The Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast
The Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast is hosted by Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and founder of Box Wellness Co., Aliya Dhalla (B.Sc, MPT). You'll learn all the things you should know about your pelvic health - from leaks, painful intimacy, constipation, periods, pelvic pain, prolapse, preparing for birth, postpartum recovery, menopause and so much more. Nothing is taboo on the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast. Solo episodes are educational - Aliya explains why things go "wrong" with our pelvic health and what to do about it. Guest episodes reveal what we as women were told about our bodies g...
Episode 107: Revolutionizing Menstrual Care with Nadia Ladak
In Episode 107 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya sits down with co-founder and CEO of Marlow, Nadia Ladak, to chat all about her journey as a young entrepreneur building a revolutionary menstrual product brand.
In this episode, you'll hear Nadia and Aliya chat about:
Whether Nadia wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!Where Nadia learned about periods, sexual health, and puberty.Why Nadia and her friends decided to build a menstrual product brand in business school, including the first lubricated tampon!Where her brand Marlow is now and where it's h...Episode 106: 5 Steps To Control Strong Urges To Pee
In Episode 106 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares her 5 step process for controlling strong urges to pee. Sudden and uncontrollable urges are a very common problem and her tips will help you gain much more control and confidence.
If you find yourself pee dancing whenever you return home from work or feel like your bladder just can't hold a lot of pee, this episode will be really helpful!
About Aliya:
Aliya Dhalla PT, B.Sc, MPT is a Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist in Toronto, Canada and the Fo...
Episode 105: The Latest Research On Exercise During Pregnancy and Postpartum with Dr. Margie Davenport
In Episode 105 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya sits down with exercise physiologist, professor, and researcher Dr. Margie Davenport to breakdown the latest evidence on exercise during pregnancy and postpartum.
In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Davenport and Aliya chat about:
Whether Dr. Davenport wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!How her own pregnancy experiences and her research intersected.What the latest evidence tells us about the benefits of exercising during pregnancy including improvements in mental health, reduction in pregnancy complications, and more.How new research is starting to refute...Episode 104: Why You Should Stop Hovering Over The Toilet Seat
In Episode 104 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains why hovering over the toilet seat isn't always ideal when it comes to healthy bladder habits.
In this episode, she explains how our bodies are designed to to work when it comes to emptying our bladders, and how hovering over a toilet seat can mess up the relationship between the brain, bladder, and pelvic floor.
If you find yourself hovering public toilets, this episode is for you!
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If you’d like to get in touch, Aliya would love...
Episode 103: Richa Rehan on The Things Every Girl Should Know About Her Body
In Episode 103 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya sits down with fellow Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and best-selling author Richa Rehan.
In this episode, you'll hear Richa and Aliya chat about:
Whether Richa wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!Richa's childhood growing up in India, her first period experience, and where she learned about "body stuff". How her father fostered her love for writing and was the inspiration behind her book, even after his death.+ much more!To pick up Richa's book, Things Every Girl Should Know About Her Body, click here to...
Episode 102: How To Exercise In Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Perimenopause
In Episode 102 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya kicks off 2026 with an episode all about how to exercise during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. After all, it is that time of the year where many of us are making resolutions and setting goals - many of which have to do with movement.
She helps reframe goals for exercise during each stage, shares some of what the evidence tells us, and busts some myths about exercising during pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause. Her intention is to help clear up some of the fears, miscommunication, and c...
Episode 101: Rhonda Chamberlain on Breaking Up With Diet Culture
In Episode 101 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya shares a conversation she had with Rhonda Chamberlain, Physiotherapist + Pre/Post-Natal Fitness Coach.
In this episode, you'll hear Rhonda and Aliya chat about:
Whether Rhonda wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!Rhonda's childhood as a competitive gymnast, her first period, and growing up in "diet culture".When + how Rhonda started her journey towards body acceptance and self-love, and how she is raising her girls far away from diet culture.How little Aliya grew up being "scared" to eat potatoes and little Rhonda was shamed f...Episode 100: 10 Things Your Mother Lied To You About
In Episode 100 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares a list of the 10 lies your mother told you when it comes to your body and how it works - like peeing before you leave the house, painful periods, sex, and so much more.
This is a fun + light-hearted way to celebrate the milestone of ONE HUNDRED EPISODES of The Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast.
Come back next week for a fabulous guest episode!
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If you’d like to get in touch, Aliya would love to hear...
Episode 99: Dr. Kristen MacKenzie on The Relationship Between Your Nervous System + Your Pelvic Pain
In Episode 99 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya has the opportunity to chat with Dr. Kristen MacKenzie, the co-director of the Pelvic Pain Program and the Women’s Sexual Dysfunction Conference at Stanford University. This conversation is eye opening and sheds so much light on pelvic pain, the nervous system, and how our brain + body communicate with each other.
In this episode, you'll hear Dr. MacKenzie and Aliya chat about:
Whether Dr. MacKenzie wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!How Dr. MacKenzie approaches pelvic pain from a multi-disciplinary standpoint, and nev...Episode 98: Why Your Cough Is Making Your Pelvic Floor Problems Worse
In Episode 98 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya talks all about why coughing can make pelvic floor problems like leaks, pelvic organ prolapse, pressure, and pain worse. She explains what is going on in your body when you have been coughing for a few days, and why symptoms may show up for the first time - or even worsen - when you're sick. She shares some tips for you as you work on recovering from your cough and restoring pelvic floor function.
If you're looking for more information on managing stress urinary i...
Episode 97: Painful Periods + Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy with Anita Lambert
In Episode 97 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya is back with another amazing guest. Today, Aliya chats with fellow Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist Anita Lambert (@holistichealthphysio).
In this episode, you'll hear Anita and Aliya chat about:
Whether Anita wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!The conversations Anita and her mother had while she was growing up - about periods, sex, and changing bodies. How they navigate "taboo" conversations with their own kids, mothers, and patients.Both of their experiences with heavy + painful periods.How Anita got into the work as a Pelvic Floor Ph...Episode 96: How To Push During Birth
In Episode 96 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya talks all about how to push when giving birth. She explains the difference between closed and open glottis pushing, the pros + cons of each, warns about social media advice, and tells you the most important things she tells her patients who work with her 1-on-1 for birth prep support. If you're pregnant, this episode is a must!
If you are in the Toronto area and would like to see Aliya in person for support during your pregnancy + personalized birth prep sessions, you can book...
Episode 95: Thriving After Pelvic Pain with Jessica Sennet
In Episode 95 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya is back with another wonderful guest. Today, Aliya chats with Jessica Sennet - fitness expert, entrepreneur, and mother all about her personal experience with pelvic pain + trauma, and how she accidentally got into the work she does as the Founder + CEO of MIGHTY MOM.
In this episode, you'll hear Jessica and Aliya chat about:
Whether Jessica wants her mother's pelvic floor...or not!How and where Jessica learned about sex.Jessica's experience with painful sex, pelvic pain, vestibulitis, numerous pelvic surgeries, lots of pelvic floor p...Episode 94: What The Summer Taught Me About Rest
In Episode 94 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya returns after a short summer break from podcasting to share what she learned about forced and intentional rest this summer. You might remember how she declared the summer of 2025 as her summer, too - if not, check out Episode 93.
She also gives you a sneak peek into what to expect from the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast for the rest of 2025 and asks for your input - if you have any thoughts, topics, or guest ideas for Aliya, please send her a message on Instagram @b...
Episode 93: Why Rest Is Critical For Wellness
In Episode 93 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares why she is intentionally choosing rest this summer - because it's her summer too.
She explains how rest doesn't always feel natural or possible for her, and mulls over some reasons why resting is hard for so many of us - despite the fact that rest truly is critical for our health + wellness.
She brainstorms a few micro-moments of intentional "rest" that you could integrate into your days to improve your wellness - like skipping the expensive smoothie and making a slow cup of...
Episode 92: The Pursuit Of Pleasure With Dr. Jordin Wiggins
In Episode 92 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Naturopathic Doctor Dr. Jordin Wiggins all about pleasure, sexuality, and reclaiming our bodies after periods of neglect.
[TRIGGER WARNING: in this episode, we talk about things that might be triggering, including abuse.]
In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Jordin and Aliya chat about:
Episode 91: Why You Can't Fix Painful Sex By Having Painful Sex
In Episode 91 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains why simply having more painful sex can't fix painful sex.
Inspired by a question sent in by a community member on Instagram, Aliya dives deep into why the advice or belief that just "doing it more" will one day result in pain-free sex. She also explains reasons why we may have painful sex (or dyspareunia) and suggests some ways to start to move forward on a journey towards pain-free (and pleasurable) sex.
Aliya mentioned how her online pelvic floor program called THE...
Episode 90: Psychologist Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich on Pleasure, Sexuality, and Relationships
In Episode 90 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Dr. Arielle Buch-Frohlich, Clinical Psychologist all about sexual health + wellness.
In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Arielle and Aliya chat about:
Episode 89: 5 Tips For A Pain-Free Pap Smear
In Episode 89 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares 5 helpful tips for a pain-free pap smear. It's common to feel anxious about cervical screenings or pelvic exams, especially when previous exams might have been painful in the past. Listen along and learn how you can make the experience more comfortable for you.
If you want to hear related episodes on the topic of painful insertion, tightness of the pelvic floor muscles, and diaphragmatic breathing, , check out:
Episode 25 about painful sexEpisode 27 about your breath and your pelvic floorEpisode 41 + Episode 63 on pe...Episode 88: Talking About Perimenopause with Michelle + Mikelle, Co-Founders of This Is Perimenopause
In Episode 88 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with the co-founders of This Is Perimenopause, Michelle Stainton + Mikelle Ethier.
In this episode, you'll hear Michelle, Mikelle, and Aliya chat about:
Episode 87: 3 Reasons Why You Always Have To Pee
In Episode 87 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains 3 drivers of strong and frequent urges to empty your bladder. She explains that always needing to go to the bathroom can be because of what's happening in the bladder itself, what's happening outside the bladder (including the pelvic floor muscles and fascia), and what's happening in the nervous system. If you find yourself peeing more than your friends, this episode is crucial to help you understand what might be causing this in your life.
If you want to hear more episodes on th...
Episode 86: Surabhi Veitch on Relationships, Raising Kids, and Returning To Ourselves
In Episode 86 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Surabhi Veitch, the "Passionate Physio" about periods, raising kids, relationships, and managing stressful phases.
In this episode, you'll hear Surabhi and Aliya chat about:
Episode 85: Why You Should Breathe Into Your Bum For An Easier Poop
In Episode 85 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares her million dollar tip for having easier poops. She explains why mastering this particular breathing strategy of "breathing into your butthole" is key to bowel movements that are gentle and kind to your pelvic floor, particularly important if you have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, are pregnant or postpartum. She also says the word butthole way too many times in less than 10 minutes, so consider yourself warned.
If you want to hear more episodes on the topic of bowel movements / bowel health in the c...
Episode 84: Lauren Fleming on How Her Prolapse Diagnosis Drove Her To Design Pelvic Floor Support Underwear
In Episode 84 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with the Founder of Hem Support Wear, Lauren Fleming about how her own pelvic organ prolapse diagnosis led her to create her own line of beautiful + supportive pelvic floor garments.
In this episode, you'll hear Lauren and Aliya chat about:
Episode 83: The Truth About Cycle Syncing And Exercise
If you've ever felt confused by what you're seeing online when it comes to cycle syncing, cardio exercise, strength training, and when to time your meals around exercise, you're not alone. It's really hard to separate the social media "Wellness Girlies" from what the science is actually telling us about our menstrual cycles, hormones, the "best" cardio exercise, and nutrition needs as females who are active.
In Episode 83 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya goes on a little bit of a rant about harmful misinformation online that is causing so much confusion about e...
Episode 82: Talking About Taboos with Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Nidhi Sharma
In Episode 82 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Pelvic Health Physical Therapist Nidhi Sharma all about the conversations she had growing up in India, taboos about periods, and the challenges of raising a child today.
In this episode, you'll hear Nidhi and Aliya chat about:
Episode 81: Why You Need To Stop Peeing "Just In Case"
If you feel like you have a small bladder or are always running to the bathroom more frequently than others, this episode is a must-listen.
In Episode 81 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains how our brain + bladder communicate and why going to the bathroom "just in case" can cause strong + frequent urges to pee. She shares helpful information about normal bladder habit, healthy bladder behaviour, and why you need to start trusting your body and listening to the signs she is giving you.
If you’d like to get in to...
Episode 80: Liz Frey on How Red Light Therapy Can Fix Your Pelvic Floor Problems
In Episode 80 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and Pelvic Health Medical Director of FRINGE Liz Frey all about the conversations she was having at home growing up, and how she got into the work she does in helping women "heal" their pelvic floors both in her treatment room and with innovative red light products by FRINGE.
In this episode, you'll hear Liz and Aliya chat about:
Episode 79: How To Use A Tampon Without Pain
If you have trouble using tampons because it hurts to put one in, or you are wondering how to guide your child in their first tampon experience, this episode is for you.
In Episode 79 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains exactly how to insert a tampon pain-free. She shares step by step tips on positions, angles of insertion (yup, think about the angle!), breathing, and muscle tension - and shares the best-kept secret for pain-free tampon insertion.
If you want to check out other episodes on periods, or the c...
Episode 78: Freya Ravensbergen on Sharing The Scary Stuff
In Episode 78 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Head Coach at the Academy of Lions and mother of three little ones Freya Ravensbergen all about the conversations she was having at home growing up, and how unprepared she felt for her pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experiences.
In this episode, you'll hear Freya and Aliya chat about:
Episode 77: My Priorities In Perimenopause
If you’re perimenopausal, then this episode is for you.
In Episode 77 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares her thoughts on the “messy midlife”, perimenopause, and aging. She shares her top priorities for taking care of her mental + physical health during this phase of life, and shares the evidence behind lifestyle changes to consider when struggling with unwanted symptoms - plus, how to protect bone, muscle, heart, brain, and muscle health as we age.
Aliya mentioned Episode 74 where her guest, Dr. Dolores Fernandez explained more about vulvo-vaginal health...
Episode 76: Jill Mueller on Overcoming Endometriosis Pain
In Episode 76 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist and Endo Warrior Jill Mueller all about her personal experience with endometriosis, how she conquered her own endo pain by addressing her brain + nervous system, and how she helps her patients feel better when dealing with their own endometriosis symptoms.
In this episode, you'll hear Jill and Aliya chat about:
Episode 75: Anxiety and Your Pelvic Floor
If you've ever felt anxious, worried, or stressed - then you need to listen to this episode.
In Episode 75 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains what anxiety does to your pelvic floor and what you can do about it. She teaches you a really valuable tool that you can use to settle your nervous system, relax your pelvic floor muscles, and feel better in your body.
Be sure to check out Episodes 13 (about stress and your pelvic floor) and 27 (about your breath and your pelvic floor) for more on thi...
Episode 74: Why Your Vagina Is So Dry During Menopause with Dr. Dolores Fernandez
In Episode 74 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Naturopathic Doctor and Founder of IRIS Dr. Dolores Fernandez all about her relationship with her mom, menopause, vulvas, and so much more.
In this episode, you'll hear Dolores and Aliya chat about:
Episode 73: All About Kegels
If you've ever had questions about kegels - should you do them / how to do them / will they fix my pelvic floor problems - then this episode is for you!
In Episode 73 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya explains what kegels are, the reasons why we might want to do them, some reasons we shouldn't do them, and her opinion on the popular "kegel chairs". She also answers some questions from her Instagram community in this episode.
Aliya also mentioned how helpful her online pelvic floor ex...
Episode 72: Registered Dietitian Trista Chan on Reclaiming Your Cultural Foods
In Episode 72 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Registered Dietitian Trista Chan all about periods, growing up as a first generation Chinese Canadian, celebrating lunar new year, and reclaiming cultural foods herself and with her clients.
In this episode, you'll hear Trista and Aliya chat about:
Episode 71: 4 Signs Of A Weak Pelvic Floor
If you've ever wondered if your pelvic floor muscles are weak, then this episode is for you! Today, Aliya chats all about how to tell if your pelvic floor muscles are weak.
In Episode 71 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast, Aliya shares the pelvic floor muscles basics with you (where is the pelvic floor, what does it do for us, how does it work) and then, shares 4 signs of pelvic floor muscle weakness and why our pelvic floor muscles can become weak in the first place.
She mentioned a fe...
Episode 70: Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe on Periods, Fertility, and Patient Rights
In Episode 70 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Family Doctor Dr. Sheila Wijayasinghe all about the topics that were on + off limits growing up, and the impactful work she does today.
In this episode, you'll hear Dr. Sheila and Aliya chat about:
Episode 69: New Year, New You? How To Set Goals You'll Actually Meet
It's officially 2025! Join Aliya on Episode 69 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor Podcast where she reflects on last year, shares some of her 2025 goals and the "why" behind them, and outlines 4 neuroscience backed tips to help you succeed in your goals this year. She also shares 4 simple wellness "goals" that will have a positive impact on your emotional, physical, and pelvic health.
If you'd like to share your 2025 goals with Aliya, send her a note at hello@boxwellness.co or on Instagram at @boxwellnessco - she will write back and...
Episode 68: Bedwetting and Potty Training with Pediatric Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Lauren Rudko
In Episode 68 of the Not Your Mother's Pelvic Floor podcast, Aliya chats with Pediatric Pelvic Health Physiotherapist Lauren Rudko all about bladder + bowel problems that often show up in children - like daytime and nighttime accidents, difficulty with potty training, and constipation.
In this episode, you'll hear Lauren and Aliya chat about:
