"I just need to be with kids" - On motherhood, youth sports PT, and what pediatrics gets right that adult medicine misses with Dr. Kari Lindegren

Dr. Kari Lindegren is a physical therapist, educator, and swimmer who has spent her career working with youth athletes — specifically adolescent girls navigating pelvic health concerns. In this episode, she and Julie trace the through-line from Kari's childhood as the quiet, high-achieving "perfect student" who came fully alive only at the pool, through a series of cross-country moves, a job that was quietly breaking her, and the moment she walked into a children's hospital interview and said out loud: I just need to be here. What unfolds is a conversation about safety, belonging, and the cost of ignoring what your body already knows. Kari and Julie go deep on what pediatric medicine gets right about the whole human — and what adult medicine keeps missing — and how that shapes not just how Kari treats patients, but how she's learning to parent, let go of control, and step into the next chapter of her career: leaving one-on-one clinical work behind to educate other clinicians and multiply her impact. 05:24 — The kid at the pool: growing up as the perfect student 13:02 — Moving across the country when you hate change 26:51 — The job that was quietly breaking her 36:05 — What pediatrics gets right that adult medicine doesn't 50:44 — Motherhood, control, and learning to let go 57:36 — Stepping into education and what comes next Love what you hear and want to stay connected to Dr. Kari? Follow her on Instagram here Visit her website here If this episode speaks to you, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend 👉Looking for more of where this came from? Get career and coaching support from Julie in a Career Compass Activation Coaching Session Need some space to sit with your career questions and journal about them? Download the free Be the Boss of Your Career Guide Want to know you're not the only woman in healthcare choosing differently in your career? Come hang at a free monthly Just Be with Julie meditation circle Keep up with what's going on by joining the Notes from a Fart Walk Newsletter and don't miss an episode or update Watch full video episodes and clips on Youtube Social Media: Follow Julie for clips, bonus content, and updates throughout the week. You can also shoot her a DM to connect! Instagram @drjuliegranger, Substack @drjuliegranger ...