#51 - How to Train Through Pregnancy, Postpartum, Injury, and Pain (Without Stopping Your Life)

Training during pregnancy, postpartum, injury, or chronic pain doesn’t mean stopping — it means understanding how your body actually adapts. In this episode, movement and nutrition coach Chandler Sommerfeldt breaks down how to train safely and effectively through pregnancy, postpartum, injury, and pain using the same science-based framework professionals use in injury rehab and performance training. This episode challenges the fear-based advice many women receive — like “do less,” “rest until it goes away,” or “just wait it out” — and explains why those recommendations often keep people stuck in pain longer. You’ll learn: The difference between pain and injury (and why confusing the two keeps you fearful) The 4 pain rules that allow you to keep training safely Why pregnancy and postpartum follow injury-based training principles How reactive vs degenerative tendinopathy show up during pregnancy and postpartum Why doing nothing often makes tendon pain and joint pain worse How Heavy Slow Resistance (HSR) and intelligent loading rebuild tissue resilience The role of the nervous system, breath, and stress in chronic pain How to train below threshold to increase capacity over time Why capacity vs load is the real issue behind most pregnancy and postpartum pain How fear, beliefs, and environment influence pain perception Why choosing the right community and provider matters for healing This episode is especially helpful if you are: Pregnant and unsure how to keep exercising safely Postpartum and dealing with lingering pain or fear of movement Experiencing pelvic pain, SPD pain, knee pain, Achilles pain, or tendon pain Returning to training after injury or surgery Living with chronic pain and tired of being told to “just rest” An athlete mom who wants to train without compromising your body or your life Chandler also shares her personal experiences with SPD pain during pregnancy, multiple knee surgeries, and chronic pain — and how learning to regulate the nervous system and train within capacity completely changed her relationship with movement. This is not about pushing through pain. It’s about understanding your body, rebuilding trust, and training intelligently through every season of life. 🎙️ Subscribe to the podcast If this episode helped you, please rate, review, and share it with a mom who’s trying to lift while raising kids. 🔗 Resources & Links 📖 Read the full breakdown of this Podcast episode on my Substack 👉 [Read it Here] 🏔️ Join the Athlete Mom Project Course Training that fits motherhood — without burnout, all-or-nothing, or sacrificing family life. 👉 [ Learn More Here ] 📲 Learn More About Coaching Programs 👉 Inquire About Coaching Programs Here 💪🏻 Connect with me on Instagram 👉 [@withchanyoucan]