I was slumped in the nursery rocking chair—messy bun, milk-stained shirt, no clue what day it was. Summer chomped happily at my boob, and while I said “Ow!” Jon slipped in with dinner, pulled up a chair, spoon-fed me, and cracked jokes until I snorted broth.

That’s how the entire first month of postpartum looked: I couldn’t walk to the dinner table or barely feed myself, so he brought every meal, every snack, every water refill to my rocking chair.

He even rigged little call-bells around the apartment that chimed like Tokyo train stations; one press and he’d appear in the doorway, saying “Konichiwa!”

While I learned the secret language of Summer, Jon learned a hundred new routines: cooking three meals a day, hopping on calls with Ela so I never had to open my laptop, and reorganizing the entire apartment to make room for our new life as three. 

Jon became the COO of our household.

Motherhood is instinct, but partnership is a deliberate choice. We decided from the beginning that nights are mine. When Summer stirs, I nurse her back to dreamland, sleeping next to her while Jon rests in our other room, banking energy.

During the day, Jon is in full-time butler mode, answering my every request and scooping Summer for a carrier walk so I can steal a quick REM cycle.

The first three months postpartum are called the fourth trimester because babies still think they’re part of their mothers. So I existed skin-to-skin, tethered to Summer 24/7.

For the first time in 5 years, I didn’t track SheFi metrics or season-launch timelines. Instead, my whole universe shrank to latch times, contact naps, and resting. I was able to fully embrace mother-mode because Jon kept the rest of life humming.

He moved. He organized. He mentored.

So was it an equal partnership? Not even close—and that’s exactly why it worked. 

Partnership isn’t a nice 50/50 ledger; it’s two people being brutally honest about what they can give, then giving it. Right now, I’m the one body on earth that can feed and regulate Summer; Jon is a Swiss Army knife who can support us and SheFi, tackling a to-do list that would terrify me.

In a few months, the ratios will shift again—and that’s healthy. 

Real partnership is fluid: skills, energy, and love poured where they’re most useful.

One morning about a week ago, Summer finally napped in her crib instead of on my chest. The apartment was spotless, breakfast and coffee awaited me, and Ela’s weekly recap sat neatly in my inbox. I opened it, smiled, and closed my email again. I’d read it later.

In that quiet moment I kissed Jon and thanked him for his gift to me: permission to fully mother during the fourth trimester without apologizing for it.

Life is about to speed back up. Season 14 is coming next week. My telegram notifications will be non-stop again. I’m ready more than ever to get back to it because Jon allowed me to take a break from it. 

Partnerships like ours are why SheFi exists—because thriving in crypto, like thriving in motherhood, doesn’t happen solo. It’s built through intentional support, flexibility, and showing up where you're most needed.

In a space that’s constantly changing, the most powerful thing we can do is build with people who get it. So as we launch Season 14, I’m stepping back in: supported, restored, and ready to create with all of you.

See you there.

Season 14 Deadline Extended ⏰ 

Did the July 4th deadline come and go? Is the FOMO sinking in?

Don’t worry.

You now have until July 11th to join Season 14 of SheFi.

The demand for this cohort has been phenomenal, so we don’t want anyone missing out. That’s why we’re giving you an extra week to sign up.

But classes start July 15th, so this really is your final chance.

If there’s someone you want to refer, now is the time.

Join us for SheFi Summer.

SheFi is Hiring Research Assistants! ✏️ 

We’re looking for curious, organized, crypto-loving SheFiers to help shape our upcoming seasons' curriculum and create slide decks for Maggie to teach.

If you’re great at breaking down complex topics like DeFi, NFTs, rollups, and staking into fun, digestible content, this role is for you.

You’ll work closely with our team to research trends, create class outlines with our sponsors, and bring SheFi energy to each class.

This is a flexible, remote, part-time role. It's perfect for students, those early in their Web3 careers, or SheFi grads ready to dive deeper and get paid for it!

This role is not for anyone who relies heavily on ChatGPT; though we are okay with research assistants using ChatGPT for outlines and research, we are looking for someone who will build slides with a personal touch. Educating and onboarding new students to web3 can't be done with AI!

To apply: Create 3 SheFi-style slides about who you are + why you’re a great fit, and email them to [email protected] with the subject line “SheFi Research Assistant Application.”

We can’t wait to hear from you! ✨ 

SheFi’s Crypto News Roundup 🏇 

Season 14 being right around the corner isn’t the only exciting piece of crypto news this week. Let’s get you up to speed:

• US markets hit records as tariff deadline looms. U.S. equities reached new highs, but volatility is expected ahead of July 9 tariff deadline and tariff notices to 10–12 countries

• June jobs report comes in stronger than expected—tank hope for Fed rate cuts. The U.S. added 147,000 jobs in June vs. an expected 110,000, lowering the likelihood of a rate cut in July

• Elon Musk-owned xAI to launch Grok 4. xAI will debut Grok 4 on July 9 at 8 pm PT—feature details still pending, but it marks the next step in Musk's AI chatbot ambitions

• SEC acknowledges Trump’s Truth Social Bitcoin and Ethereum ETF. The US Securities and Exchange Commission has accepted Trump Media’s application for a Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded fund, starting the clock for the agency to approve or reject the proposed fund.

• Russia launches national crypto mining registry to crack down on illegal operations. Russia is intensifying its crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency miners by launching a national registry of mining equipment, which would help identify unregistered operations.

• US House of Representatives announces week of July 14th as “Crypto Week.” The House of Representatives looks forward to considering the CLARITY Act, the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, and the Senate’s GENIUS Act as part of Congress’ efforts to make America the crypto capital of the world.

👉️ Share your wins so we can celebrate them 👈️

SheFi & Crypto Events 🌎

Going to ETHCC, Token2049 or Devcon? Join our Global Events Telegram Chat: https://t.me/shefisummit

Are you based in Barcelona and want to get more involved with SheFi? Then reach out to Paloma here!

SheFi Opportunities:

• Travel Scholarship Application – DevConnect 2025: Apply here

SheFi events:

• 7/9 London: SheFi London Chapter Lunch: RSVP here

• 7/17 London: SheFi London x Berlin Meet-Up: RSVP here

• 7/30 Dublin: Crypto Céilí: RSVP here

Other events:

• 7/11 Virtual: Investment Cluster Yield Farming Roundtable: Members only

• 7/11-14 Virtual: Stellar LATAM Hackathon: More info here

• 7/14 Berlin: Reflections & Connections: RSVP here

• 7/16-17 Virtual: Decentraland Career Quest: More info here

• 7/17 Porto: Tech4Good Days: RSVP here

• 7/30 London: Ethereum London Relaunch: RSVP here

• 7/30 Prague: 10yrs of Ethereum meetup: RSVP here

• 10/21-22 London: Zebu Live: RSVP here

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