The Mother Load: Lifting the Weight of Motherhood

“Today I was reminded that moms are basically superheroes — performing miracles in a single hour. Between caring for families, juggling chaotic schedules, and running on fumes after another night of questionable sleep, they still showed up. They lifted heavy, laughed through the chaos, and then went home to do even more heavy lifting (emotionally and literally). The energy was unreal — equal parts grace, grit, and pure mom power.” - Melanie Ferreira

written by Marial Leisge

I walked into MF Training this morning a total hot mess, anxiety high after waking up at 1:50 a.m. with my son, and I even forgot to wear a bra. My energy was low, and my willpower even lower. But the moment I stepped inside and saw Melanie, all of that melted away. She greeted me exactly as I’d hoped she would — warm, laid-back, and effortlessly encouraging. Her kind of support doesn’t demand perfection; it meets you exactly where you are. Whatever I could give that day was enough, and somehow that reminder felt stronger than any workout.

As the other mothers arrived, the room filled with the sounds of everyday motherhood — the shuffle of carriers, the murmur of children settling in. One mom had her baby strapped close to her chest, another’s toddler counted reps by her side, and a few little ones flipped through books or tapped quietly on tablets. There was no judgment, just a collective understanding that this is what it looks like. The mess, the giggles, the occasional cries — it all felt perfectly normal.

“We’re starting off with a false reality here,”

Melanie laughed, as the class began surprisingly calm, with babies napping and young boys gently figuring each other out.

What struck me most wasn’t the weight we were lifting, but the invisible one that we all share — the heavy lifting of motherhood itself. As the workout picked up, there was this unspoken thread connecting every woman in the room. We were here for more than fitness; we were here for ourselves, for our sanity, for our children who get to see their mothers strong and present. That taking care of ourselves is part of taking care of them.

By noon, Melanie sent us off into the second half of our day with coffee and gel eye patches. And as we packed up, one mother turned to Melanie and said softly,

“My son did really well, right? He wasn’t a problem?” That question stuck with me. We are so conditioned to believe our children’s presence could possibly be a burden — but not here. In this space, they belong. They’re part of the process, our tiny accountability partners, counting our reps when our brains check out.

The Mother Load meets weekly, Thursdays from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm — small classes, big heart. If this feels like something you’re ready to commit to, grab a class pass and book out in advance. These sessions fill quickly, and trust me.

Melanie will even hold your baby for you. Whaaaaat?

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