Wellness with @mclean.mcgown
McLean McGown is a mother, wife, Doula and Coach. She has been in the Birth and Postpartum realms for well over a decade and after the birth of her first daughter in 2011, she realized that women deserved more real support as they make the journey from maiden to mother.
McLean created her own Postpartum Doula business using healing tools such as an Ayurvedic warm oil treatment, Reiki, Hypnosis, a Nourishing Postpartum Diet, Postpartum Education, Couple’s Coaching, meditation, Yoni Steaming, and light movement of Yoga & Pilates.
Q: A morning (or nightly) ritual you swear by?
A: My life is so busy with kids and we stay very active! So I have never been a big one for routines that stay the same. Sleep is my greatest desire all the time lol. I will choose sleep over anything. Sleep, prayer & meditation and walking are my daily musts to keep me sane and healthy. I will go through phases of new things which is fun too. Life is meant to be lived! And trying new things keeps you young! My husband and I started training for a marathon last Fall which was hard but also rewarding. We quit during the aftermath of the LA fires (we lost our home and town) but are recommitting to it now for next year. I also MUST moisturize my skin deeply every morning and night. Perimenopause is no joke. I am now in a phase of life where the basics really matter. Nourishing my body in all ways internally and externally.
Q: What's your favorite Juna product and how do you incorporate it into your everyday routine?
A: I love the Detox Drops! First of all they taste so good and minty! As I mentioned, we have just navigated through a huge portal of loss, which obviously affects one’s entire life. Having the Detox Drops to take daily has really helped me feel like I am doing what I can to stay as healthy as possible while living in less than desirable air conditions. The amount of toxicity in LA is staggering right now. I think we all need to be aware of this and do whatever we can to protect ourselves and our children. The drops offer an easy and very effective way to do that.
Q: If you could give one piece of wellness advice to women looking to improve their health, what would it be?
A: If I had to give only one piece of advice to any woman at any age, it is to learn, truly learn how to trust yourself. Make the space in time to get to know yourself. Deeply. Practice knowing what your gut is saying to you. This is a lifelong practice. To know and then trust yourself fully, is the greatest gift that you give yourself. Nobody can mess with you when you live in your truth. And stand behind it no matter what.
Q: Any health concerns that you are currently trying to support?
A: I started investigating “alternative health” as a teenager in the early 90’s. I started yoga at 15 years old and Pilates at 16. Became a Teacher of both. I was a vegetarian before anyone I knew was. I tried the raw food diet in late 90’s and early 2000’s. I have always been experimenting with my health. I find it all fascinating. I have been blessed by overall great health. I don’t drink alcohol or use any form of drugs and I never really have. I am now 47 years old and deeply in my Perimenopausal journey. Which again, I’ve been navigating pretty well. But it is definitely humbling. I think that anytime, the body that we are used to changes quickly, it is destabilizing. So I am in the rabbit hole of figuring out how best to use or not use bio-identical hormones, build up my bone strength, get more protein (ugh I hate this part!), and set myself up for success as I age gorgeously and gracefully. I am aiming for a healthy 112 years so as of now I am not even midlife yet. When we are young, we can get away with a lot. That’s why I’ll never take diet advice from a 25 year old on instagram, lol. Come back to me when you’re 45. Life is a grand experiment. And nobody knows you better than you know yourself. Trust in that. Find peace in that.
Q: What’s a wellness trend or practice you’ve tried recently that you love?
A: I don’t really do trends but I love working with frequency machines, PEMF mats, and castor oil.
Q: What’s your go-to meal or snack when you need something healthy and quick?
A: I am experimenting with Kefir right now to get in more protein. I normally do not do dairy but am giving this a go. So far so good. This is easy to get in as it’s a liquid.
Q: Current Favorite Book/Podcast/Playlist/App?
A: There is so much collective noise in the world right now. I find it exhausting. And not helpful. So I have reduced my social media and podcast intake. I did just listen to “Say Everything” a memoir by Ione Skye Leitch that I loved. All about the wild 90’s. I feel the 90’s was truly the best decade. It’s all become so polarized, unfunny and a bit vanilla since then.