6 min readAs the journey into motherhood approaches, fitness personality and founder of KA Daily, Katie Austin, reflects on how pregnancy has reshaped her understanding of strength, success, and body image. As she and her husband, Lane Armstrong, prepare for their first child, the couple has begun navigating this new chapter of their lives together.
The couple has contemplated starting a family for some time, but the unexpected news still took them by surprise. “We had just returned from a vacation in Mexico, where we were enjoying some margaritas,” Austin recalls. On New Year’s Day, she woke up with an undeniable feeling of intuition. “I turned to Lane and said, ‘Happy New Year! I’m pregnant,’” she said, even before taking a test. “It was such an overwhelming sensation that I knew something had changed in my body.”
After taking a pregnancy test for confirmation, the reality still felt surreal for Austin. “It was almost like an out-of-body experience,” she shares. For two to three weeks, they chose to keep the news private, further amplifying the surreal nature of their journey ahead. While they know the sex of their baby, they have opted to keep that detail to themselves for now.
Preparing for Parenthood
Starting a family was a well-considered decision for the couple. Austin emphasizes that they took time after their wedding to settle into their lives together. “Lane was eager to start a family right away, but I felt it was important to take a year for us to get organized,” she mentions. “We made the decision to prioritize our relationship and personal health first.”
With a focus on health, they underwent fertility and genetic testing to ensure that they were ready. While this preparation offered peace of mind, it also intensified the significance of becoming parents. “I thought about starting a family daily since our wedding, and at times it felt overwhelming,” Austin admits.
However, once pregnancy was confirmed, Austin experienced a sense of relief. “It felt amazing; this was something we had considered for a long time,” she explains.
Navigating Physical Changes
Austin’s illustrious career revolves around empowering individuals to appreciate their bodies’ abilities through fitness. Yet, her own pregnancy journey has reshaped her perspective. “I feel a deeper respect for my body and what it can achieve,” she confesses. However, the changes have also brought complexities. In a world focused on athleticism and physical appearance, women are often expected to maintain a certain standard, making it challenging to adapt to a body that’s evolving in unexpected ways.
During her early pregnancy, Austin faced varying opinions on what pregnancy should look like—an experience she found unexpected. “Everyone seems to have advice or a prediction. Some say I won’t show until week 14 or even week 17. But every body’s journey is unique,” she emphasizes. “Being aware of your own body is crucial.”
Pregnancy also presented rapid changes that surprised Austin. “The speed at which my body changes is astonishing,” she notes, admitting that she dealt with mixed feelings of empowerment and discomfort throughout the journey. “These simultaneous emotions are normal.”
The first trimester particularly challenged her with intense fatigue and nausea. “The exhaustion was overwhelming, making me feel like a different person,” she admits. Yet she finds empowerment when contemplating the baby’s development. “The milestones, like the baby’s hearing and taste buds forming, are the most exhilarating aspects,” she shares.
Embracing the Unknown
Austin’s journey reveals that pregnancy is an exercise in flexibility, requiring her to adapt her expectations. “I thrive on structure,” she says, “but I’ve had to let go of control.” The change in her priorities was surprising. “Where I once stressed over social media posts and stats, those concerns have faded,” she admits.
This shift in mindset also redefined her concept of strength. Previously, she associated strength with pushing physical limits, but pregnancy has fostered a gentler interpretation. “Strength now means just showing up and trying my best,” she states.
Lessons from Home
Austin attributes her resilience to the strong support network around her, particularly her husband. “He’s been my rock as I navigate this pregnancy,” she jokes. As she prepares for parenthood, the influence of her parents—fitness icon Denise Austin and sports agent Jeff Austin—plays a vital role in guiding her thoughts on parenting. “My parents embodied a strong work ethic while always prioritizing family,” she reflects.
Austin recalls how her parents made sacrifices for her and her sister, such as her mother stepping back from her television career when family commitments grew. “Those moments have shaped how I view motherhood and the kind of parent I want to be,” she expresses. “I’m actively considering what I’m willing to give up to be the best mother I can be.”
Surprising her parents with the pregnancy news was a memorable moment. She presented them with a “first grandchild” onesie during a belated Christmas gift exchange, prompting shock and joy from both parents. “They expected I wouldn’t be ready for another couple of years,” she adds with a smile.
Her mom is already gearing up for her new role as a grandmother, having selected the nickname “Dede.”
Anticipating the Future
As Austin looks forward to becoming a parent, she envisions those early moments with her child, feeling a swell of emotion. “Thank you for making me a mom,” she expresses, nearly in tears. “I am so grateful you are coming into my life.”
Her hope is for her child to always feel the profound love enveloping them within their family. “I want them to feel that they have parents devoted to each other,” she says. “It’s something truly special.”
Reflecting on the path that brought her here—her career, her marriage, and the preparations for motherhood—Austin expresses her optimism. “I genuinely believe this baby is arriving at the perfect moment in my life,” she concludes, filled with excitement about her new role as a mother.
Jacqueline Andriakos, CPT, is the executive health and fitness director at Women’s Health, where she oversees all health and fitness content across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has more than a decade of experience covering the wellness space and has edited ASME-nominated health features, spearheaded brand packages such as Fitness Awards, and represented the brand on the TODAY show, podcasts, and more. Before Women’s Health, Jacqueline was the deputy health features editor at Self.com, and previously worked as the senior editor at Health magazine. As a writer-reporter, she has contributed to print and online publications including TIME, Real Simple, and People, among others. A dancer throughout her youth, Jacqueline went on to study journalism at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and stoked her passion for health and fitness during her college years, ultimately inspiring her to make women’s health content the focus of her media career. She is constantly researching the latest health and wellness trends, trying a buzzy new workout class, hiking and snowboarding, or browsing athleisure. Her friends would describe her as the confidant to turn to for fitness and wellness advice, not to mention answers to any weird body questions. Jacqueline is also a former group exercise instructor and is a certified personal trainer via the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
