Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
Moms, Mats and Manuscripts is a podcast hosted by Ivna, a PhD student in biomedicine, a yoga teacher and a mom, and Ksenia a former molecular biologist, a yoga teacher for scientists and a mom, too. This is a space to talk about all things academia, motherhood and yoga with humour and vulnerability.
We chat about mental health in academia, mindful productivity, and surviving and enjoying early motherhood while bringing yoga wisdom into our lives, share our stories and offer tips on navigating life's chaotic adventures.
Moms, Mats and Manuscripts
S2E5 - Ksenia's journey through PhD, burnout and starting over
In this raw and honest episode of Moms, Mats & Manuscripts, Ksenia opens up about her bold decision to quit her PhD program and walk away from academia. In conversation with co-host Ivna, she shares the deep burnout, physical symptoms, and intuitive nudges that led her to realise: continuing was no longer sustainable.
This isn’t your typical “I left my PhD” story. Ksenia dives into the emotional complexity of making such a choice, the fear of disappointing others, and the surprising relief she found in finally listening to her inner voice. We talk about how academic pressure and perfectionism can mask chronic unhappiness - and how yoga became a compass for rebuilding a purposeful, fulfilling life outside of the lab.
Whether you're a struggling PhD student, burned-out postdoc, or someone questioning your path, this episode is a compassionate, real-life reflection on redefining success, honouring your mental health, and following your intuition.
Don't forget to like, follow, and share our podcast! We'd love to hear your thoughts and questions, and if you have ideas for future episodes, drop us a line.
Follow us:
@moms.mats.manuscripts
Ivna's Instagram: ivnayoga
Ksenia's Instagram: shantiscience_yoga
Reach out: moms.mats.manuscripts@gmail.com
