Do you ever have days where the weights that seemed do-able yesterday are suddenly challenging today? What is happening? Listener Julie had this same issue: “Hi Megan. I've been weight training for about the last five years and progressing slowly. But just lately the weights seem to be much harder to lift. Even though I've been doing the same weights for a while. I was just wondering, is it my age? I'm 63 now. Or is it to do with my nutrition? I do eat over 100 grams of protein a day and thought...
Dec 13, 2024•9 min
It is that time of year! The season of joy, magic, and wonder. It’s also the season of parties, snacks and treats. So how to we fully enjoy the holiday season and still feel good on January 1st? Just in time for the holiday party season, I have a 4-step Holiday Splurging Plan that will help you navigate all the potential pitfalls of the month ahead. Grab some paper and a pen - you’re going to want to take notes on this one. Join me as we dive into: What exactly is a SPLURGE? The answer might sur...
Dec 10, 2024•25 min
Have you ever tried to tackle an exercise only to realize your wrists aren’t up for the task? If so, you’re in good company. Listener Mary has this same struggle: “I tend to struggle with any exercise that requires me to put weight on my wrists. Any suggestions? Is it ok to turns my hands a bit or make a fist to support myself on my knuckles?” Wrist strength and mobility is a super common issue - and I’m going to help you address it! In this quick episode, I’ll walk you through some simple exerc...
Dec 06, 2024•9 min
Have you ever had the feeling that your body responds differently to certain foods as you’re getting older? Maybe that cookie or glass of wine you never thought twice about now makes you feel terrible. Well, you’re not imagining it. Your nutritional needs really do shift as you go through perimenopause and menopause. And to give us some insight into what’s going on, I have Dr. Federica Amati, one of the leading researchers in this space, joining us on the podcast this week. Dr. Amati works as He...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min
You know should fill up a large portion of your meals with produce, but sometimes you just can’t handle another salad, carrot stick or side of steamed broccoli! Melissa found herself in the same situation: “I know I need to be eating a lot of produce, but I’m in a rut of steamed broccoli and roasted Brussels sprouts! Cooked vegetables are just not a favorite of mine. Tasty recipes welcome!” If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place! In this quick episode, I’ll help you think out of the ...
Nov 29, 2024•5 min
See if this sounds familiar: you’re making some positive changes, getting into a good rhythm with your workouts, and starting to see results. When suddenly you hit an obstacle everything comes to a screeching halt. If you haven’t had this experience yet, I promise that eventually you will. What do you do? In this episode, we’re going to deep dive into the THREE biggest obstacles you might face in your fitness journey, and I’ll give you both encouragement and real, actionable steps to help you ov...
Nov 27, 2024•27 min
Last week we had Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as The Vagina Whisperer, on the podcast talking about prolapse and pelvic floor health in midlife. This week she’s back to answer your burning questions! Mara asks: “I am having a vaginal prolapse and hysterectomy surgery. What exercises can I do before surgery to help recover quicker? Exercises after?” Tune in as Dr. Reardon provides advice on the best way to prepare for pelvic surgery or a hysterectomy to help you have the best outcome and recovery...
Nov 22, 2024•4 min
Muscle soreness, tendinitis, arthritis, and even nerve pain - if you’ve got pain somewhere in your body, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, the questions I get asked the most have to do with pain: In this episode we’re going to cover the 4 most common types of pain you’re likely to experience in your strength and conditioning journey, how to address each one and how to avoid future pain. And while a single podcast will never take the place of a trained medical professional, I hope it might sh...
Nov 19, 2024•28 min
One of the often-repeated nutrition tips I give women all the time is: “If it’s a mealtime, eat. If it’s not a mealtime, don’t eat.” But what if, because of time, habit or lack of hunger, you’re just not a breakfast person? Listener Tessa had this same question: “I struggle to eat in the mornings some days. I’m just not hungry until late morning and I feel sick if I force myself to eat. I’ve heard you say not to skip meals, but what should I do in this situation?” In this quick episode, we’ll di...
Nov 15, 2024•9 min
As if midlife didn’t bring enough changes to worry about, you suddenly get hit with pelvic floor problems. What in the world? Prolapse, UTI’s, bladder leakage…these issues can come out of nowhere in midlife and be really debilitating. To help us navigate pelvic floor health we’ve got Dr. Sara Reardon, also known as the Vagina Whisperer , back on the podcast this week. Dr. Reardon is sharing some really helpful tips on how to keep your pelvic floor strong and functioning well through perimenopaus...
Nov 12, 2024•32 min
What’s the true indication of an effective workout? Is it sweat? Breathlessness? Soreness? How can you know if you’re truly doing enough? Listener Tessa wondered this same thing: “If I don’t feel sore after a workout, was it still effective? Should I have worked out harder?” In this quick episode, we’ll talk about muscle soreness - why it happens and what it actually going on in your muscles. And we’ll discuss different kinds of workouts that might not tax your muscles the same way, but are just...
Nov 08, 2024•7 min
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is not a small problem. In fact, according to the CDC, approximately 48% - and 55% of adults ages 40-59 years old - have high blood pressure. And unchecked, it can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. In addition to medication, there are lifestyle changes that can positively impact your blood pressure, including eating healthier, reducing stress, focusing on quality sleep and prioritizing regular physical activity. But can specific e...
Nov 05, 2024•25 min
If you’re starting to stock a home gym, it can be easy to get confused about which equipment you need and which you don’t. Take weights for instance. With all the options available, how do you know where to start? Listener Christina asks: “Kettlebells or dumbbells? Do you have a recommendation on what would be best to purchase?” In this quick episode, I break down the differences in the two options, why I might use one over the other, and my recommendations for which ones are the best to start w...
Nov 01, 2024•7 min
A lot of the changes that happen during midlife and menopause are widely discussed online and on social media - weight struggles, bone density issues, nutritional needs, hot flashes, belly fat, and hormonal shifts to name a few. But what about the challenges nobody talks about? Many women in midlife begin dealing with a bunch of “somewhat embarrassing” issues that can make them feel like their body is just not working properly anymore. Urinary tract infections, prolapse, low libido and other cha...
Oct 29, 2024•31 min
Battling belly fat is one of the biggest challenges for women in midlife facing menopause. But what things should you be eating or avoiding to tackle stubborn belly fat? Emily has this very question: “Do high fat foods cause excess belly fat? And if not, which foods should I be paying the most attention to when it comes to getting rid of my belly fat?” In this shortie episode, I throw the question to Philip Pape, who we had on the podcast a couple of weeks ago. Philip weighs in on the correlatio...
Oct 25, 2024•3 min
Almost everyone wants a smaller waistline or a way to reduce belly fat. But the problem is, a lot of the information out there online or on social media is flat-out WRONG. And even worse, it could be actively working against you causing injuries and real discouragement about your midsection. If you want to address your belly fat, but are feeling frustrated by what you see online, then this is the episode for you. We’re going to debunk THREE of the biggest MYTHS about core training. And then I’m ...
Oct 22, 2024•25 min
Vibration plates are one of the newest trends to hit the market. But are they worth the investment? Several listeners submitted questions about vibration plates, including this one from Tanya: “Hi, Megan. I was wondering if you had any information on the vibration plates. I recently purchased one and I've used it a few times and I've heard they're really good for wellness and to add to your routine. So I'm curious what your thoughts are on them. The pros, the cons and everything. Thank you.” If ...
Oct 18, 2024•8 min
For years menopause has been shrouded in mystery and hushed conversations, mostly centered around hot flashes and unwanted weight gain. But thankfully the tides have turned and menopause is now getting the attention it has always deserved, largely thanks to Dr. Mary Claire Haver. Dr. Haver is a board-certified OB-GYN who is passionate about demystifying menopause healthcare. With over 4 million followers on social media, and a #1 New York Times Bestseller, The New Menopause, she’s helping millio...
Oct 15, 2024•33 min
Midlife can feel like a roller coaster. One day everything is going swimmingly - you feel good, loose and pain-free. And then you wake up the next day and BAM! Joint pain you’ve never had before. What is going on?! Listener Angela experienced the same thing: “I recently turned 48 and I feel like my joints are suddenly hurting all the time. I don’t feel like I’m doing anything different, and I refuse to believe that this is just part of getting older and there’s nothing I can do about it. So can ...
Oct 11, 2024•8 min
Frozen Shoulder - ever heard of it? It happens when the strong connective tissues that surround your shoulder joint become thick, stiff and inflamed, resulting in pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. And while anyone can develop frozen shoulder, it’s significantly more common in women, particularly during midlife and menopause. Whether you’re already struggling with the effects of frozen shoulder, or are hoping to avoid it all together, consider this episode your Healthy Shoulder Action...
Oct 08, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 146
Lots of things in our lives - both small and large - can affect how our bodies move and feel. For example, everything from something as seemingly simple as poor posture to something as dramatic as a major surgery can create ongoing pain and tightness in your shoulders and chest. What’s the best way to find relief? Listener Jill went through a life-altering surgery, and months later is still feeling the effects of it: Nine months ago, I had to have a double mastectomy, and because of the surgery ...
Oct 04, 2024•7 min
Let’s say you’d really like to experience some fat loss, because right now you just feel stuck. Maybe you’ve got some healthy habits in place - you’re exercising more, you’re eating better - but you’re just not experiencing the fat loss the way you want. What should you do? Philip Pape - the “physique engineer” - is joining us on the show this week to tackle this very question! He’s helped countless individuals in their 40s, 50s and beyond transform their bodies by building muscle, losing fat, b...
Oct 01, 2024•29 min•Season 6Ep. 144
Stretching is such an important - and often overlooked - part of a healthy fitness routine. It can prevent injury, improve flexibility and mobility and promote active recovery. But what kind of stretching is best? And when should you do it? Listener Laurie asks: “Hi, Megan. I'm curious to learn, when is it most appropriate to use static stretching versus dynamic stretching? Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with your podcast. I really appreciate it.” In this quick episode, we’ll talk ...
Sep 27, 2024•7 min•Season 6Ep. 143
If you’re in midlife, you’ve probably heard that strength training is really important for your overall health. But figuring out what to do and how to get started can feel so daunting! Listener Sherry had this same problem. And her question was so good, I thought it deserved a full-length episode: “Hi, this is Sherry. I'm wondering where to start on a strength training program. I am 53 years old and I'm in fairly good shape, but not sure where to find a strength training program that I can find ...
Sep 24, 2024•32 min•Season 6Ep. 142
Have you ever wondered about omega-3’s? What are they? What do they do? Where do they come from? Are they important and am I getting enough? Listener Jennifer had the same questions: “How do I know if I am getting enough omega-3 fatty acid in my diet? Is it harmful to get too much? I have GERD and I'm afraid of exacerbating that problem. Can you also recommend a good omega-3 supplement?” In this quick episode, I’ll give you an overview of omega-3’s - what they are and their AMAZING health benefi...
Sep 20, 2024•9 min•Season 6Ep. 141
We’ve all read about the importance of a good evening wind down routine. You know the drill - maintain a consistent bedtime, turn off your screen, dim your lights, avoid caffeine, etc. But how many nights do we find ourselves tossing and turning long after the lights have gone off? Or waking in the middle of the night unable to drift back to sleep? What you may be missing is a quick bedtime routine that you can do, maybe even on your bed at night, that will help ease your joints and your muscles...
Sep 17, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 140
There are plenty of health concerns out there that start creeping up in midlife. But what about the ones that sneak up on us without us even realizing it? Listener Cami asks: “I just had my first Dexa Scan and it showed Osteopenia and one spot of Osteoporosis on my left femoral neck! What exercises are appropriate for this diagnosis?” In this shortie episode, we’ll talk Osteopenia and Osteoporosis, often called “the silent disease” because you can’t feel it happening. I’ll tell you the exercises...
Sep 13, 2024•9 min•Season 6Ep. 139
If you are a woman, bone health and osteoporosis should be on your radar! Just like muscle mass, bone mass is something you can lose dramatically as you age, severely impacting your quality of life for many years to come. The good news is that Osteoporosis, and its precursor Osteopenia, is NOT inevitable - and you’re NOT doomed if you’ve already been told that you have low bone density. There are some simple steps you can take now to build strong, dense bones for life. In this episode, you’ll le...
Sep 10, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 138
Lots of things in life can be a “pain in the butt” - but what do you do when you have LITERAL pain in your butt? Long-time listener Kim asks: “What are some good stretches for piriformis pain? I have had a constant ‘pain in the butt’ for years.” If you too wrestle with piriformis pain - or “pain in the butt” - then this quick episode is for you. I’ll teach you where the piriformis muscle is located - a small muscle with a BIG impact - and we’ll discuss HOW it gets aggravated, and what to do when...
Sep 06, 2024•8 min•Season 6Ep. 137
As a coach and trainer, it’s easy to get so focused on building muscle, tackling body fat and teaching healthy habits that I lose sight of the bigger picture. Until something comes along and puts it all into perspective. Recently I received a text from a client that acted as that wake-up call. It reminded me that, yes, improving our fitness and nutrition is important, but creating lasting habits has a far greater impact than we realize. This week I’ll tell you a story about Jim, a doctor in his ...
Sep 03, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 136
