Real-Life Rehab: Lucille’s Journey from Survival Mode to Strong Core Living
About this episode
After ten pregnancies in fourteen years, Lucille has spent much of her adult life caring for others while navigating the physical demands of motherhood.
Several years ago, she discovered The Tummy Team and began implementing functional core and pelvic floor strategies that helped her reduce a severe diastasis and feel stronger in her body. But even with all of the progress she made, a nagging low back ache and a recent hip injury continued to hold her back from fully returning to the activities she loves.

Kelly Dean, MPT
Kelly has a Masters in Physical Therapy and focuses her career on Diastasis Recti and core related issues.In this first-ever Real-Life Rehab episode, Kelly sits down with Lucille to explore what happens when healing enters a new season. Rather than focusing on where she started, this conversation focuses on where she is now—and the small but important adjustments that can help her move from managing symptoms to building long-term resilience and confidence.
Together, they discuss the challenges of recovering after years of pregnancies and breastfeeding, the importance of revisiting foundational concepts like neutral pelvis and core connection, and why healing is rarely a destination. It's an ongoing journey of learning how to support your body through every stage of life.
You'll also hear Kelly walk Lucille through practical next steps, including active walking, gentle releases, and strategies for improving awareness, alignment, and movement without fear.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why lingering symptoms don't mean your healing has stalled
- How years of pregnancy and parenting can influence posture and movement patterns
- The relationship between neutral pelvis, core strength, and low back pain
- Why active walking is one of the most underrated forms of rehabilitation
- How to approach pain with curiosity instead of fear
- The role of consistency and awareness in long-term healing
- Why self-compassion is often a missing piece in recovery
- How small adjustments can create meaningful changes over time
Lucille's story is a reminder that healing isn't about becoming perfect. It's about continuing to learn, adapt, and support your body so it can carry you into the next season of life with strength and confidence.
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.

