The Practice Brave Podcast

In this episode, Alessandra Scutnik and I discuss how our backgrounds as athletes and coaches influence the way we raise our kids. We explore the role of discipline, boundaries, and leading by example in building a family lifestyle centered on health, movement, and personal growth.   We also talk about youth sports, the importance of multi-sport development, and how to avoid burnout while helping...

In this solo episode, I'm sharing the story behind the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification, why specialized coaching matters, and how this education can create meaningful opportunities for coaches and the women they support.   I didn't set out to create a certification program. I simply saw a gap in the fitness industry: coaches needed better education to confidently support...

This episode is a little different because Dr. Carrie Pagliano and I are bringing our two podcasts together for one conversation about the history of pregnancy, postpartum, fitness, and women's athleticism.   We've both been working in this space for more than a decade, but we come from different professional worlds; Carrie from the physical therapy and clinical side, and me from the coaching, str...

In this insightful episode, I sit down with Alena Alsruhe to talk about her experience navigating pregnancy and postpartum in her 40s and the mindset shifts that came with becoming a mother later in life. Alena shares how she approached pregnancy and postpartum with curiosity, intentionality, and a willingness to learn. We talk about adapting training and physical activity, navigating the mental a...

In this episode, I'm sharing one of my most personal stories: my journey through pregnancy, birth, and the lessons that have shaped me as both a mother and a coach.   I reflect on what it was like deciding to grow our family after a challenging postpartum experience, and how those experiences influenced the way I approached my next pregnancy and birth. We talk about the importance of self-advocacy...

In this episode, Jared and I pull back the curtain on what it's really been like to build Battles Jiu Jitsu from the ground up.   We reflect on the first several months of opening our gym, the challenges we've navigated, and the values that have shaped every decision we've made along the way. More than building a successful business, our goal has always been to create a place where people of all a...

In today's episode, I sat down with Lara Morgan Lee, MD, a board-certified sports medicine physician and former team doctor for elite professional and collegiate athletes, to talk about what happens when we apply a sports medicine approach to motherhood.   We dive into the gaps that still exist in postpartum healthcare and why returning to function requires more than a six-week clearance. Dr. Morg...

In this solo episode, I'm sharing my perspective as a coach, lifelong athlete, and mom raising two athletic boys. My goal isn't to raise Division I or professional athletes. It's to help my kids build a foundation for a lifetime of athleticism.   I talk about why I believe in exposing kids to multiple sports, developing fundamental movement skills, and giving them opportunities to learn how to mov...

In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Hamel, P&PA coach and mom, to talk about what it really looks like to embrace both motherhood and athleticism without feeling like you have to choose between the two.   Jessica shares her journey from being a military spouse to building a fitness career, and how becoming a mom reshaped her identity in ways she never expected. We talk about the challenges of...

In this special birthday episode of the Practice Brave podcast, I sit down with my son, Cade, to reflect on his 13th year—one filled with tremendous growth, new experiences, and a whole lot of learning for both of us.   We talk about his transition into middle school, the friendships he's built, and how he's navigated balancing football, wrestling, basketball, rugby, baseball, and jiu-jitsu. Along...

Today, I sat down with Dr. Christina Prevett to explore some of the most common—and often misunderstood—questions surrounding pregnancy, postpartum exercise, and pelvic health.   Christina shares insights from the latest research on topics including heavy lifting during pregnancy, pelvic floor dysfunction, and postpartum recovery. We discuss what the evidence actually says about exercise safety, w...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Margie Davenport, researcher, professor, and leading voice in maternal health and exercise science, to discuss how the landscape of pregnancy and postpartum fitness has evolved over the past decade.   Dr. Margie shares insights from her extensive research on exercise during pregnancy and postpartum, including how newer evidence continues to challenge outdated r...

Today, I sat down with Delaney Nelson, a former Division 1 collegiate swimmer, to talk about motherhood, athleticism, and what it looks like to rediscover your strength in a completely new season of life.   Delaney shares her journey from navigating life after a twin pregnancy to reconnecting with fitness and eventually pursuing bigger athletic goals through training and coaching. We talk about th...

In today's episode, I sit down with Steph Mireles, former CrossFit Games athlete and physician assistant, to talk about the evolution of athleticism through different seasons of life—including pregnancy, motherhood, and career growth.   Steph shares her experience balancing high-level training with the demands of working in medicine, and how her relationship with fitness has shifted over time. We...

In this episode of the Practice Brave podcast, I sit down with Tara Peterson, a two-time Olympic curler and dentist, to talk about what it really looks like to pursue elite sport while navigating motherhood and a professional career.   Tara shares her journey from her early days in curling to competing on the Olympic stage, all while working as a dentist and raising a family.    One of the most po...

In this engaging episode, I sit down with Shanté Cofield, physical therapist and entrepreneur, for an engaging conversation on building a meaningful career in the fitness and coaching space.   Together, we share insights from our journeys as seasoned fitness entrepreneurs—what it takes to grow a personal brand, show up authentically, and create impact through online coaching, especially when suppo...

In this episode, I sit down with Krista Williams to talk about her journey from working in traditional fitness spaces to building a thriving pregnancy and postpartum-focused business.   We dive into how Krista's background in fitness and exercise science shaped her path, and what led her to specialize in supporting moms through pregnancy and postpartum. She shares what it looked like to transition...

In this episode, I sit down with Mary DiStasio, a former Olympic gymnast turned weightlifting athlete and coach, to talk about training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and what it really takes to support long-term athleticism in motherhood.   We explore the physical and mental challenges women face during postpartum, including pelvic health, recovery timelines, and the often-overlooked imp...

In this solo episode of the Practice Brave podcast, I share an inside look at how Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism has evolved over the years—and why that evolution matters for both coaches and athletes.   Since 2017, the certification has gone through four major updates, each shaped by emerging research, real-world coaching experience, and the feedback from our growing community. In this epis...

In this episode, I sit down with Bethany Flores, a seven-time CrossFit Games athlete and new mom, to talk about her journey through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and returning to high-level competition.   We dive into what it really looks like to balance athletic goals with motherhood, and how Bethany has learned to navigate the physical and mental challenges that come with this transition. From...

In this episode, I sat down with Jasmine Jones, a 2026 Winter Olympics bobsled medalist, mother, and military service member whose journey to the podium is nothing short of inspiring. Jasmine shares how she balances elite sport, motherhood, and military service while continuing to push boundaries in the world of high-performance athletics.   Together, we explore what it really takes to compete at...

In today's episode, I sat down with Ashton Koehlmoos — pregnancy and postpartum athleticism coach, former collegiate athlete, and mom — to talk about how her personal experiences shaped the work she does today.   Ashton shares a powerful story that weaves together athletics, infertility, postpartum recovery, pregnancy loss, and ultimately finding purpose through coaching and pelvic health educatio...

In today's episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Shanna Birchett, a dedicated runner and mother of six, who is navigating the unique challenges of training during her seventh pregnancy. With a focus on long-term goals and adaptability, Shanna shares her experiences and insights on maintaining an athletic lifestyle while embracing the physical, emotional, and logistical changes that come w...

In today's episode, I sit down with Sarah Newberry Moore, a U.S. Olympian in Sailing, for an honest conversation about navigating change, both in sport and in life. We talk about what it means to evolve as an athlete and a human, especially when identity, goals, and capacity shift over time.   Sarah shares her experiences with growth, self-awareness, and learning to listen more closely to her body...

In this episode, I sit down with Kristi O'Connell to explore what it really means to have an "athlete brain" and how that identity evolves over time. Kristi shares her journey from being a Division I swimmer to a seven-time CrossFit Games athlete, and how stepping away from high-level competition forced her to reassess her relationship with training, performance, and self-worth.   We talk about th...