Post update on 11/22/23: The original video is no long available but you can still listen to the interview following this link. Enjoy!

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I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Physician and CrossFit Games athlete, Julie Foucher, to discuss the unique needs of female athletes before, during and after pregnancy. Have a listen to the Pursuing Health Podcast and let me know what you think!

In this episode we discuss:

Julie’s athletic background and what led her to become a physical therapist
What factors influenced her to focus on Women’s Health
The consequences that can result from exercising with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
The anatomy of the pelvic floor, and how it is affected by pregnancy
How the pelvic floor operates as part of a system, and how it can increase athletic performance
What are some of symptoms and signals female athletes and coaches can look for
Pelvic floor dysfunction in men and women who’ve never had children
Why we need to stop focusing on abs and have a balanced approach
The need for pelvic floor function to become part of our normal conversation, especially with youth
Common pre-pregnancy mistakes, and ways to prepare the pelvic floor for pregnancy
Guidelines pregnant female athletes can use to approach exercise to maximize their chances of a full pelvic floor recovery
How important it is to set yourself up for a long-term life of fitness
An overview of diastasis recti, and why knowledge about it is important
How most people have a diastasis, and this is normal and natural
How to monitor for diastasis recti
Techniques athletes can use to kick up tension in their fascia and prevent abdominal separation
How she advises women to increase their activity and return to fitness post-partum
When a person should seek a practitioner for help
The value of consulting with a pelvic physical therapist post-partum
The value of understanding how form impacts pelvic health considerations
Her goal that professionals understand how important it is to look at musculoskeletal health, performance health, and pelvic health as a unit that works together
Three things she does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
One thing she struggles to implement that could have a big impact on her health
What a healthy life looks like to her

You can learn more about Julie and her programs on her website, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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