Pursuit of Wellness | Pregnancy Week 26: Pelvic Floor Therapy, Fish Eggs & Workouts
Host: Mari Llewellyn
Date: September 4, 2025
Overview:
In this heartfelt solo episode, Mari Llewellyn offers an intimate update on her pregnancy journey at 26 weeks. She reflects on the joys, challenges, and spiritual aspects of her current phase of life, delves into her experiences with pelvic floor therapy, hypnobirthing, pregnancy workouts, and shares why she’s shifting the podcast format as she prioritizes motherhood. Mari's tone is open, honest, and vulnerable, emphasizing gratitude and the importance of adapting wellness routines for pregnancy.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Personal Pregnancy Update & Emotional Reflections
- Mari is recording from her bed at home, setting a casual and relaxed tone for the episode (00:00).
- She expresses deep gratitude for her pregnancy after her challenging journey with IVF:
“This little human is living inside me, and I just feel so connected to him… I just can’t believe it, and I’m so grateful for it.” (02:05)
- Mari talks candidly about feeling her baby move, experiencing a recent “growth spurt,” and the shifting nature of her body image.
Recent Travels & Nesting Instincts
- Spent a month in Aspen, Colorado, enjoying hiking despite the challenge of altitude and appreciating nature’s calming influence (02:50).
- Now back in Austin, enduring the Texas heat and focused on nesting:
“I am definitely nesting. I’m, like, obsessing about everything in the house, making sure it’s perfect.” (03:49)
- Already setting up the nursery, organizing baby essentials, and enjoying the process.
Shifts in Career & Podcast Direction
- Mari reflects on her “crazy” career since 2017, describing her shift from relentless hustle to prioritizing well-being and pregnancy (05:00).
- She announces a temporary format change for the podcast, moving away from guest interviews due to changing energy levels and priorities:
“This is an impact-driven show… I don’t do it to make money. And you may notice that this episode doesn’t have any ads on it. That is a decision I’ve made…” (06:10)
- Explains her desire to slow down, focus on solo episodes with real-time updates, and return to guest interviews post-maternity leave.
Learning and Sharing—On Her Terms
- Mari discusses the challenge of learning alongside listeners versus seeking information privately during pregnancy:
“I want to have the ability to seek out information on my own, take what I resonate with, and sort of do it in a bit more of a private manner.” (09:13)
- She pledges to share lessons once she’s implemented them, rather than during the learning process.
Pelvic Floor Therapy: What She Learned
- Shares her first experience with pelvic floor therapy and being surprised by its importance:
“I truthfully didn’t even really understand what the pelvic floor was, but I learned so much.” (11:00)
- Notable insight from her therapist:
“Strength training is amazing for pregnancy. Your baby will come out with more lean muscle and be stronger and healthier… your baby’s also 60% less likely to develop diabetes or asthma in their lifetime from strength training. How insane is that?” (11:44)
- Discusses how weightlifting affects her pelvic floor (“a little tense”) and therapy’s role in preparing for birth and preventing tearing:
“It’s like a door on hinges… We want to learn how to open it all the way.” (12:30)
- Plans to keep listeners updated as she continues therapy.
Hypnobirthing and Birth Preparation
- Clarifies her approach: she’s doing hypnobirthing for the mindset and coping techniques but plans a hospital birth with possible epidural, following her doctor’s advice due to IVF (10:15).
- Hopes for a vaginal delivery and is “still learning” about birthing choices and infant nutrition (formula vs. breastfeeding).
Social Life, Routine, and Expectations
- Admits to spending more time at home, focusing on self-care, time with Greg (her husband), and simple routines like walking and cooking (13:09).
- Less social and finds it challenging to go out at night.
- Looking forward to her baby shower and reunion with family and friends (13:13).
- Invites feedback from listeners, encourages DM’s about the new podcast format, and reaffirms her commitment to authentic updates:
“I just want to show up for you guys in the way that I can right now. And I’m so appreciative again of the flexibility with that.” (13:23)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Feeling the Baby:
“I feel him moving all day long now… honestly, one of the most beautiful spiritual connections I’ve ever felt in my life.” (01:40)
- On Career Evolution:
“I feel very grateful to have had that period of time where I was really hustling and doing everything 110… Now I’m definitely in a place where, you know, I’m still involved with Bloom, but I’m not in the day to day.” (05:09)
- Why Pause Guest Interviews:
“The reason I do this show is because of impact… I want to get information out there for free… But at the same time, being on camera and the way I like to interview… it just feels like a lot of pressure right now.” (06:34)
- Pelvic Floor Shocker:
“She told me… your baby’s also 60% less likely to develop diabetes or asthma in their lifetime from strength training. How insane is that?” (11:44)
- Podcast Community Gratitude:
“I know I disappeared a couple times this year because of IVF and whatever, and I just so appreciate the patience that you have with me and just showing up for me, it really means a whole lot.” (09:50)
Timestamps of Important Segments
- Pregnancy Update & Feeling Good: 00:45 – 03:30
- Reflections on Aspen & Nesting: 03:30 – 04:55
- Career Update & Shift in Podcast: 05:00 – 06:20
- Why She’s Pausing Guest Interviews: 06:10 – 09:20
- Private Learning vs. Learning Live: 09:13 – 09:48
- Hypnobirthing & Hospital Birth Plans: 10:15 – 11:00
- Pelvic Floor Therapy Insights: 11:00 – 12:45
- Social Life & Daily Routine: 13:09 – 13:20
- Listener Call-to-Action & Farewell: 13:23 – 13:28
Final Thoughts
Mari’s update is personal, honest, and reflective, providing listeners with valuable insights into prenatal wellness, the importance of strength training and pelvic floor health, and the emotional journey of pregnancy after infertility. She models self-advocacy and setting boundaries—especially regarding work and public sharing—while always maintaining connection with her devoted community.
Stay connected with Mari for more real-time updates on Instagram and TikTok, and let her know what topics you’d like to hear during this special chapter.