Is That Normal? A Pelvic Floor Therapist Answers the Questions You're Too Embarrassed to Ask

If you have ever crossed your legs before you sneezed, skipped a workout because something felt off, experienced pain during sex and assumed it was just part of life — this episode is for you. Jenn and Laura sit down with Dr. Allea Francis, pelvic floor physical therapist and co-founder of Tonic and Phasic in Costa Mesa, California, for a conversation that is long overdue on this show. This is a topic that touches nearly every woman — and almost nobody is talking about it honestly. Dr. Allea shares her own decade-long journey with chronic pelvic pain before discovering pelvic floor physical therapy — a field she has now dedicated her career to. Jenn opens up about seeing Dr. Allea as a patient herself: what began as debilitating back pain she was convinced required a neurologist turned out to be a pelvic floor issue. One session brought relief she hadn't felt in over a year. This conversation covers the pelvic floor in full — anatomy, symptoms, hormonal connections, and the exercises that actually help. Whether you have classic symptoms or none at all, you will leave this episode understanding your body in a way you likely never have before. What You'll Learn What the pelvic floor actually is — and why it is so much more than Kegels The full range of symptoms that indicate a pelvic floor issue (many will surprise you) Why back pain, hip pain, and sciatic pain can all be pelvic floor problems in disguise How leakage is common — but not inevitable — and what you can do about it How hormones across every life stage (pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, menopause) directly affect pelvic health Why strength training and flexibility are equally important — and which muscles most moms are unknowingly neglecting What to expect at your first pelvic floor PT appointment How to find a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist near you Why it is never too late to address pelvic health — even in your 80s The specific blood work Dr. Allea recommends and why timing in your cycle matters Links & Resources Find Dr. Allea Francis Tonic and Phasic — Practice Website Costa Mesa, California | Also offering virtual appointments Find a Pelvic Floor Therapist Near You Dr. Allea recommended these two accredited directories: PelvicRehab.com — Practitioner Directory Pelvic Guru — Practitioner Directory Mentioned in This Episode Dr. Stacy Sims — Roar (Book) Dr. Stacy Sims — Next Level (Book) Function Health — Comprehensive Lab Testing Connect With MAAM Substack — mightyasamother.substack.com Instagram — @mightyasamotherpodcast Apple Podcasts — Mighty as a Mother Spotify — Mighty as a Mother