Tough Cookie Talks

I get so tired of reading posts from Instagram gym bros who can tell you all about what the science says but have no concept of how that applies to the actual human beings they work with. Especially women. I've wanted to comment on their posts so many times, but I know they don't give AF. So I decided to record a podcast episode about it. On this episode we talk about: Why listening to you...

This week I am thrilled to be interviewing Ashantis Jones, who is not only a kick ass HAES aligned personal trainer, but my social media assistant! This interview was inspired by an old IG post that she suggested I re-share that blew up and sparked the question "What does fitness without diet culture look like for YOU?" Ashantis Jones is a trained Master’s level Counselor, NASM Certified...

This week we have a VERY special guest. My ever so delightful little sister Kristi! I'm really lucky to have her in my life and talking to us this week, because I am one of the few people who is able to share similar views about diet culture with a family member. And we commiserate and banter OFTEN. So often that I decided that one of our text conversations needed to become a podcast episode ASAP....

Good strength training is sometimes boring AF. Yes, even when you're "advanced". This might come as a surprise to you, but hopefully this episode will make you feel encouraged about where you're at right now. And also, gives you some validation if lifting doesn't always feel like the most fun workout to you. Basic movement patterns (squat, hinge, push, pull, carry, rotate, etc.) will pretty much n...

Welcome to Season 2 of Tough Cookie Talks! I am back from a bit of a hiatus and did I ever need it. Not gonna lie, I have a really hard time slowing down. And as much as I love being in your ear every week, I realized that I needed to take a minute to come up for air after 50 episodes and a very busy 2022. On this episode we talk about:  What I've been up to since the last episode. The magic...

This  week's episode with my friend Julie Shiller is one we all need to hear.  Especially if you have a hard time slowing down. Or if you find  yourself asking what you even need to "recover" from. I often hear her  advice echoing in my head as I remind myself to slow down, take a walk  to calm my nervous system, drink a glass of water, eat a nourishing  meal, or put...

This  episode with my friend Kaitlin Brazil started out as a conversation in  the Instagram DM's, and quickly turned into "THE PEOPLE NEED TO  KNOW". I've known Kaitlin for years, and she always has a beautiful way  of bringing me back to seeing the humanity in people. Especially people  on the internet who piss me off. Our DM convo started with a few of us  goin...

This is probably the most interesting podcast episode &  conversation I've recorded to date. I originally met Kate through Body  Positive Fitness Alliance, and I remember being impressed not only by  her speaking skills, but also how well researched she was when it came  to talking about all things related to diet culture. I was sold on her  story once I listened to he...

Today's  episode is a guest interview with my good friend and physical  therapist, Dr. Melissa Cioffi! Truthfully, people like Dr. Mel, as I  call her, are half the reason I decided to start a podcast. I wanted to  share the expertise of providers like her who do things that are not in  my own scope of practice as a personal trainer, but still very much  relate to wha...

It  seems like a lot of people I know (myself included) have had to take a  break from working out recently. I know I'm not alone right? Maybe  you’ve been sick? Or you're just dealing with the weight of the damn  WORLD? Chances are you’re also concerned about how this whole situation  has affected your body and your fitness? Whether you’ve gained weight, lost muscle &...

Elimination  diets are not for everyone and definitely NOT for me. It took me awhile  to even share my “elimination diet failure” story with anyone. I was  embarrassed. I thought it was my fault that it didn’t work. I think  that’s probably the reason that most people don’t share their diet  failure stories more often. Today, I’m sharing the WHOLE TRUTH. My very  ugly...

Today  is my first EVER guest interview on the podcast! And who better to  bring on but one of my first ever personal training clients--or at least  one of the first people who ever decided they wanted to work with me  specifically because of my unconventional approach to fitness. Grab a  cup of coffee (and your headphones LOL) and join Steph and I we  reminisce about...

Introducing  the concept of the "strength savings account" as a way to approach the  idea of consistency when it comes to working out. In this episode we talk about: How to not "lose all your fitness" when you take time off. How lowering your expectations of yourself in some circumstances  may actually lead to exceeding your expectations at other times. Why approaching strength...

Navigating fitness when you’ve just started to realize why diet culture is harmful is HARD. Many of us spent so much of our past lives drinking the wellness kool-aid (green juice? bulletproof coffee??) without question that when we finally came around to something different, we went all in with it. Failing to realize that we were falling into the same trap that got us into trouble the first time....

Most people don't know what to make of my philosophy on fitness. One minute I’m posting a video of me s winging kettlebells. The next minute I’m telling you to take a rest day. First I’m calling BS on all the ways the fitness industry is making you feel like crap. Then I’m talking about the mental health benefits of working out. But just like everything I do, there’s a method to my madness. My fit...

It's EPISODE 50! And all I can say is: "I'M 50@! I KIICCCCCKKKKK. STREEEEETCCHHHHH. AND KICK!"  IYKYK. Anyway, on this solo episode, I take some time to reflect on my biggest takeaways from first year of podcasting and let you know what's coming next.  Work With Me! Follow & tag me on Instagram

This is an episode I've been working on for a couple of months now. Back in August I decided to be a "secret shopper" of 5 different commercial gyms. Why? Because I found that many of my clients are either A: hesitant to join a gym because of a previous bad experience. B. Don't wanna go through all the trouble of trying different gyms to find a good fit. C. Don't know what to look for when joining...

Ohhhhh I've been sitting on this topic for a long time. I didn't say it because I didn't wanna piss people off. So I'm just gonna go ahead and say it: If you're only ever using 5-10lb weights when you lift, you're only tapping into a fraction of your potential. Before you get mad at me . . .give this episode a listen and let's give it a little context. . . On this episode we talk about:  Why...

In the anti-diet world, it seems that things like going to the gym and following a training program often get a bad rap. I get it. There are a lot of problems with the way the fitness industry promotes its services. When you’ve had a compensatory or punishing relationship with exercise in the past, the advice is often to rest & take a break from working out altogether. Or to trade structured e...

This podcast episode is a solo one. . .3 things I hope every client of mine accomplishes. Would you believe that NONE of them are related to anything you can physically do with a weight?? This is what they are: Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset Developing more autonomy within their workouts Discovering their true strength The best way to accomplish each of these things?? Having a growth min...

This episode is one that I've been waiting to record for way too long. It's very unfiltered. It's everything I ever wanted my podcast to be--to feel like you're hanging out with me and my friends shooting the shit. Today we're doing that with one of my very best friends, Ashleigh Brodhead--live in my she-shed. She's the person who got me into kettlebells. The person who first put a barbell into my...

Tough Love Strength Club (My Online Group Coaching Program) is 3 years told today! This is a Birthday bonus episode that covers all the most common FAQ about this program.  On this episode we talk about: The answers to the most frequently asked questions about TLSC!  Tough Love Strength Club: Get On The Waitlist!  Work With Me! Tough Love Strength Club Info & FAQ Follow & ta...

Tough Love Strength Club (My Online Group Coaching Program) is 3 years told today! This is a Birthday bonus episode that's here to tell you everything you ever wanted to know about this program.  On this episode we talk about:  How TLSC is different than other online fitness programs. What sorts of things it will help you accomplish in and out of the gym. What you get when you join.&nbsp...

This week, my online group coaching program, Tough Love Strength Club is turning 3! In light of that, this episode is a trip down memory lane. Celebrating how TLSC came to be what it is today, why I wanted to create it, how it's grown, and so much more. Come take a behind the scenes look at what goes on over here!  On this episode we talk about: Why personal training in the traditional sense...

This week's episode with my friend Julie Shiller is one we all need to hear. Especially if you have a hard time slowing down. Or if you find yourself asking what you even need to "recover" from. I often hear her advice echoing in my head as I remind myself to slow down, take a walk to calm my nervous system, drink a glass of water, eat a nourishing meal, or put my ass to bed early. I especially th...