What happens to a woman’s body after pregnancy goes far beyond what most fitness professionals understand. In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), I sit down with Dr. Carly, a sports chiropractor who specializes in postpartum care, to reveal the hidden complexities of recovery after childbirth — and why “bouncing back” is one of the most misleading ideas in women’s health.
“You’re not the same person anymore,” Dr. Carly explains. After delivery, she performs full re-evaluations on every patient because the body you had before pregnancy is not the one you have now. That truth sets the stage for a deep, evidence-based conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and empowers women with real guidance — something we value deeply at Redefine Fitness in Stony Brook and Mount Sinai, NY.
We break down the postpartum realities most people never hear about. Diastasis recti affects nearly all pregnant women, but it’s not something to fear. Dr. Carly explains how safe, intentional rehabilitation can start within days of delivery, not just after the six-week checkup. We also dig into relaxin, the hormone that loosens joints for childbirth — and why it stays in your system until you finish breastfeeding, leading to instability that can last a year or longer. This affects posture, strength, pain, and performance in ways most trainers completely overlook.
Then the conversation takes a powerful turn. Dr. Carly shares her company motto: “Every mom is an athlete.” From deadlifting a toddler to carrying car seats, nursing posture, and daily rotational demands, motherhood requires athletic strength, posterior chain stability, and smart programming. We explore why strengthening glutes, hamstrings, and back muscles becomes essential to preventing injury and restoring confidence postpartum.
Whether you're a fitness professional, a pregnant woman preparing for birth, or someone supporting a new mother, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and immediately usable tools. At Redefine Fitness, our philosophy is simple: fitness is medicine, and postpartum recovery deserves the same intelligence, respect, and individualized care as injury rehab.
Subscribe now, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more women access the information they were never taught. We’re building a community dedicated to redefining health and fitness through evidence-based, holistic approaches — one powerful conversation at a time.
Learn More at: www.Redefine-Fitness.com
