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Summary
On episode 662 of 40+ Fitness, Coach Allan sits down with Jon Simmons, the founder of Get Pooping and creator of the eight day course Conquering Constipation.
Jon argues constipation is rarely just a fiber or water problem. It is tied to your nervous system, your posture, and even old, unspoken shame around bathroom habits.
The conversation covers the physiology of a bowel movement, why stress and trauma shut digestion down, and the practical tools, from squat posture to belly massage, that retrain your body to go.
Links
- https://getpooping.com
Key Takeaways
- Sudden constipation often traces back to a major life stressor. Jon sees people who were never constipated suddenly struggle after a job change, a divorce, or a move, sometimes all three at once. The traumatic, stressful change disrupts the body's ability to digest normally.
- A bowel movement depends on a full chain of signals and muscle function. Distension in the stomach has to signal the gut, then peristaltic muscle action has to push things along. If any link in that neurological and physiological chain is interrupted, constipation follows.
- Polyvagal theory explains why stress blocks digestion. The body has three modes: fight or flight, shutdown, or a relaxed and alert state. Digestion can only happen in that third, relaxed state, so chronic stress or anxiety directly prevents regular bowel movements.
- Posture and fascia can physically restrict the gut. Tight fascia and an imbalanced pelvic floor can squeeze parts of the intestines, making bowel movements difficult regardless of diet.
- Childhood shaming around potty training can create lasting resistance. Many adults carry pre-verbal trauma from being shamed for bodily functions as children, which makes them unconsciously resist the urge to go even when their body signals it is time.
- Elevating your knees above your hips straightens the rectum for an easier release. A Squatty Potty or any stable object under your feet uses gravity and better alignment to let you empty more completely in one sitting.
- Belly massage and the intestine pump exercise relax constricted gut muscles. Just like massaging a stiff shoulder restores movement, deep belly massage releases the knots that block normal urges and muscle function, without requiring a therapy session about the underlying trauma.
- Long term reliance on laxatives does not fix the root cause. Jon was on Miralax daily for over two years after doctors could not find anything wrong with him, which is what pushed him to find a solution that did not depend on medication.
- Jon's three strategies to get and stay well: build awareness practices like meditation or yoga that keep you present in your body, stay curious and keep learning so life does not go dull, and include creative expression in daily life, even outside of a career, to keep your energy and mindset up.
“I didn't want to be dependent on anything to have basic bodily function.”
Jon Simmons
Another Episode You May Enjoy
Episode 688 – Finding the root cause of gut issues with Liz Roman
Episode Notes
Podcast: 40+ Fitness
Episode: 662
Published: 2024-10-01
Host: Allan Misner (aka Coach Allan), author of The Wellness Roadmap
Guest(s): Jon Simmons, the founder of Get Pooping
Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts · Spotify · YouTube (audio only)