🌿 Bloomscrolling #005 || Birch and Stone Weekly Newsletter

Welcome back to Bloomscrolling, your weekly newsletter from Birch & Stone Coaching Collective!

Who was that masked woman, anyway? 🎭

Slight spoilers ahead for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Coach Emily B. asked a question in this week's Refreshed & Ready workshop that's been rolling around in my mind for days.

"Who do you want to show up as today?"

This is a question that I have to ask myself every day, and not just for the mindset reasons that we discussed in Refreshed & Ready.

Many of you fellow Birch & Stone members know that outside of our community, I am the host of a podcast... under a different name. A different identity. Whenever I get ready to post anything online or meet a new person out in the world, I have to ask myself, "Which me am I going to be for this interaction? Am I going to own this moment as Hayley or as V?"

Some of my closest and best friends don't know me as Hayley.

Some of my closest and best friends don't know me as V.

Who I want to show up as today is a big question in my life.

There are ways in which I use both identities as a mask, protecting the other identity from aspects of my "other" life. I'm definitely not the only person to do this: famously, Beyoncé called her stage persona "Sasha Fierce" for years, and "Sasha" embodied the positive traits that Beyoncé felt she didn't have.

(It definitely is a confidence booster to remember that even Beyoncé isn't 100% loving about herself all the time! And she's Beyoncé!)

And, of course, because I am a big nerd, the other person who comes to mind when I think of someone living two lives and wearing a mask for self-protection... is Spider-Man.

Stay with me.

On Wednesday, the very same day that Coach Emily B. asked us who we'd want to show up as that day, I saw an early screening of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. And wouldn't you know it, but the entire plot of the movie was an attempt to answer that very question.

Does he want to show up as Spider-Man or as Peter Parker?

For whom can he show up as both?

And how would it enrich his life to be able to be both Peter Parker and Spider-Man... all the time?

I don't know that I walked out of the movie, or out of Refreshed & Ready, knowing the answer. But I did leave feeling less alone.

Because the thing is, we all wear masks. Sure, most of our masks aren't red with googly goggles. But everyone has a Work Persona or a Customer Service Face or changes just a little to be Mom or Grandma or Daughter. Who we are for our best friends is not who we are for our bosses. Who we are when we feel like our "best self" is usually not the same person we think we are in private.

But it is. Even at the moments we feel our lowest, that best self is still inside of us.

Even when he's walking around as Peter Parker... Peter Parker is still Spider-Man.

Whether I'm being V or Hayley, I'm still me.

And like Peter Parker/Spider-Man, I think I want my answer to "who you want to show up as today?" to be...

"Yes."

⚠️ REMINDER: Class Zoom links will no longer be e-mailed to members. Please enter classes using the Live Calendar (Google Calendar).⚠️

August's Signature Pop-Ups Are Growing Skyward 🍃

⚖️ Weigh-In with Angel

🕗 Saturday August 1 at 9:30 AM ET

🕗 Saturday August 1 at 10:45 AM ET

Angel will be available for private weigh-ins in a separate Zoom room before and after Coach Emily M's workshop, Body By Me.

📈 Accountability Buddies for Signature Members

🕒 Mondays at 10:30 AM ET (30 Minutes)

🕒 Every Other Friday at 3:00 PM ET (60 Minutes)

Bring the thing you've been putting off. Together we will create dedicated time to focus, make progress, and encourage one another.

🏢 Work It! with Coach Maggie

🕗 Tuesday August 18 at 5:00 PM ET

From tedious team meetings and tight timelines to sticky scenarios and desk-side drama, if it happens at work, we're tackling it! Bring your real-world workplace dilemmas, whether you're negotiating project extensions or smoothing over office friction. Together, we'll troubleshoot the hurdles and build brilliant, actionable game plans to navigate everyday office obstacles with ease.

👻 Dealing with the Sunday Scaries with Coach Andrew

🕗 Sunday August 23 at 6:00 PM ET

Feeling drained, disconnected, or anxious about the workweek? Join Andrew for a practical workshop on burnout, work satisfaction, focus, and finding a path forward. You'll learn realistic strategies you can use in your current role — and how to recognize when it may be time for a bigger change.

💪 Built to Last: A Strength 101 Workshop with Coach Rebecca

🕗 Tuesday August 25 at 7:15 PM ET

Why we lose muscle as we age
Bone density and weight-bearing exercise
Functional movement
Progressive overload — the physiological changes behind how muscle builds
How little strength training is needed to make a difference
Getting started without intimidation

🪞 Imposter Syndrome with Coach Emily B.

🕗 Friday August 28 at 7:00 PM ET

TBA

Branch Out with August's New Classes 🌳

💗 Vision & Vibes → Body, By Me

What if the goal wasn't to love your body every day — but to stop being at war with it? This weekly workshop is a space to explore a kinder, more compassionate relationship with your body. Through coaching, reflection, and meaningful conversation, we'll practice replacing self-criticism with curiosity, care, and self-respect — one small step toward a kinder relationship with your body.

🏃 Rebecca's Tuesday & Friday Class → Made to Move

Rebecca's Tuesday and Friday class will be renamed so she can offer strength and energy combined — returning to the name Made to Move. Made to Move is grounded in a few guiding beliefs:

You don't have to be fit already.
Movement is your birthright.
Every body belongs.
This is about living, not performing.
You can do this! (But together!)

🧘 Mid Week Check-In → Joyful Pause

Mid Week Check-In with Coach Emily B. will transition to Joyful Pause with Coach Kathleen, beginning Wednesday, August 5th at 6:30 PM ET — a gentle 20-minute guided meditation to help you slow down, breathe, and reconnect with yourself.

This isn't about learning meditation — it's simply a space to pause, settle your mind, and leave feeling calmer, lighter, and more grounded. Whether life feels busy or heavy, come as you are and give yourself a few intentional moments of stillness.

Nourish Your Roots with 1:1 Coaching 🌳

Looking for more personalized support on your growth journey? Our Birch & Stone one-on-one coaching offers compassionate, individualized guidance designed to help you navigate life with greater clarity, confidence, and support.

Learn More about One-on-One Coaching

🎵 Coach Emily M.

Whole-person wellness coaching for your body, mind, and life.
Personalized support in nutrition, movement & mindset -- no restriction, just real-life sustainability.
Build lasting habits through small, consistent steps that create lasting results.
Based in South Florida with her husband, Neal.

Book a 1:1 Discovery Call with Coach Emily M.

💄 Coach Dani

A safe, supportive space for life's hardest seasons.
Build emotional resilience and break all-or-nothing patterns.
Create realistic routines and sustainable habits at a pace that feels safe and steady.
Compassionate coaching with tools for real life and lasting change.

Book a 1:1 Discovery Call with Coach Dani

🧘‍♀️ Coach Beth

Rediscover your rhythm and purpose in midlife.
Navigate life transitions with clarity, confidence & balance.
Understand hormonal shifts and reconnect with your body and energy.
Compassionate support and practical tools for your next chapter.

Book a 1:1 Discovery Call with Coach Beth

Stretch Your Branches with Our Retreats & Meet-Ups! 🌿

🍂 Vermont Retreat 2026

🕒 September 17 - 20, 2026 in Essex, VT

Join us in person or virtually from the comfort of your own home. Same powerful connection, same meaningful growth, just in your own cozy space. You Belong Here!

This retreat is for you if...

You’re ready to stop abandoning yourself to keep the peace
You want boundaries that feel kind and firm
You’re tired of forcing change and want sustainable support
You’re open to slowing down so you can hear yourself again

In-Person Vermont Retreat: $549

Register for the In Person Vermont Retreat

What’s Included With Your In-Person Vermont Retreat Ticket

All live coaching sessions and workshops
Guided exercises and group discussions
3 breakfasts and 2 lunches during retreat programming

IMPORTANT NOTE: Although our room block has expired, the special group rate is still available, subject to room availability until August 17. The contact person for lodging at the B&S price is:

Lisa, Group Rooms Coordinator at Essex Resort
Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM ET
Harrison@essexresort.com
802-764-1404

Virtual Vermont Retreat: $297

Register for the Virtual Retreat!

What’s Included With Your Virtual Ticket

All live coaching sessions and workshops
Mailed welcome box
Enjoy the comfort of your own home and meals

🍂 Oregon Meet-Up

🕒 Sunday, August 2 at 12:00 PM PT in Corvallis, OR

Meet Coach Dani and Coach Kathleen in Oregon for some West Coast fun!

RSVP for the Oregon Meet-Up

We're always adding new meet-ups in cities around the United States, so keep checking back on the Birch & Stone Community app (and your weekly newsletter like this one!) for future opportunities to go from screen... to seen.

Breathe Deep with the Sobriety Circle 🪻

While membership is currently closed, Coach Rebecca and Alison have started a waitlist for those interested in joining the Sobriety Circle in the future. You can add your e-mail to the waitlist at the Google Forms link below.

Sobriety Circle Waitlist

Represent Birch & Stone and Help Provide Coaching 🪨

Did you know that you can help fund scholarships for your fellow Birch & Stone members who are experiencing financial hardship?

And did you know that Birch & Stone offers t-shirts, sweatshirts, notebooks, tote bags, water bottles... all kinds of cool stuff?

Did you know that buying Birch & Stone merch directly finances the scholarship fund?

Visit the online store and take a look at the options available today. My favorites are the two notebooks -- for taking notes in a B&S workshop, of course!

Visit the Birch & Stone Store

The Music of Your Soul🎶

Some of your favorite songs heard throughout Birch & Stone classes can now be found in one place! From calming moments to empowering anthems, this playlist captures the heart, energy, and rhythm of our community.