In your mom era.

Let’s be real, mom life never really slows down. From growing a tiny human to chasing toddlers, navigating the chaos of school activities, and then rediscovering yourself when the house finally quiets down, each chapter brings its own joys and challenges. As a running + triathlon + strength coach, I’ve had the privilege of training moms through just about every phase: pregnancy, postpartum recovery, sleepless toddler nights, jam-packed pre-teen schedules, and even the beautifully reflective "empty nest" years.

What I’ve learned? Training doesn’t have to pause—it just has to adapt.

You get to decide what your training looks like in this season of life. My job is to meet you there, with flexible options, compassionate support, and training that works with your life, not against it. Below, I’m sharing cliff notes from some incredible moms who’ve trained with Team Coach D. And while I haven’t had kids (yet), I’ve been told I know way too much about carpool lines, nap schedules, and how to fit in a long run between soccer games.

Let’s dive in.

Sarah H

"Running, as a mom, means time to clear my mind and help me be a better mom. It allows my girls to see what is possible if they want it. Now they love running and ask to sign up for kids runs!" Sarah trained with our team for multiple half marathons and her first marathon. Life had it’s ups and downs but she finished on a high note running a lifetime (yes pre kids!) half marathon PR. From a 1:56:25 smashing it down to a 1:52:21.

Eliza

"Parenthood is an incredibly difficult, time consuming task. Supporting ourselves is the first step in supporting others in a healthy and sustainable way." Eliza started training with Coach D to run her first half marathon and then transition into triathlon training. All while balancing two littles at home. She built out an at home training room so she could train after they went to sleep and modified when needed to make sure she getting enough sleep. Most importantly her kids got to see her out there doing hard things. Working towards goals and sometimes missing the goals. And then seeing mom striding down the finishers shoot with her kids cheering her on!

Maggie

“My crew.” Maggie ran her first marathon with Coach D and while her kids are grown and out of the house she is still MOM. Her kids got to see her chase her dreams of being a marathoner, coming out in the rain to cheer her on to the finish line. Never stop dreaming, your kids are always watching.

Lucy

"It's not just running, it's the mindset of keeping up with my dude and being able to be there for him as my best physical self." Lucy and Coach D go way back - through her first marathon at one year postpartum, to pregnancy and injuries in between. They also worked together on nutrition coaching - creating a positive workspace around food and body image for her son. Reframing how Lucy used food and how to make changes to her body without obsession or an all/nothing approach. Children catch what you see and do.

Christine

Running a marathon is hard. Running a marathon while pregnant is hard. Running two marathons a month apart while pregnant is really freaking hard. Before her child entered the world, Christine’s baby already had two Abbott World Majors under his belt. Together we put together a strategy for her to even run the NYC Half Marathon at 6 months pregnant. Things looked different in that training cycle than in years past but the miles felt good so we ran with it. Postpartum we followed a similar strategy to her first half using a return to run program, introducing things gradually as she adjusted to mom life. Next? Her first full Ironman.

Erika

“I just ran my easy miles with my 7 year old. She’s such a baddie. Chatting the whole time. It was amazing. What a gift!” During half marathon training, Erika traded in her easy pace for her daughters, time shared together is always worth the pace adjustment. Showing moms that miles with their kids either in a jogger or alongside them count just as much as those perfectly paced miles. Sharing the miles brings everyone together.

Kerry F.

Danielle and Kerry started training together in person (personal training) when social distancing was still a thing. Working out outside in DC just 6 weeks postpartum. Rebuilding strength after her first born and then working out through her second pregnancy. It is said that Coach D’s workout put Kerry into labor with her second as she delivered just hours after their last workout together. Kerry, now a busy mom of 2 toddlers, keeps consistent with weekly in person workouts and an ever flexible online remote programming to keep her healthy & strong.

Teresa

“Danielle, how much weight did I lift last week? (Kid’s name) wants to know".” How fun is it to be 50 years old and your teenager doesn’t believe how much weight you are lifting in the gym. Teresa loves to leave our training sessions and show her kids the exercises she learned and show off her new muscles. Teenagers can be ruthless…but not when you can throw down with them in the gym.

Exercise, running and strength training looks different on every mom. Comparing your journey to another moms is hard to stop doing - the internet makes it too easy to see what everyone is up to. As a coach, my role is to remind you that YOU are what matters. How we use what time do you do have to build plans to your goals. The best part is? Your plans and goals can change - as often as you’d like! No one has it figured it out all the time. If you would love help putting together training and strategizing plans reach out, Coach D is always coaching with you in mind.