Training Age

In the final episode of Season Two, co-hosts Heather Adams ( @heatheradams.fitness ) and Valerie Lusvardi ( @valerielusvardi ) reflect on the often unexpected and humorous realities of perimenopause. From surprise hair changes to rethinking deodorant strength, they share personal stories that highlight the evolving nature of aging—and the freedom in embracing it. They also discuss shifting beauty...

In this episode of Training Age , co-hosts Heather Adams ( @heatheradams.fitness ) and Valerie Lusvardi ( @valerielusvardi ) reflect on the intersections of parenting, personal growth, and strength training. They share recent experiences that highlight the importance of advocating for family needs, supporting one another through life’s responsibilities, and modeling healthy boundaries. It’s a cand...

In this episode of Training Age , co-hosts Heather Adams ( @heatheradams.fitness ) and Valerie Lusvardi ( @valerielusvardi ) open up about their own journeys through perimenopause, using humor, honesty, and personal stories to break the silence surrounding menopause. From early memories shaped by cultural taboos to their current experiences with hormone shifts and changing bodies, Heather and Vale...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams ( @heatheradams.fitness ) and Valerie Lusvardi ( @valerielusvardi ) sit down with returning guest Teresa McDonald ( @mrs.t_mac ) to explore the multifaceted world of physique competitions—from show day glam to the mental and physical shifts that come with the post-show phase. Teresa shares her firsthand experience competing across multiple divi...

In this episode, Heather @heatheradams.fitness and Val @valerielusvardi explore the role of FitTech in our health journeys—where it helps, where it hinders, and how to find a sustainable middle ground. They break down how tools like the Oura Ring and tracking apps can support awareness around patterns like weight fluctuations, menstrual cycles, and sleep, offering helpful insights for long-term we...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi sit down with Brad Jensen ( @thesoberbodybuilder ) for an insightful and candid conversation about his journey through addiction, fitness, and personal growth. Kicking things off with lighthearted banter about skiing in Utah and everyday adulting moments, the conversation quickly shifts to Brad’s milestone of turning 40—com...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi welcome Anna and Jill for an insightful conversation on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and navigating the mindset shifts that come with it. Heather shares her recent experience with minimalism and a colonoscopy, highlighting the importance of preventative healthcare, while Val gives an update on life as a busy sports mom a...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi welcome Celeste Rains-Turk ( @celestial_fit ), a leading expert in mindset and body image within the fitness industry. Celeste shares her unique journey, from entering the bodybuilding world in 2015—where she uncovered underlying disordered eating patterns—to shifting her academic focus from dietetics to psychology. Her pas...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi are joined by Marisa Michael, RD ( @realnutritiondietitian ), a registered dietitian with over 20 years of experience in nutrition. Marisa, the author of Nutrition for Climbers: Fuel for the Send and founder of Real Nutrition LLC and Nutrition for Climbers , shares her expertise on the transformative practice of intuitive e...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi explore how to set and maintain New Year’s resolutions that lead to lasting change. Kicking off with gratitude, they thank listeners for their thoughtful Apple podcast reviews and reflect on the podcast’s bi-monthly schedule and commitment to delivering valuable content. Transitioning to the timely topic of resolutions, Hea...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi share insights and personal experiences to help listeners feel confident navigating the gym, whether they’re beginners or seasoned fitness enthusiasts looking to refresh their knowledge. Reflecting on their own early gym adventures, they offer practical advice for stepping out of the cardio zone and into the world of streng...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi explore practical strategies for navigating the holiday season with confidence and balance. They tackle common anxieties around holiday weight gain, emphasizing the importance of setting clear intentions and maintaining consistency to stay in control of your choices. By creating actionable plans and focusing on empowerment,...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi explore the concept of “sandbagging” in fitness—underestimating one’s own strength and limiting potential. Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, the conversation highlights how self-imposed barriers can hold you back and how recognizing your own capacity can unlock true growth in both fitness and life. By focus...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi welcome Teresa McDonald ( @mrs.t_mac ), a dedicated planning consultant and fitness competitor from California’s Central Valley. Teresa shares her inspiring journey, balancing a demanding career with her passion for fitness, all while managing family life with her supportive firefighter husband and energetic daughter. Her s...

In this episode of Training Age , hosts Heather Adams and Val Lusvardi explore the complex relationship between fat loss and self-worth, asking the key question: “When is enough enough?” Through the lens of three fictional personas, they examine diverse approaches to health and fitness, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and a balanced mindset. The episode underscores that progre...

Join hosts Heather Adams and Val Lusvardi on Training Age as they explore tailored fat loss strategies for every stage of your fitness journey. In this episode, they discuss the importance of establishing a solid baseline, including maintaining healthy habits and understanding personal metrics like calorie intake and activity levels. Whether you’re aiming for a quick, intensive phase or a gradual...

Season Two kicks off with a three-part series on fat loss, starting with managing expectations. This episode addresses common misconceptions fueled by social media and the allure of instant results, which often highlight unrealistic standards. We discuss how our culture of instant gratification clashes with the realities of sustainable fat loss, and explore the misconception around calorie deficit...

Sometimes you realize it's time to take your own advice. Last night, amidst a flurry of 'tired mom' texts, Valerie and I came to a realization that it's time for summer break! We’re wrapping up the season finale of Training Age, our beloved passion project, by discussing the whirlwind of family, work, and personal commitments that have left us yearning for a pause to recharge.

Join us as we welcome Iris ( @irisdeadlifts ), a seasoned nutrition, strength, and hypertrophy coach with Beth Feraco Fitness. She's also the co-host of the podcast "Here's the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, & Mindset for People Who Don't Want Life to Suck." Iris's story begins with a family member's hospital stay during her high school years, sparking a long fora...

Join us as we welcome Austin Current to discuss his fascinating journey in the fitness industry—from his beginnings as an IFBB pro bodybuilder to becoming a respected fitness trainer and author. We explore his acclaimed book, "Science of Strength Training," which serves as a visual encyclopedia for gym enthusiasts and is even used as a resource in major universities. Austin also opens up...

Listen in as we tackle the art of maintenance. We'll discuss how maintaining is about embracing balance, understanding the various phases of dieting, and staying dedicated to your health goals through every slice of life. Explore with us the evolving language of healthy living and the psychological impact of labeling our eating habits. As we dissect terms like 'fat loss phase' and &...

Unlock the secrets to crafting powerhouse glutes with our no-nonsense discussion, as we ditch the fitness fluff and guide you straight to what works. We're cutting through the clutter of 'clickbait' workouts and exercises to review the tried-and-true strategies for sculpting your glutes. We emphasize the importance of technique and targeted exercises that go beyond the superficial t...

Welcome back to Training Age, where hosts Heather and Val unravel the intricacies of fitness at every stage of your journey. This conversation steers into the ever-relevant topic of stress management and its impact on trainability. Listen in as we introduce the 'stress bucket' analogy to help you gauge when to lean into challenges and when to ease off the gas. Drawing from personal trial...

Join us as we welcome the incredibly insightful Chris Barakat, a pro bodybuilder, coach, and academic, who shares his professional journey and insights in the world of fitness. For anyone seeking to understand the commitment required for significant changes in muscle tone and physique, Chris's experience in coaching and academic research sheds light on the science behind muscle development an...

Join us on Training Age for an engaging and heartfelt exploration into the intricacies of long-term fitness and health journeys. Listen in as our clients, Kari Bristow and Sara Wutzke, open up about their personal experiences with setting and striving for goals that span years, not just months. Both mothers of four, Kari shares her evolution from fitness competition to finding a sustainable lifest...