When you saw women on the cover of magazines like Seventeen and Cosmo while growing up, what did you see? They didn’t tend to include physical strength in their image of the “ideal” female figure, did they?

In fact, some find women with “too much” muscle a turn-off. But strength is beautiful too and perfectly acceptable for us as women to display. We just have to remember that for ourselves and pass that attitude down to the next generation.

Alyssa Ages is advocating for just that, not only with her two young daughters but also with her book Secrets of Giants. In part two of our conversation on The Wonder Women Podcast, you’ll learn about the importance of promoting a culture of empowerment and resilience by challenging the dichotomous message women hear regarding strength and beauty. We’ll also talk about the challenges of parenting girls in the modern age and the significance of embracing play and fun in fitness.

1:15 - The importance of changing the narrative about female strength and body image

6:47 - Why it’s more important now than ever to teach young women about resiliency, strength, and embracing failure

9:30 - How we can begin to change the narrative about what’s acceptable and possible for women

11:45 - The mixed message society has always thrown out there about strong women

20:05 - The joy in becoming strong and why we should lose the idea of exercise and embrace the idea of play as adults

27:50 - The importance of appreciating the journey you’re on, regardless of whether or not you reach your goal

Connect with Alyssa Ages

Alyssa Ages

Alyssa at The Globe and Mail

Mentioned In How to Start Changing the Narrative About Women’s Bodies and Aging with Alyssa Ages

“Strength Training Isn’t About Success. It’s About Failure.” by Alyssa Ages | Slate

“I’m Done Apologizing for Being a Strong Woman” by Alyssa Ages | ELLE

“Freya India - Deconstructing the Female Mental Health Crisis” | Modern Wisdom Podcast

GIRLS: Girlhood in the Modern World (Substack)

Chop Wood Carry Water by Joshua Medcalf

Arnold Sports Festival

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How much would you’ve bet that the unathletic kid in your neighborhood would somehow go on to be a competitive athlete?

As a child, my guest Alyssa Ages couldn’t swim a pool lap or get a hit in Little League to save her life. But now she’s a strength training enthusiast and advocate who has spent 10 years competing in marathons, triathlons, and strong woman competitions. Her book Secrets of Giants dives into her journey in strength training and why people pursue it, the lessons she’s learned as a result, and how everyone can leverage those same lessons.

In this conversation on The Wonder Women Podcast, you’ll hear about how Alyssa’s time as an endurance athlete and strong woman competitor prepared her to embrace and learn from failure and how doing so helps you in and out of the gym. You’ll learn how strength training helps you maintain your independence, push past your limits, and endure discomfort.

1:53 - How Alyssa got started in strength training and what inspired her book

8:00 - How Alyssa’s life (and perspective on failure) changed due to lessons learned from strength training

14:50 - The balance of pushing yourself to your limits while still maintaining control and why discomfort can be empowering

20:56 - Why women should embrace strength training and reject the idea of taking it easy as they get older

Connect with Alyssa Ages

Alyssa is a Toronto-based, New York-born author, freelance writer, and copywriter. She is also a mom, strongman competitor, endurance athlete (six marathons & an Ironman), rock climber, CrossFitter, and former member of the Jersey City Bridge & Pummel roller derby team. Her work has appeared in ELLE, GQ, SELF, Slate, The Globe & Mail, WIRED, Men’s Health, Parents, and others.

Her debut book, Secrets of Giants: A Journey to Uncover the True Meaning of Strength was featured in The New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly, among others. It is part personal narrative, part research mission, part midlife crisis odyssey into the world of strength to answer the question: What if strength isn’t about how much we can lift, but how we manage life’s struggles?

Alyssa Ages

Alyssa at The Globe and Mail

Mentioned In How Strength Training Helps You Push Past Limits In and Out of the Gym with Alyssa Ages

“Powerlifting Past 40 with Marisa Inda and Jen Thompson” | The Wonder Women Podcast

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

“Strength Training Isn’t About Success. It’s About Failure.” by Alyssa Ages | Slate

Arnold Sports Festival

Michelle MacDonald on Instagram

The Wonder Women Official on Instagram

Learn more about transforming your life and being part of The Wonder Women family

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This conversation is a real heart-to-heart with three amazing women who stared cancer in the face and came out on top. Each of them brings their own take to the table, shaped by their own battles with the disease.

First up, Kelly Gahr, shares her experience with brain cancer, highlighting how jumping in early made all the difference. She's upfront about how the choices we make in life can seriously impact our chances and how we feel.

Then hear from Tamara Johnson, a former nurse who took on lung cancer and won. Tamara shares some truths about why staying on top of your health and catching things early is so important. Her story is a real eye-opener about why regular check-ups and listening to your body matter.

We wrap up with Leigh Fernandez, who is navigating a second diagnosis with breast cancer. She lays it all out, showing just how lifestyle and having a strong support system help you navigate your way through treatment.

As the episode comes to a close, these remarkable women all agree on one thing: taking charge of your own health is key when facing cancer. They're all about urging people to stay aware of changes, seek help when needed, and keep that positive attitude going strong. Their shared experiences and wisdom shine a light for listeners, nudging them to be proactive about their own health and happiness.

2:40 - Kelly shares her journey of discovering and treating her brain tumor. She gets real about the initial mix-up in diagnoses.

09:18 - How a cancer diagnosis can totally shake up your habits and mindset.

14:04 - Tamara shares on her own journey battling lung cancer. She stresses the importance of being your own advocate in the healthcare game and not hesitating to push for more tests when you need 'em.

25:32 - Why prevention and screening are critical. Being proactive with your health is key.

40:56 - Leigh reflects on how her cancer journey shook up her day-to-day life and the struggles of keeping things normal during treatment.

42:24 - The importance of self-compassion and leaning on support networks during personal health journeys.

46:22 - Why it's crucial to be your own advocate, especially when it comes to catching things early.

53:39 - Keeping healthy habits to bounce back strong. Plus, how staying mentally tough plays a huge role in the recovery journey.

56:25 - We get real about the mental toll of illness and why it's so important to keep that sense of independence and normalcy alive.

Mentioned In Three Inspiring Stories of Cancer Survival and Proactive Health Advocacy

Michelle MacDonald on Instagram

The Wonder Women Official on Instagram

Learn more about transforming your life and being part of The Wonder Women family

Leave a rating and review