The Practice Brave Podcast

Alexa Smith founded the bootcamp franchise, Stroller Strong Moms, out of a need for community and movement. Since then, it has now expanded into 21 states plus the UK! In this episode, Alexa is sharing how she started Stroller Strong Moms - also known as SLAM (Sweat Like A Mother) - and how she has developed a program that is both challenging and fun for moms.

We talk about how Alexa found herself projecting her athlete brain onto moms plus how she handles pelvic floor considerations in a large group of participants!

Head over to the show notes to connect with Alexa and for the links and resources mentioned in this episode. Talk to you next time!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode16

When I found Dr. Alice Pickering on Instagram I thought, "Wow, this women gets it!" Dr. Alice is a licensed clinical psychologist who focuses on maternal mental health and what she shares is relatable and deeply resonates with me and so many pregnant and postpartum women.

In this episode, Dr. Alice and I talk through the different mental health considerations from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond. Dr. Alice sheds light on the spectrum of postpartum depression and anxiety. Plus we talk about athlete brain and her advice to new moms.

Thanks for listening today! Head over to the show notes for the links and resources mentioned in today's episode and go follow Dr. Alice! Talk to you next time.

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode15

As the awareness and diagnosis of Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) increases, more and more women are searching for answers on how to continue pursing athleticism while managing their POP symptoms. That is why today I am speaking with my friend and colleague Haley Shevener, co-founder of Pop-Up and Pop-Up Pro, on this episode of the Practice Brave Podcast.

We cover what POP is, what to do if you have it or are coaching an athlete that does, and the best resources to support you. Whether you coach women or have prolapse yourself, I know you're going to get a lot out of this episode.

Head over to the show notes for all the links and resources mentioned. Let me know you're listening by tagging me in your posts on Instagram - talk to you there!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode14

I'm answering all your questions on what a pregnancy and postpartum athleticism coach is in this episode of Practice Brave!

I'm covering how this program was created, why educating yourself on this information is critical, who this curriculum was designed for, and how it's being implemented into communities.

The conversation among Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism coaches goes beyond exercise modifications to having vulnerable conversations with the women in our lives that need more support - and not extreme or generic advice!

This is something I am so passionate about and a community I am so proud to have built. Learn more HERE on how you can become a pregnancy and postpartum athleticism coach today.

Thanks for listening! Check out our sponsor - Strength.com - here and connect with me on social media so I can support you in your own journey as an athlete or coach!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode13

This episode is a sensitive one with Casey Thomas-Hardesty as we discuss miscarriage and infant loss. We believe this conversation is an important one in knowing how to support one another.

Casey is a mom of three and lover of blueberry chocolate smoothies, yoga pants, and quiet time with a book. As a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and CrossFit L1, she has a passion for supporting women on their journey to reach their health goals with an emphasis on gut health, core and pelvic floor health, and recovery after pregnancy loss.

Casey and I discuss the spectrum of miscarriage and how important it is to acknowledge that a loss is a loss. We cover ways to support yourself and loved ones as they experience this. Plus, what you should do as an athlete that had a miscarriage.

Listen to this entire episode (it is that important!) and then head over to the show notes for the links and resources mentioned. Thanks for listening today!

Check out our sponsor - Strength.com - HERE!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode12

Brett Bartholomew knows a thing or two about how to be a great coach and in this episode, I am chatting with him about 5 ways we can be better coaches today.

Brett is a strength and conditioning coach, author, consultant, and Founder of Art of Coaching™. He has coached a diverse range of athletes from across 23 sports world-wide, at levels ranging from youth athletes to Olympians. This episode is going to be game-changing for conversations around leadership, coaching, program design, and overall buy-in for our clients.

If you're a coach or leader, this is absolutely an episode you will enjoy.

Head over to the show notes for the links and resources mentioned in this episode. Thanks for listening!

Learn more about our sponsor - Strength.com - at BriannaBattles.com/BuiltByStrength

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode11

There is no one better to talk to about the pregnancy and postpartum experience for endurance athletes than Katie Makris - mom, three-time Ironman triathlete, and founder of Pursuit Endurance!

On this episode of the Practice Brave Podcast, Katie and I talk a lot about athlete brain and what you should be considering when you train as a pregnant or postpartum endurance athlete. Katie shares her own journey as a pregnant athlete, what she is doing differently the second time around, and how she knows if she's doing too much during training.

Whatever degree of endurance athlete you are, this episode will shed so much light on how to view your training during pregnancy and what to do after baby comes.

Head over to the show notes for the links and resources mentioned in today's episode! Share your takeaways and questions with me over on instagram @brianna.battles. Thanks for listening!

Check out our sponsor Strength.com HERE!

Download Katie's eBook on Endurance Sports through Pregnancy & Early Motherhood HERE!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode10

This wasn't a planned episode because well, we didn't see this coming! In this episode I share how my reality has changed in the last week or so since the Coronavirus hit the US. A few episodes back I shared how I juggle motherhood and my business and this episode covers how all that has changed.

Change is hard and I don't have a lot of inspirational advice for you right now but I am sharing what changes I'm making to prioritize my family, business, and my own physical and mental health. I'd love to know what you're doing to adapt to the changes we're all experiencing so head over to instagram and DM me!

Thanks for hanging out with me today. If this episode made a difference for you, let me know! Write a review or connect with me on social media. Don't forget to also check out our sponsor, Strength.com, at BriannaBattles.com/builtbystrength. Talk to you soon.

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode9

I am chatting with Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist, Sallie Sarrel, about Endometriosis because March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. This is a disease and topic that we need to be discussing more and Sallie is a great person to have on to do that!

After nearly two decades of pain and pelvic pain Sallie was diagnosed with endometriosis. She designed this Pelvic Physical Therapy practice to be a safe haven and a resource for all women with endometriosis and all women who seek relief from pain that many believe is unmentionable. Sallie believes all women should have a voice in their treatment and strives each and everyday to further endometriosis care.

In this episode we cover what endometriosis actually is, the biggest misconception, how it relates (or doesn't) to your period, and what the best course of action is for someone who believes they have it.

Thanks for joining us today and educating yourself on endometriosis so we can best serve our athletes and clients. Head over to the show notes for the links and resources mentioned and to connect more with Sallie. Talk soon!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode8

Just a few years ago no one was talking about Diastasis Recti. Since then, there has been a full pendulum swing from unaware to hyperaware when it comes to something that is actually very normal during pregnancy.

On this episode of Practice Brave, I talk with my friend and colleague, Lisa Ryan, about all things diastasis and her personal journey with a very severe case. My goal with this episode is to give you insight into diastasis, the spectrum of considerations between pregnancy and postpartum, and if surgery is a viable option for you.

Head over to the show notes to learn more about Lisa and for the links and resources mentioned in this episode. Thanks for listening and sharing the show with your friends! This information is so important and you spreading the message means the world to me. Come chat with me about this episode over on instagram!

SHOW NOTES: www.BriannaBattles.com/episode7