The Science of Fitness Podcast · Science of Fitness

Redefining Women's Health With Emily Adams & Dr Meg Doohan

·50 min

1. The Science of Fitness Podcast episode centers on the third iteration of the women's health program, which is scheduled to kick off on 16 June. 2. The discussion features Meg Doohan, now a doctor after previously joining as a candidate, and Emily Adams, described as an exercise physiology specialist, both of whom helped shape the program. 3. The episode asks what the women's health program is now for, after beginning with pelvic health and expanding into a broader education model. 4. Meg says the original vision focused on pelvic health and education, but the program widened to include downregulation, menstrual cycle, contraception, fertility, postpartum, menopause, and related topics. 5. Emily says the first motivation came from clients with pelvic pain around exercise, which led to downregulatory and muscle-relaxing strategies before the program grew. 6. The cohort included a 17-year-old participant, her mother in her 50s, and a broad age range that changed the tone of the sessions. 7. Emily says the room became a discussion among the women rather than a clinician lecture, especially during the Q&A at the end of each session. 8. Both hosts describe the group as a safe space where physical health, mental health, and social wellness questions were raised without embarrassment. 9. The episode links that atmosphere to the broader gym environment, where some women were initially wary of group-fitness culture but still engaged with the program. 10. Emily recommends that other gyms build connection through lower-intensity classes like breathing and Pilates, plus events outside the gym and simple social spaces like coffee. 11. Meg says clinicians were chosen for their specific women's-health expertise, and the program benefited when each presenter planted ideas that participants kept building on week after week. 12. She says tracking symptoms helped participants look at their habits and behaviors in a new way, which encouraged a process of unlearning rigid training rules. 13. Emily and the host argue that personalization means asking what the body wants and what it needs, instead of forcing a blueprint onto everyone. 14. The program was shortened from 12 weeks to 8 weeks because the longer format was harder for people to commit to every Monday night. 15. Meg says the 12-week version was still useful because it revealed which topics people wanted most, including menopause, which surprised them with its popularity across ages. 16. One participant reportedly took the slides to work and retaught the material to colleagues during lunch, showing that the learning spread beyond the room. 17. The format mixes education with practical movement, and Emily says participants practiced pelvic-floor contraction and relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, and nervous-system regulation inside the sessions. 18. The tone is conversational and workshop-like, with the hosts moving between program design, participant stories, and concrete coaching examples. 19. Best for women, coaches, and gym owners interested in cycle-aware training. 20. Less useful for listeners wanting entertainment without health or training content.

As heard by us

A grounded look at a women's health program in its third iteration.

This episode follows a women's health program as it moves into its third iteration, with Meg Doohan and Emily Adams looking back on what has worked and how the next round is being shaped.

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Why you'd press play

Press play for a grounded look at a women's health program as it enters its third iteration, with lessons learned and cohort-by-cohort refinement.

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