A rainy parking lot, a few resistance bands, and a coach who chose education over ego—that’s where this story of sustainable strength begins. Claire sits down with Niko, owner of Odyssey Strength and Conditioning in Howard County, to unpack how women and families can trade gym intimidation for measurable progress and everyday confidence. From immigrant grit to launching a thousand-square-foot studio, Niko shares why small groups, precise cues, and clean technique beat hype and fads every time.

We dive into the real reasons to lift: stronger bones, improved insulin sensitivity, and the resilience that carries you through perimenopause, postpartum recovery, and the demands of daily life. Forget the myths—yes, your knees can travel over your toes, and no, deadlifts aren’t anti-back. With a practical focus on squats, hinges, presses, and pulls, we talk about how to load movements safely, why progression matters more than novelty, and how a supportive group can spark friendly competition without the self-critique spiral.

Movement is medicine for everyone in the house. We connect strength training to kids’ development and cognitive benefits for adults, showing how new skills and consistent practice boost both mind and body. The result is a training culture that feels human: no yelling, no ego, just clear standards, steady challenge, and coaches who adapt the plan to your needs. Whether you’re a cardio loyalist, a barre fan, or brand new to lifting, you’ll leave with a simple blueprint to get stronger, protect your bones, and enjoy the work.

Stronger, smarter movement starts with one conversation—and this is a great place to continue it. Curious to learn more or take the next step? 💪
Visit odysseystrong.com, follow instagram.com/odyssey.strong 📲, or reach out at niko@odysseystrong.com ✉️.

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A quiet shift can change everything. When a child moves from scanning the room for cues to confidently telling his own story, you feel it at home, at school, and in your gut as a parent. We sit down with Beth Snow, director of Brain Balance in Greater Baltimore, to unpack the steps behind Grant’s big leap—how integrating primitive reflexes, strengthening core and sensory systems, and supporting the visual pathway laid the groundwork for language retrieval, working memory, and self-direction to take off.

We walk through the data and, more importantly, the daily moments that prove the progress: naming shapes in a favorite book, explaining what “furious” means, humming the months of the year, and signing a classmate’s birthday card without a fight. Beth explains the brain pyramid—why building from the body upward unlocks learning at the top—and how a compliant child can still “fall through the cracks” until their nervous system is ready to absorb instruction. The takeaway is practical hope: when the foundation gets stronger, everything above it stabilizes.

We also turn the lens on adult brain health. If your attention feels shredded by phones and constant to-dos, you’re not broken—you’re overloaded. We share small, repeatable moves that protect focus: 15–30 minute walks without notifications, real silence in the car, music as a reset, hydration and steady fuel, and grace over perfection. At home, design beats willpower—set up a dedicated workstation with a homework toolkit, create a screen-free calm corner with comforting cues, and keep a visible movement zone so exercise happens without drama. For growing learners, use timers and short check-ins to build independence and cut friction.

If you’re a parent looking for language breakthroughs, attention strategies, or a calmer home rhythm, this conversation blends personal wins with clear, science-informed steps you can start today.

If you’re ready to explore these strategies further or want support for your child, teen, or even your own focus and regulation, Brain Balance offers a non-medical, whole-brain approach designed to strengthen the systems that drive learning and behavior. You can dive deeper into how the program works, connect with the Greater Baltimore Center, or follow along for daily tips and success stories using the links below:

🌐 Program Overview: brainbalancecenters.com/our-program

📍 Greater Baltimore Center: brainbalancecenters.com/locations/maryland/baltimore

📘 Facebook: facebook.com/brainbalancecenters

📸 Instagram: instagram.com/brainbalancebaltimore

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!

💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com

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Ready to feel strong in the gym and steadier in life? Claire sits down with Lisa, a physical therapist and women’s health coach, to unpack how lifting changes everything—from your confidence and bone density to the way you recover from stress and handle the “heavy” stuff off the platform. We get real about early alarms, community energy, and why a good coach makes feedback feel like fuel instead of criticism.

Lisa shares her path from athletic training to PT to therapeutic coaching, and why she built Evolving with Motion to help women move with intention, not just intensity. We talk through injuries as information, not identity: what a back spasm can teach about core strength and form, how dry needling and PT fit into a smart return, and the role of technique and progressive load. You’ll hear how functional movements—carries, deadlifts, strict presses—map directly to daily life, whether you’re hoisting luggage, corralling kids, or navigating stairs with confidence.

We also dive into hormones, sarcopenia after 35, and Wolff’s law to explain how muscle tension signals bones to get stronger. Expect practical takeaways: WHO’s two full-body strength sessions per week, building protein-forward meals, the value of rest days, and when tools like GLP-1 medications can support health goals like reducing visceral fat. Most of all, we champion the mindset shift from chasing “less” to fueling “more”—more strength, more resilience, more life.

If you’re ready to train for your 95-year-old self while enjoying every win along the way, this conversation will meet you where you are and help you move forward.

Want to start lifting with intention? 🏋️‍♀️

Visit 🌿 ewmotion.com to explore Lisa’s coaching.
Join the Evolving With Motion community on:
Instagram 📲 @evolvingwithmotion
Facebook 🫶 Evolving With Motion
YouTube ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@EvolvingWithMotion

For daily encouragement, education, and strength inspiration. 💪

Support the show

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to MomTalk Maryland — where community, connection, and conversation collide!

💻 Visit us at thecolumbiamdmom.com

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🗣️Got a topic idea, guest nomination, or want to sponsor an episode? Let us know!

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🎧 Like what you heard? Leave a review & share with a friend who needs this convo in their life!