My Verbal Journal: Let’s Chat

Feeling sore, stagnant, or stuck in the same workouts without progress? In this episode of My Verbal Journal, I share what I’ve been learning about training smarter, not harder — from Andrew Huberman’s conversation with Bret Contreras to my own struggles with overtraining. We dive into why exercise variation matters, how to structure workouts using the “rule of thirds” for glute growth, and what MRV (max recoverable volume) really means. I also talk about the role of Pilates in recovery, why fewer high-quality sets may be better than endless sloppy ones, and how deload weeks can refresh your body and mind.Alongside the science, I get real about the mental side of plateauing, overexercise, and how negative self-talk shows up in the gym. If you’ve ever wondered whether more is always better, this episode is for you.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Maddie Rice, and we get real about what it’s like being college seniors. We talk about juggling classes, fitness, and personal growth while still trying to actually enjoy this season of life. We share our intentions for the rest of the year, figuring out balance, and why self-care has become so important for us. We also dive into body image struggles, leaning on community, and learning to embrace the uncertainty that comes with this stage of life. More than anything, we talk about the importance of finding what works for us as individuals, staying flexible with our goals, and how much meaningful friendships matter along the way.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maddie's IG:https://www.instagram.com/maddie.ricee?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ejB0ejhtNHhsZTN5

Today I was fortunate to sit down with Shasta Van Sickle, a dedicated physician associate with over 15 years of experience in functional medicine. Shasta shares her unique journey from orthopedic surgery to a holistic approach, focusing on the root causes of health issues. This episode dives into the critical role of hormones, birth control, PCOS,  challenges women face in healthcare, and the misconceptions surrounding functional medicine. Shasta has personally helped me tremendously with my gut and hormonal health in a short amount of time. Listen now to discover how Shasta's insights can empower you on your health journey.Book an Appointment with Shasta at Remedi Health:https://www.remedi.care/provider/shasta-van-sickle-pa-c Call: 720-557-9363 Books Mentioned in the Episode:Hormone Havoc: https://www.amazon.com/Hormone-Havoc-Dispelling-Misconceptions-Hormones/dp/1961074125 The Lady’s Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness:https://www.audible.com/ep/mytitle?asin=0525496181&source_code=GO1PP30DTRIAL54703142491H0 Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today I open up about my journey with gut and hormonal health—from repeated antibiotics in college, to misdiagnoses, birth control struggles, hormone havoc, and discovering Hashimoto’s. I share how years of stomach issues, anxiety, and hormone imbalances were all connected, and why advocating for yourself in the healthcare system matters. Thankfully, functional medicine finally connected the dots and I am on a path to healing. If you’ve ever felt dismissed or stuck with “band-aid” solutions, this episode is for you. It’s not all in your head, you deserve to get to the root cause and heal properly and permanently.

In this episode, I’m getting real about the dark sides of self-growth no one warns us about to prevent you from falling down the rabbit holes I have. From turning healthy boundaries into brick walls, to attributing happiness to success, I share the lessons I learned the hard way about finding balance, protecting your peace, and actually enjoying the process. I share personal stories about losing connection with the people I love, tying my worth to productivity, and creating a rigid life that left no room for joy or spontaneity. If you’ve ever wondered why your self-growth journey feels exhausting, lonely, or like a constant “optimization” race, this episode will give you the perspective shift you need — to slow down, reconnect, and build a version of growth that actually feels good. While self-growth isn't always easy or comfortable, it shouldn't leave you feeling isolated and in a worse head space than before. Whether you're in the depths of your self-growth journey or just starting, this episode is here to remind you that you're not alone, growth isn't linear, and true fulfillment comes from within. Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Remedi Health: https://www.remedi.care/services?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21043837814&gbraid=0AAAAA9UTn0NSkkRtYuBbQjzjk_DumIisI&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzOvEBhDVARIsADHfJJSEOs0YlpxEglr6_sBF64xAnZYQrIEUM9GXAhlzR6qbI_J2o3GsV7AaApI1EALw_wcB

Today I'm joined by Lilly VanAlsburg and we discuss the complexities of friendships and dating in your 20s, and share personal experiences and insights. We explore red flags and green flags in relationships, the challenges of long-distance dating, the impact of cheating, and so much more. Making and keeping friends in your 20's can be difficult when everyone is in different places and on their own timelines. This conversation touches on the importance of maintaining friendships post-college, the role of social media and dating apps in modern relationships, and the emotional journey of healing after a breakup. We encourage you to reach out to friends and put yourself out there during life transitions. If you're feeling lost or alone in college or post-grad, this episode is for you.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lilly's IG:https://www.instagram.com/lilly.vanalsburg?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=azF4d3FwODlocTU=

In this final part of the macronutrient series, we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood and feared nutrients: fatFrom hormone health and brain function to satiety and energy, dietary fats are essential, and under-eating them can do more harm than you think. In this episode, I share my personal experience with overcoming my fear and restriction of fat. We get into the science behind different types of fats (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, omega-3s and omega-6s), and what to actually look for in your diet and supplements.Whether you’re working on hormone balance, struggling with hunger or mood, or just trying to understand what “healthy fats” even are, this episode will help you fuel your body with confidence and clarity.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we dive into the concept of hyper-independence, especially as it shows up in young adulthood. I break down how to recognize when “protecting your peace” crosses into emotional isolation, and explore the root causes—like trust issues, societal expectations, and past wounds. I also open up about my own experience with hyper-independence and share practical tools to help you move toward healing. Join me as we challenge the idea that strength means doing it all alone—and learn how vulnerability can be the first step toward deeper, more authentic connection.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I reflect on my recent abroad trip and share insights about my experiences in Sevilla, Rome, Portugal, and Paris. From the positives to the things that are a work in progress, this trip was full of life lessons and key to personal growth. I discuss my ongoing journey with nutrition, fitness, and mental health while being out of routine, and emphasize the importance of being present and enjoying the small things. I learned so much about other cultures and about myself and I can't wait to share it with you! Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today we discuss how to differentiate between stress and anxiety, and how to cope. If you find yourself constantly stuck in the productivity guilt loop and feel as if you're never doing enough, join the club. It's time to get off the hamster wheel and reconnect with your inner child this summer!Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we welcome Cassidy Storts, Registered Dietitian back on the pod to discuss current nutrition trends. From intermittent fasting, to juice cleanses, to the carnivore diet, and so much more. There's so much to learn and takeaway from this episode! If you're looking to connect with a Registered Dietitian, Cassidy is an amazing resource: https://dohertynutrition.com/cassidy-storts/Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Let’s chat about how to know when you need rest vs when you need to dig into the grind and push yourself. It’s not all or nothing, we need rest to progress and we need to work hard to succeed, but it’s difficult to know when to do what. Here are some tips and my personal experience with burnout and rest guilt. Being disciplined is knowing when taking a step back is the most productive thing you can do. Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we discuss aspects of self-sabotage and how we are our own worst enemies at times. I open up about how I've been self-sabotaging lately and how to recognize when you are. We get vulnerable and discuss dealing with emotions, isolating, and cognitively restructuring our thought patterns. You deserve good things.Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week I'm diving into my fitness journey over the past 5 years as I have transitioned from being a college soccer player to navigating fitness on my own and becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. These gym tips are meant to help you anywhere you are in your own journey!Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today's episode is a brain dump of some of the things that have been on my mind lately. These are things I have struggled with or am currently struggling with that I think all of us can relate to. This episode has takeaways for everyone and is an unscripted rant that I hope you all enjoy!Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

So many people go their entire lives trying to please others and do what they think they should be doing instead of figuring out what they really want for themselves. We need to start doing things because it's what WE want for ourselves, not because we want validation from others. When you start doing things because it's what you want, you will be much more successful and genuinely fulfilled. The right people will enter your life and you won't waste as much time and energy trying to be someone you're not. Let's dive into what this quote really means and how you can implement it in your life TODAY!Personal IG: @macileejones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

WELCOME TO SEASON 4! Join Ellie and I to discuss our goals for the year and how we plan to accomplish them. Hopefully this helps inspire you to create your own goals and create a game plan plan! We talk about everything from social lives, fitness goals, mindset changes, and developing good habits! Personal IG: @macileejones ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/eleanorogden?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== TikTok: @macileejones

SEASON FINALE!! This week look back and reflect on 2024 and Maci discusses what she’s learned and what she achieved this past year while encouraging you to do the same! Before we set new goals, it’s important to look back and analyze what we did well and areas where we still need to grow. Personal IG: @macileejones ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast IG: @myverbaljournal.letschat ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: @macileejones @macileejones " target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"> @macileejones

Start the New Year off right by actually taking steps toward reaching your goals instead of just making them. It's time to ditch the excuses and just do the damn thing. In this episode, we talk about the anterior mid-cingulate cortex and take some words of wisdom from David Goggins and Andrew Huberman. Our minds are much more powerful than we think they are, and we are all capable of doing something to leave this world better than we found it. Personal IG: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠⁠ Podcast IG:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠ Huberman & Goggins: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KUr9Yw1e1IbELsiSWtE4W?si=M6Tat-3JQdehgriOoknrQg

On today's episode, Maci discusses tips for feeling your best and overcoming seasonal blues. Prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health can be a challenge, especially this time of year. Here are a few things you can do to become the best version of yourself starting today. Happy Holidays! Personal IG: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/macileejones?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠ Podcast IG:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/myverbaljournal.letschat?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==⁠⁠⁠