The Athlete Mom Project | Hybrid Strength Training, Postpartum Healing, Nutrition for Females, Mountain Adventures, and Tips for Moms

Training during pregnancy, postpartum, injury, or chronic pain doesn’t mean stopping — it means understanding how your body actually adapts. In this episode, movement and nutrition coach Chandler Sommerfeldt breaks down how to train safely and effectively through pregnancy, postpartum, injury, and pain using the same science-based framework professionals use in injury rehab and performance training. This episode challenges the fear-based advice many women receive — like “do less,” “rest until it goes away,” or “just wait it out” — and explains why those recommendations often keep people stuck in pain longer. You’ll learn: The difference between pain and injury (and why confusing the two keeps you fearful) The 4 pain rules that allow you to keep training safely Why pregnancy and postpartum follow injury-based training principles How reactive vs degenerative tendinopathy show up during pregnancy and postpartum Why doing nothing often makes tendon pain and joint pain worse How Heavy Slow Resistance (HSR) and intelligent loading rebuild tissue resilience The role of the nervous system, breath, and stress in chronic pain How to train below threshold to increase capacity over time Why capacity vs load is the real issue behind most pregnancy and postpartum pain How fear, beliefs, and environment influence pain perception Why choosing the right community and provider matters for healing This episode is especially helpful if you are: Pregnant and unsure how to keep exercising safely Postpartum and dealing with lingering pain or fear of movement Experiencing pelvic pain, SPD pain, knee pain, Achilles pain, or tendon pain Returning to training after injury or surgery Living with chronic pain and tired of being told to “just rest” An athlete mom who wants to train without compromising your body or your life Chandler also shares her personal experiences with SPD pain during pregnancy, multiple knee surgeries, and chronic pain — and how learning to regulate the nervous system and train within capacity completely changed her relationship with movement. This is not about pushing through pain. It’s about understanding your body, rebuilding trust, and training intelligently through every season of life. 🔗 Resources & Links 📖 Read the full breakdown of this Podcast episode on my Substack 👉 [Read it Here] 🏔️ Join the Athlete Mom Project Course Training that fits motherhood — without burnout, all-or-nothing, or sacrificing family life. 👉 [ Learn More Here ] 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast If this episode helped you, please rate, review, and share it with a mom who’s trying to lift while raising kids. 💪🏻 Connect with me on Instagram 👉 [@withchanyoucan]

Your kid is already strength training. They climb. They jump. They carry heavy things. They explore their body in space every single day. So the real question isn’t should kids get strong? It’s how do we introduce strength training safely, progressively, and without turning movement into a chore? In this episode, I cover: 🧠 What the science actually says about kids lifting weights Why the idea that lifting stunts growth is a myth How poor coaching and excessive load—not strength training itself—create injury risk Why properly supervised, age-appropriate resistance training is not only safe, but beneficial 🧒 When kids should start strength training (age-by-age) Ages 3–5: play-based strength (crawling, climbing, jumping, carrying) Ages 6–8: introducing structure if maturity allows Ages 7–12: technique-first strength training Teens: progressive loading with proper recovery and coaching 🏋️‍♀️ Kids strength training dosage made simple How many days per week kids should lift How long sessions should be Sets, reps, and effort guidelines Why “pretty reps” beat fatigue every time 🦴 Bone development, impact, and long-term health Why adolescence is a critical window for bone density How strength training + jumping, landing, and sprinting support lifelong skeletal health Why movement should never disappear as kids get older 👶 How I train with my 3-year-old (real life) Obstacle courses Short interval “missions” Carries, hangs, jumps, and imagination-based play How curiosity—not forcing—builds confidence 👩‍👧 Training with kids without losing yourself Creating “together time” and “my time” Setting clear boundaries for safety Micro-dosing kid involvement so you can still train Why modeling self-care matters more than perfect workouts ❤️ The bigger picture If you don’t teach your kids that their body is capable, someone else will teach them that their body is a problem. This episode is about raising kids who believe: movement is normal strength is normal effort is normal boundaries are normal 🔗 Resources & Links 📖 Read the full breakdown on Substack (with visuals + dosage charts): Kids Strength Training: When to Start, What’s Safe, and How to Lift With Your Kids 👉 [Read it Here] 🏔️ Join the Athlete Mom Project Course Training that fits motherhood — without burnout, all-or-nothing, or sacrificing family life. 👉 [ Learn More Here ] 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast If this episode helped you, please rate, review, and share it with a mom who’s trying to lift while raising kids.  

If you’re an athlete mom who wants to stay consistent, reduce stress, and actually see results without burning yourself out, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. In today’s show, we dive into the science-backed Minimal Effective Dose, nervous system regulation for moms, and why doing less is often the key to building more strength, more presence, and more momentum—especially during the holidays. You’ll learn: Why athlete moms often stay stuck in “grind mode” and how it impacts cortisol, recovery, and adaptation How your nervous system influences fat loss, strength gains, emotional regulation, and consistency The real definition of success for busy, high-achieving moms (and why perfection is slowing you down) What the minimal effective dose looks like in fitness, nutrition, and motherhood How to train smarter when life is full, routines are disrupted, and stress is high Why “grind + grace” is the most powerful strategy for long-term results How to stay present with your kids while still prioritizing your athletic goals This episode blends science, mindset, and practical strategies designed specifically for moms who lift, run, train hard, or want to feel like athletes again—without sacrificing their mental health or family life. At the end of the episode, I share more about The Athlete Mom Project coaching containers, including: ➤ The Athlete Mom Blueprint For less than a Starbucks order and a protein bar, you can change your life. All the tools you need in a one-time download to help you build momentum going into 2026. Grab your blueprint today for only $22. Includes nervous system regulation, 1-month of workouts, macro cheat sheet and calorie guide, and access to my FREE Amped (athlete mom) Community. https://withchanyoucan.com/athletemomblueprint ➤ The Group Coaching Community For moms who want coaching, accountability, habit support, and a community of athlete moms who “get it.” ➤ The 16-Week Athlete Mom Project Course A complete, self-led transformation program designed to help you rebuild your strength, mindset, energy, and confidence from the inside out. You’ll get 6 evidence-based self led modules, 45 video lessons, mindset work, 4-months of workouts with video links, and practical strategies for movement, nutrition, recovery, and consistency. You also get access to our athlete mom group coaching calls and hundreds of resources. ✨ Learn more about the 16-Week Athlete Mom Project Course here: 👉 [Athlete Mom Project Course] ✨ Book a free Coaching Clarity Call: If you’re curious about 1:1 work, want a personalized plan to go deeper, or want help choosing the right path: 👉 [See if 1:1 coaching is right for you] If you’re a mom who wants to get stronger, feel better in your body, reduce burnout, and create sustainable results—this episode is your blueprint. To connect with me further, reach out to me on Instagram. I'd love to hear your story and what inspires you! We are in this together.  IG: @withchanyoucan

Navigating food during the holidays doesn’t have to feel stressful, complicated, or guilt-ridden — especially if you’re a busy mom trying to balance family, traditions, travel, and your own health goals. In this episode, I break down a stupid-simple holiday nutrition strategy that helps you enjoy your favorite foods, hit your protein goals, and avoid the guilt-binge-resentment cycle so many women fall into this time of year. You’ll learn how to calculate your real protein needs (using a simple 0.8 g/kg formula), how to use my sneaky “pre-logging” trick to fit in treats without blowing your calories, and how to work backward in your day so you stay consistent AND satisfied. This approach works for weight loss, fat loss, performance, and simply wanting to feel good in your body while still enjoying holiday events, family gatherings, travel, and seasonal treats. This episode is all about ease — how to plan without obsessing, enjoy food without spiraling, anchor your meals with protein for stable energy, and move through the holidays without falling into the all-or-nothing mindset that so many moms struggle with. If you want a calm, empowering plan for the season that prioritizes both your goals and your joy… this one is for you. . . IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE - Don't forget to like, rate, subscribe and share with a friend! . . Want more tools, coaching, and relatable support for athlete moms? Come hang out with me on Instagram @withchanyoucan — I share daily tips on movement, protein, mindset, holiday strategy, hybrid training, and living in a strong, capable body (without sacrificing your family life). Send me a message and tell me you came from the podcast! 💛 Coach Chan: @withchanyoucan

In this episode, I get real about the pressure moms carry—especially during pregnancy/postpartum and the holiday season. If you’ve been battling mom guilt, pregnancy body image struggles, and the never-ending mental load, this conversation is going to feel like a deep breath. We dive into why most moms live in constant “giving mode”, trying to create the magic for everyone else while running on empty themselves. And we explore a different path: ✨ What if “easy” was actually right? ✨ What if slowing down made motherhood more magical—not less? ✨ What if presence mattered more than the to-do list? You’ll hear Chandler’s honest experience with this pregnancy, how her body image has shifted, what she’s learning about capacity vs. load, and why overwhelm doesn’t make you a better mom—presence does. This episode is for the mom who feels stretched thin… the mom navigating body changes… the mom trying to juggle it all… and the mom who secretly wonders if she’s doing enough. If you’re craving more peace, more connection, and more permission to be human—this is your episode. Connect with me more at my Instagram, I'd love to hear from you! @withchanyoucan And if you liked this episode, please remember to like, rate, subscribe and share with your friends!