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
Olympic Trials Qualifier 4 Months Postpartum: Racing Back After Baby #3 — with Carter Norbo
In this episode, we welcome back Carter Norbo—home health physical therapist, lifelong runner, and mom to two-year-old twins and a five-month-old baby.
After narrowly missing qualification for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2024 following the birth of her twins, Carter returned to racing postpartum and is now officially qualified for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials—just months after welcoming her third baby.
Balancing full-time work, elite-level marathon training, and life with three kids under three, Carter shares what returning to high-level competition after pregnancy actually looks like. This is an honest conversation about postpartum recovery, training through pregnancy, fueling, strength work, and learning when less is more.
We talk about:
- How her mindset around training during pregnancy has evolved
- Qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials postpartum
- The realities and logistics of training as a twin mom
- The role of strength training during pregnancy and after birth
- Learning to be flexible when life (and recovery) demand it
- Fueling appropriately for long runs while breastfeeding and postpartum
- Why more training is not always better—especially after pregnancy
This episode is a must-listen for runners navigating pregnancy, postpartum return to running, or anyone curious about what it really takes to train at a high level while raising a family—without burning out or breaking down.
Time Stamps
1:00 Introduction
2:29 going for another Olympic Trials qualification
9:23 race day experience
15:25 lessons from being a mom
18:12 differences between pregnancies
21:10 advice for her previous self
27:03 plans for the future
30:19 the Rabbit Chase Team
37:35 Lever system for treadmill
42:45 fueling and hydrating for running
47:18 rapid fire questions
CONNECT WITH CARRIE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/
Website: https://carriepagliano.com
CONNECT WITH CARTER:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnorbo/
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!!!!)