Megan Navarro
BUDA — Believing support for women through all stages of motherhood, from pregnancy to postpartum, is vital, Kristen Cearbaugh created her own community locally.
In the spring of 2025, Cearbaugh created the Hays County Walking Group after she was inspired by a similar Austin-based group hosted by doula Kristen Lucas, who wanted to be able to bring together mothers, birth workers and children.
“I was like, ‘I love this idea and I want to bring it to Hays County,’” Cearbaugh said.
Building a community for moms, especially in their postpartum season, but also when they are pregnant, is important because they are able to connect with and confide in others who are in the same stage of life, Cearbaugh said.
“It's just something that helps moms get out of the house and be walking, too. The movement aspect is really important because sometimes, we can just get stuck at home easily, with all the things going on with littles, but it's a way to get out of the house, get the movement and be able to confide in other moms,” she explained. “Then, adding in the birth worker aspect, having others that are professionals in the space that can hold space; it just adds another layer of support from the professional standpoint.”
Hannah Acay, mother to a nearly-2-year-old, has been attending the Hays County Walking Group sessions for at least a year, after getting connected with Cearbaugh through another networking opportunity.
Aside from getting out in nature with the little ones, she said that she has enjoyed being around other women who are going through the same experience.
“If you don't have a community, it can be a very lonely space. I really feel like it takes a village and if not to help actually raise the children, then just to keep you mentally up,” Acay said. “I also think exercise and being outdoors is incredibly valuable for mental health and that's very hard to do solo, whether it be for motivation or just getting out and doing the things.”
A typical walking group session looks like meeting at the playground of a local park for everyone to mingle and then, they go on a short walk for no more than a mile to “keep it kind of friendly for every season of life,” Cearbaugh said. Afterwards, they loop back to the playground so that moms can hang out with each other, as well as their children.
Beyond the Hays County Walking Group, Cearbaugh, as a mother of two children, works to “hold space” for women in other ways. She shared that she works with moms in their postpartum season in their home; this looks like doing the laundry, dishes, holding the baby while they take a shower or anything that they need during that time.
She also holds online coaching sessions for moms, creating programs to tailor to her clients’ specific needs.
The Hays County Walking Group currently meets at 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month. Previously, they were meeting at Stagecoach Park in Buda, Cearbaugh explained, but, after dealing with park closures, that will be changed to Buda Amphitheater & City Park.
Originally, the group was available in San Marcos and Dripping Springs, but, after trying for nine months at each of those locations, Cearbaugh said that she found them to not be as well-attended as the current one in Buda. She is looking forward to expanding it again, if there is enough interest.
The next session will be held Thursday, Aug. 6. Registration for the Hays County Walking Group is not required, but encouraged. For more information, visit www.linktr.ee/sacredmamalove.
