SLAM Stories
Pelvic Girdle Pain Recovery

My PGP has finally gone away! I got it during my third trimester with my twins, and it didn’t go away until I started doing this program at 12-13 months PP! I also feel so strong carrying both my 25lb boys. My Diastasis Recti has significantly improved as well!

I was so worried I’d be stuck like that for the rest of my life! And was absolutely terrified of how much worse it could get during any future pregnancies. I don’t have that fear anymore, and I couldn’t be happier about it!

I had awful SPD. I saw a PFPT regularly and I started Core Basics and then SLAM Bridge with heavy modifications at 4mo PP. It took a lot of tedious work but at 8 mo PP I was able to do a return-to-run program and my pelvis hasn’t been an issue!

I have gained the ability to play with my kids. I mean really play and be in the moment – not out of breath barely keeping up, sitting on the couch as they run back and forth. I am chasing my kids, picking them up, carrying over 55lbs of babies (2 under 2) without the fear of pain from pubic symphysis or prolapse.

I’ve gained a new perspective of embracing my postpartum body, not depriving it from things to fit the ‘mold’ before baby body! But instead praising it and loving every extra inch, even the stretch marks and loose skin because it brought my children into this world!

WHY SLAM

After a really hard postpartum period where I had TONS of issues I didn’t feel like myself anymore. I was in pain all the time and had trouble walking (my pelvis was all crazy and my muscles/connective tissue were not properly holding it all together). After lots of PT and doing the Instagram workouts Ashley posted I finally decided I was ready to get stronger so I could feel like myself again and enjoy my life with my little girl and husband. Then COVID happened and Ashley offered the WONDERFUL month for free – it was the perfect time to try. Once I tried the program I was hooked! It was just what I needed!

MY SLAM GAINS

Before having my little girl I was extremely active and did a lot of HIIT workouts – I was in great shape (cardio-wise) but my focus was always to keep the weight off (I lost 70 lbs about 12 years ago and I never wanted to go back to that!!). So I constantly thought about being thinner (and by “thought” I mean obsessed to the point of disorder).

I feel like my mindset has shifted. Ashley and SLAM have helped me get strong (in some ways stronger than I have been) and keep my mind right. Also, I am in far less pain and recently I went to the OBGYN (who had diagnosed me with prolapse) and she told me she saw no sign of prolapse and my pelvic floor looked awesome. While I still do have prolapse, my symptoms have decreased SUBSTANTIALLY since doing the program, making me feel better physically and mentally.

PATIENCE PAYS OFF

It took me almost 2 years to be able to do a full workout or to be able to walk a mile – but after sticking with my PT, I built a good foundation. Then I learned more about breathing from Ashley, GAME CHANGER. I have not run into as many setbacks during the program as I did getting here. What I am saying is it took me A LONG time to get here and that was frustrating as heck, but it gave me a foundation that I wouldn’t trade! 

NO MORE FEAR

With my pelvic issues and prolapse I was afraid to workout. I was always afraid to make it worse. SLAM made me feel more confident since I knew the exercises and routines thought about protecting your core. I felt like I was being guided by someone who knew what to do for people in my situation and that was HUGE. Also, the workouts are a wonderful length, very doable, and honestly, FUN! I love every single one of them…really I do!!

THE SLAM COMMUNITY

I love that the women in the group really understand what it is like when postpartum isn’t easy (like our society makes it look). These women have had similar experiences and are dealing with similar issues – it’s so nice to not feel alone! I feel like I can bring things to the group and be encouraged.

WORDS FOR OTHER MAMAS

I recommend SLAM to every pregnant and postpartum mom I know. Whether they have pelvic floor issues, DR, or no issue at all – I strongly feel that SLAM makes a huge difference physically and mentally. I have been involved with MLM workouts and they were effective and I enjoyed them but they were not necessarily the best for me mentally, the focus was always on dieting and being SKINNY.  SLAM takes a different approach emphasizing strength (and doing it safely). I love that the program isn’t a quick fix, because in the real world, becoming strong isn’t a three week workout – it is consistent work. I am very grateful for all the work Ashley has put in to make this program and this space. She is inspirational and obviously has made it a priority to really be educated on postpartum fitness – I LOVE IT!

Running is something I have always loved to do for my mental health but due to intense pelvic pain I have stopped running. I literally haven’t run like this in years.

Well yesterday, I not only conquered this but I had no pelvic pain at all. I’m so thankful for this program. It has really changed my life!

I am truly so grateful for the program you have put together. I have followed you for 3 years. In those three years I have experienced 3 pregnancies and had 2 babies. I have been an athlete my whole life, and am a certified personal trainer. Despite all this, my workouts were consistently inconsistent. I just made them up on the fly. I exercised 5/6 times a week, but just no organization to it.

After years and years of my friend trying to talk me into it I decided to follow one of her programs. It is strictly a lifting program. Once I started this and I stuck to it I really enjoyed following a program. I thought I was fine to lift like this since, in large part to the free educational material you put out, I never had leaking problems or other issues after my last 2 births. However, doing these heavier type lifts I realized my core was not ready. I was having pelvic heaviness and pain and pressure. I was also having pelvic girdle pain that was unbearable. I decided that I would make the switch to your program and it was the best decision I ever made.

It has been 3 weeks since I began your program and I feel so good. I can tell I am getting stronger, but I’m not in pain. I focus on my core in every exercise. You challenge the heck out of me and I love it. I have a long way to go and a lot of healing to do still, but I am so grateful you offered the 30 days free, I will be a member for life now. Thank you for helping me to feel better. I thought I was going to live with pain forever. I hope to one day be able to lift heavier and I have confidence that following your programming I will do just that.

I no longer have sciatic pain and can physically feel my core engage during exercise! Doing this program I expected I’d probably lose weight and my clothes would fit better, which happened. What I wasn’t expecting was to feel so confident in my body. I’m not confident because my body looks “perfect” and I’ve reached my “ideal” weight… I don’t even have an ideal weight anymore. I’m confident because I’ve gotten stronger. I can carry my kids without feeling exhausted, I can hike, run, and move heavy things by myself.

I’ve never done a workout program, or really worked out consistently before Get Mom Strong. After having my second baby I decided to try working out at home to gain some strength and for my mental health. During pregnancy I experienced sciatic pain which continued postpartum. My core was so weak I couldn’t even get through the second set of exercises in Core Basics without terrible sciatic pain.

Get Mom Strong has allowed me to workout whenever I find the time during my day. Because I’m a stay at home mom, my boys are often with me while I’m exercising and are learning the importance of taking care of their bodies, which is something I’ve never really prioritized. Ashley’s focus on health and strength rather than weight loss is an incredible breath of fresh air. I am so grateful that I found a program so focused on healing and gaining strength while being so mindful of a postpartum body and the schedule of a mom. I will never stop singing the praises of this program!

One of the things I love most about Get Mom Strong is the community. Every day, I know I’m working out in tandem with so many other moms who are trying to be as strong and healthy as possible. That’s super motivating. I LOVE the Facebook group and the support mamas offer each other there.

I started the SLAM program during lockdown in 2020. It was a really hard time for me mentally, like it was for so many of us moms. After my third pregnancy in 2018 I had been left with rectal, uterine, and bladder prolapses. At the time I started SLAM, I was still sometimes wearing a pessary recommended by my pelvic floor PT. I still felt a lot of sadness about my prolapses at the time, mourning the body I had “lost” through childbearing.

SLAM was immediately such a killer workout. I was often sore, and found that it suited my body better to split the workout into 2 days. I loved learning how to lift heavier with proper breathing and engagement. I weaved SLAM into my routine of yoga and cycling and felt myself getting stronger and stronger. It took me TWO YEARS to complete SLAM. Contracting Covid, and life’s curveballs knocked me off track a couple times, but I always picked up where I left off. I finished SLAM at the age of 41 and now am working my way through SLAM30. This program is challenging and fun. I no longer wear my pessary and can carry my 40 pound son properly. I recommend Get Mom Strong to all my mom friends! Get Mom Strong has given me increased confidence and greater love for this body that grew and fed 3 amazing children.

I just have to tell you how much your program helped me. I am an avid runner and a track and cross country coach. After my first baby I started running so quickly. Every run it felt like my uterus was about to fall out of my vagina. It was so uncomfortable and sometimes painful but I just assumed that was normal postpartum running. I also battled injuries for a year. After having my second child, I started your program and learned how to rebuild myself from the inside out. It was incredible. No more pain!

I have also been so much kinder to myself and allowed my body to actually heal and get stronger. I went on a 7 mile run this morning with zero pain, averaging 7:45s. I felt so strong and proud afterwards! I’ve told so many people about your program and thank you so much for putting it out there! Your hard work for women everywhere is not going unnoticed!