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© Dr Tony Boutagy
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Join exercise scientist Dr Tony Boutagy as he interviews 11 leading experts in fitness and women's health. With 30+ years of experience and 70,000+ training programs written, Tony bridges rigorous science with practical application.
This podcast explores evidence-based approaches to strength training, metabolism, and nutrition—particularly for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
Discover what research actually suggests about fitness, beyond trends and oversimplification, through conversations that acknowledge real-world complexities and individual differences.
This podcast explores evidence-based approaches to strength training, metabolism, and nutrition—particularly for women navigating perimenopause and menopause.
Discover what research actually suggests about fitness, beyond trends and oversimplification, through conversations that acknowledge real-world complexities and individual differences.
24 Episodes
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What if small, precise changes in food, walking, and training could restore glucose control?Prof. Jonathan Little shares practical, evidence-based strategies from his lab on how carb restriction, exercise intensity, and ketones affect metabolic health.You’ll learn:• A research-tested 12-week very-low-carb model for type 2 diabetes remission (PMID 33653718)• Why fasting insulin rises 5–10 years before glucose does (PMID 22644836)• How a 10–15 min walk ≈ 30 min after meals flattens glucose spikes (PMID 35985050)• What LDL particle size reveals about cardiovascular risk (PMID 34159352)• When metformin supports - not blunts - exercise benefits• The science behind pre-sleep protein for morning glucose control• Why HIIT and moderate training both improve insulin sensitivity• The real impact of exogenous ketones as fuel and signal (PMID 27475046)
What really drives better sleep and recovery?Prof. Shona Halson - one of the world’s most respected experts in the field - shares what decades of research actually supports, and what to ignore.You’ll learn: • Why 8 hours is a useful guideline, but consistency matters more • How naps and “non-sleep deep rest” can help (and when they hurt) • Which wearable data is reliable vs. misleading • The role of hormones, perimenopause, and menstrual symptoms in sleep • Why evening meals, alcohol, and caffeine disrupt rest more than we think • How stress, low energy availability, and overtraining impair recovery • The truth about compression, ice baths, and sauna use • When protein timing and presleep nutrition really make a difference
How strong are your bones - and how do you know?In this conversation with Dr. Jarrod Meerkin, we break down what DEXA scans really tell us, how bone density changes across the lifespan, and the role of exercise, genetics, and lifestyle in protecting against osteoporosis.You’ll learn: • When peak bone mass is reached and why it matters • The differences between DEXA, QCT, PQCT, and ultrasound scans • Why the lumbar spine and hip are the gold standards for assessment • How genetics, hormones, and nutrition shape bone density • The silent nature of bone loss and why scans matter before age 70 • What T-scores and Z-scores actually mean • How resistance and impact training influence bone health • Why calibration matters when comparing DEXA results
Why are women still bombarded with misinformation about their health? From “bioidentical” hormones to probiotics, celebrity-endorsed supplements, and viral myths, Dr. Jen Gunter helps us separate fact from fiction.You’ll learn: • Why misinformation spreads so easily in women’s health • How mouse studies and anecdotes mislead the public • The truth about vaginal health, probiotics, and lubricants • What “bioidentical hormones” actually are - and aren’t • How doctors determine hormone therapy dosing • When hormone therapy helps, and when it doesn’t • Why sleep, nutrition, and exercise still matter most • How language in medicine (like “ovarian failure”) is evolving
What does the science really say about resistance training for women?In this conversation with Professor William Kraemer, one of the most cited exercise scientists in history, you’ll hear the lessons from five decades of research on strength training, program design, and women’s responses to training.You’ll learn: • Why women can safely follow the same strength principles as men • What the early large-scale female training studies actually showed • How symptomatology (sleep, hot flushes, joint pain) shapes menopause training • The fundamentals of sets, reps, loads, and rest for women • How to use flexible non-linear periodisation in real life • Why context, not theory, determines whether training advice worksResources & Links: • Kraemer WJ et al. — Evolution of resistance training in women: History and mechanisms for health and performance → https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smhs.2025.01.005 • Kraemer & Fleck — Designing Resistance Training Programs → https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Resistance-Training-Programs-4th/dp/0736081704
Most people think “gut health” means buying probiotics or avoiding certain foods. But what does the science actually say? In this episode, Dr. Joanna McMillan breaks down the myths, the evidence, and the everyday practices that make the biggest difference.You’ll learn: • What normal gut function actually looks like (and when to worry) • Why constipation is more serious than most realise • How to interpret bloating, gas, and gut noises without overreacting • The different types of fibre - and why resistant starch is so important • Why both plant and animal foods matter for long-term health • The facts about fermented foods, probiotics, and postbiotics • Foods and additives that damage gut health • How to approach FODMAPs and fibre intolerance safely🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagy
Our first Ask Me Anything podcast is here.I answer your questions on training through menopause and beyond - from resistance training and protein timing to Zone 2, mitochondria, and training into your 70s and 80s.In this session, we cover:✔️ Do we really lack female-specific resistance training research?✔️ “Stay in your lane” - the danger of experts giving advice outside their field✔️ Zone 2 training, mitochondria, and whether cardio helps or hinders hypertrophy✔️ Lactate threshold, heart rate, and why lab testing still matters✔️ Carbs vs fat for endurance - and why elite athletes aren’t the best model for most women✔️ Protein timing in women - does it differ from men?✔️ Light vs heavy weights, and why variety still matters✔️ Testosterone and postmenopausal training✔️ Sarcopenia, injuries, rotator cuff issues, and training into your 70s and 80s✔️ Tai chi, gymnastics, and “second-tier” activities for longevity✔️ The truth about wearables, recovery scores, and training frequency mythsWe didn’t get to every question this time, so another Q&A will be recorded soon. If you’d like to submit one, leave it in the comments or send it through on Instagram.📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagy🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au
Vitamin D is one of the most debated topics in health: sunlight vs supplements, safe levels, deficiency risks, and whether it truly impacts conditions beyond bone health.In this conversation with Professor Michael Holick, I explore: • The difference between vitamin D from sunlight vs supplements • Why 40–60 ng/ml (100–150 nmol/L) may be the true “optimal” range • The role of vitamin D in bone health, pregnancy, immunity, and muscle • Why deficiency is linked to preeclampsia, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders • The controversy around guidelines, testing, and “normal” ranges • The evidence for and against megadosing in autoimmune conditions • How sunlight influences health beyond vitamin D (endorphins, nitric oxide, mood) • What Professor Holick himself does daily - from supplementation to training for marathons at age 79Whether you’re a coach or simply someone trying to make sense of vitamin D confusion, this episode will give you clarity from the world’s foremost expert.🎓 Join my 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagy
This is the second summary episode of Stronger With Time, where I look back at the last five podcasts and share the key insights I took away as both a coach and lifelong student of exercise science.🎓 Join my 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow me on Instagram → @tonyboutagyYou’ll learn: • Why carbs before bed can improve sleep and glucose control (Dr. Mikki Williden) • What lifelong exercise does to muscle size, fibre types, and strength (Prof. Scott Trappe) • Michelle MacDonald’s journey from yoga to world champion bodybuilding - and her mother’s remarkable transformation at 71 • Why strength is the foundation for aging well - and how simple programs can keep you out of a nursing home (Prof. Maria Fiatarone Singh) • What the data actually shows about fasted vs fed training, and why men and women respond more similarly than different (Prof. Jenna Gillen)Whether you’re coaching women, training through menopause, or simply want clarity in a noisy fitness landscape - this episode gives you the science-backed highlights.
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyFasted vs fed training, glucose control, and interval training are hot topics in women’s fitness - but much of the advice online isn’t grounded in real-world research.In this conversation with Professor Jenna Gillen, I unpack the latest evidence on how women respond to different training states, why “exercise snacks” work, and how to adapt high-intensity training for different life stages.You’ll learn: • What mitochondria are and why they matter for health beyond sport • The truth about fibre type differences between men and women • How exercise impacts glucose control - during, after, and long term • Why frequent short bouts of movement (“exercise snacks”) are so effective • How low-volume sprint intervals compare to moderate continuous training • The 3 x 20-second sprint protocol for time-crunched women • What the research shows on fasted vs fed training for females • Interval training options for perimenopause and postmenopause • Key takeaways for sustainable cardio and strength programming
If you’ve ever wondered whether older adults can lift heavy or build muscle after 70, this conversation changes everything.Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh pioneered resistance training research in frail elderly populations when no one else believed it was possible. Her 1988 study showing 200% strength gains in nursing home residents aged 80-96 launched four decades of research proving that high-intensity resistance training is the most powerful intervention for healthy aging.In this episode, you'll discover:• How frail 90-year-olds can safely progress to 80% intensity in just four days • Why simple leg press and leg extension improved all activities of daily living • The nitrogen-retention benefits of resistance training (opposite of what most believe) • How weightlifting alone improves VO2 max by 10% without any aerobic training • Why resistance training is more feasible than walking for frail populations • The 13-intervention program that reduced post-hip fracture deaths by 85% • Brain changes from resistance training: growing empathy centers and protecting memory • Maria's personal training approach at age 71: "the heaviest weight I can actually lift"This conversation reveals why resistance training should be the foundation of exercise prescription for older adults and chronic disease management.🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagy
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagy How do you keep training (and coaching) when real life gets complicated?In this episode, Michelle MacDonald shares the practical strategies she uses to coach women through inflammation, structural limitations, post-surgery recovery, and the emotional ups and downs of midlife training. From leveraging machine work to rewriting beliefs about cardio, Michelle’s approach blends deep physiological awareness with day-to-day adaptability.We also explore how she helped her 79-year-old mother go from inactive to lifting four days a week—and what it really means to build an “athlete mindset” later in life.You’ll learn:• How a yoga foundation shaped Michelle’s elite mind-muscle control• The difference between flexibility and mobility (and what women really lose)• Why women need more regressions, not more restrictions• What to do when inflammation flares or structural pain appears• How to coach via communication, not just programs• Why the anti-cardio trend is harming women—and how to reframe it• What Joan’s transformation teaches us about consistency, identity, and longevityThis episode is a masterclass in practical, intelligent coaching—built for women training through life.
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyIf you've seen those viral MRI images comparing active and sedentary 70-year-olds, you've witnessed one of the most compelling visual demonstrations of how exercise shapes the aging process - but the story behind them reveals even more.In this episode, Professor Scott Trappe - the researcher behind those images - explains what happens to muscle as we age and how exercise fundamentally alters this process. You'll discover:• What those MRI comparisons reveal about the aging trajectory• When muscle mass, strength, and power peak and how exercise affects this timeline• The reality of fast-twitch fibre changes with age and what training can reverse• Why males and females show remarkably similar responses to exercise across the lifespan• Scott's evidence-based approach that consistently outperforms complex programming• How muscle with different training histories responds to exercise stimuli• The finding that 90-year-old lifelong exercisers maintain muscle quality similar to 40-year-olds• Why consistency matters more than complexity in long-term outcomesThis conversation explores what decades of research reveal about muscle adaptation and the aging process.
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyAre you overwhelmed by nutrition rules, tired of feeling guilty about food, or just want to reclaim your energy and confidence after 40?This episode is all about unlearning decades of restrictive diet culture, breaking free from perfectionism, and rebuilding trust with your body and food. Dr. Mikki Williden and I cut through nutrition confusion, show you why common deficiencies and frustration are not your fault, and give you the tools to finally feel at home with your plate again.You’ll learn:How to spot and fix nutrient gaps (iron, B12, D, thyroid)Why most “healthy eating” advice leaves women stuck or burnt outHow to regulate blood sugar and energy, without food obsessionWhy high-protein meals, flexible carbs, and meal planning create freedomWhat “tuning in” really means (and how to stop second-guessing yourself)If you’re ready to let go of nutrition anxiety, this is the reset you need.
After eight episodes with the world’s leading experts, what actually works for women’s health, strength, and performance?This is the first summary podcast of Stronger With Time—a distillation of what I’ve learned from conversations with eight world-class researchers and practitioners in women’s health and performance. 🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyIf you’ve been following the series, or if you’re looking for a rigorous, practical update on what the research actually supports, this is your one-stop briefing.Inside, you’ll learn: → Why “cycle syncing” needs context, not blanket rules (Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple) → How to balance intensity and base training for results (Prof. Paul Laursen) → What muscle research really says about menopause and strength (Prof. Severine Lamon) → The truth about protein, adaptation, and what actually matters after 40 (Prof. Stuart Phillips) → Why gender-based nutrition rules often don’t hold up (Prof. Louise Burke) → How mindset and emotional fitness drive lasting change (Craig Hall) → The power of individualised breathing for sleep and recovery (Dr. Rosalba Courtney) → How to build muscle and strength at any age without dogma (Prof. Tommy Lundberg)And more.This is the playbook I’m using, based on both the literature and decades of coaching.Next up:More episodes with true experts, deeper dives into the research that matters, another run of my Menopause course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au, and an upcoming “Ask Me Anything” where I’ll answer your biggest questions.Follow for more.
🎓 Register for the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyCan you really build muscle, strength & power at any age? Or does it all “fall off a cliff” after 50?In this episode, Professor Tommy Lundberg unpacks the real evidence on muscle mass, strength, gender, and aging. You’ll discover:How (and why) muscle power and strength change with age - and what you can do about itWhy most people can gain muscle in their 50s, 60s, and beyondWhat actually happens to women’s muscle through menopauseThe rep ranges, frequencies, and volumes that drive real resultsThe science behind anti-inflammatories, cold water, and “cardio interference”Why context, recovery, and individualisation matter more than everIdeal for women, coaches, and anyone determined to age with strength and confidence.
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyHow do stress, menopause, and modern life change the way women breathe? Is there really a “right” way to breathe - or do we need a more adaptive, compassionate approach?In this conversation, Dr. Rosalba Courtney shares the latest science behind functional breathing, the E.A.R.S. model, and how women can use breathwork to ease anxiety, improve sleep, and regain control during menopause.You’ll learn: • What dysfunctional breathing actually is and how to spot it• How stress, anxiety & menopause disrupt your breathing patterns• The link between CO₂ tolerance, nervous system health & sleep quality• Why rigid breathing techniques can do more harm than good• Nasal vs. mouth breathing: what the science says (not social media)• Evidence-based breathing drills for sleep, anxiety & nasal function• The truth about sighs, yawns, and breath holds — and how to use themWhether you’re a coach, a midlife woman, or anyone interested in the science and art of breathing, this episode gives you practical tools to breathe easier and thrive.
🎓 Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyWhat happens when the body, confidence, or routines you've built your identity around begin to shift - and how do you navigate this transition with grace rather than resistance?In this honest and grounded conversation, Tony speaks with one of Australia’s first life coaches Craig Hall to explore the quiet identity shifts that surface in midlife. You’ll learn how to:• Understand why emotional triggers are useful - not shameful• Rebuild self-trust when your confidence has shifted• Let go of the pressure to “go back to who you were”• Work with - rather than against - your current reality• Navigate the invisible identity shift with more compassion and less controlThis episode is for anyone who feels like their old tools no longer fit - and is ready to meet midlife with more grace, honesty, and strength.
Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.auFollow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyHow should female athletes approach nutrition and recovery—and does the menstrual cycle significantly alter these strategies?In this evidence-driven conversation, Professor Louise Burke clarifies: • Accurate guidelines for carbohydrate loading in women • The realities of training fasted for women • Collagen supplementation and its actual effectiveness • Practical nutrition and recovery strategies • Optimal caffeine use without compromising sleep • Crucial insights into maintaining bone healthPerfect for coaches supporting female athletes and women training through different life stages, this episode provides clear, actionable guidelines to confidently manage nutrition and performance.
Join the 9-Week Science of Thriving Course → https://scienceofthriving.com.au Follow us on Instagram → @tonyboutagyHow should protein and resistance training strategies evolve as women age—and does menopause actually change these needs? In this conversation with Professor Stuart Phillips, we clarify the latest science behind protein metabolism, muscle-building workouts, and supplements. You'll gain practical insights into:• Accurately determining your protein needs• Why menopause doesn't dramatically alter protein requirements• Choosing resistance training intensity safely and effectively• The real mechanisms behind muscle growth• Collagen supplementation: effectiveness versus marketing• Pre-sleep protein intake benefits: what research actually supportsIdeal for coaches supporting women through menopause and for women training through this life stage themselves, this episode provides clear, evidence-based guidelines to confidently navigate protein, training, and muscle health
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