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Functionally Speaking
Welcome to Functionally Speaking— the podcast where two clinicians share one brain cell and way too many opinions.
We’re here for the nuance, the hot takes, the facts your certification skipped over, and the occasional spiral into chaos. If you’re a health coach, practitioner, or clinician who’s slightly functional (just like our mitochondria and our recording process), you’re in the right place.
We’re not here to sugarcoat the science or pretend there’s one right way to do this work — we’re doing it our way. Unfiltered. Slightly feral. And always with love for the humans we serve.
Let’s get into it.
Functionally Speaking
13. Postpartum Fitness: Why the Bounce-Back Culture Misses the Point
Are postpartum workouts empowering or just another pressure on moms to “bounce back”?
In this episode of the Functionally Speaking podcast, we’re diving deep into postpartum fitness culture—and calling out the unrealistic, unhelpful, and often harmful messaging that’s flooding social media. From snapback culture to sleep deprivation, mineral depletion, and the mental load of motherhood, we explore why pushing women into high-intensity training just weeks after giving birth is not just misguided—it’s dangerous.
Whether you’re a practitioner, a mom, or both, this conversation offers validation, education, and a whole lot of real talk.
In this episode, we cover:
- 02:43 The harsh reality of postpartum recovery (even with “healthy” pregnancies)
- 05:29 How clinicians can better support postpartum women
- 09:51 Why sleep and recovery must be non-negotiables
- 14:24 Depletion during pregnancy: what most women don’t know
- 17:58 Exercise and body image struggles postpartum
- 19:16 Therapy, identity, and realistic expectations
- 23:25 The role of support systems in healing
- 27:47 What real postpartum fitness can look like
- 30:18 Practical, compassionate advice for postpartum movement
Links and resources:
- Brianna Battles: https://www.instagram.com/brianna.battles/
- MamasteFit: https://www.instagram.com/mamastefit/
- Expecting and Empowered: https://www.instagram.com/expectingandempowered/
- Nourish Move Love: https://www.instagram.com/nourishmovelove/
Connect with Unconventional Collaborative:
Join Us: https://unconventional-collaborative.mn.co/
Website: unconventionalcollaborative.com
Instagram: instagram.com/unconventional.collaborative
Connect with Laura Ligos:
Website: https://thesassydietitian.com
Instagram: instagram.com/thesassydietitian
Connect with Danielle Kepics:
Website: https://www.empoweredmindbody.co
Instagram: instagram.com/danielle.kepics
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast.
This podcast does not create a doctor-patient, provider-client, or supervisory relationship between you and any of the hosts or contributors.
Unconventional Collaborative and its contributors assume no responsibility or liability for any outcomes resulting from the use or misuse of the information provided in this podcast.
