Finding Fortitude

Why should you bother lifting heavy? Is resistance training really safe? And what’s the deal with cardio supposedly “killing gains”? In this episode, I sat down with the strongest person I know (literally)—strength coach, certified athletic trainer, and competitive powerlifter, John Flagg—to tackle these questions and more.

We break down:

• The key differences between weightlifting vs. powerlifting vs. resistance training
• Why resist...

Today’s episode is a must-listen for anyone who is pregnant, postpartum, or simply wants to understand the importance of pelvic health through these phases of life. This is a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention, but it affects so many people! Whether you’re experiencing symptoms or just want to be proactive about your health, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

My guest on this episode is Dr. Chelsea Lynch, PT,...

As former athletes, we're wired to push through pain and keep moving—but in many cases, true healing only comes when we slow down and listen to our bodies.

In this episode, I interview my favorite Canadian physiotherapist and business coach, Emma Jack, to dive into all things healing and recovery.

We discuss:

• Emma's athletic and professional background and how it's shaped her approach to recovery
• Her recent personal ...

Hello there, it's me again! Welcome to the first episode of 2025! 

In this quick check-in, I share a few updates and reflections from the past 6 months and set the scene for the rest of Season 2.

At the end of the episode, I also invite you to take a moment to get grounded with me and check in with your body to release any unwanted tension that you may be holding onto.

Got feedback? Guest or topic suggestions? Send me a message!

L...

In this episode I sit down with my good friend and former teammate, Jo Koons, to discuss her inspiring journey from small-town athlete to Division I collegiate head softball coach. You’ll hear all about:

• Jo’s leadership evolution and the challenges she’s faced throughout her athletic and coaching careers
• The importance of perseverance in pursuing your passions and how having an underdog mentality can help you succeed
• The impact of...

In Part 2 of this solo episode with me, you’ll hear about:

• How I self-assessed my condition and determined what to do next, including modifying my training and adjusting my expectations
• The challenges that come with making decisions around returning to sport or activity when dealing with pain or injury
• 3 mental fortitude skills that can help former athletes continue to train while managing a painful condition
• The importance of maki...

Hey former athlete! Welcome back to the first episode of season 2 of Finding Fortitude! It feels good to be back, and I can’t wait to share about what I’ve been up to over the break as well as all of the things I have in store for you this season!

In part 1 of this solo episode with me, you’ll hear about:

• My wedding near Yosemite National Park
• What went wrong with my half marathon training and how I developed foot and ankle pain
• Th...

When it comes to managing pain–especially chronic pain–acknowledging the relationship between the mind and body is essential. With this, we know that both physical therapy and psychotherapy can be critical parts of recovering from and coping with pain and injury. In this episode I sat down with my client-turned-friend, Payton Bush, who is currently studying to become a clinical mental health counselor to talk about all things menta...

There are many superficial questions about fitness that tend to float around the internet and spark debate. Does lifting make you bulky? Which exercises will grow your glutes and “snatch” your waist? Should I do “this” or “that” for “x” result? But in this episode, strength and conditioning coach Allison Tenney calls us in to go deeper and consider the systems of oppression that lie beneath these questions.

Spoiler alert: there is m...

Happy New Year! 2024 is a big year because in less than six months I'll be tying the knot with my best friend, who also happens to be a Doctor of Physical Therapy. So to kick off the year I’ve brought my fiancé, Joe McIntire, onto the podcast for a conversation about the field of physical therapy, new years goals, and more. 

In this episode we discuss:

• Joe’s background as an athlete turned Doctor of Physical Therapy, as well...

Welcome back to the final episode of Finding Fortitude for 2023! The end of the year can be a great time for reflecting and setting new goals for the new year ahead. However, I know that many people are also feeling exhausted and burnt out this time of year so feel free to come back and listen to this episode when the time is right for you.

In this solo episode with me, you’ll hear:

• How I’ve taken action to prepare for ...

Are you a runner or endurance athlete? If so, this episode is for you! In this episode you’ll hear from registered sports dietitian, Kathryn Ward MS, RD, CNSC, about her journey recovering from ACL injuries not once, but twice, and how she successfully made her way back to running and training for a marathon!

Kathryn and I discussed:

• The road to recovery after ACL reconstruction surgery (x 2!)
• The importance of adequate ...

Life is full of transitions and changes, each challenging us in different ways. But as former athletes, we often have an especially hard time with the transitions that require us to slow down and rest. Sound familiar?

Today, Megan Reuter joins me on the podcast to explore this topic and to discuss:

• Overuse injuries as a collegiate athlete
• Transitioning to life after sport and starting a 9-to-5
• Finding community in life af...

I'm baaaack! I've been on a bit of a hiatus from the podcast, but I'm no where near done. Don't call it a comeback (or do!). This episode is dedicated to all of my fellow recovering perfectionists out there who are ready to start embracing "good enough" so they can live their best lives.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Why I took a break from the podcast for over 6 months
• How perfectionis...

Stress is a normal part of life, but our past experiences have an impact on how we perceive, respond to, and manage stress. In this episode I chat with Jessica Patching-Bunch (JPB), a stress management coach, educator, and speaker who is involved in neuroscience research. JPB is one of my favorite people to talk nerdy with and we are lucky enough to have her as our stress resilience coach in my upcoming group coaching program, Form...

In this episode, I talk about all things nutrition in life after sport with registered dietitian and nutrition coach, Katie Spada! Katie is one of the guest coaches who will be providing education and resources in my upcoming group coaching program, Former Athlete Fortitude. I admire her passion for helping former athletes optimize their diet while finding food freedom and coping with body changes in life after sport. She is an inc...

In this episode, I chat with strength and conditioning coach, Ashley Barry. Ashley is one of the guest coaches who will be providing education and resources in my upcoming group coaching program, Former Athlete Fortitude. She is a wealth of knowledge and is super passionate about helping athletes and former athletes train in a way that honors their own self-authority and self-trust.

We discuss:

• Ashley's background ...

Welcome back! This episode is dedicated to setting the stage for all future episodes by defining the terms “former athlete” and “fortitude.” I also dive into the difference between fortitude and toughness, and how you can build fortitude in the contexts of pain management and improving general health and well-being.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Who I’m talking about when I say I work with former athletes
• The defini...

It's FINALLY HERE! Welcome to the very first episode of Finding Fortitude! I'm super pumped to bring you all of the goods on health and wellness so you can be equipped with the knowledge and tools to live your best life as a former athlete!

In this episode I start things off by telling you a little bit about:

• My athletic and educational background
• Why I decided to become a physical therapist
• Why I chose to start...