Lowering the Barrier

When a woman becomes a mom her center of gravity shifts. Her needs, her goals, the things she used to dream about - they can get shelved for "later." And later has a way of turning into years. This week, fellow coach Dana Oleksuk joins me to talk about how moms find their way back to themselves - and why strength training is so often the door back in. Dana's own story runs through it: a broadcast...

If you've been wondering whether a GLP-1 might be right for you - but the fear and stigma around them have made you hesitate - this one's for you. It's a judgment-free conversation with Dr. Christle Guevarra, who comes at these medications from three angles at once: the doctor who prescribes them, the lifelong athlete who trains hard, and the patient who spent decades struggling before...

This week I'm joined by Dr. Farah Khan - a double board-certified allergist-immunologist and pediatrician at Nationwide Children's Hospital, and one of the clearest, most no-nonsense voices in allergy education online. Her whole philosophy is "data over drama.” We get into the basics (what's actually happening in your body during a reaction, and how an allergy is different from an...

"I'm just an all-or-nothing person." We hear it all the time - but that's just a story you're telling yourself, it's not a fact. In this episode, Matti and I get into why the all-or-nothing mindset feels logical, why it is the reason people start *AND* quit, and the strategies we recommend to find the middle. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro & updates02:38 What the all-or-noth...

If you've ever bought a probiotic off a shelf, considered a gut cleanse, or wondered whether your microbiome is the reason you're not feeling your best - this episode is for you. Alex sits down with Dr. Leila Shinn, a senior scientist and microbiome researcher, to cut through one of the most overcrowded and overhyped spaces in the wellness industry: gut health. From the brand new scientifi...

Ever wondered how accurate body fat tests actually are? DEXA, smart scales, calipers - do they really tell you anything useful? What we’ll talk about: Which body composition tests are worth your money (and which aren’t) Why the number matters less than people think Better ways to track real progress over time

In this episode, we break down the small set of habits responsible for nearly all long-term health outcomes (within your control) - and why most people waste time obsessing over the wrong details. You’ll learn the fundamentals without getting sucked into biohacking culture, fear-based marketing, or extreme diets. If you want a calmer, clearer philosophy for lifelong health, start here. Timestamps:...

In this episode, we dive into the significant health disparities between the U.S. and Europe - covering topics like universal healthcare, food deserts, public transportation and more. We bridge those slightly controversial topics to health-related outcomes like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Health is political - and policy can heavily influence health. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 7:00 City lay...

MATTI IS BACK and today, we are back behind the mic to break down the cold hard truth about ice baths. Do they really speed recovery? Help with fat loss? Boost mental toughness? Together we dig into the science, call out flawed studies, and share when (and if) cold water immersion actually makes sense. Expect myth-busting, practical takeaways, and plenty of laughs as we cut through the hype so you...

This episode is a real coaching conversation turned playbook. Riley works a demanding desk job and is heading into a brutal fall schedule, so we built a minimalist plan that still moves the needle. You’ll hear coaching clips and my commentary connecting the science to simple actions you can use. This style of episode is a trial run - I will likely do more of these but TBD on the frequency. Depends...

Morgan Sowers is a registered dietitian and nutrition scientist at PepsiCo. In this episode, she shares how to think about processed food, nutrition education, and how to have better conversations about food in and out of the gym. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 7:45 Understanding the role of nutrition scientists 10:00 Public misunderstanding of processed foods 15:30 Addressing myths in nutrition 24:50 Bu...

Most people don’t fail at fitness because they’re lazy - they fail because they think a bad week means it’s over. We’ll talk about: Why you can’t actually “lose” at fitness unless you quit The 6-part framework to stay consistent when life gets chaotic Real-life examples and how each one adapts to keep going in their own way Whether your summer schedule is packed or you’re just tired of starting ov...

In this episode, Dr. Lauren Colenso Semple and I discuss the complexities of women's health, particularly focusing on cycle syncing and menopause. We also discuss the balance between educating and oversimplifying fitness concepts, her journey from business to fitness, the importance of intellectual curiosity in pursuing advanced degrees, and her dream research on the long-term effects of fitne...

In this episode, I answer your questions! Why are the last 10 lbs so hard? What’s up with 75 hard? Exercise questions and more. If you’d like to submit a question, add it to my anonymous Q&A on Instagram on Tuesdays. 0:00 Intro 17:15 Why is it harder to lose the last 10 lbs? 29:00 Thoughts on 75 Hard? 43:25 How to make better choices when eating fast food? 47:50 Do I need to take a rest day be...

Brand strategist, creative genius, and generally cool person, Tatum Brandt joins us to talk about what today’s top fitness and wellness brands are doing right - and what most coaches are missing. We dive into emerging trends, building brand loyalty, and how to stand out without selling out. If you’re trying to build a business that actually lasts, this one’s for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:15 H...

In this episode, we do a Q&A with questions submitted from Instagram followers. If you’d like to submit a question, I open the anonymous question box every Tuesday on my Instagram story. Alternatively, you can DM or email me your question and I’ll get to it on our next Q&A episode. 0:00 Intro 13:05 How important is sleep? When is sleep more important than a workout? 22:00 How much muscle s...

Struggling to stay consistent with fitness? Unsure how to balance training, nutrition, and real life? Matteo Marra breaks it all down - why less training might get you more results, the easiest way to estimate calories (without obsessing), and how to stop "starting over" every Monday. If you want a simpler way to build muscle, lose fat, and enjoy the process, don’t miss this one!

In this must-listen conversation, Amanda Thebe—fitness and women’s health expert, best-selling author of Menopocalypse , and Canada’s first menopause workplace educator—breaks down what every woman should know about menopause. Featured in Oprah, Shape, and CBC Radio, Amanda shares the biological changes, the importance of symptom tracking, and how to take charge of your health. We also discuss pra...

In this episode of Lowering the Barrier, I talk with Melissa Nguyen, a registered dietitian and founder of Strength and Intent, about the complexities of nutrition and mental health in the fitness world. We also cover weight cutting in sport, nutritional strategies in powerlifting, and more! 0:00 Intro 3:30 Eating Disorders vs Disordered Eating 14:00 Body Image Pressure in Powerlifting 29:15 Nutri...

In this episode, we do a Q&A with questions submitted from Instagram followers. If you’d like to submit a question, I open the anonymous question box every Tuesday on my Instagram story. Alternatively, you can DM or email me your question and I’ll get to it on our next Q&A episode. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 8:30 Is Pilates good for muscle growth? 17:15 What to do about loose skin after weight...

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with – it’s built. In this episode, Chloé Bromage joins me to talk about how she overcame self-doubt, embraced discomfort, and built a thriving business by showing up unapologetically. We dive into beating the all-or-nothing mindset, overcoming imposter syndrome, and why taking action (even when it feels cringe) is the key to success in fitness, business, and...

In this episode, Mike Doehla shares his journey from building and selling Stronger U to navigating life as a father and exploring new interests like pickleball. He discusses the illusion of work-life balance, the challenges of parenting, and how his perspective on business and coaching has evolved. We talk about the complexities of weight management, the importance of identity in health transforma...

Alex Sterner has coached some of the world’s greatest Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes - even leading the strength and conditioning camp that resulted in a team gi world championship in 2017 and 2018. He’s also a black belt himself - which puts him in the top 1 percent of his craft. In this episode, we talk about movement optimism, back pain myths, and “risk vs. reward.” We also cover pain management,...

In this episode, we cover some of the most common mistakes made when people try to lose body fat. Whether you’re just looking to get healthier or looking to lose some extra pounds, these tips will help you out. Enjoy! Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:10 What entertainment are we consuming? 9:25 Topic overview 13:30 Rate of weight loss - what does the research say? 20:40 High volume foods 25:20 Protein 37:5...

In this episode we talk about simultaneous fat loss and muscle growth, sometimes referred to as “body recomp.” I also go on a lengthy tangent about body fat percentages and BIA scales. Enjoy! 0:00 Intro 7:30 Brief overview 13:50 What’s needed for fat loss 15:00 Research on the topic 17:20 Who can see the fastest results with this 18:45 What if you’re lean and trained 21:00 Psychological considerat...