Join Julia and Brooke Cates, CEO and founder of The Bloom Method fitness program, for your motherhood journey. The Bloom Method keeps you active during pregnancy and postpartum. Brooke shares how the system was conceived and encourages women to listen to their bodies. In today’s world, the culture can guilt women into strenuous exercise programs, and Brooke says that’s not OK. Over 60,000 women have experienced this method, which prepares you for birth and is perfect as you chase your toddler. Brooke also shares her non-traditional journey into entrepreneurship, carving her own path and following her intuition. We discuss her personal family building story, her postpartum experience and her relationship with her mother.  Invite your friends  to listen to this episode and join the Bloom Method. They will thank you.   IN THIS EPISODE:   [00:00] Julia gives an overview of the dilemma of getting back in shape postpartum  [03:39]  Brooke shares who she was ten years ago and the woman she is now [10:07] How the Bloom Method was conceived and why it fights against the “bounce-back” culture of postpartum [15:07] Brooke describes the Bloom Method and talks about a judgment-free way of seeing yourself  [22:12] Brooke’s belief is “movement” rather than “exercise,” and she encourages women to stop taking exercise so seriously  [31:29] Brooke responds to Julia's experience 18 months after birth and says workouts should feed us and turn motherhood into mom-movement [34:07] Brooke reflects on her journey as a path less traveled and not letting discouraging comments hold her back  [43:00] Brooke shares her definition of family    KEY TAKEAWAYS:   What is right for one mom may not be right for another mom. That’s ok. Don’t let society dissuade you from listening to your intuition.  If you are having a battle within yourself about your fitness program, you have the wrong fitness program. Movement doesn’t hurt. Movement should bring you joy and remind you who you are. Mainstream exercise programs make a woman feel negative about her body.   RESOURCE LINKS:   Stork'd - Facebook   Stork'd - Instagram   Stork'd - YouTube    The Bloom Method - Instagram   Brooke Cates - Website   The Bloom Method - Website 30% Off Coupon - Use code - STORKED30   BIOGRAPHY:  Brooke Cates Brooke is the CEO and Founder of The Bloom Method—a pioneer in the pre + postnatal fitness industry. Aside from being the creator of The Bloom Method, Brookee is a Pre and Postnatal Corrective Exercise Specialist, Core Rehabilitation Specialist and Pre and Postnatal Holistic Health Coach. Brookee believes that the transformation into motherhood is where we truly ignite our real strength and that in this, all women deserve to have access to safe + effective workouts geared towards whichever stage of motherhood they're in.    In 2018, The Bloom Method introduced its innovative concept to thousands of women worldwide with the first virtual pre + postnatal online studio. Today, with over 500+ fitness classes, ten fitness styles, empowering education, and a community of 50k moms, Studio Bloom is helping women step back into their power through smart + empowering embodiment practices.