Why do so many moms feel guilty the second they do something just for themselves?
I sat down with Amy Haas, a running and strength coach, the creator behind Race Across the States, and a brand new mom to a baby girl. Amy has run a half marathon in all 50 states, which took her about 10 years. Running carried her through some really hard seasons, including a miscarriage before her daughter was born.
We talk about using movement for your mental health instead of as punishment, and the surprising backlash Amy got from other moms for running and going back to work after having her baby. Amy explains why she believes kids become part of your life instead of replacing it. She also opens up about losing trust in her body after her miscarriage, the phrase from her OB that got her through pregnancy after loss, and why a five-minute walk absolutely counts.
And yes, I share how my kids and I ended up in a full-on power walking competition in the driveway. 😂
If you've ever skipped a workout because you couldn't do the "whole thing," or felt like taking time for yourself made you less of a mom, this one is for you. 🤍
About Amy
Amy Haas is a running and strength coach and the founder of Run With AIM. After running a half marathon in every state, she's now chasing the major marathons and running in national parks with her husband. She shares openly about movement, body image, women supporting women, and now, early motherhood.
Connect with Amy
Instagram: @raceacrossthestates
Coaching: runwithaim.com
Connect with me 💛
🌐 Website: milestonesandmotherhood.com
📸 Instagram: @milestones.and.motherhood and @more.than.milestones
✍️ Substack: https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones
🍼 Tummy Time Masterclass: https://milestonesandmotherhood.com/tummy-time
🛍️ Amazon storefront: https://a.co/d/03ucPZbo
✉️ For sponsorship or guest inquiries: podcast@milestonesandmotherhood.com
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Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 Welcome and meet Amy Haas
00:27 From one half marathon to all 50 states
02:47 What's next: major marathons and national parks
04:00 Movement as a tool for mental health, not punishment
06:13 Falling into the weight-loss mindset and unlearning it
07:45 When your mind quits before your body does
09:57 Eight weeks postpartum and the comparison trap
11:13 The backlash: "Why did you even have kids?"
14:39 Having something that's yours before motherhood
16:00 Why women feel guilty prioritizing themselves
18:28 Perfectionism and all-or-nothing movement
21:23 Letting yourself celebrate the win
21:58 Miscarriage and losing trust in your body
23:43 Rebuilding trust by controlling what you can
26:07 "Common things happen commonly": pregnancy after loss
29:08 How running prepared Amy for motherhood
31:39 The five-minute walk: one way to start this week
33:13 Habit stacking and the driveway power walk
35:50 Growing up with the bodies we were sold
38:31 Dinner table talk and practicing what we preach
39:42 Where to find Amy
