Fuel Your Strength

If I could go back and talk to beginner-me in 2010, there are a handful of strength training lessons I would absolutely whisper in her ear. Not because I did everything wrong, but because so much frustration, second-guessing, and spinning my wheels could've been avoided with a little context and coaching.
In this episode, I'm reflecting on more than 15 years of consistent lifting, coaching, and learning the hard way. Whether you're brand new to strength training, a few years in, or coming back after a break, these lessons will help you train smarter, progress more confidently, and stop getting stuck in common traps that hold so many women back, especially after 40.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Why chasing "perfect form" can quietly stall your strength progress

How staying in your comfort zone with weights limits adaptation over time

What the research actually says about rep ranges for muscle growth

Why recovery becomes a non-negotiable as we get older

A surprisingly simple way to gauge whether your sets are hard enough

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 
If this episode resonates and you're ready to stop guessing in the gym, you can try a free sample of Strong with Steph, my progressive strength training program built specifically for women over 40 who want structure and flexibility.
Try 7 days free at https://stephgaudreau.com/workout 
Doors are currently open for enrollment at the time of this episode.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend who's lifting (or thinking about starting), and make sure you're subscribed to Fuel Your Strength so you don't miss future conversations like this one.

Is it really never too late to start strength training – even if you're in your 80s and you've never touched a barbell? You'll hear from journalist Clare Johnston of the "Rebuilding Mum and Dad" project, about what happens when older adults begin true progressive strength training from scratch – and why the results can feel straight-up miraculous (without being magic).
Clare shares how her parents started lifting in their 80s after years of mobility decline, osteoporosis concerns, and "we've tried everything" frustration. Together, they built a simple garage setup, worked with a coach remotely, and documented the entire journey. If you've ever wondered whether muscle, bone density, balance, and independence can improve later in life, this conversation is for you.
What you'll learn in this episode:
What actually happens when someone starts strength training for the first time in their 80s

Why muscle keeps showing up in every serious conversation about aging well

What surprised Clare the most once her parents started lifting regularly

How slow progression and coaching changed what seemed "impossible" at first

What this journey reveals about fear, confidence, and who strength training is really for

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 
If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout
Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge.
Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes.

If you've been feeling like women's fitness over 40 is a nonstop back-and-forth debate - like you're courtside at Wimbledon watching the ball whip from one hot take to another - you're not imagining it. Social media is loud right now, especially when it comes to what women should or shouldn't be doing in midlife. That noise can make it hard to trust your instincts or know what actually matters for building strength and aging athletically.
In this episode, I'm joined by strength for hypermobility & nutrition coach Nikki Naab-Levy. Together, we unpack the most confusing fitness narratives floating around right now and give you context that brings you back to center court so you feel confident, grounded, and clear on what works.
What you'll learn in this episode:
What if "feeling the right muscle" isn't the best way to judge your lift?

Are you training for strength… or just training to get tired?

Do rest periods actually matter, or is that all overblown?

If hypertrophy works across a huge rep range, how do you choose what you should do?

What happens when aesthetic fears collide with long-term strength and aging well?

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 
If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout
Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge.
Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

Life is life-ing especially in midlife. One day you're fired up, smashing your lifts, and thinking the whole week will be a highlight reel; two days later you're sleep-deprived, stressed, and wondering who parked a bus on your quads. In this episode, you'll learn a structured-yet-flexible strategy to use with your lifting to ride the wave of real-life energy swings so you can keep showing up, build muscle, and actually enjoy the process.
We'll break down how to anchor your week with strength, layer in cardio, and use auto-regulation (RPE/RIR) to dial intensity up or down without ditching your plan or your progress. If you're an athletic woman 40+ navigating perimenopause, career, caregiving, and sport hobbies, this practical framework will help you train smarter, recover better, and stay consistent long term.
What you'll learn in this episode:
Why the "go hard every day" mindset backfires once you hit your 40s and what to focus on instead.

The approach that keeps lifters consistent even when life is chaos.

How to tell if it's a day to push or pull back without second-guessing your training plan.

The simple two-day strength & cardio framework that delivers results without burning you out.

The mindset shift that turns "I missed a workout" guilt into sustainable long-term progress.

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 
If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout
Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge.
Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!

If you've ever heard a coach say "it's not wrong, but it's not right either," you'll resonate with this episode. Dive into the nuance that gets lost in punchy social media hot takes – especially for athletic women over 40 who want strength, muscle, and better performance without the fluff.
Get insight into why your progress may feel stuck, what to do about it, and how to build muscle with less frustration. Get practical coaching on progressive overload, program hopping, hypertrophy, auto-regulation, and why DIY training isn't actually "free."
What you'll learn in this episode:
What happens when you've been lifting for a while… but the weights (and results) haven't really changed?

Why "switching things up" might be the reason you're stuck in place.

The truth behind words like toned, sculpted, and long and lean and what they really mean for your training.

How chasing the number on the scale can quietly derail your performance and progress.

The real cost of trying to make up your own workouts, and what it's stealing from your gains.

Enjoyed this episode and want more? 
If you want a lifting program that tells you exactly what to do, try 7 days of Strong with Steph here >> https://stephgaudreau.com/workout
Share this episode with a friend looking to improve their strength training knowledge.
Subscribe to this podcast on your favorite streaming platform for new episodes!