Episode 74: Pelvic Floor Health, Emotional Suppression & Empowerment with Erin Michael
Erin Michael — physical therapist, competitive powerlifter, breast cancer survivor, and co-founder of Rebuild A Bitch (RAB) — joins the show for a powerful conversation about pelvic floor health, perfectionism, emotional suppression, and what it truly means to reclaim your body and your voice.
In this episode, Kathy and Erin discuss:
The founding of Rebuild A Bitch (RAB) and why survivorship support is so often overlooked after treatment ends
Why so many women can't actually relax their pelvic floor — even when they think they can
Why Kegels can backfire if your pelvic floor is already tight
The difference between common and normal (leaking, urgency, pain, heaviness are common — they are not normal)
Why telling women to stop moving or squatting makes symptoms worse, not better
The perfectionism–cancer connection: the pattern of over-performing, suppressing needs, and never asking for help
How empowerment starts from the inside out — sometimes from the pelvic floor up
Timestamps:
0:00 — Welcome & Introductions
1:01 — Erin's Cancer Diagnosis Story
2:10 — Finding the Lump Early
3:49 — Rebuild A Bitch: Mission & Origin
4:11 — Why Survivorship Needs Support
7:57 — Pelvic Floor & Menopause Work
9:34 — The Core Canister Explained
10:32 — Tension, Prolapse & Pressure
13:11 — Breathing & Body Awareness
17:14 — Perfectionism & the Cancer Theory
20:51 — Boundaries, Help & Healing
24:45 — Empowerment Through Body Knowledge
26:45 — Gaining Control Back
27:32 — Permission to Be Human
29:00 — Saying No to Say Yes
29:49 — When to See a Pelvic PT
31:46 — Common ≠ Normal
33:39 — Stop Avoiding Movement
35:39 — Spanx & Constant Clenching
38:58 — Why Kegels Can Backfire
42:21 — Gentle At-Home Practices
46:42 — No Pressure on Internal Exams
47:27 — Best Time to Start Prehab
51:22 — Empowerment & Closing
More about Erin Michael
Find her at befempowered.com and on Instagram @befempowered.
Dr. Erin Michael, PT, DPT, CSMC, is a specialist physical therapist, a breast cancer survivor, and the founder of Fempowered. With nearly 20 years of clinical experience - including 17 years specializing in Spinal Cord Injury and neurological recovery - Erin possesses a master-level understanding of the body’s resilience. She has translated that expertise into the world of elite athletics as a reigning USAPL World Champion Powerlifter. Through Fempowered, she now helps active women (or women hoping to become active) navigate menopause and pelvic health, trading fear and "slowing down" for evidence-based strength and confidence. When she’s not under a barbell or in the clinic, she is a devoted dog mom and a "beach baby" who is most at home in the sand and salt water.
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