The Fitnessista Podcast: Healthy In Real Life cover art

The Fitnessista Podcast: Healthy In Real Life

The Fitnessista Podcast: Healthy In Real Life

By: Gina Harney
Listen for free

About this listen

 Join author, fitness professional, and healthy living blogger, Gina Harney, as she shares expert interviews and tips that you can implement right now. This podcast is health, fitness, nutrition, beauty, and lifestyle advice, delivered by your internet BFF. If you're looking to create your healthiest, happiest life, this is the podcast for you. INSTAGRAM: @fitnessista Shownotes: fitnessista.com/podcast Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 201: Sleep Tips That Actually WORK | Morning Routines, Magnesium, Meal Timing & More

    201: Sleep Tips That Actually WORK | Morning Routines, Magnesium, Meal Timing & More
    Mar 19 2026
    Hi friends! I have a brand new podcast episode live, and today I'm diving into one of my all-time favorite topics — sleep! 😴✨ This is a solo episode where I'm walking you through the exact checklist I use with my own clients when we're troubleshooting sleep. Because here's the thing: when we fix sleep, so much else starts to fall into place. Digestion, hormones, mood, energy, body composition — it all connects back to how well you're resting at night. Whether you're a new mom running on fumes, someone who wakes up at 1am and can't fall back asleep, or just someone who never feels truly rested — this episode is for you. Here's what we chat about: The power of morning sunlight and why getting outside first thing is a game-changerWhy most people are taking the wrong type of magnesium — and what to look for insteadHow castor oil packs support your liver, calm your nervous system, and help shift your body into rest-and-digest modeThe meal timing sweet spot that makes a noticeable difference in sleep qualityWhy alcohol before bed is sabotaging your deep sleep (and what to have instead)The connection between blood sugar dips and that dreaded 1–3am wake-up windowHow to manage stress and screen time before bed so your nervous system can actually wind downMy honest take on unplugging the Wi-Fi router at night and keeping your phone off your bodyMy current favorite sleep supplements — including one that gives me that warm, calm feeling without the hangover And so much more!! This episode is a friendly reminder that great sleep doesn't just happen at night — it's built throughout your entire day. If you've been struggling to get consistent, restful sleep, I hope this gives you a solid starting point. And if you want to go deeper, I'd love to help you run some functional lab work to see what might be going on hormonally or metabolically. Send me an email at gina@fitnessista.com with "sleep" in the subject line and I'll send you all the details — no coaching fee to review your results, just answers! I love winding down with a warm cup of Organifi gold before bed, and I always pair my nightly routine with my favorite Magnesium supplement and Magnesium spray for extra relaxation. I also swear by my Weighted blanket AND you can find all of my go-to sleep tools and more over on My favorite biohacking products page! Sweet dreams, friends. 🌙 Make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter For my free Autoimmune Healing ebook, click here. Detailed show notes here: https://fitnessista.com/podcast Partners: Try out luxury handbags and jewelry from Vivrelle and use my code GINAHARNEY for your first month free! Check out We Feed Raw! Maisey goes crazy for this! I use it as a topper for her kibble or mix it into her pup loaf. You can try the raw version, the raw dehydrated kibble, and they'll help you customize a plan for your pup. Use FITNESSISTA40 for 40% off your Meal Plan Starter Box here! Check out my new favorite red light device here, and use the code FITNESSISTA for a huge discount. I've been using Nutrisense on and off for a couple of years now. I love being able to see how my blood sugar responds to my diet and habits, and run experiments. You can try out Nutrisense here and use GINA30 for 30% off. If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don't currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don't begin on this path. They're friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career. You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you'll get a little "thank you" gift from me to you. http://fitnessista.com/podcastreview
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • 200: Autoimmune Healing, Nervous System Safety & the Biggest Mistakes I Made on My Health Journey

    200: Autoimmune Healing, Nervous System Safety & the Biggest Mistakes I Made on My Health Journey
    Feb 26 2026
    Hi friends! I have a brand new podcast episode live, and today is a very special one — episode 200 🎉 This is a short solo episode where I'm reflecting on my own healing journey and sharing the biggest mistakes I made along the way, especially during the height of my autoimmune symptoms. This episode is less about regret and more about perspective, compassion, and helping you avoid some of the same pitfalls if you're in a season of healing right now. In this episode, I open up about what was happening behind the scenes when my lupus markers were positive, my nervous system was completely fried, and my body was very clearly asking for safety — even though I didn't fully understand that at the time. This episode is especially for you if you feel like you've "tried everything," are overwhelmed by information online, or feel stuck in a loop of doing more but not actually feeling better. Here's what we chat about: Why chasing body composition while your body is screaming for help can actually slow healing The truth about exercise intolerance and why pushing harder isn't always the answer The mistake of taking supplements without testing (and why more isn't better) How probiotics and popular wellness products can backfire if your gut isn't ready Why lab testing was a turning point in my healing (and why I wish I had done it sooner) Why cold plunging, fasting, caffeine, and red light therapy weren't what my nervous system needed at the time How staying up all night Googling symptoms kept my body stuck in fight-or-flight The connection between hypervigilance, cortisol, inflammation, and stalled healing A reminder that you're not behind, broken, or failing if healing is taking time This episode is such an honest reminder that healing isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things at the right time, in a way that supports your nervous system instead of overwhelming it. If you're in the middle of a healing journey right now, please know you're not alone. I truly believe our experiences make us stronger, wiser, and more compassionate on the other side. Thank you SO much for being here with me for 200 episodes. Your support means more than you know 💛 Make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter For my free Autoimmune Healing ebook, click here. Detailed show notes here: https://fitnessista.com/podcast Partners: Try out luxury handbags and jewelry from Vivrelle and use my code GINAHARNEY for your first month free! Check out We Feed Raw! Maisey goes crazy for this! I use it as a topper for her kibble or mix it into her pup loaf. You can try the raw version, the raw dehydrated kibble, and they'll help you customize a plan for your pup. Use FITNESSISTA40 for 40% off your Meal Plan Starter Box here! Check out my new favorite red light device here, and use the code FITNESSISTA for a huge discount. I've been using Nutrisense on and off for a couple of years now. I love being able to see how my blood sugar responds to my diet and habits, and run experiments. You can try out Nutrisense here and use GINA30 for 30% off. If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don't currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don't begin on this path. They're friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career. You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you'll get a little "thank you" gift from me to you. http://fitnessista.com/podcastreview
    Show More Show Less
    20 mins
  • 199: Perimenopause, Nervous System Health & How Stress Impacts Your Hormones

    199: Perimenopause, Nervous System Health & How Stress Impacts Your Hormones
    Feb 12 2026
    Hi friends! I have a brand new podcast episode live, and today we're diving into a topic that so many women are confused about but deeply affected by: perimenopause. I'm joined by the amazing mother-daughter duo, Candace and Jess from Your Hormone Balance, and we're breaking down what perimenopause actually is, why it can start earlier than most women expect, and how chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation play a huge role in hormone imbalances, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, and more. This episode is especially for you if you're in your 30s or 40s, feeling "off" in your body, struggling with sleep, energy, anxiety, or changes in your cycle - and being told everything is "normal." Here's what we chat about: What perimenopause really is (and why it's an 8–10 year transition, not a single moment) The early signs of perimenopause, including changes in your cycle, mood, sleep, and energy Why progesterone is often the first hormone to decline — and how that impacts anxiety, PMS, and stress tolerance How chronic stress, overworking, under-eating, and people-pleasing disrupt ovulation and hormone balance The connection between nervous system dysregulation and symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and low libido Why so many women are estrogen dominant — and how stress drives that imbalance The importance of hormone testing (and why symptoms alone don't tell the full story) Simple, realistic nervous system practices to lower cortisol and support healing Breathwork techniques like the "physiological sigh" to calm anxiety in real time Everyday vagus nerve tools: humming, singing, grounding, and gentle movement How boundaries, asking for help, and reducing people-pleasing can literally improve your hormones Why heavy, painful, or irregular periods are not something you should ignore The role of protein, nourishment, and avoiding extremes with exercise and caffeine This episode is such a powerful reminder that your body isn't broken; it's responding to the life you're living. And with the right tools, support, and awareness, you can move through perimenopause feeling calmer, stronger, more regulated, and more in tune with your body. I hope you enjoy this episode! Connect with Candace and Jess here: @bodyblissbyjess @yourhormonebalance www.yourhormonebalance.com Take symptom quiz: https://yourhormonebalance.outgrow.us/decodeyoursymptoms Book free mini strategy sesh with Jess: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14435499&appointmentType=87514616 Women Talking Frankly Podcast Solo 2.0 Podcast Make sure you're subscribed to my newsletter For my free Autoimmune Healing ebook, click here. Detailed show notes here: https://fitnessista.com/podcast Partners: Try out luxury handbags and jewelry from Vivrelle and use my code GINAHARNEY for your first month free! Check out We Feed Raw! Maisey goes crazy for this! I use it as a topper for her kibble or mix it into her pup loaf. You can try the raw version, the raw dehydrated kibble, and they'll help you customize a plan for your pup. Use FITNESSISTA40 for 40% off your Meal Plan Starter Box here! Check out my new favorite red light device here, and use the code FITNESSISTA for a huge discount. I've been using Nutrisense on and off for a couple of years now. I love being able to see how my blood sugar responds to my diet and habits, and run experiments. You can try out Nutrisense here and use GINA30 for 30% off. If any of my fellow health professional friends are looking for another way to help their clients, I highly recommend IHP. You can also use this information to heal yourself and then go one to heal others, which I think is a beautiful mission. You can absolutely join if you don't currently work in the health or fitness industry; many IHPs don't begin on this path. They're friends who are passionate to learn more about health and wellness, and want to share this information with those they love. You can do this as a passion, or start an entirely new career. You can use my referral link here and the code FITNESSISTA for up to $250 off the Integrative Health Practitioner program. I highly recommend it! Thank you so much for listening and for all of your support with the podcast! Please be sure to subscribe, and leave a rating or review if you enjoyed this episode. If you leave a rating, head to this page and you'll get a little "thank you" gift from me to you. http://fitnessista.com/podcastreview
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.