Episode 414: Pre and Postnatal Training For Military Members, with Megan Donovan

Today’s episode is fun, because Jessie and Anita just get to talk business (one of our favorite subjects to discuss together)! We see a pressing need to diversify income streams, so we are discussing how we pivot in our businesses, our best advice after over a decade in business, and how we see our industries growing. Revenue is going to be a problem at some point in your business, so learning how to pivot and adjust is is important, now more than ever!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References 1:1 Mentorship for Physiotherapists with AnitaBirth Prep for Clinical Practice – Professional Online Course with AnitaHow to Structure a Partner Labour Prep Session in Clinic – Professional Workshop with AnitaJessie’s Coach Collective waitlist is open now!Show Notes 0:55 - Jessie’s 2026 Coach Collective waitlist is open NOW!2:52 - Jessie introduces what we are chatting about today3:44 - Anita and Jessie take turns giving us a high level overview of how their businesses make money9:58 - Jessie shares her biggest lesson from 13 years of entrepreneurship11:01 - The ladies divulge what their favorite part of their businesses are right now12:55 - Jessie gives the low down on all the different ways you could be working with folks, highlighting hybrid models17:25 - Jessie lists how people can engage with your services18:56 - Anita shares the importance of change in her work20:55 - Anita and Jessie talk through the ability to create more “passive” or on-demand-type income23:57 - Jessie strongly recommends how to offer mentorship in your business25:36 -Jessie brings the episode to a close

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Anita sits down with Bump to Birth Method graduate Claire Wolfer to talk all about her birth story - a positive birth experience via induction. Together, Claire and Anita discuss everything from how Claire chose her care team, to her full birth story and advice she would give listeners - as a mom AND a Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist. Birth stories are some of our most popular episodes for a reason - so this one is not to miss!Claire Wolfer is a first time mom and a Pelvic Health Occupational Therapist at Hartford Health Care - East Region in Waterford, Connecticut.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Anita’s Bump to Birth Method - on-demand!Resource: https://evidencebasedbirth.com/Show Notes 0:55 - Bump to Birth Method - Anita’s self-study program for birthing folks - is available now!2:40 - Anita introduces what we are chatting about today, and welcomes Claire Wolfer to the podcast4:36 - Claire recalls how she felt during pregnancy - physically, mentally, and emotionally - and what was going on that caused additional stress11:04 - Claire recounts how her care providers were during her pregnancy14:07 - Claire shares how she decided on her provider group16:52 - Claire lists the different steps she took to prepare for birth - including Bump to Birth!21:58 - Claire divulges what pieces in Bump to Birth that stood out to her that she took into her very first birth prep23:32 - Claire details her birth story and how she felt supported by her care providers32:33 - Claire describes what it was like spending time with her baby in the hospital just following birth34:37 - Claire shares what her recovery and postpartum experience was like37:23 - Claire identifies what recovery items and rehab-focused movements she recommends people have for their initial birth recovery 42:52 - Claire shares advice for expecting parents46:33 - Anita brings the episode to a close

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Jessie sits down with PFSA graduate Megan Donovan to talk all about her work training pre- and postnatal for military members. Megan shares how she got into this work, what considerations she makes working with military parents, and what makes her so passionate in her pursuit of this work. Together, Jessie and Megan discuss the state of conversation around body image, as well as general pelvic health for all military members.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy OPEN NOW - Save $500 Until October 16thPre/postnatal military programming detailsEmail Megan: [email protected] Notes 0:55 - Enrolment is open for Jessie’s Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Academy!2:27 - Jessie introduces what we are chatting about today and welcomes Megan Donovan to the podcast3:21 - Megan describes what she does and how she got into this work10:58 - Megan shares her top goal to create a safe community for military women to come to and be in12:51 - Megan identifies what women in the military are struggling with when it comes to body, work, life, etc14:48 - Megan details what the robust CFMWS pre and postnatal programming looks like16:51 - Megan describes how her work with pregnant military members is specific to them in her coaching and training20:15 - Jessie gets curious and asks: Are there fitness requirements that pregnant military members need to sustain throughout a pregnancy?24:06 - Jessie takes a pause to recognize what Megan and her team have built!25:16 - Megan and Jessie talk maternity leave and postpartum clearance in the military27:40 - Jessie and Megan discuss the conversation around body image and the pressures these folks are feeling postpartum to “bounce back”34:42 - Megan shares what the state of the conversation around pelvic health is in the military among men and nonbinary folks36:49 - Megan shares what she wishes fitness/health professionals working with military members knew about working with pregnant and postpartum populations39:08 - Jessie brings the episode to a close

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Anita answers the question that might be on your mind as a physiotherapist: do I need to have given birth to work with pregnant and postpartum populations? Tune in to hear Anita discuss why she started to work with the perinatal population prior to having her own kids (it IS possible!), advice she received(and mindset shifts she made), and why she is grateful to have niched down as she did!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Anita’s course: Birth Prep for Clinical PracticeEpisode 411: Thinking About Adding Pelvic Floor Health as an Ortho Physiotherapist? I’ll Help You DecideFor information about mentorship coaching calls with Anita – email [email protected] or DM @holistichealthphysio on InstagramShow Notes 0:55 - Anita shares what she is talking about today, and offers a bit of a reframe of perspective as we enter the conversation3:05 - Anita explains what her focus was prior to pelvic health, and how she pivoted to a perinatal focus7:24 - Anita dives into client goals and their overlaps in other areas of focus/niches9:22 - Anita shares two things that will help your confidence and competency in perinatal work if you haven’t personally given birth11:08 - If you are thinking of diving into perinatal care, Anita shares about her Birth Prep for Clinical Practice course14:02 - Regardless of what clients come to you for, Anita shares that they are ACTUALLY coming to you for…16:46 - Anita urges us to focus on the positives, and what clients CAN do18:30 - Anita suggest what to do if you are considering working with the perinatal population, and why she is so passionate about working with them!21:52 - Anita brings the episode to a close

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Jessie’s answering another round of listener questions - this time, all about coaching pregnant and postpartum clients. This one is for the coaches, fitness professionals, health practitioners who are seeking answers about exercise and pelvic floor health. If you’re working with pregnant or postpartum people - or anyone with a pelvic floor - just know that these situations ARE going to come up, so this episode is for you!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Jessie’s free, live, online 3 Step System to Stop Exercise-Induced Leaking with your Pregnant or Postpartum ClientsShow Notes 0:55 - Jessie is teaching a free, live, online class on October 8th - and you’re invited!2:24 - Jessie introduces us to today’s topic!3:00 - Question 1: I have a client who is 20 weeks pregnant and wants to continue CrossFit. How do I know which movements to modify or scale, and at what point should certain exercises be completely off the table?5:51 - Question 2: I’m a personal trainer without pelvic floor specialization. When should I refer a pregnant or postpartum client to a pelvic floor physiotherapist, and how do I have that conversation without having them feel scared about what’s happening in their body?9:55 - Question 3: I have a client who is 8 months postpartum and wants to get back to running, but she is still experiencing some leaking. What’s my scope of practice here, and what return to running progressions are actually evidence-based?13:42 - Question 4: How do I coach breathing and core engagement differently for pregnant clients vs. postpartum clients?16:56 - Question 5: I’ve got a client with severe diastasis recti (about 3 fingers wide). What does the current evidence say about training with diastasis?21:02 - Jessie wraps up the episode

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Anita is speaking directly to you, physiotherapists (!!). She addresses a question she receives frequently from her mentorship coaching clients, as well as in her Instagram DMs: Should i add pelvic health physiotherapy to my orthopedic physiotherapy practice? Today, we are breaking down the choices, pros and cons.If you’ve ever been thinking about creating a more dynamic practice? This episode might just be for you!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References For information about mentorship coaching calls with Anita – email [email protected] or DM @holistichealthphysioBirth Prep for Clinical Practice - Oct 2025Birth Prep for Clinical Practice for after Oct 2025 – search Birth Prep for Clinical Practice on course websiteNon-Internal Introductory Pelvic Health Course - Pelvic Health Solutions: OnlineShow Notes 0:55 - Anita introduces us to today’s topic1:46 - You don’t have to choose between pelvic health and orthopedic!2:15 - Anita shares her story, back when she had this particular question for herself!9:23 - Physiotherapists have so many areas they could go into!10:50 - An argument for mentorship11:48 - A question to ask yourself: What drew you to the idea of adding pelvic health in the first place?12:57 - Anita goes through some considerations around adding pelvic health specialization18:54 - Anita reassures you that you don’t have to ditch your MSK or your ortho (and you can treat whole body)26:34 - We hope this serves as a nudge to look into pelvic health!28:49 - Anita wraps up the episode

In today’s episode of To Birth and Beyond, Jessie is answering YOUR listener questions all about exercise and the pelvic floor! Spanning from pregnancy to postpartum to perimenopause, you should find something that fits where you are at right now. And if you are a coach, fitness professional, or health practitioner? We might have some of the answers your clients are looking for!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Show Notes 0:55 - Jessie tells us what we are up to on the podcast today!1:30 - Question #1: What exercises are safe and helpful in my third trimester as someone who lifted prior to being pregnant? Can I still do squats and deadlifts?5:00 - Question #2: I think I might have a pelvic organ prolapse. What should I do?12:30 - Question #3: I’m 8 months postpartum and am still leaking urine when I laugh, cough, or exercise. My doctor said to check back in in 3 months of it’s still happening. Should I wait it out, or start doing something now?15:28 - Question #4: I’m in perimenopause and my joints ache constantly. Is this hormone related, and what exercises can help?17:19 - Question #5: During pregnancy, I stop lifting weights. When and how can I safely return to strength training postpartum?20:24 - Episode wrap up!

Did you know that birth stories are one of the most requested subjects for To Birth and Beyond? In today’s episode, Anita talks with Katelyn, a dental hygienist, all about preparing for her first birth, and her positive, unmedicated birth experience that unfolded! Katelyn shares plenty of advice along the way!- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References Anita’s Bump to Birth Method self-paced courseShow Notes 0:55 - Anita’s Bump to Birth Method self-paced course2:38 - Anita introduces today’s episode and special guest!4:19 - Katelyn shares a little more about herself5:31 - Mentally, physically, emotionally…how was Katelyn’s pregnancy?7:17 - What stories around pregnancy did Katelyn hear from family and friends?7:58 - How Katelyn found Anita - her pelvic health physiotherapist9:01 - In terms of exercise and activity, what did Katelyn find helpful and enjoy?10:38 - How were aches and pains throughout Katelyn’s pregnancy?11:37 - How did Katelyn prepare for birth?13:02 - How did her preparations play a role in her birth?15:51 - How did Katelyn’s husband prepare?17:17 - Going over birthing options - and getting excited to give birth19:17 - Did Katelyn listen to a variety of birth stories throughout her pregnancy?21:20 - How Katelyn chose her type of care provider and where she gave birth23:44 - Katelyn describes the birth center she chose24:56 - Finn’s birth experience!36:21 - Katelyn shares her experience with her doula38:11 - Katelyn shares about her postpartum recovery40:34 - What advice would Katelyn give first time birthing people?41:41 - Wrap up!

In today’s episode, Anita talks about something that she goes through with her prenatal physio clients as well as her students in Bump to Birth: PRACTICING! Looking for tips and strategies for labor, pushing, and support (for partner/birthing support persons)? Now you will have them! Even if your birthing experience takes twists and turns, you will be informed and feel confident in asking questions to navigate those situations for a positive birth experience.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Resources and References TBAB Episode 248: Preparing for an Unmedicated Birth – Katelyn’s Birth StoryTBAB Episode 104: Birth Stories and Preparing for Labour with Jen KuenzelBump to Birth Method on-demand courseFREE Prenatal Pelvic Floor GuideShow Notes 0:55 - Bump to Birth on-demand course2:47 - Anita introduces today’s episode4:15 - What we are talking about today!7:40 - Why it’s important to discover and consider multiple options and resources!9:57 - Practice #1: Hands on strategies (with partner)12:20 - Practice #2: Deep breathing strategies14:28 - Practice #3: Things to listen to for focus during labour19:42 - Practice #4: Asking questions in prenatal appointments prior to the end of pregnancy24:15 - Episode wrap up!

In this episode of the To Birth and Beyond podcast, Anita and Jessie talk belly band support garments: the myths, the expectations, and how they could benefit you postpartum.- - - - - - - - -If you liked this episode of To Birth and Beyond, tell your friends! Find us on iTunes and Spotify to rate/review/subscribe to the show.Want more? Visit www.ToBirthAndBeyond.com, join our Facebook group (To Birth and Beyond Podcast), and follow us on Instagram @tobirthandbeyondpodcast! Thanks for listening and joining the conversation!Show Notes 0:55 - What we are talking about today!1:47 - What we have heard from our clients regarding wearing abdominal support to help “pull abs back together” or “get waist back”3:06 - Where did this idea of abdominal wrapping come from?6:55 - Why are we thinking we need to bring our abs “back together”, anyways?8:29 - How abdominal support - as well as how we talk about it - has changed13:57 - On listening to yourself and what is working for you at any given moment15:59 - Picturing your abdomen/core canister, and what you want to be looking for in support, or a support garment16:41 - Anita’s brand recommendations for wraps and other abdominal support garments27:52 - How abdominal support could help with mental health29:33 - Wrap up