#71 - Back in the Office: Maternity Leave Reflections, New Energy & What’s Next
After almost a year away from work and the Building Thriving Lifestyles Podcast, I’m back — and this time, I’m sharing one of the most personal chapters of my life so far.
This episode is for every athlete, coach, and parent who’s had to rebuild from the ground up. It’s about navigating a pregnancy that challenged me physically and mentally, taking a full year of maternity leave, and learning lessons that have completely reshaped the way I coach and live.
Pregnancy wasn’t the “glow” season for me
When you picture pregnancy, you might imagine glowing skin, a cute bump, and a gentle slowdown in training. That wasn’t my reality.
I found out I was pregnant in January. Within the first 12 weeks, I was hit with extreme fatigue, constant nausea, and a rapid total of recommended pregnancy weight gain within the first trimester. It wasn’t about overeating — some days I could barely manage a slice or two of toast. My training slowed to a crawl, and my body seemed to have its own agenda.
Physically, it was frustrating. But mentally, things got even harder. I’ve always leaned toward anxiety, but pregnancy pushed it to new levels. Panic attacks started happening while I was driving, walking the dog, and even in the supermarket. It felt like my nervous system was on high alert 24/7.
Stripping life and business back to the essentials
It quickly became clear I couldn’t keep pushing at my old pace. Something had to give.
I made the tough decision to scale my business right down:
Keep serving my longest-term VIP clients
Focus on basic life rhythms — walking the dog, resting as much as possible, eating well
Let go of everything else, including this podcast
It wasn’t easy. As a physiotherapist, health coach, and former elite athlete, I’m used to being in motion. But this season forced me to prioritize in a way I never had before.
Finding help for anxiety during pregnancy
One of the things I’m grateful for about living in Iceland is the proactive healthcare system. My midwife spotted my anxiety and referred me to my GP, who connected me with the psychology team at our health clinic.
But here’s something important I want other women to hear: not every therapist will be the right fit. My first few sessions left me feeling worse, not better. After 4–6 appointments, I made the decision to stop and find someone new.
Through another referral, I found a therapist who got what I was experiencing. That connection made all the difference. Alongside therapy, I started daily hypnobirthing meditations — not because I was aiming for a specific birth plan, but because they helped calm my nervous system and reduce the fight-or-flight response.
Taking a full year of maternity leave
Ultimately, I decided to take almost a full year away from work. I kept a small handful of VIP clients but stepped back from new projects, social media, and public content. I even deleted Instagram from my phone. (more on that later)
That year was dedicated to my son, Oliver. Watching him grow, learn, and hit milestones like crawling and standing has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.
This time reminded me of a truth I first learned years ago, helping out friends and family with their kids were babies (now adults and teenagers) — this stage passes so quickly. You don’t get it back.
Lessons I’m bringing into my coaching and content
While I wasn’t actively coaching much, I spent a lot of time learning. Hours spent nap-trapped with Oliver became opportunities to listen to science-based podcasts and audiobooks. I came back to my work with new insights, not just from theory, but from lived experience.
The biggest takeaways I’m bringing forward are:
Postpartum recovery for athletes is deeply underrepresented — most advice is either too cautious or not cautious enough
Mental health is a performance factor — ignoring it can derail even the best training plans
Your season matters — there’s a time to push and a time to pause, and both can be powerful
What’s next for the podcast and coaching
With September marking a return to work, here’s what’s ahead:
More episodes — a mix of personal stories, Q&A, and expert interviews
Coaching spots opening for athletes and active people ready to rebuild without burnout.
A listener survey so you can tell me what topics matter most to you this season
🎧 Listen to the episode and share your feedback here:
www.fitwitheik.com/podcast-survey
If you’re navigating your own season of change — whether that’s pregnancy, postpartum, injury recovery, or simply hitting reset.
I hope my story reminds you: you’re not alone.
