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Episode 335 - Empowered Motherhood
What happens when elite athletes who spent years pushing their limits learn to slow down, adapt, and trust their bodies in a completely new way?
On this episode of Pursuing Health, I’m joined by two of the most accomplished athletes in CrossFit history, Annie Thorisdottir and Katrin Davidsdottir—both two-time CrossFit Games champions—for a conversation about pregnancy, postpartum recovery, motherhood, and learning to listen to our bodies in an entirely new way.
For years, Annie and Katrin built careers around pushing harder, performing at the highest level, and trusting their ability to persevere.
Pregnancy asked them to do something completely different: to slow down, embrace uncertainty, and redefine what strength really means.
I hope this conversation serves as encouragement for anyone navigating change, whether that's pregnancy, postpartum, menopause, injury, or simply a new season of life.Follow Annie @anniethorisdottir, and click to purchase her book, Iceland Annie. Follow Katrin @katrintanja. Click here to learn more about their EMPOWER community and Drink Dottir.
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Episode 334 - Protecting the Birth Experience
For many women, pregnancy quickly becomes a series of appointments, tests, recommendations, and decisions.
But how much of what happens during pregnancy and birth is truly necessary—and how much is driven by the way our healthcare system is structured?
In this week's episode of Pursuing Health, I sit down with board-certified OB-GYN Dr. Bill Chun for a candid conversation about modern obstetrics, physiologic birth, induction, C-sections, and the importance of informed choice.
Dr. Chun is refreshingly direct. After decades of independent practice, he's become known for challenging conventional thinking and advocating for a model of care centered on relationships, trust, and respecting the natural birth process whenever possible.Follow Dr. Chun via his website drbillchun.com and Instagram @dr.billchun.
Episode 333 - Life Update: We’re Having a Baby!
In this special solo episode, I’m sharing a personal update on the experiences that have shaped my life over the past several years.
From the inner work that transformed my approach to relationships and personal growth, to meeting my husband, building a family with our adopted son, and finding a deeper sense of joy and connection, this chapter has been full of unexpected blessings.
I also open up about my fertility journey, the challenges we faced along the way, and the incredible surprise of becoming pregnant shortly after our wedding.
As we prepare to welcome a baby boy into the world, I’m excited to share what’s ahead for our family and for the next chapter of Pursuing Health. Thank you for being part of this journey and for your support through every season of the podcast.Episode 332 - HRV + Pregnancy
In this special compilation episode, we explore the evolving science of pregnancy, exercise, and recovery through conversations with two innovative voices in women’s health: Dr. Shon Rowan and Dr. Lindsey Mathews.
Dr. Shon Rowan, an OB-GYN and researcher, shares groundbreaking insights from his work studying heart rate variability (HRV) throughout pregnancy and postpartum. His findings reveal fascinating physiologic adaptations—including measurable changes in HRV and resting heart rate that begin almost immediately after conception, reverse in the weeks leading up to delivery, and may ultimately rebound postpartum to levels even higher than pre-pregnancy.
Dr. Lindsey Mathews, a Doctor of Chiropractic and prenatal movement specialist, offers practical guidance on how women can use HRV as a tool to better understand stress, recovery, and readiness—helping inform training intensity during pregnancy and postpartum in a way that honors the body’s changing needs.
Together, these conversations challenge outdated beliefs about pregnancy and exercise, highlight the incredible adaptability of the female body, and offer a more informed, empowering perspective on movement during one of life’s most transformative seasons.Episode 331 - The 5 Non-Negotiables for Fertility Health with Dr. Natalie Crawford
Natalie Crawford, MD is board certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and is co-founder of Fora Fertility, a boutique fertility practice in Austin, Texas. Dr. Crawford is CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle, a professional network for women in medicine. She completed her undergraduate at Auburn University obtaining a degree in Nutrition Science, Medical School at UTMB, OBGYN Residency at UTSW, and REI Fellowship at UNC, concurrently obtaining a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Dr. Crawford is a digital health educator on social media, YouTube, and hosts the podcast “As a Woman” with over 6 million downloads. Her debut book, “The Fertility Formula”, will be released by Penguin Random House.
Follow Dr. Crawford on Instagram at @nataliecrawfordmd and check out her book, The Fertility Formula.Episode 330 - CrossFit Moms: Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Returning to Competition
In this special compilation, former CrossFit Games athletes Lindsey Valenzuela, Kara Saunders, Annie Thorisdottir, and Camille Leblanc-Bazinet share their experiences transitioning from elite competition to motherhood, and back again.
They discuss how training evolved before pregnancy, what changed during pregnancy, and how they approached postpartum recovery and return to performance. Enjoy this honest conversation about identity, expectations, and redefining strength as a mom.Episode 229 - What I Learned From Starting 100 Random Conversations
In this episode of Pursuing Health, I share what I learned from a year-long experiment of starting 100 conversations with strangers.
As an introvert, this challenge pushed me beyond fear, discomfort, and self-doubt.
I reflect on rejection, surprising moments of connection, and why first impressions rarely tell the full story.
This episode explores how helping others feel seen opens the door to real, meaningful connection. If you’ve ever wanted more connection but felt held back by fear, this episode is for you.