Spandex & Wine

Web site: CLICK HERE Instagram: @mercedes.ludwig Facebook: Mercedes Ludwig When one door closes, another one opens—with a perfectly chilled glass of clean crafted wine waiting for you. Mercedes Ludwig's story of resilience and reinvention in the wine industry demonstrates exactly what the Spandex and Wine podcast is all about: finding balance between healthy living and life's pleasures....

Ready for a fresh approach to wellness that doesn't demand perfection? Season 3 of Spandex and Wine launches with a powerful new addition to your self-care toolkit: weekly affirmations designed to transform how you speak to yourself. After returning from co-hosting a women's retreat in Charlottesville (complete with airport adventures and unexpected Nashville bar-hopping), I'm excit...

Ever wondered what truly makes a difference in how you feel each day? During this season finale episode, I share a sneak peek of my Happiness Blueprint Workshop, revealing the four essential pillars that create a foundation for both health and happiness in our lives. The blueprint starts with morning rituals—those crucial first moments that set the tone for everything that follows. I explain how h...

Ever feel like wellness advice forces you to choose between health and happiness? The Spandex and Wine podcast bridges that gap, and we're kicking things up a notch with Season 3! After nearly two years of conversations about balanced living, host Robin Hackney reveals exciting format changes while maintaining the podcast's core mission. Tuesday episodes will transform into a powerful co...

Ready your wine glass and workout gear as we close the chapter on Season Two of Spandex and Wine! This special finale episode offers a heartfelt look at how this podcast journey has evolved from a simple curiosity into a thriving community focused on balanced wellness. Robin shares a personal revelation about the connection between learning and happiness, recounting how a visit to her "voodoo...

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't lack of knowledge, resources, or talent—but simply waiting to feel ready? Drawing inspiration from a sheep farmer tackling parasites head-on, this episode dives into why "start before you're ready" might just be the most powerful advice for your wellness journey. We've all fallen victim to the myth of readiness—that someday...

"Does anyone remember when I did the super Nana flying act off the deck?" Robin begins this episode recalling her graceful tumble that tore tendons across her foot—an injury she believes happened partly because she'd let her mobility and flexibility routine slide. Enter Jeff Baker from The Vital Stretch in Leawood KS , a specialist in assisted stretching who's on a mission to h...

Ever noticed how holidays like the 4th of July can completely throw off your wellness routine? That post-celebration sluggishness isn't a reason for guilt—it's actually the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.  This episode explores how to flip the script on disruption, transforming those off-track moments into powerful reset buttons for your health journey. Instead of dwelling on late...

Your gut health affects nearly every aspect of your wellness journey—from sleep quality and energy levels to immune function and even mood. But what if we approached gut health like tending a garden? In this enlightening conversation, I share a fresh perspective on supporting your digestive system through the TriPlex system—a powerhouse trio that weeds, seeds, and feeds your gut microbiome for opt...

Ever wonder what happens when a lawyer and a music producer join forces to shake up the wine industry? Latoya Jordan and Brianna Shelko, the visionaries behind Marble Wines , are rewriting the rules of wine with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to women's empowerment. When Latoya found herself helping a reality TV star create a wine brand (despite him not even being a wine drinker), sh...

Ever notice how some days you just feel...off? Despite your best efforts with diet and exercise, something still feels wrong. The culprit might be hiding in plain sight—your laundry detergent, cookware, or even those lovely scented candles creating the perfect ambiance. Welcome to a game-changing episode where we unpack ten simple swaps that can dramatically improve your health without dramatic li...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll start my workout routine when things calm down" or "I'll eat healthier after vacation"? This episode tackles the hidden mindset trap that might be sabotaging your wellness journey. What if the key to lasting habits isn't about finding more time or waiting for perfect conditions, but about fundamentally shifting how you...

Helena Nicklin takes us through a journey of reinvention and rediscovery as she shares her path from prominent wine writer to founder of a community exploring "the art of living." As a fixture in the UK wine industry for over two decades, her story reveals both the glamour and challenges of a career where alcohol constantly arrives at your doorstep. With refreshing candor, Helena describ...

Ever wonder if what doctors call "permanent" damage could actually be reversed? Meet Vlad Rangotchev, whose journey from stroke victim to vibrant health defies medical explanation and challenges everything we think we know about nutrition. When Vlad suffered a stroke while teaching yoga in 2012, doctors discovered not only brain damage but also a pituitary tumor and multiple autoimmune c...

Love, laughter, and lasting commitment take center stage in this heartwarming anniversary episode. For the first time in the podcast's history, host Robin Hackney convinces her husband Dave to join her behind the microphone to celebrate 36 years of marriage through stories that reveal the authentic journey of their relationship. The couple takes listeners back to 1986, when they first met in...

Join the VIP Lounge: CLICK HERE Ever peeked behind the curtain of your favorite podcast? The magic you hear through your earbuds often masks a chaotic reality of technical mishaps, awkward setups, and moments that test a host's composure to its limits. Robin Hackney pulls back the curtain in this special episode featuring highlights from the first-ever Spandex and Wine VIP Lounge call. For th...

Subscribe to my newsletter:  Newsletter Sign Up Have you ever had an injury force you to completely rethink your relationship with your body? Or felt that familiar knot of anxiety as swimsuit season approaches? You're not alone. After my "Super Nana moment" left me with torn ligaments across the top of my foot, I found myself at a crossroads. As someone who's spent 23 years in...

Dive into the fascinating world of true body awareness with Feldenkrais practitioner Peggi Honig as she reveals how reconnecting with your body's intelligence can transform your entire approach to wellness and movement. Peggi brings decades of experience in holistic healing approaches, sharing how the Feldenkrais Method differs fundamentally from familiar practices like yoga or Pilates. &quot...

Join my monthly Zoom Call on Gut Health: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ATg43EDXh/ Dive deep into the fascinating world of gut health with dietician Elizabeth Arensberg from Grateful Gut Nutrition. This enlightening conversation reveals how your gut microbiome affects virtually every aspect of your wellbeing—from energy and digestion to mental health and immunity. Elizabeth breaks down the crit...

Ever find yourself hyper-focused on one aspect of health while missing the big picture? In this eye-opening episode, I share a conversation with a client who couldn't understand why she wasn't losing weight despite meticulously counting calories. The solution wasn't about eating less—it was about eating smarter with adequate protein and fiber. I reveal my own nutrition blind spot fr...

Ever wondered why you can't break free from the cycle of restricting food then binging, despite your best intentions? In this eye-opening conversation, therapist and fitness professional Christina Hathaway reveals the hidden psychology behind our relationship with food and our bodies. "What you say in your mind, you see in the mirror," Christina explains, unveiling how our internal...

Ever been told to "just stay positive" when you're genuinely struggling? That well-intentioned advice might actually be what experts call toxic positivity – a phenomenon where we dismiss real emotions in favor of forced cheerfulness. After my fourth canceled hot air balloon adventure (yes, fourth!), I found myself reflecting on how we can balance optimism with authenticity. Real wel...

Feeling tired, foggy, and unlike yourself? You're not alone—and it's not just "getting older." Meet CarolAnn Tatera, CEO of SotoPelle and widow of Dr. Gino Tatera, the physician who revolutionized bioidentical hormone replacement therapy. Her personal transformation began at age 42 when debilitating night sweats, memory problems, and stubborn weight gain led her to discover her...

Click to subscribe to newsletter Merchandise order form Text VIP to 913-392-2877 for membership Feeling paralyzed by conflicting fitness advice and diet trends? You're not alone. This episode cuts through the noise with a refreshingly simple approach to wellness that will have you taking action today. The fitness industry thrives on complexity, but I'm here to bring it back to basics. St...

Have you ever felt like life pulled the rug right out from under you, only to discover something even more beautiful waiting beneath it? That's exactly what we're exploring today as I share my recent journey through unexpected change in my fitness career. When I finally stopped trying to control every step and fully trusted the process, doors began flying open that I never would have see...