Throwback: Breaking the Postpartum Mold

Throwback: Breaking the Postpartum Mold

Author: Anthony Amen September 8, 2025 Duration: 55:02

Send a text

What happens to a woman’s body after pregnancy goes far beyond what most fitness professionals understand. In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), I sit down with Dr. Carly, a sports chiropractor who specializes in postpartum care, to reveal the hidden complexities of recovery after childbirth — and why “bouncing back” is one of the most misleading ideas in women’s health.

“You’re not the same person anymore,” Dr. Carly explains. After delivery, she performs full re-evaluations on every patient because the body you had before pregnancy is not the one you have now. That truth sets the stage for a deep, evidence-based conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and empowers women with real guidance — something we value deeply at Redefine Fitness in Stony Brook and Mount Sinai, NY.

We break down the postpartum realities most people never hear about. Diastasis recti affects nearly all pregnant women, but it’s not something to fear. Dr. Carly explains how safe, intentional rehabilitation can start within days of delivery, not just after the six-week checkup. We also dig into relaxin, the hormone that loosens joints for childbirth — and why it stays in your system until you finish breastfeeding, leading to instability that can last a year or longer. This affects posture, strength, pain, and performance in ways most trainers completely overlook.

Then the conversation takes a powerful turn. Dr. Carly shares her company motto: “Every mom is an athlete.” From deadlifting a toddler to carrying car seats, nursing posture, and daily rotational demands, motherhood requires athletic strength, posterior chain stability, and smart programming. We explore why strengthening glutes, hamstrings, and back muscles becomes essential to preventing injury and restoring confidence postpartum.

Whether you're a fitness professional, a pregnant woman preparing for birth, or someone supporting a new mother, this episode delivers clarity, compassion, and immediately usable tools. At Redefine Fitness, our philosophy is simple: fitness is medicine, and postpartum recovery deserves the same intelligence, respect, and individualized care as injury rehab.

Subscribe now, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help more women access the information they were never taught. We’re building a community dedicated to redefining health and fitness through evidence-based, holistic approaches — one powerful conversation at a time.

Support the show

Learn More at: www.Redefine-Fitness.com


You'll find The Anthony Amen Show lives in the space where sweat meets thought, where practical advice intersects with the deeper mindset needed for lasting change. Anthony Amen, who founded Redefine Fitness and brings his background as an NASM certified trainer, approaches these conversations as a perpetual student of human performance himself. Rather than offering quick fixes, this podcast digs into the nuances of nutrition, the psychology behind fitness routines, and the holistic view of what true strength really means. Each episode frames wellness not as a destination, but as an ongoing and deeply personal pursuit. The discussions with a range of guests-from medical professionals and researchers to elite athletes-are grounded in honesty and stripped of unnecessary jargon. What you hear is actionable insight, whether the topic is optimizing your metabolism, building mental resilience, or rethinking recovery. It’s for anyone who feels overwhelmed by conflicting health information and is looking for a clear, empowering dialogue. Tune in for a straightforward take on building a healthier life from the ground up.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Anthony Amen Show
Podcast Episodes
Beyond the Finish Line [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:31
Send a textRunning isn’t a punishment — it’s an opportunity to discover what you’re truly capable of. In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), Anthony — a self-proclaimed running ha…
Brain Hacks That Help Kids Win at Sports and Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
Send a textCould your child’s future success depend on mental skills you’ve never thought to teach them? In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), I sit down with Dr. Christine Silve…
A Ranger's Reset: Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT, and Post-Traumatic Growth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:07
Send a textWhat happens when traditional medicine fails to heal the invisible wounds of war? In this gripping episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), former Army Ranger Mike Leal shares hi…
Intermittent Fasting: Fact vs. Fiction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:22
Send a textSkyrocketing in popularity over the last five years, intermittent fasting has positioned itself as the diet trend du jour. But beyond the simple concept of timing your meals within specific windows, does this…
Shot in the Head, Still Standing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:03
Send a text“Life gave me so much more than it ever took from me.” These words belong to John Carter, and they hit even harder once you hear the story behind them. In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health…
Brain Health: The Race Against Alzheimer's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:06
Send a textThe thought of losing our memories, independence, and cognitive abilities strikes a deeper fear than almost anything else. For adults over 55, Alzheimer’s disease is now the single most feared diagnosis. But w…
Menopause, Muscle, and Myths: Transforming Your Body After 40 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:29
Send a textThe hormonal shift of menopause fundamentally transforms a woman’s body — in ways that go far beyond hot flashes and mood swings. As estrogen levels drop, women face accelerated bone loss, decreased muscle mas…
The Female Body's Warning Sign [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:38
Send a textWhat if your relentless pursuit of fitness is actually destroying your health? In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), I sit down with Dani Sheriff to expose the hidden…
Walking Away from Excuses: How Small Movement Changes Transform Lives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:31
Send a textCould the solution to America’s health crisis be far simpler than we think? In this episode of The Anthony Amen Show (formerly Health & Fitness Redefined), cardiovascular exercise physiologist Jim Walter, who…
Beyond Breaking Points: The Story of Redefine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:59
Send a textWhat does it take to reinvent your entire life—not once, but multiple times? In this raw and deeply personal episode of The Anthony Amen Show, Anthony shares the story behind Redefine Fitness and the philosoph…