Shows
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthGet Informed: Anal Cancer - with advocate and survivor Mary Jo MurphyAnal cancer is something you may have never thought about and may even make you feel a little uncomfortable. Despite being a relatively rare cancer, up to 25% of those diagnosed lose their lives to this disease which is easily missed or misdiagnosed. Most people are not aware that ~90% of anal cancers are related to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is the most common STI and which almost all sexually active adults will have at some point in their lives. For this episode I am joined by the delightful Mary Jo Murphy, advocate for and survivor of anal cancer. F...2023-04-2844 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthFit triplet mum - surviving and thriving, prolapse and pessaries!This episode I am joined by Taryn Anderson, a colleague of mine in the Women's Health physio world and mother to four young children including triplets. She’s an absolute dynamo of a woman, incredibly smart, passionate with incredible strength and resilience. In our discussion we cover topics including: Her experiences of pregnancy and delivering her tripletsThe challenges of those first years as a new mumHer journey with pelvic organ prolapse and associated hormonal changes How using a vaginal pessary has changed her outlook on her symptoms, prognosis and ability to exercise at a high level.If...2021-09-0245 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthPelvic floor 101Heard of the pelvic floor but only have a hazy idea of what it is and what it does? This super simple outline of the key facts will increase your understanding of this amazing and super important part of your anatomy. Yay!What is it? What does it do? What can impact it's function over a lifetime? What can we do about it? I'll cover all this and more.Oh! And for this episode I'm goin' solo.2021-07-2917 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's Health3 sons with autism - one mother's lived experienceThis episode I am joined by Emma, single mother of four sons aged 21, 6,4 and 1, three of whom have been formally diagnosed with autism. Emma kindly made time for me in her very busy schedule to come into her home for a relaxed conversation about how she manages her family in all it's complexity. The ambient background noise includes children, a baby, support workers and dogs - I love it!Emma has such a pragmatic approach to life and parenting and I really admire her strength and resilience. It's clear that her priorities are very much h...2021-07-2255 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthFinding meaning and purpose after lossThis episode I am joined by children's author Jevita Nilson who published her first children's picture book called "Happy Hearts" after the death of her beloved mother, who was her greatest friend and source of support. The book features her mother and her son and provides a way for children to gain greater understanding of grief, loss and death, simultaneously providing comfort and age appropriate answers to tricky questions.Jevita is yet another example of an 'ordinary' person creating something extraordinary within their lives. I found Jevita's story to be incredibly inspiring, primarily because of it's simplicity...2021-05-2335 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthEmbracing adventure as a way to liveLove this episode with my gorgeous little sister Tanya who lives in Cairns, Queensland and who had to do some serious career pivoting in light of the near decimation of the tourism industry impacting her scuba diving/musician vocations.Like myself, Tanya has always had an adventurous spirit and an open mind to opportunity. Our conversation covers concepts such as adventure, the power of rites of passage in changing perception, and having an open mind when opportunities knock. We ponder how our parents and our upbringing in a small, landlocked wheat and sheep farming town shaped the...2021-04-2958 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWomen's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapists - what do we do and who can we help?It was a privilege to spend time recently with Irena Nurkic, specialist physiotherapist in Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health (recently awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists) with over 20 years experience in the field at Royal Perth Hospital. Irena is also a lecturer and clinical tutor at Curtin University for the postgraduate Continence and Pelvic Health Masters course. Irena is a highly respected figure in the physiotherapy world and renowned for her knowledge, experience and passion for her field. In our discussion we cover how we define our profession, what conditions we treat and who we can h...2021-03-2538 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthPro-active not reactive - in the biz of optimising pelvic healthThis episode I am joined by powerhouse businesswoman and mother of two under five Taryn Watson, Director of the fabulous FitRight Physio - a business focussed on providing pelvic floor friendly exercise classes for women as well as a plethora of information and resources on all things relating to women's health. We explore Taryn's personal journey to how she got to where she is today and the ongoing and evolving challenges of trying to find personal balance whilst running a business. We talk about the importance of increasing awareness of pelvic floor health, the importance of being...2021-03-0450 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthBody scan meditation including pelvic floor - short versionThis 'episode' is a body scan meditation which, as the title suggests, and which all my body scan audio recordings will do, includes the pelvic floor. This audio is appropriate for any women who wishes to use it as part of a mindfulness practice. Keep in mind that in this form it is a general resource only and you should always seek professional advice for any specific issues, problems or symptoms you are experiencing as an individual. 2021-02-2509 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWhat is an empowered woman?This episode covers a topic I am passionate about which is the importance of having a mindfulness practice in your life and how it can help us live a more empowered life. I have found a simple daily 10 minute meditation practice has literally changed my life. It is now something I enjoy, crave even, and I feel the difference in my day and life in general if I miss a day through extenuating circumstances. If you stop and think about that......it's pretty phenomenal! That's only TEN MINUTES of my day. Even I, a busy working mum of two...2021-02-2517 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthBody scan meditation including pelvic floor - long versionThis 'episode' is a body scan meditation which, as the title suggests, and which all my body scan audio recordings will do, includes the pelvic floor. This audio is appropriate for any women who wishes to use it as part of a mindfulness practice. Keep in mind that in this form it is a general resource only and you should always seek professional advice for any specific issues, problems or symptoms you are experiencing as an individual. 2021-02-2530 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthAnxiety + babies = ???This episode I am joined by the divine Zoe who has generously shared her experiences of anxiety which for her have a very physical, embodied flavour in that they result in her feeling ill, an experience she recalls from a young age. We all know having kids is a rather big change in ones life and for many women can trigger anxiety (qui moi) and depression, so I was curious to hear Zoe's insights into how having her children impacted her experience of anxiety.Our flowing conversation also dives into the mindblowing experience of childbirth as well...2021-01-271h 01
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthIndulging my food fetish... and dispelling nutrition myths!This episode is all about food, a topic I find endlessly fascinating so bear with me and my endless questions :) I am joined by Dr Marita Wallace (who was heavily pregnant at the time of interview) who is a skeletal muscle biology/physiology researcher and the founder and director of CellMet Performance Health. Her research has focused on understanding the role of nutrition and exercise in improving health and performance. Marita has personally experienced the many positive health effects of adapting to a low carbohydrate/ ketogenic diet and this has motivated her to investigate how this diet may improve...2021-01-191h 30
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWhen sex hurts! And the keys to healing.I'm so excited about this episode with the beautiful Emily who is passionate about sharing her story to help raise awareness and support women going through similar experiences. So inspiring! Embarking on a new intimate relationship, Emily came to the realisation that something was 'wrong' when sex was not how she had imagined it should be. Eventually building the courage to seek professional medical advice she was (eventually) diagnosed with vaginismus and dyspareunia. This was after the first GP advised her there was no cure and she would probably not be able to have children....... high five doc. 2020-11-1542 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthVBAC - not just a four letter word!This episode I am joined by Associate Professor Kenneth Nathan, an OBGYN with 27 years experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Dr Nathan is a passionate about his field and is a strong advocate for vaginal delivery and VBAC (Vaginal Delivery after Caesarean) and has equally strong opinions regarding the current state of obstetrics particularly in the private practice setting. A fascinating, potentially controversial conversation not to be missed by anyone who has had, or is planning on having a baby. You can get in touch with Dr Nathan at his clinic COGSS here. 2020-11-0256 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthGoing solo - One woman's journey to motherhood sans "life partner"This episode I am joined by Ari who reached her mid 30's and realised she had to make some tough decisions if she wanted to achieve her goal of becoming a mother. Well....she made it! And her story is both inspiring and insightful.Here are some links you may find useful if you are thinking of embarking on a solo motherhood journey:- Solo Mums by Choice- Co-parent Match.com- Sperm Donation Australia Facebook Group2020-10-1255 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWhen breastfeeding goes wrong....For this episode of the podcast I am joined by Jo, mother to Matilda who had a very challenging journey with breastfeeding experiencing 5 episodes of mastitis in the first 5 months of motherhood. Her story is an inspiring perspective on listening to your gut and persevering (even when things aren't going your way) if there's something you really want to achieve. For more info about breastfeeding head to the Australian Breastfeeding Association website. 2020-10-0829 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWhen your child gets sick.This episode I am joined by Naomi, whose son was diagnosed with cancer at the age of five. Her story is not easy to tell and it's heartbreaking to listen to. However it's a story about survival, resilience and finding meaning in our struggles. It's about finding reasons to celebrate life in all it's complex, contradictory glory. Join a Yoga Class with Naomi at Tamara Yoga.Find out more about Dr Edith Eger and her book "The Gift" here.2020-09-0237 min
Choose To Thrive: Women's HealthWhy this podcast?As a Women's Health Physiotherapist I have the privilege of working with women experiencing common issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction, continence issues, prolapse, painful sex, endometriosis, pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain and postpartum abdominal separation. In connecting with these women I find other recurring themes arise relating to motherhood, relationship, juggling career and kids and body image. This podcast came about as a result of my desire to share the stories of these beautiful women, because I believe the power of positive human connection and shared experience can change lives. Remember, no matter what's going on in your...2020-08-2005 min