Come Back to Yourself: Trainer Chyna Rae on Motherhood, Creativity & Finding Real Joy

Welcome to episode seven of Tone It Down. On today’s episode, Karena reconnects with beloved Tone It Up community member Chyna, who shares the beautiful journey she's been on over the past five years. From navigating a life-changing divorce in her twenties and rediscovering who she truly is, to falling in love, getting married, and becoming a mama, Chyna opens up about all of it. Together, she and Karena dive into the transformative power of creativity as a path to joy, why taking long breaks from fitness helped her build the healthiest relationship with movement she's ever had, and how becoming a mother brought her fully into the present moment.  How do I find real, lasting joy and actually feel like myself again? Joy isn't found in checking off boxes or achieving the perfect life from the outside in. It lives inside you, waiting to be unlocked. Whether you're navigating change, stepping into a new season, or simply craving more presence and creativity in your everyday life, you are exactly where you need to be. (00:00) Coming Next (00:54) Intro (06:00) Owning Your Story & Breaking Free from Shame Life doesn't always go according to plan and that's okay. Releasing shame around unexpected chapters is the first step to truly moving forward. People-pleasing can keep you stuck in situations that no longer serve you.  Every hard decision that honors your truth becomes a stepping stone to the confident, joyful woman you're becoming. (12:00) Why Checking the Boxes Isn't Enough  Having the dream life on paper doesn't guarantee inner happiness. Real joy has to be cultivated from within. When something still feels off despite everything looking "perfect," that's your soul inviting you to go deeper and discover what truly lights you up. Opening up to creativity—whether painting, writing, or even setting a beautiful table—is one of the most powerful ways to access lasting joy. (15:30) Unlocking the Artist Within You Everyone has a creative spark inside them and it doesn't require a paintbrush or a canvas. Creativity is anything that moves you from logic into imagination. Tapping into that creative part of your brain is like finding a secret door to joy that you always have access to, no matter your circumstances. Anything that lets your imagination roam free is feeding your creative soul and helping you feel more alive. You don't have to be a "capital-A Artist" to experience the freedom and fulfillment that creative expression brings. (18:50) Motherhood, Unexpected Love & the Gift of Being Softened Motherhood doesn't have to look the way you imagined—and that's a beautiful thing. Some of life's greatest gifts come wrapped in surprise. When you let go of the big "purpose" you think you need to chase, you often find that what's right in front of you is everything you ever wanted. Watching your partner step into parenthood with love and respect deepens connection in the most unexpected and wonderful ways. (21:50) A New Relationship with Fitness  Taking long breaks from fitness isn't failure. Sometimes stepping away completely is exactly what your body and mind need to come back stronger and more motivated than ever. Moving your body to feel strong, grounded, and energized is so much more sustainable than working out for how you look. When fitness becomes about how you feel, it becomes a gift instead of a chore. Short, high-intensity workouts can be the perfect anchor. "Workout snacks" are a game-changer for staying consistent without the overwhelm. (26:00) Getting Off Autopilot & Coming Back to the Present So much of our suffering comes from living in the past or worrying about the future but life is only ever happening right here, right now. A simple walk outside with no audio can be a powerful reset. Let yourself notice what's around you, feel the air, and come back to your body. Presence is the greatest gift you can give yourself and the people you love. Connect with Chyna:  @ChynaRaeee (https://www.instagram.com/chynaraeee/) on IG Let's Connect: New Year New TI-YOU 6 Week Challenge (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/new-year-new-tiyou-challenge) THE BIG SILENCE PODCAST (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-silence/id1607181597) Tone It Up App (https://my.toneitup.com/pages/tone-it-up-app) Tone It Up YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@toneitup/featured) Tone It Up Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/toneitup/?hl=en)