The Core Connect Podcast

In this personal episode, Marianne shares why it's so important as regulated adults to connect with that wounded part of the self, as well as the transformative insights she's discovered along the way. Drawing from her own experiences, she explores how gentle, intentional work can bring healing and clarity. Marianne also shares three easy exercises you can start with, especially when relat...

Did you know that cholesterol is actually good for you and your sex hormones? Or that you could control your fertility naturally? In this conversation with fertility educator and nutrition scientist Michelle Snyder, we explore how true cycle literacy goes far beyond contraception or conception. It’s about helping women reclaim their trust in their body. It's about re-balancing power in society...

You’ve seen the word everywhere:  Flexibility & Mobility ,  Hyrox & Mobility ,  Mobility Flow. But what does it actually mean? In this short solo episode, Marianne breaks it down for you: where the term comes from, how it fits into modern fitness, and why it’s so much more than stretching. You’ll learn: The real difference between  mobility  and  flexibility How your  nervous system  plays...

What do we say to parents who have suffered the unimaginable? How do we birth and parent after traumatic childhood events? Should we talk about baby loss and death with our children? All these questions Alana Gallini and Marianne explore in this poignant episode. Alana is a mother of three mini humans earthside who, in 2019, lost her firstborn.  She recalls what it felt like, emotionally, logistic...

If you’re pregnant, you may have been told: “Do 100 Kegels aday to prevent tearing during birth.”   But what if that advice was outdated—and could actually do more harm than good? In this episode, Marianne is busting the myths around pelvic floor training during pregnancy and shifting the focus to what truly prepares you for birth and optimises recovery. Overrecruiting your pelvic floor can lead t...

Welcome to the very first episode of  The Core Clinic , a brand-new segment of the podcast where Marianne offers real-time guidance to people navigating pelvic floor dysfunction, diastasis recti, and other core concerns. In this episode, Marianne welcomes Zoe Davies, a 40-year-old mother of two and Pilates & yoga instructor trainee, who recently underwent reconstructive pelvic floor surgery. ...

It's Q&As time! Last month, Marianne received a flood of thoughtful questions on Instagram.  In this episode, she's picked out 5 of the most common ones to walk you through.  She'll cover what the science says, what leading medical guidelines recommend, and of course, her perspective from years of working with pregnant women in clinics and in the studio.  02:07: Diastasis Recti Exp...

In this episode, Marianne welcomes Ava Rodriguez, industry titan, fine educator, powerhouse of mobility and inspiring mother of two teenage daughters. Together, Ava and Marianne explore what it really takes to: Rise above industry trends and be recognised for your expertise Balance raising a family with teaching and mentoring other instructors Build a method that truly changes lives But beyond her...

Too many new mothers are told to “just start doing Kegels” within days of birth. But this advice can do more harm than good.  In this episode, Marianne breaks down the myths around pelvic floor recovery and offers a realistic, research-backed timeline for the first 3 months postpartum. Drawing on the work of leading expert Kari Bø and her own years of supporting 2,280 women, she explains why activ...

Meet Dr. Reza Hosseini Ghomi, a Boston-based neuropsychiatrist, engineer, 4x health tech founder, and cancer survivor whose story and insights are nothing short of inspiring. In this episode, Marianne and Reza cover everything from the surprising #1 risk factor for Alzheimer’s (it’s not your genes), to simple morning routines for brain health, to why your 40s are the decade to invest in yourself. ...

We talk openly about ACL tears and their recovery protocols. But pelvic floor tears? That silence is costing women time, confidence, and long-term health. In this episode, Matt Marney, Pilates educator, personal trainer, meditation teacher, and founder of  Wellness Education Dubai,  interviews Marianne Tafani, women’s health advocate and creator of the  Core Connect  postnatal method and studio. M...

Do you ever wish you could skip your period? Or wonder why your moods, energy, and focus seem to change throughout the month? What if you could use your cycle to enhance your sports performance, fertility, or even daily life? 👀 In this episode, Marianne is joined by  Chantal Blake , a menstrual health specialist, former nurse, environmental engineer, mother of three, and author of  Peaceful Perio...

Today’s episode is part of the special Studio Owner Series. In this episode, Marianne chats with Jill Harris, a powerhouse of creativity in the Pilates world. With 30 years in the industry, 25 years as a studio owner, and a gorgeous smile on social media, Jill’s impact is profound. Jill is also the visionary behind FitSprings, a piece of equipment developed over nearly a decade to support those wi...

What does it really take to build strong bones and age well?  In this episode, I sit down with Gemma Pearson, a clinical Pilates specialist and former dancer, who now runs a thriving practice supporting students with osteoporosis from her home in the South of France. But this conversation is about so much more than osteoporosis.  It’s about the power of training your feet and shifting your mindset...

This week, Marianne welcomes Zeina Maktabi, functional nutritionist, registered dietician, and newly minted Pilates mat instructor . With a deep passion for health that’s spanned decades, sharpened during COVID, Zeina brings clarity, compassion and calm to the often-noisy world of wellnessadvice. In this conversation, she busts one of the biggest myths circulating among health circles:  you  do  n...

Have you heard of vaginal steaming?  This ancient practice is making a comeback for a reason—it can help with chronic infections, heavy periods, birth preparation, postpartum healing, and even reconnecting with your inner wisdom 🧘‍♀️ Our guest this week bridges the gap between tradition and modern self-care:  Liberty Gerderloos  is a menstrual cycle specialist known for creating powerful steaming...

No. You probably don’t need that tummy tuck. You definitely don’t need intimate wipes, creams, or whiteners. And you may not even need the IVF treatment you’ve been offered. My guest today, Dr. Gael Abou Ghannam, is an Obstetrics, Gynecology, and fertility specialist who tackles these uncomfortable, often taboo, topics head-on. Trained in Lebanon and Belgium with a specialization in fertility pres...

Fatigue, Hair Loss, Poor Concentration—Could You Be Iron Deficient? Did you know that iron deficiency can develop years before anemia sets in? Or that you'd need anywhere between  8 to 30 kilograms of spinach  just to meet your recommended daily iron intake? In this episode, Dr. Dheeraj Khiatani, a Singapore-based General Practitioner and one of Asia's leading experts on iron deficiency, joins Mar...

This week, Marianne dives into the stages of labour and the all-important question-  when should you head to the hospital? -  with doula, hypnobirthing educator, and lactation specialist Stevie McKenzie. Stevie and Marianne also explore how tuning into your intuition and embracing discomfort in daily life can prepare you for a more empowered experience. 🎙 Curious about how to prepare your body pre...

Did you know that chronic shoulder or hip pain could be linked to a distant scar, like a C-section scar? In fact, some shoulder surgeries and even hip replacements can be avoided by addressing scar tissue concerns. Scar tissue is about 20% less functional than healthy tissue, causing adhesions and inflammation that often go unnoticed, yet play a significant role in chronicpain. In this episode, Ma...

Tight neck and upper back? Clicking knees and hips? Chronic pain? What if mobility tools could unlock it all? In this last episode of our first season, Kevin Hendry shares his journey from traditional osteopathic practice to becoming the Director of Education at RAD Mobility after healing chronic baseball injuries. Kevin and Marianne discuss: What mobility actually is. And no, it's not stretching....

Dealing with incessant bloat? Or chronic tension in your core? You're not alone, and the answers you're looking for might not be found in our Pilates classes. In this episode, Marianne shares 5 transformative books that approach core health from a truly holistic perspective. Beyond "zip it up".  She dives deep into the interconnected world of gut health, feminine wisdom, energeti...

Just had a C-section and feeling overwhelmed? This episode is for you. If you don't want any extra pressure. Or a longer to-do list. In this episode, you'll learn simple ways to help you: Process your birth experience (especially if it didn’t go to plan) Feel safe and grounded, Heal well and fast, Honour your new identity as a mother. 🎧 In under 15 minutes, Marianne shares: Why birth stor...

Ribs sticking out? Bras tight, even now that you are back to your pre-baby weight? It might well be yet another bonus of having children: The infamous rib flare. In this short and practical episode, Marianne explains: What rib flare actually is, and why it’s not just cosmetic. The  three main types  of rib flare: Postural, related to changes to the infrasternal angle, and scoliosis-prompted. Why s...

This week, Marianne welcomes Zeina Maktabi, functional nutritionist, registered dietician, and newly minted Pilates mat instructor (yes, Dubai, you’ll be seeing her on our mats soon!). With a deep passion for health that’s spanned decades, sharpened during COVID, Zeina brings clarity, compassion and calm to the often-noisy world of wellness advice. In this conversation, she busts one of the bigges...