Today we’d like to introduce you to Leah Brodt.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Leah. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey to becoming a yoga teacher began almost 20 years ago. I grew up in Seattle and had a very healthy, active childhood. Once I got to college, I fell into a pattern of binge-drinking and eating fast food 3-4 nights a week. I ended up gaining almost 40 pounds and came to the realization that I couldn’t afford to buy any more “fat” clothes. My roommate and I finally joined a gym where I took my first yoga class. I remember how empowered I felt after that class and decided, THIS is what I want to do. I want to bring this feeling of peace and calm to people struggling with their health. I took my first yoga teacher training and my wellness journey began. A year later, I enrolled in a nutrition course and also got certified as a strength training coach. In 2005, I followed my best friend to San Diego and started my business teaching yoga, strength training, and nutritional counseling. I ran my first 5K in 2009 and ran my first marathon on my 30th birthday. After two marathons and countless half-marathons, my body began to talk to me. I started having pretty severe pain in my left hip and finally went to an orthopedic specialist. He took one look at the MRI and that is when I was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis. He told me I would need a total hip replacement. At 32, this was hard news to swallow. Four months later, I had the surgery and never looked back. I stopped running, started swimming, hiking and even rollerblading to protect my joints. I gave birth to my daughter in 2015, with the support of my incredible husband and doula. This experience inspired me to become a birth doula. My work helping women get stronger mentally and physically through strength training and yoga has shifted into helping them prepare for childbirth.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My definition of Zen: finding calm amongst the chaos. I feel blessed to have been given the life-changing experience of natural childbirth. It has given me an incredible opportunity to connect with mamas needing constant support during one of the most vulnerable times of their life. I believe that our struggles are what ultimately shape us. I found yoga at a time when I was searching for a connection. It’s easy to make excuses and focus on the things you can’t do, but I realized the power of positivity and being grateful for what you CAN do. Find something you LOVE to do. Yoga, running, hiking, swimming; it needs to be personal. Find a partner to join you. Instead of focusing on foods you can’t eat, simply start adding healthy foods in; eventually, the cravings will disappear once your body recognizes it has all the nutrients it needs. Health and wellness is a journey and it lasts a lifetime. Try not to compare your journey and just focus on being better than you were yesterday. I never dreamed of becoming a birth doula, but I am convinced it’s my calling and am truly honored to serve the women of this community.
What should we know about Zen Mama? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Besides being a wife and mother to an incredible 4-year old, I am a birth doula and prenatal yoga teacher. I support families throughout pregnancy, educating them about their options and guiding them through an empowering birth experience. I use yoga and nutrition to teach moms how to treat their bodies during pregnancy, setting them up for a safe and easy birth. There are so many ways to have a baby and it’s my job to make sure they know all of their options and feel empowered to make decisions that make sense for their family.
Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
My mentor is my doula, who not only supported me through my labor, but has provided me with unconditional love, advice, and experience. The birth community in San Diego is incredible and I am so grateful to be surrounded by some the country’s best midwives, nurses, acupuncturists, chiropractors, and doulas. It takes a village to raise a family and we all for together to make sure not only the baby is well, but my mom and dad are also supported.
Contact Info:
- Email: sandiegozenmama@gmail.com
- Instagram: @zenmamasd
- Facebook: Zen Mama Birth Doula
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