Last April, Taylor Nowlin made a remarkable return to competition by taking 2nd place at the Canyons 25K by UTMB. A high-level trail runner with years of experience on the circuit, Taylor has built a reputation for her grit and consistency. In the past year, she’s added a new role to her life: mother of twins.

Far from slowing her down, this transition has reshaped her relationship to training, recovery, and performance. Today, Taylor is navigating the demands of elite racing while balancing motherhood, proving that both can thrive side by side.

In this episode ofBehind the Fuel, she opens up about her return to competition, the challenges of postpartum recovery, and how Näak helped fuel her comeback, on and off the trails. Her story offers a raw and inspiring perspective for anyone striving to redefine balance, resilience, and performance.

From athlete to mother: embracing a new chapter

1. Can you tell us about your journey as a trail runner, from competing at an elite level to becoming a mother of twins, and now returning postpartum?

I had been competing as a professional trail runner for about 5 years before my husband and I decided to start a family. I always tell people that finding out we were having twins was the biggest surprise of my life. Our girls are 9 months old now, thankfully they seem to like the jogging stroller as long as there’s plenty of snacks in it and we’re finally at a place where we can start taking them to races!

2. What surprised you the most about how your body responded to pregnancy (post-partum) as an athlete?

Both pregnancy and postpartum were a lot harder than I expected. To be completely honest, I thought that because I was an athlete I would have an easy time being pregnant and that getting back into shape after the babies were born would be “no big deal”. Life humbled me real fast. I had quite a few medical complications that I don’t need to get into here, but I ended up on bedrest, having preemie babies, and with an unplanned c-section. It was basically the exact opposite of the approach I would have liked, and left me very reliant on family and friends for help. That being said, we have two healthy little girls now and that’s all that really matters to me. 

3. Has becoming a mom changed your motivation or "why" when it comes to racing and training?

Getting out on a run is often the only alone time I get these days. It helps me reset and recharge and return to my house the best version of myself. 

Returning to training and racing

4. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while getting back into training and competition after giving birth?

Hands down the most difficult parts of returning to training have been limited time and sleep deprivation. I have also been thinking a lot lately about the fact that in order to be competitive I can’t just get back to where I was before I got pregnant, I have to be faster… The women’s trail running scene is on fire, and with the new pool of talent and increasing professionalism, competing at the top requires really taking things seriously. 

5. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about postpartum recovery for athletes?

I wish society didn’t push timelines and recovery expectations on postpartum moms so hard. Those things really didn’t help me at all, but giving myself grace to recover at my own pace did. 

6. What advice would you give to those supporting new moms or athletes going through this transition?

New moms are TIRED, and not only that but they also have decision fatigue. So, the best advice I can give to someone supporting a new mom (athlete or not), is to take initiative when something in their life looks like it needs to be done. Go ahead and bring them dinner, unload the dishwasher and fold some laundry while you’re at it, but try your hardest not to ask them another damn question. 

Nutrition evolution: supporting body and performance postpartum

7. How did your approach to nutrition evolve during pregnancy and postpartum?

While I was pregnant with the twins, my OB told me I needed a whopping 175g of protein daily! If you’ve ever tried counting macros, you know that’s a silly amount of chicken breasts. I opted instead to make shakes out of the Näak Recovery™ Complete Mix, which was a lot more enjoyable. Postpartum, I was breastfeeding and pumping while slowly returning to training, so to maintain my milk supply I really had to prioritize nutrition. Of course, “prioritizing nutrition” when you’re living off 3-4 hours of sleep isn’t always feasible, but having Ultra Energy™ Bars in the diaper bag all the time did help. 

8. Now that you’re back racing, how have you adapted your nutrition strategy to fit this new chapter?

As a working parent, my nutrition (just like the rest of my life) is a lot more streamlined than it used to be before kids. Inefficiency is a luxury we can no longer afford– our household runs on google calendar, meal prepping, and trips to the supermarket.

9. If you could leave readers with one key takeaway about fueling and postpartum performance, what would it be?

One important takeaway is this – overfuel. Life takes a lot more energy now, and youcan’t just bonk in the middle of parenting!