TESTIMONIALS
“I recently took the BirthSmarter Childbirth Education class with Maggie, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Maggie is an incredible instructor—approachable, professional, and warm. She created an environment that made everyone feel comfortable and welcomed, encouraging open discussion and questions. Throughout the course, she guided us thoughtfully, asking engaging questions that helped each of us reflect on our personal preferences and choices. Maggie’s ability to create a supportive, inclusive atmosphere really made this class stand out.
The class itself was both comprehensive and well-balanced, covering home births, birth center births, and hospital births in a clear and thoughtful way. Maggie also discussed the various potential interventions, explaining each one thoroughly and objectively. This allowed us to understand our options and feel empowered to make informed decisions, no matter what circumstances arose during labor. The class was held in a cozy, comfortable setting, which added to the overall positive experience. There were healthy snacks and drinks available throughout the day, and Maggie made sure there were plenty of breaks for restroom visits and stretching. She also allowed for a reasonable amount of time for lunch, making the entire experience feel relaxed and considerate of everyone’s needs. One of the best parts of the class was how it was designed to be equally accessible to both the birthing parent and their support person. Maggie engaged both parties, outlining the roles each person might take, encouraging open discussion, and ensuring that both felt equally informed and involved. This made the class feel like a collaborative experience, rather than just a solo preparation for the birthing parent. I also appreciated the inclusive and positive language used which made the class feel like a safe space for exploration and vulnerability.
Maggie also did a fantastic job explaining the anatomy and physiology of birth in a scientific yet easy-to-understand way. I came away from the class with a much deeper understanding of what my body will be doing during labor, which left me feeling more confident in my body’s ability to birth my baby. The class also boosted my decision-making confidence, helping me feel well- prepared to navigate any situation with calm and clarity. If you’re looking for a class that is informative, balanced, and thoughtful, I highly recommend Maggie’s BirthSmarter class to other expecting parents. It left me feeling more prepared, confident, and empowered for the journey ahead.”
~ Leah Pagnozzi, Bozeman MT
“I cannot say good enough things about working with Maggie! I started out looking into several different businesses all centered around pregnancy fitness. I was plus sized, not in the best of shape after a whole first trimester of constant nausea, and I was worried about old injuries and how they would affect my ability to labor naturally as I hoped. I had reached out to Maggie via email and she responded almost instantaneously with so much warmth that I immediately felt so comfortable.
Maggie taught me alot more than just how to stay physically fit in pregnancy. She gave me confidence, a confidante, reccomendations to other specialists, a visualization of what i wanted my pregnancy/birth to be. Through what I learned with her I’ve been prepared for questions and suggestions with my doula, my midwife, and most recently a pelvic floor therapist all of which the basics had already been instilled in me by working with Maggie.
I have every intention of continuing to work with her post partum and maybe even for more pregnancies down the road! ”
“As a super active person, I was nervous about finding ways to safely and comfortably move my body throughout pregnancy and reached out to Maggie early on.
Over the past six months, my weekly visits with Maggie have ranged from traditional strength training under her watchful eye and constant encouragement, to peaceful fear-releasing meditation that has left me more confident in my body and my ability to give birth. Her space is clean, inviting, private, and safe.
When I began seeing Maggie, I had a lot of questions. Maggie helped me find answers, discover new questions, and accept the uncertainties of pregnancy and birth through her own experience and training.
She provided space for me to learn about and explore my own questions, fears, and preferences about birth. I now feel well-informed about the physiological process of birth and prepared to be my own advocate with providers and loved ones. Maggie took time to get to know me and my family, inviting my husband in to participate in a birth prep session and helping me communicate boundaries to excited grandparents. She is also connected to a wealth of resources in Bozeman and beyond and has encouraged me to take advantage of many prenatal services I would not have otherwise.
There were plenty of days when I dreaded making time for yet another appointment, but every meeting with Maggie felt productive, making me feel strong and capable despite my body’s changes. Our sessions encouraged me to continue strength training independently and confidently as Maggie helped me find safe ways to move and acknowledge cues to rest. Working with Maggie also taught me invaluable breathing techniques and mental tools to address discomfort and maintain positivity throughout pregnancy and labor.
While I reached out to Maggie concerned about my fitness, what I’ve gained from Maggie is much more than muscle. I feel confident in my mental and physical fortitude and my ability to navigate inevitable unknowns. Working with Maggie has been joyful, encouraging, and enlightening. I would recommend her to anyone, especially first-time mamas wanting to approach birth with mental and physical strength.”
“Maggie has been a rock throughout my first pregnancy. She is a world of knowledge and gives you confidence in moving through this time. Pregnancy with my first baby has been full of the unknowns and Maggie helped me trust my body and my baby to progress through confidently. She provides physical and mental support with a variety of techniques and resources. I feel much more prepared going into labor and postpartum with the work we’ve done. ”
“[2 yrs postpartum] - I needed to give you a written review because this was my second week meeting with the physical therapist and she said I’m in really good shape. And it’s all credit to you! With the one session that I’ve had, and listening and doing the things that you told me to do, now she’s actually not concerned about my diastasis recti. She’s not concerned about my pelvic floor. I did CrossFit Maggie, and I didn’t pee myself! And it’s legitimately because of one session with you and I just wanted to say, f#*k, thank you. You’re f*ing amazing!
[Post-surgery] - A big part of my recovery is waking up my diaphragm and retraining with the new structure around it... I blew them away with my first test being way past where they wanted my breathing to be!! I told them it’s because of the work I did with you previously. How cool is that?!”
““Maggie gave me the tools, confidence and strength to go into labor and not be afraid. I don’t know how Selene’s birth would have gone without her help and preparation, and I’m glad I don’t have to know. I think this was one of the best choices I made during pregnancy. If you have the opportunity to work with her, you are crazy not too. She is an amazing human being.””
“Working with Maggie proved to be just what I needed, even taught me more about a Zoom meeting! Her warm encouragement and gentle reminders of body positions were greatly appreciated. At the age of 64 I am way beyond postpartum but she gave me new tools and focus to relearn how to breathe. Maggie made me conscious of my pelvic muscles and what it takes to keep them in good working shape. It was such a pleasure to work with a positive and intelligent instructor.
Thank you again, Maggie, for helping so greatly! ”
“I am so grateful that I found Maggie 2 months into my first pregnancy. I was three years into recovery from a car accident, and every time I tried to get back in shape on my own something would flare up and I’d be right back where I started - even after years of weekly PT.
I was scared that I was going to be stuck in pain and weakness forever, and that this would define me or limit me as a mother.
I was finally spurred to try something new when I held my 8lb nephew and within 5 minutes my arms were exhausted and even though I was sitting supported in a couch my back hurt.
Maggie helped me to build back my trust in my own body after years of feeling like it was a problem. She pushed me to do more than I thought I could do, but more importantly to me she always listened when I expressed concerns and she encouraged me to rest when my body needed it without shame. I had more progress and felt stronger and more confident in my third trimester than I had in years!
I continued to work with Maggie postpartum and she has helped me ease back into working out as my body adjusted to being a mom. I have less pain than I have had in years. I feel more confident. I know that when I have set backs physically I can handle them - I’m not back to square one anymore. I’m excited to see what is next, and I’m so glad I decided to prioritise myself and my health in a new way while I was pregnant.”
“I loved working with Maggie during my pregnancy and in the postpartum period! It was always apparent that she cared a great deal, not only about my physical fitness, but about me as a person and my baby.
I looked forward to chatting with her during our workouts. I loved that she was super flexible as well.
Sometimes I forgot to have a piece of exercise equipment ready, or a certain joint hurt, or I even had to wear my baby during a workout and she just adapted the routine and made it work.
I also felt much more prepared for labor because of the mental preparation of doing something physically difficult. Ask her about doing “labor training”, it helps!”
“Before starting with Maggie, my diastasis was a 3 finger width.
Since working with this incredible human, that gap is down to a barely single fingered-width! BAM!
She was so accommodating, so kind, and was sure to always check in on my mental health prior to working on anything physical.
Her program is insanely doable (even for super busy mamas) and while she’s understanding, she also holds you accountable in the best possible way.
I HIGHLY suggest/recommend working alongside Whole Healthy Mama to get your goods in a much healthier place. Thank you so much again, love!”
“Maggie’s guidance and coaching during my pregnancy has been monumental.
I could not see my pregnancy journey going any other way and I am so grateful for the support and guidance I received from Maggie throughout my pregnancy and postpartum journey.
Especially being pregnant during COVID19, Maggie has helped to validate my pregnancy and honestly keep me sane during this isolating time.
I looked forward to our sessions where I could literally talk to her about anything, and she always knew the answers to my questions. Maggie was extremely helpful in suggesting ways to help me with my fatigue and hydration and
if I ever had a question regarding pregnancy or labor Maggie always had evidence-based answers for me.
Being time zones apart, I loved that I could hop onto my computer in my pajamas and have a session with her.
Maggie specifically helped me the most in releasing my fears surrounding birth and giving me resources to help me prepare for that special day.
During labor Maggie sent me encouraging messages that kept me sane and informed. It was like I had a second doula!
Maggie was also there for me after I gave birth, in the postpartum time, where I felt things were hardest.
Again, Maggie’s attention to check-ins were so helpful during the newborn phase and continue to be.
I would highly recommend working with Maggie for any mama that is looking for in-depth, industry leading knowledge and coaching during your preconception, pregnancy, and or postpartum journey!
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“Maggie was so knowledgeable and truly amazing when working with me!
She made me feel confident in the ability to heal and improve my level 3 prolapse.
She modified each exercise to my specific needs. I really appreciated the way she dived in and explained how the body and muscles work! It was so helpful to be able to learn exactly how my deep core and pelvic floor muscles coincide so I could better understand and visualize how to contract and strengthen each connective muscle.
I’ve learned so much about my body postpartum since working with Maggie and it’s really helped me to be cognizant of how I move and to grow in confidence for my body’s ability to heal after having two babies.
If you’re struggling with prolapse, pelvic floor weakness, or diastasis recti, I would highly recommend working with Maggie! As a side note as well...she has a background in personal training, so she also helped me fix my squat so that I could actually engage my glutes!!! Something I’ve always wanted to improve. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done to help me and my girl tribe. ”
“Working with Maggie during my high risk pregnancy was absolutely something I could not have gone without.
You can imagine the fear, doubt, and disconnection from my body that I was experiencing after a history of many miscarriages and complications.
Maggie provided me with invaluable support, breath/core work for foundational pelvic floor support (pre and postpartum), visualizations and guidance that enabled me to begin to connect to myself and my baby in a safe and much needed way.
Together we created a positive narrative for my body and ultimately my ideal labor/delivery so that I could meet my baby with love and presence rather than doubt or fear.
When the day came to deliver our little girl everything Maggie taught me came flooding in and made ALL THE DIFFERENCE in how I navigated the experience with my midwives and own body. I am so grateful to have had Maggie’s support and knowledge during my pregnancy and delivery experience, because she taught me that having an informed and empowered birth IS possible.
I would absolutely recommend that pregnant mamas seek Maggie out to safely guide them during their pregnancy.”
“Maggie was incredibly thoughtful, warm and helpful as I consulted with her about my concerns re: DR [diastasis recti] in pregnancy. I thought I was having some ab separation, but wasn’t sure if it was more than it should be, or if I should be doing anything to prevent it from getting worse.
Maggie did a few helpful exercises with me to determine how my posture was making my hip and ab pain worse, and how I could correct it.
As a mother herself she understood everything I was going through, and was able to advise me not only on the fitness side of things, but on labor and delivery.
I couldn’t recommend her more.”
“Maggie is passionate about helping women restore their pelvic health after pregnancy.
In a short amount of time, Maggie helped me regain my bladder control and reclaim a more pleasurable sex life.
Thank you Maggie!”
““Maggie is a wealth of information and so knowledgeable about postpartum corrective exercises! She’s a great listener and talks with empathy and from experience.
She was so generous in sharing with me her own experiences as well - I felt comforted and understood.
Birth is a miraculous, wonderful thing but it does leave our body in shambles - which is why Maggie’s work is so important!
She gave me exercises to do at home to not only correct my physical discomforts but to improve my mindset as well.
Can’t recommend her enough!””
“As a 42 year old mother of four children (ages ranging from 18 years to 5 months old), I thought I was destined to have a leaky bladder whenever I jogged, jumped, ran, or sneezed.
I could sometimes avoid the trickle if I slowed down my activity and made sure I emptied my bladder before jumping on a trampoline with my kids or chasing after them. But the sneezes...they were the worst!
Sneezes come without warning, and mine always come in three consecutive bursts.
A 45 minute video session with Maggie saved me worry and embarrassment, and also helped to increase my activity level.
As I explained my issues, Maggie listened with compassion and empathy. She assured me that she could help me strengthen my pelvic floor so that I wouldn’t have to worry when I felt a triple-sneeze coming on, or wouldn’t feel the pangs of mom-guilt for not being able to jump, run, and play with my kids.
For the past 18 years, I thought I had been doing my kegels correctly, but I was wrong. Maggie explained the muscular structure of my pelvic floor using language that painted a clear, visual picture for me as she described how I should engage those muscles. Once I had the picture in my head of how the muscles connected to the bones in the pelvic region, it was simple for me to understand how she wanted me to do the exercises that she recommended.
I really appreciate that she took into account my busy lifestyle and current activity level when she put the pelvic floor plan together with me, offering ways to get the exercises in while I went about my day. She even suggested substitutions for equipment that I didn’t have so I could start right away using what I already had.
I’ve been practicing her exercises for a few weeks, and have already seen a big difference. I don’t have to change my underwear when I sneeze anymore. I was able to jump on a trampoline with my 3-year-old and not worry that I would have leaky bladder. And, my husband has commented a few times how he’s liking the shape of my behind.
Thanks to Maggie, I can stop calling my lady bits “old and leaky”. ”
““My session with Maggie was awesome! I went into it with a couple questions and felt completely satisfied and motivated at the end of our session. She gave me some new ideas and tips and answered my questions about things I had been trying. Definitely worth the time and money!””
““My call with Maggie was incredibly insightful. She is very knowledgeable and her passion for helping others is evident when you talk to her. Maggie is a great listener and immediately makes you feel at ease and in a safe and supportive environment. I am looking forward to putting into practice the tips and recommendations she gave me. I would absolutely recommend working with her. “”
