Pivot Point of View

By Pivot PointHealth & Fitness

Pivot Point of View episodes

October 31 Hands That Heal: Amy Kowalzek on Massage, Assisted Stretching & Handmade Salves
What happens when a nurse becomes a massage therapist, and then adds assisted stretching to her toolbox? In this episode of Pivot Point of View, Becky sits down with Amy Kowalzek, owner of KS Therapeutic Massage and creator of Kowalzek Salves, to talk about the winding path that led her to hands-on, whole-body care.
Amy shares how her nursing background shaped the way she sees clients, what drew her to massage therapy, and why she became a trained Pivot Point Assisted Stretch Practitioner this summer. Since then she’s woven stretching into her sessions with great results, and she tells us what that has looked like for her clients and her practice.
We also get into her line of handcrafted salves: how they started, what goes into them, and how they fit into her approach to care. Finally, Amy explains why she believes assisted stretching is a valuable, natural next skill for massage therapists who want to help clients move better and feel better for longer.
In this episode:
Amy’s journey from nurse to massage therapist to stretch practitioner
What changed when she added Pivot Point Assisted Stretching to her sessions
The story behind Kowalzek Salves
Why assisted stretching is a smart addition for massage therapists
Connect with Amy:
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kowalzek.salves.2024
Website: https://www.grandmawillow.com/
Learn more about The Pivot Point Method of Assisted Stretch Training:
Subscribe for weekly insights on health and wellness for both you and your equine partners.
20 min
October 13 Flexibility, Performance and Horses: Talking Assisted Stretching with Alicia Brigode
In this episode I sit down with fellow equestrian Alicia Brigode, owner of the Stretch Zone franchise in Aiken, South Carolina, one of the country’s best-known horse towns. Alicia and I share a love of horses and a belief in what assisted stretching can do for the human body.
We talk about how assisted stretching differs from stretching on your own, and why it can help athletes recover faster, move more freely and lower their risk of injury. We also get into what riders in particular need. Hips, low back, hamstrings and posture all affect how you sit a horse, and your mobility shapes how your horse moves underneath you.
Whether you compete, ride for fun, coach athletes or work in the wellness field, you’ll come away with practical ideas about flexibility and performance, plus a look at what it’s like to run a stretch business in the heart of horse country.
Connect with Alicia at Stretch Zone Aiken, and learn more about assisted stretching certification at Pivot Point Performance.
16 min
September 13 Raising Resilient Riders - Next Level Goat Tying with Stacey Martin
In this episode, Becky sits down with Stacey Martin — goat tying specialist and clinician at Next Level Goat Tying and assistant rodeo coach at Panola College in Center, Texas — for a conversation packed with wisdom for anyone raising or coaching young athletes.
We dig into:
Injury prevention — why it has to be a priority, not an afterthought, in rodeo and beyond
Leadership and mentorship — what it really means to guide young people, on and off the arena
The parent trap — why the best thing parents can do for their college-bound athletes is step back and let them do things for themselves and WHY getting a coach can help your kids way more than you can alone.
Plus stories, insight, and practical takeaways from Stacey's years of coaching experience
Whether you're a parent, a coach, or an athlete yourself, this episode is full of hard-earned lessons on building tough, capable, independent young people.
23 min
April 08 If stretching hasn’t worked for you… it’s not your fault.
If stretching hasn’t worked for you… it’s not your fault.
I can’t tell you how many people say:
“I stretch all the time but I’m still tight.”
Here’s why
6 min
March 15 Still in the Saddle: JR Vezain’s Fight to Keep Competing
From the top of the rodeo world to a life-changing spinal cord injury, JR Vezain’s story is one of resilience, grit, and redefining what’s possible.
In this episode of Pivot Point of View, JR shares the journey of navigating life after the accident that left him paralyzed. He talks about the mental and physical battles, the importance of faith and family, and how to trust God's timing and purpose.
Now competing in the reined cow horse world, JR continues to prove that determination, faith and heart can carry you further than anyone might expect.
This conversation is about faith, perseverance, perspective, and the power of pivoting when life changes in an instant.
54 min
March 06 Riding Through the Unknown with Ashley Sanders
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ashley Sanders — a nurse, horse trainer, and professional barrel racer who refuses to let a complex medical condition define her life.
Ashley shares her journey living with cranio cervical instability and functional movement disorder, conditions that left her with frightening and debilitating symptoms — including episodes where her neck would completely lock up, leaving her unable to rotate her head at all.
For years, Ashley searched for answers while navigating a medical system that often dismissed her symptoms or suggested they were psychological. Instead of giving up, she kept advocating for herself, pushing for testing, and seeking the truth behind what her body was experiencing.
In this conversation, Ashley opens up about:
• What her symptoms actually felt like
• The frustration of being dismissed by the medical community
• The tests that finally validated what she knew was real
• How she continues to pursue her passion for horses and barrel racing despite the challenges
Ashley’s story is one of resilience, self-advocacy, and determination. If you’ve ever felt unheard in the medical system or wondered how someone keeps going when the answers aren’t clear, this episode will inspire you.
31 min
February 20 Joint Pain, Weight Gain & Brain Fog? Real Help for Menopause with Maggie Lamle, RN
Menopause can feel overwhelming — joint pain, stubborn weight gain, decreased libido, brain fog, hot flashes, sleepless nights… and the frustrating sense that no one is really talking about solutions.
In this episode, we sit down with Maggie Lamle, RN, to have an honest, empowering conversation about what’s actually happening in the body during menopause — and what women can do about it.
We dive into:
• Why joint pain and stiffness increase during menopause
• The connection between hormones, muscle loss, and weight gain
• How peptides may support recovery, metabolism, and vitality
• Why physical therapy is a powerful (and often overlooked) tool for midlife women
• What’s behind brain fog and decreased sexual appetite
• Practical, actionable steps women can take right now
This conversation is about options. It’s about understanding your body. And it’s about reclaiming strength, clarity, and confidence in midlife.
Menopause is not the end of performance — it’s a transition. And with the right support, women can thrive.
If you’ve been told “this is just part of aging,” this episode is for you.
To learn more about these peptides, visit: https://elliemd.com/pivotpoint
Medical Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, peptide therapy, exercise program, or making changes to your healthcare plan.
36 min
January 25 Cold Weather, Stronger Bodies: Winter Conditioning for Horses & Riders
Winter doesn’t mean stop — it means train smarter.
In this kickoff episode of Pivot Point of View, we’re talking about off-season and cold-weather conditioning for both the horse and the rider. The off-season is where soundness is built, imbalances are corrected, and long-term performance is created — not during the middle of competition season.
We cover:
• Why off-season conditioning matters
• Where to start before you build fitness
• Off-season goals for both horses and riders
• How winter changes the way tissues respond to work
• How to condition safely in cold weather
• When it’s too cold to work your horse
• Common winter training mistakes that lead to soreness and injury
Whether you’re a competitive rider, rancher, or someone who just wants their horse to stay sound and willing, this episode will give you a smarter framework for winter training.
Because winter isn’t downtime — it’s foundation time.
38 min
January 07 Strong First, Skinny Second: The GLP-1 Discussion
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are everywhere—but most of the conversation is missing the most important pieces.
In this episode, we take a grounded, honest look at GLP-1s:
✔️ How they actually work in the body
✔️ The real benefits (and who they may help)
✔️ Common myths and misunderstandings
✔️ The hidden risks people aren’t talking about
✔️ Why microdosing may be safer for long-term health
✔️ The critical role of protein and strength training
✔️ Why weight-loss stalls happen—and how to overcome them
✔️ FAQs for anyone currently on (or considering) a GLP-1
This conversation is especially important if your goals go beyond the scale—like protecting muscle, maintaining performance, and creating results that actually last.
Whether you’re using a GLP-1, thinking about one, or supporting someone who is, this episode will give you a clearer framework to make informed, empowered decisions.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. GLP-1 medications can have serious risks and side effects. Always consult with a qualified physician or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication, supplement, diet, or exercise program. Never disregard professional medical advice because of something you heard in this episode.
If this episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear this conversation.
38 min
December 20, 2025 2025 NFR Recap: Drama, Ground Conditions & Injuries
The dust has settled on the 2025 NFR, and there’s a lot to unpack. In this episode, we recap the biggest moments from the finals, including heated conversations around the ground, injuries competitors pushed through, and how those challenges affected performances.
We talk honestly about what these conditions mean for athlete health, recovery, and staying competitive at the highest level of rodeo. If you want a real, no-fluff breakdown of the 2025 NFR, this episode is for you.
26 min

About Pivot Point of View

From the publisher's feed

Becky Pearson, MPT, LAPT, CERP, has been treating human patients with physical therapy since 1996. She obtained her master’s degree in physical therapy from the University of Findaly, Findlay, Ohio, in 2005 and opened her own private practice in Broken Bow, Nebraska, in 2011.