Welcome to our Specialist Spotlight Series. We launched our Resource Library because we wanted women everywhere to know that urinary incontinence is a treatable condition, and for them to be able to explore what specialists and treatments might be right for them. In this series, we highlight some of the incredible specialists within our Specialist Directory, and shine a light on the ways they’re helping women every day.
Introduce yourself!
Name, occupation, and where you practice.
Kim Vopni - aka The Vagina Coach. I am a personal trainer in Vancouver, Canada and I have an online business that offers programs and coaching for women. I use fitness and movement to help women prevent and overcome pelvic floor challenges like incontinence and organ prolapse so they can get back to living life to the fullest!
If you feel comfortable, feel free to add some context beyond your professional identity.
I am married to a pilot and we have 2 boys ages 17 and 14. I love art and even paint myself on occasion. I also love the outdoors and am grateful for the trails just outside my front door. I love to read and also love to garden.
Your Purpose and POV
What inspires you to do what you do [professionally] every day, and how did you end up focusing on this profession?
I saw my mom suffer and was determined to have a different story than her. I took some steps in my pregnancies to prevent tearing and postpartum incontinence and it was then that I recognized a huge void. Pelvic health is not talked about at one of the most important times of a woman's life. I wanted to help people prepare for birth and gain important knowledge about the pelvic floor so they could think preventively, but also know how to recover from birth and embrace a pelvic health lifestyle. Both the success of clients I work with and the suffering of those who first find me, motivates me to continue with my mission.
What POV do you bring to your profession?
I share my personal stories in a very raw and unfiltered way which helps people feel like they are not alone and gain confidence in talking about their own challenges.
What do you find resonates best/most with your audience?
I talk about embarrassing things.... I talk about things that many feel shame around. I shared my decision to have surgery and also my pre-hab and re-hab. That story in particular resonated with many, and more and more women now follow me as they navigate the decision to pursue pelvic surgery.
Impact
When it comes to women’s health (and your specialty), where is there still “work to do”? Any myths to dispel? Misperceptions about treatments? Attitudes to change?
The conversation about pelvic health needs to start earlier... I believe it needs to be taught in schools when young people are learning about menstruation, body health and sexuality. I also believe we need more collaboration between the medical community and pelvic floor physiotherapists. Finally, cost is a factor for many and I feel governments should provide pelvic floor therapy to all women but especially those who are pregnant and those who give birth.
What advice would you give to women reading this when it comes to taking charge of their health/wellness?
If you don't make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness. I don't know who this quote is from, but I use it all the time. It is never too late to overcome pelvic floor challenges. Build a healthcare team and put in 10 minutes a day to pelvic floor exercise. Do not accept pads as your destiny, and if your care provider dismisses you or your requests, find another care provider.
What’s the biggest “lesson learned” (personally or professionally) to come from living through a pandemic?
Our health is our most valuable asset. We need to put it first, ahead of everything else. Online health is accessible and affordable and effective.
Learn More About Urinary Incontinence:
Normalize This: Urinary Incontinence