Muscle, Menopause & Metabolism | Dr. Stuart Phillips
What’s the truth about protein, strength training, and women’s health past 40?Michelle MacDonald is joined by world-renowned muscle metabolism expert, Dr. Stuart Phillips, a leading researcher from McMaster University. They dive deep into what women over 40 need to know about muscle loss, optimal protein intake, and the truth about strength training. Dr.Phillips shares the science behind aging and metabolism, dispels persistent fitness myths, and explains how to actually preserve muscle and stay powerful into your fifties and beyond. The duo share tips for anyone serious about cultivating a healthy mindset, building a fitness mindset, and pursuing sustainable personal growth through evidence-based training and nutrition. Favorite Moments:0:12 Why most women aren't lifting — and why that’s a bigger problem6:43 The real recommended protein intake for women over 4013:56 What the research actually says about 40g of protein post-workout33:11 The quality of life case for building strength and power after 40 "I'm more afraid of women not lifting weights at all than I am of them lifting the wrong way."GUEST: DR. STUART PHILLIPS McMaster University | X | Linktree | Instagram Dr. Stuart Phillips is a distinguished professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Skeletal Muscle Health at McMaster University. His research focuses on how nutrition and exercise impact skeletal muscle protein turnover, especially in the context of aging and sarcopenia. He is also the director of the Physical Activity Centre of Excellence (PACE) and the McMaster Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Research.CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | XMichelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.Where to Watch/Listen:WebsiteApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald
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Science-Backed Fitness for Women Over 40 | Lauren Colenso-Semple
Are women being misled by flashy fitness trends that ignore the science?Michelle MacDonald welcomes Dr. Lauren Colenso-Semple, one of the world’s leading researchers in female exercise physiology. Together, they dismantle popular but unproven trends like cycle syncing, oversimplified menopause nutrition hacks, and hormone-based fear messaging. Lauren explains what the evidence truly says about training, fat loss, and muscle growth for women in all life stages, including the menopause transition. Listeners will walk away with science-backed strategies for building strength, protecting metabolic health, and avoiding common fitness traps. Favorite Moments (timestamped bullet points):2:30 From Fitness Professional to Female Physiology Researcher6:44 Why Cycle Syncing Misses the Mark for Strength Training19:46 The Truth About Fat Loss During Menopause28:22 The Trade-Off Between Extreme Leanness and Quality of Life34:42 Why Muscle Growth Matters More Than Constant Fat Loss“The basics work. Don’t let fear-based or overcomplicated messaging distract you from the fundamentals that build strength and health.”GUEST: LAUREN COLENSO-SEMPLEMASS Research Review | LinkedIn | Instagram Full Guest Bio: I am a muscle physiology researcher and science communicator with a Ph.D. in Integrative Physiology from McMaster University and a M.S. in Exercise Science from the University of South Florida. My work focuses on the influence of ovarian hormones on exercise-induced adaptations. I am also an expert fitness professional with years of practical experience in strength & conditioning and sports nutrition, and I am a co-owner of the MASS Research Review.CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | XFull Michelle Bio: Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.Where to Watch/Listen:WebsiteApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald
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Aging STRONGER Starts Here | David Stewart
What if your most empowered, energized years are still ahead of you? Discover how thriving after 50 isn’t just possible—it’s a strategy.Michelle MacDonald welcomes back David Stewart, founder of Ageist and Super Age, for part two of their dynamic conversation. A pioneer in the space of modern aging, David shares science-backed insights into optimizing physical health, mental clarity, and personal agency after 50. From strength training and protein intake to managing stress and cultivating a growth-driven community, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring mindset shifts. Perfect for women looking to fuse fitness with personal growth, it’s a powerful reminder that aging well is a skill—and a choice.Favourite Moments:3:17 Sleep as the Cornerstone of Longevity7:32 How HRV Can Help You Train Smarter13:28 Using Breathwork and Body Awareness to Recharge18:19 The Two Core Beliefs That Hold People Back "You are the sum of the five people around you—choose wisely."GUEST: DAVID STEWARTAgeist Magazine | Super Age | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | FacebookDavid is a media innovator and a passionate advocate for redefining aging. With decades of experience in high-profile creative work and a bold personal philosophy on living fully, David launched Super Age to champion imagination, curiosity, and the science of living long while living well.CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | XMichelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.Where to Watch/Listen:WebsiteApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald
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Resilience is AGELESS | David Stewart
What if everything you've been told about aging is wrong—and your best, boldest chapter is just beginning?Michelle MacDonald welcomes David Stewart, founder of Ageist and Super Age, a pioneering voice in the pro-aging movement. Once a world-traveling fashion photographer, David’s life was upended by a rare autoimmune disorder at 49. His recovery sparked a mission to redefine aging through fitness, health, and mindset. Michelle and David explore how physicality fuels optimism, the dangers of comfort culture, and how reinvention is not only possible but vital at any age. With decades of wisdom and cutting-edge longevity insights, David shares how to thrive beyond 50 and become the most powerful version of yourself yet.Favourite Moments:0:09 The Death Trap of Comfort Culture4:54 Hospitalized at 49: A Life-Changing Health Crisis13:11 Hard Isn't Impossible: Rebuilding Strength at Any Age23:05 Reinvention is Real: Creating Your Next Chapter"Our greatest obstacle is our poverty of imagination about what’s possible." - David StewartGUEST: DAVID STEWARTAgeist Magazine | Super Age | X | LinkedIn | Instagram | You Tube | FacebookDavid is a media innovator and a passionate advocate for redefining aging. With decades of experience in high-profile creative work and a bold personal philosophy on living fully, David launched Super Age to champion imagination, curiosity, and the science of living long while living well.CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | XMichelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024.Where to Watch/Listen:WebsiteApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTubeLeave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald
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Lessons Learned from Contest Prep | Courtney Ustrzycki
What if true progress means actively seeking failure?Michelle MacDonald sits down with Courtney Ustrzycki—IFBB Pro athlete, posing coach, and former powerlifter—for a deep dive into the mental and physical evolution required for elite competition. Courtney shares her journey from resisting bodybuilding to becoming a professional, all while navigating mindset shifts, vulnerability, and the messy realities of growth. They explore how discipline trumps motivation, why balance isn’t always the answer, and what it means to push past self-imposed limits. WHAT TO LISTEN FOR0:32 Redefining failure in the gym as a goal for growth17:35 “Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal.”32:27 Train to true failure to unlock real progress41:08 Overcoming jealousy and self-doubt on the pro stage"Growth is messy—and the gym is the one place where failure should be your goal."GUEST: COURTNEY USTRZYCKIWebsite | Email | TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Posing mobility program | NPC Bikini & Fit Model posing manualI’m a passionate and dynamic leader in the bodybuilding world, specializing in posing and competition prep within the NPC Federation. My journey started in the world of powerlifting, where I first built my foundation as both an athlete and a coach for lifestyle clients. In 2019, I made the leap into bodybuilding—a transformation that reshaped not only my physique but also my mindset and approach to life. This evolution drove me to become the coach I am today, bringing a blend of real-world experience, research-backed strategies, and genuine, relatable insights to every athlete I work with.CONNECT WITH MICHELLEWebsite | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MODEL BLUEPRINT™ and host of the Stronger By Design™ podcast. Known globally for her transformation programs, Michelle empowers women to redefine aging through evidence-based strength training, nutrition, and mindset practices. Since 2012, she has coached thousands of women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She co-founded Tulum Strength Club and established The Wonder Women (TWW), inspiring countless transformations including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™). Michelle continues to lead the charge in women's fitness, launching the Stronger by Design™ fitness app in fall 2024. Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald Where to Watch/Listen:WebsiteApple PodcastsSpotifyYouTube
About Stronger by Design for Women with Michelle MacDonald
No one is going to “save” you. In today's world, it's up to us to save ourselves!Hosted by top fitness expert and coach Michelle MacDonald, the Stronger by Design podcast is for women who want to take radical ownership of their bodies, nutrition, and mindsets.Michelle, known worldwide for her Transformation Programs, shares world-class insights to help women redefine aging by focusing on longevity, empowerment, fitness, resilience, and muscle-building, all while fostering a positive mindset about nutrition and health.Since 2012, Michelle has been coaching women online, leveraging her expertise as a Physique Champion and ISSA Strength and Conditioning Specialist. In 2016, she co-founded Tulum Strength Club, an online Physique Contest Prep Team. She later established The Wonder Women (TWW) in 2020 and the TWW coaching academy in 2022. Michelle’s work has inspired countless women, including her mother, Joan MacDonald (Train With Joan™), who lost 70 pounds in her 70s and became a fitness influencer.Michelle now brings her expertise to the Stronger by Design Fitness App, launching in fall 2024, alongside this podcast of the same name.Join us on Stronger by Design to explore how to cultivate a resilient mindset, maintain optimal nutrition, and achieve lasting fitness for a healthier, more vibrant future. This podcast is designed for women committed to longevity, strength, and nutrition, empowering them to transform their lives from the inside out.
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