Let's Talk About The POTS life

POTS, Advocacy, and The Dysautonomia Workbook with Joanna Behm

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we sit down with Joanna Behm, occupational therapist, dysautonomia advocate, and co-author of The Dysautonomia Workbook. Joanna shares her personal journey to diagnosis, the challenges of living with POTS, MCAS, and hEDS, and the work she does through the Dysautonomia Support Network (DSN) to help others feel more supported and informed. We also talk about practical tools for managing daily life with dysautonomia, including pacing, symptom tracking, accommodations, mental health, and building a better quality of life while navigating chronic illness. About DSN: Dysautonomia Support Network is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting and empowering those with dysautonomia through education, resources, and community. Learn more at dysautonomiasupport.org. Workbook: The Dysautonomia Workbook: A Guide to Empowered Living https://www.dysautonomiasupport.org/product/the-dysautonomia-workbook-a-guide-to-empowered-living/ [https://www.dysautonomiasupport.org/product/the-dysautonomia-workbook-a-guide-to-empowered-living/] Follow DSN: Instagram: @dyssupport [https://www.instagram.com/dyssupport/] YouTube: @DysSupport [www.youtube.com/@DysSupport] Facebook: Dysautonomia Support Network [https://www.facebook.com/DysautonomiaSupportNetwork] Connect with Joanna: LinkedIn: Joanna Behm [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannabehm]

What to Do After a POTS Diagnosis (Electrolytes, Exercise, and Common Mistakes)

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), it can feel overwhelming figuring out what actually helps. In this episode, we break down what to focus on early and what to avoid. We talk through common mistakes after a POTS diagnosis, including over-relying on water without enough sodium, falling for “electrolyte” products that don’t contain meaningful salt, and making drastic diet changes too quickly. We explain how to approach hydration and electrolytes more effectively, including why sodium matters and how to start building tolerance. We also cover nutrition myths, why cutting multiple foods at once can backfire, and how to use simple tracking to identify real triggers. On the movement side, we walk through why exercise is still important with POTS and how to approach it in a low, slow, and sustainable way to avoid worsening symptoms. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this episode will help you take your next step with more clarity. Timestamps: 00:00 What to do after a POTS diagnosis 01:20 Common mistakes early on 02:45 Electrolytes vs water (what actually helps) 04:50 How much sodium you need 07:10 Choosing the right electrolyte options 09:20 Why cutting foods too quickly backfires 10:20 How to track food triggers 12:00 MCAS + food sensitivities 14:20 Salt myths explained 15:30 Why movement matters with POTS 17:00 How to start exercise safely 19:00 Support, structure, and community 21:30 Final thoughts + next steps Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thepotslife.com/] Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

Pelvic Floor Dysfunction and POTS

GI symptoms, pain clues, and why a consult matters In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we break down the connection between POTS and pelvic floor dysfunction and why it’s often overlooked. We cover common “beige flags” like GI issues (IBS, bloating, constipation/diarrhea cycles, gastroparesis), bladder symptoms (chronic UTIs, straining to pee), and unexplained pelvic or low back pain. We also touch on tension patterns (like teeth grinding) and conditions like endometriosis and hypermobility. This episode highlights how pelvic floor therapy can fit into a bigger picture approach alongside POTS care, GI support, and mental health. If you feel like your symptoms aren’t fully adding up, this might be a missing piece. Episode breakdown: 00:00 Pelvic Floor Meets POTS 00:40 Why They Overlap 02:09 GI Red Flags Explained 03:59 Tension and Constipation Cycle 05:13 Movement and Digestion Tips 06:45 UTIs and Peeing Strain 09:03 Pain, Endo, and Hypermobility 11:06 Consults and Team Approach 13:02 Finding the Right PT 14:10 Program Modifications Together 14:50 Wrap Up

From Surviving to Living Again: A POTS Life Graduate’s Journey

In this episode of Let’s Talk About the POTS Life, we sit down with Veronica, a POTS Life graduate now in our graduate program, to talk about her journey from simply surviving to truly living again. Veronica shares what life looked like when her symptoms were at their worst, navigating frequent episodes, overstimulation, and the day-to-day challenges that made even simple things feel overwhelming. After trying multiple approaches without lasting success, things began to shift with a more structured, individualized approach: including guided exercise, heart rate-based progression, nutrition support, and ongoing adjustments. Over time, she began to notice real changes not just in stamina, but in her ability to tolerate more, feel more confident, and engage in her life again. She now describes her life in one word: freeing. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next offering both validation and a reminder that progress is possible. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:02 Emotional Turning Point 01:47 Finding Hope Online 03:38 Early Symptoms and Triggers 05:20 Diagnosis and Early Care 07:25 PT Gaps and Testing 09:18 Stimulation and Vestibular Work 11:15 Work Limits and Boundaries 14:01 Why This Program Worked 16:35 Blood Sugar Breakthrough 17:36 Whole Body POTS Care 18:08 Lowering Adrenaline Sensitivity 19:34 Work Life Confidence Returns 21:07 Setbacks and Program Adjustments 22:11 Trips and Life Milestones 24:37 Mindset After Lost Time 27:32 Graduate Program Support 29:10 Advice to New Diagnoses 32:17 Community Without Doomscrolling 33:22 One Word Freeing 34:30 Final Thanks and Next Steps Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thepotslife.com/] Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife

What Makes The POTS Life Treatment Program Different

In this episode of Let’s Talk About The POTS Life, we walk through the philosophy behind the POTS Life treatment program and why it’s structured the way it is. We talk about the importance of a lower-and-slower approach when building exercise tolerance with POTS, how strengthening evolves over time, and why structure and progression matter when navigating dysautonomia. We also discuss how the program adapts to real life. Symptoms can change, medications shift, illness happens, and life events come up — so having a plan that allows for adjustments along the way can make a big difference. Finally, we share more about the support systems within The POTS Life, including guidance, community connection, and additional resources designed to help people navigate life with POTS. Episode Breakdown 00:00 Why This Program Exists 00:42 Lower and Slower Progression 01:55 Strength Training That Evolves 02:46 Real-Time Guidance 03:33 Why Structure Matters 05:21 Meeting You Where You Are 07:06 Human Support and Lifestyle Fit 08:31 Nutrition and Extra Resources 09:05 Community and Buddy System 10:20 Handling Setbacks and Restarts 16:40 How to Get Started 17:22 Wrap-Up Connect with Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://thepotslife.com/] Facebook: The POTS Life Instagram: @thepotslife_ Tik Tok: thepotslife