There’s something instantly calming about Tori Dietz. It might be the way she talks about motherhood with so much honesty and ease, or the fact that even in the thick of postpartum life with three kids under four, she seems grounded in the season she’s in instead of rushing through it.

Living between New York City and Los Angeles with her husband Mike and their three little ones—Harper, Charlotte, and newborn Theo—Tori’s days are full in every sense of the word. As a content creator, actress, and model, she shares motherhood in a way that’s both inspiring and refreshingly real.

We caught up with Tori to talk about postpartum the third time around, preparing for an unmedicated birth, and what teamwork looks like with her husband now that they’re officially outnumbered. 

Let’s start with a quick introduction. Tell us a little bit about you and your sweet fam!

Hi! I’m Tori Dietz, a mom of three living between New York and Los Angeles with my husband Mike and our kids (Harper is 3.5, Charlotte is  2, and Theo our newborn… so life is very full in the best way right now).

I wear a lot of hats creatively. I work in content creation focused around motherhood, movement, and lifestyle, while also acting and modeling. One of the coolest parts is getting to occasionally work alongside my kids too, which makes this season feel even more special. I’ve always loved creating, storytelling, and building community in a way that feels real and inspiring for other women navigating motherhood and ambition at the same time.

My husband is in a completely different world professionally. He’s the Director of Sales at a medical diagnostics company, but has always been my biggest supporter through every creative pivot and big idea.

We’re both originally from New York, but have spent over a decade in Los Angeles. Fun fact: we were actually set up on a blind date in LA 10 years ago. I was a dancer for the NBA (Go Clippers!) and he happened to be sitting in some pretty impressive seats at a game when a mutual friend decided to set us up. Later on, we found out we had actually grown up in neighboring towns back in New York!

Right now our days are equal parts beautiful chaos, coffee, creativity, kids, and trying to keep up with everything else. We’re loving this season of life, even if we’re very very tired.

You’re freshly postpartum with your third baby. How are you feeling these days physically, emotionally, mentally?

I’ve always been someone who genuinely loves the newborn phase, so I’m really soaking up these days with our third baby who I’m pretty sure is our last. There’s something about those early postpartum weeks that feels almost magical to me. The mix of adrenaline after birth, the excitement of bringing home a new baby, the slow newborn days… it’s a feeling I could honestly get addicted to.

That being said, I am definitely tired. Going from two kids to three has been a big shift and we’re still finding our rhythm as a family of five. But I think one of the biggest differences this time around is mentally. With my first babies, I felt so much pressure to “keep up” with life while the rest of the world seemed to keep moving forward around me. This time, I’m much more aware of when those thoughts start creeping in and I consciously bring myself back to the present. I know now how fleeting this chapter really is.

Physically, I actually feel really good. My body absolutely looks and feels different than it did before pregnancy, but I’ve stopped viewing that as something I need to immediately fix. I grew and delivered a baby!!! Of course my body is going to need time. I’m not focused on “bouncing back” anymore. I’m much more focused on feeling strong, grounded, and supported in my body again so I can show up fully for myself, my work, and my family.

More than anything, this postpartum season has reminded me that slowing down is not falling behind. There’s a lot of beauty in letting yourself fully be where you are.

What has this postpartum season looked like compared to your first two? Anything surprising you this time around?

One thing that’s surprised me this postpartum season is how much more settled I feel in motherhood. When I first became a mom, I think part of me was still trying to hold onto my old life while also stepping into this completely new identity. There was this feeling of needing to “balance it all” perfectly or still be everywhere all the time without making motherhood my entire personality.

Now, I feel really immersed in this season of life in such a positive way. Our home is full, busy, loud, and constantly moving, and most days I feel like the CEO of the house making everything run. But instead of that feeling overwhelming, it actually feels really grounding to me.

I also don’t feel as lonely in motherhood anymore. I’ve realized I don’t need to constantly be out doing something to feel fulfilled. Checking in with friends, planning a coffee date or little hangout here and there, and then coming back home to my family genuinely fills my cup right now. I think I’ve stopped resisting this chapter and started fully enjoying it for what it is, and that shift has made motherhood feel a lot lighter.

What were some of the most helpful ways you prepared for an unmedicated birth?

Shifting my mindset beforehand. With my first baby, I went into labor with a very vague “maybe I’ll try unmedicated” mindset, but I hadn’t actually prepared for the intensity of labor. This time, I made the decision ahead of time and really grounded myself in it mentally before labor even began.

I also stopped trying to convince myself birth would feel easy. Instead, I expected it to be intense and challenging, which actually made me feel calmer because nothing felt surprising in the moment.

Physically, pelvic floor physical therapy made a huge difference for me, especially the internal work. It helped me feel more connected to my body and more familiar with relaxing through discomfort instead of immediately tensing against it. I also stayed really consistent throughout pregnancy with simple things like breathwork, stretching, movement, and slowing down enough to actually stay connected to my body.

And this one is important…Having the right support system in the room matters so much. My husband, nurses, and doctor all knew my goal going in, so in the hardest moments they were helping ground me instead of allowing me to second guess myself.

At the end of the day, it was never about proving anything or doing birth the “right” way. For me, it was about feeling informed, supported, and genuinely prepared for the experience ahead of me.

What are some things you wish more women were told about postpartum before entering it?

Postpartum can be both incredibly hard and incredibly beautiful at the exact same time. Two things can be true at once. You can feel deeply grateful for your baby while also feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, emotional, uncomfortable, isolated, or unlike yourself some days.

I also wish more women were told how much your emotions can ebb and flow during postpartum, sometimes within the same hour, and that it’s completely normal. One moment you feel grounded and overwhelmed with love, and the next you feel overstimulated, emotional, or disconnected from yourself. I’m still learning how to move through those shifts without panicking and trust that eventually everything balances back out. This chapter takes a lot of patience with yourself.

I think social media and people in general tend to either romanticize every part of postpartum or make it sound completely miserable, when the reality for most women is usually somewhere in the middle. And honestly, I think part of why people romanticize it afterward is because once you’re out of it, you remember the tiny newborn cuddles and moments of magic so much more than the sleep deprivation and harder days.

What does feeling supported postpartum look like for you these days?

For me, support during postpartum looks less like grand gestures and more like feeling genuinely cared for in the little everyday moments. It’s my husband taking the girls out of the house so I can rest with the baby, my mom making food, friends checking in without expecting me to text back right away, or someone simply understanding that this season is demanding without me having to explain it.

I also think support looks like having people around you who trust your instincts as a mother instead of making you second guess yourself. After three babies, I’ve realized how important it is to feel supported without feeling managed.

And a huge part of feeling supported has been creating systems and rhythms inside our home that make this season feel softer. Knowing we’re functioning as a team, having routines that help the house flow, and feeling like everyone is working together instead of surviving separately has made a huge difference for me mentally and emotionally.

You have three kids 4 and under—what are the best and hardest parts about having littles so close together? Did you always know you wanted kids close in age?

I don’t think I ever had some perfectly mapped out vision for the exact age gaps between my kids. I always knew I wanted a family, but I trusted that our story would unfold the way it was meant to. And somehow, life gave us three little ones very close together.

The hardest part is definitely the physical demand of this season. Someone always needs something, the house is loud, sleep can be unpredictable, and there are moments where it feels like you’re being pulled in five directions at once. But at the same time, there’s something really special about everyone being in the same chapter of life together. The kids are growing up side by side, the girls genuinely play together now, and our whole family rhythm feels very connected.

I also love knowing that while this season is intense, it’s also temporary. We’re fully in our little kid years right now and someday we’ll move out of diapers, naps, strollers, and sleepless nights together as a family. There’s something really beautiful about being all in on this chapter while it’s here.

How do you and your husband divide responsibilities in this season? Has that changed with each baby?

It’s definitely evolved with each baby, but with three kids we’ve become much more intentional about how we function as a team. Early on, I thought there was a “right” way couples were supposed to divide everything equally, especially during the newborn phase. But over time we realized that what works best for our family might look different than what works for someone else.

For example, I actually like handling the newborn nights because breastfeeding has always come really naturally for me and my babies typically go right back to sleep after feeds. So instead of both of us being exhausted, we lean into our strengths. If the older girls wake up during the night or early morning, that’s usually my husband. He also fully handles mornings with the girls, getting them dressed, fed, and out the door while I have a slower start after being up with the baby. I tend to handle more of the newborn rhythm and the behind-the-scenes organization of the house, while he takes the girls to activities, sports, and out of the house to burn energy.

What’s changed most is that it no longer feels like we’re keeping score. Everyone always says “divide and conquer,” which is true to an extent, but honestly it feels much more like being on the same team. We each naturally step into certain roles so the whole family can function well together. I used to resist the idea of “roles” in parenthood because it felt limiting, but now I see it differently. Like any great team, everyone has strengths, and when you trust each other enough to lean into them, everything flows so much better.

Movement is a really important part of your life. How has your relationship with exercise shifted through pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood?

Movement has always been a huge part of my life, but motherhood has completely changed my relationship with it in the best way. The biggest shift has been becoming much more connected to why I move my body. My workouts now are less about punishment or chasing a certain outcome and much more about energy, strength, mental clarity, and feeling good in my body.

Of course I’m not going to pretend aesthetics play zero role because they do. When I feel strong and confident in my body, I show up differently in every part of my life. I have more patience, more energy, and honestly I’m a nicer person to everyone around me. But now the motivation feels much deeper than just appearance.

Pregnancy and postpartum also taught me how important it is to work with my body instead of against it. Some seasons call for strength training, some call for stretching, walking, breathwork, or slowing down completely. I’ve learned that consistency doesn’t always have to look intense to still be impactful.

You can find more of my workouts and tips on my Instagram.

What does taking care of yourself realistically look like in this season?

Taking care of myself in this season looks a lot less glamorous and a lot more intentional. I’ve always been someone who loves being up before the sun, so in my ideal world I get a little bit of quiet before the kids wake up. Even just an hour to drink my coffee slowly, journal, do my skincare or red light mask, brush my teeth in peace, or squeeze in a workout completely changes how I show up for the day. I feel calmer, more focused, and way more present as a mom and wife.

But realistically…I have three little kids, including a newborn, and my daughters love waking up at 6am sharp yelling “mommy!” so that peaceful morning doesn’t always happen. I’ve had to learn that taking care of myself doesn’t need to be perfect to still matter. Sometimes it’s just sneaking away for 20 minutes to move my body, reset my energy, and breathe for a second. Even tiny moments of taking care of myself go such a long way in this season.

What are you learning about yourself right now as a mother of three?

One thing I’m learning is that I actually thrive with structure way more than I ever thought I would. Before kids, I was never naturally a super scheduled person and I still think of myself as pretty Type B, but I’ve realized our whole family functions better when life feels a little more prepared.

A lot of the little things that keep our house running smoothly happen before the chaos starts. I lay out the girls’ outfits for the week on Sundays, make lunches the night before preschool, and try to have a clear plan for my own work during the few hours they’re out of the house. Never in a rigid way, but in a way that creates more ease for everyone.

I’ve realized that when I’m constantly reacting to the day instead of leading it, that’s when I start feeling overstimulated and stretched thin. Structure has actually given me more freedom, more patience, and more space to enjoy this season instead of constantly trying to catch up to it.

Rapid-fire q’s!

Current comfort meal: Congee. It’s basically a slow-cooked rice porridge that becomes super soft, cozy, and really easy to digest which feels amazing postpartum. I usually add protein and soft boiled eggs to make it more filling and nourishing. It’s one of those meals that feels simple but makes your body feel instantly better.

I shared more of what I’ve been eating to nourish my body postpartum on my Substack.

A small luxury you swear by: My skincare routine! At night I use my red light mask and pile on all the super hydrating products because postpartum skin can feel so tired and depleted. Then in the morning, even if I’m exhausted, I’ll take a few minutes to do my simple makeup routine. There’s something about catching yourself in the mirror and still feeling alive, fresh, and like yourself during the newborn phase that really matters.

One thing always in your diaper bag: Diapers, wipes, and lip gloss. The babies are covered first, but I’ve learned I feel a lot more put together if I have at least one thing in there for me too. (maybe a snack for me as well!)

Something saving your postpartum life right now: Honestly, babywearing!! Being able to keep him close while still moving through life with two toddlers has saved me and allows me to be a part of everything going on while he stays on schedule!

Most-used baby item: Definitely the baby carrier. With two toddlers running around, being hands-free is everything right now. Close second would be the baby bouncer and playmat. Sometimes you just need somewhere safe to set the baby down while real life is happening around you… or while you attempt a very quick mom shower.

Last thing you ordered online: a toddler potty and the book Ready to Go Potty to start potty training our 2 year old… really glamorous stuff happening over here these days.

Favorite room in your (super cute!) house: Definitely the kitchen. We put so much love and intention into renovating our home, and creating a big kitchen where everyone could gather was really important to us. We wanted it to feel beautiful but also lived in and kid friendly, so the kids could run around, snack, bake, and make memories in there without us stressing over every little mess. It’s the heart of our home for sure.

Current comfort show/podcast/book:
Show is definitely Couples Therapy, I cannot get enough of it.
Podcast-wise, I’ve been loving Hot Smart Rich.
And postpartum, reading has become such a big part of my routine again. I keep my Kindle next to me for middle-of-the-night feeds instead of reaching for my phone, and it’s made those quiet hours feel way more calming and grounding. Some recent favorites have been The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, The Mad Wife, Wild Dark Shore, and Spectacular Things.

I rounded up all of my recent pregnancy and postpartum reads here.