Bad Ass Besties

Bestie Approved: The Bronzy Summer Makeup Edit Grab your besties and your bronzer — this one's all about that sun-kissed summer glow. We're breaking down our go-to bronzing tips, the products actually worth your money, and how to get that lit-from-within warmth without looking like you fell asleep in a tanning bed. From the perfect cream-vs-powder debate to where you should really be placing your...

The Other Side of the Finish Line What really happens behind the scenes of a 100-mile race? Join Race Director Michele Hartwig and her best friend Irene Kok as they pull back the curtain on the chaos, challenges, and unforgettable moments that make the Kettle Moraine 100 possible. From floodlit 3 a.m. aid stations and last-minute course changes to volunteer stories, runner triumphs, race-day disas...

Have you heard people talking about rucking and wondered what all the fuss is about? In this episode of Bad Ass Besties , Michele and Irene dive into the growing trend of rucking: walking with a weighted backpack. We talk about what rucking is, why so many people are adding it to their fitness routine, and how it can help build strength, endurance, and confidence without requiring you to run a sin...

Have you ever set a big goal, felt excited for a few weeks, and then watched it quietly disappear? You're not alone. In this episode of Bad Ass Besties , Michele Hartwig and Irene Kok dive into what makes goals sustainable and why consistency almost always beats intensity. We talk about the common mistakes people make when setting goals, how to create habits that fit into real life, and why giving...

Ever wondered what it really takes to start a business? In this episode of Bad Ass Besties , Michele and Irene answer 10 of the most common questions people ask about becoming a business owner. From taking the leap and finding your first customers to handling self-doubt, mistakes, finances, and everything in between, we're sharing our honest experiences from building our own businesses. As the fou...

In Episode 3 of Bad Ass Besties, FDN Practitioner Irene Kok gives us a practical and easy-to-understand lesson on menopause. We talk about what is actually happening in our bodies during perimenopause and menopause, why so many women experience symptoms that seem to come out of nowhere, and what we can do to feel more like ourselves again. From hot flashes and brain fog to weight gain, sleep strug...

Two best friends, trail runners, and fitness business owners dive into the world of perfume while learning about Commodity fragrances, signature scents, and how fragrance connects to confidence, memories, and emotion. We go down memory lane talking about the "going out" perfumes we wore 25 years ago and how our tastes have evolved into sporty, everyday scents that fit our active lifestyles today....

Bad Ass Besties is a podcast hosted by best friends and fitness business owners Michele Hartwig and Irene Kok. Both women are passionate about helping others become stronger, healthier, and more confident in their everyday lives. Michele is the founder of Ornery Mule Racing, a trail and ultrarunning company that hosts races throughout Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Irene Kok is an FDN Practiti...