Marcus WhiteSouth of England
BBCA powerlifting mum, who won two international championships two years after giving birth, says she hopes to inspire other women who are “coming back after childbirth”.
Ellie Steel, 34, from Landford in Wiltshire, has won both a world title and the European 57kg (9 stone) bench press title since the birth of her son by caesarean section in June 2023.
Ms Steel said while it was a “battle to focus” on her goals after dealing with toddler tantrums, childcare issues and sleep deprivation, it was also important to do something that was for her.
“Just because you’re a mum, that’s not your whole identity. It’s still important to do things that are good for you,” she said.
“I don’t think mums should feel guilty for just taking that time to do what they want to do and if that involves inspiring their children then so much the better.”
Ms Steel said she had felt “physically and mentally” unable to return to training for four months, after the emergency C-section left her with painful scars and sepsis.
She said she had even questioned whether she would “get back to a better level” than she was prior to giving birth.
But she won a British title in January 2024, just three months after resuming training.
While Ms Steel said she had “proved that you can do it, even after major surgery”, she added there was definitely an “unglamorous” side to being a mum and competing in elite-level sport.
Ms Steel said the first two years “were all a bit of a blur”.
“I was battling sleep deprivation. Trying to eat healthy when you’re sleep deprived is really, really tough,” she said.
“It’s been a struggle trying to get in the gym and still focus on your goals… whilst having to battle five, six, seven times a night getting up and seeing to him.”
In 2024, she and her husband built a home gym in their garden, moving her training from a gym in Gosport in Hampshire.
Ms Steel said she often fitted in sessions while her son was asleep.
“Knowing that I can just nip out and get a quick hour done is like a game-changer for me,” she said.
She said she had also relied on her husband, mother and friends for childcare in the run-up to her latest victory in Malta in September.
