Episodes
What I pack in my hospital bag has changed a bit from baby #1 to baby #3. Listen in to learn what I'm taking to the hospital for myself and baby, things I don't think are essential, and must-haves from my instagram community! Links! FREE! ⁠⁠⁠Pregnancy Exercise Modifications by Trimester⁠⁠⁠ Empowered Pregnancy Fitness Program Connect with me on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@strongmamawellness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about my work on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠ Discount Codes: Kindred Bravely 15% off...
Published 11/12/24
Feeling defeated with your pregnancy symptoms, changing body, and exercise routine? Perhaps you wish you could feel more in control, have more energy, and actually feel strong and prepared in your changing body. Been there, mama! In fact, ALL women I coach also have. In this episode, I share my story of going from feeling defeated to feeling empowered and all the shifts it took to get there. I know many of you will relate to my experience and find some good takeaways to support yourself and...
Published 11/06/24
Is pain in pregnancy "normal?" As your body rapidly grows and changes in pregnancy, pressure is put on different areas of the body and new hormones cause instability. This is a cocktail for back pain, pelvic pain, and injuries if we're not being proactive. The good news? Exercise can help manage and even prevent some of them from happening. If you want to have a comfortable, active pregnancy, I'm going to share with you exactly how to do that so you don't wind up with debilitating back or...
Published 10/29/24
Are the workouts you’re doing in pregnancy “right” for YOU? If you’re already asking yourself this question, we’re breaking down 6 not-so-obvious red flags in this episode. My intention is not to call you out (though I do call myself out, alot!) but to bring you clarity around what might be helping you vs. hurting you when it comes to supporting your body with movement in pregnancy. Listen in so you can easily make some tweaks! Join the FREE Prenatal Power 5-Day Pregnancy Fitness...
Published 10/22/24
It's super common to search online for workouts in pregnancy... it's SO nice to be told what to do and not think about it. I myself am guilty of doing this in my first pregnancy! But, there are some downfalls we need to talk about when it comes to approaching prenatal exercise with random workouts from YouTube, social media, and even some on-demand platforms. I'll also share with you what to do INSTEAD. FREE PREGNANCY CHALLENGE! Join me for Prenatal Power, a FREE 5-day pregnancy fitness...
Published 10/15/24
Does pregnancy exercise feel overwhelming to you? Are you unsure what TO DO, and therefore you’re not doing anything? Or maybe you’re just winging it but know you could be more intentional. Whatever the case, I’m here to give you some clarity! In this episode, I outline the 4 pillars of exercise I recommend including in your routine if you want to prepare your body for a more comfortable, strong, feel-good pregnancy and birth! Links! Join the Empowered Pregnancy Interest List FREE!...
Published 10/08/24
Time for some myth busting! I have been in the prenatal fitness space for over 5 years now and, just when I think these myths are on their way out, I find out they still exist. Providers and people in general are still sharing poor, outdated advice and many people just trust it… but it’s not evidence-based. As a result this causes fear that can hold many women back from truly serving and supporting their body with movement. Let’s be honest, there’s enough misleading information in the online...
Published 10/01/24
A common instinct in pregnancy and birth is to trust anything our provider says we should do, with little extra thought. However, while there are MANY trustworthy providers, not all advice or practice is evidence-based — which is why it’s important to be educated and comfortable advocating for yourself in order to have the pregnancy and birth experience you desire (and deserve!). Our guest today, Dr. Rebecca Dekker — PhD Nurse, Founder/CEO of Evidence Based Birth®, and author — shares red...
Published 09/24/24
It’s inevitable that you’ll have some guilt about your choices as a mom whether it’s about the choice to work vs homeschool, the feeding method you choose for your child, or taking time for your own self care. In this day and age of being bombarded with media and information, guilt can be a common underlying feeling. And guilt often informs our thoughts and behavior patterns. In this episode Alexis Adams, a therapist and coach for moms, walks us through helpful strategies to identify,...
Published 09/17/24
If you had a cesarean delivery with a previous birth, you will be faced with the decision to schedule a repeat c-section or try for a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) in a subsequent birth. This can be a tough decision for many moms, and one I've been faced with as well. Enter, this episode! Today, I welcome on a guest, and fellow pre/postnatal fitness specialist, who has had a successful VBAC. Meg of Vibrant Mama Wellness shares all about her first c-section experience, what led her to...
Published 09/10/24
A lot goes into preparing for a new baby in your life! And often, some of the most important things get overlooked… like preparing your mind and relationship for the transition. Today we get a chance to dive into this topic with Jess Hull, founder of The Mother Me Method — a support framework for successful women who want to do more than just survive their postpartum. We’ll talk about the unspoken changes you may experience, the timeline of evolving as a mom, how you can navigate...
Published 09/03/24
Dealing with pregnancy nausea? Want actionable ways to manage it and feel better? This is THE episode for you. Kaslyn Rezac, a prenatal Registered Dietitian, joins me to fully dive into this topic. Kaslyn shares why nausea happens and for how long, things that don't work to manage nausea, and realistic strategies that DO work. This episode is super actionable and I know that even applying some of them right away will bring you relief so you can actually start to enjoy your pregnancy...
Published 08/20/24
If you feel like your motivation to exercise is low in this season of life, you are not alone, my friend. Reality is, many variables are at play demanding us in different directions, that can really make it hard to get (and stay) motivated. We are diving into all things motivation in this episode including what to strive for if motivation is not there, common causes of low motivation, and actionable solutions for each. I know you'll find something in this episode you can go out and take...
Published 08/13/24
So you want to return to exercise postpartum, but you also want to keep your milk supply strong for your baby? We got you! In this episode I dispel a common myth about how exercise affects milk supply while giving you plenty of tangible tips on how to ensure your milk supply doesn’t change, along with the logistics of feeding around your workouts and staying comfortable during them. I also share some truths and tips around weight loss while breastfeeding for those interested in that. You can...
Published 08/06/24
Thinking about having a natural, unmedicated delivery? Perhaps you're nervous about it and knowing more would help you make the best decision for you? Either way, this episode is for you. I'm speaking with Hilary Valentine, a holistic perinatal women's health coach, pelvic floor therapist, and doula. We talk about everything from the risks and benefits of natural birth all the way to tactical preparation strategies and pain management tools. This episode is chock-full of helpful information...
Published 07/23/24
Help me celebrate 100 episodes with a $100 GIVEAWAY and a Q&A episode loaded with hot topics and questions directly from you! Giveaway details can be found below. Join me as I answer the following: Are there any preconception recommended exercises? How can working out in pregnancy help first time moms? What should be my focus for building strength in pregnancy? Can I start strength training even if I hadn’t done so before pregnancy? How to find motivation working out...
Published 07/16/24
People LOVE to comment on pregnant and postpartum people's bodies for some reason. And these (often well-meaning) comments can sometimes rub you the wrong way or make you self-conscious. In this episode, I'll walk you through how I personally separate from these comments so they don't sink too deep. I encourage you to do this mindset exercise as well! Links and Resources: [FREE GUIDE] ⁠⁠Pregnancy Exercise Modifications by Trimester⁠⁠ Curious about fitness coaching? ⁠Book a free discovery...
Published 07/09/24
If you’re a mom and you’re on social media, chances are that you’ve seen a celebrity post “perfect-looking” pictures of themselves 1 month after having a baby. Meanwhile, you have dirty hair and spit-up on the shirt you’ve been wearing for 2 days and still wearing maternity sweats. The idea that we need to bounce back after baby is known as ‘bounce back culture.' It's everywhere, and it can be harmful on both the physical and mental health of moms. In this episode of the Strong Mama Podcast,...
Published 07/02/24
Disclaimer: this is not a "lose the pooch" episode. But, having seen questions about it come up in my community more lately, I wanted to shed some light on this topic from a functional perspective to unveil what could truly be going on with your postpartum core. At the end of the day, you do not need "fixing" and whether or not you have this appearance has no impact on your worth as a human being. Join me to chat about what is exactly the so-called "mom pooch" is, what are some underlying...
Published 06/25/24
Fun times ahead as we prepare to add a third baby to our crew later this year! I share how things are going in the pregnancy, baby's gender, my thoughts on transitioning from 2-3 kids, and 3 things I'm prioritizing in my health and fitness this time around. Thanks for sharing in our excitement and listening to my story :) Links and Resources: [FREE GUIDE] ⁠Pregnancy Exercise Modifications by Trimester⁠ Curious about working with me? Book a free discovery call with me Connect with me on...
Published 06/18/24
Stretch marks, itchy belly, hemorrhoids, oh my. We're diving into all things skincare in this episode! Kyra Venable, mom of 2 and Founder of Lavender Meadows Co, shares about the most common pregnancy and postpartum skin concerns and how to combat them with natural skincare. She also tells us some popular products and ingredients that we should be avoiding while pregnant and breastfeeding. I learned a TON in this episode, I only wish I had learned it earlier. Enjoy my conversation with...
Published 06/11/24
To kegel or not to kegel? Many of us have received mixed messages on the topic of doing kegels for pelvic floor strength. And, to be honest, the answer is not one-size-fits-all. But one thing is TRUE for everyone listening: you need to be supporting your pelvic floor. In this episode I share the downfalls of kegels, who should (and shouldn't) be doing them, along with 3 things your pelvic floor REALLY needs to stay functional through all of life's physical demands. Stay tuned for...
Published 06/04/24
Summer can be so fun, yet SO busy! But, let's face it, we're not 18 anymore and pregnancy and postpartum are demanding on the body. We can't "afford" to take several months off of movement. We also can't expect the same of ourselves as we do in lighter seasons. In this episode I share my framework that will help you create a purposeful summer workout routine that you can ACTUALLY commit to, so you can keep supporting your body in the ways it needs most right now. PLUS, I share details on a...
Published 05/28/24
Body change can bring up a lot of thoughts and emotions. As your body transforms through pregnancy and postpartum, it can often be uncharted territory, not to mention overwhelming. Join me and special guest, Laura Lindahl of True Strength Collective, as we unravel body image in this special season of life so you can focus on supporting your body. Laura is a Certified Exercise Physiologist and Pre/postnatal Fitness Coach. She helps women identify the limiting beliefs they have about their...
Published 05/07/24