What if we stopped seeing pregnancy and postpartum as the end of an athletic career — and instead saw it as an evolution?

In this episode, I’m joined by Brianna Battles, MS, CSCS — a strength and conditioning coach, educator, and founder of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism™, a global certification program that’s redefining how we train and support female athletes.

Brianna shares her journey as a lifelong athlete, mother of two, and entrepreneur, and how she’s helping women rewrite the narrative around performance, identity, and capacity through all seasons of life. We talk about the mental, physical, and emotional sides of athleticism, what coaches often get wrong about training postpartum athletes, and why your strength doesn’t disappear — it simply transforms.

We explore how to navigate identity shifts in motherhood, the science of training through pregnancy and postpartum, and how to balance performance with presence. Brianna also gives a behind-the-scenes look at her next venture — building a family-run BJJ gym centered on community, confidence, and resilience.

If you’re an athlete, coach, or mom who’s ever felt torn between ambition and rest, this conversation will remind you: your body is adaptable, your mindset is powerful, and your athleticism never expires.

In this powerful conversation, Brianna shares her mission to empower female athletes through education, context, and compassion — helping women honor both their ambition and their physiology.

ABOUT BRIANNA:

Brianna Battles, MS, CSCS is a strength and conditioning coach, entrepreneur, and educator who specializes in coaching and educating female athletes through pregnancy and postpartum. She is the founder of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism™, a global certification and fitness platform that has equipped thousands of coaches, practitioners and women with practical coaching and training strategies. 

Brianna is also the co-founder of Battles Jiu Jitsu in Eagle, Idaho - a family-run gym opening in 2026 on community, confidence, and resilience through BJJ. She is a  mother of two and lifelong athlete, she is dedicated to changing the narrative around motherhood and athleticism, proving that “athleticism does not end when motherhood begins.”

Her work has been featured on major fitness and academic platforms, and she regularly speaks at national conferences, on podcasts, and within professional sport networks about coaching the female athlete across all chapters of life.

What You'll Learn:

• Why athleticism doesn’t end when motherhood begins — it evolves
• The most common myths about training female athletes through pregnancy and postpartum
• How to bridge the gap between performance and recovery without guilt or pressure
• The role of identity, mindset, and resilience in returning to sport after birth
• How coaches can better support women’s unique physiological and emotional needs
• What it means to build a community rooted in confidence, connection, and longevity
• How you can connect and work with Brianna and her services

Episode Resources:

Connect with Brianna:

• Instagram: @briannabattles
  
• Website: https://briannabattles.com/
  
• Certification: Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism™ - Join her waitlist here
  
• Listen to the Practice Brave Podcast here
  
• FREE DOWNLOAD: Jiu Jitsu During Pregnancy & Postpartum 
  

Connect with Nattie:

• Instagram: @nattiebossrd @bodybybossllc
  
• Join the community. Become a founding member for only $14.99/month: The Women’s Grappling Collective
  

Podcast Links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybybossllcAnchor: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/638O1ZWIiBbSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1I51iEgw8qQ6QQpcG2zUK5?si=e6faa04317b24fa1 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-athlete/id1692030579