Meet Your Body with Jessica Valant, MSPT

After her annual book recommendations episode, Jessica couldn't resist creating one more reading list—this time with a very special guest! Her 13-year-old daughter joins her to share their favorite fiction books for girls, with recommendations organized by age and reading level. They both love to read and share books together and they are excited to bring their favorites today. They divide their r...

It's one of my favorite episodes of the year! In this annual tradition, I'm sharing the books that inspired me, challenged my thinking, made me laugh, let me escape and kept me turning pages long after bedtime. From fiction fantasy, drama and romance to non-fiction empowerment and women's health, there's something here for every kind of reader. I'll tell you why each book made my list, who I think...

When you are a runner, some of the most important workouts you do happen on the days you aren't going for a run. In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist and women's health expert Jessica Valant, MSPT, explains why cross training is one of the most valuable tools for improving performance, preventing injuries, and helping you enjoy running for years to come. Whether you're training fo...

Most of us don't spend much time thinking about our lymphatic system—but this incredible network plays a vital role in immunity, fluid balance, healing, and overall health. When it's functioning well, you probably don't notice it. But when it's not, you may experience swelling, puffiness, fatigue, frequent illness, or complications after surgery and cancer treatment. In this episode of Meet Your B...

Back pain can be frightening, frustrating, and overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be a limitation to movement and function! In this episode, physical therapist Jessica Valant shares the facts, myths, and practical strategies everyone should know about lower back pain. Drawing from both professional expertise and her own recent experience with a back injury, Jessica explains why diagnoses like her...

Have you ever missed a few workouts and immediately felt like you were back at square one? You're not alone and today you'll learn both the myth and truth of missing workouts. In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica tackles one of the biggest myths in fitness: the belief that missing a few days (or even a few weeks) of exercise means you've lost all of your progress. Drawing on both science and...

Perimenopause can feel confusing, unpredictable and overwhelming — but understanding what’s happening in your body can change everything. In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica breaks down the science, symptoms and realities of perimenopause so you can move through this phase feeling informed and empowered instead of fearful. Jessica explains what perimenopause actually is, why hormones fluctu...

In this powerful episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica sits down with Dr. Sara Tarek to challenge the harmful myths women have been told about health, weight, aging and what it truly means to thrive in midlife and beyond. Together, they unpack why chasing “skinny” often leaves women feeling exhausted, discouraged and disconnected from their bodies — and why building strength, resilience and metabolic...

Thinking about becoming a Pilates instructor? Or wondering whether your current instructor is truly qualified? Before you sign up for a quick online certification — or trust someone guiding your body through movement — there are important truths about the Pilates industry you need to hear. In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica Valant — physical therapist, Pilates expert, and educator — breaks...

In this honest and powerful episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica shares important lessons everyone facing surgery should know. Drawing from her experience as a physical therapist — along with her own six major surgeries — she offers practical tips to help you mentally and physically prepare for surgery and recovery. You’ll hear why you may never feel completely ready for surgery, the importance of b...

Today's Highlights episode is a clip from our full episode all about The Importance of Rest. In this segment, Jessica dives into the habits you may have that seem like rest but are actually causing more stress in your life. Learn what daily rest actually looks like and why it's important for your overall health. Full episode The Importance of Rest: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-b...

Most people think longevity requires expensive supplements, complicated routines, or the latest biohacking trends—but what if the real answer is far simpler? In this episode, Jessica breaks down the foundational, research-backed pillars of living a longer, healthier life—without the overwhelm. If you’re tired of conflicting health advice and just want clear, practical steps that actually work, thi...

Connections are my shorter episodes that include my inner thoughts, behind the scenes realities, tangents and experiences to help us feel more connected! Middle school kids and pre-teens get such a bad rap and in today's episode I talk about the joy I have found being around middle school age kids. I dive into the joy I have found with our kids at every age and encourage others to find some grace,...

In this episode, Jessica Valant breaks down how to make cardiovascular exercise simple, effective, and sustainable—no matter your schedule, fitness level, or starting point. Whether you’re a runner, strength trainer, or just getting back into movement, you’ll learn how short, strategic sessions (even just 10 minutes a day) can support your heart, metabolism, and long-term health. Jessica shares ho...

Why are so many women still confused, dismissed, or overlooked when it comes to their health? In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica Valant sits down with award winning journalist Megan Rabbitt, author of The New Rules of Women’s Health, to break down what’s missing in women’s health—and how to finally take back control of your body, hormones, and long-term wellness. Meghan has interviewed hun...

Connections are my shorter episodes that include my inner thoughts, behind the scenes realities, tangents and experiences to help us feel more connected! Today I’m sharing a recent conversation that sparked a powerful reminder: the importance of owning my own choices. Learning to take full ownership in different areas of my life has helped me feel more empowered, while also letting go of the resen...

If your workout routine feels inconsistent, overwhelming, or impossible to stick to—you’re not alone. In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica Valant breaks down how to create a workout schedule that actually works for your life, goals, time available and your health. Instead of chasing perfection or rigid plans, you’ll learn how to build a simple, sustainable routine that supports your energy,...

This short Highlights episode is a spotlight on our popular red light episode from July 2025! Red light therapy is a powerful tool for the use of numerous health conditions. It has shown benefits in the areas of inflammation, wound healing, skin issues, joint pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, stress relief and more. Learn if red light might fit into your own health plan and goals. Resources mentione...

Most women are told that weight loss in midlife requires extreme dieting or pushing themselves harder than ever. But what if that approach is exactly what’s keeping you stuck? In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica Valant breaks down the real science behind weight changes in midlife—and why “eat less, exercise more” often backfires. She validates our desires for strategies that are effective a...

Today's Highlights episode is a clip from our full episode all about Overwhelm and Health Information. In this segment, Jessica explains the steps to take in order to set health goals that feel both motivating and achievable. If you are feeling overwhelmed and confused by the sheer amount of health information you are taking in, this episode is for you! Full episode Overwhelm and Health Informatio...

Struggling to stay consistent with your health routines when life gets busy—or when you’re constantly on the go? In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica sits down with her good friend, Pilates expert and global traveler Lesley Logan to share simple, realistic strategies for maintaining your health, energy, and sanity—no matter where you are. From navigating frequent travel to managing seasons l...

Connections are my shorter episodes that include my inner thoughts, behind the scenes realities, tangents and experiences to help us feel more connected! Today I'm answering the common question "How do I listen to my body?" I'm explaining the two steps you must follow in order to begin to listen to your body, interpret the cues it is giving you and ultimately develop a deeper connection with your...

Strength training is essential for long-term health—but how you train matters just as much as what you do. If you’re not seeing the results you expect, you may be missing one key ingredient. In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica breaks down the powerful fitness principle of progressive overload—and why it’s crucial for building strength, supporting bone health, and staying resilient as you ag...

Perimenopause is inevitable, and there are a few things you can do in the years prior to help you enter this phase of life with strength, knowledge and awareness! In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica Valant talks about how to proactively prepare your body for perimenopause. She explains the hormonal shifts that happen during this stage of life and shares practical ways to support your hormon...

Connections are my shorter episodes that include my inner thoughts, behind the scenes realities, tangents and experiences to help us feel more connected! Today I'm sharing a story about what happened to me last week that led to this episode all about GLP-1's. Let's talk! Resources mentioned in this episode: ⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com...