In this episode, Occupational Therapist Dr. Quiara Smith and I discuss:

• Potty learning vs potty training
• What do we need to see in our kids to know they are ready to potty train?
• Ideal age?
• How does the pelvic floor relate to potty training?
• What is required for night time continence?
• Tips
• How childhood habits can translate to adult symptoms
• Should we reward?
• Constipation 

Dr. Quiara Smith, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEIM has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for over 15 years in both California and Hawaii working in various settings including hospitals, schools, an equine center providing hippotherapy as a treatment tool, and outpatient clinics. Her pediatric experience encompasses serving neonates through adolescents with various medical conditions and diagnoses. Dr. Smith began working with pediatric pelvic health patients in a Children’s Hospital in the SF Bay Area in 2015 and found her passion in OT in this area of practice.

Realizing the social, emotional, and psychological challenges that pelvic floor dysfunction places on children and families, Dr. Smith decided to create the very first boutique private pediatric pelvic health occupational therapy clinic of its kind in the US in 2020. Her private practice, Aloha Integrative Therapy , exclusively treats children and adolescents with pelvic floor dysfunction and toileting challenges. Dr. Smith utilizes a holistic and integrative approach to pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction. She partners with her canine assistant, Nelly, a Labrador/golden retriever cross, in guiding children toward continence with confidence. Dr. Smith currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Hawaii Pacific University. 

LINKS MENTIONED

Course: A Holistic and Integrative Approach to Pediatric Pelvic health

Instagram @alohaintegrativetherapy

Tinyhood Courses:

Potty Training Prep: Setting Your Toddler up for Success

Potty Training: The Stress-Free Guide to Success

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

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

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

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

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In this episode, I discuss with fellow physiotherapist and researcher, Gráinne Donnelly, the effect that social media has on diastasis rectus abdominis:

• The recent study published that evaluated Instagram content related to DRA, exercise, and sports, and explored its perceived impact on the behaviours of women with DRA.
• The majority of diastasis related content on Instagram is not evidence based
• Fear based vs empowering based information 

Gráinne Donnelly is an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in pelvic health with over 15 years of experience spread across the public health, private practice and clinical research. She is on the Board of Trustees for the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) professional network and charitable body where she is the Editor for the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy. She is currently completing her PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University and her recently edited book “Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice” was released by Elsevier in November 2025 and will be officially published in April 2026.

HOW TO CONTACT GRÁINNE

Instagram

Website

LINKS MENTIONED

#diastasisrecti: a mixed-methods analysis of Instagram posts and their influence on women's exercise and sports participation

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40618057/

Lead researcher: @silviagiagio.physio

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/

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In this episode I discuss with a Kristen Mark, a client of mine who wants other new moms to know they aren’t alone when they panic about their postpartum body

ABOUT KIRSTEN

I’m Kirsten Mark. A mama. A wifey. A business owner. 

I had my first baby girl at 16 and second baby girl ar 35 years old. My two daughters have taught me more about life, than any book ever could.

Married to Brian Mark, who insists I’m coocoo for Cocoa Puffs (he’s not wrong), but loves and supports me endlessly.

I’m loud, energetic, slightly moody (we’re working on it), and a full-blown lover of life.

I am a proud business owner and CEO of The Winner’s Circle App, where I help transform bodies and minds, and guide over 2,000 women to rewrite their stories.

I’m here to show you that you don’t need perfect timing, a perfect past, or a certain personality to succeed.

You simply need the guts to go after what you want 

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

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

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In this solo episode, I discuss:

• Just because you have a pelvic floor symptom, doesn’t mean your pelvic floor is “damaged” or “broken” 
• The majority of people have no idea how their bowel, bladder and sexual systems work
• You are not supposed to actively hold your core or pelvic floor “engaged” during the day
• You do not need to wait 6 weeks to work with a physio after birth, hysterectomy, prostate surgery etc etc 
• We all have a pelvic floor and their are benefits to talking about it. 

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

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

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In this episode, I sit down with psychotherapist, Lucy Snider to discuss:

• Low libido, low sexual desire 
• Spontaneous vs Responsive desire
• Pain with intercourse
• Is something wrong with me if I don’t want to have sex?
• Is it my hormones?
• Differences in male vs female anatomy when it comes to arousal?
• The sexual response cycle (desire, arousal, orgasm, resolution)
• How is the pelvic floor related?

Lucy Snider (she/her) is an experienced Psychosexual and Relationship Psychotherapist and Sexual Health Educator based in Kelowna, BC. She has been working in the field of mental health since 2009. Originally from the UK, she spent 10 years in London working in sexual health for the British National Health Service (NHS) and in private practice. She received her master’s degree in Psychosexual and Relationship Therapy from the renowned Tavistock Relationships training centre in London. Lucy has extensive training and experience in working with relationship and sexual difficulties, including with survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence. She also has considerable experience in the field of sexual health and sex education. She can provide treatment for sexual dysfunction where no organic cause can be found and is experienced with helping people explore their sexual and gender identity. She is an approved hormone and surgical assessor for TransCareBC. She specializes in helping couples and individuals who are experiencing relationship or sexual difficulties by providing a safe, non-judgemental space for you to freely explore these sensitive issues as well as practical help and advice to help you overcome your problems. She works in a holistic, sex positive way with all clients regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability. She uses an integrative therapeutic approach which combines a variety of therapeutic models to tailor an individual treatment plan for each client. 

HOW TO CONTACT LUCY:

www.bcsexualwellness.com

X

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

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SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

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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 Naturopathic Doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the founder of IRIS, Dr. Dolores Fernandez: 

• The unique benefits of vaginal moisturizer, lubricant and estrogen
• Symptoms that may indicate someone would benefit from a each
• Important factors when choosing (ingredients, cost, packaging)
• Suggestions for application
• Side effects
• What many other products on the market are missing 
• The factors that make IRIS unique

Dr. Dolores Fernandez is a Naturopathic Doctor, Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, and the founder of IRIS, a science-backed self-care brand dedicated to creating clean products that support vulvovaginal health and ending the stigma around vulvovaginal care. She's here to remind us that vulvar skin deserves just as much attention as any other part of our body because, honestly, 'skin is skin.' Dolores brings warmth, scientific research, and a lot of passion to her work both in the clinic with her patients and when working with IRIS, always striving to make these important conversations more open and accessible.

HOW TO SEE MORE FROM IRIS:

Instagram

www.lovemyiris.com

Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: 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 episode, I discuss with midwife Meghan Mackenzie and family physician with extra training in low risk obstetrics, Katie Armstrong: 

• The term “natural birth”
• The difference between the terms “vaginal birth” and “natural birth”
• The problems with labelling cesarean birth or instrumented birth “unnatural”
• The influence of social media 
• Ways your perinatal provider may be able to support you during your birth
• Ways your pelvic health physiotherapist may support you as you prepare for birth with your goals in mind
• Valuable messages for listeners 

Meghan MacKenzie is a Registered Midwife with Maternity Care Westside and has been working with women and families in the Okanagan area for the past 10 years.  She is the head of the department of midwifery at Kelowna General Hospital and is a clinical teacher as well.  She loves supporting women and families through their pregnancy and birth journeys and feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside some amazing colleagues here in Kelowna.

Dr. Katie Armstrong is a family physician with additional training in low risk obstetrics. She is originally from Northern Ontario, and completed medical school at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine followed by residency training at the University of Toronto. She has locumed in various provinces and territories throughout the country, and is currently practicing in Calgary, Alberta. In her spare time she enjoys cross-country skiing, cooking and pottery. 

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: 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 episode, I discuss with Sinead O’Donovan from SRC health :

• The evidence based benefits of compression 
• The feedback I receive from clients
• The quality garments SRC has developed for incontinence, prolapse, back/pelvic pain and the perinatal population

To check out SRC products: www.srchealth.com

For 10% off your order: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

Sinead O'Donovan's professional journey began with her qualification as a Registered Nurse, specializing in ICU and Cardio Thoracic medicine and Surgery. Subsequently, she achieved a BSc Hons in Podiatry and practiced in a private setting for a decade. In 2008, she took the significant step of founding SRC Health.

 While recuperating in the hospital following the birth of her first child, Sinead O'Donovan, our founder, recognized the need for greater support for new mothers returning to their bustling lives. Leveraging her extensive medical and bio-mechanical expertise, she envisioned a garment that would provide comfort throughout the day while offering the necessary support for herself and other new mothers.

Like all transformative ideas, this concept underwent an extended development phase to align with Sinead's original vision. Adjustments were made to the panel design, and in the pursuit of perfection, custom fabrics were created to meet the high standards set by Sinead.

After two years of meticulous development and patient trials, the garment finally fulfilled all expectations. In 2008, the SRC Recovery Shorts were introduced, a unique and patented product that has since aided thousands of mothers worldwide in recovering more comfortably and savouring their time with their babies. The SRC Pregnancy range soon followed. SRC health now boasts an extensive range of medical compression garments.

www.srchealth.com

Instagram: @srchealth

LINKS Mentioned

75. Abdominal compression garments after c-section with Katie Kelly

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

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

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

• 2019 Canadian guideline for physical activity throughout pregnancy
• The benefits of physical activity following childbirth
• The recommendations for how much activity and the importance of gradual progression
• Do we actually need to wait 6 weeks to do exercise postpartum?
• Do we all NEED clearance from our care provider to exercise?
• The impact of sleep and breastfeeding 
• No two people are the same! 

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. 

LINKS MENTIONED

2019 Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines throughout Pregnancy 

2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour & Sleep Throughout the First Year Postpartum.

New Screening Tool: Get Active Questionnaire for Postpartum

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: 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 episode, I discuss with EMDR Therapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor, Ashley Phillips about:

• How previous trauma can be related to your physical symptoms
• EMDR therapy and how it differs from talk therapy
• How EMDR therapy can be used to process various types of trauma (childhood, sexual, medical, PTSD etc) 
• What you can expect in a session 
• Proposed theories for why it works 

Ashley Phillips is an EMDR Therapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Kelowna, British Columbia. Originally from Nova Scotia, she holds a Master of Education in Counselling from Acadia University.

With over 15 years of experience, Ashley has worked with individuals, groups, and communities to foster meaningful, lasting change. She specializes in treating PTSD, perinatal trauma, phobias, recent traumatic events, binge eating, and ADHD.

Ashley is deeply passionate about EMDR therapy. She founded the Kelowna EMDR Clinic, where she leads a team of dedicated employees and contractors. A lifelong learner, she is currently on the path to becoming an Approved EMDR Consultant, further expanding her ability to support clients and fellow clinicians alike.

LINKS MENTIONED:

Emdria website: https://www.emdria.org/

HOW TO CONTACT ASHLEY

www.kelownaemdr.ca

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: 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