From Pregnancy to Parenthood: Overcoming Maternal Mental Health Challenges with Chlo Hodgkinson

Becoming a parent is often described as one of the most life-changing experiences, filled with love, excitement, and a whole new level of responsibility. But alongside the joy, many new mums experience emotional highs and lows, sometimes more intense than expected. It’s completely natural to feel a mix of emotions, but for some, those low moments don’t just come and go; they linger and deepen. Postnatal depression (PND) can develop anytime within the first year after birth, often appearing in those early months.

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, released just in time for Mother’s Day in the UK, we welcome back My Possible Self contributor Chlo Hodgkinson — a personal trainer, women's diet, fitness, and hormones coach, and founder of Chlo & Co Media, a social media company dedicated to the fitness and wellness space.

Chlo shares her remarkable journey from pregnancy to parenthood, reflecting on everything from coming to terms with the big news and preparing for a smooth labour, to navigating the emotional challenges of caring for a newborn. She also discusses her experience with postnatal depression, which emerged at the five-month mark and, according to the NHS, affects over 1 in 10 women, sharing how she gradually reclaimed her well-being. Chlo candidly addresses the pervasive mum guilt she continually struggled with, the societal pressure to ‘bounce back’ after giving birth, and how she protected herself from the overwhelming social media content directed at new mums.

With host Gabby, Chlo also talks about how she found balance between her thriving career and the demands of motherhood, offering listeners an inspiring message of resilience and self-compassion. Through her honest account, we aim to provide understanding, support, and solidarity for mums everywhere.

Whether you're a new parent navigating similar challenges or supporting someone through their postpartum journey, tune in for heartfelt insights, practical advice, and the reassurance that it’s okay to ask for help. Don’t miss this empowering and compassionate episode of The Happier Life Project.

 

To download the My Possible Self app: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself

To follow Chlo Hodgkinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chlohodgkinson/