Breaking the Silence on Men and Core Dysfunction

In this episode of The Tummy Team Journey Podcast, host Kelly Dean sits down with Todd, a 42-year-old pastor, firefighter, and farm owner from Washington State. Todd shares his unexpected struggle with diastasis recti—a condition often associated with postpartum women but equally impactful for men.

“I looked down at my stomach and saw this major trench in my midline. My wife laughed and said, ‘That’s what pregnant women get.’”

Like many active men, Todd pushed through the discomfort, unaware that his core was compromised. Years of intense training, running ultramarathons, and sudden shifts in activity left him vulnerable to injury.

The Moment of Realization

Todd first noticed something was wrong after using a weighted crunch machine at the gym. “It felt like a tear and a sharp pain—right between my sternum and belly button. It was about three inches long and two fingers wide.” Despite trying to train through it, the pain worsened, limiting his ability to work on the farm and perform his duties as a firefighter. This physical limitation took a toll on his mental well-being as well. “The inability—when you have the mental fortitude but the physical inability—it can lead you into a place of depression.”

Finding the Right Approach to Healing

Todd spent months searching for solutions, only to find most information centered around postpartum women. Determined, he tried various programs, including the Tupler Technique, which involved extensive core exercises and splinting. “I went through the program twice. It helped me find my transverse abdominis, but I felt like I was stuck in a cycle—always needing the splint, always doing endless reps.” Eventually, he discovered The Tummy Team and had a breakthrough with its function-based approach.

“Kelly told me to imagine a cord pulling me up from my head. The moment I did it, I felt my core engage—without clenching or straining.”

Instead of focusing on isolated exercises, The Tummy Team helped Todd integrate core stability into his daily life—whether working on the farm, carrying firefighting equipment, or simply sitting with proper posture.

The Results: Strength That Lasts

After six weeks of targeted training, Todd’s diastasis significantly improved. “I went from a two-finger gap down to one in just six weeks.” More importantly, he no longer felt trapped by the injury. By shifting his mindset from “fixing” his core to retraining it for real-life movement, he found lasting strength. Key Takeaways for Men with Diastasis Recti

1. You’re Not Alone – “The second largest group we work with is men aged 40-75.”
2. Healing Is Possible – “Diastasis recti is not just a postpartum issue. It’s a functional issue, and it can be fixed.”
3. Posture Matters – “Alignment isn’t just about looking good—it’s about stability, confidence, and preventing future injuries.”
4. Slow Down to Go Faster – “Taking time to heal doesn’t mean quitting—it means building a foundation for lifelong strength.”

If you’re struggling with core weakness, unexplained back pain, or a stubborn belly gap, check out The Tummy Team’s Mens Course programs. Related Resources: Diastasis Recti in Men What Men Need To Know About Diastasis Recti Video: Online Rehab For Men With Diastasis