Mom Strength

Surabhi Veitch interviews Sophia Dhrolia, where they discuss their journey into parenting. From meeting their wife (on Plenty of Fish!) to their Bollywood romance, we talk about how they had kids as a queer couple. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll learn so much from this incredible human. This is an absolute must-listen and one of my all-time favourite interviews.

Here’s what else you’ll find:

-Why their kids have an unintentional age gap
-Why you should use Google to arm yourself with information (instead of asking queer folks to do the work)
-Finding a sperm donor (that isn't white and blond)
-Their wife’s IUI and feeling like they didn’t belong in the process
-How queer couples get treated different at fertility clinics
-Meeting your baby: love at first sight
-Devastated about their own infertility
-In vitro fertilization (IVF), high costs, a heterosexist system and fertility clinics
-Why partners may not understand fertility challenges in the same way
-Coming out to their family
-Their incredible pregnancy journey
-Parenting a young child while dealing with infertility and depression
-Pregnancy as a non-binary person, dealing with body changes and clothing
-Postpartum preeclampsia and importance of advocating for oneself
-Why diversity and representation in healthcare matters
-Intersectionality and bias in healthcare
-Importance of advocating for yourself in healthcare
-Raising kids and the importance of inclusive language
-What allyship means
-Repairing relationships and apologizing to kids

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Sophia Dhrolia

Sophia Dhrolia (she/they) is a non-binary parent to two who struggled with infertility for years and advocates, where possible, for a more inclusive fertility process, inclusive language and experiences for kids growing up with different families. Professionally, they are a diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist who focuses on helping organizations create cultures of belonging to ensure people are seen, heard, valued, and given equitable opportunities to thrive.

- Follow Sophia on Instagram @sd.apper

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Connect with Surabhi:

- Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

- Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Kegels, or pelvic floor contractions, are a strength exercise often recommended for people with pelvic floor concerns like leaks, prolapse or pain. The problem is, Kegels often make these symptoms WORSE, and can be really problematic. Kegels can worsen pain with seggs, exacerbate leaks and even create more symptoms of heaviness.

Tune into this episode so learn why NOT to do Kegels!

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Links & Resources:

-Want help with your pelvic floor strength or symptoms? Book your free alignment call to get started!

- Connect with me on Instagram @thepassionatephysio

-Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/

Are before and after pictures representative of a person’s health? Should we celebrate someone when we see these pictures? Does it make you feel less than or ashamed of yourself? What are we not seeing when we see these photos? Do health and fitness coaches also show photos of their clients who don’t have drastic changes in their body?

Check out this episode to hear my thoughts on why I think before and after pictures are sad. Especially if you’re postpartum or a new mom, please don’t assume that a smaller body is healthier either. Health is not determined by your size and neither is happiness.

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Links & Resources:

Free Optimize Postpartum Recovery Guide: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/freebie-optimize-postpartum-recovery

Want individualized support? Book your 1:1 online consult!

Connect with me on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

Email me [email protected]

Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/

When someone asks if you’re pregnant and you’re not, when someone points out you must be going out for a run because you’re trying to lose weight, when someone says you’ve put on a lot of weight, what do you do? How do you respond?

If you’ve been shamed for your body or had inappropriate comments from family, friends or perfect strangers, this episode is for you.

Remember this is not a YOU problem, this is a THEM problem. The problem is not your body, it’s the systems that enable people to constantly objectify women and our bodies. It’s the systems that enable white woman more power and privilege over Black, Indigenous, Brown, Asian and other racialized folks.

Listen to this episode to hear 2 body-shaming incidents that happened in the past couple days, my thoughts around it, and 12 truths I want you to know about your body. Lots of love to you, and remember that the power is within you.

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Links & Resources:

Need 1:1 support getting active? Book your 1:1 online consult!

Want fitness that supports health and strength at any size? Join BASE Fitness Membership.

Connect with me on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

Email me [email protected]

Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/

This episode contains a trigger warning as we explore pregnancy complications.

Surabhi Veitch interviews occupational therapist, Sarah Putt, where they discuss OT, working in early intervention, the challenges of being a mom and so much more! This episode provides valuable insights into pregnancy issues and motherhood in general, equipping you with quality info to guide you through your personal journey or to support a loved one.

We discuss:

-Sarah’s pregnancy journey
-Working in occupational therapy
-International travel (with young kids!)
-Starting a podcast
-The power of embracing our fears
-Self-care and relationships as mom

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Sarah Putt:

-Occupational therapist, entrepreneur/ private practice owner (specialising in early intervention), podcaster, mom, world traveler, craft beer enthusiast

-Follow Sarah on Instagram @ot.4.lyfe

-Sarah’s Website: https://ot4lyfe.com/

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Connect with Surabhi:

- Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

- Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Surabhi Veitch interviews Dr. Whitney Baxter, naturopathic doctor, on practical strategies to improve your digestion and gut health while providing methods to help understand where your symptoms may be coming from. We know this can be an awkward topic for some, but the conversation needs to be had, so join us and learn about this common and surprisingly interesting issue!

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We discuss:

- Symptoms of unbalanced digestion

- Importance of tracking your system

- Impacts of social eating

- Ways to improve gut health

- Tips to deal with constipation

- How unbalanced hormones affect your gut health

- Getting comfortable talking about p**p

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Whitney’s Bio

Whitney is a naturopathic doctor (and mention we did our Kin degrees together!). She lives in Victoria BC with her husband and 7-month-old daughter.

Her journey to naturopathic medicine began after working as an exercise therapist in cardiac rehabilitation. she witnessed the value of a holistic approach to health care and understood that each individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected.

She loves to help people kick PMS symptoms, regulate their periods and support healthy digestion. She also loves to support new mamas feel their strongest, resilient, and feel empowered in their new parent role. Whitney treats BC residents both virtually and in person.

- Find Whitney on Instagram @drwhitneybaxter

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Connect with Surabhi:

Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Please note that this podcast episode covers a sensitive topic and may not be suitable for people during pregnancy

Surabhi Veitch interviews Breanna Naccarato on how to navigate life after a tragic loss, strategies to conceive after loss, and trigger-free training programs after stillbirth. We dive deep into pregnancy loss without sugarcoating anything, providing practical wisdom for all women. Whether you have experienced loss of this form or not, this discussion will provide you with words of encouragement to help navigate through this situation or care for others experiencing loss.

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We discuss:

- Breanna’s personal experience of stillbirth
- What’s life is like after stillbirth
- How to support someone who has experienced stillbirth or loss
- Trying to conceive after loss
- Strategies to minimize physical and emotional pain
- Trigger free programs and exercise after stillbirth

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Breanna’s Bio

Bree is the owner of Loved Momma Fitness. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and is a CrossFit Level 1 Coach. She opened her business after the birth of her first daughter when it became clear that the recommendations and training options for athletes through pregnancy and postpartum were severely lacking. She began training women through all seasons of motherhood. In April 2021 Bree gave birth to her second daughter. Tragically her baby girl was stillborn and with that, the landscape of her entire business had changed completely. Now her focus has been on creating trigger free recovery programs for mothers who have experienced traumatic or tragic pregnancy or infant loss.

-Find Breanna on Instagram @loved_momma_fitness

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Connect with Surabhi:

- Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

- Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Surabhi Veitch interviews Christa Gurka, physical therapist and 7-figure business owner. We chat strategies to start a business while being a mom, growing your business to the next level and co-parenting tips that make sure your kids get their best start. As a successful business owner and mom to older children, Christa shares valuable lessons, words of encouragement and empowerment for newer moms and entrepreneurs.

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We discuss:

- What it takes to start a business
- Strategies to start a business while being a mom
- Growing your business to 7 figures and beyond
- True partnership in co-parenting
- Demystifying societal norms and myths about motherhood

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Christa’s Bio

A board-certified orthopedic physical therapist specializing in Pilates-based fitness, injury prevention, and wellness Christa Gurka’s career spans more than 3 decades in the health and wellness industry. She is the founder and CEO of Miami’s Pilates in the Grove, which serves the local Coconut Grove and South Miami communities as well as national and international clientele with online and virtual programming. She is the pilates and Wellness Therapist for the Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat as well as serves as chair-person for the Miami Dade County Wellness Coalition. Christa’s passion for empowering female entrepreneurs led her to her most recent professional venture as a business strategist and mentor to female business owners looking to start and scale their own healthcare and wellness companies. Outside of the office, she spends her time cheering on her all-time favorite athletes her two teenage boys in their numerous athletic competitions.
- Find Christa on Instagram @christagurka
- Check out Pilates in the Grove @pilatesinthegrove

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Connect with Surabhi:

- Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio
- Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

We discuss:

- What is PCOS?

- What are the main symptoms of PCOS?

- How does a PCOS diagnosis work?

- The main causes of PCOS

- Is there treatment for PCOS? (short answer - yes!)

- Which is better? - Natural vs Medical Treatments

- Importance of nutrition in treating and preventing PCOS

- The healing benefits of movement

Whitney’s Bio

Whitney is a naturopathic doctor (and mention we did our Kin degrees together!). she lives in Victoria BC with her husband and 7 month old daughter.

her journey to naturopathic medicine began after working as an exercise therapist in cardiac rehabilitation. she witnessed the value of a holistic approach to health care and understood that each individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected.

she loves to help people kick PMS symptoms, regulate their periods and support healthy digestion. she also loves to support new mamas feel their strongest, resilient and feel empowered in their new parent role. whitney treats BC residents both virtually and in person.

Links/Resources

Find Whitney on Instagram @drwhitneybaxter

Check out her Website: https://www.drwhitneybaxter.com

Connect with Surabhi:

Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Surabhi Veitch interviews Dr. Whitney Baxter, naturopathic doctor, on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), including symptoms, treatments and tips for living with PCOS.

We discuss:

- What is PCOS?
-What are the main symptoms of PCOS?
-How does a PCOS diagnosis work?
-The main causes of PCOS
-Is there treatment for PCOS? (short answer - yes!)
-Which is better? - Natural vs Medical Treatments
-Importance of nutrition in treating and preventing PCOS
-The healing benefits of movement

.

Whitney’s Bio

Whitney is a naturopathic doctor and lives in Victoria BC with her husband and baby daughter. Her journey to naturopathic medicine began after working as an exercise therapist in cardiac rehabilitation. She witnessed the value of a holistic approach to health care and understood that each individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected.

She loves to help people kick PMS symptoms, regulate their periods and support healthy digestion. She also loves to support new mamas feel their strongest, resilient and feel empowered in their new parent role. Whitney treats BC residents both virtually and in person.

- Find Whitney on Instagram @drwhitneybaxter

- Whitney’s website: https://www.drwhitneybaxter.com

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Connect with Surabhi:

- Find Surabhi on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

- Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca

Birth can be magical, beautiful and powerful. With negative birth stories and horror stories shared widely, I have been hesitant to share my very positive, beautiful birth story. However, I realized that in sharing my story, it doesn’t take away from anyone else’s story. Every birth is different. And I know the importance of hearing positive stories when media is quick to portray long, arduous and painful labours ending in emergency surgeries. While those can happen, I also know that I needed to hear positive birth stories during my pregnancies, and so I gift you this reading of my 9-page birth story of my first baby.

I wrote this all down when she was just over a week old and I’m excited to share it openly for the first time. She’ll be 4 soon, and it was such a great reminder to me of the strength, beauty and resilience that is our human body.

Whether you are trying-to-conceive, pregnant, considering having a baby, or work with people who have babies, I hope this story of my beautiful unmedicated home birth brings you comfort and reminds you of the magic within your own body. I hope it also makes you realize that you don’t have to be fearless during birth. You just have to be courageous, and know that the power of the thousands of women who came before you are with you.

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Links & Resources:

-Need support during pregnant and preparing for birth? Book your online consult!

-Check out my 90-minute Pregnancy and Birth Preparation workshop to learn about breathing strategies and ways to keep your body comfortable during pregnancy and prepare for an empowered birth.

-Connect with me on Instagram or Facebook @thepassionatephysio

-Website: https://www.thepassionatephysio.ca/