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Are you tired of struggling with the notorious "mommy pooch" that just won't seem to go away no matter how hard you try? Suffering with a weak midsection is not just a normal part of pregnancy and recovery and it’s time we demand better from our fitness routines and healthcare professionals.  In this article, I will reveal five highly effective exercises that will help you tone your abdominal muscles and start feeling stronger in your center. Whether you recently had a baby or simply want to str...

Are you a new mom struggling to regain your core strength after pregnancy? Some of you who are nodding “yes” are 6 months postpartum…..and some of you are 6 years or more so please know you're not alone. Many women experience a common condition called diastasis rectus abdominus (DRA) which refers to the separation of the abdominal muscles, during pregnancy. While some will spontaneously heal in the postpartum period, many will not.  In an effort to “tone” their stretched-out bellies, women often...

Are you a new mom struggling to regain your core strength after pregnancy? Or did you just drop your kid off at college and decide it’s time to address the flabby belly you keep tucking into your mom jeans? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many individuals face this common issue, but the good news is that there are effective strategies that can help you rebuild your core and recover from abdominal separation. But I’ll let you in on a little secret.  You need a whole-body solution to address a mids...

Have you met Michelle Mansfield, author of The Honest Mom Project and host of The Honest Mom podcast?  Let me introduce you to one of the most “real” women you will ever meet.  Unafraid of the narrative that the journey to motherhood should be bliss, Michelle tackles topics that shatter the shame most women feel when questioning the expectations in their lives as mothers.  My love for tackling taboo topics combined with her no-holds-barred style of interviewing led to one of the most honest disc...

I was honored to be a guest on the FemPower Health Podcast.  Georgie Kovacs is an amazing host, and her passion for women’s health seeps through the airwaves.  She interviews experts worldwide on various topics, including hormones, sex, mental health, period issues, birth control, the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pleasure (just to name a few).  

I was privileged to discuss Diastasis Rectus Abdominus (DRA) during our time together.  DRA refers to an abnormal separation between the left and ri...

I’ve heard hundreds of stories of people recounting their parents giving them “the talk.” Some involved hushed conversations in bedrooms after a child asked a question during family movie night.  One that sticks out in my mind is the gentleman who vividly remembers his dad making a dirty martini and swirling it around and awkwardly sipping from it as he attempted to talk about sex.  Many don’t recall the talk because it just never happened! 

As a Women’s Health Physical Therapist and Puberty e...

There are so many misconceptions when it comes to comprehensive sex education.  And what people don’t understand, they fear.  What they fear, they judge as evil.  What they judge as evil, they attempt to control.  And what they cannot control, they attack or argue against.  It’s a vicious and unproductive cycle.  

Let’s start with some facts. 

In February of 2021, the Illinois General Assembly introduced a bill (0818) reforming sex education in Illinois.  On August 20, 2021, the Keeping Youth...

Have you heard the phrase, “Be careful not to plan for the wedding and forget about the marriage”?  Well, we often treat postpartum recovery much the same way. 

So many women pour all their attention into the birth process, but the 4^th trimester (or first 40 days after delivery) is sometimes an afterthought. 

Planning ahead is essential to a healthy postpartum recovery.

Maybe in years past you could have gotten away with just taking it day-by-day and figuring it out as you went along, but if...

As a Women’s Health Physical Therapist and Movement Specialist, I have access to hundreds of exercise programs from Yoga to Cross Fit and Barre to Tabata.  When women ask me what the best form of exercise to participate in during pregnancy, my answer is the same every time. 

Prenatal Pilates, hands down. 

If you’re not already a believer, or if you’re not really sure what Pilates even is, or if you’ve stumbled upon this blog and are just looking for a good debate, strap in and allow me to co...

When most women find out they are pregnant, they think twice about what they feed their body and baby, striving for high nutritional value.  Sometimes they crave nutrient-dense food; other times it’s mashed potatoes and ice cream.  Like everything in life, there’s room for both, and finding a good balance is best.  The same is true for movement. 

What is your appetite for movement? 

If you crave intense, heart-pumping cardio, you may need to build in some thoughtful rest.  And if you crave r...