Functional vs. Aesthetic – Why I Train Moms Differently

The other day, I was listening to a Q&A with Brooke Cates, founder of The Bloom Method, a pioneer in the pre- and postnatal space and someone I really respect. Everything she says always feels so profound, but this one sound bite hit me differently — so much that I felt like I needed to share it with you.

She was talking about how, as women and moms, we’re constantly fed this narrative that we should look a certain way or lose the baby weight by a certain time. Her and I have talked at length about how toxic that message is and how badly it needs to change. And while we’re on the same page about it, I realize not every woman has that kind of influence or support in her life.

Then she asked something in the Q&A that stopped me in my tracks:

“Are you working out to look good… or are you working out to potentially save your child?”

That hit me hard.

Lately, I’ve been leaning into more aesthetic goals — toning up as summer gets closer, choosing workouts with that goal in mind. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look good and feel confident in your body. But that one question instantly shifted my perspective.

I want to be strong enough to hold my daughter above water. To pick her up with one arm, no problem. To carry her a long distance if I need to. To keep her safe — now and for years to come.

That’s what I want my workouts to be about.

This is Why I Train Moms Differently

I train moms to feel good in their bodies — not just to check off the box of “getting your body back,” but to feel connected, strong, and supported in real life.

Because the truth is, motherhood is physical. It’s exhausting and relentless and beautiful, and your body deserves to be supported through it all.

Functional fitness is about so much more than weight loss or looking a certain way. It’s about how you feel when you’re picking up your kid off the floor. When you’re carrying a heavy car seat or pushing a stroller up a hill. When you’re sneezing or laughing and don’t want to worry about leaking. When you’re experiencing pain or pressure and aren’t sure what your body needs.

It’s about building a body that supports your life — a body that feels stable, strong, and pain-free.

Birth Changes You — So Why Should Your Workouts Stay the Same?

The fitness world has done a huge disservice to women, especially moms. From the moment we give birth (and honestly, even before), the messaging is: bounce back. Get your old body back. Hurry up.

But here’s the thing: you don’t need to bounce back — you need to move forward.

When women start prioritizing how they feel — focusing on functional strength, pelvic floor health, core recovery, energy, mobility, and longevity — everything changes. You’re no longer chasing an aesthetic. You’re building a foundation that supports you for years to come.

And yes, you can still want to look good. You can still want to tone up and feel confident in your favorite outfit. But what if we started training for our quality of life, not just the next bikini photo?

Because when moms feel better, have more energy, and move without pain — everyone benefits.

You show up differently. You have more to give. You trust your body again.

The strongest moms aren’t the ones lifting the heaviest weights or running the fastest miles. They’re the ones who know how to support their bodies with intention. Who understand what their bodies have been through — and choose to train in a way that honors that journey.

That’s the kind of fitness I believe in. That’s the kind of strength I want for every mom I work with.