“IVF is your only option” were words I never thought I’d hear. And when I did, I knew life was about to get flipped upside down—again. After more than two years of trying to have a baby with no luck, this wasn’t something I was even remotely prepared for, especially after my husband and I had just battled to keep our gym afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before hearing that I would have to go through IVF, I was prepared for my body to change with pregnancy. In fact, I was even looking forward to it, knowing the end result would bring my beautiful baby into the world. But not knowing what to expect from all the hormone injections and medications, how long it would take, or if it would even work, and how my body would look and feel because of it all terrified me.
A Question of Time
The truth is, IVF comes with more unknowns than answers. You can’t predict how your body will respond to the hormones, how many eggs will mature, or whether a transfer will ever lead to pregnancy. This lack of control can cause a lot of anxiety and make it very difficult to keep a positive mindset. But I also knew that if I wanted IVF to be successful I would have to work hard at maintaining a positive perspective.
“IVF taught me to appreciate my body not for how it looked but for the incredible ways it showed up for me when I needed it most.”
Rather than seeing the process of IVF as a burden, I chose to see it as a gift. I was grateful to have the option and be in a financial position to keep working toward my dream of becoming a mom. I decided to focus on everything I could control rather than what I couldn’t, all the while giving myself and my body grace and compassion every step of the way.
Each day, I reminded myself: I am lucky to even get this chance. Not everyone has access to fertility treatments, and I didn’t want to lose sight of that privilege. Gratitude didn’t erase the fear, but it reframed it. Instead of viewing my body as broken, I began to see it as capable, resilient, and worthy of love, even in this hard season.
The Difficult Truth
IVF can feel like an endless cycle of draining appointments, needles, tests, and waiting. And if you look too far ahead, the weight of it all can crush you. So, I learned to live one day at a time. Some days, that meant celebrating the smallest victories, like giving myself an injection without crying, or hearing that my hormone levels were exactly where they needed to be. Other days, it meant simply surviving the emotional roller coaster and reminding myself that tomorrow was a fresh start. Living day by day grounded me through the hard moments. Instead of drowning in “what ifs,” I asked myself, “What does my body need right now? How can I love and support it today?” That mindset shift carried me through.
And while so much of the IVF journey was out of my hands, I did find peace in controlling what I could. I hired a dietitian so I could nourish my body with confidence rather than confusion and to learn how to use nutrition in a way that would help my body run optimally. Having a plan gave me clarity and reassurance that I was supporting myself in the best way possible.
With husband Jesse by her side, Sara’s IVF journey taught her that true strength can get you through the toughest of times—and it also gave them Myer, their pride and joy.
As a former CrossFitter and current gym owner, exercise has always been my outlet. But I knew that the intensity I once thrived on wasn’t what my body needed during IVF. I scaled back my training, replacing grueling workouts with strength sessions, walking, and yoga. Moving my body still kept me grounded, but in a way that was supportive rather than depleting. On the days the hormones left me feeling unmotivated and tired, I reminded myself that my body thrives on routine and that I feel so much better after moving it. Through these choices, I felt empowered. When so much felt uncertain, I could look at these decisions and say, “I am doing everything I can.” That sense of control became a lifeline.
Embracing the Evolution
In my experience, the hardest part of IVF isn’t the injections or the appointments; it’s learning to love your body through the changes. I did gain weight. I was bloated and puffy. The bruises from needles, the weight fluctuations, and the water retention—it can all make you feel like a stranger in your own skin. I had moments when I barely recognized myself in the mirror.
But instead of criticizing my reflection, I leaned into compassion. I looked at those bruises and told myself that this was my body fighting for my dream. I reminded myself that my worth was not tied to my appearance, and that this season was temporary. More importantly, I celebrated what my body was doing, which was responding to medication, producing eggs, and healing from procedures. IVF taught me to appreciate my body not for how it looked but for the incredible ways it showed up for me when I needed it most.
Of course, there were still moments of doubt when I questioned if it was all worth it, or when fear threatened to take over. But again and again, I returned to the practices that kept me grounded: gratitude instead of fear, presence instead of worry, control over what I could change, and compassion instead of criticism.
A Bright Future
Looking back now, I don’t see only the sterile clinics and endless meetings with doctors. I see a version of myself who rose to the challenge. A woman who chose gratitude when fear was easier. A woman who loved her body even when it was changing in ways she didn’t expect. A woman who took it one day at a time and leaned into what she could control.
The change in mindset eventually led me to truly believe, day after day, that the outcome of my journey would be a positive one. And miraculously enough, it was. My first round of IVF worked, and I’m now mom to an amazing little boy who is my absolute greatest gift.
IVF may not have been the path I imagined, but it did teach me lessons I will carry forever—about resilience, self-love, and the power of mindset. My story isn’t just about IVF. It’s about realizing that even in the hardest seasons of our lives, our bodies are worthy of love, capable of strength, and deserving of compassion, no matter the challenge.
Mind Over Matter
These powerful practices will help you feel strong, confident, and connected to yourself through every difficult season.
1. Focus on Today
Take it one day at a time. Celebrate small wins, like keeping a promise to yourself, or simply making it through a tough day.
2. Nourish with Intention
Work with a nutrition professional, or create a plan that feels right for you. Rather than restriction and punishment, listen to your body’s hunger cues and nourish yourself with whole, nutrient-dense foods.
3. Move with Compassion
Shift from fatiguing workouts to supportive movement that you enjoy. Exercise should energize, not deplete you!
4. Create a Routine and Stay Consistent
Even when it feels hard, stick with your routine. Movement will give you energy, lift your spirits, boost your confidence, and remind you of your strength.
5. Practice Gratitude and Celebrate Your Capabilities
Focus on everything your body can do. From healing to adapting to carrying you through challenges, your body is resilient and worthy of love.
6. Speak Kindly to Yourself
When you catch negative self-talk, pause and reframe it. Treat yourself the way you’d treat a loved one.
Photography by Paul Buceta
Hair & Makeup by Monica Kalra
