In this episode, I sit down with Kayleigh Summers, a perinatal trauma therapist and the voice behind The Birth Trauma Mama. Kayleigh shares her powerful story of surviving an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE)—a rare and often fatal childbirth emergency—and how that experience completely reshaped her life, identity, and path into motherhood.

We talk about what it was like to navigate recovery after a traumatic birth, the emotional complexity that comes with surviving something life-threatening, and the grief that can follow when your birth and postpartum experience look nothing like what you imagined. Kayleigh also opens up about rebuilding her sense of self, the importance of trauma-informed care, and why community and shared stories matter so deeply for women who feel alone in their experiences.

Today, Kayleigh uses both her clinical background and lived experience to support others who are processing perinatal trauma, helping mothers feel seen, validated, and less alone in their healing.

Connect with Kayleigh:

• Website: https://thebirthtraumamama.com/
• Instagram: @thebirthtrauma_mama
• Podcast: The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast

Want to elevate your coaching with an in-person experience?

Join us for the Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism LIVE Coaching Certification—a hands-on, immersive event designed to help you confidently coach pregnant and postpartum athletes.

📍 San Diego, CA

📅 February 21–22, 2026

👉 Register: https://join.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/ppa-live-certification

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

In this episode, I'm joined once again by my good friend and collaborator, Mindy English — a pelvic floor physical therapist here in Eagle, Idaho, who works extensively with female athletes, especially pregnant and postpartum women.

We've been running a pelvic floor PT series this past year, aiming to make conversations around women's pelvic health less taboo and more empowering. For this episode, we took your questions from Instagram and dove into everything from clinical pelvic floor assessments to practical, everyday strategies that support athletic performance and recovery.

This was one of my favorite conversations because it captures the curiosity, confusion, and honesty that come with understanding your body — especially as an athlete and a woman. Mindy and I always aim to make this information approachable, practical, and relevant, no matter what season of life you're in.

Connect with Mindy:

IG: @mindy.english.dpt

Are you a pregnant combat athlete? Check out my free resource for BJJ during pregnancy and postpartum: https://go.briannabattles.com/bjj-freeguide

Learn more about the Practice Brave Fitness Program: https://briannabattles.com/practicebrave

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!

• IG: @smiley8889
• FB: @hannahlouisemiley

• The Pregnant Athlete Training Program: https://go.pregnancyandpostpartumathleticism.com/pregnancy
• The 8-Week Postpartum Athlete Training Program: https://go.briannabattles.com/8-week-postpartum-athlete-training-program

MORE ABOUT THE SHOW:

The Practice Brave podcast brings you the relatable, trustworthy and transparent health & fitness information you're looking for when it comes to coaching, being coached and transitioning through the variables of motherhood and womanhood.

You will learn from athletes and experts in the women's health and coaching/performance realm as they share their knowledge and experience on all things Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism.

Whether you're a newly pregnant athlete or postpartum athlete, knowing how to adjust your workouts, mental approach and coaching can be confusing.

Each week we'll be tackling questions around adjusting your workouts and mindset, diastasis recti, pelvic health, mental health, identity, and beyond. Through compelling interviews and solo shows, Brianna speaks directly to where you're at because she's been there too!

Tune in every other week and share the show with your athlete friends!