Ep 155: “Breaking Free from Postpartum Body Pressure” with Marlene Andersson

What if the key to thriving in motherhood isn’t "bouncing back" to some old version of you—but moving forward into new postpartum potential and opportunities?

In this empowering episode, I sat down with coach and former elite CrossFit athlete Marlene Andersson to dive into the pressures women face around "snapping back" after pregnancy.

Together, we unpack the cultural myths that keep high-achieving women stuck in unrealistic expectations and explore a mindset shift that prioritizes self-compassion, growth, and sustainable health over outdated body ideals.

Marlene shares her deeply personal journey—from being an elite competitor at the top of her game to navigating the identity shift that comes with motherhood. With refreshing honesty, she describes the struggle of balancing a driven, perfectionist mindset with the unpredictable nature of raising a child.

She also walks us through her Mighty Mom Blueprint, a four-step strategy designed to help mothers build strength—mentally and physically—without burning out or sacrificing precious time with their families.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure to “get your body back” or struggled to balance your ambitions with the realities of motherhood, this episode will shift your perspective in powerful ways. Get ready to rethink what it means to be strong, healthy, and successful as a mother—and as a woman.

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Here’s Why We’re Obsessed with This Episode

🔥 Marlene’s raw and honest take on why bouncing back is a myth that sets women up for failure.

💪 A relatable, no-nonsense discussion about why women are expected to evolve in every area—except when it comes to their bodies.

🧠 The deep dive into how high-achievers struggle with perfectionism and adjusting expectations in the postpartum period.

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Don’t Miss This Episode If…

✅ You’ve ever felt pressure to “get your pre-baby body back” (and maybe even guilt that you haven’t).

✅ You’re a high-achieving woman struggling to adjust to the unpredictability of motherhood.

✅ You find yourself overwhelmed by the expectations of doing it all—parenting, fitness, work, and more.

✅ You want practical, sustainable strategies for staying healthy and strong without punishing yourself.

✅ You’ve ever battled perfectionism and the fear of “not doing enough.”

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What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the concept of “bouncing back” is a damaging illusion—and what to focus on instead.
• How to shift your mindset from self-criticism to self-compassion while pursuing your goals.
• The Mighty Mom Blueprint—Marlene’s four-step strategy for building a strong, healthy body and mind in motherhood.
• How to set goals that actually stick (hint: it’s not just about SMART goals).
• Why sustainable habits—no matter how small—lead to long-term success.
• The key to trusting your body, listening to its needs, and ditching diet culture for good.
• The biggest mistakes women make when trying to “fix” their bodies after pregnancy—and what to do instead.

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About Marlene Andersson

As a former CrossFit Games athlete and busy toddler mom, Marlene brings the lessons from her athletic career into her postpartum coaching. Inspired by her own challenges balancing self-care, family, and career, she developed the Mighty Mom Blueprint—a 4-step strategy that blends the athlete's mindset with the real