Meet Your Body with Jessica Valant, MSPT

Most of us don't spend much time thinking about our lymphatic system—but this incredible network plays a vital role in immunity, fluid balance, healing, and overall health. When it's functioning well, you probably don't notice it. But when it's not, you may experience swelling, puffiness, fatigue, frequent illness, or complications after surgery and cancer treatment.

In this episode of Meet Your Body, physical therapist and breast cancer survivor Jessica Valant breaks down the lymphatic system in a way that's easy to understand and immediately useful. You'll learn what the lymphatic system does, how lymph fluid moves throughout the body, and why this often-overlooked system is essential for everything from immune function to recovery and healing.

Jessica explains how the lymphatic system acts like a network of highways throughout the body, what happens when traffic gets backed up, and why lymph nodes play such an important role in keeping us healthy. She also shares her personal experience navigating lymph node removal during breast cancer treatment and why understanding lymphatic health became such an important part of her own recovery.

You'll discover simple, science-backed ways to support your lymphatic system every day, including movement, walking, stretching, strength training, deep breathing, hydration, and reducing inflammation. Jessica also discusses manual lymphatic drainage, dry brushing, and other popular lymphatic health practices, helping you understand what the research says and who may benefit most.

Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing lymphedema, navigating cancer recovery, supporting your immune system, or simply wanting to better understand how your body works, this episode offers practical tools and empowering knowledge to help you feel stronger, healthier, and more connected to your body.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Sponsors:

➡️ Get 15% off your order at OneSkin with code MEETYOURBODY - ⁠⁠http://www.oneskin.co/meetyourbody⁠⁠

⚫︎ 10 Minute Lymphatic Drainage Workout: https://youtu.be/xHgSA1zEcQ0

⚫︎ Breast Cancer Resource Guide: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jessicavalant.com/breast-cancer-guide

⚫︎ Cording exercises: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/5ACv3SrcJOo

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ THREE DAY FREE TRIAL of Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalant.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant Pilates app:

Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back pain can be frightening, frustrating, and overwhelming—but it doesn't have to be a limitation to movement and function!

In this episode, physical therapist Jessica Valant shares the facts, myths, and practical strategies everyone should know about lower back pain. Drawing from both professional expertise and her own recent experience with a back injury, Jessica explains why diagnoses like herniated discs and spondylolisthesis are often far less catastrophic than they sound—and why fear can sometimes become a bigger obstacle than the injury itself.

You'll learn the difference between acute and chronic back pain, what to expect during the healing process, and how to support recovery with evidence-based strategies. Jessica also discusses the role of inflammation, movement, rehabilitation, and mindset in helping you return to the activities you love with confidence.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The difference between acute and chronic back pain and how each affects recovery• Why imaging results don't always tell the whole story• How fear and anxiety can influence pain and healing• Simple ways to reduce inflammation and support recovery naturally• Why gentle movement is often one of the most important parts of healing• When to seek help from a physical therapist, physician, or specialist• How to build trust in your body again after a back injury

Whether you're dealing with a recent injury, ongoing back pain, or simply want to better understand your spine, this episode will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and hopeful.

Your body is resilient. With the right information, support, and approach, healing is possible.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

⚫︎ Herniated Disc Exercises: https://youtu.be/yjHrRcRKuww

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ THREE DAY FREE TRIAL of Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalant.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant Pilates app:

Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever missed a few workouts and immediately felt like you were back at square one?

You're not alone and today you'll learn both the myth and truth of missing workouts.

In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica tackles one of the biggest myths in fitness: the belief that missing a few days (or even a few weeks) of exercise means you've lost all of your progress. Drawing on both science and her experience as a physical therapist, Jessica explains what actually happens to your body when you take a break from exercise and why your fitness is far more resilient than you've been led to believe.

You'll learn:• How long it really takes to lose strength and cardiovascular fitness• Why short breaks can be beneficial for your body and mind• The science behind muscle memory and getting back into a routine• How all-or-nothing thinking sabotages consistency• Why guilt and shame are often more damaging than missed workouts• Practical mindset shifts to help you stay motivated and resilient

Jessica also shares her favorite strategies for navigating busy seasons, injuries, travel, illness, and life's inevitable interruptions without falling into the trap of believing you've failed.

If you've ever struggled with consistency, felt guilty for missing workouts, or convinced yourself that you have to "start over," this episode will help you replace fear with confidence and build a healthier relationship with movement.

Because fitness isn't about perfection. It's about showing up, adapting, and trusting that your body is always ready to meet you where you are.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

⚫︎ How To Exercise After Surgery or Injury https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000744120966

⚫︎ Tips for Beginners in Fitness https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000684104488

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors:

➡️ Get 20% off your water purifier from AquaTru with code MEETYOURBODY - ⁠⁠⁠http://www.aquatru.com⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perimenopause can feel confusing, unpredictable and overwhelming — but understanding what’s happening in your body can change everything.

In this episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica breaks down the science, symptoms and realities of perimenopause so you can move through this phase feeling informed and empowered instead of fearful.

Jessica explains what perimenopause actually is, why hormones fluctuate so dramatically during this time and how those shifts can affect sleep, mood, energy, weight, cycles, hair, vision and overall well-being. She also discusses how to recognize common symptoms, when to seek additional medical support and why every woman’s experience can look different.

You’ll learn practical, evidence-based strategies to help support your body through perimenopause, including:

How strength training and movement support hormonal health

Why protein, fiber and nourishment matter more than restrictive dieting

The role stress and nervous system health play in symptoms

How to improve sleep and recovery during hormonal changes

What hormone testing and HRT can — and cannot — tell you

The mindset that is vital to have as you enter perimenopause

Jessica also shares personal insights from her own experience navigating perimenopause, offering reassurance, validation and realistic tools to help you feel stronger and more connected to your body during this transition.

Whether you’re just beginning to notice changes or are deep in the middle of the hormonal rollercoaster, this episode will help you better understand your body, advocate for your health and approach perimenopause with more confidence, clarity and compassion.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

⚫︎ Workout Schedule for Women: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000722952202⁠

⚫︎ Perimenopause and anxiety: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000745127412

⚫︎ Nourishing your nervous system podcast episode: ⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000733951049⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ Alcohol and health ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-your-body-with-jessica-valant-mspt/id1649561552?i=1000737413482⁠⁠

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠Jessica Valant Pilates app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠

Sponsors:

➡️ Get 50% off Factor Meals with code MEETYOURBODY50off http://www.factormeals.com/meetyourbody50off

➡️ Get 20% off Honeylove at http://www.honeylove.com/meetyourbody

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful episode of Meet Your Body, Jessica sits down with Dr. Sara Tarek to challenge the harmful myths women have been told about health, weight, aging and what it truly means to thrive in midlife and beyond.

Together, they unpack why chasing “skinny” often leaves women feeling exhausted, discouraged and disconnected from their bodies — and why building strength, resilience and metabolic health is a far more sustainable path forward.

Dr. Tarek explains how childhood experiences, cultural messaging and chronic stress can quietly shape our relationship with food, exercise and self-worth for decades. She also shares practical, evidence-based strategies to support long-term health, including simple daily movement, sleep, mindset shifts, hormone therapy considerations and the surprising power of a short walk after meals.

You’ll learn:

Why metabolic health matters more than the number on the scale

How menopause and hormonal shifts affect fat distribution, energy and muscle mass

The connection between trauma, stress and health behaviors

Why strength training and daily movement are essential for longevity

Small lifestyle changes that can dramatically improve long-term health

How to step away from diet culture and build trust with your body again

This conversation is important for any woman navigating midlife, menopause or a changing body. You will walk away with practical tips you can apply to your life today and an empowering reminder of the importance of being strong over skinny.

About our guest:

Dr. Sara Tariq, an internal medicine physician at Northern Virginia Family Practice with more than two decades of clinical and academic experience. A longtime advocate for healthcare equity and cultural transformation, Dr. Tariq is known for her relationship-centered approach to patient care – with a focus on chronic conditions, women’s health, mental well-being, and LGBTQ+ health. Before joining NVFP, she spent over 20 years in academic medicine, mentoring thousands of physicians and driving important conversations around medical education reform, systemic bias, and social justice. Fluent in English, Spanish, Urdu and Hindi, Dr. Tariq brings a global perspective and a deeply personal commitment to patient empowerment and community healing.

Thanks to our sponsors!

➡️ Get 15% off your order at OneSkin

Shop here⁠.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

⚫︎ Dr. Tariq on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/drsaratariqnvfp/

⚫︎ Jessica’s website, resources, services & more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎ Jessica’s UNLIMITED community and app with daily workouts for muscle strength: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.jessicavalantpilates.com/unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⚫︎Watch our podcast episodes on YouTube here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@meetyourbodypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ YouTube workouts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/JessicaValantPilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

 ⚫︎ Follow Jessica on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.instagram.com/jessicavalantpilates⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant app:Apple IOS - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/mry5ya8r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Google - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yh3ty5fp⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jessica Valant and Jessica Valant Pilates, LLC, recommend you consult with a physician before starting any new exercise program. The information given here is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices