Fuel Your Strength

Feeling like the Tin Man when your feet hit the floor – and winded on a single flight of stairs – doesn’t have to be “just your 40s.” In this episode, we call BS on the idea that midlife means inevitable decline and lays out a clear, doable plan for rebuilding strength, muscle, and pep in your step over the next six months. No doom and gloom here – just evidence-informed training that respects your real life. You’ll learn exactly how to structure your workouts for results: which compound lifts to prioritize, how to sprinkle in isolation work the smart way, and why adding power and plyometrics helps you feel quick and athletic again. We’ll also touch on where cardio fits for women over 40 so you can train wisely without living in the gym. What you’ll learn in this episode: The base of your lifting should be this Should you do cardio with your lifting? Why avoiding power work or impact over 40 backfires When to use isolation exercises Why 6 day a week bro splits aren't working for women 40+ Enjoyed this episode and want more? Ready to have the plan done for you – with full-body strength, smart power progressions, and cardio that actually fits your life? Grab a 7-day sample of Strong with Steph at stephgaudreau.com/workout – then join the program and let Steph lay it out so you can just open the app and lift.

For many women over 40, cardio brings up memories of the 90s and early 2000s—endless hours on the elliptical, chasing a smaller body, and pushing through with Red Bulls and salads. It was an era marked by toxic fitness culture, and the fallout left a lot of us burnt out, swearing off cardio completely. But now, with energy, stamina, and health markers changing in midlife, it might be time to take another look at how cardio fits into your life. In this episode, we explore what it means to rebuild a healthier relationship with cardio. From my personal journey—burnout from endurance sports, swinging the pendulum into strength training, then finding my way back to cardio on my own terms—to practical ways you can ease it back into your routine, this conversation is about healing from old patterns and creating balance. You’ll also hear answers to common questions about what counts as cardio, how to tell if it’s moderate or vigorous, and how to weave it in with your lifting. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why so many women over 40 have a complicated history with cardio The role of diet culture and body ideals in shaping our relationship with endurance exercise How to reframe cardio as a supportive tool instead of punishment Practical ways to bring conditioning back without burnout or dread Guidelines for balancing cardio with strength training so both work together Simple strategies for starting small and progressing over time Enjoyed this episode and want more? If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

Ever wonder if you’re lifting enough weight to truly see progress? You’re not alone – this is one of the most common questions in the gym, especially among athletic women over 40 who want to keep getting stronger without wasting time on unchallenging workouts. In this episode, you’ll learn a simple, almost foolproof way to gauge your lifting intensity – one you’ve probably never considered before – plus how it stacks up with other methods like RPE, reps in reserve, and bar speed. We’ll explore what the science says about how your body (and face) signal effort, why “playing it safe” too long can stall your gains, and how to use these cues to choose the right weight every time. Plus, we’ll address the appearance-based fears that sometimes hold lifters back and reframe what really matters for strength, longevity, and performance as we age. What you’ll learn in this episode: A surprisingly effective visual cue to know if your weights are challenging enough. How facial expressions connect to effort and fatigue – and what research shows. Other key indicators like bar speed, RPE, and reps in reserve to cross-check your effort. Why small, strategic weight jumps are more effective than big, intimidating increases. The bigger trade-off when fear of wrinkles or “ugly lifting face” prevents pushing yourself. Studies: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25435786/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30562370/ Enjoyed this episode and want more? If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

Starting strength training after 40 can feel intimidating—especially when all the internet advice focuses on technical minutiae like deadlift angles or optimal rep ranges. But what if the biggest keys to success weren’t about that at all? In this episode, you’ll zoom out to the big picture and learn four foundational lessons that will make your strength journey more effective and sustainable from day one. Using a year of personal experience learning to play the drums, this episode draws an insightful analogy between picking up a musical skill and building your strength training practice. If you’ve been unsure where to begin or find yourself stuck in perfectionist mode, this is the roadmap you’ve been missing. These aren’t quick hacks—they’re timeless mindset and behavior strategies that can keep you lifting for life. What you’ll learn in this episode: The type of mindset you need when starting something new The thing to seek out early – even if you’re a total beginner What to let go of to find joy in the process Why these foundational lessons can help you stick with strength training when things get tough How to apply these ideas whether you're brand new to lifting or getting back into it after a break Enjoyed this episode and want more? If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

In this episode, you'll learn about common misconceptions in strength training related to gym "cheating." Discover why certain training methods are not only valid but can be the right choice depending on your needs and goals. You'll get insights into choosing the right techniques and tools for your fitness over 40, especially if you're new to lifting, managing injuries, or looking to optimize your performance. What you’ll learn in this episode: Common myths around strength training tools and techniques. How gym machines can be beneficial tools in your workouts. Why sumo deadlifts are a legitimate lifting technique. Practical reasons to use lifting straps during strength training. The importance of individualizing your training approach. Enjoyed this episode and want more? If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge. Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

One of the greatest rivalries I see in programming strength training for women over 40 is the battle between strength and muscle. My approach to strength training and muscle growth incorporates a cohesive and holistic approach to your programming that will help you reach your goals and incorporate these philosophies into your training program. Key Takeaways If You Want to Leverage Your Strength and Hypertrophy, You Should: Delicious Accessory Additions I like to think of accessory work, supplementary exercises that support your main lifts, like the toppings to your delicious training burger. Accessory work can help you spice things up in your training, address imbalances, or help you understand what you want to work on. It is not just about strength development or muscle growth; the goal is to help you weave these things together to further enhance your strength development and hypertrophy, prevent injuries, and so much more. Building Muscle is a Spectrum Building muscle takes place across a spectrum. By thinking both bilaterally and unilaterally about your accessory work depending on where you are at in your program, you will be able to find your training tempo and add the necessary context it takes to reach your training goals. I want you to be able to understand the ‘why’, the rationale. You don't need to be able to repeat it all back to me, but if you can understand the why behind your programming, you will be more likely to follow through, improve your consistency, and get better results. I want to give you the resources you need to be successful with strength training and reach the goals you are striving for. Are you ready to get your strength training guide for women over 40? Share your hopes and expectations for the next year of training with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “I want you to walk away from this podcast feeling more informed, more educated, and like you can understand the program that is being put in front of you.” (4:14) “We want to get in, be focused, make it count.” (24:01) “I can't say this enough, so slow down. You might have to use less weight, but it is going to be more effective.” (32:27) “If you are out in the world and you are looking for a program, Strong with Steph might not be for everyone, and that is totally fine. But know what your goals are.” (41:22) “Having a structured program that is written by somebody who understands programming and all of these concepts is the best bet for saving your brain space.” (49:27) Featured on the Show Get One Week Free of Strong with Steph Here Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40 FYS 436: Why Movement Prep & Balance Matter in Strength Training Over 40 FYS 437: Plyo and Strength Development for Women Over 40

True strength development isn't something that should be skipped at any age. However, when you are a woman over 40, these training tools become key assets to your overall training, health, and longevity. When you understand the key components that go into making a proper strength training program, you can better equip yourself to obtain your goals in the best way possible. Key Takeaways If You Want to Harness Strength Development, You Should: Start small and with an approachable amount of jumping in plyometrics Use strength development to keep your strength as you age and reduce strength limitation Get a program that is well-designed and understands the nuances of exercise progressions The Why and The How Understanding why and how I program certain exercises into Strong with Steph is crucial for me to help you understand. The rationale behind these important components will not only help you better understand the training you are doing, but it will also help you pick the program and trainer that aligns with your goals and understands how to help you succeed. If you notice that you are feeling slower, I want to help you improve and make strength training approachable in all aspects. Make Your Programming Work For You As you are evaluating programs, I want you to ensure that your approach to strength training is helping you become more well-rounded regardless of your goals. Strength training plans are meant to help you learn what you need to do. The specific rep, set, and load ranges are designed to work on maximum force development. Plyometric training, lifting appropriately hard weights, starting small, and incorporating unilateral and rotative moments in your training are all key components that can make a huge difference in your overall results. Anyone looking to be athletic, but especially women over 40, needs to be aware of these key aspects so that you can use strength training as a way to understand your strength journey better. How does strength training play into your overall health goals? Share your story with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “It's not that we are saying there is some magical strength training that only women over 40 will benefit from. Of course not. We know what the parameters of strength training are, and we are going to talk about that in this episode. It's just our ability to skip that and not see those negative impacts because we are aging and going through these hormonal changes, we can't avoid it any longer. Strength training is one thing that we have in our arsenal of tools.” (8:08) “Our tissues adapt, and they don't stop adapting. The problem is we have stopped doing these exercises.” (19:50) “Strong with Steph Programing does include strength development. This is a key aspect for women over 40.” (35:57) “We know this stuff is critical for anyone who wants to build their actual strength, but when you are over 40, it becomes something that will have more negative outcomes if you skip it.” (36:46) “Just like any other kind of training y'all, progressive overload is critical.” (41:01) Featured on the Show Get 7 Free Days of Strong with Steph Apply for Strong with Steph Here Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40 FYS 436: Movement Prep & Balance FYS 427: Your Fitness App Calls it Strength Training, But Is It? With Nikki Naab-Levy

When it comes to creating a progressive overload plan, we have touched on a lot of elements so far. However, when it comes to how to specifically create your program, whether you are creating a program for yourself, finding one online, or looking to work with a trainer in person, there are some nuances that need to be discussed. Key Takeaways If You Want to Improve Your Strength Training, You Should: Consistency is the Name of the Game When you are doing a deadlift, overhead press, bench press, or squat, you need to familiarize your body with the movement pattern you are going to be doing that day. Movement prep and balance work will help you prepare your body for what is coming next, and create positive changes in how your body and brain relate to each other more effectively when things get heavy. Giving yourself the freedom to warm up, be consistent, and listen to your body, is what is going to get you further in your progressive overload plan. Strength Training for Every Age Movement prep and balance work are two things that I program into every session of Strong with Steph. Especially as we transition from perimenopause to postmenopause, we need to work with the changes happening in our bodies to help ourselves stay strong for longer. The truth is, that our body loses strength, hormones, and energy as we get older, which is why we need to have a strength training plan that helps us combat what we are losing and instead helps us find gains. Implementing a well-planned program takes the burden off of you so that you can focus on feeling great. Are you ready to reevaluate your strength training plan as a woman over 40? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Having these guide your strength training is super, super important, and not something you want to gloss over when you are either writing a program for yourself, finding one online, or looking to work with a trainer in person.” (2:35) “Movement preparation and balance work create a foundation for building strength and are so important when we are considering longevity in training and safety and mitigating risk to the best of our possible influence, especially as we are aging.” (6:13) “Research strongly supports the idea that warming up with the actual lift you plan to perform but at a lighter load is an effective way to prepare your body for heavier lifting.” (21:20) “Addressing these things through training is very important, and there is something that you can do about it.” (29:08) “Movement prep and balance work are essential, and we know they are going to play an important role in joint health, mitigating the risk of injury and enhancing our experience of progressive overload.” (39:24) Featured on the Show Follow Steph on YouTube Get 7 Free Days of Strong with Steph Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 435: RPE & Autoregulation: Smart Tools for Strength Gains Over 40 FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger

I get a lot of messages about RPE, Reps in Reserve, and Autoregulation. These are powerful tools, that when practiced, can help you as you implement a long-term strength training program, especially as a woman over 40. However, it takes understanding the pieces that go into these tools, and a well-rounded program, to really make the most of their benefits. Key Takeaways If You Are Looking for Trainings Tools, You Should: Learning about Yourself through Strength Having a performance-forward approach when it comes to your workout intensity is great, but it can leave space for injury or overuse. Using the scales of RPE and Reps in Reserve, you can allow yourself a moment to check in and make adjustments to the structure of your program. While working with a coach is great, learning how to observe your body and what it needs is something that you can do yourself. These tools will help you understand your body in a way that will encourage sustainability and longevity in your strength training program. It’s All About Flexibility A good strength training program leaves room for both structure and flexibility. Learning how to adjust your intensity not only helps you learn more about your body, but it can help you tackle those low-energy days without completely giving up and potentially taking a long break. Autoregulation will keep you moving forward with your program even on lower energy days, which can happen especially as we adjust to new demands on our lives and our bodies. Adjusting the plan based on Autoregulation will help you continue to show up and do your best, while also meeting yourself where you are at. Are you ready to adjust your effort in order to gain more sustainability and effectiveness in your program? Share your thoughts on this episode with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “The value of using something like RPE is that it helps to tailor your workout intensity to match your daily energy level, your daily bandwidth, how much capacity you have today.” (15:01) “This isn't a proprietary way for women over 40 to manage their own strength training. However, it is a validated tool that we can use because it is contextually allowing us more flexibility within the structure of a program.” (16:25) “This is all part of the tapestry of your own unique autoregulation and recovery and getting to know yourself over time.” (20:47) “There is structure, but there is also flexibility. And I think that is a really key take-home message and take-home point of this particular podcast.” (25:50) “We have to keep training if we want to continue to either maintain or see gains over time.” (30:43) Featured on the Show Get 7 Days of Strong with Steph Free Here Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Study from the Journal of Strength Conditioning Research Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 434: Progressive Overload: How to Keep Getting Stronger

Whether you are new to strength training or a seasoned lifter, progressive overload is two common words you have probably heard before. But what do they really mean, and how can you apply them both as a lifter and as a coach? If you are feeling stuck because you are not seeing the gains you are hoping for in your programming, progressive overload could be the puzzle piece you still need to include. Key Takeaways If you are interested in progressive overload, you should: The Key to Long-Term Strength Gains You see relatively continuous improvement by gradually tweaking the dials of your training and the demands placed on your body over time. If you fail to challenge your body, you will fail to adapt. One of the hardest and most important things you can do is advance your lifting in a way that makes the most of your time and moves you in the right direction. The key is having a plan for your lifting that saves you time and worry when you get into the gym. Know Why It Matters Training, coaching, lifting, and recovering are a science and an art. But to really see results, it takes new challenges and an understanding of one's motivation behind the movements. Increasing weights or adding more reps, paying attention to rest time, and utilizing different exercises and tempos are all key components to seeing the results you are hoping for. Patience and repetition are the basis of long-term strength training; all you need is the right program! What role does progressive overload play in your strength training program? Let me know your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “When it comes to your strength training, progressive overload is the cornerstone that guides, the guiding principle that steers your training program and training plan.” (2:56) “To put this into common words, we need a stressor, that’s our training, and we need recovery, which is where we finally experience that adaptation.” (15:56) “Training is a science and an art. Coaching is a science and an art. Implementing this is a science and an art, and getting to know yourself and/or your clients is really important. (22:37) “We need to pump the breaks a bit, and find a way to keep you moving forward without accelerating things to the point where you can't recover.” (34:17) “If you have been lifting the same weights for months and months and months on end, it is time, my friend, you have got to move up in weight.” (39:25) Featured on the Show 7-Day Sample of Strong with Steph Apply for Strong with Steph Here Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked HereDynamic Dumbells Program Annie Miller Pure Programming Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 427: Your Fitness App Calls It Strength Training, But Is It? With Nikki Naab-Levy

Have you ever asked yourself what there is to learn from the pursuit of strength? How do the lessons we learn in the gym translate to our lives outside of strength? Alyssa Ages set out on a quest to answer these questions, and in return found a multitude of answers that can help any athletic person get more from their training regime and their life. Key Takeaways If you are curious about the true meaning of strength, you should: Strength In and Out of the Gym with Alyssa Ages Alyssa is a Toronto-based, New York-born author, freelance writer, and copywriter. She is a mom, strongman competitor, endurance athlete (six marathons & an Ironman), rock climber, CrossFitter, and former member of the Jersey City Bridge & Pummel roller derby team. Her debut book, Secrets of Giants: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength, was featured in The New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly, among others. The book, part personal narrative, part research mission, part midlife crisis odyssey into the world of strength to answer the question: What if strength isn’t about how much we can lift, but how we manage life’s struggles? The True Meaning of Strength There is something about strength training and the pursuit of strength that is addictive and keeps bringing us back. But why do we love it so much, and feel so satisfied even when it feels hard? It all comes down to the story we tell ourselves. If you view yourself as a person who is able to handle hard shit, there's a good chance you don't mind getting comfortable with discomfort. Through Alyssa’s research, it became clear to her, that if you are purposefully able to do difficult things, the easier all of the things that you encounter in your daily life will start to feel. You Can Do Hard Things Building strength, physically, mentally, and emotionally, is all about pushing the boundaries of what humans can do. When strength is a part of your identity, you can discover things about yourself through the training process that will help you both in and out of the gym. Building strength is not just about looking good or feeling good, it is about having agency over your life and what you are doing. The ability to fail over and over again safely, allows you to learn something that is applicable in every other area of your life. That might be why we love it so much. If you are also searching for the true meaning of strength, share your thoughts with me in the comments of the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “In the book, there is very little about what [strength] does physically to your body and your muscles, and almost exclusively about how it impacts everything else you do in your life outside of a gym setting.” (7:50) “Strongman really showed me that actually, failing was really ok and kind of awesome. Because it was the only way to understand what I actually could do.” (17:23) “It was just that little shift in mindset that gave me the courage to actually do it.” (20:05) “It was really incredible to hear from so many women that they said ‘Doing a strength sport taught me that I could love my body not for how it looks, but for what it is capable of doing’.” (30:32) “Once I started to continue with this routine of going back into the gym, with my coach and trying to do everything really safely as I was going through all of this, it helped me to start to regain this feeling of trust and this feeling of capability in my body.” (42:03) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Alyssa Ages Website The Secret of Giants by Alyssa Ages Follow Alyssa on Instagram Strongman Video Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 431:...

Combining the world of strength training and sport, specifically Brazilian jiu-jjitsu, might seem counterintuitive, but it is exactly the opposite. My guest today is here to show you how a crossover between these two worlds can help you train better, prevent injury, and enjoy the sport you love for longer. Key Takeaways If you want to use strength training to improve your sport, you should: Track what you are doing and assess it Get your body accustomed to stress and impact Be consistent with the low-hanging fruit Finding a Balance Alex Sterner, BS, CSCS, is a co-founder and Head Coach of Electrum Performance and the Director of Performance at Jiujiteiro. He received his Bachelor's degree in Strength and Conditioning from the University of Connecticut and obtained a CSCS through the National Strength and Conditioning Association. As a Head Strength Coach of Atos Jiu-Jitsu HQ, he led the S&C training camp that resulted in Atos winning a team Gi World title in 2017 and 2018. Not All Stress is Built the Same Some people are afraid to lift heavy due to the threat of injury. But the truth is, your muscular cellular system will respond positively to the right amount of stress. Alex wants to encourage you to get your body accustomed to impact in a respectful and gradual way. By harnessing the power of control that you have in the gym, you can teach your body how to trust increment levels of stress so that you can come back from injury and pain with more resilience. This is why strength training is such an important asset and can lead to many more years of enjoying the sport you love so much. Track Everything Alex believes that all progress comes down to tracking. Understanding your missteps, and being able to differentiate between short and long-term gains will help you figure out where you are going right and wrong in your training. You don't need a fancy app, just a notebook and a pen. If you can figure out when something you are doing isn't showing up, you can figure out why and make a switch. It may be as simple as adjusting your work-to-rest ratio, but without tracking, you will never figure it out. If you want to explore strength training options, either specifically for jiu-jitsu or another sport, let me know your thoughts about Alex’s well-balanced and informed approach in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Heavy lifting; it is not just about building this brute muscular athlete. It's about longevity; it's about preventing injury or minimizing injury so that you can spend more time on the mats.” (10:13) “When people start to trust that the weight room is this deliberate thing where we don't just make bad things worse… you start to realize that these other environments are way more open than the gym, and you don't have nearly enough control.” (26:53) “Understand what your limitations are, take whatever you still can, and go from there” (40:23) “All of it comes down to tracking. Be aware of what you are doing, is it improving? And if it is, great! And if it's not, figure out a switch to make.” (51:25) “Biological organisms respond positively to stress in the right amounts.” (57:20) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Electrum Performance Website Follow Alex on Instagram | YouTube Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 425: Nutrition for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu w/ Alex Maclin FYS 431: Should You Get A Lifting Program?

Most women in mid-life have a common rebuttal that keeps them from taking the next step when it comes to their fitness and health journey. The pressure that women put on themselves or the expectation that they believe is there to be perfect and execute their workouts without any interruption could be limiting their ability to reach their goals. Key Takeaways If You Want to Show Up For Yourself, You Should: Stop focusing on the perfection monster mindset Focus on ways you can change your behavior through mindset changes Be kind and gracious to yourself and your workout routine Consistency is Key I want you to ask yourself, what does consistency look like to you? How would it feel to reframe how you think about your workouts and put less pressure on yourself to never miss a day or take a vacation? Fitness and health do not need to be another stressor in your life. I want you to challenge yourself to shift the way you think about your health and be curious about how you can reframe the way you think about your workouts. When it comes to working out, perfection is not the goal, but showing up for yourself is. The Science of Behavior Change If you have been holding back from working with a coach because you are unsure if you can commit 100%, I am here to tell you, that you don't need to. The all-or-nothing mentality that we have when it comes to our fitness is unnecessary, and I am here to tell you that you still get a benefit even if you can't do 10 out of the 10 workouts you want. Showing up for yourself and your health is the first step, and making it work for you and your lifestyle is the key to success. You don't need to force yourself to do something that won't work for you, and you also don't need to do something that doesn't fit your life schedule. Doing what works for you in your here-and-now body is the best thing you can do, period. Are you ready to start showing up for yourself? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “I know there is going to be at least one person listening to this podcast episode, in whatever space and time you find it, who is mulling over the question, ‘Should I get a lifting program?’.” (3:07) “Ageing is not just this linear gentle slope down in terms of the change in function, but rather, there are these punctuated times in our lives, if we are lucky enough to make it to these ages, where there are some changes going on.” (8:34) “I trust that the women I work with, who are mostly in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, are doing their damn best on any given day.” (21:41) “Consistency is more important than perfection. Especially when perfection is something we cannot hold onto.” (22:47) Featured on the Show Get a Free Sample Week of Strong with Steph Here Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 429: Boost Your Motivation to Train with This with Kasey Jo Orvidas FYS 427: Your Fitness App Calls it Strength Training, But is it? With Nikki Naab-Leevy

I want you to imagine a heavy deadlift. How challenging it is, the focus needed, to tune everything else out and give it your best. Now, imagine that the barbell weighs over 650 pounds. That is the reality for Tamara Walcott, a world record holder in powerlifting. But Tamara didn't always have this confidence. Having to overcome obesity and single mom guilt made Tamara the inspiring and powerful woman that she is today. Key Takeaways If You Want to Get Stronger, You Should: Overcoming Setbacks with Tamara Walcott Tamara Walcott, the Plus Size Fitness Queen, is a record-breaking athlete, a resilient mompreneur, and a motivation to all. Her journey, marked by her triumph over food addiction and obesity, inspires others to embrace mental resilience and celebrate every victory. In this episode, we explore Tamara's world-record-setting story and join her on a transformative journey. Stay Dedicated To Your Destination, Even If You Can’t See It After stumbling into a powerlifting gym in 2017, Tamara realized that she would have to change from the inside out to achieve her goals. By 2018, she was coming in first place in her first competitions and realized that to take care of others around her, she had to take care of herself first. Her mindset, mission, and ability to navigate setbacks helped her break an all-time world record while training just three days per week. These traits, combined with her dedication and ability to accept failure as part of the process, have gotten her to where she is today. Your Strength Is Your Sexy Proving to yourself that you can do something you couldn't do before is one of Tamara’s favorite parts of powerlifting. Her mission is to bring more women into the sport and eventually get the deserved recognition from associations such as ESPN and the Olympics. She works to encourage women to stop letting comparison steal their joy and instead compete against themselves while ensuring they are fueling enough. If you believe in your ability to keep going despite the obstacles in the way, anything is possible. Are you feeling called to lift something heavy? Share how you are getting involved in the community with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “I think that is the exciting thing about it, is that anyone can be a part of this sport, and not a lot of people know about it yet. Which is why I want to keep talking about it.” (5:36) “You get one minute to do your movement. But that one minute feels like 10 seconds. But it’s the best 10 seconds of your life.” (17:24) “Powerlifting literally saved my life.” (19:40) “I think the most common misconception, even when I was heavier, was that I had to eat less in order to lose weight. I had to eat less to be at the body aesthetic that I wanted to be. It's not that you have to eat less, you just have to eat the right things and fuel your body right for whatever your performance is or what your program is.” (35:39) “Failure is a part of the process. It doesn't mean to quit and give up, it means to learn what you can learn and press on.” (41:27) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Tamara Walcott Website My Strength Is My Sexy Gym Tour Tickets Tamara Walcott 641LB Womens Elephant Bar Deadlift Record Video Follow Tamara on Instagram Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 378: Powerlifting and Recovery Tips for the 40+ Athlete with Laura Phelps FYS 344: Body Acceptance & Powerlifting with Christina Malone

Whether you are on the client side or the coach side, if you are trying to make positive changes in your life in regard to fitness, nutrition, and your health in general, having strategies to help you take a step forward and get better results is crucial. Having the right approach when it comes to improving your nutrition and fitness, especially when dealing with a lack of motivation or self-sabotage, comes down to the science behind health behavior change. Key Takeaways If You Want to Understand Your Mindset Better, You Should: Work with a coach or a client who is willing to talk about and prepare for the hard stuff Understand that mindsets can shift drastically and often Be kind to yourself when struggling with a lack of motivation or self-sabotage Your Mind and Your Health with Kasey Jo Orvidas Kasey holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a certified health and fitness coach. She has spent a good chunk of her life developing some serious expertise in mindset and health behavior change. She has transformed hundreds of lives (and minds) in her coaching career, while also being published in multiple peer-reviewed scientific journals for her research exploring the relationship between our mindset and our health and fitness behaviors. The Base of the Pyramid Your mindset is the lens through which you see the world through, how you assign meaning to things, and how you make sense of what is happening around you. It is the base of the pyramid for your health and nutrition, which is why it is so essential to understand the science behind making positive changes. When you are able to face mindset challenges, you can start working towards more consistency, more motivation, and ultimately better mindset health outcomes. Not All Sunshine and Rainbows I'm sure you have heard people preaching positivity and mindset in the fitness space, but this is not a show about pushing through negative thoughts. Instead, Kasey Jo wants you to think about the hard stuff and prepare yourself for those inevitable moments when you get tripped up psychologically. Addressing problems from a mindset perspective, whether you are a coach or a client, will help you determine which path will be the most successful in the long run. While truly understanding psychology, mindset, and behavior change is not necessarily the norm, Kasey Jo is working to fix that one person at a time. Are you ready to take a deep dive into the role your mindset is playing in your health and fitness? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Really, the stuff we are going to talk about today we are going to talk about from a health and fitness lens, but it can very much so be applied to other areas of your life too.” (6:11) “Square one is where you are right now. So, literally, the worst-case scenario is just where you are right now. So the worst you can do is try, potentially be successful, level up, and get to this next spot and this outcome you are looking to achieve. Worst-case scenario you literally are where you are right now.” (18:11) “When we are talking about behavior change and longer-term goal pursuit, just visualizing the outcome, just manifesting, is not that helpful. And this is according to the research. What is helpful is sure, do all of that, please do all of that, but then also bring it back to reality. Think about what is inevitably going to get in your way; talk about the barriers, the challenges, and the setbacks. (30:56) “The reality is it is not all sunshine and rainbows all the time when you are working towards something new and challenging and different and trying to make changes in your life that you haven't been able to do before. And recognizing that things are going to be hard helps you have a different lens.” (31:25) “If you can't tell, I am extremely passionate about what I do and can really get going on some of these topics. And that is exactly what it looks like inside the program as...

What happens when you aren't truly eating enough to fuel your ambitions and feel your best? Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, or RED-s, is a serious condition that can impact any active person regardless of their training intensity. Not only could RED-s impact your performance in the gym, but it can also play a huge role in your physical and mental health and well-being outside of the gym. This is why I have brought the founder of Project RED-s, Pippa Woolven, to the show. Key Takeaways If You Want to Know More About RED-s, You Should: Educate yourself on the symptoms and signs of RED-s and how to avoid it Remember that RED-s can happen to anyone, no matter your level of training intensity Work with an expert who will not just dismiss your symptoms but will help you heal Overcoming Struggle with Pippa Woolven Pippa is an English Schools (x2) and British Universities Champion (x4), a former GB athlete, and now a Positive Psychology Coach (MSc) and Athlete Mentor. Over a decade of competing in international athletics while studying in the UK and USA, Pippa experienced her fair share of highs and lows, including RED-S. Several years after overcoming the condition herself, Pippa established Project RED-S to provide the resources she needed at the start of her struggle. Fueling for Performance Underfueling, disordered eating, and over-fueling can have huge impacts on the body and can impact anybody. While education has been lacking in the past, we are finally starting to hear this important conversation being had more and more. Pippa believes working to find a balance for your unique body composition and goals will help any active person avoid RED-s and overcome this common issue. The answer isn't just in the training. You have to think about the amount that you are eating in order to fuel properly. Your training, but also your health and well-being outside of the gym, will be better for it. Awareness, Prevention, and Support Project RED-s, and Pippa’s, mission is simple. To make sure that everyone who is active knows about the term RED-s, its signs and symptoms, and how to avoid it. She wants to embed the education of RED-s into coaching practices worldwide and into the mass consumption audiences on social media so that everyone can avoid low energy availability. She works to connect people with trusted experts who not only know what they are talking about but are passionate about helping people hear without dismissing their symptoms. Have you struggled with RED-s? Share your experiences with us in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Over-training and under-fueling is just the perfect storm for a condition like relative energy deficiency in sport, RED-s.” (10:09) “Topics like sports nutrition and sports psychology [used to be] almost reserved for the elite sports people, and now we see recreational sports people taking those kinds of things really, really seriously. For better or for worse.” (18:09) “Eat the right amounts of the right foods, lift some weights, and try to think more holistically about your health and wellbeing.” (21:42) “You do not have to be competing; you don't have to even be doing anything structured; you just have to be moving your body, expending energy, to therefore need to replenish that energy with your nutrition.” (26:24) “You might have the diagnosis and know exactly what's wrong and what you need to do, but that is a very different ballgame to actually doing it.” (41:22) “This has a huge impact on any active person's life. And we need to just stop thinking so much about performance, especially short-term performance. Because it really is impactful on not just your physical health but your mental health too, and it takes a long time to get over something like this, which is why prevention is so key.” (46:37) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Project RED-s Website Follow Project RED-s on Instagram Full show notes Follow...

If you are listening to this, there is a good chance you already know that strength is an important part of taking care of your body. So, when we see an App or YouTube-based workout plan that offers strength training, it can be easy to believe that this is the kind of content you should be following. But are you really getting a strength stimulus from your workout? Or is that just what is being marketed to you? Key Takeaways If You Want To Get Serious About Your Programming, You Should: Meet yourself where you are at without any shame or judgment Work to understand the nuance of strength training programming and what it really means Reach out to a coach who understands your goals and how you can reach them safely. Going Behind the Scenes with Nikki Naab-Levy Nikki Naab-Levy is a strength and nutrition coach who has been involved in multiple arenas in the fitness industry for the last 17 years. She helps women move, build strength, improve mobility, move beyond injury, and find a sustainable approach to nutrition. She is passionate about having the unscripted and messy conversations necessary to help women get stronger and call attention to the problematic marketing in the world of fitness and beyond. Understanding the Nuance When using your favorite fitness apps, how do you know that the workouts you are doing are actually focusing on strength? Or if they are the right movements to be doing for your lived experience and goals? The truth is, you don't. That's why you need to understand the nuance behind the programming so that you can go out into the world and be able to look at your apps from an informed place of strength development. Picking apart the way things are marketed can help you differentiate between what you are actually getting and can help you pick a program that is effective for your specific goals. It's Not You, It's Your Workout Choosing workouts that are not right for you can make you feel chronically injured, sore, tired, or fed up with not seeing any improvements. This doesn't mean you aren't doing it right; it means the training you are doing isn't right for you. The difference between randomly working out and training means that you can acknowledge your weak factors, understand your lived experience, and engage with a program that gives you the runway for the best possible entry point to your goals. While it is not impossible to achieve these things with an app, it is increasingly risky and tricky to see long-term changes without a program built for you. How do you interact with fitness apps on a regular basis? Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “We are not hating on the workouts. But we want you to be able to make an informed decision so that if those are your goals, you are able to pick an approach that actually is going to work for you and help you get the results you want without feeling frustrated or feeling like your joints always hurt.” (8:00) “We know that if you don't feel awful all the time, and you are able to do high-quality work with appropriate weight and appropriate rest, you will be able to see the results that you want and not be super ridiculously sore.” (41:56) “How we put things together makes a huge difference. In the short term, but particularly in the long term.” (42:50) “Programming can be done in a very broad way, or can be made very specific to the individual, and their needs and their interests. But at the same time, there has to be some sort of logic and base.” (54:17) “Give yourself the tools to be successful! If something is not working for you, you are not a terrible person; you probably just need a different approach or a scaled-down approach, or something needs to be adjusted.” (1:08:44) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Nikki Naab-Levy Website Follow Nikki on Instagram Total Package Strength Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter |...

Menopausal women are overloaded with information, but not all of it is accurate or safe. Social media is rife with misinformation, and unfortunately, the diet and fitness industry follows many unethical marketing practices. I’m joined by Amanda Thebe to discuss the realities of coaching menopausal women, how to choose ethical coaches, and why there is finally a spotlight on menopause. Key Takeaways Find an Ethical Trainer by Checking Out: Personal recommendations Reviews and testimonials Trusting your own industry knowledge About Amanda Thebe Amanda Thebe is the co-founder and Chief Wellness and Branding Officer at Nyah Health and the author of the Amazon best-selling book Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! With nearly 30 years of experience in the fitness industry, her exercise workouts and health and fitness tips have been featured on Oprah, Shape, Prevention, Health Line, CBC Radio, Global News Canada, The Doctors, and many more. She is also an affiliated member of the Canadian and North American Menopause Society. Misinformation In Social Media Social media can seriously change our perception of menopause… and not always for the best. There is so much misinformation out there from uninformed coaches who recommend pseudoscience and diagnose without the proper qualifications. Only a doctor can diagnose that you are in menopause – a coach can help once you have a diagnosis. There is a huge market for menopause products and services right now because women are finally open about their experiences. Coaches are finally becoming menopause informed. And overall, there is a huge improvement for women experiencing menopause. Finding An Ethical Trainer But, as an industry, we need to do better. So many unethical marketing practices are in use, essentially selling women something that doesn’t exist. Menopausal women deserve better, and the diet and fitness industry can give it to them. So, how do women find an ethical fitness plan and ethical trainer? It comes down to personal recommendations, reviews, testimonials, and having basic industry knowledge. If something sounds too good to be true, that’s because it probably is. Ladies, do your due diligence! What has your experience been like finding a menopause-informed trainer? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Women with menopause are really seeking answers. They are really frustrated. They do not feel good on a day-to-day basis. They want to feel better.” (18:30) “Listen, I can help you. But there isn’t a magic pill. And there isn’t anything dynamic we’re going to do. I’m going get you to nail the basics, and I’m going to get you to understand.” (22:51) “We can’t always help people fix those things. It is outside our scope. The diet industry of our time has gotten so bad. I feel like it’s particularly bad now for menopausal women because we have a pain point that they see.” (36:54) “If you’re going to stop this from happening and you want to do better in this industry, then it’s on you to do better.” (40:48) “I know that finances can be a barrier to this, but I feel very strongly that if someone is new to lifting weights, they’re going to get so much mileage out of working with a trustworthy trainer.” (48:18) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Listen to With All Due Respect Find Amanda Thebe Online Follow Amanda on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 414: How To Leverage Essentialism For Fitness FYS 383: Crossfit & Peri/Post-Menopause FYS 375: Strength Training Changes for Peri-Menopause and Post-Menopause

When it comes to your training and your fueling, you need to think about the bigger picture. For sports such as Brazillian jiu-jitsu, which has a wide range of intensity demands, you need to switch your mindset and fuel your body for your practice. While being strong is a sort of ‘cheat code’ in Brazillian jiu-jitsu, it is nothing without the right fuel to back it up. Key Takeaways If You Have Questions About Your Nutrition, You Should: Remember that what you eat today is your fuel for tomorrow Don't believe the hype around trends like fasting and no-carb Work with a coach who understands your goals and can help you achieve them in a sustainable way Nutritional Lessons with Alex Maclin Alex Maclin is a fellow performance nutrition coach, strength training enthusiast, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu player. He is passionate about helping athletically minded folks fuel themselves with the proper nutrition so that they can get more out of their performance. Throughout his health journey, he has coached hundreds of athletes through online training programs for weightlifting, strength, and conditioning, and is here today to share his knowledge with you. Your Training Goes Beyond the Gym When it comes to your training, it does not just exist when you are on the mat or in the gym. What you do around your training, how you eat, recover, hydrate, and think about your training, can also have a huge impact on your ability to accomplish your goals. Even if you are not competing, if you want to train consistently and give it your all, you have to put some thought, strategy, and planning into what you are doing outside of the gym. This means thinking proactively about what you eat and remembering that what you eat today is fuel for tomorrow. Optimal Fueling = Optimal Results Training, recovery, and nutrition practices work together as a system to help you achieve your best results. This can get tricky when we see the amount of misinformation and conditioning that we have been exposed to, especially as female athletes. Even if you are not into Brazillian jiu-jitsu, the fueling practices talked about in this episode will help guide your performance, nutrition, and your own athletic endeavors. When you can understand how to fuel yourself optimally, you can see your optimal performance a lot clearer. What has your experience been with fueling for sports such as Brazillian jiu-jitsu? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “[This isn't] just for competitive jiu-jitsu athletes. This is for the average everyday people like me who just want to train, and they love it, and they want to feel good on the mat.” (6:38) “These foods that you are eating are foods that are going to help you feel better, help you perform better, and give you more energy. That is a really big mindset shift. Not looking at things as just having calories… but actually how this food is going to help you kick some more ass and recover.” (25:24) “You can eat at levels that you need to eat without fasting; you just need to make sure that you are getting the proper amount of calories per day.” (48:56) “What we eat today is for the next day.” (50:50) “Learn concepts of jiu-jitsu rather than just learning all these moves. I think that was the most overwhelming part.” (1:15:57) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Follow Alex on Instagram | Facebook Alex Maclin Website Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 395 - How to Calculate Your Daily Protein Needs FY 350 - Are You Eating Enough? Low Energy Availability in Sport Blog - Carbs for Strength Training

Are you cardiovascular training confused? I don't blame you; there is a lot of information out there that can work counterintuitively, especially if you are just starting to incorporate cardiovascular training into your routine. While it is easy to just focus on the numbers, finding the balance between high-intensity and low-intensity is more nuanced than that. Luckily, I have my friend Jamie Scott, an accomplished sports nutritionist and endurance coach, with me today. Key Takeaways If You Want to Incorporate More Low-Intensity Cardio Into Your Life, You Should: Finding Balance with Jamie Scott Jamie Scott is a New Zealand Registered Nutritionist. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Nutrition Medicine and Sport and Exercise Medicine, undergraduate degrees in Nutrition Science and Physical Education, and is a Level-1 Mountain Bike Skills coach (PMBIA). Over the past 25 years, Jamie’s career has spanned several roles in the health and fitness industry. He is passionate about helping others learn how to fuel their bodies in a way that supports performance and total body health. Give Precedence to the Feeling I’m willing to bet there is a pretty good chance you have heard some rumors about cardiovascular health over 40 and the difference between lower-intensity and higher-intensity cardio. Many people struggle with lower-intensity cardio, or Zone 2 because they feel it is too boring, hard, or lazy. But when you can remain grounded in your ‘why’,’ you can stay focused on the practical things you can take away. You don't have to feel stressed or anxious about what your fitness technology is telling you. Remember to focus on the feeling an exercise gives you, not just the numbers on the screen. Back to Basics Often, we as a society are in a rush to look for what is new and shiny, so we need to remember the reliable basics. But they are there for a reason! Working both higher- and lower-intensity cardio into your weekly routine benefits your training and your lifestyle. The practical application of lower-intensity cardio, combined with the higher intensity and strength training you are already doing, is a crucial part of the puzzle regarding your overall health and longevity. Are you ready to implement lower-intensity cardio into your training regime? Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Quotes “Overall, for those who are just after kind of the health and longevity and want to do it in a sustainable way that is not massively hard on the joints or is not a high skill requirement… that low-intensity mix seems to be better for those individuals.” (12:21) “The endorphins, the huffy-puffy-ness, the sweatiness, the burn, all of those things we have been conditioned over years and years and years in the fitness industry as markers of some sort of ‘success.’ And we need to unlearn a lot of those things when it comes to doing this low-intensity, high-intensity split.” (31:57) “It's getting people into that mindset of: you don't just go from 0, drop into almost a 50/50 split of low intensity and high intensity, and just slowly kind of stack things up over a long period of time. But you are not doing it in a 7-day cycle where you are just trying to shoe-horn everything in.” (47:21) “There can be different forms of movement that people are involved with, which does add up over time.” (47:00) “It requires people to do a little bit of reflection and thinking about where they are at, what they are doing, and what the context is.” (53:52) Featured on the Show Follow Jamie Scott on Instagram Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here RPE Chart Full show notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple...