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

Want to hear a crazy fact? A woman's body changes more in 9 months than a mans does his entire life. This puts into perspective just how much change is going on in so little time! In this episode I'm sharing the 8 key changes taking place inside and outside your body during pregnancy, along with the impacts and toll these changes can take — some may surprise you! I also offer action steps...

Have you heard the term ‘pelvic floor’ but aren’t quite sure where it is exactly? You're not alone. In this episode, I walk you through a guided tutorial of finding your pelvic floor and how to effectively activate it and stay functional throughout your motherhood journey. We’ll also talk a bit about the importance of pelvic floor work and how it helps improve your life as a whole. If you’re l...

While an uninterrupted workout is nice, that's not always the case for every mom. Counting on nap time or early mornings can be unpredictable and, often frustrating if it doesn't work out. So it's good to have some creative strategies in place if you want to create more of a consistent routine but are feeling limited by your kiddos. This episode is also our first community episode so I...

There's a lot of uncertainty with what to expect after you give birth, especially as a first time mom, and this can be nerve-racking. I know there are many things that I certainly would have appreciated being aware of with my first baby! In this episode I discuss what you can expect postpartum in terms of how you'll feel in your body, as well as essential recovery tips for the first 3 week...

There's a lot of fear around strength training in pregnancy. A lot of which stems from the outdated advice that we shouldn't lift over 25lb — a myth I'm constantly busting any chance I get! In this episode, I'm sharing 6 reasons I think you should be doing some type of strength training throughout pregnancy, what qualifies as strength training, and specific examples to take into yo...

Ever feel like you're not doing enough when it comes to exercise or self care? Or maybe you feel defeated that you just don't have the time to dedicate to it like you used to? This episode is the validation and permission slip you need to feel like you're exactly where you need to be. I know this will give you the mindset shift you need today! Episode inspired by this REEL on Instagram...

If you've heard the term 'pelvic floor' but it still feels mysterious to you, you're not alone! By now, you likely know this part of your body is important to take care of in pregnancy and beyond, but aren't exactly sure what that looks like. If that's you, stick around because we are simplifying the pelvic floor and giving you the need-to-know information — nothing more, n...

Following up last week's episode, I'm deinfluencing common trends and advice in the postpartum health and wellness space. I offer up some really strong opinions on bounce back culture, leaking pee, and getting support - buckle up and enjoy!   Let's Connect! Work with me:  Coaching and Programs For monthly (FREE) pre/postnatal fitness content >  Join Strong Mama Insiders Connect with...

It's like the wild west in the online space when it comes to how we should be moving and supporting our bodies in optimal health during pregnancy. Join me as I deinfluence common trends and advice in the prenatal health and wellness space. This is a fun one, prepare for some sass!   Let's Connect! Work with me:  Coaching and Programs For monthly (FREE) pre/postnatal fitness content >  J...

The transition to motherhood can sometimes also leave you in a transitional place with your clothing. Maybe you don't love your old clothes, they don't fit the same, or you simply don't have the time and energy to keep up with your wardrobe as a mom. I know I've personally experienced all of this! Our guest today, Heather Riggs, is a Certified Image Consultant, Color Specialist, an...

Help me celebrate our 50th episode with a special giveaway (details in the beginning of the episode!). When it comes to pre/postnatal fitness plans, are they for everyone? Do you 'need' one to have a healthy pregnancy or postpartum? I think you'll be a little surprised by my answer to this. In this episode, you'll learn how a pre/postnatal plan is different than general workouts wi...

In this personal episode, I share the nitty gritty details on my postpartum recovery journey. I've had some unique challenges like diastasis recti (DR) and pelvic floor symptoms, so it was a bit more layered than my first postpartum recovery. At 7 months postpartum, I'm feeling so much stronger and have returned to much of what I love to do, but it wasn't a linear path. I hope this epi...

What makes an effective prenatal workout? I've found there to be some common misconceptions around pregnancy exercise and the true purpose of it. These misconceptions are often handed out in the form of recommendations from well-meaning people and, sometimes, our providers. I'll bust those misconceptions and share 4 qualities that shape an effective prenatal workout. You'll be sure to...

In this episode we're diving into how to prepare your body, and specifically your pelvic floor, for birth! There tends to be a lot of fear, and even misconceptions, around birth injuries such as tearing. So today I'm talking to Caitlin Hsu, the Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist and Doula behind Radiant PT. She tackles common pelvic floor myths, the injuries that may happen during birth, and...

Being in pregnancy and motherhood means you have different circumstances than many others. It can be overwhelming to keep up with work, life, motherhood, and your health without feeling like you're failing on all fronts. Sound familiar? In this episode I share a mental hack, along with many relatable personal examples, that will create more peace and balance so you can keep the balls in the ai...

The cesarean delivery can feel both daunting and mysterious. In this episode I answer all of your questions about the experience, recovery, and emotional baggage that comes with it. We also talk VBACs, recovery with multiples, and how a planned c-section compares to an unplanned. I come to this episode as two-time c-section mama and also a coach who has helped multiple women heal and re-strengthen...

One key component to support your postpartum recovery is quality nutrition. Plus, if you're breastfeeding or pumping, nutrition is essential to having a good milk supply! But this can all feel super overwhelming to put into action. Our guest, Brooke Harmer of Ka Pai Cooking, shares all about what to focus on with your postpartum nutrition, how to boost milk supply, her favorite meal and snack...

Your core and pelvic floor are under a lot of stress in pregnancy and birth. This episode highlights what I feel is one of the best kept and underrated "secrets" for maintaining core and pelvic floor health throughout pregnancy and postpartum. I'll teach you a simple technique you can do on a daily basis in less than 3 minutes! No equipment needed. I've also included a bonus vide...

There comes a time (okay, several times) on your pregnancy and motherhood journey you may encounter phases of pure fatigue. It’s the kind of tired you can’t just fight off with caffeine, but actually forces you to slow down. One area that can be especially be hard to adjust is our fitness and wellness routine. The tendency I often see is to stop everything all together until your energy comes back...

Pregnancy and postpartum come with a lot of body changes which, quite honestly, can leave you feeling foreign in your own body. You may feel like it’s difficult to maintain a positive body image and be tempted to make big changes that might not be best for your body. On this episode I'm joined by Victoria Yates, an Intuitive Eating and Body Image Coach. We talk all about how to love your body...

How much is too much? In this episode I'll share 6 warning signs your body might give you while exercising in pregnancy and postpartum. You'll learn what to look for, what the warning sign might be telling you, and how to fix it, if possible. This is a must listen to ensure your safety while working out in both pregnancy and postpartum. Links! For monthly (FREE) pre/postnatal fitness conte...

Today we're settling a common debacle of pregnancy and postpartum: how to know when to rest vs. workout. Let's be honest, in this phase of life we're going to be running into fatigue more often than we like. In this episode I'll give you tips on how you can embrace rest, determine what your body actually needs, and honor whatever that might be without guilt or shame. Links! For mon...

Our doctors are often the trusted resource in pregnancy regarding ours and our baby's health, but can we also rely on them for fitness advice? I highly respect medical professionals and, in my experience as a patient and as someone specializing in pre/postnatal fitness, I've seen a lot of vague recommendations given to pregnant people in addition to outdated information. While this may not...

I'm willing to bet you do at least ONE of these three things! This episode is going to bring awareness to daily movements and habits that could be compromising the health of your pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor is already undergoing lots of stress as a result of pregnancy and birth, so calling attention to these, often unintentional, daily habits is super helpful in keeping it functional so yo...

Have you ever heard that you shouldn't do "abs" in pregnancy? This is pretty common so we're going to break it down in this episode. Along with answering the important question of whether or not it's safe you'll learn the purpose of our core in pregnancy, what to avoid, and what to do instead! If you're pregnant or soon to be, you don't want to miss this one! (FRE...