Are you chasing muscle gains but sabotaging your progress without even realizing it? Michelle MacDonald teams up again with elite coach and world champion Hattie Boydle to shatter myths about building strength, especially for women. They dive deep into why mastering mobility and core strength is crucial before adding heavy loads, how to fuel your body for true muscle growth (hint: carbs and fats are your friends), and the mindset shifts needed to fall in love with the slow, steady journey to greatness. This isn’t about shortcuts — it’s about building a body (and a mindset) that’s strong for life.Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald KEY MOMENTS01:58 The Real Power of Self-Care for Strength Athletes05:49 Why Core Stability Must Come Before Squats09:09 Structural Balance: The Secret Sauce to Injury Prevention12:41 Yes, You Should Still Lift Weights — Here's How28:38 How and When to Increase Your Calories36:23 Climbing the Mountain: Mastering the MindsetGUEST: HATTIE BOYDLEWebsite | Instagram | Podcast | Coaching | Link Tree | CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X
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40:12
What’s KILLING Your GLUTES GAINS? | Hattie Boydle
Want to Build Muscle Like a Pro? Start at Your Feet. Hattie Boydle drops truth bombs about what really builds a strong, sculpted physique—and it’s not what most people think. Michelle MacDonald sits down with the five-time pro titleholder and elite physique coach to explore why intensity trumps volume, how weak feet might be killing your glute gains, and why a proper movement screen is essential before adding load. Hattie dives deep into beginner vs. advanced training phases, how to assess true effort, and the misunderstood magic of training at maintenance before going into a bulk. If you think you’re lifting hard but not seeing results, this one will flip your training script.Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald KEY MOMENTS08:24 – Glutes Start in Your Feet: The Real Foundation of Strength16:42 – Overtraining, Undereating: The Recipe for a Plateau20:18 – Reps, Volume, and the Real Science of Hypertrophy29:16 – Train With Intent: Every Set, Every RepGUEST: HATTIE BOYDLEWebsite | Instagram | Podcast | Coaching | Link Tree | CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X
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36:51
TEENS Need Emotional Intelligence to Succeed | Kristi Simons
Want to unlock your teen’s true potential? Start by turning down the volume on their inner critic.Michelle MacDonald and Kristi Simons dive deep into how emotional intelligence, energy management, and mindset can transform young lives—and even offer profound lessons for adults. Kristi breaks down the four types of energy that shape our daily experiences—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and shares how teens can develop self-awareness to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and fear. With compelling stories, including a moving account of a 14-year-old girl finding her inner truth through guided meditation, Kristi shows how shifting from drama to empowerment is not only possible but truly life-changing. Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald KEY MOMENTS05:36 – The 4 Energy Zones: Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual11:12 – It's All About Energy: 90% Vibes, 10% Strategy23:50 – Why Teens Thrive When They Feel Seen & Safe30:57 – Parents as Safe Spaces: Why They Matter MostGUEST: KRISTI SIMONS Website | Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | PodcastCONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X
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33:21
Turn Your Teenage Struggles Into SUPERPOWERS Today | Kristi Simons
What if the struggles you faced as a teen could become the foundation for a life of purpose and transformation? Michelle MacDonald sits down with Kristi Simons—podcaster, coach, and former teacher—who turned her own journey of self-doubt, numbing behaviors, and personal reinvention into a mission to empower teens. Kristi shares her raw and honest story, from the rock-bottom moment that forced her to reevaluate her life to discovering the power of self-love, emotional intelligence, and conscious transformation. Through her Confident Teen podcast and coaching practice, she’s now helping young people break free from societal expectations and create lives filled with confidence, creativity, and purpose. Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald WHAT TO LISTEN FOR02:04 – The Lost Teen: Searching for Acceptance08:31 – Numbing the Pain: The Hidden Warning Signs21:11 – Body Bliss: Rewriting the Narrative of Self-Worth27:12 – The Power of Words: How a Childhood Comment Shaped Her Self-ImageGUEST: KRISTI SIMONSWebsite | Newsletter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | PodcastCONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X
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33:00
WAKE-UP CALL! What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About Menopause | Melissa Grelo
Menopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood swings—it’s a massive wake-up call about how little women are taught about their own health. Michelle MacDonald sits down with award-winning TV host and menopause advocate Melissa Grelo to talk about the fitness mindset women need to thrive in midlife. Melissa opens up about her own struggles with perimenopause, the shocking lack of medical education on menopause, and why strength training is the key to longevity. They dive into the dangers of self-diagnosing, the marketing traps of the wellness industry, and why women need to take charge of their nutrition, movement, and mindset. Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald WHAT TO LISTEN FOR05:39 – Why Most Doctors Know Almost Nothing About Menopause10:49 – The Danger of Self-Diagnosis and Supplement Overload23:49 – The Truth About Alcohol and Women’s Health38:42 – Why Healthcare Needs a Menopause MakeoverGUEST: Melissa GreloContact | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Podcast CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X
About Stronger by Design for Women with Michelle MacDonald
No one is going to “save” you. In today's world, it's up to us to save ourselves!Hosted by top fitness expert and coach Michelle MacDonald, the Stronger by Design podcast is for women who want to take radical ownership of their bodies, nutrition, and mindsets.Michelle, known worldwide for her Transformation Programs, shares world-class insights to help women redefine aging by focusing on longevity, empowerment, fitness, resilience, and muscle-building, all while fostering a positive mindset about nutrition and health.Since 2012, Michelle has been coaching women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. In 2016, she co-founded Tulum Strength Club, an online Physique Contest Prep Team. She later established The Wonder Women (TWW) in 2020 and the TWW coaching academy in 2022. Michelle’s work has inspired countless women, including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™), who lost 70 pounds in her 70s and became a fitness influencer.Michelle now brings her expertise to the Stronger by Design Fitness App, launching in fall 2024, alongside this podcast of the same name.Join us on Stronger by Design to explore how to cultivate a resilient mindset, maintain optimal nutrition, and achieve lasting fitness for a healthier, more vibrant future. This podcast is designed for women committed to longevity, strength, and nutrition, empowering them to transform their lives from the inside out.
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