Meet Andrea S. Knox

We recently connected with Andrea S. Knox and have shared our conversation below.

Andrea S. , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

My purpose showed up unexpectedly when I became a mom. After my first child was born, I developed Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. This felt like the absolute “wrong” experience when it was supposed to be the happiest time of my life. Once I was able to acknowledge how I was feeling and get the support I needed to recover, I knew I wanted to help other moms in the transition to parenthood. To start, I got involved in a local nonprofit dedicated to improving postpartum mental health as a volunteer, educator, and board member. I immersed myself in training. I also made new moms and families the focus of my marriage and family therapy practice. As I reflected on a decade of this work, it sometimes felt reactive to the problem of maternal mental health. I knew I wanted to do something proactive and hopefully preventative. This led me to writing a book called You’ll Bounce Right Back: The Motherhood Myths That Fail Us and the Tools We Need Instead, and launching a mission to transform how women are prepared for and adjust to motherhood. My purpose crystallized: to talk about motherhood in a way that is real and authentic, and provide tools for becoming a mother instead of platitudes and myths.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I love sharing about my book and speaking with groups of moms or perinatal providers (such as OBGYNs, nurses, or psychotherapists) about motherhood. I dig deep into the data behind modern motherhood and offer tangible tools to support a more thriving and informed experience of parenthood. Facilitating these honest conversations reduces shame and creates space for bringing in resources, support, and new ways of coping. If I can help women feel validated and empowered in their version of motherhood, I know this will have a big impact. Please get in touch if you know of a group I can serve!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Self-awareness, support, and structure. I’m not sure I ever would have published a book without signing up for a writing program that kicked my butt with deadlines, offered me a community or fellow writers, and pushed me to engage people in my life in the process. I know this about myself: I love pursuing new interests, but sometimes I want to wander off before I get to the finish line. When I committed to meeting deadlines and delivering on a project I had told my friends, family, and colleagues about, it was hugely motivating. I could also rely on those people to cheer me on and have my back through the hard moments.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

Trusting that I have a story and information worth sharing. Because writing and launching a book (in which I share a lot of my own story) is one of the most bold and vulnerable things I’ve ever done, I often questioned, am I even capable of this? Is the work and vulnerability worth it? Who am I to write a book!? The voice of imposter syndrome was alluring because it made the case for not to taking risks and staying safe. What has helped is being real with myself and others that this is scary as hell, finding others to be inspired by, and engaging with people who will lift me up and say yes- you can do this.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.andreasknox.com
• Instagram: @andrea.sumara.knox
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/andreasknox
• Other: Amazon book link: https://www.amazon.com/Youll-Bounce-Right-Back-Motherhood/dp/B0D1GNLJX7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34D65D9H4N84T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.keXMxsCZQLWs1bfJngtpOwIvs4EnOWyRN-s3cy6yHDoePJpedDlLQzzQN-HyZ43_63BGOxJguWiNVx5itK1-g0eBu2Ga-LAqJfCsgXMeDM2qfjkPzy1n_kjZMtvP3c6z-g1X7XLaQuY0PbfrMmImIUroWpOP4RrE8wq4q7xq8txwsr5DNQSQ3nohUVtQjwhO3Mmcv3z-jtZ-Akuuh_9CFgZGNkZRGh-eOaHh3NSoSE4.NgxXM1HVoUhgtw2-TiHvFz3VWUZ_P_JmUq1vfd5zGls&dib_tag=se&keywords=you%27ll+bounce+right+back&qid=1732303304&sprefix=%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-1

Image Credits

Victoria Pearce, Devon DuBois