In this inspiring episode, host Maddy Michielssen, IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, is joined by two-time overall bikini champion Alexa Sotere to discuss the emotional and mental intricacies of breaking out of "the cycle" as a competitor.

🎙 Through personal stories, pivotal moments, and practical insights, Maddy and Alexa explore:

• The allure and challenges of staying "in the cycle" and why stepping out feels so daunting.
• How routine and control can serve us, but also hinder growth when they become fear disguised as discipline.
• The importance of balance, self-trust, and making intentional decisions around food, training, and life.
• Practical tips for navigating extremes, building self-trust, and redefining indulgences as part of the experience.

Through relatable analogies, like their NYC trip and the "Cake, Cookies, and Bergdorf’s" discussion, Maddy and Alexa shed light on how letting go of perfectionism and embracing flexibility can lead to greater fulfillment and progress🗽

Ready to take the next step in your own journey? Whether you’re just starting with weight loss, working on functional health, or stepping into competition prep, the MPowered Coaching Collective has a spot for you. Join us and become a better student of your body—because you only get one!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every other Saturday.

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠ | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

IG: Alexalift

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

This week, host Maddy Michielssen, IFBB Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, dives into one of her most transformative rituals—one she’s been practicing every December for the past five years. This simple yet powerful exercise will help you reflect on the past year, uncover invaluable insights, and gain clarity on your goals for 2025.

Through six thoughtfully crafted questions, Maddy guides you on a journey of self-reflection that reveals where you are now and where you truly want to go next. Along the way, she shares personal stories, including a life lesson from a pitch-black mountain road in California, and offers a framework to stop, start, and continue habits that align with your authentic path.

🎙 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The importance of reflection before setting meaningful goals.
• How to align your goals with your "what" and "why" for lasting motivation.
• A practical approach to identifying what to stop, continue, and start in the new year.
• How to create resolutions with deeply personal, intrinsic meaning.

This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you enter 2025 with purpose and empowerment. Plus, Maddy’s reflections on her own growth and the expansion of MPowered Coaching Collective will inspire you to take the reins of your health and well-being.

💡 Ready to reflect, recalibrate, and create a year that feels authentically you? Tune in now and take the first step toward living well in 2025!

Ready to take the next step in your own journey? Whether you’re just starting with weight loss, working on functional health, or stepping into competition prep, the MPowered Coaching Collective has a spot for you. Join us and become a better student of your body—because you only get one!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every Saturday.

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠ | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health

In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen, IFBB Bikini Pro and founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective, dives into the parallels between running and pursuing health and fitness goals. Inspired by her experiences at a local run club, Maddy shares five transformative lessons that apply to any journey—whether you’re chasing a pro card, recovering from burnout, or striving for a healthier lifestyle.

She explores how mindset shapes success, the dangers of comparison, and the importance of pacing yourself to avoid burnout. You’ll learn how to focus on your unique goals, invest in the right tools and support, and define your own finish line without letting fear or outside influences pull you off course.

This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you find peace in your progress and celebrate the steps you’re taking toward your healthiest, happiest self.

🎙️ Tune in to reflect, reset, and reclaim your path to success.

Ready to take the next step in your own journey? Whether you’re just starting with weight loss, working on functional health, or stepping into competition prep, the MPowered Coaching Collective has a spot for you. Join us and become a better student of your body—because you only get one!

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for new episodes every Saturday.

IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠ | YT: @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health