Eli Moulton knows what it’s like to juggle a business, motherhood and making time for herself… all at once. While running Plus One Dress Hire, the fashion-forward space for pregnant and postnatal women she has since sold, she found something missing when she tried to return to training after having her baby.
Working six weeks postpartum, Eli quickly realised the usual gym setup wasn’t built for how mums actually live. Childcare windows didn’t fit school or work hours and group classes felt intimidating when she wasn’t where she used to be physically or mentally.
So she created the place she couldn’t find. Em Body puts women first with flexible, calm, no-pressure spaces and certified care for little ones so mums can train with confidence and support.
We talked to Eli about how motherhood has reshaped her priorities, why confidence matters as much as strength, and the community she’s building where women feel seen, supported and stronger with every session.
When did juggling work, fitness and motherhood stop feeling manageable?
When I returned to work at six weeks postpartum, I felt the shift immediately. I was incredibly grateful that I’d built a business that allowed Rocky to be with me, but my capacity just wasn’t what it used to be.
I remember thinking, this is what they meant. Clients used to tell me they couldn’t find the time to train and I’d quietly think it was an excuse. It’s not. When you’re responsible for a newborn and young children, the mental load alone is exhausting. Fitness becomes one more thing competing for your energy.
What gaps did you notice in Adelaide once you began looking for solutions?
I asked my amazing social media community whether I was missing something, whether there were gyms offering child minding at times that actually suited working mums. My inbox filled quickly.
Most crèche services were limited to mid-morning windows and for women working traditional 9–5 hours, that just doesn’t work. It became obvious there was a huge gap. Not just in childcare hours, but in how we support women returning to training after birth.
What surprised you most about the responses you received?
The volume, but also the honesty. I love that about my community though. We keep it real.
Women weren’t just asking about childcare. They were telling me they felt intimidated returning to group training and how they didn’t feel strong. Many didn’t recognise their bodies anymore.
That really resonated because I felt the same. I avoided returning to my old gym because I was embarrassed about my fitness level, and I’m a trainer. If I felt that way, how many other women are delaying their return because they feel exposed?
It wasn’t just a childcare issue. It was a confidence gap.
Why did flexibility matter more than traditional crèche sessions?
Flexibility was everything for me because my life doesn’t fit into a neatly set window. Running a business means my schedule doesn’t fit into a 45-minute window between 9:15 and 11am.
What I’ve learned since is that it’s not just about work. Mums want continuity with nap routines and they don’t want to restructure their entire day for one session. I had so many workouts where I left early or spent half the time settling Rocky because I was trying to force something that didn’t suit our life.
Fitness should fit around motherhood, not compete with it.
How is Em Body different from a standard gym or studio?
Em Body is intimate by design and focuses on 1:1 and small-scale training, rebuilding strength properly, refining technique and re-establishing confidence in a calm, private environment.
The nanny service is professional, certified care, capped at four children at any time. It’s your child with the nanny for the duration of your session, plus Rocky (who is essentially CEO at this point).
Mums aren’t glancing at the door every five minutes. They can train knowing their children are safe and looked after at all times.
Why was a full-time nanny service non-negotiable?
Because I needed it myself.
Our household is busy. Between Plus One Dress Hire, my partner preparing to open a restaurant, and our blended family, there isn’t always external help available. I wanted to create a solution that didn’t rely on having a village and always needing external help.
It allows me to keep my baby close while also giving other women the same security and opportunity.
What environment do you want women to feel when they walk in?
I want the women in our community to feel calm, safe and empowered, and for the space to feel like an extension of my home.
Jake and Emma (the owners of the gym) have renovated the gym space beautifully. They have given me free rein for the rest of the space which includes a children’s activity room, sleep room, change room, kitchen, and private showers. Clients are encouraged to take an extra 10 minutes for themselves and shower in peace before collecting their children.
It doesn’t feel intimidating or chaotic. It feels considered and intimate and like home.
Is Em Body just for mums?
Em Body is for every woman.
While I specialise in pre- and postnatal training, for more than 11 years I’ve worked with women in all stages of life, from rehab clients to athletes, powerlifters and marathon runners.
Right now, I deeply relate to postpartum women because I’m living it. But Em Body is for any woman navigating change and wanting to feel strong, in charge and energised.
What challenges do women face most when returning to exercise after birth?
The biggest challenge is psychological.
It’s the fear of starting again and being the least fit in the room. Group environments can feel overwhelming when you’re rebuilding and many women delay returning because of that fear.
And honestly, it’s about just making that decision and starting for you.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Ha! My god, no day is the same. Early training before the kids wake, breakfast chaos, kindy drop-offs. Six hours at the studio with Rocky in tow. Afternoon pick-ups. Two nights a week back at Plus One. Then lunches, bags packed and emails late into the evening.
I’m fortunate to have a supportive partner and an incredible village surrounding me, but it’s full on.
How has motherhood changed the way you work?
It’s given me the ability to prioritise boundaries.
Previously, I would accommodate every request, seeing 16+ clients a day from 4:30am. Now I’m firm and I won’t miss school pick-ups or Saturday soccer.
I work for my family, not at the expense of them.
What does success look like in year one for Em Body?
Success looks like community and empowering women.
Women walking in feeling overwhelmed and walking out feeling capable and confident again. A space where they feel supported rather than judged.
And personally, it looks like building something meaningful without sacrificing the moments that matter at home.
What would you like SA mums feeling stretched to know?
You’re not alone and that is such a normal feeling.
No one is doing it all and doing it perfectly. But prioritising your health, even in small ways, can shift your clarity and confidence.
You deserve that and to feel good in yourself and your body.
Em Body
42 North Terrace, Kent Town
@em__body
Follow KIDDO on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter