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Told to slow down during pregnancy & postpartum? Not necessarily! 🏃‍♀️💪"

It's research update time again with @exerciseandpregnancy!

In this episode, Margie Davenport, Associate Professor at the @ualberta & former national team athlete, joins us again to give another update on research in pregnancy and postpartum exercise including: the 

🔹2025 Canadian guideline for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep throughout the first year post partum (hot off the presses!)  
🔹@bjsm_bmj Special Issue on Postpartum Physical Activity
 
Dr. Davenport is leading the charge in making exercise guidelines more inclusive so women at ALL levels can move safely during pregnancy & beyond 

We get into:
🔹 Why movement matters during pregnancy (yes, even for elite athletes!)
🔹 The impact of mental health & anxiety on postpartum recovery
🔹 How sleep can make or break your return to sport
🔹 When to see a pelvic floor PT (hint: sooner than you think!)
🔹 The biggest myths about pregnancy & exercise that need to go 👋

Whether you're chasing a podium or just trying to stay active through pregnancy, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN. 🎧

What’s the worst pregnancy/postpartum fitness advice you’ve ever gotten? Drop it below! ⬇️😅

#PregnancyFitness #PostpartumAthlete #PelvicHealth #ReturnToRun #WomenInSport #MomRunner #PregnantAndStrong #PostpartumRecovery #PelvicFloorPT #StrongMoms #activemompodcast #paglianopodcast 

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

2:45 setting up the guidelines 

5:49 the importance of early movement

10:30 getting the new guidelines to OB/BYNs

13:03 get active questionnaire for pregnancy

19:55 gatekeeping of information

25:14 variability in practice patterns

27:08 the impact of sleep

34:00 impact of exercise

36:53 addressing diastasis recti

42:25 elite athletes in postpartum 

47:35 traveling to Nepal

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH MARGIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/exerciseandpregnancy/

Website: exerciseandpregnancy.ca

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

Coming in at #4 on our list of top podcasts for 2025 is my conversation with Dr. Susan Clinton.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Susan Clinton—a clinician, educator, and coach with over 40 years of experience helping women move through complex health transitions with clarity and confidence. Susan brings deep insight into the connections between the gut, hormones, and nervous system, and how those intersections can impact women in midlife and beyond.

We explore the nuances of perimenopause and menopause, from autoimmunity shifts to digestive challenges, and the power of small, sustainable changes. Whether you're a healthcare provider or navigating your own health journey, this conversation is packed with clinical pearls and practical takeaways.

We talk about:

-The link between birth trauma, gut health, and perimenopause

-How autoimmunity and digestion shift during midlife

-Practical strategies for managing bloating, constipation, and hydration

-The benefits of vaginal estrogen and advocating for your own care

-How small lifestyle changes can make a big impact on overall health

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

1:51 how the conversation is different for women 

5:49 clinical presentations for thyroid issues

13:39 struggling with constipation

22:15 the importance of chewing your food

28:33 different types of fiber

36:22 stool consistency 

43:10 making small changes for big impact

49:15 understanding bloating

57:59 good and bad stress

58:51 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH SUSAN:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sclintonpt/

Website: https://ltiphysio.com/

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

Coming in at #5 on our list of top podcasts for 2025 is my conversation with Lindsey Bomgren.

What does fitness really look like for moms?

It’s not matching sets and flawless form.

It’s stopping mid-workout for a diaper change.

It’s navigating diastasis, prolapse, leaking, exhaustion, and a brain that hasn’t slept in three years.

It’s figuring out how to move in a body that’s been through pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause—without the judgment.

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Bomgren (@nourishmovelove), certified trainer, mom of three, and absolute powerhouse in the online fitness space. Lindsey brings the real talk about motherhood and movement—and how to keep showing up with strength and compassion through every season.

We dive into:

💥 The rise of online fitness & what it means for moms

💥 Diastasis recti, coning & doming explained (finally)

💥 Why cueing matters more than most realize

💥 The shifts through each pregnancy and postpartum recovery

💥 How perimenopause is changing the conversation

💥 And the quiet shame so many moms feel about their bodies—and how we push back

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, judged, or just not sure where to start—this one’s for you.

👟 Real fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all.

🎧 Hit play and let’s talk about what movement can actually look like for moms.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

05:26 Building a business while raising kids

10:09 Treating athletes in pregnancy & postpartum

12:17 What moms actually want in fitness

16:13 Why cueing matters

27:26 Common myths and misinformation

37:56 Postpartum body image

44:00 Letting go of fear in movement

48:30 Mental health & movement

56:40 What’s next for perimenopause

69:45 Rapid fire Q&A

🔔 Subscribe for real talk on pelvic health, fitness, and the science behind how women move.

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com 

CONNECT WITH LINDSEY

Website: https://www.nourishmovelove.com/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/nourishmovelove

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishmovelove/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourishmovelove/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/nourishmovelove/ 

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

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In this powerful season finale, I sit down with journalist and author Maggie Mertens (@maggiejmertens) to unpack the untold history—and future—of women in sport, running, and motherhood.

Maggie is a Seattle-based writer whose work spans gender, athletics, and culture. Her book Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women breaks down the myths that held women back for decades and highlights the stories that never made it into the headlines. 

After finishing her book, she returned to running at 37 and recently completed her first half marathon—proof that rewriting the narrative starts in our own lives, too.

This episode dives deep into the real experiences of women who run, lift, train, and raise families while navigating outdated cultural beliefs about their bodies. 

From postpartum fitness to perimenopause realities, athletic identity shifts, and the mental health benefits of movement, Maggie brings clarity, honesty, and perspective we all need.

We talk about:
🔹 Balancing motherhood and athletic identity
🔹 The biggest myths holding women in sport back
🔹 Why the victim mindset keeps women stuck—and how to shift it
🔹 Exercise, running, and mental health (especially in midlife)
🔹 Returning to fitness postpartum without the pressure or shame

If you’re a runner, athlete, postpartum or perimenopausal mom, or someone reclaiming your athletic identity, this is a must-listen conversation.

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

5:15 how far back can we look?

9:50 women who have been lost to history

16:53 motherhood versus being an athlete

19:42 race and the research

24:09 women being treated as delicate

29:50 societal pressures

33:40 breaking barriers in the mile

37:15 women’s marathon history

40:57 coming back to running

50:17 what’s next

52:13 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/maggiejmertens/

Website: https://maggiemertens.com/

Substack: https://maggiemertens.substack.com/

Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/maggie-mertens/better-faster-farther/9781643753355/

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I’m taking you with me down into the Grand Canyon—21 miles, 13 hours, eight of us ages 44–53 (seven women, one very patient man), and every bit of trail talk you can imagine. 

What started as “Can we actually do this?” turned into the most honest, hilarious, and wide-open conversation about pelvic health, perimenopause, and how physical therapy for women has completely evolved since we were first told to “just do your Kegels.”

Spoiler: the canyon will make you talk about everything.

Is it sweat or is it pee?  Might be both.
Bladder habits on switchbacks? Yep.
Hormones while you’re sweating through a sunset climb back to the rim? Absolutely.

The stuff we wish someone told us 20 years ago? All of it.

We get into:

• How women’s health PT grew from basic kegels to running, lifting, sport, pregnancy → postpartum → peri/menopause care
• Why it always comes back to the bladder (and why that’s not a bad thing)
• The real story on preventative peeing + hovering on trail bathrooms
• What you should actually know about menopause hormone therapy (without the online panic spiral)
• Navigating peri/menopause with confidence, support, and a sense of humor

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when seven midlife women (& one very patient younger brother) take on the Grand Canyon… it’s this. 

And it’s so, so good.

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

3:57 getting informed early

5:20 taking a nature break on trail

14:28 urine frequency and output

19:39 unexpected leakage

22:52 what we don’t know about perimenopause

28:40 weighted vests, walking, and yoga

33:46 supplements

38:00 exercise in pregnancy and postpartum

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I sit down with Sophie Carter, an ultra runner, coach, and mom of five who made headlines for running a 100km ultra while pregnant. Sophie has also co-authored a paper on endurance running during pregnancy, adding valuable insight to a growing body of research that challenges traditional views on what’s possible for women in sport. As a coach, she’s passionate about supporting other women in finding strength, balance, and confidence through movement—no matter what stage of life they’re in.

We talk about:

-listening to your body

-exercise during pregnancy

-twin pregnancy and birth

-running as an outlet

-pregnancy loss & recovery

-participating in research

-the importance of strength training

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

8:02 getting into ultras

15:00 working with Margie Davenport

19:29 doing what works for you

22:41 evolving training over time

26:45 advice for first time moms

28:05 navigating age gaps with children

31:00 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sophierunner/

Website: www.projectrunsc.co.uk

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Yingling, an internationally ranked trail and ultrarunner from Salt Lake City, Utah. Leah has achieved multiple top-10 finishes at Western States and UTMB, and has represented Team USA at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. In addition to her racing career, she’s the co-host of the Trail Network Podcast, works full-time in Population Health, and runs for Lululemon, Osprey, Garmin, and Hydrapak. Leah is also a new mom, recently welcoming her first child, Monte, in July.

We dive into what it means to pursue longevity in sport, how she balances full-time work and elite-level training, and what it looks like to plan a sustainable running career while growing her family. Leah shares insights on goal setting through different life seasons, increasing visibility for women in ultras, and the power of building a supportive community.

We talk about:

-Longevity in running

-Balancing full-time work and training

-Planning a long sustainable running career

-Goal setting with family planning

-Increasing visibility of ultras

-Building your community

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

2:32 comparing ultras to parenthood

3:31 moms in the ultra community

9:09 the problem solving aspect of ultras

12:24 deferals for races

20:43 competing while pregnant

24:44 navigating postpartum

29:45 resources for pregnancy and delivery

34:14 mom walks and being outdoors

41:06 winter activities with a baby

48:30 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH LEAH:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/leah_yingling/

Strava: https://www.strava.com/pros/9911694

Tail Network Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-trail-network-podcast/id1738325869

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, Carrie Pagliano, PT, DPT, OCS, WCS, sits down with Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards, PT, DPT, OCS—founder of Precision Performance Running Medicine Clinic in Atlanta, creator of the RUNsource app, and co-host of Interdisciplinary Case Miles.

Kate brings over 15 years of experience in running medicine and shares her insights on:

• Why an interdisciplinary team (PTs, physicians, coaches, dietitians, pelvic health specialists) is essential for runners
• How to know when it’s time to see a physical therapist
• Supporting postpartum athletes returning to running
• Treating professional and everyday runners with a research-driven approach
• The realities of entrepreneurship, balancing family, and branching into tech and podcasting

If you’re a runner, postpartum mom, or clinician who wants to better understand how to integrate care, find the right provider, and keep up with the latest research in sports medicine, this episode is for you.

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

6:15 how to work with other providers

10:01 logistics of running a podcast

18:05 underfeeding for sports

23:05 research-informed versus evidence-based

25:58 the RUNsource app

34:10 when it’s time to see a PT

38:30 unqualified running coaches

43:45 deciding to branch out

50:30 balancing kids in middle school

55:29 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH REBECCA:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/katemihevcedwards/

Fast Bananas: https://www.instagram.com/fbrunsource/

Precision PT: https://www.instagram.com/precisionpt_atl/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/interdisciplinary-case-miles/id1837802044

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca McConville, a registered dietitian, board-certified sports specialist and IAEDP-approved eating disorder supervisor.

 Rebecca is an internationally recognized expert on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), author of Finding Your Sweet Spot: How to Avoid REDs, and creator of the first-of-its-kind REDs-Informed Provider Certification Program and masterclass for clinicians. 

With the academic version of her book, REDsolution, set to release in 2026, Rebecca continues to bridge the gap between research and real-world application.

We talk about how REDs presents across different life stages—from pregnancy to postpartum to perimenopause—and the complex interplay between hormones, nutrition, and performance. Rebecca shares insight on recognizing symptoms early, removing the stigma around REDs, and the importance of supporting athletes with compassion, context, and collaboration.

We talk about:

-REDs in different stages of life

-removing the stigma of REDs

-common symptoms

-considering body image

-fueling for exercise

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

4:22 navigating eating as a college athlete

7:57 having more open conversation

9:00 varied symptoms of REDs

13:20 understanding a client’s narrative

16:23 using wearables to get answers

22:45 where things go wrong

26:45 hormones, birth control, and heart health 

32:20 getting help from a dietician

41:20 fertility related issues

43:38 being an advocate as a provider

51:17 rapid fire questions

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH REBECCA:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaeddietitian/

Website: www.beccamcconville.com

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌

Send us Fan Mail

She’s the host of the Speaking of Labia podcast, a practicing OB/GYN, business owner, and mom of two. And this past summer, Dr. Lauren Puretz was the top American finisher at UTMB 100.

In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, Lauren shares what it takes to juggle medicine, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and elite ultrarunning. From her start in high school track, to stepping back during med school and residency, to rediscovering running after kids—Lauren’s story is one of resilience, grit, and grace.

We dive into:

• Running ultras while raising kids
• Wearing multiple hats—mom, doctor, athlete, business owner
• Navigating mom guilt and giving yourself grace
• From med school to launching her own women’s health practice
• Why collaboration between OB/GYNs & pelvic health PTs matters for women at every stage

🎧 Tune in to hear how Lauren balances motherhood, medicine, and endurance—and what she’s learned along the way.

 #UTMB #UltraRunning #WomenInMedicine #WomensHealth #FemaleAthlete #PelvicHealth #StrongMoms

Time Stamps

1:00 Introduction

3:10 competing at UTMB

8:16 competing at a high level as a mom

11:00 treating runners and athletes

17:40 considering pre-pregnancy fitness

20:45 navigating return to exercise

27:36 runners in perimenopause & menopause

32:28 starting a podcast

34:59 rapid fire question

CONNECT WITH CARRIE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/

Website: https://carriepagliano.com

CONNECT WITH LAUREN:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lauren1642/

Website: www.MountainViewobgynclinic.com

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-speaking-of-labias-podcast/id1802290856

The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.

Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).

Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.

Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌