The Practice Brave Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Jared Battles, to share the story behind our newest chapter together: opening Battles Jiu Jitsu. We reflect on how this idea moved from a quiet "what if" conversation to becoming a real, brick-and-mortar space rooted in purpose, faith, and community.

We talk about why jiu jitsu has played such a meaningful role in our lives, how our backgrounds in athletics, coaching, and service shaped the culture we want to create, and why building a family-centered training environment matters so much to us. From welcoming beginners to supporting women, kids, first responders, and hobbyists alike, our goal is to create a gym where people feel safe, supported, and genuinely cared for—on and off the mats.

This conversation is about more than opening a gym. It's about practicing brave, trusting the redirects in life, and building something meaningful alongside the people we love most. If you've ever thought about starting something new, stepping into discomfort, or redefining what success looks like for your family, this episode is for you.

Learn More & Connect:

🌐 Website: https://www.battlesjiujitsu.com/

📸 Instagram: @battlesjiujitsu

Want to get started in Jiu Jitsu?

Download my FREE Beginner's Guide to Jiu Jitsu—everything you need to know before stepping onto the mats.

👉 Get it here: https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-freeguide

Join us for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism LIVE Coaching Certification—a hands-on, immersive event designed to help you confidently coach pregnant and postpartum athletes.

📍 San Diego, CA

📅 February 21–22, 2026

👉 Register: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-live-certification

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I sit down with strength and conditioning coach Jason Brown to talk about what truly matters in training—for both athletes and coaches. Jason shares how his early exposure to powerlifting, years in the trenches coaching in-person, and deep dive into exercise physiology shaped his approach to programming and the concurrent training model he's known for today.

We also talk about coach development, training longevity, and the importance of adapting your approach based on your season of life—whether that's early career, parenthood, or training into your 40s and beyond. Jason also shares insight into his PhD work on concurrent training and how this research is shaping the next evolution of his coaching.

Connect with Jason:

• Website: jasonbrowncoaching.com
• Instagram / YouTube: @jasonbrowncoaching

Want to elevate your coaching with an in-person experience? Join us for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism LIVE Coaching Certification—a hands-on, immersive event designed to help you confidently coach pregnant and postpartum athletes. 📍 San Diego, CA 📅 February 21–22, 2026 👉 Register: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-live-certification

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I sit down with Kayleigh Summers, a perinatal trauma therapist and the voice behind The Birth Trauma Mama. Kayleigh shares her powerful story of surviving an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)—a rare and often fatal childbirth emergency—and how that experience completely reshaped her life, identity, and path into motherhood.

We talk about what it was like to navigate recovery after a traumatic birth, the emotional complexity that comes with surviving something life-threatening, and the grief that can follow when your birth and postpartum experience look nothing like what you imagined. Kayleigh also opens up about rebuilding her sense of self, the importance of trauma-informed care, and why community and shared stories matter so deeply for women who feel alone in their experiences.

Today, Kayleigh uses both her clinical background and lived experience to support others who are processing perinatal trauma, helping mothers feel seen, validated, and less alone in their healing.

Connect with Kayleigh:

• Website: https://thebirthtraumamama.com/
• Instagram: @thebirthtrauma_mama
• Podcast: The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

Want to elevate your coaching with an in-person experience?

Join us for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism LIVE Coaching Certification—a hands-on, immersive event designed to help you confidently coach pregnant and postpartum athletes.

📍 San Diego, CA

📅 February 21–22, 2026

👉 Register: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-live-certification

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I'm joined once again by my good friend and collaborator, Mindy English — a pelvic floor physical therapist here in Eagle, Idaho, who works extensively with female athletes, especially pregnant and postpartum women.

We've been running a pelvic floor PT series this past year, aiming to make conversations around women's pelvic health less taboo and more empowering. For this episode, we took your questions from Instagram and dove into everything from clinical pelvic floor assessments to practical, everyday strategies that support athletic performance and recovery.

This was one of my favorite conversations because it captures the curiosity, confusion, and honesty that come with understanding your body — especially as an athlete and a woman. Mindy and I always aim to make this information approachable, practical, and relevant, no matter what season of life you're in.

Connect with Mindy:

IG: @mindy.english.dpt

Are you a pregnant combat athlete? Check out my free resource for BJJ during pregnancy and postpartum: https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-freeguide

Learn more about the Practice Brave Fitness Program: https://briannabattles.com/practicebrave

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I talk with Olympian swimmer Hannah Miley about her transition into motherhood and what it's been like navigating a return to swimming postpartum. We dive into the culture of swimming in Scotland, why pelvic floor health matters for swimmers and female athletes in general, and the identity shifts that happen when you step away from sport after competing at the highest level. Hannah opens up about her own postpartum recovery experience, the gaps she's seen in resources for female athletes, and her vision for building more support and community for moms in sport. This is an honest, powerful conversation about redefining athleticism, rebuilding postpartum, and staying connected to the parts of ourselves that still feel like athletes.

Connect with Hannah:

• IG: @smiley8889
• FB: @hannahlouisemiley

Need workouts for your pregnancy or postpartum? Check out my programs (now with app access!):

• The Pregnant Athlete Training Program: https://go.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/pregnancy
• The 8-Week Postpartum Athlete Training Program: https://go.briannabattles.com/8-week-postpartum-athlete-training-program

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I sit down again with Mindy English, Orthopedic & Pelvic Health PT with a background in sports and orthopedics based here in Eagle, Idaho. Mindy and I have done several episodes together as part of our pelvic health series for female athletes, and this one takes on a topic that doesn't get enough attention: constipation, gut health, and how they connect to pelvic floor symptoms. We dive into how digestion, nutrition, and pelvic health are deeply interconnected—and how constipation can affect everything from athletic performance to prolapse symptoms. Mindy shares what she sees clinically in both adults and kids, and we talk through why simply "eating more fiber" often isn't the full solution. This conversation is real, relevant, and full of practical takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone who's ever struggled with gut issues or pelvic health symptoms.

Follow Mindy English for more pelvic health insights: @mindy.english.dpt

Learn more about the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-cert Are you a pregnant combat athlete? Check out my free resource for BJJ during pregnancy and postpartum: https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-free-guide

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I talk with CrossFit athlete Arielle Loewen about what it really looks like to balance motherhood and athleticism. Arielle shares her journey through pregnancy, the challenges of postpartum recovery, and how she's learned to be intentional with both her fitness and nutrition. We discuss giving yourself grace during this transformative season, the power of community support, and how motherhood has shaped her mindset as both an athlete and a woman. Arielle also opens up about her training, the obstacles she's overcome, and her vision for the future—including her brand, Pretty Strong for a Mom, which empowers mothers to stay strong, confident, and capable through every stage of life.

Connect with Arielle: 📸 Instagram: @arielleloewen 🌐 Website: www.arielleloewen.com

Want to elevate your coaching skills? Join the waitlist for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification Course and be the first to hear when enrollment opens this month! 👉 Sign up now: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-waitlist

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I sat down with Jordan Syatt to talk about his journey from wrestling as a kid to becoming a successful coach and entrepreneur. We discussed the importance of consistency, resilience, and authenticity, as well as the challenges of building an online presence, the impact of fatherhood, and how jiu-jitsu has shaped his perspective. Jordan shared powerful insights for coaches on how to stand out in a competitive industry by staying truthful and focusing on genuinely helping others.

Connect with Jordan:

IG: @syattfitness

Website: www.sfinnercircle.com

Want to elevate your coaching skills?

Join the waitlist for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification Course and be the first to hear when enrollment opens! 👉 Sign up now: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-waitlist

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode of the Practice Brave podcast, I catch up with my longtime friend and fellow athlete mom, Michaela North. Michaela is one of the OGs in the CrossFit space—an individual competitor, a CrossFit Games team champion, and now the founder of Hungry Fitness, where she leads a team of coaches supporting women through all stages of life with nutrition and training.

We reflect on more than a decade of pregnancies, postpartums, and athletic pursuits, sharing how much (and how little) has changed in the resources available to moms in sport. Together, we talk about the importance of adaptability, the myth of "all or nothing" in motherhood and fitness, and how these lessons set us up for long-term health, performance, and fulfillment.

This conversation is both nostalgic and forward-looking—celebrating how far we've come while recognizing the work that's still needed to support women in every stage of motherhood and athleticism.

Connect with Michaela:

Instagram: @hungryfitness

Website: https://hungryfitness.co/

👉 Join Me Live!

What: The No-BS Guide to Coaching Pregnant & Postpartum Athletes: What Every Coach + Athlete Needs to Know

When: October 1 at 12PM & 8PM EDT

Register: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-masterclass

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this solo episode, I share from the heart about the messy middle ground of pregnancy and postpartum athleticism. After more than 12 years of working with female athletes, I've seen the pendulum swing between two extremes: overly conservative, fear-based recommendations and the "full send, no modifications needed" approach. Neither tells the whole story. I dive into why nuance matters when it comes to training during pregnancy and postpartum, and how athlete psychology, core and pelvic health, and long-term performance goals all need to be part of the conversation. I also reflect on my own experiences with birth trauma, recovery, and what it means to adapt as an athlete across different life seasons. If you're pregnant, postpartum, a coach, or simply curious about supporting female athletes, this episode is a reminder that athleticism doesn't end when motherhood begins. Instead, it evolves — and learning how to adapt is what preserves performance, identity, and longevity in sport and life. 👉 Join Me Live! What: The No-BS Guide to Coaching Pregnant & Postpartum Athletes: What Every Coach + Athlete Needs to Know When: Oct 1 @ 12PM & 8PM EDT Register: Briannabattles.com/masterclass

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!