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Spandex & Wine

Spandex & Wine
Author: Robin Hackney
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© 2025 Spandex & Wine
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Spandex & Wine is a podcast for finding balance between being healthy & living a happy life. Hosted by Robin Hackney, a 23-year veteran in the fitness industry & wine consultant, this is a place to be our authentic selves as we have real conversations exploring wellness and all things wine! Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode.
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Stepping into discomfort might just be the pathway to greater strength, clarity, and wellbeing. This episode dives deep into the increasingly popular world of cold therapy, exploring everything from accessible cold showers to high-tech cryotherapy chambers. We begin with some personal news about shifting the podcast to a Friday-only schedule, allowing for more thoughtful content creation while maintaining balance. Then we explore the fascinating world of cold exposure and its surprising bene...
Ever found yourself wandering aimlessly around the gym, uncertain what to do next? You're not alone. That feeling of gym confusion is exactly what I address in this candid conversation about the transformative power of program design. Program design sits at that sweet spot between freestyle workouts and full personal training. It's perfect for self-motivated individuals who don't necessarily need constant supervision but would benefit tremendously from having a structured roadmap. As a fitne...
The fitness world is buzzing about weighted vests, but do they deserve the hype? As I see people strapping on these trendy accessories for walks, workouts, and even casual strolls through the neighborhood, I can't help but question whether the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks. Weighted vests certainly offer compelling advantages – they transform simple activities like walking into strength-training opportunities, potentially increasing calorie burn, building muscle, and even improvi...
Ever feel like your life is spinning faster than a flywheel in a cycle class? That's exactly where I found myself this week, staring down an impossible schedule and wondering how I'd possibly make it through. Sometimes the universe throws us into the deep end – literally, in my case. This episode centers around a powerful affirmation that's become my lifeline: "I choose joy, even in the busy." Between teaching extra classes and facing my first-ever cycle instruction (despite having zero expe...
Could a supplement commonly associated with bodybuilders actually be a game-changer for women's health? My journey with creatine began with skepticism when my son started using it years ago. Like many, I dismissed it as just another "gym bro" supplement meant for bulking up—until a conversation with my chiropractor completely changed my perspective. The turning point came when he mentioned research showing creatine's benefits for menopausal and postmenopausal women, particularly for easing s...
"I am capable, I am strong, and I trust myself to handle whatever comes my way." This powerful affirmation anchors our discussion about finding stability in chaotic times through the practice of consistency. Life rarely offers perfect balance. Right now, I'm juggling multiple full-time positions while dealing with technical difficulties (still recording on my phone until I can fix my laptop!), yet maintaining certain consistent habits has become my lifeline. Professional athletes serve as th...
Strength isn't just about lifting weights—it's about building a resilient future. What if I told you that one of the most powerful tools against aging isn't found in a pill bottle or cream jar, but in the weight rack at your gym? The science is clear: starting around age 30, we naturally lose 3-8% of our muscle mass every decade, with that loss accelerating dramatically during menopause. This muscle loss doesn't just affect how we look—it fundamentally changes our metabolism, energy levels, ...
Life comes at us in seasons - sometimes expected, sometimes catching us completely off guard. When my laptop died recently (amid other life changes), it got me thinking about how we constantly adapt to shifting circumstances, whether by choice or necessity. Have you noticed how your preferences naturally evolve over time? My husband Dave started his wine journey with super-sweet apple wine and refused anything that wasn't ice-cold. Fast forward to today, and he exclusively enjoys dry reds wi...
Ever wondered what's actually in your "natural" skincare products? That question led me to today's fascinating conversation with Cynthia Maddock, founder of Madd House Hill, who creates genuinely natural goat milk skincare from her own farm. What began as a humble side hustle to earn pocket money for her college-bound daughter has evolved into a thriving business built on transparency and quality. Cynthia breaks down why not all "natural" or even "goat milk" products live up to their labels,...
Cellular regeneration might sound like science fiction, but it's happening in your body right this minute. Your skin completely renews every month, your gut lining rebuilds every few days, and your red blood cells are replaced every season. You are literally not the same person you were a month ago! But here's where things get interesting: the quality of this amazing renewal process depends largely on your gut health. When Robin talks about being "geeky" about cellular regeneration, she's un...
Ever feel like you're juggling too many balls at once? You're not alone. In this raw and candid conversation, I open up about my current struggle with balance while navigating a new job alongside managing my fitness studio, recording this podcast, and showing up for clients. The truth? My balance is completely out of whack right now. We often picture balance as this perfect, calm state where everything fits neatly into place. But that's not reality. Balance isn't about perfection—it's about ...
Remember when you started a workout because you ate that cookie? Or stepped on the scale and let that number ruin your perfectly good day? It's time we talked about breaking free from this cycle of shame. Shifting from punishment-based workouts to joyful movement is a game-changer, especially for women in our 40s, 50s, and beyond. We've spent decades believing exercise was something we did because we weren't good enough—a consequence rather than a celebration. But what if movement became an ...
What does it really take to heal from profound childhood trauma? Alenda Jacobson's story offers a raw, unflinching look at this journey as she shares her experience of sexual abuse from birth to age seven and the chaotic family environment that shaped her early life. With remarkable openness, Alenda reveals how trauma taught her to constantly scan for danger, prioritize others' needs above her own, and develop an almost supernatural empathy as a survival mechanism. "I was very tuned in to ev...
What if the most powerful wellness tool isn't in your kitchen or gym bag, but between your ears? Dive into the fascinating science of how our thoughts shape our physical health and wellbeing. The numbers are shocking: we have up to 60,000 thoughts daily, with a staggering 80% being negative and 95% repetitive. That's right—we're not just thinking negative thoughts; we're thinking the same negative thoughts on repeat like a broken record. This mental pattern doesn't just stay in our hea...
Ever feel like life has rolled you up, wrung you out, and tossed you in a cart? That's exactly the stretch I've been experiencing lately—and surprisingly, I'm grateful for it. When my new job opportunity appeared, my first thought was about everything I'd lose: freedom, flexibility, and precious time with my grandsons. But looking deeper, I discovered what I truly needed: financial stability, structure, and new connections. The universe has a funny way of delivering exactly what we nee...
"Small steps taken daily create powerful change." This simple yet profound affirmation captures the essence of sustainable wellness, especially for women navigating their 40s, 50s, and beyond. After 23 years in the fitness industry, I've witnessed countless clients fall into the all-or-nothing trap—ambitious workout schedules and perfect meal plans that quickly become overwhelming and unsustainable. What actually works? Those tiny, consistent actions that may seem insignificant on their own:...
Web site: CLICK HERE Instagram: @mercedes.ludwig Facebook: Mercedes Ludwig When one door closes, another one opens—with a perfectly chilled glass of clean crafted wine waiting for you. Mercedes Ludwig's story of resilience and reinvention in the wine industry demonstrates exactly what the Spandex and Wine podcast is all about: finding balance between healthy living and life's pleasures. After Traveling Vineyard unexpectedly closed in December 2023, Mercedes didn't waste time mourning what wa...
Ever wondered what truly makes a difference in how you feel each day? During this season finale episode, I share a sneak peek of my Happiness Blueprint Workshop, revealing the four essential pillars that create a foundation for both health and happiness in our lives. The blueprint starts with morning rituals—those crucial first moments that set the tone for everything that follows. I explain how habit stacking can effortlessly incorporate hydration, movement, and powerful affirmations into y...
"Does anyone remember when I did the super Nana flying act off the deck?" Robin begins this episode recalling her graceful tumble that tore tendons across her foot—an injury she believes happened partly because she'd let her mobility and flexibility routine slide. Enter Jeff Baker from The Vital Stretch in Leawood KS, a specialist in assisted stretching who's on a mission to help people understand why stretching isn't optional, especially as we age. With a background in personal training and...
Ever wonder what happens when a lawyer and a music producer join forces to shake up the wine industry? Latoya Jordan and Brianna Shelko, the visionaries behind Marble Wines, are rewriting the rules of wine with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to women's empowerment. When Latoya found herself helping a reality TV star create a wine brand (despite him not even being a wine drinker), she discovered her own passion for the process. Having worked successfully with Brianna on previous proj...