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

Carrie
  • 5.0 (31)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to the Active Mom Podcast — where real motherhood stories meet real science. Hosted by Dr. Carrie Pagliano, double board-certified physical therapist, runner, mom of two, and internationally recognized expert in pregnancy, postpartum, pelvic floor, and perimenopause performance. Whether you’re a mom navigating running with prolapse or leakage, a clinician supporting active women, or a lifelong athlete trying to stay strong through every hormonal season — this show gives you evidence-based guidance and real life mom stories without the fear, confusion, or shame. Each week, Dr. Carrie brings candid conversations with researchers, clinicians, elite athletes, and everyday moms to explore what it actually takes to run, lift, jump, and live confidently through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. We talk about: • Postpartum return to running & lifting • Pelvic floor symptoms (leakage, prolapse, pain) • Pregnancy exercise myths & safety • Strength training at every age • Perimenopause performance & hormone changes • Mental health, identity shifts & motherhood • The realities of being an active mom in a busy life Real talk. Real science. Real moms. Because you deserve to feel strong and supported — at every stage of your active life.

  1. 2d ago

    Is It Ever Too Late to Start Running? From Couch Potato to Grandma Athlete at 57 — with author HILDEE WEISS

    Send us Fan Mail Hildee Weiss didn't run her first full mile until she was 46. And honestly? She was convinced she'd look ridiculous doing it… like Phoebe from Friends, flailing around while everyone stared. (If you're Gen X, you already get it.) Fast forward 12 years and she's 57, a mom of five, a grandma of five, and she's done 5Ks, half marathons, trail races, two Spartan races… the whole thing. Not to shrink herself. Not to earn her food. Just because she gets to. We get into all of it: starting from zero in your 40s, finally walking away from the scale she called her "metal monster," lifting heavy after 50, and what it actually took to come back after a hysterectomy when she didn't even recognize herself anymore. If you've been telling yourself it's too late… I really want you to hear this one. Her book, Embracing My Inner Athlete, is out now. Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 7:10 having 5 children in 8 years 10:05 Gen X weight loss culture 15:29 changing mindset around diet and exercise 19:11 chasing number goals 23:16 difference in generations and how they view exercise 26:15 remembering the first starting line 35:58 redefining success and failure 41:35 coming back from injury and hysterectomy 49:01 it’s never too late to start 51:41 rapid fire questions CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com Course waitlist: https://course.carriepagliano.com/RSAWL CONNECT WITH HILDE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/momoffive68/ Website: http://sites.google.com/view/Hildee-Weiss-author 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!!!!)

    58 min

  2. May 29

    Running Injuries in Perimenopause: Recovery, Hormones & Real Mom Life — with WHITNEY HEINS

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the body that carried you through marathons suddenly starts changing the rules on you mid-stride…? In this episode, I sit down with Whitney Heins — founder of The Mother Runners run community, host of the Mother Runners Podcast, and a lifelong runner who chased an Olympic Qualifying marathon time through years of frustrating injuries before becoming a certified running coach herself. Whitney knows the gap between what training is supposed to look like and what running through motherhood and perimenopause actually feels like… and she's here to talk about all of it. We get into the realities of masters running: how shifting hormones change training, recovery, and injury risk as you move through perimenopause, why pelvic health belongs squarely in this conversation, and what it takes to stop rushing the comeback and start recovering smart. Whitney opens up about the mental side of injury — the pressure to bounce back fast, the identity tangled up in our race times — and how learning to reset goals instead of abandoning them can change your entire trajectory as an athlete. Plus, how raising active kids reshaped the way she thinks about her own running, and why staying open to doing things differently might be the most athletic move of all. Whether you're a runner navigating perimenopause, a mom training around real life, or a clinician supporting active women through these transitions — this conversation is for you. In this episode: Masters running and what really changes after 40Perimenopause, hormones & pelvic health for runnersThe mental load of injury recovery & the pressure to "bounce back"Resetting goals and expectations when your body shifts the rulesRaising active kids — and what they teach us about our own training Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 6:39 speaking “teenage boy” 10:04 training your daughter 14:30 navigating years of injury 17:55 deciding to find a new coach 23:55 talking more about perimenopause and menopause 29:45 hormone therapy in perimenopause and menopause 33:23 having guests on podcasts 39:43 being open to trying something different 43:50 rapid fire questions CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com Course waitlist: https://course.carriepagliano.com/RSAWL CONNECT WITH WHITNEY: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunners/ Website: www.themotherrunners.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!!!!)

    54 min

  3. May 22

    Hormones, Bone Loss & Injury Risk: What Every Active Woman Needs to Know — with DR. JOCELYN WITTSTEIN

    Send us Fan Mail Your bones started changing before you noticed. Most women don't find out until something breaks. Dr. Jocelyn Wittstein — orthopedic surgeon at Duke and co-author of The Complete Bone and Joint Health Plan — is here to change that. We dig into what perimenopause and menopause actually do to your bones, joints, and shoulders, why osteoporosis risk flies under the radar for active women, and what the research on frozen shoulder and hormone therapy is finally telling us. If you've felt "off" in your body in your 40s and couldn't explain it… this is the episode. We cover: Bone density loss in perimenopause & menopauseFrozen shoulder, hormones & why women are disproportionately affectedOsteoporosis risk factors most providers missLow energy availability & your musculoskeletal systemSleep, nutrition & exercise for long-term bone healthWhat rehab after hip surgery actually looks likeNot medical advice. Always consult your own provider. Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 6:12 starting the perimenopause journey 12:12 why do we wait until 65 for DEXA scan? 18:23 the importance of HRT  23:20 how exercise intervention helps 27:33 inflammation and joint pain 37:04 putting together all of the symptoms 41:45 changing reception of HRT 43:40 advice to former self 53:20 practical advice with nuance 57:32 worst health traits 62:41 rapid fire questions CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com Course waitlist: https://course.carriepagliano.com/RSAWL CONNECT WITH JOCELYN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jocelyn_wittstein_md/ 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 start 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!!!!) 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!!!!)

    1h 11m

  4. May 15

    Is Childbirth Harder Than an Ultra? Running Myths, Postpartum Comebacks & the Honest Logistics of Racing as a Mom — with DR. ERIN DALISAY, PT

    Send us Fan Mail She's run ultras. She's survived pregnancy nausea. She's raced with a baby at home. And she has opinions about all of it. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Erin Kennedy Dalisay — ortho & sports PT, run coach, marathoner, ultramarathoner, and founder of RunWell Clinic — and we are getting into ALL of it. The stuff nobody talks about. The stuff every running mom is thinking but hasn't heard addressed from someone who actually lives it and has the clinical expertise to back it up. We talk about the myths that are still floating around out there about running through pregnancy and coming back postpartum, what it's actually like to deal with nausea when you're used to pushing your body hard, and the question everyone wants to know the answer to… is childbirth harder than an ultra? We also get into what it really means to have an orthopedic lens on postpartum recovery — why coming back as an injured runner and coming back as a postpartum runner have more in common than you'd think — plus the honest, unglamorous logistics of racing when you're also a parent. If you've ever tried to figure out how to hold on to your identity as a runner while also holding a baby… this one is for you. In this episode we cover: The biggest myths about running in pregnancy and postpartum — debunkedNausea during pregnancy: what helped, what didn't, and how to keep movingIs childbirth harder than an ultra? She's done both and she's not holding backComparing pre- and postpartum performance — and how to actually think about itWhat an orthopedic perspective adds to postpartum return to runningThe real logistics of racing and parenting — scheduling, childcare, guilt, all of it📌 Since this interview was recorded, Erin has announced she's expecting baby #2 — and she's sharing the whole journey on Instagram Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 4:19 running her first marathon at 16 6:45 navigating running and pregnancy 14:04 returning to running postpartum 18:06 surprises with birth and postpartum 21:33 deciding to run an ultra 28:58 a new understanding of running postpartum 35:00 training postpartum 41:45 comparing ultras and childbirth 47:57 recovering from the ultra 50:20 balancing everything  54:07 rapid fire questions CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com Course waitlist: https://course.carriepagliano.com/RSAWL CONNECT WITH ERIN: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runwellclinic/ Website: runwellclinic.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!!!!)

    58 min

  5. May 8

    I Tried Everything… and Still Leaked. One Athlete's Road to Pelvic Floor Surgery — with AIMEE OLIVER (@bodyfitmums)

    Send us Fan Mail She was mid-serve at a volleyball match in Cyprus when the device fell out completely. It landed in her underwear. There was a crowd. She ran off the court, grabbed it, and ran back on—so fast her coach didn't even process what happened. That's Aimee Oliver's life as a high-impact athlete with stress urinary incontinence. And after 10 years of trial and error, devices, physio, compression shorts, counting how far she'd have to run to find a toilet before a Hyrox race—she finally reached her breaking point on a long run and said: enough. In this episode, Aimee opens up about the full arc of her journey—from the third-to-fourth degree tear after her first birth, to navigating leakage while representing Northern Ireland in volleyball, to qualifying for the Hyrox World Championships in Sweden and scheduling surgery for the Tuesday after she flies home. It's one of the most honest, specific, and relatable pelvic floor conversations we've had on this podcast. This isn't a story about giving up. It's about a woman who promised herself she would try everything—and what happens when you actually follow through on that promise. In this episode: What stress incontinence actually feels like during high-impact sport and competitionThe devices Aimee tried—what helped, what didn't, and one very memorable moment in CyprusWhy she dehydrated herself for years during national training camps (and what she knows now)Is pelvic floor PT always enough? A real, honest answerThe emotional weight of feeling broken in your own body as an athleteChoosing surgery: how she got there, how she picked her surgeon, and what urodynamics testing actually involvesCompeting in Hyrox Worlds—and scheduling surgery for two days after she lands homeThe genetic component: her mum, her daughter, and a pattern that can't be coincidenceRecovery realities: 3 months out of her training world and what she's doing with her head Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 4:42 speaking about her pelvic floor issues 11:10 emotional struggles of feeling restricted 15:43 investigating the cause of her symptoms 23:50 overcoming the DIY hurdle 27:35 deciding to have surgery and the experience 39:04 doing all of the things 42:23 life post-surgery 50:00 rapid fire questions CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com Course waitlist: https://course.carriepagliano.com/RSAWL CONNECT WITH AIMEE: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodyfitmums/ Website: www.bodyfitmums.co.uk This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult your own healthcare provider before making changes to your care. 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!!!!)

    58 min

  6. May 1

    Wait… so which device is actually right for me? Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know with Dr. Christina Prevett

    Send us Fan Mail After interviewing 10 pelvic floor support device companies—6 internal, 4 external—Dr. Carrie Pagliano sits down with researcher and pelvic health physiotherapist and researcher Dr. Christina Prevett to do what she couldn't do alone: process it all. This is the debrief episode for the Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know mini-series—and it's where the real clinical conversation happens. Together they unpack what the marketing language actually means, how FDA clearance changes what a company can and can't say, why "neuromuscular facilitation" made Carrie twitch, and what both clinicians and consumers should actually be asking when considering a pelvic floor support device. They also tackle some of the bigger picture questions that came up across the series: When do you use a device alongside PT instead of waiting? What's the difference between a normal anatomical change and a symptomatic one? What does "failing PT" actually mean—and is it even the right framing? Who is a good candidate for internal versus external support? And how do access, cost, and geography affect all of it? This episode is for the clinician trying to make sense of an increasingly crowded market—and for the person with symptoms who just wants to know what might actually help. In this episode: Predispositions for pelvic floor dysfunction and non-modifiable anatomyUsing devices and PT in tandem, not in sequenceNormal pelvic changes versus symptomatic changesFDA-cleared vs. wellness device language—and why it mattersInternal versus external device profiles and patient fitIndustry-funded research: the double-edged swordAccess, cost, and the case for over-the-counter optionsGetting client buy-in when suggesting a device Time Stamps 1:00 introduction 3:15 PTs fitting pessaries and other devices 9:21 prolapse management involving anatomy and symptoms 14:44 physical comfort with pessaries 17:58 cutting through the marketing 20:45 FDA approval versus “wellness” 26:10 studies versus real world use 30:01 reality of external devices 39:44 big takeaways from the series CONNECT WITH CARRIE IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/ Website: https://carriepagliano.com CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.christina_prevett/ Website: https://www.ksr.ualberta.ca/exerciseandpregnancy/ Substack: https://christinaprevettphd.substack.com/ This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or create a provider-patient relationship. 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!!!!)

    50 min

  7. Apr 24

    The Truth About Internal Support Devices: Uresta Explained

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series  Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with: Lauren Barker, CEO & Co-founder of Uresta—a company developing a self-managed internal support device for stress urinary incontinence. Uresta was designed to provide a more accessible alternative to traditional pessaries by allowing users to size, insert, and manage the device independently. We cover:   • how Uresta works mechanically (intravaginal bladder support)   • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)   • how sizing and fitting works without a clinician   • how to use it correctly and common mistakes   • how it compares to traditional pessaries   • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity Time Stamps: 1:00 introduction 2:34 how Uresta started 6:37 how to use Uresta 10:46 who this is for 12:52 explaining the studies 16:38 real world use 21:23 common misconceptions 22:18 rapid fire questions Uresta is a reusable device designed for daily or situational use and is available direct-to-consumer without a prescription on their website. 💲 Starter Kit: ~$179 USD  💲 Replacement Size: ~$129 USD Discount Code:  https://uresta.com/ACTIVEMOM (10% off) Website: https://uresta.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes. 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!!!!)

    29 min

  8. Apr 24

    A Modern Pessary for Prolapse? Reia Explained

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast mini-series   Inside Pelvic Floor Support: Devices, Fit & What You Should Know, we’re speaking with: Ariana Sopher, COO at Reia—a company developing a modern pessary for pelvic organ prolapse. Reia was designed to improve on traditional pessary models by allowing for easier insertion and removal through a collapsible shape and applicator system, making self-management more accessible. We cover:   • how Reia works mechanically (collapsible pessary + applicator system)   • how it compares to traditional pessaries   • who it may be a good fit for (and who it’s not)   • how sizing and fitting works   • how patients access it (prescription-only model)   • where it fits alongside pelvic floor rehab and return to activity Time Stamps: 1:00 introduction 5:27 how Reia works 10:04 who is this for? 15:48 real world use 21:55 common misconceptions 25:27 rapid fire questions Reia is a prescription-only device available in the U.S. and New Zealand and must be ordered through a qualified healthcare provider. 💲: Approximately $200 (pessary + applicator)  Website:https://reiahealth.com Contact: hello@reiahealth.com ⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for education only and does not replace individualized medical care. Pelvic floor symptoms are complex and highly individual—always consult your own provider before making changes. 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!!!!)

    31 min
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About

Welcome to the Active Mom Podcast — where real motherhood stories meet real science. Hosted by Dr. Carrie Pagliano, double board-certified physical therapist, runner, mom of two, and internationally recognized expert in pregnancy, postpartum, pelvic floor, and perimenopause performance. Whether you’re a mom navigating running with prolapse or leakage, a clinician supporting active women, or a lifelong athlete trying to stay strong through every hormonal season — this show gives you evidence-based guidance and real life mom stories without the fear, confusion, or shame. Each week, Dr. Carrie brings candid conversations with researchers, clinicians, elite athletes, and everyday moms to explore what it actually takes to run, lift, jump, and live confidently through pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond. We talk about: • Postpartum return to running & lifting • Pelvic floor symptoms (leakage, prolapse, pain) • Pregnancy exercise myths & safety • Strength training at every age • Perimenopause performance & hormone changes • Mental health, identity shifts & motherhood • The realities of being an active mom in a busy life Real talk. Real science. Real moms. Because you deserve to feel strong and supported — at every stage of your active life.

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