Women Empower Active

Today's guest is Gwen Rudy — a member of the USA Ski Mountaineering National Team, sports acupuncturist, coach, and mountain athlete whose journey proves that big goals are achieved through consistent effort and small daily steps. In this episode, Gwen shares how she found her way into ski mountaineering, what drives her passion for moving through the mountains, and how her work as an acupuncturis...

In this episode of Women Empower Active , Jacalyn sits down with Lynn Barlow, a mental performance coach helping athletes strengthen the one muscle we often overlook: the mind. Through her work with Mindfullsend, Lynn helps athletes navigate fear, build confidence, and perform under pressure in some of life’s most demanding moments. With a background rooted in outdoor sports and high-risk environm...

What does it really take to become a national champion in streetlifting—and what does strength look like beyond the podium? In this episode of  Women Empower Active , host Jacalyn Gross sits down with  Danae Morgan , a national champion streetlifter, record-holding athlete, and powerful presence in the world of calisthenics. From dominating the USA Streetlifting National Championships to competing...

Today’s guest knows what it means to push past limits—both physically and mentally. Maiki Cofer is a triathlete who has taken on the grueling challenge of Ironman 70.3 Hawaii multiple times, a race that tests endurance, resilience, and grit at every level. In this episode, we dive into the mindset behind endurance racing, the journey to the start line, and what it really takes to keep showing up f...

In this episode of Women Empower Active, Jacalyn sits down with Kristina — a fitness professional who truly embodies resilience in motion. Kristina’s journey into the fitness industry began with rebuilding her own strength after serious injuries early in life, including a broken back and hip surgery before graduating high school. Determined to understand how the body moves, heals, and grows strong...

On this episode of the Women Empower Active Podcast, we’re reframing the idea of a “new year, new you.” This is about recalibration, not reinvention—honoring your growth, grounding into your strength, and moving forward with intention. No pressure. No erasing. Just empowered alignment with who you already are and where you’re headed. Because your power isn’t new, it’s already within you. Host: Jac...

Welcome to the 12 Days of Empowerment rolled into one episode. This year, we’re celebrating the Words of Empowerment each woman shared throughout the 2025 season. In this episode, you’ll hear their Words of Empowerment in the order they appeared on the podcast. I hope you enjoy! Host: Jacalyn Gross ⁠@jacalyngross⁠ Guests in order: Lydon KerstingCrystal Rose Hudelson Ting Ting Amanda Bullat Lenie G...

In the high mountains of Colombia, seven women step into the unknown—hands on stone, hearts on fire. Their movement is intentional, their stories carved into every crimp and every breath of thin air. Guerreras: Women Warriors isn’t just a climbing film; it’s a portrait of resilience. These women carry more than ropes and harnesses. They carry grief, recovery, survival. The weight of expectations....

In the vast expanse of the Arctic wilderness—where ice, ocean, and granite meet—four climbers embarked on a 42-day journey that would test every limit, both physical and mental. Among them was Kelly Fields, part of an all-female+ team that traveled across Baffin Island to establish Lemnos in the Clouds , the hardest and longest route ever climbed by a female team in the Canadian Arctic. This exped...

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Genevive Walker a climber, guide, writer, and advocate who turned a love for climbing into a mission for change. After years of living out of her car and climbing around the world, she noticed a lack of representation in the outdoor community. That realization became the spark for a much larger purpose. She’s since partnered with brands like National Geographic,...

In this solo episode of Women Empower Active, host Jacalyn reflects on her recent 25K "hard effort" at the Olympic Mountain Trail Races. She takes listeners behind the scenes of her race experience—sharing the highs, the struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. Tune in for an honest breakdown of the effort, her post-race reflections, and the takeaways she’s carrying forward into...

Today, we’re excited to welcome Dr. Anna Chang—a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Board-Certified Licensed Physical Therapist, and Certified Personal Trainer. After graduating from the University of Puget Sound in 2020, Dr. Anna recognized a need for more accessible, inclusive wellness services. In response, she founded Onsight PT LLC in 2021, focusing on injury prevention and strength-building for ath...

We’re excited to speak with Mel Fernandes. A leading force in outdoor advocacy for survivors of violent crimes, marginalized communities, and much more. All areas that have become increasingly crucial to the climbing and outdoor community. In addition to her advocacy work, Mel is a dedicated pet rescuer, showcasing her deep compassion for both animals and people. She believes that we are all meant...

Today, we're pumped to welcome Erin Murray, a powerhouse in the world of Strongwoman competitions. As a World’s Strongest Woman titleholder and record-breaking athlete, Erin has lifted, pressed, and carried her way to the top, proving that strength is just as much about tenacity as it is about muscle. From making history at the Arnold to coaching others in their own strength journeys, she's breaki...

In this episode, we sit down with Lenie Gallardo—the powerhouse mom and climber behind the vibrant Gallardo girls, Hunter and Phoenix. Lenie shares how she weaves motherhood into her climbing journey, her approach to bouldering, and how she’s found her own style of climbing. From problem-solving to leading by example, Lenie embodies quiet strength. She has greatly inspired me, and I’m so excited t...

In this episode, we’re joined by Amanda Bullat, a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and Dietitian who specializes in supporting women through the transformative stages of perimenopause and menopause. With years of experience, Amanda combines her expertise in nutrition with a passion for holistic health to help women embrace intuitive eating. As a past runner now cyclist and hiker she understand...

Ting Ting is an adventurer who discovered climbing at 32 with no athletic background and went all in, driven by the fear of running out of time. After seven years of vanlifing and traveling frugally to pursue climbing, she’s tackled alpine first ascents in Asia and Patagonia, big walls, desert towers, and even a 20-day Winds traverse bagging 33 peaks along the Continental Divide. Now, at 49, she m...

In this episode, Jacalyn reconnects with the inspiring Crystal Rose Hudelson, who first shared her remarkable journey in the second episode of the 2024 season (listen to her full story here: link ). Together, they reflect on the powerful goals Crystal set for herself and how her perspective has evolved. They explore the climbing routes she aimed to conquer in 2024 and the strides she’s made toward...

In this motivating episode of the Women Empower Active Podcast, we catch up with Lydon Kersting, revisiting our chat before she embarked on her life-changing Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) thru-hike. Together, we break down her journey and explore the lessons learned along the way. Lydon’s experience will ignite the spark to pursue your own goals, no matter how daunting they may seem. Prepare to feel e...

This is one of Jacalyn’s favorite episodes! She always loves reflecting on the incredible women she’s had the privilege of speaking with and the empowering insights they’ve shared. Each of them comes from a unique background, facing different struggles and viewing their active lifestyles through different lenses, which shapes what fitness means to them personally. This year, Jacalyn has faced her...

Today’s guest is Cherilyn Suiter, a living testament to the power of reinvention and grit. After stepping away from Triathlons in the 90s and battling years of health challenges, Cherilyn made a bold, life-altering decision in 2022 to put her well-being front and center. Embracing the journey one step at a time, she transformed her life through small, deliberate shifts in her diet, exercise, and m...

Today, we’re excited to share the empowering journey of Julie McKelvey. Julie caught the mountaineering bug and found herself transformed while summitting Mt. Fuji, sparking a passion that led her to conquer the Seven Summits, including Mt. Everest. But her adventures aren’t just about reaching new heights; through her initiative, Summit for Sound, she’s raised over a quarter million dollars for t...

In this episode of Women Empower Active, Jacalyn gives an update on her ruptured appendix and having her drains removed. Then she dives into the challenges of running and navigating the often tricky "in-between" phase of fitness. Jacalyn also discusses how we tend to quantify exercise and place value on our workouts. Finally, she goes into what this period of lower activity has taught he...

Lizzi Hoffert is a remarkable rower whose story is nothing short of inspiring. After facing significant hurdles and navigating through a difficult coaching environment at the University of Wisconsin, Lizzi has made a bold move to the University of Santa Barbara. With a fresh perspective and an open mind, she’s exploring new possibilities, including the exciting world of cycling. Lizzi embodies res...

In this episode of Women Empower Active Jacalyn processes her recent health issues that changed how her training will look for a while. From her not-a-health professional perspective Jacalyn goes over what happened and how being an endurance athlete sort of made things worse. She shares shifting her expectations from a race and goal perspective to a get better perspective. As well as the real disa...