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Episode 1: Welcome to Thursday Tea with Sami - Let’s Begin the Wellness Journey

In this very first episode, I’m excited to introduce you to Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health. Join me as I share a bit about my own journey toward wellness, inspired by the lessons I’ve learned from my grandparents and growing up in a multigenerational home. Together, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to live healthier lives—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Whether you're just starting or have been on this journey for years, this podcast is for anyone who wants to learn, laugh, and grow together. I’ll be sharing personal stories, expert insights, and, most importantly, creating a space where we can all learn at our own pace. Grab your cup of tea and get ready to take your first step toward a healthier, more balanced life.

Transcript

  Hey, I’m Sami Estrada, and welcome to Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health. This is the place where we explore simple, real-life ways to improve our mental health, wellness, and everything in between. Grab your cup of tea, take a deep breath, and let’s dive in! 

~Music~

Hi there, and welcome to the very first episode of Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health. I’m Sami Estrada, and I am so excited to be starting this journey with you. This podcast is all about living our best lives—mentally, physically, emotionally, and everything in between. It’s about figuring out how to balance all the things that make life great, and sometimes, how to deal with the things that make life a little more complicated.

Now, this is a little different from the typical wellness podcasts you might be used to. While I’ll definitely share insights from my own experiences, I also want this to be a space where we can all just learn together, laugh together, and yes, maybe even cry together.

Here’s the thing—while I’ve been in the mental health field for a long time and I know a thing or two about wellness, I’m just like you. I’m on my own journey. I try different things, some work, some don’t—and that’s okay. What works for me might not work for you, and vice versa, but that’s why I want you to join me. I want you to be a part of this journey, learning alongside me as I try new ideas, new habits, and find out what truly makes a difference in my life and in yours.

When I was growing up, I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with my grandparents, and honestly, they were my first wellness role models. My grandfather jogged every day, no matter the weather—rain or shine, you could find him lacing up his shoes for his morning run. And I looked forward to those early mornings with him. I couldn’t wait for his invitation to join him on his runs, even though they were at the crack of dawn. Those jogs were our special time—just us, talking about life and getting moving. I’ll never forget those conversations, and I’m grateful for that time we spent together.

And my grandmother—well, let’s just say that if you’ve never tasted her spaghetti marinara, you’ve never had real Italian comfort food. She made everything from scratch, and every bite felt like love. It wasn’t just food—it was a reminder that wellness is also about nourishment, not just for the body, but for the soul, too.

I had the privilege of living in a multigenerational home with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. It wasn’t always easy—there were the usual family challenges, of course—but looking back, it gave me a front-row seat to some of life’s most important lessons: patience, love, the importance of family, and the power of working together. No matter where we are in life, we’re all on this journey together.

Now, in this podcast, I’ll be taking you through this same kind of journey—learning together, figuring out what makes us feel whole, what helps us get through those tough days, and how we can live better, healthier lives. We’re going to talk about everything from eating the right foods, moving our bodies, managing stress, improving sleep, and strengthening our relationships. It won’t be about doing everything perfectly. It’ll be about figuring out what works for you, and then, sticking with it long enough to see the difference.

We’ll dive into real, everyday strategies that fit into life without adding stress. For example, we’ll talk about how simple exercise can boost your mood, how good sleep is crucial for emotional resilience, and how things like nutrition can change the way we feel mentally and physically. The best part? You don’t have to be perfect to make a difference in your well-being. A little bit of effort goes a long way.

It’s not about following strict rules or schedules that make you feel like you’re failing when you slip up. It’s about the small, consistent choices we make every day that build up over time. For example, maybe you’re starting with just 10 minutes of stretching every morning or choosing a homemade meal over take-out once a week. Or maybe you’re learning how to set boundaries so you don’t burn out at work. Every little bit adds up, and I’m here to show you that it’s not just okay to take your time—it’s necessary.

And the truth is, I’m on this journey with you. I’m not here to preach from the top of the mountain. I’m right alongside you, trying new things, seeing what sticks, and sometimes laughing at myself along the way. Some of what I try might not work, and that’s okay. But I think that’s the beauty of this journey—we learn together. Some tips or practices will help you feel better, others won’t, and we’ll talk through all of that. You’ll find what works for you, and I’ll share what works for me, but we’ll always have that space to learn and grow together.

And every other week, I’ll be bringing you new episodes. Sometimes I’ll chat with experts who can offer amazing insights into wellness and mental health, and sometimes, it’ll just be me, sharing what I’ve learned along the way. I’ll be tackling everything from practical health habits to the emotional side of wellness, so we’ll definitely keep things fresh.

I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope you’re ready to get started. Whether you’re just beginning your wellness journey or you’ve been working on this for years, I want you to know this is a space where we all get to learn at our own pace. So, grab your cup of tea, take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

Thank you for tuning in to the very first episode. I can’t wait to share this journey with you—there’s so much to learn, and I’m so glad you’re here with me.

~Music~

 Thank you so much for tuning in to the very first episode of Thursday Tea with Sami: Your Sip of Wellness and Mental Health. I’m so excited to have you on this journey with me, and I can’t wait for the next episode. Remember, we’re all learning together, so take it one step at a time, be kind to yourself, and I’ll be here every other week with new insights and conversations. Until then, take care of yourself, keep sipping on that tea, and stay well. See you next time!