The Mum Rewrite: Building Strength, Confidence, and Health After 35

NATIONWIDE - DECEMBER 2025 - (USAnews.com) For many mums over 35, the mirror can feel like an enemy. Years of juggling motherhood, work, and the emotional load of family life can leave little room for personal care, and the body begins to change in ways that feel out of control. This was the reality for Rachel Dorchay, founder of LeanStrongMum, a coaching programme dedicated to helping mums navigate this journey with strength, confidence, and compassion.

Rachel's story isn't just about fitness, it's about reclaiming what was lost in the daily grind and reimagining the way mums can experience their bodies after 35. It’s about transformation, not just prevention. And most importantly, it’s about showing every mum that it’s never too late to feel good again.

A Mission Born from Personal Struggles

Rachel Dorchay knows what it feels like to lose yourself, physically and emotionally. As a teenager, she struggled with an unhealthy relationship with food, and later watched her own mother battle preventable health issues. Those formative experiences ignited a fire in Rachel to change the narrative for the next generation of mums.

Having become a certified fitness and health coach, Rachel’s mission with LeanStrongMum is clear: to help women over 35 lose stubborn belly fat, rebuild their strength, and feel confident in their bodies, without the extremes of dieting or hours in the gym.

“I know what it’s like to look at your mum and think, ‘I don’t want to end up like that,’” Rachel shares. “Watching my mum struggle with her health made me realize: I never wanted to end up the same way. And neither do the mums I work with.”

Rachel's experience has given her a unique perspective on the challenges mums face. She blends expert knowledge with empathy and lived experience, creating a coaching programme that feels personal, realistic, and grounded in real life.

The Sustainable Strength System: A New Way Forward

Unlike many fitness programmes that rely on extreme diets, calorie tracking, and long workouts, LeanStrongMum is designed specifically for busy mums 35+ who simply don’t have time for the usual, unsustainable routines. This is where the Sustainable Strength System (SSS) comes in.

The 12-week SSS blends strength training, hormone-friendly nutrition, and compassionate accountability. The programme is structured around 20-minute strength-based workouts that can fit into the busiest of schedules. The key is simplicity over overwhelm. Rachel understands that, for most mums, getting back into a routine isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about consistency and support.

“I teach my clients how to create habits that fit into their real lives. No extreme diets, no hours at the gym. Just practical, sustainable results,” says Rachel.

Her approach to nutrition is similarly practical. There are no calorie-counting, no restrictive meal plans, just simple, hormone-friendly guidelines that allow women to nourish their bodies without feeling deprived or overwhelmed.

What Sets LeanStrongMum Apart?

LeanStrongMum stands out because Rachel's approach is deeply personal and rooted in empathy. She speaks from lived experience, having seen her own mum struggle, and having navigated her own health challenges. This perspective makes her coaching not just another fitness programme, but a lifeline for women who feel like they’re fighting an uphill battle against their own bodies.

“Most mums think they’re the problem. They’re not. The plans they’ve been given were never designed for their bodies or their lives,” Rachel says. She believes that too often, the fitness industry ignores the hormonal, metabolic, and emotional changes women go through after 35. Rachel’s programme, on the other hand, is built specifically to address these shifts.

Clients trust her because they know Rachel "gets it." They don’t just get a plan, they get a coach who understands the physical, emotional, and logistical demands of motherhood. It’s this genuine connection, along with the practical approach, that has made LeanStrongMum a trusted brand for real women looking for real change.

Overcoming the Common Struggles of Mums 35+

The reality for many women over 35 is that their bodies are changing in ways they didn’t expect. Hormones shift, metabolism slows down, and energy can feel like a scarce resource. Mums often feel like they’re failing because they can’t keep up with the fitness trends that promise fast results.

Rachel’s programme acknowledges these changes and works with them, not against them. For instance, many of her clients experience increased energy and reduced stress just by following a workout regimen that doesn't overtax their body. The hormone-friendly approach to nutrition helps regulate the emotional and physical fluctuations that come with this life stage, allowing women to focus on results without the restriction and guilt that often accompanies dieting.

Rachel's philosophy is rooted in a message of hope. “It’s never too late to feel good again. Most mums think they’re broken or that they’re the problem, but they’re not. The plans they’ve been given just don’t fit their needs.”

Are you ready to start your journey toward sustainable health and strength? Visit LeanStrongMum to learn more about how Rachel’s coaching programme can help you reclaim your energy, rebuild your strength, and finally feel confident in your body, without dieting or long gym sessions. Follow Rachel on Instagram at @mumbellycoach for daily inspiration and tips to help you start today.

LeanStrongMum is more than just a fitness programme, it’s a movement. Rachel Dorchay’s personal experience, expertise, and compassionate approach offer a fresh solution for mums over 35 looking to take charge of their health and well-being. With the Sustainable Strength System, it’s not about perfection; it’s about lasting change that fits into the realities of mum life.

Through simple, effective strength training, realistic nutrition, and ongoing support, Rachel is helping mums feel good in their bodies again, without the confusion or pressure of traditional fitness approaches. If you're ready to make a change that lasts, LeanStrongMum is here to guide you every step of the way.