A Man’s Journey to a Strong Core after Abdominal Injury
About this episode
In this episode, Kelly Dean connects with John, an online client who splits his time between Ohio and California, to share his powerful recovery story following a significant abdominal injury. Through virtual East Coast sessions and the support of The Tummy Team, John has rebuilt his core strength and developed a deeper understanding of functional movement.

Kelly Dean, MPT
Kelly has a Masters in Physical Therapy and focuses her career on Diastasis Recti and core related issues.From Injury to Intentional Healing
John opens up about the abdominal injury that brought him to The Tummy Team and how traditional fitness and medical solutions weren’t meeting his needs. His journey led him to discover the importance of intentional core rehab and how restoring functional strength was the key to real, lasting healing.
A Practical, Functional Approach
Kelly and John dive into the specifics of what functional core strength really means—especially for men. John shares how his perspective shifted as he realized the role alignment, breath, and everyday movement play in healing and performance. Working remotely with Kelly, he applied The Tummy Team’s methods consistently, even across two states.
Changing the Way Men Think About Core Health
Throughout the conversation, John challenges the misconception that core rehab is just for women or postpartum recovery. His story is a testament to the fact that men, especially those recovering from injury, can greatly benefit from a rehabilitative approach that builds from the inside out.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
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Abdominal injury in men can lead to diastasis recti and chronic instability if left untreated.
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Functional core rehab focuses on alignment, breath, and movement—beyond traditional fitness.
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Virtual sessions provide meaningful progress, even across distance and busy schedules.
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Men deserve core rehab too—and it can radically change their strength and recovery.
- You can book an eSession with Kelly after joining FREE Tummy Team membership.
- Diastasis Recti & Men
- What Men Need to Know About Diastasis Recti
Do you have a Tummy Team story to share?
You don't have to be perfect or even done with your journey to have something powerful to share. We want to share your story. We all learn from one another and can be encouraged to learn we are not alone on this journey to heal and be strong for the lives we were meant to live.

