As a mum, former obstetrics nurse, massage therapist, fitness trainer and passionate advocate for women’s health, Trish Martin has had a lot of hands-on experience providing nurturing holistic advice and support to pregnant mothers and first-time mums. She is passionate about offering judgement-free, practical guidance that is completely tailored to what’s best for mothers, their families and their precious babies. She wants mums to feel confident and secure through this new and beautiful journey, and to enjoy these special times. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Baby Coach NZ, the challenges she has overcome, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
After becoming a single mum with two boys aged 2 and 3, I knew there was more to life than being a wife and mother. It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy being a mum; my children are my everything and are still my number one priority – even though two are now adults. But I knew that when they started their own journeys, it would be important for me to have my own interests.
I had lost myself in my role as a wife and always wondered why I hadn’t kept working as a Registered Nurse part time because I loved it so much. For many years I worked in both in private and public sectors of maternal and newborn health. In fact, my first nursing job when I graduated was at Birthcare in Auckland when it was a private maternity/birthing unit set up by two independent midwives. I loved it.
So, having been a bit of a gym junkie in my younger years, I started training to become a fitness personal trainer. I took a special interest in women’s health, especially antenatal and postnatal, helping new mums stay active, holistically look after their wellbeing, as well as regain their strength and posture alignment after birth.
Getting remarried and having my third baby, a little girl, I kept a few clients and trained from my personal studio at home while Hailey looked on, in her playpen. This soon became a little too hard. I still missed working with new mums and their little ones and, knowing that postnatal support was so crucial to helping gain confidence and for mums to still be themselves, I embarked on my new journey, and my new business venture was born: Baby Coach.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
Because I was one of the first to have children out of family and friends, and with my background in nursing, I became the go-to person: helping them with feeding and sleep and giving them the confidence to trust what they knew deep down, and the knowledge to enjoy their new journey. I loved it and with the support of my husband Karl, I knew that it was my calling to continue. A Facebook page was put together and I started sharing my expertise.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My biggest breakthrough would have to be a personal one. When I became a mum for the first time, I didn’t have many challenges. I loved the newborn stage and because I had worked for many years in the maternal health system, as well as as a Plunket nurse, my experience guided me confidently. It was more that I had lost who I was. Was I capable of balancing my family as well as my passion? I was, and still am to an extent, a self-doubter, not thinking I am good enough. I am an overthinker and at times struggle with anxiety. But, I came to realise that it could be one of my strengths, because I have more understanding around how mums these days are struggling with the overwhelm, feeling like they need to be super women and unable to give themselves that opportunity to ask for help. Times have changed and that village we were used to is no longer the same. Family isn’t around, grandparents are still working or in a different country and many mums are also part of the financial support in their relationships.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
I’m very lucky that I have two adult children who no longer live at home but are very close by, and our daughter, at 14 years, is very self-sufficient. Plus, hubby also works from home so we are always juggling the taxi rides, cooking dinner and household activities.
