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
Prolapse, Pelvic Floor & Postpartum Mental Health: What Every Mom Should Know — with DR. KIMBERLEY JOHNSON
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🚨 She’s back! We’re thrilled to welcome the incredible *Dr. Kimberley Johnson, PhD*, aka @wildmatrescence, back to the show for our Season 3 Finale! 🎉✨
Kimberley is a psychologist specializing in perinatal and reproductive health concerns, including:
🌟 Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
🌟 Perinatal trauma & loss
🌟 Pelvic floor conditions
🌟 Infertility
🌟 Reproductive transitions
In Episode 14 (May 2022), she shared her journey navigating postpartum prolapse & a pelvic floor avulsion injury as a pro cyclist & PhD student. And now? SO much has changed! 💪
This episode dives into:
➡️ Kimberley’s growing family (hello, 2 kids! 👶👦)
➡️ Juggling pregnancy, parenting, & professional growth
➡️ Moving TWICE & staying active with a toddler & kindergartener 🚴♀️🎿
We also get into her groundbreaking research on childbirth-related pelvic floor injuries, mental health, & improving patient-provider communication during pregnancy and postpartum.
And, of course, Kimberley opens up about her adventures as a mom—mountain biking, hiking, camping, & (hopefully) Nordic skiing her way through New England with her family! 🏔️
✨ Topics we cover:
✅ Birth injuries & recovery
✅ Deciding to have another child after prolapse
✅ Staying active with kids
✅ Pessaries & prolapse treatment
✅ Medical gaslighting & finding the right provider
✅ Prolapse grading, education, & informed consent
This episode is packed with valuable insights for moms, providers, & anyone passionate about perinatal health. 🎧 Take a listen now & join the conversation!
💡 Tag a friend who needs this!
Time Stamps
1:00 introduction
5:11 getting pregnant after prolapse
11:20 treating birth injuries
17:45 pain as physical, mental, and emotional
24:17 where people are finding information
33:10 exploring what is “normal”
36:55 dealing with compulsions
43:50 anatomical versus symptomatic prolapse
47:10 was it there before birth?
54:45 how providers can support in mental health
65:05 how to find a mental health provider
67:05 developing pelvic health literacy
72:10 rapid fire questions
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH KIMBERLY
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildmatrescence/
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!!!!)