It’s 7am when I jump on a video call with Stephanie Miller – you might know her better as Steph Claire Smith – and she’s had a less-than-restful night with her teething baby Harvey (pictured below). “You get really excited for these milestones,” the 28-year-old tells us on our podcast Uninterrupted. “But yes, [sleep]’s been a bit troublesome. The poor thing, he can’t understand what’s happening, I couldn’t imagine how confusing that’d be.”
This is Steph’s third cover for Women’s Health. And a lot has changed for the force behind fitness and wellbeing platform Keep it Cleaner (KIC) since she first fronted WH in 2017. Along with marrying partner Josh Miller and becoming a parent for the first time in May, Steph has co-driven KIC’s meteoric growth with best mate and co-founder Laura Henshaw during that time.
Last year alone saw the launch of running program KICRUN as well as KICBUMP for pre- and postnatal Pilates, while 2022 has already introduced us to a new master trainer – with “a lot more” to come. Unsurprisingly, the juggle is real. Here, Steph shares how she’s rebuilding her fitness, trusting her gut and making ‘no’ a regular part of her vocab.
Listen to Steph Claire Smith on our podcast Uninterrupted by Women’s Health Australia on Apple and Spotify. Post continues below.
You were pregnant in Melbourne’s lockdown. what was that time like?
“In a way, we were fortunate to have gone through those things [during] lockdown. It was really nice to take that time slowly, especially in that first trimester where I was very fatigued. I wouldn’t have been able to really keep up with my [usual] routine, which was quite hustle and bustle and interstate every week. Then when Harvey was born, going back into lockdown in that time… It’s not like you really want to leave the house much anyway – you’re in this little bubble together. I was just so grateful that Josh could be there with us. I know a lot of people aren’t able to have their partner with them for very long, and due to lockdown and situations changing, he was flexible. So, we’ve both been really hands on with Harvey, which has been amazing.”
How are you all doing?
“Really well. Harvey’s a real character – I keep saying to myself, ‘I can’t love him any more’ and then each day I find more love to give. He’s just so amazing. [Parenthood] is a whole new thing for your relationship for sure, and it is a challenge.
One of the biggest things we’ve learnt – which I think is a lesson in so many facets of life, whether it’s work or relationships – is [the value of] open communication, and being really honest with each other. Being open about when we’re struggling, and when we need to tap out and the other person needs to tap in. Because when you’re sleep deprived, it’s hard to think straight and maybe make the best decisions or react in the best way.
I’m very grateful we’re a team, especially going back to work and trying to balance that into it as well. It’s a beautiful thing [seeing] the love of your life connect with your baby. I just try and make sure I’m in the moment with [Harvey] as much as I can, soaking it up. I’ve told Josh, ‘If any major milestones happen while I’m at work, don’t tell me!’”
Do you have wellbeing must-dos?
“Yeah, absolutely. My biggest non-negotiable is moving my body. It doesn’t have to be a full-on HIIT or strength workout. It could be a walk around the block or it could be stretching, but I have to move my body every day. It makes me feel like me. It makes me feel energised; it’s just a part of my routine like brushing my teeth. I’ll have a nice slow morning with [Harvey] … and then once he goes down for his first nap, that’s when I like to do a KIC workout or, if Josh is home, I’ll go for a run.”
How did you find getting back into exercise after having Harvey?
“I really didn’t want to rush it. I wanted to look after my body and do everything in the right way, so I worked closely with my physio, Ash – who’s our physio on the KIC app – and she got me doing some things with KICBUMP Postnatal. I also got my pelvic floor checked out, and it turns out that I had a slight bladder prolapse. So, I was glad that I didn’t get into anything quickly, because if I didn’t know about that, and hadn’t been able to work on all those things first, it could’ve gotten worse.
When I was able to get back into [exercise], I noticed a huge drop in my strength and cardio fitness. I felt so different when I was working out, but it was almost like I got to start from scratch again. I had this motivation to build up my strength, and that was really exciting. I thought I might feel frustrated when I couldn’t do something that I used to do, but I’ve just been really motivated and accepting that my body’s gone through a lot.
I can’t expect it to just be able to go back to what it could do. I’ve been able to build a lot of strength back up, and I’m just excited that I can move my body – the short period of time where I couldn’t was really hard because it’s a huge part of what I do and who I am.”
Photography: Lauren Schulz. Styling: Abby Bennett. Hair & make up: Meg Guthrie.
Read the full interview with Steph Claire Smith in the March issue of Women’s Health Australia. Subscribe so that you never miss an issue.
