Pelvic Floor, Core & More | Healing Beyond Kegels: Core Rehab, Prenatal Fitness, Birth Prep, Postpartum Recovery, Nervous System Regulation, and Holistic Self-Care for Moms

What do you do when your body says, “Ouch”? Do you immediately stop because you're afraid something is wrong? Or do you ignore it, push through, and hope it goes away? Pain can feel scary and confusing—especially when you're trying to heal, get stronger, or return to activities you love. But pain isn't always a simple stop sign. Pain is communication. And communication needs interpretation. In this episode, we're talking about shifting the way we respond to pain. Instead of immediately fearing it or ignoring it, what if we learned to get curious about what our bodies are trying to tell us? Because listening to your body doesn't always mean stopping. Sometimes it means adjusting. Sometimes it means resting. Sometimes it means getting help. And sometimes it means realizing you're okay to keep going. In This Episode We Explore Why we tend to either fear pain or ignore it Why pain doesn't always equal damage How factors beyond an injury can influence the pain experience Why the behavior of your pain can give you useful information Questions to ask yourself when something hurts The difference between normal exercise challenge and ignoring your body's signals A simple green-light, yellow-light, red-light way to think about symptoms How modifying a movement can help you learn more about what your body needs Why connection and body awareness can build confidence instead of fear Why This Matters When something hurts, it's easy to immediately think: “Something is wrong.” But it's also easy to swing too far in the opposite direction and decide: “I'll just push through it.” Neither response leaves much room for listening. Learning to pay attention to what you're feeling, when you're feeling it, how long it lasts, and what changes it can help you make more intentional decisions about movement. The goal isn't to become afraid of every sensation. And it isn't to ignore your body's signals in the name of getting stronger. It's learning the difference between challenging your body and ignoring your body. The Big Takeaway The next time something hurts during movement, instead of immediately asking: “Is this bad?” Try asking: “What is my body asking me to notice right now?” Then: Pause. Notice. Adjust. Reassess. Maybe your body needs you to change the range, load, speed, position, or breath. Maybe it needs recovery. Maybe it needs professional evaluation. Or maybe after checking in, you realize you're okay to continue. Listening doesn't always mean stopping. It means responding. And the better you become at listening, the more confidently you can make decisions about your body. Ready to Understand the Bigger Picture? If you've been listening to the last few episodes, you're probably noticing a theme: I don't want you endlessly searching for someone to give you the perfect exercise. I want you to understand the body you're actually living in. That's a huge reason I created Healing Beyond Kegels. Pelvic floor symptoms aren't simply problems we throw exercises at. Your breath, pressure, core, movement, strength, stress, nervous system, and the rest of your body are all part of the conversation. Healing Beyond Kegels is designed to help you zoom out, connect those dots, and start understanding your body differently. It's coming soon, and I can't wait to share it with you. Until then, remember: Connection first. Intention over perfection. 💛 This episode is for general education and isn't a substitute for individualized medical care. New, severe, rapidly worsening, or otherwise concerning pain should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional. Want More Support? Inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App and RESTORE, we focus on helping women build strength, coordination, stability, and confidence in their bodies through a whole-body approach to pelvic floor and core health. ✨ Learn more here: https://balancedmomtality.com/the-app Want a Guided Healing and Rehab Program to Help You Reconnect and RESTORE? If

Have you noticed your bladder, core, or pelvic floor changing during perimenopause or menopause? Maybe you're experiencing leaking, urgency, heaviness, discomfort, or feeling like your body just doesn't respond the way it used to. If so, you're not alone—and you're certainly not broken. In today's episode, we're talking about what actually happens to the pelvic floor during perimenopause and menopause, why these changes occur, and most importantly, what you can do to continue feeling strong, confident, and supported through this new season of life. In This Episode, We Explore: What happens to your body during perimenopause and menopause How hormonal changes affect your pelvic floor, core, and bladder Common symptoms women experience during midlife The biggest misconceptions about pelvic floor health after menopause Practical ways to support your body through strength, movement, nutrition, and recovery Why it's never too late to improve your pelvic floor health Why This Matters Many women assume leaking, pelvic pressure, or pain are simply "part of getting older." While hormonal changes absolutely influence our tissues and muscles, they don't mean you have to accept symptoms as your new normal. Understanding what's happening inside your body empowers you to make intentional choices that support long-term strength, function, and confidence. Big Takeaway Menopause isn't the end of your strength—it's the beginning of a new chapter. Your body may need a different approach than it did in your 20s or 30s, but healing, strength, and confidence are absolutely still possible. Small, intentional habits can make a tremendous difference in how you feel during this season of life. Resources Mentioned ❤️ Download my FREE Healing Beyond Kegels masterclass 🎙️ Listen to more episodes of Pelvic Floor, Core & More 📱 Follow me for more pelvic floor and women's health education Want More Support? Inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App and RESTORE, we focus on helping women build strength, coordination, stability, and confidence in their bodies through a whole-body approach to pelvic floor and core health. ✨ Learn more here: https://balancedmomtality.com/the-app Want a Guided Healing and Rehab Program to Help You Reconnect and RESTORE? If you’re ready to rebuild your core and pelvic floor with a structured, step-by-step plan, check out RESTORE, my 12-week pelvic floor and core rehabilitation program inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App. Inside RESTORE you’ll learn how to: ✔ release tension and improve mobility ✔ reconnect breath and pelvic floor coordination ✔ strengthen your core safely ✔ progress back to lifting, running, and higher-impact activities All with guided lessons, workouts, and support from a pelvic floor physical therapist. Inside RESTORE you’ll get: ✔️ 12 weeks of progressive breathwork, mobility & strength ✔️ 5- and 20-minute workouts to fit your life ✔️ Deep pelvic floor education (with zero fluff) ✔️ Real-life tools to reduce pain, improve leaks, and feel like YOU again ✔️ Access to our private community and support Inside RESTORE, we cover: Breathwork + pelvic floor connection Mobility + posture Nervous system regulation Core control + strength building Real-life application to everyday movement And how to stop leaking, rushing to the bathroom, or feeling disconnected from your core You’ll walk away from RESTORE with clarity, confidence, and a body you trust again. JOIN RESTORE NOW FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO LESSONS AND EXERCISES!! JOIN NOW AND SAVE %50!! https://pelvic-floor-core-more.passion.io/checkout/86181d29-9811-4a33-80df-a82de21fa8fe Or 💎 Learn More About RESTORE below, my 12-week program that walks you step by step through pelvic floor and core healing — so you can stop leaking, reduce prolapse symptoms, and feel strong again. https://balancedmomtality.com/restore 💖 Or Want Personalized 1:1 Coaching and Support? Book a virtual or in-person women’s health coaching

Did anyone else start summer with good intentions and then suddenly realize things felt a little chaotic? Between camps, vacations, changing schedules, kids being home more often, and trying to juggle work, family, and self-care, summer can quickly become overwhelming. While many of us crave structure, the reality is that summer rarely follows a perfectly organized schedule. The good news? Your nervous system doesn't need perfection. It needs predictability. In this episode, Dr. Des shares practical ways to create more regulation, connection, and enjoyment during the summer months without relying on rigid routines or unrealistic expectations. We'll discuss why summer can feel dysregulating, how flexible rhythms can support both parents and children, and simple ways to create more calm and fun in everyday life. In This Episode, We Explore: ☀️ Why summer can feel surprisingly overwhelming ☀️ How changes in routine impact the nervous system ☀️ The difference between rigid schedules and flexible rhythms ☀️ Why predictability helps children and adults feel more regulated ☀️ How overstimulation and mental load affect moms ☀️ Simple "anchor points" that can bring more calm to your day ☀️ The connection between nervous system regulation and pelvic floor health ☀️ Why fun, play, and connection matter for overall well-being ☀️ Practical ways to support yourself during a busy season Why This Matters When life feels chaotic, our bodies often respond by holding more tension, breathing more shallowly, sleeping less, and feeling more overwhelmed. This can impact everything from energy levels and stress management to pelvic floor symptoms and overall health. Creating small moments of predictability and connection can help support both physical and emotional well-being throughout the summer months. The Big Takeaway Your family doesn't need a perfect summer. They need a connected, present, and regulated version of you. Instead of chasing the perfect schedule, focus on creating simple rhythms that support your nervous system and leave room for spontaneity, fun, and meaningful connection. 🎉 Celebrating 200 Episodes! The Pelvic Floor, Core & More Podcast is almost at 200 episodes, and I wanted to thank all of you for listening, sharing episodes, and being part of this community. As a celebration, I'm offering $20 off any one-on-one physical therapy or coaching session (virtual or in-person). Whether you're navigating pelvic floor symptoms, postpartum recovery, pregnancy aches, chronic tension, or simply want personalized support, I'd love to help. Just mention the podcast and the 200th Episode Celebration when reaching out. 📧 Contact: [email protected] Want More Support? Inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App and RESTORE, we focus on helping women build strength, coordination, stability, and confidence in their bodies through a whole-body approach to pelvic floor and core health. ✨ Learn more here: https://balancedmomtality.com/the-app Want a Guided Healing and Rehab Program to Help You Reconnect and RESTORE? If you’re ready to rebuild your core and pelvic floor with a structured, step-by-step plan, check out RESTORE, my 12-week pelvic floor and core rehabilitation program inside the Pelvic Floor, Core & More App. Inside RESTORE you’ll learn how to: ✔ release tension and improve mobility ✔ reconnect breath and pelvic floor coordination ✔ strengthen your core safely ✔ progress back to lifting, running, and higher-impact activities All with guided lessons, workouts, and support from a pelvic floor physical therapist. Inside RESTORE you’ll get: ✔️ 12 weeks of progressive breathwork, mobility & strength ✔️ 5- and 20-minute workouts to fit your life ✔️ Deep pelvic floor education (with zero fluff) ✔️ Real-life tools to reduce pain, improve leaks, and feel like YOU again ✔️ Access to our private community and support Inside RESTORE, we cover: Breathwork + pelvic floor connection Mobility + posture Nervous sy