What happens when the dream of becoming a mom doesn’t look the way you thought it would? In this episode of Let’s Get the Neighbors Talking, we’re sitting down with our gal Ashley Russ—fitness instructor, community builder, and new mama via surrogacy—for a raw, honest look at infertility, IVF, and choosing a different path to motherhood.

Ashley kept her journey private for years. Now? She’s an advocate, a voice for others navigating fertility treatments, and a fierce reminder that your story is valid—no matter how “messy,” emotional, or unconventional it looks.

We talk about:
👶 The decision to pursue surrogacy—and the question that changed everything
💉 What going through IVF actually feels like (it’s a lot, emotionally and physically)
🤫 Why Ashley didn’t tell anyone about her fertility journey at first
🧾 The behind-the-scenes logistics of surrogacy (yes, there are contracts + legal hurdles)
💔 The mental toll of “not suffering enough” and how she moved through it
❤️ How she's now helping other families build their own through advocacy + her new career

This episode is for anyone who's in it—the waiting, the wondering, the trying—not just to get pregnant, but to stay hopeful. It’s also for the people who love them, support them, and want to understand what this ride really looks like.

No fluff. No toxic positivity. Just real talk, resilience, and the reminder that your desire to become a parent is enough—and so are you.

🔗 Learn more about Resolve: resolve.org
✨ Connect with Ashley on Instagram: @ashleyruss

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