#71 - Back in the Office: Maternity Leave Reflections, New Energy & What’s Next
Back in the Office — A Year That Changed Everything
It’s been almost a year since the last episode of Building Thriving Lifestyles, and I’m so excited to be back in the studio—and in your ears.
This past year? It’s been one of those life chapters you never forget.
From where we left off
The last time we spoke, I shared an update on training during pregnancy. Not long after that, I realized I needed to scale my life right back to the essentials.
While my pregnancy was “uncomplicated” on paper, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Early pregnancy: the physical and mental shift
I found out I was pregnant in January. By the end of the first trimester, I’d gained 12 kilos—even though I could barely stomach anything beyond toast. My energy was low, nausea was high, and my anxiety escalated into panic attacks that made daily activities like driving or shopping difficult.
When everything changes—but also stays the same
Most years bring big events—maybe a new job, a move, a relationship shift. But it’s rare to have something this big, this all-consuming.
From the outside, nothing much changed—same home, same friends, same work. Inside, though, my identity, priorities, and sense of self were being completely reshaped.
Stripping back to survive
I made the decision to keep only what was essential:
Serving my longest-term clients
Protecting my sleep and daily walks
Handling the minimum in business operations
Letting go of everything else—including the podcast
Getting help—and finding the right fit
One of the advantages of living in Iceland is access to a multidisciplinary healthcare system. My midwife spotted my anxiety quickly, referred me to my GP, and then to the psychology team.
My first therapist and I didn’t click—in fact, sessions made things worse. But with persistence and the right referral, I found a therapist who understood my needs and worked with me in a way that helped. Around the same time, I began daily hypnobirthing meditations, which proved transformative in calming my nervous system.
A year of unplugging
I’ve now spent nearly a year on maternity leave. Apart from a handful of client commitments, I unplugged from social media and focused entirely on life with my son, Oliver.
Having watched my sister raise her boys, I knew this stage would pass quickly—and I wanted to be present for it. I’m proud to say I soaked it in.
Stepping back into work
Now, Oliver’s thriving, and I’m ready to step back into my professional role. This year has left me with a deeper awareness of pregnancy, postpartum, and the mental journey that comes with them. I’ve also seen how little nuanced information exists for athletes navigating these stages—something I’d like to change.
For my regular listeners—don’t worry
Pregnancy and postpartum will be one of many topics here, not the main focus. You can still expect:
Recovery strategies
Strength training principles
Science-backed fitness methods
Mindset tools for sustainable performance
What’s next
This season, expect:
Real, personal episodes like this one
Expert interviews on training, mindset, and performance
Listener Q&As on your specific challenges
Fall coaching spots opening in September
📋 Your input matters!
Tell me what you want to hear on the podcast by filling out the listener survey:
👉 www.fitwitheik.com/podcast-survey
