Tell us a little about Randi Zinn?
I’m the founder of Beyond Mom, a community to empower moms to take incredible care of themselves, not just for the betterment of their family, but because somehow in our culture we have been told that we come last. I firmly believe that it’s up to women to make this world a better place and we must feel awesome to make the kind of impact we need to make.
I’m the mom of two, Micah who is 5 and Zarah who is 18 months (as I write this). They and all the talented moms I’ve met have inspired me to build this platform! There was a time, several years ago, when I had no idea how to bring all my talents and experiences together- English and Dance Undergrad, Media studies grad, yoga instructor, writer, fascinated by health and healing. Beyond Mom is the first time when all parts of ME are at play.
So remember: inspiration is everywhere and it can come together anytime!
What or who inspires you?
Melinda Blau, (who wrote the forward in my book!) co-author of the Baby Whisperer books, and many other books in the parenting sphere over her career, inspires me. She has always believed that the mother and the family as a collective must come first. Our culture has become child-centric so we tend to end up with these little dictators (trust me, I battle with my own!). So her perspective has reminded me to take all of us into account when making choices. Plus, I love being around a woman who has continued to write, speak and share her wisdom well into entering Grandma-hood. The journey never has to stop.
What is your best piece of parenting advice?
Pay attention to your own wisdom. When I was a first-time mom, I literally gave my power away because I didn’t trust that I could handle it. That had some wicked backlash! With my second child, I was far more confident and so I paid attention to what I felt was right for myself and for my daughter. The result was a better sleeper, a better nursing situation, a care giver that was more suited to our family, and a happier experience overall.
Slow down, breathe, and trust yourself. Even if you’ve never done it before, once you become a mother, your unique motherhood instinct starts to work. Trust its infinite knowledge!
Worst piece of parenting advice you have heard?
Wake the baby up to feed. What?! I still don’t get that one. Never wake a sleeping baby if you can help it!
The most common question you are asked by parents?
How to make time to work, be a mom, and take care of yourself. It’s the eternal question and never an easy one to master. I battle with it every day. But you must make your work and your self-care a priority and ask for help from your partner, family and caregivers. The balance to taking time for yourself is being fully present with your kids when you are with them! No phone (except to take a few cute pics), and a fully immersed play experience. Even if its 15 minutes! In kid world, a little goes a long way, just as one hour to yourself makes a world of difference.
Favorite shows, books and Foods
Don’t watch too much TV these days but I was admittedly obsessed with Big Little Lies on HBO. Whoa, intense.
Books – devoured Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle. The Journey of Recovery, Love, and Parenthood by the blogger/writer behind Momastery.
Foods – My garden! We spent the summer in the Hudson Valley (my hometown) and there is no better food than the veggies we pick from our garden. High nutrients, delicious taste, and the kids learn to love nature and health food. A win for everyone!
Favorite parenting products?
I definitely feel like Baby Bjorn gave us some of our best and highest quality baby products- the baby carrier, the travel crib, the high chair (perfect for apartment living because it’s smaller and fold-able for storage). I also loved the Oeuf baby furniture we purchased when my first child was born – the crib and changing table has looked gorgeous now for over 6 years!
If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why?
I’m sure someone has said Oprah before, but I’ll say it again! I’d love to know what it feels like to have created so many incredible platforms to facilitate meaningful inspiring conversation – its what I want to do too!
What’s up next for your professionally?
My book Going Beyond Mom: How to Activate Your Mind, Body and Business is available everywhere books are sold! I’m so excited to finally share it with the world! Buy a copy for yourself and for new moms in your life. It provides a serious dose of insight on how to get back to you (body, mind, community in your home, community outside your home and more) so that you can launch a new idea, a new way of living your life as a mother in this contemporary age and how to do it. It’s filled with my insights plus the wisdom of so many intriguing, accomplished women who are walking the walk!
Following the book, I’m working on my next offering for Beyond Moms to continue to grow, support one another, and engage with me- stay tuned!
Why are mothers so valuable to the world?
I’ve been completely impressed by the power house women I’ve gotten to know in the five plus years that I’ve been a mom. It’s not that these women are perfect – we all know that doesn’t exist. But the passion and determination to be productive, creative and make an impact on the world, is a force to be reckoned with. What if we all stepped into our greatness? Not only could we do profound things, but what a model we’d be for our children! I hope to be some small part of making that possible!
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