Dr. Rachel Selman: The Physical Therapist Who Rewrote the Postpartum Playbook

South Charlotte | Mom of Two Boys (5 & 8) | Founder of Synthesis Performance and Recovery

Dr. Rachel Selman had a rude awakening after her first baby: there was literally no roadmap for getting back to being herself physically. Rest for six weeks, then suddenly you're "cleared" to do...everything? Cool, cool, cool. Except her body had other plans.

"Following those 'guidelines' created so many symptoms for me that I wasn't expecting," Rachel says. "I really struggled because no one knew how to rehab postpartum, which felt so bizarre given the protocols we have in rehab for every other type of injury."

So she did what any frustrated new mom with a PT degree would do: she became a pelvic health specialist, treated hundreds of moms going through the exact same thing, and wrote the current US guidelines for return to activity postpartum. 

Coming up: she is literally writing the book on it. Stay tuned! 👀

The Real Work

Rachel's specialty? Helping moms get back to the things that make them them. Running, lifting, moving without worry. Because here's the thing—athleticism and motherhood aren't mutually exclusive, no matter what the six-week clearance charade would have you believe.

"I help moms get back to the things that make them them - athleticism and motherhood can and should coexist!"

And honestly? Watching other moms hit those goals is mental rehab for Rachel too. After what she went through, seeing women move confidently postpartum is deeply redemptive work.

The Big Move

For years, Rachel worked under insurance companies and big corporations. She was preaching balance to her clients while having absolutely none of it herself. Her boys were first to daycare, almost last to be picked up, and by the time she got home? Nothing left to give.

So she made the scary call: left a comfortable income, fought back on non-compete threats, and sold her portion of a clinic for 10% of its worth just to close the chapter and move on.

Now she runs her own facility on her own terms. She works her schedule around being a mom first and treats clients the way they deserve—without productivity quotas or insurance limitations.

"Being able to make my own schedule, work that schedule around being a mom first, and ensuring I get to treat clients the way they deserve is absolutely the joy of my life."

The Mom Truth

Rachel's motherhood surprise? Realizing that motherhood being hard didn't mean she was bad at it, it meant she cared.

"Removing the pressure I was putting on myself to make motherhood perfect is what made motherhood easier."

It's also why she thinks newsletters like Half Full matter: seeing other moms acknowledge that this isn't all easy and natural and 100% instinctual 100% of the time? That's freeing.

Her advice to other moms: "We sacrifice a LOT as moms—understand that pouring into yourself isn't selfish. The most selfless thing you can do is to chase after your health, your wellness, and your happiness so that your kids get the best version of YOU."

Find Rachel: www.SynthesisPerform.com

This week's win? Recovering from whatever bug is going around. Honestly so rude for the holidays.