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
Postpartum Return-to-Run Readiness: What the Latest Research Shows — with DR. SHEFALI CHRISTOPHER
Today I am speaking with Dr. Shefali Christopher, PT, DPT, about Return to Sport after Childbirth, integrating motherhood and athletics. Currently, she is at Tufts University working toward strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion in admissions. Shefali is a mom of two and is a medical provider for the USA Paratriathlon team.
We talk about:
-diversity, equity, & inclusion in physical therapy
-paralympics
-juggling mom life
-integrating sports & motherhood
-being able to adapt
-asking for help
-updated research findings
-combating misinformation
Time Stamps
1:00 Introduction
5:20 impact of virtual coursework on learning
7:49 workouts as “me time”
12:38 a week in the life
23:04 finding the time to workout
26:54 importance of postpartum health
33:00 the need for flexibility
39:53 Delfi study postpartum return to run readiness
44:00 consensus findings
49:30 combating misinformation
54:36 what clinicians need to watch for
63:40 rapid fire questions
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH SHEFALI
IG: https://www.instagram.com/shefchristo4pt/
Study: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/58/4/183.info
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!!!!)