In this episode of the Not Just Gym Girls podcast, we’re talking all about navigating fitness as a busy mom and why taking care of your health can feel so much harder in this season of life. We dive into the mental load moms carry, along with the pressure of society to “bounce back”. We also break down how to redefine success when your schedule, priorities, and energy levels look different than they used to, plus the biggest mistakes we see moms make when trying to get back into a routine. Most importantly, we share realistic strategies that actually work for busy moms, from flexible workouts and simple nutrition habits to letting go of all-or-nothing thinking. We hope you enjoy.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode we’re talking about the nutrition advice we genuinely wish more women heard sooner. From chronic dieting and food obsession to under-eating, perfectionism, and the pressure to constantly “earn” your food, we’re breaking down the harmful beliefs that so many women have been conditioned to normalize. We also dive into why true health is about so much more than calories and macros, how strength training and proper fueling can completely shift your mindset around your body, and why healing your relationship with food matters just as much as physical results. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the health and fitness industry or confused by nutrition advice online, this episode offers an educational and realistic perspective on what sustainable health can actually look like.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we break down what actually drives progress in the gym and what tends to overcomplicate it. We cover the importance of progressive overload, adequate nutrition, recovery, and consistency, while also discussing common habits that often stall progress like under-fueling, extreme deficits, and constantly changing your routine. This episode is a reminder that sustainable results are built through the basics done consistently.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Nicole Turnbow, owner and founder of Body in Motion to talk about the intersection of strength training, injury prevention, and physical therapy. We break down the most common injuries and patterns she sees in active women and how to navigate training while dealing with pain. This conversation gives you a better understanding of how Nicole’s approach to physical therapy differs from the traditional model, with a stronger focus on movement, strength, and long-term prevention.

https://www.bodyinmotionpt.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bodyinmotionpt/

In this episode, we’re unpacking the belief that your worth is tied to your body. We are talking about where this belief actually comes from, how it impacts your day-to-day life, and why it keeps you frustrated. We walk through how confidence isn’t actually coming from your body, and we discuss how to start separating your identity from your appearance and build a version of you that isn’t dependent on how you look. We also talk about how to pursue fitness goals in a healthy way, without tying your self-worth to the outcome.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we share our transition from IIFYM to a mindful/intuitive eating approach. We share our own experiences in how IIFYM helped us, until it didn't and eventually became more rigid. We break down the key differences, common signs you may be stuck in a macro-focused mindset, and how we shifted our approach. This episode is meant to help you find a balance between structure and flexibility without feeling controlled by numbers.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we’re sharing our biggest hot takes on the health and fitness industry, and some of them might challenge what you’ve been told. From why you don’t need to track your macros or chase more discipline, to why it might not be as serious as you think, we’re breaking down what actually moves the needle. We talk about how food freedom and caring about your health can coexist, and why some “healthy habits” might be more disordered than they seem. We also get into the idea that growth requires discomfort, and that many people stay stuck because they’re afraid to do things differently. We hope you enjoy!

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we’re breaking down the lessons we learned from dieting too hard and how it impacted more than just our weight. From gut and hormone issues to shifts in mood, energy, and mental health, we’re sharing the downstream effects that chronic dieting can have over time. We also talk about how it started to take over our lives; missing out on social events, stressing over food, and constantly planning everything around workouts. And most importantly, we walk you through what we do differently now, focusing on eating enough, strength training, building structure without rigidity, and creating a sustainable and enjoyable approach.

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode, we're breaking down what actually supports digestion. From building balanced meals to simple daily habits, this episode is about understanding how digestion plays a role in your energy, hunger cues, and recovery. We discuss how your habits and patterns such as under-fueling, eating in a rush, or high stress can contribute to digestive issues. We hope this episode helps you better understand gut health!

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0

In this episode we're breaking down the common belief that workouts need to feel brutal to be effective. We chat about where this mindset stems from, like diet culture, social media, and the pressure to “earn” results. We discuss what actually drives change, and why constantly pushing your body can backfire and lead to burnout, especially when it comes to hormones, stress, and sustainability. This episode will give you a new standard for what effective training should feel like and how to start measuring progress in a more productive way. 

STRIVE FOR STRONG WEBSITE: https://www.striveforstrong.com/

MARISA IG: https://instagram.com/msilvafitness_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

MARISA COACHING LINK:

https://msilvafitness.typeform.com/to/ptaEKYD8

VANESSA IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessasilvafitt/

VANESSA COACHING LINK:
https://form.typeform.com/to/hec1uTP0