A New Chapter for Materra Method—moving fully online (for now)
For Now
I’m giving myself permission to end every decision in motherhood with the words “for now.” I’m limiting my social commitments for now. I’m choosing rest over chores for now. I’m feeding her to sleep for now. I’m realizing that my needs and my family’s needs are constantly changing, and the most helpful thing I can do is make choices that fit this current moment.
Keep this in mind as you read this announcement, and if it resonates I hope you’ll use it too.
moving fully online
Here’s my big news: when our studio lease ends this fall, I’ll be shifting most of my work online through our app, with pop-up classes and in person events sprinkled in.
This decision comes from two places. First, I truly believe in the power of meeting women right where they are, in their homes, in the middle of the messy, beautiful, demanding season of motherhood.
The app makes it possible to move during nap time or sneak in 30 minutes before the house wakes up, without rearranging your day or finding childcare. Over the last year and a half I’ve added hundreds of new videos and expanded our library of programs, and I’m so proud of what we can now offer in both quality and accessibility.
It’s also a personal decision. This shift gives me the flexibility to care for myself and my family while still doing the work I love. Teaching and running the studio has been such an honor. It’s been worth every ounce of energy to have these treasured connections with you all. But this season is asking me to turn some of that energy back toward my own family. Shifting online lets me do that while continuing to support moms through the app with even more intention and consistency.
how i came to my DECISION
Arriving at this decision wasn’t easy. With our lease ending at the end of October, I started thinking about what the future of Materra could look like and what I wanted my future to look like.
I found myself wondering: Why can’t I seem to balance this (baby, toddler, job, relationships, self-care etc.) when it looks like so many other women are doing it? What am I missing? What is wrong with me?
Through this process, I’ve realized there isn’t anything wrong with me at all. What I needed was to stop comparing and instead ask: What’s doable for me? What’s true for my family? What aligns with my values right now?
For some, this load might feel completely doable or even energizing. I made the choice to stop wishing I was that person and be honest about how I was really feeling. And the truth was, running the studio is not working for me, for now.
I felt like I was getting Cs in all the areas of my life, when what I really wanted was to get As in a few specific areas that were important to me.
Closing the physical space doesn’t mean I’m stepping away from this work. In fact, it’s the opposite. It means I’m choosing to honor my limits so I can continue showing up for years to come. For now, that looks like pouring my time and energy into the app by improving the experience, expanding programs, and connecting with our members in ways that fit this season of life.
It’s also deeply personal. Moving online allows me to bring my work into better alignment with my life right now. I’ve loved giving my time and energy to moms through the studio. It’s been an incredible honor. But this season is asking me to redirect some of that time and energy toward my own family. By shifting online, I can do that while continuing to show up for our moms in a meaningful way.
What’s ahead for materra?
Here’s what you can look forward to in this new chapter:
The App – Our community continues on the app. Expect new classes, programs, and opportunities to connect with with me in real time. In the last year we’ve released a Pregnancy Prep Program, Pregnancy Program, Fourth Trimester Program and I’m now filming brand new Postpartum Programs that will be released early next year.
Pop-Ups – Just because the studio is closing doesn’t mean we won’t move together in person. Look out for special pop-up classes and events. We already have a monthly Baby Friendly class pop-up at New Mom School starting in November, and I’m planning to pop up in other places around St. Louis as well.
Final Classes – Check our calendar for the classes we have left in September and October. I’ll be teaching our final studio class on Saturday, October 26th, and I would love to see you!
For now, I won’t be taking private sessions, but I will be offering office hour slots for app members on Fridays (starting 9/26). You’ll be able to sign up for a 15-minute free session anytime you need it or DM me whenever you want for advice, questions, workout recs, or just to say hi.
gratitude
Owning this studio has been one of the greatest joys of my life and truly a dream come true. It’s given me more than a job. It’s given me a front row seat to the challenges and joys of motherhood.
I’ve kept your exciting secret when a baby was on the way.
I’ve given you a little extra hands-on love when 1st tri nausea hit in the middle of class.
I’ve helped you pass those expectant days before birth with a class and a long chat afterward.
I’ve sat beside you through tears as you feel your body come back to life postpartum.
I’ve held your 3-month-old while you did glute bridges.
I’ve laughed with you mid squat about the hilarious thing your toddler said.
I’ve even taught a class the day before your oldest went off to college.
You’ve taught me that motherhood comes in phases and each phase asks something new of us. This is my phase of simplifying, finding more flexibility in my work, and choosing to spend more time with my young family.
Thank you for showing up, for trusting us, and for making this community what it is.
Thank you to the women who made the studio possible for the last three years. To Becca, Stacey, Maggie, Colleen and Rima—I am so grateful.
Thank you to my family, and especially Andrew, whose support makes it possible gives me the privilege of even making this decision.
I don’t know exactly what’s next, but I do know this work is at the heart of who I am. Supporting women through motherhood is what I’m meant to do, and I’m not letting that go. I’m just making it fit into my life for now.
This isn’t the end. It’s a transition. A chance for us to grow in a new direction.
Because Materra Method (and I) aren’t going anywhere. We’re just evolving.