{"id":188,"date":"2025-07-07T08:34:53","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:34:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/?p=188"},"modified":"2025-07-07T08:34:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T15:34:53","slug":"strength-training-pregnancy-pelvic-health-with-becky-maidansky-stronger-is-better-podcast-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/strength-training-pregnancy-pelvic-health-with-becky-maidansky-stronger-is-better-podcast-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Strength Training, Pregnancy, &amp; Pelvic Health with Becky Maidansky | Stronger Is Better Podcast #7"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Strength Training, Pregnancy, &amp;amp; Pelvic Health with Becky Maidansky | Stronger Is Better Podcast #7\" style=\"width:640px;max-width:100%;margin:5px;\"><div class=\"lyMe hidef\" id=\"WYL_csMs2-HeSCY\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FcsMs2-HeSCY%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/csMs2-HeSCY\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT1H9M17S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2025-07-07T05:15:04Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_csMs2-HeSCY\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FcsMs2-HeSCY%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Strength Training, Pregnancy, &amp; Pelvic Health with Becky Maidansky | Stronger Is Better Podcast #7<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/csMs2-HeSCY\" rel=\"nofollow\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FcsMs2-HeSCY%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Strength Training, Pregnancy, &amp;amp; Pelvic Health with Becky Maidansky | Stronger Is Better Podcast #7\" width=\"640\" height=\"340\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most under appreciated tools in women\u2019s health. This conversation bridges the gap between medical rehab and high-performance coaching\u2014essential listening for strength coaches, pregnant athletes, and anyone working with women in the gym. Ladybird Physical Therapy: https:\/\/www.ladybirdpt.com\/ 00:00 - Intro &amp; how Becky got involved with Starting Strength Austin 01:15 - Lifting workshop recap &amp; Becky\u2019s team background 03:27 - What is pelvic health PT? 05:04 - Why Becky started Lady Bird PT 07:12 - Pregnancy isn\u2019t a problem to manage\u2014training is essential 10:00 - Medical conservatism, strength, and female physiology 13:23 - Training during pregnancy: Becky\u2019s and Nick\u2019s coaching experience 16:36 - What guidelines should lifters follow? 20:20 - What symptoms matter and how to respond 22:55 - Exercise modifications &amp; movement adjustments 24:58 - The role of energy availability during pregnancy 26:07 - Postpartum recovery: timelines and expectations 29:54 - Real-world coaching after pregnancy 32:03 - Strength persists post-pregnancy 34:12 - Weighing health vs. aesthetic goals postpartum 35:16 - Strength training protects pelvic health 37:24 - Stress incontinence: how coaches should think about it 41:08 - Common causes &amp; symptoms 44:25 - What coaches can ask\u2014and what\u2019s in their scope 46:35 - How and when to modify training for stress incontinence 51:18 - Proper Valsalva vs. bearing down 54:03 - Practical breathing cues to reduce pelvic stress 55:35 - Do Kegels work? It depends 59:18 - Are there standard pelvic floor strengthening protocols? 1:00:52 - When to refer out to pelvic PT 1:03:42 - Understanding prolapse &amp; how to respond 1:07:28 - What is a pessary and who might benefit from one? 1:08:29 - How to contact Dr. Becky Maidansky \u2e3b \ud83d\udd17 Brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms \ud83c\udfa7 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify \ud83d\udce9 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com *Connect With* #startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/startingstrengthgyms https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/starting-strength-gyms \ud83d\udd17 *Book your free 30-min session:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/free-session.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Own a Gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/own-a-gym.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Train at a gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/locations.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Coach at a gym:* https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/become-a-coach.html?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral \ud83d\udd17 *Shop for apparel:* https:\/\/store.startingstrengthgyms.com?utm_source=youtube&amp;utm_medium=video&amp;utm_campaign=ytreferral #startingstrengthgyms #startingstrength #strengthtraining #fitness\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:640px;margin:5px;\"><\/div><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most under appreciated tools in women\u2019s health. This conversation bridges the gap between medical rehab and high-performance coaching\u2014essential listening for strength coaches, pregnant athletes, and anyone working with women in the gym.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ladybird Physical Therapy: https:\/\/www.ladybirdpt.com\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>00:00 &#8211; Intro &amp; how Becky got involved with Starting Strength Austin<br>01:15 &#8211; Lifting workshop recap &amp; Becky\u2019s team background<br>03:27 &#8211; What is pelvic health PT?<br>05:04 &#8211; Why Becky started Lady Bird PT<br>07:12 &#8211; Pregnancy isn\u2019t a problem to manage\u2014training is essential<br>10:00 &#8211; Medical conservatism, strength, and female physiology<br>13:23 &#8211; Training during pregnancy: Becky\u2019s and Nick\u2019s coaching experience<br>16:36 &#8211; What guidelines should lifters follow?<br>20:20 &#8211; What symptoms matter and how to respond<br>22:55 &#8211; Exercise modifications &amp; movement adjustments<br>24:58 &#8211; The role of energy availability during pregnancy<br>26:07 &#8211; Postpartum recovery: timelines and expectations<br>29:54 &#8211; Real-world coaching after pregnancy<br>32:03 &#8211; Strength persists post-pregnancy<br>34:12 &#8211; Weighing health vs. aesthetic goals postpartum<br>35:16 &#8211; Strength training protects pelvic health<br>37:24 &#8211; Stress incontinence: how coaches should think about it<br>41:08 &#8211; Common causes &amp; symptoms<br>44:25 &#8211; What coaches can ask\u2014and what\u2019s in their scope<br>46:35 &#8211; How and when to modify training for stress incontinence<br>51:18 &#8211; Proper Valsalva vs. bearing down<br>54:03 &#8211; Practical breathing cues to reduce pelvic stress<br>55:35 &#8211; Do Kegels work? It depends<br>59:18 &#8211; Are there standard pelvic floor strengthening protocols?<br>1:00:52 &#8211; When to refer out to pelvic PT<br>1:03:42 &#8211; Understanding prolapse &amp; how to respond<br>1:07:28 &#8211; What is a pessary and who might benefit from one?<br>1:08:29 &#8211; How to contact Dr. Becky Maidansky<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\ud83d\udd17 Brought to you by Starting Strength Gyms<br>\ud83c\udfa7 New episodes every other week on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify<br>\ud83d\udce9 Send feedback or questions to: podcast@ssgyms.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Dr. Becky Maidansky, pelvic floor specialist and founder of Lady Bird Physical Therapy in Austin, TX. They explore the realities of training through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction, and why strength is one of the most under appreciated tools in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[9,10],"class_list":["post-188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-podcast","tag-starting-strength-gyms","tag-stronger-is-better"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":256,"url":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/fighting-the-lust-for-comfort-stronger-is-better-podcast-13\/","url_meta":{"origin":188,"position":0},"title":"Fighting the Lust for Comfort | Stronger is Better Podcast #13","author":"Bre Acosta","date":"September 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/fuDXXhGIFuo In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo shares a talk he delivered at the Starting Strength Cincinnati Member event in August 2025. 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James shares how barbell training prepared him physically and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Podcast - Stronger Is Better&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Podcast - Stronger Is Better","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/IvKT0M6dgLg\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":184,"url":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/freedom-and-purpose-through-entrepreneurship-with-ray-gillenwater-stronger-is-better-podcast-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":188,"position":3},"title":"Freedom and Purpose through Entrepreneurship with Ray Gillenwater | Stronger Is Better Podcast #6","author":"Bre Acosta","date":"June 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/fKlfxrVEBVk In this episode of the Stronger Is Better Podcast, Nick Delgadillo sits down with Starting Strength Gyms founder Ray Gillenwater for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, vision, and the founding story of Starting Strength Gyms. 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In this kickoff episode, Nick lays out a comprehensive roadmap for barbell programming \u2014 from the simple and powerful Novice Linear Progression all the way to advanced\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Podcast - Stronger Is Better&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Podcast - Stronger Is Better","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/BGOR6Ho8UXA\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":137,"url":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/programming-the-overhead-press-novice-to-advanced\/","url_meta":{"origin":188,"position":5},"title":"Programming the Overhead Press &#8211; Novice to Advanced","author":"Nick Delgadillo","date":"May 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the most common questions that people have about programming revolves around doing and improving strength in the overhead press. In this episode of the Stronger is Better Podcast, Nick goes deep on the press, why it's good for you, and how to program it long term. https:\/\/youtu.be\/vzUc7QNO_ME?si=9Qth1EmVX-tSzc5t Programming\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Podcast - Stronger Is Better&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Podcast - Stronger Is Better","link":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/category\/podcast\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/vzUc7QNO_ME\/0.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":189,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188\/revisions\/189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.startingstrengthgyms.com\/library\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}