Not Just Gym Girls

In this episode, we’re sharing our favorite things from the the year,  everything from skincare and wellness, to fitness favorites and everyday essentials. These are not sponsored picks, just the products we personally use and find valuable. If you're looking for genuine recommendations or curious about what truly worked for us, this episode is for you. STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www....

Today we’re diving into what no one talks about when it comes to reverse dieting, such as the mental challenges, fear of weight gain, and why physical changes often take time. Reverse dieting isn’t just about eating more; it’s about healing your metabolism, rebuilding trust with food and your body, and learning how to maintain your results without staying stuck in a deficit. We’ll break down what...

If you’ve ever felt guilty for what you ate, tried to “make up” for a weekend of eating, or labeled yourself as being “bad” around food, this episode is for you. We’re diving into where food guilt comes from, why it’s so common, and how it can quietly shape your relationship with food. We share personal stories of how this guilt often shows up and what it looks like to work through it. We’ll talk...

Routines often get a bad rep for being rigid or boring, but they’re actually one of the best tools for creating freedom and ease in your day. In this episode, we’re breaking down why routines aren’t about being perfect, but instead about building simple systems that help you show up for yourself, even when life feels chaotic. We’re talking about how routines reduce decision fatigue, and build conf...

If you’ve been feeling off, low energy, poor sleep, intense cravings, or stalled gym progress, but you're “doing everything right,” you might actually be under-eating. In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , we’re diving into the common (and often overlooked) signs of under-fueling, why it happens without us even realizing it, and how eating more can actually support your goals. Whether you’r...

In this episode, we’re challenging the idea that health has to revolve around shrinking your body. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the weight-loss cycle or like no number on the scale ever feels “good enough,” this conversation is here to offer a different, more empowering path forward. We talk about why weight isn’t the best measure of progress, and how chasing it can actually pull you further away...

In this episode, Marisa and Vanessa share the things they wish they knew about fat loss before starting their own journeys. They discuss how fat loss isn’t just about eating less and moving more, and how factors like metabolism, hormones, stress, and sleep play a huge role. They also talk about the dangers of the all-or-nothing mindset and the importance of learning to incorporate your favorite fo...

In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , we’re diving into the troubling trend of SkinnyTok, the viral TikTok content that glorifies extreme thinness under the guise of "healthy living." We’ll explore how social media influences the way we see ourselves, and why these trends can be harmful, especially for young girls. We’ll unpack how influencers and coaches subtly promote disordered habi...

In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , we’re diving into the realities of adult friendships. We chat about how friendships evolve during this time and the best ways to build and maintain meaningful connections. We’ll talk about the shift from convenience-based friendships to ones that take effort, how to recognize when a friendship isn’t serving you, and the importance of setting boundaries.  We’...

It’s officially been ONE year of Strive for Strong! In this episode, we’re taking a step back to reflect on the past year—how it all started, what inspired us to launch, and the rollercoaster ride of building this business from the ground up. We’re sharing our biggest wins, the lessons that shaped us, the unexpected challenges we faced, and the moments that made it all worth it. Plus, we’re lookin...

In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , Marisa and Vanessa are sharing their favorite content creators from Instagram and TikTok! From health and fitness to beauty and lifestyle, we’re sharing our favorite content creators who bring positivity to our feeds. We’ll break down why we love them, what makes their content stand out, and how they’ve inspired us in different areas of life. Tune in for som...

In today’s episode, we sit down with Nicole, the founder of Redefined Athlete , to talk about what it really means to be an athlete in today’s world. From her college athletic career to navigating life after sports, Nicole shares how her mindset, discipline, and definition of being an athlete have evolved over time. Nicole opens up about the challenges she faced when transitioning from the structu...

In this episode Marisa and Vanessa chat about helping you break free from restrictive eating, rewire the way you see your body, and build a healthier, more peaceful relationship with food. We dive deep into how diet culture fuels negative body image and food guilt, why restrictive eating often makes body dissatisfaction worse, the power of intuitive eating in fostering self-acceptance, and how hea...

Welcome to this special listener Q&A episode of Not Just Gym Girls ! In this episode, we dive into your questions about all things health, fitness, and business. We’re chatting about our journeys to healing our relationship with exercise, how we began embracing intuitive eating, and how our approaches to health and fitness have evolved over time. Plus, we share insights into our roles within S...

In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , Marisa and Vanessa dive into the complexities of being "the fit friend"—what it means, how it can feel like an identity trap, and why it’s okay to evolve beyond it. If you’ve ever felt pressure to uphold a certain image, struggled with guilt for changing your fitness routine, or worried about what others will think when you prioritize balance, this...

When it comes to dating, the little things can tell you a lot. In this episode, we’re breaking down key green flags—like clear communication, healthy independence, and accountability—that signal a solid, healthy relationship. We’ll also cover red flags to watch out for, including inconsistency, lack of respect for boundaries, and dismissing feelings. Whether you're dating, in a relationship,...

In this episode we are discussing how balancing ambition with the pressure to slow down can feel like an impossible task. We dive into the common misconceptions about slowing down, explore how to redefine balance in a way that actually works for you, and share practical tips for finding your own rhythm. We also discuss the everyday challenges women face while navigating the expectations of modern...

In this episode, Marisa and Vanessa break down why eating enough is essential for achieving your health and fitness goals.  We’ll talk about the consequences of not eating enough, from fatigue to poor workouts to stalled progress, and how to recognize the signs that you're under-fueling. If you're struggling to understand why eating more could help you reach your goals, we’ll explain how...

In this episode, we explore how the world of online coaching is shifting and why functional health is taking over the industry. As clients look for deeper, more meaningful solutions to their health and wellness challenges, functional health is emerging as the future of coaching—offering a holistic approach that empowers real, lasting change. We’ll discuss what this shift means for coaches and how...

Join us as we close out the year with a deep dive into self-reflection, uncovering the lessons we’ve learned and how to carry them forward. We’ll share practical tips for setting intentions and realistic goals, plus our take on the biggest fitness trends of 2024. We hope you enjoy! STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/ MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=Ym...

In this episode of Not Just Gym Girls , Marisa and Vanessa explore the changes our bodies go through over the years. From puberty, to pregnancy, and menopause; these shifts can be tough to navigate, but they don’t have to be a challenge. Marisa and Vanessa share their personal stories and offer tips on how to adjust your fitness and wellness routines to fit your body’s needs at different stages. T...

In this episode, we’ll explore how to navigate the unique challenges of the winter season while finding opportunities to thrive. We’ll dive into understanding seasonal depression and practical strategies for managing it, from staying active and building healthy habits to prioritizing self-care and finding joy in winter’s slower pace. Learn how to use this time for reflection, renewal, and setting...

In this episode, we’re peeling back the layers of society’s expectations to explore what it looks like to redefine success on your own terms. Whether it’s your career, health and fitness, relationships, or personal fulfillment, success is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Join us as we dive into how to identify and let go of outdated definitions of success, the role of mindset in creating balance a...

In this episode, Marisa and Vanessa get personal about the struggles they faced on their fitness journeys, how they overcame them, and how those experiences shaped them into the coaches they are today. From obsessing over macros and calorie counting to dealing with severe restriction, exercise addiction, and even losing their menstrual cycles (amenorrhea), they open up about the toll these challen...

In today’s episode, Marisa and Vanessa break down the telltale signs of overtraining—from unexplained fatigue and hormonal imbalances to chronic soreness and burnout. We’ll dive into what causes these issues and, most importantly, how you can take action to find balance, recover, and keep progressing in a sustainable way. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or an athlete, tune in to learn how to s...