Let’s get political folks! As mental health overall has gotten more attention in the media over the last 4 years, so has the very important topic of PMADs, or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. After the latest CDC findings on the alarming maternal mortality rate, many facets of government are starting to pay attention to mothers and birthing individuals and the toll that pregnancy and child-rearing can take on their mental health.

Today, we have a returning guest on the show, Paige Bellenbaum, LCSW. Paige is the Founding Director and Chief External Relations Officer at The Motherhood Center of New York. She discusses the baby steps that are being taken to protect and elevate mothers in NY and America at large, although she points out that it is just a drop in the ocean of change that is required to truly support mothers in this country. She touches on some new research and statistics that have shockingly helped change the narrative on maternal support. We discuss the highly divisive and high-tension topics surrounding motherhood and child care in America during a very heated election year. 

For 20 years, Paige worked in the non-profit sector, holding senior leadership positions at Hamilton Family Center Homeless Shelter, The Partnership for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, and Settlement Housing Fund. She has worked in the field of public policy, advocacy, community organizing and direct practice with disadvantaged communities including homeless families and incarcerated young adults and has held several appointed and elected political positions including the District Leader of Brooklyn’s 52nd Assembly District.

After her first child was born, Paige suffered from severe postpartum depression and anxiety that nearly ended her life. However, once she began to heal, she became committed to fighting for PMAD education, screening, and treatment so that no more women would have to suffer silently. She drafted legislation in New York State championed by State Senator Liz Krueger, mandating hospitals to provide education on PMADs and strongly encouraging screening of all new and expecting mothers. This bill was signed into law in 2014. She has continued to be an outspoken maternal mental health advocate and clinician and uses her story as a tool for change.

Paige works closely with multiple New York City agencies on maternal mental health best practice and policy, including the NYPD, DOHMH’s Maternal Hospital Quality Improvement Network, and the Nurse Family Partnership, and the Administration for Children’s Services.  She was a member of the NYC Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee and currently sits on the NYS Maternal Mental Health Working Group. She has appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, NPR, PBS Newshour, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal.

Connect with her at:

themotherhoodcenter.com

Pain is real whether it is felt immediately after a traumatic event or in the absence of apparent tissue damage on imaging. We now know through pain neuroscience research and understanding the biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain that patients’ perceived experiences of pain are unique to them and are entirely valid. 

On the show today, we have Dr. Neel Mehta, MD. He is the Division Chief of the Weill Cornell Pain Management Center and an Associate Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medical College. He also leads research on Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).

We chat about the uses, benefits, and side effects of LDN and how it can be used with patients with hypermobility, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, and more. Dr. Mehta discusses how little research has been done on the drug and how he hopes to delve deeper into it to maximize patient outcomes. 

Dr. Mehta also serves as a Co-Director of Och Spine at Weill Cornell Medicine.  He is the Immediate-Past President of the Eastern Pain Association and Secretary of the New York Society of Interventional Pain Physicians. Dr. Mehta completed his fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine in the Tri-Institutional Pain Medicine Fellowship at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. 

Connect with him and his team:

646-962-7246

weillcornell.org/services/pain-management

@wcmpain

Sometimes the best health practitioners are those that ended up in their field almost out of chance. Today Jeremy Quinby, a craniosacral therapist, chats with us on his interesting journey into integrative health. 

We talk about how manual therapy and movement are key to improving health and the importance of trauma-informed care. He focuses on pediatrics and how he uses his modalities to help children of all ages improve their development. Jeremy dives into the way he listens to his patients and uses his presence to create a space of healing.  

Jeremy Quinby, is the host of Highway to Health Podcast. For more than 25 years, he’s helped improve the health of individuals, families and communities he’s served. He is at the intersection of manual therapies, mental health support, orthopedics, functional movement, pain management, and newborn and pediatric care. He has become known for his ability to build bridges between many fields of care. He is also involved in numerous health-tech and community health projects aimed at improving care coordination and quality referrals. 

With private practices in New York and Minneapolis, his goal is to continue to educate and improve the dialogue about a more integrative approach to care and the development of actionable ways we can improve our state of being. 

Connect with him:

www.jeremyquinbycst.com

www.highwayto.health

You might think that a concussion is just a hit to the head. But it is so much more than that. Doug King, an Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Specialist in New Zealand, has actively studied concussions for years. He discusses what a concussion is and how you don’t need to be hit in the head to have a concussion. He emphasizes how concussions impact athletes in games like rugby and American football and the need for more research on how concussions impact female athletes as well. Doug reveals some of the most common symptoms he sees, some of which start 2-3 days later. Often, athletes are put back on the field and the concussions go under-diagnosed. However, this is extremely detrimental to the athlete’s health as there are several long lasting effects that can even lead to death.

Having served in the Royal New Zealand Navy and the New Zealand Army Nursing corps, Doug retired as a Captain and was awarded the NZOSM, NZGSM(IO) and NZDSM(R) for his service time. Since leaving the military, Doug has dedicated towards advancing himself academically having completed Post Graduate studies in resuscitation and sports medicine as well as two Doctor of Philosophy degrees on Sports Injury Epidemiology and Head impact Biomechanics and Sports Related Concussion. Doug has just submitted his third PhD on women’s rugby union sports injuries and concussion management in women. Doug utilises this research within his primary employment in the Emergency Department enabling this to be implemented on a variety of patients presenting from sports injuries through to domestic violence, child abuse and falls. Doug has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers and is consulted from a variety of agencies on concussion related aspects.

On this week’s episode, I had a lively conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Kavaler, a urologist and urogynecologist, on the bladder! This was one of the most fun chats I’ve had regarding pelvic health. She talks about the similarities and differences between urology, gynecology, and urogynecology. Then she goes on to bust myths on bladder health, explaining why each of the points below are NOT true!

1. Drink a lot of water to maintain bladder and kidney health
2. Incontinence is an inevitable part of aging
3. Water helps you lose weight
4. Urine should be clear, not yellow. 
5. Vaginal deliveries are bad for the pelvic floor. C sections are safer.
6. UTIs come from toilet seats and swimming pools.
7. Cranberry juice and pills prevent  urinary tract infections
8. You have to urinate as soon as you get the urge or you will get a uti
9. Hormone replacement therapy is good for bladder and vaginal problems in menopausal women.
10. Women loose interest in sex as they get older.
11. We all wish that we were men because they don’t have these issues. 

Dr. Kavaler is the Medical Director of Total Urology Care of NY and is double board certified in both Urology (men and women) and Uro-Gynecology. Arguably the most recognized and consulted female urologist in New York City, she modestly accepts several Top Doctor awards each year. She is the author of, A Seat on the Aisle, Please! The essential guide to urinary tract problems including urinary tract infections, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, interstitial cystitis, and menopause. 

Connect with her practice at www.totalurologycare.com

Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, there are some basic considerations that will help you optimize your performance on the field or court. This involves more than just training and practicing. In this episode, we have a very special guest, Basu Shanker, the former strength and conditioning coach for the national cricket team of India. He has worked with elite athletes like Virat Kohli to help them take a full-body approach to enhancing performance and wellbeing. Basu talks about how competing in sports helps you learn how to lose in life and still get up to try again. He explains the role of a strength and conditioning coach and how appropriately balancing sleep, nutrition, and supplements can propel someone beyond their current physical limits.

Basu is the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of Royal challengers, the Founder of Primal Patterns, and Former Head Strength and Conditioning Coach of Team India. Check his work out at www.primalpatterns.com and follow him @basushanker.

You think of “physical therapy” and the words itself indicate that PTs must “physically” treat patients. When it isn’t safe to make direct contact due to COVID-19, what happens then? Dr. Rami Said, the Director of the Columbia University Physical Therapy Faculty Practice & Instructor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University, joins us today to discuss the shift that took place within PT academics and his clinical practice.

When New York City shut down in March 2020, PT graduate schools like Columbia University were deeply affected. Students and faculty had to reshape their entire curriculum to optimize learning in the safest way possible. Clinics still needed to treat their patients without compromising their care. Dr. Said dives into the steps his clinical facility and academic department took to overcome these challenges. He emphasizes that telehealth and virtual platforms surprisingly work very well and have given rise to a whole new future within academics and healthcare.

As a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Dr. Said specializes in delivering individualized physical therapy treatment to patients of all ages with a wide range of musculoskeletal, sports, and spine injuries in order to maximize function, improve quality of life, and restore the participation of recreational, functional, or professional activities. As an Instructor of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine for the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy, he participates in the instruction of Gross Anatomy, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Orthopedics, and Sports Rehabilitation. His areas of interests include creating a movement-based injury risk profile for athletes of different sports, the utilization of technology to assess biomechanical forces and stress applied to the body during therapeutic exercise, and the delivery of physical therapy education.

Book an appointment with Dr. Said at Columbia University’s Faculty Practice Website.

Right from a physician’s mouth to your ears, join us today to learn more about our bodies and how we can optimize the quality of our lives. Dr. Edward Goldberg, a NYC-based concierge physician with a speciality in internal medicine and gastroenterology, chats with us on a variety of topics regarding overall wellness and preventing morbidity & mortality from some of the most common conditions. 

After working with a wide variety of people in the diverse city of New York, Dr. Goldberg provides us insights on why so many people complain to him about low energy and fatigue. He discusses complications one might experience from self-medicating with over-the-counter medications regularly, what to expect in a good doctor’s visit, the importance of a primary care provider, and more. He breaks down the reversible risk factors for heart disease and what everyone should know about cancer screening to detect and treat early on. He rounds off the show with his experience working during the COVID-19 pandemic in NYC and some of his top tips that everyone can follow. 

Connect with him at www.conciergemdny.com

What does your mouth have to do with your anxiety, sleep quality, food cravings, and cardiovascular disease? Everything! When you tune in to this episode, you will begin to think about your overall health in a way you have never thought before. Dr. Michael Gelb, DDS, MS joins us today with a vibrant evidence-based conversation on airway management and how dysfunctional breathing during sleep can lead to various other issues in our bodies.

He explains how expanding our airways does more than just rid us of pesky headaches, but also improves our mental health, our micro-biome, cardiopulmonary system, and more. He discusses the importance of breastfeeding and introducing solid foods at an early age to help infants naturally improve the width of their airways. This directly improves oxygen saturation and prefrontal cortex development in their brains. Dr. Gelb dives deep into the various types of airway disorders and treatments that he offers through The Gelb Center for children and adults, where he helps hundreds of patients every year.

Dr. Gelb is a world-renowned TMJ and Sleep Specialist with practices in both New York City and White Plains. Dr. Gelb is the co-author of GASP: Airway Health- The Hidden Path to Wellness, and the co-founder of both The Foundation for Airway Health and The American Academy of Physiological Medicine and Dentistry. The Gelb Center was founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Michael Gelb’s father, Dr. Harold Gelb. Since then, Dr. Michael has taken his father’s findings to the next level through his Airway Centric® integrated therapy. He invented the ACG™ Airway Centric® System with the help of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies. The ACG System is the first day and night dental appliance solution that offers an integrated approach to addressing airway issues.

Visit www.gelbcenter.com to book an appointment with Dr. Gelb and start your journey to better health today!

Books referenced in the show:

“Gasp: Airway Health: The Hidden Path to Wellness” : by Howard Hindin and Michael Gelb

“Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art” : by James Nestor

 We go to the doctor for our physical health and our mental health, but what about our BRAIN health? The brain regulates everything in our bodies and the way our mind functions. Dr. Teralyn Sell is a Psychotherapist & Brain Health Expert who chats with us today on the problem in our world with over-medication and negative beliefs that don’t help us thrive.

She discusses how amino acids affect serotonin and dopamine, how exercise and mindset can tackle our stress, and how women tend to be affected disproportionately more than men. She speaks of the controversy in saying that 2020 was not so terrible and encourages everyone to take the good from even the worst of situations. She talks about how medication changes the architecture of our brains and overmedicating women with postpartum depression or children with ADHD needs to be taken seriously.  

Dr. Sell is the co-creator of the world’s first and only mental health and addiction recovery supplement line, Pro Recovery Rx. For over 20 years, Dr. Teralyn has helped career-driven women overwhelmed by anxiety and panic attacks eliminate their symptoms and get off of medication completely using natural approaches that balances brain chemistry while permanently changing behavior. Dr. Teralyn is NOT a believer in throwing a prescription at the problem – which seems to be the blanket “solution” to stress, anxiety and depression in our current society. She encourages a holistic approach to overall wellness, which results in lasting change, a healthier state of being, and a happier you.

Connect with her:
https://twitter.com/DrTeralyn
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoBrFG9gmF6Ghm38bYdq_PA?
https://www.facebook.com/DrTeralyn/
https://www.instagram.com/dr_teralyn/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-teralyn-sell-752a2060/

It's almost Valentine's Day! Keeping with the theme, we're talking about sexual health today - which focuses primarily on the time between a woman’s first period and menopause. Many women keep this topic “hush hush” due to embarrassment or lack of knowledge on the subject. Today, we have Jackie Giannelli, an ANCC board certified family nurse practitioner, talk to us about two important topics around female sexual health: libido and menopause. Jackie has worked in the fields of urology, women’s health, and sexual health since 2015 and is a certified menopause practitioner by the North American Menopause Society.

On the show, she discusses the hormonal considerations to low libido and how libido presents cyclically for women, whereas for men it might be more linear. She highlights how many healthcare professionals, including OBGYNs don’t have a lot of training specifically in sexual health and why it’s important to know signs and symptoms of issues to get the proper treatments. She also presents tangible advice on menopause that applies to women of all ages. Jackie dives into tips for keeping your entire system healthy before you even hit menopause to make it a smoother ride for you.

Connect with her & Maze Women’s Sexual Health at www.mazewomenshealth.com.

This week’s episode on Fit As A Fiddle is a little unusual. Today Dr. Maria Muto and myself, Dr. Sneha Gazi chat with our Instagram followers about our journeys becoming physical therapists, our experiences in physical therapy school, and why we chose to work in our respective sub-specialities. We explain why we began our 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Physical Therapy International Service Foundation (PTIS) and our current projects and efforts! Learn about how we bring physical therapy services and health education to underserved communities in an effort to make healthcare a little more diverse and equally accessible. We have a wonderful team of over a hundred volunteers and an amazing pre-PT social media committee. We thank you for your support! If you would like to volunteer with us or make a donation, please visit www.ptisfoundation.org.

A little bit about us:

Dr. Maria Muto is a physical therapist based in Manhattan who specializes in orthopedics and pediatrics. Maria received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Columbia University with a focus in Adult Orthopedics. With a strong passion and history of working with athletes, Maria currently works for the Sports Therapy Department at Columbia Doctors. Besides working within the athletic population, Maria works as a pediatric physical therapist that specializes in early intervention.  Maria's desire to work with various age groups, populations and cultures, drove her to join PTIS for the hopes of treating people of all backgrounds. Maria has already treated within Italy and Spain and hopes to reach more through the workings of PTIS. Maria also believes that physical health cannot be accomplished without a practice of mental health thus mindfulness is embedded within her treatments.

Dr. Sneha Gazi is a physical therapist and practice owner based in Manhattan who specializes in orthopedics and pelvic health. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Columbia University where she completed a Pediatrics Advanced Track. She believes that physical therapy is not a luxury treatment and is essential for optimizing movement. Sneha’s desire to bring her skills beyond her immediate reach drove her to start PTIS in the hopes of bringing PT services to underserved populations. She also has a strong love for teaching and instilling a mindset of service in new clinicians. She is the owner of Sneha Physical Therapy, a concierge and telehealth physical therapy practice in NY, NJ, and MD. Sneha is also a certified yoga instructor and a professional Indian classical dancer and incorporates mindfulness and breathwork into her treatment.

What are emotions? We don’t usually think about what they are or where they come from. We usually either express or suppress emotions. Dana Wang, MD, is a board certified adult psychiatrist and one of the founders of RIVIA Medical, a mental health clinic in New York City. She chats with us today on how emotions manifest from our “templates'' - formed from our previous experiences, preconceived notions, and belief systems. Because we are usually not aware of these templates, we are unable to reflect on our emotions and manage them in a way that serves us better. Dr. Wang discusses how and why certain emotions like guilt and fear surface in the unique transition to motherhood. She explains how our parenting strategies may be influenced by our own childhood, external and internal expectations, and innate instincts to keep our baby alive. 

Dr. Wang is devoted to delivering the best care for her patients and advocating for emotional wellness as preventative care. Dr. Wang completed her psychiatry residency training at Harvard Medical School, during which she also completed a fellowship in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute. She has presented her work at local, national, and international conferences, and co-authored book chapters and peer-reviewed articles. She is a passionate advocate for addressing stigma and mental health service disparities in Asian Americans. She is currently affiliated with the cross-cultural student emotional wellness center as an executive committee member at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Connect with her at www.riviawellness.com

Read Emily Perl Kingsley’s piece "Welcome to Holland" 

There is more than one way to feed a baby. If you choose to pump and/or breastfeed, you better tune in! Today, we have Heather McFadden joining us on the show. Heather has over 10 years of experience as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). She has a thriving private practice offering home visits, virtual consults, and prenatal breastfeeding classes.

I am extra lucky to have Heather on the show because she was the IBCLC who saw me at the hospital hours after giving birth to my baby to answer all the questions I had! We talk about her journey from dance to motherhood to lactation. Heather is fiercely passionate about her work. 

She covers what to do for low milk supply, the role of an IBCLC, the reasons someone would want to end breastfeeding, and how everyone’s journey is different. In a world of information and misinformation online, it’s important to listen to your baby and your body and know that there is not a single approach to this. She loves helping every mom feel like they are doing a good job, letting them know they are not alone in their journey, as well as instilling a sense of calm in their relationship with their baby. With her dance training background, she finds it fun to observe the physical and mental connection between parent and baby, being a part of that moment when baby latches for the first time and encouraging instinctual parenting in a world driven by data and social media.

In addition to her private practice, Heather currently works as an IBCLC in a New York City hospital and teaches prenatal breastfeeding classes for Columbia University's Work/Life program. She has led breastfeeding group clinics at multiple pediatric practices in New York City. Heather has a published article in the Clinical Lactation Journal, has been consulted by Parents Magazine and Today's Parent, and was a guest speaker at the NYC Breastfeeding Leadership Council Conference of 2019. She is a proud La Leche League Leader and member of the New York Lactation Consultant's Association (NYLCA).

Connect with her:

http://heathermcfadden.com/

https://www.facebook.com/HeatherMcFaddenLactationConsultant

Nope it’s not mind control. Nor is it a stage trick. Hypnosis is a real therapeutic modality used by certified hypnosis practitioners to help us channel thoughts, memories, and feelings in a way that serves us better. Through hypnosis, people have overcome PTSD, managed their anxiety, and moved past fears and beliefs that hold them back in life. The cool part of hypnosis, is that it works through a specific state of our brain waves that opens up creativity.

Doug Sands is a consulting hypnotist who helps adventurous people all over the world overcome fear and anxiety. Because of a near-death experience, he began exploring meditation and came across hypnosis to help heal him and move forward. Doug is the host of the Making Meaning podcast. This show interviews top adventurers to learn how they've built their ideal life and to inspire listeners to start building their own.

You can connect with him at:

https://www.anywherehypnosis.com/
https://www.Facebook.com/anywherehypnosis
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgp0ylxhJsL2QXsU8IdmQVQ?
https://www.Instagram.com/makingyourmeaning

Diversity is getting people to not view others in oversimplified labels. Diversity is including people who don’t look like you into your circles. Diversity is so much work. But it’s work that we need to do, and we need it so badly. 

Dr. Tadé Ayeni is the Director of Diversity and Equity at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and Assistant Professor in the Human Dimension program. Dr. Ayeni enjoys creating meaningful connections with people from various backgrounds within and outside of the medical school with the aim of working toward a more genuinely equitable educational system for all students, which is a key piece in the fight to produce more equitable health outcomes in society. 

He sits with us to dissect issues of race, tolerance, and diversity in healthcare and beyond. He discusses how racial biases in the healthcare system require a deep understanding of our preconceptions and how we can actively shift these belief systems to create a more inclusive world. He also dives into the COVID-19 vaccine and what some black communities may feel towards them.

This podcast was recorded on the evening of Jan 6th, 2021, a very bleak day in American history. Despite the utter chaos in the Capitol, I was glad Dr. Ayeni still had the time to record our scheduled podcast session. In fact, I think it added a lot of color and meaning to our conversation.

Thank you to all of our listeners and our guest speakers! 

In 2020, we published 47 episodes totaling about 22 hours of content. That’s about 1,325 minutes or 79,513 seconds for your listening pleasure. 

I am grateful to this community of humans who are oriented towards their health and wellness. Happy New Year!

Love,
Dr. Sneha Gazi

What drives you to stay healthy? Without knowing the answer to this, making a New Year Resolution or health goals for 2021 might not even be worth it. Knowing what motivates you to have a good relationship with health and fitness is key to creating new habits and sticking to them. 

Laurent Amzallag, a celebrity fitness expert, chats with us today on how to approach health. It’s not about the big fitness goals. It’s about the small things that you do everyday. He discusses how people often create excuses but instead of thinking about it or planning so much, just DOING it is the beginning. Creating realistic and attainable goals that become automatic have to start from somewhere!

Head over to @snehaphysicaltherapy to watch the IGTV video where Laurent leads us through some simple movements that you can do anywhere, anytime.

For the last 25 years, Laurent has been a sought after fitness expert. He was part of Oprah’s “Live Your Best Life” Tour, has been featured in ELLE Magazine and a guest on The Dr. Oz Show. He is a regular correspondent on NBC, FOX, CBS and the CW Network. The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports named him one of the country’s top 50 trainers. As a fitness entertainer, speaker and instructor, he is a catalyst for change and transformation using body movement to rewire mindsets. Laurent has led the warm ups for national campaigns such as The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, MS Society, Best Buddies, and Children’s Hospital. Laurent is certified through NASM (National Academy Of Sports Medecine) and speaks fluently in French, English and Spanish.

Connect with him: @laurentamzallag

Everyone has experienced some degree of stress this year. Teenagers today in particular are going through their own set of unique challenges. Without the physical social connections, young people this year have been forced to resort to social media to stay in touch with their peers. While technology and social media have been so important this year for positive reasons, they can also lead to heightened anxiety amongst Gen Z. 

Jodi Aman, a family therapist for over 20 years, chats with us today on how social media can create a feeling of powerlessness. As an inspirational speaker, Jodi helps Generation Z and their parents find their Diamond Confidence, teaching usable tools to push past fear, connect with their personal agency, and expand their consciousness. As an anxiety-survivor, she totally gets it. As a mom of teens, she double-dog gets it. Through her TEDxWilmington talk, “Calm Anxious Kids,” and her bestselling book, You 1, Anxiety 0, Jodi is changing the way we understand the current mental health crisis. Look for her newest book, Anxiety...I’m So Done With You: A Teen’s Guide to Ditching Toxic Stress and Rewiring Your Brain for Happiness, coming out in July 2020.

Connect with Jodi:

https://twitter.com/jodiaman

https://www.facebook.com/JodiAmanLove/

https://www.instagram.com/jodiamanlove/

https://www.youtube.com/user/jodiaman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiaman/

About 10% of males in the US experience some form of pelvic pain. Nonbacterial Prostatitis tends to be one of the most common diagnoses. However, many men are seen by multiple urologists, receive extensive medical work up, find that none of the medications works, and end up feeling helpless. When they are finally seen by a pelvic specialist, they can begin to have the confidence they need to regain control of their life.

Dr. T. R. Christian Reutter from Pelvic Rehabilitation, explains to us why seeing a pelvic pain specialist should be the first line of defense in the absence of bacterial/viral infection. Other than being set up with pelvic floor physical therapy, specific medications, trigger point injections, peripheral nerve hydrodissection injections, and other minimally invasive procedures can help men who experience pelvic pain.

Dr. Reutter attended medical school at the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City Missouri and then completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. He practiced for almost 17 years as a sports medicine and spine specialist in San Francisco, California before joining the Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine team in New York.

He took an interest in pelvic pain and realized that there were limited resources with regard to addressing pelvic pain conditions. He joined the Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine Team in order to further pursue his interests.  As a physiatrist, he feels that he brings a unique approach to patient care with the goal of pain reduction/resolution, improvement in the quality of life, and allowing the patient to return to the activities that they enjoy.

Connect with him at https://www.pelvicrehabilitation.com/

Yes the holidays are coming up folks, and that might mean absolutely nothing socially for all of us. But it doesn’t stop the need for hot chocolate, pies, and cookies! Today we have the lovely Brigitte Zeitlin, a registered dietitian-nutritionist, help us with some very tangible advice. She covers everything like mindset and avoiding the “all-or-nothing” mentality when it comes to indulging in foods. Brigitte discusses how ephemeral diets can be harmful when used for the wrong reasons. She gives us some quick tips on organic foods, intermittent fasting, and how often to eat in order to continue boosting our metabolism. Brigitte even curates a perfect meal plan just for me, a vegetarian food lover!

Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, CDN is the owner of BZ Nutrition, a private nutrition counseling practice in New York City.  Brigitte offers an integrative approach to health and wellness, breaking down nutrition science into user-friendly, real-life strategies for her clients to their goals while feeling energized, excited, and satisfied. Brigitte serves as a nutrition expert in the media for Well+Good, SELF, Women’s Health, Business Insider, The New York Post, and more.  You can stay in touch with her on Instagram @BZnutrition to see what she’s cooking, eating, and pro-tipping. 

Any parent who has raised a toddler knows the deal here, especially during a pandemic. And if you don’t have a toddler yet, listen up! Dr. Terri Bacow specializes in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety, mood disorders and ADHD. She joins us today to discuss the topic of Threenagers. Threenagers are 3-year-olds who appear to have the hormonal rollercoaster of a teenager. However, the reason for the tantrums and emotional ups and downs are due to an excessive number of brain cells that overwhelms the 3-year-old. As we age, these nerve cells become more efficient and our prefrontal lobes develop to reduce impulsivity, the need for instant gratification, and complete irrationality. Dr. Bacow discusses the unique difficulty of “pandemic parenting” and offers nuggets of wisdom that parents can implement right away to handle their child’s temper tantrums.

Dr. Bacow serves as the Director of Training at the Hallowell Center, a clinic known as an epicenter for the treatment of ADD and related disorders. In addition, she is a Clinical Instructor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and an Adjunct Instructor in Applied Psychology at New York University’s Center for Counseling and Community Wellbeing. She has authored several peer reviewed papers based on her research and sees clients in her private practice on the Upper West Side. Dr. Bacow is uniquely interested in helping clients with transitional stages of life, including adjustment to college and new parenting, and enjoys writing and speaking about these topics. Please be on the lookout for her new book, Goodbye Anxiety, coming out in September 2021 and published by Penguin Random House.

Connect with her at https://www.drterribacow.com/

It’s Thanksgiving! And with lots of yummy food can come lots of gut issues. Outside of the holiday season, chances are either you or someone you know experiences bowel or hormonal issues that may be hindering their quality of life regularly. Today we have top notch advice from Lauren Minchen, a registered dietitian for over 7 years, who breaks down some very important information for us. She discusses food intolerances, how to restore the integrity of your gut, what various supplements do for your body, and how mental health plays a role in all of this. Lauren educates us on 3 great anti-inflammatory supplements and how to reduce the severity of bowel issues to make your life easier. 

Lauren became a Registered Dietitian largely because of her love for all things health and wellness. She struggled with an eating disorder in middle and high school, only to move through it and discover that she had a form of Multiple Sclerosis in her early 20s. Understanding how nutrition works and how food impacts the human body revolutionized how she approached her own lifestyle. She earned her RD credential and a Masters in Public Health Nutrition from Hunter College and opened her private practice doors shortly thereafter. She loves working with clients who are seeking a balanced, sustainable lifestyle with healthy food. Her specialties include digestive illnesses and autoimmune conditions.

Connect with her at https://www.laurenminchen.com/

Just for today, stop listening to the news and listen to this instead. We are honored to have Dr. Janish Kothari, a Board Certified Physician in Internal Medicine, speak to us on current medical information regarding COVID-19. Dr. Kothari busts very important myths, discusses the efficacy of masks, and what the second wave could mean for us all. He works in the front line treating patients in the hospital and discusses only medical information on this episode. He informs us about the latest updates on a vaccine that might be available as early as December.

This information presented was recorded on 11/16/20 and pertains information, statistics, and projections up to that date. The information here can and will change as we gain more information on vaccine implementation. Dr. Kothari did his medicine training at New York Presbyterian Hospital and is currently in his first year of Cardiology Fellowship at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Pennsylvania.

Pilates can look very different depending on who you talk to. When we view Pilates as a movement practice for healing the body, it nourishes the soul too!

Joining us on this episode is Brittany Crosby, a mindful movement practitioner, instructor of contemporary STOTT pilates, witchy intuitive healer, and the founder of The Co Pilates. While her roots are in teaching Pilates her focus has shifted over the years to using Pilates as a launch pad into physical, emotional, and energetic awareness for clients and herself. She focuses on sexual and pelvic health through a somatic trauma informed lens. She discusses how she works with clients from a more somatic point of view, often integrating into the body what may be verbally processed in psychotherapy, for example, allowing people to more clearly see how their body is often shaped by their internal and external environments. With a long career in working with people one-on-one, which especially in NYC is an inaccessible way for a lot of people to "work" on themselves, she is deeply interested and passionate about reconfiguring the health and wellness industry to consider the individual and collective in a more balanced way.

Brittany has been helping her clients connect the dots between their movement, discomfort, and body awareness to achieve more pleasurable movement for nearly 20 years. Her mission isn’t just to assist clients in achieving fitness results, but to invite them into a deeper connection with themselves. Brittany’s approach to movement considers the ideology, how you move in and relate to your body informs how you move in and relate to others and the world.

Connect with her:

www.thecopilates.com

FB: The Co Pilates

@thecopilates

To all of you who work sleepless nights in hospitals to care for others this year (and every year) - we salute you. It hasn’t been an easy year for anyone. People who have had to directly interact with and treat patients who were diagnosed with the Coronavirus had unique challenges. Not only did they have to deal with the global uncertainties and their own families, but they also had to be present and strong for their patients. 

Heather Isola, the Director of Physician Assistants at Mount Sinai Health System, chats with us today on how healthcare workers in her hospital dealt with some of these challenges behind the scenes. She starts off by explaining some of the differences in the role of a Physician’s Assistant (PA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and other healthcare professionals. She then dives into the severe impact that COVID-19 had in New York City, the reconfiguration and adaptability of the healthcare system, and issues that healthcare professionals have in addressing their emotional needs.

Heather directs over 900 PAs for excellence in patient-care and operations. Heather has spent the last 10 years clinically working at a Urogynecology PA at the Faculty Practice of Mount Sinai specializing in women’s health, contraception management, incontinence, pelvic floor health, and vaginal health. Her goals is to operationalize Advanced Practice Providers to operate at top of licensure to increase patient care, safety, quality and throughput while utilizing the versatility, strength and team collaboration that PAs bring to the healthcare delivery of Mount Sinai Health System.

Estimates reveal that anywhere from 11-40% of adults in the U.S. have chronic pain, which is linked to disability, opioid addiction, anxiety, depression, and increased medical costs. More specifically, chronic pelvic pain affects up to nearly a quarter of all women worldwide. 

Dr. Jana Scrivani, a clinical psychologist specializing in pelvic pain, joins us for a lively conversation today to answer the question - “What is Pain?” She discusses how pain is real and is mediated by the brain by various pathways in the nervous system. Dr. Scrivani created a behavioral health program for Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine called Retrain Your Brain where she guides clients through virtual group sessions to understand their pain. Her goal is to empower her patients to help them change the way they act, think and approach their bodies.

Dr. Scrivani received her Psy.D. from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. She completed an APA approved internship at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital in San Diego, where she also completed her postdoctoral training. She currently holds licenses to practice psychology in the state of New York, Florida, Virginia, DC, Maryland,and Michigan. As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Scrivani is passionately committed to helping her clients be their best possible selves by making meaningful changes in their thoughts and behaviors.

Connect with Dr. Scrivani and Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine at https://www.pelvicrehabilitation.com/

Call 713-487-1580 to set up a 10-min free consultation to see if the Retrain Your Brain Course is right for you.

Most people have experienced a stomach issue at some point - abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Sometimes these symptoms go away in a few hours or days. But many times, people live with these issues for weeks, months, or even years and require medical intervention. The great news about issues related to your GI tract is that many symptoms can be alleviated with lifestyle modifications including changes in your diet and exercise.

Today we chat with Dr. Megha Kothari, a gastroenterologist and hepatologist, on 3 of the most common abdominal issues she sees in her clinic daily: GERD, IBS, and Fatty Liver Disease. Her first line of defense with all patients is educating them and providing advice on changes in their daily habits to manage symptoms. GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) presents in nearly 20% of the population. IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a more female-dominant issue that can present as a collection of symptoms. Dr. Kothari discusses the mind-gut connection and how stress and hormonal changes for females can contribute to IBS. Finally, we end with Fatty Liver Disease, which is usually unrecognized and can lead to more serious complications such as cirrhosis. Dr. Kothari educates us on the importance of weight loss for patients with this disease and how losing 10% of body mass is key to alleviating symptoms.

Dr. Megha Kothari is a clinical instructor at New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell and an attending physician at New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, where she is the Assistant Director of Hepatology and Director of Women’s Health. Dr. Kothari is board certified in Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Obesity medicine, and Internal Medicine. Dr. Kothari is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

Connect with her at https://meghakotharimd.com/

You might have heard of all the different types of challenging races: sprints, Olympic distances, Iron Mans, or Escape from Alcatraz. Personally, I’m lucky if I can even endure a 3-mile run, so I didn’t know much about them! On today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of a woman who started by not knowing how to swim... to competing in these very races. Now, she even coaches others to do them too!

Sara Dimmick, founder and co-partner of Physical Equilibrium has been a personal trainer since 2000 and chats with us today on how to train for races like triathlons. She has coached triathlon and running clients since 2006, many of whom have qualified for national and world competitions. Sara discusses how races give you motivation to stay fit without even trying. The goal is winning, not necessarily the number on the scale. Some of the races have extreme conditions like 50-degree water, 3-foot waves, and maybe even sharks!

Sara mentions that you don’t have to be an athlete to train. Using her knowledge of injury prevention and post rehabilitation fitness, Sara designs effective and safe gym programs for her clients to excel and stay injury-free. She also teaches group classes in strength training for endurance athletes, family workouts with kids, and other total body strengthening classes for adults. Connect with her at www.physeq.com.

As of 2018, 55% of our total world population live in cities. Studies show that living in urban environments increases the risk for psychosis, anxiety disorders, and depression due to reasons like social isolation, poverty, and discrimination. In fact, over 90% of Gen Z said they have experienced some degree of physical or mental stress. However, globally, there aren’t as many resources for urban youth to seek help for the unique challenges they face. In today’s episode, we have our youngest guest, Gina Geshlider, a NYC-raised 21-year-old, who talks to us about her platform called Citwellbeing. Gina discusses how wellness services like massage and acupuncture are prevalent throughout the cities, but are usually inaccessible to people her age because they are too expensive. Gina shares with us the impact of increased drug use, violence, social media, and technology in NYC youth, and how we can take steps to overcome the stressors that Gen Z face. 

Gina is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and the founder of Citywellbeing, a wellness platform that caters to Gen-Z. After struggling with her own mental health she began learning to take optimal care of herself in order to flourish and grow. Her mission is to support her fellow young people who have grown up in urban settings to navigate their wellness. She strives to share what has helped her, and at the same time provide a platform that amplifies other's experiences. 

It seems pretty basic, right? Just feed your baby… Keep your baby healthy. But in the world we live in now, it’s actually not as easy as it sounds. Back in the day we lived in larger family units, with more support for birthing parents. Especially in a place like New York and during the pandemic, you might not even have enough space for family to visit, let alone provide more long term care for you and your baby. The struggle is real, and mothers - we hear you! 

Jada Shapiro, a maternal health expert and founder of Boober and Birth Day Presence, chats with us today on the importance of seeking and getting help for mothers. She discusses the various reasons a mother might not be able to breastfeed her baby, including hospital guidelines for skin-to-skin contact, maternity leaves, structural issues like a baby’s tongue tie, and more. Jada reveals how Americans today can find it harder than ever to feel confident and comfortable in their new role as a parent. 

Jada has assisted hundreds of births for first-time parents, A-list celebrities, and everyone in between. Jada advises leading actors about childbirth and breastfeeding for major films and is a sought-out media expert on pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, lactation, and newborn parenting. Boober is an online space where expectant parents and new families find vetted pregnancy to postpartum care providers, like doulas, lactation consultants, or mental health therapists when they need it (in-person or virtual). Birth Day Presence is a space in Park Slope that offers childbirth classes and doula training, which has supported over 20,000 parents since 2002. Connect with her at www.getboober.com.

Whether you are a weekend warrior playing volleyball, a high schooler playing baseball after school, or a professional athlete representing your country, keeping your body strong and healthy is key to continuing your sport. As you take steps to improve your performance, it’s important to look at how you train, when you train, and how much you train. Vijay Vallab, the physiotherapist for New Zealand’s Cricket Team (Black Caps) and the National Manager for Acute Physiotherapy at Proactive joins us today from New Zealand to teach us about his work. 

He discusses the importance of communicating with athletes to help them understand their injuries and emphasizes a holistic approach to healing. Vijay routinely works alongside the team’s strength & conditioning specialist, the coach, psychologists, chiropractors, nutritionists, and whoever else needs to be a part of the plan. He discusses the pressures of returning to sport for professional players and how everyone’s goals must align to provide optimal care. 

Vijay has worked with a number of age group athletes and has a special interest in performance enhancement in sports, Vijay’s focus is also to promote education, movement and make people aware and address some of their daily habits that subsequently help improve overall health and performance, using then 4 Corners of Health, Physical, Mindset, Sleep and Nutrition.

Connect with him at: https://proactive4health.co.nz/

Link to ACC SportsSmart Warm Up: https://www.accsportsmart.co.nz/warmup/

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “Chinese Medicine?” You might have thought of “acupuncture” or “needles.” The truth is, Chinese Medicine encompasses so much more than just acupuncture, which has become very prominent in the Western world. Acupuncture has become so popular that some physicians in the West practice evidence-based “medical acupuncture,” the roots deriving from traditional East Asian practice. Christiane Siebert joins us today to teach us about the historical basis of Chinese Medicine and the various modalities used within its practice including: nutrition, botanical medicine, guasha, massage, cupping, salves/liniments, heat therapy, and Tai Chi. 

Christiane is a board-certified doctor of Chinese medicine, a licensed acupuncturist, and a naturopathic practitioner. She is the founder and director of Serenity Health Arts, a center for integrative holistic medicine in New York City, where she focuses on women's reproductive health, helping her clients achieve optimum wellness naturally. Connect with her at www.serenityhealtharts.com

Many people experience back pain. Of those, several will invariably receive imaging (X-ray or MRI usually). And of those, several will be told that they have 1 or more structural issues, such as a disc bulge or stenosis. Sometimes when we receive a diagnosis like this, we think we are stuck with it forever. That nothing can be done, and that we have to live with the back pain for the rest of our lives. Physical therapists, and physiotherapists, believe otherwise. Today I had a wonderful conversation with Rory Martin, a New Zealand-based physiotherapist at TBI Health, a national company of integrated allied health disciplines that focuses on long term strategy for the treatment of spinal pain and functional rehab.

The integrated approach emphasizes that function and movement matter more than a diagnosis. In this sense, who cares if you have a disc herniation on an MRI if you can still do everything that you want to do? Rory delves into the New Zealand healthcare system, which has a very different approach than the United States in how care is delivered. He discusses the complex neurophysiology of pain in a simple way. 

I spent a few months in New Zealand a few years ago learning TBI’s unique approach to back pain and overall well being. Many of the strategies I learned from Rory during my time there, I still apply to the work I do as a PT in New York City. 

Rory’s current role as the Wellington Regional Manager involves overseeing six clinics that accommodate a wide range of different allied health disciplines including physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists, occupational therapists and orthopaedic surgeons. Connect with them at https://www.tbihealth.co.nz/

The body has an immense capacity to heal on its own. To optimize your natural healing mechanisms, regenerative medicine specialists can help you reach your goals. For the past 20+ years, Dr. Scott Greenberg has studied the behavior of stem cells. After healing himself of chronic head and neck pain from a car accident that occurred at age 17, Dr. Greenberg continues to immerse himself in studying the complex nature of tissue-specific stem cells, how they regenerate nerve, joint and tissue systems, and how they depend on other blood components to heal an injury. His philosophy is holistically-oriented, with exercise, nutrition, and general emotional/mental health at the forefront of wellness. In this episode, he breaks down the uses and mechanism of stem cell therapy, prolotherapy, and platelet rich plasma (PRP) in a very easily-understandable manner. He dives into epigenetics and explains how we should not be labeled by our genetics or our diseases, but rather, be empowered to take control over our bodies.

Connect with him by visiting https://greenbergregen.com.

Jaw pain, headaches, and facial pain are all common and can have a profound effect on our quality of life. Lucky for us, we have an esteemed guest speaker on the show today to break these topics down and help us understand how we can overcome this pain.

Donald R. Tanenbaum, DDS, MPH, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978 and then received his DDS degree from Columbia University School of Dental Medicine, and his MPH degree from Columbia University School of Public Health in 1982. He has been practicing for over 40 years, providing guidance and care to patients with temporomandibular problems, facial pain, headaches and sleep related breathing disorders. Today he reviews some of the causes and treatments for these issues and explains their biopsychosocial nature. He also discusses the importance of identifying habits that can perpetuate pain and stop or modify them. He touches on bite plates, injections, PT, posture and ergonomics as all ways to alleviate pain.

Dr. Tanenbaum has co-authored a book for the public entitled, ‘Dr, Why Does My Face Still Ache?” and continues to give lectures to dental students and residents, medical grand rounds and to numerous dental societies and study clubs. Dr. Tanenbaum currently holds several positions, including: Clinical Assistant Professor at the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York in Stony Brook where he is the Director of the Orofacial Pain Course given to the third year dental students.  He is also the Section Head of the Division of OrofacialPain/TMD/Sleep Medicine in the Northwell Health Department of Dental Medicine at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center; and Clinical Assistant Professor, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine. Dr. Tanenbaum is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain, a Fellow of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, and a past President of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain 

 Dr Tanenbaum currently maintains private practices in New York City and Long Island limited to the diagnosis and management of orofacial pain, temporomandibular problems and sleep related breathing disorders.

Connect with him:
www.nytmj.com

The car seat comes with a 20-page manual. So why don’t babies come with a manual too? If you feel confused, alone, sad, or anxious during pregnancy and/or after your baby arrives, don’t think you are a bad mom. If you are in a dark place and you didn’t wake up like a goddess in silk sheets, knowing exactly what to do or feeling a bond with your baby immediately, don’t be alarmed. Many women experience Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) and too often mothers don’t seek help because they feel like they did something wrong. Paige Bellenbaum, a social worker and the founding director of The Motherhood Center in NYC, breaks down the issues around maternal mental health in this country and beyond.

Once she began to heal from her own PMAD which began 14 years ago, Paige became committed to fighting for education, screening and treatment for postpartum depression so that no more women would have to suffer silently. Paige has been an outspoken advocate on the issue of postpartum depression, and uses her own story as a tool for change. She has appeared on the Today Show, NPR, PBS Newshour and in Fortune, The New York Times, Women’s Health Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, In Style and several other media outlets. Connect with her and The Motherhood Center at www.themotherhoodcenter.com. 

What do new fathers do when they find out their partner is pregnant and that a baby is on the way? Part of it is just noting how vulnerable you might feel and honestly assessing what you know and don’t know. Part of it is being totally okay to be afraid of bringing a new human being into this planet. Justin Lioi, LCSW, a men’s mental health and relationship expert in Brooklyn, breaks down the barriers that prevent men from seeking mental health services. He helps men navigate through the challenges of parenthood and move beyond societal gender roles. He talks about how the feminist movement has actually made men feel freer in some ways and reduce the pressures of masculinity. He covers mental health for antiracism and how his white-identifying clients have tried to understand the horrific murder of George Floyd. Connect with Justin at www.parkslopetherapist.com 

There are too many statistics showing how black communities receive less healthcare. There are many reasons and barriers both from a patient perspective and a provider perspective. Social determinants of health are critical to healthcare delivery. Dr. Camille Clare breaks this very difficult topic for us in ways we can easily understand so that we can take steps together as a society to bring more equality into this space. She discusses institutional and structural racism, implicit and explicit bias in healthcare delivery, and the importance of educating people on structural factors that impact care. Dr. Clare stresses the need to increase diversity in the healthcare profession. She gives us tangible advice on how physicians can be there for patients in the best way possible and how to improve communication in the doctor-patient relationship. 

A bit on our guest:

Dr. Clare, MD, MPH, CPE, FACOG is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York Medical College, a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and attending physician at New York City Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan in Manhattan, and the Director of Resident Research in her department. She has received numerous teaching awards from the New York Medical College Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for medical student teaching and received the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching award. Dr. Clare is an active member of the National Medical Association (NMA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

In this episode, we are diving into race-based stress for women of color. Nicola Pierre-Smith, a Licensed Professional Counselor and private practice owner of Melanated Womens Health LLC, joins us today to break down the definition of racial trauma and how it affects melanated women. She talks about the double stigma that women of color face when seeking mental health help. Racial socialization is when people socialize in specific ways because of race-based stress. She discusses barriers that people face, signs of compromised mental health, and what we can do as a society to move forward. Nicola provides individual therapy to adults who are dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, life transitions and social identity issues. Check her out at https://melanatedwomenshealth.com/.

Season 2 on Fit As A Fiddle is opening up as strong as ever! We have a unique season premier, with 3 guest speakers. The ladies you’ll be hearing from on this show, Nicole JeanBaptiste, Carmen Mojica, and Evelyn Alvarez are the founders of Bx (Re)Birth and Progress, a collective of Bronx-based Black birthworkers who build solutions that protect and honor birthing people in the Bronx and their families. They discuss how racism impacts every element of our lives and how deep rooted it is in healthcare in this country. Our guests highlight the reality of how fear-based medicine robs black individuals of the opportunity to make choices. I personally gained so much from chatting with these ladies. For more information on their work, visit www.bxrebirth.org.

A bit on our guests:

Nicole JeanBaptiste is a mother of two, a full spectrum community based doula, lactation counselor, yoga instructor, and oral historian.   Of Southern American and Caribbean ancestry and based in the Bronx, NY, she strives to center the borough and the Black experience in the birth and social justice activism in which she engages.  Nicole is currently a Community Doula Consultant for the New York City Health Department’s COVID-19 Perinatal Taskforce. She is the founder of Sésé Doula Services and co-founder of the Bx (Re)Birth and Progress Collective. 

Carmen Mojica is an Afro-Dominicana born and raised in the Bronx. She is a certified professional midwife, writer and reproductive justice activist with a particular focus on birth justice. The focus of her work is on the empowerment of women and people of the African Diaspora, specifically discussing the Afro-Latina identity. She utilizes her experience as a midwife to raise awareness on maternal and infant health for women, highlighting the disparities in the healthcare system in the United States for women of color. 

Evelyn Alvarez is a Mom, Doula, Trainer who leads sessions about parenting, race, and restorative practices. Evelyn is Founder of Prom King, a non-profit, and Co-Founder of Radio Caña Negra, a podcast about Blackness in Latin America.

If you identify with the female body and spirit, this one's for you. Learn about the ancient Chinese practice of the Jade Egg from Fausta Tamburino, a licensed acupuncturist and priestess who has been immersed in her wellness practices for over 30 years. Fausta describes a practice that serves to transmit and heal feminine energy for inner nourishment. In her private practice, Fausta draws on a constellation of healing modalities including the ancient wisdom of acupuncture, yoga, Taoist Feminine Arts, nutrition, essential oil therapy and flower essences to create a holistic, comprehensive and integrative approach to each person’s unique path. Connect with her at https://www.faustanyc.com/.

Whatever kind of birth experience you would like to have is the type that is right for you. Whether that means you choose to induce labor or not, medicalize your birth or not, have a doula or not… the choice is yours. Dr. Jaqueline Worth, an obstetrician and founder of Village Obstetrics, shares her 20 years of experience delivering thousands of babies. She believes that less is more when it comes to birth and that it’s the OB’s job to be supportive of women throughout their care to ensure “safe mom and safe baby.” She discusses the differences between a natural birth versus medicalized birth along with reasons someone may require an induced labor or may elect to have one. Check out her book “The New Rules of Pregnancy,” a wellness-based pregnancy guide and connect with by visiting https://villageobstetrics.com/.

Belly rubs are great. But the Arvigo Mayan Abdominal Therapy® takes tummy massages to a whole new level. Learn about how ancient Mayan bodywork, brought to the modern world by Arvigo practitioners, can center a tipped uterus and decrease constipation. You’ll also get a bonus overview of vaginal steaming and uterine lavage. Megan Backus is a Licensed Massage Therapist specializing in reproductive and digestive health as well as massage for infants and children. In addition to Swedish Massage, she practices this non-invasive manual technique to decongest the abdomen and pelvis and help organs find their optimal positions. The massage techniques she discusses in the episode can be beneficial for relief from infertility for both men and women, menstrual pain, fibroids, endometriosis, prolapse, PCOS, benign prostate conditions, constipation, bloating, IBS, and more. Learn about her work at https://www.mbodimentmassage.com/. 

What is your relationship with your fertility? In today’s political climate with reproductive rights, women should empower themselves with knowledge of their body and understand their choices. Today we have Katinka Locascio joining us to discuss the fertility awareness method, which helps women understand their fertility in a natural, evidence-based way. Whether you are looking to prevent pregnancy or you want to get pregnant, understanding this method gets you one step closer to your goals. Katinka holds a license in Massage Therapy and has trained in numerous disciplines including Osteopathic Manual Therapy, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Arvigo® Therapy, Labor support and Fertility Awareness. She is the founder of Earth + Sky Healing Arts, a wellness center in NYC that strives to help people live to their fullest potential while staying rooted in the wisdom of the body. Connect with her at http://www.earthsky.dreamhosters.com/ 

Baby’s don’t come with technical manuals. In many places around the world, families have switched out of living in joint homes and instead, live in smaller family units. When you aren’t too sure about breastfeeding, lactation consultants come to the rescue! My guest on today’s episode is Leigh Anne O’Connor, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and La Leche League Leader. She discusses the societal and cultural expectations that influence the modern mother’s experience with breastfeeding. We talk about the reasons one would use pumps or the breast and factors that may undermine breastfeeding. I personally learned so much from this episode! Leigh has over two decades experience working with breastfeeding families. She teaches breastfeeding classes, leads support groups, and sees private clients all over New York City. Connect with her at https://www.leighanneoconnor.com/. 

I couldn’t have asked for a better kick off this season on Fit As A Fiddle! I chatted with 2 of my dear colleagues and friends Leigh Welsh and Alicia Ferriere. What we have in common is that we are all Pelvic Floor Physical Therapists New York City, we are all business owners, and we all gave birth in 2023 to our first child! On this show, we talk about all things motherhood from our perspective having treated pregnancy and postpartum for years. With our combined over 22 years of experience as pelvic PTs, we share some things we would love for you to know!

A bit on Leigh Welsh:

Leigh is an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist, and she started her practice, Evexia Physical Therapy, in 2020. She does home visits, primarily seeing pregnant and postpartum people, and she also loves helping patients who are struggling with painful sex, bladder concerns, and prolapse. Leigh is also the Clinical Virtual Care Lead at Origin Physical Therapy. Origin’s mission to make pelvic health PT accessible and the standard of care for those that need it. Origin provides PT virtually in almost every state, as well as in person at a growing number of clinics throughout the country. Leigh is passionate about helping women of all ages learn about their bodies and feel in control of their physical well-being.

A bit on Alicia Ferriere:

Alicia is an orthopedic and pelvic health physical therapist and received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University. Growing up with a background in dance led her to seek a career in movement and physical medicine. She seeks to treat the body and person as a whole, and prioritizes building relationships to develop a unique plan of care for each patient. She seeks to educate patients on how to stay physically healthy so they can achieve their personal goals. Alicia is certified by the Postural Restoration Institute, which seeks to understand the primary factors of postural adaptations, patterns, and kinematic movement dysfunction. She is also recognized as a Fellow of Applied Functional Science through the Gray Institute. Alicia has been featured in fitness magazines such as Women’s Health Magazine, Dance Magazine and the Daily Burn.

If your jaw hurts or has ever hurt in the past, tune in! On the show, you’ll learn ways to alleviate jaw pain and how dentists work with patients to improve their symptoms. Dr. Sean Bahrami is a Doctor of Dental Surgery and treats temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which are a host of jaw joint issues that occur for various reasons. He breaks down several tips for dental hygiene and general oral health that all of us can benefit from! Connect with him on Instagram at @drseanbahrami or www.supertooth.com. 

We’ve seen all sorts of births in movies. My favorite is Emily Blunt playing the pregnant mother Evelyn in the movie “A Quiet Place.” She delivers her baby in a tub while being absolutely silent (no noise whatsoever), or else the monster will kill her. After conducting this interview, I imagined how Evelyn would have benefitted from a few hypnobirthing classes... Ha!

We now know with the growing amount of literature how powerful the mind is and how useful it is to harness your mental state to produce favorable outcomes. Meditation and mindfulness, concepts utilized most prominently by ancient South Asian and East Asian cultures centuries ago, are barely considered “hocus pocus” to the general American public anymore. We see so many apps and classes making deep breathing, deep relaxation, and meditation accessible to more people. But how about if we used those concepts during birth?

Maeva Althaus joins us today to dive deep into the core concepts of Hypnobirthing. She is a certified Hypnotist, hypnobirthing instructor, doula, and Spinning Babies practitioner. She discusses how the more relaxed you are and the more you let go during the birthing process, the more the right hormones kick in. She says she doesn’t discount the intensity of birth, but that being calm can make you less tired and less stressed. What a great course for Evelyn to have taken before giving birth in front of a monster!

Maeva goes over her own birth experience using hypnobirthing techniques and what that looked like for her, despite her birth not going the way that she imagined it. She recorded this episode for us when she was just a few weeks postpartum, and now she would be a few months postpartum. We’re glad we were able to do this interview soon after the birth of her baby - we are privileged to hear a deep, raw version of her feelings and experiences during her own birth process. Not to be missed!

Connect with Maeva at www.hypnobirthingny.com

Insomnia is a huge issue and affects millions of people’s quality of life. Infact, 15% of the population has chronic unremitting insomnia and women are much more likely than men to experience sleepless nights. Sometimes people resort to pills, alcohol, or other drugs to help. However, non-medicinal approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be the key to reversing this issue once and for all. Dr. Shelby Harris is a clinical psychologist board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor, researcher on the neuropsychological effects of insomnia, and author of a recently published book “The Women's Guide to Overcoming Insomnia: Get a Good Night's Sleep Without Relying on Medication.” She discusses why insomnia is a problem, particularly for women, how CBT can help, and tangible tips and tricks to answer your most burning questions on insomnia. Connect with her at https://www.drshelbyharris.com/.