I’ve been blessed enough to connect with some amazing people along the way, and I’m planning on using this platform to highlight their products or services. So enter my new blog series entitled Featured Favorites…

In the (days and weeks) surrounding Earth Day, we are bombarded with ads for products and reminders of ways we can better preserve the earth by reusing and recycling the things we use, instead of relying on disposable or single-use items. Being raised in a German home, this has always been something near and dear to my heart. I love all things reusable, like water bottles and glass containers for food storage. Also there’s an excellent market out there for feminine hygiene products like reusable period underwear and cups. (If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, did you know they also make amazing washable nursing pads? So much better - and more comfortable - than the single use ones…)

Kim from Prickly Pear is the first innovator I’m featuring, with her leak-absorbing fitness line, which includes shorts and pants of different materials and colors. She saw a need in the marketplace for reusable leak protection, and she filled it - using sustainable materials and personally testing her products. It can be common to have leaking during running or fitness activities for several reasons. Though I do recommend working with a pelvic health professional such as a PT or OT to investigate the cause of bladder leaks, I absolutely recommend investing in products that give you more peace of mind to keep doing the things you love. The worst thing that can happen to people who are afraid of leaking is they stop doing things altogether, which leads to a whole host of other problems - such as decreased stamina, increased risk for injury or muscle weakness. There are also some subgroups of people that may still experience leaking during running and activities, including those dealing with neurologic illnesses or traumatic injuries to the pelvic floor or the fascia.

Even if you have a history of bladder leaks and the sheer possibility of having another has got you sidelined, investing in some protective clothing can keep you training hard and meeting your fitness goals. And maintaining strong bodies is so important, particularly as we age. More on that in another post! Stay tuned…

Shop Kim’s amazing product line at Prickly Pear Sports and shop small!

Keep sweating, my friends! And make sure to sign up for email updates when these blogs drop to get notified for some exciting things in store…