As I reflect on my 91 years of life, I can tell you with certainty that motherhood, like all great endeavors, requires courage, resilience, and an unshakable belief in your ability to rise above any challenge. I’ve lived through some of the darkest moments in human history, and from ages 7 to 11 in a Nazi holding camp, I never knew if I would live to see the next day, let alone go on to have a family and a full life. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we are far more capable than we give ourselves credit for.

When Ashley Hawk approached me to write the foreword for How Healthy Happens for New Moms, I immediately recognized the importance of this work. This book is a lifeline for mothers, offering the tools they need to navigate the often-overwhelming experience of motherhood while holding onto their own sense of identity. With guts, grit, and gusto — courage, determination, and gratitude — you can face motherhood, and all of life, with confidence and grace.

I earned my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and much of my career has been devoted to helping others overcome trauma and reclaim their sense of self. But I knew that achieving this required an equal partnership in my marriage, along with the willingness to lean on others for support. By working together, I was able to pursue my dreams and give the Erica who didn’t know if she would live to see the next day the chance to pursue her dreams.

In a generation of mothers who are having their attention pulled in a million directions and held to unrealistic expectations, Ashley does something to try and shake this mold — she reminds new moms that their health, both mental and physical, is not a luxury, but a necessity. She gives them permission to put themselves first, not out of selfishness, but out of self-preservation. When you’re in the thick of those early months of motherhood, it can be easy to lose yourself, to feel isolated, and to think that putting yourself second is just part of the deal. But Ashley’s message is clear: you matter, too.

This book is a call to action, reminding all mothers that they deserve more than just survival — they deserve to thrive. Ashley guides you, with compassion and expertise, through the essential steps to ensure your health doesn’t fall by the wayside as you care for your newborn. Beyond that, it encourages you to reconnect with — or even discover for the first time — your personal calling and purpose, reminding you that motherhood can be a powerful springboard for pursuing your dreams.

As I often say, “Don’t tell me I can’t do it,” and that’s the spirit I hope you take with you as you read this book. Motherhood is a journey, and while it comes with challenges, it is also an opportunity for incredible personal growth. With the guidance you’ll find here, you’ll be equipped not just to navigate motherhood but to emerge stronger, healthier, and with a deeper sense of purpose than ever before.