Meet Dr. Jackie Kickish | Doctor of Physical Therapy |. Certified Prenatal and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist | Mom of 3

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Jackie Kickish and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Jackie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Once I became a mother, everything I knew about health and fitness changed. On my postpartum journey, I felt lost and alone. There was not much out there regarding education on how to properly rehab your body after having a baby, or in my case, after having twins.

I spoke with other moms who felt the same way. They were suffering in silence with symptoms such as back pain, abdominal separation and urinary leakage for months, even years after giving birth. They said they just lived with it and that their doctor just said it was “normal after having a baby.”

I knew this specialty was needed for mothers. Not just a regular fitness program, but how to truly rehab your core and full body after having a baby. After the birth of my 3rd child, I became a certified prenatal and postpartum corrective exercise specialist and my signature program, Mama’s Core Connection was born less than a year later.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I became a Physical Therapist in 2009, graduating with my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I am very proud of this accomplishment as it was a 3 year degree after earning my Bachelors in Science. It was a very challenging time but I had a lot of support from my family and friends. I thought I always wanted to work in the sport medicine field as a physical therapist, but once I became a mother, everything changed.

After the birth of my 3rd child, I became a certified prenatal and postpartum corrective exercise specialist. I got to where I am today through perseverance, hard work and not taking no for an answer. I remember WHY I do this work, especially when things get tough. For the moms who need to rehab their body after having a baby but have no clue where to start and for the moms who are suffering with symptoms that are not normal and want to feel like themselves again, my work is for you.

I’ve learned that life and business is not easy. It is a roller coaster ride full of ups and down, but you must persist and keep going.

I believe having my Doctorate in Physical Therapy sets me apart from many of the other prenatal and postpartum exercise specialists. I believe rehabbing your core postpartum is a customized full body approach. Meaning, not everyone will benefit from the exact same exercises. Everyone has different weaknesses and strengths, which makes a difference in their rehab program. Also, having twins and another child also sets me apart. A twin pregnancy and delivery is different than a singleton.

I want the world to know that I am the ultimate anti-snap back postpartum coach. I know that our body does not just “bounce or snap back” after giving birth, contrary to what society tells you.

My brand is about making sure mothers know that their symptoms do not define them. Their body is not broken or have failed them. Mothers have an amazing, strong and resilient body that went through major changes while pregnant and delivery. My brand is inspiring, educational and connection based. I want to empower and educate mothers how to properly rehab their body in 30 minutes or less each day so that they can feel stronger and more confident postpartum. I am a mom of 3, including twins and also struggled on my postpartum fitness journey. I understand first hand the struggles and barriers mothers face on their fitness journey after having children.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live north of Cincinnati, Ohio. We are famous for our Skyline Chili and Graeter’s ice cream. We have a top rated zoo, great parks, plays at Music Hall and fun shopping centers. Those are places I would take my friend visiting the area.

We also have an amazing restaurant for fine dining called Jeff Ruby’s Steak house. It has a wonderful atmosphere and the best steaks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my husband, parents and children for supporting me on this journey and always believing in me. I would not be where I am today without your love and constant support.

I want to thank my friends who have cheered me on and been there for me during the hard times.

I also want to thank Dr. Sarah Duvall for her certification program, education and service on this niche! She is truly a trailblazer.

Website: www.jackiekickish.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackie.kramer.144/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjackiekickish

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jackiekickish/

Image Credits
Photography Credits: Stacey Reid