It’s not the plan on paper—it’s how you execute it. In this episode, Nichole and Christi break down intentional training (form, tempo, mobility), recovery that actually builds strength (sleep, active recovery, stretching), and the lifestyle choices that supercharge results (protein timing, carbs for training, hydration, mindset, and community). You’ll learn why quality reps beat “junk reps,” how to structure warm-ups and cooldowns, what to eat around workouts, and simple mindset + recovery tools (journaling, morning light, red light, cold exposure, rebounding) to accelerate progress—especially for women 40+.

Follow us on Instagram: @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole

Nichole sits down with sleep coach Morgan Adams to unpack why sleep is the bedrock of health—impacting hormones, mood, metabolism, decision-making, and recovery. They dig into why midlife women struggle (hormone shifts, anxiety/depression, caregiving + career load), how to build morning/evening routines that actually work, and why consistency matters even more than the mythical “8 hours.” Practical tools include the constructive worry exercise, smarter caffeine/alcohol/meal timing, optimizing the “cool–dark–quiet” bedroom, and when to use (or skip) sleep trackers.

Connect with Morgan

• Website & free guide: Awake Again at 3 AM

• Instagram: @morganadams.wellness

Motherhood changes us in ways we don’t always expect. Parenting coach Amy Haydak joins The Comeback Season to talk about the identity shifts we face—from pregnancy to empty nest—and how to meet each stage with compassion, reflection, and growth. This conversation explores trauma cycles, “supermom” myths, mom guilt, and the power of pausing, repairing, and rediscovering yourself along the way.

Get Amy’s book here!

In this episode of The Comeback Season, Nichole and Christi break down the differences between self-worth, self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-love, and how they work together to shape your self-perception and your life. Through personal stories, examples, and relatable analogies (including a powerful “house” metaphor), they’ll help you see where you’re strong, where you can grow, and how to start building yourself from the inside out.

By the end, you’ll understand why your worth isn’t something you earn—it’s something you were born with—and how to protect, nurture, and act on it every day.

Special Bonus: We’ve created a free Inner House Cleaning Toolkit PDF to help you clear out the mental and emotional clutter and start living from a place of grounded confidence. Download it here and put today’s conversation into action.

If you enjoyed this episode or any of our other episodes, please leave a review and/or share with a friend! Thanks for listening.

In this empowering episode of The Comeback Season, Nichole and Christi are joined by menopause expert Shazia Warsi to explore how mindset, nutrition, and movement can help women thrive during menopause. They uncover what’s really happening in the body beyond the hot flashes, why strength training and protein are non-negotiable, and how reframing menopause as a breakthrough—not a breakdown—can change everything. You’ll learn practical strategies for managing symptoms, nourishing your body, and advocating for yourself, along with encouragement to see this season as an opportunity for growth, confidence, and possibility.

Connect with Shazia here:

 http://www.shaziawarsi.com

 http://www.instagram.com/shinefromwithincoaching

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Get a Free Menopause resource here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fr5N0ZFltbYdpWsdq2_tpdJnLclRWhk2/view?usp=drive_link

Do you ever wonder if there’s more out there for you—but feel stuck, unsure where to start? In this powerful and personal episode, Nichole and Christi dig into what it really means to find your purpose. And no, it’s not about chasing a title or crafting a five-year plan. It’s about alignment. Joy. Identity. And sometimes, even pain.

Together, they explore:

• Why purpose is built, not found

• How joy (and even suffering) can lead you back to yourself

• Why emotional regulation and generosity are tied to your purpose

• How to stop shrinking yourself for others’ comfort

• The role of identity and inner stories in self-sabotage

• Why imposter syndrome shows up when you’re closest to growth

Christi shares her story of rediscovery after her kids left home, and Nichole opens up about how suffering nearly became her identity—until she chose to rewrite her story.

Whether you're in the middle of a transition or just beginning to ask what's next, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting and start becoming.

If you are not following us on social media already, find us on Instagram @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole

If you’ve been feeling puffy, stiff, tired, or like your body just isn’t responding the way it used to—this episode is for you. Inflammation is often dismissed as a vague buzzword, but in midlife, especially during menopause, it can be the silent force driving fatigue, joint pain, weight gain, and mood swings.

In this episode of The Comeback Season, Christi and Nichole sit down with integrative health expert Tricia Brady to unpack what inflammation really is, how it’s connected to hormone shifts, gut health, metabolism, and why so many women feel like their bodies are working against them. Together, we explore how nutrition, movement, and mindset can either feed inflammation—or help reduce it.

We break down:

• What inflammation actually looks and feels like in the body

• Why it worsens during menopause and how hormones play a role

• How gut health and blood sugar imbalances add fuel to the fire

• The connection between chronic stress, cortisol, and stubborn belly fat

• Simple, sustainable shifts that make a big difference over time

You’ll walk away with clarity, compassion, and real tools to help your body feel safe, strong, and supported in this season of life.

Please take the time to subscribe and share our podcast so we can reach the women who need this information. You can follow us for more insights on Instagram: @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole

Thank you to our guest, Tricia Brady, for sharing your knowledge with us. You can find her on Instagram @tricia.brady5

In this episode of The Comeback Season, Nichole McLeod and Christi Counts Macros get real about a truth too often ignored: changing how you eat isn’t just about food—it’s about how you think.

If you’ve ever felt like you “fail” even with the perfect meal plan, you’re not alone. Nichole and Christi unpack why plans often crumble when life gets messy, showing that discipline is only half the story. The other half? Building a resilient, flexible mindset that can weather real-life curveballs.

They explore:

• Why meal plans alone don’t work long-term and why flexibility matters more than perfection.

• Emotional eating as information, not failure—plus strategies for naming your triggers without shame.

• The trap of control: how strict rules fuel the binge-restrict cycle, and why food morality keeps us stuck.

• What stress does to your brain (spoiler: cravings aren’t sabotage—they’re your brain trying to keep you safe).

• How to build a real “mental plan”, with practical tools like awareness exercises, emotional regulation, and a “non-food comfort menu.”

Throughout the episode, Nichole and Christi share personal stories and client experiences, reframing nutrition as a deeply emotional and human journey. They emphasize that food is more than fuel—it’s culture, connection, and yes, comfort. The goal isn’t perfect meals but mindful choices anchored in self-compassion.

If you’re tired of starting over every Monday or beating yourself up for falling off plan, this episode offers a new path: understanding yourself, meeting your needs with kindness, and creating a plan that works with your life instead of against it.

Reflection Prompt:
“Next time you reach for comfort food, pause and ask: What do I really need right now? And how can I meet that need with kindness instead of punishment?”

Listen in and get inspired to transform not just your meal plan, but your mental plan—so you can make your comeback for good.

Give us a follow on Instagram: @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole

Ever feel like you’ve lost touch with your intuition? That you’re just “getting by” on autopilot, listening to everyone else’s advice instead of your own inner wisdom? This episode of The Comeback Season is for you.

Nichole and Christi sit down with breathwork facilitator Rikki to explore how the simple act of breathing with intention can reconnect you to yourself, regulate your nervous system, and build true emotional resilience.

They talk about:

• Why so many of us feel disconnected—and how shallow, rushed living cuts us off from our own knowing.

• How breathwork creates safety in the body, allowing us to move from fear into curiosity and change.

• The role of breath in emotional regulation—learning to feel feelings (even the hard ones) instead of fixing or avoiding them.

• Practical breathwork tools to get started, from box breathing to short daily practices.

• How breath-led awareness supports comebacks, pivots, and big life transitions by helping us hear our own guidance.

• The ripple effects of this work—building healthier relationships, setting boundaries without guilt, and learning to receive love.

This episode also includes a short guided breathwork experience you can try in real time.

If you’re in a season of rebuilding or just feeling foggy about your next steps, let this be your invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and remember you are supported.

Follow Rikki on Instagram @rikkiandrew

If you enjoyed this episode, connect with us on Instagram @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole. We share practical tips, real stories, and ongoing discussions about strength, nutrition, mindset, and navigating life’s pivots. Come join the conversation and let us know what you think.

In this episode of The Comeback Season, we sit down with guest Jo-Dee Hecko to explore “The Becoming Zone”—that vulnerable, often-overlooked space between who you were and who you're becoming. Together, they unpack why this messy middle matters, sharing personal stories of growth, self-doubt, and learning to sit with discomfort instead of rushing through it. Jo-Dee describes how naming this phase helped her embrace it as sacred ground for transformation. With reflections on grief, self-compassion, and practical grounding rituals, this conversation offers encouragement for anyone navigating uncertainty. If you’re in the middle of a change—feeling lost, stuck, or raw—this episode will remind you you’re exactly where you need to be.

If you enjoyed this episode, connect with us on Instagram @christicountsmacros and @mcleodnichole . We share practical tips, real stories, and ongoing discussions about strength, nutrition, mindset, and navigating life’s pivots. Come join the conversation and let us know what you think.