We're joined again by Devilbird and Suffolk Punch to continue our discussion of pregnancy in roller derby athletes. This time the gang discusses:

Common physiologic changes of pregnancy:  fatigue, breathlessness, increased flexibility, weight shifts, nutritional needs, cardiac output, and thermoregulation

How pregnancy can actually advance your skating career

Some common postpartum pitfalls (like the dreaded diastasis recti), and what we really know about postpartum recovery

How and when to return to play

We're joined again by Devilbird and Suffolk Punch to continue our discussion of pregnancy in roller derby athletes. This time the gang discusses:

Common physiologic changes of pregnancy:  fatigue, breathlessness, increased flexibility, weight shifts, nutritional needs, cardiac output, and thermoregulation

How pregnancy can actually advance your skating career

Some common postpartum pitfalls (like the dreaded diastasis recti), and what we really know about postpartum recovery

How and when to return to play

Asterisk and Spanky were joined by two (four?!) very special guests for an in-depth discussion of pregnancy in roller derby.  

-How pregnancy may change the way women are perceived and treated

-Deciding how & when to announce a pregnancy in roller derby

-Typical medical advice skaters may receive during pregnancy

-The actual risks that inform medical advice, including:

-The “small uterus” phase (pregnancy up to about 12 weeks)

-The “big uterus” phase (everything after that)

-How league policies may be written to protect the rights of pregnant skaters

-Officiating on skates while pregnant

-Being aware of how your choices as a pregnant skater may affect others

-How our individual histories and traumas may affect our own risk assessment process

-The dangers of comparing pregnancies.  Every body/baby is different!

Asterisk and Spanky were joined by two (four?!) very special guests for an in-depth discussion of pregnancy in roller derby.  

-How pregnancy may change the way women are perceived and treated

-Deciding how & when to announce a pregnancy in roller derby

-Typical medical advice skaters may receive during pregnancy

-The actual risks that inform medical advice, including:

-The “small uterus” phase (pregnancy up to about 12 weeks)

-The “big uterus” phase (everything after that)

-How league policies may be written to protect the rights of pregnant skaters

-Officiating on skates while pregnant

-Being aware of how your choices as a pregnant skater may affect others

-How our individual histories and traumas may affect our own risk assessment process

-The dangers of comparing pregnancies.  Every body/baby is different!

Cross-training!  In this episode, Asterisk and Spanky discuss the physical and mental benefits (and potential pitfalls) of cross-training for roller derby:

Why cross-train?  And what's the very best cross-training regimen, anyway?

The mind-blowing key to sustaining a badass cross-training routine.

How to make endurance cross-training (cycling, running) more fun and worthwhile...and some evidence based reasons why it's worth building into your routine.

Potential barriers to effective cross-training.

CrossFit!  The good, the bad, and the rhabdomyolysis. (Also, dogs.)

Yoga, pilates, and Spanky's dirty little secret for agile jamming.  And, of course the mental health benefits of yoga.

Some less common cross-training activities you should consider.

This episode was sponsored by Skully Bunting Jewellery, where Sarah crafts unique laser-cut acrylic jewellery infused with plenty of roller derby love.  Check her out on Facebook or at her Etsy shop, or email her directly at [email protected] to order your custom wearable art today.

Cross-training!  In this episode, Asterisk and Spanky discuss the physical and mental benefits (and potential pitfalls) of cross-training for roller derby:

Why cross-train?  And what's the very best cross-training regimen, anyway?

The mind-blowing key to sustaining a badass cross-training routine.

How to make endurance cross-training (cycling, running) more fun and worthwhile...and some evidence based reasons why it's worth building into your routine.

Potential barriers to effective cross-training.

CrossFit!  The good, the bad, and the rhabdomyolysis. (Also, dogs.)

Yoga, pilates, and Spanky's dirty little secret for agile jamming.  And, of course the mental health benefits of yoga.

Some less common cross-training activities you should consider.

This episode was sponsored by Skully Bunting Jewellery, where Sarah crafts unique laser-cut acrylic jewellery infused with plenty of roller derby love.  Check her out on Facebook or at her Etsy shop, or email her directly at [email protected] to order your custom wearable art today.

About this episode

Asterisk and Spanky continue their exploration of roller derby’s most insidious menace:  lower back pain! This time, they’re focusing on strategies to prevent and manage this common ailment,  including:

*How the “all-or-nothing” mentality can put you at risk for progressive pain

*Sneaky little lifestyle changes that could make a big difference

*Derby-specific details to consider if you are having new pain

*The importance of proper cross-training and weightlifting for a healthy back

*Tips for structuring practice sessions that result in a back-healthy league

*Some doctor-approved strategies to alleviate mild musculoskeletal back pain

Have a comment, correction, or question regarding this episode? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below, message us on Facebook, Twitter or Soundcloud, or email us at [email protected]

About this episode

Asterisk and Spanky continue their exploration of roller derby’s most insidious menace:  lower back pain! This time, they’re focusing on strategies to prevent and manage this common ailment,  including:

*How the “all-or-nothing” mentality can put you at risk for progressive pain

*Sneaky little lifestyle changes that could make a big difference

*Derby-specific details to consider if you are having new pain

*The importance of proper cross-training and weightlifting for a healthy back

*Tips for structuring practice sessions that result in a back-healthy league

*Some doctor-approved strategies to alleviate mild musculoskeletal back pain

Have a comment, correction, or question regarding this episode? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below, message us on Facebook, Twitter or Soundcloud, or email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Asterisk and Spanky begin their two-part discussion of back pain, focusing on the “Why” of this very common (and annoying!) condition.

They discuss the mechanics that contribute to back pain in people in general and in roller derby athletes specifically.

Asterisk describes some of the different ways that our brains may interpret and react to back pain, as well as why skaters may ignore or skate through pain.

Spanky reviews the various causes of back pain and discusses symptoms that may be signs of a more serious problem.

The docs discuss various cross-training activities that may help prevent back pain.

Have a comment, correction, or question regarding this episode? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below, message us on Facebook, Twitter or Soundcloud, or email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Asterisk and Spanky begin their two-part discussion of back pain, focusing on the “Why” of this very common (and annoying!) condition.

They discuss the mechanics that contribute to back pain in people in general and in roller derby athletes specifically.

Asterisk describes some of the different ways that our brains may interpret and react to back pain, as well as why skaters may ignore or skate through pain.

Spanky reviews the various causes of back pain and discusses symptoms that may be signs of a more serious problem.

The docs discuss various cross-training activities that may help prevent back pain.

Have a comment, correction, or question regarding this episode? We’d love to hear from you! Comment below, message us on Facebook, Twitter or Soundcloud, or email us at [email protected]