This week’s episode is joined by Dr. Karen Fleming, the Chief of Family Medicine at Sunnybrook Health Science Center and Karen Fung, a Registered Dietician and certified diabetes educator at the Sunnybrook Family Practice. Dr Fleming and Karen Fung are part of the Heart Health Matters team, whose aim is to empower people diagnosed with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) to manage future cardiovascular health.

Tune in as we discuss hypertensive disorders, high blood pressure in pregnancy as well as gestational diabetes. We discuss the long-term impacts of these conditions postpartum and how to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

Dr Fleming and Karen Fung share how they work to provide a holistic, community approach in their care plan for their patients and how they seek to provide information to empower individuals for better health. Their free virtual workshop Post-Pregnancy Heart Health offers a holistic community approach to addressing postpartum health. Their workshop features different healthcare professionals, including a physician, a dietician, a social worker to discuss mental health, and a nurse with health coaching expertise. Check out more here: About the Heart Health Matters team.

.

Sign up for the next Post-Pregnancy Hearth Health workshop:
—https://www.hearthealthmatters.ca/

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

In this episode, Tina Tang and I discuss the importance of staying active through perimenopause or menopause. We get into the world of plyometrics and how exercise and jumping can help you age with grace, prevent osteoporosis and protect your heart health. Even if you’ve never been an athlete or done a lot of jump training, this episode will teach you how exactly to get started safely and with success.

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Tina:

—Waitlist for Intro to Plyometrics for Women over 50 online course: https://www.ironstrongfitness.net/strength-intro-to-plyo
—Instagram: IronStrongFit

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

“I always say sexuality is an evolution throughout the lifespan and postpartum is no different,” says Dr. Rachel Ollivier. Dr. Ollivier is a Nurse Practitioner and clinician scientist, who practices both women's cardiac health and complex gynecology. In this episode, I chat with Dr. Ollivier about sexual health after birth. We discuss what impacts sexual health after birth, the fear of pain when returning to sexual activities postpartum, and the impact of birth on body image. 

Episode outline:

Sexual health after birth 

What impacts your sexual health after birth 

Your identity of being a mother and being a sexual being 

Body image after giving birth and how that impacts your 

How the meaning of your parts of your can change after giving birth (i.e breasts) 

The fear of pain when returning to sexual activities after birth 

Using masturbation to learn what feels safe and comfortable before returning to sex, taking agency with their body to get to know their bodies again 

Postpartum recovery - the importance of getting help and not thinking my body will always look and feel this way after giving birth 

Taboo of masturbation for females 

Pressure from your partner to have sex 

Redefining intimacy and emotional closeness postpartum 

Breaking down the idea of what ‘normal’ sex looks like,

Redefining what sex and pleasure actually means to you 

 How can people cultivate emotional intimacy if they're used to having physical intimacy as the main event?

The six week check - is it a one size fits all?

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

In this week’s episode, Surabhi Veitch and Kim Vopni chat about how we can better educate women about the pelvic and hormonal considerations through our life. Kim shares her personal story, from her initial resistance to childbirth after a Grade 6 sex education class to her pivotal moment witnessing her sister-in-law's empowering birth experience.

As an entrepreneur and the Vagina Coach, Kim has been at the forefront of integrating pelvic health into various stages of life. She co-founded Bellies Inc. and developed the Prepare to Push program.

Join us for a candid conversation about breaking taboos, empowering women, and redefining pelvic health across all life stages.

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Ever wondered if your child needs speech therapy or are you curious about what your child really needs to know before entering kindergarten? Tune in for an engaging episode this week as Rebecca Drory, a speech language pathologist, dive into the unique world of speech pathology.

As the owner and founder of Bespoke Speech, a distinguished private speech therapy practice in Midtown Toronto, Rebecca has made it her mission to empower parents and caregivers in supporting their children's communication skills. You don’t want to miss this week’s episode as we explore all you need to know about the field of speech therapy, including what role parents play in speech therapy, what speech sounds are, and who the ideal patient is for speech therapy.

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Rebecca:
—Instagram @bespoke.speech
—Website https://www.bespokespeech.ca/

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

The decline of estrogen during menopause can feel like your body has lost its armor, says Wanjira Njenga, a certified health, wellness and menopause coach. In this episode, Wanjira and Surabhi explore what really happens when estrogen declines during menopause and how to fill that gap—not with fear or fads, but with strength, science, and sustainable support.

Wanjira breaks down why menopause feels like puberty all over again, and how to work with your body, not against it. From understanding your hormones to building a lifestyle that supports your body, sleep, and sanity, we’re throwing out outdated advice and giving you tools rooted in real science and lived experience. From muscle-building, weight gain, hot flashes and heart health to busting extreme diet myths and managing stress, this episode unpacks the real tools people need to navigate menopause with confidence. It’s time to stop powering through and start powering up!

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Wanjira:
—Instagram @studiowanjira
—Website https://wanjira.com/
—Menopause Made Manageable membership

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

What if our understanding of sex, especially in the medical world, is all wrong? In this passionate and unfiltered conversation, Surabhi Veitch is joined by pelvic health physical therapist, sexuality educator and counselor Dr. Uchenna Ossai, also known as Dr. UC. They explore how pleasure is more than just an orgasm, why goal-oriented sex is limiting, and how cultural identities shape our experiences with intimacy.

From navigating sexual shame to being more present during sex across different life challenges like pregnancy and postpartum, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who works in healthcare or anyone who wants to elevate their intimacy. 

They also dive into the Pelvic Health Sexuality Counseling Certificate Program by Dr. Uchenna Ossai and Heather Edwards, a fellow pelvic physiotherapist, and they discuss why intersectionality must be central to how healthcare providers approach care.

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Uchenna: Instagram @youseelogic

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Still reaching for the ice pack after an ankle sprain or muscle strain? It's time to rethink everything you thought you knew about injury recovery. In this episode, we dive into the PEACE & LOVE method—a modern, evidence-based approach that goes beyond outdated advice like RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). You'll learn why inflammation isn’t always the enemy, why rest alone can delay healing, and what you should be doing instead. Whether you're a new mama, weekend warrior, or just dealing with everyday aches, this episode will change the way you respond to pain and injuries.

.

Helpful Links:

—Book a physiotherapy or coaching consult: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/book-with-surabhi

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

Trouble navigating sexytime postpartum? Struggling with your sexual confidence since you became a mom? Tune into this week's episode of Mom Strength to learn how to reconnect with yourself, your pelvic floor and improve intimacy.

You’ll learn about:

—Responsive desire vs spontaneous desire
—Sexual brakes vs sexual accelerators in the postpartum phase
—Pelvic floor strategies for pain, discomfort, or low libido
—Sex frequency for parents and what the research says
—How we are impacted by society’s portrayal of “sexy”
—Do Kegels help with painful sex?
—Making sex work in your tired new mom life
—Where to get help with pelvic floor or sexual health concerns postpartum.

.

Helpful Links:

—Book a pelvic physiotherapy or coaching consult: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/book-with-surabhi

—Reclaim Your Pleasure Workshop: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/reclaim-your-pleasure-workshop

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

.

Episode Sponsor:

This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

Surabhi Veitch and Joanne Ukposidolo have a dynamic conversation on how to become a better and more successful pelvic floor physiotherapist, while respecting shared decision making, cultural humility and embracing your own identity.

.

We discuss:

—Creating a space where you and your Type A clients can release the pressure and stress of the day

—The role of the physiotherapist in creating an environment where clients want to participate in their rehab

—Empowering clients as the custodian of their own care

—Getting better at understanding client’s goals, identity and culture in order to better treat them

—The importance of hearing people out and validating their concerns as a pelvic health physiotherapist

—Cultural competence vs cultural humility

—Understanding body shame and body confidence as a woman treading across multiple cultures

—The hypervisibility and hyperinvisibility of being a visible minority (terms by Stephanie Lurch)

—Embracing your culture, identity and parts that “stand out”

—The importance of knowing yourself and respecting your own boundaries - “once you understand why something is important to you, nothing can touch you at that point”

—The importance of critical thinking as a healthcare professional

—Understanding how race and technology/AI can impact pain management and birth outcomes

—Why it is crucial for healthcare professionals to take care of themselves in order to provide better client care

.

✨This episode is sponsored by Embodia https://www.embodiaapp.com/ - use code momstrength to save $20 off your first month’s Tier 3 membership.

.

Connect with Joanne: Instagram @yourphysio_jo

.

Connect with Surabhi:
—Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
—Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca