Meet Sarah Strength After Loss Confidence After Birth
Meet Sarah – Strength After Loss, Confidence After Birth
Some journeys into motherhood are filled with joy and laughter. Others, heartbreak and courage. Sarah’s story is one of both and it reminds us that rebuilding strength isn’t just physical, but deeply emotional too.
Sarah first began training with me back in 2022, after the birth of her third baby. Her path there had been incredibly difficult, a miscarriage followed by the stillbirth of her second baby at 40 weeks. Understandably, she felt uncertain about exercise, her body, and where to begin with strength training.
“I hadn’t exercised for a long time and felt uncertain about how to build up my strength safely in the postpartum period. Kate was fantastic and able to offer PT sessions at my home during a time when I didn’t feel confident enough to go to the gym. She was incredibly empathetic and knew how to talk about my pregnancy losses, which is a rare and invaluable skill.”
With my background as a midwife, I understand how challenging those early months can feel both physically and emotionally. So, we started with the essentials, the foundation on which to build: pelvic floor, core stability, safe movement patterns, and rebuilding her confidence in her own body's ability to heal and strengthen.
Fast forward to September last year, after Sarah’s fourth baby, she returned, this time ready to train at the gym.
“Throughout this whole time, Kate has been amazing. We are so lucky in Sheffield to have someone in the unique position to combine midwifery experience with exercise and nutrition knowledge. All of this means she is an expert in postpartum recovery. Pelvic floor and core abdominal strength is considered in every exercise we do, meaning I have always felt completely safe training with her.”
And the progress? Nothing short of inspiring.
In just 7 months, Sarah has:
Lost 20lb
Reduced her waist by 10cm
Achieved a total body circumference reduction of 44cm
Lowered her body fat by 7.8%
And the most important aspect of training was discovering just how strong she can be.
Today, Sarah is confidently lifting:
40kg Trap bar Deadlifts
17.5kg Shoulder Presses
20kg Romanian Deadlifts
And almost unassisted pull-ups (just 19kg assistance left!)
For someone who once doubted she could return to exercise, these are massive wins, both physically and emotionally, and I’m such a proud PT.
“Having never trained with weights before, over the last 6 months I have progressively built up my strength, dropped my body fat percentage and achieved my weight loss goals. Kate’s help with my nutrition has been crucial to this. Really taking her advice on board has helped me achieve the changes I wanted.”
Sarah has also found something many mums struggle to find—a welcoming space to train with her baby by her side.
“I had previously found gyms intimidating environments, but Kate Campbell Fitness is unbelievably welcoming and supportive, and I’m able to train with my baby, which means I can actually get there!”
Her message to anyone who’s on the fence?
“To anyone considering signing up to one of the services, classes, or memberships Kate offers, go for it. It will be 100% worth it.”
Sarah’s story is proof that with the right guidance, empathy, and progression, you can rebuild after loss, recover after birth, and rediscover your strength.
If you know anyone, are a new mum, or have had a difficult journey, and you want to feel safe, supported, and stronger than you thought possible, I’d love to help you too. Let’s schedule a chat about how we can start your journey.