In this episode of Training Age, hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi explore the concept of “sandbagging” in fitness—underestimating one’s own strength and limiting potential. Through personal anecdotes and practical insights, the conversation highlights how self-imposed barriers can hold you back and how recognizing your own capacity can unlock true growth in both fitness and life. By focusing on personal progress rather than comparisons, listeners can learn to push beyond perceived lim...
In this episode of Training Age, hosts Heather Adams and Valerie Lusvardi welcome Teresa McDonald (@mrs.t_mac), a dedicated planning consultant and fitness competitor from California’s Central Valley. Teresa shares her inspiring journey, balancing a demanding career with her passion for fitness, all while managing family life with her supportive firefighter husband and energetic daughter. Her story offers listeners an intimate look at how fitness serves as both a passion and a therapeutic esc...
In this episode of Training Age, hosts Heather Adams and Val Lusvardi explore the complex relationship between fat loss and self-worth, asking the key question: “When is enough enough?” Through the lens of three fictional personas, they examine diverse approaches to health and fitness, emphasizing the importance of realistic expectations and a balanced mindset. The episode underscores that progress matters more than perfection, offering a sustainable path to achieving fitness goals.The conver...
Join hosts Heather Adams and Val Lusvardi on Training Age as they explore tailored fat loss strategies for every stage of your fitness journey. In this episode, they discuss the importance of establishing a solid baseline, including maintaining healthy habits and understanding personal metrics like calorie intake and activity levels. Whether you’re aiming for a quick, intensive phase or a gradual approach with diet breaks, the hosts emphasize the value of having a well-defined plan and settin...
Season Two kicks off with a three-part series on fat loss, starting with managing expectations. This episode addresses common misconceptions fueled by social media and the allure of instant results, which often highlight unrealistic standards. We discuss how our culture of instant gratification clashes with the realities of sustainable fat loss, and explore the misconception around calorie deficits, especially the inconsistency between weekday and weekend habits.Later in the series, we shift ...
Sometimes you realize it's time to take your own advice. Last night, amidst a flurry of 'tired mom' texts, Valerie and I came to a realization that it's time for summer break! We’re wrapping up the season finale of Training Age, our beloved passion project, by discussing the whirlwind of family, work, and personal commitments that have left us yearning for a pause to recharge.
Join us as we welcome Iris (@irisdeadlifts), a seasoned nutrition, strength, and hypertrophy coach with Beth Feraco Fitness. She's also the co-host of the podcast "Here's the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, & Mindset for People Who Don't Want Life to Suck." Iris's story begins with a family member's hospital stay during her high school years, sparking a long foray of extreme dieting practices. From the HCG diet to Keto and intermittent fasting, she navigated the pitfalls of fad diets before dis...
Join us as we welcome Austin Current to discuss his fascinating journey in the fitness industry—from his beginnings as an IFBB pro bodybuilder to becoming a respected fitness trainer and author. We explore his acclaimed book, "Science of Strength Training," which serves as a visual encyclopedia for gym enthusiasts and is even used as a resource in major universities. Austin also opens up about his childhood experiences that fueled his passion for fitness, offering a nostalgic look back at the...
Listen in as we tackle the art of maintenance. We'll discuss how maintaining is about embracing balance, understanding the various phases of dieting, and staying dedicated to your health goals through every slice of life.Explore with us the evolving language of healthy living and the psychological impact of labeling our eating habits. As we dissect terms like 'fat loss phase' and 'maintenance,' we introduce the concept of a 'perseverance phase,' a term that captures the ongoing effort needed ...
Unlock the secrets to crafting powerhouse glutes with our no-nonsense discussion, as we ditch the fitness fluff and guide you straight to what works. We're cutting through the clutter of 'clickbait' workouts and exercises to review the tried-and-true strategies for sculpting your glutes. We emphasize the importance of technique and targeted exercises that go beyond the superficial to deliver real results.Elevate your game with insights on unilateral moves like split squats that promise to enh...
Welcome back to Training Age, where hosts Heather and Val unravel the intricacies of fitness at every stage of your journey. This conversation steers into the ever-relevant topic of stress management and its impact on trainability. Listen in as we introduce the 'stress bucket' analogy to help you gauge when to lean into challenges and when to ease off the gas. Drawing from personal trials, we share insights on the necessity of recognizing when your stress levels are peaking and how to effecti...
Join us as we welcome the incredibly insightful Chris Barakat, a pro bodybuilder, coach, and academic, who shares his professional journey and insights in the world of fitness. For anyone seeking to understand the commitment required for significant changes in muscle tone and physique, Chris's experience in coaching and academic research sheds light on the science behind muscle development and individual progress timelines.Listen in as we tackle the often-misunderstood topic of weight fixatio...
Join us on Training Age for an engaging and heartfelt exploration into the intricacies of long-term fitness and health journeys. Listen in as our clients, Kari Bristow and Sara Wutzke, open up about their personal experiences with setting and striving for goals that span years, not just months. Both mothers of four, Kari shares her evolution from fitness competition to finding a sustainable lifestyle, while Sara discusses her shift from athlete to yarn shop owner and how therapy has redefined...
Join us on Training Age as we unpack the multifaceted concept of progressive overload in fitness training. Listen in as we tackle the common misunderstandings, emphasizing that it's not just about lifting heavier weights but also about creating mechanical tension in the muscles. We explore various strategies to amplify workout intensity and offer insights into effective muscle building and breaking through plateaus. This is your chance to gain a fresh perspective on strength training and ensu...
Unlock the secrets to a healthier, stronger you as we dissect the crucial role of protein in your fitness journey. Discover not only the science behind muscle protein synthesis and breakdown but also the art of infusing your diet with the right amount of this vital macronutrient. Whether you're strength training or simply striving for good health, we've got insights and anecdotes to inspire your path to peak wellness.Struggling to figure out how much protein you really need or when's the best...
Unlock the secrets to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle in our latest episode that guides you through the nuanced world of weight maintenance post-fat loss. Say goodbye to the anxiety that often clouds the beauty of achieving your health goals, and hello to a new perspective that joyfully accepts the natural variations of your body. Together, we dismantle myths and reveal why maintenance isn't a static phase but a time to thrive within the natural fluctuations of life, diet, and even...
Erin Moore joins our latest Training Age session, revealing her story from in-person training to the digital realm. Striking a unique chord with her "Lifestyle Lean" philosophy, Erin shares her expertise on achieving a harmonious blend of well-being and real-life demands. Her candid reflections on the fitness industry's relentless emphasis on youth and appearance shed light on her innovative approach to sustainable fitness, offering encouragement for those navigating the challenging balance o...
Many people attempt complex workouts only to end up feeling frustrated and less motivated. They often get overwhelmed by the flood of fitness and nutrition advice available on the Internet. Val and Heather have traveled down these exhausting paths and discovered that sometimes, the simplest approaches yield the best long-term results. In their journey into the heart of fitness training and nutrition, they share their experiences and reveal how, when ready, adding nuance can be the game-change...
Val and Heather dive into the role of form videos and progress pictures in reaching fitness goals in this episode. They explore how these tools not only improve performance but also boost motivation. The duo breaks down the concept of failure, highlighting how form videos can measure workout intensity and help navigate challenging points in training. They discuss the benefits of reviewing these videos with a coach for a better understanding of RIR (reps in reserve) and proper exertion techniq...
In this podcast, Val and Heather, along with their guest Joanna Dara, a Hormone and Nutrition Specialist, explore the complex stages of perimenopause and menopause. Their conversation highlights the crucial role of hormones in women's health and fitness during these life changes. They delve into the symptoms, changing perspectives on hormone replacement therapy, and the differences between perimenopause and menopause, making it an essential listen for women in these stages.They also address t...