Women’s Health Unwrapped
Episode 127:
How to reclaim your identity and purpose in motherhood
Have you ever felt like you lost a part of yourself when you became a mother?
“We are conditioned to give and people-please, but at some point, we have to reclaim our energy and say no.”
— Nicola Farndell
“Becoming a mother forces you to re-examine everything—your values, your priorities, and even your relationships. It’s okay to grieve parts of your old self while embracing the new version of you.”
— Lucy Wylde
In this episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped:
A staggering 62% of women in the UK say they’ve felt like they lost a part of themselves when they became a mother, and yet, we rarely talk about it.
In this episode I’m joined by Lucy Wylde, a coach and expert in matrescence—the transition into motherhood—to explore the profound identity shifts that happen when we become mothers. We discuss the emotional, physical, and societal expectations placed on women, why so many of us feel unseen, and how to start reclaiming our sense of self. We also go deep into the empowerment that comes with both motherhood and midlife and the impact of hormonal changes happening in both of these life seasons.
Whether you’re a new mum, experienced parent, or navigating midlife, this episode will inspire you to take up space, own your worth, and build a life that feels aligned with who you truly are.
The key highlights from our conversation are:
How becoming a mother can impact your identity, body image, and mental wellbeing.
The necessity of acknowledging and sharing experiences for personal growth and healing.
Why societal expectations make it harder for women to feel seen and valued.
What matrescence is and realising that it’s a continuous journey, not just a phase.
Why it's important to give ourselves permission to rest and the value of sleep as a mother.
How motherhood can evoke a range of emotions, including guilt and shame -and why we need to normalise this.
The hormonal changes that significantly impact mental health during motherhood.
The parallels between matrescence and perimenopause, and how both transitions impact self-worth.
Why all women should feel empowered and step into their value.
About Lucy Wylde:
Lucy Wylde is a coach for women and mothers. Her work and passion lies in helping women to thrive in body and mind, not just survive. Lucy is a matrescence coach as well as a highly experienced perinatal exercise specialist, yoga teacher and Mum, to Matilda, born in 2014.
Connect with Lucy:
Check out Lucy’s podcast - Mums F**king Matter where she provides tips, wisdom and insights with raw, real and honest conversations about life and parenting.
Struggling with the juggle of being a mother and taking care of yourself?
Wish you could feel more in control?
If perimenopause and the changes it’s throwing at you mean you’re finally realising you need to take a step back and prioritise yourself, but have no idea where to start, my FREE menopause guide is for you!
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Download the guide for FREE below:
‘10 Ways to Feel Good Again: Your Perimenopausal Revival Guide’
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