Stronger by Design for Women with Michelle MacDonald

Want to Build Muscle Like a Pro? Start at Your Feet.  

Hattie Boydle drops truth bombs about what really builds a strong, sculpted physique—and it’s not what most people think. 

Michelle MacDonald sits down with the five-time pro titleholder and elite physique coach to explore why intensity trumps volume, how weak feet might be killing your glute gains, and why a proper movement screen is essential before adding load. 

Hattie dives deep into beginner vs. advanced training phases, how to assess true effort, and the misunderstood magic of training at maintenance before going into a bulk. 

If you think you’re lifting hard but not seeing results, this one will flip your training script.

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KEY MOMENTS

08:24 – Glutes Start in Your Feet: The Real Foundation of Strength

16:42 – Overtraining, Undereating: The Recipe for a Plateau

20:18 – Reps, Volume, and the Real Science of Hypertrophy

29:16 – Train With Intent: Every Set, Every Rep

GUEST: HATTIE BOYDLE

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Want to unlock your teen’s true potential? Start by turning down the volume on their inner critic.

Michelle MacDonald and Kristi Simons dive deep into how emotional intelligence, energy management, and mindset can transform young lives—and even offer profound lessons for adults. 

Kristi breaks down the four types of energy that shape our daily experiences—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and shares how teens can develop self-awareness to overcome anxiety, self-doubt, and fear. 

With compelling stories, including a moving account of a 14-year-old girl finding her inner truth through guided meditation, Kristi shows how shifting from drama to empowerment is not only possible but truly life-changing. 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald 

KEY MOMENTS

05:36 – The 4 Energy Zones: Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual

11:12 – It's All About Energy: 90% Vibes, 10% Strategy

23:50 – Why Teens Thrive When They Feel Seen & Safe

30:57 – Parents as Safe Spaces: Why They Matter Most

GUEST: KRISTI SIMONS 

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What if the struggles you faced as a teen could become the foundation for a life of purpose and transformation? 

Michelle MacDonald sits down with Kristi Simons—podcaster, coach, and former teacher—who turned her own journey of self-doubt, numbing behaviors, and personal reinvention into a mission to empower teens. 

Kristi shares her raw and honest story, from the rock-bottom moment that forced her to reevaluate her life to discovering the power of self-love, emotional intelligence, and conscious transformation. 

Through her Confident Teen podcast and coaching practice, she’s now helping young people break free from societal expectations and create lives filled with confidence, creativity, and purpose. 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald 

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

02:04 – The Lost Teen: Searching for Acceptance

08:31 – Numbing the Pain: The Hidden Warning Signs

21:11 – Body Bliss: Rewriting the Narrative of Self-Worth

27:12 – The Power of Words: How a Childhood Comment Shaped Her Self-Image

GUEST: KRISTI SIMONS

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Menopause isn’t just hot flashes and mood swings—it’s a massive wake-up call about how little women are taught about their own health. 

Michelle MacDonald sits down with award-winning TV host and menopause advocate Melissa Grelo to talk about the fitness mindset women need to thrive in midlife. 

Melissa opens up about her own struggles with perimenopause, the shocking lack of medical education on menopause, and why strength training is the key to longevity. 

They dive into the dangers of self-diagnosing, the marketing traps of the wellness industry, and why women need to take charge of their nutrition, movement, and mindset. 

Leave a rating for this podcast with one click https://ratethispodcast.com/michellemacdonald 

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

05:39 – Why Most Doctors Know Almost Nothing About Menopause

10:49 – The Danger of Self-Diagnosis and Supplement Overload

23:49 – The Truth About Alcohol and Women’s Health

38:42 – Why Healthcare Needs a Menopause Makeover

GUEST: Melissa Grelo

Contact | X | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Podcast 

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Procrastination, self-doubt, and overwhelm can feel like an endless loop, but what if the key to breaking free was as simple as noticing?

Michelle MacDonald continues her conversation with Michelle Baty to dive even deeper into the neuroscience of real change. 

They explore why self-awareness alone isn’t enough and how self-management is the real game-changer.

From practical strategies to rewire habits, to understanding the role of safe social support, this episode is packed with science-backed insights to help you create lasting transformation. 

If you've ever felt stuck in a cycle of hesitation or resistance, this conversation will give you the tools to break through and move forward with confidence.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

02:05 – The Psychology of Change

12:32 – The Lowest Hanging Fruit Strategy

21:27 – The Two Most Powerful Skills for Growth

35:51 – You’re Not Lazy, You’re Overloaded

GUEST: MICHELLE BATY

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Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast 

What if slowing down is the secret to getting ahead?

Michelle sits down with neuroscientist Michelle Baty to explore the powerful paradox of progress: Slower is Faster. 

In a world obsessed with speed and efficiency, Michelle Baty breaks down the neuroscience behind why real, lasting change comes not from pushing harder, but from being in the right neurological state. 

They dive into the two fundamental states of the nervous system—Protective vs. Connective—and how recognizing these states can help us break free from self-sabotage, build resilience, and finally make the changes that stick. 

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR

03:20 – The “Slower is Faster” Effect: Why more effort isn’t always better

13:51 – Self-sabotage or survival? The truth about why we revert to old patterns

23:21 – The hidden stressors that make transformation harder

26:33 – The Catch-22 of Change: Why you need energy to build energy

GUEST: MICHELLE BATY

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Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast 

Feeling like your New Year's resolutions are slipping away? You’re not alone—but Joan MacDonald is here to inspire you to keep going. 

Michelle sits down with her, Joan, to discuss how she's maintained her incredible 70-pound weight loss for nearly a decade—without being perfect. 

Joan shares her no-nonsense approach to health, fitness, and aging with vitality, proving that consistency trumps perfection every time. 

From overcoming injuries to staying out of the nursing home, Joan’s wisdom will give you the motivation you need to stay on track and prioritize your well-being.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
06:16 – The Power of Habit Stacking: Small Changes, Big Results
11:03 – Choose Your Hard: Avoiding the Nursing Home Mindset
22:19 – Motion is Lotion: Overcoming Pain Through Movement
27:22 – Never Throw in the Towel: Finding Alternative Ways to Train

GUEST: JOAN MACDONALD
Instagram | Train with Joan Website | YouTube 

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Book time with Michelle one-to-one and share feedback about this podcast 

What if the key to transformation isn’t in doing more but in reframing how we see ourselves?

Carol Elizabeth shares her journey through breast cancer, personal reinvention, and the art of finding joy in the everyday.

From embracing the power of reframing challenges to transforming her body and mindset, Carol offers a heartfelt masterclass on silencing the inner critic and tuning into the inner coach and guide.

Her story isn’t just about fitness and resilience—it’s about redefining what it means to live fully, no matter where you are in life.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
01:29: “You’re not battling; you’re journeying”—how language shifts perspective
08:27: The U3 Framework: Inner critic, coach, and guide
32:52: Loving every version of yourself in the process of transformation
39:19: Supporting women in all stages of their fitness journey

GUEST: CAROL ELIZABETH, Transformational Speaker | Success Coach | Author
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What does it take to break free from addiction, transform your life, and become a source of inspiration to others?

Michelle chats with Brittney Carbone, a fitness model, health coach, and addiction recovery advocate, as she shares her powerful story of overcoming emotional eating, alcoholism, and self-sabotaging behaviors.

Brittney opens up about her struggles, pivotal turning points, and the actionable strategies that helped her rebuild her life, including her signature Stoplight Strategy.

From cultivating self-love through fitness to the transformative power of community, Brittney's journey is a tribute to resilience and purpose-driven living.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
03:52 Self-sabotage: from addiction to the "gray area"
08:24 A life-changing wake-up call
14:27 The Stoplight Strategy: red, yellow, and green foods and behaviors
27:30 Surround yourself with people who inspire growth

GUEST: BRITTNEY CARBONE
Instagram | LinkedIn | Podcast | Website | Email

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What if burnout, guilt, and overwhelm could be your greatest teachers?

Michelle welcomes Heather Chauvin, a leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and author of Dying to Be a Good Mother.

Heather shares her life-altering journey through stage 4 cancer and the pivotal lessons that transformed her survival into a life of thriving.

With raw honesty, she delves into her concept of "energetic time management," revealing how prioritizing feelings, respecting boundaries, and managing emotional energy can lead to profound personal growth.

WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
03:49 – Why cancer wasn’t Heather’s wake-up call but a turning point
17:26 – Managing emotional resistance and guilt to unlock joy
35:39 – Talking to your emotions: a unique approach to addressing triggers
49:02 – Redefining self-care as self-respect and why it matters

GUEST: HEATHER CHAUVIN
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