THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST
The New Playbook for Pregnancy and Performance: Shannon Rowbury and Jessica Dorrington on Strong as a Mother
49m
Three-time Olympian Shannon Rowbury knows firsthand the strength and resilience it takes to train at the highest level, especially through pregnancy and motherhood.
Now, she’s bringing that same elite mindset to a new arena: women’s health. Alongside her co-author, Jessica Dorrington, a leading pelvic floor and orthopedic physical therapist, Rowbury has created the definitive guide for expectant and new mothers seeking to stay active, confident, and empowered in every stage of pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
Their upcoming book, Strong as a Mother: Your Complete Pregnancy-to-Postpartum Health Program, launching February 17, 2026, blends Olympic-level athletic insight with evidence-based medical expertise.
Drawing on years of research and personal experience, Rowbury and Dorrington challenge outdated advice that tells women to slow down or avoid movement. Instead, they show that pregnancy can be a time to build strength, connection, and confidence–when guided by the right science and support.
With clear, medically-grounded guidance, Strong as a Mother addresses the questions every pregnant athlete and active woman asks: “What’s actually safe? How can I keep training?” From strength training and mobility to recovery and mental health, Rowbury and Dorrington offer a comprehensive, empowering roadmap rooted in both athletic performance and women’s health.
Endorsed by Allyson Felix, Jordan Hogan, and Dr. Rachel Goldman, Strong as a Mother is already being hailed as a must-have resource for mothers and mothers-to-be. This will mark the start of a movement to redefine what strength looks like in motherhood.
Tap into the Shannon Rowberry and Jessica Dorrington Special.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.
Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.
If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!
S H O W N O T E S
-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs
-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run
-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en
-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
More from THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST
The Leap: How Rocky Hansen Went from 100th at NCAAs to Nearly Winning It All + His Training/Future Plans/& Thoughts On The International State Of The NCAA
The New Standard in High School Distance Running: How Oliver Horton Is Pushing the Limits of What’s Possible at 17
NIKE's Alex Ostberg on Why Some Runners Break Through (and why Most Never Do) + How the Best Get Better & The Small Habits That Change Everything
