Madeline Pidel

What was your motivation for starting Every Mother?

I was in the midst of my postpartum fitness journey after #3. Despite being very active, a long distance runner, I still felt separation and less strength in my core, and my midwife encouraged me to really focus in on resolving my diastasis to be at my best.

What are/were your goals?

When I started the program, I was 18 months postpartum with my 3rd, had just run a half marathon, and was focusing in on giving my core some love and proper healing work to resolve the slight diastasis and mommy pooch that remained no matter how fit I was. I was AMAZED at how much I learned about how to safely move my body and engage my core at all times, and what workouts I was doing that could actually be harming rather than helping. It was incredibly eye-opening for me, and I wished that I’d had this program after my first birth, 8 years ago! I then became pregnant and my goals were to have a strong and healthy pregnancy. I continued to shrink my waist and get lots of compliments on how I was looking during my first 12 weeks of pregnancy…! And my goal continues to be to support my core during this 4th pregnancy (my best and easiest yet!) and to have an amazing birth and recovery experience, armed with the Every Mother tools, and knowing I can switch seamlessly from the Prepare program back to the Reclaim program.

What are your tips for sticking with the program?

My tip: it’s all about the app. Put a timer in your phone every day to remind yourself to do it, and the fact that I don’t have to go to a laptop or computer, and can do it from anywhere, was a big selling point for me. Sometimes I would do it at 10pm, right next to my bed, as the last thing of the day. Just staying consistent will give you results. And, grab a buddy and let people know what you’re up to. I told a few other mom friends I was starting this, and some of them wanted to jump in and do it too, just let those close to you know and keep yourself accountable to them. After 2 weeks your body may feel really different and you’ll have even more motivation to keep going!

What has been your favorite Every Mother moment?

I think my favorite Every Mother moment was when I walked in to my midwife appt for my first sonogram, wearing my normal clothes and with a tiny bump. She couldn’t believe I was that far along by how I looked. When I was telling people I was pregnant, no one guessed I was already 18 weeks along! I got alot of surprised looks, and I was surprised myself, my body handled itself better with this 4th pregnancy than with some of my others, and I know Every Mother was a huge part of that.

What advice do you give to other mothers trying to prepare for birth/resolve DR/meet new fitness goals? (please answer based on your current experience)

I advise you to believe that you can be stronger than before you ever had kids, to embrace the program as part of a full self-care and fitness focus for yourself as a mom, and to enjoy the results! This program is comprehensive, effective, and works, no matter how many kids you’ve had or how much repair you feel needs to take place. It’s not just about having a 6 pack–it’s about how to move safely and with ease and grace.

What charity have you chosen for donation and why?

Madeleine wishes to donate to any charity that supports mothers and their well-beingand Every Mother has donated to The Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco on her behalf.