Ep 8: Reproductive Health Justice w/Sherri Rucker

Yinspired

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-1:09:49

Ep 8: Reproductive Health Justice w/Sherri Rucker

Certified Full Spectrum Doula at Mama Sana Vibrant Woman, Newborn Care Specialist, Maternal Care Provider, Registered Yoga Teacher 500 hr, Queen/Sher/Her

Haunani

Jun 29, 2025

Transcript

Aloha friends, family, supporters, and new listeners!

I know your time is one of the most valuable resources, so thank you for spending some of your time with me and this Yinspired journey.

In this episode, we spotlight the incredible journey of Sherri Rucker—maternal health advocate, doula, and mom of 8, whose path through holistic healing practices has not only transformed her life (from 11 medications 3x/day to zero), but the lives of countless others. As a full-spectrum doula with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman in Austin, Texas, Sherri provides free, culturally rooted care to BIPOC women, centering reproductive justice and community healing. Her work reminds us that ancient traditions are anything but “new age”; they’re timeless tools for wellness and empowerment. From honoring the sacred postpartum period to challenging systemic gaps in healthcare access, Sherri shares how education, community support, and holistic approaches are vital for reimagining maternal health. Let’s take a closer look at how grassroots efforts like hers are reshaping care—one birth at a time.

From my heart to yours,

Haunani

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Summary

In this episode of Yinspired, Dr. Haunani Chong Drake, DACM, L.Ac. speaks with Sherri Rucker, a doula and advocate for reproductive justice. They discuss Sherri's transformative journey through various healing modalities, including Ayurveda and yoga, and her current work with Mama Sana, a nonprofit organization providing free doula services to BIPOC women in Austin. The conversation highlights the importance of cultural heritage in birth work, the need for equitable access to healthcare, and the role of community support in empowering women during pregnancy and postpartum.

Meet Sherri Rucker

With over 25 years of experience in movement therapy and holistic health, Sherri is a devoted maternal health professional specializing in Postpartum Care, Birth Work, Yoga, Mindfulness, and Ayurvedic Nutrition. As a wife and mother of five, her nurturing spirit and joyful energy flow into her work as a versatile Full Spectrum Doula. Guided by a deep passion for women's wellness, she has embraced the roles of Teacher, Mentor, and Advocate, supporting families of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Sherri is the founder of Sherri, The Zen Doula—established in 2023—and a BEST Certified Full Spectrum Doula. She is committed to offering gentle, intuitive support to new mothers and their families, helping them navigate the early stages of parenthood with ease and harmony. Her work as a labor doula is rooted in helping mothers achieve a peaceful, Zen Birth Experience, nurturing stronger, healthier family connections. As a 500-hour RYT Certified Yoga Teacher and a Meditation and Mindfulness Guide, she infuses every aspect of her practice with a spiritually-centered, calming approach.

Currently, Sherri is a Full-time Full Spectrum Doula with Mama Sana Vibrant Woman which is a community-rooted organization based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to providing holistic, culturally relevant, and accessible prenatal and postnatal care to Black, Latine, and other systematically marginalized communities. Centering reproductive justice, MSVW works to eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes by empowering birthing people through education, advocacy, and direct support. Founded by and for women of color, MSVW offers a range of free and low-cost services including doula support, childbirth education, wellness workshops, postpartum care, and community advocacy. Their approach is collaborative and culturally grounded, valuing the wisdom and lived experiences of the families they serve.

Sherri is a lifelong student of postpartum care, birth work, yoga education, and holistic health. Her intuitive teaching style, family-centered perspective, and unwavering commitment to nurturing maternal and newborn well-being make her a compassionate, adaptable professional, ready to embrace new possibilities.

Show notes & Shoutouts

Chapters

02:18 Sherri Rucker's Journey to Ayurveda and Doula Work

08:30 Current Work and Impact at Mama Sana

14:27 Cultural Aspects of Doula Work and Reproductive Justice

18:53 Simplifying Birth and Postpartum Care

27:14 The Connection Between Control and Racial Equality in Birth Work

27:42 Navigating Control in Reproductive Health

28:26 Understanding Reproductive Justice

30:02 Addressing Inequalities in Maternal Care

31:38 Empowering Women Through Education

33:14 The Importance of Grassroots Movements

39:45 Cultural Practices in Postpartum Care

44:20 The Sacredness of Birth and Community Support

49:21 The Role of Education in Doula Work

51:38 Evolving Perspectives on Healing Practices

54:22 The Role of Doulas and Midwives

57:54 Navigating Postpartum Challenges

01:00:59 The Importance of Support Systems

01:03:07 The Impact of Personal Connections

01:07:58 A Vision for Healthcare Equality

Transcript

You can find the transcript and closed caption of today’s episode at the top of this post. Look to the right of the thumbs-up and comment icons.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND SUPPORT. This whole podcasting thing is very new to me. As a one-person team, I’m using automated transcript notes for the time being. My sincere apologies and I hope it doesn’t take away from the content. If it does, please send me a kind email or message and I’ll do my best within reason.