In this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast, hosts Gio and Jodi welcome personal trainer, professor, and author Tara DeLeon. They discuss Tara's transformative journey into fitness and her expertise in kinesiology. The conversation delves into topics such as fitness for fertility, the importance of balanced and informed health choices, and the challenges of navigating motherhood while maintaining personal health. Tara also shares insights from her book 'Hot Mess to Hot Mama' and her work on the Wellness Rebranded podcast, offering practical advice for new moms and fitness enthusiasts alike.

00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

00:35 Introducing Tara DeLeon

01:08 Tara's Fitness Journey

02:00 Understanding Kinesiology

03:58 Navigating Fitness Myths

08:15 Fitness for Fertility

15:34 Prenatal and Postnatal Fitness Tips

18:47 Postnatal Fitness and Mom Guilt

20:11 Balancing Motherhood and Self-Care

22:44 The Importance of a Support System

25:18 Introducing 'Hot Mess to Hot Mama'

31:35 Wellness Rebranded Podcast

35:55 Final Thoughts and Advice for Moms

In this episode of the Mindful Muscle Podcast, hosts Gio and Jodi sit down with Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough, an elite NASM master trainer and world champion natural bodybuilder. Dr. Megan shares her powerful personal journey through tragedy, faith, and triumph. Learn about her work in addiction recovery, the inspiration behind her book 'Biceps and Butterflies,' and get expert advice on clean eating, fitness, and preparing for bodybuilding competitions. This conversation offers valuable insights for anyone on a health and wellness journey, emphasizing the importance of finding your 'why' and making sustainable lifestyle changes.

00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

00:44 Introducing Dr. Megan Johnson McCullough

01:17 The Story Behind 'Biceps and Butterflies'

02:34 Overcoming Tragedy and Finding Faith

04:17 Journey into Bodybuilding

06:26 The Challenges and Rewards of Bodybuilding

10:54 Addiction and Recovery: A Holistic Approach

12:57 The Role of Fitness in Recovery

17:00 Nutrition and Clean Eating

27:11 Special Populations and Fitness

28:25 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

29:22 Connect with Dr. Megan

29:51 Closing Remarks

Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast! Hosts Gio and Jodi share their collective weight loss success of 140 pounds through sustainable and healthy habits. In this episode, they are joined by Dr. Amanda Atkins, a double-certified internal and lifestyle medicine physician, to discuss her holistic approach to health. Dr. Atkins emphasizes lifestyle changes over medication to prevent and reverse chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. She shares her personal health journey and success stories from her practice, highlighting the importance of fiber, incremental changes, and patient motivation. Tune in to discover why it's never too late to prioritize your health and how small steps can lead to substantial transformations.

00:00 Welcome to the Mindful Muscle Podcast

00:35 Introducing Dr. Amanda Atkins

01:19 The Importance of Lifestyle Medicine

03:08 Challenges in Promoting Lifestyle Changes

06:21 Personal Health Journeys and Inspirations

19:27 The Role of Fiber in a Healthy Diet

22:07 Defining Regularity in Health

22:38 Success Stories: Real Client Transformations

25:52 Misconceptions About Prediabetes

28:20 The Importance of Continuous Support

35:25 Supplements for a Healthy Lifestyle

39:04 The Role of Medication in Chronic Illness

40:56 It's Never Too Late to Make a Change