https://www.mariaberesneva.com/sauce-slice daily 0.75 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/daee1ffd-5087-476a-be74-08c56f01c6a6/BreeLewis-SauceSlice-Logo.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/138182ba-1048-4207-a558-bb9d427e81b1/BreeLewis-SauceSliceInscreen-3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/ad399634-6e3c-4b59-82c6-1024ac7eb3f8/Adri-SauceSlice-Inscreen-1.png https://www.mariaberesneva.com/sofia-pazari daily 0.75 2026-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/042ebdd4-990c-4c32-a90d-6524642dad1a/BreeLewis-SofiaPazari-Inscreen-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/c218f803-08d0-432d-afed-4692d1886c84/Adri-SofiaPazari-2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/c6e4c980-6a8a-4c89-ab74-cf9ab27e9e0a/BreeLewis-Inscreen-4.jpg https://www.mariaberesneva.com/home daily 1.0 2026-05-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/b87d2803-8c03-4ed3-8917-6e7a4ff9cddf/Group+15433.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/785f0d63-fd52-49a9-9276-05fe2464c62f/Group+15434.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/817f1dc7-f463-4201-8057-cd34cb040d02/Group+15431.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1776391041814-QD2KMNTL32S9HJ5MP9TU/unsplash-image-0I75875sRVU.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1776391291442-VA29X3POTN30JDMOF4WV/unsplash-image-AxYSa1E0850.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1776392278293-6B6ZNU9V72OTD1RZD7JQ/unsplash-image-HgZY0oYkpi8.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/da517b30-7a5b-4b8f-9510-82db303d8897/IMG_5386cropped.JPG https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1778117352037-3Y54FXHKKFTUBT42EELR/unsplash-image-rBkdtJImETA.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/18e09bf7-f037-4c94-a274-2c2cca3f7c53/IMG_2954.png https://www.mariaberesneva.com/projects daily 0.75 2026-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/1372af17-7d25-4e10-adf4-2341e9e0cc0c/ColletteNoll-Inscreen-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/042ebdd4-990c-4c32-a90d-6524642dad1a/BreeLewis-SofiaPazari-Inscreen-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/138182ba-1048-4207-a558-bb9d427e81b1/BreeLewis-SauceSliceInscreen-3.jpg https://www.mariaberesneva.com/collette-noll daily 0.75 2026-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/1372af17-7d25-4e10-adf4-2341e9e0cc0c/ColletteNoll-Inscreen-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/1fe47d19-f983-4eaa-8114-62afaac18473/ColletteNoll-Inscreen-3.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/65fb4adb2ee0272566e6323e/f388e2a5-07b8-4f05-8663-29112cb9895a/Adri-Inscreen-1.png https://www.mariaberesneva.com/scheduling daily 0.75 2026-05-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/9ab99a64-9ee1-42ac-be2f-522888ec00e4/IMG_5386cropped.JPG https://www.mariaberesneva.com/running daily 0.75 2026-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/db774aa2-1895-4768-8774-c76532be2092/643440766_26980691504854427_8970412439994348038_n.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/627cfc92-c090-40f9-9da2-84d05fef3a56/20240926_223824000_iOS.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/160d3ae0-f84c-430b-bfb2-c21ee68acdba/IMG_8853.jpeg https://www.mariaberesneva.com/new-page daily 0.75 2026-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1790978659119-JOI4P5T57J7B7I7D5T17/unsplash-image-PoO-pMjrP-0.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/5bd115ae-d900-42ed-a948-e89e750a5755/565911202_25758003320456591_3740018694213111465_n.jpg New Page (Images, 2021) Cardiovascular engine in overdrive: I’ve been going on intense runs for many years now—sprinting uphill, running uphill, intervals, long-distance running. I realize that I’ve gotten pretty fast when I start outpacing fit men! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/3e02e234-728c-4a47-a23d-8e7e94e11f3a/Here2.jpg New Page (Images) Rising confidence: Pushing and challenging my body from a young age builds up my confidence. Here I am in action, navigating a steep mountain hike. Those rocks and boulders are no joke! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/b6ac3cc4-408a-4e19-b72e-d023d277a8aa/Now.jpg New Page (Images) Fitness since the early days: I start doing regular, intense exercise as a kid. There are two main reasons: I want to strengthen my body after a childhood plagued by injuries, and my metabolism slows down at an early age.  https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/91037c30-2d58-4dca-a341-1d1eec8d36db/Today.jpg New Page (Images, 2021) “Covid abs”: After the abdominal surgery, for a long time, I'm really scared to do anything but cardio. Building solid abs marks a significant psychological milestone: I no longer feel bound by my previous injuries. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/62347535-2082-4b85-9d46-5334cf84a6a9/Snowboard1.jpg New Page (Images) New beginnings: After the skiing accident, I can't ski the same. Snowboarding represents a fresh start and a clean slate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/fb0f45a8-6412-4d9a-99c2-0ff4c4318e29/IMG_4150cropped.JPG New Page (Images, 2026) “Fitness mommy": At the very end of 2025, I clock an elite mile time for the first time, bringing some extra fireworks to the New Year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/b72b23a7-5fa4-448a-9717-9969dc9a6b93/562358721_25765107229746200_4123597586946399983_n.jpg New Page (Images) A charismatic little charmer is born: My daughter in her first years of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/41701d02-afcd-47df-96b5-55984313f7a8/IMG_0532.jpeg New Page (Images, 2022) Pregnancy athletic performance: For most of my pregnancy, I'm able to hold onto a high level of athletic performance, thanks to decades of intense training pre-baby. 5 months pregnant here and still clocking highly-competitive mile times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/b72b23a7-5fa4-448a-9717-9969dc9a6b93/562358721_25765107229746200_4123597586946399983_n.jpg New Page (Images) A charismatic little charmer is born: My daughter in her first years of life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/5a41a700-9488-4dba-8c13-4ee0d6b557b5/IMG_1936.jpeg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/d1a27237-65fb-49fc-be2b-5b161568bff7/Test8.png New Page (2026) Chasing my daughter is easy when I’m running the fastest mile I’ve ever run! Before pregnancy, I was convinced I had reached my peak and would never run that fast again. I never imagined I would go on to shatter all my mile time records AFTER giving birth. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/cd0961e6-972a-4375-af0e-b42e2f51884e/559906598_25759004307023159_716999018240867974_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/14931adc-6a63-45eb-9f4e-437003f84694/506115657_24683848037872130_3176333840220780524_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/3e2ce0c4-6dbe-4aae-837a-650f1c3557a0/569048540_25798164309773825_4457934321840826860_n.jpg New Page With my mom as the sun sets on another day full of hiking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/8f23b9c4-f02c-4b98-ae8b-ecd2eeb6debe/Image1.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/40627b8b-b15d-45fc-b78a-63978d92bc99/674672730_27531504943106411_3016105793175636788_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/b2857f2a-e8a5-4828-847d-b234eafea65a/Pregnant3.jpeg New Page I'm 7 months pregnant. After hitting a few fitness obstacles, I'm able to return to challenging outdoor runs. My body is well-primed to take on the additional load of carrying a baby, while maintaining athletic performance. All my years of fitness training are paying off! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/6309a312-48c2-413e-b8f6-b3eb2f6f99b0/562118981_25758003193789937_2977716062676027812_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/f090f0f2-3897-457e-a82b-b1ed673a8ee4/Website1.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/58b7ad7b-73f6-4423-b372-0ec8cdd5083c/Test6.jpg New Page (2025) My daughter is almost 3 and at this point, I’m unexpectedly starting to outperform my pre-pregnancy self. I’m running well into the advanced level and approaching elite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/028b0035-3e2e-4f34-ab33-207db89d3c87/568119039_25758995193690737_1838931291077297869_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/476e77bc-5181-44e7-8368-b39cbd908354/643875024_26947472238176354_3737112530939535949_n.jpg New Page With my mom and brother as we engage in an outdoor fitness mix: hiking, sightseeing, and exploring a new city. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/6605fc7a-bdb9-454c-b2fa-c1a3ab6d068a/506805769_24683848107872123_3721010523894976092_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/0d672893-d4bf-44cd-aa10-7b61ab014ee0/676780179_27531549969768575_5424692959286796836_n.jpg New Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/a7d81f87-9300-46b4-afed-b95745c01816/IMG_0952.jpeg New Page I'm 9 months pregnant, about to pop! At this point, the pregnancy is really taking its toll. I can barely walk because my uterus is now pressing on a major nerve. Since I'm unable to do many athletic activities, I double-down on the healthy eating to stay fit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1790970713424-6VHHJGL4T5ZIGP7FI99X/unsplash-image-PoO-pMjrP-0.jpg New Page - Another nosedive Skip ahead to college. By now, I have a decade of intense fitness training under my belt. My reputation shines down on me with blissful rays: someone who knows how to get fitness results. I’ve created something of value to the world and it makes me really happy. But even though I’ve seemingly found my fitness stride, more tumultuous waters lie ahead. One day, I notice my abdominal area doesn’t feel normal and it’s obvious something’s wrong. My mom happens to be a doctor, so I go to her for an informal checkup. The news is not good. She suspects that I’ve sustained several internal abdominal injuries and that I would need surgery. Upon formal examination at the hospital, it turns out she’s right. The next few weeks pre-surgery are a mix of shock, disappointment, and coming to terms with what’s happened. This is the last thing I expected. I’m scared to death of surgery. I had hoped I’d go my whole life without ever having surgery. Yet, here I am, at the ripe, old age of 20. I’ve barely lived through 2 decades and my body is already breaking down on me. I start questioning everything. Am I just not cut out to be an athlete? Have I been doing everything wrong this whole time? Or is it just bad luck and out of my control? I don’t have the answer to all these questions, so I simply press on in my fitness journey with a heart full of hope, trying not to think about it too much. Despite all my doubts and fears, time will reveal that this is not the end, but only the beginning of what my body is capable of. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1790970745386-ES3W8MMUVFRQ0U3XIGVK/unsplash-image-PoO-pMjrP-0.jpg New Page - On the comeback trail The recovery from abdominal surgery is 3 months long and very painful. I can’t bend at the waist very much. I can’t tie my own shoes. I have to have people do simple things for me. The most humbling part is that for the first time in my life, I’m disgusted by my own body. My stomach is swollen and bruised in every color of the rainbow and it will stay that way for a long time. I can’t help but notice the irony: the physique I’d taken so much pride in, I can now barely stand to look at. I’m once again faced with the fragility of the human body, something I thought I’d overcome. All the bad memories come pouring back. The uncertainty of my future as an athlete rings loud and clear. During recovery, there’s only one form of exercise I’m allowed to do—running. But there’s a problem: running was not what I was doing to achieve my results. I’m incredibly scared of losing all the fitness I’ve worked so hard and so long for. Reluctantly, angrily, frustratingly, I switch to running as my main and only workout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1790970745386-ES3W8MMUVFRQ0U3XIGVK/unsplash-image-PoO-pMjrP-0.jpg New Page - Glimpses of hope I’m now in years 2-3 of fitness training since having a baby and I’m finally noticing visible results. My tummy has shrunk and I’m fitting into more of my pre-pregnancy clothes. It’s not the dramatic progress I wanted, but it’s progress. This gives me some hope. Enough hope to keep going. Skip forward a bit more, it’s now year 3 of fitness training since having a baby. Suddenly, unexpectedly, my intense runs start to feel easy. Too easy. At first, I think it’s some sort of fluke. I just have more energy than usual today. Then, the next workout feels too easy. And the next workout. And the one after that. I realize that my body is ready for a new challenge. I start clocking an even faster mile time. I’m now running the fastest mile I’ve ever been able to run. Then something really unexpected happens. That mile time starts to feel too easy. So I start running an even faster mile. A few weeks later, even that mile time feels too easy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/69a88fa0d63dd23e928b02b9/1790970713424-6VHHJGL4T5ZIGP7FI99X/unsplash-image-PoO-pMjrP-0.jpg New Page - Surge in fitness Within the same month, I end up breaking my pre-pregnancy mile time record 4 times; each time setting a new record, then breaking it again a few weeks later. I’m running way faster than I ever could before pregnancy. I’m now straddling the advanced and elite levels. Elite is the best of the best. The top 1-10% of fastest recreational runners. I’m so close to the elite level I can just taste it, feel it, smell it. I just have to shave about 10 more seconds off my mile time. I’m determined to do it. A month later, I clock an elite-level mile time for the first time. It’s hard, grueling. It takes every last ounce of strength, endurance, and drive that I have in me. The last quarter-mile is so hard, I feel like I’m going to fall over after I finish. But I finish. That’s the important part. And I don’t fall over. I stand tall and proud. There I am, on a cold, rainy December day, by far the fastest, strongest, fittest athlete I have ever been in my entire life. It’s now been 3.5 years since I’ve given birth. 3.5 years of extremely hard work in the gym, in nutrition. I’m finally seeing the dramatic results I thought would never come. I’m leaner, stronger, fitter than I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve blown all of my pre-pregnancy fitness records out of the water. Not only am I fitting into all my pre-pregnancy clothes, most of them are too big now. I’m fitting into things I was never able to fit into pre-pregnancy. My abs are back and in full force. My tummy is lean and flat, flatter than it was before pregnancy. I beat the odds. All those people who said I’ll never have a flat tummy again were completely wrong. Turns out, I had to be the person to prove it. My abdominal condition is still there, but it’s so minor now that you’d never be able to tell. I never went to physical therapy, I never ended up needing it. Healthy eating and exercise proved more powerful than even a post-pregnancy condition that was supposedly “permanent.”