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

We talk a lot about the benefits for mom by exercising in pregnancy, BUT what about your baby? How is exercise affecting them? I'll share 6 different ways research has shown exercise can affect your growing baby from early in pregnancy well into childhood. If you're someone who's been putting exercise on the back burner or is nervous about what could happen to baby, this episode will b...

Let's talk pelvic floor! In this episode I'll be sharing the common but NOT normal symptoms we sometimes experience in pregnancy and postpartum. Things like peeing when you sneeze, pain with intimacy and so many more that are framed as "being a part of motherhood." Come along for the ride to learn more about your body and what it could be telling you. And, of course, I want you t...

Moms can experience a range of emotions and mental health hurdles, as to be expected with such a big life transition! From postpartum depression and anxiety, to intrusive thoughts, and even postpartum rage. How do you know if you're affected by one? When is it time to seek support? In this episode, I interview Dr. Andrea Niles, Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Prospera Mental Health and...

Lately, as I scroll my own feed, I'm noticing some really questionable things geared toward the pregnant and postpartum population as it relates to wellness and fitness. In this episode I share 3 practices/tactics that have become more popular that I am, quite honestly, not a fan of. Not only that, but some of these things are just plain wrong or irresponsible. Join me as I pick them apart and...

In this episode, I offer you a new and refreshing perspective on how to use exercise as a tool to feeling and functioning your best in this phase of life. I share how my views on exercise have changed from pre-pregnancy, for the better, and how you can do the same! I have no doubt this shift will give you new (and lasting) motivation to care for your body and also give you the confidence that what...

If you’re going to be preparing for birth at any point in the near future, this episode is for YOU. I am chatting with Deb Flashenberg of the Prenatal Yoga Center, all about how to have a more efficient and functional birth through exercise, including prenatal yoga. In the episode Deb shares strategies you can practice to help have a smoother labor, help your baby descend through your pelvis and,...

Our trimester series cannot be complete without addressing the fourth trimester! Now that you've given birth, the healing journey must begin. Most women don't know that exercise, when used intentionally, is a crucial tool to your recovery process. In this episode we'll talk about body changes to expect in early postpartum, common mistakes women make, what types of exercise matter most...

The homestretch! While the third trimester gets the most jokes around feeling large and uncomfortable (cue the pregnancy waddle), I'm here to say it DOES not have to be that way. While there are many factors at play, intentional exercise geared toward what your body needs right now is a major controllable factor you have to your advantage! I've helped many clients stay active and functiona...

Continuing our trimester series, it's time to cover the 2nd trimester! For many of you, you'll start feeling more energized at this point and ready to get more active. This is where you can really apply techniques to prepare for the rapid changes and demands of the 3rd trimester. Tune in to learn what's going on with your body (physiologically and physically) during this stretch of pre...

The first trimester can be a truly humbling experience, but that doesn't mean we can't support our body in the process. It just might look a little different than you're used to. As the first episode in our trimester series, I'm walking you through some of the physical and physiological changes you'll experience, as well as how they might make you feel. I'll also be sharing...

'Tis the season to set those New Years goals and resolutions! In this episode, I'll be sharing the truth about setting health and fitness goals in pregnancy and motherhood. I'll also share a simple 5-step framework I use with my clients to guide their intentions and actions without getting easily discouraged when something throws them off track. If you're thinking "ugh I'm...

Your care team is crucial to being in the driver's seat of your pregnancy and postpartum journey and having the experience that you want. As a first time mom, I definitely felt like I was "swept in" to the healthcare mix and didn't think to get additional support with things like labor prep, breastfeeding, baby sleep, and more. In this episode, I'm speaking with Dr. Carly Bux...

Energy can seem In short supply these days, especially if you have little kids or are pregnant. And it takes a lot to keep up with the day to day grind. In this episode, you'll learn 3 simple daily habits that will be a game changer for helping you not only improve your energy, but to keep it more consistent without all the highs and lows. These tips truly are SIMPLE things you can start doing...

We're taking a deep dive into diastasis recti (DR) which is the abdominal separation that we commonly get in pregnancy. I know there tends to be a lot of fear around DR, so I wanted to bring on a guest expert on the topic. Rachel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy specializing in the Pregnancy and Postpartum, the owner of Infinite Joy PT, and mom of 2. She is actually a friend of mine and someone...

We've got a bit of a sensitive topic as we cover the relationship (if there is any) between exercising in pregnancy and the cause of miscarriage. If you've ever felt nervous to exercise in pregnancy because you fear harming the baby, this episode is going to help reduce that fear and anxiety by giving you the research-based facts. From that information, you can choose to do what you feel i...

This is a bit more of a personal episode where you get to take a peak inside my life and fitness journey at 1 year postpartum. I share how the transition has gone from 1 to 2 kids, body changes and acceptance around it, and how my fitness journey has looked over the past year. I also talk about the steps I'm taking now and in the future to improve my overall wellness! Hope you enjoy this behin...

A real conversation on the highs and lows of pregnancy and motherhood with Laila of the Learning to Mom Podcast. Between being the first of her friends to experience pregnancy, not feeling prepared to become a mom, navigating prenatal depression, and multiple big life transitions, Laila has been through A LOT. Her biggest regret was not seeking out education to really understand her options during...

So... you're ready to return to exercise and start feeling like yourself again after having your baby! Before you dive in, there are some things you should know (and avoid) with this season of your body in order to support your healing and avoid injury to your core. If you're wondering whether you can run, lift, or do a core routine, listen to this episode first! You'll walk away with...

Your core and pelvic floor have gone through A LOT throughout pregnancy and birth. And the unfortunate truth is that moms are typically offered minimal guidance on how to recover and strengthen them which doesn't exactly help you start off motherhood on the right foot. In this episode I share some facts about diastasis recti and pelvic floor dysfunction and WHY core recovery is essential. I al...

Answering all YOUR postpartum recovery and exercise questions! We cover when to start exercising after birth, preventing prolapse, how to know if you have diastasis recti, what exercises are safe after birth, breastfeeding and weight loss, and MORE. If you recently had a baby (or soon will) this episode will help you heal and support your body in early postpartum and beyond! Links! Core Revival WA...

Wondering what to expect with your postpartum body and recovery? It can be a big mystery (and one that we'll uncover in this episode!). I'm chatting with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Dr. Marcy Crouch, of the Down There Doc. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to helping moms stay functional in pregnancy, birth, and beyond. We chat about so many important things including how to...

It may be hard to believe now, but you WILL feel like yourself again. The timeline varies depending on your pregnancy and birth experience as well as how you support yourself in the recovery period. In this episode, I'll talk about the average timeline of feeling like yourself mentally and physically, how social media and bounce back culture sets moms up for failure, and some little tangible s...

Answering this important question today: How intense is TOO intense to exercise in pregnancy? As expecting mamas, we have a little human to think about so it's normal to be worried about exercise safety and doing "too much." I'm going to teach you my 2 tools that will help you keep your intensity in a safe range that allows you to still feel challenged. You'll also learn why...

Your mental health as a mother is crucial to your physical health and overall happiness. Today's guest, Suzanne Yatim Aslam, shares her vulnerable story of having dark thoughts in motherhood, experiencing postpartum depression, and how she found her way through it. This is an important conversation and topic for all new and expecting mothers to be aware of. And, if you're in the thick of a...

We all experience dips in motivation from time to time — yes, myself included! Pregnancy and postpartum offer us a lot of change, which can really cause some big waves with motivation depending on the season. In this episode, I share some simple strategies to rekindle your motivation for exercise that go far beyond the cliche "find your why" statement that many fitness professionals use....