Active Mom Podcast: Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond

Send us a textTold to slow down during pregnancy & postpartum? Not necessarily! 🏃‍♀️💪"It's research update time again with @exerciseandpregnancy!In this episode, Margie Davenport, Associate Professor at the @ualberta & former national team athlete, joins us again to give another update on research in pregnancy and postpartum exercise including: the 🔹2025 Canadian guideline for physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep throughout the first year post partum (hot off the presses!)  🔹@bjsm_bmj Special Issue on Postpartum Physical Activity Dr. Davenport is leading the charge in making exercise guidelines more inclusive so women at ALL levels can move safely during pregnancy & beyond We get into:🔹 Why movement matters during pregnancy (yes, even for elite athletes!)🔹 The impact of mental health & anxiety on postpartum recovery🔹 How sleep can make or break your return to sport🔹 When to see a pelvic floor PT (hint: sooner than you think!)🔹 The biggest myths about pregnancy & exercise that need to go 👋Whether you're chasing a podium or just trying to stay active through pregnancy, this episode is a MUST-LISTEN. 🎧What’s the worst pregnancy/postpartum fitness advice you’ve ever gotten? Drop it below! ⬇️😅#PregnancyFitness #PostpartumAthlete #PelvicHealth #ReturnToRun #WomenInSport #MomRunner #PregnantAndStrong #PostpartumRecovery #PelvicFloorPT #StrongMoms #activemompodcast #paglianopodcast Time Stamps1:00 Introduction2:45 setting up the guidelines 5:49 the importance of early movement10:30 getting the new guidelines to OB/BYNs13:03 get active questionnaire for pregnancy19:55 gatekeeping of information25:14 variability in practice patterns27:08 the impact of sleep34:00 impact of exercise36:53 addressing diastasis recti42:25 elite athletes in postpartum 47:35 traveling to NepalCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH MARGIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/exerciseandpregnancy/Website: exerciseandpregnancy.caThe Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)

Send us a textComing in at #4 on our list of top podcasts for 2025 is my conversation with Dr. Susan Clinton.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Susan Clinton—a clinician, educator, and coach with over 40 years of experience helping women move through complex health transitions with clarity and confidence. Susan brings deep insight into the connections between the gut, hormones, and nervous system, and how those intersections can impact women in midlife and beyond.We explore the nuances of perimenopause and menopause, from autoimmunity shifts to digestive challenges, and the power of small, sustainable changes. Whether you're a healthcare provider or navigating your own health journey, this conversation is packed with clinical pearls and practical takeaways.We talk about:-The link between birth trauma, gut health, and perimenopause-How autoimmunity and digestion shift during midlife-Practical strategies for managing bloating, constipation, and hydration-The benefits of vaginal estrogen and advocating for your own care-How small lifestyle changes can make a big impact on overall healthTime Stamps1:00 Introduction1:51 how the conversation is different for women 5:49 clinical presentations for thyroid issues13:39 struggling with constipation22:15 the importance of chewing your food28:33 different types of fiber36:22 stool consistency 43:10 making small changes for big impact49:15 understanding bloating57:59 good and bad stress58:51 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH SUSAN:IG: https://www.instagram.com/sclintonpt/Website: https://ltiphysio.com/The Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)

Send us a textComing in at #5 on our list of top podcasts for 2025 is my conversation with Lindsey Bomgren.What does fitness really look like for moms?It’s not matching sets and flawless form.It’s stopping mid-workout for a diaper change.It’s navigating diastasis, prolapse, leaking, exhaustion, and a brain that hasn’t slept in three years.It’s figuring out how to move in a body that’s been through pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause—without the judgment.In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Bomgren (@nourishmovelove), certified trainer, mom of three, and absolute powerhouse in the online fitness space. Lindsey brings the real talk about motherhood and movement—and how to keep showing up with strength and compassion through every season.We dive into:💥 The rise of online fitness & what it means for moms💥 Diastasis recti, coning & doming explained (finally)💥 Why cueing matters more than most realize💥 The shifts through each pregnancy and postpartum recovery💥 How perimenopause is changing the conversation💥 And the quiet shame so many moms feel about their bodies—and how we push backIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, judged, or just not sure where to start—this one’s for you.👟 Real fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all.🎧 Hit play and let’s talk about what movement can actually look like for moms.⏱ Timestamps:00:00 Intro05:26 Building a business while raising kids10:09 Treating athletes in pregnancy & postpartum12:17 What moms actually want in fitness16:13 Why cueing matters27:26 Common myths and misinformation37:56 Postpartum body image44:00 Letting go of fear in movement48:30 Mental health & movement56:40 What’s next for perimenopause69:45 Rapid fire Q&A🔔 Subscribe for real talk on pelvic health, fitness, and the science behind how women move.CONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.com CONNECT WITH LINDSEYWebsite: https://www.nourishmovelove.com/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/nourishmoveloveInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishmovelove/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nourishmovelove/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/nourishmovelove/ The Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)

Send us a textIn this powerful season finale, I sit down with journalist and author Maggie Mertens (@maggiejmertens) to unpack the untold history—and future—of women in sport, running, and motherhood.Maggie is a Seattle-based writer whose work spans gender, athletics, and culture. Her book Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women breaks down the myths that held women back for decades and highlights the stories that never made it into the headlines. After finishing her book, she returned to running at 37 and recently completed her first half marathon—proof that rewriting the narrative starts in our own lives, too.This episode dives deep into the real experiences of women who run, lift, train, and raise families while navigating outdated cultural beliefs about their bodies. From postpartum fitness to perimenopause realities, athletic identity shifts, and the mental health benefits of movement, Maggie brings clarity, honesty, and perspective we all need.We talk about: 🔹 Balancing motherhood and athletic identity 🔹 The biggest myths holding women in sport back 🔹 Why the victim mindset keeps women stuck—and how to shift it 🔹 Exercise, running, and mental health (especially in midlife) 🔹 Returning to fitness postpartum without the pressure or shameIf you’re a runner, athlete, postpartum or perimenopausal mom, or someone reclaiming your athletic identity, this is a must-listen conversation.Time Stamps1:00 Introduction5:15 how far back can we look?9:50 women who have been lost to history16:53 motherhood versus being an athlete19:42 race and the research24:09 women being treated as delicate29:50 societal pressures33:40 breaking barriers in the mile37:15 women’s marathon history40:57 coming back to running50:17 what’s next52:13 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH MAGGIE:IG: https://www.instagram.com/maggiejmertens/Website: https://maggiemertens.com/Substack: https://maggiemertens.substack.com/Book: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/maggie-mertens/better-faster-farther/9781643753355/The Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)

Send us a textIn this episode, I’m taking you with me down into the Grand Canyon—21 miles, 13 hours, eight of us ages 44–53 (seven women, one very patient man), and every bit of trail talk you can imagine. What started as “Can we actually do this?” turned into the most honest, hilarious, and wide-open conversation about pelvic health, perimenopause, and how physical therapy for women has completely evolved since we were first told to “just do your Kegels.”Spoiler: the canyon will make you talk about everything.Is it sweat or is it pee?  Might be both.Bladder habits on switchbacks? Yep.Hormones while you’re sweating through a sunset climb back to the rim? Absolutely.The stuff we wish someone told us 20 years ago? All of it.We get into:How women’s health PT grew from basic kegels to running, lifting, sport, pregnancy → postpartum → peri/menopause careWhy it always comes back to the bladder (and why that’s not a bad thing)The real story on preventative peeing + hovering on trail bathroomsWhat you should actually know about menopause hormone therapy (without the online panic spiral)Navigating peri/menopause with confidence, support, and a sense of humorIf you’ve ever wondered what happens when seven midlife women (& one very patient younger brother) take on the Grand Canyon… it’s this. And it’s so, so good.Time Stamps1:00 Introduction3:57 getting informed early5:20 taking a nature break on trail14:28 urine frequency and output19:39 unexpected leakage22:52 what we don’t know about perimenopause28:40 weighted vests, walking, and yoga33:46 supplements38:00 exercise in pregnancy and postpartumCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comThe Active Mom Podcast is A Real Moms' Guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond for active moms & the professionals who help them in their journey. This show has been a long time in the making! You can expect conversation with moms and professionals from all aspects of the industry. If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time (heck, you're probably listening at 1.5x speed), so theses interviews will be quick hits to get your the pertinent information FAST! If you love what you hear, share the podcast with a friend and leave us a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review. It helps us become more visible in the search algorithm! (Helps us get seen by more moms that need to hear these stories!!!!)