Are We Still Here?

Today we go into why putting in a graft in the gym will only do you good, and how to make sure when you do – you're getting the most from it you can. We also go into pain and resiliency, and how so many fall short because they think something bad is going to happen – when in reality, that thought alone will cause more damage than any injury.

Today we discussed the topic of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). Although it sounds like something only athletes may struggle with – that is not the case. RED-S is essentially over exercising and under fuelling. It's attempting to put our bodies through sessions we are just not prepared for, or consistently under-eating rather than spending MOST of the time in energy balance (maintenance).

Today we go into the common misconceptions around one or the other – when humans need both to thrive. A lot of these misconceptions come from bodybuilding, and somehow wormed their way into mainstream fitness. Cardio adds years to your life, resistance adds life to your years. Both, not, "Which one?

No two schedules are the same, which is why no two programmes are the same. Today's episode goes into how to find one that works for you, and why comparison will only set you back.

If you’re enjoying the podcast go ahead and let us know over at @awsh_pod and get involved in the conversation. You can also drop us a question below ⬇️

Quite often the issue is hitting us square in the face. But it's easy to miss the things that matter, because they're often the hardest and require the biggest effort. We have to remember that acknowledging the pounds saves time! And gives you more bang for your buck. The extra mile is never crowded, pick up those pounds.

We took inspiration from Craig Massey on this episode and dug a little deeper into finding that sweet spot of challenge which will make or break your fitness success. Too hard? You lose motivation, get injured, find yourself in pain, feel disheartened. Too easy? You're bored, uninspired, not progressing, stagnant. Sweet spot? You're progressing, challenged, motivated, making mistakes and learning – it's what we should all be hunting for!

Sometimes it really is staring us in the face. Don't get us wrong, there is usually digging needed – but that digging usually comes AFTER identification of the LHF. It can be complex, it can be incredibly simple – but bringing awareness to it is key.

Coaching IS transformative by nature – and today we dive into the language and how it's been a bit butchered by the industry. We walk around the assumptions and the reality, as well as showcasing great examples of true transformations in fitness.

Today we talk about our own definitions of success, why they are so important, and how they help us to keep going. We also ask if those alone are compelling enough to keep our feet on the gas, and what to do if they're not quite there yet. Lots of tangents and vulnerable chats as always.

Today we did a big deep dive into the zone of proximal development, or what some like to call it, the Goldilocks theory. We look into ways of knowing that your training is too easy (and therefore boring), just right (and therefore great for long term progress), or too hard (which may lead to injury, poor recovery, and time off).