We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Andrea S. Knox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Andrea below.

Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

One of my first jobs as a psychotherapist was Grief Counselor at a hospice organization. I worked with patients who had less than a year to live as well as individuals and families who were grieving after a loss. I expected most of the hospice patients to be elderly, but this was not so. There were dying patients of every age- from children through all stages of adulthood. The preciousness of life was made clear to me in this work. I got to hear about the fears, regrets, and struggles involved in grief and end of life. All of this cemented for me that the only time guaranteed to us is now, and not to wait if there is a dream you want to fulfill, a change you want to make, or way you truly desire to live your life. I’ve used this as a guidepost to have flexibility in my career path and to prioritize important projects, like writing a book.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m an author and educator for new parents who was inspired to lift up families in the transition to parenthood after my own struggle to navigate becoming a first-time mom. I believe if women are equipped with quality information, transparency, and tools for motherhood it will significantly improve the transition to parenthood, including mental health outcomes. It is now my mission to radically transform how women are prepared for becoming mothers. This is why I wrote You’ll Bounce Right Back: The Motherhood Myths That Fail Us and the Tools We Need Instead, a book that equips new moms with knowledge and offers a path to discovering motherhood that is authentic, empowered, informed, and supportive of a mother’s needs and values.

I love sharing about my book and speaking with groups of moms or perinatal providers (such as OBGYNs, nurses, or psychotherapists) about motherhood. I dig deep into the data behind modern motherhood and offer tangible tools to support a more thriving and informed experience of parenthood. Facilitating these honest conversations reduces shame and creates space for bringing in resources, support, and new ways of coping. If I can help women feel validated and empowered in their experience of motherhood, I know this will have a big impact.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

If you asked someone who knows me well, they would probably laugh at this question because there have been many pivots. Most notably, my role as author and educator was a shift from providing psychotherapy as a Marriage and Family Therapist. Before that, I pivoted from a career in HR to become a therapist. And there were other pivots in between. While I was dedicated to each of these roles, there was a point where I felt called to make a change. Especially since becoming a parent, I am always seeking to balance my personal, professional, and family needs. I’m still continuing to dial it in. There have been times when I worried about how this looks on a resume, but I am learning to embrace it. No one is going to just hand me the life I want. I need to pursue it and shape it.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Yes, to all of it. I was able to channel so many of my previous experiences into my book and my work as an educator. Even if it may not be apparent right away, I believe there are rich ways that our past can inform our current roles and interests. We each have a unique story and way that we arrived to where we are, and sometimes even a curvy path can get us right where we need to go.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andreasknox.com
• Instagram: @andrea.sumara.knox
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/andreasknox

Image Credits

Victoria Pearce, Devon DuBois