In this episode of The Mum Poster Syndrome Podcast, Dr Natasha Wallace is joined by Marlene Anderson, a women's health and mindset coach, for an honest conversation about the identity shifts, body changes, and emotional challenges that come with motherhood.

Marlene shares her personal journey from being a high-level athlete to navigating pregnancy, postpartum, and the realities of becoming a mum. Together, Natasha and Marlene unpack the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers, particularly around "bouncing back," fitness, and body image — and how social media often amplifies these pressures.

This episode explores why redefining health and fitness after motherhood is essential, the role of self-care and emotional release in supporting mental health, and why unlearning harmful narratives around productivity, perfection, and appearance is a crucial part of personal growth. It's a compassionate, empowering conversation for any mum learning how to reconnect with herself in this new chapter of life.

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Instagram: @drtasha_psychologist
Website: www.drnatashawallace.co.uk
Email: support@drnatashawallace.co.uk

Website: https://the-mighty-moms.mn.co/
Email: andersson.marlene.a@proton.me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightymomscommunity

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Motherhood often brings a profound identity shift, which can feel disorientating and challenging.

• Unrealistic societal and social-media expectations add pressure for mums.

• Self-care is not selfish — it models healthy behaviour for children.

• Strength training supports long-term physical and mental health for women.

• Emotional release is an important part of wellbeing and stress regulation.

• Mothers deserve to prioritise their own health and needs.

• It's never too late to pivot or redefine what health looks like for you.

• Letting go of perfection creates more sustainable wellbeing.

• Kindness and self-compassion are essential during motherhood.

• What matters most is finding what works for you, not what looks good externally.
  

🕒 Chapters

00:46 — Motherhood and Identity
03:50 — The Journey of Transformation
06:52 — Navigating Postpartum Changes
09:51 — Societal Expectations and Pressure
12:32 — Breaking the Cycle of Diet Culture
15:25 — The Role of Self-Care in Motherhood
18:20 — Redefining Health and Wellness
21:12 — Embracing the New You
24:27 — Finding Balance in Motherhood
27:38 — Mindset Shifts and Growth
31:42 — Navigating the Chaos of Motherhood
35:48 — Identity Shift: From Athlete to Mother
40:51 — Redefining Fitness Goals as a Mum
46:08 — Emotional Release and Mental Health
50:54 — Parenting Ourselves with Self-Compassion