The Pain Free Athlete Podcast

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones welcomes back Esther Gokhale, founder of the Gokhale Method, for a deep dive into one of the most common (and least understood) issues athletes face: pelvic floor dysfunction. Most of us have heard "do your Kegels," but Esther explains why that advice misses the root cause entirely. The real issue isn't muscular — it's architectural.In this episode, we cover:Why a tucked pelvis — not weak muscles — is the true driver of pelvic floor problemsHow modern furniture, car seats, and even ergonomic chairs are training us to tuck from infancyWhy Kegels can actually backfire and create a too-tight pelvic floorThe connection between pelvic position, sciatica, and piriformis syndromeWhat "pelvic anteversion" means and why it protects your organs, your discs, and your performanceThe L5S1 distinction — why not all "forward pelvis" positions are the sameHow C-section recovery affects pelvic architecture and what muscles to focus onLeg length discrepancies — what's real vs. what's a tight QLFREE WORKSHOP — July 3rd at noon:Pelvic Freedom: A Tucked Pelvis is a Stuck PelvisRegister Pelvic Freedom: A tucked pelvis is a stuck pelvis | Gokhale Method® - Move like you are meant to. (recording available if you can't attend live)About Esther:Esther Gokhale (GO-clay) has been involved in integrative therapies all her life. As a young girl growing up in India, she helped her mother, a nurse, treat abandoned babies waiting to be adopted. This early interest in healing led her to study biochemistry at Harvard and Princeton and, later, acupuncture at the San Francisco School of Oriental Medicine.After experiencing crippling back pain during her first pregnancy and unsuccessful back surgery, Gokhale began her lifelong crusade to vanquish back pain. Her studies at the Aplomb® Institute in Paris and years of research in Brazil, India, Portugal and elsewhere led her to develop the Gokhale Method, a unique, systematic approach to help people find their bodies’ way back to pain-free living.Gokhale's book, 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back, has sold over 300,000 copies and has been translated into ten languages. In 2010, Gokhale hosted the nationally-televised program Back Pain: The Primal Posture™ Solution (available on DVD and streaming). The Gokhale Method continues to grow as dozens of qualified teachers, each personally trained by Gokhale, now teach the method worldwide.Esther’s Links:Register for a Free Pelvic Floor Workshop: https://gokhalemethod.com/civicrm/event/info?id=14167&online=1&reset=1&utm_campaign=freeyourpelvis&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=dana_jonesWeb: https://gokhalemethod.com/Email: info@gokhalemethod.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/GokhaleMethod/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gokhalemethod/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GokhaleMethodDana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Dr. Erin Brunelle, a mind-body physical therapist and pain recovery coach. They explore the integration of emotional awareness in physical therapy, the importance of safety in healing, and how understanding emotions as bodily sensations can aid in pain recovery. Dr. Brunelle shares her journey into mind-body therapy, emphasizing the need for curiosity and a shift in perspective regarding pain and healing.About Erin:Erin is a Mindbody Physical Therapist and Pain Recovery Coach specializing in helping people learn how to work with their bodies to effectively address chronic pain and illness. Erin has a background in orthopedic physical therapy, yoga, and CrossFit, bringing a deep appreciation for movement and therapeutic exercise to the mindbody space. She also has a penchant for exploring the subconscious forces that shape our physical symptoms, incorporating tools such as Depth Hypnosis, Reiki, and Pain Reprocessing Therapy to support embodied and lasting change. Erin provides services virtually across the globe, and in-person in beautiful Tucson, Arizona.Website: https://www.alchemyphysio.com/Instagram: alchemy_physioDana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones interviews Philip Kupins, CEO of the Pickle Juice Company. They discuss the unique properties of pickle juice that make it effective in preventing muscle cramps, the neurological basis of cramping, and the real-life impact of the product on athletes. Philip shares stories of how pickle juice has changed lives, the science behind its efficacy, and the company's commitment to authenticity and sustainability. The conversation also covers practical advice for athletes on how to use pickle juice effectively during sports activities.About Filip:As CEO, Filip Keuppens leads The Pickle Juice Company, a brand whose innovative, briny beverage uses a proprietary vinegar and grain blend to block the nerve signal that triggers muscle cramps. Scientifically backed and beloved by elite athletes, Pickle Juice® delivers real, performance-driven results.His background spans sales and operations across e-commerce, club, specialty, and grocery channels, with a focus on solution-based, innovative products. Storytelling is central to his approach; previously, he served as Director of Sales at 20th Century Fox and Key Account Manager at Warner Home Video, mastering the value of testimonials and compelling messaging.Beyond business, Keuppens understands athletes firsthand as Coach and Director of Rugby with the Dallas Rugby Football Club and 7s Competition Commissioner with the Red River Rugby Conference, among other leadership roles with USA Club Rugby. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas, blending his passions for sport, innovation, and performance-driven storytelling.Filip’s Links:keuppens@picklepower.comhttps://picklepower.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/fkeuppensThe Pickle Juice Company®, specifically its science-backed approach providing rapid cramp relief. The growing movement of athletes using nervous-system–based tools to train, recover, and compete more effectively. Filip's broader mission to improve athlete wellness, especially as it relates to understanding pain signals, reducing preventable performance setbacks, and educating communities across youth, collegiate, and pro levels about how Pickle Juice works and how it’s different from pickle brine.Dana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.

In this episode of the Pain Free Athlete Podcast, host Dana Jones speaks with Jen Oliver, the operations and athlete manager at Switch 4 Good. They discuss the importance of plant-based nutrition for athletes, the challenges of fueling for endurance sports, and the significance of training the gut for optimal performance. Jen shares insights on advocating for dairy-free options in schools and the future of plant-based nutrition in athletics, emphasizing the need to normalize these choices in society.About Jen:Jen Oliver is the Director of Operations and Athlete Manager at Switch4Good, where she thrives in organized chaos and leads with purpose. With decades of experience building and guiding high-performance teams, Jen draws on her background as a Division I collegiate golfer and former professional women’s cycling team captain to mentor athletes with clarity, steadiness, and intention.A lifelong endurance athlete and committed plant-based competitor, Jen supports Switch4Good’s athletes in balancing the demands of training, career, and life — helping them cultivate resilience, confidence, and alignment in both performance and purpose.Website: www.Switch4Good.org@Switch4Good (IG)Podcast: Switch4Good PodcastDana’s Links:⁠⁠https://www.painfreeathletepodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠10 Day Journaling Journey⁠⁠Podcast Disclaimer:The Pain-Free Podcast is presented solely for general information, education, and entertainment purposes. Any information presented in this podcast is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional diagnosis. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. As always, users should not disregard or delay obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition that they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.