By Isabel Theissen & The SABI 

“The moment a child is born, a mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”

– Osho

Motherhood is one of life’s most transformative journeys. Often referred to as matrescence, it’s a transition just as profound as adolescence. Yet, we’re expected—and sometimes pressured—to “bounce back” to our old selves. But what if that’s not the goal?

Today, we sat with Isabel Theissen, certified motherhood coach for modern mums, to share with us her story of how motherhood reshaped her in ways she hadn’t expected and led her to light the way for other mothers. 

From Overwhelmed to Empowered: My Personal Journey

Motherhood surfaces a new love for your family and a deeper connection to your values. There’s often a longing to live in alignment with what truly matters—not just to make the most of our limited time but to become the authentic role models we want to be for our children, which can sometimes translate to feeling a lot of pressure and even, overwhelm.

Before becoming a mother, I was a career-driven senior digital marketing manager, thriving in a high-paced environment with long workweeks and constant travel. I was highly dedicated to my career and tended to put work first. But after having my son, everything changed.

Returning to work after 5 months of maternity leave, I thought I could “do it all”- a pressure 97% of moms affirm feeling from society. I was determined to maintain my old self, juggling a new corporate job with my responsibilities as a mom. But instead of feeling accomplished, I felt torn. At work, I missed my son. At home, I felt guilty about not being fully present and having my mind on work or my career. I was constantly running, trying to keep it together, yet I was completely drained.

What did I struggle with?

• I felt lost.
I tried to maintain being my old self. But something had shifted. I needed to reconnect with what was truly important to me now and figure out who this new version of me was.  

• I felt exhausted, juggling my responsibilities at work, and as a mom left me feeling guilty about carving out any time for myself. So I deprioritized doing the things I love and caring for myself.

• I felt unfulfilled, feeling torn between work and family, I realised that I craved to work more flexible hours so that I could spend more time with my family. My priorities had shifted. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet.

• I felt alone
since I didn’t have many ‘mom friends’ at the time, I often felt unaware, confused, and overwhelmed by this transformation. I didn’t know how to cope with my new and old responsibilities.

It wasn’t until I almost hit burnout that I realised I needed to take responsibility for my well-being. I invested in therapy and coaching to reconnect with myself and define what I truly wanted. Slowly, I began to carve out time for myself, rediscovering what brought me joy and purpose.

What I Learned Along the Way

Motherhood has a way of gently, and sometimes not-so-gently, teaching us lessons that reshape who we are at our core. It’s not about losing ourselves but rather, discovering a version of ourselves we didn’t know existed. I came to understand that I’m still me, but now I’m also a mother. This role didn’t erase my identity—it deepened it, adding layers of meaning and connection.

Through this transformation, I began to see what truly mattered. Motherhood prompted me to realign my life, to move closer to the values I hold dear, and to embrace the journey of becoming. These moments of care—both for myself and my family—became sacred. They weren’t grand gestures but found in quiet, meaningful rituals that nourished my body, mind, and spirit. 

I also learned one of the most humbling truths: you can’t pour from an empty cup. For years, I believed prioritising my needs was selfish, and like many mothers, I put myself last. But this mindset only left me drained and disconnected. Slowly, I began to unlearn this narrative and realised that tending to myself was not indulgent—it was essential. Taking care of my well-being allowed me to show up for my family, not just physically but emotionally and joyfully.

Another revelation came in the form of connection. I had always prided myself on being fiercely independent. I resisted asking for help because I didn’t want to burden anyone. But motherhood taught me that no one is meant to do this alone. Accepting support from friends, family, or even professionals was not a sign of weakness but of strength. I realised that "the village" isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a lifeline. For me, a support network is made up of people I trust—those who are there for me emotionally, whether to listen when things are tough or to celebrate life’s joys together. It also means physical presence—showing up for birthdays, lending a hand with errands, and simply being there. As an expat, I’ve built this network remotely and rebuilt it in real life. It also deepened my relationships, creating bonds built on trust, vulnerability, and mutual support. It’s ok to ask friends and family for help or to pay for help from professionals, such as therapists, nannies, coaches, cleaners, Uber Eats, you name it!

Perhaps the most surprising and comforting lesson was realising that I’m not alone. For a long time, I felt isolated in my struggles, wondering if I was the only one finding this journey so complex. But as I began having honest conversations with other mothers, I discovered that my experiences were shared. We all carry a mix of joy, guilt, exhaustion, and love. This collective understanding became a source of strength for me and inspired me to help other mothers navigate this transformative period.

Coaching: A Guiding Light in Motherhood

Motherhood challenges us in every way—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It stretches us, sometimes to the point where we feel like we might break. But coaching can help transform this stretch into growth. It offers a holistic approach, one that supports mothers in rediscovering themselves, building confidence, and aligning their lives with their values.

Inspired by her personal journey, Isabel designed her coaching program specifically for modern moms - mothers in all phases of life who juggle careers and family life in today's fast-paced, ever-changing world. While keeping it all together on the outside; it is often a different story on the inside. Many modern moms feel overwhelmed by the pressure of doing it all.

Through one-on-one coaching and group coaching, Isabel guides mothers to promote their well-being holistically - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - and thereby build a strong foundation for their overall well-being. Her approach is not just about adding self-care to an already overwhelming to-do list; it’s about transforming how mothers care for their needs and ultimately their happiness.

“My philosophy is simple: a happy mom means a happy child,” Isabel explains. “We’re responsible for our well-being. When we take care of ourselves, we show up as better role models, partners, and parents.”

Now You: Embrace Your Well-Being is for the modern mother ready to redefine motherhood on her terms. She recognizes that taking care of her well-being is essential to living a joyful life and being a present mother. She dares to break out of the norm to pursue her own unconventional lifestyle that supports her happiness and that of her family.

Through coaching, mothers can:

• Reconnect with who they are in this new phase of life

• Clarify career and lifestyle decisions that reflect their priorities

• Overcome the fears and self-doubt that hold them back

• Set boundaries that protect their time and energy

• Improve their overall well-being to feel more present and fulfilled

This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about creating space for what truly matters, for what brings you joy, and for the life you want to lead.

If you would like some quick help - here are four simple steps that Isabel shares with her clients to change from feeling overwhelmed and stressed to recharge their well-being, feeling more at ease and joyful. You can take them right now. All you need is paper and coloured pens. And you can access Isabel’s full free guide here!

Step 1: Well-being Audit

Take inventory of your current well-being level. Mark below how you rate your physical,

mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being (refer to the definitions on the previous

page). Then, add your scores up and divide them by 4 to calculate your overall

well-being score.

1. Physical (feeling healthy, strong, and energized): 

2. Mental (feeling clear, focused, and present): 

3. Emotional (feeling connected with yourself and others): 

4. Spiritual (feeling aligned with your values and purpose): 

Overall Wellbeing: 

Step 2: What Fills Your Cup?

Begin by reconnecting with what energizes you and fills you with joy. What lights you up?

What energizes you? What makes you feel accomplished?

This can be a good cup of coffee, a spinning class, bath time with your children, a good chat

with a friend, fresh flowers, or a date night with your partner. 

• Write everything that comes to mind and makes you smile just by thinking of it. 

• Now, circle your essential joys that turn any regular day into a good day.

• Note your five essential pleasures. Can you connect them with one of your well-being pillars?

• How do they impact your physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being?

Step 3: What Drains Your Cup?

Now, take inventory of what drains your well-being. What are the things that make you feel

tired or overwhelmed just thinking of them? What have you been procrastinating lately, and

Why? What do you think you should do, but if you’re honest with yourself don’t want to do?

This can be doing groceries at a crowded supermarket, going to a colleague's goodbye

drinks after work, coordinating your kid’s soccer practice and matches, or cooking dinner.

• Write everything down that comes to mind

• Circle your biggest drainers

• Note your five biggest drainers. Can you connect them with one of your well-being pillars?

• How do they impact your physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual well-being?

Step 4: Recalibrate

Now that you are more aware of what fills your cup and what drains it, let’s recalibrate.

• What small changes in your daily routines could you make to integrate your top 1 or 2

well-being fillers?

• How could you eliminate or reduce your biggest well-being drainers? Could some of them for example be shared?

• What do you need to say NO to, in order to say YES to more of the things that bring you joy?

We hope this helps you feel more energized so you can pour from your overflow and be more present and joyful with your loved ones.

Motherhood: The Beginning of a Joyful Transformation

Motherhood marks the beginning of a transformative journey, often uncovering the most authentic and empowered version of yourself. It’s a time of transitions and challenges, but also profound opportunities for growth. Coaching can be an invaluable support system, helping you:

• Build confidence in who you are at this stage of life

• Gain clarity in career and life decisions, from renegotiating your current role to pursuing a new path or launching your own business

• Overcome fears and limiting beliefs that hold you back

• Boost your overall well-being, allowing you to feel happier and more fulfilled

• Set healthy boundaries that prioritise what truly matters to you

• Deepen the quality of your relationships

Instead of pushing yourself to exhaustion by trying to ‘do it all,’ coaching invites you to pause, reflect, and care for your four springs of well-being: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. With the right guidance, you can transform a lifestyle that feels overwhelming and unfulfilling into one that is energising, purposeful, and joyful. Motherhood isn’t the end of who you are—it’s the gateway to a thriving, authentic life.

ABOUT ISABEL THEISSEN

Isabel Theissen is a mother, a certified coach for modern moms, and founder of well-being brand tautanz. Isabel believes that motherhood is an opportunity to begin living our most authentic and joyful lives. As a coach, she supports modern moms on this transformative journey, helping them to discover and embrace this new version of themselves, gain clarity and confidence in leading their lives their way, and create a lifestyle that brings them and their families more joy.

Before motherhood, Isabel worked as a senior digital marketing manager for global fashion and lifestyle brands. After her son was born, Isabel returned to the corporate world, hoping to balance both roles. Yet, she quickly found herself caught between her professional ambitions and her desire to be present with her son. Feeling split between her career and motherhood, she found herself struggling to keep up, feeling drained and unfulfilled.

Through this experience, Isabel was inspired to explore a new path as a life coach, where she could find purpose and joy while being more present with her family. Today, she helps other moms navigate similar challenges, offering guidance as they reshape their lives to reflect their own priorities and values.

If you are feeling lost, overwhelmed, or simply seeking a lifestyle that feels more aligned with who you are now, connect with Isabel to explore how she can support you with finding clarity and calm, and help you transform your current lifestyle.

www.isabeltheissen.com | https://www.instagram.com/isabel_theissen | https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabeltheissen/

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HORMONAL & PROUD

Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI aims to change the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.

We offer you an invitation to get to know your body and its cycles better –– an invitation to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormonal cycle to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. Look for the right sources of information. Know that there is help, and know that you’re supported.

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DISCLAIMER

The SABI blog and articles are not meant to instruct or advise on medical or health conditions, but to inform. The information and opinions presented here do not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals for your unique situation.