Let's Talk About The POTS life

The POTS Life
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a form of dysautonomia disorder. The hallmark of POTS is a rapid heart rate that occurs upon standing, leading to symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Learn about the POTS life program developed by Physical Therapist Kelsey Botti, who is thriving with POTS. Hear about Kelsey's story, her patients, and her team. (The information provided in this podcast are for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice

  1. 4d ago

    POTS, EDS & Hypermobility: What Patients and Parents Need to Know with Dr. Cohen Solomon

    What is the connection between POTS, hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS), and hypermobility? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cohen Solomon, board-certified pediatrician, educator, and patient living with hEDS and dysautonomia. We discuss the overlap between POTS, EDS, chronic pain, fatigue, GI symptoms, and why so many patients struggle to find answers. We also talk about recognizing early signs of hypermobility, building the right healthcare team, advocating for yourself, and why validation matters when living with a complex chronic illness. Whether you're a patient, parent, or healthcare provider, this episode offers practical insights and hope for navigating the journey. Follow Dr. Solomon: @thebendypediatrician Learn More: https://thebendypediatrician.com/ Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife Timestamps 00:00 Introduction03:16 Living with hEDS & Dysautonomia05:43 Early Signs of Hypermobility in Children10:36 Understanding EDS & Hypermobility12:14 Pain, Fatigue & Invisible Illness22:32 The Connection Between POTS & EDS23:22 Why Patients Need a Healthcare "Quarterback"28:58 GI Symptoms, Dysmotility & EDS31:51 The Importance of Validation33:51 Building the Right Care Team36:33 Tips for Advocating for Yourself41:40 The UVA EDS & Hypermobility Clinic46:05 Advice for Newly Diagnosed Patients47:20 Finding Hope

    51 min

  2. May 19

    POTS, Advocacy, and The Dysautonomia Workbook with Joanna Behm

    In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we sit down with Joanna Behm, occupational therapist, dysautonomia advocate, and co-author of The Dysautonomia Workbook. Joanna shares her personal journey to diagnosis, the challenges of living with POTS, MCAS, and hEDS, and the work she does through the Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) to help others feel more supported and informed. We also talk about practical tools for managing daily life with dysautonomia, including pacing, symptom tracking, accommodations, mental health, and building a better quality of life while navigating chronic illness. About DSN: Dysautonomia Support Network is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering those with dysautonomia through education, resources, and community. Learn more at dysautonomiasupport.org. Workbook:The Dysautonomia Workbook: A Guide to Empowered Livinghttps://www.dysautonomiasupport.org/product/the-dysautonomia-workbook-a-guide-to-empowered-living/ Follow DSN:Instagram: @dyssupportYouTube: @DysSupportFacebook: Dysautonomia Support Network Connect with Joanna:LinkedIn: Joanna Behm

    26 min

  3. May 5

    What to Do After a POTS Diagnosis (Electrolytes, Exercise, and Common Mistakes)

    If you’ve recently been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), it can feel overwhelming figuring out what actually helps. In this episode, we break down what to focus on early and what to avoid. We talk through common mistakes after a POTS diagnosis, including over-relying on water without enough sodium, falling for “electrolyte” products that don’t contain meaningful salt, and making drastic diet changes too quickly. We explain how to approach hydration and electrolytes more effectively, including why sodium matters and how to start building tolerance. We also cover nutrition myths, why cutting multiple foods at once can backfire, and how to use simple tracking to identify real triggers. On the movement side, we walk through why exercise is still important with POTS and how to approach it in a low, slow, and sustainable way to avoid worsening symptoms. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you take your next step with more clarity. Timestamps: 00:00 What to do after a POTS diagnosis 01:20 Common mistakes early on 02:45 Electrolytes vs water (what actually helps) 04:50 How much sodium you need 07:10 Choosing the right electrolyte options 09:20 Why cutting foods too quickly backfires 10:20 How to track food triggers 12:00 MCAS + food sensitivities 14:20 Salt myths explained 15:30 Why movement matters with POTS 17:00 How to start exercise safely 19:00 Support, structure, and community 21:30 Final thoughts + next steps Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

    22 min

  4. Apr 23

    Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and POTS

    GI symptoms, pain clues, and why a consult matters In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we break down the connection between POTS and pelvic floor dysfunction and why it’s often overlooked. We cover common “beige flags” like GI issues (IBS, bloating, constipation/diarrhea cycles, gastroparesis), bladder symptoms (chronic UTIs, straining to pee), and unexplained pelvic or low back pain. We also touch on tension patterns (like teeth grinding) and conditions like endometriosis and hypermobility. This episode highlights how pelvic floor therapy can fit into a bigger picture approach alongside POTS care, GI support, and mental health. If you feel like your symptoms aren’t fully adding up, this might be a missing piece. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Pelvic Floor Meets POTS 00:40 Why They Overlap 02:09 GI Red Flags Explained 03:59 Tension and Constipation Cycle 05:13 Movement and Digestion Tips 06:45 UTIs and Peeing Strain 09:03 Pain, Endo, and Hypermobility 11:06 Consults and Team Approach 13:02 Finding the Right PT 14:10 Program Modifications Together 14:50 Wrap Up

    16 min

  5. Mar 31

    From Surviving to Living Again: A POTS Life Graduate’s Journey

    In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we sit down with Veronica, a POTS Life graduate now in our graduate program, to talk about her journey from simply surviving to truly living again. Veronica shares what life looked like when her symptoms were at their worst, navigating frequent episodes, overstimulation, and the day-to-day challenges that made even simple things feel overwhelming. After trying multiple approaches without lasting success, things began to shift with a more structured, individualized approach: including guided exercise, heart rate-based progression, nutrition support, and ongoing adjustments. Over time, she began to notice real changes not just in stamina, but in her ability to tolerate more, feel more confident, and engage in her life again. She now describes her life in one word: freeing. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next offering both validation and a reminder that progress is possible. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:02 Emotional Turning Point 01:47 Finding Hope Online 03:38 Early Symptoms and Triggers 05:20 Diagnosis and Early Care 07:25 PT Gaps and Testing 09:18 Stimulation and Vestibular Work 11:15 Work Limits and Boundaries 14:01 Why This Program Worked 16:35 Blood Sugar Breakthrough 17:36 Whole Body POTS Care 18:08 Lowering Adrenaline Sensitivity 19:34 Work Life Confidence Returns 21:07 Setbacks and Program Adjustments 22:11 Trips and Life Milestones 24:37 Mindset After Lost Time 27:32 Graduate Program Support 29:10 Advice to New Diagnoses 32:17 Community Without Doomscrolling 33:22 One Word Freeing 34:30 Final Thanks and Next Steps Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

    36 min

  6. Mar 17

    What Makes The POTS Life Treatment Program Different

    In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we walk through the philosophy behind the POTS Life treatment program and why it’s structured the way it is. We talk about the importance of a lower-and-slower approach when building exercise tolerance with POTS, how strengthening evolves over time, and why structure and progression matter when navigating dysautonomia. We also discuss how the program adapts to real life. Symptoms can change, medications shift, illness happens, and life events come up — so having a plan that allows for adjustments along the way can make a big difference. Finally, we share more about the support systems within The POTS Life, including guidance, community connection, and additional resources designed to help people navigate life with POTS. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Why This Program Exists00:42 Lower and Slower Progression01:55 Strength Training That Evolves02:46 Real-Time Guidance03:33 Why Structure Matters05:21 Meeting You Where You Are07:06 Human Support and Lifestyle Fit08:31 Nutrition and Extra Resources09:05 Community and Buddy System10:20 Handling Setbacks and Restarts16:40 How to Get Started17:22 Wrap-Up Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

    19 min

  7. Mar 3

    Is The POTS Life Program Safe for CFS, EDS & Severe Fatigue?

    In this Q&A episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we’re answering one of the biggest questions we get: Is The POTS Life Program safe if I have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, EDS, or severe fatigue? We talk through what happens if you’re mostly bedbound, how we modify when symptoms flare, and why starting “low and slow” isn’t just a phrase — it’s the foundation. We also cover: How we customize progressions for different fatigue levelsWhether electrolytes have a “right number” (and why the answer isn’t simple)Why EDS-safe, joint-friendly strength training actually mattersHow appropriate weight-bearing supports long-term stability and pain managementIf you’ve been wondering whether you’re “too sick” or “too complex” to start, this episode is for you. Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

    14 min

  8. Feb 27

    Living with POTS: What It’s Like for a Spouse | Dysautonomia & Chronic Illness Support

    What is it really like to love someone living with POTS and dysautonomia? In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, my husband Cale shares what it was like watching me navigate years of undiagnosed Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) — the ER visits, the “normal” test results, the adrenaline dumps at night, and the slow decline that didn’t make sense. We talk openly about what dysautonomia and autonomic nervous system dysfunction looked like from his perspective — the tachycardia, tremors, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and living in constant fight-or-flight. From the outside, POTS can look like “just dizziness.” But inside, it affects every part of life — including marriage and family. In this episode, we discuss: Supporting a spouse with POTSUnderstanding invisible illness and dysautonomiaNighttime adrenaline surges and anxietyThe emotional impact of chronic illness on relationshipsHow to validate someone with autonomic dysfunctionPractical advice for partners, caregivers, and family membersIf you are newly diagnosed with POTS, living with dysautonomia, or trying to help your spouse or loved ones understand what this condition really feels like, this conversation will resonate deeply. POTS affects the autonomic nervous system, but it also affects relationships. And understanding changes everything. Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

    38 min
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POTS, or Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, is a form of dysautonomia disorder. The hallmark of POTS is a rapid heart rate that occurs upon standing, leading to symptoms like dizziness, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Learn about the POTS life program developed by Physical Therapist Kelsey Botti, who is thriving with POTS. Hear about Kelsey's story, her patients, and her team. (The information provided in this podcast are for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice

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