I’m a licensed physical therapist, a certified strength and conditioning coach, a human mom, a dog mom, a wife, a daughter, a friend, and a neighbor.
I believe that movement is a skill and that mobility is the core tool to build that skill.
I believe exercise and movement have the power to change your life for the better, and that there’s a movement plan for everyone.
I’m fired up about helping people optimize how they move, so they can be the best they can be at whatever it is they be and live their healthiest lives.
I’m committed to empowering you to take charge of your own body. To take you away from the diagnoses and the images. Away from the confusion and the “why isn’t this working?!” Away from “I’ve been going every week for 2 years”.
I want to bring you to a place of high-functioning, high-energy, high-level understanding of your body and its potential using evidence-based protocols and inspired coaching and support.
Why Mobility for Mamas?
I had my first child while finishing up PT school... a honeymoon baby who gave me a pretty good deal during pregnancy with no complications, but a major weight gain of about 70 pounds despite regular exercise and a healthy diet. By the time I hit 7 months (up 60 lbs already), I knew I’d have a long road to getting my strength back to relative baseline.
Her birth, however, was not as uncomplicated, ending in an unplanned c-section. With my PT cap on, the first question I asked the resident who followed up on my C-section was about movement and recovery. What was the recovery time? Was I allowed to walk? Lift? Drive? Climb stairs? Were there things I could do to stay active and prime my core muscles for exercise once I was cleared?
His answer: just don’t do anything for 6 weeks... “I’m sorry, what?!”
Maybe it was the 36 hours of labor, the major unplanned abdominal surgery, or the high dose painkillers that were making his answer hard to understand. What did he mean don’t “do anything”? I just had a baby! How would I lift her? My home has stairs. Exercise is how I manage mental health. There’s no way that was the post-op protocol.
But then I asked the next resident. And the next one. And the pediatrician. And all of the OBs and nurses on staff. No one had any detailed or consistent information for me on safe movement after a C-section (which is not a commentary on the actual amazing people who were in charge of my recovery, but more on the state of women’s health).
The first successful Cesarean in the US was in 1794, over 225 years ago. The first knee replacement was performed in 1968. How could it be that knee replacements, a young surgery by all accounts, had such detailed, extensive post-op protocols - but a major abdominal surgery requiring women to immediately function at a high level within hours had NOTHING?!
That moment was when I decided I needed to help other women who were in the same position as me. I wanted a solid, evidence-based, safe exercise plan to help me fix my core, address my pelvic floor, and prep me to get back to the vigorous exercise I knew and loved once I was cleared. I wanted to be able to care for my baby, and quickly.
Since developing this program, I’ve had two more daughters. My second was another uncomplicated pregnancy with another difficult birth, a VBAC with a forceps delivery. My third flipped the script, giving me a really tough time during pregnancy but a perfectly easy and normal vaginal birth. In short, I’ve had a c-section, an instrument assisted VBAC delivery, and an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. I’ve run the gamut on birth experiences, and I’ve rehabbed my core from all three.
Much of the Mobility for Mamas program started with my own trial and error. From there, I earned certifications in functional movement, took courses on how the pelvic floor works within the kinetic chain, and become certified and pre- and post-natal fitness. I’ve fiddled with the programming for each week, tried out different exercises on my pregnant and postpartum friends, and asked a million questions until I came up with the signature postpartum program you’ll see here.
If my experiences resonate with you - I’d love to hear more. If something’s worked for you that you don’t see here, tell me! If something in my program doesn’t work for you, alert me. If you just want to share your postpartum journey, I’m all ears. I just can’t wait to share this special program with you.
“Let’s be a resource for each other & empower moms everywhere to move well.”
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Please do not hesitate to enlist the help of Dominique Collins in order to reach your fitness goals.
A few months ago I was a sedentary 68 year old woman who wanted to move more without harming myself. I often drove to the gym 3 times a week and just sat in my car in the parking lot, I needed someone to help me get inside. I was very intimidated by the gym members walking by who seemed very fit. Once inside I didn't even know what to do as I had been sedentary for the last 22 years.
Working out with Dominique has added great value to my life. First off she got me inside, now we are working on fitness. Dominique has been such a pleasure to work with. I'm fortunate to have found someone with her credentials. Her knowledge is stellar - I am learning new things, she watches carefully to make sure I don't hurt myself, and I am developing confidence to go into the gym when I'm alone.
Dominique is calm, positive, and realistic. She meets me at my fitness level and we work from there. She is a true professional. In addition, the hours we spend together are an important part of my week that I would not want to miss! My connection to her has been no small thing.
Thank you Dominique for your encouragement, knowledge, friendship, and individualized program. I look forward to hitting more fitness goals in the future with you.
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- DEB R.
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With my first child, I never did research on postpartum exercises or really understood what a toll delivery would have on your body - especially an unplanned c-section. After returning home from the hospital, I found myself frustrated and disappointed that my health care network didn’t follow up with me as frequently as you think one would after having major surgery and provide me the tools and resources to get myself back to normal life.
After talking with Dom, I found I was not the only one in this boat of new moms recovering from a c-section and feeling like I was drowning trying to get the help I thought I deserved from my doctor. Dom to the rescue! She helped me understand what my body had been through, assured me it is OK (and needed) to rest and take the time for myself, and guided me with a timeline on specific exercises to do to get my strength back.
I finally felt like I had someone in my corner who understood the pressure of being a new mom, trying to figure out how to care for a newborn child and recovering from a surgery all at the same time. Working with Dom and her program was something I wish my health care network immediately provided to me postpartum.
Every new mom needs a Dom!
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- DANA V.
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It's only been a few days and my back already hurts less!
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- CHRISTINE E.
QUESTIONS?
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I’m always here to answer your questions. Set up a free 15 minute consult for 1:1 coaching, or disuss aches, pains, exercise, and injury prevention.