Dr. Jessica Beal-Stahl is a community pharmacist with a passion for wellness and a clinical sports pharmacist focusing on female athletes. She received her Doctor of Pharmacy from Mercer University in 2009. She has also been practicing at an independent community pharmacy, Hobbs Pharmacy, where she serves as Director of Clinical Services, focusing on wellness, hormones, and genetics. In 2019, she founded The Athlete’s Pharmacist, where she practices as a clinical sports pharmacist consulting with athletes, teams, and organizations. 

Dr. Beal-Stahl’s passion lies in helping athletes of all levels bridge the gap between conventional medicine and integrative/functional medicine, Using skills and knowledge to improve and optimize sports and human performance by looking at all pieces of the athlete, from nutrition, sleep, mindset, supplements, medications, and recovery. She knows what it’s like to be a high-level athlete; played D-1 volleyball, medaled nationally and internationally in Olympic Weightlifting, and at 41 years old, set a world record in Olympic Weightlifting for snatch in her age group/weight class and recently placed 3rd in the World Championship. 

Dr. Beal-Stahl is involved in growing sports pharmacy and serves as Vice President for the Sports Pharmacy Network, the United States Sports Pharmacy Group advisory board, and the Who We Play For’s Medical board. She also has additional certifications in Integrative Medicine, Women’s Hormones, Nutrigenomics, Olympic Weightlifting Coach, and Sports Nutrition certificates. 

This episode covers a spectrum of topics essential for pharmacists to know when working with female athletes navigating the challenges of pregnancy and maintaining optimal health. From understanding the intricacies of PCOS to addressing dietary and exercise considerations, Dr. Biel-Stahl aims to empower our colleagues with knowledge that enhances both athleticism and maternal well-being. Join us as we unravel the complexities and celebrate the resilience of pregnant athletes, fostering a community of support and awareness.

Advice to remember:
- “You can still be an athlete and be pregnant”!
- “Your body will always choose survival over reproduction.”
- “Pregnant women are not fragile.
- “The only thing a scale is, is your relationship to gravity”

2:05 Pregnancy and athletics
7:40 Understanding polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in athletes and how pharmacists can help the pt overcome PCOS as a barrier to pregnancy
25:00 The importance of athletic training during pregnancy, how to set goals during the nine months, finding workout gear for your pregnant body, 
32:00 Jessica’s journey into competitive weightlifting, overcoming an eating disorder and how those experiences propelled her into her sports pharmacy business today.

Connect with Jessica and the SportsRx Network at:
Website: Theathletespharmacist.com
LinkedIn: Jessica Biehl Stahl
IG: Jessb_Rx
[email protected]
https://sportsrxnetwork.com/