Natalie Telyatnikov - Going Beyond Movement

Natalie Telyatnikov is the founder and creator behind Better Postpartum. This 8-week holistic wellness program features interviews with homebirth midwives, doulas, lactation consultants, nutritionists, postpartum support specialists, baby sleep consultants, and more, who all have one goal in mind: to tell you how YOU can improve your postpartum experience. As a highly creative, dynamic and social individual Natalie found that not going beyond her role at home left her feeling unfulfilled. This motivated her to build her business and help other moms alleviate any struggles of early motherhood. Natalie shares with us how “community gives her’ immunity,’ from feeling isolated and depressed.” And we agree, community is everything!

What makes you a Beyond Mom?

I love being a “Beyond Mom,” because if I’m being honest, the time I spent not going ‘Beyond’ my role in the home, left me feeling depressed. I am a highly creative, dynamic and social individual, so that period of time left me feeling a bit empty. I think this happens to a lot of us–becoming a mother–and enjoying it, but simultaneously missing other parts of ourselves that we once cherished. That’s actually one part of the reason I was so moved to create the comprehensive holistic postpartum wellness program that is Better Postpartum, because I wanted to help other moms avoid or alleviate any of the feelings of struggle that so naturally bubble up in early motherhood.

What are the parts of you that have grown and expanded since becoming a Mom?

Becoming a mom was my sole inspiration for moving into a service-based business, and for creating Better Postpartum. It made me want to become an entrepreneur. It gave me a new sense of purpose. It made me realize how few resources currently exist to support women through and educate women about their postpartum lives. We have these basic, primal needs as postpartum mothers, to learn how to breastfeed our babies, get our babies to sleep, and to better manage our own physical recovery post-birth. The postpartum time can be this incredible opportunity for us to slow down enough to pay attention to our health, and try to listen to what our mind, heart, body and soul are trying to tell us. Motherhood gave me this realization, so it has grown me by leaps and bounds.

Can you share a collaboration/success story with another woman; what helped the collaboration become successful?

Cynthia Overgard, the Owner and Founder of HypnoBirthing of CT and of Life After Birth CT, is an incredibly well-esteemed birth professional whom I have had the pleasure of working with. Together, we have been able to bring postpartum support to hundreds of women in our area. Life After Birth CT is one of the few postpartum support groups that exist in our area that really cater to the true emotional needs of new mothers. Our mothers come to class with their babies in tow, and form lasting friendships there. It’s a beautiful village we’ve created, of community and support. She and I co-moderate that support group together, and in doing so, we have seen so many women blossom into their role as mother, once they finally feel better supported in their delicate transition into early motherhood. It is such rewarding work.

What relationships help you stay connected to yourself?

I am a very social being, so the relationships that keep me feeling most connected to my true self are varied. I need a whole cast of people in my daily life to feel good. I am one of those moms who needs to talk to other moms in our support group, and then hug the other moms at preschool pick up, and then have a friendly chat with the coffee shop barista, the mailman, and the grocery store clerk. That is just who I am, and it keeps me feeling alive! ‘Community’ gives me ‘immunity,’ from feeling isolated and depressed. I stay connected to myself by staying connected to the collective.

Do you have a ‘Beyond’ dream that you are pursuing?

I am so at the ‘tip of the iceberg,’ when it comes to my ‘Beyond’ dreams for Better Postpartum. Every morning, I literally wake up excited, with creative thoughts spilling from my brain and onto paper. I have notes in messy handwriting strewn about every surface in my house. I have written books about this stuff in my sleep, hosted trainings, spoken on panels and rehearsed what I would say on my future interviews with Oprah, and on the news, (should those parties ever be interested). My imagination works at the speed of light. Reality just needs to catch up with me.

What wellness activity can you not live without? What is one thing you do daily that balances you?

As a busy mom to a 4-year-old and 9-month-old, my wellness routine is all about achieving health and wellness through what I put into my body. Diet and supplements are everything to me. I am gluten free, dairy free, sometimes vegan, and refined sugar free. That’s what keeps me routinely feeling on top of my game. I start every morning with a cup of warm water with lemon, followed by celery juice, a berry and kale smoothie, and whatever breakfast I’m eating cooked in coconut oil. I am a big fan of immune system support supplements! Being strict with the foods I eat is how I take care of myself.

How does style influence the way you stay feeling ‘Beyond’? Who is currently your favorite designer?

Funny you should ask this. Thank god for LeTote and Stitch Fix… That’s all I can say. Because without them, I wouldn’t have any style or fashion. Anybody who knows me, knows this. And now, you do too {how embarrassing!}!