In this conversation, I sat down with exercise physiologist and fertility coach Alexa Gruber (known as "The Conceiving Coach") to discuss a radically different approach to navigating infertility. Alexa shares her journey from running a general fitness coaching business to stepping into a season of deep pruning. God called her to strip away her plans, focus on her family, and ultimately step into ministering to women trying to conceive.

We dive deep into why true fertility coaching goes far beyond supplements, cold plunges, and hormone tracking, and explore how drawing close to Jesus regulates the nervous system, helps us to fight spiritual battles and maintain hope despite disappointment.

Join Alexa’s Pregnancy Prep Collective for a way to connect deeply with others walking the same journey as you and to get the resources you need. Connect with her on Instagram here.
See more of Motherhood Equipped on Instagram here! 

What if standard pregnancy dietary advice is actually backwards? Bestselling author, dietitian, and researcher Lily Nichols, RDN joins us to dismantle conventional prenatal guidelines. From outdated carbohydrate recommendations to the truths about blood sugar, PCOS, and egg quality, Lily shares the science-backed, real-food strategies every woman needs to feel confident in her health decisions before, during, and after pregnancy.

Lily Nichols’ Website

Lily’s Books: Real Food for Pregnancy, Real Food for Fertility, and Real Food for Gestational Diabetes

Recommended Prenatal Vitamin Brands: FullWell & Seeking Health
Connect with @MotherhoodEquipped on Instagram! 

Key Takeaways

• Questioning the Guidelines: Why standard pregnancy nutrition advice often falls short—and what the research actually shows.
• The "Nutrient Bank Account": Why it’s never too late in pregnancy or postpartum to start making deposits using nutrient-dense, whole-food protein.
• Blood Sugar Mechanics: How balancing fat, carbs, and protein prevents the energy crashes, cravings, and mood swings common in pregnancy.
• Rethinking PCOS: Why "just lose weight" is outdated advice and how protein-forward eating addresses the root cause of insulin resistance.
• Optimizing Egg Quality: What’s actually within your control during the months leading up to conception.
• Prenatal Vitamin Red Flags: Navigating quality control issues in the supplement industry and how to choose a trustworthy formula.

Timestamps

02:10 The Impact of Food Industry Conflicts on Dietary Guidelines
04:00 How Lily's Books Empower Women in Pregnancy
07:09 The Importance of nutrient stores to prevent depletion 
10:00 Protein's Role in Pregnancy and Postpartum
12:03 Understanding Blood Sugar and Its Effects
17:12 Managing PCOS Through Diet and Blood Sugar
22:47 The Role of Healthcare System and Guidelines
27:01 Egg Quality, Age, and Lifestyle Factors
29:58 Choosing Quality Prenatal Vitamins
35:10 Foods to Emphasize During Pregnancy
39:55 Caffeine Intake and Pregnancy

43:52 Gestational Diabetes and Blood Sugar Trends
50:02 Preconception Testing and Fertility
52:00 Personal Habits for Optimal Nutrition

In this episode, I’m getting incredibly vulnerable and sharing the complex, high-stakes birth story of my second son, Luke. After a beautiful previous homebirth, I fully intended to deliver at home again, even knowing Luke was breech. But days before my due date, a sudden fluid check put me "out of bounds" for homebirth, pulling the rug out from underneath me. Driving to the hospital, I had to completely lay down my vision, my sense of security, and surrender the experience to God.

I openly navigate the heavy contrast between a peaceful home environment and the corporate, often fear-driven reality of modern hospital medicine. I share how we fought to avoid an unnecessary, mandatory C-section, what it was like keeping my mental focus in a chaotic room of 15 people, and the reality of a forced supine (on my back) delivery that led to a last-minute placental abruption. This is a story of deep spiritual surrender, intense self-advocacy, and a reminder that even when the shifting sands take over, you are built to do hard things.

Help us build a real, supportive community so no mom feels isolated in the mundane or the heavy moments. Follow along and share your thoughts at @MotherhoodEquipped.

In this episode, I’m opening up and sharing my personal journey to motherhood. As a fit, first-time mom, my story started in a standard hospital model. However, facing a preeclampsia diagnosis at 25/26 weeks left me feeling unsettled and craving true autonomy. I wanted to see "both sides of the coin" when making informed decisions, which ultimately led me to pivot, trust my intuition, and choose a homebirth.

Tune in as I share how I went from hospital hesitation to absolute peace and confidence. I break down how I chose a midwife who perfectly fit my vision, why I focused on mental discipline over a perfect nursery, and how amazed I was by just how intensely athletic labor truly is. It is the ultimate mental game and endurance sport.

Follow along for more behind-the-scenes and motherhood encouragement at @MotherhoodEquipped

"Small wins are still wins and they still matter. There is beauty in simplicity." — Ashlee Haines

In this episode, we catch up with Ashlee Haines, the powerhouse mom and CEO behind Inspire boutique. Ashlee gets real about navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood, bouncing back from a tough postpartum season, and building a faith-first business right out of her home. Grab your coffee and tune in for some super relatable advice on celebrating small wins, ditching the comparison trap, and setting healthy boundaries for your family.

Connect with Ashlee
Browse her shop!
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Are you exhausted and overwhelmed in motherhood and thinking it’s just “normal”? I used to believe that, too. But what if exhaustion isn’t a badge of honor? What if simple shifts in your routine could transform how you feel? In this chat, Sarah Grace shared powerful ways to reconnect with your body, like starting your day with just 10 minutes of stillness or sunlight. She emphasizes how protecting your peace, nourishing your body with quality food, and minimizing phone time can drastically reduce stress, hormone imbalance, and fatigue. Imagine feeling more energized, more confident, and fully present all while embracing your faith and trusting your body. Maybe it's time to get back to real food, quiet mornings, and trusting God with your motherhood journey. What simple change will you try first?

Connect with Sarah:  sarahgracemeck.com , @sarahgracemeck

Connect with us: @motherhoodequipped

Jennifer holds a special place in my heart, because she was my personal introduction to all things home birth! I came to her initially a few months into my first pregnancy when I was personally feeling unsettled in the hospital setting and was looking for something that made me feel like I could have the autonomy I was looking for. In this episode, we explore the depth of birth experiences through the lens of midwife Jennifer Argueta. Discover how trusting the natural process, shared support, and informed choices can transform birth into a sacred, empowering journey. 

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Jennifer's Recommendations?👇

1. Trusting the Natural Process: Emphasizing the importance of trusting your body and the physiological birth process.
2. Building a Supportive Team: Encouraging the involvement of doulas and partners to support the birth journey.
3. Preparing Thoroughly: Mentally, physically, and emotionally preparing for a home birth.
4. Navigating Social Media: Being cautious of misinformation and anxiety-inducing content online.
5. Open Communication: Maintaining open dialogue with care providers to ensure a supportive environment.

You can follow Jennifer on Facebook and Instagram at College Park Home Birth and find her at www.collegeparkhomebirth.com.

Nausea, Energy, and Pregnancy Symptoms: What Your Body Is Really Saying with Samantha Franceschini 

In this episode, we sit down with women’s health and mineral expert Samantha Franceschini to explore the critical role of nutrition and mineral balance in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum recovery. Samantha shares her personal journey into maternal health, common nutrient gaps that impact women’s well-being, and why symptoms like fatigue and nausea shouldn’t always be considered “normal.” We also discuss the importance of individualized care, foundational health habits, and how HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing can uncover deeper insights into overall health and hormonal balance.

Sam’s Suggestions: Methalylated Folate Prenatal + much more linked on her Instagram @Nurturewithsam

Work with Sam: Nurture With Sam
Connect with Sam.
Follow us @MotherhoodEquipped

In this episode, my friend Noor shares her unmedicated birth story and the unexpected challenges that followed.

After achieving the natural birth she hoped for, Noor faced postpartum complications that required medical intervention, including a spinal block. She opens up about the emotional impact of being separated from her baby, the frustration of plans changing, and the reality that birth (and motherhood) doesn’t always go as expected.

This conversation is an honest reminder that motherhood is hard—and being prepared for that truth can change everything.

Connect with Noor on Instagram
Follow the Podcast on Instagram @MotherhoodEquipped
And share this episode with a friend who could use encouraging! 
 

Most women accept pelvic floor issues as just part of postpartum, but what if the secret to a stronger, leak-free body lies in a surprising, scientific approach?

Dr. Angie, a pelvic health expert, reveals how breath work, fascia, and reflexive muscle activation are transforming recovery for women worldwide. Her groundbreaking insights debunk common myths: Kegels alone aren't enough, and surgery isn't the only solution. Instead, she shares practical, science-backed strategies to restore core strength, prevent leaks, and optimize birth and postpartum recovery.

Connect with Dr. Angie on Instagram here or send her an email at [email protected]
Connect with Dr. Angie on her website Core Recovery Method here. 

Questions? Comments? Leave us a note at [email protected]

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Dr. Angie’s Recommendations:

Breathwork: Dr. Angie emphasizes that breathwork is the number one thing you can do during pregnancy to prepare for delivery. She suggests connecting with your breath and having good control over it.

Slowing Down Breathing: She advises slowing down your breathing and pushing the bounds of your lung capacity.

Simple Exercise: A simple exercise she recommends is to slowly inhale through your nose and see how long you can sustain the inhale. She suggests trying to inhale for four seconds or more.