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...

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 [email protected] ...

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+...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 [email protected]. Get fit with us in 2024 - sign up for...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...