Ep 052: Macklen Mayse | Getting Comfortable with Discomfort

Bio

Macklen Mayse is a strong believer that every woman should lift heavy things. That's why she specializes in weight lifting and mobility for women.

Macklen was born and raised in a woodland area of Kansas City. She fell in love with fitness during graduate school while making durational performance art, video art and kinetic sculpture. She compressed her body into metal sculptures, held awkward body shapes while scaling walls, and flung herself at pillars for cold hugs. It was all quite weird and fun.

Her focus then morphed into learning and teaching about the body. Macklen started as a Yoga Teacher and eventually became a Personal Trainer. She offers both in-person personal training sessions, and customized training programs you can do in your own time.

If you want to fit into last year's jeans, start running again, join a sports league, or simply keep up with your kids but you just don't know how to stay consistent, email Macklen at [e-mail], message her on Instagram @macklenmayse, or visit her website www.macklenmayse.com.

Join Macklen  for "The Strong Class" on Monday October 28, 2024. For details and registration CLICK HERE.

Episode Summary 

The podcast episode features Macklen Mayse, a personal trainer and advocate for women lifting heavy weights. Macklen's fitness journey began in graduate school through performance art, where she engaged her body in unique, kinetic ways. She transitioned from yoga to weightlifting after experiencing overuse injuries and wanting to build strength. Now, she specializes in strength training and mobility, primarily for women aged 30-70, many of whom are new to weightlifting or facing challenges like osteoporosis and menopause.

Caitlin and Macklen discuss the importance of making fitness accessible and how they help clients overcome the intimidation of gym environments. Macklen emphasizes teaching independence in the gym and guiding clients through virtual coaching, allowing them to troubleshoot and grow in confidence. They highlight the role of lifting for women's overall health and address the societal pressure to look or act a certain way in fitness spaces, encouraging listeners to embrace the awkwardness and imperfections of learning.

What's covered in this episode?

• How does your lived experience influence your relationship to fitness?
• How can other movement practices such as yoga, performing arts, and puppetry influence your strength training?
• What are some useful tools to overcome discomfort in an exercise setting?
• What are some strategies you can use to help navigate the progression toward higher intensity?
• Does making funny faces while strength training actually help?
• What are the benefits of weightlifting for women’s health, especially as they age?