We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Courtney Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Courtney thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

A defining moment in my professional career was the realization of just how significant the gap in support is for women during pregnancy and postpartum.

Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the resilience and strength of my single mother as she battled breast and ovarian cancers. Watching her navigate such a profound health challenge showed me the critical role that comprehensive support systems play in empowering women through life’s most vulnerable moments. It planted the seed for my passion for women’s health and well-being, but I didn’t yet know how that would take shape in my career.

As I pursued my education, earning double master’s degrees in Nutritional Sciences and Exercise Physiology, I became even more aware of how deeply nutrition and movement impact every stage of maternal health. Becoming a Registered Dietitian reinforced my commitment to evidence-based care, and I expanded my expertise further by obtaining certifications as a Prenatal & Postnatal Exercise Specialist and Lactation Counselor. Through my clinical and practical experience, I witnessed firsthand that despite the research on maternal nutrition and movement, most women were still left to navigate pregnancy and postpartum with only the bare minimum of medical care.

Nutrition, movement, mental health, and overall well-being were treated as afterthoughts rather than essential components of maternal health. This realization was the moment everything shifted for me. I knew I couldn’t simply follow the conventional path. I needed to create something that truly addressed this gap.

That’s what led me to found Maternally Nourished. It wasn’t just about offering nutrition plans. It was about creating a space where moms feel fully supported, seen, and empowered. This defining moment taught me that when you see a need, when something doesn’t sit right, you don’t wait for someone else to fix it. You step up and build the solution yourself.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Maternally Nourished was born out of a deep passion for supporting moms during one of the most transformative (and overwhelming) seasons of life. Pregnancy and postpartum are filled with excitement, but they also come with countless questions, challenges, and a need for real, practical support. Too often, women are left to navigate this journey alone, without the guidance and resources they deserve.

I created Maternally Nourished to change that. I wanted to build a space where moms feel truly nourished—physically, mentally, and emotionally—through nutrition, movement, and holistic wellness practices. My mission is to make these foundational elements of well-being both accessible and achievable, helping moms and moms-to-be feel confident, energized, and supported at every stage.

Through the Nourished Motherhood Programs, I provide expert-led support tailored to each unique phase:
1. Preconception/Trying to Conceive – Optimizing health for fertility and a strong foundation for pregnancy
2. Pregnancy – Providing essential nutrition and movement guidance to support both mom and baby
3. Early Postpartum (First Few Months) – Helping moms recover, rebuild strength, and nourish themselves while adjusting to newborn life
4. Later Postpartum (3+ Months to Years) – Supporting long-term well-being, energy, and sustainable health as motherhood evolves

Each program removes the guesswork by offering structured plans, science-backed strategies, and personalized guidance designed for real-life application. My goal is to help every mom feel empowered—not just for herself, but for her family and community as well. When moms are nourished and supported, families and communities thrive.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Like many people, I grew up with the societal expectation that motherhood was something women just figured out. The common narrative says that struggling with exhaustion, uncertainty, and the mental and physical toll of pregnancy and postpartum is simply part of the experience, and that moms are meant to quietly push through on their own. I didn’t question it at first because it was so ingrained in how we talk about motherhood.

Through my education, professional experience, and working closely with moms, I came to see how flawed this mindset is. The reality is that thriving in motherhood isn’t about pushing through in isolation. It’s about having access to the right support, knowledge, and resources. No mom should have to navigate pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or the lifelong journey of motherhood alone.

This realization is what led me to create Maternally Nourished. I wanted to challenge the idea that moms should just “figure it out” and instead offer expert-led, practical guidance tailored to each stage.

Unlearning this belief didn’t just shift the way I approach my work, it deepened my mission: to ensure every mom feels empowered, nourished, and fully supported, rather than expected to “power through” on her own.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Beyond training and knowledge, empathy, compassion, and understanding are the most important qualities for success in the maternal health field.

Empathy means listening (like REALLY listening) to what moms are experiencing and meeting them where they are. Motherhood isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Every woman’s journey through preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum is different, and a rigid, textbook approach often falls short. I always remind my clients, “YOU are the expert of your body.” There’s so much to learn from each mom’s unique journey, and I approach my work not just as a provider, but as someone who values their lived experience as much as the research.

Compassion is about recognizing the emotional and mental load that comes with preconception/fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. It’s not just about telling someone what to eat or how to move, it’s about supporting them in a way that makes their life easier, not more overwhelming. I prioritize strategies that are realistic, sustainable, and adaptable to each mom’s unique circumstances because advice is only valuable if it’s actually doable in real life.

Lastly, understanding builds trust. Moms need to feel supported, not judged. Creating a space where they feel safe asking questions, expressing struggles, and receiving guidance that meets them where they are is what makes my work with Maternally Nourished so impactful.

At the end of the day, success in this field isn’t just about what you know. It’s about how you apply that knowledge with care and intention to truly support and empower the people you serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maternallynourished.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maternallynourished/#