to get a deeper tan, but sometimes it gets really boring sitting around the house all day. And sometimes I get really philosophical and I start to question things about life. For instance, sometimes I wonder why were put here on this planet. What's our purpose? I mean, obviously we do have one, otherwise we wouldn't be here, right? Its so strange. I wonder sometimes what today will bring to tomorrow. Its a big question. Anyway, my publicist called me and im still going to get to be on tv and in the paper, just not as much. It's good though.

I'm glad that I'll still be in the media a little bit. Well, once again, just like old times, I'm home early on a Saturday night. I never realized how incredibly boring Spring Valley can actually be. The more I'm here, the more I realize I haven't really been missing much. Halfway through my recovery, the excitement of being home began to fade. I was ready, almost desperate to get back on the road, but the doubts lingered. I was being closely monitored with regular doctor checkups. And just as the show was about to arrive in San Diego, I got the news that I had been waiting for.

I was officially recovered. Relief washed over me, but so did a wave of nerves. Was I really ready? Could I reclaim my place in the center ring? I tried to put these feelings into words in my journal. Doc says I'm back to normal now. He says I have to get back in physical shape for the show. I hope I'm not too far out of shape. I'm so excited, but scared at the same time. Maybe not scared.

Nervous is more the word nervous because it's my hometown and everyone's going to come see me. My picture was even in the paper today, morning and evening edition. I'm so happy right now. With my recovery officially behind me, the next step was preparing for my return to center ring. The performance director's approval was the last hurdle. When I finally got the green light to climb the web again, the weight of the past weeks lifted. I was back. Opening night in my hometown was just days away.

And as I prepared to step into the center ring, I couldn't help but wonder if the road ahead would hold more triumphs or more, more challenges. As I reflected on the story that I just shared with you and how I was getting ready to step back into center ring, it hit me just how vital those weeks of rest, recovery, and, yes, play had been. Not just for my body, but for my mind and spirit, too. It was a reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is step back, breathe, and let ourselves heal. And that got me thinking about more that I want to share with you today about rest and play. We live in a world that glorifies the grind. The idea that we have to be on all the time, constantly pushing forward, never taking a moment to restore or enjoy life. And for women entrepreneurs especially, the pressure to do it all can be really overwhelming.

But here's the thing. True self mastery isn't just about relentless pursuit. It's about knowing when to pause, recharge, and yes, even play. Rest, recovery, and play aren't just about taking a break. They're about safeguarding our health and well being. Research has shown that factors like tension, anxiety, and a lack of vacations can significantly impact our health, especially for women. A 20 year study on women found that these factors were predictors in serious heart issues like myocardial infractions and coronary death. This isn't just about physical recovery.

It's about building resilience and maintaining balance in our lives, too. I'll be the first to admit there was a time when I was so deep in the grind that I didn't realize how close I was to burning out. I was juggling multiple projects, saying yes to every opportunity, and pushing myself to be on all the time. It wasn't until my body literally forced me to stop when I got sick that I realized I couldn't keep going at that pace. I had to learn the hard way that sometimes stepping away is the strongest thing you can do. Taking breaks isn't just about resting, either. It's actually about resetting. When I allow myself to rest, I come back with more clarity, more ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose.

It's like my brain has space to breathe, and suddenly everything just clicks. It's funny how we can think that taking a break will set us back, when in reality, it can propel us forward. When you embrace rest and play, you're not just preventing burnout, you're actually building resilience that fuels long term success. Allowing for rest and play also opens up a space for new ideas to come into our awareness that you might not otherwise have due to being so busy. But let's be real. It's hard to step away, especially when you're driven, passionate, and feel the need to prove yourself. For women entrepreneurs, there's this immense pressure to keep everything running smoothly, to be the backbone of our businesses, our families, and our lives. The fear that everything will just fall apart without us can be paralyzing and can cause us to push ourselves way too hard.

But the truth is, the world keeps turning even when we step away. And sometimes things actually run better when we return, refreshed and recharged. So how do we do it? How do we prevent burnout? Well, it starts with listening to your body and mind, setting boundaries to protect your energy, and making self care a non negotiable. As I've mentioned before, as a part of your routine is vital. And if you're already feeling burnt out, you need to know that it's okay to hit pause. In fact, it's required. Healing takes time. But every step you take towards rest is a step towards recovery.

Rest isn't just about recovering energy either. It's also about building resilience and play well. Play is like a breath of fresh air for your soul. It lifts your spirits, sparks creativity, and reminds you that life isn't just about work, it's about joy, too. And when we give ourselves permission to rest and to play, we're not just recharging for the next task. We're strengthening our ability to handle future challenges with greater ease and grace. Rest and play are like secret weapons in your resilience toolbox. It's in those moments of pause that we can find the strength to rise again, stronger and more focused.

And play can supercharge inspiration and joy. So how can we start building this resilience through west and play? Let's break it down into a very simple action plan. Three steps. Step number one, schedule regular breaks. Start small. You've got to learn how to push pause even during your workday. Schedule a five minute break every hour. Use this time to stretch, to breathe, or simply step away from your work.

And when I say step away for five minutes, that means don't go for a walk and think about work. Right? Step away. Go for a walk, and just enjoy the environment. Get present and mindful for just a few moments. These micro breaks can do wonders for your energy and focus. This can also help in sending messages to your nervous system that it can come down to reset itself. It's like you're building a new mini habit for your well being. And also, it starts to tell your subconscious mind that taking breaks is okay.

Step two is going to be planning a day off and including play. Look at your calendar and pick a day to completely unplug. No work, no obligations, no chores. Just a day to do whatever nourishes you. And make sure to include something playful. Whether it's a game, a creative hobby, or just something that makes you laugh. Let this day be a day about joy as much as it's about rest. Okay, I know this can be tough.

I get it. In fact, there are days when I feel like I have to literally force myself to stop working and just take a day to myself. But again, it's necessary. Having support can help for me. It's my dog, Elsa. She helps me so much with this as I can often just take her out for a quick five minute stroll or head to the park to play together. Step number three is creating rest and a play ritual. Create a ritual that combines both rest and play and make it a sacred part of your routine.

Maybe it's a long bath followed by a fun movie, or a quiet morning coffee on the deck, or with doodling or journaling. Whatever it is, let it be something that signals to your mind and your body that it's time to rest, recharge and play again. Build this in as a new habit. Allow yourself time to integrate it. Don't expect it to happen overnight. If you start and then slowly notice that you're fading back into old patterns. Just simply return to the ritual without judgment and begin again. I want to challenge you to take action today on this plan.

So start now. Schedule those small breaks. Plan your day off and begin crafting your own rest and play ritual today. Remember that rest and play are not luxuries, they're necessities for building resilience that you will need to thrive. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you. As you begin to incorporate more rest and play into your life, I want to also invite you to take a moment to reflect on the changes that you notice. How does your energy feel? Are you more creative? More focused? Do you find yourself smiling more? Pay attention to these shifts. They're signs that you're building the resilience you need to sustain your passion and your goals.

And finally, let's support each other on this journey. Share your rest and play wins with me on social media or drop me a message. I love hearing from this community and how this podcast is impacting you. Let's build a community where rest and play are celebrated as the powerful tools that they are. I want to leave you with this, if you're feeling like you're on the edge, give yourself permission to rest and to play. You don't have to earn it you deserve it simply because you exist. And trust me, when you return, you'll be stronger, clearer, and more capable than ever. So take that day off guilt free.

Plan a mini retreat, or simply allow yourself to just slow down. Because in the end, it's really not about how much you do, but how well you take care of yourself along the way. Thank you for joining me on this episode of Life as a circus. So let's step into self mastery. I hope you found inspiration and valuable insight to carry with you on your journey. If you enjoyed today's episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe or follow wherever you're listening. Remember, in the circus of life, the greatest show is the one you create for yourself. Until next time, keep embracing your dreams and stepping into self mastery.

Take care, and I'll see you next Tuesday.