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
KRISTAL LAU- Postpartum Rest
Today I speak with Dr. Kristal Lau, a Physician-turned-Postpartum Wellness Consultant and the author of 'Postpartum 30'. She brings over 10 years of collective experience in clinical medicine, scientific research, and public health along with her personal experiences of navigating postpartum and motherhood as a mom of 2, an Asian expat in the West, and a U.S. military spouse. Dr. Lau delivers insights and actionable strategies for postpartum wellness, including balancing traditions and cultural practices with modern postpartum care.
Kristal shares her experience with her first confinement practice, and how it lead her to finding ways to respectfully modernize this postpartum practice that is sacred to her culture while incorporating her medical background.
We talk about:
-confinement in Asian cultures
-massage as part of postpartum care
-herbs in pregnancy and postpartum
-Traditional Chinese Medicine
-exclusions of birth partner
-confinement centers in Asia
-roll of family in postpartum
-struggles with postpartum depression
-life of a military family
Time Stamps
1:00 introduction
2:20 postpartum period in Malaysia
8:03 trusting pregnant moms
12:38 living in Alabama
17:50 Traditional Chinese Medicine and postpartum recommendations
21:00 what happens after second child
26:45 transitioning out of confinement period
30:19 parental leave & supporting moms
39:40 military moms and families
44:50 rapid fire questions
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH KRISTAL
IG: https://www.instagram.com/mamaswingwoman
Website: https://mamaswingwoman.com/
'Tea Time with Kristal' package. Get 20 euros off the package price with the coupon code "mwwcarrie".
Get this intimate meet the author experience bundle where you'll receive a signed hardcover copy of Kristal's book (plus the e-book as a bonus!) and chat with Kristal about anything you desire, especially about postpartum and motherhood.
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!!!!)