327: The Parenthood Pivot: Supporting Parents, Retention, and Resilience at Work with Dr. Anjali Agrawal
Wed Jan 07 2026
Parenthood is one of the most demanding life transitions, yet it remains one of the least supported phases in the workplace, especially for women starting families after age 35. In this episode, Dr. Anjali Agrawal, founder of Back in Balance and an integrative chiropractor and functional nutrition specialist, shares why pregnancy, postpartum, and the return-to-work period are silent drivers of burnout, disengagement, and attrition.
Drawing from 18+ years of clinical practice, corporate wellness experience, and her own journey as a mother, Dr. Anjali introduces her Five Trimesters of Health framework. She explains how proactive, nervous-system-centered support can protect leadership pipelines, strengthen culture, and help employees stay engaged through one of life’s most critical transitions. This conversation bridges personal health, workplace performance, and long-term retention with practical strategies leaders can apply immediately.
Takeaways
Parenthood is a major retention risk when support is missingMany women disengage or exit during mid-career parenting yearsPolicies alone don’t address real pregnancy and postpartum needsNervous system regulation impacts burnout and performanceProactive support improves engagement before and after leavePartner support reduces stress and improves focus at workEducation shifts culture around stress and productivityPersonalized wellness outperforms generic programsStructure, function, and emotional capacity must work together
Topics discussed in this episode:
The Five Trimesters of Health frameworkPregnancy and postpartum support for employees 35+Retention challenges during parenthood transitionsBurnout, disengagement, and presentism at workNervous system regulation and stress resilienceStructure, function, and emotional capacity as pillars of healthSupporting employees before leave and after return-to-workIncluding partners in workplace wellness supportEducation-driven culture changePersonalized vs generic wellness programs
BUSINESS RESOURCES:
▶ ▶ Save your spot for my FREE Messaging That Sells Masterclass: https://burnouttoallout.co/mts/
▶ FREE Daily Lead Gen Checklist: a...
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Parenthood is one of the most demanding life transitions, yet it remains one of the least supported phases in the workplace, especially for women starting families after age 35. In this episode, Dr. Anjali Agrawal, founder of Back in Balance and an integrative chiropractor and functional nutrition specialist, shares why pregnancy, postpartum, and the return-to-work period are silent drivers of burnout, disengagement, and attrition. Drawing from 18+ years of clinical practice, corporate wellness experience, and her own journey as a mother, Dr. Anjali introduces her Five Trimesters of Health framework. She explains how proactive, nervous-system-centered support can protect leadership pipelines, strengthen culture, and help employees stay engaged through one of life’s most critical transitions. This conversation bridges personal health, workplace performance, and long-term retention with practical strategies leaders can apply immediately. Takeaways Parenthood is a major retention risk when support is missingMany women disengage or exit during mid-career parenting yearsPolicies alone don’t address real pregnancy and postpartum needsNervous system regulation impacts burnout and performanceProactive support improves engagement before and after leavePartner support reduces stress and improves focus at workEducation shifts culture around stress and productivityPersonalized wellness outperforms generic programsStructure, function, and emotional capacity must work together Topics discussed in this episode: The Five Trimesters of Health frameworkPregnancy and postpartum support for employees 35+Retention challenges during parenthood transitionsBurnout, disengagement, and presentism at workNervous system regulation and stress resilienceStructure, function, and emotional capacity as pillars of healthSupporting employees before leave and after return-to-workIncluding partners in workplace wellness supportEducation-driven culture changePersonalized vs generic wellness programs BUSINESS RESOURCES: ▶ ▶ Save your spot for my FREE Messaging That Sells Masterclass: https://burnouttoallout.co/mts/ ▶ FREE Daily Lead Gen Checklist: a...