Muscle Science for Women

Ashleigh VanHouten & Rachel Gregory

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Hosted by health coach and author Ashleigh VanHouten and nutritionist and strength and conditioning specialist Rachel Gregory - co-creators of the Muscle Science for Women training program - this podcast dives into all aspects of fitness including nutrition, training, recovery, fitness culture, and so much more, all with a focus on addressing women's unique goals and challenges. It's conversational, interactive, and will help listeners understand their bodies and how to achieve their goals.

Ep 96: Can you eat intuitively and still lose weight / gain muscle?

Today is a re-release of a popular episode you may have missed with Rachel and Ashleigh all about the idea of "intuitive eating" - what does that term mean, exactly? Is it possible to eat intuitively in a food landscape where hyper-palatable, low-nutrient food is so easily available? How can you listen to your body and still achieve body composition goals? All that and more in today's episode. Send your feedback, questions, or topic ideas to musclescience4women@gmail.com. Shoutout to our show sp

Mar 4, • 1:06:05

Ep 95: Is it better to work out in the morning or evening? | Tips to reduce sugar cravings

Today the ladies answer questions around the optimal time to work out, how to make the best of a poor workout schedule, and they provide a lot of actionable tips on how to approach binge eating at night and consistent sugar cravings.  That and more - make sure you're subscribed, leave a rating or review, and sign up for notifications so you know when a new episode is available! Send your feedback, questions, or topic ideas to musclescience4women@gmail.com. Shoutout to our show sponsor Active Sta

Feb 18, • 42:58

Ep 94: All about the anabolic window

Today Ashleigh and Rachel talk about the "anabolic window" - what it is, how important is it really, and how you can optimally fuel before and after your workouts to maximize your recovery and your gains. They also dive into the fraught and touchy subject of dieting for a wedding - how to do it safely and healthily, and when is it "too much"? That and more - make sure you're subscribed, leave a rating or review, and sign up for notifications so you know when a new episode is available! Send your

Feb 11, • 49:14

Ep 93: Ashleigh and Rachel: originally mortal enemies? | Can you work out while sick?

In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh answer a listener question about how they met, and they reminisce about their "origin story" and talk about how they work now as cross-continental business partners. They also dive into some brand new goals they have for themselves for 2025 and how they plan to accomplish those goals, and how listeners can better communicate their goals to their coaches in order to really get the results they want. We also talk about the nuance of working out while sick: when

Jan 28, • 50:12

Ep 92: How to talk to your doctor about menopause

In this important episode, Rachel and Ashleigh walk listeners through how they can have the "menopause" conversation with their doctor: the information you should have and bring to them, including about symptoms and family history (and how to track said symptoms); and why it's important to have more specific goals to discuss than simply "I want to feel better." The ladies also talk about how to find a provider who specializes in, or at least is knowledgeable about, menopause.  This is a very hel

Jan 14, • 28:03

Ep 91: Can endurance training impact fertility? | Ideal rep ranges for strength and hypertrophy

In this episode, Rachel talks about a camping adventure; the two ladies discuss whether or not there are "ideal rep ranges" for building strength and muscle; they dive into one listener's question about how to train for a marathon without impacting fertility; and, because you can never understand your body TOO well, they talk again about training around your period: should you train differently at different times of the month, and if so--how and why? Our show sponsor is BiOptimizers! Ashleigh's

Jan 7, • 47:37

Ep 90: How much muscle do you REALLY need?

In the final episode of 2024, Rachel and Ashleigh answer a question about weight loss from a male listener, highlighting some of the differences and similarities men and women face in their struggles to change body composition. The women discuss the accuracy of various body-fat measurement tools, and they also dive into a slightly different take on the age-old question, "how can I train for endurance but also build muscle," from a serious endurance hiker. Lastly, Ashleigh has a pro-tip for how t

Dec 24, 2024 • 37:27

Ep 89: A deep dive on red light therapy

Today Ashleigh asks an expert all the questions about red light therapy: Having dealt with health challenges in childhood and early adulthood, Scott Chaverri has always been passionate about all things health and wellness. After earning a BA in Psychology from Cornell University and a MBA in Finance from the Simon School of Business, Scott worked for several Fortune 500 companies, in the business services, medical device, financial services and ecommerce industries before founding his company, M

Dec 17, 2024 • 57:28

Ep 88: Gym Etiquette and Mukbang Videos

Proper gym etiquette (ie, manners and common sense) is so important, but often overlooked - Rachel and Ashleigh get fired up over some of the most egregious issues we see in the gym. They also talk about Mukbang videos (what are they? Why do people like them? What are the health implications)? We talk about whether it's possible (or healthy) to get multiple days' worth of calories in a single meal, and how to boost your nutrition if you just can't eat liver (although Ashleigh thinks you should j

Dec 10, 2024 • 40:05

Ep 87: Ashleigh answers your pregnancy questions

In this solo episode, Ashleigh updates you as she hits the halfway mark of her second pregnancy, including what's different or the same this time around, what's easier and what's more difficult, and anything that's surprised her along the way. She shares info on her supplement routine as well as how she's working out and eating, and her birth plans. She also answers pregnancy questions from listeners about taking creatine in pregnancy, whether it's possible to build muscle while pregnant, naviga

Nov 26, 2024 • 1:02:22

Ep 86: There's more to gut health than what we eat

In this episode, Ashleigh speaks with Alison Mars, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and Cookbook author of The Paleo Gut Healing Cookbook, about managing Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and PCOS; how fertility, pregnancy, and parenthood can impact gut health; and all the things that play into our gut health that aren't food (hint, there's a lot). We dive into mental health practices, optimizing circadian rhythm, better and worse fitness routines, and definitively answer the question, "does walking cou

Nov 19, 2024 • 1:07:19

Ep 85: Can you increase calories without gaining fat?

In this episode, Ashleigh gives an update on her pregnancy; the ladies answer a question about how to slowly increase calories without gaining fat; dive into the benefits of magnesium supplement; discuss the pros and cons of putting young kids into formal sports; and more. The book we mention is called Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, by David Epstein. Send your questions, feedback, topic ideas, or just say at musclescience4women@gmail.com. Our NEW sponsor is one of Ashleig

Nov 12, 2024 • 39:04

Ep 84: Let's talk about coregasms

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer questions from listeners: What are coregasms? How and why do they happen in the gym, and if they're happening, how can you stop them so you don't hurt yourself during a heavy back squat? (yikes!) What is a deload week? How do you program them properly? When do you know you need one, and what does it consist of? If you had money allocated specifically for health or fitness improvement, what would you spend it on? All that and more - email musclescienc

Nov 5, 2024 • 46:08

Ep 83: PCOS and Pumpkin Spice

In this episode, we discuss training and nutrition for women with PCOS, and also how to think about food cravings during your period; we discuss one of the biggest food-related challenges for women in losing fat that isn't talked about, and we give our unsolicited opinion this season's favorite flavor, pumpkin spice. Wanna tell us what you think about pumpkin spice, or anything else? Send your questions, topic ideas, and feedback to musclescience4women@gmail.com Shoutout to our show sponsor Acti

Oct 22, 2024 • 38:57

Ep 82: Does Your Uterus Get In the Way?

Who is the best and most well-rounded female athlete? What does it mean to be a well-rounded athlete anyway? Why are some "fitness" standards different for men and women (it must be the uterus...) Is cardio really "out" now, or are there types of cardio that can still be beneficial for building muscle and losing fat? Does exercise count as "therapy"? Ashleigh and Rachel discuss all these topics and more - plus, we have some more music playlist ideas for you. We hope you have as much fun listenin

Oct 8, 2024 • 39:32

Ep 81: Understanding thyroid health with Elle Russ

Today best-selling author and thyroid health expert Elle Russ joins Ashleigh to discuss the importance of your thyroid: what it does and supports in the body, tell-tale signs that your thyroid health is compromised; hormonal health, fertility, and how that connects with thyroid health; how to advocate for the support you need in the medical system; the connection between confidence and physical health, and so much more.   Interested in taking Elle's Ultimate Thyroid course? Click here: https://w

Oct 1, 2024 • 1:25:48

Ep 80: We design the optimal human meal | Whey causing skin issues?

In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh are asked by a special listener to design the "perfect human meal;" they talk about what to do if whey protein and whey products are causing skin issues; and they chat about folic acid supplementation for women who may look to become pregnant - can you get enough from your food? Should pregnant women really be eating liver? What's the difference between folic acid and folate?  If you have any comments, feedback or questions for the podcast, send them to muscle

Sep 24, 2024 • 27:50

Ep 79: Lessons learned from a bodybuilder who races ultra-marathons

Today Ashleigh chats with personal trainer, nutritionist, best-selling author, and host of The Brian Keane Podcast about endurance racing as a bodybuilder; strength training for women; the biggest misconceptions about sustainable health; and much more. While we mostly talk to women, about women's issues, sometimes it's enlightening to learn about the similarities (and different perspectives) of coaches with different backgrounds than us, so we hope you find this one interesting! In addition to h

Sep 17, 2024 • 1:08:05

Ep 78: When your family doesn't support your goals

In this week's episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about how to juggle, prioritize, and properly rank all the big healthy lifestyle factors, especially as your life and goals change - we talk about the "Healthy Decision Tree" and how to determine when your priorities should change or when you should make adjustments to your plan. We also discuss how to stick to your goals and healthy habits if you happen to live with people who are not supportive, and in some cases seem like t

Sep 10, 2024 • 40:21

Ep 77: Creatine Cycling? | Big Life News | Coolest listener ever?

In this episode Rachel shares some big life news, Ashleigh discusses recent conversations about health and fitness with family members, and they answer some fun questions from listeners, including questions about the pros and cons of creatine cycling, and how to know if your strength training and sports-specific training is well balanced. The ladies may have also found one of the coolest podcast listeners ever... Have questions, comments, feedback for us? Send it all to musclescience4women@gmail

Sep 3, 2024 • 35:32

Ep 76: Answering your growing and bulking questions

Not everyone is trying to get leaner and smaller - lots of us want to get bigger and grow more size and muscle, and that can be just as difficult as leaning out. In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about how to train and eat to GROW: training frequency and type, intensity, nutrition, and the tips you may be missing that could be stalling your growth. We also talk about whether beef protein powder is a complete protein, and how you should be incorporating incomplete prot

Aug 20, 2024 • 25:24

Ep 75: Are your fitness goals unrealistic?

In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel talk technology (including some new fitness-related tech Ashleigh is loving, and their thoughts on the health risks of EMF's) but the big conversation today is about goals and standards. They discuss how important it is to have quantifiable goals (vs vague or purely emotional ones); the difference between having high standards and unrealistic ones; and how to audit your life and your goals so they match - because the alternative is always feeling like you're f

Aug 6, 2024 • 44:05

Ep 74: How do you know when it's time to eat more carbs?

In this short episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about how you know when it's time to eat more carbs, and offer some practical and tangible health tips for shift workers.  A reminder that if you are a member of the military, medical, or first-responder community, we offer discounts for all of our programs. Emails us at musclescience4women@gmail.com for the discount, or to send us any questions, comments, or topic ideas! This episode is brought to you by Paleovalley. They make

Jul 23, 2024 • 27:52

Ep 73: Why is it so much harder for women to lose fat?

The Women of Muscle Science are back from their summer break! Get ready for fun life updates, some silliness, and as always, plenty of education mixed in. This week the ladies answer questions about how to stay consistent with your fitness when you travel a lot for work; how to improve your workouts in general; and the age-old question: is it really harder for women to lose fat than men? And if so, WHY?! (and what can we do about it?) Don't miss it - and please email musclescience4women@gmail.co

Jul 16, 2024 • 31:54

Ep 72: How to improve bone density | partial ROM reps for hypertrophy?

In this week's episode, Ashleigh and Rachel chat about how they manage their colds (including what they do to minimize sickness). They also answer questions from listeners about how to improve bone density: what exercises should we be doing? At what age is it too late? Why is bone density important? What foods help? Do partial range of motion reps help hypertrophy even more than full range of motion? Prepare for a deep dive! And Ashleigh tells a Planet Fitness story Download Rachel's sick prot

Jun 25, 2024 • 39:08

Ep 71: Did you ruin your metabolism by undereating?

In this episode Rachel recaps a fun Vegas weekend, they talk about some of their favorite "on the go" snacks, and they answer a listener question about balancing strength training and marathon training. The girls also go through a case study from a listener who is also a VERY common client profile: a woman in her 50's who has spent decades undereating, being extremely rigid and strict with their diet, over training and under recovering, and practicing a negative and fear-based mindset around foo

Jun 18, 2024 • 32:14

Ep 70: How much muscle is enough - or too much?

This week Ashleigh and Rachel recap Ashleigh's San Diego visit; they respond to a critical email about Botox; they answer a question about whether or not you should cut or bulk first, and a deeper conversation about how to know when you have "enough" muscle. What does enough muscle even mean? How do you know if you have enough to maintain health - and should we be at all worried about too much muscle - what are the potential downsides? This is a fun episode - if you have any feedback or topic id

Jun 4, 2024 • 40:11

Ep 69: Are some people just not "built" for certain exercises? | How many meals per day is optimal?

In today's episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about whether or not three meals per day is optimal for protein/nutrient absorption; if some builds or anatomies just aren't cut out for certain exercises (and if so, how do we pick the best movements for our bodies?); Ashleigh rants about a particularly bad take on the carnivore diet; and more. If you have questions, comments, feedback, or want to add a topic for "Ashleigh's Rant Corner," send it to musclescience4women@gmail.com.

May 21, 2024 • 36:01

Ep 68: Too much dietary protein causes cardiovascular disease (again)? Discussing the latest study

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer a listener's question about a recent study claiming that high leucine (and dietary protein) intake can cause atherosclerosis or cardiovascular disease. The links below provide more information on the study and their response.  The ladies also chat about some recent injuries, Ashleigh's upcoming trip to San Diego, and more. If you have questions, comments, feedback, or want to add a topic for "Ashleigh's Rant Corner," send it to musclescience4women@gmai

May 14, 2024 • 39:46

Ep 67: Lessons on nutrition and muscle building from Stan Efferding

Enjoy this re-release of one of our more popular episodes with Stan Efferding, an IFBB Professional bodybuilder and World Record Holding Powerlifter. He is one of only 10 men in the world to ever total over 2,300 pounds raw in competition. Stan holds the title as the World's Strongest Bodybuilder. Stan conducts seminars all over the country for various sports and nutrition and training techniques, and he coined the Vertical Diet - in this episode Ashleigh and Stan talk all things diet, muscle bu

May 7, 2024 • 1:29:16

Ep 66: How to Figure Out Maintenance Calories? | Herniated Disc Recovery

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about how to transition from a cut to "maintenance" and all the mistakes and misconceptions that come from this process; they talk about training during recovery from a herniated disc; they discuss the concept that cold beverages may be inherently less good for you; and much more.  If you have a question, comment, or topic idea for Muscle Science for Women, email it to musclescience4women@gmail.com Sign up for the new Strong & Sculpt

Apr 30, 2024 • 30:18

Ep 65: Aging well doesn't happen by accident: how to enjoy the process

The term "aging," to many, is a bad word, associated with negative changes and a general decline in health. But many of the negative aspects we associate with aging aren't inevitable. In this episode re-release, Ashleigh speaks with New York Times bestselling author, weight-loss and natural anti-aging expert Dr. Kellyann Petrucci.She is a concierge doctor for celebrities in New York City and Los Angeles, a board-certified naturopathic physician and a certified nutrition consultant. She is a mass

Apr 23, 2024 • 30:02

Ep 64: Lowering LDL cholesterol on a high-protein diet | Are healthy desserts "orthorexic"?

In this episode the ladies answer questions from listeners including one about how to lower LDL cholesterol on a high protein diet: what might be causing the high LDL reading; what other factors other than diet may be contributing; and their advice for some lifestyle factors and further research to address the potential issue. They also discuss how much is too much protein powder: what percentage of your daily protein amount ideally should come from whole foods, and how much is ok to get from su

Apr 15, 2024 • 48:18

Ep 63: Are BCAA's any good | Do you need a coffee detox?

In this episode, Rachel and Ashleigh answer listener questions about the efficacy of BCAA's for muscle building and recovery, the concept of "macro thresholds" ie, how much wiggle room do you have with your macros if you're trying to lose fat, and whether or not you should really be doing a coffee detox.  If you want more information on BCAA's and EAA's, check out episode 59 of the podcast. If you have any questions or topic ideas for the ladies, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com Get on

Apr 9, 2024 • 36:31

Ep 62: Vegan Protein | Nutritional deficiencies from a meat-based diet?

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel talk about how to enjoy vacation without guilt, vegan protein powders, and Ashleigh's nutritional deficiency test results. They discuss how to balance "vacation mentality" with enough discipline that provides a sense of control while still allowing you to enjoy time off, new experiences, and a break from your regular life. They also talk about protein powders and their thoughts on vegan protein. Ashleigh discusses the results of her Genova Metabolomix+ nutrit

Apr 2, 2024 • 43:22

Ep 61: Are genetic "body types" a thing, and how do you train accordingly?

This is a fun one! In today's episode, Rachel and Ashleigh discuss the concept of body types: (you've probably heard of these, ectomorph, endomorph, and mesomorph). They talk about: how these body types are characterized if there's real "truth" to these categorizations whether you can change your body composition dramatically outside of your body type how to train to optimize your body type and how all this may impact your feelings about your body and your capabilities.  They also talk about s

Mar 26, 2024 • 37:46

Ep 60: Talking to teens about fitness

Ashleigh and Rachel are VERY excited to answer questions from some younger listeners! They answer questions from a high school listener about weight gain and birth control, training plans for weight loss, training around injury, and optimal nutrition for younger people.  They also dive into pesticides in your coffee (and how to avoid them); why they don't give out free workouts to help sell their programs, and more. Any more teens have fitness questions? Looking for advice? Do you have questions

Mar 19, 2024 • 39:30

Ep 59: Essential Amino Acids: what exactly are they and why do we need them

In this episode Ashleigh asks the CEO and co-founder of Kion, Angelo Keely, to do a deep dive on essential amino acids. As a life-long meat eater, Ashleigh is skeptical about EAA supplements, so they talk about: What essential amino acids are and why they're important The differences between BCAA's and EAA's How much you're actually getting from your food How to make sure you're getting enough to optimize your health How to best incorporate EAA's to optimize intake, muscle growth, and overall h

Mar 12, 2024 • 1:16:43

Ep 58: Should Ashleigh give up working out? | Can stronger glutes fix low back pain?

In this episode Ashleigh shares her struggles with burnout, comparing her current self to her former self, and struggling with balancing her current goals and responsibilities with her training plan. She and Rachel dive into concepts like identity and fitness, the importance of training in an organized and progressive way, and how to move past boredom and even burnout. They also answer questions about training with lower back pain, including which exercises may help and setting expectations arou

Mar 5, 2024 • 40:57

Ep 57: How to "start over" in the gym | Rachel's new job

In this episode of Muscle Science for Women, Ashleigh and Rachel dive into a case study of a woman looking to start over again in her fitness and strength journey, after kids and taking time away from the gym. They provide practical tips on how to overcome obstacles and mental hurdles, identify small wins and how they add up to big change over time, and how much time and effort a busy person really HAS to dedicate to their workout program to see results. They also chat about Rachel's new part ti

Feb 27, 2024 • 32:13

Ep 56: Not making progress in your fitness goals? Here's the missing piece

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel talk about some of the ways their beliefs and behaviors around fitness and nutrition have changed over the past ten years; they discuss what may be missing from your plan if you seem to be doing everything right but just aren't seeing progress; and what the margin of error is when trying to determine your optimal macro ratio.  If you have any questions you want answered, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com. Get fit with us in 2024 - sign up for the Gro

Feb 20, 2024 • 40:27

Ep 55: Can you REALLY grow your legs in a home gym? | Prepping for pregnancy

In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel discuss whether or not you can effectively grow your legs and glutes with a limited home gym (and give plenty of advice on how you can maximize your workouts no matter where you are or what equipment you have). They both recently invested in some of the trendy new walking office treadmills and talk about whether they think they're worth it; how their meal prepping has changed over time; the best way to prep for pregnancy; and they have their favorite "lifting

Feb 13, 2024 • 40:33

Ep 54: Maybe gluten and dairy aren't so bad | Our blood glucose experiment

In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel dive into a variety of topics around nutrition, including understanding the difference between a food "sensitivity" and an actual allergy; they talk about whether foods that are widely touted as unhealthy (like gluten) should be avoided even if you don't seem to be sensitive to them; and they discuss their own recent experiments with continuous blood glucose monitors - including what raised their blood sugar and what didn't, how stress and exercise impacted th

Feb 6, 2024 • 34:19

Ep 53: Staying on track with your health while traveling

In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh discuss mindset and the do's and don'ts of staying healthy while traveling. Rachel has just come back from an epic three-week trip to Thailand, and Ashleigh is about to embark on an all-inclusive family vacation, so they chat about stuff like:  How to approach exercise while on vacation - how much should you prioritize it? What's the most effective exercise to do while traveling? How much downtime can you get away with without losing your gains? How to manage

Jan 30, 2024 • 38:58

Ep: 52 - Do's and don'ts: creatine, therapy, competitive bodybuilding

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about: Why creatine may be making you sick; The fun of coming up with new workout challenges; Resources for overcoming hypothalamic amenorrhea; Why most people shouldn't try competitive bodybuilding; New experiences with therapy and how it can improve overall health The ladies get personal in this one, we hope you enjoy it and learn something that helps you! If you have any thoughts, comments, or feedback, please send them to muscl

Jan 16, 2024 • 36:49

Ep 51: Parasite Cleanses | Gut Health during Travel

In this episode, Ashleigh sits down with Halie Schoff, functional wellness and nutrition expert and coach who specializes in gut and hormonal health, to talk about how to best support digestive health during different phases of life. They also discuss certain controversial health practices (coffee enema, anyone?) and whether or not someone who practices a healthy lifestyle really "needs" additional detoxifying. They discuss: Keys to optimizing gut health What are parasite cleanses and do we nee

Jan 9, 2024 • 1:00:34

Ep 50: Training around injuries | What people get wrong about muscle building

In the LAST episode of 2023, Ashleigh and Rachel talk about goals and answer listener questions about: Training around injuries: how to keep training, how to avoid making injuries worse, and how to know when it's time to back off or keep going Reverse dieting - what it means, how to do it, and why your diet may be holding you back from your goals Running training (and how you can train for endurance and strength at the same time All that and more! Email your comments, feedback, topic suggestio

Dec 19, 2023 • 36:58

Ep 49: Can we really change our mindset to improve our health?

In this episode, Ashleigh speaks with Erin Power, the coaching and curriculum director at the Primal Health Coach Institute about the complex and layered relationship between a health/fitness/nutrition coach and their client. They dive into topics like: How to get the most out of your coach (and pick the right one) Goal-setting: when it's useful, when it's not, and how to feel good in between goals What does mindset mean? Can we really change our mindset to help reach our health goals? Why isn'

Dec 12, 2023 • 1:15:26

Ep 48: How sore is too sore? | More glute-building tips

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer more listener questions, like: What to do when your training goals conflict with your work requirements How to optimize training around high-stress jobs and shift work How to know when you're too sore to work out How to continue to traing your glutes even if they're already "too big".... And much more! Remember, if you're a first responder, medical professionl or military member you get a special discount on all Muscle Science for Women programs. Ema

Dec 5, 2023 • 32:26

Ep 47: Optimizing hormonal health throughout your life with menopause expert Esther Blum

Today Ashleigh dives into your most frequently asked hormone questions with Esther Blum, an Integrative Dietitian and Menopause Expert. In the past 27 years she has helped thousands of women master menopause through nutrition, hormones and self-advocacy.  Esther is the bestselling author of See ya later, Ovulator and Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat, among others. Learn more about Esther here: estherblum.com    They discuss topics including:   ●        How can women go through menopause like a rock st

Nov 21, 2023 • 1:20:10

Ep 46: Ranting about lazy journalism | mainstream nutritionists | Instant gratification

In this episode Ashleigh and Rachel catch up on their lives, answer listener questions, and get pretty fired up over: Lazy journalism around diet and nutrition Major misconceptions about "super foods" and ideal diets that mainstream nutritionists are still teaching The biggest challenges they see in their coaching practices that hamper client progress Why instant gratification is the enemy of success All that and more! Email your questions, feedback, or topic ideas to musclescience4women@gmail

Nov 14, 2023 • 37:25

Ep 45: Fitness in your 40's and beyond | Dr. Stephanie Estima

In this week's episode, Ashleigh speaks with Dr. Stephanie Estima, a doctor of chiropractic and a health expert focusing on improving lifespan, health span, body composition, and optimal performance. They dive into topics like: Optimizing diet and training for longevity and health Optimizing hormones throughout the lifespan The benefits of HRT for women Sexism in the fitness industry and how it impacts both professionals and the greater community Stephanie's favorite workouts and some of her be

Oct 31, 2023 • 1:35:10

Ep 44: Is body positivity a good thing? | Are you eating more than you think?

In this Q&A episode, Rachel and Ashleigh answer questions about: How to hydrate properly, and how alcohol factors in What to do when you've hit a body composition plateau How to determine if you're actually eating as much (or more, or less) than you think you are - spoiler alert, most of us are not good at accuracy with this! Ashleigh talks about her plan to get fitter by the end of the year and some of the obstacles she's facing (another spoiler alert, one of those obstacles is peanut butter c

Oct 17, 2023 • 54:36

Ep 43: Are weight "set points" real? | How to eat out on a diet

In this episode, Ashleigh talks about the stress of sending her toddler to pre-school and her fitness plans for the rest of 2023; Rachel gives an update on her "mini cut" and they answer questions about how to eat out while on a diet. They also dive into the concept of a "weight set point": what it is, can you change it, and how your understanding of it may help or hinder your body composition goals or progress. If you have any other questions you want to ask, send them to musclescience4women@gm

Oct 3, 2023 • 50:02

Ep 42: Dr. Bill Schindler - What does it mean to eat like a human?

In this episode, Ashleigh speaks with Dr. Bill Schindler, an archaeologist, primitive technologist, chef, and author of the book, Eat Like a Human. They cover: His journey from having an unhealthy approach to food and body image in his younger years, to learning how to enjoy a more nourishing and less punishing relationship with food; The ONE food humans are actually perfectly designed to eat, and why human beings are actually not very efficient eaters; The science of digestion in animals a

Sep 26, 2023 • 1:32:10

Ep 41: Rachel's "mini cut" | Girl dinner takedown

In this episode Rachel tells us about her "mini cut" for an upcoming vacation, which leads to a discussion on pool party fashion; Ashleigh has a wellness industry rant about "girl dinner;" they talk about their favorite (and most embarrassing) music to listen to while working out, and they get into the business and branding side of Muscle Science for Women. This one is a real mixed bag of fitness and funny - submit your questions and topic ideas to the ladies at musclescience4women@gmail.com. Th

Sep 19, 2023 • 34:01

Ep 40: TMI Time! All about periods

Ashleigh and Rachel get real womanly in this episode, covering everything about periods including: the period products we like and use; how to avoid premenstrual headaches, a case study about how to get your period back if you've lost it; and why having a period is "a luxury." We also talk more about skincare and have a surprise special guest! If you have topic ideas or questions for the hosts, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com. Here's Ashleigh's ebook, Fuel for Pregnancy and Postpart

Sep 5, 2023 • 37:46

Ep 39: Best hormonal testing | Unilateral training | American Gladiators

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel chat about the new American Gladiators documentary, what type of testing is best to determine hormone levels and overall health, and how to optimize unilateral --single limb--training: why it's important, what exercises are most impactful, and how to rest properly for maximum output. If you have topic ideas or questions for the hosts, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com. More info on our flagship strength training program, Muscle Science for Women: mus

Aug 22, 2023 • 41:19

Ep 38: Thoughts on 75 Hard | Safe Tanning | Caffeine

In this Q&A episode, Ashleigh and Rachel dive into the 75 hard challenge, they talk about safe sun exposure, caffeine consumption, and they revisit their old debate on using wrist straps when lifting...this is a fun one, don't miss it!  If you have topic ideas or questions for the hosts, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com. More info on our flagship strength training program, Muscle Science for Women: musclescienceforwomen.com Info on our Grow your Glutes workshop: rgfit.com/glutes And th

Aug 8, 2023 • 42:49

Ep 37: How to: fix bloating, find a good doctor, and target your hamstrings

In this fun episode Ashleigh and Rachel show off some summer fashion (follow us on YouTube to watch the episodes!) and answer listener questions including: How to fix bloating, and how much stomach bloat is normal How to optimize good digestion How to find a doctor who understands the importance of nutrition What is nutritional yeast and is it good for you? Are good mornings a good exercise? And more!  Thanks to our BRAND NEW sponsor, Goodr! These super cute, polarized, quality sunglasses are

Aug 1, 2023 • 48:36

Ep 36: Postpartum fitness and health with Melissa Paris

In this episode with Ashleigh and her special guest, postpartum fitness and kettlebell expert Melissa Paris, the two moms discuss the importance of the postpartum period for long-term health and healing, the kinds of breathwork that help improve core stability, the best way to support and strengthen core and pelvic health both before and after birth, how to navigate fitness "as a mom" while juggling all the new responsibilities and distractions, and the number one thing women should do in the we

Jul 25, 2023 • 1:04:59

Ep 35: A deep dive on Hormone Replacement Therapy for Women

In this episode, Rachel and Ashleigh dive deeper into the topic of hormone replacement therapy for women, attempting to clear up some misconceptions and provide information for listeners to better inform their own further research. (As a reminder, this episode does not contain medical advice and is meant for general information and entertainment purposes only.) The ladies cover topics including: Some common misconceptions around the health risks of HRT for women, and where these misconceptions

Jul 11, 2023 • 59:07

Ep 34: Q&A - Ozempic | Cottage Cheese trend | Net vs total carbs

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel try (and fail) to do a rapid-fire Q&A, but they still cover a lot of ground: they chat about the latest fat-loss drug, Ozempic; the new social media food trend of making everything out of cottage cheese; and answer other questions about gut health, whether there's value in core-specific workouts, and how often you should "go to failure" in your workouts. All that and more! If you have topic ideas or questions for the hosts, send them to musclescience4women@gm

Jun 27, 2023 • 30:49

Ep 33: Q&A: HRT | best glute exercises

In this Q&A episode, Rachel and Ashleigh catch up on what's going on in their lives after a brief break and chat about: Impactful glute exercises Learning new skills The misconceptions around hormone replacement therapy for women And that's just the tip of the iceberg! If you have more questions for Ashleigh and Rachel, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com Check out our new program, the Grow Your Glutes Workshop. More info on our flagship strength training program, Muscle Science for Wom

Jun 13, 2023 • 46:34

Ep 32: What's wrong with the health and fitness coaching industry, and how we can fix it

In this re-released episode, Ashleigh discusses what she's seen/experienced as the issues in the coaching industry today, and what we can all do to improve it. As a professional in the health and fitness industry for more than a decade, Ashleigh has worked as a coach and has experience as a client; she’s also worked with, observed, interviewed, and learned from some of the top coaches in the industry. When a coaching experience doesn’t go well, it’s easy to chalk it up to an unmotivated client,

May 30, 2023 • 1:29:45

Ep 31: How Nutrition and libido are connected

In this re-released episode, Ashleigh welcomes back her friend Dr. Elly Michelle Lieppman, a licensed naturopathic doctor who specializes in individualized women’s medicine, optimizing hormones, digestion, and energy. Learn more at drellymichelle.com. Dr. Elly and Ashleigh tackle the complex and spicy topic of sexual health and libido - discussing topics like: How libido is an indicator of overall health The many physical and emotional layers that contribute to libido What our sex hormones are

May 16, 2023 • 44:13

Ep 30: Body fat percentages | Rest day restlessness

In this Q&A episode, Ashleigh and Rachel are asked about their body fat percentages, our favorite lifts, what to do with rest day restlessness, and more chats about optimizing training around your monthly cycle.  Have more questions or topic ideas for us? Email them to musclescience4women@gmail.com. Check out our new program, the Grow your Glutes Workshop. More info on our flagship strength training program, Muscle Science for Women. Shoutout to our show sponsor Active Stacks! They make high-qua

May 9, 2023 • 35:38

Ep 29: The Science of Stress and Stress Mitigation with Dr. Andrew Huberman

Since May is a busy month for the Muscle Science for Women ladies, please enjoy the re-release of one of the most popular podcast episodes Ashleigh ever recorded: her interview with Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and a professor in the department of neurobiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. If you haven't heard this episode before, it's full of usable, accessible tools to understand and manage your stress response - and if you have heard it before, we really think this o

May 2, 2023 • 1:40:07

Ep 28: What is reverse dieting? | How to do it correctly

This week is all about reverse dieting: Ashleigh and Rachel discuss what a reverse diet is, and why you should do it after spending time in a caloric deficit. They also talk about what many people get wrong about reverse dieting; how changing your body size changes your nutritional and metabolic needs; and how to find your new "maintenance" calories after you've changed your body composition. This is an important episode for anyone who's lost weight or changed their body composition, hit their g

Apr 18, 2023 • 50:47

Ep 27: Are HIIT workouts actually good for you?

In today's episode, Ashleigh and Rachel talk all things High Intensity Interval Training: What exactly is it, and what are the common ways people do it wrong? What are the potential benefits? What are the potential downfalls? Can it be effective for women looking to lose fat, build muscle, and who have limited time for workouts? What are their favorite HIIT workouts? The ladies also discuss their new offering, the Grow Your Glutes workshop, and introduce a potential new intro theme song, hope

Apr 11, 2023 • 34:10

Ep 26: Can you change your body composition without changing your weight?

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel talk about cutting and bulking in tandem with the seasons; whether or not you can/should try to change your body composition without losing or gaining weight; how to know when it's time to move on from a current goal and start a new challenge; and of course, they talk about healthy protein treats for those of us who are trying to chaise gains but who also need ice cream. Here's a link for how to make the BEST protein ice cream:  https://www.rgfit.com/blog/ni

Apr 4, 2023 • 43:48

Ep 25: Final photoshoot prep update | Dealing with back pain

"A healthy body is a responsive body." Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a body composition or fat loss goal - you feel like you're doing everything right but not seeing the results you want? It could be that you're missing some of the foundational health principles that will help encourage body composition changes. Many of the most important factors for fat loss or muscle gain - things like proper nutrition, recovery, rest, hormonal health, stress management, and more - are ignored i

Mar 28, 2023 • 58:33

Ep 24: Motivation and cardio - How important are they for fat loss?

In this episode of Muscle Science for Women, Ashleigh gives an update on her short but intense photo shoot prep and fat loss plan, revealing the challenges she's having (they're not what you think!) and they talk about the importance of motivation in goal setting - as well as what to do when motivation fails. They dig into the role cardio can play in fat loss, and how to implement it in a strategic, sustainable, and healthy way. Email us with your thoughts, comments, topic suggestion to musclesc

Mar 14, 2023 • 53:03

Ep 23: Let's talk glutes! | Training around your cycle

Join the Build Your Glutes Workshop interest list HERE! This week, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about training around your cycle; Rachel shares details about her business rebranding; and the two ladies announce their first new workshop product since Muscle Science for Women was born...hint, it's all about the glutes :) Learn more about the new course and how you can sign up for a bigger, stronger backside. Reach out with any questions, comments, or topic ideas by emailing muscle

Mar 7, 2023 • 43:43

Ep 22: Talking beauty standards in the fitness industry

In this episode, hosts Rachel and Ashleigh answer your questions, including whether their feelings about themselves or about beauty in general have changed as their "online careers" have grown. They also offer their own tips or advice for how to cultivate contentment, compassion, and self-love in an online world that can be increasingly judgemental and negative. Ashleigh also gives an update on her photoshoot prep, and they discuss how to manage your goals when unexpected stresses are thrown at

Feb 28, 2023 • 42:39

Ep 21: Does nutrition timing matter for fat loss? | Nerding out on creatine

In this episode, the girls nerd out about the benefits and uses of creatine and collagen; they discuss the nuances of nutrition timing when in a deficit; Ashleigh talks about her experience with Rachel’s Training program so far, and more. If you have any questions, topic ideas, comments or feedback, send them to musclescience4women@gmail.com Shoutout to our show sponsor Active Stacks! They make high-quality beef protein isolate in two delicious flavors, chocolate and vanilla. They're made with c

Feb 21, 2023 • 42:17

Ep 20: Ashleigh talks about her photoshoot prep with a SURPRISE coach!

Even coaches need coaching - Ashleigh is working on a short but intense "prep" for an upcoming photoshoot, and she discusses her plan and goals with her surprise coach - including things she does and doesn't like about having a coach, the difficulties of a prep after having a child, her changing values, the non-negotiables required when looking to make body composition changes, and ultimately, the TRUE value of a coach...it's not always what we think it is! What do you want to learn from or know

Feb 14, 2023 • 47:04

Ep 19: Is fasting good for women or not?

In this short solo episode, Ashleigh answers listener questions about whether fasting for women is a good idea; when you know you've reached a goal and when it's time to take a break/maintain, and her thoughts on the current state of fitness coaching and accreditation.  Learn more on her episode with women's fasting expert Cynthia Thurlow here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hmsWBTLSmU&t=276s Listen to Ashleigh's episode about "what's wrong with the coaching industry and how we can fix it" her

Feb 7, 2023 • 30:01

Ep 18: Optimize your hormones with Dr. Halie Schoff

One of the questions most frequently asked of the Muscle Science for Women podcast hosts is around optimizing hormonal health as we age, so we can maximize muscle, minimize stress, and live vibrant, healthy lives. It's a complex topic, though, and one that requires more than one podcast episode to dive into! This week, Ashleigh chats with Dr. Halie Schoff, a licensed and practicing Functional Chiropractor, Integrative Health Practitioner, and Podcaster with a Master's in Applied Clinical Nutriti

Jan 31, 2023 • 1:03:40

Ep 17: How to get your strength back after injury or illness

Ashleigh and Rachel answer some of the most commonly asked questions they get about: How much protein can you really metabolize at once? How do you know how much protein you should be eating per meal? They provide actionable strategies to help you figure it out for yourself How to come back to training after injury and illness in a safe smart way and how to minimize muscle loss during injury What do they think of cold water therapy, including when it can be helpful and when it can be harmful Ne

Jan 24, 2023 • 39:48

Ep 16: Can you spot reduce muscle?

In this episode, Rachel and Ashleigh catch up after the holidays and talk about their new year’s challenges and resolutions and some things they’re working on. Rachel talks about improving gut health and Ashleigh discusses a new exercise goal she's scared to try. They also answer a very unique listener question about spot REDUCING muscle, rather than spot reducing fat: can you do it, and if so, how? Why might you want to spot reduce muscle in the first place? This is a fun one - please email you

Jan 17, 2023 • 37:52

Ep 15: Answering more of your questions about healthy, fit pregnancy

In this episode, Ashleigh speaks with health and fitness coach Laura Ruspis (@coachlaura.fit) and mom of four about her fitness and motherhood journey, and together they answer your questions about prenatal vitamins, training in the postpartum period while breastfeeding, postpartum food prep, how partners can support postpartum women, how to look at fitness post-birth, and so much more. If you'd like more info about fueling for pregnancy and postpartum, you can download Ashleigh's ebook on the t

Jan 3, 2023 • 1:08:22

Ep 14: Is Intra-Workout Fuel Useful?

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of intra-workout fuel (I.e., eating something during a workout). We dive into the details of why it might help performance, what intra-workout fuel is best, and how it could promote unhealthy attitudes toward food if you're unaware of how you're using it. They also answer questions about rehabbing injuries, and the two hosts have some differing opinions on what does and does NOT count as dessert. If you have questi

Dec 13, 2022 • 35:06

Ep 13: Get Strong AND Look Good Naked with Functional Bodybuilding

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel chat with Functional Bodybuilding Master Coach Bri Lamb about her journey from college athlete to CrossFitter to training for health and aesthetics. She talks about her struggles with overtraining and how she's worked to find balance while still chasing goals and, of course, wanting to look good naked...and how she applies her experiences and training to help her clients do the same. Connect with Bri on Instagram @briannalamb But first, the ladies dive into s

Dec 6, 2022 • 1:09:01

Ep 12: The hosts answer YOUR personal questions!

In this fun - and overdue - episode, you can get to know your hosts Rachel and Ashleigh as they answer your rapid-fire personal questions about how they met, what it's like being an entrepreneur in the fitness industry, how they spend their "rest days", whether they were into sports and fitness as kids, their favorite junk food, and more. They also answer some health questions around recovery and hot/cold therapy. Rachel's Book List: https://www.amazon.com/shop/rachelgregory  If you have questio

Nov 29, 2022 • 45:19

Ep 11: What CrossFit gets wrong about strength training

In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel answer questions about: -the importance (or lack therof) of dynamic warm-ups for strength training; -why some coaches program "ego" workouts and whether they're helpful or a waste of time; -whether sweating, exhaustion, and soreness is an accurate indicator of a good workout; -what crossfit gets wrong about strength training Thank you to our show sponsor, Optimal Carnivore, the makers of high-quality, nutrient-dense whole food supplements. We love their grass

Nov 22, 2022 • 37:48

Ep 10: Preventing holiday weight gain - LIVE podcast!

In their second live webinar/podcast episode, Ashleigh, Rachel, and their guests discuss the fears, misconceptions, and tactics around eating during the holidays. They cover topics including: Do people actually tend to gain weight around the holidays, or is it a myth? How to balance enjoying special meals with loved ones while also feeling good and sticking to your goals and boundaries How to manage peer pressure around eating and drinking with family and friends Straightforward strategies to p

Nov 15, 2022 • 1:04:47

Ep 9: Troubleshooting Body Composition Plateaus - LIVE podcast!

This episode marks the first time that Rachel and Ashleigh recorded a “live” podcast, allowing listeners to attend the zoom call and participate, asking questions and giving input. It was super fun, so watch out for more of these in the future! This week, they discuss overcoming body composition plateaus, focusing on challenges with fat loss. They cover: How to ensure your goals align with your lifestyle and your behaviors How to conduct a “body composition” audit on yourself to ensure you’re a

Nov 1, 2022 • 1:06:09

Ep 8: Is weight fluctuation normal?

Rachel and Ashleigh are answering your questions today on topics like the importance of veggies when building muscle, how to add carbs intelligently to support training and muscle building, and more - but first Rachel talks about her new healthy treat obsession and Ashleigh tells a story about the strangeness of online coaching, which leads her to an idea for a "reverse Only Fans"...you have to listen to this one to hear what she's talking about! This episode is a little adult, a little funny, a

Oct 18, 2022 • 42:34

Ep 7: Ashleigh and Rachel get in a fight over squats

This one is spicy! In this Q&A episode, Rachel and Ashleigh start out by discussing workout and exercise order selection, but then dive deep into a fun, but respectful, debate about whether or not you should “pre-exhaust” your muscles before doing your big lifts, or whether you should keep it simple and do the big, challenging lifts first and exhaust your muscles at the end. They also get into whether more people could benefit from machine-assisted movements or if we should prioritize old-scho

Oct 4, 2022 • 30:22

Ep 6: What the fitness coaching industry is missing

In this solo episode, Ashleigh talks about some of the key elements largely missing from the strength and fitness coaching industry, especially regarding coaching women - the biggest challenge being the lack of women's focused research, study, and resources to better inform coaches programming and support. The industry as a whole needs more resources, formal scientific study, and compassionate listening in order to best understand, support, and guide our clients to their reaching their goals and

Sep 20, 2022 • 19:50

Ep 5: Let's stop blaming carbs for our poor lifestyle habits

In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh answer listener questions about carbs (carbs aren't bad, it's how we use-or abuse-them), talk about some upcoming trips and exciting life plans, and discuss the latest launch of their Muscle Science for Women training program! If you want to sign up for the program and have Ashleigh and Rachel as your personal coaches, along with a comprehensive 12-week training plan and hours of high-level content on nutrition, training, recovery, and much more, you can sign

Sep 6, 2022 • 45:51

Ep 4: Prepping For A Photoshoot

In this episode Rachel and Ashleigh chat about how Rachel is prepping for her latest photoshoot - they talk nutrition and caloric deficits, how much cardio you really need to do to change your body composition, how to achieve aesthetic goals without driving yourself crazy, and lots more! If you have any fitness or wellness topics you want us to cover, reach out! Please sign up for the Muscle Science for Women e-mail list to be the first to know about our program, new launches, and more: https:/

Aug 23, 2022 • 57:25

Ep 3: Women Are Not Small Men with Dr. Stacy Sims

In this episode, Ashleigh chats with Dr. Stacy Sims, an exercise physiologist and leading voice in women’s performance. She has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance and pushing to improve research on all women. She’s written two books, Roar and Next Level, and is well known for her ted talk women are not small men – her goal, similar to Rachel and Ashleigh's, is to educate everyone about the uniq

Aug 9, 2022 • 1:00:19

Ep 2: When Doctors (and Kim Kardashian) Give Bad Health Advice

In this episode of Muscle Science for Women, Ashleigh and Rachel discuss Kim Kardashian's new job as "chief taste consultant" for Beyond Meat, and also talk about Rachel's experience with a doctor giving her bad nutrition advice. We dive into advocacy, misleading marketing, and why understanding and listening to your own body is so important. Please sign up for the Muscle Science for Women e-mail list to be the first to know about our program, new launches, and more: https://www.metflexlife.com/

Jul 26, 2022 • 25:57

Introducing: The Muscle Science For Women Podcast!

Today's podcast is a big one, and comes with an announcement: Ashleigh is officially changing the Muscle Maven Radio podcast to the Muscle Science for Women podcast! First: please sign up for the Muscle Science for Women e-mail list to be the first to know about our program, new launches, and more: https://www.metflexlife.com/msw Moving forward, Ashleigh and her co-host Rachel Gregory, the creators of the Muscle Science for Women program, will answer listener questions and address key elements o

Jul 12, 2022 • 20:55

Erin Power | Can we change fitness culture?

In this episode Ashleigh takes a deep dive on fitness culture with Erin Power, Coaching & Curriculum Director at the Primal Health Coach Institute about the current state of fitness culture, it's impact on women specifically, and whether or not leaders in the fitness and wellness industry can hope to change or dismantle the harmful aspects of fitness culture in an increasingly digital, instant-gratification world.  Ashleigh also reveals that she is developing a course for Primal Health Coach Ins

Jun 7, 2022 • 1:19:19

Dr. Will Cole | Spirituality, Consistency, and Bravery - wellness factors we aren't talking about

Dr. Will Cole is a leading functional medicine expert who consults people around the world via webcam, having started one of the first functional medicine telehealth centers in the world. Named one of the top 50 functional and integrative doctors in the nation, Cole specializes in clinically investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and customizing a functional medicine approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems. He

May 31, 2022 • 58:23

Barefoot training and functional foot health with Dr. Emily Splichal

Ashleigh chats with functional podiatrist and movement specialist Dr. Emily Splichal today about mobility and strength work we can all do to improve our foot function and health. She talks about her functional approach to foot health and pain and how strongly connected the feet are to the rest of our bodies, including our hips, pelvic floor, and even jaw. She also offers suggestions for how we can encourage proper mechanics with our young kids as they learn to walk and run.  Learn more about Dr.

May 17, 2022 • 1:06:39

Why you should be eating heart

This episode is an excerpt from a talk Ashleigh did recently for Robb Wolf's private community health and fitness platform called The Healthy Rebellion. She spoke to the community about the origins of her organ meat cookbook It Takes Guts, the importance of incorporating organ meats into your diet, and then a breakdown about one specific cut: heart. She discusses how to source, prep, and cook heart, the health benefits, and why it may be a tasty and relatively easy addition to your meal planning

May 3, 2022 • 23:16

Learning from Tom Cruise's former personal chef

This week Ashleigh chats with chef James Berry, founder of Pluck, which is an organ-meat based seasoning blend. James is also a former private chef for celebrities including Tom Cruise and George Clooney! Ashleigh and James chat about how subtle dietary changes can reap big rewards, and James offers tips to make meal planning and cooking at home easier and less of a chore. He also shares some pretty crazy stories of his time making meals for some of the world's biggest celebrities!  If you'd lik

Apr 19, 2022 • 56:03

What is intuitive eating?

Ashleigh is back with her Muscle Science for Women co-creator Rachel Gregory! This time they're tackling the topic of Intuitive Eating: what is it? Is it possible to eat intuitively in a food culture where everything is hyperpalatable? Can you eat intuitively and still lose body fat? Do you need to track calories to lose weight? They cover all of this and more, don't miss this episode if you're looking to remove some of the stress and rules around your daily eating habits. Muscle Maven Radio is

Mar 15, 2022 • 1:05:40

My pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience

In the last episode of 2021, Ashleigh talks about her pregnancy and birth story:  her experiences being pregnant; including how she adjusted her diet and workout regimen; her actual birth experience, which involved an unmedicated birth at a birth center with a midwife and doula (and a couple surprises); and how she approached recovery, health, and life in the fourth trimester, aka the first few months after birth. While this episode is not meant to be formal advice to any potential or new mom, i

Dec 14, 2021 • 1:52:22

Rachel Gregory | The differences between strength training and hypertrophy training

Ashleigh is back with another episode co-hosted by her friend and Muscle Science for Women co-creator Rachel Gregory! In this episode the two podcast hosts and health coaches answer questions from listeners about the differences between muscle building and strength building; how to get back into the gym after injury; how to start working out in your 40's and 50s, and they talk about the next round of their Muscle Science for Women course starting again in January 2022. If you want to learn more

Dec 7, 2021 • 49:20

Jill Coleman | Fitness, business, and personal growth

Jill Coleman is a veteran of the fitness industry, with a history in figure competitions, fitness magazine cover modeling, personal training, and more - now, she has her own range of programs and certifications and offers business coaching for people looking to grow and level up in the health and fitness industry. Ashleigh worked with Jill personally on a fitness business consultation, and they got together recently to talk all things efficiency, work/life balance, the importance of daily commit

Nov 30, 2021 • 1:12:32

Hormonal Health with Dr. Carrie Jones

Dr. Carrie Jones is a Naturopathic Physician who is board certified in Naturopathic Endocrinology (FABNE) with a Master's in Public Health (MPH) and over 15 years in the field of functional and integrative medicine. She lectures all over the world on the topic of hormones and helps "hormonally challenged people feel less crazy." Ashleigh brought her on the show to explore the complexity of our hormonal cycles and what we can do to optimize them so we feel and perform our best. In this episode As

Nov 23, 2021 • 1:10:41

Cassy Garcia | Making healthy eating easier, tastier, and less expensive

Cassy Joy Garcia is the bestselling author of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed + Fit, which she started in 2011 and has grown exponentially. Eager to share her healthy living secrets with the world, she started Fed + Fit in 2011. She is a holistic nutrition consultant and mom, and wrote her new book to address the challenges that many people have with creating healthy meals for their families that are ine

Nov 9, 2021 • 50:36

Can you lose fat and gain muscle at the same time?

The question, "can you build muscle and lose fat at the same time?" may be one of the most pervasive in the fitness industry, and the answer, as usual, is more complex than many of us would like. But it's not all bad - there is plenty to be learned about our bodies and how they work while we explore the most efficient and healthy ways to achieve these two separate (but often combined) goals. In this episode Ashleigh covers: Who may be able to gain muscle and lose fat at the same time, and who m

Oct 26, 2021 • 21:59

Stan Efferding | Lessons learned training elite athletes

Stan Efferding is an IFBB Professional bodybuilder and World Record Holding Powerlifter. He is one of only 10 men in the world to ever total over 2,300 pounds raw in competition. Stan holds the title as the World's Strongest Bodybuilder.  He conducts seminars all over the country for various sports and nutrition and training techniques, and he coined the Vertical Diet - his book, The Vertical Diet, just came out and in this episode Ashleigh and Stan talk all things diet, muscle building, and wha

Oct 19, 2021 • 1:38:25

Bethany McDaniel | Improve your skin with animal-based products

In this episode Ashleigh and Bethany, the founder of natural skincare brand Primally Pure, discuss specific animal-based skincare ingredients: how they’re processed and used, their benefits, how they’ve been used historically, and much more.   Bethany McDaniel started Primally Pure by personally rendering tallow from the animals at her family’s organic lifestock farm in Southern California, and has grown the brand exponentially to offer high-quality, luxurious natural skincare without any harmfu

Oct 5, 2021 • 57:41

Anita Lambert | Pelvic Health Masterclass

Core and pelvic health is a hugely important, and deeply under-respected aspect of health - but especially women’s health, and especially for post-partum women who have undergone drastic changes during pregnancy and childbirth. While pelvic physical therapy SHOULD be a standard of care for women who have given birth, more often we’re just told that women who have had babies will “pee a little” when they sneeze or exercise, and to deal with it; while this is common, it’s not normal and doesn’t ha

Sep 28, 2021 • 1:16:21

Autumn Smith | Knowing the difference between fitness and wellness

Autumn Smith is the co-founder of Paleovalley, a certified eating psychology coach, former fitness trainer, professional dancer, yogi and all around wellness warrior! Five years ago, she healed her IBS and anxiety with high quality FOOD and strategic lifestyle shifts. Ashleigh chats with Autumn about all this and more: Her process of improving digestive issues and anxiety though diet and lifestyle Ingredients in “healthy” food products that could be causing you issues What a “Pleasure inventory

Sep 21, 2021 • 51:28

Dr. Steven Lin | Functional Dentistry, and how our mouth impacts our overall health

Dr. Steven Lin is a board-accredited dentist, author of The Dental Diet, and TEDx speaker. He coined the term functional dentist and is doing incredibly innovative work in this emerging area to prevent dental disease and overall health issues that are related to jaw and facial structure, improper breathing, gut and digestive health, and so much more. As we learn in this episode, oral health is about so much more than flossing and eating less sugar.   In today’s episode with functional dentist Dr

Sep 14, 2021 • 1:15:07

Dr. Mark Vorderbruggen | Benefits of black pepper: plant medicines you already have in your pantry

You may not be aware that many of our culinary herbs and spices started out as medicine. I asked chemist and plant expert (and product developer for Medicine Man Plant Co) to do a deep dive on a spice everyone knows, but many may not know the benefits of: black pepper. Yes, it tastes great with salt on french fries, but it also works with other healthy compounds to enable them to work better: things like turmeric and cayenne pepper, for example, by helping your body absorb more of those healthy

Sep 7, 2021 • 26:12

The Muscle Maven’s Guide to Better Sleep

In this short episode Ashleigh offers up practical, tangible, and experience and science-backed tips for improving your sleep. Sleep is often the toughest and most under-appreciated aspect of the health puzzle, and considering Ashleigh has struggled with this element the most, she’s done her research and is sharing with you her own struggles as well as what’s worked for her. She covers key elements of sleep hygiene and sleep science around: Room set up/temperature/lighting Diet Exercise and lif

Aug 31, 2021 • 37:21

Dr. Elly Michelle | How nutrition and libido are connected

Let’s talk about sex! Today Ashleigh welcomes back her friend Dr. Elly Michelle Lieppman, a licensed naturopathic doctor who specializes in individualized women’s medicine, optimizing hormones, digestion, and energy.   In this short episode, Dr. Elly and Ashleigh tackle the complex and spicy topic of sexual health and libido - discussing topics like: How libido is an indicator of overall health The many physical and emotional layers that contribute to libido What our sex hormones are telling us

Aug 24, 2021 • 43:28

Dr. Brooke Kalanick | Give yourself the gift of muscle (and hormonal health)

This week Ashleigh sits down with functional medicine practitioner and co-author of the book Hangry, Dr. Brooke Kalanick, to talk about hormonal health, managing stress, and why muscle is the gift that keeps on giving. They cover practical tips on how to not let your health take the back burner no matter how busy you are; learning how to listen to your body and make adjustments without guilt or fear; and how the past year has made people more proactive about their health. They also touch on the

Aug 10, 2021 • 1:17:18

Dr. Cynthia Thurlow | Understanding fasting for women

We often hear that fasting doesn’t work as well for women - but we rarely get the details as to WHY it may be more complicated, or how we could be doing it differently to reap the myriad benefits of fasting. If you’re a woman looking to improve health and body composition, or you’re a coach or someone who works with women on their health, this podcast is for you.   Ashleigh speaks with Cynthia Thurlow, an intermittent fasting expert, nutrition educator, and nurse practitioner about fasting, cove

Jul 27, 2021 • 1:04:56

Robb Wolf | What’s wrong with the wellness industry, and what can we do about it?

Robb Wolf is a 2 x New York Times best selling author of The Paleo Solution and Wired to Eat, co-authored Sacred Cow with Diana Rodgers, is a former research biochemist and one of the world’s leading experts in Paleolithic nutrition. Wolf has transformed the lives of tens of thousands of people around the world via his top ranked iTunes podcast and wildly popular seminar series as well as his The Healthy Rebellion online community. Robb is also one of the first people Ashleigh listened to and le

Jul 13, 2021 • 1:35:10

Tiana Pollari | A plant-based coach and a meat-based coach sit down for a podcast

Did you hear the one about the plant-based coach and the meat-based coach who sat down together for a podcast? Well, the punchline is, they have an open conversation about making informed dietary choices, eating disorders, getting enough protein on a plant-based diet, how to adjust your body back to animal protein after years of vegan eating, how to know when someone is using dietary protocols to “excuse” disordered eating, and identity issues around diet, among other topics. Ashleigh chats with

Jul 6, 2021 • 1:22:56

The benefits of plant medicines you already have in your pantry

You may not be aware that many of our culinary herbs and spices started out as medicine. Ashleigh asks chemist and plant expert (and product developer for Medicine Man Plant Co) to do a quick but deep dive on a specific herb: sage. You may be only familiar with sage as a tasty seasoning for chicken or turkey, but turns out it has a long list of incredible benefits around brain health and focus, antibacterial benefits, digestive support, hormonal balance, and even more. Find out why you might wan

Jun 29, 2021 • 43:56

The Muscle Maven’s guide to healthy skin

In this solo episode, Ashleigh breaks down her key tips for healthy, beautiful, resilient skin - for both men and women - from a nutritional lifestyle perspective, as well as her key topical skincare tips. She breaks down some skincare ingredients you should avoid and some you may want to try, ways to think about sun exposure, and much more. (Please note that Ashleigh is not a dermatologist and this is not medical advice; please use your own discretion when trying new products or nutrition proto

Jun 15, 2021 • 39:21

Steve Liberati | Encouraging healthy practices in kids

Steve Liberati is the Founder of Steve’s, a healthy snack food company, and the non-profit organization Steve’s Club Camden. Steve’s is a small, family-owned business that Steve started in 2007 when he saw an opportunity to help make a real and positive impact in his community. Ashleigh has been a fan of Steve’s products and company ethos of fitness, wellness, and giving back to the community for a long time, so she asked Steve on to talk about the origin and growth of his business, how to manag

Jun 8, 2021 • 1:03:51

Dr. Kellyann Petrucci | Using food to slow the aging process

Dr. Kellyann Petrucci is a New York Times bestselling author, weight-loss and natural anti-aging expert, and a concierge doctor for celebrities in New York City and Los Angeles. She is a board-certified naturopathic physician and a certified nutrition consultant. She is a massive proponent of using food to encourage robust health and beauty, and challenging what we think about “natural aging.” In this episode Dr. Kellyann and Ashleigh discuss eating for beauty; addressing gut health as a means o

Jun 1, 2021 • 39:08

Kristin Rowell | How to be more efficient with your fitness and nutrition

In this episode Ashleigh and Kristin, a former lawyer turned nutritional therapy practitioner and coach, talk about stomach acid deficiency; stress management among type A athletes and professionals; how to massively increase your muscle-building potential with less time in the gym; when “biohacking tools” can actually be really effective; and what she means by “nutrition frequency” (spoiler alert - it’s more about the energy and mindfulness you bring to eating rather than actual meal timing) Kr

May 18, 2021 • 1:25:18

Dr. Marc Bubbs | How to avoid the mid-life “fitness and happiness” slump

Dr. Marc Bubbs is a Naturopathic Doctor, Performance Nutrition Lead for Canada Basketball, and Performance Nutrition Consultant for a portfolio of professional and Olympic athletes. Marc is the author of the best-selling book Peak: The new science of athletic performance that is revolutionizing sports - An integrated and personalized approach to health, nutrition, training, recovery and mindset. His new book, Peak40 is all about building a leaner, stronger body and sharper mind in mid-life - and

May 11, 2021 • 1:08:13

How plant-based dieters can transition to eating more, and better meat

In this solo episode, Ashleigh answers questions from former vegans and vegetarians who are looking to incorporate more, or healthier animal-based food sources into their diets. She covers: The mindset shift required to change views and try something new and how to work through uncomfortable feelings about eating meat Testing, tracking in order to understand if your dietary changes are working or in your best interest Supplements and tricks for a healthy transition from plant-based to plant-and

May 4, 2021 • 48:16

PosturePro founder Annette Verpillot | The neuroscience of posture optimization

“If you can work your way into poor posture, you can work your way out of it.” - Words of hope from today’s guest, Annette Verpillot, the founder of Posturepro, a health company specialized in restoring the brain-body connection through some of the world’s most advanced rehabilitation and injury prevention techniques. She has created the Posturepro Method which has gained global recognition for eliminating chronic pain, optimizing children’s development, and improving sports proficiency. Additio

Apr 27, 2021 • 1:20:46

Rachel Gregory | Answering your nutrition questions

Nutritionist, coach, podcast host and honorary co-host of Muscle Maven Radio Rachel Gregory joins Ashleigh again to answer listener questions about nutrition! They cover topics like eating for healthy hormones; how sleep and food cravings are connected; “keto” sweeteners; tips for snacking, why moderation sounds great but rarely works, and a lot more. Learn more about Ashleigh’s brand-new habit coaching service - where she provides you with all of her healthy habit routines and resources, and yo

Apr 13, 2021 • 1:06:50

Ryan Farr | Asking a professional chef and butcher about common kitchen mistakes

In preparation for Ashleigh’s upcoming second cookbook all about protein-forward recipes, she interviews chef, butcher, entrepreneur, author, and educator Ryan Farr about some basic rules and mistakes folks make in the kitchen when it comes to preparing, cutting, handling, and cooking meat. This super practical episode is a must-listen for any amateur chef and meat-lover who wants to get the most out of their cooking. The two cover ideal equipment and utensils; biggest mistakes many at-home chef

Apr 6, 2021 • 57:31

What’s wrong with coaching, and how we can fix it

Coaching is big business - perhaps even more so now, when our options for going to the gym and working out can be more limited. As a professional in the health and fitness industry for more than a decade, Ashleigh has worked as a coach and has experience as a client; she’s also worked with, observed, interviewed, and learned from some of the top coaches in the industry. When a coaching experience doesn’t go well, it’s easy to chalk it up to an unmotivated client, or a crappy coach - sometimes th

Mar 30, 2021 • 1:31:02

The science of muscle building and strength training for women

It’s finally here! Ashleigh has teamed up with nutritionist and coach Rachel Gregory to develop the Muscle Science for Women program, a three-month course on the theory and application of strength and muscle building that begins in April. In this episode, Ashleigh and Rachel talk in-depth about the scope of the course; what they will cover, what participants will gain and learn, and some of the key challenges and sticking points for women who are looking to change body composition and improve st

Mar 16, 2021 • 1:18:14

Holistic Nutritionist Amanda Carneiro | Gut Health 101

Amanda Carneiro is a personal trainer, fitness nutritionist, and holistic nutritionist specializing in gut health and fat loss (which are often closely linked). She works one-on-one with remote clients and also offers fantastic online courses on Gut Health and Fat Loss specifically. In this episode, Ashleigh and Amanda talk about the links between stress, gut health, digestion, mental health, and more; how Amanda works with clients to uncover the root cause of gut health issues, which can be com

Mar 9, 2021 • 1:07:29

Physiotherapist Kayla Mulvogue | Understanding women’s physiology and training

Kayla Mulvogue is a physiotherapist, expert in women’s physiology and training, coach and mentor. She recently created an incredible course called Applied Women’s Physiology and Training which teaches women (and people who coach women) all about the unique considerations for optimizing women’s training, health, and fitness, including aspects of physiology, hormones, reproductive health, and much more. In this episode Ashleigh and Kayla talk about key differences in women’s physiology about how a

Mar 2, 2021 • 1:06:09

Alone contestant Callie Russell | Gratitude and resilience from a survival expert

Having a bad day? Feeling frustrated and annoyed with life? Things not going your way? Listen to this podcast and prepare to have your perspective drastically changed. Callie Russell is a survival expert, ancestral skills instructor, hunter, goat herder, and true renaissance woman. She came into the public eye when she became the runner up for groundbreaking reality Show Alone, Season 7, spending 72 days on her own in the Canadian Artic, surviving with only 10 tools she brought along and her own

Feb 25, 2021 • 1:27:37

Demystifying fears around childbirth

Today Ashleigh speaks with a family dedicated to ancestral health and lifestyle, including natural home birth: Colin Stuckert, founder of Wild Foods Co, and his wife, Allison Bingham. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about the current culture and education around childbirth in America, and why a focus on empowerment, understanding our bodies, and trusting in our ability to birth is needed. This podcast is not meant to discourage anyone from a hospital-based birth, it’s about empowering individua

Feb 9, 2021 • 1:34:34

Dr. Mike T Nelson | Is intuitive or flexible eating possible in today’s world?

Dr. Mike T. Nelson is a body composition and performance expert. He has spent 18 years of his life learning how the human body works, specifically focusing on how to properly condition it to burn fat and become stronger, more flexible, and healthier. He has a PhD in Exercise Physiology, a BA in Natural Science, and an MS in Biomechanics. He’s an adjunct professor and a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. In this episode Ashleigh and Mike talk about metabolic flexibility as well as

Feb 2, 2021 • 1:19:10

Dr. Andy Galpin | MMA training, hydration, and taking ownership over your health

Dr. Andy Galpin is a professor with a PhD in Human Bioenergectics, a researcher and scientist who studies and works to enhance sports performance, including working directly with MMA athletes prepping for competition. His work on topics like hydration, eating and training for hypertrophy and performance, and understanding hypertrophy is helping professional and recreational athletes alike, and his wealth of free information via his YouTube account is an excellent starting point for folks looking

Jan 26, 2021 • 1:24:23

Answering your questions about the dreaded “C word” - Cardio

In this latest episode with podcast host, nutritionist, and coach Rachel Gregory, Ashleigh and Rachel answer listener questions about cardio - the best kind depending on your goal; how to know when you’re overdoing it; if you can be a high-performing endurance athlete and eat low carb; when to implement it for fat loss; and so much more. Head to my website, ashleighvanhouten.com, to submit more questions for an upcoming podcast! My nose-to-tail cookbook, It Takes Guts, is available now in-stores

Jan 12, 2021 • 1:08:50

Dr. Ben Bikman | Understanding insulin, and why we get sick

Today Ashleigh speaks with Dr. Ben Bikman, author of Why We Get Sick, about insulin resistance, optimal diet, and the nearly universal contributing factors as to why we get sick - so we can approach health from the ground up, address the root issues, and truly understand how our bodies work. They discuss why we should be focusing more on our insulin than our blood sugar; why a lower carb diet is still the best approach for most people; why animal sources of protein and fat (always together) are

Jan 5, 2021 • 1:18:04

Rachel Gregory | Developing a resilient mindset and clear goals

In this episode with podcast host, nutritionist, and coach Rachel Gregory, Ashleigh and Rachel do a deep dive on the mental aspect of health and goal setting. Information and enthusiasm are both important for making positive health changes, but having the right outlook and a plan for sustained behavior change is even more crucial. Ashleigh and Rachel draw on their extensive experience as coaches and athletes to discuss why behavior change can be so difficult (even when we want to change!), why m

Dec 15, 2020 • 1:05:01

Boxer Chris Algieri | Eat like a fighter

Today Ashleigh learns from former WBO World Boxing Champion and ISKA+WKA World Kickboxing Champion and author of The Fighter’s Kitchen, Chris Algieri. From practical tips for at-home boxing practice; nutrition for athletes; and their favorite fighter movies, two cover it all. Being inspired by an elite athlete and training and eating like one are two completely different things, but in this episode, Chris and Ashleigh break down the fundamentals of fueling for performance and how you can take in

Dec 8, 2020 • 1:26:15

Brent Totty | My Pull-Up Program, and changing habits with technology

In this episode Ashleigh talks more about her newly-launched Jacked Back Pull-Up Program with her collaborator and founder of Volv, Brent Totty. They dive into the details of the program (how it works, what you’ll learn, the process of putting it together) as well as discuss the technology aspect of this online program: how you can use tech to really connect with other people, learn, and build better habits, especially in times like these where in-person connection is increasingly rare. Technolo

Dec 1, 2020 • 1:09:24

Cookbook photographer Heather MacDonald | Imposter syndrome, and working with your friends

In this episode Ashleigh breaks down the process of writing her cookbook, It Takes Guts, with her cookbook photographer (and long time friend) Heather MacDonald. They talk about imposter syndrome, learning while doing (instead of waiting for the “perfect time”), what it meant to work on a big project with a friend, insider tips on food photography, and how to overcome all the obstacles in your way - including finishing a tight deadline in the middle of a global pandemic! This is a fun inside loo

Nov 24, 2020 • 1:05:23

CrossFit superstar Kari Pearce | Training, diet, mindset, and abs

Kari is a six times CrossFit Games athlete and four time Fittest American Female. She is currently the 3rd fittest woman on earth and has been in the top 10 the last five years. She has a long athletic career in gymnastics, and she earned her degree in Movement Science from the School of Kinesiology and was three time Academic All Big Ten. In addition to being a full time athlete, she has developed PowerAbs, which is a core program thousands of people are doing. It incorporates many of the thing

Nov 17, 2020 • 1:12:46

Barbell Shrugged’s Anders Varner | Functional fitness to the masses

Anders Varner co-hosts the uber popular Barbell Shrugged podcast, and creates programs for folks to get shredded, get muscular, and get fit. The Shrugged team is embarking on a totally new area of fitness: they are launching a series of workout programs that will be available in WalMart stores, effectively bringing high-end fitness programs to a mass market. It’s the first time it’s ever been done, and I wanted to chat with my friend about the business of fitness, the challenges to entering new

Nov 10, 2020 • 1:31:41

Ep. 22 | How anyone can use a continuous glucose monitor to improve their health

Are you looking to learn more about your health? Maybe you want to try a new style of eating, or understand how different foods effect you. It turns out, you can learn a lot about your body using a continuous glucose monitor, even if you aren’t diabetic or have insulin sensitivity issues. It helps you to understand how your body uniquely reacts to different foods, workouts, and other stressors; it can help you see how insulin sensitive or resistant you are during different times, and how well yo

Nov 3, 2020 • 1:09:11

Esther Blum | Improve your health by treating the root cause

Today Ashleigh chats with integrative dietician, holistic nutritionist and author Esther Blum about the ongoing complexities of gut health, hormonal health, and getting to the root of your problems to achieve sustainable positive health outcomes. So often we try to rush to a solution, or focus on addressing symptoms rather than a root cause; reframing our health goals as a life-long journey helps us slow down and truly understand ourselves, our bodies, and our challenges. We talk about digestive

Oct 27, 2020 • 1:05:21

Ep.20 | Want to compete in bodybuilding? Listen to this first!

In this solo episode, Ashleigh talks about her experience with bodybuilding: how she got into the sport and what she learned; common mistakes and her recommendations; competition day drama and unexpected challenges; and she answers listener questions about what competing is really like, including sharing how she eats when prepping; whether or not you can be a competitive bodybuilder and eat keto or paleo; if there are special concerns for women; ways to put on muscle while losing fat, and much m

Oct 20, 2020 • 1:32:56

Rachel Gregory | A Conversation about Emotional Eating

In this Q&A episode with coach and low-carb/keto diet expert, nutritionist, and host of the Metflex and Chill podcast Rachel Gregory, Ashleigh and Rachel dive into listener questions around flexible dieting, macro counting, emotional eating, food shame, and so much more. Please share this episode with someone you think could benefit! My nose-to-tail cookbook, It Takes Guts, is available now for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Chapters! Want the health benefits of organ meats but not

Oct 13, 2020 • 1:05:36

Ede Fox | Creating an inclusive health community for carnivores

This week Ashleigh speaks with Ede Fox, an educator about the carnivore diet who has created an inclusive space for black people and people of color to learn about the carnivore diet, health and nutrition. Ashleigh and Ede talk about Ede’s health journey, how she eats now and what she’s learned, and why it’s important to her to create space for people of color to connect with each other in the health world. They also speak more broadly about what the carnivore diet means to them, the potential i

Oct 6, 2020 • 1:22:09

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon | Optimizing muscle for health and longevity

Ashleigh sits down with her doctor, and one of the world leaders in functional medicine, the creator of the Muscle-Centric-Medicine approach to health and longevity, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon. In this episode, they take listener questions about the efficacy of a ketogenic diet for women; optimal protein intake; optimal carb intake and what a “carb threshold” is; understanding and managing “hedonic” eating, even during times of extreme stress; and much more. If you’d like to learn more about muscle-cent

Sep 29, 2020 • 1:12:08

Cristi Bartlett | Coaching, Confidence, and football

Ashleigh sits down with Cristi Bartlett, an assistant strength coach for the Tennessee Titans to talk about coaching, confidence, powerlifting, and football - not necessarily in that order! We learn about Cristi’s background in sports, how she decided her career path and the steps she took to get there; what it’s like being one of the few women in her position in the NFL; and how competence, confidence, and passion will always matter more than luck or gender. Of course, having a great squat neve

Sep 22, 2020 • 1:34:09

Sam Pogue | What is "biohacking" and is it worth it?

Today Ashleigh chats with her friend and personal trainer/ fitness consultant /brand builder Sam Pogue about balancing our desires for a “magic pill” or quick fix with the reality of long-term, consistent habits. They talk about the trend and subculture of biohacking; what’s snake oil and what’s really helpful; the importance of clearly understanding your goals before you can reverse engineer the steps needed to get there; and when “biohacking” can be fun and helpful, and when you need to simply

Sep 8, 2020 • 28:31

Rob Mack | The art and science of happiness

This week’s episode is one everyone can learn from and use immediately to become happier - no small claim! Ashleigh speaks with Rob Mack, an ivy-league-educated Positive Psychology expert, happiness coach, and Author. He is one of the world’s leading experts on the relationship between happiness and success. He helps individuals and organizations achieve an energizing balance of authentic personal happiness and effortless professional success, based on time-tested, face-valid, empirical data and

Sep 2, 2020 • 1:11:19

Dr. Elly Michelle | Q&A about hormones, disordered eating, and the "toned" woman myth

Today Ashleigh welcomes back her friend Dr. Elly Michelle Lieppman, a licensed naturopathic doctor who specializes in individualized women’s medicine, optimizing hormones, digestion, and energy. Dr. Elly Michelle is passionate about restoring balance in the body naturally and sustainably through lifestyle medicine, nutrition, and strategic supplementation, by uncovering the root cause of health concerns and understanding what is going on in your body at a deeper level. With specific expertise in

Aug 18, 2020 • 1:20:51

Ep 12: Eating organ meat, thriving on a low carb diet, and making decisions with facts rather than emotion: chatting with Paul Saladino

This week Ashleigh chats about organ meat, optimizing health, and the carnivore diet with the carnivore MD himself, Paul Saladino, author of the Carnivore Code. They break down listener questions about the healthiest animals to eat, how to eat them, how to optimize immune and gut health, how to train on a low carb or carnivore diet, using a carnivore approach as a health reset, insulin sensitivity, and a lot more. If you’re interested in the benefits of a nose-to-tail diet, optimizing your anima

Aug 11, 2020 • 1:16:12

Ep11: Talking skincare, sex, and stem cells with Dr. Amy Killen

In today’s episode Ashleigh speaks with anti-aging expert Dr. Amy Killen about all the fun stuff: sexual health, skin health, and longevity, for men and women. They talk about stem cell therapy, peptides, hormone therapy, and all the ways Dr. Killen is researching and implementing bio-optimization with her clients. Often, addressing sexual health or even cosmetic anti-aging treatments can be a gateway into a deeper understanding of true health and longevity, so this is a fun intro into all the w

Aug 4, 2020 • 1:06:33

Ep 10: The science of stress and stress mitigation with Dr. Andrew Huberman

Today on Muscle Maven Radio, Ashleigh speaks with Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and a professor in the department of neurobiology at the Stanford university school of medicine. He studies brain development, brain plasticity, neural regeneration as well as things like controlling your brain state, tangible ways to manage fear, stress and anxiety, and at his lab he also works on strategies for halting and reversing vision loss ad how visual perceptions and autonomic arousal states impact b

Jul 28, 2020 • 1:38:27

Ep 9: Strength takes many forms: powerlifting through a cancer diagnosis with Nikki Balkau

Today’s episode is about the many forms that strength can take, the power of perspective, and ultimately the story of a pretty remarkable human being who has been through more than most and has come out of it all a stronger, wiser person. Nikki Balkau is a powerlifter, but like all of us she’s a lot more than that. We discuss her experience being diagnosed with Leukemia has an otherwise healthy twenty-something, and how she dealt with that diagnosis physically and mentally (including continuing

Jul 21, 2020 • 1:32:26

EP 8: Hormones, fertility, and strength with Dr. Fit and Fabulous, Jaime Seeman

On this episode of Muscle Maven Radio, Ashleigh speaks with Dr. Fit and Fabulous, Dr. Jaime Seeman. A functional OBGYN and surgeon, she also calls herself the vagina doctor so it only makes sense that they talk about nutrition and health for pregnancy and women who wish to become pregnant; what your monthly cycle can tell you about your health; metabolic flexibility, carbs, and keto for women; and hormonal health in general. They also discuss Dr. Seeman’s participation in the Titan Games, and is

Jul 14, 2020 • 1:07:30

EP7: Talking sex and pull-ups with Untrue author Wednesday Martin

Because sexual health is an important part of overall health and wellness, In today’s episode Ashleigh speaks with writer Wednesday Martin about her groundbreaking book Untrue. They dive into complex topics like women’s sexuality and how stereotypes about women’s sexuality are created and perpetuated. They talk about the historical and anthropological bases for a lot of our ideas about sexuality; why common tropes about women and sex and relationships tend to be vastly different from how wo

Jul 7, 2020 • 1:00:22

EP 6: Trusting yourself over technology: the future of wellness tracking with the founders of MetriLife

The problem with most health tracking apps is that they tend to influence people to rely more on external data than their own thinking. Today’s guests are Paul Oneid and Jay Nera, the founders of MetriLife, a mobile app that teaches you how your daily behaviors affect your life and provide you with actionable feedback to improve your mental and physical health and performance. They join us on the show to talk about their app, but also the idea that all health goals are contingent on mindset, beh

Jun 30, 2020 • 1:21:51

EP 5: Q&A: Deep dive on the carnivore diet, and learning to love organ meats

Covering all aspects of the carnivore movement, today’s episode is flipped on its head with Muscle Maven Radio host Ashleigh Vanhouten as today’s guest! Beth Lipton, chef, recipe developer, and wellness writer is today’s host and asks Ashleigh all the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about a carnivorous diet. We cover health, safety, and sustainability, especially for women interested in following this lifestyle, and Ashleigh shares how a carnivorous diet can work as a tool for building muscl

Jun 16, 2020 • 1:18:56

EP 4: Healthier Meat, Healthier People, Healthier Planet: Belcampo’s Alternative Meat Supply System

The conventional agricultural system, with its focus on efficiency and mass scale, is harmful to animals, the environment, and humans. Belcampo is the only fully vertically integrated meat supply company in the US with a carbon positive impact and fully regenerative processes, and they are a shining example of a business that is moving the needle in healthy and sustainable directions. Anya Fernald, its CEO, joins us today, and her passion for the industry, healthy living, and conscious consumpti

Jun 9, 2020 • 1:09:55

EP 3: Hunting, harvesting, and cooking with Wilderness to Table's Bri Van Scotter

No matter how we eat, the way we participate in the food cycle in the most ethical, sustainable, and healthy way is a really important conversation to have. Joining me to talk about cooking what you hunt is Bri Van Scotter, a true renaissance woman with degrees in art, communications, and cuisine – and the force behind Wilderness to Table, through which she teaches people about making, enjoying, and also sourcing delicious and healthy food. We chat with Bri about her journey to becoming a self-s

Jun 2, 2020 • 1:06:51

EP 2: The most important hormone we aren't talking about with Dr. Anna Cabeca

Discovering the intricacy of the female body is a beautiful process. Our delicate hormonal balance affects all aspects of our health and wellbeing, from the condition of our skin to the quality of our sleep and sex lives. In this episode, I interview Dr. Anna Cabeca who is board certified in genealogy and obstetrics, integrative medicine, and anti-aging and regenerative medicine and who is also an authoritative voice in the realm of functional medicine, menopause, and women’s sexual health. Dr.

May 19, 2020 • 1:16:59

EP 1: Welcome to Muscle Maven Radio

A lot has happened since the last time I published a podcast episode, so I want to thank all of you for sticking around despite all the chaos in the world right now. I hope that you guys missed me as much as I missed talking to you. Today I’m introducing you to the new name and brand of the show and explain to listeners the reasons for all these changes. In short, Paleo Magazine is undergoing some big transformations and part of their restructuring resulted in much uncertainty about the future o

May 12, 2020 • 9:25