Investor, surfer, mom of two, and proof that although motherhood is the ultimate endurance sport but it can be done with balance.
Motherhood isn’t just emotional labor. It's physical, mental, and logistical Olympics. And most of us are doing it without a coach, a bench, or even timeouts. That’s why How I Thrive exists: to spotlight women who are deep in the trenches and finding ways to care for themselves, too.
This week, we spoke to Maria Gonzalez-Blanch, originally from Spain and now a San Diego-based investor at Crescent Ridge VC focused on health and wellness (including Needed), mom of two young kids, and lifelong athlete. She’s surfed serious waves, trained for ultra-races, and taken business calls while breastfeeding—but she’s the first to say nothing demands more from her than motherhood.
Here, she shares the real rituals, mindsets, and habits that help her actually thrive—not just survive.
Needed: What’s one thing you wish people understood about your world?
Maria: That there’s a constant tug-of-war between ambition and presence. I want to model drive, self-care, and the pursuit of big dreams for my kids. But I also want to be right there in the small, precious moments of their childhood. It’s a daily balancing act—figuring out how to show up for myself and for them in a way that feels true.
Needed: First things first—how are you, really?
Maria: Strong. Healthy. Stretched. My husband and I both have demanding jobs, and we’re deep in the intense season of parenting little kids. I’m hustling every day, optimizing every minute. Some nights I come home after a long day, face a few meltdowns, and question everything. Am I doing this right? Am I showing up enough?
With work, effort often leads to results. With motherhood, the feedback loop is much longer. It can take decades to know if you got it right—and that unknown is both beautiful and brutal.
Needed: What does thriving look like for you these days?
Maria: Feeling healthy, at peace, well-rested, loved, and energized by what I do. It’s waking up excited, being surrounded by love, and using my skills in a way that feels meaningful. It's joy in the day-to-day and clarity in the chaos.
Needed: What’s something that’s surprised you about your own endurance?
Maria: I’ve always pushed my limits—ultra races, backcountry skiing, jiu jitsu—but nothing compares to the physical, mental, and emotional effort of motherhood. Giving birth, postpartum, raising small kids... it’s next-level. Especially as a mom who travels internationally with toddlers in tow.
Maria: There were days I was running on empty. That’s a kind of strength I never knew I had. Women are truly incredible—managing households, careers, sleep deprivation, breastfeeding between meetings... and somehow still holding on to themselves.
Needed: Have you ever felt totally depleted?
Maria: Absolutely. Especially postpartum. I was recovering, not sleeping, and still trying to keep my professional momentum going. My second postpartum experience hit me hard—that’s when I found Needed. The products made a huge difference. I was already deep into researching supplements, ingredients, and quality—so investing in Needed felt like an obvious decision. Their science-first approach and nutrient density blew me away.
Needed: Do you have a morning ritual or routine?
Maria: Yes, and it's the key to everything. My husband and I wake up at 4:45 AM. Coffee. A bit of work. Then I lift weights in the garage, sauna, and have a protein/creatine shake. The kids are up around 6:30–7, and we hang out, check the waves, eat breakfast together. If the surf is good, I’m in the water by 7:30. If not, I run or play outside with the kids. I’m at the office by 8:30. It’s a finely tuned rhythm, and it works for us.
Needed: Go-to movement or workout?
Maria: Strength training five days a week is my foundation—but surfing is my soul practice. I surf daily if the swell allows. It doesn’t even feel like exercise to me—it’s meditation, presence, healing. Being in the ocean grounds me. Most mornings, there are dolphins. It’s magic.
Surfing was also my saving grace during pregnancy. In my first pregnancy, I felt really sick during the first trimester, and honestly, the only thing that made me feel good was getting in the water. Surfing was my reset—physically and mentally. At first, I was cautious. My OB wasn’t super supportive and seemed pretty nervous about it, which made me second-guess myself. Eventually, I switched to midwives who really understood my lifestyle. They were much more encouraging and gave me the green light, which made a huge difference. I felt empowered to listen to my body and ended up surfing until week 30.
By my second pregnancy, I felt way more confident. I surfed until week 35. My balance was definitely off, but I learned that riding a smaller shortboard actually helped—less floating, less pressure on my belly while paddling. After that first experience, surfing during pregnancy wasn’t even a question. It kept me grounded, healthy, and connected to myself in such an essential way.
I also hike with friends on weekends and used to do a lot more cardio, but these days I focus on strength and restoration. The goal isn’t intensity—it’s consistency and joy.
Needed: What’s on your plate—literally?
Maria: We eat very clean (and admittedly, pretty boring). We cycle through the same meals most weeks. Breakfast is usually a protein shake, eggs, yogurt with berries, toast with turkey and avocado, or protein waffles.
Lunch and dinner are some combo of protein + complex carbs + veggies. Think grilled chicken, steak, salmon, big salads, sweet potatoes, lentils, seasonal veggies. We get a CSA box every week. I’m obsessed with lupin beans from Spain—so high in protein and fiber! I aim for 100–120 grams of protein daily. My snacks? Sardines, bone broth, fruit, and “weird health nerd” stuff.
Maria: Favorite product or supplement that changes your day?
Maria: Needed’s Multi powder is my must-have. I put it in smoothies for the whole family—it gives me peace of mind knowing we’re covered nutritionally, even when meals get chaotic. I also use Needed’s Collagen in my coffee, their hydration mix, and take creatine post-workout.
Needed: Any rituals or hacks for better sleep?
Maria: So many! After dinner, we walk as a family to watch the sunset. After 7 PM, our house turns into the red light district—literally, with red lights to wind down. Our kids have a set bedtime routine and “compete” to be sleep champs. They’re in bed by 7, reading until 8.
For myself, I take magnesium and inositol. If I’m especially stressed, I add Needed’s Stress Support with ashwagandha. No screens an hour before bed. Most nights, I do a sauna session, then meditate for 10–15 minutes. It helps me sleep deeply and reset.
Needed: What mindset shift gets you through tough moments?
Maria: “This is just a moment, and it will end.” Whether it’s a tantrum, a business challenge, or another sleepless night—I remind myself not to over-identify with it. Just breathe and ride it out.
Needed: What’s one misconception about thriving in motherhood you’d love to debunk?
Maria: That you have to do it all, all the time. You don’t. Ask for help. Divide and conquer. My husband and I switch off—sometimes one of us is doing 60% at home, the other 60% at work. That’s balance, too. There are seasons when you’re more present at home, and others when your career needs more of you. Honor the season you’re in.
Needed: How do you reset when things feel off?
Maria: I jump in the ocean. If that’s not possible, I go outside, move my body, breathe deeply—walk barefoot in the backyard. Nature brings me back to center, fast.
Needed: What are you most proud of right now?
Maria: The family and life we’re building. And staying true to my values—both professionally and personally. I’m also really proud of my husband. He has an intense job, but he never misses bedtime. He gives everything he has. We’re truly a team.
Needed: What’s bringing you joy?
Maria: We recently built a wellness area in our backyard—sauna, cold plunge, hot tub, firepit, outdoor table. We host “wellness nights” with neighbors and friends after the kids are down. Sauna, plunge, laughter—it’s simple and so joyful. That space, my daily rituals, my family, and my work—they all fill me up.
Needed: Finish the sentence, I feel most like myself when...
Maria: I’m in the water at sunrise, catching waves, fully present and flowing with the moment.
Want more stories like this? Explore the full How I Thrive series at https://thisisneeded.com/blogs/all
