Reclaiming Your Body: Chronic Illness, Pelvic Floor Healing, and Radical Self-Advocacy

In this episode, we're joined by our friend and pelvic floor physical therapist, Dr. Kayleigh, and we go way down the rabbit hole on chronic conditions, the body keeping the score, and what it can look like to learn how to heal your own body from the inside out. We get radically honest about our personal medical stories: endometriosis, appendicitis, chronic constipation, and even peeing ourselves while running—and how each experience has shaped our relationship to our bodies. Dr. Kayleigh offers invaluable insight from the provider perspective, reminding us what's possible when you have a clinician who truly listens. Together, we talk about bodily trauma, injury, the nervous system, and the practices we've implemented over the years to reconnect with our bodies instead of abandoning them. We also explore what it really means to advocate for yourself in medical spaces, especially when your symptoms are minimized or misunderstood. It's equal parts validating, educational, and deeply human: a conversation for anyone who's ever felt betrayed by their body, or is trying to find their way back home to it.... and for anyone who cannot poop while on vacation  If you know someone struggling with a chronic illness, please send this to them! And as always, please rate, review and subscribe x   00:00 Silly Goose Conversations and Lighthearted Banter 02:00 Exploring the Body's Wisdom and Childhood Experiences 10:38 The Connection Between Pain and Memory 19:40 The Role of Pelvic Floor Therapy 19:59 Cystitis and Bladder Health 27:01 The Importance of Holistic Approaches 35:30 Breathwork and the Nervous System 43:19 Understanding Pelvic Floor Dynamics 48:38 Navigating Healthcare: Cash vs. Insurance 50:06 Empowerment Through Self-Care 56:25 Creating Supportive Spaces for Healing 01:01:24 The Flow of Creativity and Movement 01:10:11 Understanding Hormonal Influences on Mood 01:13:12 Cultural Reflections: Taylor Swift's Engagement 01:23:11 Exploring the Depths of Performance Art