In this episode of Afternoon Snack, Alex and Meredith take a deep dive into the often confusing world of fitness and nutrition goals. They begin by debunking common misconceptions and stress the importance of aligning your fitness routine with your goals. They talk about the different styles of training, explaining how your body adapts to these and the importance of understanding this process. They also discuss the role of cardiovascular fitness and muscle mass in overall health, fitness, and lo...
May 15, 2024•57 min•Ep. 155
In this episode, Alex and Meredith discuss Meredith’s recent experience with the Bootlegger 100 bike race in Lenore, North Carolina. This race served as a preparatory event for the upcoming Unbound competition in Kansas this June. Meredith shares invaluable insights about her fueling strategies, bike packing techniques, and finding balance in endurance and strength workouts to keep up with her training. She also discusses what worked well and what improvements she plans on making before Unbound....
May 08, 2024•52 min•Ep. 154
Meredith and Alex dive into the topic of their personal experiences and relationships with food, body image, and fitness. They discuss the first time they were exposed to diet culture, and how it impacted their relationship with food and body image as they got older. They share their respective journeys with food restriction and exercise, and steps they have taken to maintain a better relationship with food and body image through the years; emphasizing the importance of striking a balance betwee...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 153
This episode, Alex and Meredith explore the shift from rigid goal-setting towards embracing a process-oriented approach in personal and professional development. They discuss the pitfalls of strict goals, such as potential demotivation and a narrowed focus, advocating instead for open-ended objectives that allow for continued growth, adaptation, and the pursuit of passion. Additionally, they talk about the importance of self-compassion and recognizing progress, even when it falls short of initia...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 152
This episode, Alex and Meredith discuss how relationships impact health and fitness habits. They talk about the challenges and adjustments needed when one partner is more fitness-oriented than the other, the impact of lifestyle changes on relationships, and the importance of support and communication in achieving health goals together. They also touch on how significant life events, like starting a family or changing jobs, can alter relationship dynamics and fitness routines. They emphasize the ...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 151
Join Alex and Meredith for some exciting updates for the Tactic Community in the coming months! They will talk about the upcoming re-enrollment for Tactic Run Club, aiming for fall races and detailing the structure and benefits of the club. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just getting started, there's something for you. Additionally, they will discuss the upcoming community meetup in Calgary this May and how you can be a part of it! Meredith will also talk about her newest passion for bi...
Apr 10, 2024•55 min•Ep. 150
In this episode, Alex and Meredith talk about the highly requested topic of alcohol. They discuss the effects of alcohol on the human body, the influence of the alcohol industry on policy and public perception, and the complexities of navigating alcohol consumption in a health-conscious manner. Alex and Meredith talk about the significant role of the alcohol industry in shaping policies and social norms, comparing it to the historical influence of the tobacco industry. They also share their opin...
Apr 03, 2024•55 min•Ep. 149
On this episode, get to know Shannon O’Grady from Gnarly Nutrition! Shannon talks with Alex and Meredith about her journey with Gnarly Nutrition, highlighting the brand's dedication to clean, effective, and sustainable sports nutrition. They will discuss Gnarly Nutrition’s commitment to transparency in supplement labeling, the significance of NSF certification for product safety, and the exploration of sustainable packaging solutions. Alex and Meredith will share some of their favorite Gnarly Nu...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 148
This episode, Alex and Meredith have Tactic Head Coach Lynsey Martin back on to talk about setbacks and tools to manage them. They will discuss strategies for overcoming obstacles such as illness and injuries, maintaining a positive outlook, and understanding the role of balance and self-worth. They highlight the importance of embracing setbacks and adapting to new circumstances, as well as the psychological aspects of motivation and the fear of falling off the path. They will also discuss the c...
Mar 13, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 146
In this episode, Meredith and Alex have Tactic Nutrition coach, Jill Kerslake back on the podcast! Jill is the mastermind behind Tactic Nutrition’s recipe page on Instagram, @tactic_eats. Jill talks about her love for cooking, how she developed this passion, and how she adjusts recipes to be more health-conscious for the Tactic community. She shares her journey of how she embraced running and grew to love it, some of the challenges that she has faced, and some advice that she’d give to beginner ...
Mar 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 145
This episode, Alex and Meredith discuss Anthropologist Kristen Hawks' 'Grandmother Hypothesis', a theory that post-reproductive females have played a significant role in human evolution. They draw parallels between humans and animals and how post-menopausal women’s contributions may have been the critical factor in our survival and thriving as a species. They also touch on topics like menopause, societal pressures on aging women, and disparity between aging men and women. — How Do Actors Do It? ...
Feb 28, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 144
This week, Alex and Meredith sit down with Tactic Nutrition client, Shari Todd. They will talk about Shari’s diagnosis with cancer, her journey of getting back into fitness post-cancer, and some of the powerful lessons she learned about herself and the way she views the world along the way. Shari shares her experiences of self-discovery, personal growth, and resilience, illuminating the importance of internal dialogues and self-trust. Shari underscores the importance of taking full responsibilit...
Feb 21, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 143
Join Alex and Meredith for part two of their weekend recap of Brandi Carlile’s: Girls Just Wanna Weekend and their Valentine’s Day episode! They will share some of their favorite moments of the weekend with musical artists such as: KT Tunstall, Celisse, Janelle Monae and more! They also talk about the true sense of community they felt throughout the weekend, how they felt like they were in a safe space, and what it was like going back to reality after the fact. — Happy Valentine’s Day! — KT Tuns...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 142
Alex and Meredith are back from Brandi Carlile’s Girls Just Wanna Weekend 5 in Riviera Maya, Mexico. They recount some of their favorite experiences from the weekend, from silly stories from their travel day to meeting interesting people, the music festival, with artists like Brandi Carlile and Janelle Monae, and experiencing the sense of community throughout their time there. They dive into the topic of body image and the impact of facing judgement from others. They also share an interesting co...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 141
In this episode, Alex and Meredith dive deep into the mindset and expectations around fitness and nutrition. They challenge the common phrase "I feel like I should..." and discuss why setting expectations of when you should see results could be hindering to your process. They emphasize the importance of relentless consistency, hard work, and embracing the process rather than focusing solely on end goals. They also talk about the importance of finding joy in your fitness journey, as well as ident...
Jan 31, 2024•57 min•Ep. 140
Join Alex and Meredith as they dive into the topic of emotional resilience. They will talk about how it impacts daily life, what emotional resilience looks like after a traumatic experience, and whether it is something that can be cultivated. (Spoiler alert: it can!) They will share their own personal experiences with emotional resilience, discuss instant and delayed gratification, and provide their top three tools on how to build emotional resilience in your daily life. — Why Are We So Tired? —...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 139
Join Meredith and Alex as they talk about all things protein! They start things off with Alex taking The New York Times Protein Quiz. From there, they’ll discuss the importance of protein and fiber intake, the major role that protein plays in aging, and effective strategies for meeting daily protein goals. They also share their thoughts on the average American protein intake, and what they do to make sure they are meeting their daily protein goals. — We’re Officially In 2024! — Highs and Lows of...
Jan 17, 2024•55 min•Ep. 138
Catch up with Meredith and Alex as they talk about all things cats, exercise, and kids! They share their take on having kids, the societal pressures to have kids, and their own experiences and interactions with that pressure. They will also talk about the importance of acknowledging what your limits are in certain situations, making decisions that are best for you, and the overall reminder that you can have a fulfilling life with or without children. — An Update on Ivan — Dog Training with Rue! ...
Jan 10, 2024•48 min•Ep. 137
Join Meredith and Alex for this New Year's episode as they catch you up on what they have been up to during the holidays. To ring in 2024, they will talk about New Year’s resolutions, how it’s optional to even have one, and how to set realistic goals that will be able to be maintained long-term. They will also remind you of the importance of reflecting on the past year while also giving yourself permission to move forward into the New Year. — Exercise Injuries — Speeding Ticket Tales — Setting N...
Jan 03, 2024•52 min•Ep. 136
There’s always that "weird week" between the Christmas holiday and New Year's that has us all feeling a little bit lost. In this episode, Meredith and Alex talk all about navigating this unique time of year, the challenges and opportunities that often arise during this time, and the importance of finding balance in the expectations you set for yourself. They discuss the importance of allowing yourself to take the time to rest if you are able, and they share tips on how to incorporate positive se...
Dec 27, 2023•56 min•Ep. 135
Join Meredith and Alex in this episode as they cover the Five Pillars of Success. They talk about the specifics of what makes up the Five Pillars of Success, and how whenever you're working on your fitness and nutrition, you are doing deep, difficult work in order to change your behavior, self-talk, and the stories that you tell yourself. They also discuss the impact that taking the time to reflect on your growth can have on your mindset, and the importance of determining what success ultimately...
Dec 20, 2023•55 min•Ep. 134
Have you ever wondered what it takes to start not only one business, but two? Now is your chance to find out! This episode, Alex and Meredith share the ins and outs of the creation and running of Tactic Nutrition and Fitness. They’ll cover the behind-the-scenes of starting a business from scratch, including the costs, time investments, and valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. They will also talk about their biggest returns on investment, some challenges that they ran into when they we...
Dec 13, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 133
Join Alex and Meredith as they recap the Philadelphia Marathon! They will talk about the first ever in-person Tactic community meet-up and the overwhelming amount of support that they felt the entire weekend. Alex will share her experience on what it was like on race day, how her past experiences running in both the LA and Calgary Marathons helped her prepare for the Philadelphia Marathon, and the emotional highs and lows throughout the entire race. Alex and Meredith will also provide a sneak pe...
Dec 06, 2023•1 hr
In this episode, join Alex and Meredith as they talk about Meredith's recent diagnosis with ADHD. Meredith will share her journey of deciding to pursue a diagnosis, how being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult has impacted her daily life, and she will shine a light on the lack of research that exists regarding women having ADHD. They give insight into what it's like to be in a neurodiverse relationship, what they have learned along the way, and how they have worked to understand and support each ot...
Nov 29, 2023•54 min•Ep. 131
Join Alex and Meredith for a bonus episode about the Black Friday launch of Tactic Fitness and this year's Holiday Habits Challenge! They talk about the 4-week Holiday Habits Challenge and what you can expect. From making sure you're drinking water first thing in the morning, to introducing positive affirmations into your daily routine, you can feel confident that you will have a happy and healthy holiday season! In addition, the Tactic Fitness program has officially launched and will begin on N...
Nov 24, 2023•28 min•Ep. 130
Alex and Meredith have Tactic Coaches Todd and Merissa Wise back on to talk about the broad application of functional fitness to all populations of people. They'll also share the behind the scenes of creating Tactic Functional Fitness, the mental and physical benefits of challenging yourself to learn something new, and the importance of having patience with yourself in your training. Save these important dates for the launch of Tactic Functional Fitness: The program goes live on Nov. 27th. You c...
Nov 22, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 129
When you are balancing work, life, and a daily fitness routine, it can be difficult to remember to check in with yourself and your body. In this episode, Alex and Meredith talk about rest days: What a rest day looks like, how to recognize when you need one, how nutrition comes into play, and ultimately learning to be patient with yourself as you determine what you need on your fitness journey. They will also share tips on how to create an efficient schedule so that you are able to maintain a bal...
Nov 15, 2023•51 min•Ep. 128
With the holidays right around the corner, Alex and Meredith have the perfect gift! Introducing: Tactic Functional Fitness! A new fitness program that Alex and Meredith have been working hard to beta test, which will be launching on Black Friday, Nov. 24th. Learn all about the program, why Alex and Meredith decided to start it, what you can expect, and when you can get started. As an added bonus they will also be hosting a Holiday Challenge! Make sure you're signed up for the email list, so you ...
Nov 08, 2023•54 min•Ep. 127
When life gets busy, it can be hard to remember to slow down and take a moment to relax. Take this opportunity to take a breather and catch up with Alex and Meredith as they take a mental break and unpack what they have been up to recently! They have all kinds of exciting updates to share, including their recent move, a new furry friend, and their journeys of figuring out who they are. They'll also talk about finding your personal style, the struggles of getting the perfect haircut for short hai...
Nov 01, 2023•53 min•Ep. 126
This week, Alex and Meredith have return guest and Tactic Nutrition coach Angie Craig back on to talk about the All-or-Nothing Mindset and its impact on daily life. Angie dives into what an All-or-Nothing Mindset looks like, shares advice on how to work through it, and teaches that it's okay to not be perfect. — The Impact of the All-or-Nothing Mindset — The Reality of Perfectionism — The Psychology of the All-or- Nothing Mindset — The Importance of Recognizing Your Progress — "Mom-Bod vs. Dad-B...
Oct 25, 2023•52 min•Ep. 125
