UNSHACKLED

Breaking Free from Unrealistic Motherhood Expectations

Motherhood shouldn’t feel like a constant battle against guilt, burnout, and impossible expectations. These aren’t personal failures - they’re symptoms of a system that’s failing mothers. It’s time to stop struggling within the system and start breaking free from it.

Dive deep beyond the surface symptoms and uncover the root cause of why motherhood can feel so challenging

burnout, guilt, and a loss of identity aren't just individual problems – they're symptoms of a larger system that's failing mothers.

It's time to stop merely treading water and start dismantling the tank we're all swimming in.

 

Why Unshackled?

This course helps you see the bigger picture of why motherhood can feel so overwhelming - and what you can do about it.

✔️ It’s not just you. Many of the struggles mothers face - burnout, self-doubt, guilt - are actually symptoms of a system that undervalues and overburdens mothers.

✔️ It’s not just about mindset. Motherhood isn’t just personal - it’s shaped by deep cultural messages that tell us how we ‘should’ mother.

✔️ It’s about real change. When we see where these pressures come from, we can start to unlearn them, step into our power, and reclaim motherhood on our own terms.

Dora - Unshackled Participant

“Unshakled plants seeds of hope and possibility through offering a unique framework, it helps you to more consciously and skillfully navigate the waters of patriarchal motherhood, and increases your confidence in your own choices, and encouraging you to practice this in your day to day life.

Your future you will thank you that you invested in this learning opportunity!”

Unshackled Participant

“If you’re considering joining this course - don't hesitate - you will feel empowered and energized after completing Unshackled - you won't be able to unsee it, and that is a wonderful gift - not only to yourself, but to the world.”

unshackled

For mothers and those who work within motherhood-support

What’s inside the course?

  • bite-sized course lessons

    1 hour and 10 minutes of clear, eye-opening content (with a private podcast version for easy listening).

  • What You’ll Walk Away With:

    A clear understanding of what patriarchal motherhood is—and isn’t.
    Tools to resist harmful societal pressures.
    A new way to think about your struggles (it’s not just you!)
    Confidence to mother on your own terms.

  • A Clear, Step-by-Step Process

    Learn about The Mother on Your Own Terms Method: A simple 5-step process to help you break free from outdated motherhood rules and expectations (including those sneaky ones we put on ourselves—hello, mum guilt!).

who is this for?

For mothers – If you feel like you're drowning in expectations, this will help you see and experience things differently.

For professionals who support mothers – If you’re a coach, health professional, or work in a mother-focused field, this is the perfect starting point to help bring a deeper understanding to the work you do.

(Please Note: this isn’t a professional development course but it’s a great foundation if you work in mother-support.

The most powerful thing we can do is look at our own stories and where they come from. Your experiences are part of a bigger picture. When you understand your story, you can start to change it.

 

What you’ll gain

  • A new perspective on why motherhood feels hard and why it’s not your fault.

  • An understanding of patriarchal motherhood - what it is, how it shows up, and why it affects us all.

  • Practical tools to push back against unrealistic pressures and reclaim your own values, needs, and identity as a mother.

  • A sense of connection, knowing you’re not alone in this experience.

  • The confidence to mother in a way that feels right for you, not just what society expects.

“I feel less shame and guilt around my mothering experince. Or when I do, I can turn towards it with compassion.”

— Unshackled Participant

When we understand patriarchal motherhood and see how it affects our lives, we can start letting go of the pressure and create a motherhood that reflects our own power, values, and choices.

What Mothers are Saying About Their Unshackled Journey

  • Bite-sized, but thought provoking teachings about patriarchal motherhood and how to beceome empowered and inspired to start changing the personal and cultural narrative of motherhood. Highly recommend!

  • An excellent, thought-provoking and empowering introduction into patriarchal motherhood, highlighting the steps you can begin to take to resist the societal norms and constructs of motherhood (The Postpartum Psychologist)

  • I can turn towards these topics with increased awareness. I can see my own difficulties through a more conscious and compassionate lens. I am more mindful of the shoulds and better able to response to these. [I have an] increased, ongoing practice of self-reflection.

  • If you're considering joining this course, Dare to say yes if you feel you would like to see yourself and the world in a new way. Be brave!

  • Unshakled plants seeds of hope and possibility through offering a unique framework, it helps you to more consciously and skillfully navigate the waters of patriarchal motherhood, and increases your confidence in your own choices, and encouraging you to practice this in your day to day life. Your future you will thank you that you invested in this learning opportunity! (Dora)

  • I feel less shame and guilt around my mothering experince. Or when I do, I can turn towards it with compassion.

  • If you're thinking of joining - Don't hesitate - you will feel empowered and energized after completing Unshakled - you won't be able to unsee it, and that is a wonderful gift - not only to yourself, but to the world.

This isn’t just about learning.

It’s about unlearning what’s been holding you back.

Are you ready to reclaim motherhood on your terms?

Join Unshackled

$100 AUD

$50 AUD until feb 20th

Gain immediate access to all content.

Participants in Unshackled will receive a special invitation and offer to join The Motherhood Studies Certification.

If competition, comparison, and shame sustain patriarchal motherhood, then collaboration, connection, and (self) celebration are a reclaiming of our power.

Our power as Mothers is diluted when we're disconnected from each other.

Connection and self-celebration are the birthplaces of the maternal revolution.

FAQs

  • Both - if you're a mother!

    The people I mostly work with in my programs work within the field of mother-support as health professionals, coaches, and creatives, but this program is for all mothers.

    It is not a professional development course, but is the perfect entryway into professional development for those who currently work within mother-centric fields or hope to.

    If you do work within mother-support, please know that the materials and resources in this program are intended for your own personal use only, and aren't to be distributed within your own practice or business.

  • The course experience is delivered over 6 short videos.

    The total length of video time is 70 minutes.

    You'll get immediate access to all content and have ongoing access.

  • You’ll sign up through an e-learning platform called New Zenler. This is where all course content is held.

    You’ll be sent an automated email welcoming you and inviting you to create login details for New Zenler.

    You'll also be given a link to subscribe to the private podcast if you'd like to listen to the content that way.

  • Within the scope of this program we cannot provide individually tailored support and advice.

    If you feel you need some support unpacking content as it’s related to your own motherhood experience we encourage you to seek support from a qualified mental health professional. Our recommendations for therapists and practitioners certified in Motherhood Studies can be found here: https://drsophiebrock.com/directory

  • All the material is immediately accessible upon enrolment and the resources are for you to download and keep. Refunds are not offered outside what is legally required by Australian law.

take a look inside unshackled

  • understanding paves the path of change.

  • We need to know the root of the problem in order to adequately respond and address the problems that mothers are facing.

  • “We do not think of the power stolen from us and the power withheld from us in the name of the institution of motherhood”

    Adrienne Rich

Who is Sophie?

Embarking on learning like this can be equal parts exciting and daunting! Being able to trust that a person facilitating online learning such as this is qualified and experienced is important. I take my role as an educator, facilitator, communicator, and fellow motherhood-visionary seriously, and hold this space with a deep level of respect, sensitivity, and awareness.

I have spent 10 years researching Motherhood and have a PhD in Sociology specialising in Motherhood Studies from The University of Sydney. In my research I developed what has been described as a ‘ground-breaking theory’ for understanding how Mothers’ lives are shaped by the social and cultural construct of Motherhood. I’m also a Mother myself. 

I’m experienced in teaching both in person and online, having created courses and delivered programs to hundreds of passionate mothers and professionals. Through my role as a social scientist, I know that this work is ongoing, expansive, and exploratory. I remain open, curious, and ever learning.

My passion and focus is in supporting those who work with mothers to develop, integrate, and adapt a sociological lens of Motherhood into their businesses, careers, and professions.

The ultimate purpose of my work is to contribute to changing the cultural conversation on Motherhood and the individual experiences of Mothers, creating a world where Mothers feel empowered, supported, and valued.