Show notes
EPISODE PART ONE: What happens when nearly five years of infertility, endometriosis battles, and the devastating loss of your baby at 16 weeks collides with a toxic relationship with fitness?
In today's powerful conversation, I sit down with Ashton Koehlmoos—mom to three earthly boys and one angel baby—who shares her raw journey from competitive athlete to stay-at-home mom, through multiple surgeries, IVF, a second-trimester loss that changed everything, and the discovery that her body was holding trauma she didn't even know needed healing.
In this episode, Ashton opens up about:
Her 5-year infertility journey with endometriosis and severe male factor infertility
The moment everything changed: discovering her baby Gabriel had no heartbeat at 16 weeks
How she unknowingly used fitness to numb and escape rather than process
The turning point when chronic pain forced her to discover core and pelvic floor dysfunction
Why your pelvic floor "remembers" trauma even when your mind doesn't
The dangerous disconnect between mind and body during workouts when grief surfaces
How unprocessed trauma shows up as physical tension, injury, and dysfunction
Learning to move with your body instead of pushing through it
The power of breath work, slower movement, and finally letting emotions come up
Why sharing your heart and allowing yourself to break down is part of true healing
Ashton's most powerful insight? "Movement circulates energy through our system. But if we don't allow feelings to truly come up to the surface, we're not processing—we're creating a toxic cycle that piles up trauma until it explodes."
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who has experienced loss or trauma and uses movement as their go-to coping mechanism. Ashton's story will challenge you to examine the relationship you have with your body and whether you're truly healing or just pushing everything deeper.
About Ashton Koehlmoos
Following the birth of her first son, Ashton launched Resilient Mama Fitness and Lifestyle to become the coach she needed and provide mamas with evidence-based fitness and lifestyle education, as well as programming that complements each season of motherhood. After navigating a 16-week loss with her second son Gabriel and birthing her rainbow baby, Ashton witnessed firsthand the massive gaps in postpartum care and trauma-informed movement.
Connect with Ashton:
Insta & Facebook - @resilient.mama.fitness
Website - www.resilientmamafitness.com
Email: [email protected]
Want to learn how to support women through loss?
If this episode resonated with you and you're feeling called to support bereaved parents through their healing journey—or if you've experienced pregnancy loss yourself and want to turn your pain into purpose—I want to invite you to learn more about becoming a Pregnancy Loss & Trauma-Informed Specialist.
Join the FREE Loss to Purpose Masterclass
Discover exactly what the Pregnancy Loss Practitioner Certification is all about:
In this masterclass, you'll learn:
The 6 pillars of The Pregnancy Loss Recovery Method™ and how they create lasting transformation
Why traditional support methods leave bereaved parents feeling unseen and unsupported
The critical gaps in current pregnancy loss care (and how you can fill them)
What sets trauma-informed pregnancy loss support apart from general grief support
How to turn your lived experience or clinical expertise into life-changing work
The exact framework you'll receive in the certification program
Real stories from certified practitioners already transforming lives
Whether you're a healthcare professional, coach, doula, therapist, birth worker, or an angel parent who knows you're meant to do something meaningful with your experience—this masterclass will show you the path forward.
This isn't just another grief certification. This is a comprehensive, body-based, neuroscience-backed approach to supporting the whole person through one of life's most devastating experiences.
👉 REGISTER FOR THE FREE LOSS TO PURPOSE MASTERCLASS HERE
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
NaPro Technology and the Pope Paul VI Institute
Core and Pelvic Floor Health
"It Starts with the Egg" by Rebecca Fett
Fertility yoga and breathwork
Diaphragmatic breathing techniques
Episode Quotes
"I realized I had a lot of unprocessed trauma. For me, it was like, I'm going to go work out to numb. That's what made me feel better."
"The pelvic floor remembers the trauma. You might not be remembering the trauma, but she does."
"Movement is circulating energy through our system. If we don't allow feelings to truly come up to the surface, then we're not truly processing. We're creating this toxic cycle."
"Your body doesn't have a timeline. Your body is like, 'This needs to be seen now.' It doesn't know what's convenient."
"Don't be ashamed. We all have things we're going through. Share your heart."
Subscribe & Review
If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe to What I Wish I Knew After Pregnancy Loss on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review. Your reviews help other bereaved parents find this podcast and the support they need.
Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Connect with Sharna
Join my Newsletter: HERE
Instagram: @instituteofhealing_pl Website: www.sharnasouthan.com Podcast: What I Wish I Knew After Pregnancy Loss
FREE Loss to Purpose Masterclass: https://www.sharnasouthan.com/loss-to-purpose-masterclass
OR APPLY for the certification HERE
Disclaimer: The content shared in this podcast is not medical advice. If you need further support, please consult your healthcare provider. Be gentle with yourself.
Part 2 of this conversation coming soon! Don't miss it.