Trying to conceive while training hard can feel like you’re being asked to choose between your identity and your goals. We go straight at the myth that vigorous exercise is the enemy of fertility and show where the real culprit often hides: low energy availability that disrupts hormones and stalls ovulation. Through clear explanations and practical examples, we map the J-shaped curve between activity and conception, highlight the gaps in vigorous-intensity research, and explain why fueling—not fewer workouts—frequently makes the difference.

We start with cycle literacy: how to confirm you’re actually ovulating, why 28 days is only an average, and what to do when your calendar method isn’t enough. From there, we dig into medical causes of irregular cycles like PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids, and we broaden the lens to include male fertility—reminding you that 30 to 50 percent of fertility challenges involve male factors, with sperm quality changing over about 12 weeks. On the lifestyle side, we connect exercise, sleep, stress regulation, and the Mediterranean diet to insulin sensitivity and lower inflammation, setting a stronger foundation for conception.

The heart of the conversation focuses on REDs and underfueling in high-volume training. We unpack how low energy availability blunts estrogen, prevents the LH surge, and leads to anovulatory cycles, then share why a nutrition-first strategy should precede cutting workouts. The Refuel study offers encouraging evidence: maintaining training while increasing intake helped restore cycles, with realistic expectations around a modest weight gain and a recovery timeline that lengthens the longer a cycle has been absent. We close with guidance you can use today—loop in a sports-savvy registered dietitian, protect your sleep, build stress tools before you’re overwhelmed, and treat your menstrual cycle as actionable data.

If this conversation helps, follow the show, share it with a friend who trains, and leave a review so more active women can find evidence-based fertility support. Your body can be strong, well-fed, and ready to conceive—let’s get you there together.

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You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

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Leaks under a heavy deadlift, pressure during a ruck, or a sudden urge mid-sprint can derail training—and confidence. We go straight at the myths and mechanics behind pelvic floor symptoms in athletes and service members, unpacking how high load, high speed, and high fatigue interact with hormones, recovery, and technique. Christina Prebbitt, pelvic floor physical therapist and researcher, shares a candid journey from national-level weightlifter to clinician advocating for stronger, smarter training through pregnancy and postpartum.

We break down the pelvic floor’s role in continence, sexual function, and trunk stability, then connect it to real-world demands: impact landings, belts and bracing, long days with limited sanitation, heavy kits, and sleep debt. You’ll learn the difference between weakness, poor coordination, and high tone—and why each needs a different plan. Expect clear cues for bracing without bearing down, practical positions to reduce tension, and evidence-backed strategies to raise thresholds without pushing through symptoms. We also confront stigma and silence, outlining simple referral questions and a trauma-informed lens that respects lived experiences across the force.

On pregnancy and postpartum, we replace fear-based rules with individualized progressions. New research on women who kept lifting heavy shows lower complication rates and no “exercise triggers labor” effect, while Canada’s new postpartum guidelines endorse early return to activity based on symptoms and goals. Translation: no more blanket bans—coach mechanics, watch thresholds, and build capacity. If moderate to vigorous training flares leaks or pressure, get a pelvic PT screen; otherwise, movement is medicine for body and mood.

Subscribe for science you can use, share this with a teammate or coach who needs better cues, and leave a review with the one training change you’ll make this week.

___________________________________________________________________________
Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter

You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here!

The New Year avalanche of challenges and “perfect morning routines” can feel brutal when you’re sleep-deprived, healing, and parenting on a hair trigger. We take a kinder path for pregnant and postpartum athletes and active moms: small, repeatable wins that respect your season while still building real momentum.

I share the mindset shifts that changed everything for me and for the moms I treat: why the 60-minute rule is a myth, how to turn exercise snacks into a powerful training tool, and simple ways to stack habits onto the rhythms you already have. You’ll learn zero-equipment Tabata ideas, mobility flows you can do on the floor next to your baby, and clever strategies for moving with your kids—stroller walks as resisted walking, park bench strength, and kid-friendly videos that turn chaos into connection.

We also protect the brain. Five minutes before bed to downshift beats doom-scrolling every time, so we explore practical boundaries for social media and quick mindfulness swaps that improve sleep and patience the next day. Throughout, we keep comparison in check and honor the reality of seasons: training with little kids won’t be optimal, but it can be consistent, confidence-building, and enough to move you forward.

If you’re ready to trade all-or-nothing for steady progress, try the “Mom 75” approach: two five-minute checkmarks—one for body, one for mind—most days. Then add more when life allows. Subscribe for more evidence-informed guidance, share this with a mom who needs a gentle reset, and tell us: what’s your five-minute win this week?

___________________________________________________________________________
Don't miss out on any of the TEA coming out of the Barbell Mamas by subscribing to our newsletter

You can also follow us on Instagram and YouTube for all the up-to-date information you need about pelvic health and female athletes.

Interested in our programs? Check us out here!