5 Women Who Built a New Definition of Wellness Through Motherhood

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Motherhood has a way of changing everything.

It reshapes how you spend your time, how you care for others, and often—how you care for yourself. For many women, it also sparks deeper questions: What does it really mean to be healthy? What am I modeling for my children? And how do I create a life that feels nourishing—for all of us?

For these graduates of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), motherhood didn’t pause their personal growth—it became the catalyst for it.

Through their journeys, they discovered that health is about so much more than food. It’s about energy, purpose, relationships, and the everyday choices that ripple through a family. What began as a desire to feel better often grew into something bigger: a calling to help others do the same.

This Mother’s Day, we’re honoring a few incredible women in our community who transformed their experiences as mothers into meaningful work as health coaches—supporting not only their own families, but countless others along the way.

Each of these women brings her own story, shaped by her unique experiences, challenges, and insights. Together, they reflect a powerful truth: when a mother is supported, nourished, and aligned with her purpose, everyone around her benefits.

Chelsea Barbine:

Founder & CEO, Postpartum Better | Health Coach Training Program Graduate, 2021

"Motherhood is a constant tug of war. And in the middle of all of it, I keep coming back to three words: quality over quantity. It applies to everything—the ingredients in your food, the friends in your circle, the clothes in your closet, the sleep you're getting, the time you have with yourself and with your loved ones. Be intentional. It's not about having more—it's about what gives you more.”

"It’s actually our daughter who inspired me to start Postpartum Better and to specialize in supporting expecting mothers—really, to guide them in preparing for life after birth. As her first birthday approached, I felt this deep awe and appreciation for my own motherhood journey. But I also felt a little guilty, because so many women around me had really struggled that first year, and here I was feeling fulfilled, more confident, more myself. I wanted those resources for other women. And I want them for my daughter."

“One of the most meaningful pieces of feedback I receive from clients is that my coaching feels relatable, tangible, and realistic—and I think that comes directly from the fact that I'm walking alongside them. I'm in this season of life with them. That shared experience creates a heightened ability to hold space, and for my clients to feel truly seen.”

“Honestly, becoming a mother has actually helped me honor my own needs—which probably surprises people. But that saying, ‘put on your own oxygen mask first’? It's not only true at 30,000 feet. The best way to take care of a baby is to take care of the person taking care of them. And I truly believe that the health and happiness of the world resides in mothers. A well-nourished, supported mother means a well-nourished, supported family—and that ripple effect just keeps going.”

Sheridan De La Cruz

IIN Certified Health Coach, Author | Health Coach Training Program & Hormone Health Graduate, 2025

"My journey as a mother and health coach has connected me with the most incredible people. It all began when I made the decision to leave my corporate job and follow a path that felt more aligned—like enrolling at IIN and trusting what felt natural, exciting, and true to me. Leaning into my passion for caring for my family and supporting other mothers has completely transformed my life. What started as a leap of faith has unfolded into opportunities I never could have imagined."

“It made everything more real: how I take care of myself, how I manage my energy, and how easy it is to lose yourself while caring for everyone else. I experienced the mental load, the identity shift, and the moments where I felt like I was pouring from an empty cup. And through that, my purpose became really clear. I didn’t just want to support women on the surface; I wanted to truly meet them in this season of life. To remind them they’re still in there. To help them feel strong, supported, and connected to themselves again. Health Coaching through IIN made this come to life for me. Motherhood didn’t pull me away from my path; it actually defined it. Through my experience, I’ve been able to step into work that truly lights me up and even become an author, publishing a book dedicated to supporting moms and families in creating a home and life that feels whole, nourishing, and GOOD.”

“I don’t separate motherhood from my work: I let them support each other. Motherhood is what shaped my perspective. It’s where I learned the importance of taking care of myself, even when life feels full, and it’s what allows me to truly understand the women I work with. I’m not coaching from a perfect place, but I am coaching from real life. And that’s what I feel makes it meaningful and real.”

“I’ve learned that caring for others and caring for myself can’t be separate. When I ignore my own needs, I feel it. I show up depleted, lower energy, and not as present as I want to be. But when I take care of myself, even in small ways, everything shifts. And a big part of that has been including my child in it. Whether it’s moving my body and having her right there with me, or cooking meals together in the kitchen, I’ve stopped seeing those things as separate. It’s not ‘my time’ or ‘their time’—it gets to be both.”

Sally Simmons

Creator of Wave Maker Wellness | Health Coach Training Program Graduate, 2026

“Motherhood gave me lived experience. I know what it's like to have to advocate for your own wants and desires while also not wanting to miss a moment with your kids. And I know how much is possible when someone helps you build habits around your real life—even when things feel messy and full. Being a mom keeps me honest. It reminds me that perfection isn't the goal, sustainability is. It's the whole heartbeat of Wave Maker Wellness; small shifts create big waves.”

“Super bad postpartum depression is the #1 reason I became a certified health coach. Postpartum with my second hit me hard. I wanted to feel like myself again, but I wanted to do it naturally. I knew that if I kept living the way I had been, my body wasn't going to heal. I also knew I couldn't go back to the life I had been living before, or I would heal and then go back to feeling off. So somewhere between the 3 AM feedings and the fog of postpartum depression, I felt called to explore health coaching. What I needed wasn't a plan or someone telling me to push through. I needed someone to meet me where I was. That season cracked something open—not just in my own healing, but in my understanding of a gap I couldn't unsee. There’s very little support designed for women in the messy middle of motherhood, when life feels the most full and the most unpredictable. Motherhood didn’t just influence my decision to become a health coach. It built the entire foundation.”

“Every strategy I bring to a coaching session has the lens of motherhood built in. The plans and habits I create with clients are shaped around their existing rhythms and what they already enjoy, because that’s what actually sticks. I am forever my own first client. I know what a chaotic kitchen looks like, what a chaotic morning feels like, and what it means to have two kids pulling you in different directions. I’m not coaching from a place of having it all figured out—I’m coaching from the trenches, right alongside the women I work with. That’s what makes it real.”

“Honestly, it’s something I’m always actively practicing, not something I’ve perfected. It starts in the mornings. I protect slow mornings with my kids before I fully dive into work. That transition time matters—it fills my cup before the day makes its demands. Throughout the week, I carve out time at the gym with my favorite music blasting. No kids, no to-do list, just me. It sounds small, but it’s one of the most grounding things I do for myself. And as my youngest has started breastfeeding less, I’ve been intentional about reclaiming pockets of time that are just mine. None of it is elaborate, but all of it is intentional. Small waves, big shifts.”

Jey Barbosa

Holistic Health Coach | Health Coach Training Program Graduate, 2025

“My greatest joy today is helping women rediscover that spark, teaching them that it is possible to build a career that honors their pace, respects their bio-individuality, and celebrates their motherhood. We are our children's first teachers of self-love—let’s make sure we are giving them a beautiful lesson to follow.”

“Motherhood led me to discover my life’s purpose: to serve others by helping them find greater health, well-being, freedom, and fulfillment. It has gifted me the opportunity to deeply empathize with mothers out there who, so often, neglect their physical, mental, and spiritual health. In our devotion to caring for our children, we end up neglecting ourselves. What fulfills me the most is empowering these women, letting them know that it is okay to make time for self-care. That by nurturing ourselves, we become better equipped to nurture those we love.”

“I integrate them by letting both roles nourish each other; they are in constant synergy. One of the greatest satisfactions of Health Coaching is that it’s a career you can completely mold to your own measure. This flexibility allows me to design a professional path that aligns with my family’s pace, while simultaneously building a purposeful business.”

“I honor my own needs by practicing what I call ‘conscious inhabiting.’ I’ve learned that to care for others sustainably, I must first care for myself from a place of abundance. My non-negotiables are movement, nature, and meditation. When I take the time to inhabit myself first, I can serve my community and my family from a heart that is truly full.”

Abby Charette

Health Coach & Founder of Really Well | Health Coach Training Program Graduate, 2014

“This season of life has really shaped the philosophy behind my work and how I approach my own health and wellness. I’m passionate about helping women create a version of wellness that actually fits their lives—not one that feels out of reach. Because when wellness is realistic and supportive, it becomes something you can return to again and again, even in the busiest seasons!”

“Throughout my own life transitions I reflected on how many women were navigating similar challenges without necessarily having the educational background or support I had. That realization shaped the direction of my work and strengthened my commitment to making wellness feel more accessible, realistic, and supportive for women in full seasons of life. My work has evolved to support women who want to prioritize their health in the midst of full, demanding lives—whether that’s due to motherhood, career intensity, or both. That shift also inspired my newsletter, Really Well, where I share practical, sustainable approaches to wellness beyond the 1:1 coaching model!”

“Motherhood has changed me at my core, and over time I’ve intentionally realigned my work to reflect who I am now. I structure my schedule and commitments around the dynamic needs of my family. With two young children and a third on the way, I’ve become both more efficient and more flexible—learning how to adapt while still staying grounded in what matters most.”

“I focus on a small set of "non-negotiables" that support my health and wellbeing, and allow everything else to be flexible. I’ve learned that self-care isn’t static—what I need in one season can look very different in another. Giving myself permission to adapt, rather than forcing consistency in the wrong areas, has been key to sustaining my energy and overall wellness!”

What They Learned—And How It Lives in Their Homes

While each of these women has a unique story, the foundations they built at IIN continue to shape how they live, parent, and lead every single day.

For Sally, the concept of bio-individuality became a permission slip—creating space for different needs, rhythms, and preferences without forcing a single “right” way.

For Chelsea the lens of multidimensional health means recognizing that well-being is not just physical, but also mental, emotional, and spiritual—a perspective that has deeply shaped her postpartum journey and family life.

For Sheridan, the biggest shift was realizing that health isn’t just about food or exercise—it’s about your whole life, from mindset to relationships to the way you speak to yourself.

For Abby, the concept of primary foods became a guiding framework—one that honors how relationships, environment, purpose, and daily rhythms nourish a family just as much as what’s on the plate, shaping how they spend their time and prioritize what truly supports their well-being.

For Jey, the integration of bio-individuality and primary food transformed how her family understands nourishment—not just through meals, but through connection, movement, nature, and emotional well-being.

A New Definition of Nourishment

These stories are a reminder that health isn’t something we achieve once and for all—it’s something we live, adapt, and grow into over time.

For these IIN graduates, motherhood became more than a role. It became a doorway into deeper self-awareness, more intentional living, and a renewed sense of purpose.

What they’ve learned—and now embody—is that nourishment isn’t just about what’s on your plate. It’s about honoring individuality, tending to the whole self, and creating rhythms that support real life.

And when a mother feels nourished in that way, the impact reaches far beyond her. It shows up in how she leads, how she loves, and what she models every single day.

This Mother’s Day, we celebrate not just what mothers do—but how they nourish the future, one choice, one moment, and one life at a time.

Happy Mother’s Day.

Ready to go deeper? IIN’s Health Coach Training Program is available in both English and Spanish, with flexible online coursework designed to fit around your life. Download IIN’s free curriculum guide or book a free consultation with an admissions advisor.

Join 180,000+ IIN graduates in 187+ countries who are redefining what health and wellness look like—on their own terms.

This article is published in honor of Mother's Day 2026.

Published: May 11, 2026

Updated: May 11, 2026

5 Women Who Built a New Definition of Wellness Through Motherhood

Chelsea Barbine:

On how motherhood shaped her career path:

On integrating motherhood and coaching:

On caring for herself while caring for others:

Sheridan De La Cruz

On how motherhood shaped her career path:

On integrating motherhood and coaching:

On caring for herself while caring for others:

Sally Simmons

On how motherhood shaped her career path:

On integrating motherhood and coaching:

On caring for herself while caring for others:

Jey Barbosa

On how motherhood shaped her career path:

On integrating motherhood and coaching:

On caring for herself while caring for others:

Abby Charette

On how motherhood shaped her career path:

On integrating motherhood and coaching:

On caring for herself while caring for others:

What They Learned—And How It Lives in Their Homes

A New Definition of Nourishment

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