209. How Diet Culture Harms Your Pelvic Floor (and What to Do About It) With Dr. Sara Reardon

Diet Culture Rebel Podcast

Today, Bonnie is joined by pelvic floor physical therapist and author of Floored, Dr. Sara Reardon, for an empowering, no-shame conversation about pelvic floor health, intuitive eating, and the surprising ways diet culture and disordered eating impact your body—from the inside out.

If you’ve ever struggled to advocate for your body’s needs—whether it’s related to food, digestion, or postpartum healing—this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Sarah breaks down what your pelvic floor is, what “normal” actually looks like, and how shame, self-silencing, and unrealistic wellness culture expectations are holding women back from getting the care they deserve.

What you’ll learn:

• Why pelvic floor issues are not just a postpartum problem
• How disordered eating behaviors like restriction, vomiting, and amenorrhea affect your pelvic floor
• The connection between body image, self-silencing, and delaying care
• How to poop better (yes, really!) with tips for bowel positioning and strain reduction
• Why sucking in your stomach can actually harm your pelvic floor
• How to tell if your constipation is diet-related or a pelvic floor dysfunction
• What vaginal dryness, prolapse, or pain during sex might be telling you
• Why “don’t lift anything heavy” isn’t a real solution and what to do instead
• A breakdown of what’s normal vs. what needs support in peeing, pooping, sex, and periods

Mentioned in this episode:

• Buy Sara's book: Floored: A Woman's Guide to Pelvic Floor Health at Every Age and Stage
• Squatty Potty
• Sara's Instagram: @the.vagina.whisperer

Ready to Heal Your Relationship with Food?

My team of registered dietitians is now accepting insurance for one-on-one nutrition counseling! Spots are limited, so if you’re ready to start your journey toward food freedom, visit https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to learn more!

Connect with Bonnie on Instagram: @diet.culture.rebel