I went back to work as a personal trainer 5 weeks after giving birth. We needed the money, and I pushed past my pain.

I was 24 and a personal trainer when I had my first child, yet I felt overwhelmed and underprepared for the brutal challenges of postpartum recovery.

After giving birth, I felt floored by pain and exhaustion. No one had warned me how relentless the postpartum experience could be, leading to feelings of isolation.

The reality of motherhood hit hard; I needed to toughen up despite the overwhelming pressure and physical pain, managing both my child and my career.

Returning to work just weeks after childbirth, I dealt with intense physical pain while struggling to adjust to the new demands of being a mother.

Read at Business Insider