You’ve probably heard postpartum described as “the recovery period.”
But what if we described it as: the most overlooked stage of the ultimate endurance sport?
Meet Needed Champion, Stephanie Case.
Stephanie is an ultramarathoner and human rights lawyer, but in her defining role as a new mom speaks candidly about the physical depletion and invisible labor that define this chapter.
"Motherhood is all about adapting, pushing through the questions and the uncertainty, and finding strength in the messiest, most beautiful moments. It takes more strength and courage than any 100 mile race I've done, but the love I get back from my daughter lifts me higher than any podium I've ever stood on."
The Science of Postpartum Endurance
Postpartum recovery is a biochemical storm.
Hormones like progesterone and estrogen plummet, sleep deprivation disrupts metabolism, and nutrient demands remain sky-high, especially for breastfeeding mothers, who can burn 500 extra calories a day.
95% of women remain nutritionally depleted postpartum, even those who take standard prenatal vitamins.
If you are breastfeeding, the average new mother loses 2–5% of her bone mineral density during lactation, although this can be recovered with good nutrition and exercise, underscoring the toll this phase takes and the importance of looking after your health through it.
Why Stephanie Is Our Champion Stephanie’s postpartum story reminds us that healing is not linear. After a long journey that included two miscarriages, she became a mother to her daughter Pepper while navigating recovery, identity shifts, and body changes. Stephanie is also a human rights lawyer and an elite ultrarunner. At a recent 100-kilometer race in Wales, she breastfed Pepper at three points along the course, not only finishing but placing first among female competitors. Her transparency opens conversations about depletion, anxiety, and the importance of rest without guilt, showing that endurance continues long after birth.
Practical Takeaways
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Continue your prenatal for at least 6–12 months postpartum.
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Restorative movement over performance: Movement looks different for everyone.
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Seek emotional support: One in five new mothers experiences mood disturbances — it’s common, and treatable.
The Bottom Line
Postpartum is not an afterthought, it’s the start of a new, enormously demanding chapter that deserves support. We’re shining a light on recovery as a vital phase of maternal endurance — one that deserves nourishment, care, and recognition.
Our “Motherhood Is an Endurance Sport™” campaign kicks off alongside the NYC Marathon, celebrating the unmatched strength, stamina, and resilience of mothers everywhere. The visuals spotlight the many faces of endurance with champions from IVF and infertility journeys to labor or everyday marathon of motherhood. Reminding the world that moms deserve the same recognition, recovery, and support as any athlete. At the heart of this initiative is Every Mother Counts (EMC), a nonprofit improving maternal health worldwide. To further their mission, we’re releasing a limited-edition “Motherhood Is an Endurance Sport™” shirt, available online and at Happier Grocery, with 100% of proceeds supporting EMC’s vital work.
Fight Depletion in postpartum with:
- Prenatal Multi Capsules
- Prenatal Omega-3
- Prenatal Collagen
- Hydration Support
- Sleep + Relaxation Support
