The Pelvic Floor Project

In this episode I discuss with registered clinical counsellor, Cory Arthurs:

• How personality traits like perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, or being highly driven can influence recovery and coping?
• How messages like "no pain go gain" or "listen to your body” can be interpreted differently by people
• How previous life experiences, messages we received as kids or beliefs can influence our physical symptoms
• How stress influences our nervous system and contributes to healing/recovery
• Pelvic health conditions are often associated with shame, embarrassment, and stigma. How can those emotions affect symptoms and recovery?
• Physical symptoms often have emotional influence but that doesn’t mean “it’s in your head”

Originally from Calgary, AB, Cory completed her undergrad degree in Addiction Counselling from the University of Lethbridge, and worked for many years with individuals struggling with substance use and related issues. She later moved to Vancouver, where she completed her Masters of Counselling degree at City University of Seattle, and expanded her work into working with trauma and altered state integration. She uses both Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR in her work with PTSD, both nervous system based approaches to treating trauma. Using these trauma therapy modalities, she helps clients reduce the impact of trauma by working directly with the nervous system and body, not just thoughts and memories. This means slowing down, tracking what’s happening somatically in the moment, and supporting the kind of regulation that makes lasting change possible. Her work with clients over the years has taught her many lessons of the innate wisdom we all carry, and capacity for healing. When not working or learning, Cory can be found in one of the many forests of the Okanagan, or out on a paddle board. 

HOW TO CONTACT CORY

www.coryarthursrcc.com

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health

 Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Embodia   

Year of mentorship

Embodia for pelvic health

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

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In this episode I discuss with fellow physiotherapist, Dr. Caroline Packard:

• The accepted progression in orthopaedic recovery from rest to range of motion and strength and then load progression, impact, sport/activity specificity
• The lack of implementation of this in pelvic health related conditions like prolapse
• The focus on diagnosis and activity restrictions/limitations vs. Symptom management and then processing beyond to limit symptom recurrence 
• Barriers to bridging this gap (cost of appointments, care provider experience, lack of equipment to mimic patient exercise)
• Options for patients to bridge the gap between kegels and clamshells to lifting and impact exercise (1:1 vs independent)
• The online self paced program Caroline has created 

Dr. Caroline Packard, DPT, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy , certified yoga instructor, lifelong  athlete, and founder of Connect Pelvic Floor Fitness , an online platform combining pelvic floor education with progressive strength training for women. After navigating her own experience with pelvic floor dysfunction, Caroline built the program she wished had existed:  one that leads with education, integrates breath and core function, and builds lasting,  functional strength designed specifically for how women’s bodies work. With 15+ years of clinical experience, she is a trusted voice on women’s pelvic health, fitness, posture, and movement. Through the platform and her clinical practice, she's helped more than 100,000  women address pelvic floor dysfunction and rebuild functional strength. Caroline is on a mission to help women understand that they are not broken, and that there is a clear, proven path forward. 

HOW TO CONTACT CAROLINE

Caroline's self paced program 

Special Offer for The Pelvic Floor Project listeners:
Try it free for 2 weeks!
Then get 20% off annual memberships with promo code: TPFP20

Instagram

TikTok

YouTube

Facebook

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health

 Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Embodia  

Year of mentorship

Embodia for pelvic health

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode, I discuss with researcher and associate professor at the University of Alberta, Dr Margie Davenport: 

• The abundance of fear based and confusing information circling about exercise in pregnancy and postpartum
• What does the research actually tell us?
• Reasons for the message to “be careful” 
• The discrepancy between how we treat patients after knee/hip/heart/back surgery vs postpartum women 
• The difficulty for caregivers to keep up to date on new evidence
• Ways to help spread the evidence based information 

Dr. Davenport was the Chair of the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy, and the 2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep throughout the First Year Postpartum. This work led to the development of the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy, Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology/American College of Sports Medicine Pre & Postnatal Exercise Specialization. Dr. Davenport leads the Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health (www.exerciseandpregnancy.ca), and has published more than 200 manuscripts related to physical activity and sport during preconception, pregnancy and the postpartum period. Over the last decade she has worked with a number of National/International organizations including FIFA, the World Health Organization, International Olympic Committee, Sport Canada, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, and the American College of Sports Medicine to support physical activity during and following pregnancy. 

HOW TO CONTACT DR. DAVENPORT

Instagram 

Website

Active study links

LINKS MENTIONED

2019 Canadian Guideline For Physical Activity Throughout Pregnancy

2025 Canadian Guidelines for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep Throughout The First Year Postpartum

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health

 Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Embodia  

Year of mentorship

Embodia for pelvic health

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode I discuss with Kayla Switlishoff, Nurse Practitioner from the radiation oncology team at BC Cancer Kelowna:

• The benefits of having pelvic health and quality-of-life conversations before cancer treatment begins
• How pelvic cancer treatments can affect bladder and bowel function
• Potential changes to sexual health, including pain, vaginal changes, fertility
• Treatment-induced menopause and the physical and sexual health changes that can come with it
• Exercise and movement before, during and after cancer treatment
• The role of pelvic health physiotherapy and cancer rehabilitation
• Why some side effects may appear during treatment or months to years later
• What patients can do before treatment to prepare and advocate for their future health
• Gynecological Life and Ongoing Wellness GLOW) clinic currently being delivered at the BC Cancer Kelowna center to address survivorship concerns with gynecological cancer patients. 

Kayla Switlishoff is a Family Nurse Practitioner currently practicing within the radiation oncology team at BC Cancer Kelowna. She attended Mount Royal University and graduated with her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2013. She then attended the University of British Columbia and obtained her Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner degree in 2021. She started her NP career providing care to underserved populations at Outreach Urban Health as well as working as a NP hospitalist in Vernon Jubilee Hospital. She then followed her passion of women’s health and oncology while completing additional training to start at BC Cancer Kelowna in 2023 and currently works with the gynecological and genitourinary tumour groups. She recently obtained her Menopause Society Certified Prescriber designation and has been one of the co-developers along with Dr. Hamid Raziee of the Gynecological Life and Ongoing Wellness GLOW) clinic currently being delivered at the BC Cancer Kelowna center to address survivorship concerns with gynecological cancer patients. It has been a dream of hers to have a clinic which could address sensitive topics that cancer patients experience in their recovery phase after experiencing similar circumstances with her own health. In her free time, she loves being a mother to her 20-month-old son, baking sourdough, keeping active and spending time with family and friends.

 For inquires contact BC Cancer 

(Kelowna): 250-712-3900

Please speak with your oncologist for referral to GLOW 

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This episode is Part 2 of a series on Erectile Dysfunction. 

In this episode I discuss with Vancouver based Conselor Justin Paulsen:

• How mental and emotional factors play a role in ED
• How stress and the nervous system affect erectile function
• Porn use and its relationship to ED
• Masculinity and identity tied to erections
• Performance anxiety
• Relationship factors 
• Pelvic floor patterns and physiotherapy
• Misconceptions about kegels
• How can therapy help? (sex therapy, couples therapy)
• Successful sex’ beyond penetration
• How can people rebuild confidence after repeated ED experiences?
• Medical red flags 

Justin Paulsen (he/him) is a virtual Psychotherapist, Couples Counsellor and Clinical Sexologist based in Vancouver. He works with individuals and couples on mental health concerns, relationship and communication concerns, and sexual concerns. His research background is in penis complications such as erectile dysfunction and premature or delayed ejaculation.

Justin works from a holistic solution-focused approach as he works together with clients to take a look at thoughts, feelings, and the nervous system to help you manage stressors and build stronger relationships and fulfilling sex lives - almost like a personal trainer for your emotional, relational, and sexual health! Along the way you may laugh, cry, and celebrate as you work towards your goals

Be sure to check out Episode 127 with Urologist Dr. Chris Bitcon first which addresses:

• What is erectile dysfunction (ED)? 
• At what point does it move from a temporary issue to a condition requiring a doctor's visit?
• Primary causes (prostate treatment, vascular, hormonal, neurological, psychological)
• What can you do before you go see a urologist?
• Treatment options 

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode, I discuss with Kelowna based urologist Dr. Chris Bitcon:

• What is erectile dysfunction (ED)? 
• At what point does it move from a temporary issue to a condition requiring a doctor's visit?
• Primary causes (prostate treatment, vascular, hormonal, neurological, psychological)
• What can you do before you go see a urologist?
• Treatment options

Dr Chris Bitcon is a practicing Urologist in Kelowna. Dr. Bitcon grew up in Kelowna and is the epitome of a BC boy: involved in every sport under the sun and loves being outdoors.  He completed medical school at UBC’s Island Medical Program in Victoria and urology residency at Dalhousie University in Halifax. He went on to complete a co-fellowship through the University of Toronto, specializing in both minimally invasive/robotic surgery as well as pediatric urology. Though he has two sub-specialties, he remains passionate about being a true general urologist and treats all urologic conditions.

EPISODE 128 will be PART 2 of this episode with Justin Paulsen (Psychotherapist/Couples Counsellor/Clinical Sexologist)

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

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In this solo episode, I talk about:

• What may happen in a pelvic floor appointment (specific to internal assessment)
• The importance of finding a therapist that feels right to you (we don’t all practice the same)
• My clinical practice process and how each patient influences this
• What happens when you have your period 

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode, I discuss with fellow physiotherapist Carina Siracusa

• Explanation of our body’s bowel and bladder function 
• At what level Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis and Stroke affect these systems
• Medication considerations and side effects
• How is the pelvic floor related and how it is NOT
• How we can help as physiotherapists 
• How patients can advocate for themselves

Dr. Carina Siracusa has been a practicing physical therapist since she graduated from Ohio University with her doctorate in physical therapy in 2005. She has practiced in the areas of pediatric, neurologic, oncologic, and pelvic floor physical therapy in her tenure as a physical therapist. She currently works in the neurologic rehab department at OhioHealth in Columbus, Ohio, seeing patients of all ages and abilities with pelvic floor dysfunction. She also serves as the oncology rehabilitation coordinator and the wheelchair clinic coordinator in this hospital system. She has been teaching for the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy since 2010 in the pelvic health series. She has also taught as adjunct clinical faculty at several universities. She has given multiple presentations all over the world on the topics of neurologic and pediatric pelvic health. She also teaches several two-day courses on the subjects of pediatric and neurologic pelvic health.

Instagram: @carinadpt

Mentoring available through Carina: @SynapsePTMentoring

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode, I discuss with psychologist Kristy Money:

• Her experience growing up in a mormon community surrounded by purity culture and the difficulties of making the “switch” to sexuality and pleasure
• Sexual shame 
• Mind/body connection 
• Ideas for where you can start if you sense you could use some guidance 

Kristy Money, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist, feminist advocate, and expert in women’s sexual health. She has written widely on trauma, consent, and purity culture in outlets like the Salt Lake Tribune and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and has been featured in The New York Times, HuffPost, and The Guardian. Her podcast work—Healthy Mormon Journeys and Mormon Transitions—each garnered over 500,000 downloads in their first year, and her guest episodes on Mormon Stories remain among its most listened-to. Drawing on her academic training and personal experience with anorgasmia, Kristy offers compassionate, research-backed tools to help women reconnect with their erotic selves. Her voice resonates deeply with women navigating post-religious identity, sexual healing, and embodied self-discovery. She's the founder of Hill Country Neuropsychology and lives in Texas with her husband and five children.

HOW TO CONTACT KRISTY

Website: www.kristymoney.com

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show

In this episode, I discuss with founder of Menopause Chicks, Shirley Weir:

• Certain brands of Menopause hormone therapy are now covered in BC as of March 1st as part of the new National PharmaCare program
• What we know about benefits to using menopause therapy
• The surge in information and physician education
• AND most importantly, how you can feel empowered to talk to your provider and pharmacist to ensure you are doing what is right for you

Shirley Weir introduces herself as a "menopause chick" and is here to remind all of us: we deserve to feel amazing! This is a significant pivot from how most of the world thinks about perimenopause, menopause & postmenopause, and Shirley is leading this important paradigm shift.

She is 59 years old, reached menopause at 49, and for the last 12 years has been educating, advocating, and answering thousands of women's health questions via MenopauseChicks.com and its popular private online community, with over 60,000 members. Shirley's vision is for everyone to have access to evidence-based health information in order to navigate perimenopause-to-postmenopause with confidence and ease! And her goal today is for you to walk away from this session thinking, "Hmm... I never thought about menopause that way before!”

LINKS MENTIONED

www.menopausechicks.com

Facebook 

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health:  Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me:  www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

[email protected]

Support the show