As we get ready to celebrate moms with gratitude and gifts this weekend, we asked two fierce women wellness warriors to get together for a real talk on women’s wellness. Adrien Cotton, owner of Alexandria Wellness and advocate for mastering menopause connected with Dr. Megan Brown, co-owner of Mind the Mat and maternal health leader, to discuss exciting new developments in the world of women’s wellness and talk about how they live up to their wellness values. 

What is the most exciting development in women’s wellness that you’ve encountered in the last year?

Adrien: No question about it. Menopause is gaining a voice. What used to be a “hush-hush” topic is now beginning to be highlighted in popular media. When Oprah takes on a topic, it quickly becomes mainstream. There is so much misinformation in the marketplace, and now menopause is becoming a market, which I know is daunting for many of my members. Yet over time, I am confident it will be a household term and women will have the know-how and the tools to thrive. 

Megan: It is the first year that I have been excited, truly. When I had my kids, we were barely talking about the pelvic floor. There was not significant research on the pelvic floor and the abdominal wall and the impact from pregnancy and the changing hormones of menopause. But each year I attend a huge physical therapy conference and each year there is more and more information and passion surrounding the need to understand pelvic floor issues that may result in bowel and bladder incontinence, painful intercourse, and leaking during exercise. But, and I can’t believe I am saying this, even more exciting, is the fact that the American Physical Therapy Association is bringing a Pelvic Floor Bill to Congress this year, advocating for an increase in access to covered pelvic health services. Called the Optimizing Postpartum Outcomes Act of 2023, legislation like this is monumental for improving postpartum care for women during a time when the maternal death rate continues to climb in the U.S.

How do you integrate your wellness values into day-to-day life? What about when life happens, how do you get back to living well? 

Adrien: Being a mom helps. I hope to set an example for our teens that self-care is not selfish and is a top priority not only in words but in action. My top wellness value is to get my sleep, no surprise. I get at least 7 hours every night. When I don’t, it is crazy rare. Tending to my emotional health is as important too as my daily training routine. I have a variety of ways I care for myself yet mindfulness, prayer, and closely monitoring my self-talk are at the top of the list. 

When life, or in our family’s case a whole lot of stress creeps its way into our lives, I try to double down on sleep, daily walks, listening intently to those in our household, and focus on slowing down the pace of our days. 

Megan: Obviously most people know I am in love with exercise. Instead of making exercise a scheduled activity, something I have to check off my list, I luckily have been able to integrate it into everyday life. Now, yes, I am in a unique position as movement is my job. But if we try to look at movement as an integral aspect of living instead of a loathsome annoyance we have to schedule, our lives improve exponentially. How? Find some form of activity you enjoy doing with people who lift each other up. Then, just as one craves chocolate, you will crave movement since you have associated it with joy, support, and love.

When life happens and my schedule is disrupted, I don’t make a fuss about it. I have learned to remind myself that there is always Monday, press the reset button then. Start over on Monday and you’ll get back on track. 

How has your style evolved as you started prioritizing wellness? 

Adrien: Comfort is a top goal for me. I am weird. When I get dressed in the morning, I am dressed for the day. I don’t love to change clothes. Ask any member of our community. I lead wellness discussions and then switch to demonstrating movements in whatever I’m wearing that day. Yep, even jeans! 

Megan: My closet is simple: lululemon on one side, The Hive on the other. And when those two iconic brands collide, it makes getting dressed fun. Ironically I was not a fan of sneakers since any chance I get to not dress in workout gear is an opportunity for high heels. But recently my 13-year-old has a new expensive hobby of collecting Nike Jordan’s and he (and E. Todd) talked me into a new pair of Nike Dunks. I just got back from Paris and I walked 100,000 steps in those shoes!

In a world where women are inundated with messages on self-care and appearance, how do you navigate this noise and stick to your goals?  

Adrien: I do the research. I am lucky I get to listen to the women in our community share what works for them. What works for one may or may not work for others. This is partly why I don’t preach my practices on to others. Every person has their own lifestyle, schedule, budget, and needs. I tend to encourage self-care that costs nothing, yet if getting a manicure or massage is someone’s only form of self-care, go for it. Every little bit helps. 

As for appearance, I have a background in pageants. I know how the societal pressure to look a certain way can be debilitating. It makes me crazy. I believe we are more than our bodies. I also love the feeling of walking out the door with confidence because I took the time to dress in a way that made me feel strong and cozy! 

Megan: Self-care and appearance are over-inflated on each end and at times they can be over-prioritized. Yes, I need to practice self-care, but I also need to show up for my job, parent my kids, and keep my business running. Yes, I care about my appearance but only if the inside is shining through first. So there needs to be a balance. The biggest breakthrough for me though, was deciding to put myself first before my family. Reading that back it sounds so selfish, but of course, we have to think of the safety scripts we hear on airlines, “Put your oxygen mask on first so that you may assist others.” Check. And of then there’s this cliched phrase you’ve probably heard: “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy…” And I am really, really happy.

It’s a dreary day and all your plans for the day are rained out, what do you do? 

Adrien: I’d love to say I’d take an Epsom Salt bath and watch Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, and CBS Sunday Morning re-runs. This is a dream. Yet, I know me: I’d work. 

Megan: Re-binge Game of Thrones with my 16-year-old while I fold laundry…it never ends!