Meet Lauren Cecora, Parent With a Purpose

MK: Hi Lauren. Can you give us a little background about yourself?

Lauren: In 2015 I gave birth to my daughter while my husband was deployed to Afghanistan- shortly after birth, I was diagnosed with Postpartum Depression and I suffered in silence for over a year. My counseling group: Insights Counseling asked me to do an interview about my experience https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=1ifuTPwZ7R8 

I shared that video on my FB page around my daughter's first birthday- and the amount of women who private messaged me sharing their similar stories astounded me. 

MK: How did that make you feel, when all these women reached out to you?

Lauren: I felt really called to shed a light on PPD and Postpartum Anxiety (which i suffer from as well). I started speaking to women's groups: MOPS, Mommies Hiring Mommies- about my struggle but more so what things I implemented to start FIXING the issue. Therapy only took me so far and I was so frustrated with google not providing me with ACTION steps to start feeling like a normal person again that my husband and I developed our own "Sanity Saving Plan" and it was a beautiful thing.

MK: To go from a really low point to talking in front of groups is truly amazing! You didn’t stop there, though.

MK: You turned your experience into something that could help other women. Speaking engagements, a book, and from what I understand you continue to help others.

Lauren: I provide 3 types of services now:

#1: I run a private group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/206182843192874/ and each month there is a FREE 5 day challenge where I provide moms with ACTION items to start gaining their sanity. Last month I had 4 guest speakers from other women who help moms in different fields share their tops tips and suggestions. 

#2: I do foundation coaching with women 1:1. Some women need more hand-holding and I help them set up their foundation to getting better in 3 main areas:

1) Nutrition (many women are neglecting themselves with food and I was surprised by this)

2) Self Care Plans (self care looks different for every women- but women are doing it all and they are drowning and THEY need to fill their cup)

#3: Digital Downloads: I launched my first of many last month that goes along with my foundation coaching focus. The first one is Nutrition and then I will be launching 2 others later on this year. These are for people who don't need 1:1 support- they can work through a worksheet and do it themselves.

MK:Can you elaborate on that?

Lauren: 1) Admin the Mommies Hiring Mommies Placer County Page- it allows me to connect and build strong community relationships directly in my community.

2) Outreach and Support with Insights Counseling- we just submitted a grant to start doing more community programs and should hear back around December if we qualify for the grant and I'm working on cracking the surface with Beale AFB and getting information out to moms- this is a hard one- as Beale is super closed off to outside support and very low on funding. But this is a passion of mine since my husband is AD and I received zero support from his squadron or base during my birth and postpartum. It's severely lacking and I want to fix that.

3) Safe Haven- this is new and still in development- Hannah still has some loose ends to figure out- but I'll be donating my private coaching once a month to a mother in need

4) Chapter President of the Sacramento Zeta Tau Alpha Alumnae Chapter- my sisterhood is a huge blessing to me and I love that it allows me to give back in another avenue

MK: I don’t know how you do it! It sounds like you have found your calling. How can women that are experiencing PPD reach you?

Lauren: Facebook is the best way to get in contact with me, that or email. I'm always up for speaking to women who are suffering, as an ear for them to listen to or as a resource to help them. They can contact me on my business page: https://www.facebook.com/TheSanitySaver/ or email me at cecoralc@gmail.com

MK: You mentioned to me earlier that you also have a little side gig going on, too.

Lauren: My side hustle is I just started getting involved with doTERRA Essential Oils- with anxiety and depression, oils are an amazing marriage with my coaching and support and it really helps women who are struggling even while on Meds. 

MK: I’ve heard good things about oils. I didn’t realize there were ones specifically that could help with depression! Thank you so much for taking the time to discuss all of this with me. I can’t wait to share your information with the Macaroni Kid community.