The Well 52: Amy Scalia

Introducing The Well 52, a new platform we are hosting at WISe Wellness Guild that celebrates women leading in the whole-self wellness industry and supporting other women along the way.

Meet our first nominee of The Well 52: Amy Scalia

Amy is Local 12-TV host, Managing Editor of Cincinnati Refined, co-founder of PSNEVERGIVEUP Foundation and the founder of Cincy Chic.

WWG: What is the most important thing you do for your wellness?

Amy: Running and training for races. I’ve always loved running, but once I became a mom, it became my saving grace in terms of wellness. And not just running to run. I found that when I signed up for races, paid the registration fee and had skin in the game, I all the sudden had a plan, couldn’t make excuses for skipping out on workouts and made myself a priority. Yes, running/training helps to keep my body more fit, but more than that, I love that it puts non-negotiable “me time” on my calendar, I put down work and all the devices and disconnect from the world for a bit, and I have time to just think and soak in the world around me for these extended amounts of time — which is pretty rare for a working mom of three! :)

What is one piece of advice you'd give to other women?

It’s ok to ask for help. As women, and especially moms, there are some crazy expectations on us right now. Work like you don’t have a family, mom like you don’t have a job, and make your home/food/outfit/body effortlessly Instagrammable.

You know that iconic Flash Dance scene that every 80s girl, myself included, idolized and tried miserably to replicate? I just read where that was actually Jennifer Beals plus five other people like a professional ballet dancer, break dancer, stunt woman, body double, etc. (not to mention makeup artists, stylists, production crew) to make that scene happen.

We hold ourselves up to these crazy standards trying to keep up with all the fancy footwork we see others doing and think we’re supposed to be doing as women, when it actually takes a team to make it happen. You don’t have to do it all alone. We weren’t meant to. Not only is it ok, we NEED to ask for help. Delegate what you can. Do grocery delivery/a meal prep service to save time, ask your partner/family to help out more, post on social or ask a friend/family to help you with projects around the yard/house (I did this for putting together baby furniture when my husband was sick/I was super pregnant - I couldn’t believe how many people offered to help and it was SO much more fun doing these projects with someone than alone!), hire a house cleaning/laundry service - even if it’s just once a month, ask for flexibility/help at work… if it’s a mental/emotional load you need help carrying, it’s ok to ask for help there too. No shame in therapy, coaching, long talks with a friend. They say it takes a village, and it does, but it’s up to you to find yours and USE it.

What is one quote or mantra you live by?

Oh, I love quotes but I’d say my personal mantra is “Start today.”

I had this realization when I was 20 and I had the idea for my first business. There was the little devil on my shoulder telling me all the reasons why I couldn’t or shouldn’t. Telling me I was too young/inexperienced/underfunded to start it. But then I realized that it will never get easier, and I’ll never have more time/energy to start it than I did right then. Boy was I right. So glad I started it when I did, because just a few years later, my husband’s chronic illness ravaged his body and he needed several surgeries, we went through several fertility operations/treatments to start our family, and then after having three kids, a tree fell on our house and we were displaced for six months. I had several years of dedicating all my time, creating and building the business to carry me through all those tough years. I would have never been able to start it in the middle of all of that, and I would have forever regretted it. So take the first step, even if you can’t see the whole staircase, and keep climbing. One day you’ll look back and be proud of how far you came and all that you accomplished.

Brag on yourself- what is something you are REALLY proud of?

I’m proudest of being a mom. Of my three human babies, first and foremost, but also my first “baby,” Cincy Chic. I sold it in 2018 and completed the transition out at the end of 2020 after running it for 13 years. This was like sending her off to college. She was ready to move into new cities and new directions and I was so happy to find a way to get her there, which also opened me up to new opportunities. I landed a new job which leverages my interests and skills, but is less demanding on my time/travel/mental bandwidth. That allowed my husband and I to launch the PSNEVERGIVEUP Foundation, which provides grants and resources to those with chronic illnesses seeking fertility treatments - helping to make the road a little smoother for people who were traveling the same path we had struggled so much on. With all of Pete’s experience in storytelling, speaking and media, as well as my work with developing and running an organization, PR/marketing, hosting event planning and fundraising, it feels like everything that’s happened -personal and professionally- has led us here and it gives us so much purpose!

To learn more about Amy Scalia check out her website at amyscalia.com, or connect on Instagram @amyscaliatv.

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