What if your strength training routine is doing more harm than good—without you even realizing it?

Michelle MacDonald welcomes Dr. Tony Boutagy, one of Australia's most respected strength and conditioning educators. With decades of experience and over 50,000 programs written, Dr. Boutagy dives deep into how women can train smarter, not harder, through movement literacy, mobility assessments, and intelligent programming. From debunking trendy fitness myths to explaining why personalized training should trump gender-based advice, this conversation is packed with gold for any woman looking to build strength, maintain joint health, and cultivate a healthy, empowered mindset in midlife and beyond.

Favorite Moments

• 1:52 Mastering Movement: The Real Reason to Assess Your Body
• 10:41 Why Women Aren’t Inflexible—They’re Just Weak in the End Ranges
• 19:01 How to Know When to Progress Your Training
• 36:13 The Hidden Signs You're Out-Training Your Recovery

"Your program should be symptom-based, not gender-based—because good training principles work for everyone." - Dr. Tony Boutagy

GUEST: TONY BOUTAGY

Website | Courses | Instagram | YouTube | X | Facebook

Full Guest Bio:
Dr. Tony Boutagy is a PhD-qualified Exercise Physiologist and one of Australia’s most respected strength and conditioning experts. With over 25 years of experience and more than 50,000 sessions delivered, Tony has written programs for elite athletes across 24 sports and is renowned for his science-based, practical approach to training. He’s a longtime educator, having lectured at multiple universities and at Australia’s largest fitness conference, FILEX, for 17 consecutive years. Tony also runs one of the country’s longest-standing internship programs and continues to lead in coaching, education, and industry development.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

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Full 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:

https://events.thewonderwomen.com/

Join The Wonder Women for a transformational week in Tulum, Mexico at the Amansala Resort & Spa. This retreat blends fitness, mindset, and community to help you reset your body, restore your energy, and reignite your confidence. Learn, move, and connect in paradise, with the women who understand your journey.

Are you prepping for a show or planning your comeback season? What if the difference between winning and wasting your time was strategy?

Michelle MacDonald welcomes elite coach and two-time world champion Jean Jacques (JJ) Barrett. Known for shaping champions across divisions and federations, JJ brings a wealth of experience in women’s health and fitness. The conversation dives deep into the most misunderstood phases of physique prep for women: choosing your show strategically, maximizing your improvement season, and avoiding peak week mistakes. JJ shares expert insights on how to build a competitive physique with a healthy and sustainable fitness mindset. Whether you’re stepping on stage soon or mapping out your next season, this episode delivers game-changing advice every female athlete should hear.

Favorite Moments

• 5:09 How to Strategically Choose the Right Competition for Your Physique
• 10:54 When to Postpone Your Show—and Why It Might Save Your Season
• 24:42 The Biggest Mistake Women Make During Improvement Season
• 1:11:20 Why Competing Is About More Than Just Winning a Trophy

"Create urgency in your improvement season because that's the work that actually builds your next stage body."– Jean Jacques Barrett

GUEST: JEAN JACQUES BARRETT, EXPERT COACH | ISSA STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING SPECIALIST | 5X PRO FITNESS MODEL CHAMPION

Instagram | Talum Strength Club | Facebook | FMG Show Registration | Tickets to FMG Mexico

Full Guest Bio:
Jean Jacques Barrett is a top-tier physique coach, two-time world champion, and seven-time titleholder known for his precision-based coaching and transformative results. With over a decade of experience shaping elite-level athletes across divisions and federations, JJ specializes in strategic physique development with a deep understanding of female physiology. He co-leads Tulum Strength Club and is a key promoter with FMG Mexico, where he continues to elevate the standard for women’s health and fitness on and off the stage. JJ is respected for his disciplined approach, athlete-first mindset, and commitment to coaching with clarity, purpose, and impact.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X

Full Michelle Bio:
Michelle MacDonald is the creator of the FITNESS MO

https://events.thewonderwomen.com/

Join The Wonder Women for a transformational week in Tulum, Mexico at the Amansala Resort & Spa. This retreat blends fitness, mindset, and community to help you reset your body, restore your energy, and reignite your confidence. Learn, move, and connect in paradise, with the women who understand your journey.

What does it truly take to step on stage as a female bodybuilder? Hint: it’s not just muscle.

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Loz Vickers, a natural bodybuilding phenom and a grounded voice in the women's fitness space. Together, they unpack what it really means to train hard, build muscle, and create a healthy, resilient mindset as a woman in fitness. Loz shares her raw experiences with body image struggles, recovering from disordered eating, and transforming into a figure competitor who thrives in the off-season. They also explore the mental discipline required for long-term personal growth, the hidden truths of prep life, and how strength training empowers women at any age. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a woman seeking to redefine strength in midlife, this episode offers real talk, tactical tips, and transformational takeaways. Favorite Moments:

Favorite Moments

• 1:57 When Are You Really Ready for a Bodybuilding Contest?
• 7:48 Why Mindset Outranks Genetics in Women’s Bodybuilding Success
• 20:54 How the Off-Season Builds Muscle and Mental Strength
• 43:21 Strength Training as a Tool for Self-Belief and Confidence

"The physique is just a physical representation of the mindset you've built." – Loz Vickers

GUEST: LOZ VICKERS, ONLINE COACH & NATURAL BODYBUILDER

LVFIT Website | 1-1 LVFIT Coaching | Instagram | YouTube | Podcast | Natural Bodybuilding Worldwide | TikTok

Full Guest Bio:
Loz Vickers is a natural bodybuilding athlete and coach dedicated to helping women find strength in every stage of life. As head coach of Team LVFit, she’s known for her down-to-earth, evidence-based approach that fuses performance training with mindset development.

Her own path from body-image struggles to competitive success shaped her belief that fitness is about far more than appearance—it’s about discipline, confidence, and respect for your body. Loz now channels that philosophy into coaching women to lift with purpose, build lasting resilience, and feel powerful inside and outside the gym.

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE

Website | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | X

Full 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:

• Website
• Appl