Is the juice worth the squeeze?
This episode is based on patient wisdom — the real-life insights my patients share in clinic that can genuinely shift recovery.
If you’re living with male pelvic pain, it’s incredibly common to start avoiding activities: sitting, cycling, exercise, socialising, intimacy… and slowly, life shrinks. In this podcast, we explore how to run a simple cost–benefit analysis (in a way that actually makes sense), and how to rebuild evidence of safety through small, realistic steps.
I’m Karl Monahan from Pelvic Pain Matters. These are short, practical 15-minute episodes built from clinical experience, patient stories, and what works in real recovery.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why avoidance makes life smaller (and often keeps symptoms louder)
✅ The question that reframes fear: “Is the juice worth the squeeze?”
✅ How to build evidence of safety (instead of evidence of danger)
✅ Real examples from “Jake”: sitting pain, gym bench, chair triggers, lap pressure, sauna/steam
✅ How to use graded exposure (small, paced, achievable steps) to reclaim meaningful activities
✅ Why “dosage” matters: doing the right thing in the right amount
Chapters / Timestamps
00:10 – Intro: patient wisdom & why it matters
01:15 – Avoidance: how small has your life become?
02:25 – “Is the juice worth the squeeze?” (Jake’s phrase)
02:57 – Sitting pain + building evidence of safety
03:58 – Cost–benefit analysis (without the boring language)
04:39 – How avoidance steals exercise, social life & identity
05:18 – Jake’s breakthrough: choosing “yes” despite discomfort
06:14 – Predictive processing: expectation can amplify pain
07:17 – Example 1: the gym bench (benefit outweighs threat)
08:55 – Example 2: “the chair” at mum’s house (and the dog factor)
09:34 – Girlfriend vs dog: meaning changes the body’s response
10:27 – Example 3: sauna/steam + rebuilding tolerance
12:35 – What are you avoiding — and is it worth it?
12:57 – Graded exposure: small steps, pacing, realistic goals
13:28 – Your turn: what “juice” is worth your squeeze?
14:15 – Outro + how to reach us
14:38 – Circle community (optional extra support)
Comment below: What have you been avoiding?
And what’s one meaningful thing you want back in your life — even if you start small?
If you found this useful, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs it.
✨ JOIN THE PELVIC PAIN MATTERS CIRCLE — OUR PRIVATE ONLINE COMMUNITY
If you’re ready for support, structure, guidance, and community — this is where your next step begins. Click here for more information - https://pelvic-pain-matters-community.circle.so/checkout/ppm-entry-fee?utm_campaign=button_list_ThePelvicPainMattersCommunityCircle&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=later-linkinbio
If you’re tired of going through pelvic pain alone, endlessly researching, or trying to piece everything together yourself, the Circle is where your recovery gets supported properly.
This is a private, off-social-media community for men who want:
✔ Real guidance (not random forum advice)
✔ A place to ask questions without embarrassment
✔ Consistent support during flare-ups and setbacks
✔ A structured way to learn, grow, and actually move forward
✔ Connection with men who get it — because they’re living it too
Inside the Circle, you’ll get:
🔹 Monthly success stories
🔹 Movement + mobility videos
🔹 Breathwork sessions
🔹 Pain understanding & recovery education
🔹 Tools to help you regulate your system, reduce uncertainty, and find steadier recovery
It’s the space I wish I had when I was in the darkest parts of pelvic pain.
If you’re ready for support, structure, guidance, and community — this is where your next step begins. Click here for more information - https://pelvic-pain-matters-community...
#PelvicPainMatters #MalePelvicPain #CPPS #PelvicPainRecovery #ChronicPain #PainScience #MensHealth #GradedExposure #SittingPain #PatientWisdom
Jan 9 202616 min