The Practice Brave Podcast

In this episode, I discuss the multifaceted identity of being an athlete mom. Athleticism is not limited to competitive sports but is about consistently pursuing fitness at any stage of life. You'll hear about:

• The importance of strength training, lifting weights, and preserving bone density.
• Finding the balance between fitness, motherhood, and personal goals.
• Why versatility in fitness—like trying new hobbies or sports—keeps things exciting and fulfilling.
• Practical tips for mindfulness in movement, nutrition, hydration, and recovery.
• Addressing pelvic health and prioritizing self-care with appointments you might have been putting off.
• How the Practice Brave Fitness program is designed to support athlete moms on their journey toward lifelong athleticism.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about building habits, and redefining what it means to be an athlete in every chapter of life. Let's celebrate what our bodies can do, not just in motherhood, but beyond!

• Learn more about the Practice Brave Fitness Program
• Need workouts for your pregnancy or postpartum? Check out my programs (now with app access!):
• The Pregnant Athlete Training Program
• The 8-Week Postpartum Athlete Training Program
• Want to learn more about coaching female athletes? Check out the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification here

In this episode, I reflect on the evolution of my brand, Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism, as we move into 2025. I discuss the rebranding efforts, updates to our fitness programs, and the continued focus on supporting women throughout their athletic journeys. I also share my personal experiences as a coach and mother, highlighting the balance between competition and family life.

Takeaways:

• A Fresh Start for the Brand: Updated look and improvements to programs like the Pregnant Athlete Training Program, Postpartum Athlete Training Program, Practice Brave Fitness Program, and more.
• The Practice Brave Fitness Program Revamp: A more holistic approach to supporting women and focused programming to balance strength, conditioning, and hypertrophy training tailored to athlete moms.
• Big Announcement: Live Coaching Certification in 2025! Launching the first-ever Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism Coaching Certification weekend event this March.
• Expanding the Vision: My goals for 2025 include more speaking engagements, partnerships, and collaborations to broaden our impact in the fitness industry.
• Growing Our Reach in Combat Sports: Continuing to support pregnant and postpartum athletes in combat sports like jiu-jitsu, wrestling, kickboxing, and more.

If you're excited about the live certification or have suggestions for partnerships or collaborations, I'd love to hear from you. Let's make 2025 the best year yet!

Join the Practice Brave Fitness Program

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

• The Pregnant Athlete Training Program
• The 8-Week Postpartum Athlete Training Program
• Looking to coach pregnant & postpartum athletes? Check out Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism

In this episode, Brittany Ratelle joins me to discuss the essential legal steps for fitness professionals and online coaches. From setting up an LLC to protecting intellectual property and navigating contracts, Brittany shares invaluable insights to help entrepreneurs avoid pitfalls, safeguard their businesses, and grow with confidence. Whether you're just starting out or refining your systems, this conversation offers actionable advice and resources to help you stay protected and professional. Find Brittany on Instagram at @brittanyratelle Brittany's website: brittanyratelle.com Get the FREE Legally Legit Checklist: https://brittany-ratelle.mykajabi.com/Legally%20Legit%20Workbook Get the Fitness & Wellness Legal Bundle: https://creativecontracts.co/products/fitness-business-legal-bundle Use code BATTLES for 15% off 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 welcome Rachel Selman back for an insightful conversation on the evolving landscape for women in strength and conditioning. Rachel, a physical therapist with strength and conditioning and sports science certifications, shares her journey from being a young professional in a male-dominated field to her current role within the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) nomination committee. We discuss women's unique challenges in the field, including balancing motherhood, overcoming gender bias, and finding innovative ways to support female coaches and athletes.

Takeaways:

• Rachel Selman is a physical therapist and NSCA member.
• The strength and conditioning field is male-dominated but changing.
• Women face unique challenges in strength and conditioning careers.
• Balancing motherhood and career is a significant challenge for women.
• Supportive work environments are crucial for women in the field.
• Mentorship plays a vital role in women's success in strength and conditioning.
• There are various career paths within strength and conditioning.
• Women need to advocate for their needs in the workplace.
• The future of women in strength and conditioning looks promising.
• Creating a community of support is essential for female athletes.

Where to find Rachel Selman:

• Instagram: @dr.rachelselman
• Website: SynthesisPhysicalTherapy.com

Want to learn more about coaching female athletes? Check out the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification here: https://briannabattles.com/ppacoach

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!

Today I chat with Trisha Cicero, a former MMA athlete who has transitioned into coaching and supporting women in combat sports. Trisha shares her journey through the challenges of weight management, the impact of training intensity on women's health, and the importance of balance in nutrition and training. We discuss the toxic culture of weight cutting in combat sports and the significance of recovery in athletic performance. Trisha also offers advice for young women entering combat sports and shares her current focus on helping women navigate their health and fitness journeys postpartum.

Key topics include:

• Trisha's early start in karate at age seven, her rise through kickboxing, and MMA.
• The pressures of weight cutting in combat sports and its impact on body image, health, and performance.
• How Trisha developed Hashimoto's disease due to the extreme demands of her sport.
• The mental and physical toll of overtraining and competing without breaks.
• Trisha's recovery journey and how she now helps women avoid the same pitfalls.
• Her transition into coaching women, especially in maintaining sustainable health practices.

Find Trisha on Instagram at @TrishaCicero.

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

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!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission from the seller if you decide to purchase (at no additional cost to you!) We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Today, Julia Scardone joins me as she shares about her career as a Judo athlete and how she's embraced the change and growth in motherhood. She discusses how she approached her training during her (unexpected!) pregnancy and how, despite having an emergency c-section was determined to get back to the mat as fast as possible. She soon learned how different life was now, but wanted to prove that she was still an athlete. Because she is. Athleticism does not end when motherhood begins and Julia is an awesome example of that.

Find Julia on Instagram at @ju.scardone.

If you're looking for support during pregnancy and postpartum for Jiu Jitsu, I have two resources for you:

Jiu Jitsu During Pregnancy and Postpartum FREE EBOOK:

https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-freeguide

Jiu Jitsu During Pregnancy and Postpartum ONLINE WORKSHOP:

https://go.briannabattles.com/combat-workshop-registration

Learn how to support and coach pregnant and postpartum athletes with the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification Course:

https://briannabattles.com/ppacoach

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!

Adam Fuller is a CrossFit Level 4 Coach, garage affiliate owner (CrossFit Thin Air, Buena Vista, Colorado), and Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Coach. He tells us his story of opening and growing his affiliate, why he decided to become a P&PA Coach, and how he applies the certification in more ways than just pregnancy & postpartum. He has a passion for coaching moms, helping them with their specific needs and goals, and seeing their wins as they pursue their lifetime of athleticism. Adam is a husband and father and has a priority of putting his family first before his business and building it in a way that supports his goals. He's created a safe space for pregnant + postpartum athletes and has become known in the community for providing this. Adam is an awesome addition to the P&PA Team!

You can find Adam and his affiliate on Instagram at @cfthinair and on their website, cfthinair.com.

Join the 4,000+ coaches from all over the world!

The Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism™ Certification is open NOW OPEN enrollment!

Save $300 through October 6: https://www.briannabattles.com/coachsale

Pregnancy and Postpartum Athleticism™ is an online certification course that will connect the dots between pelvic health and athletic performance for pregnant + postpartum athletes.

We go beyond extreme examples and generic advice to provide a practical training approach and emotionally intelligent coaching style that leaves clients feeling supported and informed during these seasons.

With 10 modules, 20+ expert interviews, 90+ live coaching demos, plus more!

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!

Pelvic floor physical therapy is becoming more and more of a mainstream thing…but we have a long way to go. Mindy English is a PFPT local to Eagle, Idaho who chats with us today about what pelvic floor physical therapy is, why it's helpful, and why she's so passionate about it. Mindy took the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Certification and it's helping her connect the dots between treating her patients through the lens of physical therapy and how to help athletes in their specific sports and interests. I'm grateful to have Mindy as a collaborative colleague as she just joined me last week for the P&PA Live Coaches Seminar in Boise, ID where she spoke and collaborated with P&PA Coaches from around the country.

You can find Mindy on Instagram at @mindy.english.dpt and at Therapeutic Associates in Eagle, Idaho (https://www.therapeuticassociates.com/team/mindy-english/).

Next week, I'll be hosting a FREE workshop for coaches to learn all about how to coach pregnant + postpartum athletes.

You'll learn:

• The 3 biggest factors that coaches need to understand about pregnant + postpartum athletes
• Misconceptions we see in the medical and fitness communities about exercise
• Core + pelvic health symptoms that are common in pregnancy and postpartum and how to help

Register for the workshop here: https://www.briannabattles.com/workshop

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!

Today I have with me Antonia Henry, owner and head coach of A1 Fit Coaching and P&PA Coach, as we discuss what the research actually is saying about intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and how that translates to your lifting. We discuss common reasons you may be peeing while you lift and what can be done about it, as well as dig into more about IAP and why pressure management and core + pelvic health are important factors in your performance as an athlete.

Big thank you to Antonia for sharing her expertise!

Here are the citations of the research mentioned in the episode:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37443166/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36977774/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38512833/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35641077/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37516287/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35837994/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31820378/

Find Antonia on Instagram @a1fitcoaching and her website a1fitcoaching.com.

If you'd like to learn more about coaching pregnant + postpartum athletes, check out my Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Course:

https://briannabattles.com/ppacoach

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!

Today I sit down with my friend Miranda Granger who is a retired UFC fighter and is now pregnant with her second baby. Miranda reflects on her journey as a fighter and how she came to the decision to have her first baby and how that changed her as a fighter. She's excited for the next phase of motherhood with her second baby and anxious to see how that postpartum goes. Go follow her on Instagram at @mirandagranger.

Miranda has been utilizing the Pregnant Athlete Training Program and has said it's been very helpful in her training. It's just completely revamped and updated! You can learn more about that program here: http://briannabattles.com/pregnant-athlete

Looking to coach pregnant & postpartum athletes? Check out Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism: https://briannabattles.com/ppacoach.

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!