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If you’ve recently had a baby (or even if it’s been a while), chances are you’ve heard some version of the phrase “bounce back.” Maybe you’ve seen it on social media. Maybe it came from a well-meaning friend, family member, or even your own inner voice.
And maybe, like so many moms, that phrase made you pause and wonder: What exactly am I bouncing back to?
In this episode of Chick Chat, I’m joined by Haley Wienke, a prenatal and postpartum fitness and nutrition coach, to unpack the real meaning behind the “bounce back” narrative. Spoiler alert: it’s not about shrinking your body or erasing the evidence of motherhood. It’s about reclaiming your confidence, reconnecting with yourself, and redefining strength on your terms.
Who is Haley Wienke?
Haley Wienke is a certified exercise physiologist and a mom who knows what it’s like to feel the pressure to “get back” to a former version of yourself after baby. With over 15 years in the fitness industry and a personal postpartum journey of her own, Haley combines her professional background with real-life experience to help moms rebuild their strength, not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too.
As a mom to a food-loving little girl, Haley understands the balancing act of parenting, self-care, and staying grounded. Her goal? To help moms ditch guilt, stop the comparison game, and create routines that support long-term wellness and confidence.
What Did We Discuss?
This conversation was filled with honesty and so many lightbulb moments. Here’s a look at what Haley and I chick-chatted about:
- What inspired Haley to become a coach and advocate for postpartum wellness
- Why the “bounce back” culture is toxic — and how to change the narrative
- How Haley personally dealt with the pressure to bounce back after her own birth
- The truth about social media, comparison, and postpartum identity
- How to reconnect with the you beyond just “mom”
- Why confidence often takes a hit after childbirth — and how to rebuild it
- Simple, doable steps you can take today to feel more like yourself again
- The one powerful mindset shift Haley wants every mom to hear
We also talked about the internal shift that so many mothers experience — the quiet but profound identity transition that happens after you become a parent. It’s not something we’re always prepared for, and it can leave you wondering who you are now that life looks completely different. Haley shares how she worked through that shift and how other moms can start to feel more grounded in who they are now, not who they were before baby.
Final Thoughts
Motherhood changes us. Sometimes subtly. Sometimes all at once. But the idea that we need to “bounce back” to who we were before — physically or emotionally — is outdated and unrealistic. You are allowed to become someone new because, let’s be honest, you are someone new. You are allowed to take your time. And you are allowed to honor every part of the journey, not just the parts that look good in photos.
This episode is for the mom who feels a little down and lost. The one who’s tired of the pressure, the expectations, the constant noise, and the one who’s trying to find herself again. If that’s you, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone — and that your strength doesn’t lie in how fast you “get back,” but in how fully you show up for yourself today.
Whether you’re newly postpartum or years into motherhood, know this: your worth was never tied to your body or how quickly you “got back” to anything. You’re allowed to define motherhood — and your postpartum journey — on your terms.
Haley’s Resources
Thank you for being here and for continuing to show up for yourself. Cheers to bouncing back your way — with strength, grace, and self-love.