TMI Tuesdays

TMI Tuesdays

di Lauren Sutherland
Stagione 2

BEST OF - Perifit Review: Smart Pelvic Floor Trainer Tested by Pelvic Health Physiotherapists

We're bringing back one of our most popular episodes! Can a pelvic floor trainer that turns Kegels into a video game actually work? In this episode of TMI Tuesdays, pelvic health physiotherapists Lauren & Di review the Perifit smart pelvic floor trainer. We break down the research behind biofeedback pelvic floor devices, how the Perifit compares to other pelvic floor trainers, real client pros and cons, and when pelvic health PTs actually recommend it in clinical practice. If you're wondering whether the Perifit is worth it for pelvic floor strengthening, this episode is for you.

Dance Culture & Women's Bodies with Alex Thompson

In this episode of TMI Tuesdays, Lauren sits down with pelvic health physiotherapist and former dancer Alex Thompson to unpack what dance culture gets wrong about women’s bodies. From a young age, many dancers are praised for being disciplined, lean, and flexible, but behind that aesthetic often lies a very different story. Alex shares her experience both inside the dance world and now as a clinician, shedding light on the rates of pelvic floor dysfunction in nulliparous dancers, the impact of cueing and breath patterns on core and pelvic health, and why so many issues go unnoticed for years. They dive into the bigger picture too: the lack of periodization in training, the evolution from RED-S to RED-D, chronic underfuelling, body image pressures, and the normalization of overuse injuries in dance. This conversation connects the dots between performance culture and long-term health, and challenges some of the narratives that are still deeply ingrained in the industry. Whether you’re a dancer, a former dancer, or just someone interested in women’s health, this episode offers a fresh, honest look at what’s really going on beneath the surface. In this episode, we cover: Why up to 30% of nulliparous dancers experience pelvic floor issues How common cueing strategies can contribute to dysfunction The shift from RED-S to RED-D and what it means Underfuelling, overtraining, and hormonal health Body image, pressure, and performance culture Why pain and injuries are often normalized in dance If you're interested in connecting with Alex you can find her on instagram @tidalmotionphysio or send her an email: Alex@tidalmotionphysio.ca.

Women, Chronic Pain & What the System Gets Wrong with Dasha Maslennikova

Chronic pain is one of the most misunderstood, mismanaged, and frankly underestimated conditions in healthcare — and women bear a disproportionate burden of that gap. This week on TMI Tuesdays, we're joined by Dasha Maslennikova, Kinesiologist and owner of Symmetrix Kinesiology (Greater Vancouver), who knows this world from both sides of the treatment table. At the height of her athletic life, an MVA turned everything upside down — launching a 13-year journey through chronic pain that eventually shaped her entire clinical practice. Dasha is deeply passionate about chronic pain in women's health and brings a refreshingly honest lens to why the system still gets it wrong, what makes women's pain unique, and the approaches she uses that actually move the needle.

BEST OF - Bladder Anxiety: When your bladder runs the show

We're bringing back one of our most popular episdoes! Do you pee just in case before leaving the house? Always scouting out the nearest bathroom? You’re not alone. In this episode, we break down what overactive bladder (OAB) really is, why it happens, and what you can actually do about it (cutting coffee and spicy food doesn't usually do the trick!). We also dive into pregnancy and postpartum bladder changes, including why urgency and frequency often show up during pregnancy and what parts of it are actually modifiable.

Endometriosis: Why It Takes So Long to Diagnose (and What the New Guidelines Mean)

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month! In this solo episode Lauren dives into one of the most common yet misunderstood conditions affecting women’s health. Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women, yet the average time to diagnosis is still 6–10 years. In this episode, Lauren breaks down what endometriosis actually is, why painful periods are often dismissed for years, and how hormonal birth control can sometimes mask symptoms early on. She also discusses the new clinical guidance around endometriosis diagnosis, which is shifting away from requiring surgery for confirmation and toward earlier clinical diagnosis and multidisciplinary care. You’ll also learn about:• the different types of endometriosis• common symptoms and why they extend beyond the pelvis• the role of central sensitization and overlapping conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome• why surgical treatment is sometimes controversial• what factors can worsen or improve symptoms• and how pelvic health physiotherapy can play an important role in managing pain and improving quality of life Painful periods may be common but they should never be ignored.

Babies, Burnout & Bedroom Talk: Rebuilding Intimacy After Kids with Autumn Fowler

In this week's episode Lauren is joined by couples therapist Autumn Fowler, who knows firsthand how much the transition to parenthood can challenge even the strongest relationships. After navigating two kids under two during a pandemic and 18 years with the same partner, Autumn turned her personal experience into a professional mission: helping couples stay connected while raising tiny humans. Lauren and Autumn dive into the very real changes that happen to intimacy after babies, including: • Why sex and desire often change postpartum • The difference between spontaneous and responsive desire • How pelvic pain and physical recovery affect intimacy • The impact of the mental load and household labor distribution on relationships • Why many couples struggle during the early parenting years • Practical ways couples can rebuild connection and feel like a team again Autumn shares insights from her work leading couples retreats, workshops, and courses, as well as running a group therapy practice on Vancouver Island dedicated to helping partners reconnect.

Strong, Fit, and Still Leaking? Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Athletic Women

You don’t have to be pregnant or postpartum to experience pelvic floor dysfunction. In this solo episode, I’m speaking directly to athletic women who train hard, compete, lift, run, and still deal with leaking,. We break down what the latest research shows about pelvic floor dysfunction in female athletes, why high-impact training increases risk, and why this is not simply a “weakness” issue. I explain the role of load, fatigue, biomechanics, energy availability, and pressure management — and most importantly, what you can actually do about it. If you’ve ever wondered why you leak during double unders, feel pressure on downhills, or don’t fully trust your core under load, this episode is for you.

BO & Boobs with Nala care CEO & Co-Founder Ada Juristovski Jemc

This week on TMI Tuesdays, we sit down with Ada Juristovski Jemc, CEO and Co-Founder of Vancouver-based body care company Nala Care, for an honest conversation about body odour, breasts, and the stories we attach to our bodies. In this episode, we unpack the truth about sweat and BO. Is sweat actually the problem? Does natural deodorant really work? And what is “detoxing” armpits? Ada shares the science behind body odour, the common misconceptions around natural deodorant, and how formulation truly matters. We also dive into the evolution of Nala’s Breast Oil, how the product came to life, and why intentional touch can be a powerful act of self-connection. We explore the shame many of us carry about our armpits, our breasts, and our body parts in general, and how reframing care as self-love rather than vanity can shift everything. Ada also shares the deeply personal story behind Nala Care. The company was founded in memory of her father and her mother’s husband, Alan, who passed away from cancer. What began as a family project became a mission-driven brand grounded in love, resilience, and thoughtful care. Use the code TMITUESDAYS for 20% off any of Nala Care's products at checkout. @nalacare www.nalacare.com

More Than Double Unders: How jump rope can help your knees and pelvic floor with Jacqueline Alexander

Today I’m joined by Jacqueline Alexander, a jump rope coach and co-founder of Jump Rope Vancouver, Vancouver’s first jump rope meetup community. She’s also the creator of Jump Rope Remix, a musically driven class designed to help adults build cardio, coordination, and confidence by jumping to the beat. In this episode, we unpack jump rope or skipping and the big misconceptions and fears around it. We talk about why so many women feel hesitant to jump, how jump rope is often taught in ways that can feel intimidating, and why double unders are actually a skill with progressions, not something you should just be thrown into. We also explore how jump rope, when approached intentionally, can support knee health, pelvic floor function, and even bone density rather than harming them. You can find Jacqueline on Instagram at @jumping_jacqz and learn more about the community at meetup.com/jump-rope-vancouver.
Stagione 1

Perineal Massage: It’s Not About Stretching

Perineal massage is often taught as a way to “stretch the tissue” to prevent tearing during birth. But that framing misses what actually matters. In this solo episode of TMI Tuesdays, Lauren breaks down the evidence on antenatal perineal massage, including what the research says, who it may benefit most, and what it does not guarantee. We explore why perineal massage works less as a physical stretch and more as a form of nervous system training, how fear and guarding can influence pelvic floor response, and why technique, breath, and safety matter more than force. You’ll also learn: when to start perineal massage and how often (based on the evidence) how to approach it using fingers, a partner, or a pelvic wand why improper teaching can make it uncomfortable or counterproductive the real risk profile and when it may not be appropriate how this approach overlaps with pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and pap test discomfort
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