The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Maternally Fit has faced many challenges, each one an opportunity to grow, adapt, and strengthen our commitment to supporting women through pregnancy and postnatal fitness.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought one of our toughest hurdles. Almost overnight, we had to close all studio-based classes, which were central to our services. Thanks to the leadership of our previous director, Helen Croasdale-Smith, we quickly transitioned to online classes via Zoom. This allowed our MatFit Mammas to continue their fitness journeys safely from home while maintaining the sense of community that sets Maternally Fit apart.
The online format not only kept our classes running but also provided essential connections during an isolating time. However, post-pandemic, many Surrey-based classes couldn’t restart, and we shifted our focus predominantly to London. The convenience of online classes also made rebuilding studio attendance challenging.
With perseverance, we’ve invested in a website rebrand and enhanced our social media presence to reconnect with our community and showcase the unique value of Maternally Fit. Slowly but surely, our studio and online classes are flourishing once again.
Through it all, our mission has remained clear: to provide safe, empowering, and expert-led fitness programmes for every stage of pregnancy and postnatal recovery, helping women thrive no matter the circumstances.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
Running Maternally Fit has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging, journeys of my life. One of the biggest pros is the opportunity to channel my passion for empowering women into a business that genuinely makes a difference. Seeing our MatFit Mammas grow stronger, regain confidence, and celebrate their fitness milestones is incredibly fulfilling. I love knowing that every decision I make helps shape a supportive community where women can thrive.
However, the cons cannot be ignored, especially as a first-time business owner balancing a full-time physiotherapy role in a busy London hospital. Time is always a challenge. I’ve had to adapt quickly and learn to master finance management, social media content creation, website design and understanding SEO – yep, I had no clue what it meant at first either! Each skill has been a steep learning curve but luckily, I have had help from friends and family along the way. The sense of achievement when things fall into place is unmatched.
One of the hardest aspects is carrying the weight of every decision. It can be daunting knowing that each choice impacts the business. But when an idea pays off, it’s exhilarating and drives me to keep pushing forward.
Ultimately, the pros far outweigh the challenges. My genuine passion for helping women navigate their fitness journeys keeps me motivated. Whether you join us online or in-studio, Maternally Fit offers expert-led, evidence-based fitness programmes designed to support, empower, and celebrate women at every stage of pregnancy and beyond
Hopes and dreams: What next?
At Maternally Fit, we like to dream big-and why not? When you’re passionate about what you do, those dreams feel not only possible but essential. My ultimate vision is to see a Maternally class in every corner of the UK, offering expert-led, physiotherapist-designed fitness programmes for pregnant and postnatal women everywhere.
Right now, we’re focusing on growing our presence, both online and in studios, while staying true to what sets us apart: evidence-based exercise, personalised care, and a warm, empowering community. We’re enhancing our digital offerings to make our classes more accessible, and I’m exploring ways to bring Maternally Fit into new locations through partnerships and collaborations.
This is more than fitness-it’s about empowering women, celebrating their journeys, and creating a future where pregnancy and postnatal health and fitness is prioritised and supported across the nation. Stay tuned!
Photography credit: Alexandra Moss @alexandramossphotography
Visit the Maternity Fit website to find out more about what they offer. You can also connect with them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
