The Core Connect Podcast

Marianne Tafani - Core Connect Studio

Need simple strategies to thrive mentally AND physically? Guidance on navigating the hormonal fluctuations of womanhood and motherhood? Do you have back pain, pelvic floor issues, or diastasis recti? Look no further. This podcast is your go-to resource for understanding your body and mind. Each episode features insights from leading experts who dive into the latest research in women’s health. When the studies fall short, these experts and Marianne Tafani—a prenatal, postnatal and core expert based in Dubai—share their clinical expertise to help you heal and grow. Welcome to Core Connect!

  1. 5d ago

    GLP-1 Medication, Breathwork & How to Create Lasting Change with Rose O'Donovan

    Should everyone who can take GLP-1s… actually take them? What do these medications really change and what do they leave untouched? And how can busy families practice breathwork? In this episode, Marianne sits down with weight management specialist Rose O’Donovan to bring nuance back into a conversation that’s quickly becoming black and white. Rose has recently completed research on the use of GLP-1 medication as part of a multidisciplinary approach to weight management. With a background in the military, a childhood shaped by the demands of the hotel industry, and years of hands-on experience in weight management, she understands discipline, stress, and adaptation from the inside out. In this episode, Marianne and Rose also touch on the deeper links between addiction and weight management, the role of therapy in creating lasting change, and how the nervous system-particularly the vagus nerve- shapes everything from cravings to emotional regulation. From humming and prayer, to a simple, gamified breathing practice that even busy families can integrate into their day, this episode is about doing the work in a way that feels possible. You can’t medicate your way out of disconnection. But you can build your way back. One small, consistent practice at a time. 🔗 Connect with Rose  On Instagram  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/rosebodonovan/⁠ On LinkedIn  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rose-o-donovan-3a215a48/⁠ 🔗 Connect with Marianne  On Instagram ⁠https://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/⁠ On LinkedIn  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannetafani/⁠

  2. Jul 31

    Why Pilates Needs More Men (And How to Make It Happen) with Pete Pallai

    What does it really take to build a Pilates business with integrity? How (and why) has Pete Pallai made Pilates more accessible to men?  What does it mean to be "a real man"? In this conversation, ever so slightly interrupted by the conflict in Dubai, you’ll hear how a former athlete found Pilates at a time of both personal and professional crisis, and how that moment quickly reshaped the course of his life. A central theme of this episode is Pete’s mission to make Pilates more approachable for men - challenging perceptions, breaking down barriers, and creating spaces where more people feel they belong. As he puts it, “being approachable is inspiring.” Together, they explore: The transition from corporate and events into a purpose-driven careerThe role of authenticity and continued education in teachingWhy accessibility is not a compromise, but a responsibilityThe beautiful influence of Peter’s father on his life and valuesThis episode is a reminder that meaningful businesses aren’t built overnight but can happen quickly. And that sometimes, the most powerful growth happens when you stay close to who you are. Whether you’re a teacher, studio owner, or simply someone navigating a turning point, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it means to build a purposeful business that lasts. And possibly what it means to be a strong, healthy man. More Pilates legends and their journeys below  👇 🎙Mobility, Motherhood, Master with Ava Rodriguez ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mobility-motherhood-mastery-with-ava-rodriguez/id1766482868?i=1000728588133&l=vi⁠ 🎙 Jill Harris on 30 Years in Pilates, Building FitSprings, andResilience in Entrepreneurship ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/studio-owner-series-jill-harris-on-30-years-in-pilates/id1766482868?i=1000676912363⁠ 🎙 Mobility, Instructor Burnout, and The Mc Donald's Era of Pilates with Mila Aleshina I Studio Owner Series ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mobility-instructor-burnout-and-the-mc-donalds/id1766482868?i=1000749545729⁠ 🔗 Connect with Peter ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mypilateslondon/⁠ ⁠https://mypilateslondon.com/⁠ 🔗 Connect with Marianne ⁠https://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/⁠ ⁠https://www.coreconnectstudio.com/⁠

  3. Jul 24

    Is It Evidence or Is It Culture? The Science of Babywearing and Breastfeeding with Emily Little, PhD

    How much of what parents are told is “normal,” “best,” or “necessary” is shaped less by evidence - and more by culture, productivity, and pressure? What does the research actually say about co-sleeping and sleep training? Breastfeeding? Babywearing and carrying? In this episode, Marianne is joined by Emily Little, PhD, infancyresearcher, myth-debunker, and founder of Nurturely, a platform dedicated to ending perinatal disparities in the US and beyond. Emily has spent years researching infancy and caregiving practices across more than 30 countries, including Guatemala, Vanuatu, Bolivia, and India, examining how babies are fed, carried, soothed, and supported, and what happens when cultural wisdom collides with modern systems. Together, we explore what the evidence actually says about: BreastfeedingBabywearing and carryingCo-Sleeping and infant sleepResponsive caregiving and infant needs …and how many dominant narratives around “best practice” are shaped less by biology or research, and more by capitalism, productivity pressures, and the expectation that care should fit neatly around work. This conversation goes far beyond individual parenting choices. We discuss why policy changes alone are not enough to address perinatal inequities, and why grassroots, community-led work is often more effective.  At the root of many systemic issues, including racial disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, lies how motherhood is viewed, (de)valued, and (often) poorly supported. This episode invites a wider, more humane lens on infancy, care, and what it truly means to support mothers and babies. To connect with Emily Little, follow her on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilylittlephd/⁠ Download the Baby Myth Buster Brief: ⁠https://emily-little-phd.kit.com/6087629ced⁠ For any perinatal movement questions, connect with Marianne: ⁠h⁠⁠ttps://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannetafani/

  4. Jul 17

    The Truth About Vasectomies and Peptides with the Doctor Who Performed His Own – Dr. Tracy Gapin

    Are vasectomies truly reversible? What really changes after the procedure? How can women bring up this, and other men’s health topics, without conflict or pressure? In this myth-busting episode, Dr. Tracy Gapin, men’s health specialist, urologist, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, joins Marianne to bridge a crucial conversation between men’s andwomen’s health. Dr. Gapin unpacks the real science and misconceptions around vasectomies, explores the cutting edge of peptides for sexual function, and dives into how modern performance medicine, and mindset work, is reshaping care. Discover the truth about the 10-minute procedure that Dr. Gapin has performed on thousands of men, including himself, and how you can support the men in your life to care for their health as intentionally as they do their performance. 🎁 Free Resources from Dr Gapin Get your Performance Guide and a Complimentary Discovery Call here  👉  ⁠https://peaklaunch.com/free-resources/ 🔗 Connect with Marianne ⁠https://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/⁠ ⁠https://www.coreconnectstudio.com/⁠

  5. Jul 10

    Diastasis Recti: Do You Really Need Surgery? 8 Cases Explained

    Most women are asking the wrong question when it comes to diastasis recti. It’s not: “How big is my gap?” It’s: “Is my body actually not functioning?” Because those two things are not the same. In this episode, Marianne walks you through 8 cases: 4 where surgery can be the right call. And 4 where it absolutely isn’t. So you can stop guessing. And start recognising where you actually stand. From early postpartum changes to long-term dysfunction, from higher body weight to highly trained bodies: when is diastasis recti repair surgery actually indicated? And does width alone matter as much as we’ve been led to believe? 🎙If this topic resonates with you, you might enjoy: Crunches or No Crunches for Diastasis Recti? What the Research Really Says Listen here ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/crunches-or-no-crunches-for-diastasis-recti-what-the/id1766482868?i=1000747334957⁠ Diastasis, Low Ab Pooch, or Saggy Skin? 5 Things to Do Before a Tummy Tuck Listen here ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/the-core-connect-podcast/id1766482868?i=1000737725673⁠ Tackling C-Section Overhang, Avoiding Surgery and Reclaiming Mobility with Scar Treatment Specialist Emma Holly Listen here ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/tackling-c-section-overhang-avoiding-surgery-and/id1766482868?i=1000672460863⁠ 🔗 Connect with Marianne  On Instagram  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/⁠ On LinkedIn  ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannetafani/

  6. Jun 26

    When Can You Return to Running Postpartum? Pelvic Floor Readiness, Timelines & What Women Actually Need with Dr. Rachel Selman

    Earlier return to running. Later return. Symptom-free standards. Mental health. The guidelines for postnatal women keep shifting - and so does the debate. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Selman helps us ask smarter questions. What are signs to look out for to ensure that physiological healing and mental health are respected?  Are women's requests still dismissed? Is the push for earlier postpartum return to impact truly empowering women? Dr Rachel Selman is a physiotherapist, strength and conditioning specialist, and published clinical voice in perinatal return-to-sport. In this episode, Rachel and Marianne discuss the concept of mismatch - what happens when the demand placed on a postpartum body doesn't match where her tissues actually are in recovery. They dig into the research and clinical expertise together, highlighting the need for excellence in both so new mothers are better served. They also discuss what it truly means to advocate for yourself when the system doesn't yet do it reliably for you. And the question everyone wants answered: how do you actually know when your pelvic floor is ready to run? Rachel gives us the clinical signs - not a date on a calendar, but a set of real, simple markers. You might also enjoy:🎙 GLP-1 Medication, Breathwork & How to Create Lasting Change — with Rose O'Donovan🎙 Breathing, Bracing & Motherhood: What Most Postnatal Guidelines Miss with Brittany Williams https://podcasts.apple.com/ae/podcast/breathing-bracing-motherhood-what-most-postnatal-guidelines/id1766482868?i=1000741298970 ------Did this change how you think about your recovery - or a client's?  ♻️ Share it with one person who needs to hear it. And if Rachel's answer sparked a question of your own, send it our way - it might just become the next episode. ----- 🔗 Connect with Rachel:  https://www.instagram.com/dr.rachelselman/ 🔗 Connect with Marianne  https://www.instagram.com/marianne.coreconnect/

  7. Jun 5

    🤱Is It Me or Is It My Hormones? What Every Woman Should Know About Postpartum Hormone Shifts

    Day 3 you're sobbing at nothing. Week 6 you're told you're cleared. Month 4 you still don't feel like yourself. The hormones are hard enough. But the story we tell ourselves about the shifts we experience postpartum, whether it's baby blues, breastfeeding irritability, or full-blown postpartum anxiety, that's where much of the real suffering lives. We tell ourselves that something is wrong with us, that we're broken, that this shouldn't be happening, which adds a layer of stress to the physiological changes we are going through.  In this episode Marianne walks you through exactly what your body is doing in the weeks and months after birth, so you can feel what you feel without the added weight of fear on top of it. 🎙️You might also enjoy: C-section Recovery, Racial Disparities & Postpartum Advocacy with Dr Lashonda Jones  Beyond the 6-week check: Rethinking Perinatal Fitness and Postnatal Recovery with Dr Margie Davenport Breathing, Bracing & Motherhood: What Most Postnatal Guidelines Miss with Brittany Williams If this episode resonated, please share it with a new mum in your village. She probably needs it.

  8. May 22

    Why Gratitude Lists Actually Work 🧠

    What if you could train your brain to notice more than stress, urgency, and what could go wrong? Not through toxic positivity. Through a simple exercise in neuroplasticity. The average person is estimated to have between 60,000 and 70,000 thoughts per day, many of them repetitive. Over time, the brain strengthens the pathways it uses most often. In this solo episode, Marianne explores why writing not 3, not 5, but 20 things you are grateful for can begin to shift perception, calm the nervous system, and help us move through difficult seasons differently. Because somewhere after item 10, the brain stops reaching for the obvious answers… and starts searching differently. ---- If you'd like to receive the Gratitude Template, email Marianne at marianne@coreconnectstudio.com.

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About

Need simple strategies to thrive mentally AND physically? Guidance on navigating the hormonal fluctuations of womanhood and motherhood? Do you have back pain, pelvic floor issues, or diastasis recti? Look no further. This podcast is your go-to resource for understanding your body and mind. Each episode features insights from leading experts who dive into the latest research in women’s health. When the studies fall short, these experts and Marianne Tafani—a prenatal, postnatal and core expert based in Dubai—share their clinical expertise to help you heal and grow. Welcome to Core Connect!

Information

  • Creator
    Marianne Tafani - Core Connect Studio
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marianne Tafani - Core Connect Studio
  • Show Website
    The Core Connect Podcast