What happens when you stop trying to juggle it all — and start aligning your life instead? In this episode, I sit down with MPowered athlete Dani Henderson, a mom of two and wife who’s just weeks away from stepping back on stage for her second bodybuilding season. Dani’s story goes far beyond macros and training: it’s about learning to slow down, redefine identity, strengthen her marriage, and show up fully as a mom — all while thriving in one of the most demanding sports out there.

If you’ve ever wondered how to pursue big goals without letting them consume your life, this conversation is for you. We talk about what alignment really looks like, how to protect what matters most while still chasing a stage-level physique, and why fulfillment outside of fitness might be the secret to finally thriving inside of it.

✨ Whether you’re a competitor, a mom, or just a woman wearing a dozen hats — Dani’s journey will inspire you to keep your goals high while keeping your life aligned.

Ready for a coaching approach that sees you as a whole woman, not just an athlete?

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

🎧 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review to keep these conversations going

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Connect with Dani @liftingmorethanjustkids

What if the secret to building your dream physique wasn’t more workouts or stricter dieting — but actually slowing down, listening to your body, and supporting it from the inside out?

In this episode, IFBB Bikini Pro, functional nutritionist, and founder of The MPowered Coaching Collective, Maddy Michielssen, joins 1st Optimal founder, Joe Miller, to unpack the myths holding women back from true hormonal balance and lasting results. We dive into:

• The truth about women’s hormones (and why “just deal with it” is a lie)
• How functional medicine bridges the gap between looking fit and actually being healthy
• Recovery, nervous system support, and mobility as underused performance tools
• Mindset shifts that make consistency feel natural instead of forced

Whether you’re chasing a leaner physique, deeper energy reserves, or simply want to understand your body better, this conversation will help you rethink what “training hard” really means — and how to do it without burning yourself out.

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

🎧 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review to keep these conversations going

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

This episode is your permission slip to pause. Whether you're deep in prep or simply trying to stay afloat in your fitness journey, The Psyche Behind the Physique is diving deep into the whispers of burnout—before they turn into screams.

Maddy is joined by powerhouse coach and athlete Sham Haynes for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the emotional unraveling that can happen when we operate from misalignment, not authenticity. Together, they explore:

• What burnout really feels like (and how to spot the early signs)
• The inner child vs. the grown-up self—and why both deserve a seat at the table
• How to talk to your coach before ghosting becomes your escape plan
• Why a pivot doesn’t mean you’re quitting (and how to pivot with power)
• The surprising spiritual and hormonal symptoms of pushing too hard for too long

From bodybuilding to HYROX, structured meal plans to intuitive eating, Maddy and Sham get real about discipline, rebellion, and redefining what success looks like when you're finally ready to listen to your gut. If you've been craving a more human, more sustainable approach to coaching, performance, and personal growth—this one’s for you.

Press play, take a breath, and remember: sometimes your next breakthrough starts with a tiny whisper.

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

🎧 Love what you heard? Subscribe, rate, and review to keep these conversations going

📲 DM Me: @Madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests or find me on Youtube @⁠⁠⁠⁠madsmichiefitness⁠⁠⁠⁠

& Find Sham on IG @fit_n2_it