Vibrantly You® Podcast | Fitness, Nutrition, and Wellness for Pregnancy & Postpartum – Details, episodes & analysis

What if the exhaustion, anxiety, poor recovery, sleep changes, and body shifts you’re experiencing aren’t just postpartum… but the beginning of perimenopause?

In this powerful guest episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, we sit down with Jessie Mundell — exercise specialist in pregnancy, postpartum, birth recovery, and perimenopause — to talk about what women actually need to know about training, fueling, and supporting their bodies as they age.

Jessie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education and a Master’s in Kinesiology, and has spent the last 20 years educating women and fitness professionals on how to move through pregnancy, postpartum, and midlife with strength and confidence.

Together, we dive into:

•  Jessie’s journey into the pre/postnatal and perimenopause space 
•  Why anti-diet culture is central to her philosophy 
•  Common signs and symptoms of perimenopause women often dismiss 
•  Why many women are told they’re “too young” for menopause conversations 
•  The overlap between postpartum and perimenopause symptoms 
•  The role of progesterone in perimenopause and menopause 
•  How workouts and recovery need to shift in midlife 
•  Why strength training becomes even more important as we age 
•  The importance of fueling adequately and avoiding chronic under-eating 
•  The “minimum effective dose” approach to fitness: doing less, but smarter 

This episode is especially important for women and folks navigating motherhood later in life, wondering why their body suddenly feels different, or trying to figure out how to exercise in a way that actually supports their hormones and nervous system.

Whether you’re postpartum, approaching perimenopause, or already experiencing symptoms, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, validated, and empowered to advocate for yourself.

Connect with Jessie everywhere on the internet at Jessie Mundell. 

Her Website

Her Instagram 

Tune in for more conversations on pregnancy fitness, postpartum recovery, women’s hormone health, strength training for women, and free resources for new moms designed to help you feel Vibrantly You® through every stage of womanhood.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Thought pregnancy would be your motivation to “finally stay consistent” with workouts… and then the first trimester hit?

In this solo episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, Megan — certified pregnancy personal trainer and prenatal fitness coach — is talking about the reality of exercise during the first trimester and why so many people feel blindsided by exhaustion, nausea, and the sudden inability to move the way they expected.

This episode is your permission slip to stop fighting your body.

We dive into the disconnect between expectations and reality in early pregnancy, the grief that can come with feeling unlike yourself, and how to release the guilt around not being able to maintain your normal workout routine.

Because first trimester movement doesn’t need to be intense to be impactful.

 In this episode, Megan covers:

•  What’s physically happening in the first trimester that affects energy and exercise tolerance 
•  Why fatigue and nausea can make workouts feel impossible 
•  The emotional side of grieving your pre-pregnancy identity and expectations 
•  How to stop viewing rest as failure 
•  Low-energy, high-impact movement strategies that still support your pregnancy 
•  Simple exercises and drills like: 
  •  360 breathing 
  •  mobility work 
  •  gentle walks 
  •  nervous system-supportive movement

This episode is for the pregnant mom who feels frustrated, discouraged, or disconnected from movement in early pregnancy.

You are not lazy. Your body is doing something incredibly demanding.

And sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is shift the goal from performance to support.

Tune in weekly for conversations on pregnancy workout plans, prenatal fitness, postpartum recovery, and free resources for new moms designed to help you feel Vibrantly You® through every stage of motherhood.

Referenced in this episode:

• Episode 2: Nausea and Aversions in Pregnancy
• Episode 3: Adjusting Your Workouts in the First Trimester
• Episode 54: Pregnancy Fitness Expectations and Setbacks 
• Episode 55: Nutrition in Pregnancy: When Expectations Don't Match Reality

Find a perinatal mental health therapist near you 

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

This episode is a little more personal — and a lot more meaningful.

In this solo episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, Megan shares her journey to becoming a pregnancy personal trainer, postpartum fitness coach, and birth doula — and how her own experiences with loss, pregnancy, C-section recovery, and VBAC shaped the work she does today.

From growing up active and falling out of routine in college… to discovering online fitness through the early days of community-based workouts… to ultimately finding her purpose in supporting moms — this is the story behind the brand.

But more than that, it’s a story about what happens when you feel lost in pregnancy and postpartum — and how powerful it is to have the right support.

Megan opens up about:

• Navigating pregnancy after loss during the pandemic
• Feeling anxious, disconnected, and unsure how to move her body
• Recovering from a C-section and rebuilding strength from the ground up
• Becoming pre/postnatal certified to heal herself — and realizing every mom deserved this support
• How her VBAC experience and working with a doula inspired her to become a birth doula
• What it means to truly hold space for moms during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how Vibrantly You® came to life — and why this work goes so much deeper than pregnancy workout plans or online postpartum workouts.

Because yes — movement matters.
 But so does feeling supported, informed, and deeply cared for in one of the biggest transitions of your life.

If you’re currently pregnant, postpartum, or thinking about working with a prenatal fitness coach, this episode will help you understand what it really means to have someone in your corner.

Referred to in this episode:

Episode 27: Megan's Birth Story (TOLAC to Successful VBAC)

Episode 33: 6 Things I Did to Prepare for a VBAC

If you're curious about working together:

Learn more about my Vibrantly You Fitness Coaching HERE 

Have me join your birth team! 

Tune in for more conversations on pregnancy fitness, postpartum recovery, birth prep, and free resources for new moms — and what it means to feel Vibrantly You® through every stage of motherhood.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Feeling overwhelmed by all the nutrition advice during pregnancy? In this solo episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, Caitlin — certified perinatal nutritionist — breaks down the essential nutrients for pregnancy from the moment you find out you’re pregnant through postpartum recovery.

Rather than focusing on rigid food rules, this episode is all about helping you understand what your body is asking for in each stage of pregnancy and how to support it with simple, realistic nutrition strategies.

We walk through the major shifts happening in your body during each trimester and the key nutrients that help support baby’s development, maternal health, and postpartum recovery.

Inside this episode, we cover:

First Trimester

• Why food can feel the hardest in early pregnancy (nausea, aversions, fatigue)
• Nutrients that support early fetal development and placenta formation
• The importance of folate, vitamin B6, and choline

Second Trimester

• Why protein needs increase as baby grows
• How iron supports blood volume expansion and energy levels

Third Trimester

• Why calorie needs are highest in late pregnancy
• The role of protein, iron, hydration, and electrolytes in supporting labor preparation and maternal energy

Postpartum Recovery

• Why nutrition should be a bigger part of the postpartum conversation
• The importance of adequate calories, iron replenishment, and recovery-focused nourishment after birth — especially if significant blood loss occurred

This episode will help you shift from feeling overwhelmed by pregnancy nutrition advice to feeling confident in how to nourish your body throughout pregnancy and postpartum.

Whether you’re newly pregnant, deep into your third trimester, or planning ahead for recovery, this conversation will help you better understand how nutrition supports your changing body.

Mentioned in today's episode:

- Episode 2: Nausea & Aversions

- Episode 63: Prenatal Supplements 

- Prenatal and Postpartum Nutritional Guides 

If you loved today's episode, be sure to tune in for more conversations on prenatal nutrition, pregnancy fitness, postpartum recovery, and free resources for new moms from a pregnancy personal trainer and perinatal nutritionist dedicated to helping you feel Vibrantly You® in motherhood.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Thinking about hiring a doula — but not totally sure what they actually do?

In this episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, we’re breaking down the real role of a birth doula on your labor and delivery team. From emotional support to advocacy, education, and hands-on comfort measures, we’re unpacking what’s within a doula’s scope of practice — and what’s not.

We cover:

• What a doula is (and how they’re different from a nurse, midwife or OB)
• The scope of practice for birth doulas
• How doulas support you physically during labor (positions, comfort techniques, etc)
• Emotional support and reducing fear in birth
• The advocacy role — and why education BEFORE labor matters
• Why birth prep and informed decision-making are key to feeling confident

One of the biggest takeaways?
A doula doesn’t replace your medical team — they complement it. But the real magic happens when you do the preparation work ahead of time so you can walk into labor informed, empowered, and supported.

Whether you’re newly pregnant, or building your birth plan, this episode will help you understand how birth support fits into the bigger picture of prenatal preparation.

Because birth isn’t just something that happens to you — it’s something you can prepare for.

Episode 27: Megan's Birth Story with Baby #2 (doula supported birth)

Episode 33: 6 Things Megan Did to Prepare for her VBAC

Megan incorporates doula work into her Prenatal Fitness Coaching. To learn more, CLICK HERE. 

To inquire about having Megan on your birth team, inquire HERE. 

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Making friends as an adult is hard. Making mom friends in your 30s? Somehow even harder.

In this Coffee Chit Chat episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, we’re having an honest conversation about what it’s really like trying to build community in motherhood — especially when you’re juggling toddlers, different parenting styles, busy schedules, and yes… the current political climate.

We talk about:

• The struggle of finding local moms in the same stage of parenting
• When your kids click… but you’re not sure you vibe with the parents
• Navigating value differences and tension in today’s social environment
• The surprising beauty of meeting mom friends online
• Why community in motherhood matters for your mental health

Whether you’re newly postpartum, deep in toddler life, or somewhere in between, this episode is your reminder that building friendships in this season takes intention — and that you’re not alone if it feels awkward.

As a pregnancy personal trainer and perinatal nutritionist, we spend our days supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum — but community is just as important as workouts and nutrition. Thriving in motherhood isn’t only about working out and nourishing your body— it’s also about having people who truly get you.

If you’ve been craving deeper connection or wondering how to find your people in this season, grab your coffee and join us for this real-life mom chat.

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Wondering if hiring a pregnancy personal trainer is worth it — especially if you’re already active? In this episode of The Vibrantly You® Podcast, Meg breaks down the difference between simply staying active during pregnancy and strategically training for birth, postpartum recovery, and the physical changes of pregnancy.

We dive into what most expecting moms aren’t taught about prenatal fitness — like pressure management, pelvic floor coordination, posture changes, and movement patterns that actually prepare your body for labor. Because pregnancy isn’t just a modified version of your regular workouts — it’s a completely different physiological experience that requires a different approach. 

Inside this episode, you’ll learn:

• What qualifications to look for in a prenatal fitness coach
• Why postpartum recovery actually starts during pregnancy
• Common mistakes people make when exercising pregnant
• How targeted strength training can reduce aches, pains, and pelvic pressure
• Why pregnancy workout plans should focus on function 
• How the right program can support alignment, mobility, and labor prep

Whether you’re a beginner or already love working out, this episode will help you understand how a pregnancy fitness program can support your body in ways generic workouts can’t — so you feel confident, capable, and prepared for motherhood.

Subscribe for weekly episodes on prenatal fitness, postpartum recovery, perinatal nutrition, and free resources for new moms from experts who specialize in supporting women through every stage of motherhood.

Check out Episode #7 to learn more about core/ab exercises in pregnancy 

For more information on 1:1 training, check out Meg's Vibrantly You Coaching Program HERE

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Confused about which supplements you actually need during pregnancy? In this solo episode, Caitlin— Certified Perinatal Nutritionist—breaks down everything you need to know about prenatal vitamins and other common supplements for pregnancy.

She covers:

• What to look for in a quality prenatal vitamin
• Why omega-3s are especially important 
• Which nutrients you can get through diet (and which are harder to meet without supplementation)
• When you might need extra iron—and why that’s highly individual
• Why “one-size-fits-all” supplements don’t work for everyone
• Which trendy pregnancy supplements are unnecessary (and possibly gimmicky)
• The importance of working with your provider to personalize your supplement plan

If you’ve ever stood in the supplement aisle feeling overwhelmed—or been bombarded by social media ads promising “the best prenatal ever”—this episode will bring clarity and confidence to your pregnancy nutrition journey.

Related epsiode:

- Episode 10: Blood Sugar Balance in Pregnancy

Learn more about Caitlin's upcoming cohort for her signature Nourish to Flourish program HERE

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

In this honest, unfiltered Coffee Chit Chat episode, we’re diving into the pros and cons of sharing your pregnancy early — both in real life and on social media. Whether you’re newly pregnant, navigating your first trimester, or reflecting on your own experiences, this conversation will feel like a cozy chat with friends who get it.

We unpack:

• The emotional and practical benefits of sharing early (like extra support and fewer awkward work absences)
• The very real fears around pregnancy loss and the grief of “un-telling” people
• Why some wait until anatomy scans and others feel called to share sooner
• The nuances of announcing online and the trend of "hard launching" your baby

We also share what we did, what we’d do differently, and why we believe there’s no “right” time — only what’s right for you. This is your gentle reminder that your timeline, your story, and your privacy are always valid.

Let us know if this episode resonates, and be sure to message us on Instagram with other topics you want us to cover! 

Mentioned in today's epsiode:

Evidence-Based Birth 

Find a Perinatal Mental Health Professional

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition

Ever feel extra bloated or uncomfortable the week before your period? You’re not alone — and there’s a good reason why it happens. In this solo episode, Caitlin, your perinatal nutritionist, breaks down exactly what’s going on in your body during the luteal phase and how to support digestion through hormone shifts, stress, and inflammation.

Rather than labeling bloating as a problem, Caitlin invites you to reframe it as a clue — your body’s way of asking for extra support. She shares simple, practical tips to reduce digestive discomfort and support hormone balance during this phase of your cycle.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✔️ What hormonal changes are happening during your luteal phase
✔️ How progesterone affects gut motility and contributes to bloating
✔️ Why stress and cortisol impact digestion (especially before your period)
✔️ The mindset shift that changes everything: bloating as information, not failure
✔️ Nutrition strategies that help, like:
– Warm, cooked meals
– Smaller, more frequent meals
– Mindful eating habits (and fewer distractions)
– Protein, fiber, and fat at every meal
– Magnesium-rich foods for hormone and gut support

Whether you’re trying to conceive, newly postpartum, or navigating the monthly rhythm of your body, this episode will help you feel more empowered and in tune with what your body needs.

Tune in every week for conversations around nutrition in pregnancy, fertility support, hormone health, and real-life motherhood. Plus, grab our free resources for new moms and personalized guidance from a pregnancy personal trainer and perinatal nutritionist.

Learn more about Caitlin's Cycle Syncing Mini-Course HERE

Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any conditions. Before beginning any type of fitness or nutrition program, it is your responsibility to consult with a medical professional.

Connect with us! 

• Instagram @vibrantlyyoupodcast
• Meg's Instagram @vibrantmamawellness
• Caitlin's Instagram @wholesomehuntressnutrition