It was a crisp autumn evening in New York City when Kat Timpf, the sharp-witted Fox News contributor and comedian, sat down to read her fan mail after a particularly lively television interview on Gutfeld!. Known for her unapologetic humor and libertarian views, Kat was used to receiving all kinds of letters—some filled with praise, others with criticism, and a few laced with the occasional absurdity. But one letter, handwritten on pale blue stationery, stopped her in her tracks. It was from a woman named Sarah, a 32-year-old mother of two from a small town in Ohio. Sarah’s words were raw, honest, and heart-wrenching. She described the isolation of being a stay-at-home mom after giving birth, the crushing weight of postpartum struggles, and the daunting challenge of re-entering the workforce after years away. “I feel like I’ve lost myself,” Sarah wrote, “and I don’t know where to begin.”

For Kat, who had recently navigated her own journey through pregnancy and a breast cancer diagnosis just hours before giving birth in February 2025, Sarah’s letter hit like a thunderbolt. It wasn’t just a cry for help; it was a mirror reflecting the silent struggles of countless women. Kat, who had always used humor to cope with life’s toughest moments, felt a fire ignite within her. “I couldn’t just read that letter and move on,” she later shared in a private conversation with a close friend. “I had to do something real, something that would make a difference.” That moment marked the birth of Rise Up, a program that would soon become a lifeline for postpartum women across the country, helping them rediscover their confidence, rebuild their careers, and forge a supportive community.

The Genesis of Rise Up

Kat Timpf is no stranger to taking bold stands. From her early days as a struggling comedian in Los Angeles, waiting tables at Boston Market, to becoming a New York Times bestselling author and a fixture on Fox News, she’s built a career on resilience and authenticity. But Rise Up was different—it wasn’t about fame or ratings. It was personal. Inspired by Sarah’s letter, Kat decided to fund the program out of her own pocket, pouring thousands of dollars into creating a platform that would empower postpartum women. “I didn’t want this to be some corporate charity with red tape and agendas,” Kat explained in a candid moment during one of the program’s early sessions. “I wanted it to be real, raw, and for the women who need it most.”

The Rise Up program launched in early 2025, just weeks after Kat welcomed her son and underwent a double mastectomy to treat Stage 0 breast cancer. Despite her own physical and emotional challenges, Kat threw herself into the project with relentless determination. She rented a modest community center in Brooklyn as the program’s first hub, transforming it into a warm, inviting space with cozy chairs, inspirational wall art, and a coffee station that became a gathering point for laughter and tears. The program’s mission was simple yet profound: to provide postpartum women with the skills, confidence, and community they need to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.

A Curriculum of Empowerment

Rise Up isn’t your typical career workshop. Kat designed the program to address the unique challenges postpartum women face, blending practical training with emotional support. The curriculum spans eight weeks, with sessions held three times a week. Topics range from resume building and job interview techniques to mastering work-life balance and overcoming self-doubt. Kat, drawing from her own experiences in the cutthroat world of media, leads several sessions herself, sharing stories of her early failures—like the time she bombed a stand-up set in a dingy LA comedy club—and how she learned to embrace her imperfections.

To ensure the program’s impact, Kat recruited a team of experts, including career coaches, psychologists, and even a former HR director from a Fortune 500 company. One standout session, dubbed “The Confidence Catalyst,” is led by Dr. Emily Rivera, a clinical psychologist who specializes in postpartum mental health. Dr. Rivera guides participants through exercises to combat imposter syndrome, helping women recognize their worth in a world that often overlooks their contributions. “Kat’s vision was to create a space where women could be vulnerable and strong at the same time,” Dr. Rivera noted. “It’s unlike anything I’ve seen.”

One fictional but vivid example of the program’s impact is the story of Maria, a 29-year-old single mother from Queens. Maria joined Rise Up after spending three years at home raising her daughter, feeling disconnected from her former life as a graphic designer. During a mock interview session, Kat noticed Maria’s hesitation and pulled her aside for a one-on-one chat. “You’re not just a mom,” Kat told her, her voice firm but kind. “You’re a creator, a problem-solver, and you’ve got skills the world needs.” That conversation was a turning point. By the end of the program, Maria landed a freelance design contract with a local startup, and she credits Rise Up for giving her the courage to try again.

Building a Sisterhood

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Rise Up is the community it fosters. Kat recognized early on that postpartum women often feel isolated, cut off from the social networks they once relied on. To combat this, she incorporated group activities into the program, from casual coffee chats to team-building exercises like a “vision board” workshop where participants create collages of their dreams and goals. These moments of connection have given rise to what participants call “The Sisterhood,” a tight-knit network of women who support each other long after the program ends.

Take, for example, the story of Jenna and Aisha, two participants who met during the first Rise Up cohort. Jenna, a former teacher, and Aisha, a laid-off marketing assistant, bonded over their shared struggles with postpartum anxiety. After the program, they started a weekly support group that now includes a dozen other Rise Up graduates. “It’s not just about getting a job,” Aisha said, her eyes lighting up. “It’s about knowing you’re not alone, that there’s someone out there who gets it.”

Kat herself is an active part of this community, often joining the women for impromptu pizza nights or responding to late-night texts from participants seeking advice. Her involvement goes beyond that of a founder—she’s a mentor, a cheerleader, and, in many ways, a friend. “I’ve learned as much from these women as they’ve learned from me,” Kat admitted during a recent session, her voice catching with emotion. “They’re the real heroes.”

A Ripple Effect

Since its launch, Rise Up has helped over 50 women secure jobs, ranging from part-time retail positions to full-time roles in tech and education. But the program’s impact extends beyond employment statistics. Participants report feeling more confident, more connected, and more in control of their futures. For many, Rise Up has been a lifeline, pulling them out of the fog of postpartum challenges and into a brighter, more hopeful chapter.

One particularly moving moment came during a graduation ceremony for the first Rise Up cohort. Sarah, the woman whose letter inspired the program, flew in from Ohio to attend. In a tearful speech, she thanked Kat for giving her the tools to start a small baking business from her home. “I thought I was invisible,” Sarah said, her voice trembling. “But Kat saw me, and she helped me see myself again.”

As Rise Up grows, Kat has plans to expand the program to other cities, with Chicago and Detroit at the top of her list. She’s also exploring partnerships with local businesses to offer internships and job placements for graduates. Despite the challenges of scaling a grassroots initiative, Kat remains undaunted. “If I can help one woman feel like she’s enough, then it’s all worth it,” she said.

A Legacy of Hope

Kat Timpf’s Rise Up program is more than a training course—it’s a movement. It’s a testament to the power of one person’s empathy to spark change, to the strength of women supporting women, and to the idea that no one should have to face life’s challenges alone. For the women who walk through the doors of that Brooklyn community center, Rise Up is a chance to reclaim their voices, their dreams, and their place in the world.

As Kat stood at the front of the room during a recent session, watching a group of women laugh and share their stories, she couldn’t help but smile. Sarah’s letter, now framed on her office wall, was a reminder of why she started this journey. In a world that can feel divided and chaotic, Rise Up is a beacon of hope, proving that even the smallest act of kindness can ripple outward, changing lives in ways no one could have imagined.