The Practice Brave Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with Katelyn Darkangelo, a Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism coach. Katelyn shares her inspiring journey from being a fitness enthusiast to becoming a successful coach, highlighting the importance of in-person training and community building. She opens up about her transition into the pregnancy and postpartum space, the challenges she faced along the way, and how she...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Coates to dive into the importance of building meaningful connections within the fitness industry. We explore how fitness education has evolved, the role of networking and mentorship, and the impact of social media on coaching. Together, we discuss the narratives that shape our identities as coaches, the realities of running a success...

In this episode of the Practice Brave Podcast, I sit down with Joelle Cavagnaro to discuss the evolution of fitness and nutrition, especially for women navigating different life stages. We dive into the impact of social media on fitness culture, the importance of evidence-based coaching, and how misinformation can shape our approach to health.  This conversation with Joelle is a refreshing take on...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the incredible Kari Pearce—4-Time Fittest American Female, seven-time CrossFit Games athlete, lifelong competitor, and soon-to-be mom! We dive deep into her journey through pregnancy, training adaptations, and the mental shifts required as an elite athlete navigating a brand-new chapter of life.   What You'll Learn in This Episode:   How Kar...

In this episode, I chat with Shanna Birchett, a mother of six and dedicated runner, about rediscovering her passion for running after a medical setback and motherhood. We discuss balancing training with family life, the benefits of strength training, postpartum mental health, and the impact of a supportive coach and community. Shanna encourages moms to embrace their current season while pursuing t...

I'm beyond excited to share some big news with you. We're hosting our first-ever in-person Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification Weekend on March 29-30, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona! This is something I've been thinking about for a long time, and I'm finally making it happen. I know how valuable it is to learn in person, ask questions in real-time, and see coaching concepts come...

In this episode, I sit down with Pelvic Health PT Mindy English to discuss incontinence in female athletes. We explore why it happens, common misconceptions, and practical strategies to manage it. Whether you're dealing with leaks during workouts or just want to be proactive about your pelvic health, this conversation is packed with insights to help you perform at your best.   Follow Mindy English...

In this episode, I share 10 essential tips for pregnant and postpartum athletes, drawing from my decade-long experience coaching thousands of athletes. From trusting your intuition and adapting training intensity to overcoming body image struggles and focusing on postpartum recovery, this episode offers valuable insights to help you navigate these transformative seasons.   We're having a flash sal...

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Alyssa Olenick, a passionate exercise physiologist, researcher, and coach. We dive deep into Alyssa's journey as both a scientist and an athlete, and how she uses her expertise to cut through the noise of fitness misinformation online. We talk about how important it is to bridge research with real-life coaching and why nuanced, evidence-based convers...

I'm thrilled to kick off a brand-new series on pelvic health with one of my favorite pelvic health physical therapists, Mindy English. Together, we're diving into the critical intersection of pelvic health and female athletes, breaking down what your mom (and probably your coach) never told you about your pelvic floor.   In this episode, we explore: What the pelvic floor is and why it's essential...

In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Sarah Beth of Sarah Beth Yoga to talk about her incredible journey. Sarah shares how she transformed her life from overcoming personal struggles to building a thriving online yoga business serving nearly 2 million yogis globally. She opens up about her path, which includes overcoming childhood trauma, navigating abusive relationships, and learning to bala...

In this episode, I discuss the multifaceted identity of being an athlete mom. Athleticism is not limited to competitive sports but is about consistently pursuing fitness at any stage of life.   You'll hear about: The importance of strength training, lifting weights, and preserving bone density. Finding the balance between fitness, motherhood, and personal goals. Why versatility in fitness—like try...

In this episode, I reflect on the evolution of my brand, Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism, as we move into 2025. I discuss the rebranding efforts, updates to our fitness programs, and the continued focus on supporting women throughout their athletic journeys. I also share my personal experiences as a coach and mother, highlighting the balance between competition and family life.   Takeaways: A...

In this episode, Brittany Ratelle joins me to discuss the essential legal steps for fitness professionals and online coaches. From setting up an LLC to protecting intellectual property and navigating contracts, Brittany shares invaluable insights to help entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls, safeguard their businesses, and grow with confidence. Whether you're just starting out or refining your systems, th...

In this episode, I welcome Rachel Selman back for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape for women in strength and conditioning. Rachel, a physical therapist with strength and conditioning and sports science certifications, shares her journey from being a young professional in a male-dominated field to her current role within the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)...

Today I chat with Trisha Cicero, a former MMA athlete who has transitioned into coaching and supporting women in combat sports. Trisha shares her journey through the challenges of weight management, the impact of training intensity on women's health, and the importance of balance in nutrition and training. We discuss the toxic culture of weight cutting in combat sports and the significance of reco...

Today, Julia Scardone joins me as she shares about her career as a Judo athlete and how she's embraced the change and growth in motherhood. She discusses how she approached her training during her (unexpected!) pregnancy and how, despite having an emergency c-section was determined to get back to the mat as fast as possible. She soon learned how different life was now, but wanted to prove that she...

Adam Fuller is a CrossFit Level 4 Coach, garage affiliate owner (CrossFit Thin Air, Buena Vista, Colorado), and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach. He tells us his story of opening and growing his affiliate, why he decided to become a P&PA Coach, and how he applies the certification in more ways than just pregnancy & postpartum. He has a passion for coaching moms, helping them with their spe...

Pelvic floor physical therapy is becoming more and more of a mainstream thing…but we have a long way to go. Mindy English is a PFPT local to Eagle, Idaho who chats with us today about what pelvic floor physical therapy is, why it's helpful, and why she's so passionate about it. Mindy took the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification and it's helping her connect the dots between treating he...

Today I have with me Antonia Henry, owner and head coach of A1 Fit Coaching and P&PA Coach, as we discuss what the research actually is saying about intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and how that translates to your lifting. We discuss common reasons you may be peeing while you lift and what can be done about it, as well as dig into more about IAP and why pressure management and core + pelvic health a...

Today I sit down with my friend Miranda Granger who is a retired UFC fighter and is now pregnant with her second baby. Miranda reflects on her journey as a fighter and how she came to the decision to have her first baby and how that changed her as a fighter. She's excited for the next phase of motherhood with her second baby and anxious to see how that postpartum goes. Go follow her on Instagram a...

Today, I have with me OBGYN and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach, Lamia Zafrani, who shares with us what her life currently looks like as a pregnant athlete. Lamia is an incredible resource and collaborator and is actually one of the expert interviews in the P&PA Course itself. I truly value her perspective and work in this community! Today she shares more in-depth about what it means to b...

We're told "just do what you've always done" and "just listen to your body", but we know that this is not enough. I hope by the end of this episode you gain a better understanding of how to train during pregnancy and why we need to adjust in the first place. I dive into mindset (athlete brain), core + pelvic health considerations, and more.   If you're a pregnant or postpartum athlete looking for...

A little more personal of a podcast today… with my youngest son Chance's birthday coming up (turning 7!), it had me reflecting on the decision to have a second baby and what that looked like. I wasn't even in a mental place to think about another baby for the first 3 years postpartum after Cade, but I knew we wanted to have a second. I have had experiences within my own family that reaffirmed the...

Today, P&PA Coach Katie joins me and shares her inspiring story of going from a hairstylist of 18 years to a full-time P&PA Coach in her very own space. It's a story that we so commonly hear - we don't know we need this information until we do. This was the case for Katie when she realized she developed prolapse after her first baby, leading her down the rabbit hole of pelvic health and desperatel...