Elastigirl, Edna Mode, and the Superhero You Already Are

Elastigirl, Edna Mode, and the Superhero You Already Are

On Wonder Woman fantasies, Canadian warriors, and why the real superpower is showing up every day in stretchy pants

The Superhero I Thought I Would Be

When I first started thinking about creating a community for women, my mind went straight to Wonder Woman. Fierce. Beautiful. Bulletproof. The kind of hero who can deflect incoming attacks with her wristbands while maintaining perfect hair.

But let me be honest: I am not Wonder Woman. I am not even close.

If I am being truthful, I am much more like the Canadian superhero Marg Delahunty, Princess Warrior — portrayed by the brilliant Mary Walsh on the classic Canadian sketch comedy show This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Like the "regal" character whose childhood apparently occurred before the earth hardened, Marg Delahunty could be found offering unsolicited advice and commentary on Canadian politics and culture while wearing a breastplate and wielding a sword. She was absurd, fearless, and absolutely herself.

That energy? That is closer to what we are building here. Not polished perfection. Not bulletproof glamour. Just a woman in a ridiculous costume, armed with opinions and a willingness to say the things nobody else will say.

Enter Elastigirl

However, when I zoned in more on the desire to create a community where mothers could support each other in order to manage the Herculean tasks and balance that our society expects of us, I quickly switched my mind's eye to an image of Elastigirl — Helen Parr from the popular superhero series The Incredibles.

From making her own decisions to fighting for what she believes in, Elastigirl is unstoppable. Not only is she fun and determined, she will do anything to protect her family. For someone balancing her life with three kids, she maintains her inspiring, kickass heroine status and excels in combat. She is there to save the world or solve the latest family disaster — often simultaneously, and without breaking a sweat.

Now that is what you call a true hero.

But here is what I love most about Elastigirl: her superpower is stretching. She literally stretches herself in every direction to meet every demand. She becomes a parachute, a boat, a bridge, a safety net — whatever her family needs in that moment, she becomes it.

Sound familiar?

Every mother I know is Elastigirl. Stretching to cover the carpool, the homework, the meal prep, the emotional labour, the work deadlines, the relationship maintenance, the medical appointments, the school forms, the birthday parties, and the quiet moments of holding a child who just needs to be held. We stretch and stretch and stretch, and most days, we do not snap. That is the superpower.

But Actually, I Am Edna Mode

To bring the comparison a bit further, I must confess: I am really more like Edna Mode.

For those who have not met her, Edna Mode is the character in The Incredibles who designs superhero costumes. She is a renowned fashion designer for "Supers" — famous for her distinctive style and practical designs, creating advanced suits that are both durable and stylish. She is also short, sassy, fiercely opinionated, and absolutely uninterested in anyone else's approval.

As time goes on, I relate more and more to her unique and severe style, characterised by her iconic big glasses and blunt haircut. She is small but mighty. She does not have superpowers herself, but she makes it possible for others to use theirs. She designs the suits that protect them, the tools that enhance them, and the confidence that empowers them.

That is what Thrive Momma is. We are not giving you superpowers — you already have those. We are designing the suit. We are creating the tools, the community, the support structure that allows you to use the powers you already possess without burning out, falling apart, or losing yourself in the process.

And like Edna, our design philosophy is practical: "No capes!" Because honestly, who has time for accessories that get caught in things? We are busy enough.

The Real Superpower

Here is what I have come to believe after years of coaching, parenting, and watching women navigate the impossible: the real superpower is not strength. It is not speed, or flexibility, or the ability to be in six places at once.

The real superpower is showing up.

Showing up when you are exhausted. Showing up when you are heartbroken. Showing up when you have no idea what you are doing and you are making it up as you go. Showing up for the school concert after working a twelve-hour day. Showing up for the bedtime story when you can barely keep your eyes open. Showing up for yourself — to the doctor's appointment, to the coffee with a friend, to the quiet moment of reading a book — even when guilt tells you that you should be doing something more "productive."

Research from Dr. Kristin Neff, the pioneer of self-compassion research, shows that the ability to be kind to yourself during difficult moments — rather than pushing through with superhuman force — is actually what predicts resilience, well-being, and effective parenting. In other words: the superhero who rests is stronger than the one who does not.

Together, as a community, we can support each other to move from longing for superpowers to feeling like we are our best selves. The superheroes we really can be. Not the Hallmark version. Not the Instagram version. The real version — tired, brave, stretchy-pants-wearing, snack-providing, homework-helping, occasionally-losing-it-in-the-minivan version.

That version is magnificent. And she deserves a really good suit.

Dig Deeper: The Research Behind the Real Talk

Neff, K. (2011). Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself. William Morrow. — Research on why self-compassion is more effective than self-criticism.

Nagoski, E. & Nagoski, A. (2019). Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. Ballantine. — On completing the stress cycle and avoiding burnout.

Schulte, B. (2014). Overwhelmed: How to Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time. Picador. — Research on the time crunch facing modern mothers.

Canadian Women's Foundation (canadianwomen.org) — Resources on women's empowerment and community building.

The Incredibles (2004, 2018). Pixar Animation Studios. — Because sometimes the best research is a really good movie.

Let's Chat

Time to claim your superhero identity:

Which fictional character do you most relate to as a mother? What is your actual superpower — the thing you do every day that nobody notices? Are you an Elastigirl (stretching to cover everything), an Edna Mode (making it possible for others to shine), or something else entirely? When was the last time you felt like a superhero — even a tired one? What would your superhero suit look like if Edna designed it for you?

Share below. Because this community is full of superheroes, and it is time we started acknowledging it. No capes required.

With love and a really practical suit,Elizabeth

Disclaimer: This blog is for general information and community-building purposes only. No actual superpowers were harmed in the writing of this post.