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Today we’d like to introduce you to Chrysty Lockhart
Hi CHRYSTY, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a wife, a mom of three, and a teacher—three hats that I wore with pride. But somewhere along the way, I felt like I had lost myself in the chaos of everyday life. My days were a constant cycle: I’d go to work and put on my teacher hat, then come home and switch into wife and mom mode. Wash, rinse, repeat.
As time went on, I started to notice the toll it was taking. My friendships suffered, my mental and physical health suffered—I felt like I was pouring into everyone else but had nothing left for myself. I craved something that was just for me, something that brought me joy, where no one needed me except me.
I’ve always been an avid podcast listener, and one of my favorite hosts mentored aspiring podcasters. Right after Christmas in 2020, I slid into her DMs on Instagram and told her I was thinking about starting my own podcast—but I had no idea where to start. I didn’t know what I’d talk about, what I’d call it, or even who would listen. She responded with a simple but powerful question: “Chrysty, if it’s on your heart, what’s the worst thing that could happen if you just tried?”
So, I ripped off the bandaid. I threw my student hat on and learned everything I could about starting a podcast. I named it Start Scared because fear had always been a roadblock in my life—fear of trying something new, fear of what people would say or think, fear of not knowing what I was doing. But I knew that as an introvert, I could use the mic as a kind of diary. If sharing my journey helped even one mom feel seen, heard, and understood, then pushing past the fear would be worth it.
Now, four years and over 200 episodes later, the Start Scared community has become such a source of joy in my life. It’s proof that sometimes, the best things happen when you decide to just start—even if you have to start scared.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not. But has it been worth it? 100%.
From the very beginning, my husband was incredibly supportive. One of my biggest worries was that I wouldn’t stay consistent. He asked me, “What would help you stay consistent?” I told him that if I had to edit each episode myself, I knew I’d never keep up with it. My perfectionist tendencies would have me over-editing, trying to make each episode flawless, and I’d quit before I even got started. So, he encouraged me to hire an editor—and that decision was a game-changer.
In the early days, I scripted everything because I was afraid I’d forget something important or that I wouldn’t sound coherent. Drafting each episode took hours, and when it came time to record, I would rerecord over and over until it felt “perfect.” (Are you seeing a trend here?)
But looking back, I love the girl who started scared and kept pressing record—because without her, I wouldn’t be here today. Now, I record solo episodes on my voice memos from my phone while walking on the treadmill. The growth I’ve seen in myself has been incredible.
Of course, I still struggle sometimes—like coming up with new topics. I often ask myself, What would be interesting to me or someone like me? What lessons have I learned? What struggles am I facing? And even after four years, the imposter syndrome still creeps in. Who am I to speak on this? I’m not an expert in anything.
But that’s the beauty of Start Scared—I’ve had the privilege of meeting and interviewing some amazing women who are experts in their fields. They’ve not only poured into my community but have poured into me as well.
So, while there have been plenty of challenges, there has also been so much growth. And for that, I’m forever grateful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the host of Start Scared, a podcast created for busy moms who feel like they’ve lost themselves in the chaos of everyday life and want to rediscover their identity outside of motherhood. I know firsthand what it’s like to pour into everyone else while feeling completely disconnected from yourself. That’s why I created a space where moms can feel seen, heard, and understood—without the guilt of wanting something for themselves.
Beyond the podcast, I’m also the author of Rediscover You, a 30-day guided journal designed to help mamas reconnect with who they are beyond the roles they fill every day. It includes daily Scriptures (NIV) and affirmations to encourage and uplift, along with lined space for reflection and gratitude. As a mom myself, I know how easy it is to lose sight of who you are in the midst of motherhood, so I created this journal as a tool to help moms carve out a few moments each day to pour into themselves—guilt-free.
What sets me apart is that I don’t claim to have it all figured out. I show up as me—messy, imperfect, and figuring things out right alongside my community. On the podcast, I share my own struggles, lessons learned, and personal growth moments while also bringing on incredible guests who are experts in their fields. Together, we have real, honest conversations about motherhood, personal development, wellness, and all the things that help us become the best versions of ourselves.
What I’m most proud of is the Start Scared community. The messages I receive from moms saying that an episode made them feel less alone or gave them the confidence to take action—that’s why I do this. It’s not about having the perfect episode or the biggest audience; it’s about impact. If even one mom walks away feeling empowered, then it’s all worth it.
At the end of the day, I’m just a mom who decided to start scared—and I hope that by sharing my journey, I can inspire others to do the same.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t about numbers, titles, or achievements—it’s about impact.
Success is knowing that I’m showing up as the most authentic version of myself and using my voice to help other moms feel seen, heard, and understood. It’s about creating spaces where women feel empowered to prioritize themselves without guilt.
It’s also about balance—not the perfect, unrealistic kind, but the kind where I can be fully present in my roles as a wife and mom while still making time for what fills me up. If I’m taking care of myself mentally, emotionally, and physically while also pouring into my family and community in a way that feels aligned—that’s success to me.
But above all, success is showing my kids that they are never too old or too young to dream. If there’s something on their heart to do, they should go for it—no matter what other people think. I want them to see that fear and doubt are normal, but they should never be the reason they don’t chase what sets their soul on fire.
At the end of the day, if my work encourages just one woman to take a step toward rediscovering herself and if my kids see firsthand that they can dream big and make it happen, then I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. That is success. ❤️
Pricing:
- Rediscover You – $18/journal
Contact Info:
- Website: https://startscared.buzzsprout.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrystylockhart/
- Other: Order Rediscover You: https://bit.ly/RediscoverYouOrder, Join Text Community: https://bit.ly/StartScaredFREE