Well hello there!
My name is Natalie Valentin, and I am a Registered Nurse. I am also a certified Personal Trainer, a certified Life Coach, have been professionally trained in crisis management, nutritional coaching, and compassion fatigue for professionals. I am currently working within an evidence-based model as a prenatal and family nurse educator, and have four college degrees….don’t I sound smart….
Here’s the thing…. a few years back, even with all of these things, I found myself at urgent care, and then following up with my pcp because I thought I was having a heart attack. Man, that was scary….but you know what happened next…..she told me I had anxiety. Not even, well, you’re suffering from a condition, or there are many things that can influence your nerves….nope, she followed it with, “have you tried yoga or meditation, aren’t you a personal trainer?”
Ugh….the shame…the guilt….
I embarrassingly replied yes….and then she said it, “so you know what to do, but you’re not doing it.”
Oh. My. Goodness…..
Seriously…..
What happened? I’m smart….I’m balanced…..
But wait, am I?
I am a mom of three amazing boys….I have a super supportive husband….I have three wildly & emotionally unstable dogs, all of which I adore…..
I have an amazing job….and more or less, I’m healthy, maybe I was a little overweight…maybe I cried a little more than I was truly comfortable with …maybe my hands itched at weird times and it was suggested by my OB/GYN that it was somehow related to stress…..
I was totally okay….maybe,
but actually, maybe I was okay-ish, at best.
The thing is….I wasn’t okay….not even okay-ish. I was an emotional trainwreck….and I had no idea why.
This website, these words, my messages….they are an extension of my heart, to you, to remind you that there are times that we are all, at best, okay-ish, and that’s okay. Additionally, I’d love for my words to reach your soul, and to provide you with some compassion towards your inner self….
You know….the self that wonders if you’re doing the right thing, or if you’re in the right place.
Your head, your body, your most personal self, is exactly where you need to be at this moment.
The 2022 update of updates…..
While I had worked so hard on myself since originally publishing my writing/blogs, I found myself still struggling with hives, what felt like stress-induced itching, and continued chest tightness.
I went to the ER three times, and was told to reduce my stress, lose some weight, try running.
The thing is, I knew it was something more.
Fast forward to August….I drove myself to the hospital because I was short of breath…and had chest pain…and felt a ripping pain move up my left arm, across my chest, and squeeze my jaw.
Yup, you guessed it, I was having a heart attack.
I’ll spare you all the details….and leave you with this.
I had a quadruple bypass one week before I turned 43.
Happy Birthday to me!
This page has evolved over the years, as have I. Our family has grown many times over, specifically with four-legged loves.
We’ve sold our home, moved into a rental while we renovated our farmhouse, and moved into our farmhouse.
The kids have started new schools, and graduated from schools.
Life is busy.
Barns & Beaches
"Farm Boots & Burnout" is my space where the messy, the beautiful, and the real collide. I'm navigating life as a mom, wife, and founder of Valentin Family Farm—and I’m right there with you in the chaos. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about embracing the chaos and finding the balance (even if it’s a bit messy).
Just like you, I’m trying to juggle a million things at once. Between wrangling kids, running a farm rescue, working full-time, and trying to carve out some time for self-care (sometimes with a glass of something tasty in hand), burnout is always lurking around the corner. But here’s the thing: I’ve learned how to embrace the chaos instead of letting it control me.
The Let Them Theory is a book written by Mel Robbins. It was life changing. I listened to the audiobook, which was my first audiobook….and I LOVED it! If you’re interested, you can grab it on the button below.
The time to uncover your greatness, is now.
Finding Balance Amid Chaos: The Journey of a Busy Wife, Mom, Nurse & Farmer
In the whirlwind of daily life, juggling multiple roles often feels like trying to keep a million plates spinning. But for me, Natalie, it’s my reality. Between being a wife, a mom of three boys, leading a nursing team, and taking care of our farm animal rescue, there’s barely a moment to catch my breath. Yet, somehow, I manage—because this chaos, while exhausting, is mine.
As a wife, I understand the importance of nurturing my relationship with Nate. It’s not always easy amid the relentless demands of parenthood and my nursing career, but we find moments to laugh, talk, and remind ourselves that we’re in this together. He gracefully and patiently loves all of my “ish,” and that, in itself, is a gift.
Then, there’s being a mom. Raising three boys means school runs, basketball practices, homework sessions, and bedtime stories. But it also means embracing the endless love, the “mom guilt,” and the determination to raise my kids in a home filled with warmth and care. Some days, I feel like I’m barely holding it all together—but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Let’s keep adding…. I’m a nurse. I lead a team of nurses who depend on me for guidance and support, while taking care of clients when they’re at their most vulnerable stages. It’s challenging, emotional, and sometimes, it feels like I’m running on empty. But I’ve learned that when you take care of others, you have to take care of yourself too.
Amidst it all, my heart is deeply connected to Valentin Family Farm, our farm rescue. It’s more than just a place for animals—it’s a mission to provide safety, comfort, and a new chance for the animals we care for. Managing a farm rescue alongside everything else is no small feat, but it brings me so much joy to give these animals a home, especially when we can offer them a second chance at a happy life. The farm is a chaotic, messy, and rewarding part of our family’s journey.
That’s where I struggle the most. Between the demands of family, work, and everything in between, I often find myself putting my own needs last. But I’ve learned that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. In the rare moments when I get a chance to be alone, I recharge, physically and mentally. I remind myself that in order to keep giving, I need to receive too.
Through it all, I embrace the messiness. I find beauty in the chaos. I celebrate the small victories, whether that’s a peaceful moment with Nate, a successful basketball game, or simply getting through another hectic day. The journey of being a wife, a mom, nurse and farmer is anything but easy. It requires sacrifice, creativity, and the willingness to push through even when I’m exhausted. But I wouldn’t change a thing. These challenges are what shape me—this is my journey, and I’m here for it.
Have a question?
I’d love to hear from you……send an email to hi@natalieannvalentin.com.