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

Jun 11, 2025

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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:

Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?

You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.

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