Strength Training While Pregnant: A Surrogate’s Perspective

What a Birth Doula Wishes Every Woman Knew

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/fan_mail/new] Birth is one of the most intense physiological and psychological experiences a woman will ever go through, yet many women enter labor feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and disconnected from how their bodies actually work. In this episode, we sit down with birth doula Jackie Woodfin to have an honest conversation about pregnancy, labor, advocacy, postpartum recovery, and the nervous system’s role in birth. We explore what a doula actually does, why continuous support during labor matters, and how fear, stress, and environment can directly impact the birth experience. Jackie also breaks down common interventions, informed consent, epidurals, inductions, C-sections, and the importance of preparation over perfection. This conversation goes far beyond birth plans. It’s about learning to trust your body, advocate for yourself, and approach one of life’s most vulnerable experiences with education instead of fear. Whether you’re planning to have children, currently pregnant, postpartum, or simply wanting a deeper understanding of women’s health and physiology, this episode offers a grounded and empowering perspective. Support the show Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective [https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective] If You Enjoyed This Episode Subscribe + turn on notifications Share this episode with someone preparing for birth or navigating postpartum Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As Comment or DM us: What is one thing you wish more women understood about birth? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/support] Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective If You Enjoyed This Episode * Subscribe + turn on notifications * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating burnout * Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As * Comment or DM us: What signs of burnout have you noticed in yourself lately? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team

Strength Training While Pregnant: A Surrogate’s Perspective

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/fan_mail/new] Strength training while pregnant is one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health, especially within the context of surrogacy. In this episode, we sit down with Lauren to share her journey into surrogacy—what led her to say yes, what the process actually looked like, and the responsibility of carrying a baby for someone else. We also explore how she approached strength training during pregnancy, how she adapted her workouts, and how staying active supported both her physical health and mental resilience. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It’s about trust, discipline, and learning how to work with your body instead of against it. If you’ve ever been curious about surrogacy or questioned what’s safe when it comes to working out during pregnancy, this episode offers a grounded and honest perspective. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/support] Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective If You Enjoyed This Episode * Subscribe + turn on notifications * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating burnout * Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As * Comment or DM us: What signs of burnout have you noticed in yourself lately? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team

The Issue With Your Soft Tissue (Pain, Recovery & Injury Prevention)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/fan_mail/new] One of the most overlooked contributors to chronic pain, limited mobility, and recurring injuries is soft tissue dysfunction. Many people treat pain as a skeletal issue — focusing on bones, joints, or posture — without realizing that unresolved soft tissue restrictions are often the real root cause. In this episode, soft tissue specialist Ted Plasko explains how muscles, fascia, and scar tissue directly impact movement, recovery, and long-term joint health. Amanda and Ted break down why rest and recovery are not the same thing, how scar tissue forms after injury or surgery, and how stress becomes stored in the body — often showing up as pain, tightness, or restricted range of motion. They also explore why preventative soft tissue work isn’t a luxury, but a necessary part of sustainable wellness and injury prevention. Whether you’re an athlete, desk worker, or living in a high-stress body, this episode will help you understand how movement, recovery, and intentional care work together to support long-term health. In This Episode • What soft tissue is and how it affects skeletal health • Why soft tissue issues often show up as joint pain • The difference between rest and true recovery • How movement supports mobility and injury prevention • Scar tissue’s role in chronic pain • How stress contributes to physical dysfunction • Why prevention beats reactive treatment Key Takeaways • Soft tissue issues often precede skeletal pain • Recovery requires intention, not just rest • Scar tissue can restrict movement long after healing • Stress can amplify pain and tension • Soft tissue work is maintenance, not indulgence • Prevention improves mobility and quality of life Guest: Ted Plasko Expertise: Soft Tissue Specialist Hosted by: Amanda Norcott – Co-Founder, AIWA Collective Keywords soft tissue health, injury prevention, recovery vs rest, scar tissue pain, movement and mobility, pain management, holistic wellness, functional movement, AIWA podcast, All In Wellness Approach Sound Bites “The body keeps the score.” “You can find that person.” “Choose your hard.” Connect With AIWA  https://linktr.ee/AIWACollective [https://www.aiwacollective.com/] Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/support] Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective If You Enjoyed This Episode * Subscribe + turn on notifications * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating burnout * Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As * Comment or DM us: What signs of burnout have you noticed in yourself lately? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team

PCOS: Why So Many Women Aren’t Getting Better (And What Actually Helps)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/fan_mail/new] PCOS affects millions of women, yet many are told the same few solutions: birth control, medication, and “just manage the symptoms.” But what happens when those solutions don’t actually make you feel better? In this episode, we sit down with integrative health coach and functional nutrition specialist Carolyn Littrell to unpack why so many women with PCOS struggle to see real improvement and what lifestyle changes can actually move the needle. Carolyn’s authority in this conversation didn’t begin with credentials. It began with her own PCOS diagnosis, unanswered questions, and a body that wasn’t responding to the advice she was given. After being told that birth control and medication were the primary options, she began digging deeper into the root causes of hormonal imbalance. Through nutrition, metabolic health, and intentional lifestyle shifts, Carolyn transformed her own health and now helps other women do the same. In this conversation, we discuss what PCOS actually is, why so many women feel dismissed when seeking answers, and how small but intentional lifestyle changes can dramatically impact hormonal health. If you’ve struggled with fatigue, irregular cycles, hormonal acne, weight fluctuations, or the feeling that your symptoms were brushed off as “normal,” this episode will help you better understand what may actually be happening in your body and where to start. Topics discussed in this episode: Understanding PCOS symptoms and diagnosis Why many women feel dismissed in traditional healthcare Lifestyle changes that support hormonal balance The role of nutrition in managing PCOS Small habit changes that compound over time How community and accountability support long-term health Advocating for personalized health solutions Guest Carolyn Littrell Integrative Health Coach | Functional Nutrition Specialist Resources mentioned Elevate Thrive https://www.elevatethrivewellness.com [https://www.elevatethrivewellness.com/] Environmental Working Group https://www.ewg.org/ [https://www.ewg.org/] Function Health Labs https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=AWARRICK10&_saasquatch=AWARRICK10&d=GIVE50 [https://my.functionhealth.com/signup?code=AWARRICK10&_saasquatch=AWARRICK10&d=GIVE50] My Productivity Journal Email team@aiwacollective.com  for access Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/support] Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective If You Enjoyed This Episode * Subscribe + turn on notifications * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating burnout * Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As * Comment or DM us: What signs of burnout have you noticed in yourself lately? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team

Adult Friendships Are Hard — Here’s Why (And What Actually Helps)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/fan_mail/new] In this episode, Jess Humphrey shares why making and keeping friends as an adult feels so different, what’s actually happening beneath the surface, and what helps you build real community and stability again. We talk honestly about loneliness, survival mode, changing seasons of life, and the effort it takes to create meaningful friendships as an adult. Jess is a military spouse and mom who has experienced constant relocation, seasons of single parenting during deployment, and the emotional weight of starting over socially. Through her personal health journey and self-discovery, she breaks down how intentional routines, honest communication, and aligned priorities helped her move from simply surviving to feeling grounded and connected again. In this conversation, we cover: • Why adult friendships often become surface-level • How survival mode blocks connection • Communicating expectations without guilt • Long-distance friendships that last • Building community with intention • Creating stability through daily routines This episode is for anyone who’s felt lonely in a full life, struggled to find their people, or wondered why friendships feel harder now than they used to. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539717/support] Connect with Us https://linktr.ee/AIWAcollective If You Enjoyed This Episode * Subscribe + turn on notifications * Share this episode with someone who’s navigating burnout * Follow us on socials for upcoming After Show Q&As * Comment or DM us: What signs of burnout have you noticed in yourself lately? Thanks for listening. Let’s live well—for the long haul. — Your AIWA Team