When Strength Feels Out of Reach: The Challenges of Returning to High Performance Postpartum

For as long as I can remember, my body has been my tool, my outlet, my passion, and my way of expressing strength. As an athlete and physical therapist, I’ve always taken pride in knowing how to listen to and care for my body.

But after having my baby, that sense of connection and control changed in ways I didn’t expect.

I experienced pelvic floor heaviness and lingering instability from what I suspect was a pubic symphysis dysfunction and possible ligament sprain in that area. Rebuilding tolerance and stability across my pelvis and re-learning how to coordinate my lower abs and pelvic floor became a much longer, more layered journey than I ever imagined.

It challenged me not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too. And it completely reshaped how I support the moms and athletes I work with every day.

The Myth of “Bouncing Back”

One of the biggest misconceptions about postpartum recovery is the idea that we should bounce back quickly, seamlessly, and on someone else’s timeline.

The truth is, every pregnancy and birth story is different. Every body carries differently, adapts differently, and heals differently.

Some moms feel ready to move within weeks; others are still rebuilding foundational stability months later. Neither path is wrong, both are normal.

When we chase the idea of “getting our body back,” we often overlook what that body just did. It grew, carried, birthed, and continues to sustain another human. That’s not something to rush through…that’s something to rebuild from, intentionally and with care.

Posture, Pressure, and the Demands of Motherhood

Postpartum bodies don’t just recover, they also adapt to entirely new physical demands. Long contact naps, hours of feeding, rocking, and carrying a growing child change how we use and hold our bodies.

Many new moms develop patterns of posture and muscle tension that make it harder for the core and pelvic floor to work optimally. The ribcage might shift, the pelvis might tilt, and the spine may lose its normal mobility…all subtle but significant changes that affect how we breathe, stabilize, and move.

Restoring normal posture and efficient movement patterns isn’t about standing up straighter; it’s about helping your body re-learn balance, coordination, and load-sharing so it can handle life (and training) again without discomfort or compensation.

The Realities of Returning to High Performance

Getting back to a high level of physical performance postpartum isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about rebuilding smarter.

It’s about restoring your foundation first: pelvic stability, deep core coordination, breathing mechanics, and then layering strength, power, and endurance on top of it.

For athletes, this can feel frustratingly slow. But skipping steps or forcing intensity too soon often leads to setbacks, pain, or a persistent feeling that something “just isn’t right.”

How I Help Postpartum Moms Rebuild: Rehab, Perform, & Thrive

Whether you’re six weeks postpartum or several years into motherhood, my goal is to meet you where you are and help your body find its way forward, not just back.

Rehab

For moms in the earlier stages of recovery or still navigating pain, instability, or symptoms like heaviness or leakage: We focus on reconnecting to your body, restoring foundational strength, improving posture, and stabilizing the pelvis and core system. You’ll learn how to move and lift safely, rebuild trust in your body, and start feeling strong again, without fear or pressure to rush.

Perform

For active moms ready to rebuild their athleticism: We take the strength you’ve regained and apply it to performance…improving load tolerance, coordination, and power while continuing to support pelvic health. This phase bridges the gap between rehab and full athletic performance so you can run, lift, jump, and train confidently again.

Thrive

For moms who have moved beyond the rehab and performance phases and want to keep their body feeling its best long-term. Thrive sessions are 30-minute, bodywork-only appointments designed to help you maintain mobility, address tension or soreness, and keep your system moving well as you continue training and managing the demands of motherhood. These sessions provide ongoing care, whether that’s helping your hips stay balanced, your pelvic region feel supported, or your back and shoulders release from the daily load of lifting, carrying, and training.

Think of it as maintenance for your body’s performance engine: keeping you mobile, comfortable, and resilient so you can keep showing up for your sport, your family, and yourself.

Why This Work Matters To Me

Helping postpartum moms, especially those who identify as athletes, holds a special place in my heart because I know firsthand how hard it can be to reconcile who you were before pregnancy with who you are now.

There’s grief, pride, and an incredible amount of growth all wrapped together. With the right guidance, it’s absolutely possible to feel strong, capable, and connected in your body again.

You don’t need to bounce back, you need to build forward.

And I’m here to help you do exactly that.