Feisty Women's Performance

Welcome to The Feist — your favorite sports, with your feistiest friends.

Hosted by Sara Gross and Kelly O’Mara, Feisty's newest podcast is here to celebrate the unstoppable rise of women’s sports. Every week they'll cover what you need to know in women's sports: from running to basketball to everything in between. The Feist will bring you the untold stories of female athletes, interviews with those athletes and behind-the-scenes experts, and the feisty analysis you need to be a fan.

This is the women's sports podcast that covers the sports that don't always get covered from voices that don't always get heard.

In a special live launch episode, they kick off with a panel on what's next and where women's sports go from here. Joining us for the live event are:

• Scott Lake – Newly minted co-owner of the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first WNBA team, co-founder of Shopify, and an investor in girls' and women's sports.
• Hilary Stellingwerff – Two-time Canadian Olympian, multi-time national champion in the 1500m, and now head track & cross-country coach at the University of Victoria.
• Krista Thompson – Former national team field hockey player and award-winning coach with 20+ years of experience at the provincial, regional, national and international level.

Together, they dive into:

• The massive economic upside of investing in women’s sports
• Why female role models and maternity support matter more than ever
• The coaching and performance knowledge gaps rooted in outdated research
• The lessons they wish they’d known earlier
• And what’s exciting them most about the future

Whether you're a seasoned fan or want to learn more, The Feist is your front-row seat to this women's sports revolution. Because women’s sports aren’t just having a moment—they’re building a movement. And they need fans like you.

Follow The Feist

Subscribe to weekly Feist newsletter

Episode 3: The Fertility Journey as a Professional Athlete

In this final episode of our series on IVF, guest host Jill Van Gyn sits down with six-time world champion mountain biker Annika Langvad to explore the unexpected intersection of pro racing and the IVF process.

Her vulnerability offers insight into the quiet battles many athletes face behind the scenes.

She discusses:

• The unique challenges female athletes face around fertility and family planning
• Societal pressures, career timing, and the stigma surrounding fertility struggles in sport
• Her personal IVF experience—including the "loss of control" in the process
• Learning to separate hope from expectation
• To train or not to train during IVF—and why she ultimately chose to workout for her mental health
• The importance of support, community, and continued education
• Her advice for others seeking IVF

This is an inspiring and eye-opening conversation about navigating ambition and humanity—both on and off the bike.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Episode 2 - The Emotional Highs & Lows of IVF

In this second episode of our series on IVF, co-host Jill Van Gyn explores the emotional complexities of fertility treatments, with a special focus on IVF and pregnancy loss. Joining her is Alexandra Stewart M.A., RCC, PMH-C, a seasoned fertility therapist with personal and deep expertise in reproductive mental health.

They unpack the often unspoken psychological toll of infertility, highlighting:

• the emotional resilience required to endure repeated treatments
• the grief of pregnancy loss
• the impact of societal and self-imposed expectations on the journey to parenthood
• the unexpected toll it can take on relationships and partnerships

Alexandra shares invaluable insights on the importance of therapy as both a coping mechanism and a community-building tool. She also offers guidance on how to support oneself or a loved one through the profound ups and downs of reproductive challenges.

Whether you're facing fertility challenges yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers empathy, understanding, and hope.

Trigger Warning: This episode includes sensitive discussions about pregnancy loss.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Over the past eight years, Feisty Media has grown into a go-to resource for women’s health and performance education.

In this special episode, Feisty CEO Sara Gross and Hit Play Not Pause host Selene Yeager reflect on how Feisty’s content has evolved to meet the real-life needs of active women. From menopause and nutrition to strength training and brain health, Feisty is offering more than ever—including a new suite of comprehensive, on-demand courses.

In a world overflowing with wellness advice, Feisty stays grounded in science. With trusted experts and evidence-based content, their goal is to give women clear, practical guidance for every stage of their health journey.

Now, for the first time, all Feisty courses are available on-demand—including our three brand-new offerings:

• A Perimenopause Starter Pack (All New!)
• Your Quick-Start Guide to Hormone Therapy (All New!)
• Brain Power: Understand, Protect, and Optimize Your Brain Health (All New!)
• Fueled: The Science, Psychology, and Strategy of Nutrition for Active Women
• Strong: The Complete Strength Training Course for Women
• Navigate Menopause: A Menopause Guide Built for Active Women

Whether you’re training, transitioning through menopause, or simply looking to take charge of your well-being, these courses deliver the knowledge and support you need—when and where you need it.

Get 25% off all courses through the end of June 2025! Purchase a Feisty On-Demand Course: learning.feisty.co

Episode 1: In Vitro Fertilization 101

In the first episode of this informative and deeply personal limited podcast series, guest host Jill Van Gyn is joined by Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist, for an open and honest conversation about the physical, emotional, and medical complexities of in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Drawing from Jill’s personal experience and Carla’s 18+ years of medical expertise, they break down the IVF process—from ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer—while shedding light on the psychological toll it can take. Together, they unpack why individualized care and realistic expectations are essential for those undergoing fertility treatment.

You'll learn:

• Why someone might pursue IVF
• Details of the IVF process and what can candidates expect
• The emotional and physical impact of IVF
• Success rates of IVF and limitations as we age
• Additional factors that contribute to IVF success rates
• Why the right fertility clinic and care plan matter
• How to set realistic expectations for treatment outcomes
• Ways to support someone experiencing infertility

Whether you're navigating IVF yourself or want to better understand what a loved one may be going through, start with this episode.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Cognitive challenges can begin as early as your 20s. Yes, it’s a little-known fact.

While we’re often told how to protect our skin, bones, and muscles as we age, brain health is rarely part of the conversation. So—what’s the best regime to support our aging minds?

In the final episode of our Brain Health for Women series, Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala sit down with Dr. Laura Best to explore just that.

A medical student at UBC with a PhD in Medical Science and post-doctoral work at CAMH, Dr. Best brings research-backed insight to the often-overlooked cognitive health needs of women. She also works with the Women’s Brain Health Initiative to promote the six pillars of brain health: exercise, nutrition, stress management, social connection, mental stimulation, and sleep.

She covers:

• Why brain health matters as early as your 20s
• How stress, nutrition, and hormones impact cognition
• Simple lifestyle changes to support mental clarity long-term

Whether you're navigating brain fog, curious about neuroprotection, or simply want to feel your best mentally, this episode offers practical strategies to help you take charge of your cognitive well-being starting now.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

If you’ve ever felt mentally foggy or struggled with decision-making during or after a long training session, this episode is for you.Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala sit down with Katherine Boere, a Ph.D. candidate in Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Victoria, whose research explores how the brain recovers from cognitive depletion—especially under the demands of endurance sports.With a background in biomedical engineering and personal experience recovering from brain injury, Katherine brings a unique lens to how physical exertion impacts cognitive resilience, decision-making, and mental recovery.Her research shows:

• The real cognitive toll of fatigue—particularly in high-performance environments
•  How low energy availability affects brain function, especially in female endurance athletes
•  Why fueling and hydration are essential for mental performance, not just physical output
• The cognitive benefits of outdoor exercise over indoor settings
• How mindfulness and decision delegation can reduce mental strain during training and racing
• Simple, everyday strategies to support brain health and cognitive recovery

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone curious about boosting brain performance, this conversation offers research-backed strategies you can use right away.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

We hear it all the time—stay strong, keep your bones healthy, hit the weights. But what about your brain? For midlife women, keeping your mind sharp is just as important as keeping your body strong.In part two of this series on brain health co-hosted by Dr. Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala, they are joined by Dr. Carla DiGirolamo, a Board Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.Hormonal shifts in midlife can impact cognitive function and it’s worth paying attention to. As both a doctor and a recreational athlete, Dr. DiGirolamo brings a personal and professional perspective to the table as she discusses what really happens to our brains during hormonal changes, why it matters, and how to stay sharp through it all.She discusses:

• The latest (and muddy) research around menopausal hormone therapy and reduced dementia risk
• Myths and misconceptions around hormones and brain health
• Powerful Tools and habits for protecting brain health
• The significant effects of nutrition and hydration on brain health
• Self-sabotaging behaviors that may impact our brain health as we age
• How to combat trendy topics and the impact of diet culture on women at this stage of life

Understanding your own body is the key to making smart and confident decisions about your health and as Erin and Carla stress, being “empowered” doesn’t mean doing what everyone else is doing. It means paving your own way and making the decisions that are best for you. Your brain will thank you.

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

We spend so much time focusing on nutrition, strength training, and bone health as we age—but what about our brain? How can we build mental resilience and protect our brain health starting now?

In this new Feisty series, co-hosted by Sara Gross and Dr. Erin Ayala, we’re diving into the intersection of brain health, stress, and performance. In this first episode, Dr. Erin Ayala, a Licensed Psychologist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant, sits down with Jill Colangelo, a researcher at the University of Bern specializing in Sports Psychiatry. Jill works with athletes and teams on critical topics like endocrine health, hypothalamic amenorrhea, stress, overtraining syndrome, and athletic identity.

Together, Erin and Jill explore the real impact of stress—both short-term and long-term—on the brain and body. While stress itself isn’t the enemy, chronic stress without proper recovery can lead to brain fog, fatigue, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic issues.

In this episode, they break down:

• Common stressors for women, including underfueling, toxic productivity, and the relentless push to do more
• Practical strategies for managing stress and setting boundaries for mental and physical well-being
• Why recovery should be a non-negotiable part of your training routine
• The truth about cortisol—friend or foe?
• Which recovery trends (cold plunges, sauna, acupuncture) actually work

As active women, we often use movement as a way to relieve stress—but when does “more” become too much?

This conversation is a call to action to reassess your relationship with stress, challenge the culture of overtraining, and develop a mindset that values mental resilience as much as physical strength.

To learn more about the Brain Power Course click here!

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Recorded live at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, this special episode of The Think Tank from Essentially Esports dives into the booming growth of women’s sports.

The Think Tank show is where industry leaders—CMOs, brand strategists, team executives, elite athletes, and coaches—break down the forces shaping the sports world.

In this exclusive episode, Host Trey Holder teams up with co-host Angella Goran, a former Canadian National Team cyclist and entrepreneur, alongside Feisty Media CEO and two-time Ironman champion Sara Gross and Naomi Clarkson, Senior VP of Marketing at Momentous. Together, they explore how strategic marketing and media initiatives are not just increasing visibility but also driving real investment and long-term growth in women’s athletics.

The panel dives into key factors fueling the rise, including:

• The power of authentic storytelling to elevate both athletes and brands
• Strategic partnerships that create meaningful industry impact
• Smart resource allocation, backed by data proving the success of women’s sports initiatives
• Community-driven events like The Power Hour, designed to promote physical and mental wellness
• Continued media coverage with new product launches, podcasts, and educational resources

More than just a conversation, this episode is a call to action, highlighting the need for collaboration, ongoing support, and a shared responsibility to champion inclusivity and equality in sports.

Links to Brands:

Brand Innovators Sports and Entertainment

Think Tank from Essentially Sports

Essentially Sports on YouTube

TAPanGO Technologies

Feisty Media

Momentous

Support our Partners:

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Orca: Use the code FEISTY15 for 15% off at https://orca.avln.me/c/HzUkzIfxsmYo

Join the Feisty Winter Training Programs:

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter: https://livefeisty.com/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance