Driven by a deep desire to nurture both her family and a wider sisterhood of women, Priscilla Mariassouce founded Soul Strong – a space where mothers can strengthen their faith, elevate their wellbeing and reconnect with their purpose. What began as a podcast during the early years of motherhood has grown into a vibrant movement, empowering women to cultivate rhythm, resilience and soul-deep strength. With a passion for raising her children in a home shaped by love, truth and grace, Nicole is committed to supporting other women as they navigate the beautiful journey of motherhood. Through podcasts, digital courses, coaching and curated resources, at Soul Strong they help women grow spiritually, live intentionally, and walk confidently in their God-given calling. Here she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the passion behind what she does, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
For many years, I have had it on my heart to be part of a sisterhood that deeply inspires me to walk closely with God and stand alongside other women who are committed to living an intentional, purpose-driven life. I didn’t find this in my immediate sphere, so when I had my second baby – and the idea of returning to a job that demanded most of my time and energy and away from my children didn’t seem right in this season – I prayed about creating a space for women that could be online, reaching women anywhere and everywhere.
I am deeply passionate about women knowing their worth, understanding who they are created to be in the image of God, and recognising how essential it is to strengthen the soul. We invest in our physical strength and our mental resilience, but what about the soul, the very core that governs our being? How do we strengthen that and live from that place?
My passion is to encourage women to fortify their souls through the truth of God’s Word, the transformative personal stories of other women and purposeful education designed to elevate the way we live and lead.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I originally launched the Soul Strong Podcast on Spotify and Apple in 2020. Although I was a working mum, I had a strong desire to share faith in God, content that could inspire women to be courageous and tell women’s stories and build something meaningful. However, with COVID and the busyness of life, I only produced 10 episodes, yet I kept them online, as a steady stream of downloads continued each week.
During maternity leave with my second child, I began considering a relaunch. A providential conversation with my sister about co-hosting sparked new momentum. Thankfully, she agreed, and we set out to make Soul Strong more than an ad-hoc release of content. My focus shifted to building something consistent, purposeful and enduring.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
I truly believe the most significant breakthrough came from engaging with the right people. Conversations that began as casual “Can I pick your brain about your experience in business?” evolved into them coming on board in various capacities, investing their time and expertise to position me for a launch that was both professional and of the highest quality. In particular, Optimyze Consulting proved to be a pivotal catalyst, propelling Soul Strong into an exciting new chapter. I am so grateful to every person who offered their skills to help along the journey.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I don’t know if I fully believe in balance. I prefer to think of it as rhythms. Some rhythms are busy, like working at 3am after feeding my baby, or squeezing in tasks during nap times, or even finishing a project when my baby is on my lap also trying to type. Others are slower and deeply intentional, such as our non-negotiable Monday ‘family night’. Knowing it’s coming anchors us. Whether we’ve been playing cards and laughing, or simply watching a movie together, it’s a space to reconnect.
I’ve established solid daily and weekly systems that keep my home clean and organised, laundry under control and meal prep and cooking streamlined. I’ve also set focused work blocks for each weekday, so I can prioritise what matters (this has been a game-changer) instead of trying to do everything all at once. And if something doesn’t get cleaned or done, I remind myself it’s OK – tomorrow is another day, and I’ll get to it then.
I’m a big believer in systems that create freedom – rhythms that liberate rather than overwhelm. Of course, there will be days, weeks or even seasons when life is full-on, but we don’t have to accept living in a constant state of overwhelm. We are strong, capable women and we can get better at protecting and practising the rhythms that make us thrive.
