COVER MOM
Lima Che
CREDITS
- Model: Lima Che (@limaswardrobe )
- Photographer: Ron Paolo Gilman (@ronpaologilman)
- Art director GMM: Kéyoh Ohanian (@keyoh_official)
- Interior designer / creative director: Anna Ohanian (@annaohanian)
- Make-up by: Maria Arutunian (@mariaarutunian)
- Hair by: Linda Arutunian (@styledbylindar)
- Styling by: Didi (@Bleucestgris)
- Styling by: Gaiane Hasoyan (@gaianehasoyannn)
- Clothing by: Bleu C’est Gris (@Bleucestgris)
- Accessoriesby: Kochelly (@kochelly_com)
- Location: Sensum Gent
COVER MOM INTERVIEW
From Belgium’s First Influencer to Boss Mom of Three
01. Dear Lima, please introduce yourself to our glamorous readers.
My name is Lima Che. My journey began as a humble blogger over 13 years ago, with my first blog, Lima’s Wardrobe. Since then, I’ve evolved into a social media influencer, sharing my life and passions with a growing audience. I’m also a proud mother of three. I live in Antwerp, Belgium, with my loving husband, and together, we navigate this beautiful, busy life.
02. You’re recognized as one of Belgium’s first bloggers and influencers. Is that correct?
Yes, that’s true! I was among the very first influencers in Belgium. When I started, I had only two other colleagues in the space, so it felt like we were pioneering something entirely new. It’s incredible to look back and see how far we’ve all come since then.
03. How do you manage your whirlwind life of travel while raising three young children?
Organization is key! I plan everything meticulously to ensure my kids are always well taken care of. Thankfully, I have an incredible support system, my husband, who is a hands-on dad, and my wonderful mom, who helps whenever I need it. It’s not always easy, but with clear planning and teamwork, I make it work.
04. What advice would you give to new mothers?
Motherhood is the most beautiful gift you’ll ever receive. In the beginning, it may feel overwhelming or even scary, but trust that you’re doing an amazing job. The moment you hold your child, you become the best version of yourself. Even on tough days, remember: you’re enough, and your efforts are extraordinary. Be kind to yourself and proud of everything you’re doing.
05. Do you have any exciting projects on the horizon you’d like to share with our readers?
At the moment, I’m focused on several collaborations, though I can’t share the details just yet. Big things are coming in the new year! Stay tuned for lots of fresh and exciting content, I promise it will be worth the wait.
06. If you weren’t a public figure, what profession would you pursue?
If I hadn’t ventured into social media and modeling, I would have pursued a career as a lawyer. Law was always my second passion, and I had planned to study for a law degree. However, life took me down a different path, and I’ve never looked back. Still, I’d like to think I could have been a successful lawyer if I’d chosen that route.
07. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I hope to still be doing what I love, creating content, inspiring others, and growing alongside my family. Ideally, I’ll be living on a beautiful farm, raising five children (why not?) and continuing to be the boss lady I am today. Above all, I hope for health, happiness, and a fulfilled life with my loved ones.
08. What is the most challenging part of motherhood for you?
For me, the hardest part is traveling for work. Being away from my children, even for a short time, comes with a sense of guilt. While I’m passionate about my career and everything it allows me to provide for my family, I can’t help but miss them deeply when I’m abroad. I do my best to make up for it by spending quality time with them when I return, but the guilt never fully goes away.
09. Who is your role model, and why do they inspire you?
Hailey Bieber is my current role model. She’s built a remarkable brand and image, demonstrating intelligence, creativity, and incredible marketing skills. I admire her ability to balance her career, personal life, and motherhood while being a true boss lady. Her journey inspires me to push boundaries and achieve my own goals.
10. How was your experience working with our Glam Mom Magazine team?
It was an absolute joy! From start to finish, I felt surrounded by warmth, positivity, and incredible talent. The team was so supportive and inspiring, and the day felt more like a gathering of friends than work. I can’t wait to see the final result and would love the chance to collaborate again.
SENSUM GENT
At SENSUM, we want every visit to taste like more. Deborah and chef Maurice welcome you in a stylish and beautifully renovated castle on the outskirts of Ghent. They will let you enjoy unique moments. They want to take you on their own journey, and celebrate life with you.
A New Lens on Life
Shiva Rasti on Postpartum, Purpose & Timeless Creation
When it comes to balancing my professional life with raising a child, I don’t believe in the idea that women are meant to “balance it all” at once. I find that expectation deceptive. Life moves in stages, and in each stage, different things deserve priority. Right now, my baby is my priority and that doesn’t take away from my creativity. In fact, becoming a mother has shifted my perspective in a powerful way. It has made me more intentional about my creative work , more focused on longevity, and more driven to create work that carries meaning and long-term impact.
The Way Back
Kiro Matcha
A year ago, I didn’t even know what matcha was. Life changed after the birth of my daughter, an emergency C-section left me with a body that no longer felt like my own. I’d always been slim, but suddenly bloating and fatigue became daily struggles. In search of balance, I tried a green powder I found online. Only later did I discover its key ingredient: matcha. That small detail sparked a journey of discovery. I immersed myself in research, learned about the health benefits of ceremonial-grade matcha, and soon realized that not all matcha is created equal.
Driven by perfectionism – and perhaps a touch of obsession – I tested countless brands. Many were blended, diluted, or sweetened. None lived up to what matcha could truly be. That’s when the idea was born: if the perfect matcha didn’t exist, I would create it. This is how Kiro Matcha came to life. Pure, organic, with no additives and no sugar. Our EU BIO certification guarantees traceability and authenticity, so every sip reflects the highest standards. Kiro (帰路) means “the way back” in Japanese – a return to purity, to origins, to what is essential. More than a drink, it’s a ritual, an invitation to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
No loud campaigns, no gimmicks—just quiet luxury in a cup, trusted by those who know the difference. Perfection takes time. And now, it’s finally ready. Join our VIP list and be the first to experience matcha the way it was meant to be.
“I Am Still Here” - A Mother’s Life With Incurable Cancer
Serap Can
Motherhood and illness rarely go together. Even the flu feels poorly timed. You feel unwell, but there is no time to recover — life keeps going. Now imagine being diagnosed with cancer. What do you do then? How do you combine the two? It not impossible. Believe me — I’ve been doing it for more than four years.
My name is Serap Can. I am 38 years old and have been married to my husband, Onur for 13 years. Together, we brought two beautiful daughters into this world: Emilya (8) and Elina (4). Shortly after the birth of our second daughter, I became seriously ill. And since 2024, I am incurable which is impossible to grasp.
It all began with a heavy bleeding at 37 weeks of pregnancy, which resulted in a premature birth. According to the doctors, it was nothing to worry about. But my intuition told me otherwise. I asked for a smear test. When the bleeding returned, further examinations revealed a tumor on my cervix. Thanks to Elina — my little angel — I was given the chance to fight, just in time. The cancer was already in stage III. And I fought fiercely, as any mother would. In the summer of 2022, I was declared cancer-free. I believed I could finally leave it all behind and fully be there for my newborn baby. Because the cancer created a distance between us.
Less than a year later, fate struck again. A tumor was found in my left lung and was surgically removed. Once more, I overcame cancer. And as a survivor, I wrote a book about my journey, titled Een kijk in mijn hart — because that is exactly what I did. I gave the reader a piece of my heart. With honesty and without embellishment, I wrote about everything that happened after the moment devastating news entered our lives. Through my story, I connected with fellow patients, who in turn helped me move forward.
At the end of 2024, the cancer returned — incurable this time — spreading to both lungs. I accept the cancer, but the incurability is harder to embrace. Still, I hope — against all odds — to live for a long time so I get to be the mother my daughters deserve. They are my legacy. In their hearts, I will always live on. Every new candle on Elina’s birthday cake is a milestone. The fact that I am incurably ill but yet I am still here, is being emphasized at that moment.
Writing is what keeps me standing. It helps me process the unthinkable. Through my columns that I write for the weekend magazine Billie, I reach other sick mothers or the one who cannot imagine what that means. I hope my words comfort, inspire, and soften what feels unbearably heavy. So, I keep writing about love, fear, motherhood, and hope — one honest moment at a time. For as long as I am here, my story continues and I invite you to listen.
The Things We Don’t Say: A Gentle Invitation for Mothers to Talk Without Judgment
by Glam Mom Magazine
The Taboo No One Warned Us About
Motherhood changes your body, your identity, your relationships, your hormones, your sense of self. Yet many mothers feel pressure to act as if they’re unchanged—or grateful enough not to question it. Some of the most common unspoken realities include:- Feeling overwhelmed even when you love your children deeply
- Missing your old self while embracing your new one
- Struggling with intimacy, libido, or body confidence
- Hormonal shifts that affect mood, patience, and energy
- Feeling lonely despite being constantly needed
- Wanting space—and feeling guilty for wanting it
Why We Stay Quiet
Mothers often don’t speak up because:- We fear being judged as ungrateful or “not coping”
- We compare ourselves to highlight reels
- We believe “other moms manage better”
- We don’t want to burden anyone
- We assume discomfort is just part of the deal
What All Mothers Should Know (And Talk About)
- You Can Love Your Children and Still Feel Lost Sometimes
- Your Body Is Allowed to Change—and So Are You
- Mental Load Is Real—and It’s Heavy
- Intimacy Shifts Don’t Mean Something Is Wrong With You
- Asking for Help Is Not a Weakness
How to Create Judgment-Free Conversations
At Glam Mom, we believe the goal isn’t to “fix” each other—but to hold space. Here’s how we can make hard topics easier to talk about:- Listen without interrupting or advising
- Replace “at least” with “that sounds hard”
- Avoid comparisons – every mother’s load is different
- Normalize professional support
- Share stories, not solutions, unless asked
The Quiet Shift: A Mother’s Guide to Understanding Pre-Menopause
by Glam Mom Magazine
What Is Pre-Menopause, Really?
Pre-menopause (often used interchangeably with perimenopause) is the transitional phase before menopause, when the ovaries gradually begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone. Unlike menopause—which is officially marked by 12 consecutive months without a period—pre-menopause can last several years. For many women, this phase starts between ages 35 and 45, though some notice changes earlier or later. Importantly, periods often continue, which is why many women don’t realize hormonal shifts are already underway. How It All Starts: The Subtle Signs Pre-menopause rarely announces itself loudly. Instead, it whispers. Common early signs include: • Changes in menstrual cycles (shorter, longer, heavier, or lighter) • Mood swings or increased anxiety • Irritability that feels “out of character” • Trouble sleeping or waking up at 3 a.m. • Fatigue that rest doesn’t fix • Brain fog or forgetfulness • Reduced stress tolerance • Weight gain, especially around the middle • Lower libido Many mothers blame themselves—Am I just overwhelmed? Burned out? Not coping well enough? The truth is: your hormones are shifting, and your nervous system feels it. Why It Can Feel So Hard Pre-menopause often collides with one of the most demanding seasons of a woman’s life. You’re expected to be everything to everyone—while your internal chemistry is changing. Estrogen influences mood, sleep, metabolism, and emotional resilience. When it fluctuates, your body and brain feel less predictable. This isn’t weakness. It’s biology.
What You Can Do to Reduce Suffering and Frustration
While pre-menopause can’t be prevented, unnecessary suffering absolutely can be reduced.- Learn What’s Happening
- Protect Your Sleep
- Aim for consistent bedtimes
- Reduce late-night scrolling
- Limit caffeine after midday
- Create a calming nighttime ritual
- Eat to Support Hormones
- Protein at every meal
- Healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)
- Fiber-rich vegetables
- Steady blood sugar (avoid skipping meals)
- Move—But Don’t Punish Your Body
- Manage Stress Like It Matters (Because It Does)
- Talk to a Knowledgeable Doctor
- Ignoring symptoms and “pushing through”
- Assuming emotional changes are personal failures
- Over-exercising to “fix” weight gain
- Drastically cutting calories
- Comparing yourself to your younger self
The Glam Mom Body Myth
Why I Finally Stopped Trying to “Bounce Back” - and Started Listening to Myself
I don’t remember exactly when it happened, but I remember how it felt. Someone asked me — gently, almost automatically — whether I had bounced back after having my child, and I remember smiling, nodding, and answering something polite, while inside I felt this strange pause, like my body and my mind weren’t quite in sync anymore. Because the truth was, I didn’t know what “back” even meant.
Back to who I was before pregnancy? Back to a body that hadn’t carried life, hadn’t been awake through nights that blurred into mornings, hadn’t learned how to function while loving someone so deeply it physically changed me? I had done everything “right,” at least according to the unspoken rules we all seem to absorb without realizing it. I moved again, I tried to eat well, I followed timelines that weren’t written for me, and yet there was this quiet pressure sitting in the background, telling me that whatever I was doing, it still wasn’t enough — not fast enough, not visible enough, not convincing enough.
What surprised me most was that no one ever said anything outright. No one told me I looked wrong. No one criticized my body directly. Instead, it came in softer forms — in compliments that felt loaded, in comparisons that were never meant to hurt, in that familiar phrase: “You don’t even look like you had a baby.” And every time I heard it, a small part of me wondered why that was supposed to be the goal, why the visible proof of something so life-altering needed to disappear in order for me to be considered successful again. I started to notice how often I looked at my body as if it were a project still in progress, something I needed to fix or complete before I could fully return to myself, and how exhausting that way of thinking actually was, even when no one else could see it.
The Moment Everything Shifted
One evening, after my child had finally fallen asleep and the house was quiet in that rare, heavy way only parents really understand, I stood in front of the mirror without any intention of judging or correcting anything, and for the first time in a long while, I simply looked, not critically, not strategically, just honestly. I saw a body that had adapted, softened, strengthened, endured, and held more than I had ever asked of it before, and suddenly it felt strange, almost unfair, that I had been treating it like a problem that needed solving rather than something that deserved care and respect. That was the moment I realized there was no “back” to return to, because the woman I had become didn’t live there anymore.
Instead of asking how I looked, I started asking how I felt when I woke up in the morning, how much energy I had left at the end of the day, whether my body felt supported or pushed, and whether the choices I was making were actually helping me live the life I wanted – not the one I felt pressured to present. I stopped moving my body out of guilt and started moving it out of appreciation. I stopped seeing food as control and started seeing it as fuel. And without forcing anything, confidence returned – not loudly, not dramatically, but steadily, in a way that felt real and grounded.
The Glam Mom Body Isn’t a Phase
My body tells a story now, and it’s not a story of loss or failure or something that needs to be hidden or corrected. It’s a story of strength that doesn’t always look sharp or defined, but feels stable and reliable. It’s a story of love that left marks, not because something went wrong, but because something meaningful happened. And the more I allowed myself to accept that, the less I felt the need to explain myself to anyone else.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing this because I know how quiet this struggle can be, and how easy it is to believe that you’re the only one still negotiating with your reflection, still wondering whether you’re allowed to feel confident in a body that doesn’t look the way it once did. If you’re reading this and recognizing yourself in any part of it, I want you to know this: You were never meant to bounce back. You were meant to grow forward. Stronger in ways that matter. More connected to yourself. More at home in the life you’re living now.
This isn’t the end of beauty.
It’s the beginning of a deeper, more honest version of it.
Elena Moreau
A Loving Mom Doesn't Give Up Her Dreams
Shadé Bankolé
My name is Shadé Bankolé. I am a wife, a proud mom of three, an entrepreneur, a model, a Pilates teacher, and sometimes a content creator. My life is filled with different roles, passions, and projects, and that’s exactly how I like it. I don’t thrive in repetition; I thrive in movement, growth, and creativity. Variety fuels me, challenges me, and keeps me inspired. There truly is never a dull moment in my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Entrepreneur
Together with my business partner Yasmina, I run the event agency Say No More. We focus on corporate events, brand experiences, and product launches. With our private event division, Say Yes, we create luxury weddings and private celebrations, tailored to clients who seek excellence and elegance. I am a firm believer that you can pursue several ambitions at the same time, as long as you have a clear plan.
Creativity and Movement
Aside from being an entrepreneur, I am also a model, and being in front of the camera allows me to express myself and tap into my creativity. Modeling has also made me very aware of my body, how I move, how I stand, and how I carry myself. That growing awareness and my passion for movement and well-being naturally led me to Pilates. It taught me to focus on posture, breathing, and control, and to really listen to my body. Becoming an instructor felt like a natural next step: a way to turn that passion into something meaningful by helping women reconnect with their bodies and discover strength, balance, and confidence. It gives me a break from the fast-paced days in my life.
Raising Active and Passionate Children
Together with my husband, we are raising three beautiful children with big personalities and even bigger dreams. Our family life is loud and busy, and to keep everything running smoothly we rely on planning, teamwork, family support, and sometimes carpooling with other parents. All our children are involved in sports, which takes dedication, but it’s something we deeply encourage. Movement teaches commitment, perseverance, and confidence. It shows them that success comes from effort, not shortcuts, and reminds them to stay grateful and humble. I will choose driving them around to all their activities over them becoming addicted to screens anytime.
Balancing Motherhood & Ambition
People often ask me, “How do you manage it all?”
The truth is, I don’t do it by myself.
I rely on my husband and family.
I communicate clearly.
I plan with intention.
I set priorities.
I protect my me-time.
And I give myself grace when there are off-days….it’s ok!!
And aside from family, you need a few solid friends around you, people who keep it real with you, support you, but also ground you when needed. Those are the people who should help you stay aligned with who you truly are. I have learned that being a loving mom does not mean giving up your dreams. It means showing your children what it looks like to chase them. I want my kids to grow up knowing that their mother dared to dream, dared to work, and dared to believe.
What Advice Would You Give Others?
I am not where I want to be yet, but I am further than I was yesterday. I am still dreaming, still building, still becoming. I am still adjusting my goals, and that is powerful. Life evolves, and so do you. You should never be afraid to pivot when things don’t turn out the way you planned. Over the years, you change, and so do your dreams. There is always time to reinvent yourself, to choose a new direction, to grow into a new version of who you are meant to be.
Start with a plan and adjust it whenever you see fit.
My Message
I live by three values:
Be grateful. Stay humble. Work hard.
Reminder to you and myself: Dreams and goals come true because you show up, even when you’re tired, unsure, or afraid. They come true when you choose faith over fear, action over excuses, and growth over comfort.
Shadé Bankolé