Find Your Fuel
Erin Martin
Beyond Kegels: Why the Pelvic Floor is an Athlete’s Ultimate Force Absorber with Dr. Rachel Selman
SummaryIn this episode of Find Your Fuel, host Erin Martin welcomes Dr. Rachel Selman, a performance sports scientist and pelvic floor physical therapist, to discuss the often-overlooked role of the pelvic floor in athletic performance. Moving beyond basic exercises, Dr. Selman explains that the pelvic floor is a critical system of muscles responsible for supporting organs, managing pressure, and absorbing force during movement. The conversation highlights that pelvic floor dysfunction is not limited to those who have given birth; athletes of all genders are at a higher risk of issues due to the physical demands of their training. Dr. Selman details how pelvic floor dysfunction can manifest in unexpected ways, including chronic low back, tailbone, and hip pain, as well as recurring muscle strains. The discussion also touches on the connection between hormonal changes—particularly during perimenopause—and the structural integrity of tendons. Dr. Selman emphasizes that while professional guidance is ideal, athletes can improve their pelvic health by prioritizing proper loading, mastering the balance between contraction and relaxation, and understanding how these muscles integrate into their overall strength training routines.
Updated Jun 25, 2026
About This Episode
If you are a woman who runs, lifts weights, or loves staying active, ignoring your lower core might actually be holding your performance back. Studies show that athletes are far more likely to experience pelvic health conditions than non-athletes, yet the traditional fitness world completely ignores how childbirth and anatomy impact daily activity, lifting and running.
In this episode we sit down with Dr. Rachel Selman—a performance sport scientist, orthopedic and pelvic physical therapist, and author of the upcoming book Floor It. Rachel shares how the pelvic floor is a critical force absorber for your body, how to move beyond basic Kegels into contraction and lengthening, and how to integrate pelvic floor training into your everyday routine.
Tune in for actionable self-assessments, tips for runners and lifters, and advice on how to stop settling for leaks, injuries and pain from a dysfunctional pelvic floor. Your pelvic floor is your ultimate foundation—let's learn how to make it functional for performance and life.
Additional resources from this episode can be found at: https://www.fuelwitherin.com/podcast/v/episode-28-beyond-kegels-why-the-pelvic-floor-is-an-athletes-ultimate-force-absorber-with-dr-rachel-selman
CONNECT WITH DR. SELMAN
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/dr.rachelselman/
Website | https://synthesisphysicaltherapy.com/
Book, Floor It | https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Floor-It/Rachel-Selman/9798994780121
Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on October 6, 2026
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