Stronger by Design for Women with Michelle MacDonald

Want to Build Muscle Like a Pro? Start at Your Feet.   Hattie Boydle drops truth bombs about what really builds a strong, sculpted physique—and it’s not what most people think.  Michelle MacDonald sits down with the five-time pro titleholder and elite physique coach to explore why intensity trumps volume, how weak feet might be killing your glute gains, and why a proper movement screen is essentia...

Want to unlock your teen’s true potential? Start by turning down the volume on their inner critic. Michelle MacDonald and Kristi Simons dive deep into how emotional intelligence, energy management, and mindset can transform young lives—and even offer profound lessons for adults.  Kristi breaks down the four types of energy that shape our daily experiences—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual...

What if the struggles you faced as a teen could become the foundation for a life of purpose and transformation?  Michelle MacDonald sits down with Kristi Simons—podcaster, coach, and former teacher—who turned her own journey of self-doubt, numbing behaviors, and personal reinvention into a mission to empower teens.  Kristi shares her raw and honest story, from the rock-bottom moment that forced he...

Menopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood swings—it’s a massive wake-up call about how little women are taught about their own health.  Michelle MacDonald sits down with award-winning TV host and menopause advocate Melissa Grelo to talk about the fitness mindset women need to thrive in midlife.  Melissa opens up about her own struggles with perimenopause, the shocking lack of medical education on...

Procrastination, self-doubt, and overwhelm can feel like an endless loop, but what if the key to breaking free was as simple as noticing? Michelle MacDonald continues her conversation with Michelle Baty to dive even deeper into the neuroscience of real change.  They explore why self-awareness alone isn’t enough and how self-management is the real game-changer. From practical strategies to rewire h...

Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast  What if slowing down is the secret to getting ahead? Michelle sits down with neuroscientist Michelle Baty to explore the powerful paradox of progress: Slower is Faster.  In a world obsessed with speed and efficiency, Michelle Baty breaks down the neuroscience behind why real, lasting change comes not from pushing harder, but...

Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast  Feeling like your New Year's resolutions are slipping away? You’re not alone—but Joan MacDonald is here to inspire you to keep going.  Michelle sits down with her, Joan, to discuss how she's maintained her incredible 70-pound weight loss for nearly a decade—without being perfect.  Joan shares her no-nonsense approa...

Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast  What if the key to transformation isn’t in doing more but in reframing how we see ourselves? Carol Elizabeth shares her journey through breast cancer, personal reinvention, and the art of finding joy in the everyday. From embracing the power of reframing challenges to transforming her body and mindset, Carol offers a heartfe...

What does it take to break free from addiction, transform your life, and become a source of inspiration to others? Michelle chats with Brittney Carbone, a fitness model, health coach, and addiction recovery advocate, as she shares her powerful story of overcoming emotional eating, alcoholism, and self-sabotaging behaviors. Brittney opens up about her struggles, pivotal turning points, and the acti...

What if burnout, guilt, and overwhelm could be your greatest teachers? Michelle welcomes Heather Chauvin, a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Dying to Be a Good Mother . Heather shares her life-altering journey through stage 4 cancer and the pivotal lessons that transformed her survival into a life of thriving. With raw honesty, she delves into her concept of "energetic time manag...

Is your fitness routine empowering or punishing? Dr. Alyssa Olenick, PhD in Exercise Physiology, shares her science-backed approach to redefining fitness for women. From prioritizing performance over aesthetics to integrating cardio, strength, and smart nutrition, Alyssa reveals how to break free from diet culture and embrace hybrid training. Whether you're building muscle, improving enduranc...

What if you could approach your nutrition without the guilt, anxiety, or restrictive rules? Michelle and Abby Langer, a registered dietitian, explore practical tips for healthier, more intuitive eating and shares why we need to change the narrative on aging, celebrating life’s natural changes with confidence. Abby explains how to distinguish between emotional and physical hunger, and why learning...

Are you constantly bombarded by conflicting nutrition advice? Michelle digs into this with expert dietitian Abby Langer to debunk myths and tackle restrictive eating trends that make food feel like a minefield. With over two decades of experience, Abby shares her insights on finding a healthy middle ground in our relationship with food, exploring topics from emotional hunger to the myths surroundi...

What if success isn’t just about winning but about loving the process of becoming who you’re meant to be?   In this episode, Michelle and author Joshua Medcalf dives deep into the power of self-awareness, the importance of doubling down on strengths, and the art of finding joy even in life’s hardest moments.   Joshua shares stories about his personal struggles with self-doubt and societal expectat...

How do you break through the toughest barriers in life?   In this episode, Michelle and Joshua Medcalf discuss his book "Pound the Stone" and dive deep into the relentless pursuit of consistency, grit, and mental toughness.  The conversation revolves around facing life’s challenges, understanding the power of intentional living, and embracing the mundane to achieve greatness.  Michelle a...

What drives someone to choose a difficult, unconventional path over a more traditional, comfortable one?   In this episode, host Michelle and Joshua Medcalf, author of Chop Wood, Carry Water , dives into his unique journey, from living in a gym closet to mentoring athletes and professionals on mastering mental toughness.   Joshua’s story is evidence to choosing purpose over safety, embracing disco...

Could you be sabotaging your fitness with improper breathing?   In this episode, Michelle and Brianna Battles uncover the hidden challenges women face when training during and after pregnancy.   They dive into the intricacies of Diastasis Recti, the crucial role of pelvic floor health, and why breathing techniques matter more than you think.   This conversation is a must-listen for women looking t...

Is it possible to keep up with intense athletic training during pregnancy, or is it time to rethink your routine?   In this episode, Michelle and Brianna Battles dive deep into the unique challenges and misconceptions faced by female athletes as they navigate the complexities of pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.  Brianna Battles, a relentless advocate for women's health, shares her journey a...

No one is going to “save” you. In today's world, it's up to us to save ourselves! Hosted by top fitness expert and coach Michelle MacDonald, the Stronger by Design podcast is for women who want to take radical ownership of their bodies and mindsets. Michelle, known worldwide for her Transformation Programs, delivers world-class knowledge to help women redefine the aging process and embra...

When you saw women on the cover of magazines like Seventeen and Cosmo while growing up, what did you see? They didn’t tend to include physical strength in their image of the “ideal” female figure, did they? In fact, some find women with “too much” muscle a turn- off . But strength is beautiful too and perfectly acceptable for us as women to display. We just have to remember that for ourselves and...

How much would you’ve bet that the unathletic kid in your neighborhood would somehow go on to be a competitive athlete? As a child, my guest Alyssa Ages couldn’t swim a pool lap or get a hit in Little League to save her life. But now she’s a strength training enthusiast and advocate who has spent 10 years competing in marathons, triathlons, and strong woman competitions. Her book Secrets of Giants...

This conversation is a real heart-to-heart with three amazing women who stared cancer in the face and came out on top. Each of them brings their own take to the table, shaped by their own battles with the disease. First up, Kelly Gahr, shares her experience with brain cancer, highlighting how jumping in early made all the difference. She's upfront about how the choices we make in life can ser...

Do you know that expression about skipping leg day at the gym? That’s not just sage advice for your body! Last week on the show, Dr. Ayesha Sherzai discussed the role of nutrition in fostering brain health. This episode of The Wonder Women Podcast features part two of that conversation where she touches on how resistance training exercise, stress, and sleep impact the brain. So tune in to learn ab...

Have you ever thought to yourself, “ This time, I’m finally going to do it” after promising you’d make healthier lifestyle choices? Then, sooner or later, you fall off the wagon again because “life got in the way” or “it’s too hard”? Trying to get healthier doesn’t have to be difficult or a chore. You can make easy, incremental changes to your diet and nutrition that positively affect your brain a...

Transitioning into menopause affects every woman differently. But too many see medications as universal cures and restrictive diets as superior ways of dealing with menopausal symptoms. Instead of regarding medication and special diets as the be-all and end-all, it’s time to start approaching menopause in a more holistic way. And luckily, that conversation is happening more rapidly with the help o...