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
12 Weeks to Return to Run isn't Set in Stone - Solo episode
Somewhere between 2019 and now, "wait 12 weeks" turned into a rule. It is not a rule. It never was.I have been in pelvic health for 26 plus years, and right now I am watching that number get handed around in Facebook groups, on social, a...
REWIND // "Cleared at 6 weeks" doesn't mean cleared to run — what the research actually says — DR. SHEFALI CHRISTOPHER
Shefali got hate mail.Not a snarky comment on a post. Emails. From other people who work with postpartum runners, coming at her over a single number in a consensus paper.The number was three. As in, after a minimum three week peri...
Do Hypopressives Lower Intra-Abdominal Pressure? Here's What the Research Says with Silvia Saraiva
This one is going to ruffle some feathers.Hypopressives. Low pressure fitness. Whatever your algorithm is calling them this week. The theory has been the same since 1984: you do the breath, you hold the posture, your intra-abdominal pres...
REWIND // You're Not Running Wrong: Running Myths Debunked | RICH WILLY, PT, PhD
Okay, so this one is a Summer Rewind, and I'll be honest with you, I went back and forth on which episodes to bring back. This one wasn't a hard call.The original aired in September 2022. I re-listened before we re-ran it and quite hones...
STILL A RUNNER, NOW A MASTERS HYROX ATHLETE, AND NOT SLOWING DOWN AT 55 | HILARY CAIRNS
Hilary Cairns races Hyrox at the pro weights, which means the farmer's carry is a pair of 53 pound kettlebells and she is essentially hauling her own body weight down the floor. She is the top ranked American in her age group. She also has thre...
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