STRONG MAMA PODCAST - Health and fitness for a stronger pregnancy, birth and postpartum recovery

Whether you're having a difficult pregnancy, exhausted in the newborn phase, or juggling work and family... some seasons are just more difficult to keep up with your self care and exercise routine! As a mom of 3, trust me, I've been through many of these tough seasons that have me doing the bear minimum in my workouts and nutrition. In this episode, I share how I typically navigate them wi...

Do you have a picky eater? Or want to get ahead of picky eating with your baby? Planning meals that will appease everyone in the family can be incredibly overwhelming, especially if you have a picky eater. In this episode I chat with Madison Wetherill, mom and blogger behind Cook at Home Mom. She shares tips and tricks to start with your baby when they're first starting solids, all the way up...

Have you ever wondered — "Is this NORMAL?!" when it comes to your postpartum body? Same. There is unfortunately SO much we aren't told about postpartum physical recovery which can make us feel really alone or isolated in our experience. It can feel taboo to talk about some of these things like pain with sex, leaking, scar numbness, etc. because we feel like we might be the only one e...

Pelvic pain can be a common pregnancy symptom and... it hurts! I see this type of pain cause a lot of pregnant mamas to slow down and stop exercising, which is actually the opposite of what will help. In this episode I share what types of pelvic pain you might experience, why it happens, and some simple steps you can take right away to prevent or manage the pain so you can stay active and comforta...

You were sent home from the hospital, told not to lift anything more than your baby for 6 weeks, and then told "all clear" for exercise 6 weeks later. WHAT?! Meanwhile you're still feeling foreign in your body and your abs feel nonexistent. If you're feeling lost with how to support your postpartum core healing while regaining strength postpartum, I want to validate that you'...

Do you feel nervous about your upcoming birth? Today we're focusing on what you CAN do in pregnancy to prepare mentally for your ideal birth. I'm joined by Trish Ware of Labor Nurse Mama in today's episode as we dive into her top strategies to help you prepare for a birth you love through mindset strategies. Her positive energy and passion for birth are inspiring and I know it will help you actual...

Is this popular pelvic floor exercise helpful, or not so much? You may have heard you should be doing 100 kegels a day to help prepare for birth, or do your kegels so you stop leaking pee. Well, this may actually be hurting you. Today we’re talking about the flaws of kegels and what to do instead to support a healthy, functional pelvic floor that allows you to stay active and strong without leakin...

Feeling guilty for not working out or eating “perfectly” during pregnancy or postpartum? You’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack the heavy feeling of “I’m not doing enough” and offer practical, grace-filled mindset shifts that will help you to release that guilt, quiet the all-or-nothing mindset, and focus on what you can do—even in a tough season. This might just be the pep talk you needed to...

To lift or not to lift weights in pregnancy? My answer might surprise you. I will also cover other common questions I get regarding strength training in pregnancy including! If you've been considering strength training or simply want to continue strength training safely in pregnancy, this one's for YOU mama. Strong Mama Wellness Links: [PROGRAM] Empowered Pregnancy Fitness Program [COACHIN...

Let's be honest, putting quality meals on the table for your family is TIME CONSUMING. Between the planning, the shopping, the prep (not to mention, accounting for your picky eater) it's enough to have you calling take-out for the 3rd night this week. Registered Dietitian and Founder of PrepDish, Allison Schaaf, gives us tips to streamline this entire process so we can save time, reduce fo...

We're tackling the topic of postpartum weight loss today but, in true Strong Mama Wellness fashion, in a non-diet-culture way. Truth is, weight loss is a valid goal postpartum, just not at the expense of your recovery. Today I'm sharing 3 very common mistakes I see when moms try to lose the baby weight. You'll not only learn what to avoid, but also the tried and true strategies for sus...

What a ride motherhood is! This is more of a personal episode of me reflecting on 5 years as a mom (and business owner!). Buckle up for a candid conversation where I share the evolution of myself as a mom and business owner, including some things I wish I'd known in the beginning, other things that have taken some time to learn, and just some of my honest, messy thoughts in a nutshell! Thanks...

Ah! Pesky leg cramps (or charlie horse's) waking you up in the night? This frustrating pregnancy symptom tends to start in the late second or early third trimester of pregnancy and lasts for a few weeks. In this episode we'll talk about some reasons why you might be getting leg cramps, along with solutions to minimize them so you aren't waking up to a knot in your calf! Links! Empowere...

Staying consistent with fitness in motherhood can often feel like an uphill battle between the irregular schedule and something always needing our attention. Today I'm chatting with former elite athlete, Marlene Andersson, about how the mindset skills she built as an athlete helped her with her transition to motherhood, especially when things feel chaotic or out of control. We share how to ove...

April is C-Section Awareness Month and, as a 3-time c-section mama, this topic is deeply personal to me. In today’s episode, I’m opening up about my own birth stories — starting with my first unexpected cesarean nearly 5 years ago — and how I went from feeling like I had “failed at birth” to becoming an empowered and informed advocate for c-section mamas everywhere. Whether you're preparing fo...

Weight in pregnancy is always a hot (and tricky) topic to cover. In this episode I share some thoughts about it that might challenge some things you've heard, such as recommended weight gain, the long-term effects, and spot training. My hope is that you walk away from this episode with a new perspective, and acceptance around, pregnancy weight gain. Thanks for joining me! Links! Empowered Preg...

If I had to boil it down to 5 things that help me and my clients feel best during pregnancy, it would be these 5 things! Maybe you're already doing a few of them. Will these be the magic pill for an easy pregnancy? No. It's still tough at times and that's valid. But, I'm going to challenge you to pick ONE habit from this episode and practice for the next week to see how it changes...

Ever feel guilty leaving you kids with someone else while you do something for yourself? Or guilty when you're trying to workout and not paying 100% attention to your kid? This is what we often experience and call "mom guilt." In this episode, we explore the true definition of guilt and how you can reframe this common motherhood "guilt" experience so you can lessen it's...

Let's talk ab separation in pregnancy! Can we prevent it? What's normal? There's a lot of fear around diastasis recti, and also a lot of misinformation being given to women on the internet about how to "prevent" it. In this episode we're debunking a common DR myth, and sharing exactly what you can do within your control to help your core stay strong in pregnancy and beyon...

Hey friend - I'm back in action after having baby #3! Join me for this "life update" episode where I share details about the birth, how the adjustment to 3 kids is going, and 5 things that have made this my easiest (and most enjoyable) postpartum recovery season. Join me every Tuesday for a new episode! Links! Empowered Pregnancy Fitness Program Core Revival: Postpartum Recovery Prog...

What I pack in my hospital bag has changed a bit from baby #1 to baby #3. Listen in to learn what I'm taking to the hospital for myself and baby, things I don't think are essential, and must-haves from my instagram community! Links! FREE! ⁠⁠⁠Pregnancy Exercise Modifications by Trimester⁠⁠⁠ Empowered Pregnancy Fitness Program Connect with me on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@strongmamawellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more abo...

Feeling defeated with your pregnancy symptoms, changing body, and exercise routine? Perhaps you wish you could feel more in control, have more energy, and actually feel strong and prepared in your changing body. Been there, mama! In fact, ALL women I coach also have. In this episode, I share my story of going from feeling defeated to feeling empowered and all the shifts it took to get there. I kno...

Is pain in pregnancy "normal?" As your body rapidly grows and changes in pregnancy, pressure is put on different areas of the body and new hormones cause instability. This is a cocktail for back pain, pelvic pain, and injuries if we're not being proactive. The good news? Exercise can help manage and even prevent some of them from happening. If you want to have a comfortable, active pregnancy, I'm...

Are the workouts you’re doing in pregnancy “right” for YOU? If you’re already asking yourself this question, we’re breaking down 6 not-so-obvious red flags in this episode. My intention is not to call you out (though I do call myself out, alot!) but to bring you clarity around what might be helping you vs. hurting you when it comes to supporting your body with movement in pregnancy. Listen in so y...

It's super common to search online for workouts in pregnancy... it's SO nice to be told what to do and not think about it. I myself am guilty of doing this in my first pregnancy! But, there are some downfalls we need to talk about when it comes to approaching prenatal exercise with random workouts from YouTube, social media, and even some on-demand platforms. I'll also share with you what to do IN...