Sofia and Leigh met strength training together and quickly bonded over their frustration with modern healthcare, especially healthcare for women. Hearing stories from clients whose pain was constantly dismissed, specifically being told to minimize exercise to walking during pregnancy and being pushed from doctor to doctor, they had simply had enough. Both Sofia and Leigh experienced this firsthand during their own fertility journeys, allowing them to bond in a unique way with their respective clientele. 

  As a doula that looks at each client individually and holistically, Sofia strives to help her birthing clients and their partners navigate the health system and make choices that are right for them. Our modern medical model puts doctors in charge, and in doing so, creates an inherent mistrust in the body’s ability to birth. Sofia believes in maintaining a deep connection to the mental, emotional & physiologic life-changing aspects of birth while leveraging the advances of medical technology. She wants to empower her clients to advocate for themselves, asking questions that help inform their choices, and not accepting the status quo; so often we are told to accept our circumstances when there are other avenues to explore. There is no right way to birth, but she believes we should be able to have the birth experience we deserve, no matter how it unfolds. 

 As Leigh began to work closely with pregnant women she recognized a common theme: they were scared to train. Rather than listen to their bodies, they listened to doctors who seemed to have an antiquated perspective on movement during pregnancy. When seeking answers to questions regarding movement during pregnancy, they became overwhelmed with the amount of conflicting information and found it difficult to make decisions that felt intuitive to their needs and goals. Leigh recognized the importance of instilling confidence in her clients via movement, coaching them on the proper technique and preparing them for labor and postpartum recovery during their prenatal training sessions. Leigh’s clients experienced firsthand the numerous benefits of resistance training during pregnancy and have universally has easier labors and recovered faster. Training with Leigh during pregnancy helped them feel grounded and in control of their body and experiences. Leigh has started with clients two weeks into their pregnancy and as late as seven months - there is no wrong time to tap into your power!

Recognizing that there is a gap in the birthing space, Sofia and Leigh, passionate about creating change in the wellness industry, came together to provide individualized support using their respective skillsets. Beyond the care and coaching they can offer, Sofia and Leigh seek to create a community that nurtures pregnant people to feel their best inside and out, during what is arguably one of the most important periods in a soon- to-be parent’s life. They feel strongly that movement and a 360 approach to birth prep is an essential part of the pre/post-natal period and thus The Birthing Club was born. 

The Birthing Club is first-of-its-kind, combining customized strength training with holistic doula care, as well as access to NYC's top professionals in the wellness space.