Strength & Running During Pregnancy and Postpartum: What’s Actually Possible — with JESSICA DORRINGTON, PT & Olympian, SHANNON ROWBURY

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, I sit down with Shannon Rowbury—Olympic bronze medalist, one of the most accomplished middle-distance runners in U.S. history, and Emmy Award winner for her work with NBC’s 2024 Olympic coverage—and Jessica Dorrington, a pelvic floor physical therapist, runner, and all-around grounded voice in pregnancy and postpartum fitness.Together, they co-authored Strong as a Mother and founded 4Two, a platform built to give moms what so many of us were searching for: clear, practical, evidence-informed guidance during pregnancy and postpartum—without fear-based messaging or one-size-fits-all rules.This is an honest conversation about strength, running, identity, and motherhood. We talk about what it’s like to search for return-to-sport guidance even when you’re an elite athlete, why “just listen to your body” isn’t always enough, and how small, actionable information can make a huge difference when your nervous system, hormones, and life are already maxed out.We also get into the bigger picture: how pregnancy and postpartum experiences can look completely different—between people and between pregnancies—and why letting go of rigid ideas of “right” and “wrong” movement is often where real confidence starts.In this episode, we cover:Why Strong as a Mother was written—and the real gaps it aims to fill in pregnancy and postpartum careWhat elite athletes struggle with when returning to running after babyWhy bite-sized, practical education matters more than perfect plansHow to improve systems and conversations for the next generation of momsWhy every pregnancy and postpartum season deserves its own resetLearning to trust your body again without forcing itLetting go of fear, rules, and comparison in pregnancy and postpartum movementIf you’re pregnant, postpartum, a runner, a clinician, or someone who just wants better information without the noise—this episode is for you.Get Strong as a Mother: Your Complete Pregnancy-to-Postpartum Health Program on preorder NOW on Amazon.com with release on February 17 2026.PT's, Meet Jess at APTA CSM in Anaheim in the exhibit hall Booth #1725 Feb 12-14th!Time Stamps1:00 Introduction5:24 Strong as a Mother book13:50 comparison and the algorithm19:04 busting common myths27:40 pregnancy as a professional athlete33:53 domino effect of progress41:54 overcoming fear in pregnancy46:25 filling in the gaps52:46 getting support56:16 favorite parts of the book61:35 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH JESSICA AND SHANNON:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/4twomom/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessica.w.dorrington/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonrowbury/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taibethanypt/Website: https://4twomom.com/about-usWebsite: Shannonrowbury.comWebsite: https://www.therapeuticassociates.com/locations/oregon/portland-metro/bethany/Book: The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌