Guest: Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, Pelvic Health Specialist

Episode Overview:
This episode delves into the often taboo subject of pain during sex, exploring its causes, effects on relationships, and potential solutions. It emphasizes the importance of addressing this issue holistically, considering both physical and emotional aspects.

Key Points:

1. Scope of the Problem: Discussion on how pain with sex is a widespread issue affecting various age groups, often shrouded in silence and embarrassment.
2. Causes and Misconceptions: The episode addresses common causes like hormonal changes, perimenopause, menopause, and physical conditions like pelvic floor disorders.
3. Holistic Approach: Emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach, including physical therapy, emotional support, and sometimes involvement of sex therapists.
4. Impact on Relationships: The conversation highlights how sexual pain affects both individuals and couples, underlining the importance of communication and understanding within relationships.
5. Practical Solutions: Offers insights into practical steps and treatments, including relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and appropriate use of lubricants.
6. Empowerment Through Knowledge: The episode aims to empower listeners by normalizing conversations about sexual health and encouraging seeking professional help.

Call to Action: Encourages listeners to seek appropriate help and engage in open discussions about sexual health for better understanding and solutions.

Closing Remarks: The episode concludes with an uplifting message about the possibility of overcoming sexual pain and improving quality of life through informed choices and professional guidance.

Guest: Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, Physical Therapist with 39 years of experience in pelvic health

Key Topics:

1. Understanding Incontinence: Lauren and Ingrid discuss various types of incontinence, emphasizing its prevalence and the need to normalize discussions around it.
2. Myths and Misunderstandings: They debunk common myths about incontinence, stressing that it's not a normal part of aging or post-pregnancy life and can be treated effectively.
3. Whole Body Approach: The conversation highlights the importance of considering the entire body in pelvic health, including posture and movement patterns.
4. Exercises and Behavioral Changes: Ingrid suggests practical daily changes and exercises for improving pelvic health.
5. Impact of Childbirth: The discussion covers how childbirth, especially cesarean sections, affects pelvic health and the need for prompt post-delivery pelvic PT.
6. Emotional and Physical Wellness: They touch on the emotional aspects of pelvic health and its connection to overall wellness.
7. Workshop Announcement: Lauren and Ingrid announce an upcoming workshop focusing on pelvic health, movement strategies, and a holistic approach to wellness.

Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to join the workshop for comprehensive learning and to become advocates for pelvic health awareness.

Conclusion: The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding and taking proactive steps towards pelvic health, breaking the stigma and silence around the topic.

Our Guest: Dr. Jeffrey R. Gladden MD, FACC

Dr. Jeffrey R. Gladden MD, FACC is a distinguished authority in the field of longevity and preventive medicine. As the founder and medical director of Gladden Longevity + Advanced Performance Center, an esteemed clinic located in Dallas, Texas, he is dedicated to optimizing life energy, longevity, health, and performance.

• Intro:
  • Introduction to Dr. Jeffrey Gladden.
  • A deep dive into health, well-being, and how we can become our own medicine.
• Background:
  • Dr. Gladden's journey from interventional cardiology to longevity medicine.
  • Founding of the Gladden Longevity Institute in Dallas, Texas.
• Interventional Cardiology:
  • 25 years of experience in Dallas, Texas.
  • Training across Temple, Case Western, and the University of Colorado.
  • Role in building heart groups, starting cath labs, and collaborating with medical device companies.
  • Co-founding the Heart Hospital Baylor Plano.
• Personal Health Struggle:
  • Dealing with fatigue, weight gain, depression, and brain fog.
  • The challenging journey of seeking answers and treatments.
  • Dealing with the emotional impact of health issues and the medical community's response.
• Discovering Age Management Medicine:
  • Transition from traditional medicine to age management, functional, and integrative medicine.
  • Overcoming personal health issues and rejuvenating physical and mental health.
  • The role of thyroid activity and neurotransmitter creation.
• Living Young:
  • Shifting focus from mere longevity to the quality of life and staying young.
  • The importance of mindset in determining age and well-being.
  • Setting an age goal and the impact on daily motivation and actions.
• New Book Release:
  • "100 is a New 30: How Playing the Symphony of Longevity Will Enable Us to Live Young for a Lifetime".
  • Insights into optimal health and thinking beyond just increasing years of life.
• Financial Aspect of Living Longer:
  • The consideration of financial resources in the face of increased longevity.
  • The idea of staying productive and active, irrespective of age.
• Mind and Body Connection:
  • The concept of having a "30-year-old body and a 300-year-old mind".
  • The limitless opportunities and impacts that come with maintaining physical health and accumulating wisdom over time.

Website: gladdenlongevity.com
LinkedIn: Dr. Jeffrey R. Gladden MD or Gladden Longevity
Instagram: @gladdenlongevity

Facebook: Gladden Longevity

Host of The Gladden Longevity Podcast.

Author of “100 is the New 30” and advocate for ageless living. 

Expert in longevity medicine, health optimization and human performance.

- Host: Lauren McLaughlin
- Lauren introduces the focus of the episode: Exploring real life outside the studio and the doctor's office, focusing on health and well-being in today's world.

Guest
- Lillian, a Gen Z'er trying to navigate the complexities of the world today. Bonus: She's Lauren's daughter!

---

Topics Covered:

Mental Health Discussions:
   - The importance of discussing mental health, especially in younger generations.
   - Lillian's perspective as a Gen Z'er and the unique challenges they face.
   - Lauren reflects on generational differences in approaching mental health.

Generation Views & Values:
   - The lack of validation and seriousness towards Gen Z and Millennial concerns.
   - The misconception of "flipping the switch" to happiness.

Seeking the Right Conversations
   - The need for meaningful conversations rather than surface-level advice.
   - The internet's role in knowledge and exposure for the younger generation.

Wellness Culture & Its Toxicity:
   - The commodification of wellness and its superficial nature.
   - The desire of Gen Z and Millennials to redefine the term wellness.
   - The pitfalls of a culture focused on perfection and aesthetics.

Escapism & Nature:
   - Lillian's experience on the Appalachian Trail and seeking escape.
   - The healing properties of nature and connecting with others on the trail.

---

Key Quotes:
- "Mental health as a concept has been out there for a while, but are we really addressing the issue?" - Lillian
- "We can't just flip a switch. That's not how emotions work." - Lillian
- "I don't think we want to be talked down to; we just want to be listened to and heard." - Lillian
- "Our generation as parents navigating parenting and trying to have communication with our children has not been easy." - Lauren
- "Sometimes it just feels like we're all set up to fail." - Lillian

---

Lauren and Lillian emphasize the importance of understanding, empathizing, and changing the narrative around mental health and well-being, especially for younger generations. The conversation highlights the need for genuine connection and understanding across generations.

---

Links & Resources:
- [Y Pulse articles](https://www.ypulse.com/)
- [Appalachian Trail Information](https://www.appalachiantrail.org/)

We're delighted to introduce Paige Stapleton, a successful business coach and sales strategist. Beyond her impressive professional credentials, which include being a Wall Street Journal bestseller, Paige has a personal story that will resonate with many of our listeners.

Lauren:
Today, we get an intimate look into Paige's life. Not only do I personally adore her, but I've witnessed her journey through pain and recovery.

Paige's Personal Journey:

• The Beginning: About four years ago, Paige began experiencing a nagging problem in her left glute, which she self-diagnosed as an issue with her sciatic nerve. The pain reached a point where she was constantly limping, struggling to lift her leg, and facing challenges driving her Jeep.
• Seeking Help: Paige sought out a chiropractor and dedicated six months hoping for a solution. Although there was slight improvement, the chiropractor eventually told her that her condition might be her "new normal." Refusing to accept this, Paige embarked on a journey exploring various treatments – from physical therapists to walking coaches and different healers.
• The Turning Point: A recommendation led Paige to another chiropractor. While initially skeptical due to a prior experience, after several sessions with him and a specific technique called dry needling, Paige began noticing significant improvements. The pain that once held her back began to subside.

The Emotional Toll:

• Facing Challenges: While the physical pain was debilitating, the emotional toll was equally challenging. The constant pain often led Paige to feel discouraged, impacting her self-confidence and causing her to doubt the treatments and herself. This emotional struggle affected her personal life, making her feel isolated despite having a supportive partner.
• The Lowest Point: One particularly challenging night, Paige found herself unable to walk post-treatment and had to crawl back to her bed. This incident, coupled with the need to use a walker, was an emotional low for her.

The Broader Impact:
Pain doesn't just affect one's physical health; it has a ripple effect, touching personal relationships and professional life. For Paige, who was building her business during this period, the pain was an additional challenge.

Lauren's Insights:
Many individuals hop from one treatment to another in their quest for relief – what Lauren humorously refers to as "promiscuous treatment hopping." This constant search can be draining and lead to further emotional distress.

Closing Thoughts:
Paige's journey is a testament to the importance of perseverance, seeking the right help, and the interplay between physical and emotional well-being. Her story underscores the need to remain open-minded and to believe in the possibility of recovery, even when faced with setbacks. 

• Introduction:
  • Lauren McLaughlin discusses the importance of the episode topic - pelvic floor health.
  • Guest introduction: Ingrid Harm-Ernandes, a physical therapist with over 38 years of experience, specializing in the pelvic floor for 26 years.
  • Highlight of Ingrid's achievements including mentoring and co-directing at Duke University.
  • Discussion about Ingrid's book "The Musculoskeletal Mystery" - a resource on pelvic floor health.
• Discussion Points:
  • Welcoming Ingrid and emphasizing the significance of talking about pelvic floor health.
  • The increasing number of women disclosing discomfort during sex and the need for more awareness.
  • There is societal hesitation in discussing pelvic floor issues.
  • Ingrid sheds light on the staggering statistic that one in three women in the U.S. suffer from these issues.
  • The evolution of conversations about pelvic floor health over the years.
  • The emergence and spread of pelvic health awareness in the United States compared to Europe and Australia.
  • The importance of research and the lag in evidence-based treatments.
  • The impact of social media: both positive in spreading awareness and negative in promoting misinformation.
  • Criticism of devices and products that make unrealistic promises about curing incontinence.
  • The importance of self-care and personal understanding in pelvic floor health.
• Key Takeaways:
  • The dangers of seeking quick fixes for pelvic health problems.
  • The myth surrounding Kegels and the need to understand pelvic floor contractions and relaxations.
  • Addressing the issue of incontinence and the significance of performing the right exercises.
  • Emphasizing functional exercises that mimic everyday activities.
  • Ingrid's book's approach to helping individuals identify and rectify their pelvic floor issues.
  • The interconnectedness of the body, where other muscular issues can impact pelvic floor health.
  • The relationship between the psoas muscle, which holds many emotions, and the pelvic floor.
  • Understanding the core as not just the abs but including the pelvic floor, diaphragm, and back muscles.
  • How the psoas acts as a body stabilizer and its role in conjunction with the pelvic floor.
  • The influence of hip muscles on the pelvic floor and the interconnectedness of the body's muscular system.

REGISTER HERE for the retreat on October 25, 2023 in Chapel Hill, NC!  Enjoy amazing sex again! Stop the leakage and run again! 

CLICK HERE to purchase a copy of your book, The Musculoskeletal Mystery.

The Other Side Of The Studio with Ingrid Harmes- Ernandes Part 2

Episode 11: Adaptability and flexibility: Releasing the Weight with Lauren McLaughlin

Episode 10: Living a complaint free life with Caitlin Naramore

Episode 9 With guest Lee Ann Bonnell - Personality Science: Applying it to Sales and Relationships