Fuel Your Strength

Getting back into training after injury or pain can be scary. Whether your injury is past or present or an ongoing or onset pain, learning to move between physical therapy and getting back into the gym requires some nuance. This is why it is so important to have a team working to help you achieve your goals and get you back to the training and activities you love. Key Takeaways If You Want to Improve Your Overall Health Over 40, You Should: Make sure to work with a trainer or team who is invested in your wellbeing Tweak your workout so that it feels good for your body right now, even if you need to do things a bit differently Focus on the big picture of your health and your short and long-term goals Exercise is Medicine with Dr. Leada Malek Dr. Leada Malek is a licensed physical therapist and board-certified San Francisco Bay Area sports specialist. She is one of the 9% of US therapists who specialize in sports therapy. Dr. Malek uses a combined approach of manual therapy and specific therapeutic exercise to help her patients move better, perform better, and compete again. She believes that exercise is medicine. Whether you want to start moving more, move again, or improve, Dr. Malek is passionate about helping you get there. How to Age Your Way Dr. Malek knows that your scope of practice as a DPT, trainer, or other field in the industry requires cohesive training and a whole-person approach. This is why Dr. Malek focuses on client-centered care, especially for those of us who are over 40 and learning how to adapt our training to our bodies as we age. Aging is beautiful, but you need to know how to keep your body strong as it changes. Your body is adaptable, and while it won't happen overnight, staying strong, fit, and healthy past your 40s and beyond is totally possible with the right attitude, training, and recovery. Getting Clear on Your Why One of the first things you need to get clear on, whether you are returning to the gym after injury, working to prevent chronic or onset pain, or just want to start taking care of yourself better, is that you have to be clear on your goals. Ask yourself what you are training for and how your goals play into what you want to do. This can help you support your body and mind. Exercising for life is crucial to your physical longevity, mental health, emotional state, and ability to handle life's stressors. Dr. Malek is here to provide you with tools you can take with you throughout your life to ensure that you can do the things you want to do without the fear of injury. Are you ready to return to the gym after an injury or pain? Share your story, comments, and experiences with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode How to take a step forward if you have been stuck dealing with injury or pain (9:44) What you need to be thinking about as a person wanting to keep your body as healthy as possible (15:47) Learn how the old notion of staying still when dealing with injury or pain is changing (27:32) Tips for teasing apart the strings that make up your total physical and mental well-being (34:57) Discover the inspiration behind Dr. Malek's new book 'The Science of Stretch' (39:33) Quotes "Proper programming, proper instruction, and consistency do wonders." (16:05) "You can still get strong. The issue is I think we are made to believe that we are just supposed to get old and be old and feel old. And I think people need to understand that it is still possible and important. So no matter your fear, understand that this should be a priority." (17:54) "The only bad workouts are the ones you are unprepared for, under-fueled for, and pushed through. Those are the workouts you want to be mindful of." (28:25) "Everything is playing a role, and I think we just need to zoom out and recognize that we are working with a system and not just an injury." (38:16) "As you get older, the biggest thing is what goals are you working towards, and how can you supplement those goals? (46:32) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here The Science of Stretch by Dr. Leada Malek Dr. Malek Website Follow Dr. Malek on Facebook | Instagram | TikTok Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 362: Sports Injury Rehab & Return to Lifting

In the world of fitness and nutrition, there is so much misinformation and oversimplification of concepts out there. This is why Dr. Alyssa Olenick is here to continue our conversation surrounding everything from heart rate zones to perceived excursion and how to balance your intensity properly. Key Takeaways If You Want to Improve Your Cardiovascular Health, You Should: Focus on getting fit and meeting the physical activity guidelines if you are just starting out Don't get caught up in the all-or-nothing perfectionist mentality when it comes to your heart rate Get over the idea that you have to annihilate yourself for fitness to count Finding Balance with Dr. Alyssa Olenick Dr. Alyssa Olenick, or Dr. Lyss, is currently a Postdoctoral research student studying metabolism and menopause. She has a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, where she researched metabolism and exercise science in females. Dr. Alyssa is on a mission to redefine evidence-based fitness. She is passionate about science-based nutrition and fitness and how the two integrate so that she can help people become their healthiest selves while chasing their boldest fitness goals. Learning to Love Zone 2 Whether you are just starting out with your cardiovascular health journey or have been going for a while, there is a good chance the conversation surrounding Zone 2 has come up more than once. Dr. Lyss has a ton of experience in understanding and applying the nuance of research to everything from your heart rate, RPE, level of intensity, recovery, and so much more. Learning what to focus on and pay attention to at the different levels of your training will help alleviate your concerns about both strength training and cardiovascular fitness. Training in a Different Way Dr. Lyss wants to encourage you to think about your training program holistically. Balanced fitness training can help you develop characteristics for health, life, and longevity. However, this takes a different mental approach and view of what quality training and intensity are. It is not just about pushing yourself to your maximum; it is about looking holistically at your overall intensity to see where you can go harder because you have held back in other areas. Female physiology needs both strength and cardiovascular health. A well-rounded training and athletic approach program can help you be the most resilient human you can be. What is your relationship to cardiovascular training? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Where to start when looking to improve your cardiovascular fitness (6:40) Understanding the role of heart rate and how to figure out where you need to be (20:58) How to assess your training distribution and fitness mindset throughout the week (31:27) What to do if you feel like you aren't working hard enough (36:04) Learn how to train in a recoverable way to ultimately do more (41:02) Quotes "Do not worry about the mode or how you do it or how intense it is or the zone that you are in; the first thing you need to do is get to the physical activity guidelines." (7:29) "But you have to decide, once you have been doing this for a while, 'what do I actually want from this?'." (16:15) "When you are doing more intense exercise, you are having to focus more on your steps and your breathing and what you are doing. So these are all things that I like to use for checking in with yourself." (30:25) "Not all training needs to be hard to be quality." (36:43) "Hybrid training is health. And it doesn't have to be running and lifting. It can be so many different things. But train multiple characteristics of your fitness." (43:37) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Doc Lyss Fitness Follow Lyss on Instagram Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 420: Dr. Alyssa Olenick (Part 2)

It is no secret that there are sex differences in fitness and nutrition. However, it might not be what you have been led to believe. Nutrition, training concepts, and fueling your workouts are key aspects to training whether you are a man or a woman. By empowering yourself with evidence-based science, you can take an informed approach to your fitness and strength training. Key Takeaways If You Are Interested in the Data Behind Womens Physiology, You Should: Work to understand what goes on in the research world Be careful of how things are marketed to you Listen to Part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Alyssa Facing the Facts with Dr. Alyssa Olenick Dr. Alyssa Olenick, or Dr. Lyss, is currently a Postdoctoral research student studying metabolism and menopause. She has a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, where she researched metabolism and exercise science in females. Dr. Alyssa is on a mission to redefine evidence-based fitness. She is passionate about science-based nutrition and fitness and how the two integrate so that she can help people become their healthiest selves while chasing their boldest fitness goals. Finding Faith in the Data While it is true that we need better data when it comes to female health in general, Dr. Alyssa says it's not all bad news. She encourages others not to be so critical of science and research until they really understand what it takes behind the scenes. The barriers faced are in part, the reason that we have this gap, but there is some solid data out there that can help you better understand your body and what it needs to succeed. By looking at the research with a lens of what we know, and where we need more information, you can translate that information into practical and usable tools that work for you. Don't Believe Everything You Are Sold Unfortunately, what tends to happen is a 'pinkifying' effect from coaches, influencers, brands, and companies who are trying to put a pretty pink bow on anything deemed 'for women only'. If you can avoid these marketing schemes and focus solely on what the research is telling us, you will see the results you have been looking for. You don't need to engage with these cyclic and hormonal protocols, you just need to adopt proper training and fueling instead. Have you ever been told to do something differently because you are a woman? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Discover Dr. Alyssa's origin story and why she fell in love with studying exercise physiology (5:04) Learn about the Invisible Sports Woman Study and how it has changed our approach to female fitness and physiology (11:34) Understanding the degree of misinterpretation of science in the quest to understand ourselves (20:19) Where sex differences play a factor in terms of nutrition and the menstrual cycle (29:25) Why fasted training may not be as beneficial as we are sold (40:04) Quotes "Good education and good training can make all the difference in people's health and life, and so that's kind of just been my philosophy the whole way through." (10:15) "You have always had permission to listen to your body. You have always had permission to just intensity based on perception. You have always had permission to take a rest day if you feel like hot, flaming raccoon trash can garbage. And you have always had permission to fuel yourself appropriately to support your training." (26:28) "There is a difference between sex differences and menstrual cycle differences. Those are two completely different things that we are talking about here." (29:52) "You don't need radically different things. We see this with cycle training and pregnancy and menopause. It's repackaged pinkifyed versions of training that are literally the same thing you probably have boy college football players doing, but in a nice pretty, pink, 'this is safe for you and good for you' package." (36:20) "Whether you think you are an athlete or not, you want your session to give you the things that you want out of it." (45:04) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Doc Lyss Fitness Follow Lyss on Instagram Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 418: Muscle & Longevity FYS 393: 3 Ways To Increase Your Metabolism As An Athlete

Allison Grubbs seemingly came out of nowhere when it comes to rucking. Last year, she participated in her first GORUCK selection, and this year, she finished the GORUCK Selection as the only participant left standing. Allison's insight, wisdom, and mindset got her to where she is today, and she brings along a message of hope and tranquility that is incredibly inspiring. Key Takeaways If You Want to do Hard Things, You Should: Remember Allison's advice to chill out and enjoy the moment Find a community that supports your ambitions Stay calm and believe in your ability to do whatever you set your mind to Doing the Hard Stuff with Allison Grubbs Allison Grubbs is an endurance athlete and adventurer who is only the second woman ever to complete GORUCK Selection. Her journey from a self-proclaimed 'average' swimmer as a child to where she is today is a testament to her incredibly strong mindset and determination. Cool, Calm, and Collected Allison spent her childhood and teenage years swimming but never considered herself an athlete. Even today, she does not identify with the elite athlete status that her achievements have brought. Through a calm, cool, and collected mindset, Allison has shown that she knows how she operates and runs towards that any chance she gets. Her goals are to finish, keep moving, and be calm in stressful situations. She hopes to be a role model for other 'badass babes' in her community. Chill Out and Enjoy the Moment Allison and I have a lot of parallels in our stories. But what I find so remarkable about Allison is how she stays calm under pressure, knows herself, and goes for what she wants. If you have a big dream or a big goal, Allison is proof that it is totally possible to achieve anything you put your mind to. Her personal process and fitness journey inspire anyone who knows it, which is why I brought her to the podcast today so that you, as the listener, can get to know her strength firsthand. How does your mindset impact your goals? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode A look back at Allison's fitness background (5:15) Exploring the differences between endurance training, CrossFit, and more (20:32) What it is like to experience the GORUCK Selection (32:09) Why going for the most challenging possible thing can give you a sense of drive (43:13) Learn what it is like to get to the end of the GORUCK Selection as the final participant (1:00:55) Quotes "As I have progressed in the endurance events, endurance community, it's just forward movement. Thats how I think of it now." (24:02) "Most of the time, I just want to finish. That is almost always my goal, is just to finish something." (30:31) "Everyone asks after that, 'Why did you quit?'. Honestly, I have no idea. I was just really okay at that moment with being done and letting her go." (50:43) "Part of this year that was so stressful was knowing that I could do it, but always feeling like nothing was good enough." (54:04) "There is so much community support. I feel like these are my people. I don't know why, but they have accepted me, so it just feels right, it feels good." (1:04:03) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Badass Babes Squad Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest Love the show? Please leave a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 415: Rucking for Women FYS 389: The Benefits of Rucking for Women with Michael Easter

This podcast challenges the misconception that women will become bulky if they build muscle and promotes the importance of developing muscle mass for women over 40. It explores the benefits of strength training for sculpting and overall health. The significance of muscle mass for longevity and quality of life is highlighted, including the positive association between muscle mass and better longevity and improved quality of life. The importance of exercise, particularly strength training, in improving insulin sensitivity, glucose regulation, and bone health is discussed. The positive benefits of strength training and adding muscle mass for longevity and quality of life are explored, including mobility, glucose regulation, bone health, cognition, and heart health.

One of the pieces of equipment in the gym that strikes fear into people is the rowing machine. Many people consider it a piece of warm-up equipment, but it is so much more than that. When you take the time to educate yourself about not only rowing but how you can create a more well-rounded training program, the results can be magic. Key Takeaways If You Are Interested in Rowing, You Should: Look at GPP Fitness from all perspectives and directions Integrate rowing into your workout routine in a way that works for you Lean on your community and coaches to help drive positive change Changing Lives Through Rowing with Shane Farmer Shane Farmer changed his life through rowing. He started Dark Horse Rowing to help others gain a community of others who hold them accountable, challenge their limits, and drive them to evolve and become the most robust, most incredible versions of themselves. Shane believes rowing can help make positive change and guide others to their most genuine potential. Building Community Through Fitness Shane doesn't want to turn you into a rower. Instead, he wants to help non-rowers use rowing on and off the machine to stay active, move better, and have an excellent quality of life for as long as possible. One of the main pillars of Shane's program is the hyper-local tribe and community that can be a game changer for many people. Diversity is Key Diversity in your movements and workouts is critical to longevity. Shane believes that we all go through seasons of which practices we enjoy. One day it may be rowing, the following strength training, etc. The key is to change and evolve in a way that keeps you passionate about your movement practice so that you can promote your longevity as best as possible. By finding a healthy balance of weight training, cardio, machine work, and recovery, you can create positive change and improve all of the different elements of your training. Being proactive is far better than being reactive when it comes to your health, and it's never too late to try something new. Are you ready to integrate a new practice, such as rowing, into your movement routine? Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments section of the episode page. In This Episode Exploring the parallel between rowing and CrossFit (11:52) How the pandemic affected exercise routines and the return to hyper-local community (15:15) Some of the biggest strength issues and challenges you need to face to improve your rowing (26:37) The importance of continual movement in your life as you progress (33:15) Tips for weaving together rowing and strength training for your overall fitness and longevity (41:00) Quotes "People are always going to want to gravitate to tribe and community. So as long as it is available, people will gather for fitness purposes." (18:25) "I'm not trying to turn you into a rower. I am trying to help you use rowing as an accessory to staying fit for life." (30:45) "Submit yourself to the process of learning the movement. Because once it all makes sense, you're going to find a lot more enjoyment in the workouts." (33:26) "There is no magic pill. There's no 'rowing is the greatest thing in the world; strength training is the greatest thing in the world'. They are all just a means to facilitate what the body is meant to do." (37:04) "We have so much knowledge at this point about what to do that the hardest thing is just choosing what we are going to do on any given day." (45:52) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Dark Horse Rowing Full Show Notes Follow Shane Farmer on Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | Youtube Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS #416: Is Musckle Anti-Aging? FYS #411: Why You Need A Strength Training Program FYS #409: Overcoming All Or Nothing Thinking In The Gym

Our Western society is, to put it frankly, obsessed with the idea of anti-aging and the fountain of youth. This multi-billion-dollar-a-year industry that is mainly targeted at women focuses on all of the products and things you can do to maintain the appearance of youth on the outside of your body. But what about what is going on in the inside? Key Takeaways If You Are Interested in Using Muscle to Improve Your Aging, You Should: Start strength training now if you haven't already Follow a plan that is progressive and will help you Outsource to a professional in order to take the next step Preserving Your Muscle and Quality of Life Muscle is the most critical topic that is missing from the majority of conversations around aging. Preserving our muscle mass as we get older is one of the best ways to maintain our quality of life and longevity as we transition through menopause and beyond. Developing and maintaining muscle not only makes you feel good but is a key factor in how you age. The Unsung Hero of Anti-Aging While you may not be able to prevent 100% of the muscle mass loss you may experience as you get older, strength training is the best action you can take to take steps in that direction. Muscle mass is the unsung hero of the anti-aging discussion, and is about so much more than vanity and appearances. If you want to preserve your quality of life and longevity as you age, maintaining your muscle is the first thing you need to think about. How has strength training changed your approach to aging? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Exploring what the term anti-aging really means in modern Western society (4:45) Evidence-based statistics to help you understand the aging landscape (9:02) Why you need to pay attention to strength training, especially during the menopause transition (13:21) What you need to know about the relationship between estrogen and muscle (17:11) Things you can do about your muscle mass as you age (25:02) Quotes "If there is one thing that gets missed over time and time and time again in the conversation about aging, it is the unsung hero, muscle." (3:12) "I don't want to just live to be very old in terms of my years, but I also would like to have as much quality of life, and quality of health, as possible." (8:29) "No matter where on the spectrum you are, it is absolutely important and possible for you to start strength training now and reap some of these benefits." (15:53) "Not only does this affect performance in terms of sports and athletics and fitness, but also, life." (21:48) "This is all about your longevity, quality of programming, quality of life, and how strength training is going to serve you going forward." (29:01) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Dynamic Dumbells Program Strong With Steph Program Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS #411: Why You Need A Strength Training Program FYS #408: Growth Mindset in Fitness FYS #407: The Female Athlete Health Report with Kyniska Advocacy

Rucking is having a moment right now, but it is nothing new, per se. Humans have been carrying loads for distance since the beginning of time. While rucking is not a replacement for your strength training, it has a multitude of benefits to your cardiovascular strength, blood sugar, bone health, and so much more. Key Takeaways If You Are Interested in Including Rucking in Your Fitness Plan, You Should: Start slow and build up your endurance over time while taking time for recovery Use rucking as a way to improve your cardiovascular and strength training Look into rucking group challenges if you are interested The Many Benefits of Rucking Ever since I discovered rucking, I have included it as part of my fitness routine. The unique benefits of rucking, particularly for women over 40, have had a huge supportive impact on my training regime. Rucking is an incredibly effective form of exercise that has a wide range of benefits that can impact not only your fitness capacity but also your social and competitive capacity as well. Carrying heavy things is a fundamental movement pattern that is especially important for women over 40. The benefits to your bones, blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, stress, and more are some reasons why I love rucking. Answering All of Your Rucking Questions While rucking can be simply defined as carrying loads for a distance, there are a lot of questions that come up when starting any new fitness or movement practice. How much weight, what shoes you should wear, what equipment you need, what counts as rucking, and how to get started rucking are only a few of the questions I answer for you on today's podcast. If you are curious about rucking, already have a walking practice, or just want to try something new, rucking may be the answer you have been looking for. What do you love about rucking? What are you the most curious about? Share your rucking thoughts and experiences with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Learn the simplest way to define rucking in one sentence (5:01) The difference between rucking and heavy carries during a workout (6:47) Why rucking is an effective form of exercise, especially for women (8:26) All the answers you need to get started with rucking (18:56) How much weight you should be rucking in each stage (25:12) Quotes "Once I started rucking myself, I could definitely see where this was a beneficial addition to my fitness routine, and I have been doing it ever since." (4:34) "We need to keep our cardiovascular strong, but we also need to strength train. We need the unique benefits of both." (13:19) "Proper recovery matters just like any other kind of training. Don't overdo it, pay attention to your body… don't ignore that shit." (29:27) "If you are looking for rucking gear that is really going to go the distance, check out GO RUCK." (33:54) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Use Promo Code FUELYOURSTRENGTH at Go Ruck Full Show Notes Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 389: The Benefits of Rucking for Women with Michael Easter

If you are a woman over 40 trying to build your fitness and muscle, you know how important it is to get into the gym on a regular basis. But if you struggle to find the consistency or motivation to exercise, you are definitely not alone. I find consistency as one of the most common things my clients struggle with, but it doesn't have to be that way. Key Takeaways If You Are Curious About Essentialism, Try: Taking time to decide what is truly important for you Saying no to the things that you do not want to do Doing fewer things but doing them better Adding Instead of Taking Away A lot of things in the health world are focused on removing or distancing yourself from a thing. Exercise is certainly not that way, and it requires you to lean in when it comes to changing your health habits. Although exercise takes time, energy, and space in your daily calendar, adding it to your life consistently is going to help you achieve the results you are looking for. All 24 Hours Are Not the Same While there are 24 hours in a day, each of us has our own schedule, timeline, and ability to prioritize exercise. Finding the time, space, and motivation to be consistent isn't necessarily easy, but by asking yourself the right questions, you can identify what's important, what you may want to say no to, and, ultimately, how to live more aligned with your values. The #1 most underrated concept when it comes to helping you find more time, which can, in turn, help you increase your consistency with training, is essentialism. There is a counterintuitive reason why finding consistency with your workouts is so hard, especially as a woman over 40. Have you ever approached your fitness with an essentialism mindset? Share your thoughts with me in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Behind-the-scenes update of what to expect in the coming months on my training platform (2:47) Why exercise does not follow the standard ideal of health change (7:43) Understanding essentialism and why it may help you assess your life (9:50) Questions you can ask yourself as a thought exercise to guide your actions (13:04) How to implement the principles of essentialism into your own life (15:25) Quotes "It has been extremely gratifying to really bring those of you over 40 who are looking to improve your strength, muscle, and fitness, and feel strong. To really bring you a comprehensive program that is going to tick the boxes that we need as women over 40." (3:47) "If you are feeling challenged with consistency, I promise you you are not alone in feeling what you are feeling." (4:52) "Exercise cannot be accomplished through subtraction, elimination, or avoidance." (8:33) "Exercise is a form of self-care. We are taking care of our health." (15:12) "Ultimately, we all don't have the same time in our day. But by implementing the principles of essentialism, hopefully, you can carve out just a little bit more for yourself." (17:47) Featured on the Show Strong With Steph Info Page Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here Essentialism by Greg Mckeown Full Show Notes Get 20% off Legion Supplements with code STEPH (20% off your first order, double points on follow-up orders Get 10% off GORUCK with code FUELYOURSTRENGTH Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 410: The Power of Intrinsic Motivation in Fitness FYS 408: Growth Mindset in Fitness

I recently decided to return to running after a 12-year-long break from it. While the idea of returning to running was a little bit scary and uncomfortable, I have found three teachable moments through my experience that you can apply to your own life, whether it is running or something entirely different that you want to make a return to but are apprehensive about. Key Takeaways If You Want to Find Enjoyment in Returning to an Exercise Such as Running, You Should: Find another way to do your cardio that you can tolerate Find an intrinsic motivation to train for Find some sense of joy in doing whatever you are doing Cardio and Strength Training Go Together Some of you may not know that I used to be an endurance athlete. I focus more on strength training rather than cardio in my public work because when we look at the data, more women meet their cardio minimums than their strength training minimums. However, we need a balance of both strength training and cardio to see the results that most of us are looking for. It takes a combination approach for all of us to achieve our goals, no matter what our goals are. Find Your Intrinsic Motivation Sometimes, exercise is uncomfortable and hard. It is a way that we build in a way of controlled discomfort. But finding other things that we enjoy about the experience makes it that much richer. This has been my main takeaway when getting back into running. Finding intrinsic motivation is key to putting yourself out there. Even if you do not love the exercise itself, finding joy in the other aspects of 'the thing' instead of looking for external validation will keep you going. It is possible to find a way to incorporate what scares you into your daily routine; you just have to take the first step. Have you been looking for a way to reincorporate something such as running that you may have had on the shelf for a while? Tell me your story in the comments on the episode page. In This Episode Why I decided to make my return to running after a 12-year break (3:18) The steps I took to get back into running to prepare for future events (12:29) How you can find a new or alternative way to return to a specific exercise (14:45) The importance of continued motion and purpose for your longevity (17:27) How to find motivation and joy in whatever activity you are doing (22:52) Quotes "If you were wondering why I go on and on and on about fueling and why I became a sports nutritionist, it is to help other women, especially women, avoid those pitfalls that I fell into all those years back." (4:45) "I knew that I was going to have to find a way of reconciling the fact that when I left the sports world, I was doing a lot of things for the wrong reasons." (13:55) "There was definitely an apprehension for me or kind of a burnout in putting running on the shelf for an indefinite amount of time, and as I started to return to things, I wanted to do it very mindfully." (14:33) "For so many years, we have swung the pendulum from only doing cardio to only doing strength training, and we need both." (15:47) "Sometimes it is the extrinsic stuff that is enough to get us in the door, but it is more the intrinsic side of things that keeps us going, and I very much have felt that with running." (22:38) Featured on the Show Apply for Strength Nutrition Unlocked Here GORUCK Full Show Notes Get 20% off Legion Supplements with code STEPH (20% off your first order, double points on follow-up orders Get 10% off GORUCK with code FUELYOURSTRENGTH Follow Steph on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest I'd really love it if you would take 1 min and leave us a rating and review on iTunes! Podcast production & marketing support by the team at Counterweight Creative Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Related Episodes FYS 389: The Benefits of Rucking for Women with Michael Easter FYS 380: Lessons From Endurance to Lifting: Top Sports & Nutrition Training Lessons FYS 410: The Power of Intrinsic Motivation in Fitness