★★★★★
“I was drowning in dirty diapers, anxiety, and low-grade depression when I met Joanna. I soon realized in those early weeks with my newborn at home, covered in spit up and delirious from sleep deprivation, that my pre-baby identity was gone. Then I met Joanna, who with gentle hand-holding and patience, helped me find myself again. Except this time, she introduced me to the newer, more resilient version — Dana as a Mother. Joanna was my guide as I navigated those dark, murky, terrifying waters of new motherhood. When leaving the home with my newborn to get a coffee felt more daunting than signing up for an Iron Man, Joanna helped me gain the confidence I needed to pack a diaper bag, baby wear, use a carseat and stroller, and ultimately, re-enter society as a self-assured mother with a baby. Joanna was my confidante when I needed to vent about my husband and the disastrous state of my home, she was my mentor when she pushed me to bathe my baby even though it felt scary, she was my teacher when she shared resources on establishing boundaries and coping with criticism, and she was my cheerleader when she encouraged me to sign up for my first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournament postpartum. When I think back to those first few weeks after leaving the hospital — those terrifying weeks of beauty, pain, growth, and love–I’m grateful I had Joanna as my life raft. She pulled me out of those dark waters when I felt like slipping under and helped me find my footing on dry, sunny land.”.