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
Running After a Complicated Postpartum: Rebuilding Strength & Confidence — with AMY LEEDHAM (@amythepunisher)
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What if your postpartum wasn't the picture of straight-forward perfection?
Today, we welcome back Amy Leedham, aka @amy_the_punisher former pro trail runner, a sustainability consultant, who recently welcomed her 2nd child!
Amy joined us in Season 1 to talk about “The Postpartum Experience No One Wants to Read About but Should,” a piece she wrote in 2021 after the birth of her 1st child, highlighting the physical complications she faced attempting to return to trail running & activity.
We chat about the real challenges of pregnancy & postpartum recovery.
For over 5 years, Amy’s journey with two pregnancies & her return to running has been filled with ups, downs, & unexpected lessons.
Her story shows a very different side of postpartum recovery, far from the idealized images we often see.
We cover:
🔹Doing everything "right" yet still facing complications
🔹Recovering from post-birth injuries
🔹Building a supportive postpartum team
🔹Adding strength training to recovery
🔹Navigating shifts in identity as a mom
🔹Prioritizing rest & recovery
🔹Finding time for yourself
🔹Using vaginal estradiol while breastfeeding
🔹Balancing childcare and active time with kids
Amy’s story is a must-hear for anyone navigating their own postpartum journey & looking for encouragement & real, practical insights.
Time Stamps
1:00 introduction
3:36 journey to returning to run
10:11 navigating a second pregnancy
15:40 being open about her experience
22:39 second pregnancy differences
30:45 getting care postpartum
42:55 postpartum during covid times versus “normal” times
51:50 layers of a mom’s experience
57:57 rapid fire questions
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH AMY
IG: https://www.instagram.com/amy_the_punisher/
Website: www.amythepunisher.com
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!!!!)