Training Through Pregnancy in Military Moms: Strength, Readiness & Postpartum Recovery — with DR. MEGAN JONES

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and military fitness standards collide?Because “light duty” doesn’t exactly exist when you’re a soldier… or a mom.In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Megan Jones, a civilian physical therapist who has spent nearly her entire career embedded inside the military system, helping pregnant and postpartum service members stay strong, capable, and mission-ready.She works at the intersection of tactical athletes, pelvic health, strength training, and postpartum performance — supporting women who are expected to carry heavy loads, pass fitness tests, deploy, and return to high-level activity… often while navigating pregnancy, birth recovery, and pelvic floor symptoms that rarely get talked about out loud.And honestly? So much of this mirrors what our everyday runners and lifters face too.We talk about what actually prepares women for the long game — not just “clearing” a 6-week checkup or surviving a fitness test.Because strength isn’t optional. Recovery isn’t weakness. And asking better questions changes everything.Inside this episode, we cover:Military fitness test standards and expectations for womenPostpartum return-to-fitness for tactical athletesWhy lifting during and after pregnancy matters more than everPelvic floor + psychosocial components of recoveryAsking smarter clinical questions (not just chasing symptoms)Running and coaching through pregnancy and postpartumHow to help women stay active for decades — not just monthsWhether you’re a clinician, coach, military service member, or an active mom trying to get back to running and lifting without leaks, pain, or fear… this conversation will expand how you think about pregnancy and postpartum performance.Because women don’t need to shrink their lives to fit their bodies.We need better support systems.Time Stamps1:00 Introduction3:39 expectations for female service members9:17 standardizing the Army’s pregnancy/postpartum fitness 14:14 culture and accountability20:09 combating outdated information22:53 advice for working with tactical athletes29:39 process of seeing a PT in the military34:13 running and finding ultras41:30 lifting early in postpartum45:09 finding the right resources50:18 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH MEGAN:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/reclaimfxn/Website: www.reclaimfxn.comThe 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 💌