Active Mom Podcast: Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond
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.
Active Mom Podcast: Pregnancy, Postpartum, Perimenopause, Menopause & Beyond
Latest Episodes
It Can't Just Be Motivation: New Research on Pelvic Floor Apps and What Actually Helps Moms Stick With It | SÓNIA COELHO CRISTÓVÃO
She booked the appointment. She showed up. She wants something to change. And she still hasn't done her exercises.Sónia Coelho Cristóvão, physiotherapist and PhD researcher at the University of Gothenburg, kept seeing that in her clinic....
Intra-Abdominal Pressure: Is Running Worse Than a Cough? Are We Even Measuring What We Think We're Measuring? | DR. SABINE VESTING
Don't jump. Don't lift heavy. Exhale on the way up. Protect your pelvic floor from all that pressure.Funny thing, though. Nobody ever tells you not to cough.So where did the "too much pressure" advice actually come from? Dr. Sabin...
My Personal Pessary Search: 5 Miles Downhill in the Dark, Maybe Bears | Solo Episode
In June, my very first mom friend texted me about a relay for her 50th. I said yes. THEN I asked what I'd signed up for.3 running legs in less than 24 hours including night running. And I'm a morning runner, because over the years, eveni...
Kegels to CrossFit: A Pregnancy & Postpartum Exercise History | Crossover with Practice Brave, Brianna Battles
Carrie was taught to go gentle. Brianna was taught to go harder. Neither one worked.Bri Battles reached out and said let's chat about history. I said okay. So here we are, two podcasts running as one episode, looking back at the last 10,...
The First Real Data On Climbing While Pregnant | JOY BLACK
Three years ago Joy Black came on this show to talk about climbing in pregnancy and postpartum, and quite honestly, we had almost no research to point at. She came back this time as a published researcher. Two papers, both in Sports Medicine, b...
Fan Mail
Hi Dr. Pagliano! So glad I started listening to your podcast. I'm a first time mom about 11 weeks PP navigating prolapse and return to athletics. I've only just started to scrape the surface of all the excellent content I'm finding from your podcast, but just wondering if you've ever focused on how we talk to our significant others or family about the mental load these pelvic floor issues create? I keep struggling to explain to my husband how difficult this all feels. Thought I'd throw the idea out there for a future pod! Thanks!!
Green Bay, Wisconsin