In this episode, Occupational Therapist Dr. Quiara Smith and I discuss:

• Potty learning vs potty training
• What do we need to see in our kids to know they are ready to potty train?
• Ideal age?
• How does the pelvic floor relate to potty training?
• What is required for night time continence?
• Tips
• How childhood habits can translate to adult symptoms
• Should we reward?
• Constipation

Dr. Quiara Smith, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, CEIM has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for over 15 years in both California and Hawaii working in various settings including hospitals, schools, an equine center providing hippotherapy as a treatment tool, and outpatient clinics. Her pediatric experience encompasses serving neonates through adolescents with various medical conditions and diagnoses. Dr. Smith began working with pediatric pelvic health patients in a Children’s Hospital in the SF Bay Area in 2015 and found her passion in OT in this area of practice.

Realizing the social, emotional, and psychological challenges that pelvic floor dysfunction places on children and families, Dr. Smith decided to create the very first boutique private pediatric pelvic health occupational therapy clinic of its kind in the US in 2020. Her private practice, Aloha Integrative Therapy , exclusively treats children and adolescents with pelvic floor dysfunction and toileting challenges. Dr. Smith utilizes a holistic and integrative approach to pediatric pelvic floor dysfunction. She partners with her canine assistant, Nelly, a Labrador/golden retriever cross, in guiding children toward continence with confidence. Dr. Smith currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate Program at Hawaii Pacific University.

LINKS MENTIONED

Course: A Holistic and Integrative Approach to Pediatric Pelvic health

Instagram @alohaintegrativetherapy

Tinyhood Courses:

Potty Training Prep: Setting Your Toddler up for Success

Potty Training: The Stress-Free Guide to Success

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me: www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com

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In this episode, I discuss with fellow physiotherapist and researcher, Gráinne Donnelly, the effect that social media has on diastasis rectus abdominis:

• The recent study published that evaluated Instagram content related to DRA, exercise, and sports, and explored its perceived impact on the behaviours of women with DRA.
• The majority of diastasis related content on Instagram is not evidence based
• Fear based vs empowering based information

Gráinne Donnelly is an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in pelvic health with over 15 years of experience spread across the public health, private practice and clinical research. She is on the Board of Trustees for the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) professional network and charitable body where she is the Editor for the Journal of Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy. She is currently completing her PhD at Cardiff Metropolitan University and her recently edited book “Sports Medicine and the Pelvic Floor: Science to Practice” was released by Elsevier in November 2025 and will be officially published in April 2026.

HOW TO CONTACT GRÁINNE

Instagram

Website

LINKS MENTIONED

#diastasisrecti: a mixed-methods analysis of Instagram posts and their influence on women's exercise and sports participation

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40618057/

Lead researcher: @silviagiagio.physio

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE SPONSOR

SRC Health: Use the link below for a discount at checkout!

https://srchealth.com/?ref=PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me: www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com

Support the show

In this episode I discuss with a Kristen Mark, a client of mine who wants other new moms to know they aren’t alone when they panic about their postpartum body

ABOUT KIRSTEN

I’m Kirsten Mark. A mama. A wifey. A business owner.

I had my first baby girl at 16 and second baby girl ar 35 years old. My two daughters have taught me more about life, than any book ever could.

Married to Brian Mark, who insists I’m coocoo for Cocoa Puffs (he’s not wrong), but loves and supports me endlessly.

I’m loud, energetic, slightly moody (we’re working on it), and a full-blown lover of life.

I am a proud business owner and CEO of The Winner’s Circle App, where I help transform bodies and minds, and guide over 2,000 women to rewrite their stories.

I’m here to show you that you don’t need perfect timing, a perfect past, or a certain personality to succeed.

You simply need the guts to go after what you want

THANK YOU TO THE EPISODE SPONSORS

SRC Health: discount code and website: https://srchealth.com/?ref=Sto_l3PawmnH4. Discount Code: THEPELVICFLOORPROJECT

IRIS: discount code and website: https://www.lovemyiris.com/ Discount Code: PELVICFLOORPROJECT

Thanks for joining me!
Here is where you can find out how to work with me: www.pelvicfloorprojectspace.com/

mel@pelvicfloorprojectspace.com

Support the show