To Birth and Beyond

In today’s episode of the To Birth and Beyond podcast, Anita is talking about birth prep handouts as the missing piece in physiotherapist client sessions. If you offer birth prep - or are considering doing so - listen in for a framework and things to consider (including questions to ask) while developing your birth prep handout, to help your clients prepare themselves for an empowered birth.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Clinical Birth Prep Resource Package
• Birth Prep for Clinical Practice Online Course (Live with recordings)
• How to Structure a Partner Labour Prep Session in Clinic Workshop (Live with recording)
• Episode 429: How To Approach Birth Prep with Clients as a Physiotherapist or Physical Therapist
• Episode 413: Can You Work with Pregnant and Postpartum Clients as a Physiotherapist Before Having Kids?
• Episode 350: How to Structure a Partner Birth Prep Session in Clinical Practice
• Episode 383: Birth Prep for Your Physiotherapy Practice
• Embodia app (referenced as a tool used by Anita in her practice)

Show Notes 

0:59 - Anita introduces what we’ll be talking about today

2:05 - Anita reviews what birth prep can look like in clinic, along with topics of discussion

8:04 - Anita shares what can be helpful to include when offering something to clients during or after your birth prep session

9:57 - Anita lists ways you can use a birth prep handout during your session, and the benefits

12:24 - Anita shares how she has used birth prep handouts over the years

14:18 - Anita shares additional resources and brings the episode to a close

In today’s episode of the To Birth and Beyond podcast, Jessie is joined by pelvic health physical therapist, Dr. Anietie Ukpe-Wallace (Dr. Tia). Together, they talk about Dr. Tia’s new book called “Tending to Your Womb,” and digging into everything from pregnancy loss and societal expectations around it, to what Dr. Tia is teaching her 11-year-old daughter about her body and why self-care is a main pillar of her work (and what she means by “self-care”).

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy Interest List (Reopening June 2026)
• Self-Care Physio website
• https://www.uphill-books.com/book/tending-to-your-womb/#buy-now

Show Notes 

0:58 - The all new and improved Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is reopening for enrollment in June 2026!

2:23 - Jessie introduces today’s special guest and what we’ll be talking about!

3:25 - Dr. Tia shares how her book came to be and why it was important for her to write

7:12 - Dr. Tia discusses what has changed in the understanding and societal expectations around pregnancy loss since she experienced it 13 years ago

15:45 - Jessie asks Dr. Tia what she is teaching her daughter about her body right now

21:26 - Dr. Tia explains what self-care really means to her, and why it’s a pillar of her work

31:52 - Dr. Tia shares the most challenging parts of writing the book

36:18 - Dr. Tia discusses how writing the book has changed her work

40:22 - If someone is listening who is struggling with their reproductive journey, Dr. Tia’s got some guidance for you!

44:42 - Dr. Tia shares where you can find her on the internet!

46:22 - Jessie wraps up the episode

In today’s episode of the To Birth and Beyond podcast, Anita and Jessie are busting some myths around prenatal exercise - a hot topic amongst clients and colleagues, alike. The conversation highlights the evolving understanding of women's health and fitness during pregnancy, encouraging listeners to engage with their bodies and seek professional guidance when needed.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Bump to Birth - self-study course: bumptobirthmethod.com
• Anita’s Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Workshop (start in any trimester): prenatalpelvicfloorworkshop.com

Show Notes 

0:55 - Anita’s Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Workshop

1:53 - Jessie and Anita introduce today’s episode subject!

2:32 - Myth #1: You shouldn’t start exercising during pregnancy if you weren’t active before pregnancy

6:56 - Myth #2: Avoid all core exercises during pregnancy

9:51 - Myth #3: Avoid strengthening your pelvic floor OR only do kegels

15:14 - Myth #4: You can’t lie on your back after your first trimester

17:24 - Myth #5: Lifting weights is unsafe in pregnancy

21:28 - Myth #6: Rest is always better than movement when you’re tired, achey or in pain

23:52 - Episode wrap up!

In today’s episode, Jessie welcomes fellow fitness professional, Nandini Adhuja onto the podcast to talk about her work with pregnant, postpartum and perimenopause patients, how the certifications she earned are shaping her work and her career, and why she came into these certifications - especially at such a young age. Listen in as we discuss Nandini’s recognition of differences regarding relationship to working out between cultures as she seeks to fill a cultural educational gap.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Find Nandini Adhuja on Instagram - @unbreakableherfitness
• Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy Interest List (Reopening June 2026)

Show Notes 

0:58 - The all new and improved Pre/Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy (PFSA) is reopening for enrollment in June 2026!

2:25 - Jessie introduces today’s special guest and the topic we will be covering together

3:20 - Nandini shares her work and how she got to where she is today

12:37 - Nandini reveals cultural and educational shortcomings in her culture around exercise and health, and how she is working to remedy these

20:00 - How mentorship shifted Nandini’s approach to exercising for women

21:28 - Nandini speaks to being a Gen Z woman who is thinking of fitness and exercise as more than making her body smaller - and what the exercise mindset is with her friends these days

28:24 - Nandini indulges us with the vision she has for her business moving forward

31:02 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Jessie and Anita are talking about something that is having “such a moment” these days: PILATES! Tune in to hear them talk about their experience with Pilates, the benefits, and if attending a Pilates class a couple of times per week is enough to build muscle.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Work out with Jessie in Kingston, ON!

Show Notes 

0:58 - Join Jessie for strength training group classes in Kingston, ON!

2:10 - What we are talking about today 

4:58 - Anita and Jessie share their familiarity with Pilates

6:04 - Jessie and Anita describe their individual approaches to exercise - and how it applies to Pilates

8:22 - We address what Pilates does very well as an exercise modality (and how additional sports use Pilates to cross train)

13:57 - Jessie explains what we mean by muscle mass growth 

17:39 - Why do hypertrophy and progressive overload matter for ME

21:08 - Episode wrap up

In today’s episode, Anita and Jessie are discussing a topic that they haven’t covered before on the podcast, but has been coming up more frequently: Will A.I. replace physiotherapists and fitness coaches? Tune in to hear their thoughts - including a conversation on ethical consumption, and how both clients and professionals might be able to use A.I. to improve their lives.

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Work out with Jessie in Kingston, ON!

Show Notes 

0:58 - Join Jessie for strength training group classes in Kingston, ON!

2:10 - What we are talking about today - and Anita and Jessie share their initial thoughts on the matter

9:14 - What a human-to-human connection can bring to the experience that A.I. cannot

11:15 - Anita and Jessie discuss how professionals can use A.I. to support their work

14:07 - Jessie addresses the idea of ethical consumption around A.I.

15:34 - Anita argues the point that new clients can find you with A.I.

16:30 - Episode wrap up

In this replay of TBAB Episode 214, Jessie is talking with us about options to move your body while continuing to heal - as opposed to waiting until you are feeling 100%! Conversation inspired by a social media post from Madison Cleckler!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Work out with Jessie in Kingston, ON!

Show Notes 

0:58 - Join Jessie for strength training group classes in Kingston, ON!

2:08 - What we’re talking about today

3:24 - On the fear around what your body is like / how it functions now

5:18 - What your return to exercise should address/support you in

6:23 - What I see in clients when they are active

7:54 - Wrap Up

In today’s episode, Jessie and Anita talk about exercising in pregnancy if you are experiencing pelvic organ prolapse. They dive into what pelvic organ prolapse is, how best to approach movement, addressing constipation, and how exercising in pregnancy may be a saving grace!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Workshop: prenatalpelvicfloorworkshop.com
• Anita’s Bump To Birth Method – on demand!: bumptobirthmethod.com
• Episode 331: How to Exercise After Pelvic Organ Prolapse Diagnosis
• Episode 183: Navigating Prolapse Pregnancy, Preparing for Birth and Postpartum Recovery with Nicole Goss

Show Notes 

0:54 - The waitlist for Anita’s Workshop - Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth - is OPEN!

1:50 - What we are talking about today!

2:00 - What IS pelvic organ prolapse?

6:09 - What we’ve heard from folks who are coming to work with us with a prolapse (their whys, concerns, etc)

9:37 - How balancing out strength and mobility work while pregnant will benefit you

11:20 - Addressing constipation to relieve increased symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse

13:04 - How exercising in pregnancy gives you a head start on your birth recovery

14:54 - Additional benefits of exercise, and a wrap up of the episode!

In today’s episode, Anita is talking all about partner labour prep support: how the birther and partner can prepare in a way that is practical AND realistic through both parties understanding what actually matters when it comes to birth prep, as well as things that are left out of most birth prep courses. What Anita sees most in clinic is the partner wanting to help - they just don’t know how to be the MOST helpful. We’ll go over physical support, mental and emotional support, as well as decision support, so you feel more calm and confident going into birth - and so does your partner!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Workshop: prenatalpelvicfloorworkshop.com
• Anita’s Bump To Birth Method – on demand!: bumptobirthmethod.com
• Instagram: Anita @holistichealthphysio
• Instagram: To Birth and Beyond @tobirthandbeyondpodcast

Show Notes 

0:55 – The waitlist for Anita’s Prepare Your Pelvic Floor for Birth Workshop is open NOW!

1:44 – Anita welcomes us to the podcast and introduces today’s subject

2:46 - Anita shares what she often hears from expecting parents re: birth prep

5:16 - Anita details ways your partner can support you physically

10:22 - Anita pauses to speak to the assumption that the birthing staff will guide you through everything

11:13 - Anita details ways your partner can support you emotionally and mentally

16:20 - Anita details ways your partner can support you in your decision-making

19:58 - Anita shares some additional things to learn together that will be helpful in birth

24:12 - Anita brings up an important consideration: What feels supportive for you?

25:05 - A note for if you choose to have an epidural

26:12 - Anita shares some final words of encouragement and reminders before bringing the episode to a close

In today’s episode, Jessie is talking about how to do workouts in your chaotic, really real life, and try to make it happen with as much consistency as possible. Even as a fitness professional, a kinesiologist and personal trainer, Jessie divulges that it still takes effort for her to do her workouts each week, even when she is trying to do the least for the results she wants. So, she is sharing the 7 strategies she and her clients use to get those workouts in and get the results you want!

If you are a mother or a parent, a person with a packed schedule, or a woman with a full life - this episode is for you!

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If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.

Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!

Resources and References 

• Jessie’s free, live, online workshop: Why Exercise Feels Harder After 35 (And What Actually Works When Nothing Else Has) – https://jessiemundell.com/exercise-harder-35/

Show Notes 

0:55 - Jessie is hosting a FREE, LIVE, online workshop: Why Exercise Feels Harder After 35 (And What Actually Works When Nothing Else Has)

2:14 - Jessie welcomes us to the podcast and introduces today’s topic (with a personal disclaimer)

4:04 - First, we need to shift our beliefs about motivation and waiting for the motivation to come before we do our workouts

7:30 - Jessie introduces 7 specific strategies she and her clients use to help fit pockets of time for exercise into their lives

7:57 - Strategy #1: Take some small exercise equipment to the office

9:24 - Strategy #2 (build this into your family schedule if it applies): demand that your time is respected

10:48 - Strategy #3: Do the workout before you decide to do the workout

12:45 - Strategy #4: Make the workout shorter

13:25 - Strategy #5: Have a backup plan for the days where you are super tight on time or exhausted

14:44 - Strategy #6: Stop overthinking having a perfect plan or program to follow

15:58 - Strategy #7: Track workouts in some way

17:00 - Jessie wraps up the episode with a couple of reminders and a pep talk