“You’ve got this, Mama. Honour where you are at. Be proud of your journey so far. You are enough. You are strong. You are beautiful.”
That’s how Emily from Payne Therapies signs off - and once you hear her story, you’ll know she means every word.
I sat down with Emily to hear how her love for movement and recovery evolved into a powerful business supporting mums through the most transformative chapter of life: the postpartum period.
From Teen Athlete to Mum Supporting Mums
Emily’s Pilates journey started young - at just 13. “It became a constant in my life,” she says. That early passion led to a career in Myotherapy and movement, but everything changed when she became a mum herself.
“There just wasn’t enough out there for mums to move with their baby in tow,” she explains. So she built what she couldn’t find - a space where postpartum movement and motherhood could exist side by side. Where smelly nappies, feeds, and unsettled babies are welcomed, not judged.
At Payne Therapies, mums stretch, sweat, and reconnect with their bodies - all in a space designed just for them.
A Week in the Life: Chaos, Coffee and Kindness
Between her kids, clients, and studying for her Diploma of Pilates (which she started while pregnant), Emily’s days rarely look the same. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I’m living two dreams, not doing two jobs,” she laughs.
Still, even with a strong support network - her husband, family and her trusted teaching team - burnout happens. “Last November I hit what felt like rock bottom,” she shares. “A six-month-old, business stress, back to study, my toddler going through big changes… I felt pulled in every direction.”
It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s what so many mums feel but rarely voice. Emily’s learned that asking for help, setting boundaries, and making space for movement aren’t luxuries - they’re survival.
Postpartum Truths Worth Knowing
As a Myotherapist and Pilates teacher, Emily sees what postpartum recovery really looks like - physically and emotionally. Here are her top truths:
-
The 6-week check isn’t a green light for everything.
“So many mums think they can dive straight back into pre-baby routines. But your body needs time and care.” -
Listening to your body isn’t enough on its own.
“Yes, tune in - but also work with professionals like a pelvic health physio to understand what’s happening internally.” -
Small movements matter.
Only got 5 minutes? Try:- Stretch: Neck and pec stretches (hello, breastfeeding shoulders)
- Strength: Side-lying clams to reconnect with your hips
For Mums Who Feel Overwhelmed (So... All of Us)
Emily gets it - she’s lived it. That’s why her approach is grounded in reassurance and realness.
If you’re nervous about returning to movement, Emily suggests:
- Starting small with a simple home program
- Booking a private session for personalised support
- Surrounding yourself with people who truly see and understand you
“Mums need to know they’re not alone,” she says. “That first step back into movement isn’t about snapping back - it’s about reconnecting with who you are now.”
Her Go-To Tools? Bubka's on the List
When asked what helps her juggle it all, Emily doesn’t skip a beat.
“My Bubka Move saved me so many times - especially when I had to fill in for classes or travel to Melbourne. I couldn’t have breastfed for a full year without it.”
Want to move, pump and thrive - all at once? Emily swears by the Bubka Move wearable breast pump to keep her on the go.
Also on her essentials list: a colour-coded to-do list, her village of support, and a teaching team she trusts with her whole heart.
Community First, Always
After a decade in business, Emily’s why hasn’t changed - it’s people, not numbers, that keep her going.
“I’ve had clients tell me, ‘Emily, this space is my safe space. I couldn’t imagine my week without it.’ That means everything to me.”
At Payne Therapies, mums laugh, cry, hug and heal - together. While the focus might be postpartum care, the impact runs far deeper.
Final Words from Emily
To every mum reading this, Emily says:
“It’s okay to have ebbs and flows. Weeks where you’re thriving and weeks where you’re just surviving. Both are normal. What matters most is that you look after you in the process.”
Payne Therapies is a Pilates studio based in Mt Duneed, Victoria, Australia.
Want more? Don’t miss our Instagram post on all things pumping and Pilates with Payne Therapies.