In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, Maddy sits down with friend and fellow athlete Paige Michael, RN, to talk about what really happens when you outgrow the bodybuilding identity and step into a life rooted in balance, strength, and longevity.

Both former competitors, Maddy and Paige open up about the years spent chasing perfection—rigid macros, two-a-day training, and the illusion that more discipline always equals more results. They share how stepping away from extremes became the gateway to real health, deeper self-trust, and performance that actually lasts.

From rebuilding hormones and metabolism to finding joy in hybrid training, community, and rest, this conversation is for the women who’ve done it “right” on paper but still feel burnt out. You’ll hear about:

• The identity shift that comes after the stage
• Relearning how to fuel for performance, not punishment
• Why nervous system regulation is the new pre-workout
• How community and simplicity can make fitness fun again

This episode is your permission slip to let go of the death grip, redefine what “fit” really means, and start building a body—and life—you can sustain.

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and share this with the friend who’s learning to soften without slowing down.

🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests. Connect with Paige here

What do red-eye flights and bikini preps have in common? More than you think. In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen (IFBB Bikini Pro & Founder of MPowered Coaching Collective) sits down with her client Kait — an airline pilot, athlete, and just days from her first OCB bikini show — to unpack how preparation and adaptability outrun even the busiest schedule.

From living on reserve and landing red-eyes from Hawaii, to food going bad in hotel fridges, rolled ankles, and even catching COVID in single-digits out — Kait's story shows why “If it’s predictable, it’s preventable” and “Fail to plan, plan to fail” aren’t clichés…they’re survival skills. You’ll hear the exact systems she uses: single-macro meals, pre-logging in MyFitnessPal, vacuum-sealing and cooler hacks, a plug-in lunch warmer, Instacart contingencies, and how to pivot workouts when the only option is a hotel treadmill.

Together, Maddy and Kait draw parallels between aviation and coaching — why cockpit-level communication and weekly micro-adjustments keep a prep on course — and how real discipline includes knowing when to rest. The big takeaway: busyness isn’t an excuse; it’s a variable you can plan for.

Whether you’re a mom, a traveler, or a high-stress professional, this episode will help you build non-negotiables (sleep, water, movement, protein), ditch perfection, and respond to life without losing momentum.

🎧 Tune in for practical systems, mindset shifts, and the reminder that you don’t need a perfect routine to achieve elite results — just a plan for what you can control and flexibility for what you can’t.

👉 If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to The Psyche Behind the Physique, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s “too busy” for their goals.

🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests.

✈️ Connect with Kait here

What do marathons and bodybuilding preps have in common? More than you think. In this episode of The Psyche Behind the Physique, host Maddy Michielssen (IFBB Bikini Pro & Founder of MPowered Coaching Collective) sits down with her friend Corin — marathon runner, coach at Run Unlimited, and Booty Gym trainer — to unpack the highs, lows, and mental grit it takes to push past your limits.

From prepping for hills while living in flat Florida, to blowing out her quads on a downhill stretch, to crossing the finish line far off her goal pace — Corin’s story from her latest marathon in Utah is packed with lessons on resilience, pacing, and perspective. Together, Maddy and Corin draw parallels between marathon training, bodybuilding, and the everyday pursuit of health.

Whether you’re an athlete, a coach, or simply someone navigating your own challenges, this episode will leave you with practical takeaways on how to adapt when things don’t go as planned — and how to reframe setbacks as stepping stones.

🎧 Tune in now for inspiration, real talk, and the reminder that effort always counts more than perfection.

👉 If you enjoy this episode, subscribe to The Psyche Behind the Physique, leave a review, and share it with a friend who could use some encouragement.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health and you're guaranteed to find your people, then fuel your progress

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

Connect with Corin @corndawg002

In this heartfelt conversation, host Madison Michielssen (IFBB Bikini Pro; founder of the MPowered Coaching Collective) sits down with her close friend Savannah—former personal trainer turned lifestyle athlete—to unpack how the company you keep can elevate (or erode) your health. From leaving bodybuilding’s “grind at all costs” mindset to finding community in St. Pete through Brickyard classes, run clubs, and church, they explore why friendships influence what you eat, how you move, how you manage stress, and how you see yourself.

You’ll hear:

• How to audit your circle (friends that fill vs. friends that drain)
• Boundaries that honor your goals—saying “no” and suggesting alternatives
• Real ways to find “your people” (show up solo, smile, start small, try the class, join the 5K)
• Why faith/community can anchor consistency, resilience, and joy

If you’ve been doing this alone, you don’t have to. The right circle makes your journey lighter, more sustainable, and a lot more fun.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join⁠⁠⁠⁠ MPowered Coaching Collective for your lifestyle & contest prep needs -- where physique goals meet functional health and you're guaranteed to find your people, then fuel your progress

🎧 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 @_savyjane_

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

In this powerful and refreshingly real episode, Madison Michielssen sits down with Jodi Stabile, founder of Sweat in St. Pete, to unpack the unspoken truth behind burnout, balance, and building a life that actually fits you. Whether you're a high-achiever spinning ten plates, a fitness junkie stuck in go-mode, or a woman wondering if it’s okay to just slow down—this conversation is going to hit home.

Jodi shares her journey from dance and martial arts to running one of Florida’s top-rated fitness studios, and Madison dives deep into the mindset traps that keep driven women stuck in cycles of pressure, perfection, and proving. Together, they explore:

• What “doing it all” really costs
• How to know the difference between being tired and burning out
• The hidden dangers of chasing success without stopping to celebrate it
• Why your healthiest self might actually come from doing less
• How structure, strategy, and self-awareness can unlock more freedom, not less

If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting, questioned your pace, or struggled to balance ambition with your well-being—this one’s for you.

🎙️ Listen in and let this be your permission slip to do life differently.

🎯 ⁠⁠⁠⁠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 Jodi on IG @Jodistabile or join us for a swe(a)t sesh @ SWET by registering online at www.weswet.com