I created Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism when I realized there was a disconnect in the fitness industry for athletes and coaches like me.
Pre and postnatal never really felt like it applied to me and what I wanted to pursue athletically.
I am a career strength and conditioning coach, a lifelong athlete, and in 2014, I was a new mom navigating my changing body. The guidelines that existed were generalized or extreme and didn't allow for creative concepts and coaching.
Generic advice like this does not work for athletes. In fact, it does MORE of a disservice.
I set out to change the culture around fitness during pregnancy and postpartum. To go beyond the extreme generalizations and the dogmatic notions of being fit for birth or bouncing back postpartum.
In 2014 I started learning, coaching, and creating…
First by working with women in my local community and eventually evolving to create online resources for the athletes and coaches around the world sending me DM’s saying “I wish I would have known this”.
In 2017 our signature program, The Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification formally launched to educate fitness professionals and practitioners on how to support and coach pregnant and postpartum athletes.
In order to serve female athletes around the world we’ve created fitness programs including The Pregnant Athlete Training Program, The Postpartum Athlete Training Program as well as The Practice Brave Fitness Program, a strength and conditioning program that is designed to help women pursue a lifetime of athleticism.
Thousands of athletes have used our fitness programs. From everyday moms who like to lift weights to professional and Olympic athletes.
Over 1,400 fitness professionals have been certified by P&PA. They span 21 countries and include coaches, physical therapists, OB/GYNs, birth professionals, athletic trainers, and moms who have become the coach they needed.
We strive to provide the most up to date information based on the scientific evidence, our coaching experience, and the input of our P&PA Advisory panel composed of coaches and practitioners.
We believe that
Athleticism doesn’t end when motherhood begins
If you are pursuing fitness, you are an athlete. Regardless of your ability level or athletic interests.
What happens to your body during pregnancy and postpartum influences everything going forward and that’s why education during these seasons matters so much.
Athlete brain is a personality trait, oftentimes, an identity. People who have an athlete brain are driven, and intrinsically motivated to improve themselves and the environments they’re in. Knowing how to leverage athlete brain to sustainably work with you, not against you, is a critical self development skill.
It’s important for us to uphold a dogma- free coaching environment that supports an athlete's autonomous choices and experiences.
Pregnant and postpartum athletes are not a special population. It is a growing demographic in gyms, teams, competitions and races.
Brianna Battles
Founder of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism and CEO of Everyday Battles, LLC.
Brianna has her Master’s Degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration and her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology. She is an active member of the NSCA where she is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and a USAW Sports Performance Coach. She has completed multiple continuing education courses and mentorships in the women’s health and strength and conditioning realm.
This is a growing, international team of P&PA Coaches who are equipped to work with pregnant and postpartum athletes in their communities and online.
As certified P&PA coaches we help athletes manage core, pelvic health, orthopedic and other physical challenges while still encouraging their athletic goals and pursuits.
This is a growing, international team of P&PA Coaches who are equipped to work with pregnant and postpartum athletes in their communities and online.
As certified P&PA coaches we help athletes manage core, pelvic health, orthopedic and other physical challenges while still encouraging their athletic goals and pursuits.