the pip podcast

This week, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Jenny Laviolette, a content creator in the fitness, wellness and personal growth space, who happens to be friends with Veronica’s life-long bestie. The three talk about how to balance fitness, health, wellness and everyday life, how motivation can play a factor in all, and ways to stay true to whether you’re really honouring your body, or honouring societal pressures, one way or the other. Jenny talks about her new-found love of cold plunging and how it’s affected her overall wellness, and ways we can find our own version of cold-plunging in our own lives. They talk about ways to eat better for our own bodies, bring movement that works for us - especially as adults - and how to find community in it all. Veronica and Amanda play a game with Jenny. Jenny is a dynamic content creator whose passion for fitness, wellness, and personal growth shines through in every post. From colorful recipes to tips on cold plunging and habit-building, she offers a vibrant tapestry of content aimed at inspiring positive change and authentic living. Through her platforms, she fosters a sense of community and belonging, encouraging everyone to believe in their potential. Jenny's mission goes beyond simply sharing content; she seeks to redefine what's possible for her community. With her unwavering belief in the power of self-discovery and growth, she encourages others to rewrite and romanticize their stories, showing them that it's never too late to become the best version of themselves. In a world often inundated with negativity, Jenny’s willingness to share both the highs and lows of her life is an authentic breath of fresh air, demonstrating that positive transformation is attainable and sustainable. Beyond her creative pursuits, she is a strategic social media advisor and a former cheerleader. Through her diverse experiences and genuine approach to life, Jenny strives to encourage others to embrace their journey and make positive changes, one step at a time, without the societal pressures. You can follow Jenny on Instagram @jennylaviolette

In this week’s episode, Veronica and Amanda get into the fascinating world of neurodiversity and therapeutic techniques with their guest, Alicia Alessandrini, a registered social worker and EMDR practitioner. The three explore the concept of neurodiversity, debunk common myths surrounding mental health, and chat about everything from ADHD to relationship dynamics. Alicia gives her invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating life's challenges with compassion and resilience, and shares a bit about her own diagnosis stories, and how speaking about it in her practice helps her with her clients. The three play a game. Alicia is a registered social worker and psychotherapist who supports clients struggling with self esteem, trauma, ADHD, autism and mood. As someone who has lived experience in these areas and understands the cycles of shame and self criticism that come with mental and physical health conditions, her practice focuses on developing understanding, compassion and trust towards yourself. Alicia supports clients with accepting their strengths and imperfections, understanding connections between past and present, and exploring beliefs that are keeping clients stuck, in order to build a life that accommodates each individual's unique needs and values. To book a free consultation with Alicia: https://fmh.janeapp.com/#/staff_member/4/treatment/2 Psychology today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/alicia-alessandrini-hamilton-on/1003824 Instagram: @worthyofwellnesstherapy

This week, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Ashley and Erline of the Period Poverty Initiative. High school seniors from Orlando Florida, they noticed issues with the lack of menstrual products in their school bathrooms, and decided to work to change it. Ashley and Erline talk about starting PPI, the inspiration behind PPI’s activism, and how period poverty has impacted their communities. The group chat about the challenges faced in advocating for menstrual equity, the intersectionality of period poverty with other social issues, and the importance of eradicating period stigma. Veronica and Amanda play a game with Ashley and Erline, and ask them about their goals and aspirations in period activism both as youth, but as they grow up. Discover how The Period Poverty Initiative is making differences in communities worldwide, and learn how you can get involved in this vital movement for menstrual justice. Visit: @periodpovertyinitiative

Amanda and Veronica are back this week with their first guest of 2024! Michelle Milheiras of The Happy Pelvis joins the pair to talk everything pelvic health. Michelle shares her story of lifelong chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, and chronic UTIs, which all led to her starting The Happy Pelvis in 2018. Michelle explains the long process to diagnoses and how years of not being heard or seen in medicine forced her to take her own health and advocacy into her own hands. She shares what helps her manage her chronic illnesses, and how they overlap with many of her chronic illnesses. The three talk about how the overlap of chronic illnesses is so common, yet rarely talked about. Michelle gives her tips on effectively communicating and advocating for yourself in the doctor’s office and not giving up hope. Amanda and Veronica play a game with Michelle. Michelle Milheiras is a peer health navigator and pelvic health advocate residing in Mississauga, Canada and the voice behind The Happy Pelvis—a platform dedicated to spreading awareness about pelvic health. Through the various initiatives and projects at The Happy Pelvis, her commitment lies in empowering patients who may be struggling with chronic pelvic pain to become their best advocate. Michelle strives to provide resources and support that enable individuals to navigate their diagnosis, communicate effectively with their healthcare providers and make informed decisions about their treatment options. You can follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook @TheHappyPelvis and check out her infographics and resource guides at www.thehappypelvis.ca Her Podcast, The Happy Pelvis, is available on Apple Music and Spotify

Amanda and Veronica are back! They’re here to take on 2024, and the pip podcast season 2, better than before. Together for once in the flesh and blood, the duo catch up over a long, extended Holiday break. They talk about what they’re looking forward to this year and season, their Ins and Outs for 2024, and how they’re going to continue putting their health first this year. They talk about resolutions for the year - which they’re renamed as goals - and talk about if “shredding for the wedding” is something Amanda is on board for. To start the year and season off right, they discuss a What in the TikTok. Amanda drops an absolute bombshell secret she has been keeping from Veronica, and Veronica talks more about yoga by pip, coming in the spring!

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year! Or at least that’s what we’re told. The Holiday season can bring a lot of things with it, including stress, exhaustion, burn out, and flares. In the final episode of 2023, Amanda and Veronica talk everything Holidays, from what they look forward to, what they dread, and how they prep their bodies - and minds - for the busy season in any attempt to avoid chronic illness flares. About mid-way through, a secret pip update is revealed! The pair play a holiday must-have game, and a holiday worst-case would you rather.

In this week’s episode, Veronica and Amanda are joined by Katelyn Morin, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe Crohn’s disease in 202, and who also happens to be Veronica’s younger cousin. After casting the family lore, Katelyn shares how she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and perianal disease in the middle of the pandemic. Katelyn explains what Crohn’s is and how it impacts her entire GI tract, and the ways she manages it with medication. She explains the ways Crohn’s can impact your body in ways most people don’t know, such as tunneling, joint pain, and recurring abscesses, and how the financial cost of it all can cause even more stress. Katelyn shares her multiple surgeries and where she is now, a few weeks after her most recent operation, and what she does at home to take care of herself. The three talk about juggling medications, hospital visits, work, and everything else in life, and how a supportive circle and workplace can make a world of a difference. Katelyn shares some myths about Crohn’s, and how the realities of the disease has impacted her body image and sense of self. The three play a Crohn’s Desert Island game.

In this week’s episode, Amanda and Veronica reflect on how their health and lives have changed in the 8 months they have started pip. From burnt out, washed up athletes who used to constantly gaslight themselves into working out and living “lifestyles” that did not put their bodies first, to being mindful and loving to their bodies and chronic illnesses, is a long way to go in a short timeframe. Reflecting on where they are now, and where they may still be struggling and working, the two chronically ill besties look back on previous episodes they’ve recorded and how certain guests and topics have changed their outlook on life, illness, and wellness.

TW: This episode speaks about mental health, including anxiety and depression. Please take care while listening. In this week’s episode, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Renee Arenburg from @no.spoons.society. A fellow endometriosis sufferer, Renee started her social media page to find and create community and education online. The three talk about her endo story, and how aging and receiving a diagnosis was a silver lining, leading to the creation of her page. Renee shares about her struggles with anxiety and depression, possible ADHD, chronic burnout, and gaslighting herself for years, and how her diagnosis of endometriosis helped her seek out therapy and learn that leaning into the little joys is a key to life. Veronica and Amanda ask Renee wtf a spoon is, and she explains some of the history of the term. The three then discuss the various girlboss words given to chronic illness, and why they don’t find little joys in them. Renee shares about why she started her social media page, and how despite the positives to the online community, there is a dark side to social media too. They talk about misinformation online, the cancel culture that's rampant in the online endo world, and how toxic positivity trumps all for the most annoying part of it all. Renee shares some of the educational resources she has on her page, and how she strives to create a space with balance of the rainbows and dark clouds of having a chronic illness. Veronica and Amanda play a classic Would You Rather game with Renee, social media edition. Renee Arenburg created her social media page, No Spoons Society, after 20 years of feeling like hot garbage. No Spoons Society was started with community in mind. She wanted to connect with others who understood her journey, as well as offering support and resources to those experiencing the same, or just starting on their own long journey. Turning to community has been her saving grace in all of this, and has connected her with so many lovely people. We vent, we learn together, we lift each other up, we grow together. You can follow Renee on social media @no.spoons.society If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or has suicide-related concerns, know there is support. You can call 1-833-456-4566 toll free. If you are in Quebec, you can call 1-866-277-3553, 24/7. You can also visit www.talksuicide.ca

In this week’s episode, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Dr. Maria Tomlinson from the University of Sheffield in the UK. The pair ask Maria about her research on the impact of the media on menstrual activism, and she takes them on a history lesson of how patriarchy has impacted menstruation over the years, including how we think about its links to hygiene, and how social media and the 4th wave feminism has started to disrupt the patriarchal view of menstruation, including how youth in today’s days are working to have menstruation talked about in class. The three talk about how this shift has increased the research being done around Europe on women’s health and endometriosis, the new study on period product absorbency being the *checks notes* very first one to ever use actual blood, and how her own personal research has led her to work with the UK Government to change public infrastructure to work for women and those who menstruate, go through menopause, and have a bio-female hormone cycle, and how being inclusive in this work is so important. Maria talks about her advice to youth about periods and her two books, one of which is going to be published soon as open access to everyone in the world, and how her Social Media Guidance co-produced with Acushla Young is available today for free download on her website. The three play a game: Menopause True or Nah? Dr. Maria Tomlinson is a lecturer in Public Communication and Gender at the University of Sheffield. Her current research examines the impact of the media and menstrual activism on young people's attitudes towards the health and social issues around menstruation. She is using her findings to advise organisations on how they can use social media to communicate effectively with young people about menstruation. Her findings have also informed her work with the British Standards Institute, England's Department for Education, and Sheffield City Council. She is the author of From Menstruation to the Menopause: The Female Fertility Cycle in Contemporary Women's Writing in French (2021, Liverpool University Press) and is working on her forthcoming book The Menstrual Movement in the Media: Reducing Stigma and Tackling Social Inequalities (2024, Palgrave Macmillan, Open Access). You can follow Dr. Maria Tomlison on social media: X @MariaKTomlinson and Instagram @dr.m.k.tomlinson To learn more about her work, and access her free Guidance, you can access her website here, which is where her new book will also be available for free download in 2024: https://www.mariatomlinson.co.uk/ For her latest publication, “Periods Don’t Stop for Pandemics”: The Implications of COVID-19 for Online and Offline Menstrual Activism in Great Britain, you can access it here: https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/8BGNMDDFWUMNGDBDAGPW/full?target=10.1080/07491409.2023.2222365

This week, Amanda and Veronica are joined by the founders of the registered Canadian charity, Endometriosis Events, Tami Ellis and Leah Haynes. The four talk about how Tai and Leah met, bonded over their endometriosis, and decided to create their charity, Endo Events. Tami and Leah share how many years and doctors it took for them to finally be diagnosed, and how their own experiences shaped wanting to create a safe, informative, and fun space for others with endometriosis in the Toronto and GTA area. They talk about the issues and gaps in women’s health care in Canada, and how the dismissing of pain and symptoms often leads to extremely long and grueling diagnosis timelines. Leah and Tami talk about the importance of community in chronic illness, and how they’ve formed their own with Endo Events. They explain what their charity does, and the spaces they create for endo awareness, support, and education. The four touch on the importance of political action. Veronica and Amanda play a game with the pair. Tami Ellis and Leah Haynes are the co-founders of the registered Canadian charity ‘Endometriosis Events’. Endometriosis Events raises awareness for the disease endometriosis through our facilitation of a monthly Canada-wide virtual support group; hosting events, and our latest initiatives - political action and educating youth. Endometriosis Events came about when we met and bonded over our similar experiences. They decided they wanted to work together and create something unique for fellow endometriosis patients; they realized the importance of bringing the endo community and its supporters together where they could learn from each other as well as learn different ways to have a more comfortable life and cope with this diagnosis. Socials: Facebook Instagram (@endoevents) X (formerly Twitter) (@endoevents) Contact: Tami Ellis & Leah Haynes Email: endometriosisevents@gmail.com Website: https://www.endometriosisevents.com/

This week, Amanda and Veronica are joined by PhD Candidate, Allyson Bontempo. They three talk about Allyson’s research on medical invalidation with endometriosis, and why, as someone with endometriosis herself, she set down this path to research endometriosis and medical invalidation on such a deep level. Sharing her personal endo and research journey, Allyson explains the background of her PhD program and the research she has carved out for herself in communication between medical providers and endometriosis patients, and how researching something so close to home can feel. They talk about how medical dismissal can make patients feel, how it affects proper care, and how it could possibly be leading to the rarity of disorders and syndromes not being as rare as we all think. Veronica and Amanda play TikTok Trend of Nah with Allyson. You can follow Allyson on twitter @acbontempo and Instagram @allysonbontempophd. You can also read more about her on her website: Allyson C. Bontempo - Home (allysoncbontempo.com) Allyson Bontempo is a PhD Candidate in communication from Rutgers University, NJ, where she studies health communication, particularly patient-clinician communication. Over the past seven years, Allyson has conducted three research projects on patient-clinician communication in the context of endometriosis. She is especially interested in invalidating communication that patients receive from clinicians, especially during their journey to diagnosis, and ways to improve the communication that takes place under conditions of diagnostic uncertainty, when clinicians may be more apt to invalidate patients’ symptoms.

In today’s episode, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Nicole White of Moon Time Sisters, a volunteer-led organization supporting Northern menstruators by collecting and shipping menstrual products to remote communities across the country where access is limited and costs are prohibitive. Moon Time Sisters provides menstrual products to these communities completely free-of-cost. The three talk about what made Nicole want to start MTS and the mission behind the charity. They talk about how Nicole’s own relationship with her period changed when she began MTS, as well as how it changed when she became a mom. The three talk about sustainability and period products, how traditions and cultures can change how you view your period, ways we can support people living in period poverty across our communities, and ways to work towards destigmatizing periods within our own lives, and the lives of others. They play a fun game of Period Fact or Faction. Nicole White (she/her) RSW BISW is a Mêtis registered social worker based in Treaty 6 territory. She founded Moon Time Sisters (MTS) in January 2017 and is the only Indigenous-led period equity organization in the country. Since its inception, MTS has sent two million menstrual products up to northern and remote communities across the country. Her daytime work sees her leading the Enough Already SK project which strives to prevent and address sexual harassment in Saskatchewan workplaces. Before that, she worked in the community for two decades engaging marginalized communities. Through her advocacy efforts, Nicole has helped shape Saskatchewan through the implementation of three laws so far. She is the recipient of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal, L'Oréal Women of Worth Award, and the YWCA Women of Distinction Award among many others. She strives to always put community first. You can follow Moon Time Sisters on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moontimesistersont/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/moontimesisters Here's the MTS website: https://truenorthaid.ca/moon-time-sisters/ How to donate: https://truenorthaid.givecloud.co/moontimesisters How to request product for your community

On today’s episode, Amanda and Veronica are joined by holistic functional medicine specialist, Lj Johnson to talk everything endometriosis, PCOS and uterine fibroids. After sharing her own endometriosis story, and how it brought her to a second career focused in holistic women’s health, Lj breaks down everything you need to know about the endo basics, and then some. Veronica and Amanda ask Lj to differentiate endo from PCOS, and fibroids from them both. They talk about lifestyle additions Lj made to help with her endometriosis, and some foundational ones others suffering from endo may want to try too. They talk about why endometriosis is not a period problem, and how shifting our understanding of endometriosis, and women’s health issues in general, is so important to better understand the disease, and how to mitigate the symptoms. Amanda and Veronica play a Period Would You Rather. Dr. Lj Johnson specializes in endometriosis and hormones while utilizing wholisitic functional medicine. Dr. Lj has worked in the women's health industry for over 25 years while overcoming her own diagnosis of endometriosis. Lj’s passion is to empower, motivate and educate all women, so they too can have quality of life despite their symptoms or diagnosis. You can find her on Instagram @wholistic.endo.expert

In this week’s episode, Amanda and Veronica talk about the dreaded “M word”... MIGRAINES! Not your mother’s headache - or is it? - chronic migraine is a debilitating disorder that goes way beyond a headache; there’s multiple kinds, hundreds of triggers and symptoms, and like every other chronic illness, no one seems to know why. Veronica and Amanda share their own stories of migraines, some of their worst migraine stories (don’t worry, they laugh about them now), and experiences getting diagnosed and on medication. They share tips and tricks for dealing with a migraine, how they know when one is coming on, and ways to track your migraines. What in the TikTok is back, and this time, the video is from a chiropractor who shares how to “cure” every migraine you ever have, and also, prevent them from ever coming back. Is it too good to be true?? Our hosts debate it out.

On this week's episode, Amanda and Veronica talk everything traveling with a chronic illness. From most embarrassing travel stories, to travel must haves, and their favourite places abroad, the pair deep dive into how they can continue to travel without the extra illness baggage. They also talk about portrayal of periods in movies and TVs, and some of their biggest pet peeves associated with media's obsession with the "hormonal sob fest" trope.

In this week’s episode, Veronica and Amanda continue their conversation on learning to listen to and learn about their cycles and ways to work out and bring movement during the four phases with Yoga and Pilates Instructor and Studio Owner, Jillian D’Archi. Veronica and Amanda ask Jillian about working out during your cycle and learning how to get in tune with what your body needs - and doesn’t need - including how Jillian listens to her body as someone who works out for a living. They deep dive into breathwork and how it can not only aid in work outs, but also in our everyday lives. Jillian shares how she is raising her daughter to be in tune with her cycle, and what that means for a young teen playing competitive sports. The three then unpack their own experiences with sports and being teens who didn’t understand their cycle, and the what-ifs that come along with being of the “birth-control generation”. Veronica and Amanda play a quick fitness trend would-you-rather with Jillian. Jillian D’Archi is the owner of The Yoga Vine Integrative Health Studio in the Niagara Region. She is a yoga and pilates instructor, and her studio offers a variety of allied health. You can follow Jillian and the studio on instagram @yogavine_niagara

In this week’s episode, Amanda and Veronica are joined by Naturopathic Doctor and founder of the Limitless Woman PMS Relief Protocol, Dr. Caitlin Shea, to talk everything PMS and PMDD. Dr. Shea explains all the details around Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, walking Veronica and Amanda through the hormones that control our cycles, and how these can cause PMS or PMDD. They discuss her Protocol, how PMDD is diagnosed, and ways those suffering from PMS or PMDD can take back their hormones and emotions through naturopathic ways alongside western medicine. Dr. Shea explains the four phases of the menstrual cycle and how hormones can impact how we feel, physically and mentally, during each phase. The three talk about naturopathic medicine and what to expect when you first go see one, ways to incorporate movement at different times of your cycle (a conversation Amanda and Veronica are going to continue with a special future guest), what the deal is with acupuncture, and some of the ways the foods we eat - even seeds! - can help us with our menstrual cycles. Veronica and Amanda have Dr. Shea play a health version of f*ck, marry, kill, and Dr. Shea sheds some professional light on whether you should cut out trigger foods or not. Dr. Caitlin Shea ND is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor and founder of the Limitless Woman PMS Relief Protocol. She is passionate about helping high performing women find relief from PMS and PMDD so they can thrive in their relationships and career. You can follow her Instagram @drsheanaturopath and her Facebook group is “Natural PMS Relief”.

Part 2 of our conversation with Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Holistic Health Coach and Lululemon Ambassador, Marlies Lagace, Veronica and Amanda continue the conversation with Marlies on how to learn to love yourself and your body, especially when your body may sometimes seem like it’s against you with a chronic illness. They unpack how to listen to your body when it’s asking for rest, and learning that letting your body rest in a flare isn’t being lazy, it’s being helpful, even if we’ve been conditioned to think otherwise. The three discuss building morning routines, crunchy wellness trends, and how being uncomfortable can sometimes be a gift. Veronica and Amanda test Marlies in a Wellness Would You Rather tailored to her own wellness loves. Marlies teaches yoga throughout the Niagara Region, and practices Reiki at The Yoga Vine in Beamsville. You can follow her instagram @marlieskc and listen to her weekly mini podcast #mondayswithmar on Spotify.

Have you ever felt like you worked out just because you felt guilty, or wanted to punish your body? Or how about feeling like one day you like yourself, and the next you can’t stand yourself? This week, Veronica and Amanda reflect on all the ways they struggle with balancing movement for your body and feeling good, and listening to your body when it needs a rest in part 1 of their conversation with Yoga Instructor, Reiki Master, Holistic Health Coach and Lululemon Ambassador, Marlies Lagace. The three deep dive into the hardest question of all time: how do I learn to love myself? Marlies shares her own journey to learning to love herself and how learning to listen to your body is a crucial part of that through her own story with chronic illness and finding her place in the health and wellness world after being a high level athlete growing up. They unpack their own mindsets going from disciplined, competitive athletes to women wanting to enjoy their life, and how this athlete-ego can either be your best friend, or worst enemy. They also get into Amanda and Veronica’s favourite topic to tear apart: “health and wellness”, and how it not only is the ~plague~ but is ruining how we enjoy the best things in life, including desert. Marlies teaches yoga throughout the Niagara Region, and practices Reiki at The Yoga Vine in Beamsville. You can follow her instagram @marlieskc and listen to her weekly mini podcast #mondayswithmar on Spotify.