Insights on pre & postnatal health and fitness with Tasha Franken

In our latest Insight Series, we explored health and movement during pregnancy with Pilates expert, pre & postnatal fitness specialist, holistic health coach, founder of T — F Studio, and mom-to-be, Tasha Franken. She opened up about her IVF journey, starting her business, and how pregnancy has shaped her approach to health and fitness. From relatable anecdotes to heartfelt advice, Tasha reveals the importance of movement, listening to your body, and maintaining balance. Keep reading to learn her amazing story and inspiring insights!

Congrats on your pregnancy. Can you share a bit about your journey to motherhood and what this chapter has been like for you so far?

Thank you! I’ve always wanted to be a mother but I never felt like it was the “right time.” Ultimately, I realized there is no such thing as the right time. You choose the moment and grow into it. For me, this journey into motherhood and new chapter in my life has been a lot different than what I expected. After the hurdle of the first trimester (the exhaustion and nausea) the rest of my pregnancy and routine has been fairly normal (working out, filming, etc.) but with a lot more intention and awareness.

You have been open about your IVF experience. What would you say to someone who is just beginning that process or thinking about taking that step?

I feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to go through IVF. While everyone has their own unique reason for doing so, to even have the option is not something I take for granted! That’s not to say it doesn’t come with its own challenges. It can be long, emotional and expensive but for anyone thinking about it or just beginning the journey, don’t be afraid! Be patient and do your best to trust the process. 

Has pregnancy shifted the way you think about health, movement, or your relationship with your body?

The most interesting (and surprising!) part for me is that my diet and exercise routine has pretty much remained the same as it was pre-pregnancy. I was under the impression that it would change once I got pregnant, but I’ve been able to stay active and I’m proud of my body for that. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about growing and gaining weight, but it also made me realize what a positive relationship I have developed with my body, which was not the case in my early twenties. 

As both a founder and a mother-to-be, how are you approaching balance right now, and what lessons has this phase taught you about slowing down or listening to your body?

This has probably been my biggest challenge… Balance is something I have to work on as I tend to prioritize work more than I do slowing down. Knowing I’m about to take time off has pushed me to work in overdrive and make sure everything is in a good place for when I go on maternity leave. With that being said, I’m much more intuitive now. When I’m tired, I honor that and slow down knowing that rest is just as important…especially right now! Work hard, rest hard — my social life has definitely taken a backseat during this phase!

Through T — F Studio, you support women from so many different backgrounds. What advice would you give to expectant or postpartum mothers who are curious about Pilates but feel intimidated or unsure of where to start?

I love this question! For anyone feeling intimidated or unsure of where to start with Pilates, I always recommend starting with the basics and getting really comfortable with beginner classes before jumping into the next levels. Form and foundation is key and will set you up for success as you progress. Pilates, when done right, is one of the safest forms of exercise you can do, with long term benefits for every body, especially expectant and postpartum mothers. If you’re nervous, I would recommend doing some classes at home before going to a studio so that you can start to get familiar with the terminology and the movement. 

As a business owner, what advice would you give to other women who want to start their own business?

Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, I hope you’re ready for early mornings, late nights and working during the holidays. It’s not an easy road but it can be incredibly rewarding. Believe in yourself and learn the ins and outs of every part of your business. Get comfortable being uncomfortable and be prepared to wear all the hats. Once you learn how to do every role in your business, you can outsource. This will give you a deeper understanding and allow you to step in if necessary.

You’re also passionate about nutrition. What has been your go-to pregnancy snack?

I definitely am! I’m a certified health coach and have seen firsthand the benefits a healthy, balanced diet can have on both my mind and body. During pregnancy I’ve had a pretty similar diet to pre-pregnancy. However, I’ve been prioritizing certain foods for the baby, like eggs and fatty fish. Now that I’m in my third trimester, I’m eating dates stuffed with sunflower seed butter daily to balance out the high sugar content. One thing that shocked me is how much I have disliked the taste of coffee! I switched out my usual morning coffee for a collagen hot chocolate which I’ve been loving! It’s super simple to make, just add nut milk, cacao powder and collagen powder to a milk frother and that’s it.

Finally, what are you most excited about in this chapter of your life, both personally and professionally?

This is probably the most exciting chapter of my life because everything feels so new and unexpected and I have no idea what the next week, month or year will look like! Personally, I’m looking forward to the new challenge, forcing myself to completely surrender to motherhood. Professionally, I see this as a great opportunity for T — F Studio to tap into my newfound passion for the prenatal industry so that I can help other mothers in their journey. I’ve been loving filming prenatal content and workouts and it seems my audience has been appreciating them along with me. I’m so excited to provide a new category for all the pregnant women working out with me! 

Tasha Franken is a mat and reformer Pilates expert, pre and postnatal fitness specialist, holistic health coach, the founder of T — F Studio, and mom-to-be. Stay connected with Tasha through her Instagram handles @tashafranken (opens in a new tab) and @TFStudio (opens in a new tab).

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